Deaths continue in Malaysian detention camp

Burma News International, Dec 15, 2009

Deaths among detainees afflicted by an unknown disease continue in the KLIA detention camp near the Kuala Lumpur International airport in Malaysia.

Malaysian authorities detain illegal foreigners in detention camps before they are deported to the migrant’s country of origin. There have been deaths among detainees since the end of August this year.

Ngaung Sapaung (45), died on December 9 in the camp of the unknown disease, a detainee said.

"Ngaung Sapaung was critically ill. He could not get up. They sent him to a hospital. He was in the hospital for a day. The next day at 9 p.m. he died. Seven inmates died in the camp in four months," he added.

His legs were swollen and he could not have any food for a week before he died. He also suffered from constipation and retention of urine. Though other inmates informed camp authorities about his deteriorating health, camp authorities did not send him to hospital on time.

Most detainees were moved from the Samongnyin camp because they demonstrated demanding better health care facilities since early July. There is lack of health care facilities and medicines cannot be brought from outside.

"Old inmates moved from the Samongnyin camp have not been taken to doctors or given medicines. We requested for medicines from our friends, who are outside but the authorities do not allow us to take these medicines," he said.

"The old detainees moved from the Samongnyin camp have their names deleted from the UNHCR's list. Therefore, the UNHCR cannot bring them back.

"If we want to see officials from the UN, the officials come to the camp but they cannot call out our number. There is no list of names in the detention camp. Even though the UN has submitted a list of names, ours have been deleted because there is no list here. So, we cannot meet the UN officials. I have been in the camp for a year, where there are lots of difficulties," he added.

Though the authorities have attempted to investigate the cause of the disease but there are no answers yet. The Burmese Embassy has attempted to send them back to Burma but they don't have enough money for the return trip. So they continue to be in the detention camp.

"If I had the money, I would have gone back. Now I don't have enough money and I cannot get any money from home. So, I have to stay in the camp," the inmate said.

If a person wants to go back to Burma, he has to pay about 1,500 ringgit. Even though an official from the Burma Embassy managed to send some of them back with only 500 ringgit per person, now it has stopped.

There are a total of 130 Burmese in the camp. Among of them, about 30 are suffering from the unknown disease.

Detainees said there is lack of light; improper ventilation system in the camp, unclean water for drinking and bathing, and lack of fresh food. Therefore the disease is spreading in the camp, inmates added.

A conspiracy in the making?

You probably noticed by now that the "familiar" cleaners are no where to be seen. That is because some smart ass called the Immigration Dept and hauled them all away. Yup, you guessed it right, most of our cleaners are illegals, it seems.

I also came to know from a reliable source that the "operasi" was originated from the break in case at Block B-11 recently. PG security suspected that the cleaners or one of the cleaners was involved and called in the immigration office.

Residents should ask for the identity of the culprit/s who broke into unit B-11-3 from the management or some innocent person will be jailed or deported.

Someone was relating to me that you can get rewards for blowing the whistle on these foreigners who do not have permits to work in Malaysia. If this is what it is, then the "kam sau chi" (golden finger = whistle blower) is going to be rich.

One may just ponder if this is a plot to "eliminate" a witness or witnesses. Who knows, a cleaner or cleaners may have seen someone breaking into the unit. A conspiracy in the making? You be the judge.....

I wanted to end this post with a "Merry Christmas" but it doesn't seem right when you have this kind of case over our heads, what so merry about it.....

Here is a write up by one of the residents,

Dear Friends,

It is a real sad day for all PGites. 6 of our cleaners (4 female & 2 male) were arrested by Immigration Enforcement Officers. Somebody reported to the authorities that there are many "orang asing" working illegally in PG. The report included precised details of numbers of workers. The authority was here two days ago to investigate and gather info from certain party.

While cleaners arrested for working without a proper permit (yet to verify) but most of them had worked for PG for a long time. They left their countries to come here to earn an honest living doing the jobs that locals are not willing to do. Yet, there is this bastard who goes and reported them. For financial gain? Informer is rewarded for tipping off the authority. I'm not sure. Enforcement chief was saying that they have to take action because someone reported otherwise how would they know of the orang asing in PG.

Now let's think about their condition. They were taken hand-cuffed in their working attire after almost a day's work. I'm not sure if they will be given some food for dinner. They will have to wear their clothings on their back until they are released (if any). Tomorrow is a public holiday followed by Sat & Sun. They would easily be there for 4 nights. If their boss cannot produce some document or do "something" then they will be sent to detention camp awaiting deportation. They could be there for months if not years. I believe many of you have read the reports by int'l human right groups in internet of Malaysia's detention camps' horror stories.

Just put yourself into the situations of their next of kin. Many are married with children. What type of suffering they have to endure now? Anxiety, separation, financial losses if compound fine/other settlement amounts.

By the way, the boss of the cleaners went in together with them, accompanied by his dearest wife. As of 9.30pm they are all still inside. The boss is a gentleman who took the responsibility to come to PG to be arrested as employer. Otherwise, GE Tan's staff Mr Tan or even the MC will be arrested because the workers are found within PG premise. At the moment, Ah Siong and his sister-in-law are doing everything they can to secure the release of all.

Have you seen this girl?

Dear Friend,

朋友们，

Halo, kawan-kawan,

If you found the girl as below, please pass her to nearest police station or contact to your state police hot line.

如您有发现这位小女孩，请您把她送到附近的警察局，还是连络州属的警察热线。

Jikalau kamu terjumpa budak perempuan seperti nyata di bawah,

Sila tolong hantar dia ke balai polis yang terlekat,

Ataupun berhubung dengan hot line polis negeri kamu.

She was missing since 19/11/2009 at KL Ipoh road.

Her name: Ng Kah Yee.

她的姓名：伍嘉仪

Namanya: Ng Kah Yee.

Age: 13 years old.

13 岁。

13 tahun.

Another break in at Block B

OMG!!!! Another break in? What is going on? We spend 150K for a up to date kind of CCTV security system and still there is break in? This is totally unacceptable. One should ask what is our security team is doing to solve this problem, I thought break ins would be a thing of the past, but it looks like it is here to stay, well at least for Pearl Garden...sigh..

I spoke to one of the guards who was patrolling, he told me, "Only a ring and a bottle of whiskey were missing", so by the looks of it, to the security team, it is just a small matter from his tone...typical!!! Maybe they will only be serious when there is a big case.....Give me a break!!!!!!!!

A place to vent your frustration...

Any new happenings? Any issues bothering you? Want to rant about something? Here is a place for the residents of PG to voice out their views.

MC and GE Tan sleeping on the job...

Several residents had a meeting with the chairman of MC and GE Tan this Saturday 5th Dec 2009, pertaining to their formal complaints. We were shocked to know that GE Tan did NOT submit the formal complaints to the committee during their monthly meetings.

Gan claimed that the complaints filed by some of residents were not highlighted and therefore no action was taken. The formal complaint file was about 4 inches thick, which bring us to the question,"What the hell is going on?"

MC requested residents to file formal complaints via "proper" channel and yet no one reads and acts on those compliants???? So, it was all for fun? What's going on? I thought they have their Thursday night meetings and yet did not discuss about residents' complaints?

At that point of time during the meeting with Gan (chairman), some of us knew that he will tai chi his way out by pushing the blame to GE Tan. I pity the poor new guy from GE Tan, kena kiri, kanan,depan, belakang and center...

Frankly, I pity Gan too, he was "abandoned" by his committee, except for his old faithful, LT Yeoh...I told Gan that he should also bring in the security MC too since there were so many complaints about security, but I guess he chickened out.

Gan said that all the formal complaints which were highlighted were completely new to him. Some of the complaints were dated September, October and November 2009.

One of the residents, Koay, had prepared a long list of complaints extracted from Pearl Garden, My Home blog and wanted Gan to clarify but he refused as he does not believe what was discussed and the comments in the blog.

Koay, therefore asked a few fundamental questions about the function of the MC. Gan requested him to email him the questions and he will get back to us soonest possible.

I have sent those questions to him on the 5th Dec 2009. They are as follows:-

As per your request in the meeting held this morning, here are thelist of questions which require clarification from you, MC and GE Tan.

1. What is the role of MC? How do you go about making decision forresidents or supporting residents as a representative?

2. What is MC's responsibilities (by portfolio, if possible).

3. What are the guidelines / procedures for the service providers suchas security, GE Tan, cleaners, etc...?

4. What are the basis or guidelines for deliberating residents' suggestions?

5. What are the basis or guidelines for ensuring compliance by service providers?

6. What are the basis or guidelines for considering projects for residents?

7. How do you deal with indisciplined and non-performing employees base on what type of basis and procedures?

8. What is the timel ine period set for service providers to settle a complaint?

9. Why are residents' complaints not looked into even though they have submitted the complaints officially to GE Tan?

10. Why is GE Tan so reluctant to present the complaints to you during your scheduled meetings?

11. What is the cause of this serious communication breakdown?

Subsequent to this, I added a few more questions which were brought up by the residents during the meeting. The questions were emailed to Gan on the 6th Dec 2009. The questions as indicated below:-

During the recent meeting, we wanted to know why the below items werenot published on the notice board.

1) Monthly Accounts & Balance Sheet with detail explanations on big spending amounts be put up on notice board.

2) Minutes of MC meeting with details of every complaints received, what actions taken and time-line for those unresolved.

I believe there were such reports and minutes during the previous administration, so why is it now not done? We need to have C. A. T.

I came to understand that PG is getting quotes for fabricating PGSignboard and I was told that there is no actual specification given. How can there be no specifications for a signboard of this size? Ihope you are not serious on issuing a PO worth RMXX,XXX with no specification attached.

By the way, do we really need this signboard??? But I would advise you to get the residents "approval" first (before) you go ahead with this project, by the way, it is their money too. Don't use it as if it is yours or MCs.

Lastly, since GE Tan did not provide most of the complaints to you during the monthly meetings, I believe it is your duty as the chairman to obtain all these complaints from GE Tan and discuss them immediately.

Please do not wait for the next scheduled meeting to dothis. You definitely need damage control and please reply to each and every complaint directly to the residents involved as required in the complaint form.

Gold found at playground....if it is yours call management office..

This is a report contributed by Ad. Nice work bro...

"I took my son to the play ground this evening (Dec 5), I thought we can have more fun running and chasing around. But when I observed 2 piles of gold (dog shit), it really spoiled my mood... although it is just a simple thing, ‘dog shit only marrr’, but I felt disappointed on the dog owner's behavior who sound to me a very selfish and irresponsible. "

"You guys can validate it tomorrow morning before the gardener removed the evident.I don’t wish our management argue again maybe I took the photo from outside and trying to make problem to PG. "

"Jimmy, since you have camera and video cam with better resolution and viewing angle, perhaps you can take the photo with the background of playground… I’ll make official report tomorrow... "

"LT, I’ll pass you the official complain form and need your help to submit to management office. I’ll come back late on weekday, management office will close by then. "

Ad, you need to make sure that GE Tan present the case to the "I don't know about it" MC team during their meetings. By the way, I heard from some one that even a MC has a dog in the condo, sigh....

By the way, Ad, sometimes there are some stray dogs entering the premises through the fences behind.

Anyway, I believe you la...if the management office does not believe you, they can go and smell the dog shit themselves LOL...

MB Nizar in Penang tonight........

Gathering at Club House, Saturday, 5th Dec 2009, 11.00am

Calling TT, Ad, Ed, Ping, Cat, Zorro, Vincent, Tze, Koay, J, KK, Prem, KPC, OSK, DK, Dell, Wah Lau, Lim, Choo, MPly, Chui and concerned residents of PG,

There is a discussion gathering tomorrow (Saturday, 5th Dec 2009), at 11.00am at the club house. Please bring your feedbacks or formal complaints which you have submitted to GE Tan for a session with the related parties.

See you all.

Viva Las Vegas.........

Can you imagine such neon lights or sign board for PG? I am sure it will light up the sky and probably blind a few people and cause quite a lot of accidents because it is going to be so distracting for drivers passing by.

Ok la, we have a stone sign near the guard house indicating Pearl Garden, people say solid like a rock, good foundation (which is very good) and it was probably free of charge (the rock that is) but of course cannot compare to the neon lights like the ones in Las Vegas. But good enough, right?

Those casinos, hotels and amusement parks have huge budget ma...I think it will cost the organization a few million dollars just to build and up keep those in the video.

Can one imagine the day, just one fine day, a nut case wants to put up a sign board like those in Las Vegas for Pearl Garden ah? I personally felt that it is going to be so so out of place, and I cannot imagine the cost of it...RM 25,000 or more? Worth it ah?

If PG has the "extra money", better use it wisely, like repairing the fences along the school compound, repair the tennis court, upgrade the gym equipments, repair the gutter pipes, install water filters for all blocks, build a visitors car park etc.....

Just my 2 cents.....

You got a friend..by CAT

CAT can cari makan composing lyrics. Sing along people....LOL

On behalf of Jimmy, I would like to dedicate this song to all visitors to this blog.
I have changed some lyrics. Jimmy, please post the song video in the blog
The word “write” in the song means: leowbh@gmail.com
The word “call” in the song means: 012-4010883

Song: By Carole King, here it goes……..let’s sing along together…..

*When your down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, nothing is going right.
On your PC and write to me
And soon I will reply
To brighten up even your darkest nights.

Or you just call my number,
And you know where ever I am
I'll come running, to help you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall,
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there,
You've got a friend.

If the problem for you
is crap and full of bull
And that MC shit begins to show
Keep your head together and call my number fast
And soon I will be knocking upon your door.

You just call my number
and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to help you again.
Winter, Spring, summer or fall
All you got to do is call
And I'll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Hey, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend?
MC can be so cold.
They do nothing but desert you.
Well they'll take your trust if you let them.
Oh yeah, but don't you let them.

You just call my number
and you know wherever I am
I'll come running to help you again.
Oh PG, don't you know that,

Winter Spring summer or fall,
write now or you've got to do is call.
PG, I'll be there, yes I will.
You've got a friend.
You've got a friend.
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend?
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend?
You've got a friend*

PG will survive???

Sing a long with the lyrics composed by CAT !!!

*At first we were confused
We were horrified
Kept thinking how we could live
with you by our side
But we spent so many nights
thinking how you did us wrong
We grew strong
We learned how to carry on
and you'll be back
from outer space
You will just walk in to the AGM
with that sick look upon your face
We should have changed our stupid MC
We should have made you leave your post
If we had known for just one second
you'd be back to bother us

Go on now go walk out the door
just turn around now
'cause you're not welcome anymore
weren't you the one who tried to impose us with stupid rules
you think we’ll crumble
you think we’ll lay down and cry
Oh no, not us
We will survive
as long as we know how to think
we know we will stay alive
we've got all our life to live
We've got all our help to give
and we'll survive
We will survive

It took all the strength we had
not to fall apart
kept trying hard to mend
the pieces of our broken paths
and we spent oh so many nights
just feeling sorry for ourselves
We used to try
Now we hold our head up high
and you see us
somebody new
We’re not that chained up little person
still have trust in you
and so you felt like dropping in
and just expect us to agree
now I'm saving all our support
for someone who's supporting us*

Stick it there as a revenge....

Photo courtesy from Ad.

Do I need to say more???

Buy 4 digit number 3978..sure kena

More and more photos of this car have been sent to my email these few days. It must be a sign that many of the PG's residents are fed up with security guard parking his car there.

I spoke to Lim this afternoon about this and he said that he has been receiving the same complains from residents until he cannot "tahan" anymore.

So, as long as the security guard continues to park his car there, I will also continue to put in the photos sent to me into the blog. Let the whole world know how silly PG management and MC can get. They can't even control the security guard, by the way, who is working for who ah???

Sembang sembang session with MC Chairman

Looks like there is no end to the complaints and every time I moderate a comment, it is always in a form of frustration and disgust.

Rude security, illegal parking, sleeping guards, yellow chain, gutter pipes, fallen branches, no parking stickers, tennis court, slippery floors, dog shitting, dogs barking, run down gym equipment, not enough parking lot, no visitor car park, tidak apa attitude committees and the list goes on...

Why don't we get the MC chairman and have a "sembang sembang" forum with him. Clarification and verification time. If you guys agree to this, I will "invite" Gan to meet up with all concerned.

For those agree to this, state your attendance and propose a date.

Penang Bridge International Marathon

About 19,000 participants have registered for the international marathon which will be divided into four categories — Full Marathon (850 participants), Quarter Marathon (about 2,000), Half Marathon (about 6,000) and Fun Run (about 10,000).

The annual event has attracted marathon runners from all over the world.

Video by Jimmy Leow

Yellow Chain Gang Strikes Again

I really don't know whether to laugh or cry. First, the famous "yellow chain" was removed to many residents' relieve. I have to thank some of the residents who confronted the "tidak apa" attitude SC about this and finally it knock some bloody sense into whoever is holding the portfolio.

Now, we thought, "Ok, lah, now that the yellow chain is removed, it will force the security guards to act accordingly by stopping people from parking their vehicles there, but now, the guards themselves are parking their cars there, KNN, WTF!.

Above are some photos taken by a resident showing the same guard's car parked at the "restricted" zone on the 23rd and 24th Nov 2009.

This evening as I was returning back from dinner, the freaking car was still parked there at around 10:30pm.

So, the enforcer is violating the law. Maybe residents should stick the "No parking" stickers onto the car from front to back and on the SC's face too.

Lion King for Ad's son....

This video is for Ad's son, enjoy...

Another dissatisfied resident.....

"If we complain too much about the falling branches/pipings, MC will get all the trees chopped down/pipings removed or buy the beautiful yellow chain to demarcate the area or ask the guards to put a sticker on the people to stop them from going too near the trees/beneath the loose pipings….LOL

But isn’t it similar to the “yellow chain” solution to “stop” people from parking in front of Guard house issue? Is it effective?? Do we still see people parking there? You decide.

That is the best solution from a MC any community can have. Total crap!!!!!

[Jimmy’s comment - When you call some of the MCs to look at a particular problem, they shout back, "I have no time, I have no time"..those are the exact words...]

Let’s put it in another way, it’s like someone volunteered to be in the committee for “ Saving All Lives” and the person is voted in by others. Others appreciate because it is voluntarily and it’s such a selfless deed.

So when one of the others call out to that someone to save a cat that just fell into the drain from drowning, that someone shouted back "I have no time, I have no time"…..

Now, pray tell…where is the rationale??? Why is that someone volunteered to be in the committee for “Saving All Lives” in the first place when that someone can ignore a drowning cat? See the irony??????

In the past, we have given suggestion and solution to MC, any implementation?

Answer = NO!!!

It is still up to that bunch of egoistic and incompetent personalities in the MC to do what they think is “shiok” to do, right??? Put this in our head, “It’s not what we need, it’s what they want!!!” Read it again slowly if you don’t understand. The key words are “we need” and “they want”.

When we question them why this type of rule or instruction, the MC will say…oh….the MC has already decided; let’s not discuss this issue anymore, period!!! And they don’t give a f**k what you need or what you think!!!

All tasks that requires funding, remember the $$$ do not come out from their own pockets but from all of us, meaning you and me lah…kawan-kawan.

The sad thing is the present MC is still confused between representative and arbiter roles, but unfortunately the majority of the residents are oblivious to this setback and accept whatever is being imposed on them.

We do not blame our neighbours as most probably like all people do, busy seeking out a way to provide a better future for the family.

Key word – Awareness and Change

To solve this issue, we need to select more committed and effective representatives in the next AGM to see results and those who volunteered just for namesake, business opportunity, for advantage, favour seeking or just to pass time must have the audacity to abstain from volunteering. All of us must be there to ensure this change, inform your neighbours to do so as well.

So let’s start with J’s suggestion. Jimmy please organise the meet-up this Thursday 9pm, “A night with Jimmy by the pool to remember” how’s that for a start????.... LOL

All commentators and visitors to the blog, please attend and encourage others to do so. Spread the words……..

Fused and Wasted....

Just 2 more observations here.

1. 2 cases of garden lights - one of the bulbs had fused.

a. Near the multi-storey car park exit.

b. Near children's play ground.

2. PG library lights on, but no one is inside.

Required actions :-

1. Replace the bulbs and management should check frequently. Buat kerja!

2. Residents should practice energy saving, switch off when you leave. Jimat tenaga!

Gutter pipe incident...

These photos were taken by a Block B resident this morning. It showed the half severed gutter pipe and the other showing the brackets without the pipe.

Thanks for the photo contribution.

Gutter pipe incident, residents fuming over repair delays...

With the gutter pipe crashing down at Block B, residents of PG are fuming mad over the delays in getting the problem rectified. A resident had informed the management office about the problem weeks before it came crashing down yesterday.

Here are a few of the many comments received :-

Resident # 1

"The disaster finally happened, the rain gutter at Block B finally fallen. Hope that it has not caused any injury to any of the residents.

I would like to express my disappointment to management office again.

LT, you know, I did purposely took picture from my bedroom windows on Sep 20 (one of the Sunday morning, if not mistaken) about the damaged of rain gutter from 14 floor, showed to Mr Choo (our management officer), download to management office PC and explain to him my concern of the rain gutter at Block B which potential will collapse one day.

He recorded the information and since then I didn’t follow up further... unfortunately, the rain gutter collapsed today, and another one that mentioned keep swing right & left during strong wind also going to collapse soon."

Resident # 2

"Mitigation of clear and present problems is what management should take care of (especially when it could cause injury), it definitely doesn't bode well for them if they act only after something has happened, and it could've been worse for all they know. This is very lackadaisical on their part, I'd imagine that the safety of the residents should be of utmost importance. Management can't be that incompetent, I really hope this doesn't happen again."

Resident # 3

"can management staff know what is containment action? corrective action? preventive action? maybe they are well know of 'no action'.

Is there any other pipe also been affected?
Is there any other plant or tree almost collapse?
Is there any branches almost falling?
Is there any other findings?

If management staff is so 'BUSY' at their work, maybe we, as PG residents should show our concern to where we live.

One suggestion, how about one day after work, we form a group, gather at one place and we start to go around and monitor any findings surrounding PG. Look high, look low, look left, look right, and take any necessary picture and show all to management staff... place a real stack of complaints at once and see how they react?

If they still 'no action', then i think maybe we as resident should do something liao... unity is power!"

Resident # 4

"this morning 6.20am i passed through Block B and surprise to see pipe & pieces on the floor. Glad nobody injury.

Need immediate action to looking on this matter.

outside PG guard house, 1 tree has fallen. Hope another serious. Need to monitor other plant too, hope no more plant fallen."

Lucky Baby.....

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

About Not on My Watch Prevention Campaign

To protect patients by reducing the risk of HAI, healthcare professionals must continually update their knowledge of infection management.

As part of an ongoing commitment to quality care and infection prevention, nationwide doctors and hospitals are partnering with Kimberly-Clark to deliver continuing education programs on healthcare-associated infection (HAI) prevention to staff and management. As simple as education sounds, busy doctors and nurses on the front lines of delivering care can find it difficult to find the time to take advantage of scheduled programs within their hospitals.

The HAI Education Program is part of a national infection awareness campaign for healthcare professionals called “Not on My Watch” and will provide the facility with a toolkit that contains informational flyers, patient safety tips and posters.

The "Not on My Watch" campaign provides accredited continuing education (CE) programs based on best practices and guidelines as well as research available on reducing the incidence of healthcare-associated infections.

For details about the "Not On My Watch" campaign, and the HAI Education Bus please visit www.HAIwatch.com.

Danger from above....

This morning at 7:20am, I noticed a huge fallen branch leaning on the fence next to the jogging path. As usual, being a pain-in-the-ass for management office and MCs, I recorded the matter. I then called Yeoh and Gan later this morning to discuss on the issue. I also asked Desmond to look at the problem (since he was at the motorcycle parking lot near to the field), but he told me that he does not have the time for it. I believe he as one of the MCs should be concerned too, but apparently not.

I have filed a request to management office a few days ago to trim the trees located at the PG field, but yet nothing has been done yet. I know it is difficult to get the right contractor to do the job but at the same time we cannot delay the trimming too.

The fallen branch measuring at least 3 meters long and weighs approx. 15-18kgs can kill if it lands on someone's head. Imagine the force from 20 feet above...Ok, I know la that Pearl Garden has the insurance for such incidents, but will it help if some one die or paralyzed because of such accidents. I think prevention is better than cure....be smart la..

We went along the path and also found some really heavy broken branches hanging dangerously from above (the tree nearby the washing bay). So, when you walk or jog under these trees, watch out for falling branches...

Kampung Buah Pala : Now and Then....

CJ Jimmy Leow was passing by Kampung Buah Pala last weekend and cannot help but stop to see the changing landscape of this village.

Kampung Buah Pala was once known as 'High Chaparral' due to its population of cowherds, cattle, goats, other livestock, its unique hilly environment and Indian cultural features and festivities.

Kampung Buah Pala was once the major supplier of fresh cow's milk on the island, including the Penang Hospital.

The 200-year-old Indian traditional village was demolished in September this year to pave way for a condominium project named 'The Oasis', undertaken by the cooperative society and Nusmetro Venture.

He recalls the frequent meetings between the state government and the villagers, both wanting to reach a win win solution and, the villagers with their 200 odd supporters formed human barricades to prevent demolition workers from entering the village. Their cries and agony of seeing the houses being torn down.

Brave men and women they were. They were merely defending their rights to stay where they belong. Anyone would do the same.

But it is all over now, the villagers evicted, houses demolished, High Chaparral flattened, most of the families took the double storey house offer and as dusts settled, one often wondered if the villagers are still traumatized by the whole experience. Such experience will not be forgotten easily, at least not in their lifetime.

Video by Jimmy Leow

Jogging path needs repairs..badly

For those who jogged along the path will know that at certain sections of the path is pretty bad. The roots have pushed up the concrete slabs and create unevenness. We need to repair the jogging path before someone trips over the slabs and break their head.

While looking at that, do repair the fence too at the same time. I will make an official request via the management office or should I contact MPPP since the field belongs to them?

On another note, why is a MPPP field within PG and not open to the public? Fishy?

Trim our trees before it is too late...

The trees at our "padang" need trimming and with the rainy season approaching, you can never know when the heavy branches will break. Our residents who jogged at the slab path have the risk of getting hurt if a branch breaks and hits them. Can GE Tan look into this and get some one to trim the trees within the compound of Pearl Garden? Maybe they should also look at the trees at the service road too.

I will write in a request to management office pertaining this matter and lets hope they will take the necessary preventive measures as soon as possible.

Sembang Sembang Forum

Jom Daftar Undi, PKR Style

JOM Daftar Undi organized by Sim Tze Tzin, Adun Pantai Jerejak was held at Queensbay Mall, Penang. He mentioned that 3.8 million eligible voters between the age of 21 to 39 have yet to register in Malaysia.

This program will last for the next six months and the counters are open after working hours at Queensbay Mall main information counter. Among present at the event was the Deputy Chief Minister I, Mansor Othman who launched the program.

Video by Jimmy Leow

PSDC & CIMB introduce EMAS for a cleaner river in Bayan Baru

Penang Skills Development Center (PSDC) together with CIMB Foundation distributed 1000 complimentary Effective Microorganism Activated Solution (EMAS) starter kits to the residents of Bayan Baru, Penang.

The objective of the event is to introduce EMAS to the local community.

CIMB's Regional Director, Liew Chee Cheang said that the bank has sponsored RM 100K to PSDC Green Program initiatives.

EMAS is made from organic products and can be used for household cleaning, laundry, gardening and even on pets.

It is an effective and healthy alternative to the conventional chemical based solutions and fertilizers. PSDC aims to encourage the adoption of EMAS among the Bayan Baru residents which will eventually contribute to cleaning the rivers in due time.

Dato Boonler Somchit, CEO of PSDC also mentioned that PSDC has adopted the nearby Sungai Nibong Kecil which has been polluted by domestic and industrial pollutants for decades. PSDC has confidence that EMAS can help to "heal" this river in due time.

Jom Daftar Undi...

Poor Wiring Conduit Updates

Here's Albert's feedback after some rectification works on the wiring conduit. So, Albert, personally, it still looked "half cooked".

Below are Albert's comments.

Hi Jimmy,

The contractor has came back with some "rectification". Pls look at the picture. It's better than nothing. At least the conduit now sit at the edge between wall and ceiling.

Thanks for your help

Regards
Albert

Traffic Congestion In The Making

It is a pleasure to put up some of our residents' articles. This one here came from Albert and thanks very much.

Hi Jimmy,

I am staying in Pearl Garden. Recently, I have came across a news in local chinese newspaper which I think would affect all of us including Sungai Ara residents. Sorry for the chiong hei (long winded) email. This is more or less the content of the news.

25th Oct 09

To ease the heavy traffic in the Bayan Lepas old town road, the Penang JKR department will open a new

interchange road called Jalan Kampung Bukit, which will divert the traffic from Teluk Kumbar to Sungai Ara. It

means that for those residents staying in Teluk Kumbar who would like to go to the town area, they will have to turn left at the traffic light into Jalan Kampung Bukit where Taman Sri Bayu apartment is located, instead of passing through the Bayan Lepas old town area.

The Jalan Kampung Bukit road will eventually merge to the Jalan Dato Ismail Hashim where the resident from Teluk Kumbar will pass through the traffic light infront of the SP Setia, cemetry, Pearl Garden, Chung Cheng Primary School to go to Georgetown.

Currently the new Jalan Kampung Bukit road is still not open to the public yet as the JKR is still waiting for the traffic flow report. After the new road is opened, the JKR will change the Bayan Lepas old town road to one way. It means that for those who wants to go to Teluk Kumbar from Bayan Baru, they can still pass through the Bayan Lepas old town road. But not of the opposite direction. This news is reported in the Kwong Wah Jit Poh dated 25th Oct 09.

Fyi, the new interchange road will be opened next month. Please refer to the original news reported at this link, http://www.kwongwah.com.my/news/2009/10/25/2.html

As the resident of Pearl Garden and Sungai Ara as a whole, I personally think that this arrangement or "patch

solution" is going to create heavy traffic congestion along Jalan Dato' Ismail Hashim. Every morning and

evening during peak hours, the traffic flow in Sungai Ara is almost unbearable.

We will have to bear with heavy jam in the traffic light located in front of Chong Cheng Primary School and the traffic light at the cross road of Jalan Data Ismail Hashim and Jalan Tun Dr Awang. What the local authorities are trying to do is to move the traffic congestion problem from one place to another.

This will not solve the traffic problem but at the same time creating a bigger pile up along Jalan Dato Ismail Hashim which is already having problem coping with the increasing traffic. With such heavy traffic congestion, Sungai Ara property price will definitely be affected.

Currently, we are having difficulty trying to cross the road opposite of Pearl Garden (Jalan Dato Ismail

Hashim) due to heavy traffic from Setia Pearl Island direction. I could not imagine how the situation will be

if the road is used for those traffic from Teluk Kumbar as well.

Do you have any channel for us to complain/feedback to the local authority in order for them to find a better

solution?

I guess they will have to come to Sungai Ara during peak hour to realize that the traffic condition in Sungai Ara is no better than Teluk Kumbar and it might be worst.

I could think of a simpler solution. Instead of directing the traffic along Jalan Dato Ismail Hashim, the traffic could be directed to Jalan Makamah. From Jalan Makamah, the road user will be able to turn to Jalan Tun Dr Awang. In fact, the road user could access back to Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah but that would require them to make an illegal U-Turn at the roundabout near the airport.

If the Local authority could allow traffic to flow to the roundabout, the condition will be much better. Please refer to the image Map.jpg for the alternative route that I mentioned. Apologize for the poor description. The road that was proposed by JKR is showed in cyan and green arrow. The alternative route that I thought of is rounded as blue.

Albert

Sugar Glider as a PET...

Learn the REAL pro's and cons of having a Sugar Glider as a pet. Reliable veterinary-approved information..

What is a Sugar Glider?

J was telling me about a Sugar Glider and it seems to be a nice pet to keep. More info about it below:-

The Sugar Glider is around 15 to 20 cm (6.3 to 7.5 inches) in length, with a tail longer than the body and almost as thick as a human thumb, and weighs between 90 and 150 grams (3 to 5.3 oz). The fur is generally pearl grey, with black and cream patches on the underbelly and black or grey ears. Other colour variations include leucistic and albino recessive traits. The tail tapers only moderately and the last quarter of it is black, often with a dark tip. The muzzle is short and rounded. Northern forms tend to be brown coloured rather than grey and smaller.

The most distinctive features of its anatomy are the twin skin membranes called patagia which extend from the fifth finger of the forelimb back to the first toe of the hind foot. flabby – but immediately obvious when it takes flight. The membranes are used to glide between trees: when fully extended they form an aerodynamic surface the size of a large handkerchief. Membranes are also used to gather food while hunting. The membrane has a thin sheet of fur surrounding it, but it is usually pink in colour.

The gliding membranes are primarily used as an efficient way to get to food resources. They may also, as a secondary function, help the Sugar Glider escape predators like goannas, introduced foxes and cats, and the marsupial carnivores, such as quolls, the Kowari, mulgaras, and antechinuses that foxes, cats, and dingos largely supplanted. The ability to glide from tree to tree is clearly of little value with regard to the Sugar Glider's avian predators, however, in particular owls and kookaburras. The sugar gliders membrane allows it to glide for considerable distance. When landing, they catch on to branches with their sharp feet and opposable thumbs.

Although its aerial adaptation looks rather clumsy in comparison to the highly specialised limbs of birds and bats, the Sugar Glider can glide for a surprisingly long distance — flights have been measured at over 50 metres (55 yd) — and steer effectively by curving one patagium or the other. It uses its hind legs to thrust powerfully away from a tree, and when about 3 metres (3 yd) from the destination tree trunk, brings its hind legs up close to the body and swoops upwards to make contact with all four limbs together.