Malaysian Constitution

Do you know your rights as citizens of Malaysia under the Malaysian Constitution? Come this Sunday for a workshop to understand what the Malaysian Constitution means to you as a citizen in our country, Malaysia. Bring your teenage kids for exposure. Please sms 0123885038 if interested.

Venue : MPSJ auditorium
Date   : Sunday, 13 February 2011
Time   : 12:30 pm

Happy 53 Merdeka!

Dear Residents,

On 31 August 2010, we will be celebrating our 53rd Independence Day. After all these years, what have we learned? Take the last few weeks for example. We have been bombarded with racial rhetoric almost on a daily basis. So when is this insanity is going to stop?

We all live in peace in our humble abode, in our kampung called "USJ11/3". Apart from the crime which we have experienced (but has dramatically declined due to our community coming together)  we have lived largely in peace and harmony amongst all the different races over the years and we will continue to do so.

So for this year's celebration, I have enclosed a very nice video clip with the song "Sejahtera Malaysia" played by a young girl which I thought will be good for all of us to listen to, as a gentle reminder that we cannot take our peace and harmony that we have enjoyed over the years for granted as there are people out there who will want to jeopardize that. We should all come together and reject racism and demand to continue to live in tolerance and harmony in our beautiful country called Malaysia.

Anyway, I have also enclosed the lyrics for you to sing along. It might make us all better appreciate what our country Malaysia is all about.

"MERDEKA! MERDEKA! MERDEKA!

The Editor
11 Trees @ USJ

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SEJAHTERA MALAYSIA

Puji dan syukur pada Ilahi
Anugerahnya tiada terhingga
Kedamaian kemakmuran
Malaysiaku bahagia

Dengan tekad untuk berjaya
Berbakti pada nusa dan bangsa
Kami junjung cita-cita luhur
Perpaduan seluruh negeri

Seia sekata sehati sejiwa
Menghadapi cabaran
Kami sedia kami setia
Berkorban untuk negara

Bersemarak Malaysia tercinta
Kibarkan panji kebesarannya
Kami rela menjaga Nama mu
Sejahtera Malaysia

Selamat Berpuasa

Dear Residents,

Today, the 10 of August 2010, is the eve of the Holy month of Ramadhan. Our Muslims brothers and sisters will observe the fast for this whole month. It is a test of their faith and it will require a lot of patience and tenacity.

And this is what makes us special in Malaysia where our diversity is not only respected but celebrated by all Malaysians.

We the Committee, would like to take this opportunity to wish all our Muslims friends living in our kampung and beyond "Selamat Berpuasa".

The Committee
11 Trees @ USJ

Happy Wesak Day!

Dear Residents,

Today is a special day for our Buddhist brothers and sisters in our 'kampong', as they take time off to join millions around the world to celebrate and pay respect to the Lord Buddha on his birthday, his attainment of enlightenment as well as to commemorate his death.

This is also the time to spread good virtues and values amongst one family, neighbours and country as taught by Lord Buddha. Such values which will keep us together and to live in harmony.

Like all other religions, Buddhism teaches one to be compassionate to another fellow human being and to do good to others.

In Malaysia, because of the many diverse cultures where religions are practised in our own diverse ways, we also come together to celebrate our common values. And today is no different and that makes us truly special!

The Committee would like to take this opportunity to wish all our Buddhist residents Happy Wesak Day!

The Committee
11 Trees @ USJ

GTP

Dear Residents,

On the invitation of PEMANDU to our RA, Peggy and myself attended the Government Transformation Program (GTP) in Sunway Convention Centre, this morning.

The program covered some six key areas which needed the attention of the government namely:

1. Reducing Crime
2. Fighting Corruption
3. Raising Living Standards (low income households)
4. Improving Infrsatructure - rural and urban transportation

We had the privilege to meet with Dato' Sri Idris Jala, who is also the CEO and Deputy Chairman of PEMANDU along with his charming wife. He briefed us on the progress they have made in a very short time and have set up ambitious targets to resolve all the issues which they have identified which are major concerns of all Malaysians. We spoke extensively on the issue of rising crime and how our G&G has managed to prevent such incidences in our area but have not really resolved the problem overall so we merely shifted it to other areas.

I told Dato' Sri that we still need to look at the bigger picture and he assured me the relevant agencies are looking into this issue, which happens to be right on top of the priority list of all the issues identified. I also asked him about the government's stand on G&G to which he then introduced me to the person in charge, DSP Nawawi from KDN at the Crime Reduction booth.

DSP Nawawi and his team then briefed us further on steps they have taken as well as took notes from us and our issues and concerns. They also told us that the government is now looking into drawing up new guidelines related to G&G so that it can be implemented without having to face legal issues, etc later, much like what we are experiencing now. That is important as the proliferation of G&G may lead to other issues later.

We then listened to the opening speech by Dato' Sri Jala, who had presented the NKRAs or National Key Results Area. He promised to work tirelessly with his team and the civil service to meet those targets and to be transparent and publish the results even if there are shortfalls. This extensive planning with clear and concise key targets in such a wide area has never ever been attempted before anywhere in the world and if works, will spur Malaysia into a new era.

This, to me, is very refreshing indeed as there are more elements of such private corporation management styles and measures that are being incorporated into the government civil service. Of course, this all probably came very much from his corporate background in Shell and MAS. Hopefully, the civil service will continue to improve based on specific goals, targets and measurements that will benefit all of the rakyat.

He admitted there were mistakes and dark episodes in the past made by the government but he was given the opportunity to shape and bring Malaysia back together again, a job he reluctantly accepted. He had mentioned that before, the door to resolve such issues was 'closed' but now he sees the door 'opened' under the full support of the Prime Minister. He told all in the audience to seize the moment and get the country back on track towards 2020 again to which there were loud applause.

At the end of the day, whether he and his team succeeds remains to be seen as I am sure there are insurmountable challenges ahead of them including from within.



We then wandered around the other exhibition booths and on our way out of the hall, as we were about to leave, the organisers then introduced us to Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon, who is the Chairman of PEMANDU. We had a brief chat on security and other issues. He then asked us for our wesbite to which we gave him the URL. We congratulated him on the extensive plans made on the GTP but also told him that at the end of the day, execution will be very important to ensure it will not turn out to just be another government propaganda, to which he agreed.

Both Peggy and myself then left the hall, with at least some glimmer of hope in our hearts that such transformation, although looked impossible, is being seriously addressed by the government.

We wish both Dato' Sri Jala and Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon and their teams all the best. This after all, is for the the good of our beloved country.

Jeffrey Khoo
Advisor
11 Trees @ USJ