Happy New Year 2009

It is time to greet everyone a Happy and Sustainable New Year. 9 months have passed since i first started blogging. I have reported the happenings or events about Local Agenda 21 Petaling Jaya; I have penned some of my thoughts about sustainable development with reference to some events; and my suggestions for improvement over some programmes. Perhaps, it is time for me to summarise major pieces of news/write ups for year 2008.

1. For year 2008, LA 21 PJ experienced a major structural changes after the 308 General Election and The Liveable Cities Workshop. The Working Committees covering different aspects identified during the Workshop were established. These include Environment, Community Development, Economy, Safety, People with Disabilities, Good Governance, By-Laws and Policies, Infrastructure and Transportation.
2. The presence of new players and partners. The players especially those representing the political parties were replaced with others. Having said this, the active participation from existing NGO and CBO representatives remained unchanged. In fact, new initiatives were brought in. These include the household composting, tree planting, park adoption, lake rehabilitation, recycling programmes, introduction of garbage enzyme making etc
3. The PJ Best Neighbourhood Competition comes to the 6th Year. The Awards to recognise the sustainable initiatives of CBOs gain momentum with the interests shown by many residents organisation and State Government.
4. The PJ Recycling Expo into the 4th Year. The Expo, organised in conjunction with the National Recycling Day celebration was held in a shopping complex, signalled the new venture of LA 21 PJ to out reach the private sector.
5. LA 21 for Ramadan Bazaar was introduced for the first time. A stall promoting recycling of beverage cartons were set up at 4 Ramadan Bazaar to encourage recycling. The response is very encouraging with many participation and enquiries about the next event to come.
6. Liveable Cities Workshop to identify and to formulate the way forwards for PJ was held in conjunction with the City Day celebration. The Workshop co-organised with Malaysian Institute of Planners saw participation from members of the community, professional, academicians, businesses, government officers and elected representatives.
7. The starting of household waste composting pilot project, a project led by CETDEM and funded by DANIDA-SWMC and Ministry of Housing and Local Government is aimed at providing training to 50 household in PJ to learn and to do composting at source.
8. The Merdeka Celebration reached its' 8th year. The celebration continued with activities organised by various stakeholders at different localities. Elements of sustainable development principles were found in many activities, an improvement from the past years.
9. The launching of Transit for People With Disabilities. First of its kind introduced and operated by local authority in Malaysia for the PWD. The commuting service is provided free of charge within the vicinity of PJ. The response is overwhelming in which a 2nd van will be purchased in year 2009. Similarly, the community bus service was introduced to ply the route serving people with low and middle income.
10. Public participation is experiencing tremendous changes in term of context, content and process. Participation of stakeholders are encouraged for all kind of development. This trend is expected to blossom with the ever willing residents to step forward to participate in the development process.

Once again Happy New Year.