LEAPING INTO THE YEAR OF THE TIGER

I have just turned 31 this month. I am certain my parents find it hard to believe that the baby they used to cuddle is now entering the fourth decade of her life. I’m beginning to spot more white hair. I’m also finding it hard to survive a late night and have enough strength to work early next morning. So different from those college days when one could go on for nights working on assignments and yet found the time to ‘yum-cha’ with friends.
The month of January 2010 has been an eventful month for the nation with a series of multiple attacks on places of worship. It is shameful that these culprits do not know how to handle a crisis in a mature manner.
I, on the other hand have found January to be a month of reflection. I had a surgery and I’m still recovering at home. This medical leave is “forced rest” for me. Ever since winning the election, I have been working and working and working. Being at home gives me the precious time to read, ponder and re-plan the direction of my work and personal life. I’m now eagerly waiting to return to work in full swing in a couple of weeks and continue to serve the residents of DUN Subang Jaya.
I also wish to take this opportunity to convey my deepest condolences to the family of the late Mr Robert Lam, a fellow Subang Jaya resident who passed away very recently. I used to attend English lessons at his English Language Centre in SS15 when I was a young girl. Many of us grew up watching him on TV. I am just really grateful for the privilege of hearing him read news and for the honour of meeting him personally in the last few months of his life. We will miss your golden voice, Robert and I know you are now safe at home with the Lord.
This year, we will continue with our efforts to green Subang Jaya. We will plant more trees and continue to educate residents to do their part in preserving the earth. The Selangor State Government has recently launched the “No Plastic Bag Day” campaign. Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own shopping bags while shopping on Saturdays in some 20 retailers comprising hypermarkets, supermarkets, pharmacies and convenience stores that are participating in this initial stage of this campaign. Shoppers who request for plastic bags on a Saturday would be charged 20 sen per bag. I urge every resident to co-operate to make this campaign a success not just on Saturdays but to turn this into a habit and make it part of our lifestyle.
Every change requires an effort to change. Unless and until Malaysians are willing to pay the price for such a change, we will continue to live life the same and our complaints will not translate into actions.
Let me give you an example of the new parking system in USJ 10, Taipan. MPSJ has managed to convince the private multi-storey car park operator to reduce the seasonal parking charges to match that of MPSJ’s. This is to encourage business owners and employees working in USJ 10, Taipan to park their cars in the multi-storey car park, thus freeing up the public car park areas for the general public. The public car parks all around Taipan now have an hourly parking system. This hourly system is required to go hand-in-hand with the new reduced rates in the multi-storey car park. This is to encourage all business owners and their employees in Taipan to move their cars into the private car park space and free up the public lots all around Taipan. Sure this will bring some level of inconvenience but what have we got to lose if we want to see traffic improvement in Taipan? In January alone, 120 new seasonal car parkers have signed up with the private car park operator and this means at least 120 parking lots are available every hour in Taipan for the general public to use!
There are also proposals for the hourly parking system to be increased to a maximum of 2 hours. This new system is on trial for 3 months and members of the public can provide their feedback to MPSJ or email MPSJ Councillor, Mr. Rajiv Rishyakaran at rajiv@mpsj.gov.my
Our Member of Parliament, YB Loh Gwo Burne is also working on fixing an appointment for residents to meet the Works Minister for a discussion on the Subang-Kelana Link and its related issues. Persiaran Kewajipan is under the Federal jurisdiction and we need their cooperation together with Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia and KESAS for us to manage the increased traffic there.
I look forward to a great year, with hope and the resolve of bringing about improvements no matter how difficult the situation may be.
Here’s wishing all our residents Gong Xi Fa Cai and see you at our Chinese New Year Concert & Carnival.