Butterworth: Help repair water tank, ICU urged

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RESIDENTS of Taman Pantai Bersih flats in Bagan Ajam, Butterworth, are appealing to the Implementation and Co-ordination Unit (ICU) of the Prime Minister’s Department to help repair a faulty water tank at the flats.

The flats’ newly appointed joint management body (JMB) committee chairman Zunun Hashim said the water tank in Block C had been out of service for the last five years.

“We also hope the ICU can help repair the motor pumps of the water tanks in all three blocks A, B and C as well as repair the pumps’ automatic system,” he said during a visit from Barisan Nasional’s Bagan parliamentary co-ordinator David Chua yesterday.

Zunun said that presently, only one motor pump was operational, which provided water to all 420 flat units.

Residents' dilemma: (From left) Ibrahim showing the faulty pumps to Chua, Teh and Bagan MCA Youth vice-chairman Sum Yoo Keong on the rooftop.

The flats’ JMB secretary Ibrahim Othman, 52, said that water from the tanks located above his flat unit on the fourth floor often leaked into his house.

“It has been very inconvenient for my family and at the same time, it is sad that precious water is being wasted,” he said.

Chua said the residents owed the flat developer RCB Development Sdn Bhd maintenance arrears amounting to RM500,000.

He said they also owed TNB about RM5,000 in power bill arrears and RM2,500 to the Penang Water Supply Corporation Sdn Bhd (PBA).

“I hope RCB as well as TNB and PBA will consider waiving the residents’ debts as a goodwill gesture following the formation of a new JMB.

“Let the new JMB start afresh and I hope they will be able to do a better job than the previous management committee,” he said.

Chua also suggested that the state and federal government appoint representatives to sit on the JMB committee to ensure transparency in their operations.

He urged the committee to be strict in collecting the monthly maintenance fee of RM27.50 per unit.

Barisan Nasional’s Bagan Jermal constituency co-ordinator Teh Lay Cheng said she would join the flat residents in a campaign to clean up the vicinity on Sunday.

The Star. North Metro By DERRICK VINESH
Thursday July 8, 2010

Top scorer gets PSD scholarship after all

GEORGE TOWN: Visually-impaired Teoh Bee Kah can be assured of a promising future now as she was informed that she had successfully obtained a Public Service Department (PSD) scholarship on Tuesday.

The scholarship is for Teoh, 18, to pursue a Business Foundation course at the University of Nottingham Malaysia campus in Semenyih.

The New Straits Times had highlighted Teoh's plight on June 20 after her application for a scholarship was rejected.


The former SMK Convent Pulau Tikus student had scored 4A+ and 6As in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination last year.


Teoh, who suffers from nystagmus, a condition that causes involuntary eye movements was the top special student in the examination in Penang.

When contacted, an elated Teoh said she was happy to be given the scholarship.


"I am looking forward to pursuing my studies in the university.

"I want to thank all of those who have helped me along the way. Words can't express how grateful I am."

Teoh, who had initially wanted to pursue a degree in psychology, will be reporting to the university on July 8.


She is currently studying in St Xavier's Institution for her Lower Six.

Teoh's mother, Kim Guat Khim, 50, said although her daughter failed to get the course of her choice, she was, however, contented with the course offered to her.

"I want to thank the PSD for the scholarship.

"I also want to thank Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong for taking an interest in my daughter's case.

"In fact, he called me up twice, once on Monday and the following day to congratulate me," she said, adding that she was also grateful to others for their help, including state MCA chief Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.



Top scorer gets PSD scholarship after all
from New Straits Times

Student gets PSD scholarship, thanks to MCA

GEORGE TOWN: A student who failed to get a government scholarship twice to pursue higher studies is now rejoicing, thanks to the MCA.

Teoh Bee Kah, 18, who failed to get the scholarship earlier, has been granted a Public Service Department scholarship after she sent an appeal letter to MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

Teoh, who was born with the nystagmus condition (a form of involuntary eye movement), was awarded a full scholarship for an 18-month Foundation in Business Studies course at the University of Nottingham’s Malaysian campus in Semenyih.

The former Convent Pulau Tikus student, who is now studying in Form Six at St Xavier’s Institution, will start the course on July 8.

“I was verbally guaranteed a National Scholarship on March 19 when I went to Putrajaya to receive an award for being an outstanding student.

■ She got it: Teoh showing her parents, father Lye and mother Kim Guat Khim the congratulatory letter she received from Dr Ng.

“However, the name list came out a week later without my name. So, I thought I would be accepted by the PSD. But my name wasn’t in that list either when it came out on May 21.

“I cried for two days after that because I was so disappointed,” she said after receiving a congratulatory letter from Bagan MCA division Youth chief David Chua on behalf of Dr Ng at the Penang MCA headquarters on Pahang Road here yesterday.

Teoh, who scored 4A+, 3As and 3A- in last year’s SPM examination, said although her first choice was Psychology, she was nevertheless grateful for the scholarship.

She said her nystagmus condition was made difficult with her short-sightedness.

“My eyeballs are constantly moving and it is difficult for me to focus. Doctors told me my condition cannot be corrected with spectacles or surgery,” she said.

Her father, Lye Chuan, 58, said she did not let her condition stand in her way.

“She didn’t attend any tuition classes. Her hearing and memory are excellent too,” said the fisherman.



From : The Star. Northern 1 July 2010