Finding beauty in neighbourly ties

Green transformation: The vicinity of a retention pond in Taman Sunway Cheras, which was previously overgrown, is now a recreation spot for residents. – AZMAN GHANI/The Star

A COMMUNITY beautification contest not only improves residential surroundings but also solidifies relations between neighbours.

Recently, the “Most Beautiful Neighbourhood” competition was organised by Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) in conjunction with National Day celebrations.

The contest was divided into two categories, one for terrace houses and another for apartments or flats.

Six neighbourhoods sent in entries; two for the house category while the rest were for the apartment segment.

Taman Sunway Cheras, a gated community of 115 double-storey houses completed in 2015, emerged winner in the terrace house category while Taman Kota Cheras Fasa 1, comprising three blocks of flats completed in 1989, won in the other class.

MPKj councillor Farhan Haziq Mohamed, said the contest was the first under the council.

Participants were also encouraged to fly the national flag.

Each were given RM100 worth of flags to decorate their neighbourhood and chances of winning improved with more flags put up.

“Judging was based on the creativity and effort of residents in arranging the flags in their neighbourhood.

“Extra marks were also awarded for community participation.

“We asked participants if it was only the members of the residents association (RA) or joint management body (JMB) who had taken part or if other residents had also participated.

“Extra marks were given to neighbourhoods that had residents who were not in the RA or JMB committees involved,” said Farhan.

The real reward came in the community’s resulting sense of solidarity.

Both winners had a history of residents setting aside their differences to ensure their residential surroundings would remain conducive for all and sustainable.Jamaludin says efforts to foster neighbourliness helped to secure the win for Taman Kota Cheras.

As community leader of Taman Kota Cheras Fasa 1, JMB chairman Hanapiah Mt Kassim, 61, said one of the residents’ committee’s proudest achievements was in bringing order to its parking bays more than five years ago.

“We had a car sticker system to identify our residents’ vehicles so outsiders’ cars parked in our bays could be easily identified.

It was agreed that everyone should park at bays designated for each block,” he said.

Getting a community of 2,000 residents to comply was not easy, pointed out Hanapiah, a retired police sergeant.

“Unity and harmony cannot be achieved if the residents do not know each other.

“To foster this, the JMB organised gatherings during festive seasons and held community events such as clean-ups, dengue awareness talks, painting of buildings and other programmes over the years.

“The objective was for people to meet, chat and become closer,” he said.

JMB Block B chairman Jamaludin Bontat, 60, a retired police officer, believes that the effort in organising these programmes has paid off.

Today, in addition to the JMB and the appointment of leaders and sub-committees for each block, residents have also formed additional sub-groups to encourage better community participation.

When it was announced by the JMB that Taman Kota Cheras Fasa 1 would be taking part in a beautification contest, some 30 volunteers, along with the JMB committee members, came together to put up the flags, he said.

Hanapiah and Jamaludin have different views on what it takes to garner the support, cooperation and participation of their neighbours.

While Hanapiah insists it has everything to do with diplomacy and tact, Jamaludin feels a firm hand is needed, especially when it comes to dealing with residents who default on maintenance fees and those who refuse to abide by the JMB’s rules.

However, both agree on the need to work for the common good of the community.

Over at Taman Sunway Cheras, a retention pond at Jalan Sunway 2, which was once overgrown with lalang and had been used as an illegal storage area, became the focal point in the council’s beautification contest.Chan says residents’ efforts in clearing up the vicinity site of a retention pond was key to their win in the beautification contest.

RA chairman Chan Seng Seong, 59, revealed that not only had residents played their part in clearing up the overgrowth and illegal structures, they had also contributed solar lights, floor tiles and built a cemented platform so that the retention pond could also function as a recreational space.

The clean-up started in 2017 and took close to five years to achieve its current state.

“The retention pond used to be an illegal scrap metal site.

“It was abandoned and was a breeding ground for snakes and mosquitoes.

“Located near the entrance of the housing area, it was an eyesore,” said Chan.

Once the clean-up was completed, MPKj, Dusun Tua assemblyman Edry Faizal Edry Yusof and Hulu Langat MP Datuk Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus contributed towards a gazebo, bridge, playground equipment and a cemented walkway for the site.

The RA spent no more than RM10,000 to transform the retention pond site, said Chan.

He highlighted that the site was now a favourite spot for residents to feed the fish and turtles inhabiting the pond.

However, fishing is not recommended as the water is mainly from the household drains surrounding the area.

For safety, access to this recreation area is only reserved for residents and is secured.

Children are only allowed in when accompanied by an adult to avoid any water mishaps.

For the contest, Chan said RA treasurer, Tay Kim Huat, 53, who has a business providing school supplies, donated flags to supplement those contributed by MPKj.

A prize of RM800 was awarded to the winners.

Edry Faizal gave the winners an additional RM1,000 from his office’s allocation.

Both winning communities said they will be using the prize money to organise an event for residents to celebrate.

Farhan said the competition would most likely become an annual affair and cleanliness would be added as a judging criterion.