Luqman's musings

  On 6 June 2026, I sent an official complaint via email to the Director of Education, Selangor, followed by a registered letter on 8 June 2026.After receiving no reply, I followed up with another email this morning,19.6.2026, and a telephone call. The Director’s Personal Assistant, Puan Aliah, who answered my call, informed me that the Director has instructed the complaint to be forwarded to the Integrity Department for further action. I asked her to acknowledge receipt of my email and have yet to receive it.  Now, I'll wait for another two weeks to see if this matter has to be escalated.   For those who missed my earlier post, below is the English translation of the email and formal letter I sent to the Director.

  A Closer Look at the Pensions Act 1980 In recent discussions about Malaysia's national budget and fiscal responsibility, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) has taken a clear stance on the pension scheme for civil servants. The party emphasizes protecting the retirement benefits of ordinary public servants while suggesting reviews for politicians' perks. 

  Dear readers, It has now been more than three years since I first lodged a formal complaint with the Lembaga Juruukur Sabah (LJS) on 15 December 2022 regarding the allegedly fabricated “ as-built” survey plans for Taman Puncak Vistana (Vistana Heights Phase 1), Iramanis. The plans were submitted by the licensed survey firm Jurukur Terra Firma and accepted by Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (DBKK). The core issue remains the unexplained and significant discrepancy between the actual road level and my son Faisal’s house platform — a problem that should have been easily resolved with proper survey data.

  If you've been following my saga at Vistana Heights in Kota Kinabalu , you know it's been a rollercoaster of frustration, red tape, and outright stonewalling. What started as a dream home purchase in 2019 has turned into a three-year battle against a web of bureaucratic indifference that feels less like public service and more like a fortress designed to protect the powerful. But here's the kicker: a bold warning from across the border in Sarawak has me nodding vigorously. It's like Minister Datuk Dr Juanda Drowie peered into my emails and meetings, then put words to the chaos. In a speech at the Sarawak-level International Anti-Corruption Day launch on November 7, Juanda didn't mince words. He called out the " little Napoleons " – those mid-level civil servants who, handed a sliver of authority, start acting like emperors, overstepping bounds and treating citizens like nuisances.

When Rhetoric Meets Reality in a Local Housing Nightmare In a recent LinkedIn post (Copied below for your convenience) that has sparked thoughtful debate among Sabahans , veteran lawyer Ronny Cham , Founder and Senior Partner of Ronny Cham & Co (established in 1984), passionately critiques the slogan "Sabah for Sabahan" as a "dangerous illusion." Drawing from his decades of experience in Kota Kinabalu, Cham argues that true progress for Sabah lies not in isolation from the Federal Government but in "intelligent partnership, accountability, and integrity in leadership." He warns against divisive rhetoric that severs the "lifeline" of federal support for defense, infrastructure, education, and health—essentials that Sabah lacks the capacity to fully provide on its own. Disclaimer: To be clear, I'm not here to debate MA63. This post simply contrasts what Cham claims with his actual actions.

                                                   The Isuzu Truck with its bumper removed.                                                                      The bumper An Update on Lot S2's Access Nightmares In a follow-up to my ongoing documentation of the challenges at Vistana Heights in Taman Ira Manis, Kota Kinabalu, I've now incorporated two striking photos that capture the real-world perils of Lot S2's infamous steep driveway. These images show an Isuzu lorry in a bid to conquer the incline: its front bumper ground against the slope, ultimately requiring on-site removal just to inch its way up. It's a stark visual testament to how this design flaw turns routine deliveries...

Owning a home should bring peace, but my experience with Lot S9 at Vistana Heights, Kota Kinabalu, has been fraught with obstacles. Since 2022, I’ve been unable to sell my property due to restrictive conditions imposed by the developer, Topwira Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (TCSB). Additionally, a steep driveway and missing retaining wall have made the property unsafe and difficult to use. I’ve outlined these issues to seek clarity and solutions as of Sunday, September 20, 2025. The Problem with Selling

  Summary of the Newspaper Item LINK City Hall Advisory Board member and architect Tan Young has proposed rethinking flood mitigation strategies in Sabah by incorporating underground stormwater detention systems under underutilized open spaces like parks, sports courts, and parking lots. He emphasized that flooding has evolved from a seasonal issue into a critical urban crisis, and these systems could transform single-purpose land into multifunctional assets—providing recreational facilities above ground while offering flood protection below. Tan warned that the long-term costs of inaction would dwarf the expenses of innovative solutions. This proposal comes amid severe flooding in Sabah.

  luqman michel   From: luqmanm2002@yahoo.co.uk To: pro@perpaduan.gov.my Thu 4 Sept at 11:46 Dear Y.B. Datuk James Ratib,   I am writing in response to your recent remarks at the Varsha Integrity Programme, as reported in the press , where you raised concerns about "dishonesty without intent" in the public sector. While I commend your commitment to fostering integrity and accountability through initiatives like the Varsha Integrity Programme, I respectfully disagree with the notion that certain instances of dishonesty in public service can be classified as unintentional. Drawing from my ongoing experience with governance issues at the Vistana Heights development in Kota Kinabalu, I believe some actions reflect deliberate misrepresentation or negligence that cannot be excused as lacking intent. Below, I outline specific examples to illustrate my concerns, which undermine public trust and contradict the integrity you advocate.

  Since 2022, I have sent multiple emails to the Sabah Housing and Town Development Board (LPPB) and Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) inquiring whether a retaining wall was mandated for the Vistana Heights development. No responses were received.

  An occupancy certificate can be invalidated or revoked under specific circumstances, typically related to non-compliance with building codes and regulations. Common matters that may lead to the invalidation of an occupancy certificate include:

  The call for senior officials, such as those from the Occupational Crime and Corruption Investigation (OCCI) and even the Chief Police (CP), to temporarily go on leave during investigations into serious cases, as suggested in the Zara Qairina Mahathir case, highlights the need for proactive accountability. Daily Express  The activist’s point, suggests that such an investigation should be automatic when a case involves a minor’s death under questionable circumstances, especially with allegations of bullying and visible injuries like bruises reported by the victim’s mother. Similarly, in the Vistana Heights case, an automatic investigation should have been initiated upon my initial complaint to the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) and the Department of Land and Survey (LJS) regarding the fabricated as-built survey report.

  Inspired by a friend’s post on Facebook, this is my story of defiance against authority overreach—call it Citizen Defiance Syndrome (CDS). When more of us embrace CDS, we’ll see civil servants do what they’re meant to: serve. I hope my stand against the Vistana Heights authorities becomes a case study in resolve. 

  Recent developments in Malaysia’s urban governance have sparked widespread concern, with the Mayor of Kota Kinabalu, facing scrutiny for failing to respond to critical emails and address allegations of misconduct within Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (DBKK). These issues echo broader criticisms of municipal leadership, as highlighted in a Focus Malaysia article on August 8, 2025, which exposed the excessive powers granted to the Kuala Lumpur mayor under the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Planning Rules 2025. Together, these cases underscore a troubling trend of unaccountability and lack of transparency in Malaysia’s urban centers.

  Here are some extracts and my thoughts: Zaid Ibrahim: The integrity, credibility, and efficiency of Malaysia’s law enforcement agencies are under unprecedented scrutiny. Two major cases in Sabah have laid bare disturbing weaknesses in our government’s capability, and perhaps willingness to deliver truth and justice.

                                                    click on the image above for a clearer view. Recent political developments in Malaysia, highlighted by a controversy involving Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and PN chief Muhyiddin Yassin, bear striking similarities to issues of trust and oversight in local governance, such as the case of the Kota Kinabalu mayor and the chairman of Lembaga Juruukur Sabah (LJS). Both instances underscore the risks of relying on unverified information and the subsequent demand for accountability.

 Tatal kebawah untul Bahasa Melayu.                                                   Residents of Vistana Heights face ongoing safety concerns that threaten lives and property. Development plans required retaining walls, yet these are missing. Steep driveways create hazards, and visible cracks behind house S5, along with soil collapse near lots S1-S2 and S17-S18, have been reported to the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) since 2022. Despite these efforts, concerns remain unresolved, and discrepancies in meeting minutes and approval processes raise questions about safety enforcement.

Here are extracts from a press report.  Read my post yesterday   and compare it with the report.   Speaking at PAM Sabah’s 50th anniversary gala dinner on Friday, chairman Ar Daniel Koh Chung Hou described the golden jubilee as a significant milestone in their collective journey as architects, designers, planners and stewards of the built environment in Sabah. LINK “Our aim is to reinforce PAM as a proactive platform not only for professional development but also for meaningful engagement with local authorities, educational institutions, and our members,” Daniel said.

  Here is an article in Sinar Harian dated 18.7.2025. This statement is by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Ir. Shahelmey Yahya. You may read the article here . Here is the first paragraph: The actions of certain parties in turning the water supply issue into political capital ahead of the Sabah State Election (PRN) have been described as unfair and potentially damaging to the state's image. Deputy Chief Minister and Sabah Public Works Minister, Datuk Ir. Shahelmey Yahya, said such an approach does not help resolve the people's problems and may confuse the public with inaccurate narratives.

  Dear Datuk Abidin Madingkir, I read an article that said several of the statutory bodies are under your purview in your role as Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister. The article further said that you go on rounds to ensure the effective operations of government machinery. In addition to serving as Mayor of Kota Kinabalu from 2011 until 2016, you were also Permanent Secretary to various ministries such as the Local Government and Housing. Datuk you approved the development of Vistana Heights in 2011 when you were the mayor. The development plan was checked by Datuk Alijus Sipil.