In the previous instalment of Ampersand, I touched on a resident’s right to object to a development project, even if they were not an owner of a neighbouring land as defined under the Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA). Basically, all developments are subject to the National Physical Plan and National Urbanisation Policy. These two […]
Ampersand
Objecting to development projects
Ampersand by KW Mak
OBJECTION hearings are part and parcel of the development process. If a new building or development is planned, it is only natural to expect that those living in the vicinity should have their views heard. But some would argue that this right is only limited to those within a very close proximity to the project. […]
Local council incompetence — whose fault?
Ampersand by KW Mak
IN my previous column, I had presented two scenarios of how people interpret the law; with one viewpoint from the public and the other from the local council. Indeed, many people have complained about the inefficiencies of local government and the lack of coherence in how things are done, causing a few to disregard due […]
A Matter of Interpretation
Ampersand by KW Mak
As a councillor, I have come across some of the strangest interpretations of the law. This can be by council officers who are tasked with implementing the law, or by laypeople at the receiving end of the law. Along with their peculiar interpretations are mixed messages about whether the law works or not, or if […]
The opposition label
Ampersand by KW Mak
IN the course of serving as a councillor in the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) for more than two years, I have been viewed as the “opposition” by some of my colleagues. Though none have said this to me personally, they find other tongue-in-cheek ways of making it known. For example, one councillor who sat […]
Superheroes needed in MBPJ
Ampersand by KW Mak
SOMETIMES, I get accused of playing hero when I go public with issues. The accusations stem from the notion that I supposedly do not go through official channels to resolve matters and that I’m only interested in the publicity that the issue generates. Are such accusations true? Perhaps the best way to answer this is […]
Our right to open spaces
Ampersand by KW Mak
NEW development projects seem to be on the rise again in Petaling Jaya. Much of these are apparently over open spaces set aside by previous developers. Naturally, this would have existing neighbours up in arms and protesting against the new development. No doubt residents caught in such a situation would like to ask the following […]
Leasehold or freehold: What’s the truth about Petaling Jaya land?
Ampersand by KW Mak
LEASEHOLD titles in Petaling Jaya (PJ) are a controversial topic. The expiration date of the lease and the high premium that needs to be paid to the Selangor government has caused revival of much of PJ Old Town, comprising Sections 1 to 4, to stagnate. In my research into the issue, I have found evidence […]
To brand or not to brand?
Ampersand by KW Mak
SELANGOR Speaker Teng Chang Kim recently got some flak for the placement of his name on park facilities. A news report focused on the DAP politician alone, even though other politicians from both the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat also imprint their names on public amenities. This left the impression that the news article […]
Car parking woes in SS20
Ampersand by KW Mak
BALANCING the needs of a residential community and a business entity in the same area is part of the work I do as a councillor. One such issue involves the illegal parking around the Damansara Specialist Hospital and the traffic nuisance it represents for the SS20 Damansara Kim residents. There are no morals to this […]
