Capacity of Stakeholders

I was invited to share MBPJ's experiences in Local Agenda 21 implementation with the stakeholders of Sepang Municipal Council last Saturday. Together with Mr Ismail Latiff of PJS 2 and Mr Azman of Section 6, Kota Damansara, we discussed the achievement and obstacles for LA 21 PJ implementation over the last 8 years. The Workshop impressed me the most is questions and answers session. We were grilled by the participants on the failures for LA 21 implementation in relation to Sepang experiences. They claimed that after such a long time since 1992 Rio Summit that Sepang is looking into implementing the LA 21 is certainly unacceptable. Issues related to the administrative difficulties of Sepang were also mentioned. This reflects on the issue of willingness and commitment. I must confessed that after delivering countless papers on LA 21 implementation in Malaysia, this is the first time i have witnessed such a fierce responses from the workshop participants.

To me, this shows a sense of urgency and commitment from the stakeholders. The awareness and knowledge level of the stakeholders are higher now that it is such a good opportunity for LA 21 activists to press on. It also reflects on the change of mentality towards good governance in the administration of local authorities.

I sincerely hope that prospect for LA 21 and hence sustainable development is brighter now on.