Outbreak, Dry Taps & Hazardous Air

Let's do a quick recap of news headlines for the past week. If anyone has any illusions of Malaysia's aspiration of a developed nation & Selangor being a developed state with an incredible state government, these 3 issues will bring you back to reality, or perhaps even give you a glimpse of the makings of a failed state.

Health, clean water, clean air. Three fundamental needs of humans & society. Three fails!

Before any of the politicians & their diehard supporters open their mouths about how well our elected representatives are performing in their jobs, have a read below.

1. Dengue Outbreak

Malaysia wages all-out war against dengue outbreak

... More than 12,000 people in Malaysia have been infected with dengue fever so far this year, representing a four-fold increase compared to the same period last year.

...Malaysia is waging an all-out war against an ongoing dengue outbreak that has claimed 25 lives this year.

Subang Jaya municipality records 971 cases last month compared to 108 last year

...A WHOPPING 800% increase in dengue cases has been reported in January alone in the Subang Jaya municipality area compared to last year including areas such as Subang Jaya and Puchong.

...An alarming 971 cases were reported for the month compared to the 95 cases reported during the corresponding period in 2012 and 108 cases in 2013, said MPSJ president Datuk Asmawi Kasbi.

I hope the authorities in state & local government will do more to curb this. Don't put the blame solely on the people. Of course the people have to do their part, and we know the kind of mentality Malaysians have. However, The Municipal Councils must take responsibility and do their jobs. That is what they are paid to do. Their jobscope is not only limited to issuing compounds. Collect the rubbish. Control pests. Clean the drains & rivers.

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2. Water Shortage

Cloud Seeding To Address Water Shortage In Several Dams

... Energy, Green Technology, and Water Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said the operations will be conducted in areas where dams with critical water levels, such as the Sungai Selangor and Klang Gates dams, are located.

"During my recent visit there, the Sungai Selangor and Klang Gates dams' water levels were at 58% and 57% respectively, which is quite critical as it may drop down to 45% if it does not rain in those areas for a month," Mahdzir told the press after attending the "Malaysian Power & Water Summit 2014 - The Future of Water & Power Industry: How Sustainable Are We?".

Negri Sembilan MB declares state of crisis following water shortage

...Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan today declared a state of crisis following the water shortage – the worst the state has seen in decades.

...Todate, up to 8,000 households have been affected by the water shortage.

Water is a basic necessity. If a city or state faces water shortage, who is responsible? Blame the people for wasting water? or the state government who are elected to provide and ensure basic resources are available to the people? Whenever we see a crisis like this, it means that the state government has failed in it's job due to their lack of planning and foresight.

Government officials & employees must be held accountable and taken to task for their mistakes & failure in carrying out their duties. No excuses.

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3. Air Pollution

Cheras, Shah Alam record 'unhealthy' API readings

Several locations in the Klang Valley are recording unhealthy air pollutant index (API) levels Wednesday.

Cheras recorded a reading of 127 while Shah Alam recorded a reading of 113, according to the Department of Environment’s (DOE) website.

Putrajaya and Petaling Jaya are two areas that recorded readings at the border of moderate and unhealthy levels....

Peat fire in Johan Setia, Klang caused by farmers ...

...“It is not easy for firemen to put out the peat fire as the soil content re-ignites the fire within a day.

“If conditions worsen, the haze could spread to neighbourhoods in Bukit Tinggi, Bandar Puteri and Kota Kemuning.

There are more than 1,600ha of peat land in Johan Setia, of which 1,200ha are agricultural land.

It was reported that Selangor recorded the highest number of bush fires, with 79 cases sparked by the recent hot spell....

Haze. Smog. Air pollution. This time, they can't blame the Indonesians because it is done locally. Our local farmers & plantation owners are the culprit. It happens every year. They will start in the middle of the night and you can smell it. The next morning, you will be greeted with a white smog accompanied by the acrid smell. The local people have to put up with this year in year out.

What are the DOE, State & local government doing about this recurrent problem? If the laws are not effective, is it so difficult to amend it? What about enforcement? Too difficult as well? Of course it's going to be difficult compared to making shopper pay for plastic bags every Saturday! This actually requires them to get out of their air-conditioned offices and actually do some work! 

And how much did the Selangor Aduns & gang increase their own pay again this year? And do we now have 3 extra reasons to be thankful to BN?

All together now.... on the count of three... "Malaysia Boleh!"

New study links over 7,000 cancer deaths to cell phone tower radiation exposures

"(NaturalNews) Could exposure to radiation from cell phone towers really responsible for over 7,000 cancer deaths? According to research findings from Brazil, the facts speak for themselves. The study established a direct link between cancer deaths in Belo Horizonte, Brazil's third largest city, with the cell phone network.

What does this direct link stem from?

Over 80 percent of those who succumbed to certain types of cancer resided approximately a third of a mile away from one of the hundreds of cell phone antennae that populate the city.

These cancers, primarily found in the prostate, breasts, lungs, kidneys, liver, are the ones associated with exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs).

This is a real concern for cell phone users and even non- cell phone users. Those who shun mobile phone technology still suffer the consequences of cell phone tower radiation."
" What are some of the dangers (besides cancer), which result from this damage and are associated with EMFs and cell phone antennae?

• Genetic mutations
• Memory disruptions
• Hindered learning
• ADD
• Insomnia
• Brain disorders
• Hormonal imbalances
• Infertility
• Dementia
• Heart complications "

Source

Not sure how accurate it is. There's this on-going debate on the safety of these towers as well as the mobile phones themselves. Rule of thumb, it's always better to stay away from anything that emits radiation.

Haze: 40 times cheaper to burn than use machines, says expert

" PETALING JAYA: The slash and burn method of land clearing is 40 times cheaper than using machines, thus making it difficult for Indonesia to stop open burning.
“The underlying factor is cost,” said Dr Helena Varkkey of the Department of International and Strategic Studies, Universiti Malaya.

Dr Varkkey, whose expertise is in environmental politics, said that based on research done by others, the cost per hectare in using the slash and burn method is approximately USD5 per hectare.

Using machines would cost about USD200.

She pointed out that small-scale farmers were not the primary source of fires and the culprits were the 60% to 80% of commercial plantations...."

 " She explained that the companies would hire subcontractors to clear land and if they were caught for burning, they claimed to have instructed the subcontractors not to use the slash and burn way.

These companies, she added, often cultivate healthy relationships with local and central government officials.

Another situation that led to the fires causing transboundary haze that has affected Malaysia and Singapore in recent days is the increasing use of peat soil to grow oil palm trees. "

 Source: Haze: 40 times cheaper to burn than use machines, says expert

There you go...  they burn because it's 40 times cheaper. Corporations save a bundle while the people suffers.It is situations like these that shows how governments have failed in their duty. When the culprits are known, but action is not taken. Are these governments and politicians beholden to these corporations?

How many days have the schools been closed?
Schools in Manjung district ordered to close

How many people had to seek medical treatment? 
Residents in Singapore, Malaysia Flock Hospitals, Clinics for Rising Number of Illnesses, Ailments Due to Smog

Haze Update - A President Apologises

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has apologised for the haze that had blanketed Singapore and Malaysia in recent days and continues to remain a threat in coming days.

“For what has happened, as President, I say sorry and seek the understanding of our relatives in Singapore and Malaysia,” he said.

“Indonesia had no intention to cause this. And we will continue to bear responsibility to overcome what has happened,” he said in a televised press conference at his office on Monday evening.

Source: Haze update - Indonesia's Yudhoyono apologises for haze

The President of Indonesia's statement of apology to the countries affected by the haze is  commendable and reflects the quality of a true statesman. Malaysians truly appreciate his empathy and concern.

But why does the situation have to deteriorate to the point of requiring a President to apologise for the criminal actions of these arsonists and his ineffective ministers?

Who runs a country? Corporations or governments?

What action is the government of Indonesia planning take against these arsonists?

What action is the government of Malaysia planning take against these Malaysian-owned arsonists?

Some of these companies are even partly-owned by various Malaysian government agencies. Does this make the government an accomplice?

Corporations cannot hide behind politicians and shift the blame to small-time farmers. These farmers do not have thousands of acres of land to burn.

For once, do the right thing.

Haze - Smoking gun in Malaysian hands

(Jakarta Post) - Plantation companies have often ordered local people to burn forest or peatland near their concessions, hoping that the fire will spread onto their land. “Once the fire takes hold of their concessions, the companies shift the blame onto the local residents as if the fire had accidentally and spread to their land.

Preliminary investigations have singled out eight plantation companies owned by Malaysian investors as the source of forest fires in Riau that have caused Southeast Asia’s worst ever air pollution crisis.

The Environment Ministry’s deputy for environmental degradation and climate change, Arief Yuwono, said that under the environment law, the penalties for causing illegal forest fires are a maximum of 10 years in prison and fines of up to 5 billion rupiah (US$504,000).

Six other companies are also involved, but Balthasar refused to name them.

Source: Smoking gun in Malaysian hands

 Obviously, the countries involved, Singapore, Malaysia & Indonesia, are putting on a show for the public. You know, blaming each other, issuing threats, pretending they are working hard to find a solution. Once the haze passes, it'll be life as usual... 

The laws are in place. (I think it is too lenient)
- maximum of 10 years in prison and fines of up to 5 billion rupiah (US$504,000).

 The evidence is there.
- satellite images & the haze

The culprits are identified.

 - eight plantation companies owned by Malaysian investors 

-  Six other companies are also involved, but Balthasar refused to name them.

What are they waiting for?

Haze: Impact on economy minimal, say experts

The problem, however, would not be serious enough to affect the country's gross domestic product (GDP), said RAM Holdings Group chief economist Dr Yeah Kim Leng.

He said tourism, leisure and restaurant businesses stood to lose the most at this point.
"Malaysians only need to worry if the haze grows to hazardous levels over the next few weeks or months," he said.

Dr Yeah said the losses in the current haze situation could be in the millions of ringgit but "not hundreds of millions".

Ambank Group chief economist Anthony Dass said that although work productivity and consumer spending would take a hit due to the haze, the economic impact was "minimal and negligible".

He added that the haze situation could be considered tolerable now as many people could still be seen going about their daily activities.

"However, if the haze worsens and the Government takes drastic precautionary measures like asking people not to go outdoors, we may see a more serious impact to our daily life," he added.

Source: Haze: Impact on Malaysia economy minimal, say experts

 I really think these people are a totally different species of humans. To them, everything is about money, economy and profits. Granting that they are economists giving their views, they should at least be a little less condescending.

I doubt the economy is the first thing on the people's mind when they are now choking on the haze! Not everything in life is about money.

Haze Update - Setting new record

Pix source: The Star

1. Number of hotspots doubled

" KUALA LUMPUR: The number of hot spots detected in Sumatra via satellite NOAA-18 on Saturday rose almost two fold to 118 from 64 on Friday."

"The stations which were at unhealthy levels were:

Selangor: Port Klang at 192, Petaling Jaya (125), Banting (115), Shah Alam (112) and Kuala Selangor (104).

Kuala Lumpur: Cheras (111) and Batu Muda (108). Negeri Sembilan: Nilai (106), Seremban (104) and Port Dickson (184).

Johor: Pasir Gudang (110), Larkin (117) and Kota Tinggi (124).

Pahang: Indera Mahkota (107) and Balok Baru (149). Terengganu: Paka (105) and Kemaman (153).
Based on the API, the readings of between 0 and 50 is categorised as good, 51 to 100 (moderate), 101 to 200 (unhealthy), 201 to 300 (very unhealthy) and 300 upwards, dangerous."


Things are getting from bad to worse. Since yesterday afternoon, the situation was already apparent in Selangor. Today, it got worse. Visibility in the afternoon was estimated to be around 5km. I knew the haze was from Sumatra because the acrid burning smell was very mild. When the burning smell is strong, it usually means it came from local sources.

All schools in KL & Selangor will be closed tomorrow (Monday).

See how much hardship it causes the people. Working parents will have to make last minute plans for their school-going kids. Will the various parties responsible be able to take care of these kids while their parent go off to work? I can't imagine the suffering for those who are suffering from medical conditions, especially respiratory related like asthma or pneumonia.

This should be classified as a crime against humanity.

2. New record

API in Muar spikes at 746

 It is more than double the official API for hazardous levels which is 300 and above.

The fact that the number of hotspots increasing two-fold confirms that they are still starting new fires! All those press statements the last couple of weeks are nothing more than hot air! All these authorities and politicians who have been offering their so-called solutions & empathy in the media are nothing more than empty-talk!

How difficult is it to catch the culprits? How difficult is it to bring them to justice? How long does it take? It has been happening every year, for more than 10-20 years.

Haze in Malaysia (and Singapore)

The annual haze is back. Every time it happens, the various government agencies will make some noise, the people will complain, and then it is soon forgotten... until the next year. Year in, year out, since the last 15 years and they still haven't found a solution? Because there is no solution. Burning is the preferred method for these mostly plantations because it is cheap & it helps fertilise the earth for planting.

Once again, commercial interests triumphs over the health of the people.

More news here. and here.

From NST

Palm oil producers deny slash-and-burn practices in Indonesia - www.channelnewsasia.com