Cheras toll saga: Barricade re-erected

Cheras toll saga: Barricade re-erected (Report from MalaysiaKini)
May 27, 08 2:11pm
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/83489

It did not take long for toll concessionaire Grand Saga to rebuild a concrete barricade to block a toll-free access road to the Cheras-Kajang Highway in Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC).

MCPXThe task of building the five-foot high wall across the double-lane access road started at about 1am and was completed by 3.30pm today.

Grand Saga executive director Zainal Abidin Ali (left) had issued a statement at 5pm yesterday, vowing to rebuild the barriers within a week.

About 200 residents were at the scene to watch the barricade go up but did not take any action.
The residents have pledged not to demolish the barricade, unlike on two previous occasions, as the highway company has a court order in its favour.

Open the Road Committee chairperson Tan Boon Hwa (right) told Malaysiakini that they would now leave the matter in the hands of the Selangor government.

"We will let the state government handle this. Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim has stated that it is illegal to build the barricade on the road as indicated by the findings of the Ulu Langat Land Office," commented Tan when contacted this morning.

The battle for free access to the highway has been going on for three years but came to a boil on April 21 when the residents demolished the original barricade - built in 2005 - with the support of some newly-appointed Pakatan Rakyat state exco members.

Grand Saga was quick to put up the barrier again, only for it to be torn down again by the frustrated residents.

However, Grand Saga's attempt to rebuild the wall - for the third time - on the night of May 8 was abandoned after volleys of tear gas were fired by the police at the residents.

Four days later, the residents failed to get the High Court to restrain the toll operator from re-erecting the barricade.

With this court ruling in its favour, Zainal Abidin gave notice yesterday that the company was going to build a barricade and hoped the residents would not interfere with the court ruling.

He said the court, in throwing out the injunction, had noted that Grand Saga has the right to build a barricade “within its indisputable concession area”.

The new Selangor government has however argued that the area where the barricade was built, is part of state land and questioned Grand Saga’s right in erecting the barrier.

According to Tan, the new barricade is about two feet away from the old barrier. At five feet, the wall consisting of boulders is much higher than the original three-foot concrete barrier.


State to react within 24 hours

Khalid's political secretary Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, in an immediate response to the rebuilding of the barricade, said the best possible action is being discussed with lawyers.

"We have already told Grand Saga that if they wish to dispute the jurisdiction over the road, they should take it to court. They should not barricade the road until the matter is legally resolved," replied Nik Nazmi.

Nik Nazmi added that the Selangor government will announce its action within 24 hours as it has various issues to consider.

The toll concessionaire had barricaded the access road three years ago - a move which upset the residents who had been using the road to enter the expressway without having to pay toll at Batu 11, Cheras.

The concrete barrier forced commuters to travel an additional six kilometres and pay Grand Saga 90 sen toll for every trip.

Two weeks ago, Khalid had given all the parties involved in the dispute - Grand Saga, BMC developers Narajaya and the Malaysian Highway Authority - seven days to reach an amicable solution.

But Zainal Abidin yesterday said that "the issue unfortunately has not been resolved" after the lapse of the seven days.

If Plan A Dont Work, Go for Plan B

27 May 2008 - If Plan A dont work, Go for Plan B. After 8 hours of issuing the warning that Grand Saga will re-erect the barricade by the Executive Director of Grand Saga, Zainal Abidin, Grand Saga has quietly came to Bandar Mahkota Cheras in the morning of 27th May to rebuild the barricade.

This time, they are smarter. Previously when they place the concrete barricade and it was removed by the residence.

This time, they came with huge rock. Digging a cannel and placing the rock barricade to form a 5 feet high wall, again blocking the Bandar Mahkota Cheras access road to the main highway.

However, this time not only they are smarter. They come with Plan B. Previously when the police and FRU cant do the job, this time, they bring in the local Gangster to watch over their newly build barricade. (Above photos shows some of the local gangsters trying to prevent the residence to remove the wooden plank).

Grand Saga Executive Director, Zainal Abidin a formal Chief Police of Dang Wangi Police Station, will hire the low class gangster to watch over their barricade. What a joke.

Oh by the way, our good friend Zainal Abidin said the rebuilding of the barricade is for the good of the motorist at the area. Please have a look at the following photos, huge lorries are having problem to cross into the road and causing jams and messy traffics at the junction. So i am just wondering how can the barricade make the traffic better and safer for the motorist?????????

BMC Grand Saga Updates - chinese version

大道公司本周重置皇冠城路墩吁居民尊重法庭判决别受误导
5月26日 傍晚6点14分

随着吉隆坡高庭於本月12日确认加影——蕉赖大道经营公司Grand Saga，有权在经营特许权范围内建立石墩后，该公司今日宣布将於本周内重新建立之前被居民拆除的石墩。

Grand Saga执行董事再纳阿比丁（Zainal Abidin Ali，右图）今日发表文告宣布，该公司将在本周，於本身经营特许范围内重新建立石墩，并敦促公众人士尊重法庭判决。

Grand Saga和皇冠城开路委员会日前分别把案件带上吉隆坡高庭。前者是针对石墩遭到拆除一事，向开路委员会主席陈文华、雪州行政议员刘天球和加影市政局提出民事诉讼；后者则通过陈文华入禀申请书，要求高庭发出庭令禁止大道公司设置石墩，阻止居民使用有关出口。

高庭否决居民阻建石墩申请不过，吉隆坡高庭已否决居民要求阻止大道公司设置石墩，让居民使用有关出口的庭令申请，并裁决Grand Saga有权在经营路段范围内重新建设石墩。随着高庭做出宣判后，大道公司当天旋即发表文告，宣布他们会将会继续设置石墩以封路。

接着，雪州大臣卡立依布拉欣在隔天召集各相关方面举行多边会议，但是大道公司和发展商为“车流疏漏”（traffic leakage）和赔偿问题僵持不下，导致卡立最终决定给各方一周时间解决问题。

由于双方至今仍然无法化解分歧，卡立在上周指出，由于皇冠城开路风波的症结在于大道公司和皇冠城发展商Narajaya之间，因此应该交由法庭解决。不过，卡立强调，雪州政府将支持皇冠城居民的开路行动，并且认为“路必须为居民而开”。

然而，再纳阿比丁强调，该公司坚持要重新建立石墩，除了保护本身的利益之外，也是为了大道使用者在胡先翁交替路口的安全着想。

他也促请公众人士，别受特定方面针对大道使用权或石墩课题的“误导”，并让法庭作出裁决。

卡立：大道公司获中央“祝福”

卡立今午在雪州议会后受询时重申，开路风波其实属于大道公司与发展商之间的问题，大道公司应该允许打开皇冠城的通路。

他表示，他相信大道公司已经得到中央政府的“祝福”，才会宣布在本周内重新建立石墩。

BMC Grand Saga Updates

Cheras saga continues - toll operator vows to rebuild wall (Taken from MalaysiaKini)
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/83454

Toll operator Grand Saga has today vowed to rebuild the concrete barricade to block a toll-free access road to the Cheras-Kajang Highway in Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC).

Notice is hereby given that the company will be constructing the barricade this week,” said Grand Saga’s executive director Zainal Abidin Ali in a terse press statement.

Zainal Abidin, who is former Dang Wangi police chief, said that Grand Saga had constructed the barricade in 2005 “to prevent unlawful access” to the highway through the access road from BMC.

However, an attempt to rebuild the three-feet high wall by Grand Saga - for the third time - on the night of May 8 was abandoned after volleys of tear gas were fired at an angry crowd.

Zainal abidin ali apcetResidents have accused the riot police of siding with Grand Saga in the dispute. Four days later, the residents failed to get the High Court to restrain the toll operator from re-erecting the barricade.

Zainal Abidin (right) said the court, in throwing out the injunction, had noted that Grand Saga has the right to build a barricade “within its indisputable concession area”.

“Members of the public are advised to respect the decision of the court,” he warned.

The new Selangor government has however argued the area where the barricade was built on was part of state land and questioned Grand Saga’s right in erecting the barrier.

In an immediate response, Mentri Besar Khalid Ibrahim said that the access road should remain open pending the resolution of another court case filed by Narajaya against Grand Saga.

"This is a problem between two companies. Let the court decide," he said.

No resolution after 7-day deadline

Since the barrier was demolished, motorists have been using the controversial access road, resulting in traffic jams in the area.

According to Zainal Abidin, the current situation endangers motorist not only from BMC but also the surrounding townships.

He argued that Grand Saga was responsible in maintaining the safety of its road users.

But residents retorted that it was the prerogative of toll operator to install traffic lights and provide proper signage to ensure the safety of road users.

The toll concessionaire barricaded the access road three years ago, a move which upset the residents who had been using the road to enter the expressway without having to pay toll at the Batu 11, Cheras.

The concrete barrier forced commuters to travel an additional six kilometres and pay Grand Saga 90 sen toll for every trip they make.

Two weeks ago, Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim had given all the parties involved in the dispute - Grand Saga, Narajaya and the Malaysian Highway Authority - seven days to reach an amicable solution.

But Zainal Abidin said that “the issue unfortunately has not been resolved” after the lapse of the seven days.

Grand Saga has not given the actual date when it plans to rebuild the barrier but there could be a repeat of the rowdy May 8 protest from the residents should it proceed.

What a Record!!

17 years 10 title, what a record. Not to mention his other achievement such as equalling Sir Bobby Charlton's on field appearance. Not even the famous Beckham nor most of the football players can achieve this in their lifetime career. I am referring to Ryan Giggs, or known as Giggsy to most of his teammates, one of the few survivor of the Golden Aged of Man Utd team .

Congrats to Giggsy and Congrats to Man Utd.

IGP sounds warning after protest over Cheras access road turns ugly
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said there should be no mob rule in this country.

He said police would act against those who organised or incited residents to break the law by gathering illegally and demonstrating.

He was commenting on the protest by about 1,000 demonstrators at Bandar Mahkota, Cheras, against a barricade at a traffic-light junction leading to the area on Thursday night. The residents have twice brought down the barricade.

The demonstration turned ugly at about 10.30pm and police had to fire water cannons and tear gas to control the crowd.

Unsafe driving: Drivers using the access road after the barricade was brought down a second time by irate residents.

“We are concerned as the toll-free access road has yet to be gazetted. If there is an accident, we will not be able to investigate and motorists will have to file a civil suit for compensation,” he said.

“To me, all parties concerned should sit down and find an amicable solution without resorting to mob rule. They should go to the courts and fight for their rights, instead of damaging property and inconveniencing other motorists and residents.”

Police arrested four people after the demonstration. During the commotion, Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng was allegedly assaulted and later warded at the Selayang hospital.

- Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/10/nation/21212228&sec=nation

The billion dollar question is that, the gathering of the citizens are to prevent Grand Saga to do wrong to residences' rights, not to protest against the government nor trying to topple the government. If the leader in the police squad really worried that the traffic is a real problem, then send the traffic police over to the job. Hey, your salaries are from our tax money. How can you, the so call guardian's of the peace, stand at the blood sucking Grand Saga side, forcefully chased the residence away by water cannon and tear gas so that Grand Saga can block the access road?

On the other hand, if the Head of Police feel that there should be no mob rule in this country, then don't you also agreed that there should be no gangster ruling among the police? Think about it.

Mr. PM Dunno Anything on BMC issue???

I am very very curios now after reading a daily newspaper this morning. There a small article stated that our much beloved Mr. PM, Pak Lah, was not aware of the current and well heated issues in Bandar Mahkota Cheras (BMC) because he did not receive any report on this.

Ok ... I know being a PM is very busy, there's much of things to be taken care of. However, doesn't a PM also reads newspaper or watch news on TV? The recent BMC issues was highlighted almost daily on all major local dailies and also was featured on TV news. Residences were being blasted with water cannon and tear gas, those who got arrested was drag into police car like they are animals. Oh no ... all our PM said is there's no report submitted to him and thus he is not aware of this issue.

What a Joke!!!

Look at how the stupid policeman and FRU treat the residence of Bandar Mahkota Cheras.

Quote "Once again, Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents dismantled the barricade denying them access to the highway. Three people were arrested during the fracas that ensued. Liu maintained that Grand Saga had committed a serious offence by erecting the barricade. “No party has the right to erect the barricade without the state government's approval and we received no such application,” he said." unquote - The Star Friday May 9, 2008

I am just very curios to find out since Ronnie Liu, the state executive councillor, mentioned that Grand Saga had committed a serious offence and without the state government's approval, how come the police and the FRU are being send to the area to woo the residents away so that the bloody Grand Saga stupid employees can put up the Concrete barriers?

Aren't the police and FRU is under the command of the Federal or the state government? Don't tell me that a stupid company, Grand Saga has the power to order the police and the FRU to do things? This doesn't make sence.

Residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras - Unfairly treated by Grand Saga

Residents of the Bandar Mahkota Cheras have been unfairly treated again by the Highway Concession Company, Grand Saga Sdn Bhd. The highway concession company has on 2006 blocked the access road that ad-joint to the Cheras-Kajang Highway. This moved by Grand Saga Sdn Bhd was to prevent the residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras to bypass the toll.

Request was sent to ask Grand Saga Sdn Bhd to open up the access road so that residents do not have to suffer massive jam everyday. However, Grand Saga Sdn Bhd refused to do so and the company has posed a demand of compensation money of few hundred millions from the developer or the state government for toll lost if the access road is being opened.

Numerous appeals to the politicians and government to help but no action was taken by these people. After 2 long years, the residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras take matter into their own hand, forming an Open Access Road Committee and with the help of the opposition parties, they have on 21 April 2008, forcefully remove the concrete block that was placed by Grand Saga Sdn Bhd in front of the access road.

To prevent Grand Saga to re-place the concrete barrier back, the committee has encamp themselves at the junction 24 7. The committee has also assist to direct traffic before the traffic police was asked to help out. It was a great day for the residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras because they do not have to go through massive jam just to get in and out from their township.

Grand Saga Sdn Bhd has claimed that the concrete barrier was rightfully place under their premises but opposition parties have engaged an independent land surveyor to find out whether the concrete barrier was place under the state government land, and if so, they government has the right to remove it. Result was released 28 April that the concrete barriers was indeed place at the state government land. Thus, the government has all right to remove it.

The residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras was all but joyfull until 7 Maym 2008 1pm, Grand Saga Sdn Bhd, under the watchful eyes of the police force & FRU, re-place the concrete barrier 2 feet behind the original barrier which was removed earlier. Residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras and the committee were caught off guard and by the time they gather together to oppose, the concrete barriers was almost done.

Why would the police and FRU was send to assist Grand Saga in their re-placement of the barrier?

Why didn’t the federal government interfere and help the residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras?

Why didn’t the chinese politics association who lost badly in the previous election help out the people as they claimed to reform and focus on helping the people.

This issue was reported daily on local major dailies but none, I repeat, none of the federal government parties stand out and offer help to resolve this problem for residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras. Residents of Bandar Mahkota Cheras, we have been treated unfairly by the highway concession company, Grand Saga Sdn Bhd as well as our much trusted federal government.

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