Smart Cities

The recent released World Bank Report on Monitoring Malaysia Economy highlighted the need for smart cities concept to spur the economic growth in our country. The Report elaberated on the compact city concept to optimise the resources and to reduce the generation of green house gases, the ecological friendly components of cities and natural environment, prevention of urban sprawl with improved land use planning and public transportation. Everything about good planning and governance practices are explained. While these are not new as most if not all the development plans have similar concept and vision, the effective implementation of these policies and strategies are highly in doubt. We spoke about liveability and sustainability but many of the programmes have been implemented selectively or flavoured to part of the total concept. It is not desirable as all of us knew that bottomline for sustainable development to work is the integrating and balancing of 3 different dimensions of development, namely social, economy and environment.

Apart from that, smart cities require highly skill and knowledge talented workforce. Without intelligence in place, how can the innovation and creativity be explored and executed? Then, it comes back to the availability of pool of human resources in which the education system and living environment will determine the success of a smart city. At the end of the day, how smart a city is very much depended on how smart the people are especially the city managers, I believe.

1Malaysia

I think 1Malaysia spirit is truly practiced in Sabah or at least in Kota Kinabalu as I witnessed it. Here whereever you go, you will not fail to notice that people from all walk of life mingle around freely at any place and any time. You see people from different ethnic and religious background gathering in the coffee shop operated by the Chinese. You witness different ethnic groups communicating to each others with Sabahan Malaysia language. You patronise a shop that manage by people from all background. Basically, the line of separation amongst different ethnic group is very blur and cannot distinguish at all if you are not familiar with the mother tongue and slang of that person. While other parts of Malaysia is talking about managed programmes to create opportunities for greater interaction, the atmosphere has been incculcated in such long long time ago and did not changed "yet". Shall we learn from them, our brother state which might be physically not so develop compared to other states in Pennisular Malaysia? In this respect, I would said development and greater interaction might not co-related with each other, and at time conflicting each others. We have come to a state of sacrifying our harmony with the economy progress. We might have relook on the model of development we are envisioned now, I guess.

Kota Kinabalu Market is A Tourist Place

Last Saturday morning I have the chance of walking about in the premise of market of Kota Kinabalu. The market comprises of fish monger section, fruits and vegetables, dried good and handicraft within the building or in the open area has become a tourist attraction area. The market is opened 24 hours in which night time will see stalls selling household, personal, souvenirs and food items. Many outsiders coming to Kota Kinabalu consider visiting the market is a must. When we talked about a market place, first thing comes to our mind is it must be a dirty, wet, untidy and smeary place that only those who are in need will go. Housewife or restaurant owners will usually go there to source for daily consumption. Then if we are told about the long hour of operation, we will then form up our perception that it must be worse than the normal market place as no time is permitted for cleaning and washing.

It proved me wrong during my round in the market. Walking within in the market area here is a pleasant and enjoyable experience, although you might feel a little bit humidity and hot. I do not have the experience of dirtiness, smear and untidy. Although the fish monger section is having a wet floor, nonetheless the floor is very tidy without obstruction and no untoward smear. The open area in which fishermen displaying their catch have no pothole filled up with dirty water. The sundry stalls are arranged nicely and presentable for a pleasure marketing. Although the section with handicraft and souvenirs is a bit noisy, it is understood as the tourists are doing their bargaining for better price. You will not believe that value for money is always at the end of the day. Perhaps it is because Tourist First concept and fulfilling the objective of Kota Kinabalu City Hall in making this city a premium tourist city.

I wonder why can't the markets in other part of Malaysia have the same environment? I cannot avoid from comparing the market in Old Town of Petaling Jaya with this one. While the Old Town Market has only one morning session for trading, the untidiness and dirtiness remain and last forever. Perhaps one of the reason I can think of is the commitment of the stakeholders. The sense of belonging to keep clean and tidy is not the order of the day for hawkers, market supervisors, the customers, the cleaning contractors and even the officers overlooking the management of the market. Of course, if politically permitted, something drastic is urgently required. We must have the gut of making changes. These include terminating the license of irresponsible traders and contractors, strict enforcement towards customers and even those officers involve in the management and maintenance should be held responsible for any identified shortcoming. Until then, I am not sure the image of wet market now can be changed. Of course competition posed by hypermarkets and modern market will displace the wet market if nothing is done now.

Consciousness

Consciousness is part of the basic instinct of every human being, I believe. Everyone is born with behaving, acting and doing good. Nobody is born with bad intention to harm the environment or other human being. However, a child with little knowledge about good and bad will change according to the circumstances surrounding them. If they stay put within an area surrounded by good man with high ethics and value system, then the chances for them to behave and think rationally about caring towards environment is better. How to bring out the good basic instinct of human being is always a difficult task as individually they might have endured with different life experience.

The Public Seminar entitled "Effect of Consciousness on environment and climate change" to be held on 5th December 2011 at the PJ Community Library is trying to address the issue facing us in achieving sustainable development. Sadly to say it is always a loss-loss situation when we need to make a choice between economic gain and value system. Not many can scarify own profit for the benefit of public at large, I think.

Rubbish Free City of Kota Kinabalu

I was impressed with the visionary approach by Kota Kinabalu City Hall in making the city rubbish free. It is a collective efforts and none of the stakeholders can do it alone. For example, although the fast food restaurant chain can have a clean and rubbish free environment within their compound, the surrounding area with others if not kept clean will render the whole effort goes into vain. The City Hall is leading by example in declaring A Rubbish Free Office throughout their whole premises. The banners with tag line of Rubbish Free are visible anywhere in the department and even toilets. From what have told us, they are very enthuatiatic and optimise about the effort as what they have successfully done for the Anti Littering Campaign. As the Director General said it, he might not be able to witness the full realisation, but it is a process that need to be done now or for never. The idea was conceived by a young officer who has such an innovative and brave idea of changing the rotten mind set of many. In a way, the campaign has touched on many aspects of sustainable development, namely the capacity building, leadership, partnership and collaboration, leading by example, social and economy as well as the environment. I believe for sustainable development to realise on the ground, this is essential.

2011 Green Hero of Petaling Jaya Award Presentation

What are you going to do if you are unable to persuade others to go green after few attempts? Many will give up and forget about doing so. Some will continue by diverting their attention to other groups or area of service. This is not the case for Mr Ismail Latiff, the recipient for merit mention of the inaugural 2011 Petaling Jaya Green Figure Award. He was awarded for his continue, tireless effort and persistence in getting others to go green. Presently, the physically constraint flat area of which he stay is turned into an urban orchard planted with many fruit trees, herbs garden and ornamental flowers. Apart from that, the recycling activity of collecting old newspaper has become an enterprise that producing natural crafts. Another recipient, Assistant Professor Jeffrey Phang has overcome many obstacles in getting people from different walks of life, agenda and priorities working together in demanding the once in danger of forest with human encroachment to be gazetted again. This process of convincing, consulting, engaging stakeholders is not an easy task. It needs long term strategic planning, continue efforts and result-oriented approach in sustaining people's interest and involvement.

The Award, part of MBPJ's initiative in creating a low carbon green city of Petaling Jaya is an effort of recognising individuals that have been contributing actively and constructively towards the sustainability of Petaling Jaya. By acknowledging the efforts done by individual, it becomes a platform for recognition as well as sharing of best practices and idea exchange.

Good Parking Management

I was impressed with the car parking system in SSM Tower at KL Sentral. During my last visit there, I noticed that all parking lots closer to the entrance are reserved for the visitors. To me, this shows how sensitive and caring of the management towards good customer service. It is not only purely customer oriented, but environmental friendly as well.

Most, if not all the parking complexes I visited previously have reserved the parking lots closer to entrance for the season parking or designated for the office use or senior officers. It leaves the visitors no choice, but to look for parking space further inside the complex, some time few level down into the basement. This is not only a troublesome experience, but also a waste of resources and pollution generating gesture. By asking people to drive two or three levels down means more fuel consumed, and hence more time wasting and more CO2. Why can't we request the designated parking to be placed in places that wou;d not inconvenient the visitors? After all, the season parking holders or senior officers will be there from the starting of working hour until afternoon without removing their cars very often.

Kudos to the corporates for this small gesture, but a meaningful and thoughtful one.

Environmental Stewardship

The Panel of Evaluators for the Petaling Jaya House Owners' Assessment Rate Rebate Scheme has a discussion on last Thursday. The meeting was to brainstorm and creating understanding as well as consensus on assessing the application for rebate. The Rebate scheme is the first of kind in Malaysia that offered by local authorities to encourage and promote go green initiatives by the house owners. While it is acknowledged that house owners will normally not go for green if it involves cost and time without any significant return on economy, some submissions has shown otherwise. There are submissions on collecting urine for gardening purpose, going round the market to source fruit skin for enzyme making, beautifying the public land on the road shoulder, sending recyclable items to recycling centre for free and etc. These are gestures warrant for recognition, and rightly so highlighted for emulation by others.

The meeting discussed doing the right thing with wrong approach or time too. For example, planting trees or vegetables on road shoulder opposite the house that depriving accessibility and more so without consent from the local authority. Similarly, installing the solar water heater to save on energy but end up with higher consumption because of fixing more air-con units. The meeting agreed that while what have been done by the owners should be encouraged, the negative things carried out should also be discouraged by introducing some form of penalty.

To be regarded as green warrior, one's has to pose with the necessary equipment, supported by a good system and making the effectiveness and efficiency as top priority. It is of no use if the equipment has been installed but lacking of support and do not show the desired result. For example, a rain water harvesting system in place does not necessary mean it is good if you did not do piping to channel the collected water for good use. Even if this done so, it is not effective if the tank did not hold up the water.

National Recycling Day 2011

National Recycling Day on 11th November is a Day many would like to not remember or celebrate. For Agencies that do not have the strategic recycling action plan or even the 3 colour bins within their compound, it is nothing to shout about. For residents who produce the same amount of rubbish everyday although they might have started collecting the old newspaper for sale, it is nothing so glad. For waste collectors, if the working of collection is getting more complicated and difficult, it simply means waste has not reducing. So, when we pose the questions to these stakeholders, I believe many would prefer to forget the Day with ease.

Having said this, shall we not celebrate the Day? Of course not. Continue efforts on promoting the awareness of 3R is a long term battle. People need to be constantly reminded about the importance of 3R and its' way forward. If voluntarism measurement is not working effectively, then perhaps economic and legal instruments should be applied indeed. So this is the Day of telling others what they should do for the next 364 days before the arrival of next celebration.

It should be a Day to recognise those who have done good on the ground, the unsung heroes. The initiatives of these people should be highlighted and be given proper recognition as a way to spur others to follow suit. More than often, we forget about them whenever there is a celebration or if they got invited, they will usually marginalise during the whole duration of functions. Then, we have to ask ourselves who should we celebrate for? Not the unsung recycling heroes?

Happy celebrate National Recycling Day and make it everyday is a recycling day.

Green Economy

I attended an industrial seminar on green economy yesterday. Every speaker spoke about the importance of green and low carbon development for sustainability and to stimulate the process, providing economic incentives apart from the voluntarism and legislation requirement is crucial. While providing monetary gain is welcome, looking into the green economy as business opportunity is not entirely right approach as the solution for the environmental challenges we are facing today. For example, having more hybrid car as replacement for the fuel-driven vehicle is good for the environment, it does not necessary mean the traffic congestion will disappear as volume of cars will remain the same. Similarly, fixing the solar heater does not correlate with the reduction of energy consumption if one has installed more air-con units in the house. In other words, applying technology and system without changing the mind set and behaviour of the people will not become a final solution to the green issues.

Another speaker equated that activities good for the environment are always good for the business. This, I certainly agree if we are talking about public good and for environment in wider scope. However, the problem we are facing today is many of the businesses only concerned about their balance sheet and profit for their shareholders rather than taking into consideration the public cost as part of the production cost of their services or products. For example, consuming more water to produce paper is alright as long as the profit margin is maintained. On the other hand, some businesses are depending on solving environmental issues or daily polluted routine for survival and if no such problem exists, then that businesses will be out of business. For example, waste contractors will hope for more rubbish for collection and will be out of business if a successful 3R program was in place in a community. Similarly, it is illogical to request a beverage company to promote drinking less or ask a petrol company to promote less travelling. Having said this, although companies that have done so is not definitely a green company, but at least with green in heart. These companies should have developed and embraced green initiative in their existing business operation or have developed new green business model.

Green business means embracing green into existing business or developing new business model with green elements. For existing businesses, going for green can be cost saving and "face" saving as more stakeholders are looking for companies with green to associate with. For example, a packaging company finds ways to reduce the need for using more papers will definitely get the admiration from others. Similarly, applying ICT system effectively to cut down business transaction with physical interface and paper correspondence as well as data storage with large storeroom will be the way forward. With the changing of time and emerging of global environmental issues, new business opportunities occur. For example, turning waste into wealth, treating waste as resources, using renewable energy, reducing the use of non-renewable resources, refurbishment of old goods for new use, 3R of old goods, cost cutting and efficiency are fields that presenting new business opportunities. These have nurtured companies in making nature crafts from used paper, composting waste into fertiliser, collecting rain water for sanitary use, converting waste water into new water, manufacturing chiller for air con and hot water mushrooming in the market.

While ultimately we are looking for green solution, doing it now without talking about economic factor is unrealistic. Without the businesses involvement and monetary return for doing good deed is always the slowest option for success, unless it is life threatening, I presume.

World Town Planning Day 2011

We will blame the planners of unplanned action whenever we stuck in the traffic jam. We will refer to the negligence of planners if a slope erosion happened resulting in the fall of high-rise buildings. We will tell others if the disabled people cannot move around freely due to physical obstruction. Even the littering rampant on the road is attributed to lack of rubbish bins in the strategic area, a planning negligence by the planners. All urban issues and problems are associated to the planners, does not matter whether it is due to lack of foresight, design fault or lack of maintenance or simply because of the users' negligence. Planners become the easier target for any wrong doings affecting to the quality of living environment. Many have discarded the role played by other stakeholders in the development process. These include the land owners who would like to maximize the profit, architect looking at the aesthetic value of building and efficiency of the building, local planning authorities, the agency to process and to decide the application, builders who are supposed to construct as planned but some time choose not to do so, users who suppose to make good use of the facilities and to care for their living environment, the service providers to maintain the environment in liveable condition. Ultimately, it is a collective effort in making the planned settlement into a liveable and sustainable place within the carrying capacity of our Earth.

Hence, celebration of the World Town Planning Day on 8th November everyyear is not exclusively by and for the planners. It is a Day to be recognised for good planning and to refresh on bad planning. It is a Day to share, learn and relearn on making our living environment a liveable and sustainable one.

To celebrate the Day with all stakeholders, OSC Unit of MBPJ is having the tea break retreat for all walked in customers. Please join us for the joyful day.

Happy World Town Planning Day.

Art of Demanding

Demanding can bring in 2 extreme results, namely rejection out right or partial approval. It is a matter of how to demand. If you have demanded something with the right channel and right person at the right time and right place, then the chances of getting what you want is pretty good. However, if you have done the same thing during inappropriate time, venue and channel, then the chances of rejection is very high and the chances for reconsidering is very slim. Nevertheless, if you are somebody that the approving authority has difficulty to say NO and more than obliged to concur with you, then it is all right to demand at any time and place.

Demanding without considering the limit of approving authority at time creates some conflict and tension. A residents group asking logistic support for a community event cannot exceed the capacity of the local authority. For example, demanding numbers of tents, tables, chairs, platforms, pa system, decorative plants and others that goes beyond the affordability of the local authority.

Demanding without valid reason and supported by fact and figures will also result in vain. Most of the time, community group will request something without substantiate it with the fact and figures. For example, they always complain about crime and secuirty without telling where and when. Similarly, complaints about traffic congestion, cleanliness, vandalisme are sometime only hear say. In order for demanding works, it is better to equip ownself with all the proof, figures and facts or else everything you demanded for will be generalised and diminished at the end of the discussion. It simply means if you have not done your homework, then please do not open your mouth.

Demanding is also about friendship and lobbying. It is commonly known that friends will be given priority over someone we do not know. We tend to treat our friend differently and if a choice has to be made with both parties are equally qualified, then obviously our friend will be chosen. In a situation where if lobbying has been done earlier, what you demanded for will normally can be granted. This is so because the involved parties will have better ideas of you are trying to demand prior to the decision making meeting. That's why community groups with high visibility in almost every functions of the local authority will normally get more than what others are getting. This is due to their presistence of demanding and lobbying in every occassion they attended.

Demanding is also hinted with your reputation. If you are known as authority or expert in a particular field, then what you demanded for the purpose of that field will normally be granted. If you are known as a do-able worker, then demanding fund for a project will be an easy task due to the track record of delivery that you have built up. People do not mind of meeting the demand of others that within their capacity provided that the deliveries are there to be seen. In other words, effective demanding is the outcome of continue ground works you laid over time. The more you establish yourself, the chances for getting what you demand is better, I presume.

Local Government Green Innovation

MBPJ has once again gone beyond the thinking box by introducing few measures on encouraging Go Green Movement. Started from the offering of assessment rate rebate to the environmental friendly house owners in PJ for year 2011, recent 2012 Budget announcement reinforced the green and low carbon efforts by offering residents buying hybrid car from dealers in PJ to enjoy a three months free parking in the city, further expand the rebate scheme to cover wider group of people, allocating RM100,000 to install LED and energy saving lighting at the back lane of housing scheme provided that owners agree to pay for the monthly electricity bill. The rebate scheme is not possible with the provision of current Local Government Act, 1976 (Act 171). Section 134, Act 171 does not provide exemption to owners who go green or even doing some other social responsibility programmes. Hence, implementing some good green gesture beyond the legal provision, to me is itself an achievement. What can a local government do in supporting the local economy and policy of Federal and State Government in going green? Many will look inward to see how can they perform within their juridic ion. For example, planting more trees, conducting recycling, energy saving within their compound as well as carrying out education and awareness campaign. Having said this, many will just wait and see how other level of government will offer to assist them in implementing the programmes.

By offering free parking to buyers of hybrid car from the shops in PJ, MBPJ has set milestone on sustainable development. On the environmental front, encouraging the use of hybrid car will reduce emission of carbon. On the social dimension, it is a way of changing people's lifestyle and awareness about green transportation. On the benefit of economy, it is a gesture of helping the automobiles shops in PJ and also to assist the buyers to save on fuel. Of course, offering free parking that within the purview of MBPJ's juridic ion and means is sensible from the economic and management point view.

To me, this is a form of innovation that local government can think of and of course welcome even though it has been carried out beyond what was provided for. To stakeholders and other level of governments, I believe these are innovations that they are all waiting for.

Population Challenge

The United Nations anticipated that Malaysia will have 33.4 million population by year 2020 and 39.6 million by year 2050. With the born of a Philipines girl on 31th october 2011, the World is reaching 7 billion population. Increasing of population is definitely creating many challenges to the World and Malaysia. It is anticipated that 7 challenges will embark on Malaysia. These include: -

1) The increase of family debt level. 26% of the credit card debtors are owing money due to the medical reason. This attributes to the worrying trend of health and medical causes
2) Discrimination of gender will continue. The equity between men and women cannot be striked a balance. This will create a lot of unrest between both the gender divide
3) Right of the children and youth must be paid attention to. Negligence towards this group will result in more social ills and unsustainability. The right on survival, protection, development and participation of this group must be given equal opportunity.
4) To ensure all babies will reach the minimum healthy level
5) To ensure a balance healthy living model. Obesity and incidence of sickness is increasing. This need to be prevented through healthy food and diet, exercise, working and living environment.
6) To guarantee the living quality of senior citizens are protected. As a mature society, it is imperative to provide barrier free or even universal design facilities and environment for all walk of society especially the elderly. A society cares for the old will be an inclusive society that is sustainable.
7) Preparing for the increase of urban population. The City Managers of the Local Government should ensure that living, studying, working and shopping in a city is a pleasant and enjoyable experience, either in short or long term. For that to happen, sufficient and good infrastructure, shelters, facilities, commuting, opportunities for jobs and business venture should be provided well ahead. It is a proactive strategic action planning that will make the competitiveness of the city higher.

For Petaling Jaya, all these challenges should be accounted for in the future planning. I believe it is a time for Tomorrow Answers Today.

Wrong Civic Message

Doing right does not neccessary mean right message has been sent out. Sometime for own convenience, we tend to do good for our own sake without thinking of the message behind our decision. At time, we do thing merely for the sake of fufilling the requirement. I found an interesting happening of required to do so, and for the sake of doing so without thinking about the consequences.

Nowasday, smoking in the open and public area is banned. Smokers are only allowed to smoke in the designated area. For example, an enclosed space is normally reserved in the airport compound for smokers. While it is for the health of non-smokers and protecting them from haphazard, it is in a way also discouraging the smokers by way of disconvenience them. Sometime, smokers might not want to smoke because of difficulty in locating the desingated area.

However, I found opposite arrangement in a cafe recently. The two-floor Cafe has designated the ground floor as smoking area and the first floor as non-smoking area. It means if you are not smoking, please make your way up stair, without the lift. To me, it is a way of telling people please bear with the smoke if you choose not to climb up the staircase. I was told as first floor is enclosed air-con area, it is better of designated it as non-smoking area. This is a case of conveniency to the management. I am of the opinion that although it is for pragmatic reason and for the sake of good management, the practice has, however sent out wrong message to the public. It is a message indirectly encouraging smokers to patronise the place and stay put with ease. Should we encourage this kind of practice? I personally think, we should not.

Art of Respecting

Respecting someone means to pay full attention to others and agree to disagree. For example, even though others have different opinion or at time diverting from the points of discussion, we should respect his views and give him the due respect he deserved. However, in practice many of us might have forgetten this especially when you are in no mood of listening to others' arguement or you might have lost your temper and patient. This is commonly found in the work place or any where. That's why art of respecting is important and a thing to be learned with passion and professionally. It is not a matter of knowing when, where and whom should we respect but rather to practice it all the time. It should be a value system amongst all walk of life. How repellion a student is, he should respect his teachers even though he might not agree with what the teachers have taught. In reciprocal, the teachers should respect their students as someone tries to acquire knowledge. The teachers should not view students that tend to ask frequent questions and to question his authority on answering the questions. Simiarly, the relationship between bosses and subordinates required mutual respect. The case of bosses know everything and hence you should not have objecting to my views is no more valid in the modern day and a flatted world. I learned the true meaning of mutual respecting during a judges evaluation session held last week. The judges put in various marks based on their individual assessment. However, it was discovered later that standard diversion of the mark for a participating organisation is higher than the acceptable level. Further investigation shown that it was all because of a particular judge who has given marks with vast different point. Looking this as the source of problem, the others asked that judge for her opinion and enquired the possibility of reviewing her mark. The judge refused with reason. Other decided to respect her decision and look for other solutions. One of the solutions was to exclude the mark of that judge in which the judge agreed so. To me, this is an art of respecting. While the panel of judges respecting that individual judge's assessment, that individual judge agreed to put aside her own assessment without hesistation for the sake of marking system. Under such circumstances many might have walking away angrily or a heated arguement might have started.

Art of Marketing

It is very hard to sell if you have not done good in marketing. Marketing in commercial term means promoting the products or services to wider range of target group. Once people acquitted with the brand name, then it will make the selling easier. It is logical as I might not be that adventurous to try out new products or services if i have no idea or knowledge about them. It is matter of confident and who and what I know. If I have known that the reputation of a developer is good in delivering quality houses, then I might be more than willing to pay the premium or with less questions asked.

When it comes to public sector, marketing or equate to lobbying is important before asking others to buy your ideas. For officers to sell their idea of some projects, they first have to create some conducive environment or need for it. For example, if you are asking budget for a car, then it is necessary to tell others you need the vehicle to fulfill your scope of services or else the performance will be servery affected. However, it is not sufficient for that, perhaps creating a scenario of urgency is required. For example, to showcase and communicate with the decision makers that every step has been taken properly to deliver the service but unable to do so due to the lack of vehicle. To me, this is marketing in place.

I will be getting a hybrid car next year for official use after little deliberation in a budget meeting recently. While many questioned about the need of having new vehicle for the whole organisation, none has objected to purchasing a hybrid car for my Unit. This is unusual as this will be the first time that any local councils in Malaysia is buying hybrid car and secondly it is also strict scrutinise for purchasing new vehicles unless critically required. I presume marketing has a part to play in the whole process. As Secretariat, my Unit has been actively promoting the concept of green low carbon city of Petaling Jaya. Various innovative and high impact programmes were carried out over the last few months. These include the rebate scheme for environmental friendly house owners, Environmental Hero Award, Car Free Day, declaring the engine off zone and etc. The stakeholders saw the positive result of such initiative. Perhaps it implants into the mind of decision makers for going green and do-able of my Unit. Hence, the request for buying a green vehicle is granted.

For public programmes or initiatives to be implemented effectively, especially in pushing for the acceptance of other stakeholders, I believe combination of a good marketing plan and selling strategies are important. The Local Council has to be creative and innovative. Social marketing which incorporates long term engagement and two way communication with the stakeholders in this respect is important.

Land Premium vs Urban Regeneration

Urban regeneration is a lengthy process as it involves various stakeholders with different needs and priorities. In an old neighbourhood area, the first generation of settlers might be sentimental and emotionally related to the place for which they have stayed, developed and inculcated the sense of belonging over the years. It is difficult to convince this group of people to leave or distance themselves from their neighbourhood. The second generation might be there since born and going through the childhood and developmental growth in their life phase. Hence, with historical attachment to their birth place, might not be that easy to be convinced to move away. The newcomers are easier lot because they come with new thinking of revitalise the old neighbourhood. This group is the prime mover to push ahead the plan for urban regeneration. The neighbourhood will have imbalance state of regeneration due to different need and agenda of the above mentioned groups. As a result, the whole neighbourhood area will be filled with different phase of development. For example, uneven building height, modern building sandwiched by buildings with deteriorated condition, upgrading of roads and infrastructure in piece meal basis, the presence of vacant and idle land in the centre of the neighbourhood area. This is common scene in the Old Town of Petaling Jaya, the earliest settlement of the City since its inception 60 years ago. One of the reason contributing to this phenomenon is the capability of settlers to pay extra premium for extending their land lease. Lease of the land owned by the settlers is expired soon and need renewal. Without longer lease period, they feel insecure to invest renovating their house. Apart from that, it is also difficult for the owners to secure loan from financial institutions to fund the rebuilding of their dilapidated house. Hence, many of these houses have left with its original condition without any major refurbishment. For the owners to renew the lease, each individual land owner is expected to folk out at least RM 60,000 or more. It is definitely a burden for the land owners especially the first and second generation of settlers who have retired from work. The recent policy introduced by the Selangor State Government on paying only RM 1,000for renewing the lease, is thus welcomed by many. It is anticipated that nearly 100,000 land owners will be benefited from this policy. The land owners will only need to pay RM 1,000 upon approval of the lease extension provided that the family keep the land. If the land owners decided to sell the land later, they have to pay up the premium in full sum or entitled to a 30% discount if payment is made within 3 months of the approval date. Although it is understood that some question about people need to folk out higher amount when making a sale later, this However should not become an excuse for not supporting this policy of providing another alternative. People with no financial capability of securing loan in rebuilding their house can do so now. This, will help in rehabilitating the old neighbourhood with modern building and better infrastructure. It indicates that land premium and urban regeneration is closely related as it will determine whether the owners will be able to support the plan or not.

Art of Sharing

When you have plenty of resources you might not feel the pain of sharing with others or in fact you would like to offer others to share the resources. However, if resources is scarce and it is not enough to share with others, you might wish think twice before offering others to share. The question is how to determine you should share and under what circumstances that your sharing will not jeopardise yourself and at the same time bring in greater benefit to the opposite side.

Sharing is an art that skill and good judgement is required. On one hand you do not want to lose out after sharing and at the same time you do not want to enrich others so much that your interest is affected. Under normal circumstances not many people would like to share. It is not because they do not want to but simply because they do not know how to share. Sometime it is also because of self ego and innocient that people do not grasp the idea of sharing. For example, many bureaucrates do not know how to share their resources, skill, knowledge, workload and time. This resulted in duplication of works and also the wastage of resources.

I am touched after attending a budget discussion recently. A project proponent prepared forego his share of budget because he did not foresee the need for having done the project. The project proponent suggested money be spent in an area beyond his juridicion but with pressing issues. I thought this is the art of sharing that we are envisioned. Although you know very well that the money would not rechannel back for other uses, you go ahead of rejecting the allocation of resources.

In the era of resources scarcity, sharing can lead to sustainability. For example, car pooling to share journey generation can reduce the need for vehicles on the road. Integrated facilities complex to house different community facilities under the same roof top can help in the saving of land reserve and management cost. Time sharing concept for leisure premises can allow more people to enjoy the facilities with lower overhead cost.

Hence, sharing is about cost efficiency and effectiveness as well as justice. Sharing allows more people out reaching something with affordable cost. In order for sharing to work, it is matter of the willingness of givers and takers to share, I presume.

Rain Water Harvesting

I saw the simple method of collecting rain water and also a complicated one during the visitation to different neighbourhood area for the last two week. A community group in PJS area uses the normal piping to channel water collected from the roof top into a container on the ground level. It is conventional style that can be found in the village and rural area. Although simple in design, it is cheap and appropriate for area without much resources. Another system we visited in SS22 neighbourhood area was done with complete and separate piping system. The rain water is harvested and channelled to the herbal garden few hundred meters away. It comes with filtering feature to get rid of the tree leaf and waste particulate. The system is also used as a demonstration tool to educate general public on rain water harvesting. Whatever the system is, the function of collecting, storing and using the rain water efficiently is required.

Study shows that by collecting rain water for watering the plants and cleaning of floor, a household can save up to 35% of their monthly water bill. Although small in amount compared to other utilities cost, the saving is significant because water resources is getting precious now. Apart from that, storing run off from heavy down pour will also minimise the chances for flash floor in cemented urban area.

Making rain water harvesting a mandatory requirement for new housing project is no more a luxury but a neccisity. Well, afterall, it is predicted that in one day, fighting for water source might become one of the reasons of war between nations.

Community Leadership

As one of the judges for the PJ Sustainable Community Award, I discovered that vibrant, energetic communities with many happenings shared a common thing, that is the presence of strong leadership. The community is always led by a leader with calibre, charisma, resourceful, well connected, out spoken, engaging, able to mobilise the mass and some time is financially sound although it is not a necessity. You can see and sense the different when fronting with leaders with these qualities. You feel so much sense of belonging and caring listening to these leaders. For example, one of the leaders talked about kids in his community with length and passion as if they are his own kids. He kept referring to "our kids" in deliberating the social ills in his community. Another leader talked about how to help the single mothers overcoming their emotionally disturbed mind frame and also economically. He equated them the important component of their neighbourhood.

Leading by example is also critical. Many of the leaders do what they said and practice what they believed. They provide role model for others to learn and practice. They tried first before letting others experiencing the untested tasks, however let others enjoying the benefits first before his turn. I noticed that when community leaders have started doing that, others at least the very few will follow suit. I saw a female leader leading by example to be the first to go up an open topper lorry to go round the neighbourhood making public announcement. I witnessed the leader making arrangement for logistic while waiting for others to come for a function. Although many might have disagreed with leader doing thing with his hand, the reality on the ground is if you do not do that, you will never get thing done.

I saw the discontinue of programmes in the community due to the changing of leadership. When new leader take over, no question about setting his own priority and the need for changing some of the previous programmes. It is rightly so as this is the prerogative for new leader. However, abandoning a popular and sustainable initiative while still have the capacity is highly questionable. I saw a community lets go a recycling programme even those it is highly commendable by others because of the demise of the leader. I felt sad about a neighbourhood losing its stem in continuing the CCTV security scheme when its former leader left the neighbourhood. I am very particular about a neighbourhood of non participation in the activities of local authorities with the change of government although they have been very supportive previously. All these can be overcome if everyone of us especially the leaders understand fully and observe the true meaning of sustainable development, I presume.

New Terminology of Government Office

I attended the Get Together with the Chief Minister of Selangor Session yesterday morning. More than 1000 people attended the function held in Civic Hall of Petaling Jaya. While many are happy for obtaining the land title with extended leasehold period and minimum premium payment, some were there to voice out their grievances about quality of urban services and land issues. I was attracted to the speech of the Chief Minister whom has highlighted new approaches on public services and governance system. He spoke about new terminology of government office.

The Government office shall be everywhere and at your pleasure any time regardless of place, time and whom you are. Presently, government servants attending to the office because the working files are left in the office and discussion to coordinate on inter-departmental agenda need to be done in the office simply because all equipments are there. With the advancement of ICT now, for example the introduction of tablet computer and smart phone, we can store our files and information digitally in the cloud; we can assess to information, be it worldwide or locally at our finger tips; and we can have video conferencing discussion with our smart phone connected with different parties. Are these all we need for servicing the people from our office? If yes, then what is the problem of not having a physical office?

If this is the case, why can't we apply management by walking about approach? It means go to the people and problems to solve it or at least to brainstorm the solution at source. This will not only expedite the problem solving process, but also bring the relationship between decision makers and beneficiaries closer and cordial. The chances for public-community confrontation, thus will be reduced.

I believe the virtual office system will be the way forward for many establishments and for Local Council, demanding for bigger and bigger office space is no more the way forwards.

Understanding vs Action on Sustainable Development

The judges for sustainable community award of Petaling Jaya have finished their assessment on ground last week. It is such an refreshing experience to learn that many of the community groups including the newcomers have done so many initiatives, either one off or long term programmes over the last one year. We reckoned that perhaps the blossom of the initiatives is mainly due to the able leadership of the organisations. We witnessed how enthutiasme of the chairs in deliberating the programmes they have done and very few have actually mentioned about the difficulty they have encountered along the process. To me, it showed that while meeting obstacles are common, the most important thing for them is the process and outcome. They did not surrender to the pressue but continue to seek for success. I salute almost all of them for the persistence.

Having said this, many improvement are still required. For example, doing the wrong thing for right purpose. One of them suggested to utilise the open space for relocating the hawkers and to build a connecting road between two blocks of flat over the open space. Even some have shown their innocience for allowing car wash operation over the drain without any filtering of waste water measure and covering the drain without any manhole. Some have built the toilet on buffer zone. All these although with good intention of solving their problems and trying to bring community activities on board, do not augur well for the environmental sustainability. I presume many have focusing on social sustainability. On this, promotion on Local Agenda 21 with 3 developmental dimensions, namely social, economy and environment is critical.

Expel

It is extremely difficult to expel someone from your family or office. If possible, nobody would like to go through this painful process, not even the one who is going to be sacked. However, if you have done your most best to not expelling someone, then what choice do you have? You have given them the chance to improve but nothing has been done. You told them to change for a better person but turned out to be worse than previously. You advised them to observe the work ethic and conduct without much success. So, enough is enough although sympathy is always there for someone, decision has to be made.

In my whole working life, I have done my very best not to bring disruption to anyone legitimate earning and rice bowl. We tend to care about what happen next to our subordinates if he is not working and earning for his siblings. We want to make sure that everyone is well taken care of so that he will do his utmost best. However, this can only work if he is reciprocating by improving himself for betterment, even with little changes.

I hope I will never embroil into this kind of position again.

Budget 2012

The 2012 Budget Announcement last Friday brought much cheers to many especially the lower income segment of the community and public servants. It is said a people friendly budget. The measures have been focusing on minimising the pain for escalating cost of living in the urban area, reducing the cost of doing business, ensuring general public of affordable housing and transportation as well as maintaining the competitiveness environment of Malaysia for investors and businesses. It is also the hope of improving the benefits of public servants will help in enhancing the effectiveness and quality of public delivery service. Although nothing is sure on this, the measure has however uplifted the morale of the public work force. Hopefully with the emphasize on innovation, public service will be more creative, innovative and leading the way in enhancing the quality service delivery. I believe we can produce more Steve Jobbs alike by giving individual public servant a chance to be innovated instead of the conventional bureaucratise way of protocol.

For environmental front, the tax incentive for hybrid and electric car will be extended until 2013. It is in fact a good move of encouraging hybrid car as an alternative to the present mode of transportation. Perhaps the local authority can compliment this effort by offering some incentive to encourage more such model replacing the existing vehicle. For example, car parking incentive and priority parking. Having said this, the changes might have help in reducing the emission of CO2, it does not help in reducing the car volume on the road. At the end of the day, I presume providing efficient and affordable public transportation is still the way forwards. It will be nicer also if more incentives have been provided for corporates and individual to do more greenery things. For example, shall i enjoy some tax rebate for recycling waste in my house, for reducing rubbish generation, for using less water and electricity, for supporting local products and etc.

For social front, this year must be a good starting for many good years to come. For the household earning RM3000 and below, a hand out of RM500 is given. For taxi drivers buying local made model vehicle is also getting big relief. For family with schooling children, the offering for education is also good. Basically nobody is left out from the list. It is only hope that what have been intended for will be utilised 100% for the purpose for greatest benefits, and no other else.

For local authority, it must be a year full with challenges. The challenge of businesses encountering stir competition and possible economic slow down, the residents facing with escalating cost of living and jobs opportunity, the bulky public service and the work performance of the service contractors. It is especially so for local authorities in Selangor, they will have to learn and relearn how to manage the solid waste and area cleansing after a lapse of 12 years of not doing so. It is an area so visible to the public and have an immediate impact on performance of the local authorities because you cannot hide the problem of cleanliness as what most people said you cannot sweep the rubbish under the carpet without others knowing about it.

For me, the budget is definitely a morale booster if not for career advancement but at least financially YES. I wish the new assessment scheme of SPBA replacing the SSM will right the previous wrong. Qualified servants will be notified and given the chance to serve. It is who you are that count rather than who you know or who you are with.

Sustainable City

The panel of judges for the PJ Sustainable Community Award have an interesting discussion over the concept of sustainable development during a visit to neighbourhood area last week. We spoke about the sustainable city that we envision in years to come. While many aspired to have a peaceful living, quality and comfortable lifestyle, safer environment, affordable home, a lot of greenery, unpolluted water supply, good and sufficient infrastruture and facilities and etc, many admitted also what we envisioned today are related to our past experience and present encountering. We have not taken into consideration what is happening now and in future will become a trend or norm. For example, the concept of R-Urban will change our living environment and lifestyle. The Y Generation will have different aspiration and skill of dealing with others. The youth will be more global and mobile. They will not stay put permanently in a city. They might have working from a remote area but accessible with internet connection. They might even settle their meal without lighting up their kitchen. That's mean the interior design of a house will also need to revisit. For example, having multiple space arrangement within a small area in which change of usage will be every fleasible and according to the need of the occupants. The so-call living area now can be turned into a dining space or music room or study area or meeting space with ease. The need for having a permanent facilities with less usage is reduced tremendously. In this respect, the definition for sustainable living will have to be fine tuned.

Travelling need for essential daily goods will also be reduced. Even travelling to the work place, leisure and study will be deminished. We might have facilities complexes atop of the residential podium that will cut down trip generation tremendously. We do not need the vehicles as a basic need but rather a luxury item.

So, with less opportunity for travelling and inter-human interation as well as returning to basic lifestyle, the creation of sustainable city and its formation will change to futuristic that many of us cannot describe with sure.

The model and facade of sustainable city will change according to time and desire of people. Although all uncertainties are there, one thing for sure will remain is whatever we do and pursue cannot surpass the limit and capacity of our mother nature and creation of GOD, I presume.

Concept of Urban Village

We talked about urban village because we felt we have lost the touch of village living while staying put in the urban area. We remembered how closet the relationship amongst villagers. We cannot forget the kindness, self-help spirit and down to earth attitude of our childhood friends. It is always in our memory of going to river for a swim and hiding behind the trees to play the game of seek and hide. We walked to the school every early morning and rode on motorcycle without helmet for afternoon drive throughout the whole village. We have our dinner at evening instead of night time because we did not encounter any traffic problem as what the hardship urban people are encountering. We got plenty of fruits free of charge during the season rather than spending money to buy. We walked through our neighbours' house behind us without people calling us trespassing. All these are rather to freedom of doing things closer to our heart and nature without fear and favour. It is our true self. We fond of having village spirit because it bring back good old days memory that brought us up. We cannot tolerate with the urban circumstances simply because we have experienced the goodness of village before us. That's why many especially for those migrating from village and rural area are talking about creating urban village in the cities.

Recently, I told the urban village promoters to revisit the concept of urban village simply because time change and aspiration of new generation evolves as well. We cannot expect our youngster to appreciate what we have enjoyed formally. They might not understand what we are talking about and so fond about past moment. For some of them, perhaps spending hours in front of computer screen chit-chatting with friends worldwide is better rather than going outing and picnicking under the hot sun. Some might have thought fried chicken serving in the restaurant is "chicken" instead of those running around in the compound of a village house. We need to apply new terminology, approaches and concept of discussing with them and along the process in building the underlying concept of urban village into their mind. For example, since many have acquitted with the idea of going green as a cool thing, perhaps asking the youth to plant trees while going for outing should be the way forwards.

Urban village is there to stay, but to create that environment in the city with many of its population born in the city and without any experience of village living is a challenge itself. New strategies are needed.

World Habitat Day 2011

First Monday of October every year is declared World Habitat Day. Today, 3rd of October is the Day. World Habitat Day is organised to raise awareness on the need of having quality, affordable and sustainable settlements and at the same time to celebrate achievements that enhancing the living environment for human being. It is a Day celebrated world wide especially in UN-Habitat at Nairobi, Africa.

While many have been achieved for improving the living environment and shelter for people, many have yet to be done simply because of the effectiveness of programmes and capacity of the organisers and beneficiaries. For example, eradicating the poverty is top agenda of the list, but the income disparity is getting wider now not only between the developed and undeveloped countries but also inter cities or even rural and urban area in a developed country. The job opportunity is shrinking in the developed nation because of shifting of industries based to other countries. The quality of living environment in the urban area is not at par with those in the rural area due to high cost of living expenses. The vircious circle of poverty amongst the agriculture society at rural area is repeating for the service oriented society in the urban area simply because the earning is never sufficient to cover the cost of living.

Definitely some structural change of the economic model, governance system and society norm or value need to be revisited. Perhaps it is time to refresh all these in this Day.

Happy World Habitat Day 2011.

Art of Rejecting

How to reject a person although it is not right to do so under normal circumstances? Everyone has the right to claim his/her share provided that he/she is qualified. The approving agency has the obligation to grant such right if the applicant has fulfilled the requirements as stated. This is what supposed to be, I thought. However, I was proved wrong when people start quoting on the discretion of the agency to disapprove based on some preempt reasons or even without any valid reason but followed the preference of the people who have been entrusted to make decision.

For example, an application for operating a budget hotel was rejected even though all technical and statutory requirements were complied because of fear by some quarters that the accommodation facilities might be mis-used for immoral activities. Although preempt action to curb possible social problems is good, denying the right of operator to prove that he is starting a legitimate business is questionable. Similarly, it is morally wrong if a person with right qualification and appropriateness is not given opportunity to be consider for stall application. It is not ethical if a candidate with proper and recognised academia qualification is not considered for membership admission into an institution without valid reason even though no clauses in the rules prevent it.

I presume in the era of openness, transparency and good governance, the practice of working with reasonably should be enhanced further.

PJ Car Free Day 2011

Given a choice, you would like to save cost and feel good. That's the sentiment of those people participating in the Car Free Day 2011 celebration organised by MBPJ recently. The Campaign saw the councillors and officers came to work and meeting by LRT, Community Bus, Walking and cycling on 28th September 2011. It is a symbolic gesture of showing the Council seriousness in supporting effort to reduce carbon emission and creating a green and low carbon city of Petaling Jaya.

Save cost means reducing expenses on the fuel of car and feel good means you are doing good towards protecting the environment. Many do not mind taking the public transportation if the mode is efficient, reliable and affordable or even walking and cycling if it is conducive, comfortable and safe of doing so. Providing feeder bus service to ferry people from their origin to the LRT, Bus and Commuter Stations and later from the stations to place of destination are important to encourage people to shift to public transport as a way of commuting. It is no point of talking tireless to people of asking them to reduce generation of car trip without providing viable option. Similarly asking people to cycle and walk on busy road is not of help. Dedicated and well connected lanes should be built.

While waiting for that to realise, it is right to do something within the influence and means of everyone and not to waiting everything falls in place. For example, do we drive and shop within the neighbourhood centre with vicinity of less than 10 minutes walk? If yes, is that possible to change the habit? Do we develop the habit of switching on the engine of car while waiting someone? If yes, then perhaps we should get down from the car and wait elsewhere if we anticipate to wait for longer time. Many daily routine can be changed and brought benefits to the environment but was overlooked due to our negligence or even attitude of do not bother. So, it is time to change from within.

In this respect, the celebration of Car Free Day in which some councillors are cycling in short distance is not only about raising public awareness, but a statement made on our commitment. Study showed that if a person doing something repeatedly for 3 months, then it will become a habit. Hopefully, this will develop into a habit and routine in time to come.

Macau Guests

I welcomed two delegations from Macau for the past one week. They are social workers and volunteers involving in social work at all field of community development in Macau, ranging from children, elderly, disabled, under privilege and others. With the help of Government, they provide financial and kind assistance to these groups. These include shelter, food, transportation, leisure activities, spiritual and opportunity to interact with other segments of community. I was make to understand that they work tirelessly and with full love and cares.

I briefed them on the community development undertaken by MBPJ and other neighbourhood groups. Many of the programmes are done with partnership and collaboration between the local council and community members. It is the partnership spirit that keep activities going and effective at Petaling Jaya. Of course, with more resources, more actions can be taken.

It is a good interaction and exchange of ideas and views of how to bring humanitarian works to higher ground. And, it is a common goal for every human beings.

Concept of "R-Urban"

Recently, I have a chance to chit chat with Mr Sebastian Moffat, President of Consensus Institute, Vancouver, Canada in Kuala Lumpur. He spoke about "rurban" concept in years to come, may be 5 to 10 years time from now. According to him, 70% of population will be staying in the urban area and hence sustaining themselves without relying much on rural area is very critical. This is so because the agriculture land in rural area will be left idle without young force. The improvement of public transportation network system will reduce the need for travelling with private vehicles and at the same time ICT advancement as well as emerging new planning concept of integrated landuse development will reduce trip generation. All these will make the road system and car parking space redundance. What should we do when such time is approaching?

He forecasts that perhaps the big land bank of road and car parks can be turned into urban farm land for the urban dwellers supplying own produces. The "RURBAN" is in the making with farm land creation in the urban area. This is logical from the environmental point of view since finding ways to carbon emission reduction is becoming a challenge now. By producing our daily need at source will reduce the trip generation and hence carbon emission. Using the domestic organic waste for composting and as fertilisers for plants will also reduce the emission of green house gases. Having big piece of land covering with soil and plant will serve as large rain water retention pond and hence help in preserving runoff during heavy downpour and possible of flash flood.

As city manager, the local council has to prepare for this possibility. It is time to strategies and plan the immediate use of road and car park space if public transportation system is efficient, effective and affordable enough for public to abandon their private vehicles, I presume.

Catch 22@PJ: Environment vs $

When it comes to the need of protecting the environment and expenditure for doing so, how do you strike a balance? This is a question many people will like to skip and avoid. Given an opportunity, everybody would like to make good and hence feel good by doing more for the betterment of their living environment. People tend to collect old newspaper for recycling and then earn some return. Some might go extra mile of planting trees and flora not only within their house compound, but also the surrounding area like garden and road shoulder in front of their house. This partly because of immense benefits they are enjoying and also the cost involved is not that high.

If you are asked to contribute more than you are willing to do so, would you still have no problem of carrying out the contribution towards environment that you are used to do? I was asked this question during a meeting. I made a proposal recently for replacing the billing with electronic and digital format. Instead of receiving hardcopy of the bill by postal, the receipients will be asked to voluntary himself to not receiving the bill and make payment through online system. By doing so, the cost on printing and sending the bills will be reduced and carbon footprint can be deducted. While the saving on billing is not that significant compared to the potential total collection from billing and possibility of non-payment, the process will bring in positive message to the public that carbon emission is possible even though with a small process of business doing that have a risk of non collection of due. In this respect, shall we go ahead facing the potential financial risk for the good of protecting our environment later?

I am fortunate that members of the meeting brought the arguement and agreed with the proposal. Perhaps many people out there would do the same if given proper guidance and information, that is preferring environmental conservation for public good rather than taking financial outflow as the only consideration.

Gateway

Petaling Jaya is the gateway for Selangor State as well as Malaysia. Physically, the city is the front passage for people from Kuala Lumpur commuting to Klang Sea Port. The city is also the stepping stone for newcomers from rural area or other States looking for job and education opportunities. By all means, the city is the first choice for residential, working, leisure and study purpose.

Gateway is not the first entry point by chance, it can be created through innovation and creeativity by utilising and optimising the available resources and advantages. People come here first instead of going elsewhere in itself is considered a gateway. Facilitating this to happen is obviously a great task. For a city having tough competition globally, projecting itself to be the gateway for visitors and investors is critical and important. For example, visitors will make all efforts coming over because the city offers various choices that no other place can match, in itself is a gateway. This requires positioning the city in the right place at the right time for the right people.

Gateway should also be supported with other complimentary activities or functions. For example, coming over to the PJ Old Town to source for kitchen utentils might open up other opportunities for people looking at living room and dining hall equipments. Without complimentary supoort, the gateway might be overtaken by others very fast. To sustain its status as gateway, obviously long term strategies to maintain it is very crucial.

Gold and Trust

The worth of trust is equivalent to gold. A trustworthy man is a beloved man that is able to win over everyone's heart without much a problem. You cannot earn that by offering gold to everyone. Some might like to befriend with you simply because of the offering of gold or money. This relationship, however is short lived and would not last longer as it can. While a gold can buy you any material need or even companion, the trust cannot be converted to monetary return. The trust, however will help to fulfill your spiritual engagement and of course earn respect from others, not only for yourself but also your family. Hence, trustworthy is important and pre-requisite in our life.

It is fine for having the gold and trust. For businessman, it simply means they are making money with ethic and good deed. For general public, it means earning a living with dignity. It becomes a crisis when you have to make a choice between gold and trust. You are required to choose either gold or trust such as cheating people by earning the money or providing empty promise in return for love or financial gain.

While everyone will prioritise the trust over gold, in reality we are surrounded by many people who do not mind to sacrify their trustwortiness for own self-interest. This trend is compounded by the individual urge for success in life, peer pressure to do better, family expectation to earn higher than the neighbours, collegues to compete with each others and the fear of losing their advantages due to the competitive world we are living in now. The practice of using GDP and physical measurement for quality of life is not helping either. We tend to compare with each others based on material gain and not how happy we are. Perhaps the happiness index as applied by some countries should be adopted widely and extensively.

Top Down Planning

Malaysian Institute of Planners hosted a delegation from Iraq which include the The Hon. Minister last Saturday. Briefing about the history, challenges, governance system, approaches of Malaysian Planning was given to the guests. They are interested to know the appropriate process of training personnel, governance system and planning practice for the planning and development of the country. All these are related to the professional planning services which include the government, private sector and the academia.

One of the interesting point was raised, that is the hierarchy of planning. It is always the case of having higher level of planning at the Federal or Central Level and zoom it down to the local level. This was done so for the purpose of national interest, coordination at the federal level especially for development projects with national significance, resources allocation as the Federal Government is the central agency to distribute the national wealth as well as the notion of "we know best". However, in view of the emerging trend of community voicing out and demand for their right to be heard and consulted, the need for bottom up planning instead of solely the top down approach is getting higher now. The guest asked about the bottom up approach in planning in which how local planning influences the planning direction at the national level.

Participatory planning is rather important now. People want to be involved, heard and participate in the planning and decision making process. It is now the planning with the people rather than the commonly believe of planning for the people. Thereby, soliciting people's views and proposal at the local level, the closet to the community is critical. It is rightly so as ultimately they will be the users and beneficiary or even the victim for bad planning, not for a short term but perpectually. The Local Planning Authority is facing tremendous pressure now to engage and listen to the stakeholders and to decide the development direction and decision with their input in mind. People are not afraid of voicing out their views and demand for reasonable explaination.

The attitude and approach of planners need changes as well. It is no more a job for technocrat. It is a multi-dicplinary approaches in which human skill is getting very important now. It is not how can you draw a plan better and comply with all the technical requirement only, but how can you engage not only the project proponents to like your plan as well as the stakeholders and authority to buy your idea with pleasure, I think.

Success in Exhibition

I attended 2 exhibitions recently and noticed that for a booth to attract more visitors than others, special strategies are required. These range from the location of the booth, design of the booth, information and material exhibited, free bees, friendly care takers, products or services required by the visitors and of course on site marketing.

In the Guangzhou Fair, MBPJ Booth was a hit amongst the visitors as it was located at the main hall and pedestrian corridor. Visitors visiting the pavillion will have no choice but by passing MBPJ booth even though they have no intention of coming inside the booth. Secondly, the Minangkabau design of the booth is so unique and refreshing for the Chinese visitors that many come over for a photograph session. Even our collegues wearing the Malay and Indian dressing are in demand for photograph shooting. Thirdly is the exhibits must be simple, attractive, informative and photogentic for viewing. Nobody will like to come cross to every exhibition panel to read through the details. Many will not spend time to get to the details unless it is required so for answering some questions in exchanging gift. Forthly, of course offering free gift will be another attraction. Many even come approaching for free bees rather than spending time visiting the booth. However, ensuring that people at least spend some time visiting the booth and not come solely for the free gift, some kind of games in relation to the exhibition should be held. On site marketing is another method to attract attention. For example, scheduled shows such as dancing and magic show will stimulate interest.

For a successful promotion during exhibition, I beleive the above are important ingredients. For this to happen, proper planning and preparation is required.

Good Can Be Better

People always say if good can be better, then good is not good enough. Similarly, if there is room for improvement, then what have achieved is definitely not good enough. This perception did arise because everything we do might not be done in wholeheartedly or with the best efforts or some time constrainted by the circumstances that handicapped the result. I believe everything we do will have room for improvement either immediately or at later stage when the circumstances warrant. Hence, what we do daily is considered a process rather than a result as continue improvement is pending all the time.

Planning is in the similar situation. Thereby planning should be flexible with changes according to the local circumstance, aspiration of the stakeholders or even market forces. Planning for an area might not be possible and feasible presently, but does not means similar consideration cannot be given when the time is right. For example, changing of landuse to a more compatible use should be allowed if the residential houses are no more conducive for living due to traffic and environmental condition. Having said this, a thorough and holistic study is required as the changes can be indefinite and resulted in long term impacts to the surrounding area.

Underground Shopping

Travel with Metro in Guangzhou City is a pleasant experience. While the well connected rail is so accessible, affordable and convenient, shopping underground from the entrance leading to the gate of rail station is equally impressive. Plenty of shops offering variety of goods and services are lined up along the axis to the station. You will not miss it, perhaps you do not want to miss it.

While commercialising the corridor with high pedestrian movement is a commercial decision, the planning itself must be right. Putting some commercial activities along the corridors no doubt will attract attention and customers, it must however according to what we aspire and want. For example, is that ok for having the street artists performing there? Is that right for hawkers cooking and selling food there? We must have a good tenant mix catering to the need of travellers and perhaps shoppers so that walking leading to the rail station is a pleasant experience, and not a boring and unsecure trip.

I wish to see similar happenings in our LRT, commuter and MRT line, one day.

Special Area Planning

I was impressed with the special zone planning in Guangzhou City after a briefing done by the city planners last week. The demarcation of an area for speciality and land use or activities with its own uniqueness and characteristics is not something new, the successful exercution however is something new and difficult.

Most of the time, city planners would like to see their plan comes to reality. However, the implementation stage which come much later is normally failing the plan. It can be the problem of securing financing, disagreement of the market forces, readiness of the stakeholders, capacity of the city managers and etc. Even though implementation is carried out as planned, it might be turned out to be different thing or not according to the plan. For example, although business park is envisioned for Section 13, the development itself without proper coordination might realise the place as another conventional type of commercial centre without its unique features, such as the green business hub with amble accessibility and connectivity.

Guangzhou City manages to differentiate area with its own features. When you are in ThianHe area, it is cosmopolitan like commercial centre and likewise in Baizhou, it is M.I.C.E convention centre. The YueSiao area is the older part of the City with many greenery and historical building and places of interest. Similarly, along the Pearl River is the leisure centre.

For Petaling Jaya, I believe similar exercise has to be carried out. Perhaps starting with the place making exercise should be held. Place making means developing an area with its soul and characteristics. For example, Old Town can be the wholesale centre for PJ. And to encourage related activities there, incentive scheme shall be offered and development should be facilitated. In this respect, Local Authority should play a bigger role for promoting and guiding the development at the level of daily routine. The time of approving and licensing the development projects only without nurturing the growth of an area with its special features is gone, to me.

City Marketing

Marketing a city is not an easy task, especially for the cities without unique identify or do not come with any historical value, special or natural characteristic or with national significance. 21st Century is the era for cities. Cities become the growth engine for the nation. It is the cities that reflecting the true image and characteristics of a country and hence presenting first impression to the visitors and outsiders about how the city is doing. Thereby, getting people acquitte with the city is becoming more and more complicated as all cities are competing each others for attention, in flow of capital and investment, visitors and tourists as well as businesses. Local Governments are pushing unlimited efforts to market their cities. However, not many manage to make it successfully.

Marketing a city is not about putting up exhibition and showing people some nice pictures on places of interest. Marketing a city is about telling people what uniqueness can I offer that you might not seen elsewhere. Even if you have seen elsewhere you might only saw the best here in my city. People travelling to Melbourne for her status as liveable city. Similarly Singapore is known for its' cleanliness, safety and greenery. Bangkok City is known as leisure, shopping and entertainment paradise. Tokyo for its cosmopolitan appearance and etc.

Hence, marketing a city must first started with identifying the unique characteristics of a city or what the city can offer. Without that, it is difficult to tell people what the city all about. For example, people might know Kuala Lumpur because of the Petronas Twin Tower, once the tallest building in the World. People aware about Banglore of India because the city is the World IT Hub. Many know Cambriage or Oxford City because of the renowned university and ambience for studying. It is easy to market a city upon associating the city with symbolic gestures or images.

Guangzhou is known as a business city and it is not uncommon to be labelled as the World Manufacturing City as well. The presence of many products makers, wholesellers, retailers and buyers from all over the World speaks for itself. To facilitate the ease of doing business, The City Government of Guangzhou maintains good friendship with a lot of cities apart from making the urban infrastructure and facilities in tip top condition.

What to market for Petaling Jaya City? It is one of the most vibrant and dynamic city in Malaysia, but globally it is not that significant. I presume this is a big question mark for many...

Effective Implementation (2)

Effective implementation of urban regeneration programmes is always depended on the support of the stakeholders especially the land and building owners. It means nothing even though the authority can formulate a comprehensive master plan without the participation of them. As brown field development is always touching on the living community, it is also a difficult task to to meet entire community's aspiration and agenda, even sometime the objective of majority is not an easy venture. Thereby, engaging the land and building owners are critical and pre-requisite for any successful urban regeneration programme.

In Guangzhou, I was told instead of compulsory acquisition of land, the owners are allowed to look for their development partner first. Failure with, they can request the city government to auction their land for development. They will get 60% of the amount without the city government acting on their behalf for disposing the land. Third option is the owners can stay put and continue with their line of business, but of course to comply with all the city regulation. Nothing to stop them from continuing with their activities unless the law is broken.

I think it is a good move of encouraging urban regeneration without jeopardising the right and responsibilities of the land and building owners. They are given the chance to be consulted and to part share the profit of the programme. It is truly another form of public participation in practice, I presume.

Metro in Guangzhou

I was in Guangzhou City of China attending a fair and discussion with the city officers last week. One of the development impressed me the most is the well connected, accessible and affordable public transportation and pedestrian network. I was told the network was in place prior to the Asian Games in Year 2010. I visited the city 5 years ago and I must admitted the speed of urban transformation equally surprised me to say the least. I cannot recall any cities in the World except China that have gone this pace of rapid development.

The public transportation system is very efficient and connectivity is covering almost every corner of the city. It is reachable from one end to the other end within set time frame. On top of that, the pricing structure make travelling affordable. I paid RMB 12 to travel from down town to the Baiyun Airport. I cannot recall of city-airport transfer with similar pricing. Apart from that, the whole metro lines are underground, not even at grade or elevated. With the efficient public transportation, it will stimulate tourism and travelling. My collegues without the knowledge of Chinese of language are able to travel to tourist destinations without any difficulty. Of course, their only inconvenience is how to bargain for the best price.

Effective Implementation

It was reported that rebate scheme for energy efficiency electrical appliances offered by the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water does not meet the anticipated result. After 2 months of implementation, many qualified purchasers of new appliances do not care of applying for the rebate. It was quoted as a complicated process and the restriction is too much to fulfill with. While the scheme is a good start to encourage low carbon and energy saving living, the process itself becomes a hindrance for achieving the target.

People always say for effective implementation of a programme, 3 factors are important, namely the content, context and process. While the content itself of going green is noble and by right should be welcome by all like-minded people in dollars saving and environmental friendly, it does not mean that everyone will aim for it. Right context is also important such as the right target group, timing and circumstances. For example, affordability is one issue. If i can purchase an air-con with life span of 5 years but with more than 50% cheaper than the energy efficiency product, then for those concern about paying higher capital expenditure at the initial stage, the cost factor will be prioritised. Similarly, right process is also critical. We should facilitate the process by making application is an easy task and not adding eextra burden to the decision process of purchasing. If you request me to visit the Ministry in Putrajaya for the form and to submit again, then it might be not cost efficient for me to do so.

I wish the assessment rebate scheme for environmental friendly house owners offered by Petaling Jaya City Council will be an easy process.

Off Your Car Engine

Do you know that with your car engine on while waiting will cost you RM 0.16 per minute? Do you know that you are polluting the environment unneccessary for generating 0.208 kg CO2 only with 10 minutes of your car engine on? Do you know that 1 liter of petrol or diesel used will generate 2.5 kg CO2? All these are the answers provided for during the launch of the Off Your Engine While Waiting Campaign in the office compound of MBPJ recently.

While we switch on the car engine while waiting for our love one is a common gesture, we have not realised that this very small action is polluting the environment. All bosses are expecting their drivers to switch on the engine and air con waiting for them before they got into their car.

The campaign is commendable as it will be the first time a local authority has initiated such initiative to raise public awareness and also the good cause for carbon emission reduction.

Development

People said development is unstoppable. You are either join in the crowd or be marginalised. Having said this, many of us only consider physical and economy development are the so called development and progress. We are looking at the physical transformation of a place or materialistic as development. We are seldom take into consideration social development as progress development. For example, in the 60s, people knew each others and neighbourhood security is of non issue. Nowadays, high fencing and tight security are there to protect the neighbourhood for the reason of better safety. While we have achieved economically well, we are backward when it comes to social development. So, are we talking about the true meaning of development here. We are at the Catch 22 situation here as society is facing the vicious cycle of development. People rich with friendly and social interaction in the old days are more happier than now that we hardly talk to each others or even know our immediate neighbours. Are we paying the price for so called development?

If the answer is yes, then why should we so eagerly pursuing the development as what we perceived now? I think many are in the loss. People are working hard to feed their family in which they will have to fore go the precise time together with the family. When they have accumulated enough wealth, the relationship between husband and wife or parent and children are not as cordial as we should think of, hence the starting of other social problems such as youth rebellion, drug etc. If we have realised it from the beginning, why should we not prioritising the family and social development first instead of the wealth creation?

In this era of competitiveness and capitalism, no one will dare to risk their chance of not doing well and harder for more wealth. Hence, not many can afford to place family first and economic development later. The game of pursuing development will go on until and unless the nature call for us to go slower or stop. We will only learn the lesson when the time comes, I presume.

Convince

Are you convincing enough? How to convince a person? Obviously it is not that easy to sell your idea and hence getting agreement from others. Convincing cannot be done depending on the appearance of the presenter or his skillful and powerful talk alone. It might work for the short term but as many say you cannot fool a person for long time, you simply cannot rely on these for all the time. A powerful speaker might lead people into believing him, but it will not last unless what he conveyed turn into reality.

To me, convincing means you are able to present the fact, even though how hard it is. Convincing means you are able to turn theories into reality. Convincing means you are able to present the true scene. It is seeing and believing.

Land vs Planning

Land matter and planning design is inseparable. No planning can be done without the land. With the availability of land, it is even more challenging for planning because every single piece of land is unique and different in form, size and character. Land matter and planning design become more complicated when National Land Code, 1965 and Town and Country Planning Act, 1976 are crossed reference. It is logical to confirm on the ultimate use of a piece of land prior to allowing any changes to the land form. If this argument is accepted, then application for planning permission should come first and followed by the land application. However, many have the understanding that since land application will ultimately be referred to and decided by the State Authority, then the final decision is vested with the State Authority rather than the local planning authority. Local Authority by virtue as local planning authority is subjected to decisions and policies made by the State Authority does not spare from this perception of subjecting the final decision on developmental projects to the discretion of the State Authority.

How to make both the processes flowing as efficiently as possible is a big task ahead. Business process re engineering on development either at the planning level or land stage should be looked at thoroughly and comprehensively.

Urban Renewal

When it comes to urban renewal, majority of the people is talking about urban redevelopment in which demolishing the existing buildings and replaced by the new one is the order of the day. Many have either forgotten or conveniently neglected that urban renewal is also included urban rehabilitation and urban regeneration or even refurbishment. Unfortunately this become the case for contest by residents of PJ on the proposed urban renewal plan for Section 51, 51A, 52, 8, part of 7 and 14. More clarifications and explanations are required. Perhaps education programme on town planning is urgently required. For example, for a residential precinct of Section 8, perhaps rehabilitation exercise is good enough. Provision of modern and new infrastructure such as networked pedestrian walkways, community hall, green open space and etc can be prioritised as well as the renovation of existing single storey dwelling house.

When a city has lost its appearance to the stakeholders and its functions to perform effectively and efficiently as a city dropped tremendously, then it is time for some form of urban renewal to take place. It is a process of rejuvenation to embrace the emerging challenges and or to optimise the prospects and opportunities arising from new changes. For example, renewal on the heritage buildings to meet the need of tourists. Similarly, to inject new modern facilities and infrastructure to prevent deterioration of the quality of life and pollution problem in the old town down area.

Ramadan

Social integration is about each others from different background or culture diverse working together or mixing around as one. It is easy to talk about tolerance, harmony, peaceful, understanding, interaction with each other, considerate and etc when dealing with social integration. For sustainability to work effectively, social integration is critical and unavoidable. How can a team of people working together if do not know each others and even yes, but not knowing each other well? If we do not know each others, then how can we work together? How to achieve a common mission if everyone is having their own thinking and agenda?

Thereby social integration is important. Social integration can only attain if everyone respect each others and everyone is treated equally and their own right of speaking out and action is well respected. Of course paying attention to others problems and difficulties as well as cultural differences are of help. It is rather difficult to practice it unless we bring down our own ego and pre-perception on others. For example, we might look down own people in different social class, cultural background, working environment or upbringing simply because we have not making an attempt to know them and to mix with this group of people.

In a Country like Malaysia with various cultural diverse, we should start with knowing and understanding each others' festive celebration. By knowing the origin and meaning of each festive celebration, then only we will realise how to create mutual respect.

Perhaps the month of Ramadhan, prelude to the Ail Fitri Celebration provides us an opportunity to create better understanding and hence enhancing greater social integration. While our Muslim friends will be fasting during the day time, I presume it is okay for non-Muslim to have the meal. Similarly while prayer sessions are on going, it might be good minimise the possibility of disturbance towards the proceeding. While we enjoy the multiple choice of pastry and desserts, we might wish to know the making process and its origin.

Happy Ramadan.

Anti Litterbugs Campaign

Anti Litterbugs Campaign was launched by MBPJ recently. It is a campaign to catch and fine the litter bug for throwing rubbish, small or big everywhere on the streets. Plain cloth enforcers will be deployed to round the street to catch red handed and to issue compound immediately to those throwing rubbish. The fine is ranged from RM50 to RM100 for different offences. While this is a noble move of keeping the city clean, the execution is not that easy.

At the initial stage, perhaps a lot of argument will happen between the enforcers and the offenders. Some might question the right of the enforcers to fine them. Even some will ask for explanation and proof of their wrongdoing. The naughty one will just walk away if the enforcers are trying to confront him/her. Perhaps the bully one will try to threaten or beat the enforcers. It is a big question for the enforcers to overcome this possibility. Will they be nice guy first to advice people of not repeating the offences or do they immediately issuing the compound? How do they handle the situation if thing turns out to be very unbecoming? Can they handle nasty person or the bully? Are they allow to exercise citizen arrest if the offender run away from the scene? All these possibilities are yet to be seen.

Having said this, enforcement is still worth trying since the awareness campaign run over the years have not been very successful. We witnessed people of throwing rubbish or even the cigarette bug illegally on the street without any fear or even shameless to say the least. Perhaps only stick instead of carrot is the way forward. Unless and until the society inculcates the value system and culture of keeping clean and tidy or else enforcement action is unavoidable.