MY NEW WORKSTATION - LITTLE SPACE FOR BETTER PLACE

IGU (International Geographical Union) CONFERENCE 2009 in UiTM, SHAH ALAM

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES (EJSS)

On 24th June 2009, I received an email from EJSS that my articles Efficient Urban Governance in Managing And Enhancing Competitiveness of the Retail and Office Sectors in Kuala Lumpur City-Region has been approved for publication by EJSS's external reviews. I am so happy because my two articles are going to be published before December 2009. I would like to thank my supervisors Assoc Prof. Dr. Hamzah Jusoh and Dr Jalaluddin Abdul Malek for their advices and encouragement.

ABSTRACT

This paper discuss on the preliminary study on the concept of efficient in urban governance towards enhancing competitiveness of the property market especially retail and office sectors in city-region economy. City-region competitiveness has been a major issue in the country’s latest development agenda. The issue is more obvious in city-region due to its role as an engine of growth economy development. Kuala Lumpur City-region, which is the most developed region in the country and an important catalyst towards national economic growth. How well do urban governance responsible to efficiency and effectiveness of local authorities in city-region? What kind of urban governance is required to enhance competitiveness property market within city-region? The world today needs a new, comprehensive and holistic model of urban governance that involves all sectors (government, business and the civil society) as equal partners in development and participatory in decision making. Efficient urban governance is characterized by sustainability, subsidiarity, equity, efficiency, transparency and accountability, civic engagement and citizenship and security. In line with this, the importance efficient urban governance would make our property market more competitive and attractive to investors and facilitate the achievement of the nation’s development goals. Therefore Kuala Lumpur City-region will manage and govern efficiently.

Keywords: competitiveness, efficient urban governance, property market and city-region

ABSTRACT FOR ASIAN SOCIAL SCIENCE

The Role of Efficient Urban Governance in

Managing Kuala Lumpur City-Region Development

by

Hamzah Jusoh

Jalaluddin Abdul Malek

Azmizam Abdul Rashid
Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, National University of Malaysia,
43600 UKM Bangi,Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Telephone no: 03-89215683/5680,

Email: hj@pkrisc.cc.ukm.my, jbam@ukm.my, azmizam67@yahoo.co.uk

Abstract

This paper discuss on the preliminary study on the concept of efficient in urban governance towards managing development of Kuala Lumpur City-Region. City-region development has been a major issue in the country’s latest development agenda. The issue is more obvious in city-region due to its role as an engine of growth economy development. Now, with its sights set on attaining the economic level of a fully developed nation by 2020, Malaysia must focus on securing a credible share of the lead sectors of the globalised economy. Kuala Lumpur City-Region, which is the most developed region in the country and an important catalyst towards national economic growth. How well do urban governance responsible to efficiency and effectiveness of local authorities in city-region? What kind of urban governance is required to enhance competitiveness and earning opportunities within city-region? The main challenge of enhancing city competitiveness in city-region is efficient urban governance. The world today needs a new, comprehensive and holistic model of urban governance that involves all sectors (government, business and the civil society) as equal partners in development. Urban governance which integrates all sectors including public, private and other social organisations in participatory decision making. Efficient urban governance is characterized by sustainability, subsidiarity, equity, efficiency, transparency and accountability, civic engagement and citizenship and security. In line with this, the importance efficient urban governance would make Malaysia more competitive and attractive to investors and facilitate the achievement of the nation’s development goals. Therefore Kuala Lumpur City-Region will manage and govern efficiently.

Keywords: Economic planning, sustainable, efficiency, urban governance and city competitiveness

JOURNAL OF ASIAN SOCIAL SCIENCE

On 22 June 2009, I received an email from Canadian Center of Science and Education (CCSE) that my manuscript journal with title of The Role of Efficient Urban Governance in Managing Kuala Lumpur City-Region Development have been approved for publication but minor amendment. I submitted the draft manuscript to CCSE on 1 June 2009. The journal will be published as Vol. 5, No. 8, August 2009. CCSE is required to submit the amended manuscript within 2 weeks from the date of approval. According to UKM requirement, PhD students are required to submit their journal according to their scope of research. We must submit at least 2 manuscripts for publication for eligiblity to sit viva presentation. I have one more journal to be published. Thank you to my supervisors Assoc Prof. Dr. Hamzah Jusoh and Dr Jalaluddin Abdul Malek for their advices and encouragement. Acknowledgement also given to Prof. Dr. Rahimah Abdul Aziz for her support and guidance.

CCSE is an independent non-government organization delivering supports and services to education and research in Canada and the world.Canadian Center of Science and Education established in 2006, is the result of contributions from the Canadian federal government, province governments, enterprises as well as NGOs.In partnership with federal government, province governments, community organizations, public agencies, enterprises and other foundations, CCSE offers a variety of programs to support and promote education development, international cooperation, including educational programs for students, financial support for researchers and international education projects, as well as scientific publication.

Comments from External Reviewers

Contribution to existing knowledge - The paper visits the vexing question of better governance of cities which are facing insurmountable problems made more difficult through poor integration, poor consultation and participation of all stakeholders. The age old governance model that placed the government at the centre of urban governance in Malaysia needs rethinking and this paper makes a good case for it. The paper integrates the issue of new governance into urban economic development and globalization with special focus on Metropolitan Kuala Lumpur.

Evidence supports conclusion - The article adds to the growing corpus of knowledge on urban governance. Makes the case for rethinking the model that has served well in the past but struggling to cope with the present.The argument (for improved governance) is well supported by drawing on the urban life and challenges.

I have submitted four manuscripts to various high impact journal since May 2009. There are Urban Studies, Cities, Asian Profile Journal and European Journal of Social Sceience. I am waiting journal publisher external reviews and approval. The scope of my research for these journal manuscripts are related to efficient urban governance. I wish to publish these journal before end of December 2009.

FRIENDS AND PHD....who remember or ignore you?

I would like to express my disappointment and sadness to my friends coorperation and assistance in my research . Early this month I went to see my ex classmate (we did our master degree together in 2001-2003) at his office. He is working with one of well-known ministry and his duty really relate to my research. Less that 20 minutes discussion, he is rushing to attend a meeting and ask me to call him next week. I am not satisfied with the information he gave to me. I wanted to ask him more and how its relate to my research. I sent him an email to said thank you and request for new date for next meeting. Until now he never reply my email. That I called him early in the morning (normally after 9.00am government officers attended meeting or go for breakfast)..again he is not answering or returning my call. I send him sms and never reply. What is wrong with you....why is so difficult to get you? I want to discuss with you about your finding on studies that you did. However,I try to think positively...may be he is so busy to attend my email, sms and calling. Just pray to God...I hope he will always remember me not ignore me...

Then the same situation happened to me last week, I call my officemate to email me some information that related to my task as PID 2009 Commitee Member. Until now I still waiting his email..Again,what is wrong with you....why is so difficult to give me the information? I try to think positively...may be he is so busy to attend my request. I hope if you read this you all not mad at me. I am not angry with you all but I am regret with your attitude...

I remember before I do my PhD I read a few books about preparation before entering the world of PhD... the scholars said WHEN YOU DOING PHD YOU WILL KNOW WHO IS YOUR FRIEND AND WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIENDS? WHO IS STILL REMEMBER YOU AND WHO IS IGNORE YOU? However, I hope and pray to God when you pursue your PhD you will not face the same problem as I do. And I hope out there..may be other people that I did not know them well to assist me until I complete my PhD research.

POST GRADUATES INTERNATIONAL DAY 2009...chapter 3

My previous articles on PID 2009 mentioned about the cooperation and contribution from post-graduate students. It happened again in PID 2009 Committee Meeting dated 11 June 2009. Attendance still poor but the preparation of the PID 2009 event have to proceed. Here a few slides of my presentation to the committee.

Dr Hazita and other committee members impressed and appreciated with PPSPP efforts to make PID 2009 success. Our next action is to discuss further with TM on our offer and what we will gain from TM. Dr Hazita informed that the PID 2009 will be held on 17-18 August 2009. In order to make the modus operandi of PID 2009 smoothly, she divided various tasks to other schools such as School of Media and Communication will organise promotion, PPSPP will organise whole programme, activities and dealing with TM. The next meeting will be 25 June 2009. I would like to express my gratitude to Dr Aishah, Dr Yusoff, Encik Ishak, Rafidah and Zul'aini for their support. THANK YOU

WESTERN CULTURE ON KNOWLEDGE

This morning I read an article from local newspaper (Berita Harian) regarding how western people received and sharing knowledge. I agreed with writer advocacy and provocacy how we accept knowledge when we attended a international or local conference. Last 2 days I attended international conference - Policy Challenges on Sustainable Urban Region organised by our established local university. A few government officers and lecturers are invited to attend the free of charge conference. 3 papers presented by Professors from UK, Canada and Geneva Universities and the rest of papers presented by established Professors from our local universities. The content of papers are interesting and the new knowldege of urban planning is related to global issues and how urban planners from government and private sectors facing this situation. Unfortunely after lunch 3/4 of the room is empty. I don't know are they attended to fulfill a quota of their department policy or are they force to come? After read this article I understood what she meant by WESTERN PEOPLE CHASING FOR KNOWLEDGE, WE ARE CHASING OFF KNOWLEDGE...you can read the whole article attached...

BUDAYA ILMIAH ORANG BARAT WAJAR DICONTOHI

MENARIK sungguh apabila berpeluang berkenalan dan berkesempatan bertukar-tukar idea pada persidangan ilmiah. Sebelum ini, peluang untuk menghadiri sidang seperti itu di luar negara agak terhad. Ketika di luar negara, nampaknya inilah masa sesuai untuk bersama sarjana antarabangsa dan nama besar dalam bidang kewartawanan berbincang aspek kritikal dalam bidang ini. Minggu lalu saya ke Westminster di London untuk menyertai satu persidangan bertajuk 'Kewartawanan dalam Krisis' yang dianjurkan oleh Jabatan Kewartawanan dan Komunikasi Massa, Universiti Westminster. Nama besar dalam kewartawanan dunia seperti Profesor James Curran dan Profesor Todd Gitlin serta ramai lagi pengamal media adalah antara mereka yang dijemput khas memberi ucaptama, untuk berkongsi idea. Curran, warga Amerika Syarikat kini berkhidmat di Kolej Goldsmith, Universiti London. Kolej Goldsmith adalah pusat pengajian tinggi terbaik dalam pengajian media di UK. Persidangan selama dua hari itu dihadiri kira-kira 100 pembentang kertas kerja dan peserta. Apa yang menariknya, apabila tiba masa sidang selari, semua peserta dan pembentang kertas kerja yang tidak bersesi akan menyertai sidang yang diminati. Mereka mengambil peluang ini untuk belajar daripada pembentangan orang lain, dan turut memberi idea bernas selepas pembentangan dibuat. Hal yang sama saya lihat dalam satu persidangan lain yang pernah dihadiri di Bedford, UK tahun lalu. Pembentang kertas kerja dan peserta berebut-rebut memilih sidang yang ingin dihadiri, bukan sebaliknya yang sering berlaku di tempat kita. Kadangkala, ada segelintir daripada kita yang kurang menghargai ilmu di depan mata. Ada yang menghadiri persidangan tetapi tidak dengan sepenuh hati.

Ada juga yang pergi semata-mata untuk membentang kertas kerja tetapi tidak bersedia menghadiri sidang lain yang pastinya menghimpun maklumat baru. Di Barat, mereka mengejar ilmu. Kita pula, kadangkala dikejar ilmu tetapi melarikan diri pula. Saya sendiri tidak boleh lupa dengan pengalaman apabila mula menjadi tenaga pengajar suatu waktu dulu. Kebetulan persidangan pertama yang dihadiri dan turut membentang kertas kerja adalah persidangan antarabangsa di Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi. Ketika itu, banyak sekali tajuk pembentangan selari yang menarik sehinggakan sukar rasanya untuk memilih sidang mana yang ingin diikuti.

Namun, seseorang pendidik dengan nada agak sinis menyatakan, 'masa awal-awal ikut persidangan memang nak dengar semua, nanti bila dah lama dah tak nak dengar lagi'. Saya awalnya tidak percaya, namun akhirnya terjadi juga perangai buruk itu pada diri sendiri. Sehinggalah pengalaman di UK, keadaan itu banyak mengajar kita bermuhasabah diri. Sikap orang Barat yang begitu menghargai ilmu menjadikan kita malu untuk tidak sama-sama seperti mereka. Di Malaysia, untuk sesi terakhir atau sesi petang persidangan, kadangkala jumlah pembentang lebih ramai daripada yang mendengar. Selalu didengar pihak penganjur gusar kerana majlis penutup persidangan bakal dihadiri hanya beberapa peserta. Lain ceritanya di UK, sehingga sesi terakhir, semua peserta menunggu untuk maklumat yang dijanjikan. Pemerhatian saya menunjukkan, sesi terakhir persidangan ini hanya berkurangan sedikit daripada jumlah sesi terawal. Malah, pihak penganjur juga tidak mengambil mudah semua perkara berkaitan pembentangan yang dijanjikan. Misalnya, Profesor Gitlin dari Sekolah Kewartawanan Universiti Columbia Amerika Syarikat tidak dapat menghadiri persidangan ini pada saat akhir.

Namun, memandangkan beliau adalah nama besar yang berupaya mengupas tema persidangan dengan mendalam selain daya penarik persidangan, maka pihak penganjur mengadakan sidang video secara langsung antara Gitlin dengan peserta pada tarikh dan waktu yang dijanjikan. Dengan kualiti audio dan visual yang baik, mesej Gitlin dapat difahami peserta dengan baik. Sesi soal jawab selepas itu juga dapat dijalankan tanpa banyak gangguan kecuali kadangkala Gitlin tidak dapat mendengar soalan yang dikemukakan daripada mikrofon tanpa wayar yang disediakan. Namun, peranan pengerusi sidang berupaya menyelesaikan masalah ini. Saya turut menyatakan kepada pihak penganjur ketika sesi rehat bahawa inilah kali pertama persidangan yang dihadiri menampilkan sarjana dalam bentuk maya dan berita baiknya, apa yang mereka laksanakan berjalan dengan lancar. Katanya, mereka mempunyai jurutera yang hebat membantu memastikan perjalanan sidang tanpa gangguan teknikal.

Selain itu, amat menarik juga jika diperhatikan cara mereka di Barat yang mengambil masa hanya lebih kurang lima hingga 10 minit untuk mengalukan peserta persidangan. Masa tidak terbuang dengan ucapan pembukaan yang panjang yang hanya bermakna kepada sesetengah orang dan menampakkan status serta perbezaan antara pihak atasan dan sebaliknya. Di sini, peserta persidangan terus dihidangkan dengan ilmu tanpa perlu memikirkan sangat soal siapa orang penting yang hadir. Siapa VIP atau bukan VIP tidak menjadi persoalan, yang penting proses perkongsian ilmu berjalan lancar dan semua orang selesa sepanjang persidangan berlangsung. Justeru, proses menambah ilmu lebih terfokus dan tidak terganggu dengan perkara yang tidak ilmiah, tetapi perlu dilakukan atas nama penghormatan yang jelas kadangkala berlebih-lebihan. Mungkin juga kerana inilah Perdana Menteri Malaysia menyarankan agar majlis di negara kita perlu kurang membazirkan masa dengan salutasi yang panjang kecuali untuk majlis diraja.

Masa yang terbuang kalau ditumpukan kepada sidang lain dalam persidangan pastinya membawa lebih banyak faedah kepada peserta yang hadir dengan memberi lebih ruang kepada sesi perbincangan atau pembentangan. Ini adalah sesuatu yang perlu kita ubah, tidak boleh dibiarkan. Sama ada dari segi pelaksanaan atau sikap peserta persidangan itu sendiri, kita perlu cuba pastikan perlakuan itu adalah untuk ilmu yang selepas ini perlu dipanjangkan kepada anak-anak didik.

Oleh Siti Suriani Othman dari Nottingham, England . Penulis ialah pensyarah Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) yang melanjutkan pelajaran peringkat Doktor Falsafah dalam bidang kewartawanan di Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom.

POST GRADUATES INTERNATIONAL DAY 2009...chapter 2

Prior to the PID 2009 Committee Meeting 21 May 2008, I met Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aishah Mohamad to discuss outcome of the meeting. She apologised to me because she have to attend her student viva presentation. I informed her that School of Social, Development and Environmental Studies (PPSPP) should form our own working committee member to obtain our own fund, formulate, plan, implement and manage our activities. I called my dearest friend who is working in established cooporate company to sponsor PID 2009 activities with amount RMXXXXX (sorry cannot reveal the amount subject to their final approval). She basically agreed with various term and conditions. and will discuss this matter with her management team. I informed Dr Aishah she look happy with the news and ask me to lead the team. She suggested to form a good team who can work with me and organise activities for school.

I gentlely rejected Dr Aishah offer due to my research work load. She coaxing me to lead the team. She confident that I can coordinate and organise the activities. So I suggested a new names to be my team. She agreed and the PPSPP PID 2009 Committee meeting will be held on 1 June 2009. So I draft a letter for the meeting and slides presentation. On the PPSPP PID 2009 Committee Meeting, its not suprise with no of attendance from 23 members only 5 committee member attended. From the beginning I can feel is difficult to get cooperation from post graduate students. I presented my suggestion what activities that PPSPP can contribute to PID 2009. I think Dr Aishah dan Dr Mohd Yusoff impressed with my effort to get a sponsor from cooporate company and activities that can enhanced my school and faculty name.

Thank you to Sumaia, Maryam, Pak Rasul, Rafidah, Salmi (even only 30 minutes), Dr Mohd Yusoff and Dr Aishah for your ideas and suggestions. I know my school really hoping that I can lead the committee....I hope God help me..to be continued....

My Little Chefs

School holiday is started two days ago. This is a moment my sons and daughter are waiting for. In order to occupy their free time I ask them to join cooking class at Section 9 Bandar Baru Bangi...Sugar Flour. Last Saturday 30 May 2009. Zulazlan and Zulazlin were joined creative cupcakes workshop from 12.30 until 2.30pm. They were enjoyed and shown some creativities in arts. Take a look some photos did I snap during the class....