The Reader

Livable street..

The last decade shown a tremendous change in the palnning and design of residential areas but only for middle and upper classes of Malaysian society in  a few selected areas.This photo shown is a well designed housing estate in Presint 11,Putrajaya.The roads are curved,lined with trees and a segregated pedestrian and cycling lane provided along the road but it cost our arms and legs to buy one.

I used to live in a housing estate next to Kampun Pandan.It was developed in early 80's.The link houses are located on a straight road mainly for motorised vehicles.It is very boring and do not get the residents to know one another and live like neighbours.It the only the street where my former house was located.Now, I live in a so called modern house in Bangi that was developed in the last  decade but the spatial layout is no better than those designed more than 30 years ago.

From the recent report on crimes on the streets in residential neighbourhoods,it is not safe anymore.The only place many of us feel safe is only inside  our house or our office.

Here is a link on the meaning of LIVABLE CITY.

Kedai Beris..

Kedai Beris di waktu pagi..Jalan menghala ke Perupok,Bachok.Teringat nak makan nasi belauk Cik Gayah..Lauk gulai ikan kering.

Monthly walk in Putrajaya

In the last two years,I have been actively promoting a healthy lifestyle for my friends and my family.It is a fact that many of my friends got sick from eating too much and exercise too little.This reminder is also for me.

I was told that we have to walk 30 minutes five times a week.It is a tall order but we have to do it.We can't pay people to do for us.If you have not done so,join a group or get a buddy.I cycle with my friends once or twice a week and walk about twice or three times week.From my experience,if I walk/cycle three times a week,it really energizes me and keep my weight in check.

If you live or happen to be near Putrajaya,please come and walk with thousands of people on the 3rd Sunday of every month.The photo above was the first Langkah Ceria@Putrajaya,taken on 20th January,2013 when the crowd passed on Jambatan Seri Gemilang.

See you at the next walk on 17th Febuary.

Sharing experience..

Yesterday morning,I was honoured by Putrajaya Corporation,the administrator of Putrajaya(the administrative capital of Malaysia) for being invited to share my experience in cycling around the lakes,wetlands and the gardens within the City with kids and parents who live in Presint 8 & 9,Putrajaya.

I began cycling here since August,2008 and I keep cycling about twice a week on regular basis,except in month of Ramadhan. I also walk at some beautiful trails and gardens here.The facilities here are among the best in Malaysia but very few residents are are making use of them.From my interactions with the kids and observations,the usage of lakes and wetland for outdoor activities are very minimal-hence this effort to gain public awareness and engagement.Well done PPj and please continue your roadshows.This is one step in the right direction.Keep moving and you shall arrive.Above photo Note: Thanks to Sabri Ya for the photo.

Here is a group of kids cycling in Putrajaya..but only a handful.The more the merrier..

Here is a nice snapshot of the Putrajaya Wetland taken when my friends and me went cycling on our MTB ..

The joy of giving-Part 2

I wrote on the same subject about 7 years ago.You can read it here.There is something that I learnt lately on giving our time to others.If I give a few bananas to my neighbours I can buy a few more to replace them.However,if I give my time to someone,I can't take it back.From this perspective,time is more valuable than anything else in this world.Not to mention(but I am saying this),all of us have a limited amout of it and at my age (coming to 60 soon),my time may not be much left.

Looking back,I have taken so much and gave so little.What shall I give?Giving gifts/donations is not limited by our wealth(speaking of which I have very little) but we can give away of  what we have and what we can afford to give away.At least we can afford a smile to our next door neighbour this morning..

To my fellow muslims and muslimahs,Ramadan is around the corner.Why not think of something to give away to our relatives ,friends and neighbours in a week's time?Let charity begins at home..

Here is a link to my blog posting on my joy of receiving a gift.Below is a photo of my small gift to my neighbour to celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary.

 

Taman Seri Empangan

At night,this is one of the many beautiful places to take photos.This is also where cycle at night as well during day time.The gazebos are used for family picnics.Last Saturday night my cycling group had our anniversary dinner at Labyrinth Restaurant at the complex.

 

We also walk...

To keep us fit and healthy,we also walk...The photo shows our cycling group who decided to walk their cycling trail around The Core Island of Putrajaya.We came with our family members and friends...From my personal experience,I expend more energy during my walk than in my cycling for the distance and walking at slowewr speed,I see more things along the trail..

By the way ,as we walk ,we talk and snap photos..

Another walk along Jalan Bukit Bintang

As I approached Lot 10,I saw four tourists taking photos of this side entrance to Lot 10 as shown in the photo above.So I stopped and joined them with my camera phone.After taking the photo,I entered and expected a cozy food court like a few years back.To my suprise,it has turned into a Chinese food stalls night market style food court.Immediately,I looked for exit and walked to Sg Wang shopping complex.

Lot 10 was one of the premier shopping complexes in the 90's but now new ones are taking place in the CBD as well as in Bangsar and Damansara.One of the subjects of my professional interests is managing shopping complexes and when I go shopping,I take notes of what the management is doing and learn the good and the bad ways from their actions and practice..

Since I am now working part time with less income,I cannot afford to shop at Suria KLCC and Pavilion so my next alternatives are at The Curve  and Alamanda in Putrajaya.

Wakaf

The above is one of most beautiful wakaf I have seen located at Taman Saujana Hijau,P11 Putrajaya.Some called them gazebo.There are so many of them provided for by the government but the public has made very little use of them.Are wakaf out dated or irrelevant?Your views ,please.By the way,here is a photo where my friends had morning coffee at Taman Tasik Cempaka,Bangi,Selangor.

In the mid 70's when I travelled from Kota Bharu to KL,I have to stop for my rest or luch at some wakaf along the highway.Nowadays, travellers have better choices at R&R.Way back in 60's I remember one wakaf in the middle of padi fields where my kampung folks take a rest,had their meals and did their solat.Nowadays,they can reurn home by motor cycles.

Just go to the garden of KLCC or a few gardens in Putrajaya.They have plenty of wakaf.Sadly,our locals seldom make use of them and most of the time they were used by the foreign workers.Some months back,my riding group held our picnic in one of these wakaf.

Note: I have taken photos of some wakaf.Here is the link.

Public surveillance?

This photo was taken at the back fo Masjid Sultan Mizan,Putrajaya.It has a camera and a loudspeaker.The location is well lighted at night.It is my favourite place to do my warm up before I go cycling or walking.Why?The sounds of waterfall nearby is music to my ears..

Some people think this is an act of intrusion into people privacy.I agree when everyone behave properly but considering the global indecent behaviours ,thefts and vandalism,I agree to have more of these surveillance equipments.We can save a lot of millions if everyone believe and fear God,but for the moment we have to have these 'eyes' all over the place.

What do you think?