p 12 – 13 - Selangor Times

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views 14 June 8 — 10, 2012 Campaigning for Robots D ear Lord Bobo, by law, what is the campaigning period in the lead-up to the General Elections? SK Chan, via email Well, according to Section… eh wait, isn’t this an example of one of the most pointless pieces of legislation in the country? Campaigning period? Surely we have been in the midst of an intensive election campaign for at least 12 months already. Hardly a day goes by that the mainstream and alternative media does not scream out a political scandal or two. Almost every weekend there is some sort of ceramah, forum, talk, or debate. Not to forget those ceramahs disguised as “debates”. Which really is a shame for Malaysia. Instead of making decisions based on merit, and what’s right or wrong, or what’s good for the people, Malaysian politicians seem to weigh decisions based on what will get them more votes. Similarly, when contentious issues crop up, politicians seem to only be passionate about the ones where their party – or someone connected to their party – is not at fault, rather than considering at oh-so-irrelevant considerations such as justice and citizen welfare. Even if it’s a blatant injustice, if it has a chance of making “their side” look bad, our politicians will conveniently go silent. Even the more vocal ones on Twitter suddenly don’t reply to @mentions and go offline for a couple of days until the “heat” dies down. If they are somehow cornered into addressing the issue, there’s always the good-ol “bring up another scandal/ accusation” technique. Police gang-beating citizens? “Hey look at these hand signals that Anwar was making!” Sex video? “Submarine scandal!” Police brutality condemned by Bar Council? “I challenge the Bar Council President to be a man and come contest the next elections on my homeground!” And it goes on and on and on. So, campaigning period? As far as His Supreme Eminenceness is concerned, it is an ever-present and never-ending campaign period. It has no beginning, and for now it looks like it has no end. L ord Bobo, I’ve noticed an increase in those robot construction workers at roadwork zones lately. Do you think these are effective, and if so should these robots be used in other sectors? R3D3, via email Where to get your LRT Stations (Distribution by hand) – Morning Ampang – Sentul Timur Ampang Cahaya Cempaka Pandan Indah Pandan Jaya Sentul Timur Sentul Kelana Jaya – Terminal Putra Kelana Jaya Taman Bahagia Taman Paramount Asia Jaya Taman Jaya Universiti Sri Rampai Wangsa Maju Taman Melati Sri Petaling – Sentul Timur Taman Melati Sri Petaling Bukit Jalil Bandar Tasik Selatan Salak Selatan Shopping Malls (From Saturday noon) 1 UTAMA Tropicana Mall Sunway Pyramid The Curve IOI Mall Plaza Damas Ikano Power Centre Empire Subang MetroPoint Centro Mall, Klang Bangsar Shopping Complex Hypermarkets (From Saturday noon) Tesco (Puchong, Kajang, Mutiara Damansara, Rawang, Bukit Tinggi, Setia Alam, Ampang, Extra Shah Alam, Kepong) Now that you mention it, those things do seem to be everywhere! In the beginning, they seemed to be waving red flags up and down, which we suppose served a good purpose of getting motorists’ attention and convincing them that slowing down around a roadwork site would be a good idea. But, after some time (ie a couple of days, tops) they would break down and stop moving, holding the flag at random angles. After a few more days, the flag would disappear, and they’d just end up being things that look like people doing work, but actually are just holding a rotting stick. Lord Bobo sniffs some symbolism here. As for using these robots in other sectors, we suppose that could work somehow. But the problem is, they’re not really “robots” are they? The word “robot” somehow implies the presence of some form of artificial intelligence. They’re more of machines; mechanical inventions that do repetitive tasks without applying any thought to it. They wouldn’t be responsive to even constructive criticism. At most they could be pre-programmed to repeat the same things over and over again, no matter how illogical or unsuitable the response is to the situation at hand. They would just Giant (Puchong, Kajang, Bandar Kinrara, Klang, Pandamaran, Bandar Selayang, Kota Damansara, Taman Setiawangsa, Putra Heights, Taman Connaught, Kelana Jaya, Bukit Antarabangsa, Subang Jaya, Bukit Tinggi, Setia Alam, Kota Kemuning) Carrefour (Bukit Rimau, Subang Jaya, Wangsa Maju, Sri Petaling, Kepong, Puchong, Ampang, Jalan Peel, Jalan Kapar, Bandar Tun Hussein Onn, S23 Shah Alam) Jusco (Bukit Tinggi, Tmn Maluri, Wangsa Maju, Bandar Baru Klang, Mahkota Cheras) Commuter Stations (Distribution by hand) – Morning Sentul – Port Klang Port Klang Bukit Badak Shah Alam Subang Jaya Jalan Templer Petaling Rawang – Seremban Kuala Kubu Baru Sungai Buloh Kepong Sentral Kepong Morning Wet Markets (Saturday morning) Jalan SS2/62 Taman Medan Jalan 17/27 SS15 Subang Jaya Taman Kuchai Lama Taman OUG Pasar Taman Megah Pasar Jalan Othman Pasar Jalan 17/2 Pasar Sek 14 keep doing what they’re doing in the face of obvious error, until they break down or are shut down. Wait, are you thinking what we’re thinking? Have a question for Lord Bobo? Call on His Supreme Eminenceness by emailing asklordbobo@loyarburok. com, stating your full name, and a pseudonym (if you want), or tweeting your questions by mentioning @ Ask Lord Bobo is a weekly column by LoyarBurok (www. loyarburok.com) where all your profound, abstruse, erudite, hermetic, recondite, sagacious, and other thaesaurus-described queries are answered! LoyarBurok and using the hashtag #asklordbobo. What the hell are you waiting for? Hear This, and Tremblingly Obey (although trembling is optional if you are somewhere very warm)! Liberavi Animam Meam! I Have Freed My Spirit! By William Tan may 13: recollections & reconciliation p 12 & 13 TI-M head disputes Christian state claim Wesak Day: a time for giving community May 20 — 22, 2011/ issue 25 Petaling Jaya: Dilapidated low-cost flats throughout Selangor may get a new lease of life if a pilot programme to rehabilitate such homes is successful. The ambitious and first-of-itskind project is being carried out by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) in collaboration with Veritas Design Group, a private company, and Rumah Air Panas, a community-based charity. The single block at the Taman Maju Jaya apartments here, which houses 59 families, will be the first to undergo the transformation, which includes renovations and refurbishments while keeping the physical aspects intact. "All works are based on the decisions made by the residents," said social activist Wong Hay Cheong. Wong, who mooted the idea, pointed out that many of the residents were forced to move into the flats when squatter settlements were demolished, but the buildings and facilities were hardly adequate. “The entry of Veritas Design Group, which has contributed Wong said the private firm is car- RM100,000 and the skills [of their rying out the project as part of its architects], means that is going to Corporate Social Responsibility change,” said Wong. (CSR) programme, having spent the As many as 50,000 families were last two years laying the groundwork relocated to low-cost flats between for the project. 2000 and 2008 under former Men- The company has been liaising teri Besar Dr Khir Toyo's Zero with the families regularly to get Squatter policy which has been crit- feedback on their needs and help icised for creating high-rise ghettos. them decide on practical solutions. LB_246391_Sun_m14.ai 1 5/12/11 9:56 PM Keeping abandoned babies safe: Faizah Mohd Tahir (left) demonstrating the use of the baby hatch as local celebrity Datin Sofia Jane looks on. • STory on page 10 p 4 Facelift for old flats p 15 Their architects, using the latest architect Iskandar Razak. obtain what they need from their technologies and techniques, will Iskandar added that it was very business contacts. remodel the building on a tight difficult to obtain commitments “Despite it all, this is a very im- budget, which is estimated to be less from various parties at the start of portant project for us as we believe than RM500,000. the project, with funding still a seri- that a city should not be inhabited “It is very challenging; almost ous issue. by the wealthy only, but by every everything needs to be redone. The The success of the project rests on strata of society. In a way, we are re- wiring is horrible, the roof is leaking, sponsorships for the various compojuvenating the city,” said Iskandar. and the septic tank emits an awful nents, such as the supply of metal If the pilot is successful, the comstench,” said Veritas Design Group parts, and the company hopes to Pasar Seri Setia SS9A/1 Pasar Kg Chempaka Taman Tun Dr Ismail Hospital Forrest Medical Centre • Turn To page 2 Colleges Help Institute College Bandar Utama (KBU) Universiti Kebangsan Malaysia
news June 8 – 10, 2012 Straight look at Malaysian politics By Alvin Yap it as I see it” should be political commentator Kee “Calling Thuan Chye’s latest book offering, but no one is missing much from it being titled “No More Bullshit, Please, We’re All Malaysians”, as it is a straightforward read that focuses on what ought to matter to all Malaysian – governance, accountability and transparency. Penang born and bred Kee’s 404page book is a compilation of the sum of his thoughts on the period after the March 8 ,2008 general election, from SHAH ALAM: Fans of current affairs are in for another treat this weekend as two writers make their debut this weekend. Prolific newspaper and magazine commentator Tricia Yeoh will be making her debut on Saturday with “States of Reform: Governing Selangor and Penang”. The former Selangor government research officer, who has regular columns in Selangor Times, Penang Monthly magazine and The Sun, has compiled her columns from 2008 to material that were originally published by online news portals and the mainstream press. Getting down to the issues, Kee drives home his points by breaking up the topics into 10 sections, namely on personalities such former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and current prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Of course, current issues receive, at times, acerbic and very witty remarks and commentaries by the former journalist: The Other Side (meaning, the Opposition), Sex, Lies and Videotape and Bersih 2.0. It makes for a fun, yet informed read 2012 and put them into a neat little book. As the title suggests, “States of Reform” contains critical assessments of the Pakatan Rakyat governments in Selangor and Penang over the past four years. All the commentaries are taken from Penang Monthly. The forewords for the book are written by member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai Nurul Izzah Anwar and author Dr Ooi Kee Beng. “States of Reform: Governing Selangor and Penang” will be of the forces and arguments that should (or shouldn’t, being Kee’s point) shape Malaysia’s future. The theme in his book published by Marshall Cavendish is about the dangers or the irrelevance of racial politics, of unfair and unfree elections, among other things. Telling it as it is, Kee, who is a playwright and stage actor, doesn’t beat around the bush, with attention grabbing titles from the word go. As an example, he takes to task Ba- Book treat for political fans launched by Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim at The Annexe Gallery in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday at 10am. Also making a debut is Roshan Jason’s biography entitled “Teresa Kok: Partner in Democracy”. “States of Reform: Governing Selangor and Penang” is priced at RM28 while “Teresa Kok: Partner in Democracy” (includes a DVD) retails at RM25. Both books are published by Genta Media. MPK Health Department Officers inspecting the cleanliness of the hawker center’s back alley and drains Hawker centres, mini markets inspected by MPK KLANG: Some 22 compounds were issued to errant traders from 15 shops around the Sungai Puloh neighbourhood for flouting regulations during an operation by the Klang Municipal Council yesterday. “Five mini markets selling wet and dry food along with 11 other restau- rants were inspected by five different departments,” said an MPK spokesperson He said five workers at hawker centres were not properly immunised while some shop owners were fined for not keeping their premises clean. Several were also fined for display- ing their goods along the five-foot walkway while others were summoned for dumping their restaurant’s waste into the drains. The check was conducted by officers from the council’s licensing, health, enforcement, engineering and environment departments. risan Nasional’s MCA and MIC (Tweedledee MCA, Tweedledum MIC, is the title) with liberal amounts of scathing humour. He aims his pen, so to speak, on leadership, especially that of Mahathir, Najib and his cousin, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein for his remarks in the aftermath of the cow head incident in 2009 in Shah Alam. The book is easy to read, even for those who might be newbies on what We the undersigned are alarmed at the increasing rate of hostilities levelled against certain publications, leading to either their outright banning and seizures, or even in some cases, hostility against and/ or the arrest of their authors, publishers and booksellers. While there has been uproar against Irshad Manji's "Allah, Kebebasan dan Cinta" recently, the trend started much earlier with the banning of works by Karen Armstrong, Salman Rushdie, Khalil Gibran, Irvine Welsh and Iris Chang, among others. Even the works of local authors such as Faisal Tehrani and Kassim Ahmad and cartoonist Zunar have not been spared. It seems this banning frenzy led by the Home Ministry knows no limit. Zulkifli Noordin, Member of Parliament for Kulim-Bandar Baharu, also recently called for the ban of "Kahwin Campur antara Muslim dengan Non-Muslim" published by Institut Kajian Dasar. Not only do such measures contradict the government's supposedly moderate or wasatiyah stand on issues of diversity and tolerance, it stifles discourse and views required by any mature and developing democracy. In a healthy democracy, progress can be measured by space given to different views without fear of retribution. It also provides a pretext for the wanton exercise of power under the guise of religious order, with not only the Home Ministry's Publications Control and Quranic Text Division carrying out 15 has been happening on the political landscape of the last decade or so. His writing is clear and the paragraphs contain enough explanations to laymen, a feat which is honed by his stint as a political commentator- journalist-playwright-dramatist-actor. The book includes two of his poems, excerpts from three of his plays (1984’s “Here and Now” which was first staged in Kuala Lumpur in 1985, “We Could **** You, Mr Birch” first staged in 1994 also in KL, and “The Swordfish, Then the Concubine” which premiered in Singapore in 2008), and five interviews with him by various media from 2001 to 2010. Book banning frenzy must end seizure of books but also the Federal Territories Islamic Affairs Department ( JAWI) and the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department ( JAIS). These measures blatantly favour only one or two interpretations or solutions to key issues affecting Malaysian life and society at the expense of others. Book banning is a draconian measure that is not only ineffective but contrary to the spirit of dialogue and engagement that Malaysia desperately needs. Malaysia as a nation of diverse identities, religions and cultures should embrace and welcome the complex interaction and exchange of ideas that is rapidly expanding in this era of globalisation. In that, the ethics of agreeing to disagree is crucial to ensure mutual respect for diverging ideas and dissenting views. We call upon the authorities in Malaysia to put an end to book banning as the first step towards promoting diversity and respect in our society. Aliran, All Women’s Action Society (AWAM), Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), Islamic Renaissance Front (IRF), Perak Women for Women Society (PWW), Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower), Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan (Permas), Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor, Pusat KOMAS, Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM), Sisters in Islam (SIS), Suaram, Tenaganita, Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) and Women’s Centre for Change (WCC)
Page 1 and 2: PeMandu Being unrealisTic p 12 - 13
Page 3 and 4: A Conference On Building Integrity
Page 5 and 6: Voters urged to challenge EC in cou
Page 7 and 8: news JUNE 8 — 10, 2012 State slam
Page 9 and 10: Faulty toilets to remain open for n
Page 11 and 12: And so it begins... going the dista
Page 13: y Research for Social Advancement (
Page 17 and 18: Rebates for PJ homes that use less
Page 19 and 20: PKNS launches Indonesian venture SH
Page 21 and 22: All the places you want to visit in
Page 23 and 24: By Dominic Luk From June 21 to 24 b

p 12 – 13 - Selangor Times

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