MY ROUTINE SINCE JANUARY 2008

THIS IS MY TRIAL SCHEDULE AND DAILY ROUTINE FOR JANUARY 2008. I HOPE I CAN FOLLOW THIS TIMETABLE UNTIL I COMPLETE MY PHD....INSYALLAH
5.45 am - Wake up and solat (of course take bath). Wake up my children prepare for go to school. They are very difficult wake up early in the morning. My wife already in the kitchen prepared our breakfast. She normally prepared lunch for our 2 kids in primary school – Zulazlan Standard 5 and Zulazman Standard 2 – Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan 3 Bandar Baru Bangi. I have to make sure their room neat and tidy. I also ready with my books and note book to go to UKM. Unfortunately, we don’t have any helper – bibik for the last 3 years. However we can still manage and organize our time with our kids and house work.

7.00 am - Drive from our house, Taman Desa Saujana, Sungai Merab Dalam to Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan 3 Bandar Baru Bangi. My wife send our daughter – Zulazlin (6 years old) to her kindergarten just 5 minutes drive from our house. Then she sends our 2 kids (3 years old and 4 months olds) to our baby sitter – Kak Ida (Thank You Kak Ida look after our kids). Then my wife drive to her office- MENARA TELEKOM

7.20 am - I reached Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan 3 Bandar Baru Bangi and send them to school. Later I send other their Sekolah Agama’s uniforms at their transit home in front of their school. Because in afternoon they have to attend Kelas Tahfiz and Agama.

7.20 – 7.45am - Drive from Bandar Baru Bangi to UKM. Looking for car park. Normally I park my car in front of Perpustakaan Tun Sri Lanang (PTSL) – UKM’s Library. Normally after 8.30 am is difficult to find parking lot in UKM.

7.45 – 8.00 am - While sitting in the car and listening 94.5 fm Light and Easy (PTSL open 8.00am), have my breakfast prepared by my wife. Thank you sayang..

8.00 – 9.00 am - I enter PTSL and looking for my favorite place at level 5 and switch on my lap top. Check online newspaper and check my email.

9.00 – 11.00 am - Review and read books related to Dr Hamzah’s lectures on Globalization and Government. Then I write a few pages my opinion and understanding about Globalization and Development in “My PhD Journal Volume 1”. (I didn’t realise “My PhD Journal Volume 1” is completed in a month) . However this time, UKM or Faculty organise Professorial Speech . I would like to attend the public lecture series to gain some knowledge and experience how the professor presents his data and findings. Since January I already attended 3 Professorial Speech .

11.00 – 1.00 pm - Review and read books related to Dr Juneinah’s lectures on Governance and Development. Then I write a few pages my opinion and understanding about Governance and Developments in “My PhD Journal Volume 1”.

1.00 - 2.00 pm - Solat and Lunch

2.00 – 4.00 pm - Check online and read e-Journal related to Dr Hamzah’s lectures on Globalization and Development. Then I write a few pages my opinion and understanding in “My PhD Journal Volume 1”. However every Thursday from 2.00 – 4.00 pm, Dr Juneinah will conduct lectures on Governance and Development. Since January I already attended 3 Dr Juneinah’s lectures and I lecture from Puan Mashitah. They are very good and knowledgeable about the topic.

4.00 – 5.30 pm - Check online and read e-Journal related to Dr Juneinah’s lectures on Governance and Development. Then I write a few pages my opinion and understanding. in “My PhD Journal Volume 1”. However every Friday 4.00 – 6.00 pm, Dr Hamzah will conduct lectures on Globalization and Development. Since January I already attended 3 Dr Hamzah’s lectures and I lecture from Dr Abdul Hair. They are very good and knowledgeable about the topic.

5.30 -5.45 pm - Solat

5.45 – 6.30 pm - Drive from UKM to Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan 3 Bandar Baru Bangi pick up my kids and their belongings at their transit house.

6.30 – 7.00pm - Drive from Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan 3 Bandar Baru Bangi to Taman Desa Saujana, Sungai Merab Dalam. Pick up another 3 kids at our baby sitter's house - Kak Ida. If my wife went home early she will pick up them .

7.00 – 9.00 pm - Do some house work and helping my wife in the kitchen. Solat and Dinner. Check and assist my children doing their homework and study revision. Watching TV3 8pm News. Every Tuesday and Thursday my son Zulazlan will attend tuition class at Desa Putra about 5 minutes drive from 8.00 – 10.00 pm. By 7.50 pm I will send him.

9.00 – 11.00 pm - Check my email and update my research blog. By 9.50 pm I pick my son from tuition class at Desa Putra. Make sure my chidren go to bed before 10.00pm.

11.00 -12.30am - Check and review Dr Hamzah, Dr Juneinah’s lectures and also my notes what I have written today in “My PhD Journal Volume 1”.

12.30am - Rest…ZZZZZZZZ

"OH MIGHTY ALLAH...PLEASE GIVE ME A PEACEFUL MIND, GOOD HEALTH AND STRENGHT TO PERFORMANCE MY DAILY DUTY...AMIN"

LOCAL AGENDA 21 AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

Since 3 January 2008, I attended 3 classes on Governance and Development conducted by Assoc Prof. Dr. Junaenah Sulehan, Lecturer from School of Social, Development and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Malaysia National University. I can conclude that Federal Department Of Town and Country Planning, Peninsular Malaysia had implemented good governance in plan making since year 2000. The development plans which involved in good governance are National Physical Plan, State Structure Plan, Local Plan and Special Area Plan. However we called good governance in plan making is Local Agenda 21. Eight elements in good governance are PARTICIPATION,TRANSPARENCY, RULES AND REGULATIONS, RESPONSIVE, CONSENSUS, EQUITY AND INCLUSIVENESS, EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. All elements are included in Local Agenda 21.

WHAT IS LA21?

Local Agenda 21 (LA21) is a programme to forge partnerships between local authorities (such as District Councils, Municipal Councils, City Councils and City Halls) and the communities they serve to work together to plan and care for their surroundings towards sustainable development. Through LA21, local communities will, together with their local authority, identify and analyse local sustainable development issues, and then formulate and implement action plans to address them. LA21 adopts a "bottom up" approach. That is to say the local community themselves are involved from the very initial planning stage. Agenda 21 is an action plan towards global sustainable development in the next millennium and was endorsed by more than 178 heads of state and ministers at UNCED. The figure "21" refers to this century, the 21st century.

Three key messages emerge from Agenda 21 (Chapter 1, Agenda 21):

Firstly, that "humanity stands at a defining moment in history" as "we are confronted with a perpetuation of disparities between and within nations, a worsening of poverty, hunger, ill health and illiteracy, and the continuing deterioration of the ecosystems on which we depend for our well-being."

Secondly, the "integration of environment and development concerns and greater attention to them will lead to the fulfillment of basic needs, improved living standards for all, better protected and managed ecosystems and a safer, more prosperous future".

Thirdly, no one nation or group "can achieve this on its own; but together we can - in a …. partnership for sustainable development."

The following are some characteristics of an LA21 program:
* It addresses economic, social and ecological needs together;
* It includes a consensus on a vision for a sustainable future.;
* It includes a participatory process with local residents;
* It establishes a Stakeholders Group, Forum or equivalent multi-sectoral community group to oversee the process;
* It contains an Action Plan with concrete long-term targets;
* It has a monitoring and reporting framework;
* It has indicators to monitor progress; and
* It has tangible activities and programs to actualize its Action Plans.

BENEFITS OF LA21 TO INDIVIDUAL AND COMMUNITY

As an individual, we could benefit from LA21 by:
* Our views being taken into account in the planning and implementation of LA21 programs to improve the quality of life in our town ;
* Our local authority will be more sensitive and effective to our needs ;
* A more conducive environment and a higher quality of life; and
* Having more pride and ownership over our surroundings.

As an organization or establishment, we could benefit through:
* Project the image of our organization as a good corporate citizen sensitive to the needs of the community;
* Increased effectiveness through co-operation with other stakeholders in you community ;
* Opportunity to participate in the planning and development in our surroundings with the local authority;
* Opportunity to give valuable input to policies and practices that will influence our surroundings and the community's quality of life; and
* Opportunity to serve the community .

As a representative of the government, we could benefit through:
* Increased understanding and cooperation between government and the community;
* Increased community support and participation in programs that will benefit all ; and
* Further improve the image of our department as one that practices good governance through public participation, transparency, consensus building, effectiveness and efficiency, accountability and strategic vision

GOOD GOVERNANCE FOR MALAYSIA DEVELOPMENT : WAY FORWARD TO GLOBALIZATION

The Ninth Malaysia Plan allows us to identify the progress we have made, identify weaknesses and put us on the track to achieve developed nation status by 2020. The National Mission provides a long-term perspective; formulated to produce better performance and enhance the impact from the efforts that have been undertaken to develop the nation. The National Mission and the Ninth Malaysia Plan were formulated based on the input, views and feedback from various parties. The planning contained therein may not be perfect and may require further refining. However, the more important thing is to ensure effective and efficient implementation. Malaysians want to see the political will and determination of the Government in implementing this Plan as the first step towards realising the National Mission and ultimately achieving Vision 2020. Hence it is the Government’s duty to structure the implementation, monitoring and evaluation machinery to become more effective. It is the responsibility of the Government to build the capacity of that machinery with first class human capital development. It is the duty of the Government to improve and amend existing laws and regulations in order to facilitate development and reduce obstacles.

Therefore, the fifth thrust of the National Mission is to strengthen the country’s institutional and implementation capacity. The Government will improve organisational structure; facilities and work environment; the quality of human capital; and laws and regulations. With these steps, the Government excpects to enhance the performance of frontline Government agencies as well as improve the delivery system particularly amongst government-linked companies (GLCs). As a specific step towards strengthening the country’s implementation, monitoring and evaluation system, government has announced in this last August 2006 House the restructuring and re-scoping of the National Economic Action Council (NEAC). The NEAC will henceforth focus on the implementation of programmes and projects to ensure effective service delivery. Government also proposing the establishment of two National Implementation Action Bodies; one to monitor selected high impact projects from the Ninth Malaysia Plan and the second to monitor programmes related to the formation of a new generation of the Bumiputera Commercial and Industrial Community (BCIC2). Prime Minister will chair both bodies and other members will include the Deputy Prime Minister, relevant Cabinet Ministers and the Chief Secretary to the Government. These two Bodies will be supported by a National Implementation Directorate, which will comprise project management experts.

Additionally, human capital development amongst the civil service will be intensified. Local and foreign institutions will be involved in the education and training. Meanwhile, laws and regulations which impede development will be reviewed and amended. For this task, a Public-Private Sector Action Committee will be formed to recommend needed amendments to laws and regulations. Additionally, human capital development amongst the civil service will be intensified. Local and foreign institutions will be involved in the education and training. Meanwhile, laws and regulations which impede development will be reviewed and amended. For this task, a Public-Private Sector Action Committee will be formed to recommend needed amendments to laws and regulations.

However that the success of implementation does not only rest on the public sector; other institutions such as the private sector, civil society, Parliament and the media all play vital roles. Indeed, the collective effort of all these institutions will determine the level of our achievements in economic growth as well as social progress. Government had emphasised once again that the country’s implementation machinery must be predicated on the values of trustworthiness and integrity in order to increase accountability and to raise qualitative standards of national administration. Without trustworthiness and integrity, the country cannot be said to be developed in the true sense of the word, no matter how developed the economy, the social landscape or the quality of life. The National Integrity Plan has been drafted and it contains plans and strategies towards building a society with integrity. The implementation of the National Integrity Plan will be strengthened. The Malaysian Integrity Institute will intensify steps to educate and create awareness in the public sector, private sector and the public to encourage the practise and internalisation of integrity in work and in everyday life.

The Government remains firmly committed to combatting corruption even if efforts appear to run against the tide. To step up the battle against graft, we will increase enforcement by adding more manpower, equipment and other enforcement tools. Anti-Corruption Agency investigating officers will be trained in latest techniques. At the same time, regulatory agencies such as Bank Negara and the Securities Commission will continue to ensure that private sector companies improve the quality of corporate governance and adhere to related regulations. To ensure more effective enforcement in the corporate sector, the Securities Commission and the Companies Commmission will be merged to oversee nearly all laws related to commercial entities in Malaysia.

GLOBALIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT

I joined Dr Hamzah's lecture every Friday since 4 Jan 2008 with other 4 Master Students from Development Science Program, FSSK (I really respect them especially Zainal and Marcella... they are really good in term of inputs and response to the topic. They are also prepared for this lecture... Keep up a good job guys). I was enjoyed his lecture... Dr Hamzah very knowledgeable about the global cities and the globalization issues. I have new knowledge about global cities...after more than 16 years working as Town Planner... I never thought global cities has a great impact indirectly to our urbanization not just physical development but the function of the city and how its relate to overall our nation development. I also joined lecture on Governance and Development conducted by Dr Juneinah dan Puan Marshitah every Thursday. I really enjoyed their lectures. Its really open my mind about the definition of governance and the its role to our development.

I have read a few books and articels on Global Cities and Globalization such as "Globalization and The World Cities" by Peter Hall, "Cities in Evaluation" by Patrick Geddes, "Planning in Global Era" by Andy Thorley and Yvonne Rydin, "Cities and Globalization of Urban Development Policy" by Ton Van Naerssen, "World Cities and Global Cities" by Simon Paker and "Globalization and the New Urban Challenge" by Yeung Yue-man.

Today I am not going to discuss detail or give review about the books I had read. May be next week I will give my opinion and review about Global Cities in the context of Town and Country Planning.