Communities

PPR Ampangan

Like the work done in PPP Jalan Sungai, the pilot project in PPR Ampangan was based on an approach set out in the project proposal entitled "Different People, Different Needs: Scoping and Planning to Engender Inclusivity and Ownership in Social Housing". This defined four stages and stressed the need to involve residents , municipal officers and the GRB team in a working partnership, to identify priority needs of the community and propose solutions.

The stages were as follows:

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Stage One (April/May) : Demographic Survey (Banci) Stage Two (June/July) : Focus groups (Tumpu-Bincang) Stage Three (August/September): Voting (Undi Bajet dan Keperluan) Stage Four (post-October) : Agreeing Solutions (Rancang dan Bentang)

The demographic data gained from Stage One was useful to inform the focus group discussions as well as for MPSP. Focus group discussions were held with different resident groups: under-18 (children & teenagers), 19-30 (youth), 30-55 (adults), above 56 (senior citizens) and the disabled. The first three groups were further broken down into smaller groups of women and men/ girls and boys. There were a total of 14 focus groups per PPR, each group consisting of no more than ten persons. From these focus groups, core issues were identified in each location, which were then listed and voted on by residents in the third phase.

The voting phase was a three day process in each location. Each eligible resident (10 years and above) was given 'coupon' money of a total of RM500 but in denominations of RM100 each. They were then asked to 'vote' for their preferences by inserting their 'money' into the designated 'needs' boxes. From this, a ranking of needs was then obtained.

The voting in PPR Ampangan was conducted on September 7-9. Some 69% of eligible voters voted.

The ranking of needs was:

1. Taman Rekreasi (Recreation Park);
2. Kebersihan (Cleanliness);
3. Tapak Perniagaan (Trading Sites);
4. Tapak Aktiviti (Activity Sites);
5. Simpang Keluar-Masuk (Traffic Lights at the Entrance);
6. Kawalan Bangunan (Building Security); and
7. Kawalan Persekitaran (Compound Security).

The Hari Undi at PPR Ampangan was also used as an occasion to launch the MPSP GRB pilot, graced by YB Lydia Ong, the State Exco for Women, Community and Family Development, Puan Maimunah Mohd Sharif the President of MPSP and Haji Rozali Mohamud, the Secretary of MPSP.

Based on the voting, the fourth phase of the methodology is now engaging the residents and municipal officers to workshop and identify the details of the need and to propose realistic solution action plans. There is full support from MPSP. The process has been an eye-opener for all concerned, and has received very favourable feedback and publicity.