OIL PRICE HIKES CAUSING ANXIETY WORLDWIDE!

‘Oil fields are plenty’ 

Ordinary Malaysians fearful at price hikes? 

As expected, the price of oil continues to rise! 

It is at $93 a Barrel and set to rise again according to analyst! 

With uneasiness about various portfolios in West Asia things may get worse. 

Even ordinary Malaysians are not spared that fear as they face price hikes across the board - come 2008? 

My Char Koey Tiow caused me RM4.50, my daughter’s plain soup mee caused RM5.00, our barley caused us RM1.50 all - not at some fancy ‘5 star hotel spread’ but at Petaling Jaya, old town market area! 

It is not funny – really! 

LETS BE REALISTIC FOR ONCE!

‘with prices shooting over these and anxieties over that…(below) 

‘my home in that line too!’ so I am not really bothered about this one (below) - thats for those living in Fantasy Island!
“So I am not lest bothered about this!’(far right!)  

No, I am really not bothered to join the ‘frenzy and hyper rhetoric on the claims and counterclaims of the so called space mission which is being spanned in several media! 

With ferries sinking, busses crashing, murders, rape and robberies with landslides and pending floods not forgetting the escalating cost of living shooting through the roof putting the budget of the middle class and others on the food chain in a state of anxiety and chaos while another cross section throw huge parties with no want, no restriction nor cause to conserve as if the monies they have accumulated (?) collected/claimed came and will continue to flow in abundance as each try to out do the other in a show of extravagance and wealth whose real source, we will never know! 

Something really strange here! 

But let’s get back to reality for once! 

Thunderstorm in the coastal waters off Kelantan, Terengganu and West Sarawak is expected to continue until tonight, the meteorological department is stating and in Selangor we have been in the rainfall zone causing us poor TTDI JAYA residents sleepless nights and troubled days and yes - on Hari Raya  day my children and I were cycling in the heavy rain checking and checking both rivers the Sungei Damansara and Sungai Kuning and calling for help after several houses were already hit by flood waters and the siren sounding non stop!

Most of the residents had gone for the holiday break and this added to the tensions! 

We are told that this condition can cause strong wind of up to 40km an hour and rough seas, with waves rising up to 2.5m, and are dangerous to small boats. 

Which literally means our fishermen will not go out and the price of fish and others related to the sea will ‘cost a bomb!’

And real strong north-easterly wind of 40 to 50km an hour over waters off Kelantan and Terengganu, with maximum wave height of 3.5m, is expected to also persist and that will hit the tourist spots there as well!

This condition is dangerous to recreational sea activities and sea sports! 

And what is not in Malaysia these days!

Perhaps with all these tensions and irritations, I should join my wife when she goes on her business trip to ‘down under’ since this seems to be the place to ‘run away from reality?’ 

CONSUMERISM IN SCHOOLS NOT NEW IDEA - CAP ALREADY INITIATED IT IN THE LATE 70s!’

CONSUMERISM IN SCHOOLS - ‘the dpm’s thoughts should take what we have initiated from the late 70’s to new heights’ - Dr Jacob George. 

It was interesting to read the ‘attempt’ by certain quarters to try to initiate ‘a spin’ on consumerism and schools as if they were ‘new concepts and ideas!’

For the record, consumer education has long being taught in schools directly and through the Consumer Clubs set up, through educational and environmental awareness seminars, campaigns, conferences and so forth, as early as the late 70’s through the good office of the Ministry of Education, higher education, in core courses in the universities, especially the Universiti Malaya law faculty, through practicals, lectures, field studies and projects through the CDC and so forth and I can mention more, as I was part of that pioneer team when I was working with the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) and Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) under the leadership, guidance and vision of Mr S. M. Mohd Idris JP the President of both organizations!

But the concept can be taken to a higher ground since our beloved deputy premier, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has also lately resurrected the idea that consumerism be taught as a subject in schools to create well-informed and savvy shoppers from young.

But do make it sound that this is a new concept and worse still get comments from ‘babes of consumerism!’.

Talk to the pioneers but what to do - journalism has today become a skill in spins rather than of reporting facts and truth!

The things people spin and try to take credit for - is unbelievable!

I wonder where some of ‘these people - the spinmasters’ were in the 70’s - perhaps, not born yet or still in ‘pampers’ when we walked that difficult road?

JUST A PLEASANT WISH TO ALL MY MUSLIM BROTHERS & SISTERS!

SMOKING BAN IN CARS A BRILLANT AND RESPONSIBLE MOVE! WILL MALAYSIA FOLLOW SUIT?

SMOKING BAN IN CARS A BRILLANT AND RESPONSIBLE MOVE! 

I am glad to hear that California motorists will risk fines of up to US$100 in 2008 if they are caught smoking in cars with minors, making their state the third to protect children in vehicles from secondhand smoke. 

And this is because Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday signed a bill that will make it an infraction to smoke in a vehicle if someone under age 18 is present. 

But the interesting move is a traffic stop would have to be made for another offense, such as speeding or an illegal turn, before the driver could be cited for smoking. 

The ban, which takes effect Jan. 1, joins a string of smoking prohibitions adopted in California, including a ban on smoking in enclosed workplaces and within 25 feet of a playground. 

According to a report in the Harvard School of Public Health in 2006 secondhand smoke in cars can be up to 10 times more of a health risk than secondhand smoke in a home. 

The aim of the said bill seems to be to protect the health of children which JG believes is among a responsible government’s highest responsibilities! 

We are advised that at least 20 states and a number of municipalities have considered limiting smoking in cars where minors are present. 

For the record - Arkansas now bans smoking in cars with children age 6 and younger, while Louisiana has limited it when children 13 and younger are in the vehicle. 

Maine lawmakers will take up the issue in January. 

Will Malaysia follow suit? 

SAFETY FIRST FOR FESTIVE DRIVE HOME - TOO LITTLE TOO LATE?

So the Road Transport Department (JPJ), in a move to ensure passenger safety and reduce road accidents, will not allow express buses with faulty brakes and worn-out tyres to leave their terminals.

The buses will be checked under the on-going Ops Sikap XIII before leaving the 30 main terminals nationwide.

So says the JPJ and that a bus if found to have faulty brakes or worn-out tyres would have to replace the bus or repair or change the affected parts before the said journey! 

We are told that safety would not be compromised on the altars of profits and greed this time around!

We are told that there would also be nationwide checks including in Kelantan where the checks will be at roadblocks which I think is a bad idea as it is more purposeful when done at the origin of the travel as not to cause undue difficulty and problems in logistics for innocent passengers!

It is good to hear that those violating traffic rules will not be stopped but that their offences will be recorded using digital cameras!

In the meantime JG is also excited to hear that Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharom has stated that officers from the National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) would be stationed at bus terminals to check on bus drivers for drug abuse.

The agency would collaborate with the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB) to ensure effectiveness of the move which I think is brillant and I will tell him so when I meet him during the Hari Raya Open House at his home!

Actually it is good that the said test will undertaken not only during the festive season but continuously until the country is free of the drug scourge!

WHAT CONTINGENCY PLANS?

‘my request for 10 birds ended with only 7 and they say that all is well in the marketplace!’ 

It is a sick joke - when the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry and its minister states it has a ‘contingency plan’ if a shortage of chicken occurs during the Hari Raya festive season!

Yes true - chicken rearers had given their word that there would not be any shortage, the truth is there is a shortage as I found out yesterday when my order for 10 chickens only resulted in having seven and I was very lucky!

But we must have ‘bravo’ - ‘kalah tapa style nak!’ as we stated when we were much younger- and - certainly the ministry has one - when they state they are fully prepared to launch the plan and we are waiting!

And what is the ‘plan’ as if we did not know - Yes indeed - 500 tonnes of chicken would be brought in from Thailand and other countries IF (?) a shortage occurred.

But he was wrong, with this that the supply of chicken in the country was sufficient and that retailers were able to obtain them easily from wholesalers.

BANGLADESHI IN THE NEWS AGAIN!

BANGLADESHI IN THE NEWS AGAIN – THIS TIME FOR RAPE!  WELL DONE MALAYSIA!

SHAH ALAM:

If you thought the ‘nightmare scenario’ of the plague known as the ‘Malaysian Bangladeshi Fever’ is over with the announcement of a non reactionary ban (a cosmetic move - ‘too little too late’ as over 300,000 heads are alleged to be approved and awaiting arrival to create ‘more havoc’ in Malaysia with the possibility of non existent jobs but the ‘people behind’ it in Malaysia will make a whopping RM1350,000,000.00) it took a further turn as a Bangladeshi was charged in a Sessions Court in Shah Alam today with attempting to rape a seven-year-old girl.  

The allegations were against a Factory worker Salim M. Madul who allegedly committed the offence at Jalam Siswi, Kampung Sungai Gandis, Section 36, here, about 9pm on Sept 22.  

Salim, who was arrested on Sept 22, claimed trial to the charge today.  

He told the court through an interpreter that none of his family members was in Malaysia and he only had relatives and a friend here.  

He faces a jail term of up to 10 years and 10 strokes of the rotan if convicted under Section 376/511 of the Penal Code.  

The presiding Judge - YA Datin Zabariah Mohd Yusof fixed Nov 7 for the case to be mentioned.  

CHICKEN PRICE HIKE - MALAYSIA NEXT?

‘Price increase?’ 

So the news is that the price of chickens has risen by 20 to 50 per cent in Singapore according to our counterparts there.

For he record, Singapore imports over 3.4 million live chickens from Malaysia each month, but the higher operating costs faced by farms, has driven chicken prices up.

According to the Berita Harian, the price or chickens at several markets there has risen by between S$1.50 and S$3 (S$1=RM2.27), depending on the size of the chickens, while the price of frozen chickens increased by between S$1 and S$2 per kg.

According to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) Singapore, the higher poultry rearing costs was due to the increase in the price of chicken feed (corn bran) worldwide.

I sincerely think the higher demand for the festive season has also spurred the price of chickens up!

The wholesale price of medium-sized chickens is around S$7, and S$8 for a large bird, an increase of about S$1, according to sources!

So the stage is set, perhaps, for a similar hike here?

I think so, as I notice the ‘hand of the spin masters’ at work!

‘THE LINGAM TAPE’ - THE GOVERNMENTS OWES A DUTY TO GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM!

‘Whose panel is this?

I cannot but question the legal standing of the panel since it was not formed in pursuant to any relevant legislation, in particular the Commission of Inquiry Act 1950!

This is a folly and a big one at that! The World is watching but of course we do not care about that do we?

‘THE LINGAM TAPE’ - THE GOVERNMENTS OWES A DUTY TO GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM! 

The ‘what crisis Minister?’ claims that it is all a part of some ‘opposition conspiracy’ to erode public confidence in the Malaysian judiciary. 

Didn’t that same individual who made that incompetent remark – only days earlier made another silly statement when he stated ‘I’m his minister’ confirming to the world at large that in Malaysian the judiciary is subservient to the executive? 

It is also sad that he is among others in today’s leadership who are totally confused regarding the provisions and tenets of the separation of powers between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary through his pronouncements! 

Perhaps, it is the price we pay for the sins of 1988! 

But, the reality is these pronouncements are more embarrassing when the maker has himself had legal training! 

Typically, not to be left out of this ‘witch hunting craze’, we have another in the ‘form and shape’ of the Information Minister, certainly not known in the country for his ‘intellectual and factual comments’ adding his almost ridiculous statement that the members of the Malaysian bar should instead now probe their leaders for that brave September 26 ‘Walk For Justice’ to the PM’s Office. 

Perhaps, like this writer we cannot be surprised as these are the caliber of people representing us in Parliament and the country – a group living in a state of continued denial and suffering from frequent bouts of amnesia since 1988! 

Only they can serve a system that has from 1988 destroyed every bastion of ‘check and balances’ that was enshrined in the land post independence to fulfill the ‘personal and private political ambition’ of one man, a system not dismantled since, one that breeds corruption, cronyism, an abuse of power and all things alien and contrary to the righteous teachings and tenets of main stream religions and conventions! 

But the fact remains, that the September 26 ‘Dataran Putra’ walk was a landmark act, that sent ‘shock and shivers’ down the spine of members of the Cabinet, politicians, the uniformed units, the self professed guardians of the Malaysian morality and ethics, when they saw over 3000 members of the bar, legal academicians, leaders of NGOs, members of the civil society, bloggers, members of political parties which includes in all fairness, proactive individuals from component parties of the Barisan Nasional, students and ordinary people brave the thunderstorm, the possibility of ‘injury and of assault’ and the ‘intimidation’ of the unusual heavy presence of anti-riot police and a police helicopter hovering above! 

The over 3000 were saying to the powers that be that they wanted genuine changes in the country! 

It is sad when one cannot admit that the Malaysian public confidence is all time low and because of such incompetence shown by those who hold both political and professional office in the country even those who are just and sincere among the corridors of the judiciary are today being besmirched. 

The sad reality is, despite the damage done since 1988 there is still reluctance to address the primary issues that came out of that ‘infamous Lingam tape’ that the there is a ‘black hand’ at work buying out, fixing, or managing the process of judges appointment in Malaysia. 

The truth remains that this crisis is not the work of the opposition as remarked by those who are certainly in my mind embarrassed at the pure unadulterated conversation of ‘judge fixing’ caught on tape and since making its rounds internationally! 

In my mind, this is not the time for spin masters, neither for embarrassed politicians to spur ‘verbal venom’ against political opponents, or others to settle private political vendettas and scores. 

It must be our national duty, a moment for corporate, personal and private reflection for an elected government to address the grievances and issues in its totality and work in hand with the civil society in a manner that is accountable, transparent, competent and right before GOD and Man! 

We owe this much to the people of Malaysia! 

JG’S CALL TO PARENTS AS EARLY AS JAN 2004!

JG SAID THIS THREE YEARS AGO BUT NOTHING HAS CHANGED SINCE!

January 25, 2007 on 9:57 pm | In General | Comments Off

  
26 January, 2004
 

Don’t take safety of children for granted, parents told

SUBANG:

The Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam Selangor (CASSA) has called on parents to be more responsible in watching over their children in view of the growing number of assaults, rape and murder of children in the country.

An observation by CASSA in several shopping malls in the city revealed that parents do not seem to be minding their children when they go shopping.

We sent a team from CASSA to 10 shopping complexes in the city and found that parents are too pre-occupied with their own thing. Additionally, the children’s walkabout is not supervised, said CASSA president Dr Jacob George.

This happens especially with large families, he said.

The parents are not aware of the movement of all their children.

He said if parents continue this irresponsible trend, these places may become favourite spot for kidnappers and sexual predators.

If parents are more perceptive, we won’t have this problem of missing children.

All it takes is a few minutes for a child to go missing. Parents should not take for granted the safety of children.

Jacob also called on the Information Ministry to spearhead campaigns that promote child safety and good parenting skills.

However, some parents said they always kept watch on their children when shopping.

Secretary Goh Sze Lin, 36, who has three young children says when she and her husband take the family out shopping, they always watch over their children.

I will hold my daughters’ hands, while my husband will be watching our son. We are never careless when we are out with them, she said.

Mother of four Suriani Abdul Ghani, 40, said her children can take care of themselves.

I have an 11-year-old son, and three daughters aged nine, seven and four, said the teacher.

They are always looking out for one another.

She added that although her children rarely sit still and are always running around, she knows where they are and always has an eye on them.

I make sure I can always see them and they know not to stray too far.

I have also advised them never to follow strangers. They are obedient. I know they listen to me, Suriani said.

William Beven, 48, who had a 10-year-old son said he usually takes his son out to safe and familiar shopping complexes.

I do let him go off on his own to computer game shops and such, but I always know where he might be, he said.

The businessman added that they know the lay-out of the complex well, and this ensures that there is no way his son could get lost.

Site supervisor Nuridah Sadikis, 26, said when she takes her five-year-old niece out, she always holds on to her.

I rarely take her out, but when I do, I will hold her hand.
She is not stubborn, so it is easy to control her, Nuridah said.

As she is not my child, I have to take extra care of her.

Father Jaafer Abdul Rashid, 49, practises the same thing on his eight-year-old son.

I always take him shopping and I never let him go far.

TIME TO ADOPT FEATURES OF AMBER ALERT IN MALAYSIA SAYS JG!

Amber Hagerman (9 yrs) kidnapped and brutally murdered in Arlington, Texas in 1996.

 ‘May her soul rest in Peace!’

It is to me rather sick and despicable that despite weeks past following the kidnapping and eventual brutal murder of eight year-old Nurin Jazlin, there is any effort to discuss measures to save abducted children, or even plans to provide safety guidelines for parents and children coming from the ‘powers that be’ let alone the setting up a task force of some form, the setting up of a toll free line, emergency response unit bot proactive and reactive!

No nothing but just plain  rhetorics which is the Malaysian way and these politicians if they are in any other country would be all sacked for a failure in a duty of care!

Worst still thy cannot contain their incompetence and failure and what they do to divert public anger and opinion - they are criminalising parents for negligence!

And have time to refer to statute too and I can also refer to countless others in the opposite direction and to what cause - what is your beef Minister?  

It is far better and professional for the various related ministries to start a media blitz aimed at educating society and to create awareness on safety for our children.

We have enough professionals and experts in this area who would be willing to assist in a comprehensive plan of action.

We can look at successful models and programmes in other countries especially in the US.

I am strongly for Amber Alert which has being successful in the United States of America!

I agree with the perception that if indeed we had Amber Alert - this heneious crime could have had another ending!

Now for the benefit of those unaware of AMBER ALERT: 

Amber stands for America’s Missing Broadcast Emergency Response.

For the record here it is also the name of the child who was kidnapped and brutally murdered in Arlington, Texas in 1996.

The tragedy of nine year-old Amber Hagerman (see pix above) shocked America and caused public outrage.

Amber Alert came into being.

The concept has been embraced by all segments of society and has saved the lives of hundreds of children.

Now what does it entail:

The Amber Alert is a critical missing child response program that utilizes the resources of law enforcement and media to notify the public when children are kidnapped by predators.

Although the scope of the Amber Alert varies, the criteria for activation are fairly consistent.

Whether it is a local, regional or statewide program, law enforcement activates an Amber Alert by notifying broadcast media with relevant identifying and case information when circumstances meets the following criteria:

• The missing child is of a pre-determined age;
• The law enforcement agency believes the child has been kidnapped;
• The agency believes the missing child is under threat of serious bodily harm or death.

Once they receive the Amber Alert radio and television stations interrupt regularly scheduled programming to notify the public that a child has been kidnapped.

We all know that 95% of all people driving in their cars listen to the radio, this is an extremely effective way of providing descriptions of the child, the kidnapper, vehicles or accomplices.

Besides turning the public into instant investigators when children are kidnapped, benefits of the Amber Alert include:

• It is free;
• It encourages participation between natural adversaries, law enforcement and media by drawing on their inherent strengths;
• It promotes accountability by creating the foundation of a comprehensive missing child protocol;
• It is an effective time critical response to kidnappers who can disappear with children at the rate of a mile per minute;
• It sends a powerful message to wanna-be kidnappers that this is a community that cares about and protects children;
• It saves lives.

When an Amber Alert is issued, the broadcast media goes into full swing, informing listeners and viewers of the kidnapped child’s name and useful details such as how she looks like, what she was wearing the last time she was seen, and with whom and where or whether she was in a vehicle.

Besides this, electronic billboards are used to flash the kidnapped child’s name of picture and also the relevant details.

People are kept alert and will be on a look-out.

It must be remembered that when a child is abducted, it is always done with sinister design.

Having such a system is about saving the child’s life before it is too late by forcing the perpetrator to release him/her before he sets out on his torturous binge.

Now can we all chip in to launch this IF the relevant ministry is too tied up with ‘nonsensical political watering and issues’ that keeps the profile of its minister in the public eye with ‘irrelevancies’ but resulting in real issues being sidelined because politically and thanks to present political mindset this is the Malaysian way we do business?