Letter To The Editor - Tiara Parking

Dear Editor,

The recent publication of the two letters by owners who face the "green lung" ("All for the Green Lung kept as it is" and "Another Owner") had me wondering why no editing was made to remove the apparent diatribe. After re-evaluating the didactics in the press, I must agree that the publication of these two letters is a necessary exercise of "maturing interactions" (quoting Prof. Datuk Dr Shamsul, Sun, 24.11.2006).

Parker, I hope you will not take the two responses to your earlier letter in a grievous way. After all, you are very much a part of our valued family in Tiara. Furthermore, you have spoken (somewhat) for me (and, I wonder, for how many more "Kiasu" among us) when it came to sounding out the need for additional car parks. My regret is that I did not have the moral fiber to stand up (then) - especially knowing the possibility of the type of diatribe that did arise (which I found rather intimidating). I can only blame it on my "Kiasu-Kiasi" upbringing. In fact, I personally would not dare ask for more parking spaces after this - and for that matter, even ask for anything.

Some of the points raised by the writers of the two letters have validity - and Parker's arguments also have validity. After all we must encourage opinions and be allowed to put forward our views. The determination of rights to the "green lung" is a subject that may not even belong to the purview of Tiarans but we should be allowed to be "passionate".

However, I seek - no - I beg that we must respect each other and our rights to opinions - and, more important, our rights to live in Tiara. But let us practise a bit of temperance. There is no necessity to suggest to our neighbors to "sell his unit and purchase one in another condo" or "find another place to live". These lines were probably written in moments of passion and sent out without the benefit of a "cooling-off" period for reconsideration. In the same vein, someone could ask me to go live in the jungle if I want my greens. The Tiara Times have actually fostered a lot of neighborliness and camaraderie over the past few months. Let us not treat these two letters as a counter to the goodwill being built up.

And in spite of the apparent "bluster", I still hold to the belief that the two writers are still my neighbours with intents of goodwill towards all of us.

An owner who hopes he will not be asked to leave Tiara or "go live in the jungle".