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?
2 comments:
It is hard to believe that this is happening in Malaysia.
Do we still have government in our country?
How can a road be closed so blatantly to ask its citizen by force to pay toll?
The most heartbreaking part is that those authorities are not taking any proper steps to overcome this crisis. I am agreeing to this article especially the part where he says – “My confidence in the leadership of Khalid and the Pakatan Rakyat government is eroding day by day”.
Against all odds, the barricade was removed anyway by the residents and the road was reopened again after that. So, am I in the correct path if I am standing firmly and say “Self help is the best solution” for the residents...
XOXO...
What's happening to law and order in this country? Just because an act is unpopular doesn't mean it's illegal. I don't like paying tolls, but then again, I don't like paying taxes either. On the whole, getting highways built by private companies in exchange for lower taxes is in my opinion preferable: I at least have a choice about whether I want to pay for the privilege of a faster journey on a bigger road. If not, i take a smaller potentially longer ride on a public road.
Grand Saga's shareholders and corporations in general have as much right to expect that laws will be upheld: in this case, their contractual right to receive tolls for having invested to build the highway. Khalid as an experienced corporate manager should know this. I hear that he's a "nice" man, but by allowing his misguided PKR councillors to bully him into opening the road without resolving the legal issue is simple cowardice. Leaders are not meant to be nice: they're called to lead and do what's right, even when it's unpopular.
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