This is the first time that SS2 South Residents Association took part in the PJ Best Neighbourhood Award Contest. After establishing for more than 5 years, the association remains as a moderate grouping of residents. Many of its' founding members continue serving as very few newcomers are offering their service. Perhaps it shows that the residents of SS2 South are happy with their living environment or simply because of apathy attitude.
Despite that, with very limited resources the committee has tried their very best to serve. The committee members become the intermediate between MBPJ and residents by reporting and monitoring any infrastructure and public facilities defaults.
In the absence of a permanent meeting place, this multi ethnic committee hosts their monthly meeting in the meeting room of a community church. While many prefer to have their discussions elsewhere, the gathering at a religious institution shows high tolerance and mutual respect towards inter faith, i presume. I believe the move has definitely assisting in inculcating the spirit of 1Malaysia.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Community Sustainable Initiative - Damansara Jaya
Damansara Jaya was the PJ Best Neighbourhood Award winner for its inception year. Since year 2000, community recycling centre was established and surprisingly the initiative is still going strong until now. This is truly a sustainable community initiative. From a mere buy back centre, the recycling has developed into a collection centre in which many of the public donated money to the Residents Association's social fund. From a centre collecting the conventional types of recyclable items, it accommodates other type as well such as computer, beverage cartoon and spectacles.
The neighbourhood has also shown another long term project, namely the security scheme. More than 80% of household participated in this scheme. It is a huge different compared to 30% when it first started 10 years ago.
Apart from that, the Association has also gone into self-sustaining his newsletter. Sponsorship and advertisement were solicited for the publication of newsletter. This has relieved the financial commitment for the Association and allow them flexibility to organise other activities such as dedicated programmes for senior citizens.
One of the good practices is to convert a plot of vacant land, used to be site for illegal waste dumping into a herbs garden. The garden with over 30 plant species is used by residents for daily and education purpose.
Of course, the improving of the residents association's office is also another step worth mentioning. The office with hall annexed to it is the centre for various social and recreational activities. It was used to the fullest.
The neighbourhood has also shown another long term project, namely the security scheme. More than 80% of household participated in this scheme. It is a huge different compared to 30% when it first started 10 years ago.
Apart from that, the Association has also gone into self-sustaining his newsletter. Sponsorship and advertisement were solicited for the publication of newsletter. This has relieved the financial commitment for the Association and allow them flexibility to organise other activities such as dedicated programmes for senior citizens.
One of the good practices is to convert a plot of vacant land, used to be site for illegal waste dumping into a herbs garden. The garden with over 30 plant species is used by residents for daily and education purpose.
Of course, the improving of the residents association's office is also another step worth mentioning. The office with hall annexed to it is the centre for various social and recreational activities. It was used to the fullest.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Community Sustainable Initiative
The PJ Best Neighbourhood Award for 2008/09 has entered into the evaluation stage with panel of judges visiting participating neighbourhood since last Sunday. Last visit will be on 12/7/2009. On 24/5/2009, the judges of 7 members visited 4 neighbourhoods, namely the Damansara Jaya SS22, SS2 South, SS2B and Taman Sea SS23. The committees presented their community initiatives, and it is encouraging to note that many of the programmes having the sustainability elements, coincidentally or with purpose.
For the coming months, I will blog on some good practices albeit minor one. The practices showcase community sustainable initiatives are worth to share with other neighbourhoods. These include 3R program, greening and planting, social integration, security and safety, inclusiveness, social programmes, composting, leadership, prudent financial management, effective communication and marketing and etc.
For the coming months, I will blog on some good practices albeit minor one. The practices showcase community sustainable initiatives are worth to share with other neighbourhoods. These include 3R program, greening and planting, social integration, security and safety, inclusiveness, social programmes, composting, leadership, prudent financial management, effective communication and marketing and etc.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
River Carnival
River Carnival under the W.A.T.E.R Project for rehabilitating Sungai Way River was held last Saturday at the Desa Mentari, PJS 6 Petaling Jaya. A total of 500 people, mainly children attended the fun-filled half day event. The Carnival was officiated by Mr Halimey bin Abu Bakar, MBPJ Councillor and attended by dignitaries from GAB Foundation, GEC and local community. Highlight of the day was when all attendees dumped the mud ball into the river for purification and cleaning purpose. The EM product is believed can improve the water quality.
Another worth mentioning event was when lunch was served with banana leaf and own bring container. The guests and residents are required to bring along their food container for meal. No plate, No food is the order of the day.
The exhibition featured LA 21 PJ, Alam Flora, GEC, LUAS, DOE, DID and Circle Field has also generated a lot of interest. LA 21 PJ with the help of Beautiful Gate and Justlife demonstrated the making of garbage enzyme and everyone was given a bottle of enzyme FREE. This is a programme to converting waste into wealth or something useful as part of the 3R programme. Other exhibitors have also introduced environmental approaches and techniques such as waste oil recycling by LUAS.
The activities lined up for residents were meant to educate them on caring about our river and taking action to preserve the river. I presumed people are enjoying of knowing about Sungai Way that flow through their neighbourhood.
I think the Carnival has successfully creating awareness and improving residents interest and knowledge about our river.
Another worth mentioning event was when lunch was served with banana leaf and own bring container. The guests and residents are required to bring along their food container for meal. No plate, No food is the order of the day.
The exhibition featured LA 21 PJ, Alam Flora, GEC, LUAS, DOE, DID and Circle Field has also generated a lot of interest. LA 21 PJ with the help of Beautiful Gate and Justlife demonstrated the making of garbage enzyme and everyone was given a bottle of enzyme FREE. This is a programme to converting waste into wealth or something useful as part of the 3R programme. Other exhibitors have also introduced environmental approaches and techniques such as waste oil recycling by LUAS.
The activities lined up for residents were meant to educate them on caring about our river and taking action to preserve the river. I presumed people are enjoying of knowing about Sungai Way that flow through their neighbourhood.
I think the Carnival has successfully creating awareness and improving residents interest and knowledge about our river.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Environmental Education
I have a meeting brainstorming an appropriate module on environmental education for the kindergarten operators and teachers in Petaling Jaya. I was made to understand that environmental conservation and sustainable development is not a formal subject to be taught in kindergarten, but rather a co-curriculum topic and also subjected to the liking of principals and teachers. It is an option.
While environmental conservation is a responsibility for everyone in which everyone has to raise his/her awareness, to improve knowledge and skills as well as taking action, many capacity building programmes for stakeholders have not included the pre-school children, those in the nursery and kindergartens. Inculcating good value on environment conservation for children during this age category is more effective and long lasting compared to the primary and secondary school level. As children in a time to absorb everything they learn and more importantly with no academic performance based evaluation is demanded from them, with proper guidance they tend to convert what they have learned into practice and value in life.
We discussed over making the session interesting and informative so that teachers can applied it into their syllabus. This include the techniques and approaches suitable with children. For example, making art piece with creativity using the recyclable items. In order to sustain the momentum and get them to initiate some programmes or activities, we have also suggested to provide incentives for the participating kindergartens. Subsequently an evaluation for selecting 3 kindergartens with good environmental practice will be carried out.
I am thankful to Ecoknights, GEC and DANIDA-SWMC for providing such valuable inputs. Hopefully what we have planned will stimulate more similar initiatives.
While environmental conservation is a responsibility for everyone in which everyone has to raise his/her awareness, to improve knowledge and skills as well as taking action, many capacity building programmes for stakeholders have not included the pre-school children, those in the nursery and kindergartens. Inculcating good value on environment conservation for children during this age category is more effective and long lasting compared to the primary and secondary school level. As children in a time to absorb everything they learn and more importantly with no academic performance based evaluation is demanded from them, with proper guidance they tend to convert what they have learned into practice and value in life.
We discussed over making the session interesting and informative so that teachers can applied it into their syllabus. This include the techniques and approaches suitable with children. For example, making art piece with creativity using the recyclable items. In order to sustain the momentum and get them to initiate some programmes or activities, we have also suggested to provide incentives for the participating kindergartens. Subsequently an evaluation for selecting 3 kindergartens with good environmental practice will be carried out.
I am thankful to Ecoknights, GEC and DANIDA-SWMC for providing such valuable inputs. Hopefully what we have planned will stimulate more similar initiatives.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Old Town
A friend of mine was here in PJ for a meeting last Wednesday. We proceed to PJ Old Town for a cup of coffee at the Old Town White Coffee Cafe after that. This Cafe is a franchise coffee shop originated from Ipoh, and although coincidence with the locality have nothing to do with PJ Old Town. If Ipoh Old Town can become a household brand name, i wonder why can't PJ Old Town be recognised the same way? Perhaps we should reshape the outlook of PJ Old Town or bring back the life to this settlement. Any plan to redevelop this area should consider its' special features and historical value.
PJ Old Town, the original town centre for Petaling Jaya New Town was named such after the Section 52 Town Centre was developed and named as PJ New Town. Local residents have fond memory of Old Town still can recall the glory days of PJ Old Town. The stopping by of buses plying the KL-Klang route via Old Klang Road, the bars served many expatriates including Sir Gerald Templer, the Majestic Cinema, the first national type school of Jalan 10, Road 1 before it was renamed as Jalan Templer and many more stories. These historical moments as disseminated orally by residents might be faded away and forgotten if no efforts are planned to compile it. It is a living heritage. Old Town will become another urban area with similar typology and prototype elsewhere if the social fabric is missing.
By virtue as the oldest settlement in PJ, we noticed that many houses are in dilapidated condition and some have even emptied for long. This phenomena can be contributed by the upkeep of houses by owners due to ownership and leasing problems. Having said this, we noticed few houses have been redeveloped with modern design. While it is encouraging to witness this changes, sprawl development might occur again without any proper planning guidelines. Perhaps it is time to draw out some design guidelines for having a sustainable urban village here.
Perhaps, and perhaps something from the soft point of views should be given serious consideration.
PJ Old Town, the original town centre for Petaling Jaya New Town was named such after the Section 52 Town Centre was developed and named as PJ New Town. Local residents have fond memory of Old Town still can recall the glory days of PJ Old Town. The stopping by of buses plying the KL-Klang route via Old Klang Road, the bars served many expatriates including Sir Gerald Templer, the Majestic Cinema, the first national type school of Jalan 10, Road 1 before it was renamed as Jalan Templer and many more stories. These historical moments as disseminated orally by residents might be faded away and forgotten if no efforts are planned to compile it. It is a living heritage. Old Town will become another urban area with similar typology and prototype elsewhere if the social fabric is missing.
By virtue as the oldest settlement in PJ, we noticed that many houses are in dilapidated condition and some have even emptied for long. This phenomena can be contributed by the upkeep of houses by owners due to ownership and leasing problems. Having said this, we noticed few houses have been redeveloped with modern design. While it is encouraging to witness this changes, sprawl development might occur again without any proper planning guidelines. Perhaps it is time to draw out some design guidelines for having a sustainable urban village here.
Perhaps, and perhaps something from the soft point of views should be given serious consideration.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Innovative Creative Circle
I attended a workshop on Quality Control Circle (QCC) with my staff last week. The workshop is aimed at coaching us to prepare a QCC project to further improve the quality of management. I was informed that QCC has been renamed to Innovative Creative Circle (ICC) to better reflect the need for innovation and creativity in quality searching. This shows that searching for quality in management has very much to do with innovative and creativity. Quality improvement is possible yet insignificant if it is not done with innovation and creativeness.
Innovation does not mean application of advance technology alone, but to me is more on using appropriate technology to suit circumstances. For example, if a work process to expedite the application can be done with an efficient work force, then it is not necessary to install any computer gestures. Even attempts to use irrelevant methods should be avoided.
I was told that ICC is not applicable to every processes. If a process can be rectified with policies change or if it is related to a directive from Government, then attempts to have an ICC to look into it should be avoided. An identified problem should be SMART and more importantly within the control and influence of the group. No point of having a problem solution that involving others for action.
A successful ICC is the one with top management blessing. The commitment and full support from top management is critical. Having said this, top management's interference in determining the direction or even style of presentation will not help in preparing a good ICC. The ICC group should be given authority and freedom to plan, do, check and act on their problem and solutions.
No matter how, importantly an ICC should be a genuine case solution. It is no point of having a fantastic presentation with wonderful skills but without substance or points to substantial their claim on the project benefits. In other words, do not bluff or doing a fake project for the sake of having ICC.
Innovation does not mean application of advance technology alone, but to me is more on using appropriate technology to suit circumstances. For example, if a work process to expedite the application can be done with an efficient work force, then it is not necessary to install any computer gestures. Even attempts to use irrelevant methods should be avoided.
I was told that ICC is not applicable to every processes. If a process can be rectified with policies change or if it is related to a directive from Government, then attempts to have an ICC to look into it should be avoided. An identified problem should be SMART and more importantly within the control and influence of the group. No point of having a problem solution that involving others for action.
A successful ICC is the one with top management blessing. The commitment and full support from top management is critical. Having said this, top management's interference in determining the direction or even style of presentation will not help in preparing a good ICC. The ICC group should be given authority and freedom to plan, do, check and act on their problem and solutions.
No matter how, importantly an ICC should be a genuine case solution. It is no point of having a fantastic presentation with wonderful skills but without substance or points to substantial their claim on the project benefits. In other words, do not bluff or doing a fake project for the sake of having ICC.
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