George Carlin: Save the Planet

"People build homes on the slopes of beautiful Mount Kilauea and then they wonder why they have lava in their living-room."
---George Carlin

When we say "save the planet", we actually mean save us from ourselves. 

Of course, that doesn't mean we should pollute the environment, but rather, to live with nature. When we pollute, we are actually killing ourselves. What we have done, in the modern world, is to build cities that are unnatural. These cities, places we call home that we have built, are not sustainable, because it goes against nature. 

The earth is constantly evolving, changing. One day, these cities we have built will be abandoned. When natural resources such as earth, water, rivers, plants, trees, fauna, clean air, when they are polluted, or run out due to abuse, we will need to move to other places. Sometimes, it's because of natural disaster like earthquakes, floods, weather, and whole civilizations perish.

The part where George talks about plastics reminds me of the Selangor ruling that Saturday being no plastic bags day. Whoever came up with this, is an absolute moron. Yes. It is a stupid idea and it's an inconvenience. 

Here are 3 reasons why:

1. A few plastic bags won't make a difference. 

Compared to other more serious pollution like radioactive and chemical pollution by factories. Focus on enforcement of pollution from commercial activities instead! Lynas comes to mind... everyone's seen the circus with the DAP's Wong Tack.

2. Charging 20 sen for a bag is a ripoff. 

What kind of logic is there for retailers to charge their customer for bags? Why don't they ask the retailer to give a discount instead, if their customers bring their own bags? Why not give incentive instead of punishing the consumers?

3. What do shoppers do with those plastic bags? They are recycled.

They use it as garbage bags! The law says that garbage must be disposed in garbage bags! We would still need to buy plastic garbage bags anyway!

Arrogant. Self-righteous humans. "The planet is fine. The people are fcuked." - George Carlin

Religion: Children's Conversion

M. Indira Gandhi with her two children

2013

Don't fear conversion law, public told

.....Politicians from both sides of the divide, civil society groups and the public have described Section 107(b) of the Bill, which allows a minor to be converted with the consent of only one parent, as unconstitutional......

.....Various groups have argued that the provision is not only unconstitutional but goes against an April 2009 Cabinet decision that children of an estranged couple should remain in the common religion of the parents at the time of marriage should one parent convert.....

......Malaysian Consultative Council Of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism, in a statement, objected to some of the provisions, which it said affected the rights of non-Muslims, created social injustice and went against the spirit of the Federal Constitution......

------------------------------------------------------------------

Selangor, Perak muftis tell critics of child conversion law to back off

(Malay Mail) - The Cabinet’s 2009 ruling against unilateral child conversions to Islam is not applicable to Muslims, said Selangor Mufti Datuk Tamyes Abd Wahid, insisting that children in mixed-creed marriages must embrace Islam when one parent does so......

......In terms of custody law (child care), young children fall under the care of the mother. But in cases where there are different religions, the child should follow the religion of Muslim parent,” Tamyes (picture) was quoted as saying by the Sinar Harian news portal today.

“For example, if the father embraces Islam but the mother does not, then the religion of their underage children must follow the father’s,” he said......

------------------------------------------------------------------

2012

Mother gets custody of children in Muslim convert case

A kindergarten teacher will have custody over her three children who were converted to Islam by her Muslim-convert former husband.

This is because Muhammad Ridzuan Abdullah, or K. Patmanathan as he was known before conversion, has lost his chance to appeal to the Federal Court the decision of an Ipoh High Court which granted custody of the children to M. Indira Gandhi.

A five-member panel led by Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria dismissed Muhammad Ridzuan’s application for leave to appeal....

....On March 11, 2010, the Ipoh High Court granted Indira the custody of Tevi Darsiny (Ummu Salamah), 15, Karan Dinish (Abu Bakar), 14 and Prasana Diksa (Ummu Habibah), four, but allowed Ridzuan to visit his children once a week.....

....Ridzuan embraced Islam in April 2009 and subsequently converted his children to Islam without Indira’s consent.....

------------------------------------------------------------------

2009

Conversion without consent

.....Mother fights back

The mother of the three converted children has started legal action in order to get her children back as Hindus.

Indira Gandhi’s story was front page news on two days in Makkal Osai. The first on 16 April was headlined My children should be returned to me as Hindus, Indira Gandhi appeals. In that report, she said she had no objections to her husband becoming a Muslim, but she wanted her three children back as Hindus. “This is a mother’s fight for her rights and I will not back down,” she said......

------------------------------------------------------------------

Religion is a sensitive issue, especially here in Malaysia. By convention, the child would automatically take on the parent's religion, the religion the child is born into. It is only natural. However, when something like this happens, a Hindu father after converting to Islam, and secretly converting his children without the consent and knowledge of the mother who is a Hindu, it causes great distress to the family. Although this is a family matter, it raises concerns about the rights of other religions in this country, especially for children.

The issue in this particular case, I believe, is not so much on religion, but doing the right thing. Is what was done by Muhammad Ridzuan Abdullah morally right? Despite knowing it will cause distress and unhappiness to the family. It is the way it is done, that has created problems, questions and suspicions. Because of Malaysia's laws on religion, in particular Islam, conversions should not to be taken lightly.

In my opinion, in this case where the children would have to live with the decision for the rest of their lives, the right thing to so is to obtain the consent of both parents. Perhaps, since they were born Hindu, in the meantime, they can be schooled in both Hinduism and Islam. When they reach adulthood, they can make their choice. The parents should think of their children's happiness and well-being.

The children can only enjoy childhood once in their lifetime. With a bit of give and take, at least they will have happy memories.

Muhammad Ridzuan Abdullah aka K Patmanathan, the husband & father.

Crime: Minister Khairy’s house burgled

During Bersih 2.0 2011

Burglars ransacked the bungalow of Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin in Bukit Damansara yesterday evening and escaped with valuables worth RM24,000.

Among the items taken during the theft, which was a quick job, were watches and a laptop.

At the time of the incident, only the maid was at home.

Sources said the burglars scaled the wall to get into the compound and easily gained access into the bungalow.

The maid, who was in the kitchen, only realised that the bungalow was broken into when she noticed the front door was wide open.

She could only watch as the four burglars ransacked the master bedroom and left minutes later.

Calls and text messages to Khairy's handphone from The Malaysian Insider were not answered.

Khairy is among several prominent figures whose houses have been broken into in the past two months.

In May, the house of Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's sister in Petaling Jaya was broken into. Losses were estimated at RM300,000.

A few days later, a  younger sister of Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar and her family were robbed at their home in Mantin, Negeri Sembilan. The robbers escaped with RM5,000 in cash and valuables.

Source

When Minister's or VVIP's houses are burgled, it becomes hot news because it's an anomaly. Everyone's talking about it. For the rest of us, it's part of life. The chances of a Minister or VVIP being mugged, or robbed, or becoming a victim of snatch theft is extremely low. The chances of spotting a UFO is higher. Actually, I suspect everyone is only interested to know the amount of reported losses. Sometimes the amount is so big, you would think the thieves robbed a bank.

Khairy's house.

Hmmm... is that a guard house on the right? If a guarded house can be burgled, what hope is there for the rest of us? When crime is already rampant during normal times, what will it be like during bad economic times?

Hari Raya is coming soon. I hope everyone is extra careful these couple of months. Install alarms. Try vary your routine a bit so that your schedule is less predictable.

Anwar Ibrahim: "Admit to electoral fraud, racism, corruption first"

Pix Source

Admit to electoral fraud, racism, corruption first

Anwar Ibrahim says national reconciliation can only begin if premier Najib Tun Razak's admits to the BN regime's flaws.

KUALA LUMPUR: In a tit-for-tat rebut opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said Pakatan Rakyat would take up Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s national reconciliation offer if the latter admits that there is racism, electoral fraud and corruption in the country.

Earlier this week Najib said for the nation to reconcile, the opposition must accept the 13th General Election results and stop organising rallies.

Responding to Najib, Anwar said he is firm in opposing electoral fraud, corruption and racism.

“If Najib dares to accept the fact that these three things exist in the country, then I will say yes to national reconciliation,” he told some 600 attendees at a Pakatan’s fundraising dinner here last night.......

Black 505 rally - Pix Source

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, well, well... There's a saying, a man is only as good as his word.

He told the world that he will retire if Pakatan Rakyat fails to win GE13. Next thing you know, he goes back on his word. If anyone's noticed, there was no call from anyone for him to remain. He announced his non-retirement himself. And then, like clockwork, a protest with a catchy name called Blackout 505 was organised within days. Then it was held in several states until the grand finale in Padang Merbok, which saw surprisingly low turnout.

I'm amazed that people would actually spend time and money attending these rallies just to justify one guy breaking his promise.

Actually, the same could be asked to Pakatan Rakyat. Will they also admit to "electoral fraud, racism, and corruption"? Let's not be naive and be honest for once.

Crime: Dirang murderer to hang

Pix source

Labourer gets death for Dirang's murder

JOHOR BARU: Odd-job worker Muidin Maidin was brought out of court crying and kicking in anger at photographers after he was sentenced to death for the murder of Nurul Nadirah Abdullah, better known as Dirang.

High Court judge Datuk Abdul Halim Aman meted out the maximum sentence yesterday after ruling that the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

But not before raising a string of questions over the circumstances leading to the death of the four-year-old.

The judge drew attention to the combination of factors which played roles in Dirang's death public apathy during the girl's abduction, irresponsible parenting as well as the characteristics of the killer.

 “A child of that age should have been accompanied by her parents and not given a piece of paper with items scribbled on it, and allowed to walk to a nearby shop to purchase the items on her own,” he said, adding that it was obvious that her parents were irresponsible......

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2012

Charred remains of missing Nurul Nadirah, 5, found

JOHOR BARU: Charred remains of 5-year-old Nurul Nadirah Abdullah, missing since March 1, was found at a plantation in Nusa Damai, Johor.

The remains were found on Thursday and subsequent DNA testing with a sample from her mother, Roselyn Alan, 25, confirmed her identity, said Seri Alam OCPD Superintendent Roslan Zainuddin

"We managed to get DNA samples from bone fragments found at the scene. The Chemistry Department found the samples matched her mother's DNA," he told reporters here.......

Girl killed over grudge

 People angry over Dirang‘s murder by drug addict

PUBLIC outrage over the murder of Nurul Nadirah Abdullah, 5, escalated yesterday after it was revealed that she was killed over a grudge and that the main suspect is a drug addict neighbour.....

Jobless man charged with Nurul’s murder

JOHOR BARU: An unemployed man has been charged with the murder of five-year-old Nurul Nadirah Abdullah (pic) at an oil palm plantation.

Muidin Mydin, 24, nodded his head after the murder charge was read to him at a magistrate’s court here yesterday.

The charge said the crime was committed on March 1 at the plantation where Muidin previously worked as a labourer......

Muidin Mydin - the suspect

Roselyn Alan - Dirang's mother

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Justice is served. But a child is lost, in a most terrible way. Parents should not take safety for granted. I see a lot of kids roaming freely in neighbourhoods and public places without adult supervision. As a parent myself, it breaks my heart whenever I see crimes like this. I must say that Malaysia is not as safe as it used to be, compared to, say 30-40 years ago. Perhaps it might be due to more closely knit community those days. Or perhaps it is the degeneration of morals and ethics in modern society. Today, communities in neighbourhoods mind their own business and do not know each other. It is especially so in urban areas.
It is getting very difficult to provide a safe environment for our children. Is safety one of the price we have to pay for progress?

Deepest condolences to Roselyn and Dirang's family. May they find closure and peace.

Jonker Walk - close or open? MCA or DAP?

Pix Source

Jonker Walk: Small protests but business as usual at tourist spot

MALACCA: It was business as usual Friday night at the iconic Jonker Walk night market despite the new ruling to allow cars in.

Motorists were diverted from entering the tourist spot at 5pm by traffic policemen and officers from the Malacca Historic City Council.

Other motorists were turned away by a small protests staged by the MCA and DAP, with some shouting “Save Jonker Walk” and holding placards.

Traders and hawkers opened their stalls as usual. Others formed a human barricade to prevent motorists from using the pedestrian mall.

The council's officers also refrained from taking action against the traders and kept watch from a distance.

A brief stand-off came as leaders from the political parties claimed credit of trying to save Jonker Walk.

“Where was DAP 13 years ago, you're the first to oppose when Jonker made its debut,” shouted an MCA leader.

A pandemonium was triggered when several traders shouted at motorists who had parked their vehicles during operating hours.

The situation eased when Kota Melaka MCA Youth deputy chief Dr Yee Kok Wah was seen directing cars out of the area.

DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang delivered a speech at a makeshift stage.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Jonker Walk: Don't turn it into Jonker Highway, says Nazri Aziz

KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz wants the entire stretch of the Jonker Walk night market to be closed to traffic.

"It's called Jonker Walk so pedestrians walk not only was on sidewalks, but also on the road itself.

"There's no reason to rethink this after 13 years. Jonker Walk has been around for 13 years and it's not going to be beneficial if it's open to vehicles.

"I've met with the Chief Minister (Datuk Idris Haron), he said it was a trial run as there were requests for the roads to be open to traffic.

"However, after four weeks (of trial period), I hope it will be closed. Jonker Walk is a Malacca must-see. Don't play the blame game if tourists no longer visit Jonker Walk after it is open to traffic," he said.

Looks like the circus is in town. Is this the way we do things from now on? It's like there's a certain formula they subscribe to. Here's the steps:

1. Raise an issue. Sometimes out of the blue. Popular choices are race, religion and education.
2. The 'bad guy' talks tough with supporters cheering him on.
3. 'Good guy' (sometimes two) comes out with guns blazing, defending the poor 'victims'.
4. Protest! Publicity!
5. The 'bad guy' gives some lame excuse. Popular examples are 'misquoted', 'misunderstanding', 'denial' or 'conspiracy', etc.
6. 'Good guy' becomes hero. 'Victims' show appreciation via testimonial in the mass media.
7. After 100 days, people forget.
8. Go to number 1 and repeat cycle.

It's like watching reruns.

I mean seriously, if there's really a traffic problem, then work it out and come up with a solution. Don't tell me the previous CM didn't discover this traffic problem after more than 10 years. And this new CM, on his first day of work, arrived late because he couldn't take the faster route through Jonker Street? So the next day, he decided to open the road to traffic and he was punctual ever since...

But isn't Jonker Street closed to traffic at night for the night market?

Anyway, it seems quite popular among locals and tourists. Check out what travellers have to say on Trip Advisor.

Water crisis imminent in Klang Valley

SHORTAGE: Six million to face problem 

KUALA LUMPUR: WITH water reserves at an all-time low, water disruption is imminent for nearly six million consumers in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) yesterday warned that with low water reserves in almost all of its 34 treatment plants -- they stand at less than one per cent rather than the required 10 per cent -- consumers from Kuala Lumpur, Petaling, Klang, Gombak and Hulu Langat can experience water shortage at any moment.

"The current water reserves in the treatment plants are at their all-time low, leading to the possibility of huge-scale water disruptions.

-----------------------------------------------------------

2013

PM vows to solve water shortage in Klang Valley

GIVE US MANDATE: Opposition-led Selangor govt rapped for not giving development order to build Langat 2 plant

SEMENYIH: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak promised yesterday that Barisan Nasional would solve the water shortage issue   in the Klang Valley, if the party is given the mandate to rule Selangor.

He hit out at the opposition for pointing fingers at Syabas and BN instead of solving the water shortage problem....


-----------------------------------------------------------

2012

What has water crisis got to do with Langat 2 - S'gor wallops back at BN govt

The state government, through the Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS), controls the state's seven dams, and water levels were between 92% and 100% as of July 2.

"We only control the raw water in the state and there is more than enough, which means Syabas should be answering why it does not have enough treatment plants to provide clean water to the people, and why there is talk of water rationing today," he said.

Jayakumar further claimed it was irresponsible of Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin and Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Noh Omar to suggest that the state allow Langat 2 to be built first and discuss water tariff hikes later.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Selangor may hold 'water' referendum

PUTRAJAYA: THE Selangor government is going ahead with its planned takeover of the water operations from concessionaire Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd,  state executive councillor Dr Xavier Jayakumar said yesterday.

He proposed a "referendum of the people", where the people of Selangor would decide.....

...Jayakumar said the state government had requested RM225 million from the Federal Government to carry out water mitigation projects through the State Economic Planning Unit, but the approval was still pending...

-----------------------------------------------------------

Water in Selangor: A Crisis of Corruption and Cronyism

The Selangor government is all for preventing this RM8.65 billion gravy train from riding out, and its position is simple: there is plenty of water in Selangor, and if there is any shortage at all, it is due to failure, or worse, failure on the part of Syabas.

Here’s what Syabas doesn’t want you to know about this water “crisis”: it’s not about how much raw water there is (since the dams in Selangor are all clearly full); it’s about how Syabas is failing dramatically to efficiently convert enough of that raw water into potable water.

Syabas’ level of NRW is 32 percent. This means that a whopping one-third of the raw water that enters a Syabas water treatment plant goes entirely to waste.

While Syabas is dead set on exponential increases of up to 75 percent on water tariffs, Selangor has pledged to cap any tariff increases to 12 percent....


-----------------------------------------------------------

2010

Keeping the taps in Klang Valley flowing

At least twice in the last two weeks, residents of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur were warned that they faced the grim prospects of water rationing by 2014 unless the impasse between the Federal and Selangor state governments was not solved.

Central to the issue is the planned Langat 2 water treatment plant, a project that has been delayed as the two parties haggle over issues that can be considered trivial compared with the great inconvenience residents could face when their taps run dry.

-----------------------------------------------------------

2009

Conserve water from now, Klang Valley folk warned

PETALING JAYA: Water rationing could start next month for Klang Valley residents if they do not conserve water from now.

Drainage and Irrigation Depart-ment hydrology and water resources director Datuk Lim Chow Hock said water shortage would be more critical in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur due to the dense population....

...In the Klang Valley, the Sungai Langat, Klang Gates and Batu dams were at full capacity, while the Tasik Subang dam was at 87% yesterday.

Puncak Niaga forecasts that the dams would have enough water for 161 days or 5.4 months even if the dry spell continued...

Federal govt sabotages Selangor

THE Selangor state government made an offer on 13 Feb 2009 to four privatised water service providers — Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd (PNSB), Syabas, SPLASH and Abass — to acquire their water assets and concessions.

The combined RM5.71 billion offered was made with the objective of delivering the lowest possible water tariffs for Selangor and Kuala Lumpur residents. At the same time, the offer was consistent with, and guided by, the terms and conditions specified in the concession agreements signed willingly by all parties involved....

...If, however, the ministry offers the concessionaires a much higher cash value for its assets as well as lucrative licence terms for them to continue as the water operators in the state, the minister must explain why he is forsaking the rights and interest of the 7.3 million Selangor and Kuala Lumpur population.....

-----------------------------------------------------------

This water crisis issue surfaced since 2008 and continues until today. Everyone seems to be pointing fingers at each other while the people have suffer supply disruptions and poor quality of water. Almost every household have a water filter installed, some more than one.

Privatised Water Service Providers:
Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd (PNSB),
Syabas,
SPLASH
Abass

Others involved:
Federal Government
Selangor Government

Going by news reports, there's one common factor through the years, the Langat 2 treatment plant. The cost is said to be in the billions. Beneath all the noise:- about Selangor offering to buy up the water assets but water service providers asking for high price, federal government going ahead with the plant, water tariff increase, water crisis, water rationing, not to mention the poor quality of water supplied, numerous warnings through the years... it all boils down to money and politics.

It's the same thing happening over and over again with privatisation, like electricity, sewerage treatment, postal services, roads and highways, airlines, and now water. What happens in the end? After privatisation, the rates and prices always increases. The consumer pays. When these companies lose money, the taxpayer pays. There's only one party that gains, the service providers. They profit.

1. Is the Langat 2 plant the solution? If it is, then Selangor State Government should work work out a solution with the parties involved. If it is not the solution, then why is the Federal government insisting on building it? What are the alternatives? Is there really a crisis looming?

2. These water service providers, as I understand, are supposed to supply treated water to the consumers. Aren't they supposed to ensure that their facilities are doing it's job? They are charging consumers for water. What are the terms of their services? Isn't it their responsibility to ensure that their facilities are capable to deliver the required supply to the consumers?

3. Whenever there's a water shortage, it always blamed on other things such as low rainfall, dry weather, low water level at the dams, leaking pipes, wastage by consumer, shortage or breakdown of equipment, and whatnots.

Finally, must everything be politicised?