The Star Online: Metro: South & East
The Star Online: Metro: South & East |
- Roping in civil servants to monitor price of goods
- Disabled man to get MyKad after 40 years of waiting
- Residents want SWM to clear their rubbish regularly
| Roping in civil servants to monitor price of goods Posted: 04 Nov 2012 06:26 PM PST JOHOR BARU: The country's strong 1.2 million civil servants are being roped in to be the eyes and ears for the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry to check on the prices of goods nationwide. Its president Datuk Omar Osman said that members who signed-up with the association would be issued a special card from the ministry. "This card allows them to question the traders who hike prices and also to lodge complaints with the ministry about unscrupulous traders," he said at an event to launch the card here yesterday. Omar urged civil servants to play a proactive role in monitoring prices of items together with KPDNKK to keep tabs on the rising prices of goods. "All Cuepacs members should get this card and we expect more than 100,000 of our members to register before they receive their year end bonuses," he said, adding that the card also provided discounts of up to 60% at selected shops and supermarkets nationwide. He added that Cuepacs would also be launching the card at other states including Malacca, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, and the east coast. Omar said that the issuance of the card was timely especially when traders usually hiking the prices of their goods whenever bonuses were paid to civil servants. He also warned members from abusing the case including allowing others to use it as those caught would have their cards confiscated. The card was launched by state Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Hoo Seong Chang who read out the Johor Mentri Besar's speech. He said that there were 69,454 registered individuals who had signed up as volunteers to check on price of goods in Johor. "Previously these volunteers did not receive any benefit but now with the introduction of the card and also the revamping of the volunteer squad, members can enjoy discounts. "This is one of the steps taken by the Government to create more awareness among the users especially about their rights as well as to promote ethical business practises among traders," he said. |
| Disabled man to get MyKad after 40 years of waiting Posted: 04 Nov 2012 06:27 PM PST JOHOR BARU: Finally, there is good news for disabled Ong Ah Seng, 58, who has been waiting to get his MyKad for more than 40 years. Officials from the National Registration Department will visit his house in Taman Sri Mahkota in Benut, Batu Pahat, soon to process his application. The good news was passed to Ah Seng's brother Lai Seng, 61, and his half-brother Goh Bah Bee, 67, by the Permas public complaint centre supervisor Syed Othman Syed Ali here yesterday. "The department assured us that Ah Seng will get his MyKad after his family submits the relevant documents," said Syed Othman. Lai Seng said that without a MyKad, his brother could not apply for monthly financial assistance from the state welfare department or get treatment at public hospitals. He said the family applied for financial assistance on behalf of Ah Seng about 20 years ago but was turned down as he has no identity card. Lai Seng said the financial aid would help ease the burden of taking care of his brother and four other siblings, all of whom are unemployed and staying with him at his low-cost house. "I only earn about RM600 a month as a carpenter and the amount is not enough to cover the household expenses including buying disposable diapers for my brother," he said. |
| Residents want SWM to clear their rubbish regularly Posted: 04 Nov 2012 06:28 PM PST JOHOR BARU: Irregular rubbish collection is a problem which has haunted residents of Taman Bukit Indah 2 here for a long time with many wondering why the authorities are so relaxed even after multiple complaints. Housewife, Lee Pui Fun, 34, said that the last time the rubbish collection was done in the area was before Hari Raya Aidiladha, which was on Oct 26. "This is not the first time this has happened and we always suffer with the irregular rubbish collection," said an annoyed Lee. She added that sometimes, the rubbish would pile for several days causing an unbearable stink. "I sometimes have no choice but to close my doors and windows to ensure that the odour does not get into my house. "I also have small children and they always complain to me about the bad smell," she said. Factory worker Leong Lai Yong, 43, said that uncollected rubbish was a nightmare to the neighbourhood. "Whenever the rubbish is not collected on time, it attracts flies, crows and dogs who rummage through the pile and tear open the bags leaving a horrible mess," she said. She added that this only happens when neighbours have no choice but to leave rubbish bags outside of the dustbins, as they were too full. "We just want this problem to be solved once and for all," she said adding that the issue has been persistent since late last year. Technician R. Robert, 40, said that he was usually the first one to lodge complaints to Southern Waste Management (SWM) if he noticed that the rubbish was not collected. "I have complained to them more than four times since the beginning of the year about irregular rubbish collection. "Only when I complain will they do something about it but this should not be the way," he said adding that he was fed up with the system. Robert, who has two young children aged five and two said that SWM needed to be prompt as the stink was unbearable. "Because we have young children, we also have to dispose of their diapers and other household rubbish, so it really leaves a horrible smell. "The government has previously said that they would fine those who litter but what about SWM who do not do their work? Will they be fined too?," he questioned in anger. Meanwhile, a representative from SWM said that they had received the report and would look into the matter soon. |
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