While we laud the Minister's statement in the report ,Govt going all out to chop down illegal loggers, that the Government has declared war on illegal loggers who are saboteurs of the country’s environmental conservation efforts, I feel that it will still be an uphill task for the Ministry to undertake.
Besides stamping out the activities of illegal loggers through the implementation of stricter laws, effective surveillance and principled monitoring by the Ministry's officials are extremely necessary for the laws to do their part.
The Ministry should also strictly monitor the LEGAL loggers, who though they have approved licenses to log in certain areas, will encroach covertly into the protected areas on the pretext of legal logging. Such moves are admittedly difficult to detect, and it is only through honest surveillance that the Government can limit the damage to our reserves and the environment.
Lastly, the Government should study in depth the proposals put up by those legal loggers on sustainable forest development, and also ask ourselves this question. Can we ever replace a pristine 100 year old tree with a new sapling, and on the future of our forests, will there be a time when the Government calls for a moratorium on logging of Virgin forests, and limit logging to areas that have been 'reforested'. The present policy of State Governments giving away new forest land for logging will see the death of our forests,...
Think about it
keep a sharp lookout for illegal logging
Sunday 27 March 2011
Monday 14 March 2011
Open-minded Indonesians..religious tolerance
When we talk about Indonesia from the religion point of view, we know that it is the largest Muslim nation in the world, and in recent times events of religious intolerance and extremism, like the burning of churches and violent protests have filled us with a negative view of the people there. My trip to Jogjakarta in April 2009 however has only given me memories of a friendly people of myriad religious beliefs co-existing side by side.
On arrival at the hotel, I did my usual check on things that are available in the room, and I was quite pleasantly surprised that in a drawer, laying side by side is a copy of the Bible AND the Quran, a very thoughtful gesture by the management for those who are in need of of the Book for solace. Switching on the TV, I had my second surprise. Not only were there hundreds of channels made available to the hotel guests, I even found a few channels broadcasting talks on Buddhism, and being Buddhists, my wife and I were touched.
The next day, we were met by our tour guide, a nice looking man called Josh Liem. I learned in the course of his stay with us that he is a Christian, but married to a Muslim, and his parents are practising Buddhists. He seemed so comfortable talking about it, and there seems genuinely no rancour and hostility among those in the family. He even took us to meet his father who was one of the members of a Buddhist temple in Jogja, who told us that during the religious festivities, Muslims take part in the celebrations and are also involved in its activities like the Lion Dance, etc.
The final surprise was when we were at the Borobudur Site, a famous Buddhist site dating from the 8th century. Special guides were provided for us at the site, and the person who took us around was a pretty lady, modestly clad in full Muslim attire with a tudung. She was very friendly and very knowledgeable about Buddhism. In fact, her knowledge of Buddhism, as we walked though the ruins of the temple and the hundreds of Buddha statues, put all of us in the group to shame! She told us that in spite of herself being a Muslim, she has no qualms studying up on Buddhism and other religions, as the knowledge can only make her a better person! What a breath of fresh air.
To me, these experiences have been certainly refreshing, and it shows that Indonesians, like all people by and large, are a very tolerant lot, and see nothing in people of different religions living side by side, accepting each other sincerely.
Open-minded Indonesians
On arrival at the hotel, I did my usual check on things that are available in the room, and I was quite pleasantly surprised that in a drawer, laying side by side is a copy of the Bible AND the Quran, a very thoughtful gesture by the management for those who are in need of of the Book for solace. Switching on the TV, I had my second surprise. Not only were there hundreds of channels made available to the hotel guests, I even found a few channels broadcasting talks on Buddhism, and being Buddhists, my wife and I were touched.
The next day, we were met by our tour guide, a nice looking man called Josh Liem. I learned in the course of his stay with us that he is a Christian, but married to a Muslim, and his parents are practising Buddhists. He seemed so comfortable talking about it, and there seems genuinely no rancour and hostility among those in the family. He even took us to meet his father who was one of the members of a Buddhist temple in Jogja, who told us that during the religious festivities, Muslims take part in the celebrations and are also involved in its activities like the Lion Dance, etc.
The final surprise was when we were at the Borobudur Site, a famous Buddhist site dating from the 8th century. Special guides were provided for us at the site, and the person who took us around was a pretty lady, modestly clad in full Muslim attire with a tudung. She was very friendly and very knowledgeable about Buddhism. In fact, her knowledge of Buddhism, as we walked though the ruins of the temple and the hundreds of Buddha statues, put all of us in the group to shame! She told us that in spite of herself being a Muslim, she has no qualms studying up on Buddhism and other religions, as the knowledge can only make her a better person! What a breath of fresh air.
To me, these experiences have been certainly refreshing, and it shows that Indonesians, like all people by and large, are a very tolerant lot, and see nothing in people of different religions living side by side, accepting each other sincerely.
Open-minded Indonesians
Wednesday 9 March 2011
Sore need for SMARTer system
When I read the news that the latest downpour creates havoc in Jalan Chan Sow Lin KL and how a motorist just managed to escape from his sinking car, I was reminded of the many times the authorities have praised how effective the SMART tunnel was, in alleviating the serious flood situation in KL. I am not sure the owner of the submerged car would think the same. I am actually surprised at the lack of an early warning system that would have saved the owner of the submerged car from a very scary and expensive experience.
So much for the KRAs and the KPIs of the Works Ministry. We sorely need a SMARTer system for flood prevention in KL, and soon. The authorities should also take into account the impending underground portion of the MRT and make sure it will not be also submerged during heavy downpours!
So much for the KRAs and the KPIs of the Works Ministry. We sorely need a SMARTer system for flood prevention in KL, and soon. The authorities should also take into account the impending underground portion of the MRT and make sure it will not be also submerged during heavy downpours!
Sore need for smarter system
Tuesday 1 March 2011
Sepang F1 circuit: Time to make it attractive
Reading the news that the Sepang F1 circuit is losing its competitiveness and attraction as a World class venue, SIC chief: Malaysia’s F1 event losing its lustre it unfortunately illustrates in a nutshell, all the problems our nation seems to be facing for the last 3 decades or so. The issues raised by the SIC Chief, Razlan Razali and Bernie Ecclestone appear to be a microcosm of the "Malaysian Malaise" Allow me to paraphrase them:
Though the Sepang circuit is making losses, the economic impact of a successful and attractive F1 is undeniable; so why are we now falling so far behind? Indeed, the circuit is a 'tired looking venue' in need of rejuvenation.
We should do something about this, but sadly instead, we seem to be embroiled in a 'family' dispute, having two Malaysian parties trying to represent Lotus. Why have two "Malaysian" F1 cars, when we can only have a 'third world' stadium?
- "The circuit was built in a record time but unfortunately there were shortcuts and poor maintenance; the soaring roof needs to be replaced as the grandstand canopy has exceeded its lifespan and cannot cope with Malaysia’s tropical downpours." .. Cutting corners seem to be the way our contractors do things, either to make a fast buck, or they just lack the know-how and experience to build a reliable structure able to withstand the rigours of time
- Bernie Ecclestone said "Sepang is like “an old house that needs a bit of redecorating.” It’s starting to get a little shabby and looks a bit tired. There is rubbish all over the place and it’s not really a good sign for Malaysia
- Razlan also said... : The Malaysian event has also been outshone by neighbouring Singapore, which offers not just adrenaline-packed night racing on a street circuit, but teams it with live entertainment by big-name performers like Beyonce
Though the Sepang circuit is making losses, the economic impact of a successful and attractive F1 is undeniable; so why are we now falling so far behind? Indeed, the circuit is a 'tired looking venue' in need of rejuvenation.
We should do something about this, but sadly instead, we seem to be embroiled in a 'family' dispute, having two Malaysian parties trying to represent Lotus. Why have two "Malaysian" F1 cars, when we can only have a 'third world' stadium?
Sepang F1 circuit: Time to make it attractive
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