Latest news with #AffendiRajiniKanth
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Kangar council supports reopening of Wang Kelian border market
KANGAR: The Kangar Municipal Council (MPKangar) supports proposals to revitalise cross-border trade and tourism at Wang Kelian, nearly a decade after the discovery of mass graves that shocked the nation. The proposed initiatives follow sweeping security enhancements implemented after the 2015 discovery of mass graves in Wang Burma, believed to be victims of human trafficking. The incident prompted the discontinuation of the free-flow border mechanism in the area. MPKangar president Affendi Rajini Kanth said the council is optimistic that the Special Area Plan will clearly define jurisdictional boundaries between the Forest Department and MPKangar, allowing for better coordination in managing the area. "We are hoping the Special Area Plan will segregate responsibilities between the Forest Department and MPKangar, enabling the reactivation of the Wang Kelian-Wang Prachan border market (Nat)," he told the New Straits Times when contacted. Affendi said that the mass graves and remains found in the area have since been relocated and reburied in Kampung Tualang, Pokok Sena. "The case happened in 2015 and was the main reason for the discontinued free-flow arrangement at the Wang Kelian-Wang Prachan border," he said. He noted that, based on findings from the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI), the Wang Burma area is now free of any remnants related to the incident. Last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an allocation to upgrade the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex at Wang Kelian. The improvements include enhanced fencing, floodlights, high-definition CCTVs, and drone surveillance to prevent similar incidents from recurring. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail also voiced support for reviving the free-flow zone but added that security would not be compromised. He said stricter regulations would be enforced when the zone reopens. In 2023, Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli said Wang Kelian would be developed as a border town under the Special Area Plan framework led by the Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia). Meanwhile, Affendi said MPKangar remains focused on supporting efforts to revitalise the border town's economy while awaiting federal approval of the Special Area Plan. "We leave it to the authorities to approve the plan. Only then can we move forward," he said. The Wang Kelian border crossing was once a vibrant weekend marketplace. Thousands of visitors contributed significantly to the local economy before security concerns brought activity to a halt. In 2015, then Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed the discovery of 139 graves and camps linked to human trafficking along the Malaysia-Thailand border. In 2019, then Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate the Wang Kelian human trafficking case in depth.
The Star
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Perlis incurs RM2.4mil loss from coupon parking non-compliance
KANGAR: The Perlis government has incurred a loss of RM2.4mil from non-compliance with the coupon-based parking system, implemented by the Kangar Municipal Council (MPK) between 2022 and last year. Mentri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli (pic) said the implementation of the smart parking application system in Perlis this year, with a trial period from May to mid-June, is a positive innovation for the state government and will benefit the people. "The collection from this smart parking system will be returned to the people. "I hope that the people of Perlis will accept this reform, as we are not implementing anything that could harm them,' he told a press conference after chairing the state executive councillor meeting at the State Legislative Assembly Complex here on Wednesday (April 30). Also present was MPK president Affendi Rajini Kanth. Shukri said the charges for using the smart parking system are minimal, at only 60 sen for the first hour. Parking is also free for the first 15 minutes, he added. He added that the smart parking system would be fully managed by an appointed private company, and the state government is expected to earn more than RM1mil annually through its use. Meanwhile, Affendi noted that, from January until now, MPK had not charged any fees to users for parking, resulting in lost revenue of about RM600,000, before the full implementation of the smart application system in mid-June. – Bernama
The Sun
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Perlis lost RM2.4mil due to parking coupon violations
KANGAR: The Perlis government has incurred a loss of RM2.4 million from the coupon-based parking system, implemented by the Kangar Municipal Council (MPK) between 2022 and 2024, due to some users failing to comply with the system. Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli said the implementation of the smart parking application system in Perlis this year, with a trial period from May to mid-June, is a positive innovation for the state government and will benefit the people. 'The collections from this smart parking system will be returned to the people. I hope that the people of Perlis will accept this reform, as I believe we are not implementing anything that could harm them,' he said, at a press conference after chairing the state executive councillor meeting at the State Legislative Assembly Complex, here, today. Also present at the press conference was MPK president Affendi Rajini Kanth. Mohd Shukri said that the charges for using the smart parking application system are minimal, with only 60 sen for the first hour, and the first 15 minutes are free to make it more convenient for users. He added that the implementation of the smart parking system would be fully managed by an appointed private company, and the state government is expected to earn more than RM1 million annually through the use of the system. Meanwhile, Affendi noted that, from January until now, MPK had not charged any fees to users for parking, resulting in a loss of about RM600,000, before the full implementation of the smart application system in mid-June.
The Sun
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Perlis incurs RM2.4 million loss from coupon parking non-compliance
KANGAR: The Perlis government has incurred a loss of RM2.4 million from the coupon-based parking system, implemented by the Kangar Municipal Council (MPK) between 2022 and 2024, due to some users failing to comply with the system. Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli said the implementation of the smart parking application system in Perlis this year, with a trial period from May to mid-June, is a positive innovation for the state government and will benefit the people. 'The collections from this smart parking system will be returned to the people. I hope that the people of Perlis will accept this reform, as I believe we are not implementing anything that could harm them,' he said, at a press conference after chairing the state executive councillor meeting at the State Legislative Assembly Complex, here, today. Also present at the press conference was MPK president Affendi Rajini Kanth. Mohd Shukri said that the charges for using the smart parking application system are minimal, with only 60 sen for the first hour, and the first 15 minutes are free to make it more convenient for users. He added that the implementation of the smart parking system would be fully managed by an appointed private company, and the state government is expected to earn more than RM1 million annually through the use of the system. Meanwhile, Affendi noted that, from January until now, MPK had not charged any fees to users for parking, resulting in a loss of about RM600,000, before the full implementation of the smart application system in mid-June.
