Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri & Happy Deepavali

Rayuan Penurunan Cukai Taksiran Tahunan Majlis Perbandaran Seremban (MPS)

31 July 2009: Pengumpulan Tandatangan Untuk Rayuan Penurunan Cukai Taksiran Tahunan Majlis Perbandaran Seremban (MPS)

• Adalah dimaklumkan bahawa Jawatankuasa Persatuan Penduduk Emerald Park (EPRA) sedang berusaha untuk mendapatkan pengurangan Cukai Taksiran Tahunan daripada MPS. Pada masa ini, cukai taksiran yang dikenakan adalah sebanyak RM514.80 setahun.

• Melalui maklumbalas daripada penduduk-penduduk Emerald Park, jumlah cukai yang dikenakan adalah tinggi berbanding dengan kawasan-kawasan lain di Seremban 2. Selain daripada itu, mutu perkhidmatan yang diberikan oleh pihak MPS di kawasan Emerald Park tidak begitu memuaskan.

• Oleh itu, satu kempen untuk mengambil tandatangan akan dilaksanakan oleh EPRA. Para penduduk diminta memberi kerjasama untuk menurunkan tandatangan pada ruang yang disediakan di dalam borang rayuan. Proses ini akan dilaksanakan di Balai Pengawal semasa dan akan diselia oleh Ahli-ahli Jawatankuasa EPRA dan dibantu oleh Ketua Pengawal Keselamatan bertugas mulai 1 Ogos 2009.

• Para penduduk adalah diminta memeberi kerjasama dan sokongan untuk menjayakan matlamat ini demi kebaikan bersama. Kerjasama semua pihak dalam perkara ini didahului dengan ucapan terima kasih.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Mother's Day

Gotong-Royong Campaign

21 April 2009: A gotong royong was launched to clean up the area on the eastern side of Emerald Park which borders the school compound. The purpose was not only to prune the trees and bushes along the boundary but also to clear all the rubbish that have been strewn there by irresponsible residents living in the old phase of Emerald Park. Such rubbish would become the fertile breeding ground for dengue mosquitoes! About 40 odd residents assembled at the basketball court at 7.30 am to kick off the campaign. Tuan Chow Wai Fatt from MPS, together with workers, lorries, and an excavator were also brought to assist us in our task. It was exhausting work for all those who wielded the parangs to slash the undergrowth in the blazing morning sun ! We would like to thank En. Steven Aw, one of the residents, who provided us with lots of bottled drinks to quench our thirst. We finished just after noon, having trimmed all the trees and most rubbish carted away in the MPS lorries. We would like to remind all residents NOT to throw rubbish along the boundary fence because it is not only unsightly but it is hazardous to health.

Security Measures at the Guard House

27 March 2009: To enhance security in Emerald Park, the following security measures have been introduced recently at the Guard House:

• CCTV cameras have been installed to monitor all vehicles going in and out of Emerald Park. In the event of a break-in at any of the houses in Emerald Park or any “ incident “ created by outsiders at the Guard House, we will be in a position to retrieve the tape to ascertain the course of events and assist the police to apprehend the criminals. To assist in this 24 hour surveillance, we request all drivers to slow down when you pass through the entrance and exit points at the Guard House.


• A “hump” has been erected at the entrance point of the Guard House to make sure all vehicles slow down, to enable our security guards to verify whether cars going in have security stickers. If you are resident in Emerald Park and do not have security stickers, you have to pay the annual security fees of RM 360 and obtain security stickers for all your cars. If you are a visitor, you have to stop and allow the security guards to verify your status before you can enter Emerald Park. We seek the cooperation of all residents and visitors to assist the security guards to carry out their duties.


• A panic alarm has also been installed at the Guard House. The purpose of this alarm system is to alert all residents in Emerald Park when there is an emergency such as burglary, fire, accidents, etc. In such an event, both the entrance and exit points into Emerald Park will be closed until the situation is brought under control. If there is an emergency in Emerald Park, please call the Guard House at 014 933 1493 to report the matter. If the security guards switch on the alarm system, cooperate in any way you can to assist in the emergency.

Tips - Fight Crime

25 March 2009: Here are some tips to Fight Crime

To enlarge, please "CLICK" on the poster

Daylight Robbery

25 March 2009: Here, we see how important it is to live in a safe & friendly neighbourhood where we watch out for one another all the time. The basic principle of “ Prevention is better than cure” applies if we want to live a safe and happy environment conducive for children, adults as well as senior citizens. Together, we need to be united to fight crime and prevent it from happening to any of our residents here.

The security structure initiated by a group of volunteer residents is the 1st step in preventing crime in our area. The security guards at the guard house pose as a deterrent for strangers not known to the residents from entering our residential area. Even though it might not be full-proof but it does become a consideration for burglars prowling around contemplating their action. With more co-operations from the residents, we hope to enhance further this security feature by installing CCTV’s and tightening conditions of entry for visitors. In summary; "The prevention of crime is vital towards building a peaceful and safe community".

Though the security guards act as the first deterrent of entry, residents are also advised to be careful whenever they notice unusual group of people loitering around our area. They may be on their motorbikes (eg. In the YOUTUBE videoclip), in a van or even a car making rounds before they decide to pounce on a victim. Residents with auto-gates, please make sure the gates are fully closed before coming out from the car. Those who need to come down to open their gates have to be alert to their surroundings before alighting.

Undeniably, we have reaped some of the benefits of the security system; hence we plead with all those who have not paid their security fees as part of the residents of Emerald Park, please do pay up so that together we will be united to foster a better and safer Emerald Park.

Thank you to all the volunteer AJK’s who have worked hard to achieve this.

Please "CLICK"to watch a daylight robbering in housing area in Cheras on YouTube

Fight Global Warming

24 March 2009: Calling all Emerald Park residents to participate in this worldwide challenge to fight global warming by switching off your lights for one hour and join the world for Earth Hour.

Saturday, March 28, 8:30 to 9:30pm

Please "CLICK" the Switch

For more information, kindly log on to: http://www.earthhour.org.my/

4th AGM of Emerald Park Residents' Association S2

21 February 2009: The fourth AGM of EPRA was held on Saturday 21 February at 5pm in the Basketball Court. Although it rained heavily, attendance was good with about 50 members who came to participate. The Report for 2008 was delivered as well as the Accounts for the year ending 31 December 2008 was passed by the AGM.

Since the last AGM held in January 2008, some members of the AJK have been unable to attend AJK meetings because they have gone abroad or because of work commitments. These are En. Karpal Singh, En. Patmanathan, En. Abdul Rahim and En. Mohd Fahmi and the EPRA AJK thank them for all the contributions that they have made. Therefore, it was decided to replace them with an election of new AJK members. The following were elected to EPRA AJK: En. Mohd Zafril Rizal, Pn. Ng Loo Teng, and En. Saifuzzaman. The AGM also decided to appoint Desmond Chong, who lives in Emerald Park, as the legal adviser for EPRA. The present AJK would like to extend our warmest welcome to our team. The AGM ended past 7pm.

A Visit To Vinashini Home

22 February 2009: It is a good time to remember our blessings and privileges and to remember people who are less privileged in many ways....

Our Tai Chi group has prepared a trip to Vinashini Home, established on 1st August 2002; it is a non-profit organisation run by volunteers which houses about 60 mentally and physically handicapped kids and adults. The “Home”, provides them the necessary treatment and rehabilitation.

The group has brought along some dry food stuff and a cash donation of RM1,000.00 which has been contributed by the members of Emerald Park Tai Chi group.

Thank you and hope by helping the under-privileged, we will be blessed in many more ways...

Ways to assist Vinashini Home:
· Donation
· Sponsorship
· Volunteer

Recreation Trip to Hat Yai

January 2009: Trip to Hat Yai, Thailand on 15th-18th January 2009 organized by the Emerald Park Tai Chi group.

Hump at the Guard House & 2009 Entrance Pass Stickers

15 February 2009: The hump at the entrance in front of the guard house serves as a safety measure for entrants to slow their vehicles down before passing the guard house. It enables the security guards to clearly observe the validity of their car stickers pass as well as to register the vehicle numbers of visitors and residents who do not possess the car stickers pass.

Happy Chinese "Niu" Year 2009

Gotong-Royong

28 December 2008: A gotong-royong was organised to clean up Emerald Park. Assistance was provided by MPS who came with their equipment to prune all the trees in Emerald Park. Residents too turned up in full force to clean the drains and the rubbish strewn along the roads. It also provided an opportunity for residents to meet one another.

Futsal Goalposts

November 2008: In spite of the repeated requests over the years since EPRA was formed, for a proper football field with goalposts for the boys in Emerald Park, nothing materialised until November 2008 when the MPS donated Futsal Goalposts and marked the lines for the football pitch in the children’s playground. We thank MPS for their kindness and this has encouraged football among the boys in Emerald Park. We hope we can come up with a good team to challenge other teams in S2.

Sewage Blockage in Houses bordering Green Street Homes

August 2008: There have been instances of sewage blockage in some houses in the last row which borders Green Street Homes. Investigation by Indah Water revealed that trees behind these houses were the cause because the roots had penetrated and blocked the sewage pipes. EPRA held discussions with MPS and RB Land. It was resolved to cut most of the trees behind these houses to solve the problem, which was jointly undertaken by MPS and RB Land. We are awaiting MPS promise of replacement of these trees with less harmful flower pots.

Transition of Guard House Security

15 April 2008: Jerai Security was appointed to run the Guard House Security

Malam Mesra 2008

03 March 2008: In conjunction with the Chinese New Year, and the impending national general election, a ceramah was organised to garner support for the BN government. The guests of honour invited to address the residents were Datuk Chan Kee Voon (Adun for Kawasan Bukit Kepayang) and Dr. Yeow Chai Thiam of NS MCA. Besides the usual Lion Dance and Karaoke sessions, we were entertained to a flying fox show in which children were encouraged to participate. Plenty of food was also provided for all those who attended the function.

Emerald Park Residents' Association EPRA - Guard House Security GHS - Emerald Park Rukun Tetangga EPRT

FAQ

Q: What is the difference between Emerald Park Residents’ Association (EPRA), Guard House Security (GHS) and Emerald Park Rukun Tetangga (EPRT)?

A: EPRA is a voluntary association for all residents of Emerald Park. Membership is RM25, a one off payment for life for each household. It entitles each household member to attend EPRA AGM, elect office-bearers, and become AJK members of EPRA. EPRA is responsible, among other things, for managing the Guard House Security (GHS). GHS is provided by EPRA. It is a 24 hour security service, provided by two persons, 7 days a week, throughout the year at the Guard House. Payment for this security service is RM 360 per year for every household, payable in advance in Nov-Dec for the following year. When the security fee is paid, every household is entitled to buy car stickers at RM3 each for every other car that they have, the first sticker being free. Cars with stickers go through the security barrier without any inconvenience whatsoever. If cars do not have security stickers, the security guards are obliged to stop such cars to verify the status to make sure criminals do not gain access into Emerald Park. EPRT was established in September 2008. All households are automatically members of EPRT. There is no payment for membership. The AJK of EPRT consists of 25 members, all appointed by the government. Its role, inter alia, is to complement security in Emerald Park and its programmes will be sponsored by the government.

Q: Do I have to be a member of EPRA?

A: No, it is a voluntary association. If you decide to become a member, you can have a voice in the affairs of Emerald Park by attending EPRA AGM, electing EPRA AJK, and standing for election to any of the posts in EPRA AJK. You just need to pay RM25 for life.

Q: Do I have to sign up for GHS?

A: No, but if you do, you avoid the inconvenience of being stopped by the security guards to verify your status every time you make an entrance into Emerald Park. You will also know that your house and family are protected throughout the year within Emerald Park. Besides, you will have the satisfaction to know that you are not living on the charity of other residents who have paid regularly to maintain the Guard House Security in Emerald Park.

Q: Can I sign up for GHS but not become a member of EPRA?

A: Yes you can, but we encourage you to sign up for both because you can provide valuable input into managing GHS, as a member of EPRA.

Q: Can I be a member of EPRA but not pay for GHS?

A: You can but you will be stopped by the security guards because you will not have security stickers in your car.

Q: Why do we need GHS when we have EPRT?

A: GHS is 24 hour security, every day of the year. EPRT, on the other hand, will be only patrol duties at night, if and when it is implemented. Most break-ins in Emerald Park, before GHS was introduced, took place during daylight hours. Therefore, GHS is essential, even though EPRT has been established.

Q: Is it compulsory to participate in EPRT?

A: No, it is not. Participation in patrol duties is voluntary. But if you participate, it will foster the community spirit among all residents in Emerald Park.

Q: Why have EPRT when GHS provides the security?

A: Well, it is true GHS provides 24 hour security. But having EPRT allows us to have lots of programmes for the community in Emerald Park, which will all be sponsored by the government. Furthermore, the security provided by EPRT, limited to patrol duties at night, is insufficient to protect Emerald Park from criminals during the day.

3rd AGM of Emerald Park Residents' Association S2

27 January 2008: This event was held at 5pm in the Basketball Court. Attendance was 37 out of 168 members. The guest of honour was YB Dato' Chan Khee Voon, the Adun of Bukit Kepayang.

The Annual and Accounts for 2007 was presented and passed by the AGM.

The following were elected as office bearers for a two year term: 2008 – 2009

• Mr. Teh Seng Hap (Pengerusi) 834 - Mengetuai Pengurusan & Perhubungan Persatuan
• Mr. Karpal Singh (Naib Pengerusi) 823 - Biro Keselamatan *On leave*
• Encik Mohd Hidayat (AJK) 929 - Biro Keselamatan *Acting on behalf*
• Mr. Lim Peng Seng (Setiausaha) 868 - Mentadbir Pengurusan Persatuan
• Mr. Jay Jayaratnam (Naib Setiausaha) 820 - Mengurus Data-data Penghuni
• Mr. Wang Tee Dak (Bendahari) 835 - Mengurus Akaun Persatuan & Pendaftaran Ahli
• Encik Yahya Harun (AJK) 895 - Biro Keselamatan
• Encik Mohd Fahmi (AJK) 1037 - Biro Keselamatan
• Mr. Khoo Boon Seng (AJK) 1035 - Biro Kebersihan Taman
• Mr. Steven Ng (AJK) 855 - Biro Kebersihan Taman
• Mr. Patmanathan (AJK) 861 - Biro Kebersihan Taman
• Encik Abd Rahim (AJK) 896 - Biro Kebersihan Taman
• Mr. Bryan Lim (AJK) 832 - Biro Informasi
• Mr. Yap Kun Wa (AJK) 925 - Biro Informasi
• Encik Abu Bakar (AJK) 1027 - Biro Kebersihan Padang
• Encik Azman Omar (AJK) 878 - Biro Kebersihan Padang
• Mrs. Bala Subramaniam (AJK) 911 - Biro Aduan (JBA, TM, TNB, dll)
• Mr. Cheng Foo Cheen (AJK) 847 - Biro Sosial/Kebajikan
• Mr. Lee Heng Lee (AJK) 860 - Biro Sosial/Kebajikan
• Encik Anas Mohd Ariff (Juruodit) 930 - Menyemak & Meluluskan Akaun Persatuan
• Encik Mohd Hisham (Juruodit) 970 - Menyemak & Meluluskan Akaun Persatuan

Malam DeepaRaya

03 November 2007: This function was held to celebrate Hari Raya and Deepavali. The guest of honour was Dato' Chan Khee Voon, the Adun for Kawasan Bukit Kepayang. Lots of food was provided by residents on the basis of "pot-luck". There was also cultural dances, karaoke, and prize draws.

Termites In The Park!

19 October 2007: A number from several hundred to several million micro-organisms have invaded our playground and worse, our home sweet home! These annoying creepies cause significantly serious structural damage to our houses, crops and plants. Our resident expert and committee member, Steven Ng, kindly took on the task to eradicate the termites in the playground for free. He recommended proper preventive treatment to be carried out to stop these colonies from “invading” our house and causing more permanent damage. EPRA is deeply indebted to Steven for his efforts.

Subterranean Termites:
The Baiting Systems takes advantage of natural termite behavior. Worker termites constantly forage far and wide, looking for wood to feed the colony. When they find food, like the monitoring device in a Station, they leave special scent trails to summon their nest mates to the food.
The bait contains a substance that stops the molting process so termites can’t grow. Eventually, all the termites in the colony will be affected by the bait and die.

Garden Termites:
The product is non-repellent and does not kill immediately on contact. Thus, it allows the termite to pick up the chemical and yet have sufficient time to transfer the chemical back to its colony. The product belongs to a new group of chemical compound called Phenyl Pyrazole. It works as a stomach poison after it is ingested by the termite.
Termites are unable to detect the presence of this chemical and therefore will penetrate the treated soil and pick up the chemical on their body. This will affect them later and will make them weaker whilst they pass some of the chemicals to the rest of the colony. This is why we called it “Colony Management”.

For more information, kindly contact Steven Ng “Mr. Pestbuster” at +6012 325 7623

Larian Liga Sukan Komuniti

13 May 2007: This event was organised by the Adun of Kawasan Bukit Kepayang and EPRA was invited to take part. It was held in Sek. Men. Keb. Seremban 2 at 7am and was followed by Acara Tarik Tali at 9 am. We were well represented at this function.

Malam Mesra 2007

03 March 2007: This function was held to celebrate Chinese New Year. The guests of honour were Dato' Goh Siow Huat (Member of Parliament for Rasah) and Dato' Chan Khee Voon (Adun for Kawasan Bukit Kepayang). There was a Lion Dance performance, Tai Chi demonstration, Cultural Dances, Karaoke and Prize Draws. In the Hadiah Utama Cabutan Khas was a brand new bicycle donated by a resident. There was plenty of food too.

2nd AGM of Emerald Park Residents' Association S2

27 January 2007: The 2nd AGM was held at the Emerald Park Basketball Court with previous committee members attending as well as participative residents. The following were elected as additional Committee Members:

• En. Anas Mohd Ariff
• En. Azman Omar
• En. Steven Ng
• En. Zainuddin Jamaluddin

The Accounts for 2006 was presented and passed by the AGM.

Tai Chi Classes

November 2006: Tai Chi classes have been organised with currently more than 20 active participants. The courses are held every Saturday and Sunday from 7:00am to 8:30am at our Emerald Park basketball court under the supervision of instructors, Ms. Angie Ooi and Ms. Fong Siew Chan. The disciples also gather together from Monday to Friday to practise on the new strokes learned from their instructors. The monthly fee is only RM5! Interested participants may contact Mrs. Chan Mei Foong at 868 Jalan S2 A25 or walk in at your most convenient time during the classes. The committee has also organised several trips such as 3D2N to Alor Setar & Penang, Batu Pahat and Selangor. On 15 January 2009, a Hat Yai tour will be organised as well!

Overview:

Tai chi chuan is an internal martial art often practiced for health reasons. Tai chi is typically practiced for a variety of reasons: its soft martial techniques, demonstration competitions, health and longevity. Consequently, a multitude of training forms exist, both traditional and modern, which correspond to those aims. The physical techniques of tai chi chuan are being characterized by the use of leverage through the joints based on coordination in relaxation, rather than muscular tension, in order to neutralize or initiate attacks. The slow, repetitive work involved in the process of learning how that leverage is generated gently and measurably increases, opens the internal circulation (breath, body heat, blood, lymph, peristalsis, etc.)

Gotong-Royong

19 November 2006: A gotong–royong was launched to clean up Emerald Park.

Badminton - Sepak Takraw - Basketball Courts

October 2006: The EPRA AJK were successful in getting the allocation for the establishment of the above Courts in the Playground in Emerald Park.

Guard House Security Implementation

01 August 2006: The survey carried out in early December 2005 showed that 95% of EPRA members supported the proposal to establish a Guard House Security (GHS) and were willing to pay RM30 as a monthly security fee for each household. The urgency for the establishment of GHS was because there was, on average, at least two break-ins in Emerald Park every week without the GHS. Moreover, the first EPRA AGM held in January 2006 had mandated the EPRA AJK to establish GHS as a priority. Therefore, a notice on the implementation of GHS was sent to all the residents on 15 May 2006. The launching of GHS in Emerald Park followed in late July and the GHS became operational on 1 August 2006.

1st AGM & Launching of Emerald Park Residents' Association S2

14 January 2006: 1st AGM & Launching of Emerald Park Residents’ Association S2 by YB Dato’ Yu Chok Tow (Ahli EXCO)
The following were elected as office bearers for a two-year term: 2006-2007:

Chairman: Mr. Teh Seng Hap; Vice- Chairman: Karpal Singh; Secretary: Mr. Lim Peng Seng; Assistant Secretary: Mr. Jay Jayaratnam; Treasurer: Mr. Wang Tee Dak; Committee Members: En. Abd Rahim Zainal, En. Abu Bakar Hasnan; Mrs. Balasubramaniam, Mr. Bryan Lim, En. Mazlan Zainal, En. Mohd Hidayat, Mr. Philip Siew, Mr. Voon Yuen Woh, Auditors: En. Mohd Hisham, En. Rahmat Manap

Background

01 November 2005: The initiative to form a Residents’ Association in Emerald Park was taken by Teh, Wang, Lim and Karpal Singh. The idea behind the formation of the Association was for it to provide a venue for raising community issues in Emerald Park with the relevant authorities. A notice was sent out inviting residents to attend a meeting on 12 November. At that meeting, a Pro-tem Committee was elected comprising of 11 AJK members who were as follows:

Chairman: Mr. Teh Seng Hap; Vice Chairman: Mr. Karpal Singh; Secretary: Mr. Lim Peng Seng; Assistant Secretary: Mr. Jay Jayaratnam; Treasurer: Mr. Wang Tee Dak; Committee Members: Mr. Tee Choon Kwee, En. Abdul Rahim Zainal, Mr. Philip Siew, En. Abu Bakar Hasnan, Mr. Bryan Lim, Mrs. Balasubramaniam

The Pro-tem Committee embarked on 2 issues immediately:
1. Membership drive was launched to get all the residents to become members of the Emerald Park Residents Association (EPRA) by payment of RM 25, a one-off payment, for each household.
2. A survey form was sent out to each household to assess the views of the residents on the proposal to establish a Guard House Security (GHS) in Emerald Park.