Pantun, Life and Vigour

Life and Vigour

Live in a world of things wonderful,
     Look for spirit full of wonders;
Think of things that are beautiful,
     Full of life and vigour.

World Trade Organization

Malaysia is a trading nation. It is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Trump has been critical of the  organization. He threatens to take America out of it.

Amnesty for illegals

Many countries including Malaysia have illegal workers. Because of various reasons such as bureaucracy, the situation did not change after amnesty. This time we hope that there are fair and effective measures.

Eggs in Malaysia

Eggs in Malaysia
Malaysians take about 40 million eggs every day. The authorities must look seriously into all aspects of poultry factory farming such as the conditions, the feeds, the attempts to cut costs to produce more eggs and meat, the use of antibiotics and the colouring of eggs.

Pantun, An oath to keep secrets

An Oath To Keep Secrets

The public watch budget with urgency,
     Do irregularities make people regret?
The public ask for transparency,
     Leaders make an oath to keep secrets.

Air pollution affects intelligence

A Chinese study on over 25,000 people shows that air pollution also affects mental abilities. We need more researches. We  should take it seriously as we face haze and fumes from cars, factories and rubbish dumps.

Reduce weight by pill

Obese people.     Besides changing lifestyle, some take tablets to suppress appetite. In the US, a study of locaserine on 12,000 people has shown encouraging results. But, what is its effects on cancer, diabetes and heart diseases?

Foreign workers

Amnesty
The issue of foreign workers is complex. How many are illegal? As the amnesty programme ends, all concerned must be fair and reasonable.

Official Secrets Act (OSA)

Ruling passion.
Assuming his post, the Prime Minister has taken an oath to keep secrets. OSA is to stay. Each person has the ruling passion.

Lure more tourists

More tourists
There are talks about attracting more tourists to Malaysia. These should be helped by better development and maintenance of facilities as well as improved security.

John S McCain (1936-2018)

John Sydney McCain (1936-2018) died from brain cancer. He was a war prisoner in Vietnam and a resilient Republican Senator. He dared to defy President Donald Trump.

Pantun, Producing Nation.

Producing nation.
Tun Mahathir wants the third national car with the idea of making Malaysia a producing nation. What are the fields in which Malaysia may compete?

The nation feels strongly,
     Being dissatisfied with just consuming;
Malaysia builds cars nationally,
     Being determined also to produce thing.

Producing country

Producing Country.
Countries such as America, China, Germany and Japan manufacture goods for the world. Tun Mahathir insists on the third national car to make Malaysia produce things, not just to consume.

The fattest in SEA

Obese people in Malaysia.
According to World Health Organization, Malaysia has the most obese people in South East Asia: in the population, women and men are 48.6% and 43.8% obese respectively.  Is it possible to eat less?

Clean internet

Many countries regulate internet, including UK and US. Chinese President Xi Jinping says the internet must be clean and righteous. Google withdrew its search engine from China in 2010. But Amazon,Apple and Microsoft have not. Now, Google may set up the engine again.

We would like freedom of expression. We must effectively reject vulgar and obscene languages and avoid，cultural, racial and  religious sensitivity.

Pantun, Care for nobody.

Care for nobody

The place has humble villagers,
     In Ranau, busy working on paddy;
These palm trees have needles,
     This person cares for nobody.

Welfare homes in Malaysia

The world celebrates Eid ul adha. Malaysia should look into the number and the state of welfare homes in the country. How many are for senior citizens, orphans and the handicapped? The illegal homes?

Happy Eid ul adha

Happy Eid ul adha

Mouse deer and elephant

Mouse deer and elephant.     The trade war between America and China affects the world. When two giants fight, a small country like Malaysia must not be caught in between.

No changes in policy towards China

More of the same

More of the same.
     All want things to change. There are more of the same.

Many wish the situation changes,
     Love a better life, as an aim;
Lay down the objectives for change,
     Get more of the same.
    

The Third National Car

Tun Mahathir wants to learn from China to find a niche for the Malaysian Third National Car.
     Look at Sweden. She succeeds in certain types of manufacturing, finding suitable areas such as machine tools in the world market. Her Volvo car finally teams up with Geely of China.

Malaysian Education Minister

The Education Minister talks about implementing 43 initiatives in schools and universities. Please tell the public: how many university administrations are really functioning? The number of schools having enough chairs and tables and having collapsed roofs?

Modern transition

The modern traditional period sees China having a hand in infrastructure projects in many countries. Outside the country, the United States establishes over '600' military bases in the world, China has one.
     The visit of Tun Mahathir to China reflects a new meaning.

Kofi Annan tried

For years, Kofi Annan (1938--2018), former United Nations Secretary-General, tried to promote peace in the world. But, the challenges were huge. Five permanent members of UN Security Council had different ideas. Leaders of nations declared intentions. George Bush invaded Iraq. Donald Trump tweeted his threats brandishing American power.

Asian Games 2018

The 18th Asian Games officially starts in Jakarta and Palembang today. Indonesia spends US$2.4 billion for the event。With tens of thousands of security personnel, we hope that 11,000 athletes from 45 countries and 5000 officials are safe.
   Congratulations to Malaysia's under-23 football team for the 2:1 win over South Korea.
    

Low-carbohydrate diets

Be careful with research findings. Are they true?
     A Boston study shows that low-carbohydrate diets with animal proteins and fats such as for reducing weight may shorten life.
     Plant proteins and fats like vegetables, fruits, beans and nuts are healthier.

Pantun, Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin (1942-2018) passed away on 16.8.2018. a famous American singer--Queen of Soul.

Busy learning music is good training,
     Performance is truly wonderful;
Aretha sings, forgetting the sufferings,
     Her voice is really beautiful.

Green projects.

Green projects such as 'river of life' intend to make Kuala Lumpur a green city.  City folks wonder what would happen to these projects.

Pantun, Taxes are from people

Taxes mean people's money. Don't misuse.

Government rules using money,
     That comes from various taxes;
Government must be careful with the money,
     That comes from people who pay taxes.

Haze and heat waves

There are many causes of heat waves and haze. We have been talking about these for years. Besides getting all concerned to cooperate，Malaysian Government must allocate more resources to overcome these causes.

Parasites in drinking water

The Association of Academies and Societies of Science in Asia (AASSA) warns against the presence of parasites in drinking water in Southeast Asia.
     The most important is for Malaysia to ensure that drinking water in all states is safe.

Foreign workers in Malaysia

Tun Mahathir mentions a single system to hire foreign workers. For years, issue on foreign workers makes people unhappy. Bad practices such as exploitations complicate. We need a fair and reasonable system that works.

Genoa Highway Bridge

Yesterday, Italian Genoa highway bridge collapsed, killing over 26 people. It was built about 50 years ago at the busy city and refurbished in 2016.
   Malaysian Kepong MRR2 highway bridge, had cracked pillars. Please ensure that it is safe.

Jakarta may sink by 2050

Experts predict that unless something is done Jakarta may sink by 2050. Apparently, 60% of 10 million city folks extract underground water and mangrove swamps are destroyed.
     Are there adequate environmental protection for Kuala Lumpur?

Auditor-General's Department

Anti-Corruption measures: Tun Mahathir says that Auditor-General Department will be moved from the Prime Minister's Department to Parliamentary Select Committee. It is essential to ensure that these measures are effective.

Trump's multiple sanctions

Trump imposes sanctions on many countries such as Iran, North Korea, Russia and Venezuela. Action on tariffs continues. These are economic weapons.

Revenge

Revenge

Lions fight, as opponent goes down,
    The victor stops the aggression;
Humans fight，as challenger goes down,
     Some victors don't stop the action.
    
    

Malaria

There are about 260 million malaria patients especially children below five years old. Now, experts use mosquito-netting  made of fibres impregnated with insecticide. This can reduce the incidence of malaria.

Excellence

Tun Mahathir talks about the education system to produce future leaders and to emulate the Japanese culture on a nation of excellence. Malaysian Education Ministry must help pupils, parents and teachers with the new measures introduced and ensure that university boards function towards a nation of excellence.

Sensitive issues

Sensitive issues in Malaysia

Malaysia is a multireligious nation,
     Some issues are very sensitive;
Malaysia is ready to face this condition,
     Several effective measures are effective.

Malaysian public universities

The Malaysian Education Minister has taken action on public universities. Will he let the people know whether the boards are functioning? How does he intend to raise the standard of universities?

War is cruel

Just as any war, Yemen war is cruel. It destroys everything, including children. We hope that United Nations will succeed in bringing peace to the country.

Elites with too much power

There are many factors in corruption. Perak Sultan mentions corruption due to elites wielding too much power as a factor. His Royal Highness and others including Tun Mahathir insist on enforcing the separation of powers and the rule of law.

The Sun Atmosphere, 1370 degrees Celsius

The sun atmosphere, 1370 degrees Celsius.
On 11.8.18, Nasa, USA, will launch a heat-shielded spacecraft to go into the sun's atmosphere. It will study space weather that affects the earth.

Angry

The suggestion to consider the merger of Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) and Social Security (SOCSO) makes members angry. EPF manages a fund of nearly RM800 billion and SOCSO about RM26 billion. If they merge, there will be legal complications. The two funds must be looked after with trust and integrity.

Lombok Earthquake

Condolences to the families of over 100 deaths in the Lombok earthquake. Our sympathy to about 80,000 displaced persons.

2380 cases of HFMD on 5.8.18

Malaysian Education Ministry says that up to 5.8.18, 2380 pupils are infected with Hand, Football and Mouth Disease: fever, mouth ulcers and rash on feet and hands. All concerned such as parents and schools must increase efforts to prevent the disease.

Big China-US trade war

Will a big trade war between China and USA help or harm Malaysia? Tun Mahathir says it will help. Others feels that it will harm. Huge conflict is bad for most people.

Water splashes

In Malaysia, Selangor water issue is complex. The state government offers RM2.55 billion to take over the privatised water company, SPLASH. What is the outcome?

Water Splashes

Billions of humans need water,
     Is essentially a burden for society;
Billions of dollars used to manage water,
     Is the splurge truly for society?

Care for senior citizens

Care for senior citizens is difficult. Recently, a caretaker of a care centre in Klebang Besar, Melaka，left 35 persons in the lurch. Welfare Department has been trying to do something. Besides a few good ones, many care centres need effective supervision.

Malaysian Daren Liu

Lee Chong Wei was not at the Nanjing World Badminton Championship because of illness. Then, Malaysian Daren Liu tried his best, acquiring a bronze medal. Congratulations.

World Badminton Championship, Nanjing.

The World Badminton Championship, Nanjing, saw Japan’s Momota defeated China's Shi yuqi 21:11, 21:17. After having been banned for over a year for going into a casino, Momota was determined, showing mental and physical toughness with overflowing self-confidence.
     Shi yuqi, aged 22, has the skills, mental and physical discipline, needing more experience. He will be a prominent player.

World Badminton Championship, Nanjing.

In the women singles final, Marin, Spain, defeated Sindhu, India, 21:19, 21:10. Marin showed her mental and physical toughness with strong self-confidence overwhelming the opponent. She has become world champion for the third time.

Over 7 million EPF members

Over seven million EPF members.
Now Tunku Alizakri Alias is the Chief Executive Officer of the Employees' Provident Fund that has investment assets of about RM600 billion. We hope that he tries his best to look after the members who face the problems of the changing society. They trust that the Fund is based on good governance and integrity.

Splashing Water

Water Splashes.

The Selangor water issue is difficult to deal with. The state government company, Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd, spends RM2.55 billion to acquire Syarikat Pengeluar Air Sungai Selangor Sdn Bhd. Water splashes. Does the splurge really help the people?

Petronas new chairman

Petronas new Chairman:
Malaysian Government appoints Datuk Ahmad Nizam Salleh as the new Chairman of Petronas that has assets of over US$148 billion. The people hope that he will make sure that the company fund will not be misused.

'Macau' scam

'Macau' scam continues to occur. According to Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Datuk Mazlan, from January to June this year, there were 447 cases, losing RM14.7 million. Last year there were 197 cases
involving RM10 million.
     Rascals from within and outside Malaysia use fake names such as Anti-corruption Commission and Bank Negara to telephone their victims. Don't believe in these calls.

Messages by terrorists

Messages by terrorists:
Terrorists exploit cyberspace. They design and produce messages to recruit susceptible people. How effective are Malaysian measures to counter these messages?

10,000 schools

10,000 Malaysian schools:
The tide ebbs and flows. The atmosphere changes in schools. The minister stresses new ways such as for English, Science& Mathematics. Pupils, parents & teachers ask for help: fix the direction that can be followed effectively. The ministry must think of the sufferings due to these changes.