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NST Online: StreetsJohor

Posted: 23 May 2011 09:26 AM PDT

2011/05/24
by Ahmad Fairuz Othman

LIKE many metropolitan cities, Johor Baru is not spared of issues pertaining to squatter s e t t l e m e n t s.

There are scores of squatter settlement areas in the state capital that have been earmarked for development to make way for new housing, commercial or road projects.

These areas are now being redeveloped in stages and this has resulted in ongoing construction and re-alignment of traffic.

At least five squatter villages in eastern Johor Baru — Kampung Desa Melayu, Kampung Desa Jaya, Kampung Desa Makmur, Kampung Tengah and Kampung Belantik — are earmarked for relocation purposes to make way for the RM1 billion Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL).

On the western edge of Johor Baru, the situation is slightly different as squatters of Kampung Skudai Kiri and Kampung Usaha Jaya will be relocated for massive commercial projects under Iskandar Malaysia.

The 8.1km EDL, to be completed in 2012, will connect the North-South Expressway interchange at Pandan to the new Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine building at the Causeway.

EDL project owner, MRCB Lingkaran Selatan Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd, said last year a quarter of the 424 squatter families from the five villages have agreed to move.

Those who have agreed to move would be compensated with low-cost flats at subsidised rates and relocation allowances.

Hundreds of squatter families have gone through the relocation exercise.

Johor Baru member of parliament Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad, whose constituency covers the five affected villages, said that the government has a comprehensive plan to relocate the squatters.

The important thing was to identify long-time residents of these squatter villages, as they are given top priority when it comes to compensation.

Shahrir added that any squatters who were left out in the relocation exercise should approach his service centre.

As it is, there are some squatter dwellers who have claimed to be in the dark over any relocation plans.

But those in the know would be fully aware of the compensation scheme.

Shahrir said there are various categories of squatters who are entitled to the new housing scheme.

The first category is for original owners who still live in the affected area. The second category is for second-generation owners who are children of original dwellers, while the third category is for tenants.

An original dweller of a squatter unit is entitled to a flat measuring 79sq m costing RM35,000, while the two remaining categories will be offered a 70sq-metre unit which costs RM50,000.

Shahrir said that priority is given to those who are involved in the community.

This means they have to be living in the area for many years, and making a living.

Housewife, Suriana Saaban, 28, of the Kampung Skudai Kiri squatter settlement said the authorities should brief residents on their development plans.

"We are all for development but the authorities need to seek our opinions when it comes to developing this area. We have rights too," she said. Suriana has been living in the village all her life as her father, Saaban Abu Bakar, is an original dweller.

Saaban, who works as a fisherman, said he hoped to live in the village for the rest of his life but can't do so because of the upcoming proj e c t s.

"As a fisherman, I worry that I wo n 't be able to go to sea once I relocate inland. I hope the government would consider this at least," said Saaban.

It is learned that squatters in Kampung Skudai Kiri are to be resettled at public housing flats located about 15km to 20km from their present area. The resettlement programme will be undertaken by UDA Holdings Bhd and the Johor government, and both parties have engaged the affected residents from time to time to explain about the development p l a n s.

Sur iana's and Saaban's worries are issues that need to be noted, despite the authorities' push for deve l o p m e n t .

It may seem trivial when compared to the mammoth benefits that come with all the development projects, but physical development at the end of the day needs to go hand-in-hand with development of the people.

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LEARNING FROM KIDS

Posted: 23 May 2011 09:20 AM PDT

LEARNING FROM KIDS

2011/05/23
By Jassmine Shadiqe

Lions Club members count their blessings after a visit to children's home

IT was an eye-opening experience for 35 Sunway College Johor Baru's Leo Club members who visited the Care Haven Children Home in Masai recently.

Leo Club is part of the Lions Club International, and Leo is the abbreviation of Leadership, Experience and Opportunity -- values that are being imparted to the Leo members, currently numbering more than 144,000 in 139 countries, who are serving in their local communities.

These community leaders are friendly, active and dedicated to promoting youth voluntarism by participating in their local Leo clubs that have become a place for them to grow and have fun.

The club's president Ken Lim, 20, who is pursuing a diploma in business studies with the college, said it was the club's first charity event for this year and the members wanted to do their part for those underprivileged.

"We did not have much money, so we decided collectively to do something meaningful that would leave an impact, thus we decided to show the children of the home a good time with games, performances and gifts," he said.

It took the club members a month to plan the event and with the RM150 they had, they brought chocolates and stationery items that were given to the children.

That Saturday, the club members spent three hours with the children.

Among the activities were games like Balloon Mania, Guess, Guess, Guess and Musical Chairs.

In Balloon Mania, the students and children blew balloons and tied it to the ankles of the children who were divided into pairs.

The last standing pair received chocolates and sweets for their effort.

The club members also performed an original sketch titled "The Witch that Haunts the Disobedient".

Lim said they wanted to playfully scare the children into believing that if they did not study hard and went to bed late, the witch would come after them.

"However, the children were not fooled and only laughed at our attempt," he said. Lim and the club's vice-secretary Jack Toh, also 20, said the children's laughter and how they mingled left a lasting impact on the students.

"Most of us have never experienced the loss of a family member, but these children who have lost their loved ones nevertheless still managed to stay lively and cheerful," he said.

"They do not complain and strive to work hard, while we who are more privileged complain over the slightest issue that crop up in our lives, like not having the latest handphones." Toh echoed Lim's sentiments.

He said: "Initially, we thought we were doing something good for the children, but in the end, we realised that by helping them, they were also helping us to be better people.

The more than 85 children from Care Haven Children Home seemed to enjoy every minute with the students.

Although shy initially, they slowly warmed up to the students whom they addressed as ko-ko (big brother) or che-che (big sister).

The welfare home was established in 2003, and provides care and full-lodging services for orphaned children.

The Leo club members went to the home with the hope of making the children feel wanted and also to bring cheer to them but went back to their respective homes knowing that life has so much to give.

"The joy we experienced with the children left us feeling fulfilled."

College principal Hor Poh Choo said she was proud of her students' sincerity in serving the community needs.

Hor has always encouraged college students to participate in activities organised by the various clubs and societies that help to build character.

"It is important that students do well academically but it is equally important that they participate in extracurricular activities to enhance their soft skills," she said.

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Kredit: www.nst.com.my

Selasa, 24 Mei 2011