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28 June 2013

Proposed 'Malaysia Truly Asia’ - Theme Park?

The proposed development featured on the Themed Attractions and Resorts Sdn Bhd's website

'Malaysia Truly Asia’ site not finalised

Excerpts:
"Critics say the project will rob Kuala Lumpur of the last of its green lungs and the nation of several heritage buildings.

Themed Attractions and Resorts Sdn Bhd (TAR), which sailed into controversy when it announced the proposed development of areas surrounding the Tugu Negara national monument into a tourist attraction, says the site of its “Malaysia Truly Asia” tourist attraction has not been finalised.

TAR CEO Tunku Ahmad Burhanuddin said the project’s site is still awaiting regulatory approvals as well as a public scrutiny phase.

Tunku Ahmad said TAR is aware of the heritage and environmental value of the proposed site and will ensure that these values are preserved if the project is built on the site.

“Nothing is set in concrete yet. The due process is ongoing and we need several more approvals before we can even begin to talk about the project being built at the site,” Tunku Ahmad told The Malaysian Reserve.

TAR, which is a unit of Khazanah Nasional Bhd, was also in the limelight when news broke out that Khazanah Nasional was planning an initial public offering for the company.

Tunku Ahmad, who considered the development will be the jewel in the crown for the company, said the project is still in its planning stage and that the “Malaysia Truly Asia” name is a working title."
“We are not going to destroy the country’s heritage or environment.” Tunku Ahmad said the project is part of the aim by Khazanah to generate more tourism dollars in Malaysia, and that TAR is acting as a catalyst for the industry but self-sustaining at the same time. 
" TAR is the developer and operator of several theme parks in Malaysia including Kidzania in Kuala Lumpur. In Johor, it also operates Legoland Malaysia, Lat’s Place, Sanrio Hello Kitty Town, Ocean Quest in Desaru and as well as Kidzania Singapore.  "
Source

This is an interesting piece of news. I'm not too clear about the accuracy of the details. But one thing for sure, it was not widely publicised and very few people are aware of this development. The Tourism Ministry has not issued any statement about this yet. Some speculated that the proposed site of this Malaysia Truly Asia Center (MTAC) as it is called, is in the vicinity of Tun Abdul Razak Heritage Park which includes the Perdana Botanical Gardens (formerly Lake Gardens). The Perdana Botanical Gardens is currently in the 2nd Phase of upgrading works.

An artist’s impression of the canopy structure under the second phase of the Perdana Botanical Garden project in Kuala Lumpur


However, from what I gather from the developer's statement, I don't think building a "Centre" such as this will boost tourism. This center doesn't have history, nor could it be regarded as a uniquely Malaysia attraction. It would just be adding a few more man-made structures and destroy the natural flora and fauna. The existing attractions are already plenty such as the Bird Park, Butterfly Park, Planetarium, Perdana Botanical Garden, Museum, etc.

I'm sure tourists would prefer to enjoy the offerings of our natural tropical greenery which are not native to their country. At the same time, we should preserve whatever greenery in the city before we lose it. For example, some of the trees in Perdana Botanical Gardens are more than a decade old. Public parks and green spaces in the city should be cherished and preserved for the well-being of the people.

I hope the Developer and government will do a comprehensive study with consultation from the public and NGOs on this development.


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Haze: The sky is blue



PETALING JAYA: Rain over central Sumatra the past few days helped to douse the raging fires there, bringing blue skies to most parts of the country.

It was reported that "short bursts" of rain in Riau, Indonesia saw the number of hotspots around Pekanbaru fall from 250 on Tuesday to 54 on Wednesday.

Winds over Dumai, the report added, helped to clear the haze in the region.

The change in weather there has brought rain in several areas in West Malaysia, with storms breaking out on Tuesday in the Klang Valley as well as in Perak, Johor, Negri Sembilan, Malacca and Terengganu.

What a relief! Today's weather is much better, hardly any haze. The sky is visible. It rained the past couple of days and it is forecast that there will be more rain in the coming days. Hopefully they don't start anymore fires after this!

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Indelible ink was actually food colouring


Indelible ink was actually food colouring, Shahidan tells MP

 Food colouring, not chemicals, was in the indelible ink used in the general election, the Election Commission (EC) admitted in the Dewan Rakyat.

"No chemical was used in the ink but it was instead replaced with permitted food colouring," said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim in his reply to Segambut Member of Parliament Lim Lip Eng.

His statement was in stark contrast with the EC's claim that it used silver nitrate in the ink. He said the absence of the required chemical was the reason the ink was easily washed off.

Shahidan also said that the expiry date of the ink was four months from the date it was issued but blamed voters for purposely trying to wash off the ink as the reason why it was not permanent.

"How long the ink remains depends on the individual and the efforts put in to wash it off."

In a written response, Shahidan also told the Dewan Rakyat that RM6.9 million had been spent on the ink, with an additional RM200,000 spent on transportation, packaging and storage, bringing the total expenditure to RM7.1 million.
 -------------------------------------------------------------

Barisan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the call for the use of the indelible ink was made by the Opposition with Parliament approving its usage in the polls although there was no necessity.

"The Opposition asked for it and Parliament approved it so we follow.

"Actually we don't need the indelible ink as we are not a third world country where its people do not have identity cards for voting verification purpose," he told reporters in Parliament lobby.

He chided the Opposition for insisting the use of the ink, claiming some of their supporters within the EC had advised voters to use the ink to mark their ballot papers.
It's amazing to see government leaders arguing over a bottle of ink. Don't they have better things to do, like running the country perhaps?

First of all, I think it is a silly idea. It was a nuisance. And troublesome to hold and fold the ballot paper, for fear of smudging it. Despite claims that it could be wiped off easily, mine could only be washed off with soap and some scrubbing. Not completely gone as there were some traces under the nail and creases.

It's ugly. I don't enjoy walking around with a stained finger. Think about those serving or preparing food. What about those in the medical profession?

It was proposed by Bersih and Pakatan Rakyat to ensure clean and fair elections. Well, the election is over, why are we still discussing the ingredient of ink? Does it mean that if the ink is permanent or stick on for a month, Pakatan would have won?

I hope they will not be using ink next time. It's a waste of time and money.

I'm sure there are other more effective ways than this.

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27 June 2013

Buddhism in the West - Famous Buddhists


Keanu Reeves


Orlando Bloom


Tina Turner


Famous Buddhist Women


Not sure how accurate this is, but just for the fun of it, here goes...

List of Celebrity Buddhists

Buddhist politicians

  • Bill Clinton, U.S. President (1993-2001)
  • Mazie Hirono, U.S. Congresswoman, (2007-2013) and U.S. Senator (2013- ) Democrat from Hawaii
  • Hank Johnson, U.S. Congressman, (2007- ) Democrat from Georgia
  • Eric Lubbock, United Kingdom, elected member of the House of Lords
  • Rosa Parks, U.S. Civil Rights activist

 

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Crime: Choo Gaik Yap Kidnap, Rape & Murder - Suspect aquitted



Dad tries to jump off court building


ALOR SETAR: The father of a woman who was raped and killed seven years ago was so distraught when the murder accused was acquitted that he tried to jump off the double-storey courthouse here.

Several pressmen managed to stop Chee Ah Sau from jumping over the corridor railing.

Earlier in the High Court, Judicial Commissioner Zaki Abdul Wahab acquitted and discharged car salesman Shahril Jaafar, 32, of murdering Chee Gaik Yap (pic), 25, after finding that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case.

After the ruling, Chee, 56, told reporters outside the courtroom that he was saddened by the decision. He and his wife Lim Kim Nai, 55, then broke into tears.

“I want justice for my daughter,” Chee said. “I have waited so long for it but it turned out like this.”

Seven years ago, Gaik Yap, a marketing executive and Universiti Utara Malaysia graduate, was believed to have been tailed by her assailant while jogging in the neighbourhood of Taman Ria Jaya in Sungai Petani.

She was kidnapped, raped and killed before her body was dumped at the housing estate.

Shahril, from Ayer Keroh, Malacca, was on trial for the murder that took place between 5.30pm on Jan 14, 2006, and 3.05am on Jan 15, 2006, near the Cinta Sayang Club in Taman Ria Jaya, Sungai Petani.

Zaki said Gaik Yap was reported missing while jogging on Jan 14, 2006, and her body was found in the same area the next morning.

He said Shahril was among several individuals rounded up for investigations three years later – on March 1, 2009. He was released and left for Australia four days later before being arrested upon returning to the country on Jan 17 last year.

Zaki said there was no evidence to show the accused stabbed his victim.

He said Shahril’s DNA had similarities to the traces of semen found on the victim but it was not a complete match and there was a possibility that a third person contributed to that DNA profile.

Zaki said it was circumstantial evidence that Shahril lived near the area and that his family owned a Naza car with dark tinted windows similar to the one spotted speeding away from where Gaik Yap was reported missing.

“However, it does not prove it was Shahril who drove the car or that he had committed the murder,” he said.
The details of the case is a bit sketchy. However, the verdict has raised questions and eyebrows. From my understanding, it is the lack of evidence to prove that he is guilty. It doesn't say that he was not involved or was not at the crime scene at all. According to the judge, there is no solid evidence to link him to abduction, rape and murder.

I wouldn't want to speculate because of the lack of details at this time. Perhaps in the coming days, those who are involved directly would offer more information regarding this case.

There seems to be many unsolved cases through the years, the latest being William Yau. It is indeed worrying.

2006

The victim went for a jog in the park with her sister. She was abducted, driven off in a MPV, raped and murdered. Nine hours later, her body was found 200m from the area where she was abducted.

Shahril was one of the suspects apprehended by the police. Their DNA samples were taken. Police found that DNA matched Shahril's. Before the police could arrest him, he fled to Australia where he has PR status and stayed there until his return in 2012. 

2012

Shahril was arrested at the airport on his way back to Malaysia in 2012.


Conclusion by the court:
  1. There's no evidence that Shahril stabbed and killed the victim.
  2. Even though Shahril's DNA was found, there's another guy's DNA as well
  3. Although he owns a car similar to the one witnesses saw, same brand, colour, even the window tint, it's just a coincidence.
Questions:
  1. How did Shahril become a suspect? Was it through the car's description or registration or eye-witness?
  2. How did Shahril's DNA end up in the victim? Who's the 3rd person?
  3. Since they found more than one person's DNA, how many persons were involved in the crime?
  4. Was there any evidence such as fingerprint, hair, fabric or DNA of the victim in the car? 
  5. Where was he and what was he doing at the time and date of the crime?
  6. Does he have an alibi?
  7. Why did he flee the country just as the police were to arrest him? 
  8. How did he know that he was going to be arrested?
Magistrate: Raja Shahril Anuar Raja Baniamin
Deputy public prosecutor: Lin Cheah Yit
Judicial Commissioner: Zaki Abdul Wahab
 

The victim - Chee Gaik Yap
The suspect - Shahril Jaafar
Shahril's parents, Datuk Jaafar Jamaludin and wife

 Shahril's parents were once featured in The Star in 2007 : Meteoric rise

Dato’ Jaafar Bin Jamaludin
DSDK, ARICS, AVA, MISM
is a Member of the Institution of Surveyors, Malaysia; a Professional Associate of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors; an Associate Member of the Rating and Valuation Associate (ARVA) in the United Kingdom; and a Registered Valuer with the Board of Valuers, Appraisers and Estate Agents, Malaysia. Key positions he had held include Technical Manager of the Malaysian Building Society Berhad (1975-1980); Executive Director of Advance Development Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary of Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad) (1980-1985); Chief Executive of Kedah State Economic Development Corporation (1985-1993); and Chairman of Chesterton International (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd as well as Chairman and Director of various other companies including Bina Puri Holdings Berhad (1994-1997). - Source


Wanita MCA is unable to accept High Court’s decision to release rape and murder suspect 



My deepest condolences to the family of Chee Ah Sau. May they find closure and peace.


2015 UPDATE: http://year1malaysia.blogspot.com/2015/08/crime-choo-gaik-yap-kidnap-rape-murder.html


2014 UPDATE: http://year1malaysia.blogspot.com/2014/10/crime-choo-gaik-yap-kidnap-rape-murder.html

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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.
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Parliament: MCA calls for Haze Taskforce



KUALA LUMPUR: MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai has called for a bipartisan Haze Taskforce comprising MPs from both sides, Department of Environment officials, and NGO representatives.
"This haze is an environmental disaster," he said on Wednesday, exhorting the Malaysian government to work together in seeking a solution.
"The first step, however, is for Indonesia to ratify the Asean agreement on Trans-boundary haze pollution.
“The Malaysian government must continue to persuade Indonesia to sign the agreement and Indonesia has to be a responsible neighbour and act in the Asean spirit.
"The taskforce will work with its Indonesian counterparts to go down to the ground and establish the source and parties involved in slash and burn practices that go against treaties and local laws," he told reporters during a press conference from the sidelines of Parliament.
However, he said, the taskforce could not be set up until the ratification was done by Indonesia.
MCA Youth Chief Datuk Wee Ka Siong concurred, adding that the Malaysian government needed an emergency response plan for the haze.
"We have to form a new mechanism when engaging in discussions with the Indonesian government.
"Regardless of where the company is from, it should be charged for open burning," he told reporters at the same PC.
Source: Parliament: MCA calls for Haze Taskforce

Not long after my post on MCA, this piece of news came to my attention.

You've really got to give it to them. Haze Taskforce? Is that the best you can offer?

There's a saying, "Talking without saying anything".  


First, they admit it's an environmental disaster. Then they beat around the bush with nonsensical suggestions such as "taskforce", "persuade Indonesia", "go down to the ground", "engaging with discussions". And they expect the people to take them seriously? Really?

Stop insulting the people's intelligence, please. If you have nothing to say, just keep quiet. Don't make half-hearted statements like these.

If you have something to say, say it like you mean it. 



We are living with this:
KLCC? Where?

All 3 affected countries have relevant laws in place, have relevant agencies with ministers to oversee. Just enforce it! Is that too difficult? Not one of these countries have addressed the real solution.

To prevent a crime, there must be enforcement.

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