SUBANG JAYA ~ WHAT'S BEHIND THE FACADE?

Here I am sitting at 3.30am on a Monday morning allowing my thoughts to run before I start penning down this month’s editorial. Over the past few weeks and perhaps months, I have been soaking in a lot of thoughts and feelings about recent events and things that people say and do.

Generally, Subang jaya is perhaps one of the most interesting places one can think of to work in, bring up a family and eventually retire. I “settled” in here around 1995 and have enjoyed growing grey since then. My three boys were born here and they are enjoying every single bit of the community around them.

I have learned a lot since my first encounter with this former oil plantation which has been transformed into one of the most modern sophisticated suburbs in the country. But what’s behind the façade that Subang Jaya portrays itself to be?

On the surface, it appears to be modern, sophisticated and progressive. But beneath that surface are we any different from people who live just outside our boundaries?

Look at us! We are always complaining. Even when we get the best deal, we complain. I was just at a recent gotong-royong in USJ2 and overheard a complaint a resident had for Hannah, our state assemblyman. The resident, a middle-aged woman, was asking why the paved footpath at the field had yet to be repaired or better still, replaced.

Now don’t get me wrong. But what intrigues me is how narrow-minded and selfish we have become just thinking for ourselves. Have we ever thought that perhaps that in some other far away nook in Subang Jaya, residents there do not even have the basic amenities to be comfortable in, much less a park? Have we ever thought that perhaps, we could be reasonable and ask for the existing path to be repaired and patched up instead of asking for a brand new one?

And that is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s obviously more, especially in the niche that I have found myself to be in now. I have seen many communities in my career as a journalist and conservationist. From as far away as Africa, Bangladesh and to those nearer our shores like Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia, even closer to home like Sabah and Sarawak, I have seen many communities live in conditions where clean water is a luxury. How many have come across mineral water bottles which carry an additional label – “Arsenic Free”?

We are blessed and we should be thankful for our blessings.

It is a virtue to have principles which we stick to and also to guide us throughout our lives. But at times if compromises need to be made for a mutual “win-win”, we should evaluate and re-evaluate just like how a miner would drill through rock and sand to find the elusive diamond.

Many of us have taken for granted the opportunities that have presented themselves to us. Some of us may look at a glass and describe it as half empty while others may say it is half full.

In our case, many want the cake and eat it. Some of us less greedy morsels would be just happy to have half the cake or maybe even less, so long as it satisfies our needs.

What do I mean? Take for example the long outstanding controversy of Taman Subang Ria. Some have insisted that the whole lake should be set aside as a park. The land owners who initially wanted all have now shown signs of wanting to own less and give more back to the community. Instead of going to the round-table for discussions, some reject it outright. Others who may be more sensible keep their silence less they be ostracized for their stand by those who are louder in expressing themselves.

The Millennium Park is another example. For years now, we have criticized and complained about the waste of public funds which went to constructing it. Now some of the structures have been demolished (it should be removed totally) to make way for a re-greening programme, people throw accusations of wastage.

The more vocal ones among us are not necessarily the most effective in bringing about results desired by the general public. Walking the talk instead of talking is essential. Just the past month or so, we see several “dormant” groups awakening from their slumber.

A representative of one of the groups defended their silence. What was his excuse to those he spoke to? Because they were awaiting registration, they could not do anything. Another group has woken up because their favourite topic (probably the only so far) has come into their radar screens again. But how sure are we that, this is exactly the reason? Is it perhaps their Annual General Meeting is coming up and positions are up for grabs or is it because they now see the opportune time to ask for funds?

Whatever the reason may be, be rest assured that there are those among us who are watching them. They have to prove their worth first before they can truly be given the support they ask for.

Given that all this is a testimony that we have diversity, all is not lost. Every man and woman has their own way of getting something done. So long as our destination is the same, the journey is not important.

It is now 5.10am. After dwelling on this for more than 1.5 hours, I come to the conclusion that perhaps, Subang Jaya is a good place after all to call home. Beneath the hard façade, there’s a human being after all. All we need is a little bit of compassion, honesty, transparency (and at times reminders) and we will be on our way to having a home in Subang Jaya for everyone.

Perhaps, Subang Jaya may after all be a good place to one day grow old in for me.

Share with us your opinion. Write to editor@sjecho.com.my.