I am compelled to write this piece in view of the recent daily reports in the media on the numerous issues that have been deemed as illegal. It is rather flabbergasting that there seem to be many unresolved issues plaguing the nation that has accumulated over time and; suspiciously looking neglected by various concerned government agencies.
For a start lets ponder on the issue of illegal immigrants. It is reported that there is close to 2 million illegals residing in Malaysia! How on earth did this number of illegals balloon to such proportions in the first place? I am very certain that they are not all in hiding as the number are just too alarming to be residing in disguise in the far interiors of our Malaysian jungles. The majority are freely mingling amongst us with little or no fear of repercussions from the authorities. This phenomenon is further aggravated for the fact that almost on an annual basis our government provides amnesty privilege and are let off with a slap on the wrist. We have definitely sent the wrong signal to them indicating that it is okay to be here illegally as you will be pardoned anyway. Indirectly the public opines that there must be an element of corruption that has turned a blind eye to the escalation in illegals. The immigration department must be taken to task.
On the other hand the issue of illegal pre-school centers that have been mushrooming all around the nation. Unlicensed premises are operating in residential and commercial vicinities right under the noses of the local councils. The local council enforcement divisions are quick to compound any business owners that do not renew their licenses but have conveniently ignored illegal pre-school centers. Hundreds if not in thousands have been found to be operating illegally and only recently highlighted as some centers have been negligent in care. Why do we need to wait for a mishap to happen and only then action is taken? And most astonishing to all is the fact that the various government agencies are "encouraging" these illegal centers to register. Again the authorities have sent a wrong message. The owners of such illegal premises must face the music and not just coaxed into legalising an unregistered premise. Above that the agencies that have allowed for pre-schools to operate illegally must be brought to task without fear or favor.
The other fiasco is on the issue of "illegal" commercial vehicles running on our roads that have not met the standards or have failed the respective inspections by Puspakom. More annoying is the fact that some have not even gone for inspections. The million dollar question is, how did they get the renewals done at the Road Transport Department? My personal experience says that one will not be able to obtain a road tax if his vehicle fails the Puspakom inspection. Do we not smell a rat now? Uncertified and under par commercial vehicles must be pounded immediately by the authorities until satisfactory corrective actions are taken by the owners. Lets not risk the lives of innocent people. There should not be any leniency on road safety.
What I have highlighted are some examples for all of us to dwell on. As tax payers and voters, we are deeply concerned on the rise of illegal activities surrounding us. As a nation moving towards being fully developed, we need to nip these issues in the bud before it deteriorates further. In a nutshell, the common factor that comes to our mind looking at the mentioned scenarios is the issue of corruption which is deep rooted in the system. We have lost most probably billions of ringgit in revenue in the form lost taxes, license fees and levy due to lackadaisical and incompetencies of our own making.
It is ironical that one is slapped with a summons for wrongful parking but illegal activities run rife and further forgiven when caught. We have to stop the rot immediately and there must be zero tolerance to any illegal action. Department heads must be made responsible and punitive actions must be taken and seen by the public.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
The NET
The World Wide Web (www) has indeed cast its net globally into every nook and corner known to mankind in an unimaginable way. Even a decade ago, the vast majority of us would not have had the faintest inkling that the web (also called net interchangeably) could invade into our lives to such extend. The net has revolutionized communication platforms worldwide and has breached conventional thought processes that has brought about gigantic paradigm shifts in almost all sectors affecting humans.
The net has indeed taken its own life and is often spoken or referred to as the third entity knowing it all. Ironically, people quote the net at every conversation and it is deemed as though it is coming from an authority! How amazing indeed. Though undeniably a tool of use and beneficial in most circumstances, nevertheless it has over time evolved into being overly used and to an extend abused by many around the world. Those gullible will behold all information on the net as always having a degree of truthfulness no matter what the issue in hand. The net has taken a critical role and command in the chain of information flow in our lives; so much so that a large number of users have conveniently neglected the pertinent issues such as responsible and ethical writing, morality, privacy, legality, and social decorum.
On the social front, due to its vast accessibility, mobility and ease of use via numerous "smart" gadgets, the net has conveniently; to a certain degree, evolved into a must-have tool in our everyday lives. Never before in our human lifetime have we experienced such engulfment of technology. It has superseded all forms of conventional communication tools that indeed played a vital role in keeping human values in tact directly or otherwise.
Nevertheless, with transition of time, this very technology has also made pockets of the human race vulnerable and lame to a certain extend. Irresponsible parties have taken advantage of this very tool for their opportunistic objectives and selfish acts resulting in mayhem and disorder in many aspects of our lives. The net has given them a platform with no barriers to; call for riots, illegal trade, pornography, gambling,exhibit unsubstantiated articles and advocate junk journalism. And the latest of all, it has provided an avenue for hacking into private spaces of humans via the very mobile phone that we carry on us. Unscrupulous individuals and groups have manipulated this technology to spread lies, overthrow governments and germinate seeds of hatred across the globe without much thought of repercussions on their actions. This is very evident as we witness the many turmoils some countries are undergoing due to the power of persuasion via the net.
Connectivity via the web has made dearth of information available on the move but unfortunately many do not question the credibility and its essence. It is no surprise if many governments of the day move towards limiting and even barring segments of the Internet to keep check on issues especially pertaining to sovereignty and defense. We should not be quick in judging and concluding that such proactive moves are against human rights and freedom of speech or practice. Countries,even like Britain, that have been too liberal have seen the consequences of letting all loose with no boundaries. The citizens of the world must awaken from their virtual world and embrace the fact that with the current speed and trend, if we are not attentive, we will be at the verge of destroying our own existence! It is time the world leaders accept the concept of global citizenship and champion the cause for all beyond the shores of their own nation with a concerted effort.
The net has indeed taken its own life and is often spoken or referred to as the third entity knowing it all. Ironically, people quote the net at every conversation and it is deemed as though it is coming from an authority! How amazing indeed. Though undeniably a tool of use and beneficial in most circumstances, nevertheless it has over time evolved into being overly used and to an extend abused by many around the world. Those gullible will behold all information on the net as always having a degree of truthfulness no matter what the issue in hand. The net has taken a critical role and command in the chain of information flow in our lives; so much so that a large number of users have conveniently neglected the pertinent issues such as responsible and ethical writing, morality, privacy, legality, and social decorum.
On the social front, due to its vast accessibility, mobility and ease of use via numerous "smart" gadgets, the net has conveniently; to a certain degree, evolved into a must-have tool in our everyday lives. Never before in our human lifetime have we experienced such engulfment of technology. It has superseded all forms of conventional communication tools that indeed played a vital role in keeping human values in tact directly or otherwise.
Nevertheless, with transition of time, this very technology has also made pockets of the human race vulnerable and lame to a certain extend. Irresponsible parties have taken advantage of this very tool for their opportunistic objectives and selfish acts resulting in mayhem and disorder in many aspects of our lives. The net has given them a platform with no barriers to; call for riots, illegal trade, pornography, gambling,exhibit unsubstantiated articles and advocate junk journalism. And the latest of all, it has provided an avenue for hacking into private spaces of humans via the very mobile phone that we carry on us. Unscrupulous individuals and groups have manipulated this technology to spread lies, overthrow governments and germinate seeds of hatred across the globe without much thought of repercussions on their actions. This is very evident as we witness the many turmoils some countries are undergoing due to the power of persuasion via the net.
Connectivity via the web has made dearth of information available on the move but unfortunately many do not question the credibility and its essence. It is no surprise if many governments of the day move towards limiting and even barring segments of the Internet to keep check on issues especially pertaining to sovereignty and defense. We should not be quick in judging and concluding that such proactive moves are against human rights and freedom of speech or practice. Countries,even like Britain, that have been too liberal have seen the consequences of letting all loose with no boundaries. The citizens of the world must awaken from their virtual world and embrace the fact that with the current speed and trend, if we are not attentive, we will be at the verge of destroying our own existence! It is time the world leaders accept the concept of global citizenship and champion the cause for all beyond the shores of their own nation with a concerted effort.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Complementary Medicine
Currently there is heightened awareness among the general public on complementary medicine. Apparently there are more than 12,000 practitioners in complementary medicine in Malaysia and the number is fast growing. Nevertheless, there is a very loose definition on the scope and responsibilities such practioners adhere to.
Unfortunately the very term "complementary medicine" has been used interchangeably with traditional medicine, alternative medicine and herbal medicine. The public in general often has been made to believe that they all mean the same and practitioners are categorised largely on the the lines of weather they are Indian, Chinese or Malay healers. This is a misconception in definitive terms in contact with complementary medicine. Though the government intends to regulate this industry but mere legal definitions and boundries will not hold much water when there is parallel treatment sought by a patient.
Allopathy medicine practitioners are highly regulated by many different regulations, acts and ethics which carry heavy penalties if breached. A patient has the right to sought multiple opinions and have clear legal rights in reference to the different acts if he feels there has been a medical negligence on the part of the practitioner. Will they have the same avenues with complementary practitioners? Medical and pharmaceutical care has evolved into a very evidence based practice.Strict guidelines pertaining to good practices in clinical care and trials in conjunction with quality medicine is advocated to ensure that best possible care is given to a patient. Without which, licensing can be denied at any level of the supply chain. Will the same standards be applied to complementary medicine practitioners?
Medical claims made in modern medicine practice must be substantiated with adequate clinical evidence as practitioners may face medico-legal cases. Nevertheless, on the other end of the spectrum, complementary medicine practitioners substantiate their claims by mere personal experiences and word-of-mouth promotions. What will be the implications to the patient's legal rights if there is a dispute or negligence on the part of the practitioner? What will be the reference point for legal arguments? Are there sufficient experts in the country to handle such disputes?
My personal experience over the years in the health industry has seen many patients who are gullible to try complementary medicine especially for chronic ailments like diabetes, strokes, hypertension and asthma; to mention a few indeed. There is no objection to that but unfortunately I see that a large number of them disregard their modern medicines in the believe that they cause more harm than good in the long term use. Often than not, they are coaxed by the complementary medicine practitioners to abandon their medications and solely rely on herbal based. Many return over time with far more complications, deterioration in health and poorer financially after forking out money. Their dissatisfaction is met with a standard answer by the healers that it did not work on them because they failed to adhere to the many restrictions imposed whilst taking complementary medicines. To my understanding it should complement and not displace modern medications!
Another point of discontent is on the topic of side effects. Ironically, patients always have the notion that modern medicines have delibitating side effects no matter how good they can be. On the other hand alternatives are always safe. This is a very myopic view. There are also issues pertaining to drug interactions which many complementary practitioners may not be aware. Certain long term consequences may only surface after many years down the road and it can be irreversible in some instances. One must acknowledge the fact that even many herbal medicines go through vital organs like kidney, liver, lungs, heart and brain. Damage can happen.
The concerned authorities must weigh all aspects of complementary medicine practices critically from different facets before allowing a blanket consent and blessings. The well being and safety of patients must be paramount at all times. Public must be adequately educated on complementary medicine not only on the aspect of health but also legal rights. Ambiguity and grey areas of practices must be cleared especially if there is a possibility of dispute when modern and complementary medicine is received by patients at the same time. There must be a defined index of reference for drug interactions between modern and complementary medicines. Physical manipulation and examinations on patients must be highly regulated to avoid incidents of harassment claims and must be done under supervision by a third party.
And above all, the government must clearly define what constitutes complementary medicine and how the component of alternative, traditional and herbal medicine jives within its context. It will be essential to have a central governing body to evaluate, assess and certify all complementary medicine practitioners annually with a formal registry. There should also be a defined academic syllabus for aspiring students who wish to venture into this field. Currently there is also no clear guidelines on how a patient is charged a fee for complementary treatments. This must be addressed seriously to avoid exhorbitant charges. Claims made by complimentary medicine practitioners for having "cured" certain illnesess must be nipped in the bud before it escalates and do more harm than good.
It is evident the we have many more questions to be answered before streamlining complementary medicine practices in Malaysia.
Unfortunately the very term "complementary medicine" has been used interchangeably with traditional medicine, alternative medicine and herbal medicine. The public in general often has been made to believe that they all mean the same and practitioners are categorised largely on the the lines of weather they are Indian, Chinese or Malay healers. This is a misconception in definitive terms in contact with complementary medicine. Though the government intends to regulate this industry but mere legal definitions and boundries will not hold much water when there is parallel treatment sought by a patient.
Allopathy medicine practitioners are highly regulated by many different regulations, acts and ethics which carry heavy penalties if breached. A patient has the right to sought multiple opinions and have clear legal rights in reference to the different acts if he feels there has been a medical negligence on the part of the practitioner. Will they have the same avenues with complementary practitioners? Medical and pharmaceutical care has evolved into a very evidence based practice.Strict guidelines pertaining to good practices in clinical care and trials in conjunction with quality medicine is advocated to ensure that best possible care is given to a patient. Without which, licensing can be denied at any level of the supply chain. Will the same standards be applied to complementary medicine practitioners?
Medical claims made in modern medicine practice must be substantiated with adequate clinical evidence as practitioners may face medico-legal cases. Nevertheless, on the other end of the spectrum, complementary medicine practitioners substantiate their claims by mere personal experiences and word-of-mouth promotions. What will be the implications to the patient's legal rights if there is a dispute or negligence on the part of the practitioner? What will be the reference point for legal arguments? Are there sufficient experts in the country to handle such disputes?
My personal experience over the years in the health industry has seen many patients who are gullible to try complementary medicine especially for chronic ailments like diabetes, strokes, hypertension and asthma; to mention a few indeed. There is no objection to that but unfortunately I see that a large number of them disregard their modern medicines in the believe that they cause more harm than good in the long term use. Often than not, they are coaxed by the complementary medicine practitioners to abandon their medications and solely rely on herbal based. Many return over time with far more complications, deterioration in health and poorer financially after forking out money. Their dissatisfaction is met with a standard answer by the healers that it did not work on them because they failed to adhere to the many restrictions imposed whilst taking complementary medicines. To my understanding it should complement and not displace modern medications!
Another point of discontent is on the topic of side effects. Ironically, patients always have the notion that modern medicines have delibitating side effects no matter how good they can be. On the other hand alternatives are always safe. This is a very myopic view. There are also issues pertaining to drug interactions which many complementary practitioners may not be aware. Certain long term consequences may only surface after many years down the road and it can be irreversible in some instances. One must acknowledge the fact that even many herbal medicines go through vital organs like kidney, liver, lungs, heart and brain. Damage can happen.
The concerned authorities must weigh all aspects of complementary medicine practices critically from different facets before allowing a blanket consent and blessings. The well being and safety of patients must be paramount at all times. Public must be adequately educated on complementary medicine not only on the aspect of health but also legal rights. Ambiguity and grey areas of practices must be cleared especially if there is a possibility of dispute when modern and complementary medicine is received by patients at the same time. There must be a defined index of reference for drug interactions between modern and complementary medicines. Physical manipulation and examinations on patients must be highly regulated to avoid incidents of harassment claims and must be done under supervision by a third party.
And above all, the government must clearly define what constitutes complementary medicine and how the component of alternative, traditional and herbal medicine jives within its context. It will be essential to have a central governing body to evaluate, assess and certify all complementary medicine practitioners annually with a formal registry. There should also be a defined academic syllabus for aspiring students who wish to venture into this field. Currently there is also no clear guidelines on how a patient is charged a fee for complementary treatments. This must be addressed seriously to avoid exhorbitant charges. Claims made by complimentary medicine practitioners for having "cured" certain illnesess must be nipped in the bud before it escalates and do more harm than good.
It is evident the we have many more questions to be answered before streamlining complementary medicine practices in Malaysia.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Guarded and Gated...costly affair
THE debates concerning guarded and gated communties have resurfaced among interested parties. There are many issues and questions that have been raised with little or no answers from any relevant authority.
Developers often use guarded communities as a marketing point to enhance the image and value of their properties. House buyers are asked to sign an agreement on the terms of upkeep of the gated area. Unfortunately this “facility” comes with a fee called monthly security and maintenance. Sadly, more often than not, such services deteriorate over time and many residents opt not to continue payments as they do not see the consistency in quality of the service. The initial phase is normally run by the developers but after awhile it is handed over to the residents’ associations (RA) and that’s when things go wrong.
From a legal perspective, all houseowners in gated and guarded communities are independent subjects and are not governed by the in-house rules made by the residents’ associations. The individual owner does not become a signatory to any rules by default just because the RA sanctions it. Now the question that needs a legal clarification is – Can security guards ask for the details of a visitor or even owners coming into the housing area? Under what laws are they allowed to check a person’s ID?
Even the government advises the public to ask for an enforcement officer’s identification card before revealing more details to them, even if they are in uniform. What makes security guards immune. The irony of all this is that the security company waives all liabilities of theft or burglary if it happens within the community citing that it is agreed by the RA. Then why are the owners paying a monthly security fee? And as for the maintenance and upkeep of any residential area, isn’t it the responsibility of the local council as we all pay taxes to them and there is no exception to the rule or discount granted for gated and guarded communities?
It is time the relevant agencies formulate a standard protocol for gated and guarded communities which is legally accepted and gazetted at the council level at least. The current practices are just too “cow-boy” styled and do not conform to the minimum legal requirements. The RAs must be made legally responsible and use monies collected prudently and not increase the monthly fees unilaterally without the consent of state governments.
In the last year itself, the RA in my housing area increased its monthly charges from RM30 to RM50 citing increased cost for security. This exorbitant rise of nearly 67% is unacceptable by any standards and this was immediately imposed as soon as the RA took over responsibility from the developer. Surprisingly a large amount collected from the previous year was spent on social activities. This is daylight robbery. All social activities under the RA must initiate a different collection drive as this is not even mentioned in the agreement. Then why are monies collected as “security and maintenance” used for the few who attend such functions? Only those who would like to participate pay the extra and it should not apply across the board.
These are just the few of many other grouses shared by people in the same predicament. In this difficult economic times, RM600 a house annually is unjustified. There are nearly 600 houses within the community and even if 80% pay up, that amounts to a whopping RM288,000 collected anually. That is lots of money to pay for security.
Developers often use guarded communities as a marketing point to enhance the image and value of their properties. House buyers are asked to sign an agreement on the terms of upkeep of the gated area. Unfortunately this “facility” comes with a fee called monthly security and maintenance. Sadly, more often than not, such services deteriorate over time and many residents opt not to continue payments as they do not see the consistency in quality of the service. The initial phase is normally run by the developers but after awhile it is handed over to the residents’ associations (RA) and that’s when things go wrong.
From a legal perspective, all houseowners in gated and guarded communities are independent subjects and are not governed by the in-house rules made by the residents’ associations. The individual owner does not become a signatory to any rules by default just because the RA sanctions it. Now the question that needs a legal clarification is – Can security guards ask for the details of a visitor or even owners coming into the housing area? Under what laws are they allowed to check a person’s ID?
Even the government advises the public to ask for an enforcement officer’s identification card before revealing more details to them, even if they are in uniform. What makes security guards immune. The irony of all this is that the security company waives all liabilities of theft or burglary if it happens within the community citing that it is agreed by the RA. Then why are the owners paying a monthly security fee? And as for the maintenance and upkeep of any residential area, isn’t it the responsibility of the local council as we all pay taxes to them and there is no exception to the rule or discount granted for gated and guarded communities?
It is time the relevant agencies formulate a standard protocol for gated and guarded communities which is legally accepted and gazetted at the council level at least. The current practices are just too “cow-boy” styled and do not conform to the minimum legal requirements. The RAs must be made legally responsible and use monies collected prudently and not increase the monthly fees unilaterally without the consent of state governments.
In the last year itself, the RA in my housing area increased its monthly charges from RM30 to RM50 citing increased cost for security. This exorbitant rise of nearly 67% is unacceptable by any standards and this was immediately imposed as soon as the RA took over responsibility from the developer. Surprisingly a large amount collected from the previous year was spent on social activities. This is daylight robbery. All social activities under the RA must initiate a different collection drive as this is not even mentioned in the agreement. Then why are monies collected as “security and maintenance” used for the few who attend such functions? Only those who would like to participate pay the extra and it should not apply across the board.
These are just the few of many other grouses shared by people in the same predicament. In this difficult economic times, RM600 a house annually is unjustified. There are nearly 600 houses within the community and even if 80% pay up, that amounts to a whopping RM288,000 collected anually. That is lots of money to pay for security.
National Health Plan
THE Health Ministry recently announced that the government is mulling over a national healthcare system. It runs on the principle of the rich subsidising the poor by contributing a sum to a financial pool.
There are many issues that need to be addressed before a revamp is even thought through. Our healthcare system is fragmented and driven by a free market policy. We have government funded and privately-run establishments. The sentiment among the public and insurance companies is that the private healthcare providers are inadequately governed. Health insurers have been increasing premiums for the past 10 years. Their excuse is that private hospital fees are increasing. And they only want "healthy" clients. If you have a history of chronic medical illness, forget about insurance or pay a huge loading fee. Will there be a substandard care provided by private hospitals when admitting a patient under the scheme? Will there be adequate controls to ensure consistency?
There are no price controls on medications. On the entire supply chain of providing healthcare services, the government must ensure that each contributing factor will be regulated. The public must be assured that if a doctor is paid by the health scheme, the patient is not shortchanged by receiving under par treatment. Will there be a cap on visits to a clinic? And after a number of visits for the same problem, will the doctor be compelled to refer the patient to a specialist or hospital and not wait to max out the allocation for the patient?
The health minister also said that each family must register a clinic as their family physician as to keep records. What happens when you are out of town and require medical attention? Will the doctor or patient be reimbursed? Will all the clinics be hooked up to the system to monitor patient mobility?
Employers pay Socso and EPF. If they are further asked to contribute to this new fund, it will increase their operating costs. Will the government reduce the quantum to this two funds if contribution is made to the health scheme by employers? Many companies take up group insurance schemes. If they were to further contribute to a new scheme, I am sure many if not all will scale down the benefits to reduce costs. The employees will be the losers.
Our medical system runs on a "one-stop centre" basis. Patients are examined by the doctor, treated and provided medication. Often a bill is issued that does not itemise the cost of medicines and consultation or treatment. Will itemised billing be mandatory? The government must ensure that doctors follow an approved essential drug list and are and not driven by pharmaceutical promotions. Any deviation from the list must be justified. We should not have a situation where the establishments benefit the maximum payout from the scheme and yet enjoy extra payment by the patient by coaxing them to take the "better drug"! There must be a list of reimbursed drugs’ list and the percentage of quantum reimbursed for each drug.
Whatever system we adopt, the government must ensure there is no cronyism, monopoly and or kickbacks to the key players.
There are many issues that need to be addressed before a revamp is even thought through. Our healthcare system is fragmented and driven by a free market policy. We have government funded and privately-run establishments. The sentiment among the public and insurance companies is that the private healthcare providers are inadequately governed. Health insurers have been increasing premiums for the past 10 years. Their excuse is that private hospital fees are increasing. And they only want "healthy" clients. If you have a history of chronic medical illness, forget about insurance or pay a huge loading fee. Will there be a substandard care provided by private hospitals when admitting a patient under the scheme? Will there be adequate controls to ensure consistency?
There are no price controls on medications. On the entire supply chain of providing healthcare services, the government must ensure that each contributing factor will be regulated. The public must be assured that if a doctor is paid by the health scheme, the patient is not shortchanged by receiving under par treatment. Will there be a cap on visits to a clinic? And after a number of visits for the same problem, will the doctor be compelled to refer the patient to a specialist or hospital and not wait to max out the allocation for the patient?
The health minister also said that each family must register a clinic as their family physician as to keep records. What happens when you are out of town and require medical attention? Will the doctor or patient be reimbursed? Will all the clinics be hooked up to the system to monitor patient mobility?
Employers pay Socso and EPF. If they are further asked to contribute to this new fund, it will increase their operating costs. Will the government reduce the quantum to this two funds if contribution is made to the health scheme by employers? Many companies take up group insurance schemes. If they were to further contribute to a new scheme, I am sure many if not all will scale down the benefits to reduce costs. The employees will be the losers.
Our medical system runs on a "one-stop centre" basis. Patients are examined by the doctor, treated and provided medication. Often a bill is issued that does not itemise the cost of medicines and consultation or treatment. Will itemised billing be mandatory? The government must ensure that doctors follow an approved essential drug list and are and not driven by pharmaceutical promotions. Any deviation from the list must be justified. We should not have a situation where the establishments benefit the maximum payout from the scheme and yet enjoy extra payment by the patient by coaxing them to take the "better drug"! There must be a list of reimbursed drugs’ list and the percentage of quantum reimbursed for each drug.
Whatever system we adopt, the government must ensure there is no cronyism, monopoly and or kickbacks to the key players.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Obesity....
Once again the issue of obesity has taken limelight in the media. The current measures spelled out for the types of foods that can be sold in school canteens have indeed been the core of debate in the past weeks. In a nutshell, the intention of the Health Ministry must be appraised, no doubt; but does the buck stop there? This is crucial for all of us to ponder and take a step back and ask ourselves what is the fundamental issue in the rise of obesity in our society?
Food per se is not the culprit, but it is how much we consume. It is sad that we have missed the essential point of argument. It is the composition of the lifestyle we live in today that have moulded the eating habits of not only children but also adults alike. Take any urbanite family and the chances are that they eat out regularly on a weekly basis citing lack of time to cook. Not everybody can afford a maid to cook at home! And most do not live inextended families that can take some burden off the shoulders of many working adults. In the yesteryears, parents and grandparents lived under one roof and that made lots of difference in the type of food we consumed. Unlike today.
There is also a drastic lack of physical activity in many school going children. Parents are obsessed with their children achieving maximum "A"s in exams, that they are laden with a string of tuitions everyday. Excellent academic acquirement is definitely encouraged, but is it worth if it's done at the expense of ill health in the future? And with the computer age, the spare time is often spent in front the screen for hours.
Making certain foods unavailable within the school vicinity is only a drop in the ocean solution to obesity. Fast foods, sweetened carbonated drinks, fried foods and alike are available freely everywhere. It will be an impossible task to ban such foods within a certain radius of the schools as proposed. Some schools are just a 2 minute walk to many restaurants and retail shops that equally sell such items. Even 24 hour convenient stores sell nasi lemak these days.
Tackling obesity is no small matter. It starts from the very home the child grows in. Parents must take the responsibility to educate the young on the types of foods to consume and practicing healthy life style. Limit the time allocated to play computer games and surfing the net. Encourage outdoor activities but do not engage in thereward system of buying them expensive gifts or a treat in fast food outlets just because they have accomplished a task. It is sad that many parents use fast foods as pacifiers for demanding children. That does not mean we cannot indulge in them totally but it must be enjoyed responsibly. We are blessed for having abundance of food whilst many around the world die of hunger every second.
Food per se is not the culprit, but it is how much we consume. It is sad that we have missed the essential point of argument. It is the composition of the lifestyle we live in today that have moulded the eating habits of not only children but also adults alike. Take any urbanite family and the chances are that they eat out regularly on a weekly basis citing lack of time to cook. Not everybody can afford a maid to cook at home! And most do not live inextended families that can take some burden off the shoulders of many working adults. In the yesteryears, parents and grandparents lived under one roof and that made lots of difference in the type of food we consumed. Unlike today.
There is also a drastic lack of physical activity in many school going children. Parents are obsessed with their children achieving maximum "A"s in exams, that they are laden with a string of tuitions everyday. Excellent academic acquirement is definitely encouraged, but is it worth if it's done at the expense of ill health in the future? And with the computer age, the spare time is often spent in front the screen for hours.
Making certain foods unavailable within the school vicinity is only a drop in the ocean solution to obesity. Fast foods, sweetened carbonated drinks, fried foods and alike are available freely everywhere. It will be an impossible task to ban such foods within a certain radius of the schools as proposed. Some schools are just a 2 minute walk to many restaurants and retail shops that equally sell such items. Even 24 hour convenient stores sell nasi lemak these days.
Tackling obesity is no small matter. It starts from the very home the child grows in. Parents must take the responsibility to educate the young on the types of foods to consume and practicing healthy life style. Limit the time allocated to play computer games and surfing the net. Encourage outdoor activities but do not engage in thereward system of buying them expensive gifts or a treat in fast food outlets just because they have accomplished a task. It is sad that many parents use fast foods as pacifiers for demanding children. That does not mean we cannot indulge in them totally but it must be enjoyed responsibly. We are blessed for having abundance of food whilst many around the world die of hunger every second.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Hair Raising Issue
The recent incident of the alleged hair cutting in a national training camp has indeed raised an eye brow or two within the Sikh community in particular and in some pockets of the general public. As investigations are underway, we should not allow it to be blown out of proportion merely on speculative tones. The Sikhs have been an integral part of our multi cultured society in time memorial but unfortunately many still are not aware of our cultures, principles, religious' requirements and societal needs. This phenomena is a global occurance indeed; far more for the fact that we are always the minority community worldwide, even in India itself
Indeed if there was an element of malice and the hair snipping was done on purpose, the culprit or culprits must be made to face the music, but nevertheless, it could also be a prank and appropraite disciplinary action must be taken without fear or favour. Nevertheless, a very quick inspection of the alleged cut hair could immediately confirm if indeed it happened recently since there is no physical evidence at hand. This can be easily confirmed by a hair expert or trichologist or maybe even an experienced barber down the road. It does not take a nuclear scientist to figure that out. A good magnifying glass will do to to aid in the visible inspection of the ends of the snipped hair.
Sikhism clearly states that one must always be patient and do no harm unto others. The truth always prevails and we should not let such an incident to derail out thoughts and minds into a negative avenue thus provoking hatred among communities. As Sikhs, we must always look from a positive point of view. This alleged incident has indeed quickly educated the non-aware group that keeping unshaven hair is a requirement by the religion. But, we must also admit that many Sikhs have chosen not to adhere to these order and many other religious demands. It is by their own choice. Some very obvious examples which are strictly prohibited in the Sikh religion are gambling, tobacco and alcohol consumption. Yet many indulge by their own virtue. Over decades, the Sikh society has evolved in accepting the fact that it is within an individual's right on how they want to practice Sikhism; as eventually we are only answerable to God for our worldly doings.
We have to acknowlege that it does not matter whose hair was snipped. The fundamental question is the fact that if the allegation is true, then invasion on ones privacy occured and such act cannot be accepted by any standards, be it on religious' grounds or legal grounds. I do not think this will be a religiously tinged pandemonium if it had occured on a cropped Sikh, another boy or girl. As Sikhism clearly states, one must always look at the bigger picture and have an open mind for a greater good.
Indeed if there was an element of malice and the hair snipping was done on purpose, the culprit or culprits must be made to face the music, but nevertheless, it could also be a prank and appropraite disciplinary action must be taken without fear or favour. Nevertheless, a very quick inspection of the alleged cut hair could immediately confirm if indeed it happened recently since there is no physical evidence at hand. This can be easily confirmed by a hair expert or trichologist or maybe even an experienced barber down the road. It does not take a nuclear scientist to figure that out. A good magnifying glass will do to to aid in the visible inspection of the ends of the snipped hair.
Sikhism clearly states that one must always be patient and do no harm unto others. The truth always prevails and we should not let such an incident to derail out thoughts and minds into a negative avenue thus provoking hatred among communities. As Sikhs, we must always look from a positive point of view. This alleged incident has indeed quickly educated the non-aware group that keeping unshaven hair is a requirement by the religion. But, we must also admit that many Sikhs have chosen not to adhere to these order and many other religious demands. It is by their own choice. Some very obvious examples which are strictly prohibited in the Sikh religion are gambling, tobacco and alcohol consumption. Yet many indulge by their own virtue. Over decades, the Sikh society has evolved in accepting the fact that it is within an individual's right on how they want to practice Sikhism; as eventually we are only answerable to God for our worldly doings.
We have to acknowlege that it does not matter whose hair was snipped. The fundamental question is the fact that if the allegation is true, then invasion on ones privacy occured and such act cannot be accepted by any standards, be it on religious' grounds or legal grounds. I do not think this will be a religiously tinged pandemonium if it had occured on a cropped Sikh, another boy or girl. As Sikhism clearly states, one must always look at the bigger picture and have an open mind for a greater good.
Entrepreneurship
Lately there has been much hype by many parties on the subject of entrepreneurship. Discussions have been rife from political parties on one end of the spectrum and the mass media on the other end. Entrepreneurs are interviewed almost on daily basis via variety of channels available to the public at large and definitely the target market. There is no doubt that the level of awareness has increased many times fold among budding entrepreneurs and those contemplating taking this path as a career option.
Nevertheless, in the midst of all the harbinger, it is sad that the element of failing in entrepreneuship has largely been ignored in any of the presentations and representations in the media, exhibitions and mass communications made to the prospects. Let us not be fooled into believing that the career path leading into entrepreneuship is that rosy and is within grasp just listening to "success" stories especially those highlighting "personalities" who have obtained kick-start advantage in their careers. Often those projected in the media merely stress hardwork, determination, perseverance and faith to ensure success but conveniently leave out the element of having the right "mix" or the recipe.
There are various models of businesses one can choose from; franchise, direct selling to limited companies or even hybrids of sorts. No matter which one chooses, the critical factor is competition which many fail to evaluate, understand, and capitalise on to their advantage. Getting into business today and in the future is not a game for those who are complacent. Up to 90% of entrepreneurs fail within 2 years of their start up regardless of the business model they choose because of unpreparedness to face the troughs in the business cycle. They often land up owing the banks or institutions that has provided the financial capital.
There are multiple platforms made available by the government and private sector, especially to the younger generation, to venture into businesses but one must be critical in the decision making before setting foot into the arena. Merely following the tide can be detrimental not only financially, but also to the morale. Many have burnt their fingers at an early age and it may take years to recover.
Entrepreneurship is about sustainability and growth. Frustration of early business plateau with little profits or even losses in the primary stages have led many to abandon their businesses as they lack determination and loose steam. More than often the lame excuse is always about "unfair" competition in the market. Well, that's the reality of our open-market system and with globalisation the business terrain is only heading to steeper and more challenging environment. Entry levels into the market especially for the small and medium enterprises have been raised to levels not experienced by our past generations. Business concepts have morphed over time and ever revolving. Consumer demands and expectations are on the rise with knowledge explosions happening all round us. Information is at finger tips moving at lightning speed and consumerism is taking foot firmly in all aspects.
So, are the new enthusiatic entrepreneurs ready to face this? The various trainings and academic acquirement within and out of universities or colleges are often the crawling stage of infancy. Experiential training and learning may teach you the standing and walking phases but unfortunately many trainers and training centers do not run you through the full 9-yards. And in essence, that is when the real on-the-field challenge kicks in. That is when a coach is needed to guide an entrepreneur when and how to attack, retreat, defend or rest. Only excellent mentor and mantee can survive the ruggedness in business. In todays' business climate, entrepreneurship is analogue to painting a picasso on an empty canvas. It is tough!
It is critical for training providers and institutions alike engaged with entrepreneuship aspirants be factual, realistic and do not stop short of realising them the intricacies and steep competition they face in the real world. We as a nation grossly lack such trainers and coaches. It is indeed disheartening to know that the vast majority of providers merely engage in generic business trainings and not niche training. Quantity has supercede quality and as such the foundation and footing of many budding entrepreneurs fail to withstand difficult periods.
Though fear of failure should not everwhelmingly be discouraging, an entrepreneur must take a calculated risk to minimize the probability. It is critical to weigh and evaluate the many facets in the business dwelling with great detail within the niche; which indeed is a daunting and demanding phase. Surely there are many other issues which will catapult towards an entrepreneur, but if one had forseen most of the core matter; hardships, dents and difficulties can be dampenned or cushioned.
And to all new and aspiring entrepreneurs out there, please ensure you not only get the right training center but also the right and appropriate trainer, coach, mentor and one who is currently active in that particular area of expertise. As the saying goes knowing the recipe itself is insufficient. Its how you cook it!
Nevertheless, in the midst of all the harbinger, it is sad that the element of failing in entrepreneuship has largely been ignored in any of the presentations and representations in the media, exhibitions and mass communications made to the prospects. Let us not be fooled into believing that the career path leading into entrepreneuship is that rosy and is within grasp just listening to "success" stories especially those highlighting "personalities" who have obtained kick-start advantage in their careers. Often those projected in the media merely stress hardwork, determination, perseverance and faith to ensure success but conveniently leave out the element of having the right "mix" or the recipe.
There are various models of businesses one can choose from; franchise, direct selling to limited companies or even hybrids of sorts. No matter which one chooses, the critical factor is competition which many fail to evaluate, understand, and capitalise on to their advantage. Getting into business today and in the future is not a game for those who are complacent. Up to 90% of entrepreneurs fail within 2 years of their start up regardless of the business model they choose because of unpreparedness to face the troughs in the business cycle. They often land up owing the banks or institutions that has provided the financial capital.
There are multiple platforms made available by the government and private sector, especially to the younger generation, to venture into businesses but one must be critical in the decision making before setting foot into the arena. Merely following the tide can be detrimental not only financially, but also to the morale. Many have burnt their fingers at an early age and it may take years to recover.
Entrepreneurship is about sustainability and growth. Frustration of early business plateau with little profits or even losses in the primary stages have led many to abandon their businesses as they lack determination and loose steam. More than often the lame excuse is always about "unfair" competition in the market. Well, that's the reality of our open-market system and with globalisation the business terrain is only heading to steeper and more challenging environment. Entry levels into the market especially for the small and medium enterprises have been raised to levels not experienced by our past generations. Business concepts have morphed over time and ever revolving. Consumer demands and expectations are on the rise with knowledge explosions happening all round us. Information is at finger tips moving at lightning speed and consumerism is taking foot firmly in all aspects.
So, are the new enthusiatic entrepreneurs ready to face this? The various trainings and academic acquirement within and out of universities or colleges are often the crawling stage of infancy. Experiential training and learning may teach you the standing and walking phases but unfortunately many trainers and training centers do not run you through the full 9-yards. And in essence, that is when the real on-the-field challenge kicks in. That is when a coach is needed to guide an entrepreneur when and how to attack, retreat, defend or rest. Only excellent mentor and mantee can survive the ruggedness in business. In todays' business climate, entrepreneurship is analogue to painting a picasso on an empty canvas. It is tough!
It is critical for training providers and institutions alike engaged with entrepreneuship aspirants be factual, realistic and do not stop short of realising them the intricacies and steep competition they face in the real world. We as a nation grossly lack such trainers and coaches. It is indeed disheartening to know that the vast majority of providers merely engage in generic business trainings and not niche training. Quantity has supercede quality and as such the foundation and footing of many budding entrepreneurs fail to withstand difficult periods.
Though fear of failure should not everwhelmingly be discouraging, an entrepreneur must take a calculated risk to minimize the probability. It is critical to weigh and evaluate the many facets in the business dwelling with great detail within the niche; which indeed is a daunting and demanding phase. Surely there are many other issues which will catapult towards an entrepreneur, but if one had forseen most of the core matter; hardships, dents and difficulties can be dampenned or cushioned.
And to all new and aspiring entrepreneurs out there, please ensure you not only get the right training center but also the right and appropriate trainer, coach, mentor and one who is currently active in that particular area of expertise. As the saying goes knowing the recipe itself is insufficient. Its how you cook it!
Political Leader
The common talk on the street is about general elections (GE) being called soon within the year. It is speculative and anybody's guess could be right; though the government of the day have the mandate till 2013 to dissolve parliament, which is 2 years from now. Within the last 3 years we have witnessed 16 by elections and more than RM11 million spent from the tax payers' pockets. Though the elections were unavoidable, we must not ignore the fact that it is eventually the rakyat that forks out the expenses to elect credible representatives that will project the voices and concerns of the commoners. Only then a represantative is qualified to be called a responsible politician.
The million dollar question is- have the current parliamentarians done their jobs efficiently thus far deserve a vote in the ballot box in the coming GE?
Of late, the Parliament, as the august house has been used more of a personalised platform for arguments rather than policy making debates. In the eyes of the public, it has been perceived that many parliamentarians are too engrossed taking potshot, mud-slinging and name calling during the valuable time allocated rather debating on policies that affect every citizen in Malaysia. We clearly lack wisdom among many of our members of parliament. Some members have never seem to even debated any critical point for the past years. All they do is enjoy the perks as representatives. Such politicians definitely need to be booted out in the next election regardless which party they come from.
Politicians must realise that politicking is not about shouting the loudest in front of thousands. It is about performing to expectations of the rakyat. The rakyat needs a true voice in parliament and not rethorics which has become a norm today. We want calibered individuals with an eye for detail at grass root levels and not skewed on racism, nepotism and cronyism attitudes. With alternative media the rakyat is far more exposed to information and knowledge. Though the extend to its truthfullness is always questionable, it still makes an impact weather we like it or not especially among the young voters.
The younger generation of today weigh values on a different scale and it is high time politicans take them seriously. The wave of change and political upheavals in many nations have gyrated around the younger flock. Their voices and actions have penetrated the hearts of many leaders and have initiated transformations in thought process of governments. They demand a direct say rather than cascade their call via bereaucracies and red tape. It is an accepted fact that social medias on the internet are an integral part of the ruling systems globally even in third world countries. Virtual pressure groups can longer be sidelined by our politicians as they know the repurcussions can be grave especially if a critical issue is at its tipping point.
In today's scenario, it is sad that finding a true leader among the many politicians is synonym to looking for a pin in a hay stack. Many go into hibernation after winning an election and only wriggle when their comfort zones are rattled. We do not see them for years until the following election.
A true political leader not only commands respect but also makes an effort to engage directly with his people. In that perspective, credit is definitely due to our Prime Minister. He has indeed showed true leadership by engaging directly with all levels of society in the country. Despite having a herculean task of spearheading various transformation programmes, he makes every effort to meet the people on the gound. This is the attittude and practices that must be embedded and emulated by all other politicians before we can call them leaders. I am confident that many among our parliamentarians will fail to match the benchmarking set forth by our PM.
As voters, let us make the next general election a platform to only elect true political leaders and not just politicians. Vote-in those who can lead political, social and economic reforms for a better Malaysia.
The million dollar question is- have the current parliamentarians done their jobs efficiently thus far deserve a vote in the ballot box in the coming GE?
Of late, the Parliament, as the august house has been used more of a personalised platform for arguments rather than policy making debates. In the eyes of the public, it has been perceived that many parliamentarians are too engrossed taking potshot, mud-slinging and name calling during the valuable time allocated rather debating on policies that affect every citizen in Malaysia. We clearly lack wisdom among many of our members of parliament. Some members have never seem to even debated any critical point for the past years. All they do is enjoy the perks as representatives. Such politicians definitely need to be booted out in the next election regardless which party they come from.
Politicians must realise that politicking is not about shouting the loudest in front of thousands. It is about performing to expectations of the rakyat. The rakyat needs a true voice in parliament and not rethorics which has become a norm today. We want calibered individuals with an eye for detail at grass root levels and not skewed on racism, nepotism and cronyism attitudes. With alternative media the rakyat is far more exposed to information and knowledge. Though the extend to its truthfullness is always questionable, it still makes an impact weather we like it or not especially among the young voters.
The younger generation of today weigh values on a different scale and it is high time politicans take them seriously. The wave of change and political upheavals in many nations have gyrated around the younger flock. Their voices and actions have penetrated the hearts of many leaders and have initiated transformations in thought process of governments. They demand a direct say rather than cascade their call via bereaucracies and red tape. It is an accepted fact that social medias on the internet are an integral part of the ruling systems globally even in third world countries. Virtual pressure groups can longer be sidelined by our politicians as they know the repurcussions can be grave especially if a critical issue is at its tipping point.
In today's scenario, it is sad that finding a true leader among the many politicians is synonym to looking for a pin in a hay stack. Many go into hibernation after winning an election and only wriggle when their comfort zones are rattled. We do not see them for years until the following election.
A true political leader not only commands respect but also makes an effort to engage directly with his people. In that perspective, credit is definitely due to our Prime Minister. He has indeed showed true leadership by engaging directly with all levels of society in the country. Despite having a herculean task of spearheading various transformation programmes, he makes every effort to meet the people on the gound. This is the attittude and practices that must be embedded and emulated by all other politicians before we can call them leaders. I am confident that many among our parliamentarians will fail to match the benchmarking set forth by our PM.
As voters, let us make the next general election a platform to only elect true political leaders and not just politicians. Vote-in those who can lead political, social and economic reforms for a better Malaysia.
Malacca
A recent report showed Malacca recorded a healthy GDP and fiscal growth. Congratulations to the state government and especially the Chief Minister and his team for their hard work. No doubt; Malacca has experienced a major transformation within the past ten years. It has grown from a small town known as "sleepy hollow" to a world reknowned historical city globally.
Having the richness of its various ethnic culture; indeed Malacca is truly a represantative of a melting pot with a tinge of cosmopolitan taste. It has attracted the highest number of tourists over the years and has earned itself as a must stop destination for many tourists coming into Malaysia. Malaysia has its history deeply rooted in Malacca and has been pivotal in the evolution of our multicultured society we live in today.
With its rich heritage and preservation of colonial landmarks, Malacca enlivens the historical facts among us and restores the value of learning history. The Malaccans till today have rightly conserved the rich culture that was left by our colonial masters at one time and blended it well with our own values over time. The influence of Portugese and Dutch, especially within the culinary scope, has been well received and passed down generation after generations. This feature has been the hallmark of speciality offered by Malaccans and has been a nucleus of attraction for locals and foreigners.
Malacca has preserved its heritage buildings and historical sites exceptionally well over time and a must visit for all Malaysians indeed. The portugese, chitties, peranakans and baba nyonya culture, food and language is the unique attribute of Malacca. It has withstood the test of time showcasing how well foreign cultures have blended so cohesively and hormoniusly with the rich Malay culture. Having travelled extensively myself, I have never witnessed such a society so different and yet sharing so much of similiarities with respect to individuality.
Malacca state tourism board has done well in lining up various interesting activities for visitors to participate in. One of my favourites is the river cruise. It has been well planned and the cruise gives a fabulous view of Malacca from a different perspective. Within the half hour or so cruise, one will be enthralled with the beautiful lighting system and well kept pre-war buildings. Having grown up in Malacca in the 70's and 80's, whilst studying in the second oldest school in the country, Malacca High School, I truly say that it still provides the ambiance of that era despite the emergence of newer buildings and infrastructure within the city.
The iconic Bukit Cina which houses the largest chinese cemetary in the world within a city is a heaven for joggers per se. Buildings like the Stadhuys, A'famosa and the all famous St.Paul's Hill are a major attraction. And definitely not to forget the abundance of variety of foods it has to offer.
The 1Malaysia concept of living within a society has long been embedded within the hearts and practices of Malaccans and if only the larger part of Malaysians could emulate them. Malacca is indeed "Truly Malaysia".
Having the richness of its various ethnic culture; indeed Malacca is truly a represantative of a melting pot with a tinge of cosmopolitan taste. It has attracted the highest number of tourists over the years and has earned itself as a must stop destination for many tourists coming into Malaysia. Malaysia has its history deeply rooted in Malacca and has been pivotal in the evolution of our multicultured society we live in today.
With its rich heritage and preservation of colonial landmarks, Malacca enlivens the historical facts among us and restores the value of learning history. The Malaccans till today have rightly conserved the rich culture that was left by our colonial masters at one time and blended it well with our own values over time. The influence of Portugese and Dutch, especially within the culinary scope, has been well received and passed down generation after generations. This feature has been the hallmark of speciality offered by Malaccans and has been a nucleus of attraction for locals and foreigners.
Malacca has preserved its heritage buildings and historical sites exceptionally well over time and a must visit for all Malaysians indeed. The portugese, chitties, peranakans and baba nyonya culture, food and language is the unique attribute of Malacca. It has withstood the test of time showcasing how well foreign cultures have blended so cohesively and hormoniusly with the rich Malay culture. Having travelled extensively myself, I have never witnessed such a society so different and yet sharing so much of similiarities with respect to individuality.
Malacca state tourism board has done well in lining up various interesting activities for visitors to participate in. One of my favourites is the river cruise. It has been well planned and the cruise gives a fabulous view of Malacca from a different perspective. Within the half hour or so cruise, one will be enthralled with the beautiful lighting system and well kept pre-war buildings. Having grown up in Malacca in the 70's and 80's, whilst studying in the second oldest school in the country, Malacca High School, I truly say that it still provides the ambiance of that era despite the emergence of newer buildings and infrastructure within the city.
The iconic Bukit Cina which houses the largest chinese cemetary in the world within a city is a heaven for joggers per se. Buildings like the Stadhuys, A'famosa and the all famous St.Paul's Hill are a major attraction. And definitely not to forget the abundance of variety of foods it has to offer.
The 1Malaysia concept of living within a society has long been embedded within the hearts and practices of Malaccans and if only the larger part of Malaysians could emulate them. Malacca is indeed "Truly Malaysia".
Ever since the rare earth project in Gebeng, Pahang was initiated; the floodgates to protests has widened phenomenally. The concern and worries have been compounded by the Fukushima incident in Japan post earthquake that hit the nation. Let us relook and remap the entire episode in a nonpartisan perspective with sound scientific rationality and putting aside emotions that have overwhelmed the media.
Opposing merely on the grounds of concern does not hold much weight in the long run if we do not make ourselves understand the basic sciences and concepts thoroughly and turn a blind mind to all arguments. One lacks the wisdom to listen and comprehend if there is too much of political inferences.
The very word “radioactivity” has been taken out of context and viewed as a word from hell and has been given a tone of evilness. There is radioactivity all around us whether we like it or not. There is always background radioactivity, far more in confined areas like shopping malls, hospitals and even the open parks where we exercise and the very houses we live in. There is no escape from it. This is a fact nobody can deny regardless on which political divide one sits in.
From the time of Madam Curie to –date, the field of radioactivity has evolved in great length. Madam Curie died from aplastic anaemia due to her ignorance on the dangers of ionizing radiation that could bring much harm to her. Nevertheless the scientific world did not let her efforts and research go to waste and continued dissecting the various facets of radioactive elements occurring naturally. Imagine the world today if all works were discontinued upon her demise.
The benefits extracted from radioactivity have brought a paradigm shift in detecting and treating diseases especially cancer. Today we have radiopharmaceuticals which are widely used in the medical field for treating cancer. We have radioactive tracers used to detect abnormal growths and for research & development. It is widely used not only in humans but also in agriculture and animal studies. How many of us would have taken the effort to educate ourselves on this. Or do we grind to a halt merely knowing the fact today?
We have cyclotrons in Malaysia that synthesise fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG), a radiopharmaceutical injected into patients which is widely used for PET scans in the field of medical imaging. Let’s not go into the details of its radiochemistry but the fact is it is here to stay and its uses will only be increasing with time. Are we to abandon it for it is radioactive? Some may reply in affirmative tone if they lack the insight.
Now, coming back on the issue of rare earths, indeed it is not as rare as we have perceived. Over time the terminology “rare earth” has gained more momentum in daily language and has mislead the vast majority to believe that it is a kind of earth that it represents is scarce and authentic to a certain degree. In reality that is not. It is found all round the crust of planet earth. The term “rare earth” came to making due to the scarcity of the minerals that it contains which are minute in quantity and the word “earth” was at that time synonym to minerals.
If we were to walk down the history aisle of the periodic table of elements in the field of chemistry, terminologies like “noble gases” may not make sense but they were in context in the year 1869 when the table was formulated.
And because of the availability of rare minerals, which are indeed more abundant than gold, we have acquired the current lifestyle in the world we live in. There is more “rare earth” in our homes, pockets (via communication gadgets), and work place that have sneaked silently without any notice over the century. Even the cave man were exposed to rare earth; maybe more for they were living in caves! Imagine the world today if we run short of “rare earth”.
We must accept the fact that despite the abundance of its availability on earth, many countries have refrained from mining the rare minerals from the rare earth is because China has been exporting them at very low prices. It does not make economic sense to venture into mining such minerals if we can purchase a commodity far below the cost of producing ourselves. Nevertheless, China has decided to impose strict export terms and to reduce the quantity supplied to the world market. Now this is a dangerous precedent as they have the monopoly of the market with 95% share.
With the China policy; in a very near distance we all will be subject to higher prices of electrical and electronic goods like television, computers, phones, and even vehicles for the matter. The inflationary effect will snowball the entire chain of supply for our daily needs. The citizens of the world should not be subject to such monopolistic maneuver. Though China has stated environmental issues as a reason, we know it is not that simplistic. They have a bigger agenda and we should not take it for granted.
So the question that is currently haunting in many minds: WHY IS MALAYSIA involved in such a project? But the question I beg to ask WHY NOT MALAYSIA?
Let’s dwell on some facts.
Countries all around the world play hosts to many economically viable industries to the advanced and developed nations. Job creations, technology transfers and socioeconomic uplift are among the many outcomes host countries have benefited. Malaysia is not an exception. We have also reached the current mile stone due to an open economy concept much to the envy of many of our neighbors at one time. Every industry chooses the most favorable platform to do business from and indeed Malaysia has also created such niches to many famed international companies. Why one nation is chosen over others is not only determined by economic factors but also education level, social and definitely political and government policies.
Relocating a business entity is not an alien concept. Many entities have relocated their operations around the globe and at times not in entirety but factional in nature which at times does not get publicized. There are many manufacturing companies that have fragmented their chain of operations for various reasons. There are pharmaceutical companies here that import raw materials from Europe and export the finished products back to their originating nation and worldwide. We have regional hubs for logistical reasons which give an added advantage for these companies.
On that note, bringing in the raw material, in this case rare earth, from Australia should not be viewed negatively. The concentration of rare minerals in the earth from their site provides the viability of the project. Processing and exporting from Malaysia is viable geographically and economically.
Nevertheless, the issue on the byproduct of the process, thorium as being radioactive, has been the point of debate and headlines. What intrigues me is the fact that the only evidence of opposition is based solely on the 8 cases of leukemia claimed to be associated with the radiation caused by the radioactive waste in Bukit Merah. A mere medical and clinical observation made by a medical expert cannot be extrapolated into making a substantial and statistically accepted fact in science. It is important that when a scientifically trained person makes a statement in full public access, he or she must be honest and unbiased in making a conclusion. Only then the statement made holds water. Or else it is just speculative and considered junk science. Hundreds if not thousands of Malaysian children suffer from leukemia annually. How do we justify that statistics? Do we stop all “risky” activities? Even Down’s syndrome and smoking are risk factors! Why have we not banned cigarette smoking entirely to curb leukemia?
There are various types of leukemia and the truth is; experts still do not know what really causes leukemia! There are only possible factors known to increase the risk but again surprisingly many who have these risk factors do not get leukemia! Therefore it is utmost important to lay all facts before the eyes and it is the duty of the health expert to be forthcoming to all parties and not dish out a skewed version. On the other hand, many who suffer from leukemia do not have any risk factors. Making a direct link retrospectively hastily only shows the shallowness of a scientific statement.
It is an accepted fact that thorium is radioactive and it is naturally found in our soil. Incidentally we do not sieve our soil to remove thorium when we erect our buildings. There are far more harmful chemicals around us in the environment and above all, the food we consume. One is more likely to ingest harmful levels of heavy metals like mercury and lead via sea food consumption than being exposed to radiation per se. There are more deaths daily due to diabetic complications than radiation related. And the list can go on. We need a rational point for argument.
Making comparison to the nuclear reactor incident in Japan is really farfetched on the other hand. It is seen as a convenient gateway to ruffle the facts. The two processes are like North and South Pole. Equating the two is pure ignorance per se. The only common term in the two operations is “radioactivity”. All other facts do not relate and ironically none of the opponents have volunteered to make a factual comparison. And that is because there is nothing to compare.
There is definitely a glaring knowledge gap and understanding in the sciences of radioactivity. This is so evident for the fact that we have all lived in a radioactive environment, used radioactive gadgets and machineries without much or any question all our lives. The educational curve may be tedious but those disseminating information must do a thorough fact finding before presenting it to the masses.
A puzzle is not complete till the last piece is put in place. A scientific debate must never run high on politically charged agenda. Presenting the facts to counter a scientific and technological oriented project is utmost important.
Opposing merely on the grounds of concern does not hold much weight in the long run if we do not make ourselves understand the basic sciences and concepts thoroughly and turn a blind mind to all arguments. One lacks the wisdom to listen and comprehend if there is too much of political inferences.
The very word “radioactivity” has been taken out of context and viewed as a word from hell and has been given a tone of evilness. There is radioactivity all around us whether we like it or not. There is always background radioactivity, far more in confined areas like shopping malls, hospitals and even the open parks where we exercise and the very houses we live in. There is no escape from it. This is a fact nobody can deny regardless on which political divide one sits in.
From the time of Madam Curie to –date, the field of radioactivity has evolved in great length. Madam Curie died from aplastic anaemia due to her ignorance on the dangers of ionizing radiation that could bring much harm to her. Nevertheless the scientific world did not let her efforts and research go to waste and continued dissecting the various facets of radioactive elements occurring naturally. Imagine the world today if all works were discontinued upon her demise.
The benefits extracted from radioactivity have brought a paradigm shift in detecting and treating diseases especially cancer. Today we have radiopharmaceuticals which are widely used in the medical field for treating cancer. We have radioactive tracers used to detect abnormal growths and for research & development. It is widely used not only in humans but also in agriculture and animal studies. How many of us would have taken the effort to educate ourselves on this. Or do we grind to a halt merely knowing the fact today?
We have cyclotrons in Malaysia that synthesise fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG), a radiopharmaceutical injected into patients which is widely used for PET scans in the field of medical imaging. Let’s not go into the details of its radiochemistry but the fact is it is here to stay and its uses will only be increasing with time. Are we to abandon it for it is radioactive? Some may reply in affirmative tone if they lack the insight.
Now, coming back on the issue of rare earths, indeed it is not as rare as we have perceived. Over time the terminology “rare earth” has gained more momentum in daily language and has mislead the vast majority to believe that it is a kind of earth that it represents is scarce and authentic to a certain degree. In reality that is not. It is found all round the crust of planet earth. The term “rare earth” came to making due to the scarcity of the minerals that it contains which are minute in quantity and the word “earth” was at that time synonym to minerals.
If we were to walk down the history aisle of the periodic table of elements in the field of chemistry, terminologies like “noble gases” may not make sense but they were in context in the year 1869 when the table was formulated.
And because of the availability of rare minerals, which are indeed more abundant than gold, we have acquired the current lifestyle in the world we live in. There is more “rare earth” in our homes, pockets (via communication gadgets), and work place that have sneaked silently without any notice over the century. Even the cave man were exposed to rare earth; maybe more for they were living in caves! Imagine the world today if we run short of “rare earth”.
We must accept the fact that despite the abundance of its availability on earth, many countries have refrained from mining the rare minerals from the rare earth is because China has been exporting them at very low prices. It does not make economic sense to venture into mining such minerals if we can purchase a commodity far below the cost of producing ourselves. Nevertheless, China has decided to impose strict export terms and to reduce the quantity supplied to the world market. Now this is a dangerous precedent as they have the monopoly of the market with 95% share.
With the China policy; in a very near distance we all will be subject to higher prices of electrical and electronic goods like television, computers, phones, and even vehicles for the matter. The inflationary effect will snowball the entire chain of supply for our daily needs. The citizens of the world should not be subject to such monopolistic maneuver. Though China has stated environmental issues as a reason, we know it is not that simplistic. They have a bigger agenda and we should not take it for granted.
So the question that is currently haunting in many minds: WHY IS MALAYSIA involved in such a project? But the question I beg to ask WHY NOT MALAYSIA?
Let’s dwell on some facts.
Countries all around the world play hosts to many economically viable industries to the advanced and developed nations. Job creations, technology transfers and socioeconomic uplift are among the many outcomes host countries have benefited. Malaysia is not an exception. We have also reached the current mile stone due to an open economy concept much to the envy of many of our neighbors at one time. Every industry chooses the most favorable platform to do business from and indeed Malaysia has also created such niches to many famed international companies. Why one nation is chosen over others is not only determined by economic factors but also education level, social and definitely political and government policies.
Relocating a business entity is not an alien concept. Many entities have relocated their operations around the globe and at times not in entirety but factional in nature which at times does not get publicized. There are many manufacturing companies that have fragmented their chain of operations for various reasons. There are pharmaceutical companies here that import raw materials from Europe and export the finished products back to their originating nation and worldwide. We have regional hubs for logistical reasons which give an added advantage for these companies.
On that note, bringing in the raw material, in this case rare earth, from Australia should not be viewed negatively. The concentration of rare minerals in the earth from their site provides the viability of the project. Processing and exporting from Malaysia is viable geographically and economically.
Nevertheless, the issue on the byproduct of the process, thorium as being radioactive, has been the point of debate and headlines. What intrigues me is the fact that the only evidence of opposition is based solely on the 8 cases of leukemia claimed to be associated with the radiation caused by the radioactive waste in Bukit Merah. A mere medical and clinical observation made by a medical expert cannot be extrapolated into making a substantial and statistically accepted fact in science. It is important that when a scientifically trained person makes a statement in full public access, he or she must be honest and unbiased in making a conclusion. Only then the statement made holds water. Or else it is just speculative and considered junk science. Hundreds if not thousands of Malaysian children suffer from leukemia annually. How do we justify that statistics? Do we stop all “risky” activities? Even Down’s syndrome and smoking are risk factors! Why have we not banned cigarette smoking entirely to curb leukemia?
There are various types of leukemia and the truth is; experts still do not know what really causes leukemia! There are only possible factors known to increase the risk but again surprisingly many who have these risk factors do not get leukemia! Therefore it is utmost important to lay all facts before the eyes and it is the duty of the health expert to be forthcoming to all parties and not dish out a skewed version. On the other hand, many who suffer from leukemia do not have any risk factors. Making a direct link retrospectively hastily only shows the shallowness of a scientific statement.
It is an accepted fact that thorium is radioactive and it is naturally found in our soil. Incidentally we do not sieve our soil to remove thorium when we erect our buildings. There are far more harmful chemicals around us in the environment and above all, the food we consume. One is more likely to ingest harmful levels of heavy metals like mercury and lead via sea food consumption than being exposed to radiation per se. There are more deaths daily due to diabetic complications than radiation related. And the list can go on. We need a rational point for argument.
Making comparison to the nuclear reactor incident in Japan is really farfetched on the other hand. It is seen as a convenient gateway to ruffle the facts. The two processes are like North and South Pole. Equating the two is pure ignorance per se. The only common term in the two operations is “radioactivity”. All other facts do not relate and ironically none of the opponents have volunteered to make a factual comparison. And that is because there is nothing to compare.
There is definitely a glaring knowledge gap and understanding in the sciences of radioactivity. This is so evident for the fact that we have all lived in a radioactive environment, used radioactive gadgets and machineries without much or any question all our lives. The educational curve may be tedious but those disseminating information must do a thorough fact finding before presenting it to the masses.
A puzzle is not complete till the last piece is put in place. A scientific debate must never run high on politically charged agenda. Presenting the facts to counter a scientific and technological oriented project is utmost important.
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