THE Kinrara-Damansara Expressway (Kidex) project has certainly been the talk of many angry Petaling Jaya (PJ) residents these past two months. There has been much debate for and against the project. Its concessionaire Kidex Sdn Bhd says it will ease traffic congestion in PJ and have spillover economic benefits. PJ residents however fear increased noise, […]
Ampersand
Kidex and Pakatan Rakyat’s broken promise
Ampersand by KW Mak
Many Petaling Jaya residents are unhappy over the proposed Kinrara Damansara Skyway (Kidex) that will pass over heavily built-up areas. What is the Selangor government’s role in this highway and why aren’t Pakatan Rakyat representatives calling on their own government to keep to their promise of abolishing tolled highways?
The obstacles to local council elections
Ampersand by KW Mak
It’s now six years since the DAP and PKR promised to enact local council elections. Yet neither Penang nor Selangor, which are under the control of the Pakatan Rakyat, has succeeded in doing so. What exactly is the problem with local council elections that it is taking so long to implement? And why is there so much secrecy surrounding the appointment of councillors?
Gauging Anwar’s promises for Selangor
Ampersand by KW Mak
How will we know whether a Selangor PR government under Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be more effective than under Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s current administration? And what lessons can we be aware of with regards to how the state is currently being run?
Understanding state government SOPs
Ampersand by KW Mak
Was the MBPJ inspection of the Bible Society of Malaysia’s premises, right after they had been illegally raided by Jais, justifiable? And what are the larger issues surrouding both the Jais raid and the council’s action?
Will DBKL defeat ratepayers?
Ampersand by KW Mak
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) may have postponed its assessment rate hike after the public protested. But is it likely that ratepayers will be able to stop the hike? Former Petaling Jaya councillor KW Mak explains how it may not matter at all what ratepayers think and want.
Development rules ignored
Ampersand by KW Mak
Sri Aman, Section 16 and the Universiti Malaya Health Metropolis. What do the development projects in these Petaling Jaya neighbourhoods have in common? Former MBPJ councillor KW Mak shows how development rules and regulations have been ignored for all three projects.
Changing land titles: Of ‘long stories’ and anomalies
Ampersand by KW Mak
ONE of the great mysteries of urban development and local governance is how land titles change. Such is the case of a plot in Taman Aman, Petaling Jaya. Former MBPJ councillor KW MAK traces the issue.
Tumbling down: Why it’s hard to nail local councils and developers
Ampersand by KW Mak
WHY is it so hard to nail local councils and developers for collapsed buildings and structures? KW Mak unravels the hidden complexities of building laws and how lopsided they are in favour of the authorities.
Can MBPJ’s promises be believed?
Ampersand by KW Mak
Buyers of an abandoned low-cost housing project were recently told that MBPJ would solve their woes by reclaiming the land, developing the project, and selling it at half price. This sounds like great news, but will it be so straightforward for MBPJ to save the day? Or will buyers be faced with more hurdles?
