I am writing on behalf of an informal group called, Making Our Streets Safe (MaSS), Klang Valley Action, which was formed about a month ago. We sincerely hope that you will be able to attend our follow-up meeting to campaign for a safe and secure Klang Valley for all.

The group is very concerned with the crimes that are happening in our community and yet there does not seem to be pro-active actions by those in authority. Some of us have been victims of snatch thief and violence. We have met and have decided to call for a discussion with civil society organisations and individuals whom we are certain are just as concerned as we are.

We would like to invite you and/or representatives from your organisation to attend our discussion. The agenda is as follows:

1. Welcome and Introduction

2. Update on the last meeting and mapping of the proposed actions

3. Open discussion

4. Plan of Action and allocation of Tasks

5. Any Other Business

Dear friends, we, as a group, want a crime free and safe environment for all and we would like to urge the new Prime Minister and the Polis Diraja Malaysia to implement the recommendations found in the Royal Commission Report. They are as follows:

· to launch a sustained nationwide drive against crime and make crime reduction priority No. 1 for PDRM

1. develop a priority list on crime types in order of urgency and according to geographical demands

· to formulate and implement annual and monthly crime reduction plans

· develop and strategise crime reduction plans, including involving citizens to play a role in assisting police in crime control

· formulate a monitoring system on progress in crime control and to develop key performance index for performance assessment

· to allocate more policing resources for crime control

· increase the national budget allocation for PDRM

· work closely with other government agencies to “invigorate Rukun Tetangga schemes in areas with high incidence of crime

· to enhance private sector partnership and contribution to policing

· engage and encourage private sector and business to contribute substantially towards preventive policing

· to develop PDRM research and development capacity

· develop a strong database on all types of crime to enhance monitoring and evaluation

· develop a strong research and development capacity to do practical research to strengthen policing methods against crime.

The details for the discussion are as follows:

************ ********* ********
MaSS meeting:
************ ********* ********
When: 15 May 2009 (Friday)
Time: 8.00 pm - 10.00 pm
Place: Bilik Inai, First Floor, Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya, Jalan Yong Shook Lin, 46675 Petaling Jaya.

Contact: 603 77844977 (office - Mary)

We sincerely hope that you and members of your organisations will be able to assist us in publicising our meeting and sending your staff to attend the meeting. Together we can make a difference to reduce, if not to eliminate, crimes in our communities. The meeting is also open to all interested individuals, so do bring any friends who want to join the action.

Kerajaan Negeri Selangor akan menganjurkan dialog umum dan perundingan sempena memperingati Hari Kebebasan Akhbar Sedunia pada 19 Mei 2009, dari 9.00 pagi hingga 1.00 tengahari di Auditorium Pusat Sivik Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Berdasar kepada Indeks Kebebasan Akhbar Sedunia oleh ‘Reporters Without Borders’, pada tahun 2008 Malaysia jatuh lapan tangga kepada 132, iaitu kedudukan yang terburuk pernah dicatatkan. Manakala pada 2007 dan 2006 masing-masing pada kedudukan 124 dan 92.

Sehubungan itu, Kerajaan Negeri Selangor giat mempromosikan “Kebebasan Maklumat” dengan tertubuhnya Badan Bertindak Kebebasan Maklumat pada awal 2009 yang dianggotai Ahli Parlimen Negeri dan Persatuan Awam, dipengerusikan oleh Ahli Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri Selangor, YB Elizabeth Wong.

Pada peringkat awal, badan bertindak berperanan membuat kajian untuk mewujudkan Akta Kebebasan Maklumat (Freedom of Information) FOI Act selewat-lewatnya pada penghujung 2009.

Dialog dan perundingan umum ini bakal memberi nafas baru kepada kebebasan akhbar dan suara pelbagai media di Malaysia. Ahli panel yang dijangka membentangkan dan mengupas isu ini terdiri daripada YB Elizabeth Wong, Ahli Majlis Mesyuarat Selangor dan Pengerusi, Badan Bertindak Kebebasan Maklumat; Sevan D., Pengarah Program, Pusat Kewartawanan Bebas; Dipendra Harshad Rai, Majlis Peguam; Dr. Lim Teck Ghee, Pengarah, Pusat Polisi Inisiatif; Mr Ngooi Chiu Ing, Ahli Eksko, Transparency International and Padmaja Padman, Editor Latihan, Malaysia Kini.

Semua dijemput ke majlis tersebut. Sekian, terima kasih.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (KEADILAN) akan melancarkan Kempen Penerangan “Krisis Perak: Kembali Pada Rakyat” pada jam 9 malam ini (18 Mei) di Taman Medan, Petaling Jaya Selatan (Dataran Pasar Malam), PJS 2D/7 (Markaz PAS PJS).

Yang turut hadir dalam ceramah perdana malam ini adalah Ketua Pembangkang YB Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Menteri Besar Selangor YB Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, ADUN Perak YB Chang Lih Kang (Teja) dan YB Kesavan (Hutan Melintang), serta ahli jawatankuasa PAS Pusat Ust Idris Ahmad.

Kempen “Kembali Pada Rakyat” ini bakal diteruskan ke seluruh pelusuk negara dalam masa terdekat bagi memberikan penerangan berkenaan krisis politik di negeri Perak; serta menyampaikan mesej kepada rakyat umum agar bersatu menuntut hak rakyat dikembalikan.

Untuk maklumat terkini, sila ikuti laman web www.suarakeadilan.com dan www.mediarakyat.net.

According to this article in the newspaper, the Selangor government will be visiting the 12 local councils to discuss local issues.

The schedule is as follows:

• Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) – April 26
• Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) – May 3
• Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) – May 10
• Klang Municipal Council (MPK) – May 17
• Sabak Bernam District Council (MDSB) – May 24
• Kuala Langat District Council (MDKL) – May 31
• Kuala Selangor District Council (MDKS) – June 6
• Hulu Selangor District Council (MDHS) – June 14
• Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) – June 21
• Sepang District Council (MPSp) – June 28
• Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) – July 5
• Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) – July 12

TRANSIT says:

While public transport is generally in the hands of the federal government, the State Government and Local Council also have a role to play. They are responsible for providing infrastructure (such as bus hubs, bus lanes & bus ways), and encouraging development that isTransit-oriented (using Transit-Planning Zones and Pedestrian-scale developments).

Hence, we ask that Selangor residents, please make time to attend these meetings and speak to your local and state government representatives about local issues including public transport issues.

TRANSIT has drawn up a few talking points that you, the residents of Selangor can use to discuss local public transport issues at these meetings. Please forward these talking points to other people so that they may also be able to raise awareness about the need for improvement and the benefits of improved public transport for our communities and our quality of life.

TRANSIT believes in the following:

1. Public transport is not a service for the elderly and poor.
2. Community shuttle buses are a service for people who would like an alternative from the private car/motorcycle/taxi - not a service for people with “no choice”.
3. A network of reliable, frequent Community Shuttle Buses would give people an alternative to using their cars or motorcycles, meaning that there would be less traffic congestion on our roads.
4. On average, 1 more 12m long bus on the road equals 53 fewer cars or motorcycles on the road. Remember this equation, 1 = 53

The State Government has a role to play

1. The State Government should become an advocate better public transport in Selangor and the Klang Valley.
2. The State Government should create a State Public Transport Council to focus on improvements to public transport in Selangor.
3. The whole state of Selangor should have a complete network of convenient local community shuttle buses.
4. By providing free local community shuttle service, the State government will not be competing with bus operators and does not have to seek permits from the Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board.
5. There should be coordination with the State Government so that there is proper funding and service integration between these local public transport networks and the LRT and KTM and stage bus services.

The Local Councils also have a role to play

1. It is necessary for each local government to have a department or office that focuses on the development of urban public transit or public transport. While some local councils have these departments already (MPAJ, for example) other councils do not.
2. Each local council should appoint a Public Transport Committee before they make attempts at implementing public transport service. This committee should include members of the local council, the bus operators, and the residents associations.
3. Community Shuttle Bus service requires lots of buses - because very slow frequencies (more than 1 hour) between buses is simply unacceptable and will not encourage people to use public transport.
4. These buses should be properly-designed accessible buses
5. Maps of Local Community Shuttle Bus service should be posted prominently at bus stops, in the Council Buildings, community halls, community newspapers, online etc.

The members of TRANSIT would be happy to provide feedback on local public transport issues to the State Government and the Local Councils. TRANSIT can be reached at klangvalley.transit@gmail.com or at the number 012-248-3330 /019 280 0608

We are pleased to invite you to JAG-Fiesta Feminista first session on sex, or more accurately:

The Sex Stakes: Positioning Sexuality on the Agenda of the Malaysian Women’s Movement
by tan beng hui

29th April, 8pm

at Sisters In Islam (sis)
No.7, Jalan 6/10, Petaling Jaya

open to those of us who want to debate/deliberate on sexuality & the women’s movement, or have burning questions about the evolution of sexuality rights here and around the world!

presented by beng hui, a feminist scholar and activist, and Fiesta Feminista cocobean aka co-coordinator.

do circulate to members of your organisations! and RSVP asap to Abby at AWAM at adevries1@yahoo or phone: 7877 4221. com!

thanks everyone and see you there!

Please take a few minutes to read this and please pass it on to every female you know and care about.. On Saturday, 16th, at 6:45pm my sister boarded a taxi at the Wangsa Maju LRT to return home. At the end of the road, the taxi driver stopped to pick up another male passenger who seemed to be going off the same direction. Well, my sister didn’t suspect anything funny as they looked genuine, and he was going her direction and she was in a hurry. Little did she suspect that she was in for a huge trauma! But when she asked the taxi driver to turn into the junction where she lives, the driver pretended to miss it and the male passenger said that since they were already nearer to his place, why not send him off first and the driver politely asked my sister if that’s ok and she thought she was doing a good deed! As soon as they got to the end of the housing area next to the big walls of the Academy TV3, the male passenger, locked all the doors and leapt to the back and held a knife at her throat and forced her to bend her head down - she had to give up her jewelry, and the $200 cash she had. Not satisfied with only that much, they threatened for more so they drove off to Maybank Jln Setapak and took out everything she had that was around 7:30pm ….The driver returned the card after clearing the account! Then they drove off to the back area of Tasik Titiwangsa and dropped her off there. Left her with only $10 and ask her to take another taxi home! My sister had to walk a long way back to the main road to get help and she is really traumatised by all these. Later at the police station we found out that she was victim #3 that same day! Let’s remind everyone we know, as it could easily happen to us too or to anyone we care about.

The lesson to be learnt here:
1.. always check the plate # BEFORE you board a taxi.
2. always check the other things that a taxi should have - the driver’s ID, the inside number etc, etc.
3. NEVER allow the driver to pick up another passenger - No matter what! If they do, get off and just pay the man.
4. avoid taking the taxi alone, if you can.
5. be extra careful if it is after office hours.

SHAH ALAM, 16 April 2009 - Kerajaan Negeri Selangor melalui Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan (PBT) meneruskan perkhidmatan kaunter skuad bantuan Selangor Retrenchment Helpline bagi minggu ini di beberapa kawasan PBT di Selangor. Antara PBT yang akan membuka kaunter perkhidmatan tersebut bagi minggu ini adalah seperti berikut :

Tarikh: 18 April 2009 (Sabtu)

Masa : 8.30 pagi - 12.30 tengah hari.

Tempat :1- Petaling Jaya - Kaunter di Pejabat MBPJ.

2- Klang - Kaunter di Pejabat MPK.

3- Ampang Jaya - Kaunter di Pejabat MPAJ.

4- Sepang - Kaunter di Pejabat JPP Bandar Baru, Salak Tinggi Utara

5- Kajang - Kaunter di Pejabat MPKj.

Orang ramai yang menghadapi masalah dalam pekerjaan atau diberhentikan kerja, boleh membuat pendaftaran dikaunter terbabit mengikut kawasan sekitar masing-masing. Kerajaan Selangor menyediakan perkhidmatan ini adalah sebagai membantu dari sudut khidmat nasihat dan runding cara kepada pengadu untuk memulihkan keyakinan dalam mencari pekerjaan.

Sebarang pertanyaan berhubung perkara ini boleh menghubungi Sekretariat Program Helpline iaitu Cik Siti Noor Aina ditalian (55447672) atau En.Mohd Hasry (55447121), atau boleh menghubungi Sekretariat Akhbar Kerajaan Negeri iaitu En. Fahrin Asmawi (55447457).