Last year, only 12 of the 90 associations and RT sectors in the municipality took part.

Speaking after the launch of the competition by Deputy Housing and Local Government minister Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun, MPPJ president Datuk Ahmad Termizi' Puteh expressed the hope that there will be better participation this time around.

"To be fair, the indicators for the past winners will be increased," he said.

"This is to ensure that the area progresses compared to the past year, even though the standard of living is high, as it is no point for us to reward the association when the growth in that area is stagnant.

Likewise, areas which have small, but significant, achievements will be recognized.

47 other municipalities in the country have adopted the competition, which is being held by MPPJ for the fourth time, said Azizah.

The first prize is a development grant worth RM50, 000, followed by a RM40, 000 development grant for the first runner-up, and a RM30, 000 development grant for the second runner-up.

The residents' groups are encouraged to team up with non- governmental organizations (NGOs) and private companies to carry out various projects.

The Jalan Carey Rukun Tetangga, for example, successfully implemented an “adopt a hydrant" programmer last year in which they worked together with the Fire and Rescue Department and Bukit Gasing state assemblyman Dr Lim Thuang Seng's office.

The area one of the oldest housing estates in Petaling Jaya did not have any fire hydrant or a proper fire-fighting system. Through the programmer, the residents were supplied with free fire extinguishers sourced from private companies by Lim's office, and were given fire prevention tips by Fire and Rescue Department personnel.

The reaction to the competition is, however, mixed. According to the heads of some residents' associations, there were some well-connected associations, which were able to secure sponsorships and help from private companies easily.

Some associations say that while they were able to organize easier tasks like gotong- royong, they were not so fortunate in terms of securing sponsorships from companies. Others said that they had problems getting assistance from MPPJ itse1f to carry out any programmer.

Malaysian Business Council for Sustainable Development executive director Datuk Ghazali Yusoff, who chaired a forum on community involvement in sustainable development, said: “At the end of the day, the competition is just an event but the efforts undertaken are all about raising the standard of living and life of each resident in zones all over PJ."