Effective Communication

I have the opportunity to practice another form of communication after learning about the theory about communication, that is the sign language at a workshop conducted by the Lions Clubs District 308B1 and MBPJ on 19/10/2008. The sign language is important for bridging the communication gap between community at large with the dumb and deaf. Without a medium, it is difficult to communicate effectively, and hence to foster greater understanding and interaction. This will not help in creating an inclusive society towards a caring developed nation by 2020.

Effective communication is important as communication is happened anywhere, anytime and by anyone. 75% of our time is to communicate either through vocal, body language, visual or writing. While community is a social unit gathered individuals and making things work, communication effectively is important. The sender for information has to make it clear and precise so that the receiver is able to understand and interpret it rightly and accurately. In order to do so, using an appropriate medium at the right time and right place is an added advantage.

Most of the time, communication broke down due to the unprofessional conduct of the sender, the uncaring of receiver and unsatisfying medium or environment. Both the parties might not sharing the same competency if communication is for works purpose, or holding to own egoism or personal interest if communication is for personal gain purpose, or disrupted if communication is to negotiate better term for own interest. While for an effective horizontal communication between office mates, equality is important. an effective vertical communication, that is between boss and the subordinate, respect is much more critical.

There are vast differences between internal and external communication. Internal communication for an organisation can be direct and bold with the backing of legislation and directives. For example, implementing a rules for improving quality and performance on a work process is made mandatory by top management, and it has to be complied with. For external communication in especially with the stakeholders and customers, it is more complicated simply because the aspiration, demands and agendas are different. Their anticipations are not the same as what the organisation might thought of, and thus if similar communication strategies are applied, intended results might not be able to achieved.

In order to share the feeling and sentiments as well as tapping the concerns of the externalities, the organisation has to communicate as frequently as possible and to listen as attentively as possible, so that future programmes can be drafted with much cares and considerations. By embracing externalities in the early planning stage will help in deploying a workable and effective communication or marketing plan. Of course, if it is done, the conflict is reduced.

Communication is simple, the difficult task is having an effective communication. It requires inter-personal skills, technicalities and knowledge.

Contrast@PJ: Outdated but forgotten

When the wireless communication was first started, numbers of hotpot was installed at various places in the city centre. These hotpots were highlighted by the presence of signage to tell users such a facilities were provided within the vicinity. Over years, newer technologies emerge and browsing the net or engaging with mobile phone is no longer restricted by the availability of these points of contact.

While technology advancement is commendable, the usual practice of not taking down what have been up there is rampant in PJ or even other parts of Malaysia. We saw the abandoned footage for billboard, the overhang of signage on lamp posts, the planting of rubbish bins stand on the roadside, the placing of unused 3R bins at various strategic places, the broken flower pots, the abandoned police bit base and car parking attendants' cabin, the scattering of construction fabric at the former construction site and etc. We tend to forget to clear and return the site to original after using it. We, definitely have not in built the maintenance culture into our norms and working culture.

The question is what to do? Shall we embark on running greater maintenance culture campaign? Shall we punish the culprits for job unfinished and hold them responsible by imposing higher deposit? Shall we just simply not allowing such actions with chances of damaging the environment, if we are not sure that the environment can be restored to the original after use? Definitely, greater enforcement and follow through is critical.

Contrast@PJ: Exclusive Car Park

Car parking is always a problem with urban folks especially in the high demand area. For example people used to make few rounds and spent more time to look for parking closed to their destination. They would prefer to spend time scouting for parking lot rather than getting a parking lot far away from the destination. This is a common phenomenon amongst the complacent urban people. While to me, it is not a problem as these people have a choice to get a car park, it is unforgivable of having some irresponsible to pre-book a parking lot exclusively for them, and at time even do not occupy it for a long period. It is a common scene at the town centres of PJ witnessing the placing of tyres, bins, barricades, sign boards, tables or chairs, and now the flower pot in the parking lot in front of the shop houses. The right of people is deprived.

The question is what to do? Shall stringent actions be taken against the intruders or shall we relocate the type of businesses such as automobiles service centres elsewhere to cure this problem and hence restore the beauty of cityscape? Or else the competition for urban space is not only happened between development and environment, but rather businesses and residents, a dilemma blocking the achievement for sustainable development.

Transit Oriented Development

Movement is created as long as development is on going. Development projects will require commuting and connectivity. People travel from residence to work place, to shops, to leisure, to amenities and to another residence. People are always on the move. The more we travel, the more we pay for it. To pay for the cost of fuel if motorised vehicle is used, the cost of damaging the facilities and polluting the environment, the cost of time spent, the cost of conflict between both meeting parties and etc. So, logically speaking, the least we travel, the least of cost that we need to pay directly or indirectly footed by others such as the environmental cost. Of course, some might argue that the least you travel, the least opportunities for you to make money and to enjoy life. Is this true? To certain extend yes, but...

The advancement of technology has actually made it possible to make money and to enjoy life without the need of travelling extensively. By making a call, by browsing the Internet, by writing an sms or e-mail, by sending an e-card, by paying via e-pay, by connecting to GPS; Your transactions, requests for information and sales are possibly done.

Transit-oriented development (TOD) is talking about creating a mixed uses and diversify neighbourhood which optimise the advantages of public transport and provide accessibility, connectivity and walkability. A strategically located transportation terminal is the prominent feature. It is a call to optimise the use of land resources and to reduce environmental damages by having efficient and effective system of commuting. Hence, the question of planning and execution in concurrent stage.

What will happen if ICT advancement is added to the Transit-oriented development? I presume, it is an alternative mean in reducing the physical travelling within TOD and replacing it with wired communication, a tool to live with ease and a possible solution to environmental degradation, and of course the price to pay for less human interaction and less mind working and greater dependency for machine to work is not small. Are we ready for it, the long term and with the public in mind? Do developers shared long term responsibility in making the TOD work, for example to provide necessary infrastructure? Do agencies ready to execute TOD concept, for example constructing the rail line before an area is developed? Do public prepare to change and to adapt to TOD in embracing the goodness, for example be environmental friendly and technology savvy? These need to be addressed.

Social Responsibility (3) - Sinar Harian

I attended the official opening of the second pondok made of recyclable beverage cartons at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sri Kelana last Sunday. The installation is made possible with the full support of Sinar Harian, a publishing house for magazines and a daily focusing on community news. I was made to understand from Mr Ong Kein Eik, the role teacher for spearheading and motivating the growth of Smart Ranger, a grouping of primary school students for environmental programs at the school that without strong support from Sinar Harian, the success is possible but not complete.

Sinar Harian has involving with the Smart Ranger starting from day one and many contributions have been put forth to support the activities. A significant contribution is the donation of magazines for sale. Magazines are given for generating activities fund. Apart from that, the activities and achievement of Smart Ranger are highlighted from time to time. This has enhanced the profile of the program and make SRK Sri Kelana a role model.

The Day marks another milestone with the announcement of the principal that SRK Sri Kelana is aspired to become the sustainable school by year 2010. Certainly MBPJ Local Agenda 21 will be there to share and later to celebrate.

New Urbanism

I attended a lecture on new urbanism three days ago at DBKL. New Urbanism is looking at "Giving people many choices for living an urban lifestyle in sustainable, convenient and enjoyable places, while providing the solutions to peak oil, global warming, and climate change".

Put simply, it is about creating a sustainable and liveable community. The question is have we not talking about this concept since the early day of planning? For years, we have been talking about walkability or walking distance between various land uses and the amenities, neighbourhood with mixture of uses and demographics features to encourage the creation of community spirit and neighbourliness, the creation of public discernible centre with the construction of town square and prominent monuments at strategic location, transit-oriented development with many of the township developed along major roads or rivers such as Petaling Jaya along the rail line and Kuala Lumpur developed along Klang River. These are features that were considered even long ago prior to the new township planning concept evolved. After years, we have to remind ourselves on the characteristics of new urbanism which is almost identical with the neighbourhood and new township concept.

To me, if we need to revisit the fundamental and early concept of planning for solutions towards the emerging problems at the present day, something is terribly missing, perhaps it is the answer of having over done for development. Some quarters in searching for sustainability have called for going back to the basic. The basic on live, shop, play, eat and work. The ways we have a decent life, we consume resources, we work ethically, we shop moderately and for necessity and more importantly within the carrying capacity of our Mother Earth.

New urbanism as a concept to remind us the past best practices and an urge for restrain on overdoing in development is fine with me, but if new concept after another concept is evolving to counter problems due to the forgotten of "old" is simply unattainable. Correcting the repeated same mistakes again and again is not a sustainable planning solution.

Contrast@PJ: Tree vs Post

Hang to die or Dead to hang? Trees are the gift for nature and human. Trees are there to provide the shade and greenery, and more importantly the oxygen. A city without green is dead, a green without trees is boring, i think.



I presume this tree was there to live and to help the city to sustain, but irresponsible people has tortured it to dead. The overcrowded hanging of signpost and board has basically shortened the life of tree. This scene is normal phenomena in the City.



So, the question is what to do? Can we replace and replant the tree and at the same time providing hanger for those who would like to advertise? Can we aware people on respecting the life, and in this case the trees? Can we penalise people for their irresponsible act? Can we take down this eyesore immediately?...

Environmental Education and Awareness

I was invited by the Ai FM RTM's Lifestyle Program yesterday to be interviewed over the environment and sustainable development challenges. Ms Wong Mun Meng, the senior broadcaster was there to talk to me for an hour. This was the first time that i attended to the studio of a radio station after appearing at the RTM's TV morning talk show program seven years back.

We have a casual talk on the definitions for environment and sustainable development. To many, environment simply means the nature such as forest, river and mountain. Some might relate the rubbish and pollution to environment. Environment is definitely more than that. It covers everything, be it the Earth, Human, nature creations, built structure, animal and wildlife, flora and fauna, air, water, land etc. By having a wider and overarching scope, it means we have no choice but to protect everything in our surrounding or else the problem of pollution and survival will keep occurring.

I did mention about the need for tri-partie partnership and also the importance to integrate the 3 dimensions of development. Without one or intentionally to ignore any one of them is a disaster. Although the definition about sustainable development is still vigorous and many do not understand and skillful enough to strive a balance between the above, it is nevertheless not becoming a reason of not doing so. We are, either continue finding the solutions and act on it or moving towards the self destruction due to the sickness of this Earth. The Earth as a natural purification system for pollutants, an ecological system and food chain for resources is no more capable of providing the necessities as sufficiently as we like to have.

Most of the problems are created locally and thus solutions shall be also started from the local level. So, individual actions for sustainability are vital as collectively it will create a great impacts. So, what can individual do? I suggested that to start with, everyone should raise their awareness and understanding; then followed by acquiring the skill and knowledge; finally to ACT on it.

Of course, becoming a smart consumer is helpful to the environment as well. For example, instead of changing fashionable items such as hand phone and dressings so often, why don't do it if necessary? After all it will save our pocket as well.

I hope to have chance to share more...

Contrast@PJ: Service vs Traffic

Urban services is critically important in the good urban management. While providing the solid waste collection service in order to keep the city centre clean and tidy is a prerequisite, solving the problem by creating another problem is unnecessary.

The collection during peak office hour has obviously obstructing the traffic flow. It brought in inconvenience to the general public and odours too as waste water is flowing out onto the road surface with the sliding container.

So, the question is what to do? Can we reschedule the collection during off office hour or using the light truck without blocking the traffic if collection time cannot be changed or else?

Community Initiative (3) - Marketing Strategy

I attended the Charity Sale Carnival organised by the Lovely Disabled Home, a partner of SS2 CARES at the SS2 Town Park on 28.9.2008. It was the first time I saw a big crowd covering the field with fun and noise. SS2 CARES activities organised by various partners have never attended by such a big turnout for the past two year. Although plenty of activities catering to the niece needs of community members, family, children and PWD, many ended up with big turnout for specific activities only. I wonder why comparing to the programmes organised by MBPJ? Much can be learned and relearned.

After assessing the modus operendi of last week Carnival, i found that big turnout is possible perhaps by complying with the 3 conditions. Firstly, the Carnival saw the participation of many sponsors and organisations that apart from selling the organisations were also able to mobilise their members and supporters to come. Secondly, pre-sale of coupon to the public has also encouraged better attendance. Many people attended the Carnival do so as they have bought the coupon in advance through personal friends. The concept of pre-sale is also another good measure for the organiser to have better estimation for food and goods preparation. Thirdly, the big crowd in itself is a magnet to attract more people to come especially the visitors who are curious on happenings in the field.

Community marketing is an art. Community does not lack of innovations and creativity. Perhaps MBPJ should recognise that and explore the possibility of tapping this resources.

Transit OKU (2)

For the past one month, I have Mr Yap Peng San, a retiree who volunteer himself to coordinate the running of MBPJ's Transit OKU. Mr Yap came forward after reading about the free service provided by MBPJ to the underprivileged disabled people in Petaling Jaya. The service is to provide commuting facilities to the disabled people for essential services during day time.

He conveyed to me some of the grouses and improvement that need to be done. Chief amongst them is the tendency of some quarters to abuse the use of this service. Although some are well to do and can afford to have their own transport, they prefer to call for the free service. Although some might not need the service to go for leisure activities, they prefer to have chauffeur to ferry them. Although it is understood that the service is to send the passenger to destination without waiting, some demand to have the driver to wait for them. While it is the right of the PWD to enjoy this free service, it is right for MBPJ to prioritise the service for the needy.

Until more vehicles are available, rules on restricting the use of this service shall be exercised, i presume.

Mr Yap left for Taiwan last week to build up his skills and knowledge on voluntary services. I wish him the best. Thank you.