MuslimModelShow 2016

After a quiet relaxing MayDay long weekend break, here I am back in the blog.

Its been awhile since my last posting but I have been preoccupied with the Muslim Model Show 2016 which ended on a high on 28th April 2016.

Yes, it has been one hell of an experience doing this programme. There were so many obstacles and challenges; some very unneccessary but nevertheless they were there.

However, I praise God that at every obstacle we faced, an angel appears to carry us through. At every challenging moment, we receive a boost of energy to overcome it.

Even now, there are still unsettled business to be concluded, a few more obstacles to cross but I remain optimistic we will overcome them.

In the 10 weeks of MMS2016, I am so impressed and satisfied with all the finalists. Looking back at Day 1, there were so many stones waiting to be polished. The professional jury, each with their own experties, saw the potentials in each of the finalist even than. I salute the jury!

In the following weeks, our bonding grew; from strangers we became a family. We shared pain and sorrow, heartaches and joy but above all, we shared love and understanding.

The stones were slowly being polished, week after week we could see a little more shine coming through. Yes, there were disappointment with some but most turned out much better than expected.
Individual characteristics were slowly manifesting itself making each contestant even better. We got to know not just the outward character but inner personality of each and every contestant, especially the Top12 finalists.

It was not just the Jury and organisers who were there guiding and polishing the finalists. Even the other behind the scene guys such as the Make Up Artists, photographers and sponsors were all out to guide and to assist, it was one big family.

My dear brother Raden, as founder and organiser outshone himself in everyway. His patience is examplary, puts me to shame. His unique way of handling problems and issues, both of the project and personal is very much admired. Areas where he knows he is weak, he is not afraid to admit and to seek help. Above all, his care and love for people around him makes me so proud to have him as my brother.

Despite all the running around, feeling tired, lack of sleep and headaches I am so proud to be a part of MMS2016. I thank God for each and every soul that I have had the honour to know through this programme. I pray that our friendship and family bonding will grow stronger. I pray for success for each and every of the contestants.

The GrandFinale was exceptional. The hardwork of the crew, the contestants and everyone else was amazing. Above all, I could truly feel the presence of God every step of the way!

We had prepared buntings for each of the finalist to be displayed along the Walk of Fame, at the entrance to the hall. The buntings came very late, just hours prior to show time delivered by an angel.

As the crew helped roll up the buntings, I placed them not as a walkway but a circle, semi circle, crescent, name it what you want. The end result turns out magnificent: I call it the

CIRCLE of STARS

Standing back and looking at it, I felt so proud admiring the faces of the finalists. Thinking back to Day1 and the unpolished stones, I was hit with pride, I smiled with joy.

I am sure each of the finalists and the families would have been so proud looking at their own faces on the buntings.

Than the show began.

As I watched the opening act, tears ran down my eyes; tears of joy, relief and most of all, pride.

Raden sent me a Whatsapp message, "sad - gonna miss them". I know he was feeling so proud of each and everyone on that stage and backstage too. When the words of my favourite song was sung, I felt the presence of GOD and was glad that throughout the weeks never once did we forget our prayers and time with God. The words of the song was a timely reminder and a perfect start to the evening.

There were minor hiccups here and there but the GrandFinale was GRAND. The results truly did not matter; everyone emerged as the winner.

Nevertheless, congratulations to Ejoi and Ogie: may both of you continue to shine and bring glory to God as Icons of the Muslim Model Show 2016.

I am reminded that Ogie was a "Keep In View" choice for Top40 on day one. In the end, because of commitment, hard work and determination, she outshone the rest. A well deserved winner.

And I also note that both winners are the oldest finalist: reminding us that in life, nothing is impossible. Everything is possible, if we believe....

I will truly cherish this MMS2016 experience even as preparations for MMS2017 is being planned. I will miss my brothers and sisters, my adopted sons and daughters: my MMS family.

Thank you all and I beg forgiveness for any shortcomings and offending words or deed that I have said or done.

May Allah's blessing be upon all of us.

Amen.

A Different world, a different life.

A different world, a different life: one spirit.

In the MuslimModelShow2016 (MMS2016) lessons come in the strangest ways.

On audition day, the programme founder met an Indonesian cleaner at the venue. He felt that she had the potential of being a MuslimModel. She was invited to join in and after some persuasion she accepted.

Her audition went well, surprising the jury with her dancing talent. Turns out, she was a traditional dancer back home but for economic reasons had to drop that career and ventured out to be a cleaner here miles away from her home and family.

She was selected to be in the Top20 and in the first photography challenge, she emerged the winner with the award of IMMUNITY to be used in following weeks.
In the 3rd week alas, she dropped to be Bottom3 and in the list to be eliminated.

She remain composed as she stepped out to be announced for elimination. She had the choice of using her IMMUNITY award.

The room was silent as we watched her tears flow and with the microphone in her hands. She announced to the room that she WOULD NOT use her immunity. The whole room was stunned.

We remained silent with tears in our eyes waiting to know why.

"I am only a cleaner. Even just to reach this stage doing photoshoot with all these professional equipment is a dream come true. However, Im no where close in standing with all these great people. Im only a cleaner with children and a family in Indonesia.This is not my world.

Even coming here today is a challenge and at this late hour going home is an even bigger problem.

I have made many new friends and learnt a lot but the truth is, this is not my world. I must face reality."

There was not a single dry eye in the room. Rustling of plastic was the only sound heard as everyone reached for a tissue.

Who would have thought that we would be coming face to face with the deep lesson of life. We must be grateful for what little we have. There are many who can only dream because the reality in their life cannot make their dream real.

It takes great faith to accept God's will even though it does appear as being unfair. It takes courage to share the truth of your life with others even though it makes you look small.

But Fitriyah, small as she may be had the courage and the heart of a saint. Her parting act was to give her unused IMMUNITY to her newly found best friend and team mate.

They hug and cried the tears of sisterhood and of unity.

Im sure we will all be looking at our cleaners with a different set of eyes.
MMS2016 united us as a family and brought two nations together.

This is only Week3.

The best of MMS2016 is yet to come.

The Muslim Model Show 2016, week 3.

This week,  contestants had to take part in a Business Challenge. They  had to work as a team to market a Sponsor's product: car care package.

As they were informed 4 days earlier of the task and grouping, they were more prepared. They researched and had their own group's discussion and planning.

My role was to share marketing approaches, cold call ice breakers, sales pitch and team work.

What did I learn this week?

That the contestants are a truly committed group of young people. Committed to being a top Muslim model, enduring long hours, being thrown into the deep end of a pool. They did not complaint but struggled through and emerged a better person.

I also learnt that in this modelling world, success is like a roller coaster, a top 5 can be a bottom 5 in just one challenge. That is reality. In as much as you care for another, you must also protect your interest and watch out for your competitors. Your "friend" could just be your competitor.

However one important lesson we hope to share is that your competitor does not necessarily be your enemy. In climbing the ladder of success, we do not have to kick others because you still need to step on them to move up. Without them as competitors, you have no challenge and motivation to improve.

More than all these, one important thing for me is how we have bonded together in just 3 weeks. We were strangers 3 weeks ago: became friends and in the 3rd week were like a family. I have  new adopted children, brothers and sisters. Even the parents and families of the contestants bonded with us too.

Even as we shared our experiences, we too learnt so much about humility, about friendship and about trust and faith.
I am truly proud to be a part of Muslim Model Show 2016.

I started off being a part of this programme because I supported the work of the founder. However, in just 3 weeks, I now see myself truly caring and being concerned for each one of the contestant, their health, the welfare and their well being.

Many have accepted me as their elder, not just shaking my hands but in the true Muslim teaching, bringing my hand to their forehead as a form of respect and hugging me like a brother. These simple gestures are the true reward for me, making me feel that the time and effort spent with this extended family is well worth it.

I live the spirit of unity with all of them, despite our cultural and religious differences, we are united as one big family.

Thank you MMS2016.

The Muslim Model Show 2016

At the beginning of this year, I was approached by a friend to assist and advice a programme. It is a very special programme indeed:

MuslimModelShow2016 (#MMS2016).

I accepted the challenge without too much thought as this is the kind of initiative from the youth that I hope to encourage.

Thus began my journey in this interesting and challenging task.

The organiser has the advantage of experience as this is the second season of the show, the first being in 2014.

However at that time it was tagged on with a Bridal Show thus logistics were available.

The problem faced by the young organisers is funding. Although related industry contacts were approached and many were willing to participate, most were contributing in kind and not cash.

This posed a difficult challenge to the team.

Despite the obstacles and being a responsible organiser to the registered contestants, the first episode of the programme went ahead on the 14th February. A good turnout of about 120 contestants made it a good start. In this episode the top 45 were selected to be shortlisted to a final Top20 by the end of the season.

In assisting this young group, I myself had lots to learn whilst giving them my two cents worth.

I have been touched and moved by their enthusiasm and commitment to achieve their goal.

The second episode too was a success which set the bar for future episodes.

Despite being a last minute arrangement, MBPJ came out in support with allowing the use of the location and providing the logistics.

The organising team was truly touched and motivated with the facilities provided. I do not think they had even imagined it.

In these two episodes, I had the honour of socialising with the contestants too. They are truly a great bunch of committed and passionate youth, dedicated to pursuing a dream.

Most had come in as strangers and in just two meetings over a fortnight, they have built a friendship to last a lifetime.

From strangers they are now bonded as brothers and sisters: thats the greatness of Islam (and all religion) at its best.

These young people needed guidance in this journey to be the best and #MMS2016 has a team of professional jurist each a specialist in their own field.

Once again, I see and learn what passion and commitment is all about. These jurist take on the responsibility admirably. They treat all the contestants like family: guiding and leading each one like their own child.

Thus I am truly honoured to be a part of #MMS2016.

Why is a Chinese Christian involved in a Muslim Model Show? My answer to this is...

This is what makes Malaysia special. Our different culture and religion does not divide us but brings us together. It is our strength. Unity in diversity.

May this initiative be a catalyst to bring our nation forward and let our youth lead the way.

Improving Local Council Deliveries

The services of the Local Council and what is our role as rate payers.

The third tier of governance, the local councils play a very significant role in our day to day living. They are the providers of basic services that have a major implication to the quality of the citizen's lives.

Smooth and well maintained roads, drainages that function well and not cause floodings and street lights that light up the dark nights are basic expectations of the rate payers.

We also expect to have well maintained trees that line our roads and parks to provide shade and relaxation. The public parks within and outside housing areas should have properly maintained facilities that promotes green and healthy living.
It is also the task of the council to provide efficient rubbish collection services. This ensures a clean and healthy environment.

However one question that is seldom asked is:

"What is the role of rate payers in helping ensure these services and facilities are provided for?"

Indeed what are the responsibilities of the rate payers either individually or collectively as a community. Does the responsibility ends with paying your rates on time?

As our community progresses and we become more politically and socially conscious, our expectations increases. This follows that our responsibilities must also expand accordingly.

It can no longer be such that we leave it all to the Councillor and our elected representative. Their roles should be limited to legislative duties: being our voices at the chambers at local, state and national levels.

As residents within our community we have a very important role to ensure proper delivery of the basic local services.
There must be constant monitoring as well as open communicating channels with the local council. Services are provided by the service providers appointed by the council.

However these services provided would have a direct impact on our lives. Thus good services improve our living quality whilst poor services rendered will bring about frustrations and stress.

Therefore as residents we should not choose to close an eye or our ears to what is happening around our homes.
We should be as individuals or collectively as a community be providing feedbacks to the council on the quality of these service providers. Effectively, the council are our agents, managing the service providers.

Therefore the basic responsibility as rate payers is to open that communicating channel through engagement with the Councillor, the council and service providers.

I emphasise here "communicating channel" , not a complaint hotline. We should use this channel to provide feedbacks and suggestions on ways to further improve on the deliveries.

One failure of these channels has been that it is constantly abused: becoming an abusive and hostile hotline ending with the channel being clogged up with negative vibes. This channels will than be closed and the losers will be the rate payers.

However if we choose to engage in positive communication with constructive feedbacks than (and it has been proven) we can see good changes. We must also remember that it's a communicating channel thus there must surely also be praise and gratitude too.

These constructive feedbacks will in itself be a much valued motivating factor to the workers of the service providers, the contractors as well as the staff of the council.

Far too often our eyes and ears see and hear only the not so good things. This has always been in our culture and this must be broken down. We are deaf and blind to good deeds or rather we choose to ignore them.

I applaud communities that have gone out of their way to reward security guards when there have been significant reduction in crime rates within their communities. This is refreshing to know.
Previously we only hear of personnels or services being terminated because of an incident happening. Often it is not even proven that the person or company is ultimately responsible.

Similarly have we given a second thought to that person sweeping the leaves, cutting the grass and  collecting our rubbish? What about the officer who goes down crawling into our drains to check for mosquito larvae and rats?

How often have we considered being in their shoes and being out there performing their responsibility under the rain and sunshine. Remember, in ensuring our good health and clean surroundings they risk the safety of their own health.
But we are fast to complaint when we see that one person resting or lying down at "our" gazebo or for missing that one bag of rubbish.

Going that one extra step of caring for the welfare of "low paying" worker is guaranteed to ensure a leap in the kind of services provided. Im not suggesting here that we "bribe" them but Im proposing a caring human aspect to how we communicate and manage the services.

Another contributing factor to the failure of the communicating channel has been our expectations. Far too often we see our "suggestion" as an instruction. Thus the councillor, officer or contractor is bad and useless if our suggestion is not acted upon.

The channel is for brainstorming and exchanging ideas. Not all ideas, good as they may be, are practical and applicable. Thus it should not be taken as offensive and negatively when one's suggestion is not taken up.

This is where the leadership ie the Councillor plays an important role in filtering these suggestions. Good suggestions are taken up and proposed to the council's working committees whilst not so practical suggestions can be fine tuned.

Therefore the responsibility of rate payers should include being good and positive principal in the chain. Being the eyes and ears but not  being the supervisor. The rate payer is the boss and should be above the day to day operations but being the motivator and monitor.

It is perfectly in order to interact with the workers and council staff but the rate payer should not be giving orders as effectively you are not the employer. Interacting to understand the issue is important but feedbacks should than be communicated through the arranged channels.

Nowadays with technology this communicating channel is even easier with the Whatsapp Group for example. Feedbacks can be sent to the group made up of the relevant stake holders. Immediate response can be received with ideas and suggestions discussed.

Ultimately the quality of services provided by the council can be greatly improved with good, proper and positive communications between all stake holders. Each stake holder has a role to play and like the spokes of a wheel, can ensure a smooth ride towards a better delivery from our local councils.

Peter Chong
former MBPJ Councillor

Ucapan Penangguhan

Terima kasih tuan pengerusi.

Saya bermula dengan merakamkan ucapan terima kasih kepada Kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat negeri Selangor atas perlantikan semula saya sebagai Ahli Majlis.

Saya juga merakamkan tahniah kepada semua rakan rakan yang dilantik semula serta selamat datang kepada yang baru dilantik. Selamat berkhidmat kepada semua. Tidak ketinggalan adalah ucapan Terima Kasih kepada rakan rakan PAS dan DAP yang telah terus berkhidmat sepanjang 6 minggu yang lepas ini. Khidmat anda dihargai.

Untuk ucapan penangguhan saya yang pertama untuk tahun 2015 ini, saya ingin bawa isu Seni dan Budaya.

Pada akhir tahun 2013, MBPJ telah menganjurkan The PJ International Folklore Festival dimana lebih 10 negara asing turut hadir.

Program seni itu agak berjaya tetapi selepas itu nampak macam tidak ada penerusannya. Malah, infrasturktur khas yang dibina dibiarkan begitu sahaja.
Boulevard yang luas dan cantik serta pentas berbumbung dan pentas mini kini bagaikan gajah putih.

Saya ingin membawa usul untuk rakan-rakan Ahli Majlis untuk membuat dasar menjadikan kawasan Boulevard itu sebagai pusat dan nadi Seni dan Budaya di Petaling Jaya. Marilah kami jadikan Petaling Jaya sebagai Kota Seni selaras dengan agenda Kerajaan PR Negeri Selangor dimana bajet 2015 telah menyediakan dana bagi tujuan tersebut.

Kini, mungkin tidak diketahui umum, pihak MBPJ sedang cuba menghidupkan kawasan Boulevard PJ. Setiap Jumaat dan Sabtu (malam Sabtu dan Ahad) pukul 9 hingga 12 ada persembahan "busker" di tapak tersebut.

Saya usulkan agar Majlis menyediakan dana supaya program tersebut dipromosikan dengan lebih giat lagi.

Bersama dengan itu, saya juga usulkan tapak tersebut dijadikan tapak "flea market" pada hari dan masa yang sama.

Tujuan utama adalah untuk menjadi tarikan untuk pengunjung serta peluang warga PJ mempromosikan hasil kraf tangan mereka.

Disamping itu, pentas mini di hadapan StrawberyCafe harus disediakan untuk kumpulan seni dan budaya di PJ membuat pementasan secara percuma bagi manfaat warga kota.

Saya yakin initiatif ini dapat menghidupkan kawasan tersebut dan pada masa yang sama membawa seni dan budaya ke PJ.

Bertujuan menjadikan PJ sebagai Pusat Seni dan Budaya selaras dengan hasrat Kerajaan PR Negeri Selangor, saya juga mengusulkan agar Auditorium Dewan Sivik disediakan secara percuma sekurang kurangnya sekali setiap 3 bulan untuk pementasan oleh kumpulan-kumpulan kesenian di PJ.

Untuk makluman, dalam bulan Januari Auditorium tersebut telah digunakan untuk dua program seni iaitu

Selangor Philharmonic Orchestra anjuran bersama PeBT Zon2
Tarian Klasikal India dengan artis jemputan terkemuka India.

Sememangnya permintaan dan minat untuk seni dan budaya di PJ adalah amat tinggi sekali. Begitu juga, PJ adalah kediaman untuk ramai artis-artis dan seniman.

Tuan Pengerusi,
Kalaulah seseorang itu menyertai pertanding bakat realiti TV dan menjadi juara dengan hadiah RM100,000 dan sebuah kereta mewah, agaknya orang itu menjadi kebanggaan semua.

Antara warga kerja MBPJ adalah seorang juara tersebut yang kini bernyanyi sebagai "busker" jalanan di Boulevard MBPJ.

Saya usulkan Sdri Salmah disokong dan diangkat sebagai bakat dan ikon kesenian MBPJ.

MBPJ seharusnya mempromosikan beliau sebagai muka seni Petaling Jaya dan dijadikan asset kami. Bakat beliau pasti boleh menjadi daya tarikan untuk tapak Seni di Boulevard PJ.

Saya mohon agar jabatan berkenaan menyediakan kertas kerja usul-usul yang saya bentangkan ini untuk perbincangan di peringkat jawatankuasa.

Semoga PJ akan dikenali sebagai Kota Seni Selangor.

Saya mengambil kesempatan ini untuk sekali lagi mengucapkan tahniah dan selamat datang kepada Ahli2 Majlis yang baru.

Izinkan juga saya mengucapkan tahniah kepada Tuan Pengerusi sendiri atas perlantikan Tuan sebagai YDP Majlis Sepang. Kami di PJ menghargai sumbangan mu dan harap akan menyambut Saudara kembali sebagai Datuk Bandar selepas meminjamkan Saudara kepada Majlis Sepang.

Saya juga ucapkan Gong Xi Fa Cai kepada semua yang menyambut dan doakan agar semua akan pandu cermat di jalanraya ketika dalam perjalanan balik kampung dan bercuti.

Terima kasih.

KIDEX - My Personal Views

The responsibilities of a government amongst others is to unite communities. It is also their responsibility to create and improve economic opportunities for the community.

Roads and highways are amongst the many methodologies applied to connect and to unite different and neighbouring communities. When communities are linked, new economic opportunities are thus also created.

Much has been said and argued over the proposed Kinrara Damansara Expressway, commonly known as KIDEX.

Damansara and Puchong were brought together and linked via the LDP, Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong which has now been operating beyond its original capacity. Any user of the LDP would realise that its no longer a highway but very much an open space car park at certain times of the day. The LDP is an important link but its at over full capacity: so can it be expanded? Experts have said,"No, physically, it cannot be expanded". Thus an alternative must be found.

KIDEX has been proposed as a means of taking up the burden of LDP and at the same time relieving Petaling Jaya of its traffic problems. Many roads within Petaling Jaya are at unhealthy service levels as users use PJ roads to access between townships.

KIDEX is to be privately funded and not from public monies. Thus, the project proponent will be collecting TOLL over a period of time to recoup their investment as well as to earn their profit.

The Pakatan Rakyat state government now has the burden of rejecting or approving this proposal. Rejecting it would mean denying the people of an economic opportunity whilst approving it would mean going back on their election manifesto promise of No Tolled Highways. By not approving it also means denying an opportunity of bridging communities.

"No tolled roads" was an election promise for the reason of reducing the cost of living for mostly the Klang Valley rakyat. The Klang valley is surrounded by tolled roads which has become a burden to road users and the toll concession agreement has been questionable and is a dark secret.

However, if KIDEX truly reduces the travelling time between two communities, does it not also thus reduce the cost of living for users? Less travelling time means less cost, savings from petrol, wear and tear of the vehicle plus of course, time. If this saving minus the toll paid bring a net savings, is that a problem, can KIDEX be acceptable?

Some argue that instead of a highway, why not an LRT?

Yes, I am a great supporter of public transport and certainly feel that highways may not always be the answer to solving traffic problems.

However, we must also be real and practical and accept that we are still far from an ideal public transportation system. An LRT can connect between two communities, but within that community, is there a good connecting public transport system in place yet? The users would still opt to drive as one still need to move around at destination point. Therefore whilst the LRT is a good option, it is not so yet between these two communities in question.

People against KIDEX have argued that it will be an eyesore: if a highway is an eyesore, equally the LRT line would be too.

Therefore, this worry should be given its due consideration. The highway can be built with many greening factors included as conditions. These would include vertical gardens and landscaping on pillars, green sound barriers when crossing sensitive areas like schools, mosques, hospitals and residential zones.

As a keen supporter of public transport, I would also like to see KIDEX providing dedicated fast lanes for buses and taxis. Remembering of course that taxi and buses are also a part of "public transport".

In addition, I would like to think that the State and Federal government are taking serious steps to improve the overall public transport network and systems. Thus if we target 12 years for major improvements in localised public transport at the end destinations of KIDEX ie Kinrara, Puchong and Damansara and Shah Alam, than KIDEX can thus be converted to Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network.

Riders can comfortably commute on BRT knowing well that they can connect to a reliable public transport network at their end destination, which is currently not available.

KIDEX can than be readily converted to a dedicated BRT line with provision for cycling lanes, ie connecting communities and being environmentally friendly. It may well also be used for electrified buses. The bicycle lanes would obviously not be possible if we have an LRT system instead of KIDEX.

Thus the argument now goes on to how rate payers rights may or may not have been abused in the approval process.

There are stringent procedures applied to how land may have to be acquired for the project. Some people may have to sacrifice and some others may end up benefiting economically from the project. It is the duty of the approving authorities to weigh and balance the plus and minuses. They must listen to both the loud and silent voices and not be intimidated by louder voices but respecting the rule of law and their duties and responsibilities as a governing body.

The areas that the proposed KIDEX allignment passes through may have increased economic benefits through improvements of its local infrastructure developments or some areas may lose some quality in their area. It is for the approving authorities to weight and see the net benefits and loss.

I am most conforted by the stand of the Mentri Besar that it will give the project its due consideration if the proponent fulfills their statutory requirements.

The local authority is also allowed to place conditions to their approval and if project proponent still feels that it is viable to proceed than we can move on to the next step. These conditions must be based on basic requirements of their duties.

These responsibilities include the duty to connect communities, improving economic opportunities and respecting the rule of law.

Thus I appeal that KIDEX should not be used as a political tool but be given due consideration based on its pros and cons to the communities affected. Both the voices of the supporters as well as those against KIDEX must be heard and considered.

Protection for the next generation must be included in the decision made. PR can take this opportunity to show that concession agreements can be made public and public interest can be given prime consideration in the approval process. Transparency can be practiced.