.::Good Governance::.

1:19 am / Posted by i77uddin / comments (0)


WHAT IS GOOD GOVERNANCE?

Recently the terms "governance" and "good governance" are being increasingly used in development literature. Bad governance is being increasingly regarded as one of the root causes of all evil within our societies. Major donors and international financial institutions are increasingly basing their aid and loans on the condition that reforms that ensure "good governance" are undertaken.

This article tries to explain, as simply as possible, what "governance" and "good governance" means.

1. GOVERNANCE

  • The concept of "governance" is not new. It is as old as human civilization. Simply put "governance" means: the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented). Governance can be used in several contexts such as corporate governance, international governance, national governance and local governance.
  • Since governance is the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented, an analysis of governance focuses on the formal and informal actors involved in decision-making and implementing the decisions made and the formal and informal structures that have been set in place to arrive at and implement the decision.
  • Government is one of the actors in governance. Other actors involved in governance vary depending on the level of government that is under discussion. In rural areas, for example, other actors may include influential land lords, associations of peasant farmers, cooperatives, NGOs, research institutes, religious leaders, finance institutions political parties, the military etc. The situation in urban areas is much more complex. Figure 1 provides the interconnections between actors involved in urban governance. At the national level, in addition to the above actors, media, lobbyists, international donors, multi-national corporations, etc. may play a role in decision-making or in influencing the decision-making process.
  • All actors other than government and the military are grouped together as part of the "civil society." In some countries in addition to the civil society, organized crime syndicates also influence decision-making, particularly in urban areas and at the national level.
  • Similarly formal government structures are one means by which decisions are arrived at and implemented. At the national level, informal decision-making structures, such as "kitchen cabinets" or informal advisors may exist. In urban areas, organized crime syndicates such as the "land Mafia" may influence decision-making. In some rural areas locally powerful families may make or influence decision-making. Such, informal decision-making is often the result of corrupt practices or leads to corrupt practices.



Figure 1: Urban actors

2. GOOD GOVERNANCE

Good governance has 8 major characteristics. It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law. It assures that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are taken into account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making. It is also responsive to the present and future needs of society.

Figure 2: Characteristics of good governance

  • Participation

Participation by both men and women is a key cornerstone of good governance. Participation could be either direct or through legitimate intermediate institutions or representatives. It is important to point out that representative democracy does not necessarily mean that the concerns of the most vulnerable in society would be taken into consideration in decision making. Participation needs to be informed and organized. This means freedom of association and expression on the one hand and an organized civil society on the other hand.

  • Rule of law

Good governance requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially. It also requires full protection of human rights, particularly those of minorities. Impartial enforcement of laws requires an independent judiciary and an impartial and incorruptible police force.

  • Transparency

Transparency means that decisions taken and their enforcement are done in a manner that follows rules and regulations. It also means that information is freely available and directly accessible to those who will be affected by such decisions and their enforcement. It also means that enough information is provided and that it is provided in easily understandable forms and media.

  • Responsiveness

Good governance requires that institutions and processes try to serve all stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe.

  • Consensus oriented

There are several actors and as many view points in a given society. Good governance requires mediation of the different interests in society to reach a broad consensus in society on what is in the best interest of the whole community and how this can be achieved. It also requires a broad and long-term perspective on what is needed for sustainable human development and how to achieve the goals of such development. This can only result from an understanding of the historical, cultural and social contexts of a given society or community.

  • Equity and inclusiveness

A society’s well being depends on ensuring that all its members feel that they have a stake in it and do not feel excluded from the mainstream of society. This requires all groups, but particularly the most vulnerable, have opportunities to improve or maintain their well being.

  • Effectiveness and efficiency

Good governance means that processes and institutions produce results that meet the needs of society while making the best use of resources at their disposal. The concept of efficiency in the context of good governance also covers the sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of the environment.

  • Accountability

Accountability is a key requirement of good governance. Not only governmental institutions but also the private sector and civil society organizations must be accountable to the public and to their institutional stakeholders. Who is accountable to whom varies depending on whether decisions or actions taken are internal or external to an organization or institution. In general an organization or an institution is accountable to those who will be affected by its decisions or actions. Accountability cannot be enforced without transparency and the rule of law.

3. CONCLUSION

From the above discussion it should be clear that good governance is an ideal which is difficult to achieve in its totality. Very few countries and societies have come close to achieving good governance in its totality. However, to ensure sustainable human development, actions must be taken to work towards this ideal with the aim of making it a reality.




Resource: http://www.unescap.org/pdd/prs/ProjectActivities/Ongoing/gg/governance.asp

Public Participation...(Part 2)

2:05 pm / Posted by i77uddin / comments (0)



Levels of Public Participation

  1. There are generally two types of public participation; partial participation and full participation (Pateman, 1970). Partial participation is a process whereby two or more groups of people influence each other in planning and decision-making. The final decision, nonetheless, lies with the higher authority. On the other hand, full participation is a process whereby each individual in principle has an equal level of power in decision-making.
  2. Arnstein (1968) has divided the participatory process into eight levels; all arranged in the form of ladder with each rung corresponding to the extent of public power in determining the end product. The bottom rungs of the ladder (manipulation and therapy) describe the levels of non-participation that have been contrived by some to substitute for genuine participation (Arnstein, 1968). Their objective is not to enable community participation in planning but to enable power holders to "educate or cure" the participants.
  3. Rungs of consultation and placation represent a higher level of tokenism. At this stage, all citizens are allowed to have a say in in the decision making process. Further up the ladder are levels of citizen power with increasing degrees of decision making influence. Citizens can enter into a partnership that enable them to negotiate and engage in trade-offs with traditional power and citizen control where the citizen obtain the majority of decision-making seals and full managerial power (Arnstein, 1968).
  4. There has been growing consensus emerging from academia and agency assessments of participatory planning. Participation is defined as "a voluntary process whereby people, individually or through organized groups, can exchange information, express opinions or articulate interests and have the potential to influence decisions or the outcome of the matter at hand" (ILO, 2000). Kaner (1996) describes the core values of participatory decision-making as full participation, mutual understanding, inclusive solutions and shared responsibility among stake holders. It has become quite clear that a successful participatory planning programme depends on an active and informed public.
  5. A common complaint of public participating in planning and decision-making is that the technical and jargon-laden reports and maps make them difficult for laymen to understand and participate. One also often hears officials lamenting on the lack of interest shown by the public. Much can be done to reduce the barriers to public participation by simplifying technical information and making it accessible to a broader segment of society. Recent advances in interactive technologies, such as participatory Geographic Information system (GIS), allow more flexible integration of spatial information gathering and participatory planning. Many government agencies abroad now also post draft plans and background information on the internet to invite public comments and encourage active public participation.


"p/s: Due to some technical problem, the figure that shows the 8 levels of participatory process cannot be published but I'll try my best to upload the figure once I manage to get the book."

Resource: Nurwati Badarulzaman,...[etc.], The University in a garden, participatory planning process, Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2006.

Public Participation...(Part 1)

1:12 pm / Posted by i77uddin / comments (0)




Concepts of Public Participation

  1. Participation is a rich concept that means different things to different people in different settings. For some, it is a matter of principles; for others , a practice; and yet for another, an end in itself. All these intrepretations have merit.
  2. Participation could mean information: merely telling people what is planned; consultation: offering options and listening to feedbacks; deciding together: encouraging other options and ideas, and providing avenues for joint decision-making; acting together: deciding together on what to do and forming partnership to carry out decisions; or supporting independent community interests: supporting local groups or organizations to develop their own agendas within guidelines. Opportunities for participation are wide-ranging, perhaps even more so if those involved have a common understanding and share a common language.
  3. There are various concepts of public participation. Kamaruddin Ngah (1991) has stated that Lomas (1966) has emphasized on the term "volunteerism" in public participation, while Arnstein (1968) has connected public participation to the power of citizens. Grove and Procter (1966) have perceived public participation as an active involvement of the public together with the planning authority to solve some environmental problems. Fagence (1977) has highlighted the variety of terms related to public participation including bottom up planning, grass roots planning, public involvement, participatory planning, democratic planning and colaborative planning. Despite the different definitions on public participation, every definition rightly directs towards the same goal, that of harnessing public invovement in planning and decision-making.
  4. According to Alterman ( 1982), there are six main goals in public participation, which are as follows:
  • To further democratic value,
  • To achieve planning goals that are attuned to the needs of different groups,
  • To educate the public,
  • To enable social or personal change,
  • To recruit support, obtain legitimacy and avoid opposition,
  • To promote political change.



Resource: Nurwati Badarulzaman,...[etc.], The University in a garden, participatory planning process, Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2006.

My role?...see this (Part 2)

12:01 pm / Posted by i77uddin / comments (0)






Tg. Karang Paddy Field (Pics credit to: Mr. Mohd Saifulnazim Azman)




Proposed Land Use for Tanjung Karang, Kuala Selangor. (based on RT Majlis Daerah Kuala Selangor)


Figure shows approximately the boundary of study area (not accurate). Google Earth 2008.


  1. Now i would like to share with the readers more specific information about study area which is Tanjung Karang. Tanjung Karang is a main fishing and paddy growing town in Selangor, Malaysia. It is loosely translated into English as the " Cape of Corals" It is located in the district of Kuala Selangor about 15 kilometers away from the town of Kuala Selangor. The town of Tanjung Karang is divided by Sungai Tengi river at the middle and connected with a bridge. The word Tanjung is also sometimes spelled as Tanjong but still refers to the same place. Most of the local Chinese live in urban and sea side (Bagan) area to carry out economic activity, while most Malays live in rural areas and carry out agricultural activity especially rice cultivation. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanjung_Karang)
  2. If Kedah is "Jelapang Padi Malaysia" then Tanjung Karang is "Jelapang Padi Selangor". I grew up at this town until in Disember 1990, my family moved to Kuala Selangor and live there until now. One interesting fact (my opinion) about this area is majority of TK society is Javanese (orang jawa, wong jowo). Please correct me if I'm wrong.=)
  3. The study area of SAP Tanjung Karang is located in Mukim Tanjung Karang, District of Kuala Selangor and it is below administration of Majlis Daerah Kuala Selangor (MDKS). The area of site is approximately 570.83 hectre and it covers the area of Bandar Tanjung Karang. Bandar Tanjung Karang is functional as Main Settlement Centre which consists of various of activities such as commercial centre, financial institute, security facilities and public amenities. The location of this town is very strategic because it is situated at Federal Road 5 which is main road from Klang-Kuala Selangor-Sabak Bernam-Teluk Intan.


Potential of Study Area

1. The function and location of Bandar Tanjung Karang.
  • Bandar Tanjung Karang functional as Main Settlement Centre and it strategic location will enable this town to be develop rapidly in the forthcoming. The effective planning and town management is important to increase it function effectiveness and to ensure local society will comfort with quality of life here.
2. Highly accessibility.
  • This area is situated in Federal Road 5 which is main road from Klang-Kuala Selangor-Sabak Bernam-Teluk Intan and it give advantage to bandar Tanjung Karang. This potential can be exploited in order to increase level of development in Tanjung Karang.
3. Establishment Tanjung Karang image as Agro-Hub City.
  • Bandar Tanjung Karang dont have any image that we can exposed. So, with the proposal to make Tanjung Karang as Agro-Hub City, the establisment image of bandar Tanjung Karang will be more effective and can be implemented.

Therefore, what is my role and others as local society in planning Bandar Tanjung Karang?

  • We can give opinion regarding any latest planning issues in such aspect of town management, town development, building conservation public facilities commercial facilities, traffic, infrastructure and utilities.
  • Then, we proposed any solutions to overcome that related planning issues.
  • We also can give an idea to maximize image and identity of Tanjung Karang.
  • Lastly, we delivered our desire and aspiration towards future development of Bandar Tanjung Karang.

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Some Photos...

2:00 am / Posted by i77uddin / comments (0)



Mr. Mohd Yusli Bin Askandar, MDKS Officer of Town and Rural Planner presented all issues, problems and proposals to the audiences.




All public hearings that written by the facilitator will be presented after FGD.



The guy with white-collar shirt is me....hehe



Focus Group Discussion (FGD): Local society gave his idea to the facilitator.



Tuan Haji Haris Bin Kasim SIS.,ASA.,PPT
Yang Di Pertua Majlis Daerah Kuala Selangor




From left: JPBD representative, YDP MDKS, consultant



Those who attend at this program.



Appointed consultants from UTM, Skudai.



Registration counter




My role?...see this (Part 1)

1:41 am / Posted by i77uddin / comments (2)


Recently, during 27th November, I have attended a program called 'Early Publicity for Special Area Plan of Tanjung Karang' (in malay we called Rancangan Kawasan Khas (RKK) Tanjung Karang). This program organized by Majlis Daerah Kuala Selangor, JPBD of Peninsular Malaysia and JPBD of Selangor. From my house (Kuala Selangor) to Tanjung Karang, it takes about 20 minutes by driving a car.

I think this is a great example to explain about governance/participatory planning. The government and local society having talks and discussion together so that the future development will produce a better environment and create sustainability.

During my involvement in this program.. some interesting ideas had been generated from the participants (which later I'll elaborate further) in the next post.

Personally, I dont
have any problem to involve in this program as I gained a lot experiences during my Industrial Training at Jururancang Harta Sdn. Bhd. The firm had conducted three Special Area Plan projects which are RKK Tepuh-Batu Enam (Terengganu), RKK Megasteel (Selangor) and RKK Rantau Panjang (Kelantan). I wanna say thank you very much to Mr. Zainudi Bin Hassan and Mdm. Norwati Binti Shariff for giving me such a wonderful and invaluable opportunity during my time at JRH.




Flashback: with my boss, Kak Nor. She is workaholic and good teacher also.



Priceless experience (unfortunately I heard from my office-mate that this project had been freezed due to economic recession...Wallahualam)




Purpose of Early Publicity

Following the intention of section 12A (Act 172), the purpose of early publicity is to inform to public especially to local society regarding the preparation of this SAP and give opportunity to them to express their thought, opinion, early proposal, intention and aspiration so that it can be considered in a future study that will be conducted.

Hierarchy of Development Plan

Before I explain about the definition of SAP, better if I tell about the hierarchy of development plan in Malaysia. The Town and Rural Planning Act 1976 (Act172) introduced very systematic planning system which consists of 4 levels:

  1. Physical Plan (National Level)
  2. Structure Plan (State Level)
  3. Local Plan (District Level)
  4. Special Area Plan (We will discuss more about this topic after this)

What is Special Area Plan?


SAP is a development plan prepared as plan of development of implementation action area in a form of Layout Plan and Management Plan. This Plan of Development Action will be supported by detail planning specification and Proposal of Development Program including proposal of development phase, cost estimation, implement agency and implementation approach.

According to Encyclopedia of Law and Town & Rural Planning Administration, JPBD of Peninsular Malaysia, November 2002, "Special Area Plan proposed to fasten detail planning for some area which possess the importance and specialized character to be preserve and maintain such as area with the high values of nature, area with the attractive and beauty of nature, area with the high values of historical value, heritage and culture and last but not least area which needs special development for group of society such as "orang asli".

Process of the Preparation SAP

There are 6 level in a process of the preparation SAP:
  1. Local authority instructed by SPC to prepare Special Area Plan.
  2. Early Publicity (we are here right now).
  3. Preparation of SAP's Term of References by the consultants. (SPC will check and approve
    this TOR).
  4. Preparation Report of Study Approach (given preparation duration is 2 weeks) and then the consultant should prepare Draft of SAP in 8 weeks.
  5. Publicity of SAP Draft to the public (any objections will be considered during this period)
  6. Last but not least, SPC will give approval together with State Authority and the SAP will be gazetted.

Criteria in Determine Selection of Special Area Plan


In determine selection of area for preparation of Special Area Plan, there are 2 factors that should be considered:
  • The importance of the area
  • Size of SAP

The area for preparation of SAP should have characteristics of the special importance such as:

1. Area that needs development planning action in short-term i.e.
  • Settlement/residential area that always facing flood problem/natural disaster.
  • Town centre area that congested and needs re-arrangement.
  • Area of industrial, commercial, residential and squatters area that needs to re-develop.
2. Area that own the high values of nature such as mangrove forest area and nature-sensitive area like wetland area which need to be preserved.

3. Area possess
the attractive and beauty of nature such as lake area, waterfall area, cave, hill and clean-beach area that need development control.

4. Area
with the high values of historical value, heritage and culture which have great potential to be tourist attraction spot. It should well-maintained so that any development will not affect it importance or lost it values.


Types of Special Area Plan

Generally, there are 5 categories of area that suitable to develop through SAP preparation:

  1. SAP for Redevelopment Area in Town Centre.
  2. SAP for Area of Heritage-based.
  3. SAP for Nature-sensitive Area.
  4. SAP for Re-placing of Resident.
  5. SAP for Special Necessity Area.


Continue........

Introduction

1:03 am / Posted by i77uddin / comments (0)

Alhamdulillah...after one month I collected all my stuffs and materials, nowadays I will be able to post and share them with public. I am very grateful to God because finally I'm blogging.

For my first post, I would like to discuss about role of State Planning Committee. Every states in Malaysia should have their own State Planning Committee (SPC). The SPC consists of:

  1. Chairman (Menteri Besar or Chief Minister);
  2. Vice Chairman (EXCO appointed by State Authority);
  3. State Government Secretary;
  4. Director of State Rural and Town Planning department;
  5. Director of State Land and Mines department;
  6. Director of State Economic Planning Unit department;
  7. Director of State Public Works department;
  8. State Law Advisor;
  9. State Financial Officer;
  10. State Advance Officer;
  11. Director of State Environment department;
  12. less than 4 other members appointed by State Authority.
Roles of SPC

SPC responsible to:
  1. encourage cultivation, usage and land development.
  2. advise State Government
  3. Help and encourage information and methodology regarding town planning

Preface...

12:45 am / Posted by i77uddin / comments (0)

Salam. Praise be to Allah. We praise Allah and seek help, forgiveness and guidance. Whomever Allah guides, no one can lead astray.

This blog has been prepared to accomplish my Studio Project this semester as we can share our thought and idea about governance/participatory planning in Malaysia together. I always inspired by Tun by the way he expressing his feeling and thought in his blog. Hopefully, I can follow his foot steps to become a mankind who always contribute something to his country.

It is hoped that readers kindly will be able to comment and respond to all my postings. I will improve and correct any of my mistakes. No body is perfect. I can assure that this blog will not just stop by Friday, 26 Disember 2008 (due date for this project). God willing, I will keep updating my blog to share with the public about any issue regarding planning in Malaysia

Little About Myself....

12:07 am / Posted by i77uddin / comments (0)



Memorabilia: My coursemates and I during Planning Students Assembly 07.




My Lecturer; From left: Assoc. Prof Dr. Amiruddin Fawzi Bin Bahaudin, Assoc.
Prof Dr. Nurwati Binti Badarulzaman and Mr. Abdul Ghapar Bin Othman
.




MAMA accompanied by ABAH, received Pingat Perkhidmatan Selangor (PPS).




Inspirational ABAH, after received Excellent Service Award from Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based,
Y.B. Dato Mustapa Mohamed.




Name: Muhammad Izzuddin Bin Abdul Hamed
Age: 21
Education: University Science Malaysia

Field: Urban and Regional Planning