S'gor readies three-year blueprint
Residents of Selangor are helping the state government to draft strategies and plans for the next three years, by participating in a series of public consultation sessions.
Residents of Selangor are helping the state government to draft strategies and plans for the next three years, by participating in a series of public consultation sessions.
This bottom-up approach towards fo
rmulating the Selangor Blueprint 2011-2013 is being taken to all 12 local councils, said state government researcher Tricia Yeoh.
"The entire process is a means by which the state government intends to establish a more strategic way of planning, focusing on the areas that are most important to the people. We will look into the short-, mid- and long-term concerns,” she told Malaysiakini.
Selangor exco member for tourism, consumer affairs and environment Elizabeth Wong explained that the government is keen to listen to the public.
“The purpose of the meetings is to find out the needs and vision for the government for the next three years,” she said.
“Usually it is very top down and the government will get consultants to formulate policies and drafts. But we want to hear from the people on the ground, about their aspirations for the government.”
This programme also seeks to gauge and review the state government’s administrative performance.
“It is important th
at society can give us an indication if we are doing well. Interesting things will come out when we consult the public,’ Wong added.
The first meeting was held last Saturday in Subang Jaya, followed by Shah Alam (Sunday), Kuala Langat (yesterday) and Hulu Selangor (today).
Subsequent meetings will include Sabak Bernam, Kuala Selangor, Sepang Ampang Jaya, Selayang, Petaling Jaya, Klang and Kajang on Sept 6.
"The response at the past three meetings was very good. At the second and third sessions, there were 160 participants,” said Yeoh.
The participants were from residents associations, village development and security committees and associations. Also represented were the Orang Asli, local councillors, teachers, police, state assemblypersons and MPs.
December deadline
One of the main issues of concern is the relationship between the federal and state governments.
Funds allocation and lack of cooperation from federal government agency officials can be challenging for the state government, Yeoh noted.
“One possible
area (for better coordination) is public transport. Although the federal government has its Public Land Transport Commission, the state has proposed a Selangor Transport Council.
“The state and local governments would have better access to local traffic problems which we can then relay to the federal government. We hope they (federal government) will support this suggestion.”
Yeoh said all elected representatives and members of local councils are already addressing problems on a daily and regular basis.
“But what the state government is attempting to do is emerge with more strategic and consistent solutions. This is to lead on identifying both problem areas (solving problems) and areas for growth (initiating vision),” she said.
“We have to start thinking of identifying the ecosystems in Selangor as opposed to reacting haphazardly as we go about ‘doing development’. The idea is to identify policies that will ensure Selangor is a liveable and sustainable state to live, work and play in.” 
Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim (right) heads the blueprint committee, which includes the exco, state secretary, state Economic Planning Unit, Selangor Pakatan component party heads and the office of the economic advisor.
The first draft will be ready in October after the 12 meetings are completed. Think-tanks and NGOs can give their recommendations at the second stage, and the blueprint will be made public in December.
