![[SJ Echo]](/images/SJ_Echo_Banner.jpg)
Monday, 2 January 2012
GONG XI FA CAI SUBANG JAYA
A year has passed. It was just a few weeks ago that we celebrated Christmas and the beginning of the new year of 2012. What would the Feng Shui be like this year as the Chinese celebrate the Year of the Water Dragon. I read somewhere that the water element will denote change.
Change. I am eagerly ready to partake in change. Will Subang Jaya change? Change would be good.
As the shopping centres now turn cheerful chilli red with decorations, we find the chirpy Chinese New Year medley of songs a great way to start the year. I have gone through some shops and the array of decorative items have somewhat expounded to include affordable lanterns, calligraphy, door greetings, fake firecrackers and lucky knots in various Vietnamese and China based designs.
However, I still miss the sounds of firecrackers. At least we still get to see Lion Dances in shopping centres. The Dragon dances are sure to be more prominent this year.
What would we be looking forward to in this beautiful 2012? I urge the councillors to again relook the same issues which have since again recurred. The business district of Taipan is in need of thorough cleaning. I would think the Sunday Pasar Pagi should be relocated to the business area of USJ21 instead. There is ample space there. The current location is not suitable as the hygiene is bad and the roads choked.
The councillor taking care of the area of Subang Jaya's town centre should again heed the horrible road condition of Jalan SS16/1. It is a badly damaged road with potholes and illegal waiting by buses. The area nearer KTM, Carrefour and Subang Parade is with large potholes and waterlogged. The pedestrian walkway has been reduced to a squashed surface. Lightings from KTM to Saujana Residency are still not fixed. Like many residents there, I am sure many would wonder as to why this area is not taken seriously.
SS15 has seen a rat extermination exercise. However, I wonder if the local government is actually serious about pest control. MPSJ, please do tell us as to what you plan to do? Or is this just a publicity stunt? Communication of MPSJ to the community is something Subang Jayans are not proud of. Pertinent issues of hygiene and improved quality of living and business do not seem to be the main thrust.
I am still wondering as to when we would one day again obtain crime statistics so we can benchmark the performance of the police officers in Subang Jaya. This would help them improve their performance and public delivery. Perhaps the police should come out of their stern shell and be friendlier to the public and be a friend of the community, not just a stern enforcer. It would be nice if they also come up with plans to visit schools and colleges to connect with the community. Road shows, open days, seminars and career talks would be a great start. This should be the same with Bomba as well.
Where would we want to be at the end of 2012? Subang Jayans yearn for better public transportation. We yearn for better maintained pedestrian bridges and bus stops. We yearn for buffered, landscaped and well-designed pedestrian walkways within the township of Subang Jaya. Many of this lies in the powers of persuasion of MPSJ and the councillors. We have had enough of excuses without such emphasis on working out solutions and implementing them. At times, we believe that work can only be done at a snail's pace.
A change of attitude is in store for all of us. It is the same attitude when one asks of an eligible aged Malaysian as to why they have not registered. The answer is always the same. Those who have not registered to vote, please do so as the next big elections loom close. Those who are in office are already preparing. But many of us see a change coming in the bigger picture. Fear is temporary. Bravery is sublime.
The Chinese New Year this year would chart a new chapter as the Mayan Calendar did predict an end of the world. Would this be true? Perhaps there would be signs just as the terrible storms which hit Subang Jaya for many weeks in November and December last year.
Alas, Chinese New Year will always start off well with the tradition of gatherings. Families from far and near will get together for the Chinese New Year Eve dinner. A feast and rounds of laughter is expected.
The annual exodus would begin and the equal return is expected to create massive traffic jams as many would take advantage of the holidays. It is also good practise to heed the notes by Bomba and the Police in crime prevention and safety precautions.
In any case, I would like to wish all a very Prosperous Chinese New Year of The Water Dragon. In our festive enjoyment, it is nice for us to also remember those who are less fortunate. Be charitable and share.
Have we looked in the mirror today? Do you like what you see?
.jpg)
