Latest news with #LocalAgenda21
The Star
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
MCA calls for public forums over controversial Selangor parking concession deal
MCA HAS urged local authorities in Selangor to hold public forums regarding the state government's controversial decision to appoint a new parking concessionaire. MCA urban affairs bureau chairman Tan Gim Tuan said the privatisation deal involves state-owned land and a facility intended for public use, rather than private ownership. ' Therefore, the plan should be openly discussed with key stakeholders — namely, the public.' 'When Petaling Jaya was declared a city in 2006, residents were introduced to public consultation and participation as part of Local Agenda 21,' he said in a statement on Friday (July 18). 'This process should be carried out by the affected local councils before any decisions are made.' Tan also called on all 24 councillors in Petaling Jaya to be held accountable for the privatisation deal. 'The councillors from these affected local councils must explain the details of this parking deal to residents — including the terms and conditions, and how it will benefit them,' he said in a statement. 'Although these councillors are political appointees, they must still champion the public interest.' He further stressed that third parties should not be engaged solely for profit at the expense of ratepayers. 'Malaysians are already facing higher living costs due to increased tax rates, expanded tax coverage, higher tariffs, and the removal of subsidies for everyday goods and services,' he added.
The Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
KL sports complex status in limbo
Residents are still unable to utilise the 2.42ha site with a new football field, basketball court and futsal court more than a year after construction has been completed. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star MORE than a year after the completion of the long-awaited Brickfields sports complex, the facility remains idle and untouched as it is still closed to the public. The complex, built on the site of the former Kuala Lumpur City Hall Sports Club (KSDBKL) premises along Jalan Tun Sambanthan 1, was finally completed in early 2024 after years of pressure from residents. But seven months into 2025, it has yet to open despite Kuala Lumpur City Hall's (DBKL) previous assurance to residents that the facility would open in January following the end of the defect liability period. As of mid-July, the gates are still shut, the grass is overgrown and the field is slowly falling into disrepair. 'The community fought for this field for years. 'Now we finally have it, but we are locked out. It is baffling,' said Brickfields Rukun Tetangga chairman SKK Naidu. Ghani: People are forced to rent spaces outside Brickfields to play sports. 'A facility that is supposedly completed, is being left to grow wild while residents continue to play football on the streets,' he said. Long-time resident Dr Christopher Nicholas described the situation as a waste of public funds. 'It is not just a delay anymore, now it is neglect. 'We used to walk past the place, hoping it would one day come alive with children playing, tournaments and community events. 'Instead, we are watching weeds take over while the place ages before it is even used. 'Why build a sports complex if you are going to treat it like a white elephant?' he said. Local Agenda 21 (LA21) Safe City KL coordinator Ghani Mohamed echoed Dr Nicholas' frustration. 'The defect liability period has ended, and yet the facility is still out of bounds to the people. 'DBKL must come clean and explain why the public is still not allowed in. 'This area has no proper sports facilities, no football field. 'People are forced to rent spaces outside Brickfields to play sports,' he highlighted. Resident K. Malar Devi described it as: 'It is like building a house and refusing to move in until the warranty expires. Where is the logic there? 'The field is ready. The people are ready. 'Every month it sits unused, the cost of maintenance goes up, and the public loses. 'This isn't development, it is dysfunction,' she noted. In a statement issued to StarMetro in April last year, DBKL said the complex was completed in early 2024 and would be managed by its Culture, Arts, Tourism and Sports Department. The local authority said the field was expected to open to the public by January 2025, after the defect liability period, to ensure the facility was in good condition for public use. StarMetro had earlier reported on the acute shortage of playing fields and open spaces in Kuala Lumpur, especially in densely populated areas like Brickfields. Former mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah had promised to restore the demolished field, approving plans for a new complex on the former DBKL sports club site. The restoration was to include toilets, changing rooms, a parking area and other supporting facilities. Built in 1970, the former DBKL sports club was once a key venue for City Hall staff and the Kuala Lumpur football team in the 1980s. It hosted local football legends including Rashid Hassan, Razip Ismail, Chow Siew Yai and Fandi Ahmad.
The Sun
29-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Batu Gajah's new attraction sees mural depicting life of Correctional Centre inmates
BATU GAJAH: An 80-metre mural depicting the daily life of inmates (prospects) at the Batu Gajah Correctional Centre has become a new attraction here. The painting on the walls of the centre, along Jalan Hospital, tells of the prospects' journey and daily activities such as farming, woodwork, Quran recital, and several other activities during their stay at the facility. Batu Gajah District Council (MDBG) president Mohamad Razif Ramli said the mural was an initiative of the council aimed at beautifying the town and has been gazetted as a product development plan within the administrative area. 'The 80-metre-long painting was created by a group of lecturers, students, and mural expert alumni from the Fine Arts Programme of the Kolej Pengajian Seni Kreatif (KPSK) at Perak Branch of the Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in Seri Iskandar. 'For the first time, we have a collaboration with a government agency, namely the Malaysian Prisons Department, as with UiTM Seri Iskandar, this is the third time a collaboration has been carried out, similar to what was done in Local Agenda 21 (LA21),' he said. He said this at the launching ceremony of the mural, a collaboration between MDBG, UiTM, and the Batu Gajah Correctional Centre, officiated by the Kinta district officer Zulhisham Ahmad Shukori. Also present were Perak Prisons director Deputy Commissioner of Prisons, C Charin Promwichit; Batu Gajah Correctional Centre director Assistant Prisons Commissioner S. Tanabal; and the deputy project head and senior lecturer of the Fine Arts Programme at KPSK UiTM Perak branch, Dr. Syed Alwi Syed Abu Bakar. Mohamad Razif said that MDBG took the initiative to beautify the walls with murals featuring several elements at the Batu Gajah Correctional Centre Meanwhile, Syed Alwi said he, along with nine lecturers, four alumni experts, and 12 students, started painting on Feb 15 and completed it in seven days. To create this mural, we used waterproof and weather-resistant paints to ensure it lasts for five years. 'All these paintings are not just the artists' depiction, but we actually went into the Batu Gajah Correctional Centre so that we could illustrate what the prospects did before collectively agreeing to do so,' he also said. He added that his side hopes the mural would be able to educate everyone on what happens inside the centre while also beautifying old buildings in Batu Gajah.
The Sun
29-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Batu Gajah's new attraction sees mural
BATU GAJAH: An 80-metre mural depicting the daily life of inmates (prospects) at the Batu Gajah Correctional Centre has become a new attraction here. The painting on the walls of the centre, along Jalan Hospital, tells of the prospects' journey and daily activities such as farming, woodwork, Quran recital, and several other activities during their stay at the facility. Batu Gajah District Council (MDBG) president Mohamad Razif Ramli said the mural was an initiative of the council aimed at beautifying the town and has been gazetted as a product development plan within the administrative area. 'The 80-metre-long painting was created by a group of lecturers, students, and mural expert alumni from the Fine Arts Programme of the Kolej Pengajian Seni Kreatif (KPSK) at Perak Branch of the Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in Seri Iskandar. 'For the first time, we have a collaboration with a government agency, namely the Malaysian Prisons Department, as with UiTM Seri Iskandar, this is the third time a collaboration has been carried out, similar to what was done in Local Agenda 21 (LA21),' he said. He said this at the launching ceremony of the mural, a collaboration between MDBG, UiTM, and the Batu Gajah Correctional Centre, officiated by the Kinta district officer Zulhisham Ahmad Shukori. Also present were Perak Prisons director Deputy Commissioner of Prisons, C Charin Promwichit; Batu Gajah Correctional Centre director Assistant Prisons Commissioner S. Tanabal; and the deputy project head and senior lecturer of the Fine Arts Programme at KPSK UiTM Perak branch, Dr. Syed Alwi Syed Abu Bakar. Mohamad Razif said that MDBG took the initiative to beautify the walls with murals featuring several elements at the Batu Gajah Correctional Centre Meanwhile, Syed Alwi said he, along with nine lecturers, four alumni experts, and 12 students, started painting on Feb 15 and completed it in seven days. To create this mural, we used waterproof and weather-resistant paints to ensure it lasts for five years. 'All these paintings are not just the artists' depiction, but we actually went into the Batu Gajah Correctional Centre so that we could illustrate what the prospects did before collectively agreeing to do so,' he also said. He added that his side hopes the mural would be able to educate everyone on what happens inside the centre while also beautifying old buildings in Batu Gajah.
Borneo Post
03-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Over 800 join Miri's 20th Anniversary Car-Free Day 2025
Yii breaks a wooden board during the Taekwando martial arts demonstration at the event. MIRI (May 3) : More than 800 individuals came together to take part in the Miri 20th Anniversary Car-Free Day 2025 this morning, making the event a resounding success. Miri Mayor Adam Yii, who officiated the event at Miri City Hall, expressed gratitude for the strong turnout from members of the public, government agencies, NGOs, schools, and educational institutions. 'Today, we witnessed an overwhelming turnout. This event is not just a milestone in Miri's history, but also reflects our ongoing commitment to Sarawak's long-term development goals, particularly in environmental sustainability, health, and community cohesion,' said Yii. This year's edition featured a new 4.4-kilometre route that began at City Hall and continued through Jalan Bandaraya to Jalan Marina Utama. The expanded, scenic route was designed to encourage more engagement and underscore the importance of reducing carbon emissions. Yii highlighted that the initiative aligns with the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS), contributing to Sarawak's transition to a low-carbon economy and improved quality of life for residents. In his address, he also expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak as well as the Ministry of Housing and Local Government Malaysia for providing funding as well as endorsing and facilitating the initiative under the Local Agenda 21 (LA21) 2025. 'Your guidance and support have been integral in helping us design programmes that are aligned with both local and national sustainability goals,' said Yii. He added that the programme not only encourage physical fitness but also create an environment where everyone can come together as a community to support the shared vision of Sarawak – 'Building a Sustainable, Inclusive, and High-Income Society'. 'Together, we are moving closer to realising Sarawak's ambitious goals under PCDS, ensuring a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future for all of us,' he pointed out. Meanwhile, among activities held during the Miri 20th Anniversary Car-Free Day 2025 were a Fun Run, Zumba workout, walking, bicycle riding, sports demonstrations and community games. Also present at the function were Deputy Miri Mayor Ariffin Mohamad and local councillors. adam yii community lead Miri Car Free Day
