It has always been my passion to be of service to society, especially the local communities and those in my area, wherever that may be.
I strongly believe in the “Self Help Is The Best Help” principle. It is on this premise that I joined groups of like-minded people to extend whatever little help I could to the needy, as well as the community at large.
This passion to serve has been with me since my school days, right through my career, and has led to my present involvement with the Bukit Bandaraya Residents Association (RA), as well as Selamatkan Kuala Lumpur (SKL) – a coalition of RAs, community-based organisations (CBO), concerned non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and individuals – who subscribe to serving the society at large.
Along the way, of course, I have faced both ups and downs. I’ve learnt to roll with the punches, for when one is involved in public service, one must be able to deal with both adoration and brickbats.
Of course, along the way, I have come across a large number of well-meaning people, but once in a while, I have also had to deal with some opportunists with less-than noble intentions. It has left me somewhat jaded, and I often take negativity as the “default” setting when dealing with someone new.
To a large extent, I must admit that people with good intentions have pushed me to greater heights.
Simultaneously, by and large, the authorities, including local councils, have cooperated with us, in meeting the needs of the rakyat.
Resolving issues for the community has always been the goal. There may have been cases where I might have stepped on the toes of some people in authority, or even amongst the community.
Such actions would have been, if at all, done with good intentions for the benefit of the rakyat.
It has been a challenge at times, for some in authority, tend to forget that they are there to serve the rakyat.
We, as members of RAs, or any other voluntary organisation, are the conduit between our communities and the authorities or agencies. Thus, it is of the utmost importance that this channel be preserved and enhanced to serve the rakyat better.
On the part of the communities, their needs and demands will keep changing with time, as change is constant. Whether it is for the better or worse, that is something that can only be determined in the future.
With the dynamic changes in technology and in our lifestyles, we at the RAs are getting our resident members to also start liaising directly with the authorities and relevant agencies.
I must take cognisance of the pioneers and past leaders of the organisations in which I represent, for setting the bar so high.
In order for this mutually beneficial arrangement to continue to work, government departments, agencies, RAs and voluntary organisations must be receptive to one another, and nurture the relationship that had been established.
Only then, will we have a mature and fulfilled society.
This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of Twentytwo13. Main image by Bukit Damansara House Owners’s Association.
