Quit talking, ACT!

The Malay Mail 5/6/2006

STOP the blame game. Stop making excuses. Stop making empty promises.

This is the message from several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the public to the Selangor Government and local authorities, in the wake of the recent landslide tragedy in Kampung Pasir, Hulu Kelang, that claimed four lives.

Those interviewed agreed that action speaks louder than words and the authorities must stop spinning the same old story whenever a tragedy occurs.

They also want the authorities to be accountable and come up with a long-term solution.

Some also want the authorities to make public their findings and the action taken against those responsible.

Here are what they had to say:

Gurmit Singh, Environmental Protection Society Malaysia adviser: "The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) should be held responsible. The council should have done something about Taman Zooview’s non-Certificate of Fitness (CF) status. It doesn’t make sense when they blame the previous administration (Gombak district office) for the problem. What have they been doing?

Datuk Dr Salleh Mohd Noor, Malaysian Nature Society president: "We cannot take things for granted, especially if it involves public safety. In the case of Taman Zooview, the council should inform the residents that the scheme does not have the CF as some of them are aware of this.

Dev King, 30, businessman: "Local authorities should be held responsible. As usual, our opinions or complaints fall on deaf ears. The actions promised never last for more than six months."

Cynthia Woon, 30, banker: "We want to know the cause of the tragedy. Instead of blaming each other, the local council and developer should accept responsibility. Housing areas should be monitored better, as had been promised earlier."