REFLECTIONS OF 2009 IN SUBANG JAYA

Wednesday, 2 December 2009

REFLECTIONS OF 2009 IN SUBANG JAYA

It is now December 2009. We have only one more month before 2010. I am here at my favourite kopitiam looking at my 2 quarter boiled eggs and roti bakar on a rainy day in SS15.
It has been quite a year in Subang Jaya. So many things have happened but sad to say to me, nothing has come up very positive. There have been efforts to improve the faults but these have been met with some others within the community who think nothing but themselves.
I think back again. What have been the issues that have kept Subang Jaya interested? Politics was one. YB Hannah is trying her best to please everyone. She is tiring herself too soon. I have met many residents who say that she is having a hard time, no thanks to selfish residents who think of themselves and whose power hungry affinity for positions and fame blur their eyes into being one without common sense.
I pray she keeps the strength against these wolves. The councilors have been changed a bit. Still no change. I for one am still uncertain what their roles are except for an explanation in the local daily 2 years’ back. As with the plans by these councilors and local government, MPSJ, all seems quiet. No one seems to want to explain what their plans are for Subang Jaya. I know this may be difficult but the least they could do is to tell the good community of Subang Jaya what their urgent plans are so we can rest easy.
Failure to communicate is a disease of any local government and the councilors. It would not be too difficult if one were to communicate. Most of the time, this is hidden for fear of answering those whose intent is malicious. But with facts and the truth as with the vigour to succeed, what is there to fear? I cannot understand. Maybe I am old, but I hate the idea that most of the young are being punished for the things the oldies want to keep.
The Subang Ria Park issue. I have an opinion. If Sime Darby wants to develop it, make sure they ensure that traffic does not increase and peace and serenity is improved. The park is in a bad shape. I hate saying this but it is like a ghostly self now. Subang Jaya must make sure Sime Darby helps in the rehabilitation of the park and improve all the bus stops in Subang Jaya.
Talking about bus stops. This has not improved. I thought someone has taken heed and started upgrading these with new coats of orange paint. Then it stopped. Bus stops in most areas still rot with rust, defaced with notices and with no lightings. This is Subang Jaya. Some folks are proponents of public transport. If no one puts pressure for the facilities like bus stops and bus frequency, what good is the LRT? Sime Darby has nice sponsored bus stops in PJ. I want to ask. Why not Subang Jaya?
The pedestrian bridges in Subang Jaya have still got bad rust. One day, this may pose as a safety risk. The design has gone worse in terms of its roofing. I do not understand why they cannot do the same staggered roofing which keeps water away but instead, opt to do the metal roof that slopes towards the landing at the bottom. These fellows who built this are either ignorant or wanting to keep costs down and provide the minimum.
The new Kelana Link has opened. I was happy it finally opened after such a long time of over 10 years. However, the reality is not as good. The pedestrian bridge near the temples to SS14 is missing. The promised alleviation of traffic jam did not come. We have terrible jams now. Below these mammoths are stones and small shrubs. No more trees nor greenery.
Developers will modernize Subang Jaya. MPSJ is supposed to ensure landscaping is done. I have seen none improved since except more concrete. Trees have been cut down at many places but few are grown back except those of the olde golden birdy park. Kudos to those who have made the effort to green Subang Jaya.
The roads have widened and without regard to neither pedestrian nor bicycling facilities. Responsible developers are whom we need now. Crime has increased. Some blame foreigners but never our own. Funny when I sometimes think the foreigners are more trustworthy than my fellow countryman.
The Gated and Guarded concept has sprung up with so much speed that I wonder whether these are well managed. Security companies are now looking at this opportunity with glee.
Some pro-tem committee members bulldoze their way and do not think of communicating and trying to convince others. Some take pains to convince, while some will still blame you for not installing burglar alarm systems when you have a gated and guarded community. What rubbish and a ridiculous time we live in.
As with the police, we are helping them as much we can with information. They need to have all the help but I think the government should do more to equip our police force.
I think it would be a good idea if all police personnel with families live in Subang Jaya instead of the police high rise residential. That way, it would benefit all socially.
The back of Subang Parade is now a high rise haven! New shopping centres in Empire Subang and Subang Avenue will open in 2010.
Rats have survived the onslaught by our wordy councilors and MPSJ. The blame now is with the indifferent attitudes of the business fraternity. The blame game will go on. But no one makes a stand to stop this and fix the problem.
Subang Jaya’s residents have become professional blamers and critics. No one wants to stand up. I wonder, how many Hannah Yeohs are out there. How many would join her in helping make Subang Jaya to what we want it to be? Would we join her band of youngsters or would we just go around bitching and whining like an overgrown baby and live our fat lives doing just that till it is too late.
I think we are getting there to be “too late”. I look at my finished meal and think. The year 2009 has a lot to say about Subang Jaya. Subang Jaya residents have failed as with the MPSJ and the councilors. The only one who has passed is YB Hannah Yeoh. It is funny now because in the beginning I never believed she had the strength. Now I do. Let us look at 2010 and make our while as we still live to make this our dream home into reality.
Have we looked at ourselves in the mirror today? Do we like what we see?
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!