Few Selangor Councils Rein In Cybercafes. Why?

Selangor has the most cybercafes and yet only two local authorities have by-laws controlling the operations of these outlets. Some leaders feel that even these laws are inadequate to stop illegal outlets from operating and to ensure the legal ones operated within the guidelines.

Selangor Information Technology Committee chairman Datuk Ch’ng Toh Eng said Selangor had decided to call on Tenaga Nasional Bhd to cut power supply to rogue cybercafes. However TNB corporate communication (external communications) assistant general manager Sidek Kamiso said the company could not cut power supply on the request of an authority. “We can only cut supply if instructed by police and backed by a court order,” said Sidek.

**** Firstly I think that Datuk Ch'ng is taking the lazy man's approach when he wants power supply to these outlets to be cut. Giving local councils this kind of authority is sure to lead to abuse and even a simple complaint against the council may tempt them to direct the TNB to cut the power supply to the complainant's residence and office. Don't be surprised; these local authority crooks are capable of this and more.

One question that begs to be asked and answered is why when the council is so efficient in clearing squatter areas, sometimes at the risk of contempt of court, are they so lenient in this matter? Is someone or 'something' holding them back? Political pressure? Outright bribery? Who knows what this pond scum are up to behind the public's back. Even in the demolition of squatters' homes, because of 'extraneous' influences, the illegal immigrants are spared while our poor locals feel the full might of the Majlis. A very good example is MPAJ - The Evil Authority.

When "make as much as you can" seems to be the unofficial motto of the local council bosses and their underlings, there is really no surprise that so many cybercafes are operating with impunity. Throw your money at these majlis beggars and they won't bother you for a while is probably the logic of these illegal operators. And unethical beggars they are, who care a damn for the good of the rate-paying public as long as their deep pockets are regularly filled. This is what will happen when there is no proper control or the higher-ups take a share of the loot and people start considering these Local Authorities - Unaccountable, Unelected, Unwanted.

The government must take a lion's share of the blame by not wanting to introduce direct elections for local authorities. From time to time politicians give warnings and advice to them but it has been to no avail. Recently DPM Najib gave a serious directive to them but Will Najib's Directive To Local Councils Be Heeded? Fat Hopes.

So, sad tales like this will continue to be related, the majlis folks will continue to loot and we the suckered public will continue to pay cukai or be fined. Semuanya OK!