Muar D.O Adopts Open Door Policy

Bangunan Sultan Abu Bakar Muar
Today, this building is one of the most recognised landmarks in Muar. It was named after the late Sultan of Johor, Sultan Abu Bakar.

The name "Muar", on the other hand was orginated from the word 'Muara",a happening town situated along the river mouth.

It was also named as Bandar Maharani by Sultan Abu Bakar after his beloved Sultanah, according to my history book back in secondary school,Sekolah Menengah St.Andrew.

As a child in the 1980s, I was a regular visitor to this building that houses many government agencies,including the District Officer's(D.O) office.

I would accompany my late father, a cikgu who used to carry with him many of the 'Urusan Seri Paduka Baginda" brown colored envelops as he entered the building.

He has dozens and dozens of friends serving in the civil service. Many of them had worked in this building before and now majority of them are leading a happy retired life.

Then in 1987, I had the honour of putting my thumb prints for my very first IC in life. Next was second renewal with an attached barcodeon it and then in 2003, when the Malaysian government went hi-tech with the introduction of MyKad.

Five years later in 2008 in the holy month of Ramadan, I had another honor of being an Orang Awam to accompany Muar OCPD and three peace-loving Muarians to meet our D.O to share with him the concept of Community Policing (CP) in Muar.


Photo left: CP salesmen in action!
From right: H.E.A Chief,Chief Inspector Hj.Abdul Wahab, OCPD Muar ACP Mohd Nasir bin Ramli, Pengawai Daerah Muar, Y.Bhg Tuan Hj.Abdul Rahman bin Jaffar, MPM secretary En.Jamaluddin, me, Chairman of Pangsapuri Intan,En.Nick Ng and Exco member of TSM, En.Pang Su Hai.




Knocking On The D.O 's Door
Meeting Muar D.O Tuan Hj. Abdul Rahman bin Jaffar was an eye-opener. His hospitality was superb.

Although we met for the first time,we were treated like old friends and of course we exchanged ideas like old friends too. Very open, very genuine and very sincere.

The condusive environment in his office had allowed all of us to speak honestly on topics ranging from local security & crime rate, our youth & cyber cafes, masyarakat penyayang & semangat kejiranan, all together straight from our hearts.

We were well-prepared that day, armed with all "evidences and proofs", we carried along 20 poster-sized Manila cards (TQ Mr.Pang for carrying those heavy evidences!!) posted with photos and newspaper cuttings to support our case.

In brief, we highlighted to our D.O the urgent need to tap on the existing successful model of Horizontal Policing at TSM and Vertical Policing a Pangsapuri Intan (pangsapuriintanmuar@blogspot.com) in CP, and introduce both to all the taman-taman and kampung-kampung in Muar district because:

1) IPD Muar was successful in engaging the public and local media to form a smart-partnership that proven to be effective & productive

2)The senior management of OCPD Muar, ACP Tuan Nasir bin Ramli is ever-ready to support a program like CP for all Muarians

3)The models initiated by both TSM and Pangsapuri Intan are now good models recognised by PDRM top brass for other Malaysian towns and cities to emulate


Our meeting lasted for more than an hour,an impressive record! D.O was impressed with our presentation on the concept of CP.

He says:

"You people are special. I must always ask my people here, invite them to listen to my talking (about local safety issues).

But you people are different. U knocked on my door today and do it the other way round. I am happy, congrats and please keep it up!"

D.O's answers are always with a valid reason. He proudly announced:"Your Persatuan Penduduk can survive till today because of 3 major factors:

1. Firstly, you all have a passion and a capable team
2. Second, you are a NGO, non-political linked
3. Thirdly, you already got a successful model on the ground
   

Two "Living-Dead" Local Government Agencies.....

D.O was upset and heart-broken when we expressed disappointment on 2 important pejabat tempatan which failed 400,000 Muarians for failing to:

1)promote neighbourliness & racial unity

2)to disseminate all important information about dasar-dasar kerajaan to the ground and to the man on the street

We said they are not perfoming, he 100% agreed.
We said it was a pity that they have been sleeping for years, he 100% agreed.
We said they were like "Living-Dead" agencies, he again agreed 100%!

Those 2 are "living- Dead" agencies in the district of Muar !

When I asked my 8 year-old neighbour to define "living-dead", she says:"Uncle, it is like a vegetable man, lying on the bed, still breathing but not moving!"

Then I turned to her a 12 years old brother for his own definition, he says:" Uncle, A useless man !!"

Therefore, "Living- Dead" could be defined as "Vegetarian,not moving and..... UseLess".

Note: To the bosses of the above two agencies mentioned,if you read this blog by accident, Congrats! To prove that we Orang Awam are speaking nothing but the truth, here is the test to prove your innocence:

1. Pick randomly 10 men & women on the street
2. And try to ask them whether your agency is doing a fine job.
3. Trust me, the answer will be the same like mine.
4. Don't be frighthened IF, the answer might be worse than my answer!

Photo Above: Mr.Lee Kuan Hwee of Pangsapuri Intan was seen introducing the CP handbook to D.O, witnessed by OCPD Muar, MPM secretary and residents fromTSM and Pangsapuri Intan Muar.


Photo Left: D.O praising Mr.Pang Su Hai, a pensioner for his active involvement in community service at TSM.

D.O commented that retired people would remain healthy if they practise:

1)regular exercise 2) social work 3)good deeds

(Congrats Mr.Pang, we are proud of u!!)


Tuan Hj.Abdul Rahman Bin Jaffar
What do I think of my D.O? Good question! I did not have the privilage to be associated with any D.O for the past 33 years in life.

I predicted all D.Os are super-important officers in Government. They are:

1. Very fierce;
2. Strict;
3. Impatient;
4. Maybe they don't even interested to listen to ordinary people, like you and me (for our two cent's worth of opinions)

I was wrong and terribly wrong. I wronged him for a wrong reason.

My D.O is friendly and approachable.
My D.O is a soft but firmed man.
My D.O is a good listener.
My D.O is alert (I should say Super -alert!) to current issues on the ground and articulative on his topics.

His secret weapons are his openess and great sense of humor.

He really calmed us down, made us all laughed at ourselves for 5 minutes straight (seriously... 300 seconds non-stop) before he lead us into serious discussion topics.

HE is a powerful diplomat !
HE has adopted an Open Door Policy for his rakyat !
HE is passionate about CP !
HE welcomes smart ideas for Muar !
HE knows what U are thinking, Don't play-play!

Dear D.O, TSM wishes you & family Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfiltri,Maaf Zahir Batin.We are ready to bring along residents from 6 taman to your Raya Open house soon.

(Tuan Hj.Abdul Rahman,sir, if you blog on this post, which I believe you will, post a comment! We (and all CP fans)love to hear from you, TQ!)

Phang's Mission To Help The Poor

Tan Sri Robert Phang

Date of birth: June 1, 1939

Place of birth: Teluk Bahang, Penang

Profession: Social advocate and philanthropist

Hobbies: Attending church, enjoying food and social work

Family: Three boys and two girls

FROM a humble beginning, Tan Sri Robert Phang Miow Sin has earned a reputation as a vocal social advocate and philanthropist. He is an executive council member of the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation and chairman of the Social Action Initiative Foundation, which has donated funds to many people, Despite about three decades of social work, the 69-year-old is not slowing down.

Phang lost his father when he was 10 months old. His mother, Chong Kooi Kiaw, found herself a widow with three young children to support at the age of 27. When Japan invaded Malaya in December 1941, Chong pawned her jewellery, sold everything and fled with her children to Singapore.

She worked as a washerwoman, babysitter and operated a small stall to raise her brood. Their life of poverty had a major impact on Phang's life.

"I recall the words of my late mother who told me, 'We come from a very, very poor family. One day, when you make good, make sure you take care of the poor people'.

"It takes the poor to realise what poverty is. That was the day I swore to myself, no matter what, I would make it in life," said Phang.

On his mother, he said: "She was a great lady, the best woman ever. "I have met with lots of disappointments and failures but she was always there to inspire me. "She used to say, 'We might be poor but that must not stop us from succeeding'. "

Although his beneficiaries are too many to name, Phang is remembered for helping cancer victims and for flying down to Sulawesi to secure the release of two Malaysian accountants held by Indonesian authorities for 55 days in 2005.

Q: Why did you do it?

"I just had to do it. Two lives were at stake." For his untiring efforts, he received a letter from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi commending him for his bravery. His belief in the Chinese proverb, "When the upper beam is not put right, the lower beam will never be right" has held true.

Q: Tell us about your early education

A: I began my primary schooling in Penang. When World War II started, my family left for Singapore where I only completed my Form One at Victoria School.

I came back to Kuala Lumpur 13 years later. It was a time of struggle. I spent almost 11 years of my childhood in Penang. My father died when I was 10 months old and I was brought up by my mother, who had a roadside stall selling cigarettes. She did many odd jobs to feed me and my two sisters.

Q: How did you start your career?

A: I began working when I was 13. I washed cars, was a car park attendant, a ticket collector and I helped my mother at her stall around the then popular BB Park in Bukit Bintang. I did many things.

At the age of 15, my sister married a Sarawakian, It was then that I joined a cigarette company as a salesman in Sarawak. I travelled the length and breath of the state and was intrigued by how the Iban community lived in their longhouses.

At 19, I met the late Joseph Eu, the principal of United Malayan Insurance Ltd, who offered me a chance to be trained in the field. I was sent to Hong Kong for six months. I became a general underwriter for two years but left as I did not have much job satisfaction.

At 21, I joined Cycle and Carriage, the Mercedes Benz dealership started by the Chua family, as a salesman and was transferred to their headquarters in Singapore.

After three years, I was promoted to supervisor and sent back to Kuala Lumpur. Within the next three years, I was promoted to sales manager. I was in my late 20s.

Q: How did you become involved with the Social Action Initiative Foundation (Saif) and the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF)?

A: Saif was formed on March 15, 1997, with people like Tan Sri Ibrahim Menudin, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye and Datuk M. Jegathesan leading the team.

The main objective of our social work was to help those suffering from terminal illnesses and to save lives. We also donated and awarded scholarships for needy students, especially in medicine. In 2004, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye asked me to join the MCPF to create anti-crime awareness.

We worked together with the Inspector- General of Police and heads of other enforcement agencies to come up with better measures to prevent crime in the country.

MCPF has 25 exco members and branches in all states to increase awareness on crime prevention and to educate the public on such measures. We were formed to bridge the gap between the public and the police to understand how and why crimes are committed as crime trends change quickly.

The organisation is also affiliated to the Asian Crime Prevention Foundation, based in Tokyo, under a United Nations Charter.

Q: What are the major causes of crime in Malaysia?

A: The crime rate is alarming in Malaysia today. Recently, the prime minister took a step in the right direction to promote urgency in fighting corruption. He has said that enforcement must be extensive, transparent and governed with integrity.

The cause of crime here can be attributed to various economic reasons of the "haves" and "have nots". The high incidence of crime is also due to the inefficiency of enforcement agencies, which are governed by the political environment of the country.

You can say that the causes are the result of the three "Es" -- economy, efficiency and education. The lack of positive moral values is another major cause.

The young have to be taught in school to distinguish between good and bad, to know that crime does not pay. This can be achieved with a better education curriculum, crime clubs for awareness, and the guidance of parents.

Q: What measures can be taken to reduce crime in the country?

A: Enforcement. Good officers are hard to come by. The increasing crime rate over the last four years has led to the increase of 6,000 police personnel and 2,000 vehicles to combat crime.

I believe there is a drain of experienced police officers as most of them have retired. As a result, the knowledge and efficiency of the police is being questioned. There is a vacuum of good officers.

Proper training can prevent crimes, such as corruption in government departments and agencies.

The negative perception by the public has to be arrested urgently.

Crime prevention has a lot to do with public confidence. It has to be done with integrity.

Q: Tell us about your family

A: I have five children -- three boys and two girls and most of them live and work overseas.

Q: How do you manage stress?

A: A strong belief in God and walking three rounds at the KLCC park.

Q: What is your favourite food?

A: Hawker fare and wine.

Q: Do you blog?

A: No, I only read it when I am featured.

Q: In light of Malaysia's 51 year of independence, what are your aspirations for the nation?

A: I hope that Malaysians realise the importance of the guidance given by their parents aside from a belief in a higher power. Poverty is never an obstacle to success.

Nothing comes easy in life. One must never create or invite trouble. Practise equality and humility in all that you do. Malaysians should continue to learn and earn their livelihood by hard work and never venture into crime.

By K. Harinderan Johor Buzz, NST September 2008

A Johor Born Crime Prevention Expert

Going on 'crime-time' TV

LIFE begins at 40, or so they say. But for Johor-born Kamal Affandi Hashim, turning 40 meant asking himself every day: have I achieved enough or do I want more?

Being human, it is only natural that the answer is that he wants more.

"This does not mean I want to live life in the fast lane.

"I'm neither on the fast nor slow lane. Life treats me well, meaning that I experience both the sweet and the bitter equally," said Kamal, a crime analyst based in Kuala Lumpur, who grew up in a Felda settlement.

Being a sceptic, Kamal never thought he would ever be seriously involved in the fight against crime. His initial passion was for photography and he worked as a freelance photojournalist in the 1980s.

The turning point in his life came when his father insisted that he follow his footsteps by joining the police force.

"As a teenager, I rebelled against the idea. I didn't want to follow in his footsteps.

"I ran away from home three times because he tried to force me to join the police force.

"I thought if I ran away from home I could convince them to drop the idea. But how wrong I was," he said.

Finally, he gave in and joined the police force at Pulapah Bahau in Ayer Hitam.

"That decision has changed the way I look at life.

"I started placing more importance on life itself, not only mine but others as well.

"I started looking at how I could save and protect lives," said Kamal.

"The training I underwent turned the playful boy that I was into the man I am now."

After seven years of service, Kamal made another big change in his life when he quit the force to study criminology.

He has now earned a doctorate in applied criminology and is regularly invited to give talks on crime prevention and safety courses.

Kamal made the headlines in 2004 when he embarked on a solo crime prevention campaign nationwide.

He is an executive council member of the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation as well as the chairman of the foundation's youth outreach programme.

---

Q: Do you have worries turning 40?

A: Who doesn't? It is a phase in everyone's life and different people handle it differently. For me, creating awareness among the people about crime prevention is the driving force that keeps me going. I feel that I am obliged to all Malaysians to impart the necessary skills to prevent crime.


Q: What is it like being a crime analyst?

A: I am a normal person just like anyone else. The only difference is that I have the knowledge, experience and skills to prevent crime from occurring. And other people can learn it too as it is important to guard yourself from danger.

I take my job seriously. I will be glad if I can make a difference in somebody's life from the knowledge they have gained from me. The keyword in fighting crime is "prevention" and there are so many ways of doing it. Sometimes, you don't even realise your own strength and ability when faced with danger. During my talks, I show people the skills that can save their lives.

Q: What is the crime situation in the Klang Valley?

A: Klang Valley is divided into two areas -- Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. These two areas border each other and have a parallel relationship. Whenever a serious crime happens in Selangor, the crime rate in Kuala Lumpur will drop and vice versa. In the city, serious crimes that frequently take place involve firearm robberies and murders while in Selangor, petty crimes like break-ins and bodily harm cases are reported.

Q: What is your view of today's television programmes like CSI where crimes are solved in a jiffy through forensic evidence ? Won't these programmes teach the criminals to cover their tracks after committing a crime?

A: Well for starters, television programmes are make believe. They are not real. The programmes last about 60 minutes while in real life it takes a long time to solve a case. Yes, you see fancy technologies and tools are used in television programmes but they are fiction.

There are standard operating procedures to follow to find and preserve the evidence. No crime goes easily undetected unless the offender is not human. Every strand of fibre or liquid from your body is like a tag. With the current technologies in forensic investigation, no criminal can get away easily but it takes 99 per cent investigation and one per cent luck to solve a case.

Q: You were in the police force for seven years. Where were you assigned?

A: I was attached to the serious crime division at the Shah Alam Section 11 police headquarters. I was a CID detective back then.

Q: Did you have any near death experiences?

A: It's part of the job. During one shooting incident, I was injured in my elbow but I did not notice it until I felt that the left side of my shirt was wet.

Something was dangling from the elbow. It turned out I was hit by the ricochet of a bullet fired by the assailants.

I am fine now and there are only scars from the injury now.


Q: You are also a film director and have produced a road safety awareness programme for a local television station. What is your next project?

A: It's not a done deal yet but I'm cooking up a cop series that I have called Anatomy.

Other than directing, I am still conducting my talks and solo campaign on crime prevention.


Q: What is your academic background?

A: I studied at Jubli Intan Renggam primary school and continued my secondary education at Dato' Haji Hassan Yunos. I completed my diploma in photography at Stamford College.

I did my degree in international relations at a private college before furthering my studies in the UK and completing a master's in criminology. Two years ago, I earned my doctorate in applied criminology in the UK.


Q: What would Kamal Affandi be today if he were still in the force?

A: . A darn good cop!


Q: What is your motto in life?

A: That diamonds are hard to crack, and always under-promise and over-deliver.


Q: Do you have a blog?

A: Yes. kamalfndhashim.blogspot.com. I do update it sometimes.

By Halim Said Johor Buzz 29, September 2008

Pangsapuri Intan Celebrates Lantern Festival 蓝宝石中秋庆"团圆"

12 September (Fri), MUAR- Pangsapuri Intan that situated at Jalan Hj.Jaib in Muar recently celebrated their annual lantern party with a strong turnout of 200 people.

As the traditions followed, it is a get-together for not only for Intan residents but a gatheirng of 6 nearby Residents Committees (RC) housing estates within the KRT Jalan Bakri,alongside with senior officers of IPD Muar.

This was a happy occasion for the children running around the playground with their favourite lanterns. All senior citizens had a wonderful time by telling the good old stories about their apartment and living experience at Intan.

Afterall, it was a good time for all RC of 6 tamans to meet up for good food, and to exchange
ideas and to suggest smarter ways to enhance the local security.
(Photo Left): "One Happy family at Intan": Ketua Balai Polis, Chief Inspector Noland, his lovely wife & 2 beautiful children joined in for the happy occasion!






(Photo Left): Mrs.Lee who came all the way from Melaka, Mrs.Ng an active Wanita Intan member and a resident


Intan RC is now a role model for "Vertical Policing"(We will share the success story in our future post) for other apartments and condos to emulate. They have been working closely along with the men in blue under the CP concept. Over the past one year, security had improved tremendously and a new CCTV system was put in place. Among all, the RC had united the residents towards a common goal by providing first class living with top grade security in mind.

Back to the party,the joyous occasion was graced by Assistant OCPD Supt.Lee Choon Guan and wife, DSP Khoo Leng Huat, ASP Shanmugan and Chief Inspector Noland Janah & family. Mr.Quek Bak Seng, Chairman for KRT Jalan Bakri, Mr.Koon Chew Fatt of RC TSM, Mr.Ng Meng Juan of RC Taman Orkid,Mr.Goh Chiak Hiang of RC Taman Permai and etc.
For further info, please refer to the following photos:





















"You Sing, I dance": Chairman of KRT Jalan Bakri, Quek Bak Seng and treasurer of Pangsapuri Intan Mr.Lee Kuan Hwee in action!





















Photo Above: Assistant OCPD Muar, Supt.Lee presented his famous hits dedicated to his dear wife and........errr..... all residents too!
















Photo Above: DSP Khoo and ASP Sham seized the chance to promote CP to the residents! DSP Khoo was seen making a point to a resident. He says:"CP is easy and effective! Anywhere anytime could be done by anybody!"















Photo Above: Songbird Gan Chin Lai teaming up with a resident for a classic Hokkien song!















Photo Above: Pemuda Intan with Mrs.Ng posing for the occasion!

Mooncake Party Unites Residents 秀丽中秋庆"团结"

Theme: TSM Mooncake Party 2008
In attendance: 300-330 people (included invited guests from Taman Permai,Taman Orkid,Pangsapuri Permata,Pangsapuri Intan & Taman Permata)
Date: 5 September(Friday)
Time:7 p.m.
Weather: Perfect

Objectives:

Promoting~~~:

1) Rumahku Syurgaku

2)Masyarakat Penyayang

3)Semangat Kejiranan

4)Concept "Perpaduan Teras kejayaan"




Photo Left: This year venue for Mooncake Party: Jalan Dato' Hj Hassan,Muar.














Photo Above: Look carefully at tagline on the purple t-shirt. It says:"A symbol of A beautiful woman.....!"









Photo Above: Celebrating the auspicious occasion along with our Malay & Indian neighbors!










Photo Above: Our children, our future~The Lim family!










Photo Above: Mr.& Mrs Chua Kuang Heng,the loving couple from Jalan 1A. Famous hits: Country Road and My Way.














Photo above: Yummy food, great music and good company!!









Photo Above: 3 "Gan & Roses" from Pemuda TSM, "Captain" Kelly, Nicol & Ker Zou.














Photo Above: "Captain" Kelly performed her favorite song for all residents!