Christmas Concert 2009

Local Agenda 21 PJ achieved another milestone when the inaugural Christmas Concert 2009 was commenced on 15th December 2009 at the Auditorium of Civic Centre, PJ. The Concert was organised by MBPJ in collaboration with APAC and CFM to celebrate the festive season. It is a platform for enhancing greater interaction and mutual understanding on culture amongst people from the multi-ethnic society of Malaysia. More than 800 people joined YB Teresa Kok, Senior Exco Member of the Selangor State Government and other dignitaries enjoyed the two hours show. The show began with the singing of National and State Anthem, followed by prayer reciting and speeches as well as opening dance by MBPJ Cultural Troop. Next on stage was the Choir of the Selangor Philharmonic Society followed by popular singers Jaclyn Victor, Juwita Suwito and Patrick Leong whom rendered numerous festive songs. The night reached it peak with marvellous performance from Dr Joanne Yeoh, a respectable international violinist. The Concert was spiced up with lively and humorous cheers from Fahmi, the MC. It was a show one should have not missed it. I am glad to see people from all walk of life and segments of community attended the Concert. The presence of celebrities have definitely brought in people from different aged groups.

The success was attributed to the partnership and participation of various individual and groups. Without them and their persistent, the organising might not have even started. Kudos to Mr Michael Soon, Richard Yeoh, Patrick Leong and MBPJ staffs. While many have working tireless ensuring the show a success, the organising, as usual was not spared without challenges due to inept attitude of some people with reasons best known to themselves. This attitude, however did not deter others to move on. I presume, this is the true spirit of Local Agenda 21 and perhaps the underlying principle of 1Malaysia. The presence of YB Dato Seri Idris Jala, Minister of the Prime Minister Department testified that.

Social interaction in a diverse and multi-ethnic, cultural, religions and even social status society of Malaysia is always a challenge. It is a difficult task to unify people towards a shared value, objectives and vision for our Nation. Towards that, a lot of mutual understanding and awareness have to be created. The least the local authorities should do apart from policies and structural considerations, is to facilitate greater interaction by creating and providing multi platforms for everyone, regardless of their background, I presume.

MBPJ should continue doing so by using all festive season celebration as a platform for enhancing social cohesion. Until then, the vision of PJ as a dynamic and healthy city for ALL remains a distance dream.