From activist to policymaker

In early 2008 a group of leaders from Buddhist centres in Serdang, Seri Kembangan, Kinrara and Subang Jaya/USJ responded positively to my call to work together to look into the MPSJ Draft Local Plan 2020. After studying and analysing the MPSJ Draft Local Plan we managed to come out with the necessary counter proposals in respect  to the Plan. The most critical issue for the Buddhist community and other non-muslims religion was the lack of land allocated to build their respective places of worship.

In June 2009, we participated in the public hearing called by the authorities to present our views and suggestions on the MPSJ Draft Local Plan. Taking a leaf from our experience on responding to the MPSJ Draft Local Plan, we also widen our study on other draft local plans in other local authorities. So far we had also attended and given our views on behalf of  Buddhist centres all over Selangor during Draft Local Plan public hearings held by Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya, Majlis Daerah Hulu Selangor, Majlis Perbandaran Selayang and Majlis Perbandaran Kajang. We are still waiting to be invited to attend public hearing of another two local councils.

In March 2008, the PKR-DAP-PAS alliance was elected by the people during the general election to set up the new government for the State of Selangor. The new state government subsequently decided to allocate some councillor seats in the local councils to non governmental organisations (NGO) and professionals. The Buddhist community took the initiative to submit some names to the state government for consideration to be appointed as local councillors. But then, as far as we know none of the Buddhist leaders was appointed but it did not stop us from continuing working closely with the state government on issues related to the non-muslims particularly the Buddhist community.

As an pro-active gesture to involved the people in the policy making process on issues related to the non-muslims community, the Pakatan Rakyat state government then re-structured and changed the name of the "Jawatankuasa Rumah Ibadat bukan Islam Negeri Selangor" to become the Jawatankuasa Hal Ehwal Selain Islam Negeri Selangor. Some policies changes were implemented in regards to the working and structure of this committee. Firstly the committee is now co-chaired by three State Excos while non-Muslims NGO leaders were invited to sit in the committee. Previously the State Secretary chairs the committee and no non-Muslims NGO representatives were involved in the meeting. Meetings were conducted more regularly, ie every two months in comparison to irregular meetings previously which sometimes only held once a year.

As I has been invited to the meeting since its inception, I can notice the change and seriousness of the State Excos in ensuring issues related to non-muslims community are addressed promptly and justly.We speak our mind out during these meetings but always with decorum and respect to all.  

The recent called of duty in the apppointment as councillor of the Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya is an honour and also a surprise to me. I am not sure if this is a signal from the state government's to recognize the Buddhist community's role towards developing a better Selangor for all. But for all who called this sunshine state our home, more than ever, we hoped the state government will do better in time to come.

The Buddhist community usually do not seek the attention of the state or federal governments either through the open forum or confrontational approaches. This community just prefers the consultative approach but it is sad and disappointing when the powers-that-be mistakenly read this soft approach as a sign that this community does not need the ears and support of the government.

Change is part and parcel for every living and non-living beings. For more than 20 years, religious and youth activism has been part of my learning process since my days as a undergraduate in Universiti Kebangsaan Malasyia. In all these years of community service, many issues related to the Buddhist community, youth development, international networking, HIV/AIDS and some other local community issues were addressed, especially when I was the then vice president of the Malaysian Youth Council and secretary general of the Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia. My involvement with the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth (WFBY) as deputy president and now advisor to the Bangkok-based international  youth organisation provided me the opportunity to enhanced international youth networking and promote friendship amongst the young people and world Buddhist leaders.

And now by virtue being appointed as a local councillor, I am now shouldering the responsiblities as a policy maker in a local authority. Although I had been involved in government level policy making process during my stint as a national youth leader, but being a councillor will be a different ball game altogether. The years spend involving in organising and attending programs, meetings, workshops and conferences in government related bodies such as the National Youth Consultative Council, Program Latihan Khidmat Negara (National Service) and Ministry of Youth and Sports are experiences that I hoped will come in handy when playing my role as a local councillor.

Although I has been advised by someone that being a councillor is similiar to what I has been doing all these years as a community leader; ie planning, advocating, assisting and serving the people, I will still continue to pray that the Triple Gem will be my guide always so that my role as a local councillor will bring positive change to those who seek for it. Namo Buddhaya. Nama Dhammaya. Namo Sanghaya. - Loka

 

Julie Tan of Loka Mitta Buddhist Fellowship; David Tan and Chua Teck Seong of Putra Heights Buddhist Society. My Dhamma friends who came to support me during the oath taking ceremony. Bro. Seow CH(not in pic) advisor of FoKuang Malaysia was also there.

The new faces in the MPSJ Council having a chit-chat with the council president Dato' Adnan.

L-R:  Loka, Edward, Dato' Adnan, Noor, Azizan, Jaberi

Photo courtesy of SJ Echo.