Monday August 10, 2009

Kuching braces for water rationing

By STEPHEN THEN

MIRI: More areas in Sarawak are facing water rationing, including its capital city Kuching, unless there is heavy rain soon, said Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam.
He said to date over 100,000 people were affected by water woes and the problem was getting more acute by the day.
“The rural areas in Sarikei and Mukah divisions in central Sarawak were initially hit, but the problems has now spread to southern Sarawak, hitting the state capital as well,” he said yesterday.
Kuching City has a population of about 500,000.
“More than 100,000 are in dire need of water now. It has become very dry. The most critical areas that need attention are Sarikei and Kuching divisions.
“Water rationing has already started in Sarikei. We will carry out rationing in Kuching as well soon. The water shortage is critical, even more critical than the forest fires and haze situation,’’ he said in an interview.
Dr Chan, who is state Disaster Relief Committee chairman, said rationing could not be avoided because the water levels in rivers and dams throughout the state were rapidly falling, some reaching alarmingly levels.
On the delay in cloud-seeding efforts, he said the aircraft was already on standby, but the operations could not be carried out because of the absence of rain clouds.
“Cloud-seeding will not work with low cloud density. For now, we must conserve the remaining water that we have in the dams and rivers as much as possible.
“That is why water rationing is the only option until we can induce some rain,” he stressed.
Dr Chan, who is also state Industrial Development Minister and state Agriculture Modernisation Minister, said the forest and peat fires raging in northern Sarawak were making the situation worse.
“The fires are spreading fast because the ground is dry,” he added.
Dr Chan, who visited the fire sites near the Sarawak-Brunei trans-boundary bridge, said the fires were getting worse.
He appealed to the public to stop all forms of open-burning, adding that without their help, the fires, haze and water-shortage problems would only deteriorate further.
More than 3,000ha of forests and peat land have already been ravaged by fires near the border, with another 1,000ha still on fire, causing massive air pollution.

The Star Online Wednesday May 27, 2009

Study confirms mothers-in-law are the chief cause of divorces

By YENG AI CHUN

KUALA LUMPUR: Every married person knows it, but a local study has confirmed it – mothers-in-law are the chief cause of divorces, especially in the Indian community.

Data in the Malaysia Community and Family Study 2004 by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) revealed that “meddlesome in-laws” is the number one reason why Indian couples get divorced.

It is also among the top three factors for divorce among the Malays and Chinese. The other two factors are incompatibility (42.3%) and infidelity (12%).

“Interference by in-laws is the main reason for Indians to divorce. It is the top-ranked reason at 30%,” said LPPKN director-general Datuk Aminah Abdul Rahman when presenting a paper on Malaysia’s family profile and its effects at Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia yesterday.

Infidelity is the marriage breaker among the Malays and Indians but it is tolerated among the Chinese.

“Among Malays, the second most common reason is infidelity and refusal to put up with polygamy,” she said.

“Among the Indians, infidelity is the second highest ranked reason for divorce at 25%,” she said.

However, the Chinese considered infidelity as the least crucial reason for a divorce.

Cheating was at the bottom along with health and gambling addiction at 4.2%.

Surprisingly, abuse is not a reason for divorce among the Malays and Chinese, but is a reason among Indians at 5%.

“Another overall reason which ranked high among the three races at 11.5% is ‘not being responsible’,” she said.

Although it is common perception that the family institution is quite fragile and divorces are rampant, data shows otherwise - only 0.7% of the population was divorced in 2000.

The data shows that divorce is more likely to happen to those under 25 and above 40.

Meanwhile, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said that more Malaysian women were choosing to marry later in life and it could cause a reduction in fertility rate and an ageing society.

“The National Family Policy and its action plan will address this issue of late marriages,” she said.

The policy would be presented to the Cabinet soon.

The Malaysian Insider Thursday May 14 2009

May 13, 1969: View from a food court 40 years later

By Lee Wei Lian

KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 — "May 13? What is that?" That was not the answer I was expecting when I first approached a table of Chinese students from a top private college having supper to ask them what they thought of the race riots, often touted by politicians as a black mark on race relations, that happened 40 years ago.
And the student I asked, Alvin from Kuala Lumpur, had never even heard of it.
I had come to Asia Cafe in SS15 in Subang Jaya a couple of nights ahead of the 40th anniversary of May 13, 1969. The food court is a magnet for students and young adults who gather underneath a huge willowy angsana tree to indulge in the modern Malaysian ritual of watching European football on giant projection screens while sipping drinks with friends and supping on sizzling seafood.
I was on a mission to hear what members of the generation born two decades after the riots had to say about it.
As it turns out, not many find the May 13 riots relevant as they feel they occurred at a time too distant in the past and were of no consequence to their lives. However, everyone had a lot to say about the secondary topic which is the state of race relations today.
The first table that agreed to talk consisted of three twentysomething Malay friends; two students and one batik designer. All three, their responses delivered in a mix of English and Malay, had an inkling that it was some sort of "scary" fight between races and all agreed it would not happen again. "Dah OK, semua boleh terima, sepadu (It's all OKI now, we can accept each other and are united)," said Ariff, 23, a student.
But surely everything was not hunky dory? What about all that segregation between the races which begins by them going to different school systems? Even the tables at Asia Cafe were filled according to race.
"Remaja OK, pemikiran lain dari orang tua. Kita pandang depan dan pemikiran kita positive (Youth think differently from the older generation. We look forward and think positively)," said Wan, 25, the batik designer.
"Mungkin sekolah Cina, keluarga yang paksa. Anak tak nak (as for Chinese schools, maybe the parents forced them to go but the kids don't want to)," he adds.
What an interesting way of looking at it, I thought.
With such relentlessly positive and upbeat sentiments, I left the table satisfied that this group was optimistic about ethnic harmony in Malaysia.
The second table which agreed to talk consisted of a large group of twentysomething Malay students and working adults. Sharply dressed, hair fashionably highlighted and fluent in English, this group had far more diverse views than the first.
But first, an argument broke out over whether Indians were involved in the May 13 incident or was it just Malays and Chinese killing each other?
Once the argument fizzled out, Papa, 23, an event manager from Shah Alam, said that as far as he was concerned, May 13 was in the past and should stay there.
"I don't care what happened last time," he exclaimed.
"I care about what will happen in the future. I don't see any problem here," he said gesturing at the diverse crowd at Asia Cafe. "I think racial problems are all political propaganda. It is better for us to be together. Race is not an issue. I hope the politicians will please unite. Please write that."
Ika, a girl with an intense gaze, disclosed that her mother's family is from the epicentre of the race riots — Kampung Baru in Kuala Lumpur.
"My grandmother told me how she and my grandfather used to hide Chinese to stop them from being killed by other Malays," she said.
"It is a peaceful country right now but if you go deeper, there is still a thin line between the races. It's all about mentality. I can like some Chinese, I can hate some Chinese. People today are smarter and more flexible. But we cannot take this comfortable environment today for granted and we must learn from May 13 so it is not repeated."
Lin, a petite 24-year-old from Seremban, works in a Chinese company and observes that while there are no racial problems, the main issue is that Malaysians tend to cling to members of their own race.
So how does she feel working in a Chinese company?
"I didn't want to work in an all-Malay company and it has been good because they really push us and they always think about how to make money," she replied with a soft smile.
But does she feel discriminated against as a Malay?
"A little bit in terms of salaries and benefits," she says shyly.
When I apologise, several in the group wave it off with loud protests. "Maybe Chinese working in Malay companies will face the same thing," Lin adds graciously.
CC, 24, who works with a consulting company, says that it is no use fighting over something that happened 40 years ago and that people should choose to make friends with all races.
"I have this Chinese friend who has many Malay friends," she says. "We should learn from the Black Eyed Peas and Bob Marley and promote love and peace."
Ika thinks the country is starved of heroes that can unite all Malaysians. "We need someone like (Mahatma) Gandhi. We lack such heroes in Malaysia."
The talk then veered off tangent to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and other politicians.
Just then, Alfie, a Malay friend of Papa's, swaggers by, sporting a huge afro.
Papa hails Alfie in slightly accented Tamil.
You speak Tamil?
"A little bit," said Papa. "A friend taught me. Do you know what I said?"
I shake my head regretfully. I also take Alfie's appearance as my cue to move on.
It is now past midnight and my last table is the group of 19-year-old Chinese college kids having a late supper.
"May 13? What is that?" said Alvin. "I have never heard of it."
His friend Dave, however, had heard of it and moved closer in order to share his views.
"May 13 was a racial issue," he replied when asked his understanding of it.
Was he worried it might happen again?
"Yeah, I am worried. But I am getting used to it."
But did what happen in 1969 affect your life today?
"I don't think it affects my life today."
And how does he see race relations today?
"I feel we (Chinese) are treated like immigrants. Some race relationships are good and some are not. I think racial problems will never end."
At that point, a third student, Kelvin, jumped in.
"We have learned the lesson from May 13, 1969. Our government then gave benefits to the Malays so that they felt appreciated and we could avoid the Malays killing the Chinese. Everyone likes to be treated specially. Our government is now organising many activities to bring the different races together."
At this point Dave is shaking is head in disagreement with arms folded. "I don't think so. I don't think the government is doing enough," he said.
And how are race relations at their college?
"The different races will mix for projects but eat separately," says Dave. "Sometimes, it can't be helped due to halal issues with food. But during projects, racial unity is there. But I feel the government is doing something only after they lost five states in last year's general election."
Kelvin responds by leaping to the government's defence. "We can't do things overnight. We are still a developing country."
By this time, Alvin can no longer keep quiet and decides to cut in. "How long do you want? 20 years? 30 years? Until you die? Japan can build a bullet train in less than a year. Here to build a less advanced train line takes so much longer."
"But a lot of talented Malaysians left to work in Singapore. They are materialistic," argued Kelvin.
"It is not materialistic. It is realistic," retorts Alvin. "No money, no honey."
He then returns to the issue of race relations. "As long as you have people of different races, you will have racial problems — unless everyone is educated."
When it is pointed out that some politicians who make racially tinged remarks are educated, Alvin shrugs.
I then conclude our conversation by soliciting their feelings about the future, which turn out to be mixed.
At this point, a fourth friend, JT, decides to join in.
"I can't see the future for Malaysia," he says. "It's unlike Japan where you can definitely see it is rising. But Malaysia, who knows? I can't tell its future."
I thank the boys and get up to leave.
It is almost 1 in the morning but in true Malaysian fashion, Asia Cafe is only just coming alive. The tables are laden with drinks and food ranging from satay to burgers to char koay teow. The latest song from pop megastar Beyonce fails to to drown out that strange but familiar sound — excited chatter in a multitude of languages spoken by Malaysian of different colours.

The Malaysian Insider Tuesday May 12 2009

AirAsia's forward-thinking marketing strategies key to success

MAY 12 - It sponsors reality game show The Amazing Race Asia and F1 team AT&T Williams, recruits pilots through a blogging contest and stays in touch with customers via Facebook, Twitter and blog accounts.

AirAsia's quirky means of promotion has certainly helped make the airline a household name. Yet, barely eight years ago when it began operations, AirAsia had just two planes and a host of obstacles - Sars and the Sept 11 terrorist attacks included - preventing it from taking off.

Today, the Malaysia-based budget airline boasts a fleet of 80 aircraft that ply over 122 routes, with 480 flights to more than 65 destinations daily.

Group CEO Tony Fernandes has been instrumental in building the AirAsia brand. Known for its strong marketing and branding culture, AirAsia was recognised as one of Malaysia's 30 Most Valuable Brands in 2008, and also made it to US-based business magazine Fast Company's top 50 list of most innovative companies in the world last year.

THE BOLD AND THE CREATIVE

Explaining the reason behind AirAsia's strong marketing culture, Kathleen Tan, its regional head of commercial, said: "Marketing reflects brand attitude and personality. We're bold, inspired and we encourage out-of-the-box thinking. We do things differently and do not submit to mediocrity."

She revealed that AirAsia's creative marketing input comes not only from its marketing team, but from staff, including pilots, engineers and ground crew.

She said: "When somebody comes up with a pioneering idea, we don't shoot it down and say: 'Oh, that's unconventional.' Instead, we play with the idea and find the best way to employ it to advance our brand or introduce new products and services."

CONQUERING THE WORLD

In 2007, the new low-cost, long-haul affiliate of AirAsia was launched. Called AirAsia X, the first flight was from Kuala Lumpur to Gold Coast, Australia. In March this year, AirAsia X made its first flight to London, with the one-way fare as low as US$218 (RM784.4) .

Flights to Langkawi and Penang were announced recently, while plans are underway to fly to Taiwan.

To promote its brand and services to these locales, one marketing strategy AirAsia uses is brand association.

Tie-ups with some of the biggest global organisations - such as Manchester United Football Club - allow AirAsia to be associated with other brands "which add personality and ups the airline's cool factor", according to Ms Tan.

She added: "We're building our brand into the international market and brand association with the best global names help us. Such a branding strategy will instill trust and confidence in AirAsia as a leading player in the industry."

BUILDING A BRAND TAKES YOU A LONG WAY

Last September, after Mr Fernandes attended three business conferences, he wrote on his blog: "The value of a brand is hard to quantify and investment in a brand is always hard to justify, but the last few weeks showed me how important it is and how our investment over the last six years has paid off handsomely."

He explained that after attending these conferences, he realised that AirAsia has since become synonymous with low cost travel.

"When we need to make new contacts, look for finances and build new relationships, it's much easier because everyone knows AirAsia. So, the extra revenue, time and cost savings can arise by promoting your brand," he wrote.

And that is why AirAsia has no plans to cut its marketing budget despite the downturn. On the contrary, Ms Tan says AirAsia sees the recession "as an opportunity for us to pull ahead of other airlines".

As Mr Fernandes said in the same blog post: "Don't worry about (the) economic slowdown. The best time to build a brand is when everyone else is cutting (their marketing budgets)." - Today

Wisdom from Lee Kuan Yew's Daughter

In 2007, in an end-of-year message to the staff of the National Neuroscience Institute, I wrote: 'Whilst boom time in the public sector is never as booming as in the private sector, let us not forget that boom time is eventually followed by slump time. Slump time in the public sector is always less painful compared to the private sector.'

Slump time has arrived with a bang.
While I worry about the poorer Singaporeans who will be hit hard, perhaps this recession has come at an opportune time for many of us. It will give us an incentive to reconsider our priorities in life.

Decades of the good life have made us soft. The wealthy especially, but also the middle class in Singapore, have had it so good for so long, what they once considered luxuries, they now think of as necessities.

A mobile phone, for instance, is now a statement about who you are, not just a piece of equipment for communication. Hence many people buy the latest model though their existing mobile phones are still in perfect working order.

A Mercedes-Benz is no longer adequate as a status symbol. For millionaires who wish to show the world they have taste, a Ferrari or a Porsche is deemed more appropriate.

The same attitude influences the choice of attire and accessories. I still find it hard to believe that there are people carrying handbags that cost more than thrice the monthly income of a bus driver, and many more times that of the foreign worker labouring in the hot sun, risking his life to construct luxury condominiums he will never have a chance to live in.

The media encourages and amplifies this ostentatious consumption. Perhaps it is good to encourage people to spend more because this will prevent the recession from getting worse. I am not an economist, but wasn't that the root cause of the current crisis - Americans spending more than they could afford to?

I am not a particularly spiritual person. I don't believe in the supernatural and I don't think I have a soul that will survive my death. But as I view the crass materialism around me, I am reminded of what my mother once told me: 'Suffering and deprivation is good for the soul.'

My family is not poor, but we have been brought up to be frugal. My parents and I live in the same house that my paternal grandparents and their children moved into after World War II in 1945. It is a big house by today's standards, but it is simple - in fact, almost to the point of being shabby.

Those who see it for the first time are astonished that Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's home is so humble. But it is a comfortable house, a home we have got used to. Though it does look shabby compared to the new mansions on our street, we are not bothered by the comparison.

Most of the world and much of Singapore will lament the economic downturn. We have been told to tighten our belts. There will undoubtedly be suffering, which we must try our best to ameliorate.

But I personally think the hard times will hold a timely lesson for many Singaporeans, especially those born after 1970 who have never lived through difficult times.

No matter how poor you are in Singapore, the authorities and social groups do try to ensure you have shelter and food. Nobody starves in Singapore.
Many of those who are currently living in mansions and enjoying a luxurious lifestyle will probably still be able to do so, even if they might have to downgrade from wines costing $20,000 a bottle to $10,000 a bottle. They would hardly notice the difference.

Being wealthy is not a sin. It cannot be in a capitalist market economy. Enjoying the fruits of one's own labour is one's prerogative and I have no right to chastise those who choose to live luxuriously.

But if one is blinded by materialism, there would be no end to wanting and hankering. After the Ferrari, what next? An Aston Martin? After the Hermes Birkin handbag, what can one upgrade to?

Neither an Aston Martin nor an Hermes Birkin can make us truly happy or contented. They are like dust, a fog obscuring the true meaning of life, and can be blown away in the twinkling of an eye.

When the end approaches and we look back on our lives, will we regret the latest mobile phone or luxury car that we did not acquire? Or would we prefer to die at peace with ourselves, knowing that we have lived lives filled with love, friendship and goodwill, that we have helped some of our fellow voyagers along the way and that we have tried our best to leave this world a slightly better place than how we found it?

We know which is the correct choice - and it is within our power to make that choice.

In this new year, burdened as it is with the problems of the year that has just ended, let us again try to choose wisely.

To a considerable degree, our happiness is within our own control, and we should not follow the herd blindly.

The writer is director of the National Neuroscience Institute.

The best is yet to come by Hannah Yeoh

Friday, February 20, 2009

So many people have been telling me just how frustrated they are with the current political situation in our country. Some have told me that they regretted voting for change because of the political instability now and would prefer returning to their old style of voting - vote for stability and forget about having a stronger opposition and greater check and balance. I shudder at the thought of this! One needs to remember the reason why we are seeing such great resistance for change is simply because there is much to lose for those who have been in power for so long. For decades there have been so much abuses of power, unchecked misuse of public funds and plain dirty corruption. With a stronger opposition now, they stand to lose their illegal sources of income and some may even be charged and sent to prison if they are found guilty. With this in mind, they will fight at all costs to reclaim back power and to ensure they can continue to steal public funds from the people for their own enrichment. We are not just dealing with differences in politics; we are combating evil forces who will not rest till they secure back their powers and illegal sources of income.

Sometimes I feel equally frustrated and disillusioned about the political situation too. Sometimes I lay awake thinking of how to effect change in this land. Some days I cry while driving in between meetings thinking of what's left for the future generation in this land if we give up now. I have endured much verbal attack from political enemies, accusation after accusation of me not doing anything for my constituents and etc. No one truly understands the resistance we face daily in discharging our duties except for my fellow PR assemblymen. Robert Kennedy once said ‘Progress is a nice word. But change is its motivator and change has its enemies.’ Our enemies are resisting change but we must stand firm and continue to push for a competent, accountable and transparent government. At the end of each day, as I lay myself to sleep, I ask God for strength, wisdom and protection to face the next. I look forward to the end of the term when I can tell the people of Subang Jaya that I have remained clean and have not stolen any of the taxpayers' funds. As reminded by Raja Petra in his blog "Please continue your struggle to make Malaysia a better place for our future generation. This country belongs to them and it is for them that we struggle." All hope is not lost. Come the next election, vote out the corrupt once and for all. Hang in there supporters and friends, the best is yet to come!

The above is posted by Hannah Yeoh at her blog http://hannahyeoh.blogspot.com/

Pushing LIMITS

I tend to see PUSHING LIMITS on oneself is a form of self-improvement. But, you need to know if you have done enough on it and make sure you don't over-stretch.

Today, my 2nd child, Patrick skipped school (4th day of Primary One) after complaining being not well. I asked which part of his body. He pointed to his heart, stomach and basically everywhere. He had a dramatic crying scene just outside the class. Being an obedient and positive child in nature, I know he has pushed his limits. I suppose as parents, we can read their minds from their attitude (not during teenage probably).

So, I took his to my office and the moment we entered my room, he gave me the sweetest smile I ever see. Have a pushed his limits?