Air Force Base Sendayan

A new multi billion Ringgit project is in the making. Timeline is unknown. The scope of the project is unknown.

It was announced in the paper by Najib that a new airforce base will be built in Sendayan near Seremban to replace the present base in Sungai Besi. The existing base will cease to operate at the end of of 2011.

The base in Sungai Besi will be developed by a newly created company '1 malaysia develpoment berhad', who got the right to the land at almost not cost. I am sure if it were privatised, it will generate an income in billions that can be used to counter at least the rise of the essential petrol.

The transfer process from the current base to the new sendayan base will take at least 5 years, well into the second election session...

More news in the star..

Sendayan is new site for air force base

May 29, 2011 ... GEMAS: A new air force base will be built inSendayan near Seremban to replace the Sungai Besi base which is expected to cease operations by ...

thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/5/29/nation/8781177&sec=nation

little india problem project

The blaming game is only scratching the surface. The actual problem and the rotting flesh may be much deeper. Instead blaming, they should be investigating.

I am sure there is the spec for the project or the standard engineering practices. The like of the the pillars that started to fall apart. It is so basic to ask the question.. how deep it should be planted into the ground.

Finger-pointing starts over Little India project

May 17, 2011 ... THE blame game is now in full swing between the authorities, developer, businesses and residents over the Brickfields Little India project.

thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/5/17/central/8694068&sec=central

Read more...

Tuesday May 17, 2011

Finger-pointing starts over Little India project
By BAVANI M
bavanim@thestar.com.my




THE blame game is now in full swing between the authorities, developer, businesses and residents over the Brickfields Little India project.

Stakeholders involved in the project are pointing fingers at one another on who should be blamed over the decaying state of the multi-million ringgit iconic landmark.

A Malaysian Resources Corpo-ration Berhad (MRCB) contractor involved in the Little India project conceded that the project was rushed through to meet government deadline, but denied that it was the result of shoddy work.

“I agree that we rushed it but we should not be blamed for the defects on the plant boxes and pillars,’’ said the contractor.

“The wear and tear is the result of vandalism,” he said, adding that the public, including children, have been seen sitting on the plant boxes.

“Jalan Tun Sambanthan is a high traffic area and the five-foot area is also used by restaurants for placing of chairs and tables for diners,’’ he added.

According to the contractor, a team has been set up to carry out regular maintenance work to ensure that the facilities and décor are in good condition.

“The plant boxes were repaired just three weeks ago and the elephant fountain was repainted recently,’’ he said.

He added that the defect liability period was 24 months after the date of vacant possession and contractors were required to fix any defects.

A Palm Court resident, who only wished to be known as Chandra, blamed the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) for not carrying out enforcement on the traffic congestion in the area.

“My wife was in labour pain recently and we were stuck in a traffic jam just getting out of my condo in Brickfields. Cars were double-parked and this would not have happen if DBKL is doing its job,’’ he said.

The Brickfields Little India Petty Traders Association said any problems relating to the iconic landmark could easily be resolved if the restaurants were not allowed to place their tables and chairs on the five-foot way.

The association said the main objective of creating Little India was to create business opportunities for the poor Indian traders.

“The blueprint of the area allows the walkway to be used for the poor traders to operate their kiosks.

“Petty traders will sell souvenir items which are different from what the main shops are offering.

“It should not be dominated by one business group as Little India is a people’s project.”

Certain parties have called for the privatisation of the Little India project to better manage and monitor the place.

Brickfields Rukun Tetangga chairman S.K.K Naidu said privatisation was a good idea, but the taskforce must be properly represented.

Little India Action Committee chairman S. Pathavachalam, however, feels privatising Little India would not solve the problems.

“Little India is not a business concern to be privatised. The authorities must ensure there is a proper two-way communication between the residents, businesses and non-governmental organisations.

“Start communicating with one another and you will solve all the problems,’’ he added.

Deputy Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk M. Saravanan said he would call for a meeting with all parties concerned to resolve the problem.

StarMetro reported on Monday that the RM35mil landmark in Brickfields is beginning to show signs of decay barely eight months after Najib and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh launched the project in October last year.

Related Story:
Little India plagued by problems beneath the facad

Selangor to register illegal shelters and homes

PETALING JAYA: The Selangor Government will start registering illegal shelters and welfare homes in the state.

Exco member in charge of welfare Rodziah Ismail said she had also directed local councils and district offices to identify those that had not been registered.

“We will then check if these homes have followed government guidelines, including having licences and certificates of fitness (CFs) for their premises,” she said, adding that the operation would take three months.

Rodziah said the move was taken following the landslide that struck Rumah Anak Yatim Hidayah on Saturday, which killed 16 people, mostly children.

Meanwhile, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail urged the state government to investigate the cause of the landslide.

She said investigations also had to be carried out for all buildings and houses on hillside slopes, including private property.

“The country has had enough of such untoward incidents,” she said in a statement.

Dr Wan Azizah said the tragedy served as a reminder to people to always put safety first.

Related Stories:
Hulu Langat tragedy: It was a disaster in the making
Woman reunited with landslide survivor after 11-year search
Top priority is to help victims deal with trauma
Cops not ruling out negligence behind Hulu Langat tragedy

From Opinion:
Lessons unlearned from landslides past

View the original article here

Malaysian Competitive Position

Malaysia has been hit by the problem of losing its competitive position in the world market. While the government is trying to convince the Malaysian on how good things are going, but the majority may feel otherwise.

While the ETP ( economic transformation program) is still hot in its implementation, it does not really respond to the issue of competitiveness. They consist of projects that was intended to increase the GDP.

While Jala, the minister for transformation tried to play down the report by saying that it was the opinion of 110 people from 28 million, the truth may be far from it. I doubt the report of world standing was made solely based on opinion on 110 people.

Read more from the paper..

Jala surprised by fall in world competitive ranking

May 22, 2011 ... Jala surprised by fall in world competitive ranking. By YUEN MEIKENG meikeng@ thestar.com.my. KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister's ...

thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/5/22/nation/8733876&sec=nation

Sunday May 22, 2011

Jala surprised by fall in world competitive ranking

By YUEN MEIKENG
meikeng@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala has expressed surprise that Malaysia has fallen six places in international competitiveness ranking from last year.

However, Jala, who is also the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) CEO, said he accepted the ranking and would look into areas which could be improved.

“We are studying the report on Malaysia's position in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2011.

“We will look into issues and areas of weaknesses and find ways to improve them,” he said after the “How you can participate and benefit from the Economic Transformation Pro-gramme (ETP)” seminar held at Wis-ma Chinese Chambers here yesterday.

Jala added that the Government would analyse the details of the report next week.

In the scoreboard released by Switzerland-based Institute of Management Development, Malay-sia's ranking dropped from 10th place to 16th out of 59 participating countries.

Jala said the ranking was produced from interviews with 110 people although there were about 28 million Malaysians.

“The ranking is the result of the views of those 110 people. If you ask another 110 people, they may have different views,” he said, adding that it had only been six months since the ETP was introduced.

“It will take time for the ETP to show fruition in the economy.

“I remain positive that this is a great country with a great future,” he said, adding that there was still a need to improve government and business efficiency.

On the Chinese community's acceptance of the ETP, Jala said their response was excellent and he was very encouraged by it.

“Many Chinese small and medium enterprises have raised their issues with us and we are looking for solutions,” he said.