Latest news with #WangsaMaju
Malay Mail
28-05-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Baby chokes to death on milk at licensed Taman Danau Kota daycare; police confirm cause, welfare dept to review
KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 — The death of a seven-month-old baby boy at a daycare centre in Taman Danau Kota, last Monday, has been confirmed to be due to choking on milk. Wangsa Maju deputy police chief Supt Syahrul Anuar Abdul Wahab confirmed the cause of death, following the completion of a post-mortem at Kuala Lumpur Hospital, yesterday. 'The post-mortem has been completed, and the cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation due to food and milk aspiration,' he said in a statement, today. Syahrul Anuar added that the police received a report from the baby's biological father at the Setapak Police Station, several hours after the incident, which is believed to have occurred between 9 am and 11 am. 'The case is being investigated under Section 31(1) of the Children's Act 2001 by D11 (Sexual Investigation, Women and Children Division) of the Kuala Lumpur contingent police headquarters,' he said. Meanwhile, Social Welfare Department (JKM) director-general Datuk Che Murad Sayang Ramjan, confirmed that the daycare centre involved in the incident is a registered facility under the department. He said that the centre's registration had been renewed by JKM Kuala Lumpur for the period from January 24, 2024, to January 23, 2030, with an approved capacity for 51 children. At the time of inspection for registration, 36 children were present on the premises. 'Following the incident, JKM has contacted the police to obtain preliminary information. For now, the daycare centre remains in operation, and we will conduct a transparent investigation,' he said. — Bernama
Malay Mail
28-05-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Seven-month-old baby dies at childcare centre in Taman Danau Kota
KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 — Police have confirmed that a baby boy aged about seven months died at a childcare centre in Taman Danau Kota here on Monday (May 28). Wangsa Maju deputy police chief Supt Syahrul Anuar Abdul Wahab said the victim's father lodged a report at the Setapak Police Station a few hours after the incident, which was believed to have occurred between 9 am and 11 am. 'The baby's body was sent to hospital for a post-mortem to identify the cause of death and the case has been classified under Section 31(1) of the Child Act 2001,' he said in a statement today. He said an investigation is being conducted by the D11 (Sexual, Women and Child Investigation) Division of the Kuala Lumpur Police Headquarters and urged those with information regarding the incident to assist in the investigation. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
PKR may take disciplinary action against Wangsa Maju chief after congress
A source said any formal action against Wangsa Maju PKR division chief Lai Chen Heng will likely be taken only after the conclusion of the party's national congress on May 24. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : PKR is expected to take disciplinary action against Wangsa Maju division chief Lai Chen Heng following the circulation of a video in which he appears to discuss financial matters involving the division, a party source said. The source told FMT any formal action would likely be taken after the conclusion of the party's national congress on May 24. It is also understood that plans are in place to appoint the division's deputy chief, Azmee Abd Rahim, as acting head pending the next party election. The video, which surfaced on several social media platforms, appears to show Lai commenting on financial contributions to the division from a prominent businessman, allegedly referring to them as 'unaudited funds' associated with a senior political leader. Last month, Lai denied claims that the division's 2024 financial statements had been manipulated. He said such claims were baseless and politically motivated, adding that the financial report presented during the division's annual general meeting on March 1 did not receive any objections. PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh had previously said she would propose the temporary suspension of the Wangsa Maju division over procedural issues during a recent meeting. She said the proposal was expected to be brought to the PKR central leadership council for a decision. Fuziah had also said the division was instructed to hold a special general meeting on March 1 to resubmit its 2024 financial statements, which had not received prior approval from the secretary-general's office. Following further consultations, a meeting was held on March 24 to clarify details in the report. Commenting on the viral video today, Lai maintained that the clip had been selectively edited and circulated with malicious intent. 'I will leave it to the authorities to investigate, especially the individual who shared the video, which I believe was edited,' he said. 'I also believe it has been widely disseminated across many platforms in a coordinated manner, with the aim of character assassination. 'This is happening during the party's election season. It could be a coincidence, but I hope the media will refrain from speculating in a way that could disturb public order.' Asked if he had been informed of any disciplinary measures, he said he had not received any official notice. Separately, Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan urged PKR's disciplinary board to investigate the video purportedly of Lai and to take stern action if necessary. Zahir said the allegations the video alluded to were serious and tarnished the name of the party and PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the prime minister. Lai had retained the post of Wangsa Maju PKR chief in the divisional elections last month, defeating Zahir, his closest contender, by 92 votes.
The Star
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
‘Urban renewal not a straightforward issue'
ON paper, the proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA) looks like a solid plan. It gives the government a structured way to upgrade old flats, improve infrastructure and renew the city. But here are the points to consider: Not every old building is falling apart, and not every community is ready or willing to be uprooted. 'Some places are still in decent condition even though they are over 30 or 40 years old,' said Seputeh MP Teresa Kok. 'The URA may be right for buildings that really need it, but it can't be applied blindly across the board. 'If we are not careful, it could cause more problems than it solves,' she said. Kok agreed that places like Desa Bakti Flats in Selayang, which fall under Batu parliamentary area, clearly needed urgent attention. Zahir says redevelopment cannot just be about buildings. 'They are in bad shape and long overdue for redevelopment,' she said. Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan said the age of a property wasn't always the issue. 'Desa Bakti is only 33 years old but is in poor condition because of bad maintenance and poor fee collection,' he said. 'If you fix the upkeep issues, the place is still liveable. But if nothing changes, even a redeveloped block will end up the same way,' he pointed out. Zahir also questioned what would happen after redevelopment. 'At Residensi Kerinchi in Bangsar South, residents went from 450sq ft flats to bigger units,' he said. 'That's great, but now they are stuck with higher maintenance fees. Many of them earn the same or even less than before. 'Can they keep up with the cost?' he asked. Kok, Zahir and other MPs joined Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming recently on an 'Urban Renewal Expedition' (XPDC PSB), organised to give lawmakers a better sense of what the URA entailed. They visited four sites: two redevelopment projects – Desa Bakti in Selayang and Kuchai Jaya Flats in Taman Kuchai Jaya – and two completed projects, namely 1Razak Mansion in Salak South and Residensi Kerinchi in Bangsar South. Desa Bakti flats which Zahir notes are a mere 33 years old but in bad shape due to poor maintenance. — Photos: MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI and YAP CHEE HONG/The Star Both 1Razak Mansion and Residensi Kerinchi are often showcased as successful examples of what urban renewal can achieve. The site visit was to highlight the realities of ageing housing, collect feedback and explain the goals of the URA which is expected to be tabled in Parliament in July. Zahir said that while 1Razak Mansion wasn't a high-density project on its own, it was surrounded by developments like Razak City Residences, adding nearly 6,000 units to the area. It is the same story at Residensi Kerinchi, where new developments have led to much higher plot ratios in the surrounding neighbourhood. Zahir said, 'More homes mean more people, but where are the schools, clinics, police stations or parks to cater to the increase? 'In Wangsa Maju alone, four big developments were approved last year within a 1.4km radius – one with 1,587 units, another with 850 and one with over 900 units. 'That is nearly 4,000 new units, but we haven't built even one school or government clinic there. 'The police headquarters for Wangsa Maju isn't even in the area; it is in Pudu.' This is why, he said, redevelopment cannot just be about buildings. Nga (front row, third from right) assessing conditions at Desa Bakti Flats during the site visit. 'You need to look at the full picture. A neighbourhood needs more than just new homes – it needs proper support facilities too,' he stressed. Kok echoed this concern and pointed to Kuchai Jaya Flats, one of the sites visited. 'It is a four-storey flat in the middle of a 50-year-old neighbourhood with narrow roads and outdated infrastructure. 'Right next to it is a Buddhist temple, and just down the road is the upcoming Kuchai Sentral project, which will add over 1,000 residential units. 'Less than a kilometre away another project, Skyline Kuchai, will add 1,800 more,' she noted. Kok said the area was already choking. 'Traffic in Kuchai Lama is bad even outside peak hours. 'There is no room to widen the roads or upgrade utilities. 'I am not against redevelopment, but you have to consider location. 'Forcing it in areas like this will only create more problems,' she said. Han says there are plenty of flats that really do need upgrading. Public policy advisor Han Jun Siew, from Kuala Lumpur Residents Action for Sustainable Development Association (KLRA+SD), shared a similar view. 'There are plenty of flats – government and private – that are in bad shape and really do need upgrading,' he said. 'But you cannot use a one-size-fits-all approach. Not every flat is falling apart,' he added. Senator Isaiah Jacob, who also joined the visit, raised another point: accessibility for persons with disabilities (OKU). 'I think the URA is a good step forward, but it must be inclusive if it is going to work,' he said. Jacob said that while government housing sometimes allocated ground floor units for OKU residents, private developers often didn't. 'We need to ensure OKU get units on the ground, first or second floors. 'We also need better facilities like ramps, wider corridors, and accessible toilets. 'The Minister (Nga) has promised to look into this,' he added. On the ground, residents shared a mixed bag of concerns. Pensioner Rahim Hassan, 58, who has lived at Desa Bakti for over 25 years, said the flats were falling apart. 'The lift hasn't worked in months. 'We have had to carry elderly folks and sick neighbours down the stairs. It is exhausting,' he said. 'We are not asking for a swimming pool, just the basics. 'Fix what is broken,' said Rahim. A banner for an exhibition on regeneration sits outside 1Razak Mansion, which is showcased as an urban renewal success story. Noraini Ahmad, 54, another long-time resident, said poor maintenance stemmed from poor fee collection as well as the fact that tenants were mostly foreigners. 'People complain about broken lights and dirty corridors, but many don't pay their monthly fees,' she said. 'If there is no money, how can management do anything? Everyone needs to play their part,' she said. In Happy Garden, G. Shamala, a long-time resident of Desa Gembira condominium, said the URA's intention might be good but it shouldn't mean tearing down every old building. 'Not all ageing condominiums are unsafe. Some just look worn down because of poor management,' she said. 'Take my condo for example – it hasn't been painted in over 15 years. It looks tired, yes, but the structure is fine. The real problem is bad planning and lack of prudent financial management.' Shamala worries that URA may wrongly target places like hers just because they look old. 'What we really need is better management, not demolition. Kuchai Jaya Flats will soon see additional residential units in the vicinity. 'If the government is serious about improving urban living, they should help existing buildings fix things – offer grants, give technical advice, push for transparent accounts. 'Redevelopment should be the last option, not the first,' she stressed. Nga, during the site visit, said the Bill had undergone an unprecedented 79 rounds of stakeholder engagement. 'We have consulted all key stakeholders – from homebuyers' and developers' associations to academics, non-governmental organisations and the Parliamentary Special Select Committee. 'Their input has been thoroughly considered and incorporated into the Bill,' he said. The Housing ministry has identified 139 sites in Kuala Lumpur with redevelopment potential, including 91 residential strata properties. Under the proposed URA, consent from 80% of owners is required for strata properties under 30 years, and 75% for those older than 30 years.
The Star
22-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Heavyweights shown exit
Big losers: Among those who lost are (from left) Liew, Nik Nazmi, Akmal Nasrullah and Saraswathy. PETALING JAYA: Big changes are afoot in PKR, with a clear signal from the party's grassroots that some leaders are not performing despite holding national-level posts. Several leaders who are ministers and deputy ministers were shown the door in a series of upsets in the recent round of divisional elections, a reflection of the members' unhappiness. It could also be a sign of things to come in the top leadership, especially as many of those who were ousted were personalities seen as close to deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli. Some grassroots leaders, however, dismiss this view, saying that Rafizi himself and many of those seen aligned to him had also won. 'This is a normal democratic process that every PKR leader must go through. It shows that our members are not sleeping but are watching their leaders intently,' said Federal Territories PKR leader Syed Badli Shah Syed Osman. 'Our members give their leaders three years to fulfil their mandate and their responsibilities. 'If you do not perform in those three years, the members will take that mandate back,' said Syed Badli Shah, who won the Titiwangsa PKR division chief post on April 19. PKR's division-level elections were held from April 11 to 20. Polls for the national party posts will be held on May 24. Some of the big names that failed to win division chief posts over the weekend included veterans Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad in Setiawangsa and Christina Liew in Kota Kinabalu. Active in PKR since the early 2000s, Nik Nazmi has led the party's youth wing and is currently a vice-president. He is also the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister. Liew is a veteran Sabah PKR leader and a former party treasurer. She is currently Sabah Minister for Tourism, Culture and Environment. Other prominent names that failed to secure division posts are deputy ministers Akmal Nasrullah Nasir (Energy Transition and Water Transformation) and Saraswathy Kandasami (National Unity). Akmal failed to win the Johor Baru division chief contest while Saraswathy did not make the cut in the Bukit Bintang division. MPs such as Zahir Hassan (Wangsa Maju), Yuneswaran Ramaraj (Segamat), Jimmy Puah (Tebrau) and Prabakaran Parameswaran (Batu) also failed to win division posts. Zahir was defeated in the Wangsa Maju division contest, Prabakaran lost his bid in Batu, while Yuneswaran and Puah failed to make it in the Tebrau polls. Political scientist Assoc Prof Dr Mazlan Ali sees the defeats as the waning influence of the Rafizi camp as many of the losers were linked to the Economy Minister. 'Some of these leaders were probably active at the grassroots level before Pakatan Harapan came back into power after the 15th General Election in 2022,' said Mazlan, a lecturer at University Teknologi Malaysia. 'But when they won parliamentary seats and were elevated to national-level positions, some of them went quiet and slowed down.' Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim was even more blunt, describing the polls as a process where the members are purging the party of elitist politicians. 'Some party icons, who hold minister and deputy minister posts and who have become elites in the corridors of power have suddenly become hard to contact and are no longer close to the members who worked for them,' Hassan wrote in a Facebook post. 'These people no longer reply WhatsApp messages from their members and even left WhatsApp groups of people who supported them.'
