Innovation

Henry Ford once said "If I asked my customers what they wanted, they would have said a faster horse." Customers feedbacks are important to evaluate on the performance of your organisation, products or services, but it does not neccessary tell you beyond what they engaged for. If Mr Henry Ford did not think beyond the faster horse, then invention of a motorised vehicle might not become a reality. The history of automobile industry might be deferred to many years later or not at all. This sum up the important of pioneering and innovation. Innovation will come from a great thinker, who dare to think differently and to look at thing from "adnormal" angkle. However, thinking without going into front end innovation process will not make the innovation into a reality. Firstly, the idea must be framed, followed by organising the resources, collecting customer data, understanding the requirements and then selecting a solution. It takes time, persistent and passion. A leader must have the quality of innovation. As Steve Jobs said innovation distinguishes the leader from followers. The leader must be able to illustrate some visionary scene to the followers, and to ensure that the followers are convinced with the illustrations. However, it is easy said than done, and that explained why we have many followers and always have a leader only.

Theory and Reality

Reality and actual happening is always different from the theory or untested formula. While many aspire for idealistic and would like to get the best possible, this was often failed to materialise. For example, we try keep ourselves to the best solution possible without considering the possibility of failure. At time, something come out unexpectedly. Thus, how fast and how best we adjust or adapt is much more important to determine how best one's perform and achieve the desired objectives. Some might feel disheartening knowing that the objectives cannot be achieved and just let it go wihtout trying to adjust. Some might take this as a challenge and trying other ways of doing the best. If you are the former, then obviously more sad you might be as life is not that smooth sailing. If you are the person never give up, then you might be the winner at the end of the day. I attended a training last week with the pretext that it is a course to enhance previous knowledge. However, I was proved wrong when the new knowledge told was defered from the previous one. Only after some exchange of ideas, then only the participants were told that new knowledge has to be applied as the previous knowledge could not applied fully on the ground due to data constraints. If we have kept ourselves to the earlier thought and disturbed by the turn of event, then most likely we will not able to learn new knowledge. However, if we come in with open minded and willing to accept new eventualities, then it can be a good learning curve. I choose to be the latter.

New Mayor of MBPJ

Today saw Malaysian First Woman Mayor sworn in at Petaling Jaya City Council. In her maiden speech, Datin Paduka Alinah binti Ahmad previously the CEO of Selangor Housing and Property Board sahred her thought and vision for Petaling Jaya. She said it is an honour to be appointed as Mayor and created the history in Malaysia as the first lady to helm the City Council. While it is an honour, it is also a challenge to prove her worth and to all with trust with her that gender is not a prioritised consideration. It is her ability to lead, to administer and to manage the City that matter the most. She reckoned that her success later will be a big encouragement and recognition to other women and likewise other wise. She shoulders a big responsibility towards the women group, the Selangor State Government and the people of Petaling Jaya. One of the key features of her speech was on making MBPJ a loveable organisation and Petaling Jaya a liveable and loveable city. Only with the love of residents and investors towards MBPJ that we can inculcate the sense of ownership and belonging. It is then that MBPJ will become a truly relieable and trusted partner in service delivery. How can we ask people to love PJ if they cannot agree with what the city manager, that is MBPJ has to do. So with the new lady in action now, "loveable" must be the way forward. In order to create the atmosphere of loving for residents, of course we have to provide quality service to meet their need for living environment and to provide value for money excellent services. Similarly, comes out with measures to cut down red tape and to ease doing of businesses will enhance the sense of welcoming for businesses and investors. We should facilitate the establishment of new businesses here and to assist the existing corporates with less cost, less interferences and less time consuming procedures. To me, it is not a tall order, afterall the very objective of local authority is to provide quality urban services and to develop a sustainable city. The new mayor also touched on the need for prudent financial management. Money must be spent wisely and value worth. She reckoned while having big reserve is wonderful, spending neccessary even it means reducing the reserve is all right. We have to provide state of the art infrastructures and facilities. From the response of those attending this morning's ceremony, I believe the new bie will be well received by all walk of life.

Art of Leading

Leadership has been perceived wrongly by many people. When we spoke about leadership, we always look upward to our superior or someone holding high position that providing the guidance as our leader. It is nothing wrong with that assumption as considering the views of our boss as guidance and direction in our work is part and parcel of the job specification. However, to me leadership is more than listening to the superior and take queue from him/her what to do. We conveniently make excuse of lacking leadership if something did not perform as desired. To me, leadership exist in all levels and everywhere. It is not confined to our politician who lead the country or our bosses who lead the company or even our community leader who lead the society. You might be the leader on your own field. For example, as head of the household you are definitely a leader. Similarly, become leader of a group if you are leading a tour or a project. In this respect, the assertion that I cannot lead because I have no power is not accurate depending on what circumstances you are in. For example, people always condemn the failure of recycling because of lacking leadership. They reckon that leader must make extra effort to encourage wider recycling programme. They always excuse themselves for not recycling due to other shortcoming such as lack of recycling centre or bins, no proper collection, lack of incentives and etc. For me, this is a mere excuse. As a leader in the house, you can and able to practice 3R at least within your own compound. We have millions household and with that we have millions leaders. Collectively minor acts of these leaders can bring changes, I presume. While everyone is of course the leader on his own account, the quality of his leadership is varied depending on his competency, capacity, knowledge, skill and even to some the charisma he might have. A good leader is the one who are able to command others to listen and work for the causes he envisioned. A bad leader is the one who have nothing to lead but allow the followers to act freely without any direction. Thereby, acquiring the art of leading is very important. While some born leader can lead easily, many have to acquire the skill of leading through learning, relearning and life experiences. Leadership means the leader leads the followers. Being a leader means shouldering a higher responsibility and setting an example for others, either good or bad. To be an effective leader, you must first equip yourselves with the knowledge of managing human and its relationship. You must be able to motivate and encourage the followers to share your vision and actions. You must be able to guide them through even though in the infant stage of a programme and during difficult time. A good leader is the one who is there to cheer you up during bad time and to fire up feel good feeling during good time. A leader who run away from dilemma and take a back seat during controversial time, to me is definitely not qualified being a leader.

Adaptation in Crisis Management

Adaptation means predict and prevent a disaster or at least predict and bring to the minimum damages from a disaster. Similarly, crisis management has the same effect in which we make preparation on spontaneous response in the anticipation of any unwanted and unplanned event. We do not want to be caught unprepared that endangering the life and causing property loss. This is especially so for public office and elected representatives. You must be seen on the command seat in dealing with a crisis, evacuate and settle the victims quicker enough, remedy the damages in shorter period possible. This obviously requires strong leadership but more importantly an adaptation plan must be in place.

Putting climate change aside, in actual fact adaptation is an important component in the urban environmental management system. We have to adapt to changing circumstances and response to it efficiently. For example, removing a fallen tree which is obstructing the traffic flow during heavy down pour becomes a priority and quick action should be taken instead of waiting for the contractor to clear the site during his routine cleaning work. Similarly, changing the malfunction street light bulbs and towing away the blocking vehicles should be done immediately and with instinct response. If sensible response cannot be taken faster enough because of bureaucratic requirement, then perhaps an adaptation plan with clear demarcation of duties, resources provision and line of command can be of help, I presume.

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.

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.

Doing Good

Doing good is not enough. To be perceived of doing good is not sufficient as you cannot fool everyone everyday. It is only good if One's is doing good and to be seem have done something good. It is, of course a tall order given that either many people have done good but shy of letting others know or people have done basically nothing to shout at but wanted to let everyone knows that he/she has done something great. To balance both is of course an art and require skill.

Many people have turned to the leaders for noticing their presence or doing good. Some like to make themselves free to attend any functions attended by the leaders with the intention that their attendance is noticed. Some even come to the extend of attending every function even though the function is not related to his scope of works. Sometime you might feel sick about this, but some leaders might have like to have followers surrounding them all the time.

It is hard to judge ownself that you have done something good. It is better for others to tell others that you have indeed done something good and should have given the credit due. For someone to tell others openly, the good works that have been carried out must have impacted others greatly and unforgetable. Everyone, of course prefers to be remembered in their life time for giving this honour. I am no spare from this.

Take Thing For Granted

We always take thing for granted. This especially so if we are so used to a particular thing or area or person. For example, we will not make extra effort to understand the true meaning of religious teaching that we embraced since the day of our birth simply because we thought we knew everything. Similarly, we will not pay a visit to even a famous place of interest closer to our home simply because we thought we saw it so frequent and it is such an easy way of reaching it. However, if i could ask how many of us have visited the National Zoo or National Palace? Many might not have crossed their mind of visiting these places.

Sometime due to complacency, we tend to let go a lot of opportunities. We used to say don't worry chances will be recurred again and it does not really happen at the end of the day. At time it is also because of our apathy towards an event. We do not see the need to participate in the planning process as we do not know how to plan or voice out for ourselves and our future generation that the model of development we envisioned. We will only react if the bulldozer came to our doorstep or we are really bothered by any negative impact of development.

The World is moving at faster pace now and urgency is the order of the day. So, take thing for granted, apathy and complacency are obviously go against the pace of the day. Unless we take proactive initiative, we will risk of losing out any opportunities available.

Similarly to the issue of climate change, whether we rectify it now or never.

True Partnership

At the end of the day, it is about partnership and collaboration. While many individual or organisations have done an excellent job or performed well in discharging their duties, many have not gone beyond their usual routine simply because of lacking capacity or even ideas or complacency. Hence, smart partnership with others might have changed this limitation of breaking through.


Having said this, at time due to egoism and lack of communication, sincere, workable and equal partnership cannot be formed. Two organisations having strong characteristic and opinion in leadership are always having difficulty to sit down and create a consensus even on common and petty issue.


For partnership to forge ahead and bear result, firstly I think both the partners need to open their mind set and go back to the equal footing first. It is no point of influencing others with own opinion without considering other sides, too are having their priority. However, in most cases, this is what happened at the community level. Negotiation and power play are real at the neighbourhood level. Everyone is trying to impose his/her value onto others and if both are strong in their opinion, then conflict might have occurred. Thereby, agreed to disagree is becoming important and critical.

Partnership is a phrase that everyone is trying to use but it is utmost difficult to achieve if equality and equity is taking into consideration. Leadership that embrace equal and smart partnership is likely the one to achieve desire result and, hence the respect from others.

Well, looking nowadays that people are kept accusing others of foul play and dissatisfaction on issues and proposal brought forward, I am wondered that such thing of smart partnership has been achieved.

Criteria for Child Councillors

The Panelists for Child Councillors Interview have a brain storming session two days ago on the interview criteria and guidelines. While everyone agreed that dedication, committment apart from the personality and attitude is important, we find it hard to standardize everyone value system as it is very subjective in measuring these. For example, how to give mark to a children with right attitude? Nevertheless, it provides us a challenge and excitement for selecting the pioneer for the yet to established PJ Child Council.

While individual talent and enthusiasm is critical, we are also mindful of getting team player rather than the lone ranger. The inaugural Council should have comprised children from different background and geographical area as well as able to work together. They have to, as what the current Council of PJ City, stand united to be heard. Individually, nobody will adhere to what they are trying to speak out, but if a suggestion proposed by a group then the chances of getting hear is better.

We have short listed 48 potential candidates from amongst the attendees of the Forum held last June and July 2009 as well as the Leadership Camp on December 2009 for the interview to be held on 20th and 27th February 2010. The Interview Sessions will be a session for children to "sell" him/herself. A session to measure individual talent and group dynamic.

Let's cross the finger for the days to come...

Catch22@PJ:Innovation

An overzealous Government will not let innovation growth. While Government takes care of everything from cradle to graveyard is welcome by every citizen, the impact on individual and community development is more damages than good. Everyone is creative within his own rights but choose not to do so due to the good living and working environment. A Government providing high quality of living environment made people think less, concern less and worried the least. The values of exploratory, adventurous, courageous and gut of people are diminished or even being killed over time. People resist changes and will only do so if a crisis occurred or gaining visible benefits. This attitude is worsening with the presence of “Good” Government.

Creativity and innovation cannot be nurtured through Government’s funding and legislation initiative alone. It is a battle for all. Innovation and creativity will only blossom whenever parents let the children think freely, the education system allows children to come out from the box and the society looks upon knowledge highly rather than the results. The Society is only interested to get As in examination, materialistic and making profits without looking serious onto learning, providing quality services and solutions. People prefer to raise questions, but very few can provide workable solutions.

I presume in order to inculcate innovation and creativity, Government has to provide room for market manipulation, to reduce control and to transform the role as development facilitator rather than service provider. The role of Government is to build a stage for people to dance freely. It is not the concern of the Government who, when and how the dancing are. The dancers will command respect if performance is excellent or else the dancing troop is facing problem of closure. Of course, if the Government feels that the performance is of low standard and public interest is affected, then it is necessary to formulate basic guidelines. However, participatory process is crucial and we need to be competence in determining what is good or bad. It is uncalled for banning any dancing performance immediately looking at surface without studying carefully the substance. For instance, dress code is always an issue.

We are in the Catch 22 situation now. On one hand, creativity and innovation is important catalyst for nation development. Human capital becomes an asset with the presence of creative and innovative workforce. For a country with small capital and consumers’ market as well as resources constraint, human asset is crucial. On the other hand, Government is trying to provide everything for her citizenry and this will kill off innovation and creativity.

The question is how to find a middle path. For me, the answers are good governance and sustainable development. Good governance means every stakeholder is involved in a transparent and just planning and decision-making process. Sustainable development meanwhile calls for a balanced and integrated development focusing on social, economic and environmental aspects. Some might argue that it is very idealistic as saying is easy than done.

I presume that we need to keep trying to find an appropriate model for everyone is crucial and way forward, even a small step is leapfrog to structural change, albeit slower pace. For example, declassify the “not-so-secretive” decisions making process on matters closely related to the general public or organizing more town hall meeting to discuss in mutual principle, and not only receiving feedback or even empowering the community-based organizations to take charge of their living environment. We might be surprise to note that they are so creative in managing their neighbourhood and resources, with minimum facilitation.

Transformation

Last week marked another milestone in Malaysia's history for good public governance. The 1Malaysia Transformation Programme Open Day was held at Sunway Pyramid over 2 days. The Open Day saw the setting up of 6 Labs displaying various identified key issues and proposals. Amongst them combating crime and corruption, upgrading of education, reducing poverty, improving public transportation and basic infrastructure. These are the National Key Result Areas as envisioned under PM's 1Malaysia concept, and rightly so as these are key concerns of the general public. Having a good start, is however would not win over the heart of the people if results are not delivered within expected time frame. Thereby, people attending the Open Day or even those who follow the reporting closely will be eagerly waiting the execution of actions be done as soon as possible. Until then, everyone is optimistic.

Open Day should have been held more often and at various places for the purpose of engaging wider spectrum of people. Looking at the turn out and issues closely related to everyone, the organising of such events in other places will definitely an inviting act. Previously, many of government events cannot attract attendance simply because of poor publicity, irrelevant of issues, wrong target groups and the worst is lack of follow through actions and updating of progress. It is hope that progress on any proposals from the Transformation Programme is constantly updated to general public and feedback are welcome. What people want the least is to be informed and to be heard although results might be forthcoming later.

Many issues were debated but interested many people are measures to counter the crime and corruption, followed by public transport and poverty. Some said all of them are inter-linked. For example, crime is a form of social ills and hunger people will commit crime. Similarly, too many agencies involved in the public transportation sector are also cause for corruption. Having said this, unarguably, all these issues are closely related to our daily life and determinant of our quality of life. To me, sustainable development as well.

Combating poverty is provided for under the Chapter 3, Agenda 21. Education is being discussed under Chapter 36, Agenda 21. Transparency and good governance are mentioned in every chapter of the Blue Print.

The transformation, if successful will have positive impact on sustainable development.

Urban Regeneration: A Must

City is equivalent to our body. The inter-dependence of various land uses is similar to the organs in our body. The functioning of our body depends on how organs work and function effectively. A person needs to undergo a heart bypass for removing the blockage or else he is in danger of heart attack. Similarly, a city will remain stand still or even deprecated if incompatibility of land uses and urban sprawl happened. Aging cities just like human beings need revitalization or commonly known as overhaul or major service or else the dilapidated situation will discourage new investment and pushing away the aboriginal residents. A mature society in most of the developed city is also in need of new facilities to cater for the emerging needs of the dwellers. For instance, universal design or barrier free infrastructure for the senior citizens and people with disabilities becomes an essential part of the city. Advancing of technologies has also forced the city managers to look into equipping the management with new tools. For example, using GPS gestures to pin point exact location of facilities required urgent maintenance or even to monitor the complaints so that service quality is enhanced. Globalization has also demanded the city to reshape for capturing new business opportunities. Cities around the globe are competing for scarce resources and cities offering the best deal conducive for businesses, living and of course, social and economic returns will get better attention. Even the new Y and X generation with higher expectation and aspiration, of course more expose to the global work is asking regeneration of the city, that is closer to their taste and heart. It is insufficient of providing green space in the physical space that can fulfill their needs and wants, but rather the cyber space as well. All these are pushing city to pursue urban regeneration or revitalization or renewal or even redevelopment, partly or in total.

Planning is a dynamic process; hence, it is inevitable and unstoppable for a city to experience regeneration. Having said this, to grab the positive and greater impacts of the opportunities arise, a planned, participatory and inclusive process of development is required. All stakeholders have to be involved for making the old city, especially the inner part to function again, effectively and efficiently. For greater impact, stakeholders’ constructive involvement is required, and for that to happen their participation should be facilitated, conveniently, thoroughly and with ease.

Doing so, we need leadership and wills from all levels of governance, a shared vision and sense of belongings by all, appropriate mechanism, competent capacity, facilitating legislation, inculcation of trust as well as confident and provision of incentives are pre-requisite. Top of the list, to me is the stakeholders’ participation. And stakeholders, we are talking about those having a stake there for longer time. Developers, those who will bring in investment, develop and continually improving the area, rather than those having the intention of selling off everything without even want to claim their stakes should also be consulted. Market force is essential for urban regeneration, but it is not the only thing for consideration.

Urban regeneration is not a choice, but unavoidable. The readiness and willingness will determine how far and fast a city can go, in the world map instead of the regional or local level. Loving your city is also meant act responsibly and letting your city growth healthily and that include revitalization.

No Plastic

Penang State Government announced recently that No-Plastic Day for Georgetown starting from 1st January 2009. Kudos.

It must be very braved of engaging the businesses to do that and to discipline the users to comply with. Nobody should complain except for the manufacturers of the plastic bag, I guess. The businesses albeit worried on competition should be happy as they are saving cost on purchasing the bag. The public especially the environmental conscious one is happy that something is done for conserving the environment. The Council is pleased that waste treatment is getting easier and life span for the waste disposal site can be prolonged.

This change is inevitable as we are facing tremendous pressure from global warming. CO2 emission and greenhouse gas and of course the escalating cost for waste treatment is getting serious now, and if we do not take any drastic action, we are in the losing side.

The question is what are we going to do during the 4 days that plastic bags are provided? Are they dare and willing to say NO to the businesses? Can businesses just say a big NO to customers for the whole week? Even without the plastic bag from businesses, are we started using other substitution? If we use paper bag, have we gave a thought on the food print for producing the paper bag as someone is claiming that food print for producing the paper bag is higher than the paper bag. Many questions need answers.

Whatever it is, it is a good start and sustainability is visible if support from all stakeholders are forth coming. I hope other States are doing it, and fast.

Succession in Leadership

My Neighbourhood Watch Committee or commonly known as RT of SS25A has a meeting last week. While the main focus was on the security issue and performance of the patrolling service, we discussed the proposed new committee line up for next year. Although Mr Loh, the current chairman has done a good job, he declined to continue citing job commitment as a reason. We pushed amongst ourselves on who should lead, who should serve and who should be there. At the end of the meeting, we cannot reach a consensus and nobody has volunteered to take over the chairmanship and key positions. Many have, however offered to serve as committee members. The RT is definitely having a succession problem.

It is not new to all residents organisations in Petaling Jaya. We saw the fall of an active residents groups after the leadership lost their interest or the change of new personnel. Serving community in voluntary basis is a job not welcome by everyone as you will not praise by those you served, but rather a blame if some unbecoming happened.

I saw some excellent organisations with the chairman running around. Then, it means time is at his leisure. Many of the time, these organisations are serving by retirees or those who are not worried financially. That explain why most of the time we saw the same face of people attending functions. Obviously, it is not healthy for the development and growth of community based organisations.

Towards a local sustainable community, succession in leadership is a big challenge. Younger stakeholders have to be groomed and prepared to take over the helm. The soonest better. Young adult has to be exposed to various community challenges and opportunities. Hence, organising activities with youth flavour should be planned, I guess.

If succession in leadership is not looked into seriously, I presume years in years out we are fighting for the same issues and challenges --- To get people to aware, understand and appreciate the meaning of sustainable development and Local Agenda 21.

Child Speaker

Who said children cannot perform in front of the adults? Who have thought that children is able to tell us clearly what they want and aspire for PJ? Who is confident enough to let children take the lead in a forum discussing child friendly city of Petaling Jaya? We did it on last Saturday.

The Children representatives deliberated the issues so well during the the opening remarks and followed by a presentation on the findings from the previous Forum. Even the master of ceremony has done so well. More importantly the group discussion with other stakeholders was facilitated by children.

Perhaps now we should let children have more opportunities to involve in the planning and development process rather than making decisions for them without them.

Smart Rangers

SMART means Sorting and Managing All Resources Thoroughly is a program organised by Global Environment Centre (GEC) in collaboration with MBPJ and Education Department and funded by DANIDA-SWMC. The program aimed at educating 5 schools in PJ to be environmental steward. The schools should practice 3R thoroughly toward achieving zero-waste and combating climate change. These schools are Sri Kelana, Yuk Chuen and Vivenkanada Primary School and Kelana Jaya and Bandar Sri Damansara 1 Seconday School.

We have a working committee meeting on last Tuesday in which the schools representatives brought out some pertinent questions on time factor, target group, organising structure, appropriate programmes and activities, finance, expertise and support. A total of RM3,500 per school is allocated for them to carry out sustainable initiatives, tree planting or even awareness campaign.

This is excited especially seeing the success of Sri Kelana School implementing similar programme since year 2004. The sustainability element is emphasized so that initiative will not continue due to loss of interest, change of leadership and management as well as the students. In doing so, economic sustainability apart from due recognition from the education authorities is very important. It is with sufficient financial allocation that the initiatives can go on. However, the money must be self-generated and not spoon feed by others. For example, the Smart Rangers of Sri Kelana is earning much to contribute the construction of pagoda, rubbish bin and other facilities to the schools.

Another contributing factor is the leadership and dedication of teachers. One of the undeniable success factor of Sri Kelana is due to the commitment and dedication shown by Mr Ong. With full support from the headmistress and other teachers, he managed to steer the smart rangers for greater and total involvement in the field of environment conservation. We need champion like him. Thank you, Sir.

Young Facilitators

I attended the discussion on organising the PJ Children Forum hosted by Community Support Network last Monday night. MBPJ in collaboration with CSN is organising the inaugural PJ Children Forum this coming July 25. The Forum aims to gather different stakeholders and to formulate a Child Friendly City of Petaling Jaya. Prior to the Forum, a Pre-Forum workshop with participation of 250 children aged 8-18 years old will be held. As a preparatory work towards the event, various discussions over the format, objectives, approaches and programmes were held.

While I have anticipated to meet with the usual energetic and enthusiastic Datuk Ghazali, Soony Lim and Khatijah of CSN there to provide guidance for discussion, i was surprised, yet excited to see the presence of many young and committed adults. They are very well articulated with the children issues and pose so many experiences with them on working with children aged 18 years and below. They even counter proposed tentative programme to suit the children. The methods of getting something out from the heart and mind of the children. The approaches of getting children to feel comfortable. The skills of getting children to express their views and transform it into audio visual presentation. While many of us have experience to facilitate discussion over particular issue, many do not have the skills and knowledge to deal with young adults and children. To me, they are the real young facilitators.

I, myself definitely have much to learn.

Leader and Follower

During a meeting last Tuesday, members casually discussed about leader and follower. Everyone acknowledged that both have important roles to play. Both need each other and compliment each other for job accomplished. Leader without follower is equivalent to having a gun without bullets. Leader will command and direct others working towards achieving his vision and mission. This definitely cannot be done if the leader has no others to turn to. Similarly, follower need guidance and facilitation for them to achieving a shared goal outlined by the leader. Hence, leader and follower have to be there under any circumstances concurrently. Anybody can be either a leader or a follower based on circumstances. For example, a doctor might be a leader at the operation theater but revert his role as follower at the kitchen helping his wife to cook.

The question raised during the meeting is when should someone becomes a leader or a follower? Problems arose simply because many people do not understand their appropriate role at the right time and right occasion. People tend to forget their role because of excitement and enthusiasm or at time, encouragement from other parties. Smart people tend to play second cadre to his/her superior at all occasions. However, others will perceive it as "botek" the bosses.

To me, leader and follower should play their role accordingly under appropriate circumstances. It is a matter of who know best and who command best. It is not solely about your social status and title. In doing so, perhaps egoism has to go. With a flatten World today, hierarchy and structure of command is no more valid, anyone can make his/her grade. This applies to the present follower and leader.

So, be prepared leader, you might one day to become follower and to the follower, you have to prepare all the time to take over the leadership in a day.