Note from Editor « SJ Echo

Wednesday, 30 January 2008

Note from Editor

Whew! It's been a long month. Unlike the typical start of the year, 2008 has started off with so many things happening around us.

It's a long list of events, issues and a tragedy. At the top of every residents mind is the Subang Jaya Draft Local Plan which was made public towards the end of last year spilling over to this year for the compilation of comments and objections from residents.

Then there is the push to fight the Dengue menace with MPSJ starting off a major campaign to keep the number of cases down this year.

The most talked about I am sure, even at coffee shops is the impending 11^th General Elections which can be called anytime from now until March next year.

Then there's the tragedy at the Subang Twin abandoned project in USJ, which has probably claimed the life of a man.

All this, in one month. What's happening to Subang Jaya? Why is the whole neighborhood abuzz with so many things in such a short time? Why are there “skirmishes” at public hearings and name callings?

Now let us take stock of what the implications are with some of these issues raised above.

The Draft Local Plan is important for all of us. It is the blueprint of what's to come for the whole municipality and obviously, being residents here, we are the major stakeholders.

Numerous briefings and meetings have been held between community leaders and residents to identify what issues are to be raised finally. Some of these include development plans around us, public transportation like the LRT, preservation of our green lungs and even whether the authorities have allocated enough places of worship for all religions.

Then there's the Dengue menace which the authorities are trying to rope the residents in to fight. MPSJ has one of the highest number of Dengue cases in the whole country.

Residents and even government officers are now all anxious to pick up the daily newspapers and television, to get hints of when the next general elections is going to be.

It brings to mind, with all this happening around us and how we are actively or not actively participating, how will all these affect our lives?

We call Subang Jaya our home. We know all of us care for this place although we show it in different ways. I am sure even the authorities want to do a good job, to impress their bosses.

But are we going the right way? Are we (residents and authorities) working together to build something good for tomorrow or are we going in different directions?

As the local authority, MPSJ has a duty to protect the people who have entrusted them to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities. With the Draft Local Plan, the council should be on the “people's” side to make sure that we get what we want so that, together, we can build this wonderful place we call home.

In order to do this, it is important for MPSJ, from the lowest ranking to the highest, to pull up their socks and not always go back into hiding when faced with a situation. It is important that they go down to the ground and listen with their ears and not their pens. It is important for them to carry out their duties to the best they can, and be seen to do it.

But what's there for residents to do? Well, we should also pull up our socks and practice what we preach. We should actively move forward to achieve what we set ourselves out to do. Let's not sit back and point the finger and say, “It's their job.”

With these thoughts, please allow me to wish everyone here GONG XI FA CAI. If you plan to Balik Kampung for the festive season, drive safe and have a good time. Don't forget to sign up with the police if you are leaving your house vacant while you are away.