“Hill-slope development: Planners must have flexibility to decide”

After so many “against-hill slope-development” articles on the papers, finally... I see a letter (in NST which dated 22 May 2008), written by S.S.S from Kuala Lumpur, which offers a different point of view. I hope more of the silent majority would come forth and speak against the ‘noisy’ minority.

“Hill-slope development: Planners must have flexibility to decide”

I AM an engineer and would like to clarify some misconceptions highlighted in the media regarding hill-slope development.
While I do recognise the Highland Towers tragedy as a lesson for all of us, we must also acknowledge that if proper precautions and technical plans are put in place, there is also nothing wrong in building houses or apartments on hill slopes.

What is important is for the engineers and builders to put in place the right plan and technology to ensure that the safety aspects of the development are given attention.

In this regard, I urge the public to not oppose all forms of hill-slope development.

As long as safety precautions are taken into consideration, city planners must be given the flexibility to decide.

“Pakatan reps could have done better” ??

The residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras are caught in the middle of a right- of- way tussle between Cheras- Kajang Expressway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd and Bandar Mahkota Cheras’s developer, Nurajaya Sdn Bhd.

A reader of NST had voiced his opinion regarding the “Bandar Mahkota Cheras Crisis” saying:

“Pakatan reps could have done better”

IF the incident at Bandar Mahkota Cheras is an indication of the post- March 8 political maturity of Malaysians, then I must confess that I am completely underwhelmed by it all.

The utter disrespect for the law, inept crisis management skills and weak leadership are not the hallmarks of a progressive society.

Many Malaysians understood the difficult situation the Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents were in. But despite my sympathies, I find it hard to accept the complete lack of respect for law and ignorance of the legal process by these residents.

They not only took the law into their hands but also continually resorted to illegal means to demolish the barricade put up by highway concessionaire Grand Saga.

If the residents' actions were disappointing, then the behaviour of DAP's elected representatives can only be described as loutish. Anxious to portray themselves as defenders of the people, they behaved in a highly unethical, reprehensive and undemocratic manner.
Instead of helping to find an amicable and legal solution, these members of parliament were guilty of prolonging and worsening the crisis. It is clear that these MPs had resorted to populist actions to promote their personal and party agendas.

The police, too, did not cover themselves in glory by certain of their actions and inactions, either.

In their misplaced zeal to maintain "law and order", they acted in a manner that was not consistent with their ultimate objective of serving the nation and people.

But I was happy to note that they later changed their approach to a more practical, people-friendly and non-confrontational one that was more appropriate for such a crisis.

The most disappointing performance of this incident must surely be that of Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim. Not only did he fail abysmally as a leader but the former corporate bigwig also allowed his executive council, state assemblyman and MPs to hijack the incident and turn it into a political drama that almost turned tragic.

Khalid seems to have failed to grasp the fact that despite the complexities of the matter, as the leader of the state, he should have been at the forefront in solving the issue rather than issuing contradicting and confusing statements from Shah Alam.

I shudder to think of the consequences if the federal government had not stepped in to solve the problem. My confidence in the leadership of Khalid and the Pakatan Rakyat government is eroding day by day.

NST, Letters Section, Page 27,
Published on 6 June 2008

I agree with the writer that more often than not, the PKR subscribes to populist actions. They pick and choose issues that have high media visibility for example this Bandar Mahkota Cheras issue and several hill slope developments.

Aside from making noise from rallies and demonstrations, nothing constructive has been proposed for matters that affects the nation. What are their recommended solutions for the increase in fuel price, food shortage, etc?

Petrol to cost RM2.70 from midnight

As I was driving back home this evening, I noticed scores of cars lining up at jam-packed petrol stations. All are scrambling to fill up at least one tank-full of petrol before the price increase by midnight. The same kiasu behavior was noted during the last price hike.

The fact is, there is only so much you can save from one pump. In the long run, what we all need to do is to change our lifestyles.

Based on a survey conducted (up to 2004) by the German Agency for Technical Co-operation, fuel price has been on a gradual rise (as below). Of late, the rise has been more dramatic. If anyone can find a comparison table from 2005 to 2007, please share! I think toll operators should subsidize our fuel price. What say you?

Malaysiakini posted this Malaysia-only table charting the spectacular price increase. Everything is increasing and my clients are not paying me more!