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Monday, November 30, 2015

North South Highway toll rate increase

Deputy Works Minister Datuk Rosnah says that North South Highway concessionaire increases toll rate by 5% every three years. For over 30 years, we have been reminding road-users that they have to pay increasing amount of toll for years.

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Sunday, November 29, 2015

Turkey downed a Russian bomber

President Hollande has contacted President Obama, President Putin, President Xi and Prime Minister Cameron to form a meaningful alliance against 'Islamic State' terrorists. About that time, Turkey downed a Russian bomber. Then, a war of words has broken out between Russia and Turkey.

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First-class civil service.

The Malaysian Chief Secretary Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa believes that innovation is the chief ingredient for developing a first-class public service. Besides trying to be business friendly, please treat ordinary people well.

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Saturday, November 28, 2015

Smoking vape

Smoking has been with human civilization for thousands of years. It is bad for health. Electronic cigarette like vape brings this problem to the digital world, including schools and universities. This is a much vaunted topic.

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The calligraphy is on telling the truth. This is a quotation from the Chronicle of Zuo Qiuming, over 2400 years ago. Whatever the pressure, Dong Hu recorded the truth.

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Planting trees to prevent forest fires

Indonesia plants trees to prevent forest fires. The objective is good. We want to prevent haze due to forest and peat fires.

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Vape and e-cigarettes for school children

Consumer Associstion of Penang says primary and secondary school children smoke vape (e-cigarette without nicotine). They keep up with the time. What is the view of the Health Ministry?

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Thursday, November 26, 2015

Renewable energy

Energy Minister Datuk Maximus Ongkili has told the House that renewable energy in Malaysia is 6%. If hydroelectrity is included, it is 14% (excluding Bakun Dam). By 2025, it is estimated to be 23%. Reducing carbon emission is important to overcome environmental pollution and climate change.

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Allocation for KL City Hall reduced over 50%

The 2016 bugetary allocation for Kuala Lumpur City Hall has been reduced from RM60 million to RM28 million. The Federal Territory minister Ku Nan has told the House that he would make sure that maintenance works will be done on main roads, monsoon drains, civic halls, community centres, pedestrian walkways, recreational facilities and parks. The ministry would need supplementary budget to make Kuala Lumpur an Eco City of world standard.

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Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Cost of security

The appearance of 'Islamic State' (IS) and Al Qaeda is complicated. The series of terror attacks have taken place in many places such as in Mali and Paris. The cost of security goes up. For example, in 2016, the allocation for UK security increases by USD12 billion, France USD 641 million and Belgium USD 427 million.

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Tuesday, November 24, 2015

442 private schools

According to Education Ministry, there are 422 private schools in Malaysia with167,667 pupils who are citizens and 28,700 pupils who are non-citizens. The Goverment must monitor closely to ensure quality of education.

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National debt

The Finance Ministry has told parliament that Malaysia's national debt is below the statutory limit of 55% Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In 2013, the national debt was RM539.9 billion, 54.84% GDP. In 2014, the national debt was RM582.8 billion, 54.47% GDP. We must reduce national debt.

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Saturday, November 21, 2015

ككواتن اسيان

دسيدغ كمونچق اسيان,  داتوء سري ناجيب هندق مغگابوغ ككواتن اسيان. كيت برهارڤ  ڤلباگاي اسڤيك ترماسوق ايكونومي دان عالم سكيتر سڤرتي ڤغهاڤوسن جريبو داڤت دڤرتيغكتكن.
Di sidang kemuncak ASEAN, Datuk Seri Najib hendak menggabung kekuatan ASEAN. Kita berharap pelbagai aspek termasuk ekonomi dan alam sekitar seperti penghapusan jerebu dapat ditingkatkan.

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English Premier League, Chelsea at 16 in the league.

In the last season of the EPL, Chelsea was brilliant, becoming champion. This season, Chelsea play badly, being number 16. The manager Mourinho believes in the current players to get back to the top.

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United Nations Security Council

United Nations Security Council voted to adopt French-proposed resolution to fight IS. Member nations must take all necessary measures for peace and security.

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Friday, November 20, 2015

Suicidal terror attacks

At just after 9 pm on 16.11.15, we witnessed and listened to President Obama and President Hollande saying that suicidal terror attacks as seen in the Paris carnage can happen anywhere at any time. Police are on the look out for possible suicidal attacks at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur.

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G20, APEC and ASEAN promise to fight IS militants

In the last two weeks, the summits of G20 in Antalya, APEC in Manila and ASEAN in Kuala Lumpur have promised to fight IS militants. Datuk Seri Najib says that there is no place for violent extremism in ASEAN. Lets hope that they are able to take effective action.

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Thursday, November 19, 2015

French parliament extends state of emergency

Tonight, French parliament approves the motion to extend the state of emergency by three months, to fight IS militants. The Malaysian Government can learn from the French experience and prevent terrorists escaping the surveilance.

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Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Russia intensifies bombings on IS

Russia believes that 1 kg bomb destroyed its Metrojet, killing 224 people in Sinai, Egypt, last month. It intensifies bombings of IS in Syria. Is there military cooperation between Russia and US since World War 11?

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Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Monsoon rain, floods and landslide.

Monsoon rain causes floods and landslides. Recently, the mud flood along Karak Highway was shocking. On 16.11.15, there was a landslip at a slope in Jalan Raja Chula, Kuala Lumpur. Similar incident occurs in Kelantan, Sabah dan Sarawak. We need preventive measures including effective monitoring from Public Works Department.

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Obama in Antalya, Turkey.

We wait for action by President Obama following the Paris carnage. After 9 pm (Malaysian time) 16.11.15, Obama spoke at the G20 Summit: Intensifies anti-terror strategies such as mobilizing 65 countries to go after IS. Ground troops would be a mistake.

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Monday, November 16, 2015

Aborted attacks

British Prime Minister David Cameron reveals that Britain has aborted seven terrorist attacks in the past seven months. It is understood that Malaysia has foiled similar attacks. Intelligence service is important.

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Sunday, November 15, 2015

Will the Paris carnage happen di Malaysia

Datuk Seri Zahid says that Malaysian authorities will go all out to prevent attacks which took place in Paris from happening in Malaysia. We hope that all especially the intelligence will always be on alert.

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Leaders from many countries attend summits

Leaders from various countries attend summits  such as G20  in Turkey now, ASEAN in Kuala Lumpur and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Manila next week. The three countries try their best  to ensure the security, preventing carnage due to  attacks as seen in Paris.

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Carnage occurs anywhere

Carnage occurs anywhere such as Paris, Lebanon, Tunisia or Turkey. Paris attacks killed 129 people. Innocent lives are sacrificed.

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Saturday, November 14, 2015

IS claims responsibility for the Paris attacks .

IS 'Islamic State' claims responsibility for the Paris  attacks, killing over 128 persons. French President Francois Allande says that this is an act of war.

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Paris attacks

Multiple attacks in Paris resulted in over 120 deaths and eight terrorists were killed. Condolences to the families of all the victims.

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Multiple attacks and confusion in Parlis

France declares a state of emergency as a result of multiple attacks and over 40 deaths and confusion in Paris. Meanwhile, a few Malaysians are hatching a network of terrorists in this region. We must always be alert.

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Friday, November 13, 2015

Crude oil surplus

About 30% of Malaysian revenue are from crude oil. International Energy Agency quotes crude oil stockpiles at 3 billion barrel. This is the biggest surplus in a decade. Crude oil price remains below USD50 a barrel, affecting the national revenue.

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Karak Highway mud flood

On 11.11.15, landslide and mud flood occurred at 52.4 kilometre Karak Highway, with destruction. The site is near Lentang Forest Reserve. We are concerned, hoping to know the cause and the solution, including action on the culprits.

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Wednesday, November 11, 2015

English language in Malaysia.

For years, the question of English appears in Malaysia. It will continue to be so. Some quote that education in the mother tongue is more effective. In 2012, the teaching of science and mathematics in English was abolished.

There was talk of importing Indians to teach English.  Certain Indians insist on Hindi in India.

British Council and Fulbright English Teacher Assistantship help. What is standard English?

As language argument persists, I wonder what multilingual Scandinavians and Swiss think.

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Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Climate change, haze and severe poverty

Media report warns about another 100 million people become very poor if climate change worsens.  In ASEAN, haze continues to pollute. All nations must take action to prevent haze and other sources of pollutants.

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Cursive calligraphy, talents, holistic and balanced

The calligraphy is a quotation from a great politician Wang Anshi about1000 years ago. It means nurturing knowledgeable and holistic talents, similar to the current Malaysian Education Master Plan. The plan is to train holistic and balanced graduates including entrepreneurial spirit. Wang failed in his reform. The reasons include corrupt Song Dynasty and sabotage by local officials.

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Myanmar General Elections

On 9.11.15, Myanmar had general elections, NLD led by Ang San Suu Kyi, has won.  The full results will be out on 15.11.15. The new constitution allocates 25% of parliamentary seats for the military. Many ethnic minorities are watching, hoping for better days.

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Monday, November 09, 2015

Happy Deepavali.

Happy Deepavali.

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e-vaping controversy

E-vaping  causes controversy. Non-smokers are not bothered. Smokers look at it differently. The Government sets up a special committee to study it's safety on human. We wait for a fair report.

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Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine

Rumours frighten people. Some parents refuse to  let their children have vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella. This can harm children as measles can cause encephalitis and pneumonia. They need the vaccination .

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Saturday, November 07, 2015

Calligraphy: students better than teachers

This cursive writing shows a quotation from Xunzi, 2300 years: the present generation is better than   the previous generation; the students excel over the teachers. The Malaysian Education Master Plan aims to nurture knowledgeable, holistic and balanced graduates. We have to overcome  weaknesses such as bad governance, budget cut and party political interference.

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Wednesday, November 04, 2015

IS attraction

Datuk Seri Zahid repeats the factors that attract some to IS including 1. peer group; 2.escapism; 3.financial problem; and 4.religion. Only 13% are attracted by religious factor.  All concerned must always be vigilant. We hope that the preventive measures are effective.

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Ringgit value

The Finance Ministry repeats the factors causing the the fall of the value of the ringgit up to 21.6% and the drop of currencies of other ASEAN nations up to 19.5%. These include: 1. withdrawal of short-term investors; 2. uncertain economy such as economic growth of China below 7%; 3. crude oil price below USD50 per barrel; 4. negative environment such as the 1 MDB incident. We must improve the environment.

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Tuesday, November 03, 2015

Heart disease

There are many reports on heart disease, diet and lack of exercise. For example, Malaysia witnesses over 8000 new cases of heart attack a year and 35% of deaths due to heart disease are below aged 60 years. 20% of 40000 heart patients are below 40 years. Please watch your weight, food and do exercise.

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e-waste management system

Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi says that Malaysia is the first country in South East Asia to adopt e-waste management system. Waste including handphones, refrigerators, washing machines and air-conditioners is managed properly. Poisons such as mercury and lead will not pollute the environment. We hope the system will succeed.

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Sunday, November 01, 2015

Budget 2016 and uncertain ekonomy

The 2016 Malaysian budget is RM267.2 billion and revenue is estimated at RM225.7 billion. Uncertain economy such as crude oil price below USD50 per barrel (USD60 per barrel is break even for oil companies) and economic transition like in China, revenue may be affected. Then, budget allocations may be reduced.

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Typhoid and toilet

Typhoid epidemic is due to the germ Salmonella which is found in the urine and faeces of patients. Please ensure cleanliness with toilets and preparation of food.

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