Friday May 6, 2011

Similar signboards metres apart waste of public funds, says bureau

Story and photo by EDWARD R. HENRY
edward@thestar.com.my

THE Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) has been putting up signboards and road signs in PJ New Town even though there are similar ones nearby.

Residents say it is a waste of ratepayers’ money. MBPJ had allocated RM1.8mil for the purpose in its 2011 budget.

Selangor MCA Public Complaints Bureau chief Datuk Theng Book said he had received several calls regarding similar signboards and even road signs in PJ New Town.

Too close and similar: Theng (left) Chong near similar noticeboards in Jalan 52/18, PJ New Town.

He said it was redundant boards and misuse of public funds.

“I can’t believe the council has approved signboards and road signs that are similar. Some are only 20m apart, like the Clean Zone boards. We even have two boards with similar messages at the parking area in Jalan 52/18 that reminds drivers not to park in the bay for the disabled,” he said.

Theng said misuse of public funds would be unacceptable at any time but it is particularly troubling during tough economic times,” he said.

He added that an average size noticeboard could cost between RM1,000 and RM1,800.

Resident Wan Jai Wan Jah, 56, said he was perplexed to see so many signboards in PJ New Town and it was a sheer waste of funds.

All Petaling Jaya Residents Association Coalition (APAC) adviser Mohd Umar Peer Mohd said he found it outrageous and unacceptable that ratepayers’ money was being misused.

“MBPJ has allocated a lot painted in blue for the disabled to park their car. The coloured lot is clearly visible and there is no need to even have a noticeboard erected. Now, this matter is public interest because ratepayers’ money is involved and an investigation must be done,” he said.

Selangor MCA Public Complaints Bureau deputy chairman Kelvin Chong said the council must investigate the matter because it involved public funds and believed the money could be used for helping single mothers or even poor schoolchildren.

“Transparency and accountability must prevail and the findings of the probe should be made public. MBPJ and the councillor in charge for the area owe the ratepayers an explanation,” he said.

Thursday May 5, 2011

New kid on the block

Newcomer Zhar amuses the family with his antics.

I’VE become a father once again and this time, it’s to an energetic three-month-old Doberman pup named Zhar.

Not only do his first two names Dobe Ace say it all about the latest canine member to join my team of four service and therapy dogs, but the cuddly black-and-rust coloured pooch comes from a lineage of winners.

Zhar was given to me by Dr S.R. Dev, a general practitioner who has been breeding champion Dobes which have won numerous titles in international and local competitions.

Striving to serve: Zhar displays traits that will make him an indispensable companion for the elderly or disabled.

It was no surprise that Dr Dev and I hit it off when we first met at a canine event last October.

With our shared passion for dogs, we decided to work together as a team and explore the aptitude of a Doberman to see how well the breed would perform as a service, therapy and companion dog for the disabled and the elderly.

Despite the bad reputation that Dobermans have among people who are ignorant and prejudiced against the breed, they really are second to none, especially in performing their role as assistance dogs to the handicapped in overseas countries.

Dr Dev fully agrees with the popular quote by Dobe experts: “Anything any dog can do, the Doberman can also do, except that it often does it better!”

Here are some of the extracts from the diary that I’ve been keeping since Zhar came to live with me a week ago:

> Dobes and driving: My biggest worry was how to transport a feisty puppy to my home. Would he allow me to do the driving or would he end up behind the steering wheel?

The answer was to put him in a pet carrier in the back seat to limit his mobility. He didn’t like it one bit but it did the trick.

He protested several times by whining but I kept talking to him constantly in a calm voice. He settled down immediately. It was a great way to get acquainted.

Negative side: He threw up in his crate at the end of the journey although I drove slowly and carefully.

> Next: How would a soon-to-be giant-sized Dobie relate to his newfound equally large furry mates?

Soo, my 12-year-old Golden Retriever, was absolutely delighted and greeted Zhar as if the pup were his long-lost pal.

Biman, the eight-year German Shepherd was less enthusiastic initially about sharing his home with another dog. However, he has since changed his mind after realising that the young Dobe is a great source of daily entertainment with his clownish antics.

He’s a riot when he dashes off with some of the items in my room such as my toothbrush, sarung or wallet with me in hot pursuit on all four wheels!

On the positive side, picking up such diverse objects makes him an excellent candidate to retrieve important objects for the wheelchair-bound.

Reba the Sheltie who daily helps check my body for sores, had no objections whatsoever because she had found the perfect barking partner in Zhar though he sometimes plays a bit too rough with her.

Last but not least, the youngest at three years old is perhaps the most gracious of all. Zeus the German Shepherd actually helps me watch over the newcomer. He doesn’t seem to mind that he is no longer the “baby” of the family. Zeus would run over to check what is wrong at the slightest whimper or whine from Zhar.

> Winner in the making: In just seven days, I have observed some amazing characteristics in Zhar that indicate that he’s the stuff that dreams are made of when it comes to being an indispensible companion for a disabled or elderly person.

He’s delightfully playful but at the same time, he is very focused on getting what he wants. There are literally no obstacles before him: he will stand on his hind legs to get to hard-to-reach places, pick up virtually any object, and get around any barrier to get to his destination.

But no matter what he does, there is always time for generous licks from a canine who will be king one day.

Six receive wheelchairs

Cha Seak Nee in her new wheelchair — Picture by Lim Poh Chin

PETALING JAYA: Damansara Jaya Residents and Owners Association (DJROA) gave wheelchairs to six underprivileged disabled individuals.

DJROA president Datuk Yew Cheng Hoe said the association organised a charity golf tournament last October to raise funds for the underprivileged.

"It was the biggest golf tournament we have organised so far, with about 100 participants.

"We raised RM18,000," said Yew, adding that they donated the money to several children's homes around Petaling Jaya last December.

"Besides donating to children's homes, we decided to use some of the funds to help the disabled," he said.

Wheelchair-bound Cha Seak Nee, 39, works at Taman Mega wet market which is near her house. She started working in the market about seven months ago, after quitting her job at a factory.

"We felt she needed a new wheelchair as her old one, which was about five years old, was in a bad condition," said Yew.

Cha has been wheelchair bound most of her life and was thankful for the contribution.

While three of the recipients are Petaling Jaya residents, the others are from Subang Jaya, Rawang and Batu Pahat, Johor.

"Some of the recipients were picked with the help of Damansara Utama assemblyman Dr Cheah Wing Yin while others approached us for help," said Yew.

Yew said the wheelchairs cost about RM1,000 each.

The association is planning to organise an even bigger golf tournament in the near future to raise more funds for the needy.

Read more: Six receive wheelchairs http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/5roa/Article#ixzz1LRKykV5g

It is a wonderful holiday at Hatyai with difference experience of the life.

It is a wonderful holiday at Hatyai with difference experience of the life.

Last month on 22/4/2011, we went to Hat Yai on a group of 10 disabled friends tour over a holiday weekend for 2 days Nights in Hatyai.

We felt that, it is an extremely popular tourist spot for Malaysians on holiday.

Departure at 6.30am from Rawang. We reach Changlun border town about 12.30pm, take our lunch at one of the rest area/food court area which cater for cars, buses, lorries traveling to Thailand. The food court comes with money changer, sundry shops as well as Thailand Insurance agent where it is compulsary when your drive to Thailand.

We get all the documents done (Insurance/entry pass).

The road towards Hadyai town is dual carriage highway and tol free. Since it is neighbouring to Malaysia border, the buildings and the environment are similar to what we see in Malaysia, except that all the advertisement signboards are in Thailand language.

To be honest, I just admire the way how Thailand government encourage the creativity of their people, look at theirs buses, it painted with all kind of pictures. Can you imagine it happen in Malaysia ? Not just white and green tour bus, it just boring here.

We spend almost the whole day at the Hatyai Town.

A good night sleep at Cholatarn Hotel. Wake up at 8.00am, proceed to standard Chinese breakfast and we out to enjoy local tuk tuk, a very popular mode of transport at Hatyai.

Lunch at a wonderful restaurant at Hatyai.

Return to hotel at night and venture to the night market near by the hotel. It is a shopping heaven and there are so many variety of goods from local handicraft, hand bag, shoe, T-Shirt etc etc.

We do some last minute shopping at Hatyai before we proceed back to Malaysia.

We reach home about 6.30pm.

It is a very enjoyable trip as we got to see a lot of different places.