30th June

30th June is the half mark of a year. It means time to refresh on what have been achieved for the first quarter of the year and to adjust the target set earlier for the year or to add in new aspiration as time change. Rightly so as we need to revisit our own target set at the starting of the year and to make adjustment for the remaining term. Very often people do not bother to check on their achievement until the end of the year. When the time come, we will often off guard for any improvement and rectification as time is not on our side. That's why last minute Christmas Shopping is not uncommon for many organisations.

On this day, MBPJ witnessed the departure of her Director of Town Planning who have been serving the Council for less than a year. She was promoted as the President for Kuala Selangor District Council, the first lady honouring with that post in Selangor State. Wishes her all the best.

My Lions Club of Kuala Lumpur West is also witnessed the change of guard on this day. New Committee took over for the fiscal year of 2011-2012. As the service club, hopefully service to community will always remain top priority and personal tussle and non-services activities can be minimised. Maintaining harmony and cordial relationship between the members and general public at large should be done at all cost.

For me, I presume I have carried out my duty as OSC Director, Director of the Lions Club, Honorary Secretary of MIP and member of my neighbourhood faithfully and to my best ability.

Bus Service by Local Government

It was reported that proposal of local government providing bus service was suggested during the Dialogue Session for Preparing Selangor State Budget 2012 yesterday. The proposal is commendable and explorable further for its realisation. The Local Government Act 1976, Act 171 does not stop local government from providing such services. Nowadays, transportation and traffic is becoming major concern for many residents and main cause of degradation for quality living and pollution. Although the areas are covered by transit networks, but the service is disrupted due to lack of supplementary shutter service for ferrying people from their home to the station. On top of that, connectivity, accessibility and affordability of public transportation is having large room for improvement.

Local Government can operate the bus service plying major transit points and town centre for preventing more private vehicles from entering the city centre. This service can then be extended to other parts of the town. If local government is worried about managing the fleet of buses, then perhaps for a start, local government can negotiate with the existing bus companies for extending the area of coverage and increase the frequency of services. Of course, to subsidise for the service if the companies are reluctant to do so is unavoidable. Providing services to the residents is part and parcel of service delivery by local government although some might said the transportation service is under the prelude of Land Transport Commission. To me, if a particular local government can and able to provide the service for the sake of overcoming the problem of traffic, then why not? Penang Municipal Council is doing that and recently Penang State Government followed suit providing shuttle service from Seberang Prai to the Bayan Lepas Industrial Zone are two classic examples.

Integrity

I attended the Integrity Seminar organised by MBPJ this morning. The purpose of the Seminar is to raise awareness of the local government staff on integrity. It is commonly known that very few people able to understand well about integrity and value system. Some might be blurred in differentiating the can and cannot do as a government servant. For example, is it ok to accept a lunch invitation from someone who would like to show his gratitude for helping him? Is it right to accept festive gift such as moon cake during the celebration of Mid Autumn Festival or even a carton of mandarin orange during Chinese New Year? Is it right to not observing the code of integrity if the question of bread and butter involved?

All these are deliberated in the above Seminar. To me, if we have served faithfully and to the best of our capability without fear and favour as well as with no bad intention at all, then the question of lack of integrity will be a non issue.

People With Different Abilities

Person with disabilities or person with different abilities? This is the question asked when it comes to the Malay Language acronym of OKU or either Orang Kurang Upaya Orang Kelainan Upaya. For commoners, Orang Kurang Upaya is more familiar with and used more often in relation to people with physical disabilities such as blindness, deaf, down syndrome etc. However, in order not to upset people with disabilities and also not creating bias and discrimination, nowadays, it is commonly accepted that Orang Kelainan Upaya be applied. It is always an argument that OKU cannot perform their rights as provided for under the Human Right Charter and Constitution simply because the physical environment fails them from doing so. For example, they would like to visit the park but the level of connectivity and accessibility is not conducive for that to happen. They would like to have an independent living but cannot do that as going out from the house to attend to work place is always a challenge. Although the physically disabled person is not a major group, the inclusion of older people and minor or even those temporary immobile, then the number can be huge and hence providing such facilities friendly to the OKU is not something "luxury" as claimed by some people.

I presume in this respect universal design is more appropriate. All facilities, built environment and even the natural environment should be design for the use of all, be it able or disable people. If we have done it at the stage of planning instead of management stage, then the overall construction cost can be very marginal and manageable. Hence, providing facilities complying with the requirement for universal design at the planning and construction stage will be a determining factor for greater acceptance by general public and the project proponents. It will help to expedite the process of creating an universal design environment.

Having said this, greater enforcement and efficient in maintenance is equally important to ensure that universal design is there to stay and use. Very often we see the facilities lacked of maintenance is in dilapidated stage and of no use to the OKU.

The concept and need for doing so can only be done with greater understanding and knowledge of those designers and people in power. No point of advocating doing universal design without knowing the head and tail or inside out. Hence, the move by MBPJ and MIP in organising the Conference on OKU last Thursday is commendable. It is a good forum for those in city planning and management to get to know the update of universal design first, and then thinking what to do next. For creating an inclusive society, we must incorporate the OKU into our Society at large, and we have no choice if sustainable is what it meant. For PJ, it is timely to move forward with the celebration of 5th Anniversary as the City.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility is not solely and exclusively the domain for multi-nation and large companies or organisations. It applies to anyone, be small or big, be private or public, be individual or community. It is a gesture from within the value system of an organisations or companies or individual. A company without soul and heart of the people, community, stakeholders and environment will not have thought about doing something extra benefiting them or the nature in which their bottom line of profit will have to compromise. If this is the case, then every enterprise has the responsibility towards their clients, stakeholders and the environment within the vicinity of their surrounding environment should have carried out corporate social responsibility. For a hawker, he has the responsibility of making sure the food is of higher hygiene and dirtying the place of business should not have happened. For a school authority, making sure students receiving quality education, safe and conducive environment for studying is the responsibility. For local authority, manage the city well above everybody aspiration and needs through efficient service delivery and quality living environment is the responsibility.

How about sin companies carrying out CSR activities? In one hand the company produce is not friendly to either the health of human or damage the environment, on the other hand the company is trying hard to change the perception of people towards their produce. How to manage this crisis of perception? Recently, I was asked to provide feedback on CSR of a company producing alcoholic drink in Petaling Jaya. For some, alcoholic drink is not allowed and hence even though the company has done various activities benefiting the community or environment is still something difficult to ponder. On the other hand, some do not mind for a sin company to do good as long as they are trying their very best to reduce the damage on environment and community. For me, since the law allow their presence, rightfully they should be given the chance to continue with their business and to do good. As a responsible business, the more CSR they are carrying out, the better for the community and environment. Of course, some might doubt the sincerity of this company. For me, it is better for a sin company declaring that they are doing CSR programmes and be seen of doing it rather than a company doing sin behind every possible good agenda they might have projected to the public. For example, is it acceptable for a learning institution to operate in a premise without approval? Is it ok for companies to nail bunting on the tree for promotion and publicity? Is it right for a fine dining restaurant discharging waste water directly to the drain at the back of the shop without treatment? I would rather having visible and transparent CSR agenda from companies even the sin one.

Prayer For PJ

Different Religious Institutions are coming forward to host prayer sessions at their respective place of worships in celebrating the 5th Anniversary of City Day of Petaling Jaya. It is indeed remarkable of seeing people with different faith having their own way of praying for the peacefulness, harmony and prosperity of Petaling Jaya. I presume it might be more meaningful if all of us coming together and do it collectively. I believe by gathering together, we will know each others better and of course acquiring the knowledge and understanding better. Once our understanding about each other is enhanced, then we will be more tolerate, considerate and caring about each others. Without a common platform, it is such an uphill task of creating a common consensus and understanding.

For a multi-ethnic and culturally diverse society of Petaling Jaya, it is important and critical.

Our Iceberg is Melting

I read the book entitled "Our Iceberg is Melting" with great interest recently. The story book telling about how penguin community overcoming the threat of iceberg melting that is affecting their home. The characters as portrayed by various penguins is a reflection of characters of human being that we are facing everyday. While we have leaders who are good in engaging people and leading the solution finding mission, we have also leaders who are dead wood do nothing but trying at every opportunity to discredit others. We also have young generation who care about the environment and to take the initiative to bring to attention of others, we also have youth do not care much and cocoon themselves within their own comfort zone. We also have the personalities that are good in bridging different generation of people, in researching based on scientific and rational approach, in articulating the issues and challenges well, in volunteering themselves for any pilot project and others numerous role plays. While individually everyone will have their own speciality and strength in which under some circumstances is of no use, collectively these strengths can be of great use if synergising is done.

The Book told us how individual penguin with own strength comes together as a team for stronger voice and actions. I presume we should identify such personalities and to bring them on board if community development is there to excel.

Happy Birthday PJ 20062011

Today marked the 5th Anniversary of Petaling Jaya declared as the City. On this day 5 years ago, Petaling Jaya was upgraded from the municipal level to city level and became the first non-capital city in Malaysia. It is a recognition towards an achievement of urban development over the last 50 years. From a humble beginning as the satellite new town to alleviate the developmental problem of Kuala Lumpur, the State Capital, PJ as it fondly known has come to age with its own economic base and self sustaining activities. It is a home for many who work here compared to 20 years ago in which many travelled to KL for work. It is also a place for tourists and shoppers in which many regional shopping complexes have been built. It is also a place for the comparison goods instead of the convenience goods. It is also home for many corporate and multi-nations companies. Hence, facade of Petaling Jaya has been transformed and continue with its legacy as the best place for living.

After 5 years, what next for Petaling Jaya is the question many will ponder? In the era of globalisation and climate change, while facing with many challenges, Petaling Jaya need to grasp the opportunities and leading other cities locally or internationally. Petaling Jaya has the potential to be the leading city in the field of financial and retail services, green technologies, quality living, education, health and LOHAS lifestyle. Policies and direction as well as incentive package should be set to engage stakeholders in these field. For instance, encouraging household to embrace green and low carbon living and lifestyle through the provision of economic instrument. Requesting the development proponents to build green building with low carbon features for a sustainable city of Petaling Jaya.

Service delivery can be further made more efficient and effective. Red tape and redundancy of policies and mechanism should be eliminated. Towards this end, optimising the application of ICT can be of great help. Why can't issuing of property rate notice through web site or e-mail so that cost of postal can be save and at the same time problem of missing mail can be addressed. Similarly, same arrangement can be done for license renewal, dog license and others. Why can't GPS and GIS technology be used for monitoring and controlling the wrong doing on the ground? Of course, delegation of power in making decision is another aspect worth exploring.

Good governance can be another mile stone to achieve. Having local election to elect the councillors will be way forwards and an emerging world trend that we will not and cannot prevent from happening. By involving the rate payers or residents in the process of choosing their representatives will create that kind of bonding between the service beneficiaries and the providers. When it comes to quality of service, it is always a chicken and eggs argument. Both end will claim they are right. By letting everyone has a say on it through elected representatives, I presume at least the standard of service can be agreed upon.

Engaging the community and stakeholders through the platform of Local Agenda 21 is another area for exploration. When it comes to voicing their views about development and administration, Petaling Jaya residents are the most active one compared to other parts of Malaysia. Thereby, providing a platform for their involvement and engagement is the way forward. People have a say in how city is managed as they are the one who will either benefit or victimise from the impact of development and administration. Petaling Jaya has for the past 20 years leading others in engaging the people. I presume this practice of good governance should go on.

Happy Birthday PJ.

Green or Low Carbon City

When it comes to measure how sustainable a city, either green building or low carbon building should be taken into account? This is the question asked for assessing the performance of a green city. Some might said that green city is referring to everything related to environmental friendly initiatives. For example, planting more trees, using public transportation more often, eat healthier, consume lesser and etc. However, the question always ask is how to quantify these good gestures and related them to the performance of a city in relation to the climate change and global warming effect. We know that these effects are caused by carbon and green house gases emission and in order to reduce the emission, various green measures are required. If we have known the carbon foot print and factor, then logically every initiatives should be measurable and related to carbon saving.

In Malaysia, green building index promoted by the architecture and engineering fraternity has been accepted as a way towards sustainability and greening the city. It is a checklist based assessment index. Project proponent can score higher points and certified with higher accreditation even though if the projects have not done enough in reducing the carbon emission. The index does not measure carbon emission in quantity. Hence, to related it specifically to carbon emission reduction is rather difficult.

With that in mind, achieving low carbon city status with quantified data on carbon factor is more logical choice for a green city. Hence, for formulating a strategic framework and actions towards a green and low carbon city, perhaps MBPJ should put up a matrix of calculating carbon emission and saving for every programme or action.

Urban Renewal in Kaohsiung

Recognising the historical value of a place is easy, but to conserve it even though it is costly when it comes to economic return is a decision many do not like to commit. We saw many old buildings being torn down as the buildings are malfunction and obsolete with the modern look without even exploring the possibility for that buildings to be revisited for a new life. We tend to look for easy solution when it comes to urban renewal.

Although urban renewal is not only referring to urban redevelopment, the notion of involving urban rehabilitation, regeneration and re branding has not being given proper attention. All this because of the easy planning for pulling down old buildings and replaced with totally new one. It is more difficult to enhance quality of living environment by doing it while the existing social fabric is still there. However, some city managers have not bothered much by this difficulty but insist on going forward for conserving the existing and valuable buildings or places.

Take the urban renewal project at Kaohsiung Port for example. The railway tracks and station were preserved and turned it into museum and grass square for public. The warehouse was converted into a theatre and art centre. Many existing warehouses were still there until the proposed use have been decided. No people has rushed over to demolish the buildings and cleared the site without finalising on the future use. I presume this spirit witnesses the commitment of the community and city government.

This spirit is derived from strong leadership and participation of the people. People through representation of NGO voiced out what they aspired and involved in getting it done. Leadership of the city government is so great that they are prepared to let go monetary gain for long term benefits of the city. I presume we need such commitment if an urban renewal programme is implemented in Petaling Jaya.