Here's to a Happy New Year!

Dear neighbours,

Another year is poised to pass us by - and in great the traditions of man, we celebrate the coming year with a seemingly clean slate with hopes for a better tomorrow. And why shouldn't we? Each new year (yes, not to mention each new day!) is an opportunity for us to make up for the lost opportunity, right a wrong, make more money, live a more healthy life, spend more time with the family, strike a lottery, vote in a new (or retain the old) government, or simply be a better person. The "list of more" goes on...

And as much as we want to forget the ills and misfortunes of 2012, let us remember that life does serve up its fair share of lemons, it is our commitment to something better than drives us to make lemonade (with a dash of some spirits, celebrate what's ahead)! Which brings me to Temasya Glenmarie... over a hundred households lined up along 3 roads. We have all the ingredients for making delicious lemonade but what's lacking sometimes is intention!

I have no doubt that we can do better if we are able to set aside our differences and focus on the common priorities we should have as neighbors - that is to build and protect a neighborhood where our kids can play safely, where the fence is no barrier to handshakes of friendship, and suspicion is reserved by the guards to unwelcome visitors!

Happy 2013 and lastly, don't drink and drive (unless we are talking about golf...)

Have you sign consent for Gated Community?

If you have not sign for consent, kindly download this FORM. Please pass to the security guard or GTSRA for compilation.

If your neighbour had not given their consents, kindly highlight to them the importance of this consent.


Thanks to the 72 houses (click here for FULL Listing of Paid & Gated Consent) that contributed to the safety of our community.

Spot the Lights?

In case you haven't noticed, the playground lights have been up for a couple of weeks now. Thanks to complaints made by the RA, MPSA has added a new cable from an existing street lamp to the playground lights, presumably to prevent it from tripping after a heavy downpour.

We've had a couple of storms since then and the lights are still working. 

Fencing Almost Done

Happy to update that the fencing adjoining the shoplots is close to completion. Below are some photos.

For the record, we are using 5mm coated chain link fencing. 

70 GTS Resident Houses Paid

We have 70 houses paying for Security Fee (RM2,500) for the period of 1st Sept 2012 to 31st Aug 2012. 
As at last month, there are currently 90 houses moved in (or in renovation stage). 
Another 43 houses that are still vacant.




For latest paid 70 residents listing...DOWNLOAD HERE

Once again, we thank GTSRA & resident involved for their voluntary efforts & time. Terima kasih.

Ways to pay RM2,500 yearly fee & RM300 one-time membership fee

Issue a cheque to "Persatuan Pemilik Dan Penduduk Glenmarie Temasya". You can pass the cheque to the guard. Remember to write your contact detail and house no. We will issue Official Receipt once the cheque is cleared.

Or you can also bank in to our account in Maybank - 5129-7800-1495. Remember to email the bank in slip to glenmarietemasyasuria@gmail.com

EGM - Fencing Matters

Dear neighbours,

You would have received the AGM notification by now. It was hand delivered to each household and the main item on the agenda is the fencing.

The ballot slips and proxy forms have been prepared. Proxy forms are available at the guardhouse for those who are unable to attend. Anyone collecting the proxy forms will have to fill up the proxy collection form. Ballot slips will be handed out during the meeting.

Every vote counts.

See you tomorrow!

ARE YOU AFRAID? YOU SHOULD BE... AND FOR SOME...ASHAMED

Goh called me just now with a special request to avoid my usual jogging route around Glenmarie. Apparently one of the foreign workers residing along Jalan Polis was relieved of his backpack last night just outside of our perimeter fence and not too far away from our guard cabin. The police were called in but this is not the first time, nor will it be the last.

As we grapple with a solution to fund the remaining stretch of fencing, it dawned upon me that the victim is probably less equipped than most of us residents in Temasya to handle this loss. A foreign worker coming to Malaysia for a better life, only to come face to face with a knife pointed at his direction. All the while, there are those among us who conjure justifications for not paying their share in the security arrangements proposed and passed during our last EGM.

"I need to speak to my spouse."
"My landlord has not reverted to me."
"Why pay so much?"
"I am selling my house soon... not my problem."
"Ask developer to pay la... I know this Dato'..."
... "RA making money is it?"

I am not writing as a member of the committee. If this posting sees me voted out of it, I welcome that with open arms. While I am grateful for the majority of neighbors who see the simple objective of what we are doing, it irks me to think the least wealthy among us are paying the price of our impotence. True this happened outside our perimeter (just)... but does anyone think Temasya is truly impregnable?

Do we wait until a loved one from a more privilege family becomes a victim? Do we wait for Island and Peninsular to develop a social conscience to realize that the welfare of their customer is more important than mind games? Are we so blinded by our selfish interests that we forget our responsibility as a neighbour or just a human being in general?

63 GTS Resident Paid

Thanks to all GTSRA Committee & some of our helpful neighbours for spending their weekend time to go house by house. (it's very hot...so we need all the gears)

The collection drive was held on 3 Saturdays...29th Sept, 6th Oct & 13th Oct. Some residents had question before meeting with GTSRA. After the meetup, they had commit to support this cause. Though there are some resident still undecided on whether to join us, we hope you can come forward and clear your doubts. Take to us, talk to your neighbour.

"Unity is when we come together with other individuals or groups to form something greater than any of us"


For latest paid 63 residents listing...DOWNLOAD HERE

Once again, we thank everyone involved for their voluntary efforts & time. Terima kasih.

Ways to pay RM2,500 yearly fee & RM300 one-time membership fee

Issue a cheque to "Persatuan Pemilik Dan Penduduk Glenmarie". You can pass the cheque to the guard. Remember to write your contact detail and house no. We will issue Official Receipt once the cheque is cleared.

Or you can also bank in to our account in Maybank - 5129-7800-1495. Remember to email the bank in slip to glenmarietemasyasuria@gmail.com

How Do You Like Our New Guard "House"?

OK, it's not so much a guard house as a guard cabin. But this is the changing face of Glenmarie Temasya Suria. The cabin will provide better shelter to the guards and serve as a proper presence for our security team.

In case some of you are wondering, we need to make a suitable base for the cabin due to the uneven ground surface so please ignore the slight eyesore for now.

From 44 to 52. (8 new Residents contributed)

DOWNLOAD HERE

Thank to ALL 52 Resident that paid. Let's keep the community safe for our families.

Not a Salesman... Just Your Friendly Neighbourhood RA

Late last Saturday morning, I had the privilege of walking house-to-house with fellow committee members Henry Dass and Andy Lau to introduce the RA and our role to neighbours who had yet to respond to our current collection drive.

Admittedly it was not the best time of the day - both Henry and I were covered with large beads of sweat, although Andy showed little discomfort under the raging sun! We managed to meet some very friendly neighbours and unintentionally woke up one resident as well...

The collection drive will continue for some time and if you see a small group of people outside your gate with smiles on their faces, it could be just us coming over for a chat :)

1st Edition of GTSRA Bulletin (Sept'12)

(with revised paid resident listing - 27/09/12)

DOWNLOAD HERE

(a Printed Copy of this Bulletin had been drop into postbox of ALL 133 Houses on 25th Sept 2012 night)

Your friendly neighbourhood RA

In case a stranger rings your house bell, don't be too alarmed! It's your friendly RA committee member - seen here is Treasurer, Karen Teo - delivering your receipts. This is an ongoing exercise as the RA seeks to meet up with neighbours to introduce ourselves and provide updates as well.

No coffee needed, just a warm smile :)



 
Don't worry, we won't let Karen do it on her own. Seen here is Henry Dass and a couple of neighbours as well!

A Good Start! Keep it Coming!

Pursuant to the historic AGM, we have commenced collection of the annual fees for security and we are pleased to reveal that over the last week, more than 30 households have made payment. Efforts will be doubled up to ensure FULL collection and we hope for the support of the community.

For those who have made payment, member of the RA committee will be dropping by personally to handover the official receipt and get to know you in general.

We are also pleased to announce that the contract with Asia Force has been extended pending further review of our options and to buy the committee time to make a more informed decision.

The RA committee has also decided to add an additional member to the committee in order to account for any deadlock in votes. The members of the committee unanimously appointed Andy Lau based on the votes tallied during the AGM.

As such, the committee shall comprise as follows:

Rohaizal Idris (Chairman)
Goh Keng Tat (Secretary)
Karen Teo (Treasurer)
Jeffrey Saw
Clarence Yeow
Henry Dass
Andy Low
                          
                             ***************************************************

Bank details:

Account name: Persatuan Pemilik dan Penduduk Glenmarie
Bank: Maybank Berhad
Account No: 512978001495
Note: Please write dodwn your name, address and contact number on the overleaf of the cheque

If you are making payment via direct debit or interbank transfer, kindly email a copy of the receipt along with your name and home address to glenmarietemasyasuria@gmail.com.

Please make sure to get a receipt for payment made to avoid any future misunderstanding.

                                  ***********************************************

Warm regards

Banking Details

Pursuant to yesterday's meeting, members should make the revelant payment to the following account:

Account name: Persatuan Pemilik dan Penduduk Glenmarie
Bank: Maybank Berhad
Account No: 512978001495 (note: corrected with apologies)

If you are making payment via direct debit or interbank transfer, kindly email a copy of the receipt along with your name and home address to glenmarietemasyasuria@gmail.com.

Please make sure to get a receipt for payment made to avoid any future misunderstanding.

Thank you for your support.

(note: Edited with Bank details... )

FINALLY! AGM IS ON THIS WEDNESDAY 29TH AUGUST, 2012

Extracted from the notice:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the 1st Annual General Meeting of the Temasya Suria Residents and Owners Association (“RA”) will be held at the Conference Room of the I&P Sales Gallery at Temasya Suria Glenmarie on Wednesday, 29.8.2012 at 8.30 p.m.

Key items for discussion is to finalize the decision on the security company and the election of office bearers.

Looking forward to resolving this issues. Come and be counted or I won't be answering your questions here... :P

LATEST UPDATE:

The proxy forms are ready and can be collected from the guardhouse. Please bring along your IC for verification and fill up the list prepared for control purpose. 

Updates on AGM, Security, Fencing etc.

Dear neighbours,

My apologies for being offline for some time - been up to my eyebrows with work!

I met up with the RA committee a couple of days ago and am glad to inform that the notice for AGM is being drafted. Yes, I understand the urgency of the security and fencing - suffice to say Rohaizal and Goh supported by several helpful neighbours have been working on options for us to approve during the AGM.

Expect a notice by this week!

On the matter of the fencing, due process is taking more time than expected. We will want to consider the implications of this given the serious gravity of the security issue in Subang and PJ. I strongly urge every resident to be wary when going outside or returning home. Crime has become a malignant problem in our midst today and we need to look out for one another to ensure our common safety.

Don't take the easy way out, if you have a CCTV/Alarm system, use it!

If you see someone suspicious following you, drive to the guardhouse or the nearest police station - do not risk going home or they will know where you stay.

If you notice the car stickers, we deliberately did not name the housing estate. This is to try and prevent people from targeting you.

Lastly, please make time for this AGM. If you have the time and interest in seeing the gated and guarded scheme set-up, please let us know who you are! I think Rohaizal and Goh will appreciate all the help they can get! Let's work together!

Security Guards Welfare

This is a post by one of our residents (do identify yourself anon) that I feel is important enough for all to know. As much as we are facing serious problems with mosquitoes, these poor men are literally being eaten alive for our general safety. Can we do more as a community?

Please read:


The guard guarding Jalan Jururancang fell ill, with itching over the whole body. He has been sick for almost a week now. Nobody wants to sit there due to the serious mosquito problem. If you notice, there are no guads guaring there now. Also, when i spoke to the guards, they told me some good residents has given them some repellents but these are not working. 


I will speak to the conmittee tomorrow to purchase 2 units of mosquito buster which costs about RM150 from Ace hardware. It is cylindrical shape, with some blue UV light(i think)and a fan inside to trap the mosquito. One unit would be placed at the guard house and another at the Jln Jururancang.


Eventually,for Jln Jururancang, we can build a small guardhouse (can be portable) with a door and glass windows with mosquito netting.We can buy a ready made garden shade and cut out to fit a window with louvre glass window and fix netting. 


Also, i understand that all the guards have moved out from the Dewan but currently do not have any room to stay. I&P does not allow them to use their office or one of their many rooms. Only allowed to the toilet for their shower, etc.No cooking. Currently, the guards will sleep outside of the MPSA dewan and the mosquito problem is plaging them there. They are also worried about dengue.

We have to come up with some form of solution here. I have thought of these few options:
1. The house no.46 is currently housing some Myanmar workers and we may ask the owner or rent a room to house the guards. However i understand that the house is also fully occupied. At least, they have electricity , water , bed and cooking facilities.


2. Let the guards use a room in either I&P office 
3. Use/rent a room in the MPSA dewan that used to be occupied by the guards. In return, the guards will look after the place for free.
4.The electricity building along Jalan Polis next to the playground and field. We may buy maybe 2 camping tents, (which comes with mosquito nettings).At least the guards can sleep in comfort.


Currently the Indonesian workers have moved from the Dewan to the jungle next to Saujana O-Lot but they are also worried as the police often raid the place as and when they like even very early in the morning 1 am - 5 am despite paying toll weekly and monthly. They are also normally relieved of their personal possessions. We heard some of the women workers are even brought out on joy rides. A lot of them have resorted to running during a raid but some tend to get caught. Naturally a lot of the workers, including the guards are worried staying there as they not have any peace and constantly on alert.


I think we should all decide on the next course of action as i tend to sympathise for the guards.

Running for a Purpose

Dear neighbours,

Firstly, let me clarify that this has little to do with the RA. So if you are not interested you can stop reading here...

But if you are, let me share why I have been running since the end of last year. Health reasons aside, the reason I signed up to run the Standard Chartered KL Marathon - Half Marathon (21 km) - is to fundraise for charity. Last year I embarked on a project to set-up a 3rd party fundraising platform for charities in the region. The site is www.simplygiving.com and allows charities and NGOs to set-up fundraising activities online and accept donations as well.

It's really my way of giving back and I chose the KL Marathon as my fundraising event. I also chose to benefit the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) who are doing a fantastic work for autistic kids.   

My goal is to raise RM 5,000 for this cause and I hope some of you will give me your support. My fundraising page is http://www.simplygiving.com/fundraising/viewfund.aspx?f=running4tsb and I invite you to visit the page, and if you see fit, give a hand to the selfless people at NASOM.

This is not an Ad, just a personal message to friends and neighbours.

Thanks in advance and we will be resuming regular service soon :)

Regards
mrjefe

Latest Updates 22.5.2012

Belated Mother's Day to all the mum's in Temasya area. I hope the meals, flowers and various other presents made your day :)

OK, back to business. I just spoke with Goh about the fencing arrangements. They have communicated the new plans to MBSA but to-date have not received any formal reply. Rohaizal and Goh will follow-up on this matter. The good news is that despite all the rumours otherwise, our existing wooden fences have not been torn down.

As a result of the delay from MBSA, the planned residents' meeting is put on hold until the matter is resolved - hopefully some time soon. 

Mosquito Problem - Update

Just an update on the mosquito issue. Reply from Dr Ida of MBSA:

Apologies for the late reply.

We have done inspections on the 15th of May 2012. The construction site building shop lots had 3 breeding containers. Meanwhile the other construction site building the 0-Lot houses had also 3 containers. Both sites have been issued compounds and given notices to ensure their construction sites are always kept clean and free from mosquito breeding.

We will re inspect the construction sites in one week's time.

It is now 1 week. Anyone still facing problems with mosquitoes?

Latest updates: Fencing

Latest update: I understand from Goh that the redrawn plans for the fencing was received on Monday. This needs to be approved by MBSA before discussions with I&P.
Notice of the next neighborhood meeting is pending on the progress of these meetings.

In the meantime, as a matter of personal interest (meaning this is not a RA matter at the moment), I would like to explore the costs of mosquito fogging for our neighborhood. Does anyone have any previous experience or better yet, cost estimations? Also, would MBSA or the Ministry of Health (MOH) provide this for free?

Update dated 3rd May 2012:

I have communicated with Dr Roslan, Director of Town Services MBSA, who promptly referred me to Dr Ida, Deputy Director in the same department. Let me commend them on their speedy and helpful response. If I may extract from Dr Ida's email, the situation is as follows:

"Fogging activities are done based on dengue cases notifications that MBSA receive from the hospital via the health district. If a case has been reported, fogging activities will be done 200 meter radius from the address.

Fogging as a preventive measure as requested by individuals is not done as explained below:

1) Guideline produced by the Ministry of Health states that fogging is only done as a control measure and not as a preventive measure.

2) The mosquito cycle (from egg to adult) only takes one week. As fogging only kills the adult mosquitoes, the newly hatched adults will emerge a week later and the problem will recur.

3) Studies have shown that repeated usage of the chemical used in fogging have resulted in resistance of the mosquitoes towards the chemical. Hence, fogging will be done according to cases only.

The best for dengue prevention is active participation of the community to search and destroy potential breeding areas in their house compounds as Aedes mosquitoes only breed in clear, stagnant water. Any containers that can hold water are potential breeding sites and need to be removed immediately. This exercise should be done at least once a week."

I have pointed out that the recent spike in mosquitoes may be due to construction in our vicinity and she has promised to inspect this. The RA has been informed of this and I will update all of you later about follow-on action we could take as a community.  

RESIDENTS MEETING

organized by Glenmarie Temasya Suria RA
Time: 1:45pm
Date: 22/4/2012

A word of thanks to Rohaizal and Goh for calling for this meeting.

This meeting was called to order due to recent developments in the progress of the fencing. On the agenda were 2 key items:

1. The location of the perimeter fencing, especially the side adjacent to the new shoplots in front of BP Labs.
2. The location of the guard house in lieu of the fencing

Item 1 - Perimeter fencing.

I&P had started to dig holes into the ground to erect the fencing in line with the side walls of the corner units. This effectively "converted" the walls of the corner units into part of the perimeter fencing. Although we cannot speculate the reason for this, it has the following impact on our community:

a. Terminates the road at the end of the street for those using Jalan Jurubina, Jalan Askar and possibly Jalan Polis - depending on the location of the goardhouse/primary entrance. Residents will not have the flexibility of driving around the bend to access other roads and will need to do a 3-point turn when exiting.
b. This will hamper providers of public services like the garbage truck etc. and could could adversely affect the quality of service.
c. Potential for public nuisance - i.e. parking, noise etc. once the new shoplots are completed. The new shoplots are equipped with their own lanes and the road concern serves our community and should remain this way for convenience, peace and our general safety.
d. Although I&P has provided what appears to be anti-climb fencing, this does not extend to the corner unit walls which are easily scalable.

One party argued that the road concerned is a public road, but it was pointed out that all roads would come under the purview of MBSA anyway and if we were to set-up the fencing, it should be for the best interest of residents in our neighborhood who are the primary users of this road.

The RA also proposed planning for the fencing on the side facing the community hall to be extended into the walkway for similar reasons. It was added that although the playground is a public facility, it was necessary to prevent children from wandering onto the road. Outside users can access the playground via the guardhouse.

After clarification and exchange of views, it was decided by unanimous show of hands to revert to the original plan of having the fence between Temasya Suria and the shops beyond the side road, and on the opposing side facing the community hall to be erected on the sidewalk instead. This will be communicated to the developer as the expressed wish of the community.

Item 2 - Location of the Guardhouse

The RA proposed keeping the guardhouse in the current location as it would serve as added security for the families using the playground. This matter is also moot since item 1 clearly states the position of the perimeter fencing.

Conclusion: 
The RA will communicate the views of the community to MBSA and the developer. A small working committee will be set-up to establish the cost of setting up the fencing at the 2 sides mentioned above for discussion at the next meeting.

The RA will call for a meeting within 2 weeks or earlier if they have enough information to move forward.

Note from the RA: Residents are encouraged to help raise awareness of this important project and to attend the next meeting in full force. Our effectiveness is only possible in numbers.

Have you Received the GTSRA Notice?

I came across the notice today and was surprised to read that the security service provided by Island & Peninsular is due to expire in August this year. I cannot recall the full details of the arrangement but this leaves us in a difficult position.

The notice goes on to seek the support of all residents in joining the RA in order that we may push through the application for a gated and guarded community. Obviously this is going to take funds - this first step is signing and paying your RM 300 subscription - please make sure to request a receipt upon payment.

I will try to get a scanned or soft copy of the notice to share here. In the meantime, do take an active interest in this development. Our community's safety and security is at stake here and we need to ensure that we are not left high and dry when the developer decides to dust their hands and focus on selling more units next door!!!