http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/11/11/central/2493404&sec=central
By JADE CHAN
IT IS important to address the problem of waste management in Petaling Jaya as all landfills are already fully used, according to Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee.
“We have only two options. One is to take the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) campaign seriously. If we do not, we only have the other alternative, which is incineration (to burn our waste),” he said at a press conference to announce the PJ Recycling Expo 2008 and the Environment Education Carnival.
“We must educate the citizens of PJ that 3R is our last recourse. If we do not seriously recycle and reduce waste that is going to the landfills, we will have to burn them.
“Incineration is not the best method, but when we have no choice, we will have to do that and then we have the problems of pollution and so on.
“This is the message I want to relay to the people of PJ. Otherwise we cannot blame the local authority for resorting to incineration in the future,” said Lee.
Housing and Local Government Ministry National Solid Waste Management Department assistant director Dr Tan Beng Hoe their target was to achieve zero waste by the year 2020.
“Act 672, which is the Solid Waste Management and Environment Cleanliness 2007 Act, has already been gazetted and will be enforced from Jan 1 onwards.” Dr Tan said the Act was related to solid waste and public cleanliness, but declined to reveal further details.
The PJ Recycling Expo 2008 will be held today and tomorrow from 9am-5pm at the lobby area of Jaya 33 in Jalan Semangat, while the Environment Education Carnival will be held on Thursday from 8am-4pm at the MBPJ’s Banquet Hall.
The events are organised by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) through the Environment Working Committee, Local Agenda 21 (LA21) PJ, in conjunction with National Recycling Day.
Selangor Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment Committee chairman Elizabeth Wong is scheduled to launch the expo that is aimed at increasing public awareness on environmental conservation, especially on the 3R programme and LA21, and providing a platform for 3R players to interact and display their achievements.
The expo’s programme includes an exhibition on recyclable materials and environmental conservation, demonstrations on how to make handicraft and garbage enzymes, performances by students using recyclable materials, environment-friendly audition competition, recycling activities and lucky draws.
Dell will be on hand to collect used computers and related equipment like printers and mouse, while the Taman Mayang Jaya Residents Association will set up a booth to sell second-hand books and collect recyclable materials.
MBPJ Town Planning Department assistant director and LA21 officer Lee Lih Shyan said the expo would also involve the Danida Solid Waste Management Component, which would educate the public on household waste composting.
The carnival, which is open to primary and secondary schools in PJ, is aimed at educating children and teenagers about environmental conservation through fun methods.
For more information, contact Lee at 03-7956 3544 ext 351/ 370/ 374 or lee@mbpj.gov.my, or Mahzura at 03-7956 2939 or mahzura@mbpj.gov.my.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
Managing change responsibly
http://www.thenutgraph.com/managing-change-responsibly
By KW Mak
THE media can sometimes be full of public sentiment calling for change. But few people appreciate the amount of work that needs to be done to effect that change.
I believe in doing things by the book to ensure that reforms are not arbitrary, and whatever action taken is fair to all. To do so requires not only meetings with all stakeholders but also consultation with legal experts. This can be a lengthy process.
Very often however, the public tends to view such an approach as being too slow, and if not thrashed out in the media, lacking in transparency.
Not so simple
theSun editor R Nadeswaran quoted one of my previous articles on transparency and good corporate governance to lament about the seeming lack of transparency and action against an illegal funeral parlour along Jalan Gasing in Petaling Jaya.
Nadeswaran argues his case and then accuses the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) of not being willing to "throw the law books" at the people behind the parlour. However, closer scrutiny would show that the issue is not as simple as the facts that were presented. Indeed, the law books would have been thrown back at MBPJ if the council had acted solely on the facts presented by Nadeswaran.
I am not at liberty to divulge the information related to the case because there are some sensitivities involved, but MBPJ will ensure that the funeral parlour ceases its services by the end of December 2008, and that it moves to a more suitable location.
The Sivan Temple atop Bukit Gasing is another sensitive matter, with the large illegal structure situated on unstable ground and looming over a condominium below it.
The danger of the unsteady slope was confirmed in an independent survey by Kumpulan Ikram Sdn Bhd, which also made recommendations for rectification works. A stop-work order from MBPJ was issued in 2007. That order was ignored and sadly, because of political influence then, the council did not enforce the stop-work order.
When councillors A Thiruvenggadam and Derek Fernandez highlighted the danger again recently and arranged for MBPJ to issue a second stop-work order, MBPJ was attacked. The temple authorities accused MBPJ of being non-consultative.
Despite these assertions, MBPJ has all the paperwork to prove otherwise. The local council will also be working closely with the Selangor government to ensure that the temple does not collapse and jeopardise the lives of temple devotees and condominium residents living below.
In both the cases of the funeral parlour and the temple, Bukit Gasing state assemblyperson Edward Lee, from the DAP, took the initiative to meet with the committees of both religious organisations. With MBPJ officers in tow, Lee did the necessary fact-finding to understand the complexities of the cases instead of playing them out in public through the media.
Some quarters have accused Lee as being too lenient, but the local council needs to be absolutely sure that when it acts in the public's interest, all legal issues are taken into account. Thanks to the groundwork that was done, MBPJ can now take the necessary legal action against the committees of these organisations.
...
New to the job
Allowing sensitive issues to be played out in the media before a government body does the necessary homework can lead to unfavourable consequences.
Even I have made mistakes during my first four months as a councillor. In my quest to implement changes that I thought were necessary, I have instead placed MBPJ in a lawsuit, due to a legal technicality that was not observed. The mistake will end up costing taxpayers several thousand ringgit in legal fees, which I regret. As much as I would like to see change, I have learnt that I must be responsible for my actions.
Let's face the fact that many Pakatan Rakyat elected representatives are new to the job. They, too, need to learn how government works.
It is learnt that effort is under way to equip the elected representatives with legal and administrative knowledge of how government works. This would enable them to better address the issues faced by their constituents.
This would be infinitely better than watching politicians from both sides take pot shots at one another for their respective mistakes.
A lot of work is obviously needed for a local government system that needs fixing. That requires learning on all levels. Unfortunately that learning may take time before meaningful changes happen.
KW Mak is a DAP member and party-appointed MBPJ councillor. He apologises to his girlfriend, family and cats for not spending more time with them, and appreciates their support and understanding.
By KW Mak
THE media can sometimes be full of public sentiment calling for change. But few people appreciate the amount of work that needs to be done to effect that change.
I believe in doing things by the book to ensure that reforms are not arbitrary, and whatever action taken is fair to all. To do so requires not only meetings with all stakeholders but also consultation with legal experts. This can be a lengthy process.
Very often however, the public tends to view such an approach as being too slow, and if not thrashed out in the media, lacking in transparency.
Not so simple
theSun editor R Nadeswaran quoted one of my previous articles on transparency and good corporate governance to lament about the seeming lack of transparency and action against an illegal funeral parlour along Jalan Gasing in Petaling Jaya.
Nadeswaran argues his case and then accuses the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) of not being willing to "throw the law books" at the people behind the parlour. However, closer scrutiny would show that the issue is not as simple as the facts that were presented. Indeed, the law books would have been thrown back at MBPJ if the council had acted solely on the facts presented by Nadeswaran.
I am not at liberty to divulge the information related to the case because there are some sensitivities involved, but MBPJ will ensure that the funeral parlour ceases its services by the end of December 2008, and that it moves to a more suitable location.
The Sivan Temple atop Bukit Gasing is another sensitive matter, with the large illegal structure situated on unstable ground and looming over a condominium below it.
The danger of the unsteady slope was confirmed in an independent survey by Kumpulan Ikram Sdn Bhd, which also made recommendations for rectification works. A stop-work order from MBPJ was issued in 2007. That order was ignored and sadly, because of political influence then, the council did not enforce the stop-work order.
When councillors A Thiruvenggadam and Derek Fernandez highlighted the danger again recently and arranged for MBPJ to issue a second stop-work order, MBPJ was attacked. The temple authorities accused MBPJ of being non-consultative.
Despite these assertions, MBPJ has all the paperwork to prove otherwise. The local council will also be working closely with the Selangor government to ensure that the temple does not collapse and jeopardise the lives of temple devotees and condominium residents living below.
In both the cases of the funeral parlour and the temple, Bukit Gasing state assemblyperson Edward Lee, from the DAP, took the initiative to meet with the committees of both religious organisations. With MBPJ officers in tow, Lee did the necessary fact-finding to understand the complexities of the cases instead of playing them out in public through the media.
Some quarters have accused Lee as being too lenient, but the local council needs to be absolutely sure that when it acts in the public's interest, all legal issues are taken into account. Thanks to the groundwork that was done, MBPJ can now take the necessary legal action against the committees of these organisations.
...
New to the job
Allowing sensitive issues to be played out in the media before a government body does the necessary homework can lead to unfavourable consequences.
Even I have made mistakes during my first four months as a councillor. In my quest to implement changes that I thought were necessary, I have instead placed MBPJ in a lawsuit, due to a legal technicality that was not observed. The mistake will end up costing taxpayers several thousand ringgit in legal fees, which I regret. As much as I would like to see change, I have learnt that I must be responsible for my actions.
Let's face the fact that many Pakatan Rakyat elected representatives are new to the job. They, too, need to learn how government works.
It is learnt that effort is under way to equip the elected representatives with legal and administrative knowledge of how government works. This would enable them to better address the issues faced by their constituents.
This would be infinitely better than watching politicians from both sides take pot shots at one another for their respective mistakes.
A lot of work is obviously needed for a local government system that needs fixing. That requires learning on all levels. Unfortunately that learning may take time before meaningful changes happen.
KW Mak is a DAP member and party-appointed MBPJ councillor. He apologises to his girlfriend, family and cats for not spending more time with them, and appreciates their support and understanding.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Section 17 Water Woes
By Joey
Following several complaints by sec 17 residents over frequent water cuts, YB Edward Lee and YB Hee Loy Sian, PJS Member of Parliament, organised a second meeting between SYABAS and PUSPEL officers and community leaders from the Rukun Tetangga and Residents Associations on 17 Oct 2008. The meeting was held at the Bukit Gasing Service Centre.
According to SYABAS, the frequent water cuts are due to the bursting of old asbestos-cement water pipes, especially in older sections under PJ Selatan. For example, some homes may experience low water pressure due to old internal piping, which could be clogged by rust and scales. When residents complain of low pressure, SYABAS would attempt to remedy the situation by increasing water pressure. This fluctuation in pressure, in turn, could lead to certain external pipes bursting or breaking.
As this is a long-standing issue with no overnight solution, SYABAS is in the midst of implementing a few temporary measures. These include the installation of valve pipes to isolate damaged sections. With these valves, in the event of a burst pipe, only the segment affected needs to be turned off, instead of the whole area.
There is also the ongoing "Program Penggantian Paip-Paip Perhubungan" (replacement of communication pipes programme), with 700 pipes replaced to date. In sec 17, 7.1 km of main pipes are in need of replacement at a cost of RM30-35 million. This budget is awaiting approval from the SYABAS HQ and state. YB Lee and YB Hee will be following up with SYABAS and the state government to expedite the process.
Residents can also play their part by replacing their old internal piping to help regulate water pressure.
Do call Syabas' customer service at 1800-88-5252 should you require immediate assistance.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Going after bad eggs in PJ market
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/Streets/Monday/Stories/2362265/Article/
By Naveen Mathew Menon
Elizabeth Wong, Mohd Nadzri Osman (second right), Chan Chee Kong (left)
and enforcement personnel checking the prices of chicken at Petaling Jaya Old Town market.
PETALING JAYA: Some greedy traders who raised prices during the festive season have been made to pay.
They were caught when Elizabeth Wong, the state assemblyman for Bukit Lanjan and officers from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs conducted a surprise check at at Petaling Jaya Old Town market.Among those caught was a trader who was slapped with a RM100 fine for overpricing eggs. She was selling Grade B eggs at 0.34 sen each when they were price-controlled at 0.31 sen each.
Another trader who was selling only "santan" and not coconut, was asked to also sell scraped coconut as it was a price-controlled item.
Traders who did not display their prices prominently were given stern warnings by the enforcement officers.They were told to display the prices of controlled goods clearly on red and pink boards. The red board is a sign telling consumers that the prices were of controlled goods.
The traders were also advised by the officers to display a bigger board with the prices of all the controlled goods. The board is available from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs department."
Customers who have been fleeced or unhappy with the prices displayed can report to a toll-free hotline at 1800-886-800 or SMS to 32255."
Wong said she is satisfied with most of the traders as they were selling goods at appropriate prices.
Mohd Nadzri Osman, director of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, who accompanied Wong during the inspection, said the checks on traders, which started on Sept 24, would continue till Oct 8. He said a similar enforcement exercise will be held between Oct 20 and Nov 3 in view of the Deepavali celebrations.
Also joining Wong for the surprise check on the PJ Old Town market were Edward Lee Poh Lin, the state assemblyman for Bukit Gasing and Chan Chee Kong, the councillor for Petaling Jaya. Wong said the PJ market would be upgraded in stages, starting with the fish and meat sections, to improve its hygiene. She added that the stalls would be enlarged and new tiles laid.
By Naveen Mathew Menon
Elizabeth Wong, Mohd Nadzri Osman (second right), Chan Chee Kong (left)
and enforcement personnel checking the prices of chicken at Petaling Jaya Old Town market.
PETALING JAYA: Some greedy traders who raised prices during the festive season have been made to pay.
They were caught when Elizabeth Wong, the state assemblyman for Bukit Lanjan and officers from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs conducted a surprise check at at Petaling Jaya Old Town market.Among those caught was a trader who was slapped with a RM100 fine for overpricing eggs. She was selling Grade B eggs at 0.34 sen each when they were price-controlled at 0.31 sen each.
Another trader who was selling only "santan" and not coconut, was asked to also sell scraped coconut as it was a price-controlled item.
Traders who did not display their prices prominently were given stern warnings by the enforcement officers.They were told to display the prices of controlled goods clearly on red and pink boards. The red board is a sign telling consumers that the prices were of controlled goods.
The traders were also advised by the officers to display a bigger board with the prices of all the controlled goods. The board is available from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs department."
Customers who have been fleeced or unhappy with the prices displayed can report to a toll-free hotline at 1800-886-800 or SMS to 32255."
Wong said she is satisfied with most of the traders as they were selling goods at appropriate prices.
Mohd Nadzri Osman, director of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, who accompanied Wong during the inspection, said the checks on traders, which started on Sept 24, would continue till Oct 8. He said a similar enforcement exercise will be held between Oct 20 and Nov 3 in view of the Deepavali celebrations.
Also joining Wong for the surprise check on the PJ Old Town market were Edward Lee Poh Lin, the state assemblyman for Bukit Gasing and Chan Chee Kong, the councillor for Petaling Jaya. Wong said the PJ market would be upgraded in stages, starting with the fish and meat sections, to improve its hygiene. She added that the stalls would be enlarged and new tiles laid.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Councillor proposes quick response team
By Oh Ing Yeen at the MBPJ full board meeting
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/9/27/central/2131183&sec=central
A CITY councillor has proposed the setting up of a quick response team to handle minor grouses in the city.
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/9/27/central/2131183&sec=central
A CITY councillor has proposed the setting up of a quick response team to handle minor grouses in the city.
According to Michael Soon, nearly 80% of the calls the councillors received are small complaints regarding potholes, public toilets, drains and the trimming of trees.
“Councillors should not be the first contact when it comes to such minor issues,” he said.
Soon said this during the September full board meeting of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).
“Thus, we should form a quick response team consisting of plumbers and electricians to resolve such matters,” Soon said.
Roslan: ‘The committee will study and scrutinise some procedures and regulations’
“We need to upgrade the computer system and handle walk-ins, telephone calls and e-mails efficiently,” he said.
Soon also said that contracts under RM20,000 should not be sub-contracted.
“The one at the end of the line will only be left with bones. If the job is badly done, it will reflect badly on the MBPJ, too. All contractors who often do so should be blacklisted,” he said.
Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman, meanwhile, announced at the meeting that a circular will be issued to warn contractors against harassing the local councillors when lobbying for contracts.
Several city councillors had complained that they have received numerous calls from certain contractors lobbying for jobs.
Roslan also announced that an audit and administration committee has been set up to improve the MBPJ services.
“The committee will study and scrutinise some procedures and regulations. All department heads are required to cooperate in this effort for a smooth process and to widen the administrative scope,” he said.
Roslan said councillors should organise dialogue sessions with residents in their respective zones to discuss issues in the area to obtain feedback for the preparation of the 2009 budget.
“With the participation of all stake holders in the MBPJ, Iam confident that the proposed budget will be more effective and relevant ,” he said.
Roslan told the councillors to organise their respective residents committees in their zone to get to know the residents’ problems faster.
“The residents committees will also create interaction between councillors and their respective communities as well as advocate transparency under our governance,” he said.
“I hope this will be carried out soon. All councillors are required to submit reports on this matter to be studied by the state local government committee,” Roslan said.
PJ Selatan MP Hee Loy Sian, who was present as an observer, raised an issue which raised some eyebrows. He claimed that some residents had complained about prostitution in some hotel spas in the city.
Meanwhile, the mayor announced that the MBPJ will hold a Hari Raya open house on Oct 10 from 3pm to 6pm at the PJ stadium. He extended an invitation to the public.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Assessment cut for highrise units next year
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/9/17/central/2035620&sec=central
By TAN KARR WEI
CONDOMINIUMS and highrise unit owners in Petaling Jaya will see a reduction in assessment rates next year.
Mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman announced that in the draft Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) 2009 budget, assessment rates for flats, apartments and condominiums would be reduced from 8% to 6% (except those in Sri Damansara, Mayang Mas and Megah Mas, which remains at 5%).
Rates for service apartments would be reduced from 8.8% to 6.6%.
By TAN KARR WEI
CONDOMINIUMS and highrise unit owners in Petaling Jaya will see a reduction in assessment rates next year.
Mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman announced that in the draft Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) 2009 budget, assessment rates for flats, apartments and condominiums would be reduced from 8% to 6% (except those in Sri Damansara, Mayang Mas and Megah Mas, which remains at 5%).
Rates for service apartments would be reduced from 8.8% to 6.6%.
Absorbed: Representatives from residents associations and
Rukun Tetangga at the MBPJ 2009 Budget briefing.
Assessment rates for low-cost flats will remain at 5% while assessment for other properties will not be increased.
About 60 representatives from residents associations (RA) and Rukun Tetangga (RT) attended a briefing on the 2009 budget at the MBPJ headquarters in Jalan Yong Shook Lin.
The income deficit would be offset by an estimated RM6.48mil from rental of billboard sites.
A representative from Section 8 RT said there should be funds allocated for activities carried out by RTs and RAs.
Taman Mayang RT chairman Chan Chow Wang said the RM5mil increase to RM52mil in allocation for Alam Flora services was not justified.
“The service provided is not satisfactory. I raised the issue five years ago about the garbage trucks. When the trash is compacted, dirty water leaks from the trucks and dirty our roads,” said Chan.
The RM52mil makes up more than 20% of MBPJ’s total expenditure.
Petaling Jaya Selangor Residents Association (APAC) chairman Liew Wei Beng was upset that the various representatives could not obtain a copy of the draft budget before they attended the meeting.
“We need time to go through the draft to analyse it instead of rushing through it during the briefing,” said Liew.
He also said the numbers for the 2008 budget was an estimation and the actual amount spent up so far was not given and so it was difficult to compare the numbers with the 2009 budget.
“How would we know if there’s a surplus or deficit in the 2008 budget?” asked Liew.
One of the objectives of the budget was to make PJ a knowledge city and RM3.495mil has been allocated for items like Internet connection, computer equipment rental, handheld equipment rental and computer maintenance.
However, one RA representative commented that since the handheld equipment were for enforcement officers and the computers for councillors, it did not contribute to that objective.
Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee said the presentation of the budget could be improved.
“The council’s accounts for the previous years should also be given so that we will know if the budget provided for those years were sufficient and the budget for 2009 should reflect that,” said Lee, who was formerly the pro tem chairman of the All Petaling Jaya Pro-Action Committee, as APAC was then known.
He also noted that the budget did not address another pressing problem in the city — flooding.
“Flooding is a big problem in PJ and nothing much has been done to alleviate it. It is disheartening to know that there is a decrease in funds for drainage system and drain maintenance,” said Lee.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Councillors on track
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/9/13/central/1957037&sec=central
By JADE CHAN
“The SS1 and SS3 residents, who comprise those in the middle to upper-income groups, want to know the status of their complaints. I usually keep them updated via e-mails.”
Tiew lists her priorities as educating the people to know that a councillor is not their only mean of seeking solution to their problems and streamlining the process at the MBPJ so that complainants can monitor the status of the complaint from the officer in charge, and fighting for good governance and zero corruption.
Tiew is forming a committee comprising local representatives from residents associations and NGOs who would be more familiar in handling the residents’ problems and needs.
“I plan to have a monthly healthcare programme for residents, because there are many senior citizens in my zone,” she said.
“I will also work closely with Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San and PJ Utara MP Tony Pua to ensure that there is no duplicity or redundancy in our work,” Tiew said.
Dr Melasutra Md Dali, 44, lecturer
“The main issues are on safety, housing, youth and health,” Melasutra said of her zone that comprises residents from the low- to middle-income group.
Melasutra has formed a focus group comprising representatives from various groups in PJ Selatan to get in-depth information about their complaints, dissatisfactions and expectations.
“Because their voices weren’t heard as much before, I’m now working on systematically listing their issues. A lot has to be done, and can be done if channelled to the right department and people,” she said.
“The main issue in PJS 1 would be transit homes, while the problem in PJS 2 concerns the lack of open space and recreational facilities for children and youths,” Melasutra said.
“I hope to improve the residents’ living conditions and make their environment more livable. The place is so congested and there isn’t enough infrastructure and recreational outlets for the youngsters to put their energies into.”
Melasutra feels that a councillor should be committed to contributing to the council and city while having a good system to back up their work to ensure an efficient and transparent output.
Richard Yeoh, 55, civil society representative
“There are a number of major unresolved issues and we’re working to find solutions for these.”
Yeoh feels that PJ residents are generally quite understanding, although it could be a grace period for the councillors to get a grip of their duties and responsibilities.
Yeoh’s priority is to look into the PJ public transport system. “The MBPJ has received proposals to develop or redevelop existing properties belonging to the local council or state land, but it’s difficult to approve new development projects if the traffic and public transportation issues aren’t resolved,” he said.
“Although it is a federal government issue, the state and local government could look into a basic transport system for the people like a mini-bus or shuttle system,” Yeoh said.
“I want to push this matter to set a model for the country as it is key before any new developments are approved.”
Among the qualities he thinks a councillor should have are a desire to serve the community, a passion to improve the council’s services, interest in interacting with people and being resourceful when solving problems.
A. Thiruvenggadam, 48, insurance agency manager
Thiruvenggadam is one of the first MBPJ councillors to have a fully functional service centre, and has been busy attending to flood and abandoned house problems in Section 8, where he also resides.
“I’m proposing that the MBPJ push the federal government to set up a general hospital for the people in PJ and platforms under the MBPJ for poor people to start simple businesses and programmes to eradicate poverty,” Thiruvenggadam said.
“Meanwhile, I managed to get the MBPJ clinic in Section 8, which was previously meant for MBPJ employees only to also cater to the poor in PJ.”
Thiruvenggadam feels that PJ residents are generally cooperative and educated, but there is a delay in getting things done at the MBPJ due to a lack of integration among its departments.
“My priorities right now would be to attend to the major problems in my zone like drainage, playground, traffic and security by December,” he said.
“After that, I want to concentrate on the social development in my zone and make it a more conducive place to live in by increasing community facilities and having racial integration programmes.”
Thiruvenggadam believes that the MBPJ should evolve such that its mechanisms can handle complaints on its own and have a more multi-racial workforce.
He said a councillor needed to manage his time well and should have adequate knowledge about the country’s legal, political and socio-economic culture and other areas of plural co-existence of the people.
By JADE CHAN
Their most demanding task is dealing with day-to-day problems.
THE last few months have been hectic and even harrowing for the new councillors appointed to the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).
They have been busy familiarising themselves with the local council set-up and operation, learning about its departments, the rules, regulations, procedures, attending committee meetings and getting to know the people in their assigned zones.
While some initially thought that their basic role was policy-making, they now realise that dealing with the day-to-day problems faced by the people is the most demanding aspect of their role as councillors.
They have to deal with almost non-stop complaints from the residents in their zones — from petty matters such as uncollected rubbish to more serious matters like floods.
And they have to explore and find ways to resolve these problems, seeking out the departments and relevant officials to get the problems dealt with.
Although all 24 councillors have been assigned zones to oversee, not all of them have their service centres set up yet.
According to MBPJ public relations officer Zainun Zakaria, the council’s engineering department is in the final stage of getting the service centres ready for operation.
“The locations of all 24 service centres have been identified and will hopefully be ready by the end of this month,” Zainun said.
StarMetro interviewed four of the councillors to find out what they have been doing since their appointments.
Tiew Way Keng, 27, lawyer
Zone: SS1, 3 and 9A
Contact: 016-338 1563 / aduantwk@gmail.com
Service centre: Dewan Seri Setia, Jalan SS9A/1 
Talk to me: Tiew standing outside Dewan Seri Setia where her service centre will be located.
Tiew said she had discovered that she had to use different approaches when dealing with residents in her zones.
“The SS9A new village residents prefer meeting me personally and expect me to turn up at their meetings or attend to their complaints,” she said.
“The SS1 and SS3 residents, who comprise those in the middle to upper-income groups, want to know the status of their complaints. I usually keep them updated via e-mails.”
In the process, Tiew has learnt that she needs to be approachable, patient and able to communicate well. “I need to be careful whenever I speak in Chinese. Certain words or phrases can be misinterpreted by the residents and make them upset,” she said.
Tiew lists her priorities as educating the people to know that a councillor is not their only mean of seeking solution to their problems and streamlining the process at the MBPJ so that complainants can monitor the status of the complaint from the officer in charge, and fighting for good governance and zero corruption.
Tiew is forming a committee comprising local representatives from residents associations and NGOs who would be more familiar in handling the residents’ problems and needs.
“I plan to have a monthly healthcare programme for residents, because there are many senior citizens in my zone,” she said.
“I will also work closely with Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San and PJ Utara MP Tony Pua to ensure that there is no duplicity or redundancy in our work,” Tiew said.
Dr Melasutra Md Dali, 44, lecturer
Zone: PJS 1 and 2
Contact: 03-7967 5698 / sutramela@yahoo.com
Service centre: Most likely at Pasar Taman Datuk Harun, PJS 2
Urban planner: Melasutra’s field of specialisation is in land use and recreational and social planning, and urban management.
Melasutra believes in empowering society and wants to educate and encourage the people in her zone to make them work with the MBPJ.
“I hope to create programmes that are continuous and beneficial to the community. I view my appointment as a positive opportunity and feel that my roles as a lecturer, councillor and NGO member (with Jamaah Islah Malaysia) are inter-related,” she said.
“The main issues are on safety, housing, youth and health,” Melasutra said of her zone that comprises residents from the low- to middle-income group.
Melasutra has formed a focus group comprising representatives from various groups in PJ Selatan to get in-depth information about their complaints, dissatisfactions and expectations.
“Because their voices weren’t heard as much before, I’m now working on systematically listing their issues. A lot has to be done, and can be done if channelled to the right department and people,” she said.
“The main issue in PJS 1 would be transit homes, while the problem in PJS 2 concerns the lack of open space and recreational facilities for children and youths,” Melasutra said.
“I hope to improve the residents’ living conditions and make their environment more livable. The place is so congested and there isn’t enough infrastructure and recreational outlets for the youngsters to put their energies into.”
Melasutra feels that a councillor should be committed to contributing to the council and city while having a good system to back up their work to ensure an efficient and transparent output.
Richard Yeoh, 55, civil society representative
Zone: Sections 11, 12 and 13
Contact: 012-216 0035/ 012-302 8801/ yeohrichard@gmail.com
Service centre: Yet to be confirmed
Bring it on: Yeoh wants to see better infrastructure for PJ residents.
According to Yeoh, the councillors have had their hands full in getting a hang of how the MBPJ functions and to clear the backlog of work during the five months when the councillors were not in place.
“The most common complaints I had to deal with pertain to traffic lights, inadequate streetlights and heavy traffic, especially when there’s an event going on,” he said.
“There are a number of major unresolved issues and we’re working to find solutions for these.”
Yeoh feels that PJ residents are generally quite understanding, although it could be a grace period for the councillors to get a grip of their duties and responsibilities.
Yeoh’s priority is to look into the PJ public transport system. “The MBPJ has received proposals to develop or redevelop existing properties belonging to the local council or state land, but it’s difficult to approve new development projects if the traffic and public transportation issues aren’t resolved,” he said.
“Although it is a federal government issue, the state and local government could look into a basic transport system for the people like a mini-bus or shuttle system,” Yeoh said.
“I want to push this matter to set a model for the country as it is key before any new developments are approved.”
Among the qualities he thinks a councillor should have are a desire to serve the community, a passion to improve the council’s services, interest in interacting with people and being resourceful when solving problems.
A. Thiruvenggadam, 48, insurance agency manager
Zone: Sections 8, 14 and 51A
Contact: 03-7960 0257/ 012-322 3851/ neelavino@yahoo.com
Service centre: Unit 16, Plaza Sunken, Menara MBPJ
Hard at work: Thiruvenggadam attending to some paperwork at his service centre.
Thiruvenggadam is one of the first MBPJ councillors to have a fully functional service centre, and has been busy attending to flood and abandoned house problems in Section 8, where he also resides.
“I’m trying to do whatever I can to help the urban poor in areas like Lembah Subang, Kota Damansara, PJS 1 and Desa Mentari,” he said.
“I’m proposing that the MBPJ push the federal government to set up a general hospital for the people in PJ and platforms under the MBPJ for poor people to start simple businesses and programmes to eradicate poverty,” Thiruvenggadam said.
“Meanwhile, I managed to get the MBPJ clinic in Section 8, which was previously meant for MBPJ employees only to also cater to the poor in PJ.”
Thiruvenggadam feels that PJ residents are generally cooperative and educated, but there is a delay in getting things done at the MBPJ due to a lack of integration among its departments.
“My priorities right now would be to attend to the major problems in my zone like drainage, playground, traffic and security by December,” he said.
“After that, I want to concentrate on the social development in my zone and make it a more conducive place to live in by increasing community facilities and having racial integration programmes.”
Thiruvenggadam believes that the MBPJ should evolve such that its mechanisms can handle complaints on its own and have a more multi-racial workforce.
He said a councillor needed to manage his time well and should have adequate knowledge about the country’s legal, political and socio-economic culture and other areas of plural co-existence of the people.
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