Wish for 2010 (2)

My service club, Lions Club of Kuala Lumpur (West) in collaboration with the Leo Clubs organised a Christmas Tea Party for the orphanages in Pandan Indah last weekend. This is part of the Loving Sunday Project to foster closer fellowship amongst members and at the same time to serve the under privileged communities. I wish to see more such caring activities for year 2010.

Wish for 2010

This photo was taken during my lunch time in front of a restaurant in PJ one day. The driver decided that it is OK for parking his car in that position even though it caused inconvenience to others. This is typical scene in most of the busy streets in the business centres. This must not become a common thing for 2010, I presume.

Happy New Year 2010

It is 10 years now onto the 21st Century. Last twelve months witnessed many happenings in MBPJ. Politically, The Council is under the rule of parties different from the Federal Government. Administratively, we have many young and energetic Councillors on board. Economically, the city is still up beat albeit global economic downturn. Socially, people are more vocal and proactive in engaging the Council over planning and development issues. Environmentally, the quality of rivers improved and forest of Kota Damansara is conserved. If measurement on sustainable development in PJ can be done in piece meal and compartmental basis, then I think the sustainability is achieved partly.


However, proponents of Local Agenda 21 know this is not the case. Sustainable development has to be measured in total and integrated with each dimension. We have for the past decade, promoting and advocating total sustainability, but the results have not been encouraging. People tend to focusing on a particular dimension of development and with other dimension as the ancillary effect. For example, property developers will argue that urban regeneration is good for revitalising the physical dilapidated condition and generating jobs and work space in which economic growth is on top of the priority. Similarly, Local authorities organising various community development programmes for harnessing good neighbourliness and citizenry. On the other hand, in the process of asking for more greenery communities reject all kind of development and changes that affect their life albeit small or big scale projects. While we agree that everyone has a right to safeguard their interest, we must also mindful that finding an amicable solution to cater for every one need is important. That's the challenge for sustainability.


For a sustainable Petaling Jaya, my wishes for 2010 is: -

1. Greater partnership, engagement and participation amongst various stakeholders. The relationship between partners are getting better in year 2009 especially when it comes to mutual interest but can be improved better. There is sign of vulnerable when it can to issues that affected own interest. For example, saga of Jalan Tanjung closure saw the disagreement between Bandar Utama and Tropicana in which both are actually the strong supporters advocating the conservation of Kota Damansara Community Forest Park. Towards that, greater empowerment and delegation of rights and responsibilities to the community-based organisations should be expedited. Residents groups should be entrusted to take charge of the management and maintenance of their neighbourhoods.


2. Strategic actions are important guide for long term commitment and direction. Without them, it is hard to see continuity in development but rather many are on piece meal basis. This will affect quality of services and works as well as wastage of fund. For example, the resurfacing of road need coordination between utilities agencies or else people will experience the digging of road everyday by different agencies. Towards that, vision and leadership are critical factors. Until we are sure the direction and envision the outcome for PJ, we are not able to chart out a clear strategic actions.


3. Holistic programmes that encompass social, economic and environmental dimensions is necessary. Throughout 2009 and in fact in the past, many programmes are done in pieces and with very little or without consideration of sustainable development. We have very clear cut of community social programme, sport activities, youth activities and etc. Very few are claiming as sustainable development initiatives. We have to strengthen these aspects or else the dream of developing PJ as a dynamic and healthy city for all remains an Utopian.


4. Higher integrity and competency of staffs is pre-requisite. Until then, it is a race between cat and mouse, day in and day out doing the same thing. For example, forgetting about disabled friendly features in the upgrading work of infrastructure is totally unacceptable because we have talking about this for so long. Ignorance or have not reminded for doing so should not occur again in 2010. Towards this end. integrity and competency of staff as well as the general public is important. Capacity building and publicity programmes should be held constantly and targeted to all stakeholders.

Local Agenda 21 Petaling Jaya is celebrating 10 years anniversary of its commencement. Since the initiation of LA 21 PJ in year 2000, many community initiatives with greater stakeholders' participation have been carried out. This year, it is time for reviewing the past and reshaping next steps. I hope to have all partners coming forward for this. Many of the planned programmes will be targeting on celebrating the achievement of past decade.

Happy New Year 2010.

Sustainable Planner

During a discussion, I was informed that in Australia the most difficult people to be convinced embracing sustainability is the town planners. Whenever the subject of incorporating sustainable development principles into practice and planning, their pre-requisite is to have the rules and guidelines first. The planners are so abide by the regulations and standards that very few can take bold steps to make first change. It is only after the sustainable development proponents convinced them with figures and data that the planners will start making amendment to plans. Perhaps this precautionary attitude is due to training. Planners are trained to formulate policies and to draft plan after taking into consideration every aspects and factors ranging from physical, social, environment to economy.

However, this approach has made planners lagging behind when it comes to championing sustainability issues.

Planners as the public guardian to conserve a quality living environment should have gone in front without being asked for. Planners should have set a role model for other professional.

I hope that planners can participate and contribute actively in the Malaysia Government pledge of reducing 40% CO2 by 2020. We should not miss the boat again.

Catch22@PJ:Small Traders

During the economic down turn, many people ventured into other trades. Informal sector with easier entry point attract more people especially those with low skill, capital and commitment. Undoubtedly, small traders are important components in our economy supply chain. Aspiring small traders should be provided with assistance and facilitation to trade and as a training ground for them prior moving into SME sector later. After all, growth of many MNC is following similar path.


It is not wrong for local authorities to issue license and to identify new trading sites or even to construct new business premises and to lease it to them with nominal fee. Certainly, Local authorities have the social responsibility.

Equally, those benefited from the local authorities have social responsibility as well. They are here making money with minimum risks and gaining higher profit margin. My observation is, sorry to say they are not reciprocating the good gesture of the residents and local authorities. Pardon me for saying this, majority of the small traders are irresponsible citizens and many of them are not fit to be given opportunity to continue trading. Some even said these people have robbed our rights and raped our green area. Let me quote some examples,


1. Mobile hawkers as the name suggested, are given license to trade from places to places and they are not permitted to stop at a place longer than permitted. What happen now is many of them are stationed permanently in a place, and some even place objects there overnight to prevent others from using it. It causes traffic jam and nuisance.

2. The business hour for night market is 5pm and onwards. What happen now is many of the car park lots and streets are occupied and blocked starting from as early as 3pm. I have a bitter experience in SS2 some time ago. A hawker scolded me for parking at a legitimate lot as it was obstructing his stall. At that time, it was 4.00pm.


3. Many of the small traders occupied open space, pedestrian walkway, car park lot, utilities reserve or even the walkway for disabled people for their business and utensils. It is common to see washing and storing activities at the back lanes. They are denying the public right’s for accessibility and facilities enjoyment.

4. The dirty outlook of business premises and surrounding area made you wonder are they not caring about the environment and Mother Earth. At one of the dialogue session amongst officers, developer, small traders and residents over a proposal to build a commercial plaza and market, a resident voiced her concern of tolerating with the odour for 24 hours daily in which small traders of the market might not even care. I wonder if we can have more such concerned residents to stand up openly and to demand well behavior small traders.


5. Many have considered the business premises and licenses are family asset and rightfully family members should inherit the licenses or premises, even though these are public properties. You will see the same owners or the children are continuing with the trade perpetually. Some are large and experience enough to venture into bigger scale, but remain to stay put.

I have been witnessing this scenario since day one of my service. I do not foresee any changes unless having stronger political will and management commitment. I do not foresee any changes unless the small traders are compassionate about inculcating sense of collective responsibility towards sustainable environment and fair trade. I believe that stricter enforcement such as closure of trading premises and cancellation of license is required. I believe other stakeholders such as residents and consumers groups shall advocate proactively for a better, healthy and sustainable environment in which boycotting the irresponsible traders is the top and only priority. Until then, changes can only take place unless a crisis such as disease break out or food poisoning, if unfortunately happened or else it is status quo.


We are in the Catch 22 situation now. On one hand, we have to facilitate for the growth of small traders as an important component in our economy system. On the other hand, they do not show good reciprocate gestures towards the community and environment. If we need to make a choice, I prefer to not having the small traders.

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.