Swagger, Charm and Relentless Subang Pride

By TEH ENG HOCK

It seems my previous jottings stirred some ripples among SJ Echo’s readers. Many enjoyed the light-hearted tone with its twist of mischief, while a few, unfortunately, felt aggrieved.

Oh my, I didn’t expect that reaction when I began penning what it means to be a true blue Subangite. Apparently, some fellows took the sugar-high suggestions a little too literally. They took offence at the random ideas of segregating Sunway or USJ from the SS areas, because I’d mentioned earlier that the SS areas are the origins of Subang Jaya.

But it’s not about geography, is it? To be a true blue Subangite is about character and personality. We put the gaya in the phrase Budak Subang Jaya ada gaya. Owning a property here does not automatically make you one of us.

It’s not about heritage either. We don’t need to walk down memory lane, reliving the nostalgia of Ravi’s roti canai when it was just a stall under a tree in SS14, or queuing for SS15 rojak when it was sold from a cart.

It’s about pride. If someone says their hometown is dirty, we reply that our rats are bigger. If another city boasts better cycling lanes and pedestrian paths, we brag about our traffic – either chock-a-block or lightning fast beyond the speeds of Germany’s autobahn. Misguided? Perhaps. But it’s still pride. Because we cannot lose. We don’t know how to lose. Losing is not in Subang Jaya’s vocabulary.

So if you still don’t get it, and can’t appreciate satire, you’re likely not one of us. Our filters have caught you out. You’re probably prouder of your hometown in Alor Setar, Muar, or Klang.

It’s okay. You’re not one of us, despite living among us. Subang Jaya is not number one in your heart. It’s just another address to you. And that’s fine. We accept you as you are. Just that we love you less. But still sayang lah.

Now that we’ve reassured our love for you, let’s take a double look at pride – or rather, the lack of pride among outsiders working in Subang Jaya. This culminates in a big problem, especially when most of the civil servants serving Subang Jaya do not reside here.

How many of MBSJ’s workforce, contractors, and vendors actually live in Subang Jaya? It’s not their fault they cannot afford it. Housing and the cost of living are expensive here, with the city home to the affluent, increasingly affluent, or emerging affluent.

But from a psychological point of view, the non-resident status of many MBSJ staff makes it harder to motivate them to serve Subang Jaya better. There’s little incentive to change an age-old system or enhance processes. Clock in, clock out, tick off the KPI checklist; and another year passes without striving for excellence.

I’m not saying MBSJ is underperforming. As with any organisation, there will be underperformers and deadwood, and on the other end, some overachievers. But if a substantial headcount serves the city without pride, it’s a recipe for mediocrity.

And this non-residential status affects more than MBSJ. Many teachers in Subang Jaya schools live outside the city, in Shah Alam, Puchong, or Kota Damansara. This is a far cry from the 80s and 90s, when Subang Jaya was a less appealing, more affordable township under a noisy flight path. Back then, most of my teachers were residents here, and as boys we behaved in public for fear of bumping into them at every corner. In fact, I still occasionally meet my old teachers at eateries or community functions.

Fortunately, despite not being residents, many teachers today remain passionate in their duty to educate and mentor. Perhaps it’s their calling. And through constant engagement with students and parents, many have identified with and absorbed the Subang Jaya culture.

The police, thankfully, have quarters in SS17 and USJ 8. Although inadequate to house every cop and their family, at least a sizeable number reside here and have assimilated into our community. They can be spotted jogging in our neighbourhoods, at Subang Ria Lake, or joining our community football games. Just like any other resident.

Subang Jaya has never been about neat borders or polite modesty. We thrive on swagger, satire, and the stubborn pride that refuses to be ordinary. Our traffic jams are legendary, our quirks unmatched, and our gaya non-negotiable. Laugh at us if you want; we’ll laugh louder.

But here’s the serious bit: pride is not just a punchline. It’s the difference between a city that merely functions and a city that flourishes. If you serve here, teach here, or protect here, don’t just tick boxes. Claim Subang Jaya as your own. Absorb the chaos, wear the gaya, and let the pride infect your work.

Because in Subang Jaya, mediocrity is the only thing we cannot accept. And if you can’t keep up, well… maybe you’re not one of us. Budak Subang Jaya ada gaya – and we intend to prove it, every single day.