Baby Selangor, Penang More

Hatch budgets – good counters

p 12 – 13 for future p 10
for MPK
p16

community DECEMBER 24 – 26, 2010/ issue 5

By Neville Spykerman

KLANG: Fairy Park, a massive private

cemetery here which is partly operated ille- Fairy Park Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) and
the Klang and Petaling District Offices for
not taking tougher action against Fairy
Park. The company had failed to get approvals

gets the nod

gally on agriculture land, has been given the
green light to continue provided it pays all
its dues to the state.
“Fairy Park must convert the land to
commercial purposes and settle all fines, fees
and arrears it owes the authorities,” said
executive councillor Ronnie Liu.
Liu said the state had to take into account
that people were already buried at the site in
Meru and that the company had sold other
lots.
Liu, whose portfolio includes local
government, said the owner had applied to
convert the land.
In September, Premivest Sdn Bhd, which
operates Fairy Park, admitted illegally using
agricultural land to bury nearly 20,000 people
since the 1990s. They charged up to
RM316,000 for family plots.
But the company’s managing director, Koh
Tian Seng, argued that he was just performing
a social service when he was hauled up before
Selangor’s Select Committee for Competency,
Accountability and Transparency (Selcat).
from MBSA’s building and planning depart-
ment.
More than 20,000 people have been buried
at Fairy Park despite stop work orders. The
company only settled five compounds which
were issued to them after Selcat started its
probe.
Shah Alam Mayor Datuk Mazalan Md
Selcat was probing the 154-acre cemetery sympathy from Selcat chairman Datuk Teng Noor said MBSA received the directive from
in Meru, which had approval for only 28 acres Chang Khim who pointed out that finding the State Economic Planning Unit to approve
for a private graveyard in 1991. new burial grounds was the responsibility of the land conversion on Dec 9.
Only 19 acres have been legally converted the state. “Fairy Park’s management had already
from agriculture use. Another 136 acres are The inquiry also revealed that Fairy submitted their application to convert the
classified as agricultural Park charg e d up to land and had settled 16 summonses amount-
land and the company RM316,300 for a family ing to RM136,000 in fines,” said Mazalan.
has not got approval to plot measuring 48’ x 80’, These include five summonses for RM25,000
convert the land into a while the cheapest plot and 11 for RM1,000 issued by MBSA’s engi-
cemetery. was RM9,000. neering, building and enforcement depart-
Koh said he could not Te n g s a i d t h a t ment .
turn away those who amounted to RM82 per However, he said the premium that must
needed burial plots,
claiming that Fairy Park
内附中文版 sq feet which was higher
than the costs of most
be paid by the company to convert the  land
from agriculture into commercial use is still
offered the cheapest 《雪州时报》 homes. being determined by the Land and Mines
rates. But he got little He also criticised the Department.

Merry Christmas from

2
news
DECEMBER 24 — 26, 2010

Selangor WEATHER
Friday Saturday Sunday
Selangor says no to nuclear power
By Yasleh Hani Mat Yassin
Morning SHAH ALAM: Selangor is maintain-
ing its stand that nuclear power plants
will not be tolerated in the state due to
public safety and because better alterna-
Afternoon tives exist.
The state was responding to Putra-
jaya’s statement that it aimed to have two
nuclear power plants up and running by
Night 2022.
“We reiterate our stance .... no Ma-
laysian should be exposed to these un-
Source: Malaysian meteorological department necessary risks,” said a state spokesman.
The spokesman said Selangor was the
first to object to the plan when it was
first announced in Oct 2008.
He said Selangor was opposed to any
nuclear power project in Peninsular
Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, and called
for the country to be declared a nuclear
free zone.
The state added that Putrajaya
seemed intent on “forcing nuclear
power on Malaysia, irrespective of pub-
lic opinion”, comparing the move to the
controversial Bakun Dam.
He said the dam was a white elephant
and waste of public money. “Just like the
dam, nuclear power will be another
economic and environmental disaster
for the country.”
The state also criticised Putrajaya for
not keeping its promise made earlier this
year that a ‘comprehensive study’ would
be conducted before any move was made
on nuclear power.
Green energy options like wind,
solar and biomass were supposed to
be considered alongside. “But where is
this study? Instead the nuclear power
plans have quietly doubled to two plants
after being laundered through the Eco-
nomic Transformation Programme
(ETP).”

Faekah: Don’t Housewife declared

blame us over
surau issue
SHAH ALAM: The Sate Government says it should not
take the blame over a controversial land takeover that will
affect the status of  Surau Al-Hidayah, Rawang.
Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim’s political
secretary, Faekah Husin, told Selangor Times that the surau
land plot was given to a private company eight years ago under
the Barisan Nasional Government.
Despite that, she said the state would ensure that Kampung
Melayu Pekan Rawang residents have a place of worship de-
spite notification to demolish or relocate the existing surau
for a development project which was approved in 2002.
According to her, the state did not intend to blame former
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo, who recently clarified
that the land was sold to a private company in 2000 by his
predecessor, and not in 2002 under his tenure.
“The most important thing is, it is not us who sold the land
to the private company back then... and I am not attacking
(Dr Khir) or anyone else,” she said.
The residents recently staged a demonstration and accused
the current government of selling the plot of land to a private
company for development, which will result in a demolition
of their 100-year-old surau.
Faekah said the land was owned by a private company, SAP
Holdings Sdn Bhd, which is running the development project
with another private entity Mahumas Sdn Bhd.
She said SAP Holdings was a state subsidiary under
Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Berhad (KDEB).
“But the Barisan Nasional Government had allowed KDEB
to release their shares in SAP Holdings Berhad to private
ownership,” she explained.
She blamed the BN for releasing the KDEB shares in SAP
Holdings Berhad to private ownership. “And the current
shareholders are mostly from MCA...so this matter is com-
pletely between Umno and MCA,” she said.
She said it was also in 2002 that the BN approved the
development proposal by SAP and Mahumas on the Rawang
land, including the lot that was gazetted for the surau.
Meanwhile, Surau Al-Hidayah Action Committee presi-
dent Bing Selamat Amir said that the matter would be resolved
amicably by the weekend. “I was told that the private com-
pany will resolve the matter by this weekend, so there is no
need for us to stage a demonstration,” he told Selangor Times.
phone (603) 5523 2288
fax (603) 5523 1188
email editor@selangortimes.com
EDITORIAL
CHIEF EDITOR KL Chan
COMMUNITY EDITOR Neville Spykerman
WRITERS Tang Hui Koon, Chong Loo Wah, Gan Pei Ling,
Alvin Chin, Lee Choon Fai, William Tan, Alvin Yap,
Yasleh Hani Mat Yassin
COPY EDITORS James Ang, Deborah Loh
DESIGNER Jimmy CS Lim
PHOTOGRAPHER Victor Chong
ADVERTISING Evelyne Low
ADVISORS Faekah Husin, Arfa’eza Abdul Aziz
dead, loses EPF money
By Alvin Yap
SUBANG JAYA: All was lost for
Sarasvathi Chellayaya when she dis-
covered her Employees Provident Fund
(EPF) contribution was cleared out
after she was declared dead.
“I am telling my story to the press
because I don’t want this to happen to
anyone else,” said the housewife.
Speaking at a press conference with
Subang Jaya assemblywoman Hannah
Yeoh, the 56-year-old woman recalled
her ang uish at finding out that
RM56,000 of her hard-earned money
was missing.
Sarasvathi claimed that the money
was taken out by an unidentified Sikh
man bearing a death certificate that
declared she had died of old age in May Sarasvathi (left) with her daughter Thaveayogamalar (right) and Yeoh at
2008. the press conference yesterday.
Saravasthi, who went to the EPF
head office in Jalan Raja Laut in Kuala printed out her death certificate. It When contacted EPF general mana-
Lumpur on Dec 15, was informed that stated that the same Sikh man had iden- ger for public relations Nik Affendi
a lump-sum withdrawal was made in tified her “body” to the medical officer Jaafar said in such cases, money is only
April 15 this year at the same location. at the General Hospital in Kuala Lum- released after verification from NRD.
She alleged that the EPF officials told pur. EPF also obtained the orginal death
her not to highlight the case to Furthermore, the death certificate certificate.
the press. “They told me to give them stated Sarasvathi as having died at a “We have rechecked the case with
two weeks to check my case, but not to location in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur. She NRD and their records still show that
go to the newspapers and they would was adamant that she had always stayed Sarasvathi is dead.”
pay me the money that I had lost and a in her house in USJ. In addition he said the money was
few thousand more on top,” said Saras- “There are a lot of documents that relased to an individual nominated by
vathi. have been falsified for this withdrawal. her.
Sarasvathi and her daughter later The authorities have to check this out Nik Affendi denied claims EPF
approached National Registration as there are a lot of discrepancies invol- offered to “settle the case” if she didn’t
Department (NRD) officials who ved,” said Yeoh. go to the press.
PETALING JAYA: Irate councillors are calling for
firmer steps to rid the city of illegal advertisements PJ councillors
see red over
promoting sex toys, services and aphrodisiacs.
“These advertisements are everywhere. We tear them
down and the next day, the signs are up again,” said Derek
Fernandez.
Fernandez, who was speaking at the Petaling Jaya City
Council (MBPJ) full board meeting on Wednesday, lashed
‘naughty’ signages
out at Alam Flora for not removing the signages. hands these advertisements to their respective neighborhood
He said if the solid waste contractor was not up to the watch or resident associations but the response has been
task, then the job should be given to the MPBJ enforcement disappointing. The idea was suggested in 2008 and
unit. approved in 2009 but was not widely publicised.
Fernandez pointed out that enforcement officers could However, Fernandez   said the campaign was not the
easily carry out the task while on their rounds. “While right step. “These people who put up these advertisements
clamping a car, or towing it away, they can just go and are likely to be gangsters. What if someone is seen by them
remove the signages,” he said. while taking down the signages?”
Fernandez added that he had resorted to removing the Fernandez and Tew agreed that a “sure way” to fight
signages himself but the advertisers had wised up. “Before, the advertisers was to block the telephone numbers in the
they used to glue them. It could still be ripped off; now, advertisements. Tew said she had approached the Malaysia
they use wires to tie them to traffic light poles,” he said. Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)
Councillor Tew Way Keng said MBPJ’s incentive to to have the telephone numbers disconnected. “We gave
encourage the public to remove the offensive signages had them 100 numbers, but only 10 were disconnected, “ she
also failed. A  70 sen reward is being offered to anyone who said.
 SELANGOR TIMES ⁄ DECEMBER 24 – 26, 2010 ⁄ 3

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4
news
DECEMBER 24 — 26, 2010
Events
Rock Festival
Rock The World is a yearly concert organised by Fat
Boys Records to introduce and provide a platform for
new and established talents. Annually, 15,000 - 20,000
rock music enthusiasts crowd the concert to support
local talent. This year, Rock The World is back again
with a celebrative mood as it marks its 10th year
anniversary! Event starts from 10am till late on Dec
26. Tickets are available at Ticketpro outlets (03-7880
7999), Rock Corner, Music Valley and at the venue for
RM30. Venue: Bukit Jalil Stadium (Carpark A)
Indian Jewels Exhibition
Treasury of the World: Jeweled Arts of India in the Age
of the Mughals is an exhibition showcasing jewels
which have seen the inside of the Louvre, the British
Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New
York on their world tour over the last ten years. The
exhibition is in Kuala Lumpur until Dec 31. ‘Treasury
of the World’ is made up of pieces from the Mughal
court (1568 – 1858). Opens 10am to 6pm daily and
admission is RM12 for adults and RM6 for students.
Venue: Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, Jalan Lembah
Perdana, KL
Art Exhibition
Titled ‘Inception, Continuity and Beyond’, the exihibition
showcases the works of 47 artists from Malaysia,
China, Taiwan and Thailand. Over 80 kaleidoscopic
artworks using techniques like ink, watercolour, batik,
ceramic, sculpture and printmaking are featured. This
exhibition runs until Dec 31. Visiting hours are from
Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 8pm. Admission is free.
Venue: Pusat Elken, No. 10 & 12, 2nd and 3rd Floor,
Jalan 1/137C, Batu 5, Jalan Kelang Lama, KL.
Kuala Lumpur Children’s Book Fair 2010
Secretariat of the National Book Council of Malaysia
(MBKM) is holding the inaugural Kuala Lumpur
Children’s Book Fair (KLCBF) 2010 from Dec 22 to
26. The fair opens from 10am to 9pm. In addition to
the thousands of great books to browse through
and purchase, the KLCBF 2010 offers various stage
activities. Admission is free. Venue: Tun Razak Hall 3,
Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur.
i-City New Year Celebrations
A three-day carnival will be held at i-City to celebrate
the New Year, starting from Dec 29 and will end after the
countdown on the night of New Year’s Eve. Attractions
slated for the celebration include the indoor snowland
which opens to the public on Dec 29, presentations
from local artiste, performances by various local
authorities and participating schools.
All Martial Arts Exhibition
The two-day public exhibition on Dec 30 and 31 is a
family event with activities suited to both young and
old, and prizes to be won. Athletes will showcase
the various martial arts including Ninjitsu, Judo, Silat,
Kendo, Wushu, Taekwondo and Muay Thai (Tomoi) with
the latter being the core of the event. Visiting hours are
from 10am to 4pm. Venue: Telekomuzium, Jalan Raja
Chulan, Kuala Lumpur (next to Maybank Tower)
Rantai Art Festival
Rantai Art Festival 2010 returns to Kuala Lumpur from
Dec 20-26 with the theme “GRAVITY”. See, feel, hear,
touch and experience arts like no other. For more
information, visit www.rantai-art.blogspot.com or call
Hakim Alias at 012 648 4038. Venue: National Art
Gallery.
AkashA Malaysia Sophomore Album Launch
World music troupe, AkashA Malaysia, will release
its second album “Karakoram Highway” with 10 new
tracks. The album features guest musicians Wong Lee
Hom (Hong Kong) and Red Chamber (Canada). The
album launch will be on Jan 8, 2011 at 8.30pm, featuring
new songs (and old favourites!) and other guest artiste
collaborations. Admission is RM57. Purchase of the
new album or the first album “Into AkashA” at the show
will entitle you to a free AkashA live performance DVD
(while stocks last). Venue: Pentas 1, The Kuala Lumpur
Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC), Sentul Park, Jalan
Strachan, KL
Abandoned
project revived
Buyers casting their vote. Inset: Yam
By Gan Pei Ling
subang jaya: Relief is in sight
for buyers of an abandoned ser-
viced apartments here, after they opt-
ed to appoint a new developer to re-
vive the Newgate 21 project.
At a meeting at Holiday Villa last
Saturday, most of the owners voted to
allow Sumbangan Lagenda to rehabi-
litate the project in USJ 21, which was
abandoned  a decade ago.
Nik Aslah Nik Daud and her hus-
band, who used their savings to buy
their unit, were among those looking
forward to finally see Newgate 21
built.
“I’m very happy the project is start-
ing again. We planned to move into
the unit originally, but now we just
hope they can complete the project,”
said the 63-year-old retiree from USJ
6.
The project was first abandoned by
Solarglow in 2000, and later by  Ping-
giran Setia in 2006. Of the 1,000
units, fewer than 100 remain unsold.
Most are commercial lots.
In September 2008, creditor RHB
Bank appointed Pricewaterhouse-
Coopers (PwC) Advisory Services to
help revive the project. Subsequently,
Sumbangan Lagenda won the open
tender facilitated by PwC.
Sumbangan Lagenda managing
director Jason Yam said they would
need about RM50 million to com-
plete the construction of the four
blocks of 24-storey apartments and a
three-storey retail podium.
In addition, Sumbangan Lagenda
will partner property investment fund
Amanah Raya or its subsidiary to re-
vive the project.
Move to legalise swiftlet breeders
shah alam:: Swiftlet breeders
operating in shoplots can apply for tem-
porary licences provided they comply
with conditions and standards laid out
by the local authorities.
The temporary measure announced
by state executive councillor Ronnie Liu
will be in effect until standard guidelines
are finalised.
“If everything falls into place, we
should be able to resume construction
after Chinese New Year,” said Yam.
PwC Advisory Services executive
director Victor Saw said  under the
new rehabilitation scheme, purchasers
can choose to keep or surrender their
units back to Sumbangan Lagenda.
Saw said those who choose to keep
their units have to pay an additional
25% of their units’ original purchase
price to cover the rising costs of con-
struction.
To safeguard the purchasers’ inter-
est, the top-up of 25% collected will
be kept by an independent stake-
holder, and only released to the devel-
oper upon the project’s completion.
If Sumbangan Lagenda failed to
complete the project,  the collected
amount will be returned in full, toge-
ther with interests earned, to the pur-
chasers.
Alternatively, purchasers who
choose to surrender their units will re-
ceive an 80% refund of their total
payments made to date. The apart-
ment units were originally sold at
RM70,000 to RM150,000.
Julia, from Kuala Lumpur, said she
took a bank loan to buy one of
the apartment units for RM100,000
10 years ago. Sumbangan Lagenda is
required to complete the project
within 30  months after commence-
ment.
State executive councillor Teresa
Kok,   who helped resolve the prob-
lem, advised buyers to keep their units
as an LRT line and a five-star hotel will
be built around the area later.
Subang assemblywoman Hannah
Yeoh hosted the meeting. Also present
was Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo.
The lucrative but unregulated indus-
try has been a bane to the public with
operators not contributing to the com-
munity.
“These breeders have been operating
farms without paying any licensing fees
and this has resulted in a loss of income
for local authorities,” said Liu.
The temporary licences are only for
breeders operating in existing structures
Move
to reduce
crime rate
shah alam:: The Shah Alam Municipal
Council (MBSA) has proposed community
policing to reduce crime in neighbourhoods.
Safe City programme planning officer
Hamzah Tajuddin told the council at its full
board meeting on Wednesday that involving
the Residents’ Associations (RAs) was piv-
otal in ensuring local security.
He further suggested that RAs identify
and list out neighbourhood watch pro-
grammes in their respective areas so that the
residents can actively take part in the pro-
gramme.
Apart from neighbourhood watches, the
security in MBSA areas also need to be
beefed up by installing more closed-circuit
televisions (CCTV).
There are currently 24 CCTVs installed
in areas under MBSA, including Sri Muda,
Section 25, Section 2, Section 7 and Section
13. These areas have reportedly become hot
spots for snatch thieves.
In a related matter, Hamzah revealed that
MBSA had recorded a significant drop in
the area’s overall crime rate by 15.74% this
year, surpassing the national target of five
percent.
Speaking later to the reporters, Shah
Alam mayor Mazalan Md Nor said the
overall drop in crime rates have shown that
the council’s effort in fighting crimes have
been successful.
Hard work pays
off for farmer
shah alam:: It is not a dream job for
most people - working in the mid-day heat
and getting little returns.
But 59-year-old Samsudin Husaini has
proven that being a farmer in an isolated
village can pay dividends.
Samsudin, who has been in the agricul-
ture industry since he was a little boy, was
awarded a grand prize of RM50,000 by the
state government for the ‘Best Paddy Yield
Administration Project’ at this year’s Farm-
ers Day on Tuesday.
Refusing to take all the credit, Samsudin
said he owed it all to his Tali Air 10 Com-
mittee, Sabak Bernam.
The state government, through its Agri-
culture Development, Natural Resources
and Entrepreneurial Development state
executive councillor Yaakob Sapari, re-
warded more than successful 20 farmers at
the event.
Earlier, Yaakob said the industry had
expanded to its peak when the current in-
come of farmers was upgraded from
RM650 a month to a minimum of
RM1,000 to RM1,500 a month.
The event was opened by Tengku Sulai-
man Shah Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz.
such as shoplots and will be in effect
between January and July next year.
Liu said currently most breeders are
unregistered. Liu said the state was
working with the State Department of
Veterinary Services to formalise the
guidelines which could take up to six
months. However, he said councils
would not entertain breeders who oper-
ate close to residential homes.
 SELANGOR TIMES ⁄ DECEMBER 24 – 26, 2010 ⁄ 5

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6
news
decEMBER 24 — 26, 2010

A filthy back lane in Kampung

Cempaka during a visit on Dec
18. An MBPJ worker (in red)
is telling a business owner to
clean up around his premises
or risk closure.

By William Tan

PETALING JAYA: Kampung

Cempaka is one of the Petaling Jaya
City Council’s (MBPJ) on-going
headaches due to its illegal factories
and unhygienic state.
MBPJ councillor Cynthia Ga- An eyesore as business owners dump unwanted items and rubbish indiscriminately.
briel said illegal and haphazard de-

Kampung Cempaka
velopment was the cause of the vil-
lage’s problems.
“Out of the 1,502 lots in this
kampung, at least 600 of them are
either running unlicensed busi-

nesses or have constructed illegal
extensions, [or in many cases,]
both,” she said during a site visit last
Saturday. With her were MBPJ of-
ficers from the health, complaints,
enforcement and building depart-
ments.
Illegal development, she said
caused the narrowing of roads as
residents build onto them.
Worse, she added, is when resi-
dents tamper with the drains by
building on top of them or closing
them with sheets of metal. This
worsens the already poor drainage
system in the area.
MBPJ councillor Richard Yeoh,
who also visited the village with
Gabriel, said he was concerned that
the backflow in drains could weaken
in need of rejuvenation
the soil around the area.
“We don’t want to see a repeat of
the Highland Towers incident espe-
cially when we have condos nearby,”
he said.
However, efforts to rectify the
problems are proving to be difficult
due to the development history of
the town, which was established as
a Chinese new village during the
Communist insurgency in Malaysia.
Businesses have mushroomed
over time and many have now been
running illegally for decades. Com-
bined with poor planning and un-
checked development, the area is
now in a poor state.
“[Residents have just] built what
they wanted,” said village headman
Peter Liew May On, adding that the
residents’ mindset was difficult to
change.
Even residents who know the law
are still unwilling to go through the
formal procedures because of the
time taken to obtain permits, Liew
said.
Gabriel said the MBPJ will en-
force regulations on as many busi-
nesses as they can, including demol-
ishing illegal buildings. One build-
ing already slated for demolition is
an illegal four-storey building.
Several other building owners
have also been issued warnings and
given deadlines to clean their busi-
nesses surroundings and register
themselves with MBPJ.
Next, MBPJ will clean up the
back lanes and illegal dumping
grounds. The long-term goal is to
improve the drainage and general
infrastructure.
Plans to rejuvenate the area,
however, may take years due to the
funds needed, and competition for
funding from other areas that also
need redevelopment.

Students look to the past to move ahead

By Alvin Yap The session on 11 Jan 2011 at the Selan- panadan, a final-year student at University
gor Chinese Assembly Hall  is called the Malaya, said that student movements of the
KUALA LUMPUR: A new student Students’ Parliament. The one-day gathering ‘60s had united students from different
movement has looked back to the student will give participants a chance to voice their ethnic groups to discuss student issues in
movement of the 1960s in its bid to address opinion on issues in campuses. campuses.
campus issues nationwide. Participants need to register online at the “We are empowered. We read about the
The National Student Assembly (NSA), group’s website at www.pmn201212.com ‘60s student movement online. We don’t
a group of undergraduates from private and and can also take part in a survey on the want to go to the streets to hold demonstra-
public institutes of learning will be launch- issues they feel need to be addressed. tions but we want to solve problems like any
ing a forum and workshop for students. NSA media officer, Dinesweri Pus- intellectual group,” said Dinesweri in an
interview on Monday.
“The National Students Assembly aims
to target 500 registrants and so far 250
students have already registered to attend
the Students’ Parliament. Every student is
given two to three minutes to speak on is-
sues that they feel the campus authorities
need to address.”
A workshop will follow for the partici-
pants to form their own respective groups
and develop “action plans” to solve each
issue.
“Everyone then votes on the action plans.
As such, we’ve decided to call it the Stu-
dents’ Parliament, as we hold to democratic
NSA members (from left) Raymond Kwan, Amir Farid, Abu Abbas, Dineswen principles where everyone has a view, and it
Puspanadan, Lydia Natasha, and Ng Chong Soon. must be heard, and that it counts,” said
Dinesweri.
“We hope that this will give space to
students [from any] side to voice their is-
sues. We are independent of either pro-es-
tablishment or pro-opposition groups,”
Dinesweri continued.  
NSA has already identified some issues
that students feel need to be raised. One of
them is the lack of public transportation
when classes end late at night. Another issue
is the lack of Wi-Fi connections in cam-
puses or hostels.
“Some of us have to go to Starbucks, get
a coffee, to be able to use the internet con-
nection in order to study and carry our re-
search,” said Dinesweri. Another issue that
students are complaining about is the lack
of proper places to gather and study to-
gether.
“We need a place to study, especially
when the examination period is around the
corner. We have suggestions to have a 24-
hour library set up.”
But who would staff the library?
“That’s what the Students’ Parliament is
for. [It is] the place to bring up issues and
find ways to solve it,” said Dinesweri.

MBPJ explains flood
mitigation delay
KOTA DAMANSARA: When
it rains, it floods. The nightmare for
every motorist at Persiaran Surian
here should come to an end as
the Petaling Jaya City Council
(MBPJ) has promised to start its
long-delayed flood mitigation
project.
The project was to have started
on Nov 3, but MBPJ engineer Che
Remi Tarman said that there was a
lot of preliminary work that had not
been completed in time.
“We needed to make proper
revisions. We do not want to spend
so much money on something that
will not work,” he told Selangor
Times.
Che Remi said a retention pond
will be built in the area to prevent
future flash floods.
“I had a meeting with the con-
tractor recently and he said the
project will start in two weeks’ time.
The construction will then take
about three to four months,” he
explained.
According to him, MBPJ has also
decided to raise the height of the
main road to one metre to alleviate
flooding on Persiaran Surian.
The flood-prone Persiaran Surian
is a popular route to the Mutiara
Damansara town centre and to
retail centres like The Curve and
IKEA.
A few months ago, flash floods
submerged part of the road, causing
massive traffic congestion in Kota
Damansara.
In July this year, Petaling Jaya
mayor Datuk Roslan Sakiman said
that an allocation of RM2 million
has been set aside to mitigate flash
floods in the area.
Separately, Kota Damansara
assemblyman Dr Nasir Hashim told
Selangor Times that MBPJ “has been
sitting on the project for too long”
despite complaints lodged two years
ago.
“They only promised they would
do something about it, but so far we
have not seen any result...they have
the money, so what’s stopping
them?” he asked.
As the area’s assemblyperson, he
said he would continuously push for
the project to be completed as many
residents were affected.
“We expect MBPJ to do some-
thing about it. If they don’t, it will
look bad on us as if we have not
done our job. All we want is to work
on a cordial relationship with them,”
said Nasir.
news
DECEMBER 24 — 26, 2010 7
Know Your Councillors: Tan Sie Wai
By Lee Choon Fai which is Section 31 and “I look for ways to
SHAH ALAM: An economics
graduate, Tan Sie Wai (pic) has de-
Section 33 that includes
Kota Kemuning and
Kemuning Utama,” he
solve these issues and
raise them at the city
council’s f ull b oard
dicated the last two years of his life said. meetings,” he said.
serving to the people in this city. He sees his main role He a lso reg ularly
The 44-year-old councilor with as a channel of com- organises events to foster
the Shah Alam City Council munication between the community ties,
(MBSA) brings with him 15 years’ MBSA and residents. including celebrations of
worth of administrative experience Tan says he wants to bring religious festivals and holidays.
having worked as a senior manager development to the community An active PKR member, Tan is
with several multi-national com- while improving the lives of also the special assistant to Sri
panies. residents. Muda assemblyman Shuhaimi
Tan, who is also an active The most common public Shafie.
blogger and social activist, is complaints he deals with involve On his days off, the father of
currently serving his third term as illeg al dumping of g arbag e, three enjoys travelling and photo-
an MBSA councillor. potholes, spoilt street lights and graphy. He also blogs on a Facebook
“I am in charge of Zone 12, trash collection. page called ‘True Reformis’.
New aid for the elderly and disabled
By Lee Choon Fai make necessary adjustments free of charge.
Meanwhile, at the ‘Back to School’ event, some 500
PETALING JAYA: The disabled and the elderly can students from PJS1 and PJS4 received school items such
re-fit their bathrooms to be disabled friendly under as school bags, shoes, stationery, water bottles, socks
Program Sejati by the Petaling Jaya City Council and vouchers to redeem school uniforms.
(MBPJ). “ The objective of the program is to help the poor in
“This programme is the first of its kind in the local their yearly education spending,” said Taman Medan
council, it has never been done before,” said MBPJ assemblyperson Haniza Talha, who was present.
councillor Anthony Siva. Bukit Gasing assemblyperson Edward Lee also
He was at Taman Medan last Sunday participating helped with the distribution of aid.
in the ‘Back to School’ programme, where he was also The ‘Back to School’ program is held annually. The
promoting Program Sejati to residents. number of students in the PJS area who have received
Anthony said the programme is aimed at the elderly benefits from the programme have increased since its
and the disabled who are poor. Those who apply will implementation in 2008 with 200 recipients, 400 in
have MBPJ engineers sent to their homes to inspect and 2009, and 500 this year.
8
news
decEMBER 24 — 26, 2010
Benefits of pet sterilisation
Coaster
Ham and her
spayed cat,
Tiki Tiki.
Spayed pets better
than stray ones
A successful pilot project to conduct
free pet sterilisation in a bid to reduce
unwanted puppies and kittens may
soon be extended to other munici-
palities in Selangor.
Last Sunday, 21 dogs and 13 cats
were spayed for free by volunteer
veterinarians in Taman Cheras Har-
tamas under the Save A Stray pro-
gramme. The programme was initi-
ated by Teratai Assemblyperson Jen-
ice Lee and the Ampang Jaya Mu-
nicipal Council.
“We would like to extend the
service but we are going to need fund-
ing and dedicated volunteers to come
forward,” said Save A Stray founder
Jacqueline Tsang.
The non-government organisation
has been an advocate of pet spaying
to reduce the number of abandoned
and stray animals.
Tsang said more pet owners had to
be educated about spaying. This
practice is the norm in developed
countries and is considered the most
humane way to resolve the problem
of strays.
During the event, free medical
checks, including de-worming, were
given to all pets.
Owners also received free pet food
and obedience training guides for
their pets.
“We had 40 volunteers to help out
in the event and 12 veterinarians car-
rying out the surgeries,” said Tsang.
Organisers originally set a target
of 50 pets to spay but had to turn away
some because the animals were in
poor condition and were not strong
enough for surgery. However, owners
of these pets can get them spayed at a
later date for free.
Volunteer veterinarian Dr Loh
Che Mun said unwanted litters are
the main cause of abandoned pets.
“People usually own pets for secu-
rity and companionship, but some
people are getting pets for the wrong
reasons. They don’t understand that
it is a huge responsibility to have one,”
said Dr Loh.
Other causes of pet abandonment,
By Lee Choon Fai
AmpaNG: Owners who seized the
opportunity to have their pets neu-
tered and spayed for free are grateful
that they no longer have to worry about
unwanted litters.
Coaster Ham, who brought her cat
to be spayed at the Save a Stray pro-
gramme in Taman Cheras Hartamas
last Sunday, said her pet had given birth
to three kittens two months ago and
she wanted prevent more pregnancies.
“She’s always goes around looking
for mates. There was once where she
jumped from my two-storey flat unit
to look for a mate!” lamented the resi-
dent of Pandan Indah.
Ham gave the thumbs up to the
initiative and said pet owners should
get their animals spayed instead of
abandoning puppies and kittens.
R. Selvi said her four-year-old dog,
Sheba, has already had three litters and
had given birth to the latest batch of
seven puppies just a month ago.
She only managed to find homes for
four puppies and still has three at
home.
The 55 year-old kindergarten teach-
er said spaying Sheba was for the
“greater good” because her neighbours
have been complaining about the noise
her dogs were making.
Mak Sun Nam and his family
brought their pet dog to be spayed as
they did not want puppies nor did they
want the hassle of finding homes for
them.
“In my opinion, if you cannot take
care of so many pets at once then it’s
best that you spay them. It is better that
way,” said Mak.
The 39 year-old technician is in fa-
vour of the programme and said more
similar events should be organised.
Jacqueline Tsang, founder of Save
A Stray (SAS) which organised the
programme together with the Ampang
Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) and
the office of the Teratai Assemblyper-
son, said plans are already underway
to continue the service at other loca-
tions.
An owner comforting his dog after it was spayed.
Dr Loh added, were getting the educate people on the responsibili-
wrong breed, sickness, and difficulties ties involved in having a pet. Pets
faced in maintenance. have to be regularly checked for
Dr Loh was on hand to give own- illness and parasites that are not
ers advice on pet health care and to easily detected.
SELANGOR TIMES ⁄ DECEMBER 24 – 26, 2010 ⁄ 9
10
newsDECEMBER 24 — 26, 2010
Selangor, Penang budgets
good grounds for future
By Tricia Yeoh
S
elangor and Penang are the testing
grounds for alternative and future styles
of governance in Malaysia.
What will be decisive in the long run is not
the point-scoring in the daily rhetorical snip-
ing that seems to be an inescapable part of
two-coalition politics. What really matters is
how well the state governments are run. The
state budgets are therefore what analysts
should be studying.
Amid the political rhetoric, it is easy to
forget that daily responsibilities continue for
governments and bureaucrats. Pakatan
Rakyat (PR) has suffered several recent
shocks. There were the twin by-election losses
in Galas and Batu Sapi, followed by the dam-
age control required over Datuk Zaid Ibra-
him’s decision to quit, first, the Parti Keadilan
Rakyat elections, and then the party alto-
gether.
These events have occupied much media
space. While PR’s political resilience is an
absorbing issue, it is perhaps more important
to examine the ways in which PR state govern-
ments are running their states respectively.
This is a more appropriate reflection of how
PR’s philosophies are translated into reality.
Let the figures speak
The Penang and Selangor state assemblies
tabled their respective 2011 budgets recently.
As two states that contribute significantly to
the nation’s wealth and economic develop-
ment, it is in the interest of all stakeholders,
including the Barisan Nasional(BN) Federal
Government, to ensure that these states are
properly managed in order to continue attract-
ing domestic and foreign investment.
A crucial aspect of this lies in the financial
management of the states’ resources. Some
common themes can be easily identified be-
tween the two state budgets.
First, both states seem confident about
developing more efficient financial manage-
ment tactics, and eventually shoring up better
state reserves in the mid to long-term.
Penang table d a 2011 budg et of
RM897.36mil, a 25.7% increase compared to
its 2010 budget of RM713.79mil. Out of this,
38% contributes to operating expenditure
(RM343.1mil) and 62% to development ex-
penditure (RM554.26mil).
Selangor tabled a 2011 budget of
RM1.43bil, a 3.4% reduction from the 2010
budget of RM1.49bil. Out of this, 58% goes
to operating expenditure (RM860mil) and
42% to development expenditure (RM-
600mil).
Penang tabled a deficit budget of 12% for
the year ahead, whilst Selangor tabled a bal-
anced budget.
The reason given for a deficit in Penang
was the social welfare allocations for targeted
groups like senior citizens, the hardcore poor,
schools and religious programmes. However,
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng stated that the
deficit was funded by state reserves, and that
he was confident the balance in the reserve
funds would increase by the end of 2010
through cost-cutting measures and an increase
in revenue.
Selangor’s response was similar. Menteri
Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said state reve-
nues had exceeded its original estimates. He
also expects that with better revenue
collection methods, state revenues
and reserves will increase the follow-
ing year.
Penang’s government was espe-
cially proud of the flattering mention
in Transparency International’s and
the 2010 Auditor-General’s (A-G)
reports of its efforts to heighten trans-
parency in governance and increase
efficiency in financial matters.
The A-G report commended the
state government for the increase in
its accumulated fund of RM75mil in
2009 compared to 2008. Penang also
registered a 1.4% increase in state
revenue.
As for Selangor, a newspaper report mis-
takenly quoted from the same A-G report that
RM977.7mil was apparently missing from its
state accounts, when only RM206mil re-
mained to be adjusted. The full amount was
in fact accumulated over a period of seven
years.
Furthermore, close to 90% of Selangor’s
debts of RM829mil (due to loans taken from
the federal government) were incurred when
the previous administration decided to priva-
tise its water services industry, a move the
current government is attempting to reverse.
Clearly, a deep financial mess was left behind
in Selangor, which impacts upon present ac-
counts.
The way ahead
The 2011 budget speech shows how an
array of measures have been taken and will
continue to be taken, to increase state revenue
further. This will mainly be via the collection
of quit rent arrears through land and district
offices. Selangor has also successfully collected
RM390mil in debts owed it by the Talam
Corporation, and has used part of this to start
its microcredit scheme for small-time entre-
preneurs and the poor.
Second, both states highlighted the need
for a specific roadmap and blueprint to outline
and achieve their vision. These are mentioned
in the respective leaders’ speeches.
The Penang Blueprint is being prepared by
the state think-tank, the Socio-Economic and
Environmental Research Institute (SERI), and
is soon to be unveiled. The Agenda Rakyat
Selangor (Selangor People’s Agenda), pre-
pared by the state’s Economic Planning Unit
and the Menteri Besar’s Office, is to be
launched at the beginning of next year.
Although the documents are not yet pub-
lished, the budget speeches give a good indica-
tion of their contents. Although the
methods may differ, both roadmap
documents are a result of extensive
consultations with various stakehold-
ers and representatives of the business
world, civil society, and the larger
community.
In promoting the economy, both
states pinpointed similar industries to
focus on. The areas most discussed are
the industrial sector, tourism, infra-
structure and utilities, agriculture and
livestock, trade and consumer affairs,
education, the environment, job crea-
tion, liveable cities, public transport,
cleanliness and safety, urban renewal,
rural development, and selected land
reform measures.
Both Penang and Selangor also
focused on policies aimed at clean,
green, sustainable and liveable envi-
ronments for citizens. Both recognise
that any economic growth will re-
quire comfortable urban living which
will in turn attract investment.
The two states are of course very
different in makeup; their population
size, pressing needs and expectations,
existing infrastructure and proposi-
tion points vary. But the direction towards
sustainable living is found in both their agen-
das.
This list may seem like a hodgepodge of
issues that throws in everything and anything
possible – especially when state governments
today have limited purview over major policies
due to the increasing centralisation of federal
power.
However, the states’ interest on many of
these issues is necessary and there are attempts
at tackling some of the more difficult problems
faced by the people.
For example, handling crime or public
transport is not necessarily the responsibility
of a state government but because people
consider these priority areas, both Penang and
Selangor have taken the initiative to outline
their end-goals.
Some of these may involve working
closely with the Performance and Manage-
ment Unit (Pemandu) under the Prime Min-
ister’s Department. Despite justified criticism
of the latter’s ostentatious budget, some bipar-
tisanship will be needed.
Charting a different path
Prevalent within both documents is also
the emphasis on good governance, transpar-
ency and accountability. The theme of “com-
petency, accountability and transparency”
continues, cutting across all layers of admin-
istration.
Both state governments have taken bold
strides towards the Freedom of Information
Enactment, started open tenders for new
contracts, and championed the rule of law.
Selangor has initiated the Integrity Pact
for state companies such as Kumpulan Se-
mesta Sdn Bhd and Perbadanan Kemajuan
Negeri Selangor (PKNS). These were an-
nounced in the budget speeches, and are ex-
pected to be discussed in the blueprints.
Finally, both state governments strongly
focus on social welfare programmes.
Manifestos from Pakatan parties an-
nounced before general elections in March
2008 contained demands for better social
safety nets, which the state governments have
been trying to live up to.
As a result, both states adopted policies
aimed at assisting the elderly, Chinese and
Tamil language schools, the disabled, religious
schools, and mosques and religious teachers.
Selangor has some additional welfare benefits
for victims of domestic abuse and children of
estate workers, a fund for all children born in
the state, and a policy of free water for the first
20m3 used per household.
State governments are in an awkward posi-
tion as they do not have authority in determin-
ing broad economic policy. Still, more will be
expected of the PR states in determining an
economic model distinctively different from
the BN style of mega-projects and financial
handouts.
It is positive to note that both Selangor
and Penang have common goals and ideals in
attracting investment, and making their states
liveable and sustainable. More could certainly
be done in collaboration with the other PR
states to create an economic and investment
corridor. This would then show that in Ma-
laysia’s development, there are alternatives to
pumping RM5bil into a 100-storey tower. –
Penang Economic Monthly
Tricia Yeoh is research officer to the Menteri
Besar of Selangor.
 Views 11
DECEMBER 24 — 26, 2010

I
’m not a fan of seminars.
Chances are, if you are a young person
like me, you’re not, too.
Seminars, conferences and the like rarely
attract young people. They are dull affairs
meant for adults. They’re boring, too long
and irrelevant. Chances are, you would
rather watch How I Met Your Mother re-runs
or do some Facebook stalking, than to par-
ticipate in a seminar on Indigenous People’s
rights.
However, since I was getting tired at how
it never was the “mother” that Ted was dating
on his shows, and since I had been refreshing
my Facebook Home page five times without
seeing anything new, I decided to go for the
seminar on 2 Dec.
There, a lawyer, a non-government organi-
sation leader and two Datuks spoke. Hardly a
Paramore concert.
I sat through listening to passionate
speeches about the Orang Asli being robbed
of their land and livelihood. I cringed when
the organisers conducted the entire seminar
in English, knowing full well that the Orang
Asli contingent present could not understand.
I also face-palmed when the other Datuk
congratulated the first Datuk for ‘helping’ the
Orang Asli. And I was angered to know that
the Orang Asli teenager sitting next to me was
robbed of an education.
Yet, I did not regret attending the event.
In fact, I was even glad I went through all
the unpleasant feelings. Fluffy as it sounds, I
felt my consciousness awakened, my drive
rekindled. Because I had met vocal and inspir-
ing individuals who bravely questioned the
authorities and private corporations’ lack of
accountability.
I found a role model in the form of Steven
Thiru, Co-Chair of the Bar Council Orang
Engaging youths
beyond Facebook
Asli Sub-Committee. His Organisers can invite say: Break away from your daily routine. Bring
speech radiated genuine youth leaders to be part your friends along. Watch the sit-com reruns.
enthusiasm; he made hu- Youthology of the panel, to represent Your homework will benefit from the insight
man rights sound cool. the views of youths. Lec- you gain from attending these seminars any-
Observing him, he showed Lee Lian Kong turers can also make it way.
me, a law student, a viable part of their course for Oh, but you say, there’s Universities &
career option as a human rights lawyer to be students to attend certain events to earn University Colleges Act 1971, I can be ex-
the voice for the voiceless, resurrecting the credit. Universities can organise field trips and pelled from school! But did you know, that
idealist in me. companies can direct younger employees to did not stop 5,000 university students from
At this point, cynical adults reading this participate in the corporate social responsibil- gathering to pressure the government over
will pooh-pooh what I’m writing. Laughingly, ity department. widespread poverty in Baling, Kedah, in 1974.
they will brush this of as passing ‘youthful These seminars need not just be about But you, say, it’s dull! Then take the initia-
exuberance’. Meanwhile, my contemporaries speeches, exchanging name cards, speeches tive and inject some fun into it. After all, if
will label me as overzealous, and more speeches. Music youths do not know how to have fun, who
nerdy and even, crazy. How can be incorporated. does?
can she miss American Idol Organisers Didn’t singers like Rage Don’t think that the effect of these event
to go for these boring can invite youth Against the Machine and stops with a one-off, inspirational feeling
events?! leaders to be Bob Marley cause the politi- which will be forgotten the next day.
Both parties have valid part of the panel, cal awakening of many Who knows what seed might be planted?
points but both also under- youths? It could be the start of a domino effect. If both
estimate the value youth to represent the But this cuts both ways. youths and the adults who organise these
participation can bring to views of youths. Youths too, must take the events make changes, then human rights
these events. Thousands of Lecturers can initiative and respond to the seminars can be exciting, beneficial and dare
youths will voluntarily at- also make it part changes. Oh, but you say, I say it, fun!
tend a rock concert, but of their course for there’s Facebook! I have
very few will turn up for a
human rights seminar. At
students to attend friends to meet, The Kar-
dashians to watch and home-
Lee Lian wishes everyone a Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year. She welcomes all feed-
least, not by free will. certain events to work to do! back and Christmas dinner invitations at
It need not be this way. earn credit.” To my fellow youths, I leeliankong@gmail.com.

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E-mail : leescape@yahoo.com
Contact person : Ms Brenda Lai
 Insight
12 DECEMBER 24 — 26, 2010
Parents: Adoption a viable option
For couples who have been trying to
conceive a child for a long time but
have not been successful, adoption is
often the next best choice.
Shahrir, 31, and Norziah, 26,
decided to adopt a child after being
married for four years.
They stumbled upon OrphanCARE
when they were surfing the Internet
for more information on how to adopt
a child.
They registered with the non-
governmental organisation early this
year and after waiting for a few months,
adopted their first baby boy last June.
Similarly, Norhan and Hani, both
29 turned to adoption after having
been married for three years. They
adopted their baby girl through
OrphanCARE last July.
The couple found out about
OrphanCARE from the Social
Welfare Department. The couple
decided to go for adoption because
they wanted a child before they were
30.
Hani admitted that even though
her parents have been ver y
enc oura g ing , her friends had
questioned their decision to adopt a
baby.
“They think we should continue
trying because we’re still young. But
our plan was to have a child before 30
and we decided to stick to our plan,”
she said.
Both couples did not expect to be
able to adopt a child only a few months
after they were put on the waiting list
as they have heard stories about
couples who have had to wait for years.
They were shocked but happy.
“We were the fifth couple on the
list. Incidentally, the couples before us
were not available at that time.
“I believe it’s fate,” said Shahrir over
the telephone.
The executive producer said he
took a whole week off from work to
help his wife prepare for the arrival of
his baby boy into their home.
They did not meet the baby’s
biological parents as OrphanCARE
helped the couples to take care of the
adoption legal procedures.
“We were so happy to see the baby.
He was so cute and adorable,” said
first-time father, whose joy could be
heard clearly through the phone.
Shahrir said their families have
been very supportive so far, adding
that some of their relatives have
Women’s
tales of
regret
adopted children as well.
“It’s not a strange thing for us. It’s
been a really positive experience so far.
You just feel like, the future is bright,”
said Shahrir.
He added that he and his wife want
to focus on this child first and would
only consider adopting or having a
second child after a few years.
Meanwhile, Norhan and Hani also
expressed the same sentiments.
“We want to give our baby girl our
full concentration for the next three
years,” said Norhan.
The civil servant added that they
have bought insurance and are saving
for their child’s future education.
However, his wife Hani, an office
administrator, admitted that she was
a little worried at first if they could
cope with the newborn.
“But the moment I saw her at the
hospital, I knew I was ready to be a
mother,” said the first-time mother.
The couple had to take turns to
wake up every two hours at night to
feed their baby girl during the first few
months.
“It’s better now as she can dif-
ferentiate day and night,” said Hani.
Her mother takes care of the child
By Gan Pei Ling
S
ince 2004, 571 baby-dumping cases have been
recorded with Selangor having the highest num-
ber at 147, or 26 per cent, Women, Family and
Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat
Abdul Jalil said in Parliament last week.
In addition, police said 86 babies had been found
abandoned this year. However, these are only the reported
cases. The actual number may be higher.
Why are people abandoning their babies?
Selangor Times spoke to two mothers who chose to
give up their babies to adoptive parents at OrphanCARE.
Ain, a 21-year-old from Johor Bahru, is due to deliver
a baby girl this month. Then, there is Siti, a 32-year-old
civil servant from Kedah who gave birth to a baby boy
this month. (Ain and Siti are pseudonyms to protect the
women’s real identity.)
Ain found out about OrphanCARE from her aunt
who applied to adopt a child while Siti discovered
the organisation that set up the
country’s first baby hatch from
newspaper reports.
Would these two young wom-
en have aborted or abandoned
their babies if they did not find a
place like OrphanCARE that help
them find adoptive parents? This
we would never know.
But by sharing their stories, we
get a glimpse of the lives of these
two young women, how they end
up with unwanted pregnancies,
and how they are doing their best
to cope with it despite society’s
stigma.
Both young women have to
deal with the pregnancies them-
selves as their boyfriends deserted
them.
Ain, 21, nine-months preg-
nant, said: “I met my ex-boyfriend
at my previous workplace. He
is the same age as me. We were
together for about nine months.
One night, I stayed over at
his parents’ house and he entered
my room while I was sleeping. I
think he was drunk. I couldn’t
really remember what happened
that night. I didn’t want to have
sex with him.
“Initially I thought of lodging
Caretaker Rochelle Ancheta feeding a baby.
a police report after the incident,
but later I found out he also made
another girl pregnant. I broke up
when both of them are at work.
“She can recognise people now and
she’ll cry every morning when I go to
work.
OrphanCARE here to help not judge
“The most memorable moment for OrphanCARE made national
me so far was when I called her name and even international headlines
and she smiled at me for the first time,” when it set up the first baby hatch
Hani recalled fondly. in the country in May this year.
Hani advised couples who are Seven months down the road,
considering adoption to ignore its deputy president Noraini
negative feedback from others. Hashim said they have received 20
“Others may warn you against it, newborns, all of which have been
saying the child will not be of your adopted.
keturunan but don’t be afraid. If you “Initially we thoug ht the
really want to adopt a child, just go for mothers would just put their babies
it,” said Hani. in the hatch and run off. Because
Norhan said that adopted children usually these babies are born out of
are given surnames designated by wedlock.
government authorities. “Surprisingly, only one has done
“I’m sure she will notice it sooner so. The rest chose to come see us
or later but we want to be the ones to and some even came with their
tell her when the time comes. Right boyfriends. I think they wanted to
now, we just want her to grow up make sure their babies were in safe
happily,” said the father. hands,” said Noraini.
“She doesn’t have to grow up to be She said these people are usually
an architect or doctor. I only want her in their early 20s. Some mothers
to be able to differentiate right from came while still pregnant while
wrong. others came after delivery.
“The rest she has to think for herself OrphanCARE prefers couples
and she should have her own dream,” or mothers to walk in as it smooth-
said the mother.  A worker attending to a baby at OrphanCARE.
supportive. He would call once in a while to
find out how I was doing and asked if I would
like to return to work.
“I will return to JB after I deliver the baby
girl but I think I will find a new job because
almost all my ex-colleagues know what hap-
pened to me.”
Siti, 32, delivered her baby early this
month. “I met my ex-boyfriend when he was
studying in a private college in Kedah. We
didn’t use condoms when we had sex. I didn’t
use other birth control methods because I
thought I wouldn’t get pregnant so easily at
my age.
“When I found out I was pregnant, I
told my ex-boyfriend but he changed his
phone number and disappeared after that.
I didn’t know what to do with the baby. I
have thought of abortion, but couldn’t bring
myself to do it. I came across OrphanCARE
when I was reading the papers. Then I
thought it’s better to give my baby to a couple
who really want one but couldn’t.
“I called OrphanCARE and also checked
out their website before coming here. After
deciding to come here, I told my family
about my pregnancy. They were angry but
they agreed with my decision to give the
baby away because I don’t have the financial
capability to raise a child and the people in
my kampong would gossip. I will go back to
Kedah after OrphanCARE finds adoptive
parents for my baby boy.”
The baby hatch in OrphanCare was
with him in March this year. launched in May to provide a safe haven for mothers
“Later during Hari Raya, I felt there was something or couples who might otherwise abandon their babies.
strange with my body. My friend accompanied me to a Its introduction attracted controversy as some parties
clinic and I discovered that I had been pregnant for seven claimed the hatch might encourage people to abandon
months. I was shocked. their babies. However, OrphanCARE deputy president
“I didn’t know how to tell my parents or my ex- Noraini Hashim told Selangor Times they just wanted
boyfriend. My friend told my boss about my pregnancy. to provide a safe alternative for people with unwanted
He was very understanding. He didn’t scold me but asked pregnancies. In addition, there are many couples who are
me about the guy who made me pregnant. interested to adopt newborn babies.
“After that, he helped me talk to my parents. My par- Noraini said there were currently around 400 parents
ents were really angry in the beginning. They took me to on their waiting list, and they have successfully arranged
see my ex-boyfriend’s parents the next day. Both parents for 20 adoptions of newborn babies.
wanted me to marry my ex-boyfriend but they dropped The organisation also plans to set up a second hatch
the idea after finding out that he had made another girl but is still looking for a suitable location.
pregnant,” said Ain. “The hatch must be in a place where the mothers feel
“I couldn’t tell my ex-boyfriend about my pregnancy safe to place their babies. If they’re fearful of repercus-
myself because I would have got really angry if I saw him. sions, they won’t use it,” Noraini said.
So my friend told him about my pregnancy but he didn’t In addition, two hospitals have approached them to
want to take responsibility. help set up baby hatches at their hospitals.
“After I found out about OrphanCARE from my “Sometimes, mothers deliver their babies and leave.
aunt, I resigned from my job and came to Kuala Lumpur Ideally, all hospitals should have a baby hatch,” Noraini
with my parents and aunt. My former boss has been very said.
ens the adoption process. The cou- “But by then they were already In addition, the adoptive
ples or mothers’ identity would be quite attached to the baby. They parents must be willing to pay for
protected. were crying when they had to part the delivery fees of the baby.
Otherwise, a baby left in the with their baby,” Noraini recalled. Noraini said priority is given to
hatch without proper identification Despite that, she said most childless couples and they would
would be considered stateless. couples and mothers want to move try to match Muslim babies with
She said a couple from Malacca on with their lives after giving up Muslim parents and non-Muslim
adopted the only child that was put their babies. babies with non-Muslim parents.
in the hatch and is currently She said only one or two would She highlighted that couples are
applying for citizenship for the request to see the baby again. A generally more interested to adopt
child. meeting would then be arranged at newborns compared to older
Noraini added that they will OrphanCARE. orphans.
provide counselling for the couples “But we don’t encourage it OrphanCARE was originally
or mothers who want to give up because such meetings can be set up in 2009 to match orphans
their babies to ensure that they stressful for the adoptive parents,” with interested parents. They have
know what they are doing. Noraini explained. helped nine couples to adopt
She cited an instance where a She added that OrphanCARE children from orphanage
couple that was going to get conducts interviews with potential Penyayang Bakti to date.
married this year decided to give adoptive parents who have “Some couples have complained
up their baby due to financial reg istere d with them e ver y to us why it takes so long to adopt
constraints. Saturday. a child. I appeal to couples or
“We counselled them and gave OrphanCARE would consider mothers to come to us.
them one week to re-consider their the couples’ income level, years of “Don’t abandon your baby.
decision. In the end they still marriage and their background to We’re not here to judge you. We
decided they couldn’t keep the assess whether they are ready and just want to ensure the well-being
baby. capable to adopt a child. of your child,” she said. 
14
views
decEMBER 24 — 26, 2010
Santa Claus
&
W
glamorous
hat’s your take on the
Whistleblower Protection Act?
@j_stratslinger, via Twitter.
Any Malaysian who wishes to blow a whistle
human rights
lawyers
should have to do so at his own risk. That is
because whistles can be annoying if used in a
loud or distracting manner, for example, while
conducting open heart surgery, or in a library.
Such Malaysians should consider blowing
other things like flutes, French horns, didg-
eridoos, or balloons.
Speaking of balloons, we’ve noticed that
balloons these days tend to be made out of
thin, smelly rubber – what are these, recycled
tayar celup?
But if you’re into the Whistleblower Pro-
tection Act then it’s a different matter alto-
gether. This is a law which came into force on
Dec 15, 2010 (as opposed to blowing the
whistle which existed since the time of whis-
tles) and is designed to protect people who
want to make a confidential complaint against
a public officer.
The complainant is called the whistle-
blower (and not the blower of whistles). The
term “public officer” covers anybody in gov-
ernment including judges and members of
parliament.
The significance of this Act is that it pro-
vides protection to the information disclosed
as well as the whistleblower and anybody re-
lated or associated with him, except his pets,
and his in-laws.
Don’t think about messing with a whistle-
blower because it’ll cost a maximum fine of
RM 100,000.00 and a maximum imprison-
ment of 15 years (prison sodomy not in-
cluded). So what are you waiting for? Stop
blowing your whistle and get whistleblowing
already!
My Lord, what is crossing the line
between lawyers genuinely fighting for
“human rights” or just “gila glamour”?
@babychats, via Twitter.
Line? There is no line. Human rights lawyers
have to fearlessly face an unsympathetic judi-
ciary, oppressive police force and Orwellian
Government. These lawyers are His Lordship’s
lowly minions, subject to the pain of His whip
and made to run helter skelter like headless
chickens.
Go liberate that reporter incarcerated for
her own protection under the ISA. Interview
those arrested for wearing black tee-shirts
while they were milling around the Tree of
Democracy. Use your tongue to scratch that
itch south of His Supreme Eminence’s back
while juggling this year’s 10 volumes of Ma-
layan Law Journal and dancing the polka to
Nine Inch Nails’ “Happiness In Slavery”.
All these for minimal pecuniary return.
The only upside is the chance that fame will
come along.
Only those crazy for glamour (and who
cannot think of any other way to get it) would
contemplate such a lifestyle. Wait-a-minute,
no, only those who are crazy, period! And who
loves monkeys.
Ask Lord Bobo is a weekly column by
LoyarBurok (www.loyarburok.com)
where all your profound,
abstruse, erudite, hermetic, recondite,
sagacious, and other thesaurus-
described queries are answered!
Does Santa Claus exist? @j_rubis, via
Twitter.
Santa Claus exists. Any ‘dungu’ who thinks
otherwise should be detained without trial at
His Lordship’s pleasure for harbouring devi-
ant beliefs that threaten national security (or
business profits from Christmas shopping,
which is the same thing, really).
What is the proof that he exists?
The infamous Albert Camus said “I rebel,
therefore I am.”
Existence can only be proven by the things
that we do, and not by the things that is based
on pure belief.
If the existence of God can be proven by
enlisting the things God has indeed done; the
only plausible conclusion is that there is a
God.
And so, what has Santa Claus done?
Since time immemorial, Santa has been
trespassing private property and invading
chimneys to give free toys and food to needy
orphans all over the world.
He even owns a toy factory, which due to
the rise of capitalism is now disguised under
the name Toys R Us.
His influence is so widespread that he has
successfully induced companies worldwide to
temporarily repudiate their profit making
nature and emulate him by handing out free
gifts during Christmas. Brilliant, eh?
Considering the colour of his costume and
his beard ala Karl Marx, Santa might just be
a closet social democrat.
Perhaps the biggest proof of his existence
is the spirit that he has instilled in each and
every one of our hearts in this festive season.
A spirit that warms us up from within and
makes us remember our families, kindness,
comfort, love and peace.
In line with this spirit, His Lordship
wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year!
Although Lord Bobo already knows your
question before you even knew you had a
question, as a practical display of your true de-
sire to have your query answered, His Supreme
Eminenceness has graciously allowed you to
communicate your questions by –
• emailing asklordbobo@loyarburok.com,
stating your full name, and a pseudonym
if you wish the question to be published
anonymously (and a good reason for ano-
nymity).
• tweeting your questions by mentioning
@LoyarBurok and using the hashtag
#asklordbobo. The first 100 questions pub-
lished will receive LoyarBurok’s ONLY
merchandise you ever need (worth a lot for
humankind) courtesy of Selangor Times.
Now, what the hell are you waiting for?
Hear This and Tremblingly Obey (al-
though trembling is optional if you are some-
where very warm)!
Liberavi Animam Meam! I Have Freed
My Spirit!

Bird menace in By Yasleh Hani Mat Yassin
SUNGAI BULOH: Crows and pigeons in
the thousands are turning  trees at Bandar Baru
Sungai Buloh
Sungai Bulloh business centre black every
evening and the public are appealing for action.
“They usually start flying back at around
6pm and by 7pm the trees are full of them,”
said Song Lian Wen to Selangor Times.
The  53-year-old, who runs an aquarium
shop in the area, described the din created by
the birds as a “thundering noise” and added
that business owners often have to raise their
voices to speak to their customers.
He said the birds would only quieten after
9pm.
Another resident Sia Xiu Yue said the birds’
cawing is so loud that it can even be heard even
when one is driving in the car.
She also related another incident where her
MBPJ responds to rat problem
PETALING JAYA: Rats and stray cats
are proving to be a nuisance to residents near
the PKNS flats in Section 17, Petaling Jaya.
Rats running in and out of houses and
drains are a common sight in this residential
area.
Tracy Toh, who lives on Jalan 17/4, finds
walking along the road there a challenge
because she has to constantly look out for
dead rats and live ones scurrying about.
“Since July, I’ve complained several times
about the rats and stray cats to the Petaling
Jaya Municipal Council (MBPJ), and di-
rectly e-mailed the director of the MBPJ’s
health department,” said Toh who wonders
whys she still has not seen evidence of any
news 15
DECEMBER 24 — 26, 2010
car once had 10 bird droppings after she parked
under the trees for only a few minutes.
She added that she is forced to park the car
as far away as possible from the trees after that
incident.
The situation has been so bad that motorist
are now instinctively moving their cars every
evening to avoid their cars from being
“bombed” by the droppings.
Business owners and residents have com-
plained previously to the Shah Alam City
Council (MBSA) but the problem persists. 
When contacted  MBSA public relations
officer Shahrin Ahmad said that council will
arrange for the trees in the area to be trimmed
so that the birds will not nest in the area.
He also advise the public in the area to work
with MBSA to maintain cleanliness in the vi-
cinity to discourage the crows and pigeons
from foraging for food in the area.
action being taken. On the contrary, the
number of stray cats and rats numbers seem
to be on the rise.
“Apart from being a public health hazard,
this situation is a visual disgrace. You can
imagine my utter shame when I have guests
from abroad visiting me and they see the
squalor around my residential area,” said
Toh.
MBPJ press relations officer Zainun
Zakaria said the city council was taking steps
to address the problem.
She said this includes a gotong royong to
clean the area, and to poison the rats. 
“This is an ongoing action and the results
won’t be seen immediately,” she said.
16
news
DECEMBER 24 — 26, 2010

Extra counters as MPK faces

year-end rush
By William Tan
KLANG: The Klang Municipal Coun-
cil (MPK) will open mobile counters at
two locations on a weekend till the end
of December to help business owners
renew their licences.
“We hope this will make it easier for
the 26,000 business owners in Klang
and to prevent overcrowding here at the
MPK” said MPK councilor Yew Boon
Lye.  have renewed their licences as of Dec 16
The extra counters will be located at
Giant Super Market and Jaya Jusco at
Bukit Tinggi, Klang. The booths will
operate from 10am to 10pm every Sat-
urday at Giant Super Market and every
Sunday at Jaya Jusco.
Almost all business and advertise-
ment licences can be renewed at these
counters.  or 8307.
Yew said that exceptions are the li-
cences of certain businesses that require
closer scrutiny, such as massage parlors,
cyber cafes, entertainment outlets, and
those dealing in scrap metal. 
Owners of the above businesses will
have to apply for a renewal at the MPK
itself and be subject to some questioning
and a possible inspection of their prem-
ises.
Yew also said only 20% of businesses
and he expects a huge rush nearing the
end of the month.
Notices with information about the
extra counters were sent out to all busi-
ness owners in Klang at the end of No-
vember.
For more details, please call 03-3371
6044 or 03-3375 5555, extensions 6308 A long queue at the MPK on Dec 15 as business owners try to renew their licenses.

Orang Asli wants Putrajaya to revoke new policy

By Gan Pei Ling
KUALA LUMPUR: Putrajaya
must revoke its new land policy that
has failed to recognise the Orang Asli’s
native customary land rights, said
Orang Asli communities.
“If this new land policy is imple-
mented, the Orang Asli will lose more
than 80,000 hectares of reserve lands.
  “The federal government should
recognise our land rights and gazette
the existing 128,000 hectares of Orang
Asli land,” said Jaringan Kampung
Orang Asli Semenanjung Malaysia
secretary Tijah Yok Chopil.
  Over 3,000 Orang Asli had
marched to Putrajaya in March to
protest against the controversial poli-
cy, which was passed by the National
Land Council in December 2009.
Orang Asli at the convention wearing t-shirts saying “Iktiraf tanah Orang Asli” and abolish
After more than nine months, Tijah
the new land policy.  told Selangor Times that the federal
government has yet to respond to the
Orang Asli’s protest.
  She added that the controversial
land policy contained many loopholes
and was passed by the National Land
Council without consulting Orang
Asli grassroots communities.
 “We want to meet with the federal
government to resolve this issue,” said
Tijah after an Orang Asli convention
at Citrus Hotel.
 Over 100 Orang Asli representa-
tives attended the convention from
Dec 13-16. All voted against the pol-
icy.
 Jenita Engi from Center for Orang
Asli Concerns said the policy would
also affect Orang Asli women as under
the policy, land titles are given to fam-
ily heads only.
 “The head of the house is usually a
man. What would happen to the wife
if there was a divorce?” said Jenita.

Youths out to save

the environment
PETALING JAYA: Thirty volunteers, age
14-15 were inspired by a two-day conference
held by the Full Gospel Assembly (FGA)
which had a talk on how to be more conscious
of the environment.
The youths came together from all parts of
Selangor last Saturday, as part of the church’s
initiative, to repaint and clean up a small park
here in Jalan 11/8, Section 11.
“I am more than happy to help as a clean
environment can have such a big impact on
our lives” says Jonathan Richards, 15.
Esther Serene Dorai (pic), 14 also believes
that every little bit helps and this is her second
year of being involved in a similar project.
“I am really trying to change my habits to
be more eco-friendly” she said.
Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) coun-
cillor Richard Yeoh was on also site, to oversee
their efforts.
He said that the park used to be in such a
bad shape although MBPJ had cleaned up the
fallen trees and most of the rubbish, but it was
heartening to
see the youths
taking over and
fixing the small-
er issues.
He adde d
that he wished all the local residents could
follow their example, because their help would
greatly ease the workload of the overstretched
MBPJ whilst improving their own living
conditions.
FGA’s Molly Tan said that the clean-up also
serves as a way to expose the youths to their
environment and the community at large.
“They would not have a chance otherwise,
I bet most of them would just be sitting at
home if not for projects like this” she said.
The 30 volunteers were just part of 250
participants in the conference.
The rest had been separated into various
groups and were in other projects such as
sorting recyclables in a recycling plant in Hulu Thirty youths took part in a park cleaning exercise in Jalan 11/8, Section 11
Langat or aiding in a refugee camp. Petaling Jaya recently.

History
of Zumba
Celebrity fitness trainer “Beto” Perez
first stumbled upon the concept of Zumba
in his hometown of Cali, Columbia. He
walked into his aerobics class one day in the
mid-1990’s and realised he forgot his aero-
bics music tapes.
He then grabbed his favourite Latin
American music and improvised. The class
was a major success and was the most
popular fitness programme in his gym.
Zumba was born.
After his success in Columbia, he took
the concept to the United States in 1999.
His efforts paid off after two years when
he was approached by entrepreneurs Al-
berto Perlman and Alberto Aghion to
create a global company based on his fitness
philosophy.
The three young entrepreneurs trade-
marked the word Zumba® and set a goal to
expand the brand all over the world.
In 2002, the entrepreneurs secured a
deal with a large infomercial company and
sold hundreds and thousands of videos of
Zumba. The demand skyrocketed and ex-
panded to the need for Zumba instructors,
so Zumba Fitness created a programme to
train instructors.
By 2006, there were thousands of li-
censed Zumba instructors worldwide.
In 2003, Zumba Fitness teamed up with
Kellogg Company to develop a fitness
campaign aimed at the Hispanic market.
The Kellogg campaign has since expanded
to five other countries and Zumba has been
featured in millions of Kellogg’s cereal
boxes around the world.
Zumba Fitness launched a successful
infomercial campaign that sold millions of
DVDs in over 30 countries in year 2004.
The Zumba Academy was created in
2005 to facilitate the growing demand for
more licensed instructors, and has raised
the bar to set a new standard in fitness
programmes, ensuring the highest level of
integrity, quality and dedication to
excellence, and exceeding industr y
standards.
In 2007 the Zumba programme was
launched internationally and currently
spans all over the world.
FAMILY AFFAIR: (from left) Khor Ling Ling, Jason and Sonia after the class.
PUMPING IT: Some of the Zumba participants off their moves.
Let’s do the Zumba
By Lee Choon Fai
PETALING JAYA: Music blaring away
as dozens danced to the tune of Latino music,
one might have thought that he had stepped
into yet another dance club.
But this is no rave club as it is Zumba, an
exercise dance routine that is gaining mo-
mentum in Malaysia.
What sets Zumba apart from other
routines? It is the motto: “Ditch the workout,
and join in the fun!”
“Zumba makes you think you’re having
fun rather than working out,” said Jason Ooi,
a 20-year-old Zumba instructor who is one
of the few who has a licence to teach in
Malaysia.
“It’s the music; it makes you want to move.
The experience is very similar to clubbing
and it is really fun,” said Ooi.
Zumba fuses hypnotic Latin American
music with easy-to-follow dance moves that
make you want to work out.
Usually lasting an hour, a typical dance
class works every muscle in your body, burns
calories and leaves you craving for more.
“It is so good you would most likely come
back for more even if you had attended only
one session,” said Jason.
Jason said popular gyms like California
Fun times: This is what Zumba is all about.
Fitness, CelebrityFitness, Fitness Concept,
only teach the concept of Zumba, not
genuine Zumba, because the name itself is
trademarked.
Sonia, 22, elder sister of Ooi, is another
licensed instructor.
“They don’t teach genuine Zumba in
those places because of licensing issues,” said
Sonia.
She said there are only four licensed
instructors in Malaysia but there are others
who are teaching illegally.
“So they teach under the guise of a nor-
mal dance class but not call it Zumba,” said
Sonia.
She said Zumba is mainly popular among
the gym community and is little known
outside.
Sonia and Jason said the trend started
picking up locally when Beto Perez, the
founder of Zumba, came to Malaysia to
promote it in 2007 and 2008.
“In the span of two years, licensed
instructors would come to the gym (Cele-
brity Fitness, Sunway Pyramid) and have
Zumba classes,” said Jason.
Since the gyms do not allow Zumba class-
es, Jason and Sonia have opened their own
studios. Sonia now teaches at “Sole to Soul
Dance Studio” at Taman Sea, Kelana Jaya.
A special 90-minute Zumba session was
held at the studio on Dec 7 to promote and
let people try out the dance.
“We are now promoting Zumba to the
masses, to let it attract the attention it
deserves in Malaysia,” said Sonia.
FEATURE 17
DECEMBER 24 — 26, 2010
Participants of the session seemed to be
having loads of fun despite having danced
vigorously for 90 minutes. The first timers
in particular were very exhausted at the end
of the session but did not regret trying out
Zumba.
“It is very, very energetic. It is really more
interesting compared to aerobics classes,” said
Wu Yoke Gum.
It was Wu’s first encounter with Zumba,
having learned about it through her friends
on Facebook.
Wu’s companion, Patricia Ao Yeang, also
a first timer, said: “I can feel every part of my
body move to the rhythm, it was really
good!” she said. She thought that Zumba’s
dance moves were mainly a combination of
Hip Hop and Latin.
“It is very enjoyable. I have tried dancing
before but this is totally different,” said Ste-
phanie John.
The 32-year-old first heard of Zumba
from the Ooi siblings’ mother, Khor Ling
Ling. Khor is also an avid Zumba dancer and
was present at the special session.
Grace Bong, 44, enjoyed it so much that
she is planning to ask her son to join in the
fun.
“It is very nice, the steps are simple and it
is very adaptable,” said Bong.
Khor also invited the writer and photo-
grapher to the dance floor and asked: “You
sure you don’t want to try?”
Sole to Soul Dance Studio will offer
classes every Saturday from 10:30am to
11:30am from January next year.
18
technology
decEMBER 24 — 26, 2010

New toys 
to greet Dell Vostro V130 

2011
C
hristmas may be just tomorrow and be Apple’s MacBook Air.  into one product? If so, try
the New Year may be a week away, but The Air comes in two variants, namely 11- the Bose VideoWave. 
there’s no reason to stop shopping, inch and 13-inch versions. Specifications start The VideoWave inte-
especially for all you gadget geeks out there.   at 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, grates TV and music into
But with the plethora of gadgets and giz- memory at 2GB, Flash storage at 64GB, and one system and is con-
mos to choose from, where do you start? weighs a little over 1kg. The top end MacBook trolled by a one-click pad
Well, fret not as here’s a brief guide to some Air sports a 1.86GHz Intel Core 2 Duo pro- remote.
of the gizmos you can consider getting in the cessor, 4GB of memory, and 256GB of Flash This remote features a
coming year.  storage and weighs in at 1.3kg.  built-in sensor and only
The lightweight nature of the MacBook includes buttons for the
Tablet Computers Air is courtesy of the use of Flash storage in- most-used functions : 
For the uninitiated, a tablet computer differs stead of hard disks to store data. Flash storage powering on and off, Bose VideoWave
from a regular laptop in that it sports a screen is akin to the storage used in thumbdrives. changing channels, adjust-
that supports touch input. But perhaps the With no moving parts in Flash storage, the ing volume and selecting sources.  mal cleaning path using the least amount of
best selling points of a tablet computer besides MacBook Air’s boot-up times are signifi- Users simply touch the click pad, and only time and effort. The NaviBot also boast of
being light in weight are its portability, long cantly increased.  the controls for what’s being watched appear being agile enough to clean those hard-to-
battery life, and the functionality of being able on the screen − without interfering with the reach areas quickly and more effectively with
to download new programs from what is Dell Vostro V130  picture.    its two side brushes.
known as an “Application Store.”   If a MacBook Air is too expensive for your As the thumb glides around the click pad, Its motion sensors also ensure that prob-
Using the application store means you can taste, you can also try other laptops such as a highlight scrolls through the commands.  lems such as falling down the stairs, severe
download virtually any kind of programs to the Dell Vostro V130. Designed with the Choosing a command takes a simple thumb collisions and getting entangled in cables are
suit your needs and these range from games, needs and wants of on-the-go entrepreneurs press − a click − and the VideoWave system avoided, allowing for more reliable cleaning
productivity, finance, medical, entertainment, in mind, the Vostro V130 is one of the thin- responds instantly.  Because the Bose click pad and a purer living environment for the whole
news, references, and social networking ones.  nest ultraportable 13-inch laptops available remote uses RF technology, it doesn’t need to family.  
Leading the pack in tablet computing is the today. be aimed, and all the devices it controls can Price: RM2,399 
Apple’s iPad. Weighing in only at 1.6kg and Constructed from sturdy alluminium and be hidden from view. 
measuring 9.5-inch (length) and 7.5-inch reinforced with zinc hinges and a magnesium The Samsung Digital Photo Frame
(width), the iPad also boasts of up to 10-hours alloy palm rest, it is also road-ready and able Household appliances  Etch memories of your loved ones in a glassy
operation time.   to survive everyday bumps and thumps.   Samsung NaviBot visage. Featuring a LED display, Bluetooth
For those who find the iPad a tad big and Price range: RM2,150 to RM5,299  This gift idea is surely a novel one. Samsung’s connectivity, auto-off feature, clock and cal-
heavy, there are two other alternatives in the NaviBot is a smart Robotic Vacuum Cleaner endar display and 2GB internal memory, The
market now, namely, the Samsung Galaxy Tab TVs and home entertainment designed to make the cleaning experience Samsung Digital Photo Frame comes with
and the CSL Droid Pad. These devices sport Fancy having a full home entertainment sys- more convenient and effective.  in-built speakers and battery with an operat-
a 7-inch screen instead of the 9.7-inch (diago- tem that combines a 46-inch 1080 pixel high The unit is equipped with a Visionary Map- ing span of one hour.  
nally) and are based on an alternate operating definition LCD display and a music system pingTM System capable of plotting the opti- Price: RM699 
system called Android, which is created by
Google. 
For those who can wait a little longer, the
New Year will see a slew of new tablet-like
computers from the usual suspects including
Shah Alam a happening place male band.
Artists and performers will take turns on
the stage in a non-stop concert. People will be
HP, Acer, BlackBerry, Dell and a few other
major computing vendors. Not forgetting to
mention that Apple would probably refresh
for New Year’s Eve able to come and go as they please as the open
venue allows for walk-ins at any time.
Entrance is free, but food can be purchased
the iPad with a second-generation device in By Lee Choon Fai vention centre. at prices ranging from RM6 to RM15. On
the first quarter of the year.  It will be a 10 hour, non-stop music fest, offer are combo meals similar to what’s offered
Price range: RM1,600 to RM2,699  SHAH ALAM: Shah Alam residents can starting from 3pm on New Year’s Eve and end- in fast food restaurants, with drinks included.
usher in 2011 near home as the Shah Alam ing at 2am on Jan 1. Shuhainie also said the event was a move
Laptops Convention Centre (SACC) is holding its first Shuhainie said that SACC originally in- to promote the SACC’s services and location
Macbook Air  ever New Year countdown. tended to organise a Jazz festival. But as the as a convenient venue for large-scale events
With so much focus on tablet computing in “The Spice Up Countdown 2011 is a com- event was slated on New Year’s Eve, they de- and celebrations.
the past few months, people seem to have munity programme funded by the SACC and cided to take it one step further and make it a “This New Year countdown can be used as
forgotten that laptops are still fashionable is free of charge,” said SACC general manager countdown party. an example; people do not need to go through
gadgets to own. Shuhainie Shamsuddin. “Instead of only jazz, we now have a wide the traffic jams of Kuala Lumpur to attend a
Built as a workhorse for the mobile worker Organised in conjunction with Mara Uni- range of music to cater to a larger audience,” countdown event. They can do it here in Shah
on the move and also as a trustworthy com- versity of Technology (UiTM), University said Shuhainie. Alam, free of traffic jams,” she explained.
puter for tertiary students, laptops today have Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), the Shah Music genres now include pop, rock, choir, SACC also intends to cater to up and
dropped in prices so much that they are very Alam Academy of Music, and the Academy of and traditional. Gigs will be performed coming artists and university students by
affordable devices to own.  Cultural Arts and National Heritage (Aswara), mainly by university students. The line up also providing a venue for them to promote their
Arguably the lightest and most stylish the event will be in the west foyer of the con- includes the Senoritas, a popular local all-fe- acts.
looking laptop one on the market today must
SELANGOR TIMES ⁄ DECEMBER 24 – 26, 2010 ⁄ 19
20
FICTION
DECEMBER 24 — 26, 2010
Fiction by Chuah Guat Eng
I
t’s not a flower car. I know it’s not. It’s just
what I call it. But it’s not. Mama knows it’s
not too, but she won’t tell me what it is.
And I know it’s wrong to call things by the
wrong names. See? I called the snake a stick.
I didn’t know it wasn’t a stick. So I called it a
stick.
But Aunty Gladys screamed and called me
a liar. It looked just like a stick. Green and
brown, the patterns. Just like a stick. On the
grass.
How was I to know James would go and
pick it up? That’s the trouble with James. He
must always pick up everything he sees. And
he’s older than me even. I didn’t see the snake
bite him. Honest I didn’t.
I was looking out through the gap in the
hedge. There was a boy in the next door
garden. A European boy. He was wearing a red
cloak or something. Like Superman.
And he was holding a sword. He was
looking at me. Staring. I remember so clearly
how he stood. Legs apart.
He was holding the cloak at the neck with
one hand. The other hand was holding the
sword over his head.
As if he was going to strike something.
Looking like a pirate or something. Showing
Great Indonesian
fare at Brisik
By Gan Pei Ling
Brisik. It means noise in Bahasa Indonesia.
But the Brisik Restaurant we entered at Jaya
One, Petaling Jaya on a Monday evening was
quiet and cosy.
We were greeted by friendly staff and the
restaurant’s orange-themed setting further
gave the place a warm feeling.
Brisik offers Indonesian, Thai and Western
cuisine. Looking at the menu, we were
overwhelmed by the choices available.
For appetizers, there were satay, keropok,
soups and salads including the popular Thai
kerabu mangga (young shredded mango mix
with lemon grass and chilli padi) and
Indonesian gado-gado (steam vegetables with
peanut sauce).
We wanted soup and the waiter recom-
Of snakes
and flower cars
off as usual.
Then I heard James shouting Snake Snake.
Then he was running back to the house. And
Aunty Gladys was running out, shouting,
What What Where Where.
I think then James told her I told him it
was a stick. Because she came running out to
me. LIAR LIAR she was shouting. And then
she gave me one tight slap.
No pain. Only my left ear went BNNGG.
I didn’t cry. What is there to cry? I didn’t know
it was a snake. I was telling the truth.
It was a stick. That’s what I saw. A stick. I
didn’t cry. I just ran. Ran and ran.
Out of the garden, down the road, until I
reached the guava tree by the duckpond. I
climbed up the tree and sat there on the
branch.
Then only I felt the pain. My cheek and ear
felt hot, burning, like that time when I stood
mended the popular sup buntut (RM18). The
oxtail soup was finely done. Ayam penyet
(right), which costs RM18) is another popular
dish of Brisik’s.
Grilled in a coat of chilli and tomatoes, the
chicken was well-cooked and well-marinated
in the sauce. We just could not get enough of
it.
Apart from ayam penyet, their green curry
chicken, chicken rendang, chicken basil and
fried chicken kunyit are also worth a try.
If you are not a fan of chicken, beef
rendang, beef basil and gulai kambing cincang
(lamb shoulder cooked in special curry) are
also on the menu.
Fish lovers will also be spoilt for choice.
Grilled salmon fillet bathed with Thai red
curry, otak-otak ikan, ikan masam manis...you
name it, they have it. In addition, they also
serve mouth-watering seafood
dishes like the unusual peanut
butter prawns, pepper crab and
gulai udang (prawns cooked in
low fat milk and chilli paste).
We gave sambal tumis udang
(RM16) a try. The stir-fried
prawns in dried chilli paste was
not spicy enough for us but at
least the prawns were fresh.
A strict veg etarian? No
problem, you could give their
kangkung belacan, pucuk paku
chilli or long beans with soya
cakes a try. We went for their
tahu telur (left), a mound of tofu
in eggs topped with carrot,
cucumber slices, bean sprouts
and Brisik’s home-made sauce.
The tofu was soft and smooth.
Coupled with the sweet home-
made sauce, the dish is a must-
try.
We also had the nasi brisik
(RM2.50). The aromatic steam-
ed rice cooked with pumpkin
goes well with any of the dishes.
Besides nasi brisik, you could
also try their buttered rice and
too near the stove.
I sat and sat, until Mama came to take me
home. She kept asking me what happened.
But you must never speak when you feel like
crying. Otherwise the tears will come. And
that is shameful.
Then she touched my ear. I thought she was
going to hit me too, but she only touched me.
Then I saw there was blood on her fingers. I
didn’t even know I was bleeding.
Then Mama said something about Aunty
Gladys bloody bangle and after that she left
me alone. Luckily she didn’t make me go back
to Aunty Gladys house to say sorry. She just
took my hand and we went straight to the car
and went home.
This morning I didn’t go to school. And
she didn’t go to office. She gave me my blue
T-shirt and my school track pants and asked
me to get dressed.
nasi liwet – aromatic steamed rice cooked in
special herbs.
On top of that, you could order condiments
like peanut sauce and sambal belacan
separately to go with your dishes.
If you are on your own, Brisik also serves
standalone dishes like nyonya laksa, green
curry laksa and nasi kampung brisik, among
others.
The restaurant’s western range is rather
limited, with mainly soups, pastas and an
assortment of grilled meat on offer.
Most of the dishes are priced below RM20
except the seafood and western grilled dishes
which are pricier.
If you are there for lunch or tea between
11am and 5pm, check out the “Pasundan and
Thai Village” section of the menu. They offer
a main dish of either Thai fried rice, green
We are going to Aunty Gladys house. I
didn’t want to go. But I could see that Mama’s
eyes and nose were red, so I just did what I was
told, drank my Milo, and got into the car.
There were so many people outside Aunty
Gladys house. And so many cars. But the
biggest was the flower car.
There were flowers hanging all over outside,
and inside through the window at the back I
saw more flowers.
I saw Uncle Bimi and Suresh, and Aunty
Sandra, and—I don’t know, there were so
many people.
Then I saw Aunty Gladys, walking with her
head down to the flower car. She was wearing
a black dress, and she wore a black veil on her
head, like she’s going to church or something.
She was walking as if she was going to fall,
and Uncle Alex had to hold her up. They were
walking to the flower car.
I looked and looked but couldn’t see James
anywhere. Where’s James, Mama? She didn’t
answer me and when I looked up, I saw the
tears.
Then I started crying too, I don’t know why.
It’s not a flower car. I know that. It’s wrong to
call a thing by the wrong name.
It’s wrong to call it a flower car when it isn’t
a flower car. But no one will tell me its real
name.
curry fried rice or fried noodles that comes
with a drink, starter and desert of the day at
RM15.90 or lower.
For beverages, Brisik serves a range of fresh
fruit juices including the Indonesian favourite,
apokat (fresh avocado juice).
Topped with chocolate syrup and cocoa
powder, the creamy fruit juice was delicious
and fulfilling.
Deserts available include sago gula merah,
cendol, brisik buah manis (fresh papaya,
lychee and longan), serawa betik (cut papaya
in sweet coconut milk) and sum sum (flour
balls with coconut milk and sugar).
Tempted? Check out Brisik one of these
days. You will definitely enjoy the food, service
and the warm ambience.
For reservations, call 03-7958 6681 or visit
www.brisik.com.my.

There are several
little towns that
play second fiddle
to bigger ‘brothers’
like Petaling Jaya
and Subang Jaya.
LIN ZHENYUAN
goes off the
beaten track and
rediscovers the
old world charm in
Semenyih.
N
obody really goes to
Semenyih unless a close
relative or uncle happens to
be staying there. And this usually
takes place during the Chinese New
Year.
But a town that derives its
meaning from the word “hidden” is
not expected to be among the
forerunners in the race towards
development.
Some experts have claimed that
Semenyih has got its “hidden”
meaning from a Negri Sembilan
dialect.
Located about eight kilometres
from the compass point southeast
from Kajang, the little town’s name
is synonymous with the river that
cuts across part of the district.
Geologists and water engineers
will be quick to proclaim that the
catchment area of the Semenyih
River is a vital source of water for
sections of the rapidly expanding
Klang Valley.
A motorist who may
unintentionally wander into town
will quickly learn that the place
seems to be caught in a time warp.
It doesn’t have the uptown feel of
Petaling Jaya, or the sophistication
of urban Kuala Lumpur.
What it does have in spades is
greenery, the kind you don’t usually
see if you are a city resident.
Undulating hills are part of the
extensive landscape.
The highest point is Bukit Arang,
about 560 metres or 1,840 ft.
Some visitors say the waterfalls
here are breathtaking but since I was
cruising for a quick bite, I didn’t
The pet shop that has most of the creatures you need to keep you company,
besides the fishes in the aquarium.
Semenyih a ‘hidden’
town no more
Little evidence of high-rise
buildings in this town of
small proportions.
have time to check it out.
With a population of about
45,000 (2000 statistics), Semenyih
has laid claim to be one of the fastest
growing towns in the Peninsula.
The national average is only
about 2.6 per cent.
Semenyih’s g rowth rate is
recorded in the region of 13 per
cent.
The conduits that have helped
boost the town’s growth are the two
highways, Kajang SILK Highway
and the Kajang-Seremban Highway.
Both transport linkages have
made it easier for outsiders to reach
the town in times that are frequently
faster than it takes a PJ resident to
travel to KLCC.
On a very hot afternoon when a
stranger like me ‘galloped into town
on a horse named Wira, the sun was
burning the hair on the back of my
neck. Part of the blame was laid
squarely on my shoulders because I
didn’t know where the cooler spots
were located.
The only sights that brought
relief to my weather-beaten eyes
were the two supermarkets located
side by side, Mydin Store and
Pasaraya Econsave.
Cool canned drinks were very
much on my mind. There was no
chendol stall where I was walking.
It was too hot to have a teh tarik
anyway.
Residents here are few and far
between. The main reason was
staying indoors seemed the wisest
thing to do when the scorching heat
was almost creating mirages on the
road, much like the Sahara.
The blueprint for Semenyih’s
road to progress has been planned
in 19 phases. Two years ago, town
planners said seven of these phases
had been completed.
Twelve more to go before the
small town can acquire some
A clothing shop that is well stocked. The prices are reasonable but not as low as
you like them to be.
bragging rights. Meanwhile, the
nearby Nottingham University
campus is giving the township a
helping hand in joining its more
progressive cousins elsewhere.
A friend told me there’s an ostrich
farm somewhere in the area but I
didn’t make an effort to find it. That
will have to keep for another day.
Somewhere in the sprawling
district are a couple of factories.
Workers are recruited from
Myanmar, China , Indonesia ,
Vietnam and Bangladesh to work in
these factories.
The town proper itself looks a bit
like Tanjung Malim or Malim
Nawar. That means you wouldn’t get
too worked up over the shophouses.
In keeping with small towns,
there is a resident pet shop in the
heart of town that sells all kinds of
critters and creatures, some of which
are not immediately identifiable.
Suffice to say, birds like merbok,
Travel 21
DECEMBER 24 — 26, 2010
Adventurers
who have the
makings of
modern-day
Indiana Jones
will tell you
that one of the
most exciting
things to do in
Semenyih is to
wake up as early
as 5am, head
for the Broga
Hills and catch
a breathtaking
view of the
sunrise at the
break of dawn.”
rabbits and ducks are the usual treats
at the pet shop.
Naturally, there are no high-rise
buildings in town. The population
is well spread out. Perhaps in 20
years’ time when property becomes
a premium, there might be a need
for tall buildings.
In the meantime, Semenyih tries
its best to keep up with its sister
districts like Ulu Langat, Kuala
Selangor,   Sabak Bernam and
Sepang in Selangor Darul Ehsan.
Adventurers who have the
makings of modern-day Indiana
Jones will tell you that one of the
most exciting things to do in
Semenyih is to wake up as early as
5am, head for the Broga Hills and
catch a breathtaking view of the
sunrise at the break of dawn.
There are a couple of peaks up in
the hills that are guaranteed to give
your heart a warm squeeze. If you
are a nature lover, make that one of
your must-see missions.
Right now, Semenyih has got
little to offer city slickers, depending
on your state of mind. For me, it was
a great place to chill out, and there
is a wonderful restaurant within
driving distance.
Check out Restaurant 52 if you
don’t believe me.
22
Gallery
DECEMBER 24 — 26, 2010

COMMUNITY SERVICE:
Youths pose for a
picture with MBPJ
councillor Richard
Yeoh (2nd right) after
cleaning up and
repainting a small park
at Section 11, Petaling
Jaya on Dec 18.

Save A Stray, organised by Teratai

assemblyperson Jenice Lee and the Ampang
Jaya Municipal Council, held a canine training
course for owners in Cheras last Sunday

Klang member of Parliament Charles Santiago (left) and local

councillor Yew Boon Lai inspect the concave problem at Bukit
Tinggi last week.

A Bukit Tinggi resident points to the electric box which

was knocked over by a careless driver last week.

Selangor State Exco Yaakob Sapari (front row: second from right), Tengku Panglima DiRaja Selangor
Parents join in the fun at a Handicraft Competition for children on (third from right), YDP Senior Citizen Club Shah Alam Datuk Emran Kadir (fourth from right) pose with
Dec 19 at Dewan Besar Seri Kembangan for Program Riang Ria winners of the Farmers Day awards on Tuesday. Fifty-nine-year-old Samsudin Husaini won RM50,000
Membaca @ Kampung Baru. for the “Best Paddy Yield Administration Project”.

PLAYS
The Greatest Gift
Theatre Performance; KLPac;
The Actors Studio@Lot 10; 23 -26
December 2010; RM30; 03-2142
2009; www.theactorsstudio.com.
my
Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life
is part of Christmas tradition in
the US. TV channels there re-run
it over the holidays. It’s easy to
see why as James Stewart plays
a drop-out from the American
Dream, and tries to commit suicide
on Christmas Eve; his guardian
angel intervenes. Epiphanies
ensue.
KLPac’s stage adaptation of the
movie is also localised: Bedford
Falls is now Sungai Sentosa; the
evil industrialist is one Mr Wong.
The text, written by Marina Tan
and Qahar Aqilah, is polyglot. It’s
also a solo performance as the
talented Qahar plays 20 separate
roles. Directed by Na’a Murad.
Doppelganger KL Open
Mic Open Stage
Music Gig; Doppelganger
KL; Palate Palette; 26 December
2010; RM10; 03-2142 2148;
doppelgangerkl.blogspot.com
Doppelganger KL began modestly
in 2002, putting together cozy
evenings of singer-songwriters
and poetry. Today, it’s a much
bigger brand as last August,
the indie-music organiser was
behind the FEYST World Tour,
which showcased people like
One Buck Short and Liyana Fizi
at the Shanghai World Expo – a
positive counterpoint to Tourism
Ministry’s horrendous Malaysian
Pavilion. But they still do the small
gig thing. This December’s Open
Mic event features bands like An
Honest Mistake, Shh…Diam!, and
A Ruthless Cleansing. The music
is accompanied by a swap meet.
Bring up to 10 still-functional items
that you may have no more use
for, but think someone else might
appreciate. “It’s about finding a
home for pre-loved items.”
Pelita Hati Open
Show 2010
Exhibition; Pelita Hati Gallery
of Art; 18 December 2010 - 15
January 2011; Free admission;
03-2092 3380; www.pelitahati.
com.my
Visual art roundups like this one
may make for a decent weekend
afternoon’s diversion. It’s an open
show – with public submissions
and little curatorial direction. The
five-person panel only selected
for a bare minimum of quality – so
expect to be far some wowed.
But a 50-piece show is a good
way to survey the non-A-list,
semi-amateur art world. “We hope
this event will indirectly reflect the
current trends in Malaysian art.”
Who knows? You might catch
some gems.
Culture 23
DECEMBER 24 — 26, 2010
Compiled by Zedeck Siew
Editor’s Are you a child at heart – spoiling
for the sweaty, shriek-filled recesses
Pick of your school-going days? Main
Dengan Rakyat (MDR) can fulfil this
Main “Lompat Getah” fantasy. Every month, the group
Second Edition Dengan Rakyat meets to play school padang games
Picnic; Main Dengan Rakyat; like galah panjang and kejar-kejar. They
Dataran Merdeka; take the rebellion against propriety
26 December 2010; one step further as MDR typically
free admission plays at Dataran Merdeka – a
“public space” that is illegal for the
public to use.
You see, Dataran Merdeka
is protected with by-laws that
prohibit unauthorised use – ie:
usage without rent paid to DBKL.
Whenever you step on the grass,
City Hall could fine you. MDR, a
loose network of people working
to reclaim public space around
KL, makes a simple point – we
should be merdeka to use Dataran
Merdeka. This Sunday, they play
lompat getah, so expect jumpy,
rubber-band action from 5pm
REVIEW
2nd Switch ON Mini Festival Closing Night
For those of us in the general population that aren’t music nerds
or, more specifically, sound nerds, experimental electronic
music is a tough nut to crack. One goes through several stages:
quizzical curiosity (“Um, interesting”); frustration (“It’s just beeps
and buzzes! So wanky!”); and, finally, acceptance (“Oh, it’s been
an hour already?”).
I think I’ve happened on the correct way to experience
experimental music. You’ve got to realise that the form is
superlatively indulgent. The musicians who make it love sound
above all else – the vibration of the instruments; the way they’re
wired; the way the bzzts feel in the teeth. If you can’t share in
such geekery, you can at least admire its purity. Unlike other
types of artistic excess, experimental music badgers you with no
meanings or subtexts.
Some years ago, I spent an hour and a half meditating to a
REVIEW Goh Lee Kwang performance, in which he created soundscapes
via manipulating feedback from an amplifier. Goh closed the
Herbal Project’s recent 2nd Switch ON Mini Festival (at KLPac,
Reza Salleh’s Realize last Dec 19) with a similar piece – only pared down further.
The artist crouched over a simple electronic keyboard – the
Singer-songwriter Reza Salleh is a titan in the KL scene. He organises the kind used by blind street singers, complete with microphone
four-year-old Moonshine platform (big names like Mia Palencia and Zalila Lee and waved said mic above the keyboard’s speakers. The tinny
were on last Thursday’s bill). He’s also doing a concert at Dewan Filharmonik screams that resulted were accompanied by the general hubbub
PETRONAS on 27 June 2011, as part of its Spotlight Series. And he’s been of a pre-recorded pasar setting. Goh had swapped out technical
playing gigs, and generally being a positive force around town, for a decade. elaboration for inquiries into context: not only how and what
sounds are produced, but where. The performance reminded me
According to Reza, releasing his debut album, Realize, felt like “as if I’m of abducted children – but that’s just me.
going to play my first show,” – and, in many ways, that’s exactly true. Realize The evening’s other acts were less interesting. Annabel
is a survey of the performer’s ten-year career – some of its 14 songs were Ng created an elaborate installation, with dozens of switches,
written as early as 2000 and all its tracks invariably remind listeners of their pedals, and plug points; “I want to make people think about the
live version. The album is conceptually less of a record as much as it is electric things they switch on and off every day,” she told me.
documentation or an intro to the real Reza Salleh, performing in the flesh. The irony: the artist failed to test it at the venue, and thus could
not turn it on because it was deemed a safety hazard. Ng will
Reza is undoubtedly a good musician, but I am lukewarm about his lyrical try again at KLPac’s Open Day on Jan 23. France-mari One Lick
ability. “Kasih” and “Ocean Spanning Sorrow” are pop ballads about love and Less dazzled with his DIY guitar (which he played like a guzheng)
loss, impeccably arranged and cleanly produced. And yet the songs – even and folksy string-plucking – some nice, pretty melodies.
musically edgier ones like “A Relic Is What I Live In” – sound generic. Poetic Of course, this sort of stuff isn’t for everyone and audiences
imagery is essential when a listener can’t get at the music’s live energy. For don’t usually turn up expecting to be lulled into idle introspection.
newcomers, Realize will just be a placeholder until they watch him perform. Consequently, the form is a tough sell. There were only 12
people in the room that night – including the sound tech and the
Realize is available at all Rock Corner outlets, or from www.morningrocket.com. organisers. But they didn’t seem to mind.
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