The Friends of Kota Damansara extend our heartiest congratulations to Sivarasa (Parliament) and Dr.Nasir (State) for being selected by the people of Subang and Kota Damansara to represent them in the government.

“The people have voted decisively for a new era where the government must be truly inclusive and recognises that all Malaysians, regardless of race, culture or race are a nation of one,”..PKR

We look forward to contribute towards the making of a Harmonious, Prosperous & Caring Malaysia that is driven by Sustainable Development..

Also our thanks and appreciation to all the Resident Associations and NGOs that have helped us to highlight the forest issue during this election.

Friemds of Kota Damansara has made it a point to find out the stand of the individual election candidates with regard to the KD forest. The 2 parliamentment candidates as well as the state candidate was invited to have a dialogue with us. The summary of the dialogue iis provided in this article.

Please note that FoKD is apolitical and will not be endorsing any candidate. We merely want to understand what is the stand of the various candidates on environmental issues that are of concern to us.

The dialogue with Dato Zein is also available on You Tube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMS5XbtTeAs

DIALOGUE WITH ELECTION CANDIDATES ( STATE & PARLIAMENT ) HELD ON 02.03.2008

The Friends of Kota Damansara (F.O.K.D) i.e. a coalition of residents associations, community groups and NGOs within Kota Damansara, Mutiara Damansara, Tropicana, Pelangi D’sara and Bandar Sri Damansara, had a dialogue on 02.03.2008 (Sun) with the following election candidates:-

1. Murugesan (BN-MIC Parliament)

2. Dato’ Zein (BN-UMNO State) See YouTube

3. Sivarasa (PKR-Parliament)

4. Dr.Nasir (PKR-State)

The objective of this dialogue is to highlight to them the pressing environmental and community issues faced by the Kota Damansara community and to obtain the candidates’ pledge for their commitment to these issues when they are elected.

It is important for all residents to understand that F.O.K.D is in NO Position to endorse any candidate/party after this dialogue but its objective is solely to obtain the candidate’ pledged commitment to the following questions/initiatives:-

1. To achieve the re-gazettement of the Kota Damansara Forest (aka Sungai Buloh Forest Reserve) within 18 months;

2. To set up a platform where community representatives will meet with MBPJ and the State Government on a quarterly basis to agree on RTPJ-2 ( Rankaian Tempatan PJ-2) before any implementation by the local government (i.e. we don’t want any surprises!)

The followings are a summary of the feedback from the four(4) candidates:-

1. Murugesan (BN-MIC Parliament)

Murugesan is not aware of the RTPJ2 plan where the Sg. Buloh Forest Reserve has been earmarked for strata development. However, after being briefed about the history of the Forest and its impact on environment e.g. flood, increased temperature,etc, he has expressed his personal stand in principal against development of green lung.

He agreed that he will meet up with the relevant departments with MBPJ and study through the issues before meeting with the respective residents grouping.

He will only sign the pledge after he checks with his party’s on election law/by-law that may restrict him from signing such a pledge. Also, Murugesan has requested to amend the wording on “ Immediately” to “ Working towards” in the second paragraph of the Pledge.

2. Dato’ Zein (BN-UMNO State)

Dato’ Zein’s assistant distributed his bio-data sheet to all attendee. When presented with the two(2) questions, he declined to comment on the issues claiming that he was not aware of those issues despite our efforts to explain to him though our powerpoint presentations prepared for that purpose.

Dato’ Zein kept emphasizing that he is to act for the party he represents (BN) and acts according to party’s instructions. When questioned as to why as a Wakil Raryat, he is not representing his people, he then emphasized that it is up to the residents to decide whether to vote for or against him and party. Either way, he accepts it. At this juncture, he challenged all the attendees to prove that we are registered voters in Kota Damansara constituency.

When asked again on the issues faced by the residents, he said he would think about it later. He then left hurriedly without any conclusive comments.

3. Sivarasa (PKR-Parliament)

Sivarasa is fully aware of the RTPJ2 plan particularly on the strata development planned on the Forest Reserve and its negative impacts on the community and the surrounding ecological system (e.g. foods etc)

These proposals under the RTPJ2 on the Forest need to be stopped and revert back to its original purpose of gazetting it for public use being recreational or educational. As a result of certain action/decision by those in authority, residents suffer in a form of “Hotter KD, Flooded KD, Congested KD and ultimately a Dangerous KD”.

Sivarasa emphasized the importance of democracy in election campaigning process where election candidates should jointly participate in the dialogues.

Sivarasa suggested a subsequent meeting with the residents at the Forest on 05.03.2008 (Wednesday) at 6:00pm. Sivarasa later signed the Pledge without amending any wording on it.

4. Dr.Nasir (PKR-State)

Dr Nasir has a passion for green environment. He suggested that we should expose those parties behind the strata development since the de-gazettement process can be proved with evidences to be illegal.

He also suggested that the election candidates should be given a written

pledge to be signed as an evidenve of their commitment towards fulfilling their promises to the people/community before and after being elected.

He later realized that there was already a Pledge prepared for him and he immediately signed it without hesitation.

The candidates chosen should have the concern for our environment (i.e. sustainable development) and those pressing issues faced by the community (e.g. security, traffic etc). People should be concerned about the impact of environment and its protection and more importantly for our future generation.

To ensure this progress does not come to a halt, the public should elect representatives who they believe will continue fighting for this cause. Although the government is doing its part to certain extent, there has to be a greater sense of urgency among the public as well. It is time the public took a step back and realized that being “lukewarm” about the environment can have grave consequences.

The dialogue meeting concluded with a second meeting planned on 05.03.2008 (Wednesday) at 6:00pm at the Shelter near the Forest Reserve at Sect-9. We strongly urge all residents to attend this meeting and get to know your candidates before casting your most important vote for our future leaders.

PLEDGE

GREEN VOTERS INITIATIVE

KOTA DAMANSARA (STATE)

SUBANG (PARLIAMENT)

By

FRIENDS OF KOTA DAMANSARA

When I am elected to office, I pledge to:

1. Work towards the regazettement of the Kota Damansara Forest (aka Sungai Buloh Forest) as a forest reserve park for public use within 24 months.

2. Immediately, Set up a Sustainable Development Committee consisting of residents, representatives from MBPJ, and other relevant government departments or agencies that will meet once in 3 months to ensure that the feedback of the Kota Damansara community are taken into account by MBPJ and the State government before development plans are finalized for implementation.

Signature: _________________________________

Candidate Name: ____________________________

Standing for - State / Parliament (Please circle)

Political Party ____________________________________

Office: ______________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________

City: __________________________ Zip: ___________ Phone: _________________

Website: _________________________ Email: ______________________________