On behalf of Shahrul, Bala, Bakri, Siva and the Committee members, a very big "Thank you" to those residents who came for the event yesterday morning at the USJ 11/3 padang. Despite the long holiday where a lot of people went outstation, the attendance was fantastic! There were at least 400 people who turned up for the event and most brought some food and drinks for the POTLUCK party.
The guys under supervision from the ladies decorating the place.
Organising the chairs and food - it's still early!
Time to start registration - Irene and Peggy manning the reception area.
It started early at about 7 am, when some of the committee members started to set up the place and decorated the area. Peggy and Irene, from our committee together with their family members lent a festive mood to the place by decorating the area with colourful balloons and flags. Peggy has also managed to get some prizes such as hampers, to be given away in lucky draws and for the games.
Putting the names in for the lucky draw.
At 8.00 am the crowd started to trickle in and by about 8.30 am, it swelled to about 400 people. We started by having Shahrul welcoming the crowd. He spoke about how he had moved into the area some 14 years ago, where there were no phone lines and the place was virtually empty. He had to rely on just the ATUR phone system and had to get to know the construction workers, just to, as he put it, "survive" in this area without harm coming in his or his family's way.
He also spoke about the love for the neighbourhood and he hoped that one day, USJ 11/3 will become a model urban kampung, where there are lush trees, well landscaped, clean and most importantly safe for the community to live in. As well as that, he stressed the need for the community to get to know one another as we all share this place we call home and that we needed to work together to look after this place, our kampung.
Some early birds.
More residents started to show up just after 8.00 am.
Mr. Wong, our camera man. "Camera and action...!"
About to start...!
After that, he and the other team members lead the crowd for a short walk just to create the neighbourhood spirit. The idea was to let the residents get to know the neighbouring area. The walk started at the padang and around USJ 11/3K towards the shops then to the guard house area and back towards the padang.
Shahrul and the team members - starting the walkabout.
Leading the pack, Ng our Chairman of 11 Trees.
Shahrul, Vice Chairman doing his part.
Unfortunately, as they walked past the shops, on their way back to the playground, there was the "Lone Ranger", the boss of DINEOUT (minus his horse and pistols) passing out leaflets, protesting our security initiative. This had led to a lot of anger from some of the residents who were there. They took his protest as a form of opposition to all the residents living in the USJ 11/3 area, who only wanted to protect themselves with the security initiative.
Some of the residents took him to task by giving him a good tongue lashing! And rightly so, as he is about the only one from the shop area, bent on opposing our security project. His name is Giblet or something. Not quite sure what it is. Anyway, who cares? Let's just call him the "Lone Ranger" for now. More later...
The walkabout also gave a chance for the residents to get to know each other.
Yeah - catching up on the English Premier League?
Walking past the shops...!
Its makan time!
After the walkabout, the residents came back to the canopied area and settled down. Shahrul then invited all the residents for breakfast. There were so much food as most of the residents who came, brought along some food and drinks as well. Everyone had a great time. While breakfast was served, we invited some of the residents to speak to the crowd.
"Hello, how are you?" This was repeated all morning - how nice!
"Mmm.. sedap kan karipap ini? "
Food glorious food...!
Siva with his passenger - "Oi! Ada sticker ke?!"
"Yummy, this nasi lemak is nice...! "
"How is your nasi lemak? Did you try the karipap and the kueh?"
More chit chats, makan-makan and getting to know your neighbour...!
Andy from 3C was first, describing how his house was broken into many times, his wife was a victim of snatch thieves and had two of his Toyota cars stolen from his house after which, he had vouched not to buy any more Toyotas!
Mior telling it as it is...!
Mior was next. He described his experiences where his house was broken into a few times, so much so, he had his children locked their doors at night when they go to bed, in case someone breaks into his house again while they are home and fast asleep!
Snatch thief victim, Rohana and husband Salleh telling what had happened to them before and how happy they are now with the security system in our area.
Then there was husband and wife, Salleh and Rohana where they related some of their harrowing experiences with burglary and snatch thieves. In Rohana's case, she was a victim of a snatch thief right in front of her house. She dislocated her shoulder in the process and has been extremely worried about stepping out of her house ever since.
Salleh also expressed his disappointment with the DINEOUT boss over his protest to the resident's effort in setting up the security for the area. While we were trying to forge closer ties amongst ourselves and to provide a safer environment for the community, the DINEOUT boss was trying to take that initiative apart. He was visibly upset and told the crowd that the "Lone Ranger" will have to deal with the 500+ households who were solidly behind the security project if he wanted to challenge the community in USJ 11/3. The crowd applauded loudly to that statement.
The residents listening to all the stories that were told by fellow residents...!
Liew, then related his story about how his new car got stolen from his car porch even though his auto gate was locked and his car porch lighted. His car happened to be a Toyota Camry! He said now, with the security, he is going to buy another car - another Toyota Camry! So there you go Andy!
Liew giving his side of his story..."My Toyota Camry ah....!"
Anyway, everyone agreed that the security measures were the best thing that had ever happened in our area. They are now encouraging and urging the committee to fence up the entire area. In fact, one of the generous residents came up and gave us a cheque for RM500! Just to get the ball rolling! So looks like the committee is really going to have their hands full!
Then we had games and it was musical chairs for the children. The kids who took part had so much fun. It was then the parent's turn with some of their children taking part in the next game. It was a balloon throwing contest but the balloons were filled with water instead of air! It was really funny to see the balloons bursting and the water splashing all over the place. Anyway, these games were put together by Bala and it went really well. All who took part and those who watched from the sidelines were laughing and having a great time!
Some of the kids who came for the event and ended up as winners for the Musical Chair event.
Musical chairs - Bala in action!
Rush - rush for the chairs!
"This is mine. I don't care, I will not budge!"
Round about that time, YB Hannah Yeoh came by. She helped gave away the prizes to the winners. The residents were indeed very happy to have had her around. A lot of the residents went up to her to shake her hands and she graciously did the same. Thank you YB for showing up despite your hectic schedule.
Hah! The winner congratulated by YB Hannah Yeoh.
One more winner from the musical chair event.
Moms and dads having a great time throwing balloons filled with water!
"Now, hold on to the balloons, it is filled with water!"
"Okay folks, listen here, I am the commander see..!". Bala in action!
"Line up please - we are about to start throwing the balloons".
"Okay, here we go...!"
YB Hannah Yeoh giving away the prizes.
"Congratulations! "
The party ended at about 10 am as the heat from the sun started to cause the temperature to rise rapidly. The excess food were taken back by the residents as exchange to what they have brought for the POTLUCK party.
"Ok, guess its time to go home...getting hot lah!"
Excess food are packed for home... lunch anyone?
Thank you, dear residents for supporting us and this event. We hope you had a great time. It was fun to meet all of you and we hope this will be a regular feature in our neighbourhood program.
"Hmm... I had a good time! When is the next one?"
The Committee
11 Trees @ USJ
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