A short visit to Bandar Seri Jempol

Bandar Seri Jempol is the administrative hub of the District of Jempol in the State of Negeri Sembilan.   Previously it was known as Bandar Baru Serting … I believe after the name of a river flowing in the district  –  Serting River.

Bandar Seri Jempol has the making of a ‘capital town’ in the district.  Its strategic location at the road junction connecting the states of Johor and Pahang with Negeri Sembilan.    In it are located  the main government departments of the district.

You have the MAJLIS DAERAH JEMPOL or the Jempol District Council.

Majlis Daerah Jempol

Pejabat Daerah & Tanah Jempol

You will find the building housing the PEJABAT DAERAH DAN TANAH or the District and Land Office of Jempol.   Not far from these two buildings are the headquarters of the Federal Land Development Authority or FELDA.   As you enter the town you will come across the Mosque and next to it are two schools.  And within the town area you can find the Post Office and the Distric Police Headquarters.

The Jempol District Hospital is situated nearby … on the fringe of  Bandar Seri Jempol.

And the shop houses in the town….modern architectural design and logically laid out … a means of preventing traffic jams.

This is the town of Bandar Seri Jempol …the centre of development activities  in the Districtof Jempol in Negeri Sembilan.

A proud town with proud people.

Understanding Development

Before we venture into the realm of development,  let us take a look at the stress on development itself.   Let us consider the definitions and explanation put forth by experts on this subject.

An excerpt from a paper entitled ‘Rethinking the Policy Objectives of Development Aid: From Economic Grouwth to Conflict Prevention’  by the United Nations University,  has this to say:

‘The current consensus objective of development aid in the international community is to reduce poverty in general and to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in particular. In addition, the dominant view identifies economic growth as the principal means to this end. But the policy objective of aid can be defined in many ways, and has in fact varied over time with shifting priorities within the international community about the ultimate ends of development and the means for advancing those ends.’

The full text of this paper can be followed on:  http://www.crise.ox.ac.uk/copy/Oxford%20Policy%20Conference/fukuda-parr.pdf 

Now let us take a look at the Guyana National Objectives on Development.  Here is the relevant excerpt:

‘The development process must be visualised in its broadest context if it is to meet the expectations of the citizenry for a more elevated standard of living. Accordingly, the most all-encompassing goal of development is the progressive realisation of the abilities and talents of each individual for his/her own satisfaction and enhancement of the good of the community and the nation. This is what is meant by the concept of human development, or people-centered development.’

The full text of this paper can be followed on:     http://www.guyana.org/NDS/chap02.htm

And finally let us have a look at an excerpt of a 2004 paper entitled  ‘Development in Malaysia:  Economics and Political Idea’  by  Lee Hwok Aun    of   University Malaya:

‘Development is a frequently spoken word in Malaysia,  usually in reference to the Nation’s economic goals and achievements and also as a political platform and rallying point.   However,  despite of this prominence  the meaning of development is rarely questioned.  In part the difficulty of such questioning is that development has occurred to an obvious and tangible degree.  At the same time the determination of development hinges on the definition of the term;  the degree of success depends on the yardstick of measurement.’

You can read the full paper by Dr Lee on:   http://www.ukm.my/penerbit/akademika/ACROBATAKADEMIKA64/akademika64%5B05%5D.pdf

The three excerpts above is the beginning of our understanding of the term development.   We will explore the reality of these statements in respect of the development scenario in Malaysia,  in my next post.

A Visit To The Country Side

Much have been said about the beautiful scenery greeting you as you exit from the urban surroundings in this country.  Much have also been said about the smiling and friendly faces you meet on your approach to the village scene.

Well,  this is Malaysia … a land of smiling faces and friendly people.  A  country where a smile will take you a long way in your life.

Let’s experience this.  Let’s  go for a drive to the country side.  Let’s take the Serting or Jempol conclave in the state of Negeri Sembilan,  in Malaysia,  as a test case.

You are now on the road.  Look ahead you will see beautiful stretches of roads,  comparable to those found in many developed countries of the world.  Yes,  the roads in Malaysia are well laid out,  well planned,  well constructed  and well maintained.  They can be classified as ‘modern’ in the true sense of the word.

Then you pass the town,  what do you see.  On your right,  beautiful green landscape dotted by coconut palms and

Coconut palms in paddy fields

traditional houses.  Here and there you will see fruit orchards or children playing  in the paddy fields.  Further inland you will notice the beautifully managed rubber and palm oil plantations.  It looks more like a picture postcard.  And further in the background is the blue hills and mountains functioning as a ‘backdrop’.

You are coming from Kuantan in the state of Pahang.  In front of you is a junction,  and with traffic lights too.  Look to your right,  you see a beautiful mosque,  like some of those found in the Middle East countries.  Follow the road on your right,  you will come to the town of Bandar Seri Jempol.  A small town,  but beautifully laid out with buildings taking after modern architecture. In you go into the town,  you will notice fully packed shop houses with varieties of quality goods for the  convinience of the locals.  There is no traffic jam.  The traffic is very orderly.  And the commercial centre of the town is well planned.

To think of it this town Bandar Seri Jempol is not the main town of the district.  It is considered as the administrative hub for  the area.  You will find the main district offices of various government agencies … especially those related and relevant to the development of the people and district.  This among, other things,  makes it a busy  ‘quaint little town’  and with a vision.

On this short drive,  you will have noticed the effects of development on the population,  the town and the country.

More posts about this will be on this site.

Malay Edition – EDISI BAHASA MELAYU

Untuk menentukan bahawa saudara tidak akan ketinggalan dan akan bersama memanfaatkan bahan dan maklumat yang dimuatkan di dalam lamanweb/blog ini,  maka kami menyediakan satu laman khas dalam Bahasa Melayu yang bertajuk  SERTING – Di Sini Bermulanya.

Lamanweb/blog  ini yang kami namakan   ‘SERTING – the Gateway’   diwujudkan untuk memaparkan senario dan program pembangunan  … minda dan fizikal yang dibawa kepada masyarakat,  terutama yang berada di desa,  dan juga negara sejak ianya mencapai kemerdekaan kira-kira lima dekad yang lalu.  Kita akan cuba tonjolkan program-program yang dilaksanakan,  sama ada oleh Kerajaan atau pun oleh anggota masyarakat sendiri,  yang bertujuan untuk menyediakan diri mereka menghadapi zaman mendatang dengan lebih bersedia lagi.

Kami rasa,  antara organisasi yang berfungsi secara langsung kearah ini ialah FELDA atau Lembaga Kemajuan Tanah Persekutuan.  Maka itulah kami memilih  ‘SERTING the Gateway’  sebagai tajuk lamanweb/blog ini.  Kami akan ‘gunakan’  senario Serting sebagai pintu gerbang yang membawa kita ke alam pembangunan minda dan fizikal masyarakat desa di negara ini.

Melalui lamanweb/blog ini kami akan paparkan dari satu kesatu masa kisah kehidupan masyarakat dalam wilayah ini,   seni budaya mereka,  keazaman,  ketabahan,  inisiatif dan semangat inovasi dan juang mereka,  yang pada akhirnya akan meletakkan mereka setaraf dengan lain-lain masyarakat maju global.

Terlebih dahulu kami ingin mengucapkan terima kasih dan selamat melayari lamanweb/blog kami,  semoga yang dibentangkan akan memberi manfaat dan faedah kepada kita bersama.