by Edward Kok
Yesterday’s ruckus at Bandar Mahkota Cheras is another sad example of the Federal Government’s oppression against its own people whom the Federal Government has pledged to serve and protect.
The FRU, fully armed and protected against hapless residents who merely want to have an access road to their residence.
Why is Grand Saga, the toll concessionaire so eager to re-enact the barricade to block the access to Mahkota Cheras? A few more jam-free days for these traffic weary folks pending the decision of the survey report by the Survey Department would not have hurt Grand Saga one bit. Do they not have a social responsibility to Malaysians, especially after they have their pockets full, contributed by fellow Malaysians?
A very pertinent question arises. How are they, a mere private corporation able to get FRU’s assistance and supervision for their re-enactment of the barricade?
Firstly, for FRU to intervene, Grand Saga must be exercising a legal right. They are not. The survey department has not determined who has the right of way in respect of the access road. Neither is there an order from the High Court authorizing them to do so. The FRU’s intervention amounts to nothing more than assistance and abetting an illegal act! In short, the Federal Government is assisting and abetting an illegal act!
Such deployment of the FRU is clearly an abuse of power on the part of the Federal Government. Who in the Federal Government issued such instructions to the FRU? And why?
Many questios linger.
To Grand Saga and the Federal Government, your bullying ways will not go unpunished. One day, we, the ordinary rakyat will have our day. That day will surely come.
#1 by mollyong on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 8:55 pm
dear YB,
i fail to understand why we should face this situation. should get hold of the previous minister of transport n work. malaysia is a country if we compare with other countries, are much better country to live in, why must creat an issue when the government HAS THE RIGHT TO STOP Grand Saga, why pass the bug areound and make us suffer???. When big Elephant fight the rat will suffer….
#2 by catharsis on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 8:56 pm
HOW SAD………………TO SEE HOW THESE YBs PROTECTING THEIR VESTED INTEREST WITH THE USE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AT THEIR PLEASURE………………………..BARISAN NATIONAL HAS TO GO………..NO IFs NOT BUTs IN THE NEXT ELECTION
#3 by homer simpson on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 9:03 pm
These police and FRU are license samseng, how can they put laws in to their own hand…. THIS IS TOO MUCH….!!!!!!!!!!!!! ENough of crap from the Federal government, they have let us down too many a times….
#4 by justice_fighter on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 9:04 pm
See the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtSRluxGBIk
DAP member of Parliament for Segambut, Lim Lip Eng, has been warded at 3pm today following his scuffle with police officers in Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC) near Kajang last night (see pictures here: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/82566).
And yet the sleepy Pak Lah said he did not even know this incident!!
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/82617
Do you think Pak Lah cares about your welfare??! Think again!!
BN is once again digging its own grave!! All citizens must come forward next GE13 to vote BN out!!! Let them be history!!
#5 by TC33 on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 9:09 pm
The Federal Government bullying style and the police’s unprofessionalism are hardly surprising. BN paid the price on March 8 exactly for these.
The surprise is that our new Selangor MB, Khalid Ibrahim, declined BMC residents invitation to visit the scene, citing busy schedule.
He says that the state government needs a few months time to “study” the problem. He adds that the interest of Grand Saga also needs to be taken into consideration.
#6 by catharsis on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 9:15 pm
MR PM YOU ARE A GOOD MUSLIM – A STAUNCHED PERSON OF GOD HOW CAN YOU SEE SUCH TRANSGRESSIONS GET AWAY UNPUNISHED……………….AND KEEP SILENT AS THE HEAD OF THE STATE YOU SHOULD BE ASHAME OF YOURSELF.
S IV:87
God! There is no God.
But He: of surety
He will gather you together
Against the Day of Judgment
About which there is no doubt
And whose word can be
Truer than God’s
Psalm 140;1-2
Recue us, O Lord, from evil men;
protect us from men of violence,
who devise evil plans to their hearts
and stir up war every day.
They make their tongues a ssharo as a serpent’s
the poison of vipers is on their lips
#7 by anak sungeisiput on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 9:15 pm
The FRU’s are paid goons of a ruthless government similiar to some 4th world counries/states like Mynmar , Bihar (India), Zimbabwe. One other thing common among these countries are the pervasive corruption at the topmost level.
The Rakyats are the loosers in such rotten states.
#8 by winsoontan on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 9:18 pm
I wonder why Selangor and Federal government did not do any correct action to solve the problem? If you let the Cheras people to face problem themselve , i would like to say i am really very sad with both of the governments!
#9 by yhsiew on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 9:18 pm
Grand Saga said the road has to be blocked to prevent accidents.
I think the Selangor government can help Grand Saga by re-aligning the traffic lights to ensure traffic safety leaving no excuse for Grand Saga to block the road!
#10 by anak sungeisiput on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 9:20 pm
and please…do not ask God to intervene in the follies created by greedy evil men in a God forsaken country ruled by a class of religious fanatics pretending to be men of God. Religion has no role in political affairs of a nation. If you the rakyat wants justice and fairness the Rakyat has to fight for it on way or another, for evil men have no conscience.
#11 by albert308 on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 9:28 pm
Rampant abuse of power! Privatisation Policy is a tool to enrich certain croinies from ruling elite. Government is duty bound to provide necessary infrastructure to meet public needs. Klang valley residents entitled to these needs, BN government denied people rights. Road access within Klang Valley should be free for all, not world record numbers of toll plaza.
Grand Saga case is the results of BN government too long in power, 51 years without serius challenge. This is a form of colonialisation, our mind fully controlled. But not after March 8 political tsunami, we have new hope. Cheras residents must rise up to this challenge and win this battle!
#12 by cmf50 on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 9:32 pm
Dear YAB
I strongly support to LIM LIP ENG.HE cares about benefit of rakyat.Also,the police like unscrupulous people,and also doing sonething that against law.Police should not do such nonsense action,it will only make malaysia to be “POlice country”.I strongly recommend DAP to lodge report bukit aman and debate in parlimen.Good luck to LIM LIP ENG AND HOPE THAT CASE WILL be clear soon.
#13 by ShiokGuy on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 9:38 pm
Why don’t ask all citizen of Malaysia to pay toll at his own house gate before living? Imagine we must use our touch and go card to pay and open our own gate.
Shiok GUy
#14 by TC33 on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 9:39 pm
Majlis Perbandaran Kajang is all “diam”
The federal minister concerned is keeping mum.
The IGP doesn’t bother.
The MB is not heeding the cries of rakyat.
All the same.
#15 by HJ Angus on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 9:41 pm
This type of toll concession that traps an existing township’s population is a “piratisation” and is really unfair for the residents.
Some grand planner really thought of the grand scheme to get Malaysians to pay :
A poor public transport system plus the national car projects are compounded by numerous tolls in metropolitan areas. A real gravy train for the few cronies!
http://malaysiawatch3.blogspot.com/2008/05/we-cant-wait-so-l-o-n-g-for-slow.html
#16 by ShiokGuy on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 9:45 pm
Sometimes this highway operator build the so call highway in existing federal of state road, while during the construction of the so call highway the resident in around the area suffer dusty, noisy and traffic jammed. Once the so call highway is done, the resident are “Caged” and make to pay to use the existing road which has become part of the so call highway.
PR government! In future any highway company want to build any highway, surely allow them to do so which the following condition: -
1. Build on top of current road
2. Upgrade and maintain the current road
3. NO block for the user on the current road.
4. in return they can charge RM10/KM or whatsoever rate they see fit. As long as the current road is better off before the highway is build. and also the current road are maintain and upgrade.
Since we suffer so much dust, noise and jammed while they construct the highway and this is a simple pay back time.
SO build as much as they like to and charge whatever rate they want to. For those willing to pay then they can use the so call highway.
Shiok Guy
#17 by ipohMali on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 9:52 pm
Something really puzzle me… isn’t the housing development can only be approved with proper public road access?
Anyway… I am sure the TIDAL WAVE is building up…
#18 by TC33 on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 9:53 pm
Khir Toyo was exactly a caring MB (not a surprise), neither is Khalid Ibrahim (totally unexpected by us, the BMC residents).
Khalid’s refusal to visit the BMC “crime scene” really hurt residents feeling. WTF!!!
DSAI, pls take note!!!
#19 by bystander on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 10:01 pm
Grand saga at 1 time was owned by 1 royalty. Who are these Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents? Therefore these people can ride roughshod over you ikan bilis. Connection is mightier than rights ma.
#20 by ipohMali on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 10:08 pm
after watching the video clip, i feel sad for the resident of BMC.
I dare not imagine how will days to come… living in this country…
#21 by TC33 on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 10:08 pm
Khir Toyo was toppled for demolishing an Hindu temple.
Khalid Ibrahim will be too for refusing to stand up against Grand Saga!!!
#22 by ipohMali on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 10:10 pm
TC33, how will you vote now? BN again?
#23 by peterchiang on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 10:10 pm
Rest assure, Park-lah has all things covered by not meddling or “campur tangan”.
Remember, his priority is to propel the nation ahead into first world country. Issues of this kind by right should be kept out of the front page asap.
FRU is presense to keep peace and order, surely.
Police acted wisely, by wasting no time, to stop some rakyat from untowards silly acts and help cool things down.
Grand Saga has to do something to take care of the safety of some road users. As a result of good corporate governance, they have to deploy effective solutions, fast, because people pay them toll in a rapid fashion, demanding safety use of highway.
This episode showed that there are law-abiding toll collectors but lack of law-abiding toll-paying rakyat… Well, these people will know one fine day that, by not parting with this little sum and token of appreciation known as toll, a lot more resources will be wasted right in front of their very own eyes. Who suffer?
Zzzzz.
#24 by peanut king on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 10:15 pm
This bunch of toll operators are next to ah long style.
They only care for money collected per day.what’s wrong with
letting the ppl from Makota to have some toll free road.This will help ease the traffic congestion in the morning n evening.
The new state govt should give the saga highway operators some resistance and check if they have breach any rules or if they hv infringe into the state land without approval.Find ways to suspend their operation.
The rakyat of selangor are suffering alot becos of the massive toll highway that traps all traffic in selangor.
Some bigshots are benefitting from all these toll operator esp the touch n go owners.
#25 by ihavesomethingtosay on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 10:18 pm
why is the gomen protecting these highwayman?
#26 by peterchiang on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 10:19 pm
What makes one think that Mentri Besar is the root cause?
What makes one think that by not showing up at scene will suggest the person is not in the process of solving the issue?
#27 by kentmoo on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 10:20 pm
This is really unbelievable! BMC’s residents reserved the right to the free access road. Is this too much to ask for? BMC’s residents only requesting for a free access road to their homes! Just imagine that every time we were to pay additional 60 cents to toll, then drive another additional 6km back to home….Come on…We paid road tax, cukai pintu, cukai tanah…everything also cukai-cukai..Now going home also needs to pay toll charges? Give us a break! I thought the Government is trying to help the Rakyat, not burden them with another toll chargers and longer journey to their home!
No wonder the BMC’ residents got so angry and united for this purpose.
I really respect YB Lim Lip Eng. Does he live in BMC? No? Why does he care for? And got beaten for it? Only one answer for it. He has a righteous heart. A fighter for the Rakyat.
Before any unwanted incidents happen again, can we all (Federal Government, Selangor Government, Grand Saga and BMC’s residents) just sit down with a calm heart, talk this out. Remember! All decisions must be made in the minds of the Rakyat!
#28 by gofortruth on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 10:51 pm
When even a member of Parliament also get punched & kicked in the head by the police, it speaks so much about the mentality of the police force.
It painted a clear picture that we do not have a Malaysian police force, we only have BN’s police doing their master’s calling but paid by Malaysian rakyat.
This police mentality must change. Can our Agong do something about it since the police force is officially called Royal police? This is fast becoming an international laughing stock.Sigh!
#29 by ktteokt on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 10:51 pm
This is daylight robbery! It is the same as the infamous Cheras toll those days when they blocked off the private road through the Christian cemetary just to make sure everyone paid the toll!!
#30 by wombatahem on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 10:54 pm
What did the ordinary people do to deserve such treatment? See it for yourself. They did not hurt or attack anyone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtSRluxGBIk
#31 by kingkenny on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 10:56 pm
Dear anak sungeisiput,
I share in your feelings of despair for the ordinary folks in Bandar Mahkota Cheras.
But really, as they are evil men, it is G-d we should call on to fight them, not now, but when the time is right. So in the mean time we can pray and hope that there is really A Mighty All-Knowing Being watching all their travesties and betrayals to fellow humans.
In this moment of tsunamis, global warming, viruses, corruption, murders, daylight robberies, rape, incest, and betrayal of trust of the people,
OUR TIME IS NEAR BUT JUST NOT YET! HAVE TRUST AND FAITH IN G-D.
YB Kit,
their “lubang kubur” is getting deeper and deeper when they continue to oppress the Citizens in this kind of way.
Lead us in the next government! You and the opposition had already got an automatic mandate from the people!
THWBN!!!
#32 by dap-for-pj on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 11:03 pm
The management of grand saga are not business men, rather pawns of certain parties who wants to show their ketuanan over the people’s wishes. To sacrifice the little toll that is to be collected and not losing the support of their very customer should have been the way of thinking of any logical businessmen. These people at grand saga has allowed themselves to be the pawn of others ……very sad. They are getting ready for an overall boycott of their highway. How short sighted!
#33 by gofortruth on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 11:10 pm
A must read:
http://foongsite.com/index.php/2008/05/the-police-suck-big-hairy-bulls-balls/
#34 by khch01 on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 11:10 pm
What is the objective of the Toll? Isn’t it to save resources, time and/or money? Isn’t the Government is obligated to provide an alternative route?
The “Acess Road” is the selling point for the Developer who is obligated to build it for the purchasers. The right of the Rakyat to use it. Isn’t Bandar Mahkota Cheras planned or approved by Authorities much earlier than Toll project?
If the “Access Road” could not be used by the Purchasers,will it render the Dev not fulfilling the sales as advertised? Can Purchasers claim damages from Dev and Dev claimed it from the Toll Operator?
#35 by wombatahem on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 11:11 pm
Conclusion: Grand Saga is the government of the day.
They are able to get police and FRU help. They have backing from whom, I wonder?
The present Federal Government is doing nothing at all. With all honesty I think that they can at least change for the better after the 12th GE but alas …
In Parliament we still have that Bung Mokhtar who made unnecessary, technical comment of how that MP should face the Speaker when speaking instead of concentrating on more important matter …
And then we have Ibrahim the MP who asked Mr. Karpal to stand up to speak and his comment has drawn flaks from members of disabled person so much so that he had to actually storm out of the Parliament when confronted by the disabled people …
I am a Malaysian and I love Malaysia. It pains me greatly to see this nation to be drawn into such chaos.
#36 by A true Malaysian on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 11:23 pm
How I wish Pakatan Rakyat could take over Federal Government now. Actions taken by Grand Saga and police were one of those ‘inhuman acts’ that people with rightful mind would not have taken.
Police is supposedly be the body guard to the public, but in this case, what has the police become….?
#37 by xplora on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 11:27 pm
It looks to be difficult if Selangor government have the rights to solve this issue because it is Federal Government problem as Cheras belongs to Federal Territory. Just my opinion.
#38 by dap-for-pj on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 11:29 pm
Can the loud mouth Ong TK say something since he is the transport minister? Time to sow some good will with the people!
#39 by xplora on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 11:37 pm
To justice_fighter:
I think it will be too late, if wait until GE13, because the Father in-law of KJ is sleeping again in AUS or enjoying ice skating in Switzerland. Probably Malaysia will be more outdated far away as Indonesia.
#40 by smeagroo on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 11:39 pm
so when will DSAI get those MPs to corssover? We need to teach these bastards a lesson la!
#41 by badak on Friday, 9 May 2008 - 11:54 pm
JUST MADE THE GOVERMENT SHOW THE TOLL CONTRACT.. WHY MUST THIS BE SULIT.THE OFFICIAL SECRET ACT MUST GO.I THINK I KNOW WHY AHH.ONE OF THE TERM IN THE CONTRACT IS EVERY YEAR MUST GIVE BONUS TO BARISAN NOTIONAL..YEAH THATS WHY IT IS STAMP SULIT.I THINK MALAYSIA IS THE ONLY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD THAT TELL THIS TOLL BUSINESS MEN..TAK APA KULAU YOU RUGI KITA BAYAR.KALAU UNTONG TAK CUKUP PUN NO PROBLEM.. KITA TOP UP UNTUK YOU.
#42 by ppsbmy on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 12:27 am
Pls read here, info about Grand Saga. http://insidesglong.blogspot.com/
#43 by pky103 on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 12:52 am
Dear YB,
Thank you SO much for making a post on the BMC fiasco! I am so grateful to you.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=AtSRluxGBIk
#44 by limkamput on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 12:53 am
catharsis Says:
….BARISAN NATIONAL HAS TO GO………..NO IFs NOT BUTs IN THE NEXT ELECTION
NO, Catharsis, BN has to go NOW, yes NOW, not next election. We can’t wait that long.
#45 by ipohMali on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 1:02 am
yes have to got ASAP…
at the next GE, i worry Malaysia is doom..
by the way, any statistic of emigrants rose?
#46 by limkamput on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 1:05 am
I think the issue here is not about whether it is state land, grand saga’s land or federal land or whatever the survey ultimately says. It just defies logic people are made to travel extra miles and pay the unnecessary tolls simply because there is a toll road there. It is so funny we have such a complicated system of governance in this country. Why are we giving concessions to highway builders and then forcing all Malaysians to use them when there are free alternatives available?
Rightly there should be NO toll within the metropolitan area. This is not an unreasonable request. It is the responsibility of the government to build roads as city expands. Collecting tolls within the city diverts traffic unnecessarily and causes unwanted congestions. Building roads are expensive, but the government also collected lots of revenue as city expands and as economic activities generated from that expansion.
Most toll roads just are “blood sucker deals” between the Federal government and the well connected rent seekers. It is not like the government can’t afford to build those roads. Most privatization deals especially highway and toll road concessions are part of the corruption schemes. Working hand in glove, the federal government just wants the rakyat to pay their cronies in addition to taxes we paid. If the government can’t afford to build roads as city expands, then that government does not deserve to be there. NO TOLL WITHIN THE KLANG VALLEY METROPOLITAN AREA AS THE MATTER OF POLICY, PLEASE.
#47 by kcb on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 1:24 am
The whole episode is ugly and disgusting!
Can’t imagine some people could be so greedy and stoop so low!
#48 by ppsbmy on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 1:28 am
Further, Lim Lip Eng was assaulted. Lawless law enforcers bashed up a lawmaker?!!!
#49 by pwcheng on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 2:46 am
After watching YouTube, I really think enough is enough. We have a merciless government, all out to milk the poor rakyat and they use the police who is also paid by the rakyat to make life more miserable for the rakyat. What has this country become? They are putting barriers all over to ensure all motorist will have to pay toll to fill somebody’s pockets. You can’t even make a U turn if you are on the wrong track. This is the exactly the face of a rotten government unmasked.
This reminds me history of the fall of the Roman Empire. It was exactly what the Romans did at that time by collecting taxes at every corner of the road and UMNO is the modern day Romans of Malaysia. Many of us are unable to wait to see the demise of UMNO.
#50 by LALILOo on Saturday, 10 May 2008 - 7:30 am
It is not surprising that the order to put up the barricade came from the HOME MINISTRY (as according to MP of Cheras) to the police to asssist Grand Saga workers in errecting of the barricade wall.
Watch the residents, FRU and police in action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtSRluxGBIk