Budget Dialogue for 2009

As usual, representatives for CBOs and NGOs in PJ were invited to the MBPJ's Budget Dialogue for 2009 last Monday. The practice of getting residents involved in the budgetary planning has been carried out since Year 2001 as part of the Local Agenda 21 PJ Process. Participation of the residents is important to ensure that resources allocation is done properly to cater to the need of the stakeholders. It is also a forum for MBPJ to meet with residents to create mutual understanding on project planning and development. While the gathering of residents from different neighbourhoods in PJ is provided opportunity to discuss issues of common interest, it is also a chance for residents to negotiate for equal resources distribution.

Having said this, the objectives are far from achieving. I noticed that more than often the dialogue becomes a complaint avenue in which many complaints, even the petty issues were brought out instead of the fundamental and structural suggestions on budget. Many do not touch on the budget proposal and provide suggestions for refinement or even seek clarification on some proposals. For example, while pot hole issue is pertinent to bring to the attention of MBPJ, the proposed mechanism for eradicating the pot hole issue from recurring is much more critical to be highlighted. Some quarters questioned the proposed expenditure for cleanliness and solid waste management is too high rather than questioning the effectiveness of doing the 3R Campaign and residents' responsibilities. I can only think of 2 possibilities for this to be happened, the capability of residents in constructive engagement for budgetary planning or the effectiveness of participation process.

While many representatives of CBOs come with credential professional qualifications, many of them treat the job as voluntary and thus seriousness and detailing is not a top priority. Many prefer to leave to MBPJ to translate in figures and policies of what they have said it in general term. Perhaps, then the machinery of budgetary planning in MBPJ should be aligned to share with what the residents said. For an effective participation, the process, content and context of participation is important. The process has to be systemic with step by step action, the content is clear and the context must be proper. Some residents complained about short notice for meeting, the availability of proposal paper with amble time for reading and comment, difficult for some to attend during the office hour, too many people to say their piece in a short time frame etc. Perhaps these are aspects that can be looked into and improved further. For this to realise, mutual understanding and cooperation from both side, the CBOs and MBPJ is critical.

While MBPJ is pioneering the initiative of participatory budgetary planning process amongst local authorities in Malaysia, observing the true spirit of participation will further reinforce MBPJ's model.