WHO OFFICIALS TOLD- BY ALL MEANS BE VIGILANT BUT GOD’S SAKE DONT PANIC!

Breaking New- 5th May 2009

WHO TOLD – BY ALL MEANS BE VIGILANT BUT DON’T PANIC! 

So as expected the number of swine flu victims topped the 1,000 mark as the United Nations’ most senior health official warned for some strange and inexplicable reason had to that a second wave of the virus could be far worse! 

I have repeatedly asked those expected to lead to lead and if they start to panic and give out ‘doomsday sermons’ – it will play right into the hands of ‘WALL STREET!’ 

We are aware no doubt that in Mexico, the epicenter of the outbreak, restaurants and businesses shuttered by the A (H1N1) virus are re-opening which is a positive sign! 

This despite Mexico raising its confirmed swine flu toll to 26 deaths and 776 infected cases on Monday, and according to analysts associated to this writer the epidemic appeared to be slowing. 

I am aware this is so despite the sense of alarm in Britain with the virus finding seven people who had not been to Mexico! 

My relatives who returned to Britain say it is not as bad as it is played up and they should know having lived there for over three decades and working for a senior law and enforcement unit who are usually briefed on such matters! 

But the reality is as acting WHO director-general Keiji Fukuda states there are 1,025 confirmed cases of swine flu, including 26 deaths, spread across 20 countries. One person has also died in the United States. 

So I would concur with him as do both the WHO Chief Margaret Chan and US President Barrack Obama that we need to continue to maintain and strengthen our alert and surveillance and not panic!

Latest indications and reports are  causing major anxiety in many countries!

This certainly is not helping with the official versions neither with the versions of spins of notorious news mediums and other agents of Wall Street!

But let us also uphold all who are working ’round the clock’ be they doctors, para medical staff, researchers or various WHO and enforcement agencies!

They are all serving a cause and we say God Speed!

Many cases are surfaces in the US and other parts of the world and we uphold them as well!

The pertinent question is - Will this flu become a global pandemic in humans like AIDS or the “Spanish Flu” of the 1918-1919 which killed an estimated 50 million people in 18 months?

I say no and call on all not to play up neither spin the stories to that wavelength for reasons of pure, unadulterated Wall Street Greed!

Governments around the world are working ‘hand in glove’ with the WHO and they should as we have had enough preparations since 2003, addressing first SARS, the Avian Flu and now this Swine Flu! 

In view, of the manner this news is evolving and ’spinned across the globe’ recklessly - causing fear and anxiety - containment is no longer an option and it is better not to put huge resources into it but move to securing ‘a remedy’ be it present anti virals which are helpful in ‘early detections’ say the first 72 hrs.

I am certain the ‘Big Pharmas’ have already gone into ‘action mode’ to test alternative drugs already on their R&D stockpile and if need be - for use prior to ‘approval protocols’ fulfilled why not - in desperate situation (qualification -desperate) it would give a fighting chance to save lifes!

And ultimately this is important! Saving lives!

But as I predicted ‘tongue in cheek’ not all people are grieving - as - the group I cited are already making huge gains on Wall Street cashing in on this epidemic with shares souring upwards to over 3% to 4%!

Crucial developments on swine flu outbreaks:

• Deaths: 152, all in Mexico the epicenter of this outbreak. More than 2000 suspected cases!

• Sickened: 1,614 in Mexico, suspected or confirmed; 20 confirmed in U.S.; 6 confirmed in Canada; 13 suspected in New Zealand; 7 suspected in Spain; 1 suspected in France; 2 suspected in Israel; 1 suspected in Brazil.

• Locations in Mexico: 17 states, including Mexico City, Mexico State, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Baja California and San Luis Potosi. Some, including Oaxaca, Mexico City and Baja California, have tourist areas, but authorities have not said where in these states the outbreaks occurred.

• Locations in U.S.: 8 in New York, 7 in California, 2 in Kansas, 2 in Texas and 1 in Ohio. Latest indications show more than 50 cases!

Just when you thought it was alright to eat your (Bak Kut Teh) pork - this hits you on the face! Yes, pandemics have a way of coming back in different forms!

I trust the approved protocols will kick in now - detecting, stopping, kicking up and arresting this problem! (JG’s DSKA)

So we are told by the World Health Organization (WHO) and there are international alerts already out, less travel advisories that a new flu virus suspected of killing at least 103 people in Mexico, alerts in the US, Canada and New Zealand has the potential to become a pandemic!

WHO Chief, Margaret Chan is reported to have stated that the outbreak was a “health emergency of international concern” and must be closely monitored.

Health experts say tests so far seem to link the illnesses in Mexico with a swine flu virus in the southern US.

Several people have also fallen ill in the US, and the authorities there are watching the situation.

The rest of the civilized world is on panic stations - as usual!

A top US health official (if this is what a top official is doing I wonder what the downliners are undertaking? Preaching domesday?) said the strain of swine flu had spread widely and could not be contained which I think is utter rubbish and adds to panic and they should know better!

Speaking after a meeting of the WHO’s emergency committee, Mrs Chan said that “the current events constitute a public health emergency of international concern”.

Several countries in Asia and Worldwide had in the past been on the radar that includes, Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, China and Malaysia!

I trust our ‘boys and gals’ at Malaysia’s Ministry of Health (MOH) are monitoing the situation rather closely!

They reverted to me speedily saying - ‘Big Chief (a new name for me, trust it is one of endearment!) we are on the ball!” 

I appreciated their response!  

For their information, I am already with my consumer counterparts in the US, the UK and Europe and several countries in the Asia Pacific Region exchanging data!   

So stay safe keep coming back here if you need alerts and updates!

It is ‘Caveat Emptor’ as always!

But I am more intrigued watching the ‘merchants of panic’ working overtime with their spins making this epidemic look like it is the ‘Mother of All Epidemics’ for their multi-national/transnational sponsors and benefactors - No Prizes For Guesses!   

KEEPING THEM HONEST - NOTHING IN LIFE MORE PRECIOUS THAN FAMILY!

Since Easter, as a family we have taken numerous breaks to rest and recuperate and spending time with relatives from England, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States of America.

In fact, my daughter just turned 12 on April 22 and it was nice to have her birthday celebrated for the first time in the presence of my relatives from all over!

She was so very thrilled!

‘Res Ipsa Loquitur’ 

Family and loved ones’ are so important!

So love and protect them at all cost! And do spend time with them yaar! 

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READING - MY FAVORITE HOBBY SAYS REUEL JACOB!

Thats me with my sister Talitha below!

Everyone has indeed a favorite hobby or past time which they hold rather dear and close to their hearts.

To some it could be a sporting event like football, badminton, hockey or squash, to others it perhaps is gardening, or an outdoor sport in the surrounding of the environment like fishing, camping while others may be attracted to indoor games, playing with computer or plain blogging via Internet as I have started now!

As for me personally I love reading and thus today I will share with you dear friends several thoughts and observations I have reading my favorite book.

I will share with you the name of the book, its author, the many reasons why I love reading and rereading my favorite book! 

The name of the book is none other by ‘LOAMHEDGE’ and its author is one Brian Jacques. 

Author Brian Jacques was once an actor, play writer, a British Broadcasting Company’s (BBC) presenter and thus has extensive experience in what he does.

When he was fifteen years old – a time many of us are still in school and under the guidance and control of our parents or guardians Brian at that young age traveled the world over by sea from his hometown Liverpool.

Yes – I see smiles on your faces as the British town Liverpool is familiar to some of you and happens to be my sister Talitha’s favourite team as well which has won major international football awards and is second presently in the English Premier League! 

Now the book ‘LOAMHEDGE’ is basically about animals in a world where they can communicate with each other by talking, thinking, living in harmony with each other and also outlining their many adventures, tragedy and excitement!

I felt great excitement when I was reading this book about the many adventures of the animals outlined in this book as it raises many pertinent questions about life and the manner we deal with many a issue in life like choices, development patterns one of development and the other of destruction, the environment, the sacrifices one is called to make, the contribution of all and that unity is strength!

The book really embodies several virtues that many of us have forgotten mainly gratitude, love, honor, truth, values, ethics, accountability and of good governance.

For your information - other books by the same author are Marie, Salamandastion, Martin the Warrior, Redwall, Moss Flower, Marl Fox and many more.

After a really stressful day at school or home this is the tonic for you believe me.

As reading Brian Jacques books takes you on a journey which re-chargers and revitalizes your thoughts body and spirit!

It is difficult to explain by mere words and the only way to experience this sentiment is to pick up one of his books and reading it!

My dear friends - My advice for you is to start with ‘LOAMHEDGE’ and you will know what I mean!

And why that book remains till this day my favorite book which I continue to read and re-read and every time I do so new thoughts and observations I feel within!

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MY DAY AT THE MALACCA ZOO -TALITHA JACOB

‘My Dad & brother Reuel’

It was a lovely three hours we spent at the Malacca zoo last Saturday.

The last time I visited this place was in the year 2000.

Then I was quite young and am told that I bravely went for a ride on a tram with the Malacca Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam, Dad’s close friend and Grandpa’s former student.

At that time there was an official ceremony where many schools participated and the CM was present to officiate a program in which my brother’s school - Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Section 9, Shah Alam participated.

But this time, we were on a retreat!

So after breakfast at my grandma’s place in Malacca, dad told both my brother Reuel and I that we are going for a walkabout at the Malacca zoo - I was very excited!

Grandma wanted us to go before it became too hot reminding us to return for lunch.

Hello - thats me Talitha with my dad!

So as I said - when we visited the zoo we saw alot of visitors from schools, colleges and even companies!

But I was sad to notice that the upkeep of the zoo could be better!

‘Thats me & my brother Reuel’

You see the animal cages were quite dirty, there was overgrown grass in several animal dens and worst still, the pool that contained fish was muddy and the various species of bird cages unkempt!

I was looking for a suggestion/feedback box but could find none and I hope that the zoo authorities would place one so that visitors can give valuable feedbacks to improve the zoo.

But overall - three of us enjoyed ourselves. I have never walked so much but it was fun!

We spent quite some time at the Eagle cages and you will not believe as it is so strange. The eagles instead of flying off were repeatedly coming towards my brother as if they both knew each other!

They even made strange sounds and eagle calls!

We also saw many college students doing research there too and I hope to ask my school to make a trip to Malacca zoo as well in the near future!

Before I forget - I made sure Dad bought me a Malacca Zoo T-Shirt which I can wear and show off to my friends Vinosha and Pushpa!

Take my advice - ask your parents to take you to Malacca Zoo for it is really worth visiting!

We are certainly going back soon!

THANK YOU FOR THOSE KIND ‘THOTS’ SAYS JG!

UPLIFTING THOTS ON A FRIDAY MORN FOR JG!

I do not know who it is that sent it but all the same thank you very much!

I know that that mobile ending - ‘1818′ is a favorite number of a very senior minister, but did he send it?

But all the same, thank you - I am only doing what I can in my public position, which as I indicated I will leave rather soon and quietly to focus on continuing to be a loving, caring and devoted father of two loving kids who hold me with such love and admiration!

I share the ‘thots’ with you readers and others like me in the public sphere helping and addressing issues in public policy, consumer advocacy and issues.

May it uplift you all too this Friday morning!

‘A Butterfly lives only 14 days,
 But still it flies joyfully,
 Capturing many hearts.
 Each moment in life is precious,
 Be Happy & Keep Winning Hearts’

Thank you to the all of you have a pleasant and precious and God praising weekend!

God Bless
JG.

 Our campaign against RACISM of all forms!

NAJIB’S LEADERSHIP OFFERS A NEW DAWN FOR NATION!

NAJIB’S LEADERSHIP OFFERS A NEW DAWN FOR NATION! 

The problem is - Malaysia is having far too many political analysts and doomsday narrators that it is not funny any longer! 

And all are zooming in on the same script basically blasting or rubbishing incoming Malaysia’s sixth Prime Minister, Najib Tun Abdul Razak! 

Even before the man had the chance to be sworn in, introduce his brand and strand of politics, economic message, policy changes and manifesto – he is been branded negatively! 

Based on facts - we all know that he is inheriting a country that like others is facing the worst effects of the global meltdown. 

True there are three by-elections ahead but tell me why are they seen as a referendum on support for his incoming leadership, let alone, an idiotic statement that his leadership is a fledgling one which has yet to be substantiated based on concrete findings! 

Some say he is inheriting a divided party with trust in the government at its lowest ebb and a strong opposition, this perhaps true to a degree but certainly not absolute based on the failings of the opposition in several states in recent months! 

For the record this is also a challenge all the political parties in the country are also facing and not just confined to UMNO! 

Having had access to him and speaking to him on countless occasions, I am certain with his new brand of administration and proactive policy changes, I am certain Najib will be able to unite the fractured elements of the party in the party and the nation! 

Instead of indulging in political controversies and conspiracy theories, let us do justice for once and look straight at the Najib facts! 

He has an impeccable pedigree as the son and nephew of two former Prime ministers namely Tun Abdul Razak and Tun Hussein Onn! 

He entered politics at the tender age of 23 after his father died, is the longest serving cabinet minister  and based on track record is entrenched as having the track record, the academic and political experience to take control of the nation’s leadership! 

In all my encounters with him I have found him very perceptive and articulate, very mild-mannered and always impeccably dressed! 

He has proven academic credentials having taken a degree in economics at the University of Nottingham in England before returning to Malaysia in the mid-1970s to take on key posts at the central bank and the national oil firm. 

He has served in a number of cabinet posts in the 1980s and 1990s, during which he modernized the military as defense minister before becoming deputy premier in January 2004. 

So instead of indulging in rumors and character assassinations, let us for once allow Najib to take leadership and steer the nation out of its present problems and after a period of time then assess him for what he has done with his tenure rather than continue to harp on controversies and rumors and harmful rhetoric which helps not the country nor its citizens who are all now seeking solutions to put bread on table in-place of fanning racial and religious disharmony, hatred of government, instability and controversies! 

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16 YEAR OLD REUEL JACOB ARGUES THAT PARENTS MUST BE MADE LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CRIMES OF THEIR CHILDREN!

PARENTS SHOULD BE MADE LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CRIMES OF THEIR CHILDREN!

According to the United States Department of Justice in 2007 an estimated three million crimes were committed in the nation’s schools and some 100,000 guns were carried to school every day.

Now Let Me Indicate the Serious crimes by youths which are on the rise:

• The number of juvenile murderers tripled between 1984 and 1994.
• Youthful murderers using guns increased four-fold over the same period.
• Juvenile gang killings have nearly quadrupled between 1980 and 1992.
• In 1994, eight in ten juvenile murderers used a firearm, up from five in ten in 1983.
• The number of juveniles murdered increased 82 percent between 1984 and 1994.
• The nationwide juvenile arrest rate for violent crimes increased 50 percent between 1988 and 1994.
• In 1994, 125,085 youths age 17 and younger were arrested for violent Index crimes (murder and non negligent homicide, forcible rape, robbery or aggravated assault), including 3,102 for murder.
• In 1994 a total of 2.2 million youths under age 18 were arrested on non-traffic charges, including 735,648 for the eight Index crimes (125,085 for violent crimes and 610,563 for burglary, larceny/theft, auto theft or arson).

Nearly one of every five persons arrested for a violent Index crime was under age 18 in 1994, while youths ages 5 to 17 were only 15.5 percent of the population.

I agree this is a shocking statistics!

But that is just the tip of the iceberg – as we are told by US Law Enforcement authorities again that these numbers represent only a fraction of the crime and violence that confront America’s young people.

In Malaysia the problem is not as bad as that of the United States of America but if unattended we will face the same in the future!

And my attempt to collate statistics on teenage crimes In Malaysia seems to ‘hit a stone wall’ as it is deemed ‘sensitive!”

But the truth of the matter is, the number of teenage crimes is on the upward trend based on the general comments and statements of many Malaysian Ministers and senior police officials from Bukit Aman who have all stated that some ‘form of ‘legislation needs to be introduced’ to make Malaysian parents culpable for the crimes of their children!

This call received momentum when civil society groups and NGO’s too joined in to pressure the government to indeed draw up a plan of action to indeed make parents responsible for the actions of their offspring!

The pertinent question is should the parents on their own free will play a responsible role in the upbringing of their children or should they be legislation bound to do so?

My belief is that there should be indeed legislation to make parent responsible as based on the rising trends of teenage crimes in Malaysia from misbehavior, rape, theft of gangsterism, drunk driving, drug addiction and high alcohol consumption, and nothing short of serious penal sanctions involving both fines and jail terms need to be implemented.

And why am I calling for such a move?

First, parents make a conscious decision to bring us into the world.

Second, parents through their knowledge know fully well that until the age of 18 – they are vicariously responsible for us.

This is nothing new!

They already decide our names, what school we should go, what clothes  we should wear, which doctors see us, what subjects we should take and need tuition for, so why should they withdraw themselves from underlining the ‘do and don’ts’ of our growing up?

If indeed parents do their duty like parents in advising, managing their children with love and in dignity, the statistics of teenagers in controversies and crimes will indeed drop.

In all the cases of teenage crimes and misdemeanors I have cited, one significant underlying and significant fact that were consistent was that of parental neglect and negligence!

Parents are too busy being politicians, businessmen and women, doing charity events everywhere else but at their own home and with their own kids, with parents handing over ‘the growing up pains and their responsibility’ to maids and to teachers rather than addressing themselves, these issues and responsibilities.

Parents thinking that as long as they finance their children, as long as they put food and drink on the table, provide adequate pocket money their responsibility is over.

This is certainly not true and must indeed stop!

And why should society be made to pay the penalty and for damages caused by badly brought up children?’

It must be the parents!

And parents must be made aware and undertake to so and nothing short of legislation and punitive penalties for shirking their duties will suffice.

It is no point crying and claiming all form of excuses when things go awfully wrong due to neglect, negligence the shirking of one’s responsibility as in the recent two cases of missing children in the Klang Valley!

If Malaysia does not want to go down the same road as the United States of America – the state must act and act fast in making parents liable and legally responsible for the crimes their children commit!

Parents must be told that nothing short than an affirmative involvement in the affairs of their children will suffice in Malaysia.

If not – they will pay a heavy price for their negligence.

The rot must stop!

A father’s Response:

‘I have just ordered a tracking bracelet to put on Reuel so that I can keep him on my radar in view of his presentation here!

No just joking!

I am certain he means well and is targeting those parents in all societies who are really negligent and irresponsible!

And it is food for thought!’

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