Old tricks get one hot under the collar
By Terence Fernandez of Down 2 Earth (The Sun)
MONDAYS are never easy for most of us. Getting out of bed early, enduring peak-hour traffic and anticipating trudging through the week. Suffice to say most of us are not in our best moods on Mondays.
Thus, I went ballistic when I received this message from Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillor K.W. Mak yesterday: "We were nearby ur area. Some billboard guy wanted to take away 2 car park lots. Just wanted ur comments."
Although knowing my mother will frown on my choice of words, I could not help it and replied: "Tell him 2 **** off! We have so many problems with limited parking as it is!"
By Terence Fernandez of Down 2 Earth (The Sun)
MONDAYS are never easy for most of us. Getting out of bed early, enduring peak-hour traffic and anticipating trudging through the week. Suffice to say most of us are not in our best moods on Mondays.
Thus, I went ballistic when I received this message from Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillor K.W. Mak yesterday: "We were nearby ur area. Some billboard guy wanted to take away 2 car park lots. Just wanted ur comments."
Although knowing my mother will frown on my choice of words, I could not help it and replied: "Tell him 2 **** off! We have so many problems with limited parking as it is!"
.
My outrage though was understandable. The two parking lots are near a drain reserve and close to the junction. Moreover, there was already a billboard there! On top of that, due to poor planning, the area where the office is located, has inadequate parking bays.
My outrage though was understandable. The two parking lots are near a drain reserve and close to the junction. Moreover, there was already a billboard there! On top of that, due to poor planning, the area where the office is located, has inadequate parking bays.
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Mak responded: "Relax. We told him that it was against road transport act n street, drainage n building act to block road. Just that d guy was pleading, so I thought u ought to hear. Ha Ha!"
While Mak may not be too happy with me reproducing our communication, it is important to disclose them to the public to show three things:
» that some of those in the billboard business are still trying their luck to get the local authority to bend the rules;
» that the new breed of councillors in MBPJ have time and again proven that it is NOT business as usual in Petaling Jaya; and
» that the new-and-improved MBPJ adopts the spirit of consultation with all stakeholders.
So kudos to Mak and his colleagues for standing their ground. It is not easy doing what they do, especially on an allowance of only RM750 a month. But they have displayed dedication in carrying out the people’s will for the good part of the last 11 months.
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Mak responded: "Relax. We told him that it was against road transport act n street, drainage n building act to block road. Just that d guy was pleading, so I thought u ought to hear. Ha Ha!"
While Mak may not be too happy with me reproducing our communication, it is important to disclose them to the public to show three things:
» that some of those in the billboard business are still trying their luck to get the local authority to bend the rules;
» that the new breed of councillors in MBPJ have time and again proven that it is NOT business as usual in Petaling Jaya; and
» that the new-and-improved MBPJ adopts the spirit of consultation with all stakeholders.
So kudos to Mak and his colleagues for standing their ground. It is not easy doing what they do, especially on an allowance of only RM750 a month. But they have displayed dedication in carrying out the people’s will for the good part of the last 11 months.
.
Hopefully this demonstration of their policy of good governance will trickle down to the staff of MBPJ as they carry out their duties. The council’s blitz in taking down illegal billboards has been a long time waiting for ratepayers here.
But that councillors have to be present during the enforcement operations illustrate two things: as a show of support to enforcement officers who are frequently intimidated by thugs employed by the PJ Mafia, ie (some) billboard operators; and that it is necessary to ensure that brown envelopes don’t exchange hands, bringing the blitz to an abrupt end.
But that councillors have to be present during the enforcement operations illustrate two things: as a show of support to enforcement officers who are frequently intimidated by thugs employed by the PJ Mafia, ie (some) billboard operators; and that it is necessary to ensure that brown envelopes don’t exchange hands, bringing the blitz to an abrupt end.
.
So, the concerned company should look for another site to put up its uni-pole or billboard. The company should also ensure that its site fulfils regulations, and does not affect parking lots and drains.
Don’t try pleading and appealing. Old tricks, it seems won’t work – at least with the current administration.
And just as I had simmered down from the audacity of the billboard operator, my blood begun to boil again as I received requests from several parties for "nude pictures" of the assemblywoman front-paged in our report yesterday.
These voyeurs should learn to leave the woman alone. As far as one is concerned, she is the victim here and must be accorded her privacy. More so, she has to be allowed to continue to perform her duties as an assemblywoman and executive councillor, which I am told have been exceptional.
If this is part of the political warfare as claimed by her supporters, then shame on those who would stoop so low. This takes gutter politics to record depths and would backfire on anyone who intends to score points by taking a moral high ground.
As far as I am concerned, she is not sleeping with anyone’s spouse, had not taken nor given bribes, stolen land from schoolchildren or alienated green lungs to cronies – which in the books of any right thinking human being are capital sins.
So those who are calling on her to step down should first study her track record and ensure that they are also whiter than white.
Terence says those living in glass houses should not cast stones. He is deputy editor (special reports & investigations). Feedback: terence@thesundaily.com
So, the concerned company should look for another site to put up its uni-pole or billboard. The company should also ensure that its site fulfils regulations, and does not affect parking lots and drains.
Don’t try pleading and appealing. Old tricks, it seems won’t work – at least with the current administration.
And just as I had simmered down from the audacity of the billboard operator, my blood begun to boil again as I received requests from several parties for "nude pictures" of the assemblywoman front-paged in our report yesterday.
These voyeurs should learn to leave the woman alone. As far as one is concerned, she is the victim here and must be accorded her privacy. More so, she has to be allowed to continue to perform her duties as an assemblywoman and executive councillor, which I am told have been exceptional.
If this is part of the political warfare as claimed by her supporters, then shame on those who would stoop so low. This takes gutter politics to record depths and would backfire on anyone who intends to score points by taking a moral high ground.
As far as I am concerned, she is not sleeping with anyone’s spouse, had not taken nor given bribes, stolen land from schoolchildren or alienated green lungs to cronies – which in the books of any right thinking human being are capital sins.
So those who are calling on her to step down should first study her track record and ensure that they are also whiter than white.
Terence says those living in glass houses should not cast stones. He is deputy editor (special reports & investigations). Feedback: terence@thesundaily.com
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