Championing residents' rights

By: R. Nadeswaran and Terence Fernandez (Nov 02, 2006)

The All Petaling Jaya Pro Action Committee (APPAC) is an organisation of 46 residents' associations in the city and non-governmental organisations which have proven to be a thorn in the side of the powers-that-be, specifically the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ). Its pro tem committee chairman Edward Lee, who also heads the Section 5 Residents' Association (RA), tells R. NADESWARAN and TERENCE FERNANDEZ that those at the top are beginning to take notice of the people's views. He also has this message for taxpayers: You have no alternative but to stand up for yourself if you want to live in a just and equitable society.

theSun: The assessment issue has really helped you marshall support for APPAC.

Edward Lee: That's because it hits everybody's pockets. At that point in time, we did not know much about the billboard goings-on. I wasn't even bothered by it. So, we had to rally the residents for this (assessment) cause.

We thought you got together because of the Local Draft Plan that proposed the commercialisation of leased residential property.

Well, if you want to go far back, that was when we started to form some sort of group. The Local Draft Plan (RTPJ 1) did not involve this group of 46. When the draft plan was created at that time it was basically just Section 5 and residents around this area, we were championing the different issues related to the RTPJ 1. So that's how we started, more localised.

But the assessment hike issue, I believe, is actually a venting of the anger of the people towards what they perceive as the non-performance of the council and also the abuses of the council... that's how we get such a momentum.

Then, of course, when the billboard issues came to the forefront, everybody was hopping mad! Then everyone started to call.

There are so many related issues, I mean like this morning ... and I'm not kidding, I got a call from people in Prima Damansara saying that they are being victimised by their developer. So, they are asking me to help them out, give them some advice; not that I am an expert, but it shows that the people are becoming more aware of their rights.

One of the frustrating things about heading an association is when things are good no one bothers to join, but in times of trouble, that's when they turn to you.

That's the most frustrating part of public service. But I suppose at the same time, when we are in public service, we have to expect this. I mean, we were like that before until circumstances taught us to want to do something about it.

The government has helped uslah (laughs) in that respect, by being lackadaisical at times.

For more of the write-up, please refer to the below link, thanks.

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Highlights from Penang Tourism Seminar 2006

Sore thumb : future park for Tanjong Bunga?



View of Pulau Tikus, landmark of Tanjong Bunga.



Sore thumb : environmental and visual disaster.

Tourism Malaysia has earmarked the year 2007 as VISIT MALAYSIA YEAR 2007 with a multi-million ringgit marketing campaign. It was timely that a seminar "Marketing Tourism for Penang" was held on 7 November 2006. Organised by Socio-Economic & Environmental Research Institute (SERI), the seminar provided a forum for the players in the tourism industry in Penang to present their views and ideas for the growth of the industry.

Tourism is the second most important economic sector in the State. According to the experts, Penang's main selling points are its multi-cultural heritage, the food culture and eco-tourism. I was particularly intrigued by this term "ecotourism" that was used but not clearly defined. According to wikipedia encyclopedia, ecotourism focuses on local cultures, wilderness adventures, volunteering, personal growth and learning new ways to live on the planet. It is typically defined as travel to destinations where the flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. Ecotourism promotes sustainable development, minimizing adverse impacts on the natural environment.

At the Q&A session, I raised the point that tourism policy in the State has conflicting aims with its physical development, as shown in the case of Tanjong Bunga which is designated as a tourism industrial zone but skyscrapers are being allowed on the sea front. The State Exco member in charge of Tourism Development and Environment, conceded that sometimes policy at the State level are overlooked by the Municipal Council. One of the speakers pointed out that Penang is a tropical island and it should look after its assets: its beaches and sea. Dr. Yee, the CEO of SERI, said that even though Penang's fame as a seaside resort has been overtaken by Langkawi, Phuket and Bali, there is still an "existence value" (of its sea anad beaches) which should be preserved.

It should be made clear to our decision-makers that we cannot have our cake and eat it, i.e. if we want to promote eco-tourism, we have to take care of our natural and cultural heritage.

note: Lim Hooi Siang attended the Penang Tourism Seminar as a SERI Associate.