Hannah Yeoh

My article in the Rocket :

As I sit here on my bed and write this article at 1:45am on my iPad, my 1 year old baby girl Shay Adora is asleep next to me. My husband and I were just in a discussion on how Shay enjoys sleeping in between the both of us. Her head has to be leaning on me while her legs must rest on her daddy. These are the simple joys of parenthood. As I continue to count my blessings, I cannot help but think of my peer, the late Teoh Beng Hock who died while he was still in MACC’s custody as a witness back in 2009.

Beng Hock, my husband Ram and I were all born in 1979. We joined politics because we believed (and we still do!) that we have a role to play in rebuilding this nation. Not many young people our age would have chosen this path. I became an elected representative. My husband is an active member of DAP in Subang Jaya. Beng Hock was serving alongside another colleague (also born in 1979) Ean Yong Hian Wah.

Many of my friends did not choose to be involved in politics though many are supporters of our cause. They have good jobs, own houses and cars, some married, some have kids and many enjoy a fairly decent life.

We have just recently observed Beng Hock’s death anniversary. It has been 3 years since his body was found at Plaza Masalam. While many are still demanding justice for Beng Hock and his family, the fact remains that no one has yet to be held accountable for his premature death. Premature because he was not able to enjoy what life had to offer at 33.

Beng Hock was denied the experiences of hosting his wedding. He was not able to experience life with his young bride. He came so close to walking into a marriage and a covenant with his girlfriend.

Most of all, Beng Hock was denied the joy of seeing his child throughout the pregnancy. He missed the multiple ultrasound scans at the doctor. He was denied the anxiety of preparing for fatherhood, shopping for baby’s clothes and other baby items. And of course during the big day, he was denied the experience of hearing the first cry and carrying his baby in his arms.

His son is now 2+ years old. As I recount the many months of joy watching Shay developed into the little girl she is now, I am also deeply saddened that Beng Hock was robbed of this enriching experience. The first turn, the first crawl, the first fall, the first few steps. Switching from milk to solids, the multiple vaccinations and the occasional fever that came with those jabs. The ‘on top of the world’ feeling when the child calls you Papa for the very first time. The welcoming home cuddle after a long day at work. Planning the first birthday bash. Buying toys, shopping for new shoes every few months and the joy of making your own parents proud by promoting them to grandparenthood.

I write this article to remind us all that Beng Hock was denied of all these wonderful experiences. Three years later, his family is still grieving for a painful loss they had no answers for. His little boy was cruelly robbed of a father. We must hold the government responsible for finding the cause and culprits involved in this premature death of a young man. Beng Hock is no more with us. His voice is heard no more but we Malaysians who love justice must continue to pursue it – for him, for his son and his family.

Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.

May we do just that. -The Rocket

DAPSY strongly disagrees with the stance of PAS Youth to seek the banning of Elton John’s concert in Malaysia.

DAPSY wish to state our strong disagreement with PAS Youth for their attempt to seek the authority to ban Elton John’s concert in Genting Highlands. While we respect their freedom of opinion, DAPSY feels that taking such a step will only give fodders to Barisan Nasional and the mainstream media to continue to paint a negative picture on PAS Youth as a backward and regressive youth movement. This will surely not help Pakatan Rakyat to convince Malaysians that we are a progressive and moderate coalition of parties that are ready to replace BN as the federal government.

PAS Youth’s reason that allowing Elton John to perform in Malaysia will lead to the rise of homosexuality and other social ills due to his sexual orientation is both simplistic and unacceptable. Those who are going to the concert are there to watch his talents and enjoy his music, not to support and be influenced by his sexual orientation. Banning a concert is not the solution to tackle our social ills. PAS Youth should focus more on education and awareness campaign instead of imposing their views and values on the young people.

Therefore, DAPSY calls on PAS Youth to cancel their plan to protest against the concert and change its approach in addressing social problems. DAPSY fully support the staging of the concert as planned and sees no reasons why the authority should withdraw the permit for the concert.

Article from Malaysiakini:

'Condominium now sits on Umno's cheap land'

Nigel Aw

12:27PM Dec 4, 2012

Pakatan Rakyat today moved to rebut the Barisan Nasional's claim that the cheap lands it acquired in Selangor were for the rakyat, pointing out that a condominium now sits on one of the plots acquired in Kelana Jaya.

At a site visit today, Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua said the land acquired by Subang Umno in 2004 for RM1 per square foot (psf) is now valued at around RM200psf after development.

He claimed the said land, Lot 77297, measures 87,188 square feet, which bring its total market value to RM17.44 million.

The development, Suria Damansara, is a 200-unit condominium, with a unit worth an average RM450,000, which totals to an estimated gross development value of RM90 million.

"When they (BN) rebutted (our allegation), they said the land parcels were for building kindergartens and community halls and other services for the people. This is clearly not the case," Pua said.

Only a year after obtaining the land, Pua said it was developed and subsequently the condominium was launched in 2006 and is now fully occupied.

Sekinchan assemblyperson Ng Suee Lim revealed last month that between 2000 and 2008, BN component parties had acquired 24 plots of land in Selangor at a meagre price of RM1psf.

Ng had initially estimated the total value of those lands at RM20 million but revised it to RM300 million after factoring in the appreciation following the developments conducted on them.

Possible profit-sharing?

Meanwhile, Subang Jaya assemblyperson Hannah Yeoh noted that even after the development, a land search last month showed that the land had not been surrendered to the developer but remained in Subang Umno's possession.

"So it is possible that there was some form of joint venture with profit sharing, with Umno remaining the sole proprietor of the land," Yeoh said.

She flayed Selangor BN leaders for their lack of remorse in the land grab and for lying to the state assembly that the plots were intended for the rakyat.

"BN's slogan in Selangor is "Sayangi Selangor, Yakini BN" (love Selangor, be confident in BN), if they truly 'Sayangi Selangor', then they should return the land to the people of Selangor," she said.

Ng, who was also present today, described the controversy as Sapu Tanah 1 Malaysia (1 Malaysia Land Grab) or SAT1M, in a jibe against Umno's Selangor opposition leader Mohamad Satim Diman.

"For this project, even if Umno was given a cut of 30 percent, that would have been more than RM20 million.

"Had they built low-cost apartments for the poor, we would have lauded them, but instead they built a condominium to reap profits," he alleged.

More exposes expected

Ng (centre, in photo) added that he was in the process of obtaining the exact addresses for the other lands but indicated that some of the casualties of this land grab included squatters.

"They are in Kampung Berembang in Ampang and Lembah Jaya in Shah Alam, with the people there forced to leave with very little compensation," he claimed.

Elaborating on the Kelana Jaya deal, Ng claimed the development was carried out by Matroz Corporation Sdn Bhd, a wholly non-bumiputera company.

"Umno always accused us (Pakatan) of selling out the Malays, but Umno is the one selling out the Malays," he said.

Adding on, Pua (on the right in photo) said there was no wrong in Umno doing business with Chinese businesspersons but this was a case of hypocrisy due the allegations it had levelled against Pakatan.

He challenged Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is also Selangor BN and Umno chief, to act on this matter.

"Najib said Umno has transformed, but where is the transformation? He can correct past mistakes by returning the land and profit to Selangor," Pua said, adding that DAP's Youth wing, Dapsy, would lodge a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission soon.

Subang Umno division chief Muhammad Bushro Mat Johor, when contacted, said there is no such land in possession of Subang Umno.

“No, there is not even a single piece of land listed in Subang Umno’s asset list since I became the division chief,” he said.

The Paya Jaras assemblyperson added that any query on the land is best directed to the previous division chief.

Meanwhile, opposition leader in Selangor Satim Diman said the matter should be referred to Umno Selangor secretary Mohd Zin Mohamed.

Mohd Zin, when contacted, said he needs some time and will respond in due time after his researcher gathers more information on the allegation.

VIDEO l 3.24 mins

Article from The Malaysian Insider:

Selangor BN accused of buying cheap public land to build condo

Pua (left), Ng (centre) and Yeoh at the site of the property in Kelana Jaya which Selangor Umno had sold and on which now stands a condominium. — Picture by Choo Choy May

PETALING JAYA, Dec 4 — Selangor Umno had sold off a two-acre piece of prime land in Kelana Jaya here to gain profits instead of building community centres as claimed, DAP lawmakers revealed today when rebutting Barisan Nasional’s (BN) denial in a multimillion ringgit land grab scandal exposed recently.

The plot of land is among the 24 pieces that Selangor Pakatan Rakyat (PR) representatives have alleged were sold at below market rate to BN component parties during the pact’s rule.

According to state DAP deputy chief Tony Pua, the plot in Kelana Jaya was sold to Selangor Umno at RM1 per square feet or a total of RM87,000, far below the market value of RM17.5 million.

He told a press conference during a site visit with reporters that BN’s defence was that the land was used for welfare purposes, such as the construction of multipurpose halls and kindergartens for local residents.

“But instead, in this case, the land bought by Selangor Umno was sold to a developer to construct this medium-cost condominium,” he said.

Pua added said that the gross development value of the 200-unit condominium was over RM900 million, with each unit costing some RM450,000.

He said this meant that Selangor Umno had likely turned hefty profits from selling the plot to the developer firm, which lists several Chinese businessmen as directors.

“Don’t get me wrong, I am not faulting the developer. But if BN is going to claim that it has been protecting the interests of the Malays in Selangor, then where is proof of this?

“They bought the land at such a cheap rate in 2004, sold it in 2005 to the developer and in 2006, this condominium was launched,” he said.

The Petaling Jaya Utara MP demanded that profits earned from the sale be returned to the state government or disbursed directly to Selangor folk.

Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim, who had exposed the alleged land grab during the Selangor assembly sitting last month, said the condominium proved that BN was willing to abuse its power to enrich its own members.

“Where is the transformation that BN has been harping about?” he asked.

Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh, who was also present at today’s site visit, said when PR took over in Selangor after Election 2008, Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim had put an immediate halt to the sale of any land to political parties and politicians.

“If BN has no problem lying inside the legislative assembly, imagine what they could do outside. There was no apology; they denied, lied and even justified that it is absolutely okay for them to take the land,” she said.

Selangor backbenchers had alleged last month that BN parties Umno, the MCA, MIC and Gerakan were sold a total of 24 pieces of land, collectively worth RM300 million, in seven of nine districts in the state at merely RM1 per square foot during BN’s rule between 2000 and 2008.

They alleged that of the 24 plots, 15 are now owned by Umno branches or divisions, with six of them going to the Sungai Besar Umno division, which was led by former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Khir Toyo.

Also implicated in the scandal are former MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, together with an S. Subramaniam and the late Tan Sri S.O.K. Ubaidullah, who was one of the MIC’s founders, who are allegedly named as the trustees for a 2,832 square metre plot in Kuala Selangor.

Please bring along your families & friends. See you there at 6pm!

MPSJ councillor Ng Sze Han, me, MP Puchong Gobind Singh Deo and ADUN Sekinchan Ng Suee Lim at the press conference highlighting the unpaid quit rent and assessment bill on UMNO Puchong's lands for year 2011 and 2012

Article in Malaysiakini by Ahmad Fadli KC

DAP, in a continued expose of BN’s cheap land acquisitions, has asked the Selangor menteri besar to consider confiscating land allegedly owned by Puchong Umno for not paying quit rent for two years.

Subang Jaya assemblyperson Hannah Yeoh said today the land is part of the 24 plots that BN had acquired at a cheap price when the coalition was ruling Selangor prior to 2008.
NONE

According to Yeoh (right), lots 0073899 and 0073900 in Puchong are in arrears of quit rent amounting to RM26,935.50 and RM110,869.20 respectively.

“We will write to the state government to consider several options, including confiscating the land under the National Land Code,” she told a press conference this morning.

She said that the two plots of land still remained vacant and that no community centre has been built there, contrary to the BN claim that was made when Sekinchan assemblyperson Ng Suee Lim first exposed the BN’s acquisition of the 24 plots of land at below cost.

Besides the two plots of land owned by Umno, Yeoh further claimed that both MCA and Gerakan too own a plot of land.

According to the official search copy from the District Land Office, the plot of land registered under Gerakan is located in Kinrara, Puchong, under the lot number PT29095, while that owned by MCA is registered under the party’s Batu branch and is located in Puchong Jaya with the plot number PT235.

Gobind Challenges MCA, Gerakan

Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo and Ng were also present at the press conference.

Gobind said Gerakan and MCA have to prove that the lands have been used for the benefit of the people, as BN had claimed a the Selangor state assembly sitting, before more revelations on the land grab was made by DAP.

“I challenge them to prove that the lands owned by them are used for the people,” said Gobind.
NONE

The allegations that BN owns 24 plots of land, acquired at the cheap price of RM1 per square foot, was raised by Ng (right) during the Selangor state assembly sitting a month ago.

Ng expressed his disappointment with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is also Selangor Umno chief, for his deafening silence to his (Ng’s) allegations.

“Today, I express my regret, for it has been a month since Nov 20 when I made the revelation. Both DAP and I are still waiting for the response from BN under Najib’s leadership.

“We ask for Najib to answer as Selangor Umno chief, and for him to respond to this issue of ‘RM1 per square foot’ land.

“If not, BN/ Umno would lose its moral authority to speak about its transparency,” Ng added.

Article in Selangor Times
Published: Fri, 07 Dec 2012

SUBANG JAYA: Residents are pleased with the completion of drain upgrading works along Jalan Tujuan as it has solved a persistent flooding problem in the area.

“It has definitely helped. There is no more flooding. Previously, we had floods for a couple of years,” said USJ3/1 Residents’ Association chairperson Andy Lam. The 58-year-old businessperson said during heavy rainfall, roads in the area would be covered with water over 30cm high.

A resident, Mak Meng Chin (JKP3), Victor Loo (Chairman of Residents' Association USJ 3/2), Andy Lam (Chairman of Residents' Association USJ 3/1) and rep from MPSJ Engineering Dept give their thumbs-up to the drain upgrading works along Jalan Tujuan

Lam, who has lived here for 22 years, said debris, branches and leaves would be carried afloat before being deposited all over the place once the water subsided. “It was very unsightly,” he said.

The upgrading works began in July after the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) received a grant from the Selangorku fund.

Contractor Ehiya Enterprise Sdn Bhd was engaged to carry out the works which cost RM251,000.

“I am grateful to the Selangorku fund. The state must continue to set aside funds for infrastructure as the local councils don’t have enough,” Subang Jaya assemblyperson Hannah Yeoh told the press while meeting with residents on Monday during an inspection of the drains.

She said the drains are now 120cm-deep at the beginning of Jalan Tujuan and 240cm-deep at the southern end. The whole project spans a length of 500m.

For the past two years, the local council received 15 complaints from residents over floods in the area, said Yeoh.

“According to the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS), the recent rains have been extraordinary. Normal drains cannot cope with the rising water levels,” Yeoh said, adding that USJ1 is currently experiencing flash floods which only subside after a few hours. She urged MPSJ to “come down hard” on errant developers there who may have blocked drains when working on new developments.

Here's wishing all my Christian friends a wonderful Christmas! May we be reminded daily of our Father's Gift and Love to mankind - Christ's death on the cross for us.

My article in The Rocket :

By Hannah Yeoh

What do pregnancy and elections have in common?

As the nation waits in anticipation for soon-to-be-held elections, this week I am 25 weeks pregnant with my second child. That is just crossing the six month milestone. I use ‘milestone’ because for a pregnant woman, every week that passes by is an achievement, bringing us one week closer to delivery.

Bear with me as I go through some description of pregnancy, before I explain how this relates to politics. The American Pregnancy Association reports the following:

There are approximately 6 million pregnancies every year throughout the United States. Of this number, there are:

4,058,000 live births
1,995,840 pregnancy losses

Two million American women experience pregnancy loss yearly. That is more than 30% of all pregnancies! Of this figure:

600,000 losses are by miscarriage
1,200,000 losses are through termination
64,000 losses are by ectopic pregnancy
6,000 losses are through molar pregnancies
26,000 losses are by stillbirth

While some women experience fairly easy and comfortable pregnancies, others do not. My first trimester was fairly tough. My body felt like shutting down immediately after lunch coupled with occasional dizzy spells. This was challenging when I had to drive to meetings. When I ate, I wanted to throw up. The stomach felt hunger but the throat felt extreme fullness. It was a confusing time. Nothing felt quite right.

As you approach the final trimester, your legs are all swollen. You become simply too heavy to move around. Sleeping can be painful. My hair looks like a dry nest. Your face is swollen and hormones can wreck your appearance.

The discomfort mentioned is precisely why pregnant women look forward to delivery. I remember when I gave birth to my firstborn Shay Adora, I was most delighted (not just because the pregnancy has finally come to an end).

There was pure unspeakable joy when my eyes met hers. She stopped crying when she recognised my voice. I could finally hold her in my arms. At that moment, all the discomfort I had felt, was transformed into great comfort. Nine months of ‘construction’ in the womb had finally borne fruit.

How does the pregnancy experience relate to politics in this nation?

We are approaching the 13^th General Elections very soon, possibly nearing the final “trimester” of the pre-election period. There is great discomfort and restlessness throughout the nation, from politicians to the man on the street.

Political talks intensify in the news, in meetings, in the coffee shops and just about everywhere. Mainstream media will jump at every opportunity to highlight disagreements amongst the federal opposition, no matter how trivial.

The discussion on potential candidates will heighten. Those who may not be fielded may resort to criticising their parties openly. All this will then be highlighted to display disunity. When that happens, Malaysians reading the news may become disillusioned.

Party workers may throw in the towel. Voters may become disheartened to the extent they may not come out to vote. Just like the 30% pregnancy loss, some may ‘abort’ the attempt for change whether intentionally or unintentionally (through no fault of their own).

Can a country be born in one day? Can a nation be born in a moment? Let us all be mindful about the complications involved in bringing about change that our nation so badly needs. There is an imminent miracle awaiting us, a new future waiting to be born.

May this serve as an encouragement to us all to keep believing, keep enduring and let us finish running the final lap of this race. For those veterans who have been running for a long time before us, I salute you for your endurance and for not giving up all these years. We the younger generation are the beneficiaries of your sacrifices.

Every successful pregnancy has a baby in sight. Similarly, in the impending elections, we have nothing to lose. A breakthrough is forthcoming. Hang in there as we navigate the nauseous, anxious, and sometimes uncomfortable moments. When we finally get there, it will be worth it. Remember, the best is yet to come! -The Rocket

With Wong Chen (PKR Investment and Trade Bureau chief Wong Chen), residents and business owners at the press conference

Article in Selangor Times:

Published: Fri, 28 Dec 2012

SUBANG JAYA: Residents are crying foul over the unreasonably high prices charged by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) after having their electricity meters replaced mid this year.

“My electricity bill doubled almost immediately after my meter was changed in July. I used to pay about RM200 but now its about RM400,” said PJS 9 resident Mohd Noor Ahmad.

Mohd Noor, who is also the PJS 9 Rukun Tetangga vice-president said he did not increase his electricity usage and believes the meter is rigged to charge higher.

The 66-year-old retiree lives with his two working sons and wife who is also out during the day for work.

“We only switch on the air conditioner, television or computer in the evenings like how we normally do before July,” he said.

He explained that TNB workers had come to his house and advised him to change his old meter as it was not effective anymore.

Mohd Noor was given a choice to change it then for free or pay a fee to change it later.

“I feel like a fool for changing the meter when my neighbours opted not to. I thought it was a directive from the government that we had to change and so I did it,” he said.

Meanwhile, his other neighbours who changed the meters are also facing similar problems.

One of them received an electricity bill increase of RM600, from RM300 before July to RM900 after the meter change.

They lodged complaints at TNB and asked for an explanation since then but to no avail.

Mohd Noor even resorted living in semi-darkness and using candles in a bid to bring down his electricity bill.

“Increasing by RM20 is acceptable but not jumping from RM200 to RM400. It’s just crazy and I can’t afford to keep paying,” he said.

This was then highlighted to the Subang Jaya assemblyperson Hannah Yeoh who urged TNB to disclose the revenue received after the meter replacement exercise.

“I urge the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs to compel TNB to publish and share the data with the public,” she said in a statement.

In 2011, TNB has 8.03 million customers paying a total of RM34.4 billion for electricity.

She pointed out that if all 8 million meters are changed and this exercise increases all electricity bills by a mere 2%, TNB will stand to collect RM688 million more per year.

Yeoh further hopes TNB will treat the consumers fairly and test out the new meters to ensure it is accurate.

“Due to a conflict of interest, the testing should not be done by TNB but by an independent body,” she said.

She added that TNB should fully fund the independent testing body as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) to its customers.

Every year Subang Jaya Buddhist Association organises their Educare program. This year I contributed RM10,000 from my annual allocation towards this program. More than 500 deserving students in DUN Subang Jaya received bags and school shoes.

Helping a student with her new shoes

Also gave out Selangorku school bags together with Jawatankuasa Penduduk Zone 2 (JKP2) to students of Pangsapuri Indah Court, PJS 9 Bandar Sunway.

Presentation of Selangorku school bags to students of SS13 flats together with JKP1

Presentation of Selangorku school bags to students living in SS19 flats

Article in Malaysiakini

Selangor DAP has called on Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) to prove that Selangor BN's Komuter advertising campaign has been paid for, otherwise they should stop running the campaign.

“Selangor DAP urges KTMB to disclose the total payment made by Selangor BN to KTMB for the ‘Sayangi BN’ advertisement and other relevant details, such as duration of advertisement, total unit of trains involved, any discount given for the advertisement and etc.

“KTMB is government-owned and should not be abused by the ruling political parties to advance their political agenda.

“If these advertisements are not paid, we demand that KTMB stop playing the advertisement immediately,” said Selangor DAP treasurer Hannah Yeoh (right) in a statement today.

It was reported yesterday that the Klang Valley Komuter trains have been playing theSelangor BN videos since last month.

KTMB chairperson Mohamad Zin Mohamad, who is also Selangor BN secretary, had claimed that it is a paid advertisement.

NONE

Last April, KTMB also allowed BN flags to be put up at its stations in Selangor, a state the BN has repeatedly announced that it is bent on winning back from the opposition in the next general election.

Yeoh, who is also Subang Jaya assemblyperson, also asked if KTMB had charged Selangor BN market rates.

“Selangor DAP will be writing in to KTMB to request for a quotation to display similar political advertisement materials, and we hope that KTMB will be impartial and apply the same standard/service it has accorded to Selangor BN,” she said.

Please be informed that the following staff are no longer working in the Pejabat ADUN Subang Jaya beginning 1 January 2013:

(1) Timothy Ho Sze Ye (Special Assistant)
Reason : Furthering his studies. I thank Timothy for his years of service and wish him all the very best in his pursuit of a law degree.

(2) Mukuntala Devi A/P Sivagamae (Pegawai Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor "MES")
Reason : Employment terminated with effect from 31 December 2012.

Anyone with queries concerning MES programs can contact my office 03-56312768 Monday - Friday 10am to 5pm and speak to the new MES officer Amanda How or office manager Sharon Peter.

Thank you.

Hannah Yeoh

At the press conference with reps from Persatuan Teksi Subang Jaya

Article in Selangor Times - A rail woe for Subang residents

Published: Fri, 04 Jan 2013

SUABNG JAYA: Thousands, including commuters and local business owners, will be left in the lurch if a plan to close the KTM Subang Jaya train station this month goes through.

The KTM Subang Jaya train station which will be closed this month.

“This station sees about 10,000 users each day. Not only that, the shops and malls here will face negative economic effects,” said KTM Subang Jaya Taxi Drivers’ Society chairperson Che Ei Mohamad.

He fears that his fellow-taxi drivers who ply the Sunway and Subang routes will also face a drop in income.

They estimate a drastic plunge of over 50% in their fare collection as they stand to lose passengers who use the station.

“We have passengers from Hulu Selangor coming here and heading to the Subang airport. They also travel here from Kampung Subang to go to Sunway Pyramid,” he said.

Che Ei expressed his concern during a press conference at the office of Subang Jaya assemblyperson Hannah Yeoh on Wednesday.

The society had initially met with Yeoh and a KTM representative on Dec 5 to call for better infrastructure like waiting lanes and rain shelter at the station.

“KTM said they won’t be able to comply with the taxi drivers’ demands as they are closing the station in January,” Yeoh said.

She was told that as the station will be integrated with lines coming from the Light Rail Transit (LRT) extension project, it will be closed for construction.

She is unsure when the closure will take effect, how long it will be closed and why the public are not informed.

“So far I’ve only been told of the closure over the phone. I have yet to receive any formal notice.”

Yeoh urged railway operator KTM Bhd to announce their plans and give the public enough time to adjust.

She said aside from her constituents, commuters from USJ16, Putra Heights and Kinrara, Puchong, would also be affected.

“We also want to know if KTMB has alternate plans to help the public get to the next closest station from here,” she added.

The train stations next to the Subang Jaya KTM station, which is on the Sentul-Port Klang route, are the Setia Jaya and Batu Tiga stations.

The Setia Jaya station is about 2.5km away, next to PJS8, while the Batu Tiga station is about 3km away, next to Taman Batu Tiga.

When contacted, a KTMB corporate communication officer said it was the first time she had heard of the station closure.

“I will need to check with the officer in charge first,” she said.

However, Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd group managing director Datuk Shahril Mokhtar on Thursday said the Subang KTM station will be closed within the next two months for one year to facilitate the LRT extension project.

Prasarana plans to provide feeder bus services at the Batu Tiga and Setia Jaya KTM stations to ferry passengers to KTM Subang Jaya.

KENYATAAN AKHBAR

7 JANUARI 2013

GANGGUAN BEKALAN AIR TIADA KAITAN LANGAT 2

Hari ini saya bersama Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri, Dato’ Mohamad Khusrin Munawi dan pegawai Unit Perancang Ekonomi Negeri Selangor telah melawat Rumah Pam di Wangsa Maju bagi meninjau kerja-kerja membaiki pam yang menjadi punca gangguan bekalan air kepada pengguna di Selangor dan Kuala Lumpur.

Turut bersama saya, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Berhad, Suhaimi Kamarulzaman dan Pengarah Konsortium Abbas Sdn Bhd, Abas Abdullah. Mereka ini adalah antara orang yang akan bertanggungjawab menguruskan operasi air apabila kerajaan Selangor mengambil alih perkhidmatan air daripada syarikat konsesi.

Saya telah mendengar taklimat daripada wakil Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (SYABAS) yang menerangkan bagaimana sistem pam itu berjalan dan saya mengingatkan SYABAS menyelesaikan masalah ini dengan segera supaya operasi air kembali seperti biasa.

Saya juga mengingatkan SYABAS tentang pentingnya sistem pemantauan dan perlu lebih pro-aktif untuk memastikan kelima-lima pam ini berjalan dengan baik serta lancar.

Berdasarkan laporan Jawatan Kuasa Pemantauan Bekalan Air Negeri Selangor yang telah mengadakan lawatan ke rumah pam ini pada 2 Januari lalu, kita mendapati 4 daripada 5 pam telah rosak manakala satu pam sedang diselenggara dan tidak beroperasi pada masa lawatan itu.

Jawatankuasa ini mendapati pam nombor dua telah rosak sejak setahun lalu dan tidak diperbaiki kerana tiada alat ganti manakala pam nombor 4 dan 5 rosak pada malam 28 Disember 2012 ketika beroperasi secara serentak.

Dakwaan SYABAS bahawa kesemua pam beroperasi melebihi had menyumbang kepada kerosakan pam adalah tidak benar. Sepanjang tahun 2012, hanya 18 hari sahaja pam-pam ini beroperasi melebihi 200 juta liter sehari. Kadar aliran purata pam-pam tersebut adalah 182.204 juta liter sehari.

Kita tidak boleh menerima alasan SYABAS kerana syarikat ini sepatutnya memastikan kelima-lima pam ini berada dalam keadaan baik dan penyelenggaraan secara berkala menjadi prosedur wajib yang ditetapkan dalam Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

SYABAS sepatutnya membaiki dan menyelenggara pam-pam ini sejak awal-awal lagi dan bukannya membaikinya apabila berlaku gangguan bekalan air.

Kerajaan Selangor kesal apabila SYABAS mengaitkan gangguan bekalan air ini dengan pembinaan Loji Langat 2 sedangkan ia tiada kaitan langsung. Kita mempunyai bekalan air yang mencukupi tetapi oleh kerana kegagalan SYABAS memastikan pam-pam ini dalam keadaan baik, pengguna di Selangor dan Kuala Lumpur telah terjejas.

SYABAS juga gagal menurunkan kadar peratusan Air Tidak Berhasil (NRW) di bawah paras 30% seperti yang ditetapkan dalam Perjanjian Konsesi. Jika loji baharu dibina, kekurangan bekalan air bersih kepada pengguna di Selangor, Kuala Lumpur dan Putrajaya masih tidak selesai kerana kelemahan SYABAS.

Justeru, kita mendesak Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin memandang serius masalah yang ditanggung rakyat dan mempercepatkan proses penstrukturan semula dengan membenarkan Kerajaan Selangor mengambil alih perkhidmatan pembekalan air seperti yang dihasratkan dalam Akta Perkhidmatan Industri Air 2006 atau WSIA.

Saya juga mengucapkan terima kasih kepada semua pihak berkuasa tempatan di Selangor kerana menghantar lori tangki air untuk membantu pengguna di Kuala Lumpur yang terjejas teruk akibat gangguan ini.

Kerajaan Selangor perlu menjaga kepentingan kepada pengguna di Kuala Lumpur dan Putrajaya kerana jika Selangor mengambil alih perkhidmatan air daripada syarikat konsesi, Kerajaan Selangor bertanggungjawab membekalkan air secukupnya kepada rakyat di Kuala Lumpur dan Putrajaya dengan kadar tarif sama dengan pengguna di Selangor.

YAB TAN SRI DATO' SERI ABDUL KHALID IBRAHIM

DATO’ MENTERI BESAR SELANGOR

Article from Selangor Times - Community ambulance soon in Subang

Writer: Brenda Ch'ng
Published: Fri, 04 Jan 2013

SUBANG JAYA: Malaysia’s first community ambulance which will supplement the services provided by hospitals and other non-governmental organisations is being set up here by the Subang Jaya Bomba Emergency Assistance Community or SJ Beacon.

Yeoh (right) handing over the mock cheque to Khairi.

The registered association which was established by residents from Subang, Sunway and USJ last November has so far raised RM40,000 but needs between RM250,000 to RM300,000 to purchase a fully-equipped ambulance.

The group hopes to start providing services to the community in March.

“We need this urgently because there have been numerous incidents in the past where ambulances fail to show up in times of emergency... often taking longer than 30 minutes,” said SJ Beacon vice-president Dr KM Loi.

Dr Loi, who is also a Subang Jaya municipal councillor, pointed out that there are only two public hospitals near Subang, which are the Serdang Hospital and University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC).

But there are not even enough ambulances at the Serdang Hospital to service the Seri Kembangan area, let alone Subang Jaya, Sunway and USJ.

Ambulances from UMMC take too long to come and even when they do respond on time, often face difficulties locating the place.

“There are no hospitals in Shah Alam area as well... so we decided to follow St John Ambulance and have our own community ambulance and partner with them,” he said.

Together with the help of St John, the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Department and members of SJ Beacon, this ambulance will be the first community operated one in the country.

Under the plan, a member of Subang’s Fire and Rescue Department would drive the ambulance while volunteers from St John Ambulance will provide medical assistance to those inside.

The services will be provided free of charge in cases of emergencies.

However, residents who need the ambulance to meet their medical appointments, or simply need transport back from the hospital will be charged a nominal fee.

“This fee will be used to maintain the ambulance and to keep the services in operation,” he said.

SJ Beacon is also always on the look-out for competent and passionate volunteers to join them when their ambulance is up and running.

Housed at the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Department, those involved will be expected to follow the firemen to fires and to transport victims to hospital.

Apart from medical emergency services, SJ Beacon also has another arm called the Bomba Community, made up of about 35-40 residents to spread awareness on preventing and fighting fires.

An informal group, comprising of four or five residents, which organised community events with the Fire and Rescue Department has evolved into the group which meets and trains regularly.

“We want to reach out to the community and break the ice between them and the fire department as usually it is the only place of authority which people never step into,” said Bomba Community head TH Teoh.

He explained that the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Department is the first to have a community bomba unit and this initiative is currently being followed by other fire departments statewide.

Members of the Bomba Community are trained for two hours every Sunday to learn how to use hoses, attach it to fire hydrants and learn to put out fires as well.

This knowledge will then be shared and passed down to other residents in Subang through event and fire fighting programmes organised by the Bomba Community.

The most recent event organised at the Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Department’s premises was the New Year’s Eve countdown on Monday where hundreds of residents were given a chance to step into the building.

Children were even allowed to run around the place and at the same time be educated on the duties of a fire brigade.

“I hope more of such events will be organised throughout the year as in this urban neighbourhood, it’s not easy for children to run around at a place of authority and to see what a fire department is like on the inside,” said Subang Jaya assemblyperson Hannah Yeoh.

She was present at the countdown event and pledged RM10,000 for the community ambulance service.

Yeoh also hoped that the Fire and Rescue Department will also set up a station in USJ.

Also present was Subang Jaya Fire and Rescue Department chief Deputy Supt Mohd Khairi Daud who is committed to assisting SJ Beacon in setting up the community ambulance.

“Our team is very dedicated to serve the community and get involved with the work and projects organised by SJ Beacon,” he said.

Selangor Times

MEDIA STATEMENT BY HANNAH YEOH

STATE ASSEMBLYMAN FOR SUBANG JAYA

On 2 January 2013, my office discovered a case of fraud committed by a former staff in my office, Ms. Mukuntala Devi A/P Sivagamae who was terminated on 31 December 2012 due to poor performance. The fraud involves the forging of signature of a beneficiary of the “Senior Citizens Scheme”. Following an internal investigation and admission, I lodged a police report on 3 January 2013 against Ms. Devi.

A comprehensive internal audit of Ms. Devi’s work in relation to the scheme led to the discovery of more cases of similar type of fraud. We called for and met up with the people affected and expressed our deepest regret that the incident has caused them disappointment and inconvenience. Upon verification that these 22 beneficiaries have not received the payment due to them, I immediately lodged a second police report against Ms. Devi on 10 January 2013. In the course of the audit, we have also discovered that some 95 forms relating to the scheme are missing from the office. This was followed by a third police report against Ms. Devi on 12 January 2013.

I view this incident very seriously and this has resulted in Ms. Devi being investigated by the police. I have submitted all relevant evidence to the police to assist them in their investigation. I stand committed in my pursuit of a clean and transparent office and will not tolerate any wrongdoing, especially if it is committed by any one of my staff.

Hannah Yeoh

ADUN Subang Jaya

15 January 2013

MEDIA STATEMENT BY HANNAH YEOH

STATE ASSEMBLYMAN FOR SUBANG JAYA

Residents in Subang Jaya have experienced water disruption beginning 12 January 2013 and this was the reason provided by Syabas:

“… disebabkan oleh penurunan paras kolam-kolam utama termasuk Kolam Bukit Dengkil dan Kolam Subang Airport yang membekalkan air ke SS12 – SS19”.

In addition to the above, Syabas also commented that the low water level was due to the fact that it had not rained for 2 days. I find this reason simply absurd and not acceptable.

Residents have also complained that Syabas’ customer service PUSPEL was not contactable during this period of disruption. Many calls went unanswered and residents were not able to receive any information on the water disruption and restoration plan. Residents were left guessing (some for 30 hours continuously).

I have also requested for Syabas to send water tankers to the affected neighbourhoods. However, this was done on an ad-hoc basis and unless and until the complaint channel by PUSPEL is running effectively, Syabas has no mechanism to dispatch water tankers to ALL affected residents.

Previously, residents in SS14 were not able to celebrate Hari Raya due to the same water disruption and this time around, the Ponggal celebration was affected for some residents from SS12 – SS19. Chinese New Year is fast approaching and Syabas must prevent this from happening a third time.

Hannah Yeoh

ADUN Subang Jaya

17 January 2013

Article in Selangor Times

SUBANG JAYA: Unanswered calls to the Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) call centre, Puspel, and subsequent nonsensical explanations over water disruptions have left residents fuming.

“Syabas says the water level in the reservoir is low due to no rain for two days... It’s not even drought season and it has been raining here frequently, so how can there be no water?” said Subang Jaya assemblyperson Hannah Yeoh.

She said during a press conference on Thursday that some residents even experienced 30 hours of no water over the past weekend, adding that she was told that Syabas had sent water tankers to the affected areas.

“How can they know where to send the water tankers if Puspel is not answering calls and taking down the complaints? Angry residents have been calling me since last weekend,” she said.

Yeoh urged Puspel to man their call centres properly and fix it if the system is down or broken.

“I hope Puspel will note down where they (residents) live and inform them at what time the water tankers are going to be in their area.

“If not, Syabas wouldn’t even know where the affected areas are and the residents won’t even know at what time the water tankers are coming,” she said.

This is not the first time this is happening in the area, the most recent was during Hari Raya last year when residents in SS14 had to celebrate without water supply.

Last weekend, some residents could not celebrate the Ponggol festival due to water cuts in SS12 and SS19.

Thank you banner by SJ Buddhist Association, Kuil Sri Varatharajah Perumal and SJ Sikh Association

My speech at the opening ceremony of the pedestrian bridge built by JKR Selangor connecting SS13 and SS14 at Persiaran Kewajipan:

Today we are here to witness the official opening of a pedestrian bridge. But this is not just another pedestrian bridge. To the people of Subang Jaya and the devotees of the Subang Jaya Buddhist Association, Sri Varatharajah Perumal Hindu Temple and the upcoming Persatuan Sikh Subang, this is a dream come true. You need to know why.

Back in February 2008, during the campaign period for the last General Elections, a press announcement was made by the former state assemblyman, BN’s Dato’ Lee Hwa Beng who was then a candidate for the Kelana Jaya parliamentary seat, together with Mdm Ong Chong Swen, the then BN candidate for the Subang Jaya state seat. They announced to the public that this pedestrian bridge would be built by Ahmad Zaki Resources Bhd, the contractor of the Subang-Kelana Link project, this 10-lane elevated highway project by the federal government costing RM315 million that connects Persiaran Kewajipan with Jalan Lapangan Terbang Subang.

After the General Elections in 2008, when both Dato’ Lee Hwa Beng and Mdm Ong Chong Swen lost, I as the newly elected state assemblyman for Subang Jaya began to follow-up with the Works Ministry and the Public Works Department on the status of this bridge. We were then notified that this pedestrian bridge will not be built. The only explanation I received was from Dato’ Lee Hwa Beng who informed me then that this pedestrian bridge was a personal promise by Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu (the former Works Minister) and because Samy Vellu lost and Dato’ Lee also lost in the General Elections, the bridge will not be built.

I then turned to our own Selangor state government for assistance even though this project is not within the jurisdiction of the state government. After 4 years of waiting on the promise made by BN and more than 1600 signatures collected in a petition, in May 2012, Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim used state allocation to finance the building of this pedestrian bridge and came here during Wesak Day last year to officiate at the ground-breaking ceremony. With an open tender, this bridge costs the state government RM1.35 million. Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim saw the importance of this pedestrian bridge for the safety of the residents and devotees and therefore set aside money from the limited state budget to finance the construction of this bridge.

This bridge will serve as a tangible reminder to Subang Jaya residents that BN’s slogan of “Janji Ditepati” is hogwash. A simple project, a pedestrian bridge, yet it was not fulfilled. BN made this promise, but Pakatan Rakyat fulfilled it and made it a reality. We didn’t have to build it as this is a federal project and it wasn’t a promise which we made. But we did it anyway because it is our duty as a responsible state government. Duty above promises, above slogans. We do not have fancy slogans such as “People First, Performance Now”, but you judge for yourself, who is really placing the people first, and performing now for you?

We are approaching the next General Elections soon. The same BN politicians will go around town promising many things, bridges, roads, money, peace, progress, stability, everything and more under the sun. Just remember that if you can’t even fulfill a simple thing as a pedestrian bridge, how can we trust the nation to you? I believe that the people of Subang Jaya will judge us on our actions. Thank you Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim for managing this state so well that Selangor is able to step in when the federal government fails in its basic duty to care for the well-being of the people. On behalf of all devotees here, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, and people of all faiths in Subang Jaya, I thank you for doing the right thing even when you didn’t have to. The people can now cross this busy highway safely. It is saving lives every day. Thank you.

This photo courtesy of SJ Echo

Remembering Beng Hock

Media statement by DAPSY Chief and MP for Rasah on 28 November 2012 in Kuala Lumpur

"Sayangi Selangor, Tolak BN!"

Selangor BN accused of buying cheap public land to build condo

Article from The Malaysian Insider:

Selangor BN accused of buying cheap public land to build condo

Selangor Christmas Open House

DAP: S'gor Umno behind on taxes for cheap land

Drain upgrade ends persistent flood woes

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Expecting Change

TNB urge to explain price hike

Back to School program

Prove payment or stop BN ads, S'gor DAP tells KTM

Change of staff (beginning 1 January 2013)

Temporary closure of KTM Subang Jaya station?

GANGGUAN BEKALAN AIR TIADA KAITAN LANGAT 2

SJ Beacon

Police reports lodged against Mukuntala Devi A/P Sivagamae

Water disruption in SS12 - SS19

Syabas explanation does not hold water

We did it - Selangor cares!