Democracy does not require 100%
Posted by LeeYK
Source: Star Mar 18
WE wholeheartedly agree with the views expressed by the RAs who have implemented gated and guarded community schemes.
It is disheartening that our Housing and Local Government Ministry has proposed guidelines requiring a 100% consent from residents before they are allowed to implement such schemes. Let us be realistic about this — we are a democracy and it boils down to majority rule.
In the case of our RA, we have 375 households and 95% of the residents are members who support our guarded and gated scheme. There are no commercial or semi-commercial buildings in our housing estate. Discounting the unoccupied houses, our RA membership is 98%. Yet the MBPJ recently issued us a directive to dismantle our barricades simply because of one or two complaints from non-members without even giving due recognition to what the 98% want — is this about serving the people or the minority?
As expressed by some of the other RAs, we are doing this because we want our families and loved ones to be safe. Until such time, the government of the day must recognise and acknowledge this need and not hide behind prevailing laws. They must act to serve the people!
SILENT MAJORITY
Ara Damansara
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What is this world coming to?
You ppl setting up prisons around your own homes now?
I have tried coming home via kampung cempaka slip road to taman mas after 12 am and was denied entry by a barrier. After much thought, if i were the emergency services, some ppl who needed help real quick would DIE of the obstructions.
Look, I’m a member myself and this sounds occult but I am not entirely against the 100% condition simply becuase when we bought the houses – it was not gated to begin with.It does not matter whether we have 99.99 % nor even 100% – the simple fact is that this is against the law to begin with. The issue of majority shld not even arise here. I do have some sympathy for those who are not members – they have their rights too. Who r we impose these gated thing on them regardless of the security features it may offer.
On other matters- i wish the RA stop publishing their monthly memos on law enforcement. This is the job of authorities like the Police, MBPJ etc – why the negative posting of a incident where a non-paying resident came to blows with the chairman. Is there really a need for us to know this or is this part of RA’s efforts to promote their undying efforts to support the neighbourhood. Well !!! I for one find this piece of news to be indignant, really stupid and unnecessary. Even if this resident is in the wrong -do we need to embaress him in this manner. If really a crime has been committed as per the monthly memo , the RA should just shut up and report to the police and let the police do their job and make a arrest – why is there a need to publicise this to the whole neighbourhood.
Same goes for the dog poo issue- ! .You are free to kindly advice yr neighbours to scoop up the poo but pls stop at that. Who the hell is the RA to make threats like taking photographs and giving them to MBPJ – if you want to do it – just shut up and do it – no need to highlight such negative things in yr memo.
AD especially Allisia is by far and large a nice and pleasant neighbourhood -its not perfect and we do get one or two recalcitrant residents but then hey this is life. There’s no need to create a mini police state like whats slowly developing now.
Last but not least – why is the RA chairman always hanging out in the guardhouse – look !!! this is not right at all. Are the guards not performing ? If thats the case pls set up a meeting with their management or change them. NO ONE shld have physical access to records of the residents clocking in and out and I mean NO ONE. I am sorry to say this – but this man can be a downright irritating nuisance sometimes. Is there really a need to always go around policing the whole neighbourhood and asking why so and so is usig the park etc. Look – I am not being nasty -I do appreciate the people’s voluntary efforts in safeguarding our AD but lets not be over-zealous.
I for one do not need a perfect neighbourhood – I can live with some imperfections and imperfect neighbours but what i really DONT NEED is constant meddling in our daily lives, people (RA) telling me what I can or cannot do and individuals ( they can call themselves president, chairman etc for all I care ) always policing around and having access to the residents clocking in and out.
Such passion when you write, Gobbie
Good and perfectly valid points raised but RA will probably tell you to “move out if you don’t like it here and what we do”.
I guess the chairman must be a control freak
You are so right I bet they will jus resort to such cowardly tactics and i dare them to . All these is so unnecessary. I mean – this neighbourhood needs to develop at its own natural pace with trials and errors instead of a selective group of people telling us what to do .
Today its gated community, next its dog poo so whats next ??? get wat i mean… . do we need policing to such extreme. And again , at the risk of repeating myself – i honestly wish they stop stupidly publishing reports of neighbours who disgree with them eg that guy who supposedly punched up the chairman (and mind you they are still our neighbours regardless of whether they r in the right or wrong).
Gobbie
Sad to read your message but at least you dare to voice out…good job. I think I am a bit lucky then you because my phase has not converted to gated community right at this moment moreover our Chairman Mr. Wong is a very reasonable and responsible person. Thank god, Mr. Wong does not watch or guard phase Casarina 24 hours haaaa…just joking..
Lim- Lucky you but i heard u guys are doing gated too . is tat right
I think majority of us not support the idea…no latest update from the committee. Personally, I don’t like the gated idea…
Gobbie – sad to read your message too.
Sounds like u may have been one who has had close encounters of the faecal kind.
I’m a member of the RA too, and although not a committee member, I actively participate in the occasional group discussions held at the playground to get everybody’s views on issues such as gated/ guarded, and most recently, our having to open up the side gates just because one non-member decided to make a ruckus at MBPJ.
Since u claim u are a member, which means u actually support some of our shared causes, may I suggest in all neighborliness that u please come attend our upcoming AGM & highlight your said grievances. This is so much more constructive than voicing it out in this forum for the rest of the world to see. If u really care about the 4 walls u live in & the environs within which your children live & play, please DO come. We want to hear your views.
Let’s not have ill-feelings about small matters that can be resolved amicably, e.g. your being stressed out about being asked to pick up yr doggie’s poo (what’s wrong w that really), the contents of the RA newletter, RA chairman “hanging out at guardhouse”, pls do by all means HAVE YOUR SAY at our AGM & be brave enough to speak up in person, rather than sitting here behind a screen & slinging mud at the RA through a forum.
Before the shit hits home again, I sure do hope we can iron out all of this animosity/ rage that’s boiling within you.
Dear sd6
Very sad to read yr message too.
1. U sound like a educated person so lets not get personal here -is that ok with you. You call it “mud slanging” and ‘ill feelings” but I would rather U directly comment if any of the points I raised are wrong or even seditious in nature- but dissapointly, you HAVE NOT. Ask youself – Am I being personal in my views or am I actually highlighting valid points that you should consider
2. You say I “sit behind a screen” and “sling mud” – would you be consistently referrin this to all your neighbours who wishes to use this site/forum to voice their complaints/comments (be it negative or otherwise). What then is the purpose of this site if I may ask you ? Can you not respect people who wishes to “sling mud’ as you call you it, using this forum. Isnt this forum offering the best kind of transparency possible ?
3. You assert that i find fault in being adviced to pick up dog poo . If you care to read and understand my message properly – I DID NOT find fault in that advice being given but rather in being threaten/photographed. Seriously – ask yourslef this Q. Is this really how you wnat us your neighbours to develop – taking photos/spying on one another and report to MBPJ/police . Even if the answer is YES- that is still fine with me cos we live in a free world but what I’m really saying here is that do we need to print this threat out in B&W. Do we need to be reminded on monthly basis to live in constant fear/suspicion of our own neighbours.
4. In relation to 3 above – do you really support the action taken to publicise the incident of a non-member supposedly bashing the RA at guard house. 1st and foremost- regardless of membership status these people happens to be our neighbours (whatever happened to ‘love thy neighbour) – I never did liked this distinction of members vrs non-members. Seriously – dont you feel for this chap (and his aged parents who were also mentioned in the memo). Dont you find this piece of news pathetic !! Why can’t RA just take the dignified approach and make a police report and let police be the judge of who’s right or wrong here. Do we really have to stigmatised this chap (and his aged parents) in this manner. Do we need to feed the neighbouhood with such negative news and to play judge and jury
5. You questioned me on the fact that I’m a member and why I may not attend AGMs to voice out grievances.
1stly- Yes, I ‘m a member because when 1 first joined -RA was simple and pleasant : it was simply for the security features . I asked myself “Oh what the heck RM50 per month and have patrolling guards-its worth it”. But being a member does NOT mean I cannot be objective and voice out against some practices (even if you diasgree with me using the website to do so). Never in my wildest imagination did it occur to me that the neighbourhood would slowly develop into a mini-police state. Do we really need our RA to play such roles ?
AGM – Yes – I have attended once 2 years ago. Why not again ? Answer is simple : because I find it boring, time-wasting (now, take this personally) and would rather spend my weekend with friends. Selfish of me you may be tempted to say but so what . Can you not respect people’s choices? Is it a MUST that residents have to attend AGM to channel their views. Do we have to limit ourselves to once a year AGM to channel our views ? I would have thought its more important to elect the members for that particular one day affair.
What is so wrong in channeling views EVERYDAY and in using this forum. What is wrong in voicing it out to our street reps ? What about people who actually wants to attend but cant beacuse of other pressing matters on AGM date. What about the non-members? Are we saying that their views need not be respected since they are not members and therefore not eligible to vote in the AGM ? For gods sake man ! -these people are still our neighbours even if they dont agree with us. These are people who bought their houses without this gated issue in the 1st place
sd6- you are entitled to yr views – I am more than happy to respond but just one piece of advice – Regardless of whether you respect my views or not, my preferenc to use the website or even the fact that I do not share the same passion as you do in attending AGMs/talks- I am still your neighbour. There is no need to to get personal or make personal remarks. People are different and thats the beauty if it .
We are Malaysians not Singaporens – we can think for ourselves and do not need to create a mini-police state. RA by far I believe is doing a decent job (not entirely perfect but decent) and my point is quite simply no such need for RA to do more than what is required !
Firstly, point noted that the AD.com website is free for all, so what’s there to stop/ chide any one individual from cursing his neighbours in the wind for the whole of aradamansara/rest of the world to read. Fine, you’re merely exercising your right to democracy.
Now, if u were to put down yr Alien-blasting-Bazooka-of Words & Calm Down, u might actually read my message again enought to understand that in defending our RA, I am also merely exercising my right to the same brand of democracy.
M’sians not S’poreans, that’s true. But our RA is really so far fr being called a police state. I am suggesting..no wait..INVITING you, my dear Neighbor to attend the AGM to state yr point of view & help make our neighborhood a better place. U are always welcome to personally voice out yr discontentment on these “rulings & issues” tt have recently surfaced & for some reason or other seem to have imposed into your sense of peace & wellbeing. RA rules r not hard & fast, not cast in stone.
You say the AGM is boring..Yesss! I totally agree!!! I wd, on any any other day & in a flash trade those boring minutes sitting at the AGM, for time instead on my pc screen making bursamalaysia money, or reading limkitsiang’s latest blog, or nailing a doghouse in my backyard. Heck, even Parliament is BORIIIiiinngg..but the point that is such meetings carry the Agenda of the Rakyat. So boring as it may be, the AGM is necessary for the RA to gather the collective view of all residents i.e be it residents unhappy w the idea of their dog’s mugshot being taken while taking a poo, unhappy w their wacko neighbour who beat up someone being openly described (though NOT NAMED, mind you)in the newsletter, unhappy w this, unhappy w that.
Heck, and if u say “personal attacks” r just not yr cuppa tea, may I point out tt your singularly branding the RA chairman as “a downright irritating nuisance”, is just that.
All for now, & wishing u a good retirement life.
Moderator’s comments:
Please do not use this site for arguments. If you like to continue, please do so offline using your personal emails.
Hi Lee,
Thank you for yr response.
It’s not an argument. I’m merely stating my point of view, in the spirit of democracy advocated in the website. I’m also extending an open & sincere invitation to gobbie to attend the upcoming agm nxt week, in case he has not been informed abt it.
As i understand, this website was started by Alissia’s Thim who has since passed it on to u. Strangely however, and due to some forces unknown, I sense that the prevailing sentiments of some forums in this website hv been strongly “Anti-AlissiaAtilia RA” in the past 1 year. Therefore,as any contented citizen of the neighboorhood would, I am merely trying to sell/tell the other side (the positive side) of the Alissia-Atilia RA story.
A mindful moderator wd surely understand the fairness of this.
Man – TGIF and I have the time and patience to response.
Hello Mr LeeYK, No !! who’s arguing . We are merely exchanging views in a blunt and somewhat brutal manner.
sd6
1. Good to note that your 2nd message was actually an improvement from yr 1st in terms of intellectual stimulation but sad to note – you STILL have NOT addressed my earlier concerns head on
2. I remain baffled with your love affair with AGM. Thank you for yr kind invitation but again at the risk of boring with my repetitious response on this : whether i attend or not its my prerogative. My point is simply : Why do we need to limit our thoughts/comments/complaints on AGm (once a year) when this forum conveniently allows us to do so whenever and wherever . Cant we have the collective views of ALL neighbours (including those who are absent for reasons beyond their control and non-members) from this forum instead of limiting it to just your beloved AGM
3. Why are you so against the usage of this forum for the whole world (as you put it) to see. Is this not transparency at its best. Please answer this. Do we need to hide anything ? If the webmasters had wanted this to be strictly within the confinements of AD residents -it could easily be done too.
4. Do not for a moment think I’m have nothing better to do or I;m some kind of pyscho who likes cyber-bashing of people. I am passionate about AD and life in general and i like nothing more than living in a peaceful but exciting neighbourhood. And I not some kind of anti-social hermit – i actually do engage in friendly converstaions with my neighbours. However, I like to mind my own business and I like people to mind theirs. You say we are far from being a mini-police state -that I beg to differ as the signs of this developing is already there.
5. You say I’m being personal in calling the chairman a irritating nuisance. Ha Ha !! I am sorry but I really really really cracked my brains to find a more suitable and polite description. I swear I really did -ok ! If I really wanted to be personal (and trust me on this) I could have written at least 10 pages on the same topic and give examples but i refrained from doing so. I know and I agree- it doesnt sound nice to call someone a nuisance but the fact of the matter is just that and the reason why i need to point it out in this manner and this forum is because he/she is doing (or shall I say overdoing) it in his/her belief that he/she is discharging his/her duties.
All for now too and eagerly awaiting yr response.
Hi sd6
Quoted by you:
“As i understand, this website was started by Alissia’s Thim who has since passed it on to u. Strangely however, and due to some forces unknown, I sense that the prevailing sentiments of some forums in this website hv been strongly “Anti-AlissiaAtilia RA” in the past 1 year. Therefore,as any contented citizen of the neighboorhood would, I am merely trying to sell/tell the other side (the positive side) of the Alissia-Atilia RA story.
A mindful moderator wd surely understand the fairness of this.”
I am very certain the founder of ad.com is not by anyone from Alissia because I registered the site and hosted it since 2003. May be the site you meant was some mailing list or forums elsewhere, definitely not ARADAMANSARA.COM. The original purpose of AD.com was to be an “INFORMATIVE” website to the community. Some people like to serve the community through politics, some plant trees and some run security guards, it just so happen that a group of us like to serve the community through publishing information and news about our neighborhood. If you do a google search on Ara Damansara, AD.com will be the first on top and I pass this credit to Lee and few other editors who had spent time and effort contributing to this website.
The truth and the sad part is over the years, the users demanded more of “social” activities like forums and commentary systems to be implemented to the site. Hence, we have to make our editors to do extra job, in moderating the content. Over the past 1 years, much topics about guarded and gated community related stuff is happening in OUR COUNTRY, that is how Allisia came into the topic.
The funny part is that most of these comments, slanders and fights are within the residents of Allisia themselves. We, as the webmasters have no intentions or motives to be “Anti-AlissiaAtilia RA”. We don’t make a living from this website. We have a day job and a family to take care and a life to live. We don’t benefit anything by going against any RA of Ara Damansara.
I apologize on behalf of the website if there is any way that we (AD.com) have caused any misunderstanding and trouble to the AlissiaAtilia community. I will continue to welcome our brother and sisters of Ara Damansara to be a happy user here and enjoy the facilities here. Thanks.
Hi SD6,
Just ignore some sickos comments. I have ignored them for 1 year or so. One of them that I know of is someone who walks his dogs but leaves all the pooh behind. He is using this website to pursue his personal agenda after being politely advised to be a responsible resident.
The good thing is there are only a handful of ‘one of a kind of people’ in all RAs. Don’t waste your energy on them.
Most of us look at our RA Chairman like a hero. Yeah!! Bravo!!
So sad that some people in our neighbourhood is not able to accept constructive criticism and is not able to response in a more mature and intelligent manner. sigh…. now it boils down to name calling .. how juvenile is that.
Hero worshipping !!! – { ? &*%# } izzit the piped water we get in AD !
Admin – thank you for your explanation abt this website’s origins & its evolution. You sound like a nice person to have as a neighbor, and I would like to shake yr hand. Pls do not apologise, you and your team hv already done a great contribution by keeping this website alive. I must say now that I begin to understand how the negative forums Alissia-Atilia RA r by-products of the peculiar cyberworld we live in.
A MAN LOSES HIS DIGNITY when he uses expletives on a community forum.
Let’s face it, this particular forum thread started all because a certain individual walked his 3 DOGS, left lots of poo behind, and got an earful from RA Chairman for being such an insensitive bugger. Ego deflated, he vents out his anger & embarassment through the the forum. Is a neighbor wrong in chiding another neighbor for leaving dog poo all around? Don’t think so. Only a person w Kids, not dogs would understand how horribly disgusting it is to be a happy kid on a tricycle heading to the park, but suddenly having to deal w stickysmelly doggie poo stuck on the wheels of the bike cos some insensitive person let their dogs poo on the sidelanes & backlanes.
Usage of this forum for the whole world to see:
Transparent, yes. But it remains at that. Like anti-government graffitti on public walls – it is attention-grabbing,loud, and spurs on more graffitti. But it is not a vote. To see/make a positive change in parliament or in the way your neighboorhood is managed, you need to Vote. And the AGM is your avenue for just that. (simply put – Like MJ’s song goes – “take a look at yrself & make that change.)
RA chairman & why we love him:
In quoting the Admin’s meassage: “Some people like to serve the community through politics, some plant trees and some run security guards”. Our RA chairman does 2 out of 3 of the above. Security – he handle it to a tee & we hv zero crime rate for the past 6 mths & I hv no complaints here. Planting trees – He personally oversaw the planting of the Eugenia shrubs all around the perimeter fencing, 2035 nos Eugenias planted to date & counting. The next time u take a whiff of fresh air around the neighborhood, just think of that.
Occasionally, he has to deal w petty issues, oddballs & idiosyncracies, e.g.:
- Resident who opposes the gated concept, citing tt pricetag of Alissia will surely go DOWN after gated concept is up. (On the contrary the prices of houses have gone Up ever since)
- Resident who comes complaining to him when MANGOES from his tree r stolen by kids fr other neighborhood
- Resident who asks RA to install extra length fencing along the stretch of his house, citing fengshui requirements, but going back on his promise to pay for the extra costs incurred.
Enough said. It is a lovely May Day & I have real kids, not mere DOGS to walk.
And am looking fwd to a day out in the sunshine.
Oh Gob, I am brining myself down to match your mentality. While you sound educated and constructive in your own world, the sane group see it otherwise. It is nothing more than personal vendetta, hiding behind this forum to attack the community and personality. Shame on you. You need to look at yourself in the mirror and pray that God bestow you with wisdom to deal with daily live.
sd6
1. 1st and foremost – jus when I had such high hopes that you’re the one who cud have offered some constructive response – terribly dissapointing that you have finally revealed yr true character/temperament in yr lastest posting. enuff said- i honestly dun think you have the interest at all to pursue head on the issues that I raised.
What is most dissapointing is that it also appears that you acquired a new found skill in twisting the issue that i raised – u know very well the exact point that i was raising in my very 1st msg.
oh braveheart – u are just not on the same wavelength and keep god out of this.
Gobbie – u seem to be easily disappointed. Disappointed w the Plumbing, disappointed w housing, disappointed w neighbors, etc. Since the Holier-than-Thou wisdom u wish to impart on us is so blunt & brutal in manner, may I suggest that u direct it to my email & not here on this website.
In the spirit of goodwill & neighborliness, let’s not pollute this website w your personal attacks.
My email: sd6@gmail.com.
Now, I’m not a resident of Allisia/Atilia, however, I am a resident of Ara Damansara. Reading the thread of messages, I can’t help but feel sorry/frustrated for Gobbie. I sincerely and objectively believe that Gobbie is being hard done by. I’m not taking sides here, as I do not know Gobbie personally, nor am I a resident of your wonderful Taman. Although I think my message would sound biased.
Gobbie started off by, very eloquently, I must state, giving his honest opinions about the state of your esteemed Taman. It sounded like he had very valid points. Then sd6, somewhat unpleasantly, insinuated that he was cowardly, by making his opinions heard over this forum (behind a computer). For heaven’s sake, it’s a forum. If not here, then where? It definitely provides a person better opportunity to say something than waiting for an AGM, which happens when? Do you expect someone to compile all his/her points and wait for an AGM to voice his/her opinions? If managers only provide feedback to their employees once a year, a company/department would surely fail.
From the kind of vibes I’m getting from the messages, although I must admit, is only coming from a sample of two, a person with Gobbie’s views is going to be outnumbered and suppressed/opposed by the majority, who obviously worships the current president, who is, renowned all over AD, to be “doing a good job” in the Taman. In a nutshell, Gobbie doesn’t stand a chance in hell to survive a discussion in the AGM, which I dare speculate/be presumptuous, will be partial.
I think before things got slightly, just slightly, out of control, Gobbie was just trying to say that we should have some respect for our neighbours. (No, I do not agree with pet owners allowing their pets to litter all over the place). However, I think what he was trying to convey was, there are ways in which people could/should be reprimanded, but not by public lynching, which is a form of intimidation to get people to conform to accepted convention. I can really see why people like/appreciate him, because, he’s definitely making it very clear what he’s doing for the community (what a good politician would do), and he’s doing what others would like to do, but would rather not, because they wouldn’t want to get their hands dirty, as some of these measures do appear extreme. So, he’s sort of the village henchman, I suppose.
Quite frankly, although it wasn’t touched on as the key point of contention, I think the issue of some people not agreeing with the gated community concept is a sore point. If my neighbourhood were to consider the idea, I would surely favour it. Would I be upset if some don’t agree, maybe. Should I be? No. People did not buy a gated community concept and it shouldn’t be shoved down their throats. The point is, member or non member, everybody should be treated equally. Should a person suffer just because the majority decides to shift the goalpost in the middle of a game?
To finish, I would like to reiterate, I mean no malice in this message. I am, as all of you, just expressing an opinion.
Hello fmvh
Its a beautiful Sunday – the sun is shining brightly and the birds are singing but yr understanding and dignified words are just the breath of fresh air thats needed here. You may not realise this (and pls dun laugh- ha ha)- you have restored my faith in humanity and its good to know there are people in this world (and AD) who wud thump their chest and seek their conscience to speak out to make a difference jus like a lot of other brave souls tat are emerging in this country.
It is good to hear things cooling down after a storm. I hope readers from this forum will learn take away 2 key points: (1) When you take your dogs for a walk, please pick up thier pooh and don’t leave it behind for other residents to admire (2) Don’t beat around the bush to attack the person that you know.
Have a great Sunday.
Let’s just agree to disagree.
All those who have written lengthy, well-thought out reples deserve a pat on the back for views well-expressed.
Another key point that I wish to add is: (3) Gating a community is still an illegal act for areas that are not designed as gated communities in the first place. Just because a majority of the residents agreed to gate it (prior to the local council issuing guidelines) does not legalise the act in any way. IF the gated community SATISFIES current local council guidelines, only then it becomes LEGAL. To date and to my best knowledge, none of the communities in AD are done legally.
I would wish for the following:
WHAT IF, the powers that be, made the pre-requisites for a gated & guarded community easier to satisfy and comply, even though residents had not bought into such a scheme when they purchase their house(s), will all those who so vehemently object then keep their mouth shut tightly & pay the monthly fees to support such a project? I sincerely doubt so! The point is, people who object such a “cause”, they on purpose find reasons to object for the sake of objection, just like a thorn in the flesh, like tiny little rocks/sand in your shoes, like throwing a spanner in the works! They just can’t bring to terms with the main stream….that is why humans are so special, not all are the same kind/types/behaviour, all 5 fingers are different length, that is why we like to profile some types of people and call em names and make fun of em for laugh/jokes……..sebab nila setitik rosak susu sebelanga…the gist of it all…..macam macam ada!
capt.foong,
To answer your question. No, it won’t shut them up but at least, if the pre-requisites have been met and all proper procedures adhered to, they have one less bullet in their arsenal to use.
At this juncture, you can have both sides going on and on but at the end of the day, you have to fall back on the law and it is with this in mind that detractors (if I may call them that) continue to object. I don’t blame them because they are right to object to something that is illegal.
Let’s for argument sake, assume that someone’s house is broken into and his/her car, valuables got stolen whilst he/she is sleeping soundly. Thank GOD they didn’t rape his/her maid or grandma. You then proceed to make a police report at the police station.
The police visit your house, make up some reports…blah blah blah & that’s it. You never hear from them again. BTW what is the chance of this happening to you? You never will know I guess until you get one.
But isn’t the law, supposed to protect us the public.
Since laws are MAN made, laws can be amended to suit the changing times. Of course one can just say, until the laws are changed, or until you comply with the laws, forget about my support! It’s illegal no matter how you look at it!
Those days many years ago or back in the kampong, we can still keep our doors wide open, nowadays who dare? Look at the crime rate in M’sia.
So, if the laws are amended to suit the changing circumstances we are in now, so that gated & guarded communities can prosper and become legal, simply because our Police can’t do a better job, then will all these detractors disappear. I doubt so again because then the same detractors will find some other issues to complain about.
Human beings are like this…unless what I describe above happened to them or their close family members or their loved ones, change they will not.
PETALING JAYA: Damansara has been identified as the favourite haunt for criminals committing various crimes including break-ins, vehicle thefts, wayside robberies and snatch thefts.
Selangor police chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said due to the “popularity” of the area, Damansara recorded the highest crime rate in the district and the state.
“In 2008, Damansara registered 30% of the total number of cases reported in the Petaling Jaya district, which contributed 16% of 57,000 cases reported throughout last year in the state,” DCP Khalid said after opening a new police station at Bandar Sri Damansara yesterday.
Asked why Damansara was targeted by criminals, DCP Khalid said the area had several affluent neighbourhoods, commercial centres and was densely populated.
He said the area was also an “excellent target” for crimes like property and vehicle theft as there were so many locations.
“Why would criminals go to a place like Batang Berjuntai and break into a home where they would probably get an item worth less than RM100,” he said.
“However, in Damansara they would definitely get their hands on a lap-top, LCD TV and digital cameras.”
The Damansara area consists of Bandar Sri Damansara, Bandar Utama, Damansara Damai, Damansara Impian, Damansara Jaya, Damansara Perdana, Damansara Utama, Flora Damansara, Mutiara Damansara, Sunway Damansara, Kota Damansara, Pelangi Damansara, Tropicana Golf and Country Resort and Ara Damansara.
He said police emphasised more on crime prevention in Damansara this year by increasing manpower and patrols in the area.
He stressed that co-operation from the public was vital if the zero crime rate target was to be achieved.
The public can call the Selangor contingent headquarters Rakan Cop hotline at 03-2052 9999 or Malaysian Control Centre at 03-2262 6444 to help police their areas.
Just as how the RA as asked Gobbie to raise it in AGM, may I suggest you to make your vote count in the next general election, or run a campaign or something, or attend the forums run by Police, not voice it here. The last thing I want is PDRM coming into this site and say we are bias against them.
capt.foong,
Again, using your hypothetical situation, no, the detractors will not disappear.
I agree it is a case of the legislation not keeping up with the times but then again, we get the government we deserve
Capt., you have a point that the detractors probably don’t understand your concern for safety. The world definitely is not as safe as before. Totally agree ! However, the point is, others have the right not to agree with you too. Yes, you may wish the worst for them and hope they will change as a result of some ill fortune, that’s your choice. Nevertheless, that doesn’t remove their right to refuse compliance. They are probably stubbonly thinking they are right, as much as you are stubbornly thinking you are right. Therefore, as one writer has mentioned, sometimes you got to agree to disagree. Btw, I am pro gated as you are.
Additionally, if something is legal it does not necessariyly make it ethical ! Look at the ISA, is that ethical even though it’s legal? Look at quota systems, is that ethical? It’s sure as hell legal. Sorry admin, but I thought they were the most poignant examples. They may be extreme examples, but I think you get the point.
And finally, if my Taman has 95% people paying, and it generates enough money to run the show. I’d just not bother about the non payers. Why should it irk me? It’ll just get my blood pressure up. Currently my Taman is not gated, but it’s guarded. Is everyone paying? No. Does it irk me? Not really, because I know almost everyone are, and more importantly, it’s meeting my objective of providing some degree of security. The few who are not, I’m not going to blow my top over them. After all, I’m just happy that I have a guard or two. It’s not like I’m taking 50% burden. The reason why I accept it is, I think they have a right not to, if they don’t want to. It would be nice, if they did, but heck, who knows, they may have their own problems too.
Well said. As they say, there are always 2 sides of a coin and if you are always looking at one side, you will never know the opposite side is so different. Once in a while, we just need to do that and over time you will appreciate the differences.
Hi fmvh & admin,
I think you just about hit the nail on the head on these gated or guarded issues.
Totally agree with your unbiased thoughts & may these issues be put to rest
and for other Taman(s) or RA(s) to emulate.
This is the best stand I have had heard so far after stirring up with hypothetical situ quite a bit. Sorry for that & no malice intended.
Cheers
Guys (fmvh, -, capt, admin)
Well done !! – wonderful insightful views. AD is truly alive with talent.
Reading the recent profuse flow of views in this forum reminds me of some comment sites of BBC or Times. It is heartened to see people exchange views freely in good English. What is a little disturbing is perhaps the oversubsciption to western norms in the way we write and comment. We are Asians, and I think we should refrain from rancorous and vicious languages one so often sees in western media. Our ancestors already spoke with decorum and dignity before even the English language was invented and it will be unbecoming of their descendants not to. On the whole, I see maturity and sophistication taking roots in our community, regardless or race and creeds, and this is commendable. We shall not be completely uncynical about what the West says is the way business is done, a language is to be spoken.
I love the RA now and please maintained the gated community to safeguard our family and children.
Those who wanted to voice, voice openly during the RA meeting.
Thanks.
Those who are not comfortable with safety measures /do not like people who work to create a safe environment indeed have
a very serious problem. It is almost as inconsiderate as a suicidal father who bring all his own children to graveyards.
The father thinks life is too depress to go on and that this world is not worth living.
Unfortunately he imposes his own values on his children easily.
I support the gated community:)
Sweet,
Your comparison is stretching it a tad too far.
We all know that the majority support the gated community. If you think that people have a serious problem just because they do not want a safe environment, you are missing the point completely. The previous posts have been discussing something else – that everyone is entitled to his/her view and even if they do not support the gated community, they should not be ostracised.
The necessary has never been man’s top priority.
The passionate pursuit of the nonessential and the extravagant is one of the chief traits of human uniqueness. Unlike other forms of life, man’s greatest exertions are made in the pursuit not of necessities but of superfluities…..