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Hazard and risk map to pinpoint dangerous slopes in KL
Khairy's statements did not tarnish Anwar's reputation, court hears
IGP: Crime down to 153,309 cases last year from 157,629 in 2011

Hazard and risk map to pinpoint dangerous slopes in KL

Posted: 15 Jan 2013 06:01 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has appointed the Public Works Institute of Malaysia (Ikram) to create a Hazard and Risk Map to pinpoint slopes that are dangerous in Kuala Lumpur as a precautionary measure.

Mayor Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib said from this map, this will enable them to identify slopes that needs maintenance work.

"We will also consider to implement a method applied in Hong Kong where serial numbers will be given to each slope to ease the maintenance work and monitoring in future," he said after meeting with Bukit Setiawangsa residents who were affected by the land slide on Dec 28.

He added they will discuss the suggestion with the Minerals and Geoscience Department.

Ikram chief operating officer Mohd Taufik Harun said from the map, they will be able to prioritise which slopes need immediate attention and action before any untoward incidents.

"The map is expected to be completed in one and a half years time from this January," he said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Phesal said the developer of the affected houses at Bukit Setiawangsa, I&P Group Sdn Bhd, has been instructed to come up with a new design for the affected slope by end of next month for the long term solution to the slope.

"We will also give a schedule for I&P to follow in conducting works on the slope to ensure it will not be dragged on.

"This will also allow the 58 families and shopkeepers who were evacuated can return to their homes and premise," he said, adding the short-term remedial works to the slope is expected to be completed by Jan 31.

He added the new design will determine how many houses on the hill will need to be demolished.

Ahmad Phesal said from the meeting between DBKL, Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin had meeting with Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, it has been decided that I&P will be held responsible for compensation to the affected residents and shopkeepers.

When asked on the amount of compensation, he said they would have to look into the matter first to determine the amount.

On Dec 28, residents of Bukit Setiawangsa were shocked when the land erosion causes most parts of a 43m concrete embankment in the area to collapse.

Khairy's statements did not tarnish Anwar's reputation, court hears

Posted: 15 Jan 2013 05:51 AM PST

Published: Tuesday January 15, 2013 MYT 9:50:00 PM
Updated: Tuesday January 15, 2013 MYT 9:51:03 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here was told that Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's reputation was not jeorpadised by UMNO Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin's statements during a political speech in Kuala Kangsar, Perak, six years ago.

Khairy's lawyer, Datuk Seri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, said Anwar's reputation had already been tarnished by the abuse of power charges brought against him in all levels of court and sodomy charges he faced earlier.

Hence, Shafee said his client will depend on these cases in the RM100mil defamation suit filed by Anwar against Khairy on September 2007.

He was responding to High Court Judge Datuk Su Geok Yiam's question as to whether those cases were relevant in this hearing.

Anwar claimed that Khairy, as UMNO Youth deputy chief at the time, had uttered defamatory statements about him at a political event in Kuala Kangsar on August 2007, which was later published in print and electronic media on Aug 3 of the same year.

Meanwhile, in response to Shafee's cross-examination, Anwar said the statement implicitly portrayed him (Anwar) as never having fought for the political interest of the Malays in the country.

The hearing resumes on Wednesday. - Bernama

IGP: Crime down to 153,309 cases last year from 157,629 in 2011

Posted: 15 Jan 2013 05:45 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: Public confidence in the crime-prevention performance of the police is expected to increase as crime cases went down to 153,309 last year from 157,629 in 2011.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said the effort was part of the National Key Result Area (NKRA) programme of reducing crime, which saw a drop of 4,320 cases.

"Police have continued with actions to boost the force's image and gain public confidence," he said when presenting his paper entitled, 'Crime and Safety Issues - Between Perception and Reality', at the Tranformation of Security and Fundamental Rights and Legislation seminar.

Ismail said the police had adopted an effective approach by focusing on engaging citizens in crime-prevention programmes.

The reducing crime NKRA is among the six NKRAs, which are part of the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) initiatives, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on July 27, 2009.

The GTP initiative on reducing crime has, among other things, placed Malaysia one step ahead of the United States in terms of order and security, according to an assessment by the World Justice Project (WJP) 2011 Rule of Law Index.

The WJP Annual Report 2011 ranked Malaysia 12th among 66 countries covered under its assessment of order and security. - Bernama

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Selasa, 15 Januari 2013