From KTemoc Konsiders:
Friday, May 09, 2008
Police tear gas-ed Cheras residents - enabled barriers to be erected by toll company
Malaysiakini reported in its article Police fire tear gas at Cheras residents that 500 of those infuriated Cheras residents attempted to dismantle with their own hands a new concrete barrier which the toll company, Grand Saga, has once again erected across a toll-free road near their township.
First brilliantly using water cannons to hose down the residents before escalating their tactics to the equally brilliant employment of tear gas, the police valiantly dispersed the angry rakyat, achieving this courageous task victoriously by about midnight. I was so impressed by the police actions that I was moved to tears. No doubt their intrepid effort has been highly appreciated by the grateful toll company, Grand Saga.
The victory over the rakyat then enabled Grand Saga workers to return under magnificent heavy police presence to build a far more permanent barrier than the earlier concrete blocks which were removed by residents.
No sirree, nothing must stand between the toll company and toll fees, thus the Grand Saga barrier erected on State land must stand between the rakyat and free legal access to the road. Ini Malaysia Boleh!
Malaysiakini reported that the fantastic men in blue, dragged away from their terrific jobs of fighting crimes to fight the rakyat, kept outraged residents at bay as the Grand Saga company workers dug trenches across the toll-free road to frustrate the rakyats' access.
This may f* explain why the f* crime rates have f* shot through the f* ceiling - yes, those bloody Cheras rakyat have to be responsible for denying the entire nation of what could have been otherwise a totally crime free country.
The Grand Saga's erection of the barrier happened despite the Pakatan Rakyat State government confirming with the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (Jupem) that the land where the barrier is being built is the property of the State government who thus has complete jurisdiction over the road. In other words, the Grand Saga company has no business to be erecting barricades there to force the residents to not only use the toll road but to travel at extra 6 kilometres to have the privilege of paying up the fees, adding a travelling insult to the injury of toll fees.
Yes, enjoy the scenic views of Cheras more!
But the barriers are up again, it's done, phew for their toll cash registers, and thanks to the wonderful men in blue.
... which is ample demonstration of their new slogan 'Integriti Amalan Kita' (Integrity is our practice).
And it also upholds the RMP's new motto of 'Mesra, Cepat dan Betul' (Friendly, Quick and Correct), unlike its previous 'Bersih, Cekap dan Amanah' (Clean, Proficient and Trustworthy).
Hey, if you don't believe the Police lives up to 'Mesra, Cepat dan Betul', just ask Grand Saga!
DAP state executive councillor Ronnie Liu was aghast not so much at Grand Saga, but more at the police for not taking a neutral stand. Mana boleh, he might have asked. Ronnie, ini Malaysia Boleh mah!
Liu said the RMP should not be seen as acting on behalf of Grand Saga and the federal government. Aiyah Liu, why not? It's nothing new.
But he did advise the residents not to go feral in response to the Grand Saga ..... hmmm, good advice for the reasons as just demonstrated, the toll company is likely to have police support with their water cannons and tear gas and even ... oooooo ... guns and jails.
He also wonder why (and I can tell him why) Jupem hasn’t yet released the survey report which was supposed to be released last week, Liu is upset with Jupem, who kaytee believes, if contacted will not make any comment or that its director, if at all possible to contact, will be making any comment either.
I wonder Jupem is managed by which Ministry? Maybe we could ask the Grand Yang BerSa..hormat?
Government fed by the people
Career options
I suggest government... because nobody has ever been caught.
Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?
Corruption is so prevalent it affects English language?
When there's too much dirt...
We need better tools... to cover up mega corruptions.
Prevent bullying now!
If you're not going to speak up, how is the world supposed to know you exist? “Orang boleh pandai setinggi langit, tapi selama ia tidak menulis, ia akan hilang di dalam masyarakat dan dari sejarah.” - Ananta Prameodya Toer (Your intellect may soar to the sky but if you do not write, you will be lost from society and to history.)
15 comments:
Where are the Red Armies that protected the Bersih supporters?? Those residents are all uncles and aunties...with the FRUs baton (I don't dare imagine the tear gas and water cannon), I wonder what will happen to them..We need them now!!!The RAKYAT need you all now!!!
We should find out who owns Grand Saga! This is one way to expose them and show the world who are behind this saga! Ultimately, we can link them to the RMP and the Federal government!
Thanks adrian and anonymous for your comments.
I still can't over the claim that the barrier forces motorists to travel an additional 6 km to go through the tolled road.
If the privatisation was a mistake, it is something expected of business deals, unlike NSE where any shortfall will be met by government compensation as agreed.
I would be interested to know who are behind this toll company too.
Suck grand saga..
Suck police force..
Suck Government of Malaysia..
Menteri Besar of Selangor, what can you do now?
pakatan rakyat, we are hoping on you now, please do something.
Aiyoh, YB Liu & Lim, you guys are suppose to be in (state) govt but PDRM stay treat you the same before 8/3. The state govt must come out now and make its stand!!! And who the hell is behind this Grand Saga company? Cheating people money with the help of samseng police. Shame on you. Another project brought to you by BN government.
This is an article about Grand Saga sourced from theedgeasia.com
Corporate: Grand Saga seeks compensation by Siow Chen Ming
Email him your feedback at fd@bizedge.com
Grand Saga Sdn Bhd, the concessionaire for the Cheras-Kajang highway, is to negotiate with the government for compensation due to a soon-to-be completed access road, say sources.
The company is gauging the impact of the access road on its traffic flow and is preparing its case for presentation to the government.
The Cheras-Kajang Highway concession, like other toll concessions, includes a provision whereby the concessionaire is adequately compensated if an access road is built that connects to it.
Lion Diversified Holdings Bhd is building an access road connecting its Mahkota Cheras township to the Cheras-Kajang highway.
This will allow commuters to enter and exit the township without having to pass through Grand Saga's toll plaza at the 11th mile of the highway.
The access road will also benefit residents in the nearby Sungai Long township developed by SHL Consolidated Bhd.
"The access road is scheduled for completion in a couple of months. After that, it will be handed over to the Kajang Municipal Council.
This effectively means that the issue of compensation would have to be dealt with between Grand Saga and the government, not with the Lion group," says a source.
It is likely the access road will not be opened until the outcome of the negotiations between Grand Saga and the government, a process which may take some time.
However, it is only a matter of time as the Mahkota Cheras and Sg Long townships, which cover more than 1,500 acres, now share only one entry/exit to the Cheras-Kajang highway.
Grand Saga's official did not respond to a request for comment.
When the access road is opened, it will have an impact on Grand Plaza's toll collection at the 11th mile, but not on the first toll located at the 9th mile of the highway, an analyst from Rating Agency Malaysia (RAM) says.
There are two tolls on the 11.5km Cheras-Kajang highway. Current toll rates (for private passenger cars) are 70 sen (now RM1.00) at the 9th-mile toll plaza and 60 sen (now 90 sens) at the 11th-mile toll plaza.
Revenue collection from the two toll plazas are currently about equal.
The highway was built at a cost of RM275 million in late 1998 and commenced tolling in 1999.
Grand Saga issued RM210 million in bonds to build the highway. Besides the bond issue, it received a RM59 million support-loan from the government.
But that wasn't all. The government had subsequently compensated Grand Saga for revising scheduled toll rate hikes.
Due to the revised toll rate structure, the government in 2002 extended the Cheras-Kajang highway concession by two years to Sept 18, 2027.
Then, in 2003-2004, the government paid RM104.93 million in compensation, apart from waiving interest and repayment on the support loan of RM59 million drawn down by Grand Saga in 1997 to finance the project, according to RAM.
Any further compensation may increase the government's total compensation for the highway to more than RM163.93 million, which would be highly ironic, considering the construction cost was only RM275 million.
The highway has been a profitable concern.
Grand Saga registered a revenue of RM57.84 million for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2004, with a net profit of RM6.47 million.
This was sharply lower than FY2003's revenue of RM68.56 million and net profit of RM27.61 million, as Grand Saga recognised a portion of the government's compensation in its income statement in FY2003.
Despite a drop in earnings, traffic volume surged by 4% between 2003 and 2004, with average daily traffic of 187,000 vehicles registered in FY2004.
Toll collections from the Cheras-Kajang highway have expanded over the last seven years.
In FY1999, the first year of tolling, revenue was RM22.55 million and net profit was RM9.23 million.
In FY2000, revenue and net profit was RM26.8 million and RM6.05 million, respectively.
In FY2001 and FY2002, revenue was RM29.05 million and RM30.84 million, respectively, while net profit was RM12.05 million and RM10.62 million in the respective years.
According to filings to the Companies Commission, Grand Saga is 44.45% owned by Peak Synergy Sdn Bhd, Europlex Consortium Sdn Bhd (33.33%) and Cerah Sama Sdn Bhd (22.22%).
The late Datuk Lim Ah Bak, Ahmad Ishak Haron and Minhat Mion were listed as substantial shareholders of the three holding companies.
There was an attempt by the above shareholders to inject Grand Saga into Malaysian Tobacco Co Bhd (now Measat Global Bhd) in 2000, but it did not materialise.
It is worth noting that the (former) BN Selangor government-listed infrastructure arm Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Bhd had a 42% stake in Grand Saga in earlier years.
KPS is believed to have sold its interest in Grand Saga in 1999/2000, before it was listed in 2003.
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Thanks very much adrian for the detailed info. I was mistaken with the impression that GS was losing money, just not making enough. But then again, our government is always on the side of concessionaires, for reasons best known by them.
If I am not mistaken, it is still Federal Territory of KL, so for those who wondered what MB of Selangor can do, please refer to my earlier posting, 'KL and local elections', which I think I am just one of many who are complaining about the high-handed actions by DBKL, again for reasons best known to those in charge - like the Datuk Bandar and Minister in charge of Federal Territories.
Where is MCA or GERAKAN when people need you. What are you for if you do not speak up for the people. Dont just keep quiet and pretend not knowing it. People are watching.
MCA is irrelevant unless multi-racial and Gerakan should leave BN.
Dr. Tan Chee Khoon left Gerakan when it joined BN. Maybe, his son, Dr. Tan Kee Kwong should take the lead and leave BN or lead the party and leave BN!
I hope their leaders do not harbour the hope of being treated with respect by Umno.
Watch the standoff here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtSRluxGBIk
Thanks laliloo, for the information.
Sorry folks, my knowledge of Cheras used to be up to the roundabout after Taman Midah (Bolton) which is in KL.
Seen the googled map showing Mahkota Cheras near Sg Long which is in Selangor state. Jalan Cheras extends up to Kajang, if I am not mistaken, so 'Cheras' can be confusing.
The difference here, since not in KL, is between PDRM and residents, rather than DBKL enforcement units vs residents. Again, Selangor state authorities cannot do much, can they? So this Federal vs State power struggle will continue until one emerges a clear winner.
There are 5 parties here - Grand Saga, Federal govt, state govt, BMC developer and the most important of all, THE RESIDENTS. For, without the residents, there would be no issue and there would be no case.
Why is this happening at all???
Since the court hearing is coming up, and the survey report has been delayed for OBVIOUS REASONS,
- why not everyone hold off all actions until the reports are out and the hearing has been done?
-Why did the federal govt jumped the gun before anything else?
-Why create havoc and anger among all parties?
-Why is MCA and Gerakan silent on this?
-And where is Samy Vellu?
-Why is the Federal govt so 100% in pursuing this case in assisting Grand Saga?
-And why is MB Khalid trying so hard to run away from this matter?
Honestly, this matter has created more questions than answers.
Thanks laliloo for your comments.
Depending on who decided on the harsh police action (IGP or Home Minister), I can only guess that it was a public relations disaster for BN, like the Hindraf incident, which made the people hate the government more. They still haven’t learnt that no matter who is in the right, might is certainly not right in a civil society. IGP said something to the effect that we must observe the law, which is perfectly correct, but there must be so many instances of different treatment, which seemed unfair, which led to the people’s actions out of anger and despair.
In this instance, a layman would think if the land belongs to the state, what right has a company to put a barrier on an access road? We would assume owners have every right to fence off their own property but not on a public property.
I wish to relate an example of how sometimes, we had to bend over backwards to accommodate. In one estate, we had to allow access to villagers so as not to antagonise them, even at the risk of theft of fruits. Once, TNB acted without consulting the owners and planted poles along the unofficial access road. Official complaint was lodged with TNB and there was no official reply. The owners knew the practical problems and decided to let it be for now, and that was the kind of situation we are in. Legal right is one thing, practical considerations like goodwill, politics and so on, will have to be considered by the legal owners.
Comparing the two instances, I am of the opinion that Grand Saga could have done the government a big favour by being more accommodating instead of confrontation. This is especially so where it appears they have no right to put up a barrier in the first place! Many people are under the impression that GS, BN and police were unfair, especially with the use of FRU, water canons and teargas, regardless of who is right or wrong.
Despite misgivings of certain leaders within BN (assumed as they cannot voice out), action speaks louder than any words of a so-called caring government.
Samy Vellu should have retired anyway so his opinions would not be appreciated by most people.
As to the federal government’s favouring GS, it depends on who are actually behind it! We cannot rely on official information on shareholding because it is so common for such companies to have nominees acting for politicians.
I would give the new MB of Selangor the benefit of the doubt and give him more time to sort out because he is not only having to run the government but faced with the mess left behind.
As an analogy, assuming I took over a business with some workers. The previous owner left behind incomplete record of administration and some workers are not listening to my instructions or might even sabotage. Obviously, I have to put things right before I can run the business properly. In the meantime, problems arose and customers expect quick solutions. If there were dubious deals before, it would take much more time to sort out and if actions were to be taken against the culprits, you can imagine the amount of extra effort and care to put up a case which can stand up in court!
Since the last elections, I have not contacted any of the opposition leaders for a chat simply because I know they are busy as ever. I am now in touch with old friends, who are lonely, who have serious illnesses and so on. They would appreciate my presence more!
One happy big family
http://paneh.blogspot.com/2008/05/one-happy-big-family.html
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