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 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.

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???

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.

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...

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.

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.

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

Sugar Glider as a PET...

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

Make the Security Booth smoke free

I noticed our security guards (2 of them) smoking like a chimney inside the security booth via the CCTV this evening. I think with the investment in the latest security system which cost more RM 100K and some fancy LCDs inside the booth, one should ban smoking inside the security booth as it may cause fire with the slightest mistake, cigarette butts have been the main culprit when fire is concerned.

And moreover, we don't need two security guards smoking at the same time, don't we, which brings me to my next question, who is doing their rounds? And don't you think that the security guards should refrain from smoking while on duty?

No U Turn Sign Approved !!

Ok, it finally came. Remember the request for a No U Turn sign in front of the entrance of Pearl Garden? It has been approved by JKR and they will fix the sign up as soon as possible because they recognized the danger, especially to school children.

Sorry...I have been busy these few days

Just wanted to pen a short note saying that I have been busy with a sudden surge of work and have been really occupied. But I will be back.

We have been talking about the singing our hearts out and I was thinking if those interested would be able to get together this coming Friday.

LT, without you we have no karaoke room, so you must nod your head first!!!

Reply from JKR for No U Turn Sign

Remember the No U Turn request which I made a week ago? The case is being looked at by the related government agencies and an investigation is being done to evaluate the need of No U Turn sign. I have received a reply (official letter) from the state government and JKR yesterday indicating the steps of the evaluation and investigation to be carried out. All spelled out in black and white!

Just one week and they got back to me so fast, taking into consideration that it is a government agency that we are talking about here. You log into PINTAS (internet) and make your complain, no delays and no more "tidak apa" attitude.

Our management office should be better and faster in responding residents' complains since it is just less than 100 meters from where the complains are coming from. Oh, and one more thing, the government body does not discriminate if the complains are coming from those who voted for them or not.

Maybe PG management is moving towards "entertaining" complains from owners only and not tenants. If my observation is correct, that's discrimination!