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The Star Online: Metro: South & East

Ruling on entertainment outlets remains
Residents fed up with constant floods
PTPTN remains committed to help needy students regardless of race

Posted: 14 Jun 2013 01:41 AM PDT

MALACCA: The state government has vehemently stated that there will be no U-turn on its decision to centralise entertainment outlets, exclusively at Taman Melaka Raya.

Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron said the decision on the matter was only arrived after taking into the considerations the wishes of locals who want to maintain the heritage status without having too much of watering holes scattered around the city.

"Hence, we decided to limit entertainment outlets in one area where tourists also could concentrate at the site while any crime could be

also minimised as law-enforcers could focus their vigilance at the site," he said.

Idris was asked to comment on the grouses voiced by entertainment outlet operators from Batu Berendam, Malim and Taman Merdeka Permai that they would have to incur heavy losses if the operations had to be relocated within the three months following the implementation of the directive.

The move to centralise the entertainment outlets to one area as part of zoning the area as a nightlife hub was reached during Exco meeting in May 22.

On June 3, Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (MPHTJ) issued a three-months notice to operators of 12 entertainment outlets at Taman

Merdeka Permai and Batu Berendam to shift their operations to Taman Melaka Raya.

These operators have been given a deadline until August 7 to shift operation and those who fails to adhere would face RM10,000 compound

and have their premises sealed accordingly to local government's Entertainment Enactment 2012.

Idris said the state government had drafted the regulation on operations of entertainment outlets to be limited to only Taman Melaka Raya area only after gathering feedback from the locals.

"Some felt that the noise created by these outlets were unbearable and should be shifted from housing estates.

"We have to hear the disgruntlement of the majority and act accordingly and furthermore Melaka Raya has enough shophouses to cater for the operators," he added.

Idris added that a proper mechanism has been set before the directive was issued to all entertainment outlets such as discos, and karaoke outlets from outside Melaka Raya to shift their operations to the area.

Residents fed up with constant floods

Posted: 14 Jun 2013 01:41 AM PDT

KULAIJAYA: Several housing areas here get flooded when it pours — even for about 30 minutes — prompting concerns for family safety and damage to properties among some 200 households.

They claim drains clogged with rubish and leaves had been the main cause of rampant flash floods in the town over the past 20 years.

Resident Teng Hong Boon, 57, who stays in Jalan Bunga Kertas in Taman Sri Muhibbah, said he had to rush home when it starts to rain even when he was having dinner or shopping with his family.

At times he would also call his neighbours to find out if there were floods in the area.

"I will have to rush home to move our furniture and electrical items," he said, when met here recently.

Retiree Lai Chow Wei, 61, blamed the clogged and badly-kept drains for the flash floods.

"The drains are narrow and the grass growing in the drains make the waterway even narrower," he said, claiming the local council only cleans the drains once a year.

Lai, who stays with his wife said it was too taxing for the two old folks to clean up the mess after the floodwater had receded.

Electronic appliance repairman Mohd Hairi Awang, 53, added that his shop located beside the main road was also affected by flash floods.

Meanwhile, Bukit Batu assemblyman Jimmy Puah, who highlighted the matter, said that there was an underground pipe situated below the bridge along Jalan Sentul, which obstructs the water flow.

"Besides that, the overgrown grass in the drains have to be weeded out so that water can flow smoothly," he said.

When contacted, Kulaijaya Municipal Council public relations officer Mohd Halim Ridhauddin said that the council would look into the matter.

When it rains heavily for about half an hour, residents in some 200 households here will go into a frenzy to move their valuables to a higher place.

The residents in Taman Sentul and Taman Sri Muhibbah here have been bogged down by flash flood woes for about two decades with floodwater entering their homes whenever it rains heavily.

PTPTN remains committed to help needy students regardless of race

Posted: 14 Jun 2013 01:41 AM PDT

TEMERLOH: The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) will continue to receive and approve applications from applicants to finance their tertiary education.

Its chairman Datuk Ismail Mohamed Said said PTPTN was committed to help all needy and poor undergraduates regardless of race to further their studies.

"The loan will come in handy to help them finance their courses and cost of living throughout their tenure in the university and higher learning institution.

"Despite criticism from certain quarters including a proposal by the Opposition to abolish the loan, the Government will not let up," he said.

Ismail said up to last month, a total of RM49.18bil in loans had been approved, benefitting 2.18 million undergraduates nationwide.

He said the interest imposed on the loan was around one per cent and the repayment would commence after graduation and employment.

"There is no compulsion to apply for the loan as it is meant for those from poor background or facing some financial difficulties.

"In addition, those who secured exceptional results can have the loan written off as scholarship," he said, adding that all other applicants would need to service and pay back the loan gradually.

Ismail, who is also the Kuala Krau MP, said allegations that PTPTN was similar to a moneylender was untrue as it was set up with the main aim of helping poor and needy undergraduates.

He said a total of 98 undergraduates in his parliamentary constituency had been given warrants for an initial installment amount to lessen their burden for the new intake into polytechnics and universities.

"Up to April 30 this year, a total of 619,647 warrants amounting to RM910.87mil have been issued and cashed by applicants.

"PTPTN will continue to play a pro-active role to assist undergraduates as entrusted by the Government," he said.

Ismail said all states had set up PTPTN branch offices to facilitate the process of applying and repaying of loans. He urged those who had problems in applying and repayment to deal directly with officials in their respective states.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Jumaat, 14 Jun 2013