The Star Online: Metro: Central

Posted: 15 May 2013 04:05 PM PDT

AFTER a long rainy spell, Klang Valley residents are facing a heat wave, with temperature rising up to 37°C, as recorded yesterday.

The hot and dry spell is causing a lot of discomfort among the public, with many falling sick.

This condition can be attributed to changing wind patterns and the effects of the cyclonic storm Mahesan over the Bay of Bengal, which was temporarysaid the Malaysian Meteorological Department.

He explained that changing wind patterns during the current inter-monsoon season in the country's west coast caused less cloud coverage over the Klang Valley. This caused the days to be hotter, he said.

Meanwhile, the drought had also worsened, due to the haze over the past few days.

The haze is also affecting visibility, affecting motorists as well as those with asthma and allergies.

Taxi driver Ahmad Kamaruddin, 45, from Kuala Lumpur said the heat was unbearable and that the air-conditioning system in his car was unable to make the situation better.

As a result, he said customers were finding it uncomfortable travelling in his taxi.

"Both locals and foreigners are complaining about the heat wave," he said.

Edwin Lee, who sells air conditioners, said business had been good recently.

"Due to the hot weather, many are buying new units," he said, adding that many were also making appointments to service their air-conditioners.

Call for more NGO councillors

Posted: 16 May 2013 04:06 AM PDT

THE Centre for Public Policy Studies has urged the Selangor government to increase the quota for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and professional participation from 25% to 40% in local authorities.

Its chairman Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said this would help to bring about more opportunities to engage with these groups of people and ultimately lead to better and improved services.

"It is a win-win situation as people's needs would be addressed. It will also create a better engaged community that will result in improved policies and services to cater to the people's needs.

Ramon said the Selangor government must be committed to improving the decision-making process at the local council level, where an engagement framework was needed through more active participation of ordinary citizens.

"Community engagement must be aligned with the operations of the local authorities. In fact, the government must pursue the idea of conducting local government elections.

"In the meantime, increased NGOs participation is needed and for a fair political composition, the members must be elected," he said, adding that a democratic process to choose the councillors would lead to free and fair participation in the local authorities.

Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillor Derek Fernandez said the Selangor government had assured that it would maintain the 25% of NGOs and professionals representation in local councils.

"This group gives a non-political view on issues. It is a healthy practice," he said, adding that more representation would be good.

Subang Jaya Municipal Councillor Dr Loi Kheng Min, an executive council member with Transparency International, said the participation of NGOs and professionals was important as they represented the ordinary citizens.

"The Selangor government needs to increase the non-political participation as well as pursue the idea of holding local government elections as this will allow the local authorities to evolve for the better," he said.

Malaysian Animal Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association president Anthony Thanasayan said it was imperative to include councillors from NGOs and professionals because they represented the voice of the people, especially from groups such as the disabled, elderly, children and women.

"Careful consideration must be given when choosing the candidates to represent these groups," he said.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Khamis, 16 Mei 2013

The Star Online: Metro: Central

The Star Online: Metro: Central

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