Neighbourhood Activities

The participants of the 2006/07 PJ best neighbourhood competition were asked to organise an activities of their choice between mid of May to August 2008. They have the choice to showcase to the visiting judges what they are best for and to convince the judges that they have met the criteria of community sustainable initiative. This is a major change that plan for this year event so that judges have opportunity to meet up the community at large, to dessiminate information about sustainable development to the residents, the bottom line for MBPJ is to recognise the efforts of the participating organisation by providing logistic and financial incentive to them organise the event. I am same the opinion that in order to instil excitement and encourage wider participation amongst the residents groups as well as expediting the process of educating general public on sustainable development, more outreach activities to engage the community at large is essential although the result might not be too encouraging. Nevertheless, we have to keep trying as sustainable development is a process for continuing improvement, right?

Media: Partner of Sustainability

A friend of mine contacted me today to enquire about my latest activities on Local Agenda 21 PJ. According to him, he was alerted through media reporting regarding MBPJ's announcement on the Earth Day Celebration on 4th May 2008 and the recruitment of 50 households to participate in the kitchen waste composting initiative as well as reporting on my presence in a forum on sustainable development recently. I was amazed of knowing that media has played an important role to dessiminate information and bridge communication between the authority and community. People are depending on media reporting for awareness, education and motivation to take part in the LA 21 process. Perhaps it is time for media to double up their presence in the LA 21 PJ process.

Sustainable Development Forum

I was invited to share with audience on the challenges facing the sustainable development programmes implementation in a forum organised by Justlife at Ikano Power Centre yesterday. Other speakers include YB Elizabeth Wong, Selangor Exco for Environment, Mr Jeffrey Phang, co-chairman of Friends of Kota Damansara and Ms Lucy Liu, Project Director of Sustainable City in Janda Baik. General consensus amongst the speakers are changes have to come from within every individual if sustainable development is to achieve the desire result. We also agreed that plenty of existing programmes but more need to be done and refine especially to enhance coordination amongst the NGO so that greater impact can be achieved. While economic and legislative instruments such as imposing polluter pay or user pay policies are importnat, capacity building especially on awareness raising, acquisition of knowledge and skills are equally crucial. I made a point that software development is important to educate people to change towards sustainability rather than implementing something that is hard but unacceptable by all stakeholders. I also cautioused the audience on the adverse effects on promoting "deep green" by sacrifying the interest of social and economic development by elaborating some examples. I also challenged the audience that while having passion in protecting the environment and pursuing a specific cause, we have also need to involve ourselves along the long process of developmental planning. More than often we see people drop out half way after learning that the only cause they are finding no more valid and prefer to stay sideline regarding other matter. As a whole, it is feel good sentiment that Selangor State Government is working proactively on the issues of sustainability. These include preservation of forest, ensuring effective public participation in development planning, in collaborating NGO and professional bodies representatives in the local council. Listening the pledge and feedback from the audience, i am now optimistic about Local Agenda 21 movement in Malaysia.

Happy Earth Day

It is Earth Day again. While celebration is a must, we have to refresh what we have achieved or rather done for the past year. It is not an event to talk about what we are going to do year in and year out but rather to map out proper strategies and actions that will guide us to the path of sustainable development. The scale does not matter as long as it is a step forward. Simple thing like switch off your electrical appliances or computer when they are not in use will do, go to KL with LRT, eat healthier etc. For this year, i e-mailed to all my collegues reminding them on the Earth Day Celebration, subscribed to the Localcooling website to monitor the energy consumption of my computer, helping my local neighbourhood group to have tree planting campaign on 31/5/2008 and facilitating the Earth Day Celebration on 4/5/2008 at Kota Damansara Forest Park. Perhaps you want to share with us what you have and are going to do...

Right Thinking Wrong Action

Many of us understand and passionate about sustaining the development and our City. We have been talking about the need to conserve environment, to care for the needy, to preserve our social fabric etc. Little did us think carefully and thoroughly on ways to realise what we have been talking about. We are so good in saying it out and at time plan some actions rather than work it out or if yes, do it wrongly or perhaps creating another while solving a problem. Cleanliness campaign or gotong-royong to clean up an area, for example always end up by having another excercise to collect empty mineral water bottle all over the place after the work out. Then we have organiser to buy and to put some fishes back into the pond a day or two prior to a fishing competition with the reasoning to attract participation from anglers. We drive individually rather than car pool to a event to celebrate Earth Day Celebration. The list can go on. Is this due to ignorance or capacity. For sustainable development concept becomes a reality, perhaps learning process on Understanding, Knowledge, Skill, Attitude and Practice is critical.

Partnership and Participation

It was heartening to read that at least 30% of the councillors of repsective Local Authorities in Selangor will be represented by stakeholders group. Partnering stakeholders from different background for participatory planning, management and administration of local urban affair will ensure that proper consultation and consensus can be reached. One of the foundamental elements that will determine the efficiency and success of Local Agenda 21 is level of public participation. Effectiveness of participation is, of course very much depended on the creativity and proactiveness of the individual and organisations that want to see greater involvement of the stakeholders.

PJ Best Neighbourhood Award

The competition is on for the 6th year now. Apart from promoting sustainable development concept at the neighbourhood level under the Local Agenda 21 platfrom, the Award is also providing recognition to the community groups for proactively implementing local initiatives that benefited the environment and community. Evaluation will be based on the sustainable development principles that include aspects on environmental conservation, economic growth, social cohesion, capacity building and meeting the future needs. Panel of judges comprising prominent figures representing community/NGO, agencies and private sector are appointed to assess the submission. For year 2006/07, a total of 15 entries was received and evaluation process will be starting from middle of May until end of July, 2008. Keep a watch on the innovative initiatives by the community and for the community.

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Neighbourhood Based Social Work

A Round Table discussion entitled Neighbourhood Based Social Work: A Strategy for Community Empowerment was held yesterday in conjunction with the World Social Work Day celebration. The gathering attended by representatives from agencies, universities, NGOs, social workers, private sector and students witnessed the exchange of ideas and suggestions on challenges facing the social work in Malaysia and the way forward. Generally participants agreed that social works either done it on volunteerism or professional are crucial and complimentary to the Nation Development. Social work at the grassroot level will empower community members to live independently and with dignity. It is also consensus that Rukun Tetangga or Residents Association have to play their role as local agent of change effectively. Community Service Centre shall also be established to facilitate activities organising and greater social integration across the gender and age group. Are the Local Authorities and/or RT/RA ready to change and take up the challenge?

Women Power

I attended the Sikh Women's Health Camp 2008 organised by the Sikh Womens Awareness Network (SWAN) and Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Tin at Taman Medan Community Hall on Saturday. It is hearterning to witness the contribution and committment of the women group to conduct health check program for the community member. I was told that apart from the health programme, others like skill training, counselling and education course are on going to enhance the living skill of the community members in particularly the women group. This will empower them to improve quality of life and Taman Medan a better place to live in. The initiative is in fact in accordance to the Chapter 24 of Agenda 21. So, any other women empowered programmes that can be shared?

Blind Leading The Blind

Have a feel on how challenge to walk blindly on the street? The annual Blind Leading the Blind charity walk organised by the Lions Club of PJ in collaboration with MBPJ was held yesterday to give general public a wonderful experience on walking blindly and to depend totally on your walking mate for guidance. Apart from the fun social walk, fund was raised with proceed to the Tun Hussein Onn Eye Hospital for conducting free eye check and cataract operation to the needy. In line with the PJ Barrier City Program under the Local Agenda 21 PJ, Mayor pledged that the Council will contribute RM25,000 to this good cause. More programes on making PJ a Disabled Friendly and Inclusive City are on the pipeline. Please stay put...

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Challenges

The first cross and multi disabilities magazine by the people with disabilities and for people with disabilities was launched on 8th April by Mary Chen, the founder with participation from the people with disabilities, social workers and many guests. I was there to lend support and witness the historical moment. The magazine advocates plights of people with disabilities and to highlight the many achievement of them. You might find that they are not OKU or people with disabilities but rather people with different abilities. MBPJ is proud of associating with many PWD NGOs and will continue to do so for creating a Barrier Free City.

Community Initiatives

I was invited to brief a group of residents association representatives from Kota Damansara and PJU last night at the Sunway Sutera Community Hall on sustainable development and what community groups can partner MBPJ under the LA21 process. It is heartening to note that residents groups are organising a forum to get together, to understand the meaning and application of sustainable development concept at the local level as well as discussing common concerns. Creating partnership is the first community initiative in embarking on the LA 21 process.

Disabled People: Anyone cares?

I was invited to be panelist at the Maal Hijrah With Disabled People in Bangi last Saturday and to share with the disabled friends on the economic opportunities for them. Obviously, many of the agencies and organisations have not done enough to engage the disabled friends in business sector. They are not only deprived from business opportunities, but at time encountering discrimination from the general public. I shared with them that although MBPJ does not devise a specific program, we do apply an integrated and holistic approach in facilitating easy move about and connectivity for the disabled people. By looking at the possibility of minimising the physical, social and ecnomic barriers imposed on the disabled people as well as building up the capacity of officers and general public, barrier free physical and social environment is improving.

Future of Local Agenda 21

I was invited to share PJ's experiences in implementing LA 21 PJ with the working committees members of the Kuantan LA 21 last Friday. Kuantan Municipal Council has started this local sustainable development initiative almost the same time with us in year 2000. After the 7th year, they are exploring again to revitalise and reactivate the similar processes as LA 21 has been proven an useful tool and platform for engaging the stakeholder to discuss and to solve various urban problems. So, what next for PJ? Shall we reshape and resynergise our actions and approaches in which actions on environmental rehabilitation and protection is emphasized along the community development programmes. How about to start with Ecological Footprint concept first to gauge the level sustainability of an individual, neighbourhood area and the city?