diabeTes, The global epidemic

12 13

Bersih stands its ground

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TalenTed auTisTic children

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15

community

April 6 8, 2012/ issue 68

By Alvin Yap and Gan Pei Ling

shah alam: Selangor will terminate Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangors (Syabas) contract if the company cannot meet water supply demands from consumers. The state has the right to terminate the concession agreement and take over Syabas if the company fails to fulfil its responsibilities, warned Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim on Wednesday. He said 79 development projects in Selangor have stalled due to Syabas inability to provide water supply. Khalid said the state was very concerned and had sent a warning letter to Syabas on March 29. We want to remind Syabas that it must fulfil its duty to provide treated water to consumers at all times (under the concession agreement). He added that the state is meeting with Syabas representatives today (Friday, April 6) to resolve the issue. The Selangor Real Estate and Housing Developers Association of Malaysia (Rehda) had informed Selangor Times that 20 of its members had been denied water connection since January. Its chief, Ngiam Siew Siong, said the developers have paid Syabas their water contribution charge but still could not receive water. As a result, projects have been delayed and purchasers victimised. The buyers want to move in but cant, he said. The association is concerned that the problem would lead to a rise in abandoned projects. REHDAis seeking a roundtable meeting with the state and Syabas to resolve the matter. Apart from developers, two foreign-owned factories in Klang

Syabas warned
have also been denied water supply at their premises. Sya b a s ha d inf orm e d th e Sing ap orean and Ta iwanese factories that it could not approve their application due to water shortage, according to a Selangor foreign direct investment report issued last year. Meanwhile, Syabas corporate affairs executive director Abdul Halem Mat Som also confirmed the company had placed a moratorium on water connection requests from new factories. We couldnt approve the applications due to water supply shortage, said Abdul Halem. He claimed that water treatment plants in Selangor were already operating at maximum capacity. Syabas executive chairperson Tan Sri Rozali Ismail also reportedly said the water distributor had frozen planning approval for developments in Klang Valley since January. We cant afford to overload the water treatment plants, he told the press recently. He attributed the treated water shortag e to the delay in the construction of the Langat 2 water treatment plant which processes raw water to be channelled to the state from Pahang. If the Langat 2 water treatment plant is approved, Syabas can review the applications for these projects, Rozali had reportedly said. Selangor and Putrajaya are deadlock over the treatment plant which requires state land approval. The state is unwilling to approve the construction until Putrajaya allows the state to restructure and streamline Selangors water services industry.

A Samad Said (sixth from left) flanked by Hishamuddin Rais (left) and Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan (right) posing with Bersih 3.0 posters during their press conference at the KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. See also pages 2, 7 & 8

news
April 6 8, 2012

By Gan Pei Ling

SHAH ALAM: The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) yesterday refuted the Election Commissions (EC) claim that the election watchdog was too hasty in calling for an April 28 rally. The If we were to wait, how long do we wait? The EC took two to three months to respond to the PSCs (Parliamentary Select Committee) interim report. The general election may well be over if we were to wait for the EC to respond to the PSCs full report, which is even lengthier than the interim report, Bersih 2.0 steering committee member Andrew Khoo told Selangor Times. He added that the ruling government has only pledged to look into the PSCs recommendations but did not commit to implement them. The 22 recommendations werent very strong to begin with, but even then, there was no commitment or timeline to put the reforms in place, said the human rights lawyer. Bersih 2.0 had announced on Wednesday that it would hold a sit-in rally at Dataran Merdeka and other cities worldwide one day after the PSC report was passed without debate in Parliament. The 84-member coalition had criticised the 79-page PSC report for failing to deal with discrepancies in the electoral roll and methods to tackle election offences. Weve got evidence of electoral fraud being unearthed as

Bersih rebuts critics, says rally necessary

late as last Friday. As long as weve a flawed list, well have flawed (election) results, said Khoo. The election watchdog has continuously urged the EC to clean up the electoral roll. It was one of its eight key demands that sparked the Bersih 2.0 rally last July. The EC is still acting as if its a government department. If the commission is truly independent, it wouldnt have to wait for the PSC report or the government to tell it what (reforms to implement), Khoo said. Bersih 2.0 has also demanded for the resignation of all election commissioners during its rally announcement on Wednesday. Khoo said the April 28 rally is necessary to remind the government that the people want an independent EC and a clean electoral roll before heading into the 13th general election. Dismissing claims that Bersih 3.0 is an opposition rally, Khoo said Bersih 2.0 had invited all political parties to join the rally. Regardless of their political affiliation, we invite them to come to rally as citizens who support free and fair elections. Pakatan Rakyat and anti-Lynas coalition Himpunan Hijau have expressed support for the rally on Wednesday.

Views on the April 28 rally

Malaysians have shown they are able to have assemblies in a peaceful manner Bersih 2.0 was a peaceful rally and there was indiscriminate use of non-lethal force by the police. Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee. (Mkini) All parties should work hard to facilitate and respect universal rights of the people to assemble and express their opinions peacefully on urgent public and national interest issues. Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner Muhammad Shaani Abdullah. (Mkini) If we look at it honestly, seven out of the eight Bersih demands are already in the recommendations of the PSC. The only one not included is minimum campaign period of 21 days. Rembau MP and Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin. (Mkini) Demonstrations are only used by people who have lost their minds. Those who gather there that day will be people who have lost their minds. Kinabatangan MP and Umno supreme council member Bung Mokhtar Radin. (Mkini) They did not even say when they will have these things. Because, what we care about all these things must be done before the election. National literary icon Datuk A Samad Said ((pic) Insider). Its suggestions should have been made to the PSC which was set up to discuss Bersihs eight demands; not through holding yet another massive rally. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. In a Berita Harian report, Ahmad Zahid said calling for another rally despite having most of its demands met meant that Bersih 3.0 was a front for Pakatan Rakyat. (Mkini) They should be patient... they say they are smart but they are closeminded... what they are doing is rushed, hasty and troublesome to people. Election Commission (EC) deputy chairperson Datuk Wira Wan Ahmad Wan Omar. (Insider) Out of the eight demands, only one has been addressed, which is the use of indelible ink. The other demands have been ignored, our main concern is especially the voter registration list. PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu. (Insider) If more people are aware, then we may get a higher voter turnout and minimise the impact of fraudulent voters. PKR vice-president Fuziah Salleh. She said the federal opposition, Pakatan Rakyat, had no problems backing the Bersih 3.0 rally to create more awareness of weaknesses in the electoral roll.

Selangor WeaTHer
Friday Morning Saturday Sunday

afternoon

night

Source: Malaysian meteorological department

phone (603) 5510 4566 fax (603) 5523 1188 email editor@selangortimes.com

EDITORIAL
CHIEF EDITOR COMMUNITY EDITOR

Bersih insists on Dataran

KUALA LUMPUR: Elections pressure group Bersih 2.0 maintains that its April 28 rally at Merdeka Square will proceed as planned despite government opposition. Its chairperson, Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, reportedly told The Malaysian Insider that other venues had not been considered and warned of a polls backlash if the government cracks down on the rally. She said global criticism of the authoritys response towards the rally last year would resurface if the government again moves to forcefully impede rally-goers. Last years Bersih 2.0 rally on July 9, which saw tear gas fired, over 1,000 arrested, and the death of an ex-soldier, was widely criticised in the international press. Bersih, a coalition of 84 non-governmental organisations, announced its third rally in six years for electoral reform on Wednesday. Responding to the rallys announcement, Minister in the Prime Ministers Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said the square was not gazetted for peaceful assemblies. The Peaceful Assembly Act, which was passed in Parliament, gives the home minister freedom to gazette assembly areas at will. The list of prohibited areas for assembling peacefully include petrol stations, hospitals, fire stations, airports, bridges, places of worship, and schools.

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NEWS
APRIL 6 8, 2012

EvEnts Motion to discuss flood

Jumble sale
Sisters in Islam, an organisation committed to promoting the rights of women, will be having their iumble sale on April 8 from 10am to 4pm at No 7, Jalan 6/10, 46000 Petaling Jaya. Proceeds will be used to finance their projects and activities. Items sold include clothes, shoes, accessories, bags and books. Those interested to donate items to sell can call 03-7785 6121 or 03-7784 2733.

mitigation denied
By Brenda Chng

Wesak Celebration
Chempaka Buddhist Lodge will be organising various events in conjunction with Wesak Day from April 8-May 6. Among the activities are blood donations, health care campaign, health talks, children colouring competition, calligraphy competition, chanting and Wesak floats procession. The main celebration will be on May 5. For more information, call 03-7880 3936.

shah alam: Two motions to debate the recent Klang floods in Parliament were rejected by the House this week. Klang member of Parliament Charles Santiago told Selangor Times that he first put in a written motion to debate the issue on Wednesday but it was rejected on the grounds that Putrajayaalready has a comprehensive plan to implement ongoing flood mitigation projects across the country. Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia added that the debate could not go on because the federal government was already upgrading old drainage systems in flood-prone areas.

I appealed again today (Thursday), but the decision was maintained, said Santiago. This, however, didnot sit well with Santiago who said not enough was being done to prevent future floods from happening. If there is a plan to mitigate floods, why are there still flash floods happening in Klang, said Santiago during a phone interview yesterday. Thousands of homes, offices and schools were affected by one of the worst flash floods in Klang last Friday, causing 10 schools to close. I hope the Speaker will allow this matter to be debated in Parliament as it affects the interests of thousands of people, he said.

In the meantime, he is also pushing for the Federal government to approve a RM1 billion allocation to upgrade drains in Klang and to fund the states 50-year flood plain project. According to him, the state Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) and Selangor Public Works Department (PWD) had been requesting for the funds since 2010. However, neither department had received any approvals for the funds. Without the funds they cant do any upgrading or flood mitigation in Klang. So I hope approval of RM1 billion will be given soon, said Santiago. Plans and upgrades include the building of a new drainage system in Klang.

Education Festival
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahmahs (UTAR) Centre for Extension Education will be organising a Lifelong Learning Festival from April 6-10, from 9am to 9.30pm. Highlights include public talks, education workshops, demonstrations and exhibitions. It will be held at the campus at PD Block, Level B1, 9, Jalan Bersatu 13/4, Petaling Jaya. For more details, call 03-7957 2818 or 016-223 3565 (Rodhiah, Joleena or Sakunthala) or visit www.facebook.com/UTARCEE or email cee@utar.edu.my.

Tamil school adamant on relocation

German lesson
German classes for beginners are being organised by the YMCA of Kuala Lumpur every Saturday, starting April 7 from 2pm-5pm. Classes will be held at their premises, 95, Jalan Padang Belia, Brickfields (Opposite KL Sentral LRT station). For those interested in joining, call 03-2274 1439 or 012-298 5248.

Awtar (third from right) and residents from Puchong holding up a map with the location of the proposed land highlighted in orange.

Blood Donation
Impiana KLCC Hotel, Kuala Lumpur is organising a blook donation campaign on April 10 from 11am-4pm. Everyone is invited to donate blood at their premises located at 13, Jalan Pinang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur. Event will be held at the Melati Room. For more information, call 03-2147 1111 or email info.klcc@ impiana.com.

By Alvin Yap

Free health Talk

A free health talk will be held from 10am-1pm on April 7 at the Tropicana Medical Centre auditorium. A panel of doctors will give tips on eating healthy and keeping ones gut, heart and bones healthy. Those interested are encouraged to pre-register by calling 03-62871106 or email your full name and contact number to allee@ tropicanamedicalcentre.com.

health screening
Tropicana Medical Centre will be offering a 10 per cent discount for all standard health screening packages for the whole month of April. This monthly special is open to all. Call the wellness centre at 03-6287 1084 for enquiries and appointments. Visit their website at www. tropicanamedicalcentre.com or www. facebook.com/TropicanaMedicalCentre to find out more.

suBanG Jaya: Promises from Putrajaya that a Tamil school here will not lose its land to a Light Rail Transit (LRT) project has provided little assurance to parents who pointed out that their children will still be exposed to pollution. The Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG) of SJK Tamil Castlefield is adamant on moving to a 2.5ha site at Taman Wawasan that is also being eyed by a Chinese vernacular school. We have Department of Environment (DOE) data that air and noise pollution at our present site is above safe limits. We are next to the Puchong-Damansara Highway (LDP). We want to move to the proposed land at Persiaran Indera, said Castlefields board member Awtar Singh during a press conference yesterday. However, SJK (C) Kheng Chee also wants to move to that area due to the lack of students at its current location in Karak, Pahang. Late last year, committee members from the SJK (C) Kheng Chee development board sent consulting engineers to conduct soil test-

ing at the site. Castlefields board saw red over the move as they claim they should have priority over the land due to the pollution at its present site at 11th Mile, Jalan Puchong. Representatives from both schools have approached the education ministry over the issue. Board members of the Tamil school have also said that the land at Persiaran Indera was more suitable as there was a huge Indian population around the area. The school would be able to serve the thousands of Indians staying here around the low and medium cost flats, Awtar said, who is also committee member of Bandar Puchong Residents Association. He pointed out that the Chinese vernacular school should instead move into another plot of 2.4ha land also located at Taman Wawasan. Furthermore, the location has a sizeable Chinese population, he claimed. Castlefield had stood to lose part of its land, notably its cramped field, to accommodate a proposed LRT track under concessionaire Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd.

However, it seems that the school had received a reprieve when school governor P Nagamuthu yesterday received assurances from Deputy Education Minister Dr. Mohd Puad Zarkashi that the LRT track will be shifted away from Castlefields land. The intervention comes on the heels of Mohd Puads site visit to the school recently. Still, Awtar said the school committee is insisting on shifting to the land located at Persiaran Indera at Taman Wawasan 4 due to the unfavourable conditions the 478 students there are going through daily. Awtar said Castlefield should be given priority over Kheng Chee as its present premises were unfit for a school environment. He said Castlefields board members will call for a meeting to discuss the latest turn of events. He also pointed out that he and other committee members would be happy to meet Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong over the matter and to press their case to get the land. Were happy to debate him, if need be, he added. The school has been at the present location since1988.

SELANGOR TIMES April 6 8, 2012 5

Residents must change attitude

By Brenda Chng

NEWS
april 6 8, 2012

KLANG: Residents most affected by last weeks floods believe any long-term flood mitigation plans will only succeed if theres a mindset change among their neighbours. More awareness should be created by the state and local council to educate the public on littering and illegal dumping in drains, said Taman Chi Liung Residents Association chairman Ng Kian Leong. Ng, 56, who has been living in the area for over three decades, said Klang residents must

DID must buck up, says councillor

share the collective blame instead of just pointing fingers at the authorities. He pointed out that Klang drains are clogged by garbage which is discarded by residents themselves and any drainage upgrades will be in vain without attitude change. But he added the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) should do more. MPK should step up and ensure their garbage and cleaning contractors do a better job cleaning the drains. Echoing his sentiments was Taman Gembira Rukun Tetangga treasurer Saravanan

Palani, who wants the drains in his area both cleaned and upgraded. Its time the drains were widened and deepened as the drainage system is too old and cannot cater to the growing population here anymore, said Saravanan, 41. He explained that the population in Taman Gembira increased from about 500 houses 15-years ago to 1,030 now. Saravanan, who has been living in the area for 32 years, said he has never experienced a flood as bad as last Fridays. Even when it rained for the whole day 20

years ago, our homes were not flooded. Now, it floods after only an hour of rain. About 20 to 30 houses in his area were badly hit by the flood, damaging items like kitchen appliances, sofas and cabinets. Sharing his plight was Pandamaran Jaya village head Abu Bakar Shaari Husin, who is still drying and repairing his damaged belongings. Everything in my home is ruined. The sofas and beds are wet, and electrical appliances broken. Nothing much is left, said Abu Bakar.

Liu: Dont blame the state

By Gan Pei Ling

KLANG: TheDepartment of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) is being urged to maintain rivers around Pandamaran to avoid flash floods which hit the Royal Town last week. Its DIDs job to ensure that the rivers are free of obstruction from debris. Dredge the rivers. Make sure the river banks are not eroded, said Klang municipal councillor Lim Lip Suan during a site visit to the river bank along Sungai Aur at Jalan Banting-Pandamaran here. Lim said the water flow was obstructed due to rubbish being thrown into the river and also along its banks, which he claimed had caused soil erosion and narrowed the channel. He said DID should carry out a major rehabilitation of the river which includes dredging the bottom to clear it of the rubbish blocking the flow of water. He pointed out that the floodgates along Sungai Aur would be redundant as the water would not be able to flow downstream due to the debris. The river will just overflow, he said at a press conference during the site visit last Wednesday. Last week, Lim, at a full board meeting, said that two out of the three gates in Sungai Aur were unattended to while the third automatic barrier had broken down. Thousands of homes and three schools were hit by flash floods last Tuesday as more than half of the eight water gates in the area failed to open in time to channel the rain water away. He also conducted a site visit at the monsoon drain near DHaven condominium here at Jalan Mohd Yamin. The flow of the water there, he claimed, is constricted when it joins up with Sungai Sireh. He said illegal dumping along the river bank at Jalan

Lim pointing to the illegal dumpsite along Sg Sireh which has narrowed the waters flow.

2 here had also narrowed the rivers flow. Lim said DID had promised to dredge the affected rivers last year but ran out of funds and has since shelved the project.

We hope that DID officers will give an explanation to Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim during the state economic council meeting on Thursday.

shAh ALAm: Flood control comes directly under Putrajayas purview and Selangor opposition members were told to stop pointing fingers at the state. Its Putrajayas responsibility to allocate sufficient funds for the department (to prevent floods). Dont blame the state, said state executive councillor Ronnie Liu. The local government exco pointed out that the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) reports to the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, not the state government. Despite that, he said Selangor had disbursed over RM200 million to assist local governments to mitigate floods during the past four years. In addition, households affected by the flash floods are eligible to receive RM500 aid from the state. Muslims will receive an additional RM100 from their zakat. He also announced the state will give MPK RM5 million for flood relief projects. Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim also said on Wednesday that the state had gazetted river reserves and had not approved any development projects along river reserves since 2008.

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news

Bersih: EC has failed again

RESPONSE FROM BERSIH 2.0 TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY SELECT COMMITTEE ON ELECTORAL REFORM The Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reform has formulated 22 recommendations to improve the electoral system in Malaysia. Overall, Bersih 2.0 notes that many of the recommendations involve the Election Commission implementing the proposed reforms or undertaking further study into various matters, and reporting back to a Parliamentary Select Committee to be established to monitor the implementation of the recommendations. This has two obvious drawbacks. Firstly, it relies on the existing Election Commission carrying out these recommendations. Time and again, the commission has shown itself to be incapable or unwilling to initiate reforms of the electoral system. We question whether the existing commission has sufficient credibility to commit itself to undertaking the proposed recommendations. Secondly, Bersih 2.0 believes that many of the recommendations made by the Parliamentary Select Committee can be immediately implemented. We do not see the need to provide for a lengthy implementation period. We reiterate that Bersih 2.0 has demanded that reforms should be implemented BEFORE the 13th General Election is held. We note that while some recommendations do provide for a time-frame to report back, many others do not.The lack of a time-line merely prolongs the dissatisfaction and lack of confidence in the electoral system, and adds to the frustration of the rakyat. Specifically, Bersih 2.0 would make their initial response to the 22 recommendations as follows:1.OVERSEAS VOTERS The main proposal, namely to allow overseas voters to vote, should be immediately implemented.The right to vote should be unconditional, and any imposition of conditions would be unconstitutional. Bersih 2.0, Tindak Malaysia and Malaysian Overseas Voter have submitted detailed proposals as to how voting for overseas Malaysians may be carried out, and we do not see the need for further study on this matter as it will only serve to delay implementation. If the Election Commission is unable to handle the voting by Malaysians living abroad, civil society organisations are prepared to do it on their behalf, so long as they are adequately resourced financially. Provisions already exist to allow Malaysians living overseas to register as voters. Malaysian missions abroad should be immediately instructed to receive such applications, and to comply with a standardised procedure that needs to be urgently clarified. 2. POSTAL VOTING FOR ELECTION COMMISSION STAFF AND THE MEDIA The current categories of permissible postal voters in respect of those living within Malaysia police/military personnel and their spouses, staff of the Election Commission - should be re-classified as advance voters. Advance voters should only be allowed to vote in the constituencies in which they are registered by the Election Commission and gazetted. Bersih 2.0 and Tindak Malaysia have suggested that the category of advance voters should be extended to election candidates, election agents, polling agents, counting agents, booth observer and candidates nominees on the Election Commission enforcement teams. Personnel on duty at polling stations should come from a mix of Election Commission staff and members of civil society/the public resident in that constituency.

april 6 8, 2012

We do not agree that the media enjoy the FALSE INFORMATION IN REGISTRA- than the number of days required for this to be right to be registered as postal or advance voters. TION MATTERS reasonably undertaken would make a mockery It is noted that the question of the integrity All the necessary information to be pro- of the right of overseas voters to cast postal of the postal vote system has not been thor- vided during the registration of new voters or ballots. This should be one of the minimum oughly examined. The postal vote system has in registration of a change of address should be criteria to determine the length of the campaign the past created a great amount of suspicion. based on the particulars contained in the period. One would have thought that it is best for trans- MyKad or the relevant change of address notiA decision on the campaign period, which parency that the categories of advance voters and fication issued by the National Registration we would remind is something that is decided postal voters be reduced, not increased. Department. There is no need for any addi- by the Election Commission, should also take 3. DISTANCE VOTING tional information. into consideration the provision of sufficient We are in favour of distance voting. The We are more concerned about what has not time for election candidates to disseminate logistics relating to distance voting is not too been addressed by the Parliamentary Select their election messages to the electorate and for difficult provided there exists the requisite Committee, which is more critical, namely the the voter to consider the issues. political will. existence of false and duplicate identities The argument of the costs associated with a Bersih 2.0 and Tindak Malaysia have already within the database of the National Registra- prolonged election campaign period is a false submitted proposals and logistical solutions to tion Department.This raises questions about one. The bulk of the labour costs of carrying out the issue of distance voting, via the Second the integrity of the National Registration De- an election is not dependent on the length of the Memorandum to the Parliamentary Select partments database, upon which the Election campaign period. Such costs would be incurred Committee, on March 21 2012. We do not see Commission relies. on polling day itself, however long or short the the need for further study. The provisions to 8. EXTENDING THE CAMPAIGN campaign period is. Other fixed costs would permit distance voting can be implemented PERIOD remain unchanged, and so are also not dependonce the relevant regulations are amended. We have called for a minimum campaign ent on the length of the campaign period. 4.PRE-REGISTRATION OF CITIZENS period of 21 days. 9. FREE AND EQUITABLE MEDIA AS VOTERS ON REACHING THE AGE In determining the minimum campaign ACCESS OF 20 period, consideration must be given to the There should be fair and equitable coverage We think this is not necessary. Focus instead number of days required in order to allow an of the election campaign of candidates and should be placed on automatic registration of overseas voter to receive his/her ballot paper, political parties, and no biased reporting. voters when they reach 21. Attention should mark it, and return it by post to the Returning 10. ON-GOING MONITORING OF also be paid to our proposal to reduce the Officer of his/her voting constituency before qualifying age for voting to 18 years. 5pm on election day. Any campaign period less Turn To page 8 5. DATE OF DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT In a functioning democracy, provision has to be made for circumstances in which the government of the day may lose a motion of no confidence. Introducing provisions that Parliament can May 28 to June 1, 2012 Cebu City, Philippines only be dissolved afThe AIMs Top Management program develops global business executives who can lead collaboratively and innovatively in todays rapidly ter the completion of changing environment. The program is designed for: Upper and mid-level executives with at least 10 years of experience who have the recognized potential to move into a more senior at least four years of a executive position or role with global responsibility. five-year term of of Senior executives holding responsibility for corporate or divisional strategy and implementation. fice may lead to an Global Perspective: unpopular governThe World Economy: Globalization, Islamic markets, examination of emerging markets ment being allowed Intercultural Management, leading in a global environment to cling onto power. Enterprise Leadership: Leading the enterprise 6. 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The Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu is situated just 11 kilometres from the Mactan International Airport. with no new spending commitments, no new projects anProgram Fee is US$6,000 The fee is inclusive of single room hotel accommodations (with breakfast) for 6 nights, course materials, certificate, nounced. There will lunch/snacks (class days only), dinner and airport transfers. also have to be political agreement on its I would like to register in the Top Management Program 2012 composition Please send me a list of other courses 7. ENFORCEName: Position: MENT OF EXISTCompany: ING REGUL AAddress: TIONS IN CONTel. No.: Fax No.: E-mail: NECTION WITH Contact: Zarinah Tel: 03-21663340 / Fax: 03-21663343 / zarinah@aimmalaysia.com THE OFFENCE www.execed.aim.edu OF GIVING

news
april 6 8, 2012

Thumbs down to polls report

By Alvin Yap

KUALA LUMPUR: The Parliamentary Select Committees (PSC) rushed report on Electoral Reform has demonstrated a lack of political will by Putrajaya to address unfair electoral practices, said the electoral watchdog Tindak Malaysia. They said the PSC was carried out in haste, its report passed parliamentary debate, while omitting findings which Pakatan Rakyat members of Parliament wanted to include. We are disappointed to learn that it was passed without debate and no opportunity given to Pakatan Rakyat to attach Wong a minority report. We cannot understand how such an important report can be handled in such a cavalier manner, said Tindak Malaysia chief Wong Piang Yow in a statement on Wednesday.

He was responding to the contents of the report submitted by the PSC on Electoral Reform to Parliament on Tuesday. Wong pointed out that the group had initially greeted the announcement of the PSC last October with scepticism but still met the committee with the hope of pushing through reforms. We engaged by spending many months researching and submitting proposals on how to improve the transparency and integrity of the electoral process, in order to improve public confidence in the Election Commission (EC). Wong said the proposed 22 recommendations by the PSC for the EC to adopt amounted to 20 per cent of the electoral reforms that Tindak Malaysia is pushing for. He added that PSC recommendations were non-substantive in nature and would not address

key issues that would make elections fairer. On Wednesday, the committees report which was made public, said the EC must prioritise efforts to ensure the electoral roll is clean and free from manipulation. The PSCs recommendations come on the heels of repeated allegations by opposition lawmakers and civil society groups that the current electoral roll included the existence of duplicate voters along with a suspicious surge of new voters in numerous constituencies across the nation. According to state and parliamentary lawmakers in the state, Selangor registered one of the highest influx of voters since the previous general elections in March 2008. In light of the complaints from civil society, Wong said the PSC had squandered its opportunity to resolve three key issues in making elections clean and fair. Over the years, there had been hundreds of thousands of objections over suspicious voters. Such large numbers cannot be attributed to clerical error alone, Wong said on the issue

of cleaning up the electoral roll. He said the EC had failed to carry out redelineation exercises in certain constituencies though it had agreed to it in the middle of last year. Based on the 2008 General Elections, Kapar has 17 times the number of voters in Putrajaya. By any standard, this is ridiculous. Although the EC had agreed, as early as May last year, to re-delineate the boundaries of constituencies to reflect the number of voters, such an exercise was never carried out, he said. Apart from the grouses which were not met, Tindak Malaysia also listed a host of demands which included the call for EC management to be sacked. Among the demands is that the EC should exclude current or former civil servants, members of political parties or formerstaff of any establishment seen to be aligned with any political party. It also wants Putrajaya to establish automatic voter registration for any citizen reaching the age of 21.

Key issues not dealt with, fraud likely to go on

from page 7

THE ELECTORAL ROLL Currently the postal voter roll is separate from the principal electoral roll. This should be unified so that duplication of electors cannot arise. The work done by Mimos in electronically examining the electoral roll has been too simplistic, resulting in minimal errors being identified. It appears that only a comparison of the 12-digit MyKad numbers was carried out. The testing of the data requires more thorough and detailed parameters. 11. INSPECTION OF THE ELECTORAL ROLL FOR ADDRESSES WITH MULTIPLE ELECTORS We question why inspection should only begin for addresses that have more than 50 registered electors. Since this inspection is undertaken in order to identify addresses with multiple electors, inspection could just as easily start for addresses with more than 11electors. More work would have to be done, but as the intention is to identify addresses for further investigation, a lower number would generate more addresses for which electors may be verified. 12. OBJECTIONS TO VALIDATE ELECTORAL ROLL The Chief Registrar already has adequate discretionary power under Regulation 25 of the Registration of Electors Regulations to cause the registration of suspicious electors to be investigated even after the electoral roll has been validated. There is no need to study the granting of additional powers. 13. STUDYING AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION We have called for the automatic registration of electors upon their attaining the age of 21. There is no reason for any delay in implementing this. If the government is of the view that an amendment to the Federal Constitution is required in order to achieve this, this can be speedily accomplished if there is sufficient support for this proposal from all political parties represented in Parliament. 14. UTILISATION OF AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ADDRESS ON THE IDENTITY CARD TO DETERMINE A PERSONS ELECTORAL CONSTITUENCY This deals with the question of which constituency a person should vote in, in cases where a person does not reside at the address contained in his MyKad. Bersih 2.0 and Tindak Malaysia have already proposed solutions to the Parliamentary Select Committee on this issue, namely the various alternatives of advance voting, distance voting and postal voting for overseas Malaysians.Instead of adopting the solutions offered, the Parliamentary Select Committee appears to be skirting the issue. 15.STRENGHTENING THE POSITION OF THE ELECTION COMMISSION Members of the Election Commission must enjoy public confidence, and must be able to ensure that elections are carried out in a free and fair manner. In the event that they cease to

ambiga Sreenevasan: Bersih co-chairperson.

enjoy public confidence, they should resign or be removed. 16. STRUCTURING AND STRENGTHENING OF THE ELECTION COMMISSION A detailed study of the human resource capacity and performance of the Election Commission is needed before any recommendation of an increase in its staff numbers can be accepted. 17. WIDENING THE WORK OF THE ELECTION ACADEMY Although the Election Academy has been in existence since 2007, there is no evidence of active voter education programmes carried out by the Election Commission. On the other hand, civil society organisations have been active and have taken the lead in voter education. 18. SEPARATION OF THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE ELECTION COMMISSION We concur with the recommendation that the three main functions of the Election Commission be separated and distributed to three separate bodies. 19. DISTRIBUTION OF SEATS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR SABAH AND SARAWAK This issue should be deferred until the Royal Commission of Inquiry has completed its investigations and delivered its findings into the systematic abuse of the granting of citizenship to foreigners, otherwise known as Project IC, in Sabah. 20. BALANCED ELECTORAL DELINEATION Each electoral constituency should consist of approximately the same number of population. There should no longer be any need for any rural weightage in this day and age. The principle of one person one vote should be upheld without exception. 21. PROVISION OF FUNDING TO POLITICAL PARTIES Election funding to political parties should be provided based on the proportion of the popular vote obtained by each political party in the previous general election. Political parties should not be allowed to utilise any other funding for an election

campaign. 22. NEW ELECTORAL SYSTEM We agree that studies should be carried out on alternative electoral systems. CONCLUDING REMARKS Bersih 2.0 is disappointed that the following key issues were not with dealt with at all or were not dealt with in sufficient depth:(a)The instances of manipulation of the electroral roll by removing names, changing polling station boundaries, and other such obvious discrepancies. A thorough study ought to have been conducted into the processes of the Election Commission and the National Registration Department. (b)No reference whatsoever is made in the report about foreigners being given citizenship for their vote in Peninsular Malaysia. Whilst the problem is acknowledged to exist in Sabah, there is no reference to Peninsular Malaysia, where the issue is also of relevance. (c)Nothing is said in the Parliamentary Select Committees report about election offences and the enforcement of the Election Offences Act 1954 as it now stands. There ought to also have been a study into the types of such offences being committed, and recommendations on how to prevent them. Although there is a suggestion that the Election Commission be given more powers to deal with such issues, the Parliamentary Select Committee does not seek to identify the problems and the clear infringements of the Act. (d)There is no mention of how to stop dirty politics save for a reference to a code to be drawn up in relation to a caretaker government. (e)There is no reference to the inviting of international observers. Malaysia was recently invited to send election observers to observe the recently-concluded by-elections in Myanmar. On a previous occasion, Malaysian observers were invited to observe the general elections in Thailand. If we subscribe to and endorse the principle of having international observers by our participation in such missions, then Malaysias reticence in inviting international observers is wholly inexplicable. (f )We are shocked at the manner in which the Parliamentary Select Committees report was received and adopted by the Dewan Rakyat on April 3 2012, without any debate. Further, we deplore the decision by the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat not to permit the inclusion of a Minority Report together with the Parliamentary Select Committees report. The continued lack of respect of contrary views bodes ill for the development of a strong and vibrant parliamentary democracy in Malaysia. (g)Given thus, Bersih 2.0 is of the view that it is highly likely that the electoral fraud and other irregularities that are currently being perpetrated in Malaysia, and which have been and continue to be the concern of decent, fair-minded and peaceloving Malaysians, will continue unabated. A golden opportunity to right the wrongs and do something good for the benefit of Malaysians now and in the future has sadly been missed.

Committee to streamline Jais

shah alam: While describing Datuk Hasan Alisproselytisation videos as very weak evidence, the state will still form a committee to look into religious authorities ability to handle Muslim issues. The (video) allegations try to give the picture that apostasy will be a major disaster if proselytisation is not handled properly. As such, Selangor will form a committee, which will be headed by state secretary Datuk Mohamad Khusrin Munawi to look into the Selangor Islamic Affairs Departments ( Jais) ability tackle issues including apostasy, said Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim. He pointed out thatlawyers have also concluded that the videos did not support allegations of proselytisation taking place in Selangor. Weve asked several syariah lawyers about these videos and they were unanimous that the revelations were very weak and are insufficient as evidence for charges to be brought to court, said Khalid on Wednesday. The 16- and 42-minute videos were disclosed to the press on Monday by the sacked former Selangor Pas commissioner, who is now president of Jalur Tiga. The non-governmental organisations core principles are reported to be to glorify Islam, uphold the Malays, and champion the constitutional monarchy. Hasan showed video clips of two men and a woman whom he claimed to be former apostates. One of the men gave an account of his conversion while the other was seen being guided by Hasan in reciting verses of the Quran on returning to Islam. The woman did not give any testimony while all three had their faces blurred. Apart from the videos, Hasan said he did not have additional evidence to support his allegations of proselytisation. Meanwhile, the new committee will also draft the mechanisms and the processes to strengthen Jais role in finding holistic solutions. The committees recommendations will be discussed with Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) before it is brought to the Sultan of Selangor, said Khalid. Selangor welcomes efforts to defend Islam but will not allow any party to use this reason and negatively impact religious harmony in the state and the country. Besides Mohamad Khusrin, the other committee members are Jais director Datuk Marzuki Husin, Jais enforcement director Mohamad Rais Rashid, Meru assemblyperson Dr Rani Osman and two officers from the state legal department and Mais.

NEWS
APRIL 6 8, 2012

Know Your Councillor: Chang Kim Loong

subang jaya: An opportunity to share his knowledge on housing and planning laws with both public and local governments has inspired Chang Kim Loong (pic) to become a councillor again. The 54-year-old, who was a two-term Subang Jaya councillor from 2008 to 2010, took a year off to help the government sort out new housing laws. Now that its all done, Ive more time to become a councillor again and serve the people, says the National House Buyers Association secretary-general. Chang feels that his experience in housing regulations will be beneficial to the council. He is familiar with the new changes made to the housing developers act, strata title act, building and common property act and joint management body ( JMB) issues. With the understanding of these laws, Chang wants to help the councils commissioner of building (COB) solve housing and planning problems at MPSJ. Chang feels the COB isnt playing an effective role in addressing the woes of property owners, and he wants to guide them and make them understand the importance of solving the problems fast. If they still cant resolve matters, Chang will push for the council to dismiss the existing staff and rehire new ones. Chang recalls a Puchong resident who

has been living in his home for 15-years coming up to him with his temporary CF which expired in 2002. Records at the council showed that the developer didnt pay MPSJ to get a permanent CF. So home owners were stuck with temporary CFs, he says. Together with the Building Department, they went through all files with temporary CFs, tracked down developers and issued permanent titles to 5,000 owners. Chang aims to pick up where he left off last time by chairing the abandoned project sub-committee and to work towards reducing such developments around MPSJ. So far, weve successfully revived 13 abandoned projects. There are six more left to be dealt with, he says.

Aussie transit system mooted for PJ

By Alvin Yap

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petaling jaya: Calls for a transit bus system to reduce public dependence on private vehicles were among proposals raised during a Town Hall meeting with SS3 residents on Wednesday. Traffic studies around Petaling Jaya have shown that the level of congestion has reached the limit of what the roads can support in peak hours, said Professor Mohamed Rehan Karim during a briefing on the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Special Draft Plan 2020 (RKK). We need to alleviate the problem of the number of cars on the road. The engineer, whose consulting company was hired by the city council to carry out and assist in planning a public transport system for PJ, has advisedMBPJ to roll out the transit bus system. He pointed out that this would be a first step towards reducing single occupancy vehicles entering the city. The transit system consists of feeder buses that accommodate eight to twelve passengers. It is designed to serve smaller streets in the suburban areas, said Mohamed Rehan. The buses would then drop passengers off in terminals located strategically at various locations in the city. From these terminals, we have high speed transit buses that serve longer distances within the city, added Rehan, who is also a lecturer at the Centre of Transportation Research at Universiti Malaya. The system, whichhas served efficiently for almost 30 years in the Australian cities

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Rehan (left) and Ihsan Zainal at the briefing for the SS3 area.

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of Perth and Melbourne, would encourage more people here to utilise public transport. Rehan said MBPJ was looking into constructing transit bus stations and parking grounds near the proposed Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit stations at Kota Damansara, Mutiara Damansara, PJU 5 and Petaling Jaya Selatan. The Park and Ride system will enable visitors into Petaling Jaya to park their cars at these stations and use the transit buses to get into the city, thus significantly reducing traffic congestion. Earlier, town planning consultant Ihsan Zainal Mokhtar revealed that the Sungai Way-Kelana Jaya area would be served by a bus terminal located at Taman Megah. The terminals will serve as drop-off and pick-up points for the feeder and long distance express buses, he said.

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No. 52B, Jalan SG 1/5, Taman Sri Gombak 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. Tel: 03-6189 3521/3/4/6 Fax: 03-6185 3543/6188 3315

News 10
April 6 8, 2012

Klang Heritage Trail marathon run

By Brenda Chng

(Sitting from left) Munchworld Marketing Sdn Bhd corporate communication manager Teo Shaw Ching, Klang Pacers Athletic Club representative John Heng, Teo, Magnum 4D Berhad central regional office senior officer (operations) Amy Loh and RSH (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd sales manager Bernard Tan together with all the other co-sponsors for the marathon run.

Quotable Quotes

The report also states that our younger generation is receiving a better education than students in the United States, Britain and Germany. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Muhyiddin, who is also education minister, was quoting a World Economic Forum (WEF) report. He said it ranked Malaysia 14th out 142 countries in quality of education. (Star) Surely such a tiny survey with such surprising outcomes must be benchmarked against other credible international studies before it is accepted at face value. DAP publicity chief Tony Pua. Pua said the WEF report Muhyiddin relied on was based on data from governmentlinked and government-owned institutions and involved just 87 local businessmen, suggesting the possibility of a biased outcome. (Insider)

We dont hate them for being black, but we hate them for the things they do. unnamed Venice Hill condominium resident. She said local residents in the Cheras condominium faced problems with African residents in 2003 when the latter moved in. A riot of about 200 Africans broke out at the condominium on March 31. According to Bernama, the riot was triggered by Rela personnel who allegedly beat a Nigerian student to death after he was accused of molesting a local woman. (Mkini) The man claimed that he heard voices on his way home, urging him to go to the temple and break the statues. - Terengganu police chief Jamshah Mustapa. A 29-year-old man was detained by police for trespassing and breaking several statues at the Sri Maha Mariamman Sabai temple in Kemaman on Monday. (Mkini)

Ballet dancers in Baghdad are allowed to wear ballet costumes on stage. Are we to understand that the Malaysian public is less cosmopolitan, less morally resilient and less broad minded than the citizens of a Middle Eastern country that has been ripped to shreds by war and violence? MyDance Alliance president Bilqis Hijjas on the permit denial of a Singaporean dance troupe for performing in the country. The Central Agency for the Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artists (Puspal) is believed to have denied the permit on the grounds of indecent costumes ballet tutus. (Insider) If you ask me, the amendment says you can swim but dont get too wet. Deputy Higher Education minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah. He was talking about an amendment to the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) which will be tabled next Monday. The amendment will allow university students to become members of political parties but party activities will not be allowed on campus. (Sun)

KLANG: A 12km run through historical sites in Selangors Royal Town here is being organised by Centro Klang on July 1. The Centro Klang 4th Klang Run 2012is opento runners of all ages. The theme for this year is Klang Heritage Trail and the route will take runners through Little India, The Royal Gallery, Klang Railway Station, Istana Alam Shah and Klang Power Station. We want to promote a healthy lifestyle through this run and hopefully more youths and younger children will take part this year, said Centro Peoperties Group Sdn Bhd managing director Teo Chui Ping. She hopes children joining in the marathon will be motivated to live healthier lifestyles of exercise and a balanced diet. Centro Klang is expecting to register 2,800 participants this year, from runners all over Malaysia. The response last year was overwhelming as 2,500 people registered. We hope to have more participants this year, said Teo during a press conference on Thursday. In addition, the Centro Klang Run 2012 will also be introducing its first ever Kids Dash event during the marathon. This category is only open to children aged four to nine years, who will have to run with an accompanying parent. All participants will receive a certificate of achievement, a Reebok T-shirt and goodie bags filled with cash vouchers and products from sponsors. Meanwhile, the top 10 runners will receive a pewter trophy and other exciting prizes which will be announced at a later date. We want to award everyone with something so that no one will go back empty handed. Also, as a token of appreciation and memorabilia for participants, Teo said. This run is organised in collaboration with Klang Pacers Athletic Club (KPAC) and main sponsors Magnum 4D Bhd, Reebok Malaysia and Munchys. Also supporting the event are the Klang Municipal Council (MPK), Hospital Wanita Metro and Tourism Selangor. Those interested are urged to register before April 29, to be eligible for the early-bird fee priced from RM25. Forms can be obtained and submitted at Sports Station, Royal Sporting House, Reebok Outlets, Centro Mall customer Service Counter or downloaded from the Centro website www.centro.com. my. Alternatively, entries can also be faxed to 03-33432011, along with the payment bank slip or contact 03-33433011 (Centro Customer Service) 012-3233777 ( John) for more information.

Tripping Zero 3
Sharyn Shufiyan

ave isnt really my scene but I will enjoy a good night out anytime. Earlier last month I had to miss Laneway in Singapore because I was travelling the next day so when I heard that Future Music Festival was coming to our part of town, I was keen to check it out. I was looking forward to some chilling out and stripping down (not literally!) listening to some awesome music. Future is a musical mash-up of electronic dance, hip-hop and rock featuring international acts such as Flo Rida, Tiny Tempah, the Chemical Brothers, Sneaky Sound System, alongside our very own local acts such as Twilight Action Girl, Kyoto Protocol, DJs Blink and Goldfish among others. The music festival came to our shore from Australia and kicked off its first Asian tour at the Sepang International Circuit on March 17. Although Malaysia is a bit shy on hosting music festivals and concerts, we are not completely alienated from the scene with our very own Rainforest World Music Festival, Rockaway and Rock the World, among others. Here is my Top 10 of why music festivals are such a great event to organise and given our year-round good weather, we should be organising more. In no particular order: 1. Young people work hard, really we do. The 20 and 30-somethings slave away in the office 260 days a year, many even work over the weekends. We aspire for the ideal life and were always trying to meet expectations from our family, friends, superiors and even ourselves. So a days worth of pure music ecstasy is just the right kind of catharsis for us young folks. 2. We spend most of our time in strict office attire or university dress code (if applicable) that really restrict self expression through fashion. Music festivals allow us to break out and don our best fest dress. I enjoy people watching and observing how they dress its a great venue for Steal Her Look! Its great for eye-candy too since some of the guys were walking around half naked. I can empathise, Malaysia is a hot country. But some are adamant to make a fashion statement. I walked pass a dude wearing a bright red sequined jacket. Kudos to him for

Raving about Rave

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arpil 6 8, 2012

being able to withstand the heat! We can dress as ridiculous as we like, or as comfortable as we like, even if it means wearing just a bikini. 3. Usually we go to a club for a fun night out or to dance our stress away. But clubs are crowd-infested and cover charges are over the top. Gone are the days when I was able to club hop, so we tend to just stick to one. There are not enough space to dance and often times were pushed to a corner, enough space to wiggle-wiggle and bump our heads. So an outdoor party like Future is great because its outdoors, theres ample space so you dont keep bumping into other people. You can shuffle all you want without hijacking other peoples space. And if youre tired, youre also free to just roll out a mat, lie down under the nights sky and just enjoy the music. 4. We spend a lot of time indoors and in air-conditioned spaces in the office, at home, in malls that we couldnt quite appreciate being outdoors for a change and break out a good sweat. Just be sure to dress appropriately; I remember at Laneway, girls were in high heels and then it rained, boy were they uncomfortable!

5. Weve got great local talents and to be able to share the stage with other international acts really propels us onto the international arena. But sometimes even our local artistes sound just like the international ones, which is a shame, so I appreciated Twilight Action Girl mixing local songs like Sharifah Ainis Kudaku Lari Gagah Berani and Sudirmans Chow Kit Road for a more local experience and taste. 6. Music festivals expose you to other lesser known acts and expand your music vocabulary. Unlike concerts where the spotlight is on one particular act, music festivals pull in many at one time. You can opt to stage hop and check out different acts at the same time. Since my familiarity with electronic dance music is limited to the Chemical Brothers and Daft Punk, Im as virgin as can be so I was nicely surprised to discover new artistes like Sneaky Sound System and Chase & Status whom I thoroughly enjoyed. I even found out that Im quite into Drum & Bass! 7. If given the chance, we can really organise an amazing event. Organisers are usually behind the curtains and overshadowed by the line-up that they bring in.

Except for a line or two in the media, they do not always get a pat on the back even if they have delivered such as amazing event. Kudos to the co-organiser, Livescape Asia, for the most brilliant night of the first half of 2012. 8. Also lets not forget about the small businesses that pop up selling anything from mineral water, merchandise and light sticks. Inside the venue, a mineral water costs RM4. Imagine the returns! There were also mini stalls selling food and snacks to hungry revellers. 9. There is a sense of mutual familiarity every time I go to music festivals. Kuala Lumpur is small, so you can always count on bumping into other friends or acquaintances at these festivals. Even if you were checking out the scene on your own, you can probably count on the fact that somewhere in the sea of people is another group of friends that you could probably tag along with. 10. These events remind us how international Malaysia is. We not only see locals but also expats and foreigners amongst the crowds. Maybe they have travelled from abroad to catch Future, but they could also be from the expat community and international students that were gradually attracting to our shores. These pockets of communities who on normal occasions would not be mingling with locals are now sharing the same space, drawn together based on shared interest in music. As Malaysians, weve had our fair share of disappointments of cancelled concerts but whats inspiring is that it does not stop us from moving on and putting more effort into organising these events. Looking at the Future turn-outs gave me hope that the support is there and if we really want to protect the entertainment industry from being robbed from us, we can. Instead of griping about our conservatism, perhaps we should turn the attention on how beneficial these events can be. Its not just about having fun but its also about reputation and providing the avenue for the creative and entertainment industries to prosper.

Informed, not phony, reasons work better

T
here have been most experience? Why, the two consistent Barisan of course. Fiftyarguments used four years of uninterrupted by the Barisan to experience. If we use the Azmi ShArom persuade the electorate experience argument, then to vote for them. The the logical conclusion is first and more popular claim is that we that Barisan will never ever be voted out. should vote for them because they have A rather odd democracy that will be. experience. Furthermore, even at the very lowly level The experience argument is a risky one of our place of work, far from the lofty because it can so easily be heights of Parliament, we used against you. I recan see that the injection of member Corey Aquino, fresh blood and new ideas to the roar of thousands may be the very thing that is of yellow clad Filipinos, needed. saying They say I have no I say this reluctantly as I experience. Yes, I have no have been working in the experience. No experisame place for 22 years and ence of corruption and no am now considered an old experience of stealing fogey with nothing to offer. from the people. Besides, this idea that the Experience is well and Pakatan has no experience in good but it is not the be governing is not that accuall and end all. rate anyway. They do. PAS It is a self-serving arguhas been in charge of Kelanment because in a system tan for decades, and since like ours, who has the Corey Aquino 2008, they have had Kedah

going the distance

while DAP has been governing Penang and PKR Selangor. The claim that Barisan should make is that their opponents cant govern well, not that they have no experience in governing. In many ways, Malaysians are enjoying the ability to make informed choices for the next election, more so than we have had before. Our sources of information have grown and with a bit of discernment there is much we can learn. However when it comes to actual governance and bread and butter issues, I tend to shy away from the press. Instead I speak to people. I live in Selangor and I have friends and family in Penang and Kedah. It is not difficult to ask people how their lives have changed, or not, under a Pakatan government. The second argument that I have heard from the Barisan that if we do not vote for them there is a danger of a hung Parliament. The idea behind this argument is that there will be chaotic scenes in Parliament with the majority hanging on a knifes edge. King makers will appear and whoever forms the government wont have the strength that comes from a solid mandate.

This too is not a very strong argument. It is very difficult for the Malaysian Parliament to be hung because there are only two major coalitions. It is unlikely that the seats will be so evenly distributed that it will be uncertain which group has the majority. It is also unlikely that there will be a situation where a king maker is required. We do not have a significant third political party. In the UK, there are the Liberal Democrats apart from the mighty Labour and Conservative parties. And for years they have been rather the laughing stock of the British political world, but recently they have been the deciding factor in the elections as neither Labour nor the Conservatives had a strong enough majority and an alliance with the third party was necessary. Where is the third party in Malaysia that could spoil a straight two-way fight? Ibrahim Ali and Zaid Ibrahim? I dont think so. The point here is that there are many reasons to use to choose our next government. However, experience and the phony fear of a hung parliament should not be amongst them

12 april 6 8, 2012

InsIght

Dia
The
Ismail. The excess glucose ends up in the blood, and is a passed out with the urine. Diabetic symptoms include polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst), polyphagia (increased hunger) and weight loss. However, Dr Ikram Shah says that telltale signs such as increased thirst have been misread by many Malaysians as normal thirst due to the hot equatorial climate. The best way to determine if we have diabetes is to have our blood checked in a laboratory, says the UMMC specialist and president of the Malaysian Diabetes Association. He points out that the vital blood screening test, which should be undertaken by every Malaysian once they touch 30 years of age, is the best way to test for blood glucose level. A healthy person should have a normal blood glucose reading of 70 to 99 mg/dL (3.9 to 5.5 mmol/L). Readings of 100 and 125 mg/dL (5.6 and 6.9 mmol/L) may mean impaired glucose tolerance. This may imply that the person has a pre-diabetes condition, says Dr Ikram Shah, adding that a blood glucose level of 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) may mean that the person has diabetes. He says the blood tests are important as they can warn individuals of impending onset diabetes. The pre-condition leading to full blown diabetes can be arrested or delayed through proper nutrition and regular exercise, he adds. This is important, as both forms of diabetes Type 1 and Type 2 - while treatable with medication, has no known cure. Once a person develops diabetes, it is irreversible, warns Dr Ikram Shah. According to health care statistics, diabetes prevalence in Malaysia has almost doubled in the last decade. This is due to an increased overweight/ obesity amongst the population, says the doctor, who is past vice-president of the Malaysian Association for the Study of Obesity. Figures show that 1.8 million Malaysians were diagnosed with diabetes in 2010, a significant increase from 1.4 million in 2006. In 2010, diabetes was responsible for more than 23,800 deaths in Malaysia. As two in five Malaysians are obese or overweight and there is clear correlation between obesity and diabetes - Dr Ikram Shah is at pains to encourage Malaysians to lead healthier lives and have a better diet consisting of less fat, oil, meat and sugar. Stop parking so near our destination. Walk the stairs to your apartment or office. Take walks, if you can run, at the parks, he says. He says diabetes is called the game changer disease, referring to the complete change in lifestyle required if one contracts the ailment. A strict diet to keep the diabetic condition under control means that a patient will have to forgo a lot of the food the person enjoyed prior to getting diabetes. However, Dr Ikram Shah does not believe that a diabetes patient should have a special diabetics diet. Theres no special or different diet for diabetics; rather its a sensible healthy diet consisting of a lot of vegetables and fruits that the person should eat, he says. The diet is aimed at keeping carbohydrate and saturated fat levels low, while increasing dietary fibre intake. Among the long-term dangers of not adequately keeping diabetes under control is the significant risk of developing lifethreatening complications. Uncontrolled conditions can and will give rise to serious complications such as cardiovascular disease, retinal damage, chronic kidney failure, poor healing of wounds, gangrene on the feet which may lead to amputation, and also erectile dysfunction, he says.

A nurse teaches a diabetic patient how to use a glucometer to measure blood

By Alvin Yap

iabetes patient Lum Chee Keong was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) almost 20 years ago after a chance health screening that was required for employment at a multi-national company. Lum remembers receiving a barrage of information on diabetic self-care, which included diet and a lifestyle changes. Receiving the report from the medical doctor and the follow-up analysis changed my lifestyle and eating habits since that day in 1991. I was told to take the day off and was asked to attend a one-on-one talk on diabetes, says Lum, a father-of-three, adding

that he was essentially taught how to take control of his health and make lifestyle changes. As a diabetic, the 52-year-old marketing manager has had to manage his diet and get regular exercise since the day he was confirmed to suffer from the disease. Part of the statistic of one in seven Malaysians suffering from diabetes, Laus cells do not absorb the glucose in the blood from digested food. A diabetics pancreas does not produce insulin or not enough of it - a hormone that converts sugar in the blood so that cells can absorb the glucose, says Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) endocrinologist Professor Datuk Dr Ikram Shah

betes:
A patients nervous system is being checked to assess for damage due to diabetes.

The global epidemic

lifestyle disease
Dr Ikram Shah points out that about 22 percent of the local population age 30 and above is afflicted with diabetes.

Quality and affordable care for diabetics

The Sau Seng Lum (SSL) Dialysis and Stroke Rehabilitation Centre established its Diabetes Care Centre in March 2009 to provide care for diabetic patients. We established it to educate and equip patients with skills to better manage their lives as a diabetic, says Dr Arlene Tan, the medical adviser at the centre which sees some 40 patients every week. The consultant physician says that education and care are important for diabetes patients as having a diagnosis of diabetes can have very profound effects. She points out that new patients may become unnecessarily anxious, depressed and obsessive about their care and self-medical management. Advice and counselling by a qualified diabetes educator is an essential part of therapy, says Tan, who serves at the centre located in Puchong. She adds that patients are taught how to inject insulin to control their blood sugar levels, as well as using a glucometer to measure the levels. Patients are also given a list of exercises to carry out to maintain or lose weight. Among the medical treatments available at SSL are wound dressing which entails wound management and removal of damaged tissue. Dr Tan says that patients should never miss the consultations with doctors or nurses as regular screening and tests have to be carried to ascertain if the disease is being effectively treated. For example, our tests at SSL include foot screening, eye screening, laboratory test and Electrocardiogram (ECG) test, she says.

Dr Tan: Advice and counselling by a qualified diabetes educator is an essential part of therapy.

Dr Tans staff includes three visiting endocrinology specialist and a general physician, who together with two nurses play a major role in screening services while another nurse conducts diabetes education. The centre was set up with a grant of RM300,000 which has bought state-of the art medical equipment to care for diabetic patients.

Where did the word diabetes, one of the most dreaded diseases in the world, come from? Aretus the Cappadocian, a Greek physician in 200 AD, first noticed patients passing water like a siphon, and gave the ailment its name, diabetes, a Greek word for a siphon. In 1675, English doctor Thomas Willis found that urine secreted by diabetes sufferers contained glucose, and added the term mellitus. Mel is the Latin word for honey. Willis was correct. A person with diabetes has a condition in which the quantity of glucose in the blood is too elevated, says the American Diabetes Association in its website on the history of the disease. History aside, the global number of patients with diabetes mellitus in the last 50 years has since exploded, and worldwide figures in 2003 estimated that 194 million people were afflicted by the epidemic. In 2025, that number is expected to touch 333 million, or a 62 percent increase from 2003. Regionally, the South East Asia population represents the second highest rise in diabetes cases, with 108 percent of the total citizenry getting diabetes from 2003 to 2025 In Malaysia, the local figure represents a runaway trend, according to Malaysian Diabetes Association president Professor Datuk Dr Ikram Shah Ismail. The statistics are terrible. Some 22 percent of the adult population is afflicted, says the consultant endocrinologist. The last 20 years have seen a doubling of diabetic patients in the country, he says. In 1986, some 6.30 percent of the population age 30 and above had diabetes, but the number went up to 8.30 percent in 1996. The figures are not slowing down, and the actual numbers in 2006 had exceeded what was forecast for 2020. Earlier, we projected that around 10 percent of the population would have diabetes in 2006, but it was closer to 14.90 percent, a figure that we projected for 2020, says the lecturer and specialist at University Malaya Medical Centre. Dr Ikram Shah says the steepest rise yet occurred from 20062009. He points out that the medical community was shocked at the 2009 statistics - about 22 percent of the local population was afflicted. Thats one in five [Malaysians] with diabetes. Its simply gone off the charts, so to speak, says the professor of medicine. On the breakdown of cases according to ethnicity, Dr Ikram Shah sees every Malaysian at risk regardless of race. This is because diabetes is a disease caused mostly by unhealthy lifestyle habits. Lets face it, most of our food is readily available and cheap with eateries operating round the clock, not to mention meals that are full of fat, sugar and oil. Our unhealthy diet and sedentary life are the main cause of diabetes in Malaysia, laments Dr Ikram Shah.

views 14
april 6 8, 2012

Dissolving the Selangor DUN, and Bersih again?

D
ear Lord Bobo, looks like there will be a Bersih 3.0 on April 28. Arent all these public assemblies kinda boring already? Meh, via email This question came in just as His Supreme Eminenceness minions were about to email the column for the week to those good-looking editorial folk at the Selangor Times. Yes, apparently there will be a sit down public gathering on April 28 the main event will be in Kuala Lumpur, but (as with Bersih 2.0) there will also be similar events elsewhere in the country, and around the world. The venue for the main gathering has yet to be confirmed. Bersih announced that it will take place at Dataran Merdeka, but the de facto ipso facto mucho facto law minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz says that Dataran Merdeka is not legally gazetted to host a public assembly. The irony that peaceful gatherings of citizens are not allowed in Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square) does not escape Lord Bobo. As for public assemblies being boring, thats ludicrous. Get a grip on yourself, son. Lord Bobo is very pleased to note that there have been several well-organised and peaceful public assemblies in 2012. Much credit is due to the police and organisers for proving that Malaysians can gather peacefully. Of course, this has not stopped the anti-Bersih voices from (already) complaining about the massive disruption of lives that Bersih 3.0 will likely cause. Which is strange, because of course it is fairly obvious that the disruption of lives that is being complained about is basically the ability to go to their favourite shopping malls on a Saturday without having to contend with road-closures or massive traffic jams caused
FOE INFOGRAPHICS FINAL.pdf 1 3/19/12 5:40 PM

by road-blocks which obviously are put in place by the police, not Bersih. Anyway, public assemblies for a good cause should always be welcome in any healthy democracy. If you have the time, you should check out what public gatherings are taking place each weekend get out and be with other Malaysians, for a good cause, instead of window-shopping or hanging out in air-conditioned shopping malls every weekend.

Ask Lord Bobo is a weekly column by LoyarBurok (www.loyarburok.com) where all your profound, abstruse, erudite, hermetic, recondite, sagacious, and other thaesaurus-described queries are answered!

ord Bobo, I heard the Selangor State Secretary is trying to dissolve the DUN without the MBs permission? Can ah? Gossip Girl, via email No! What malicious gossipery is this? Lord Bobo is not

impressed. According to Constitution of the State of Selangor, Article 70(2), the Sultan of Selangor may prorogue or dissolve the Legislative Assembly, i.e. the Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN). This may seem like he has the power to do so on his own accord, but this must be read with Article 55(1) of the Selangor Constitution, which basically provides that HRH in the exercise of his functions, shall act in accordance with the advice of the exco or any member acting under authority of the exco. Meaning, HRH cannot dissolve the DUN without a request from the Mentri Besar of Selangor. Article 55(2)(b) provides that HRH has discretion, without the need to act on advice, to withhold consent to dissolve the DUN, but he cannot dissolve the DUN on his own accord. Therefore, any attempt to create an instrument by which the DUN can be dissolved without a request by the MB would be unconstitutional. In fact, it would not just be unconstitutional, but it would brazenly fly in the face of our parliamentary democracy and the role of a constitutional monarch. So, cannot lah.

CM

MY

CY

CMY

Unveiling hidden talents in autistic children

By Basil Foo

news 15
April 6 8, 2012

PETALING JAYA: Founder of Malaysias first autistic childrens choir, Brian John Yim, believes early inter vention, especially through music, makes a difference in autistic children. While many parents still remain clueless on how to handle their autistic child, he said even children with learning disabilities can be gifted. Yims star student, 14-year-old Umar Hasfizal, who has been attending vocal training classes for two years, is a prime example of what the vocal coach meant. Umar took a year to record an album with Yim, containing seven songs, which was launched at the Bentley Music auditorium on Monday night. He also presented two of his

Dr Hasnah.

songs, I Give The Best Of Me and Abah, to an audience of about 100 who had gathered to mark the World Autism Awareness Day. We noticed he had signs of autism when he was three years old. It took Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM) six months to diagnose him as there were many

tests, said Umars father, Hasfizal Mukhtar. He then sent his son for early intervention programmes and an inclusive programme which trains autistic children to join schools with other children. Umars singing talent was discovered when he was in Year Three. He then took part in singing competitions and reached second place in the Malaysian Special Idol. He began training with Yim and joined the nations first autistic choir which performed in various events for local and foreign dignitaries. I had to train a lot and have both physical and mental endurance, said Umar. I Give The Best Of Me can be obtained through Umars website at umarhasfizal-cd.webs.com. Also at the event was Dr Hasnah Toran, a senior lecturer in the Edu-

Hasfizal, Umar, and Yim.

MBPJ lights up back alleys with LED lights

By Brenda Chng

PETALING JAYA: A programme by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) to brighten up back alleys with light-emitting diode (LED) lights got a mixed reaction from ratepayers. MBPJ has allocated RM100,000 to buy and install LED lights under theLight-Up the Alley Programme, while residents who opted to have the lamps installed in their backyards will pay for the electricity. Some residents in my area are concerned that the LED lights will encourage more crime and vandalism to happen, said Section 21 Taman Aman Rukun Tetangga chairman G Rajendran. While supporting the move and commending the council, he said some residentsfeared that drug addicts may dismantle the LED lights and sell them off. Rajendran, 72, however, suggested that MBPJ look into adding security features to the lights, which will be mounted onto the wall, behind houses. He proposed for the council emblem to be engraved to the lights to stop people from stealing and reselling them. Itll be harder to resell if everyone knows the lights belong to MBPJ. It might stop them from stealing or vandalising it. Despite these fears, he will be encouraging residents in his area to install the lights which will be automatically switched on between 7pm and 7am daily. Its a good move to raise civic consciousness among residents, but MBPJ should promote this more as not many are aware of the benefits of LED lights, said Taman Gasing Indah Rukun Tetangga chairman Eric Chew. Chew explained that many residents in his area had already installed their own conventional lights behind their homes. The programme, intended to reduce burglaries and improve security, entitles home owners to a free installation of Light-Emitting Diode (LED) to light up back lanes from 7pm to 7am. This installation is open to landed property owners, houses with back alleys, houses with no illegal extensions and those who pay the assessment fees on time. However SS2 South Residents Association chairman Lim Theng Kau said some lights installed by residents in

(From left) MBPJ councillor Cynthia Gabriel, Khairul Anuar, Roslan, councillors Tiew Way Keng and Lee Suet Sen at the launch of the programme on Tuesday.

his area were not bright enough. Some have smaller fluorescent lights installed while some have the five-foot long glass tube. But LED lights will definitely be brighter, said Lim, who put in his application for the free installation of LED lights. I want them to install the lights immediately. Its not only energy saving but is bright enough to light up the whole street, said Lim. These LED lights are expected to last six times longer (50,000 hours) as compared to normal conventional lights which only last 8,000 hours. Its not only environmentally friendly but shines 42 per cent brighter than other lights, said MBPJ councillor and Green City Committee chairman Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainudin. He said during the launch of the programme that MBPJ will also be paying for the wiring and sensor installation. Home owners only have to pay for the electricity bill, which will only be about RM17.19 a year or RM1.43 a month based on the RM0.218 electricity tariff. Our only condition is that the lights are turned on for 12 hours every day and that lights installed cannot be relocated to other parts of the house, he said. MBPJ is targeting to install some 400 lights under the first phase. Each installation will cost between RM250 and RM300. If we receive more than 400 applications, we will allocate more money for this project in future, said MBPJ mayor Datuk Roslan Sakiman. He urged rates payers who are interested to apply immediately.

cation Faculty at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), who gave a short talk on autism. Long regarded as a taboo subject, she said many parents were unwilling to even admit that their children may be autistic, adding she has met many parents who have responded with disbelief. I have met mothers with five, six-year-old children. When told that their children are autistic, they say How can that be? My son can read, she said. Dr Hasnah, who heads the UKM Autism Study Laboratory, said such responses showed societys lack of awareness of the condition, as autistic children vary mentally. Some scales used to measure levels of autism are Communication, ranging from typical to mute, Social, ranging from sociable to cut off, and Imagination, ranging from typical to rigid in thinking. Child A may be a savant on the IQ scale while child B may score close to mental retardation, she said. She added that the same child A may be self injurious on the sensory scale, while child B may merely be slightly fidgety. It (autism) is hard to define. Different children may be spread all over the different spectrums. While there may be no cure for this neurological disorder, Dr Hasnah stressed that early intervention and special education can improve

the life of children with autism. However, she admitted that the country was failing at providing education opportunities for these special children. The government needs to spend now in early intervention or three decades later, when the parents of these autistic children are not around, we have to invest billions into welfare homes, she said. She cited the United States Child Development Agency (CDA) which was a good example for our local policymakers to try and emulate. She said parents in the US who contacted the CDA received a diagnosis of their childs neurological condition within seven days. If the agency does not respond or is late in providing the test results, the parents may sue the government, she added. On the number of autistic children in Malaysia, Dr Hasnah said a study by the education ministry in 2004, which found one in 600 children to be autistic, was conservative. She said as there were about eight million school-going children in the country, she estimated there to be about 70,000 autistic children, or one in 110. Some autistic children even fall through the cracks as there are not enough psychiatrists to diagnose them. There are only 300 psychiatrists in a country of 28 million, she addedy.

Tun Uda library impresses students

SHAH ALAM: Fifty five students from low-cost flats visited the newlyfurnished Raja Tun Uda Library during a study tour organised by Shah Alam Zone 18 Residents Representative Council last Saturday. This is to introduce the library to the students as not many are aware that it has been moved, said councillor A Sivarajan. He added that the students were impressed by the librarys facilities, which include a 6D cinema, computers and a fully-equipped gymnasium. The students came from low-cost apartments around Shah Alam U4 and U5 in Kota Damansara. Opened last July, the Raja Tun Uda Library houses a collection of 190,000 books, including 1,200 first-edition books personally purchased by Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah from London. It is located next to the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Golf Club at Section 13. Visitors can pay RM1 per hour to use the librarys computers or RM1 per day to connect their laptops to an electricity socket. The library provides free WIFI coverage of six MB per second that extends to the lakeside cafeteria. It is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

news 16
april 6 8, 2012

Cycling in the dark

SHAH ALAM: A night-cycling programme, in conjunction with Earth Hour, saw 1,000 cyclists taking to the city streets last Saturday. The programme, organised by the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), was to educate society on their responsibilities in protecting the environment. The night began at the Shah Alam Independence Square where mayor Datuk Mohd Jaafar Mohd Atan turned off a symbolic light switch to mark the start of Earth Hour at 8.30pm. The cyclists then took a 10km route around the city while about 100 children also joined the fun by cycling 2km around the square. Building owners around the Shah Alam city centre also took part in the programme by switching off their lights for an hour from 8.30pm to 9.30pm. An explanation of Earth Hour and a speech on the communitys role in making the world a more liveable place was made by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) representative Surin Suksuwan. Attendees were also entertained by several acts on the Independence Square stage, among which were poetry readings, a presentation by the Shah Alam Drum Circle, and a contemporary dance with the message to Love the Environment. Also present at the bike ride was state executive councillor for youth and sports Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi. The city council has made environmental conservation one of its main priorities and has supported the global Earth Hour movement by hosting activities in conjunction with it since 2007.

Mohd Jaafar (fourth from right) and Ahmad Yunus (fifth from left) with participants at a night cycling programme in conjunction with Earth Hour at the Shah Alam Independence Square last Saturday.

Its lights off in Sunway

SHAH ALAM: Sunway Group switched off the non-essential lights at most of its premises, including shopping malls, from 8.30pm to 9.30pm last Saturday in conjunction with Earth Hour. Sunway University also hosted a concert to raise funds for the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation. Lighting was minimal in the multipurpose hall. By observing this during the concert, we hoped to create more awareness for Earth Hour among our students, said Sunway Education Group executive director Elizabeth Lee. Other Sunway subsidiaries that observed the one-hour exercise included Sunway Lagoon, Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa and its shopping malls Sunway Pyramid, Sunway Giza, Sunway Putra Mall and Sunway Carnival in Penang. Shoppers were invited to make their pledge for Earth Hour and pot-a-plant for the environment at WWF-Malaysia booths at the malls. Sunway hotels in Penang and Tambun also switched off the non-essential lights in support of the event. This is the fourth year the corporation has taken part in Earth Hour.

Children celebrating Earth Hour at Sunway Carnival in Penang last Saturday.

Sunway Lagoon before (left) and after the lights were switched off.

Nameless birds charm judges

By Gan Pei Ling

news 17
April 6 8, 2012

AMPANG: Amateur Yee Kan Mings two nameless magpie robins beat 30 other more experienced birders to win the Ampang Magpie Robins Associations inaugural contest last Sunday. This is the first time Ive joined a competition, said a pleasantly surprised Yee, whose magpies won first and third place. The 52-year-old, who only developed the hobby three years ago,

brought home two brand new bamboo cages. Ng Ah Weng, 56, who has been in the sport for over 30 years, won second place. Teratai assemblyperson Jenice Lee presented the cages to the two winners. Association president Chan Chen Keong said the two judges scored the pet birds based on their voices, liveliness and the cages cleanliness. It adds to the points if the magpie jumps around or performs

somersaults while singing, he said. The association was set up two years ago and finally found a home last year at the field at Taman Bukit Teratai. Previously the 30-odd members gathered at lakes or parks around Ampang and Cheras to trade stories. Magpie robins are well-known for their singing abilities and can be found in urban gardens as well as forests. They can live six to seven years in captivity.

Dengue death toll rising

By Basil Foo

Yees (right) magpies won first and third place while Ngs won second place.

were helping to eradicate up to 500 eggs in one go. KLANG: The recent wet season, This is more effective than just which has drenched the state these past killing the adult mosquitoes, which few months, has not only caused floods number far less, through fogging. but also led to a wave of dengue infecAs for fogging, the council protions and deaths. vides the service for free. We usually The flood-prone Klang municipaldo it in the morning and evening ity has recorded a high of 724 cases in when the mosquitoes are most acjust three months this year compared tive. toa total of 1,100 cases in 2011 and He said residents have a choice if 1,400 cases in 2010. they want to accept fogging by Klang posted the highest number other parties but told them to conof dengue cases reported nationwide, tact the police if they faced harasssaid Klang Municipal Council (MPK) ment by private fogging operators. health department acting director Selangor Health Department Zulkifli Abbas during a talk on dengue officer Norazam Ashar said those at the councils auditorium last Saturday. Norazam: Many cases not with fevers lasting more than two treated quickly enough. The three deaths in Klang - one redays were urged to seek medical atported every month up to March - is tention. also raising alarms. Many cases were not treated Previously, there were only two quickly enough. Most of the time, dengue deaths in 2011 and another two patients was just prescribed Panadol in 2010. for fever, he said. The deceased this year are a 50-yearHe described one of the symptoms old woman in Taman Desawan, a of dengue fever to be a painful sensa43-year-old woman in Port Klang and tion behind the eyeballs and the a 44-year-old man in Kampung Jawa. feeling that the eyes will pop-out. We used to get many reports of He blamed the mentality of resichildren below 12 dying from the disdents for the rise in dengue cases. ease but now the highest affected age The Mawar, Cempaka, and Batu group is adults between 20 and 35, said Nilam flats all have leaking roofs Zulkifli. which havent been repaired due to He said the spike was due to water- Zulkifli: Highest number of ineffective Joint Management Bodies cases nationwide. logged items in homes which were not ( JMB), he said. cleaned regularly by residents. JMBs are management councils made up of residents The long holidays early in the year for Chinese New to collect fees from residents for the maintenance of Year, Maulidul Rasul and Thaipusam also contributed their flats or apartments. to the breeding of mosquitoes. Norazam said businesses selling scrap materials were Those holidays made it easier for people to take the also one of the reasons for the increase in dengue cases whole week off to balik kampung. So their homes and as their merchandise tends to retain water. waterlogged compounds were left unattended, he exSome of the next steps we will try to employ are plained. putting a bounty on aedes mosquito larvae, stepping up He said the council was looking into ways to stem the enforcement and increasing the fines. tide of dengue including emulating the efforts of the Currently, if a residential home is found to have police in patrolling homes left empty during the holi- larvae within their compound, the owners are fined days. RM500. Residents who were leaving their homes for exKlang MP Charles Santiago said residents should tended periods of time were advised to empty their not just peg the responsibility to combat dengue on the water tanks, overturn pails and not store water even if shoulders of the MPK alone. it is indoors. Cleanliness has to start at home. This issue needs a A common misconception is that mosquitoes only joint responsibility from all sides, the MPK, the state breed in stagnant dirty water. In fact, most of the time government, village leaders, non-governmental organithey breed in clean clear water like those found indoors, sations, and residents. he said. He called for those who were already in the know to Zulkifli added that by spending five minutes a week spread the prevention methods to their loved ones to to empty and clean water storage containers, residents protect them from the scourge of dengue.

Council raids suspected vice den

MPK enforcement officers confiscating furniture seized during the raid.

KLANG: Seven foreign masseuse from China and one from Thailand were arrested during a raid on a massage parlour in Bukit Tinggi by Klang Municipal Council (MPK) enforcement officers on Sunday. Council public complaints and communication department director Norfiza Mahfiz said the women were believed to be sex workers. MPK enforcement department deputy diretor Shahrul Hazri Abd Majid led 20 officers in the operation which was jointly conducted with the councils licensing department. Norfiza added that apart from massage parlours, MPK was also mounting more operations against illegal cybercafes and stalls which were contributing to the poor image of the Royal town. She said the council welcomed any information regarding illegal businesses especially massage parlours.

news 18
april 6 8, 2012

USJ folk furious over missing clinic

SUBANG JAYA: Residents here are fuming over an unfulfilled promise by Putrajaya to build a government clinic in the USJ area. Subang Jaya assemblywoman Hannah Yeoh said RM8 million had already been allocated under theNinth Malaysia Plan in 2008 but the project had stalled. At first the (Federal) government said they could not find a suitable piece of land, then the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) gazetted a plot of land for them to build it, but until now no action has been taken, said Yeoh during a press conference last Friday. The 0.72-acre vacant plot is situated at Jalan USJ 1/33 opposite a row of shoplots. MPSJ has already written to the Health Ministry to inform them that they have permission to use it to build the clinic. If built, the clinic will provide Subang Jaya residents with much needed accessible healthcare as the nearest government clinics are in Kelana Jaya and Puchong. The government allocated RM2 billion for the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia cash-aid for short-term vote buying, but we need more long-term solutions. It would mean much more to senior citizens to have permanent government facilities, said Yeoh. Yeoh said currently the Al-Falah Mosque in USJ9 has set up a small clinic to help the community address their healthcare needs with the help of KPJ Healthcare. Residents are now relying on the mosque to get basic, affordable (RM5 per consultation) healthcare. She added that Putrajaya had instead opted to build a 1Malaysia clinic, which will be staffed by medical assistants and nurses instead of qualified doctors, despite opposition from the residents of Subang Jaya. We, the residents of Subang Jaya, demand our clinic to be built as soon as possible, said Yeoh. She was accompanied by more than two dozen residents of USJ brandishing banners that read Give us our government clinic. Subang Jaya Senior Citizens Club president Yeong Teik Boon, 72, said many of the clubs 900 members have difficulties going to government clinics as the nearest ones are in Kelana Jaya and Puchong. Unless our children are taking us, we will have to take two buses (from Subang Jaya to Asia Jaya, then to Kelana Jaya) to Kelana Residents of Subang Jaya are angry that a promised government clinic has yet to be built after Jaya. It is a very four years. long way for old people, said Yeong, adding the club has met with health clinic. ministry officials along with other NGOs and Yeoh to address I am very sad that politicians are politicising everything, the problem. even our basic needs, said Gill. He said the ministry had promised to take action but this Gill, 66, said he has worked with MCA previously to get remains an unfulfilled promise. the clinic built because it was crucial to folks who cannot afYeong said Kelana Jayas former member of Parliament ford private medical care. Loh Seng Kok of MCA personally told them that a clinic This clinic is most needed by the needy, and we expect a will be built to address their needs before the 2008 general full-fledged clinic, not a compromise, said Gill, referring to election. the 1Malaysia clinic. I hope before the 13thgeneral election, the BN governAlso present at the press conference was MPSJ councillor ment will build this clinic, said Yeong. Muzammil Hafiz who reiterated the the land was available. Chairman of Subang Jaya Residents Association (SJRA) We urge the government to use this plot of land and give A.S. Gill said the government should not deny residents the us the clinic, he said.

to see rats the size of small cats scavenging for food nicipal Council (MPSJ) the previous week. among rubbish which is dumped everywhere. MPSJ health director Dr Roslan Mohd Hussin, who was Leong pointed a finger at traders at the SS15 also present, said council officers had managed to catch 25 rats market fordiscarding food and rubbish in drains the day before. which are all clogged. The total of haul of 56 rats was a steep drop from the 176 ResidentWan Yoke Ann said theattitude of caught during the previous exercise in December. the traders in the commercial area left much to be He warned that local businesses, especially food outlets, desired as they seemed comfortable with the rats would be fined or shut down should the council find their running rampant. premises to beunhygienic. A restaurant owner even had the cheek to tell Also at the event was Subang Jaya assemblyperson Hannah me there will be rats everywhere without rats Yeoh who said she would be inspecting the area again in three there will be no human beings, said Wan. months. SS15/2 Rukun Tetangga (RT) deputy chairperson Ahmad Nadzer Idris added that the business community, along with hawkers and traders, was feeding the rats by discarding rubbish in drains. Soya bean drink seller Teh Ah Huat, who has been operating a moKLANG: Teluk Gong fishermen whose livelihood was affected bile drink stall in SS15 for six years, when their homes and boats sank into a 30 meter-long sinkhole near claimed that the rats did not pose a a jetty here on March 11 received aid from Klang member of Parliaserious problem to his business. ment Charles Santiago recently. There are quite many but they Eight buildings and nine boats, which were on shore at the time, stay in the drains. If they see people, costing an estimated RM300,000, were lost when they sank rapidly they will run away, said the 50-yearinto the fissure which appeared at 2.15pm. old. Gotcha... Residents caught 31 rats at the SS15 Commercial Square The houses and boats sank in half an hour. I will be monitoring Store owner Datuk Samson last Saturday. the situation and addressing the residents needs as they crop up, said Maman, who started his business here Santiago. three decades ago, however, urged the SUBANG JAYA:Downright dirty and a couldnt-care-less authorities to clamp down on traders who were He visited the Teluk Gong fishing village on March 23 to provide attitude are being blamed for the long-standing rat infestation contributing to the problem. financial and material assistance to the 26 affected villagers. at the SS15 Commercial Square here. The villagers received rice, cooking oil, sugar, flour and RM1,000 He said people who parked their cars overnight If only people would change their attitude and take care ran the risk of rats invading their vehicles and each. of the community. Every morning I come here to buy news- having wires chewed off. Also present during the visit were Klang municipal councillors V papers and there are rats all over, said May Leong, 74, during Raju, M Nalan, Azmizam Zaman Huri and Ismail Arsat. A total of 31 rats, mostly dead or dying, were a campaign to eradicate the pest last Saturday. collected during the programme as a result ofpoiThe 20-year resident of the area said it was not uncommon son baiting carried out by the Subang Jaya Mu-

Rats, theyre everywhere!

Aid for Teluk Gong fishermen

PKNS awards night lauds staff, partners

SHAH ALAM: The Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) awards night here last week saw its staff, vendors and suppliers lauded for their work and services. PKNS head of public relations Ishak Hashim carried home a trophy, RM2,000 and a certificate. I humbly accept this, knowing that there are people better than me who deserve the award, said Ishak, who took over the groups corporate communications department in 2009. He was recognised for his dedication to duty despite his father being critically ill. Ishak was accompanying Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahims entourage while visiting a PKNS development in Bandar Baru Bangi in 2009 when he received news of his fathers passing. Earlier, managing director Othman Omar said the inaugural event was to celebrate the efforts of PKNS staff in carrying out their duty. We look for 10 core values in our staff, and we hone it for a new work culture, he said. The awards were broken into 19 categories, among them to celebrate the partnership between suppliers, vendors and PKNS property market division. The nominations for best staff from corpo-

Media 19
April 6 8, 2012

Khalid (centre) presenting the award for Best PKNS Staff 2011 to Ishak as Othman looks on.

rate departments were finalists from a pool of 900 workers from drivers to department heads in PKNS. Khalid and state executive councillors Teresa Kok and Iskandar Samad presented the awards together with Othman and other top management officers. The event, dinner and entertainment held at PKNS Shah Alam Convention Centre here was attended by some 1,200 participants.

GH5 raises RM60,000 for welfare homes

PETALING JAYA: As much as RM60,000 was raised for underprivileged children in the first-ever charity run and dinner by Gasing Hill 5 (GH5) last Saturday. The money raised by the non-government organisation will be channelled to the Ti-Ratana Welfare Home, Rumah Kanak-Kanak Impian and Klang Ozanam Childrens Home. We want to do what we can to foster brotherhood among our members and the community, said organising chairperson Cynthia De Alwis. About 100 members of GH5 along with children from the welfare homes took part in the 4km charity run in the afternoon. Subsequently, some 600 guests at-

tended the dance and a nine-course Chinese dinner at SJK(C) Yuk Chai convention hall in Taman Megah. In conjunction with Earth Hour, the event and its participants turned off the lights and observed a minute of silence before resuming with the programme. Participants were also encouraged to pack up any unfinished food so that it wouldnt go to waste. Although a charity organisation, GH5 has never conducted an event of such a scale, but managed to achieve the feat with its members hard work and dedication. This is all thanks to sheer dedication, hard work, and we pulled through together, said De Alwis.
p

Guests enjoying themselves at the fundraising dinner.

may 13 recoll: reconcections & 12 & iliation

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TI-M he ad disputes Christia state cl n aim p

Wesak a time Day: giving for

p

Where to get your

LRT Stations (Distribution by hand) Morning Ampang Sentul Timur Ampang Cahaya Cempaka Pandan Indah Pandan Jaya Sentul Timur Sentul Kelana Jaya Terminal Putra Kelana Jaya Taman Bahagia Taman Paramount Asia Jaya Taman Jaya Universiti Sri Rampai Wangsa Maju Taman Melati Sri Petaling Sentul Timur Taman Melati Sri Petaling Bukit Jalil Bandar Tasik Selatan Salak Selatan Shopping Malls (From Saturday noon) 1 UTAMA Tropicana Mall Sunway Pyramid The Curve IOI Mall Plaza Damas Ikano Power Centre Empire Subang MetroPoint Centro Mall, Klang Bangsar Shopping Complex Hypermarkets (From Saturday noon) Giant (Puchong, Kajang, Bandar Kinrara, Klang, Pandamaran, Bandar Selayang, Kota Damansara, Taman Setiawangsa, Putra Heights, Taman Connaught, Kelana Jaya, Bukit Antarabangsa, Subang Jaya, Bukit Tinggi, Setia Alam, Kota Kemuning) Sentul Port Klang Port Klang Bukit Badak Shah Alam Subang Jaya Jalan Templer Petaling Rawang Seremban Kuala Kubu Baru Sungai Buloh Kepong Sentral Kepong Morning Wet Markets (Saturday morning) Jalan SS2/62 Taman Medan Jalan 17/27 SS15 Subang Jaya Taman Kuchai Lama Taman OUG Pasar Taman Megah Pasar Jalan Othman Pasar Jalan 17/2 Pasar Sek 14

commun

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May 20

22, 2011

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By Will iam Tan Petal ed low- ing Jaya: cost Dila angor may flats through pidata pilot progget a new lease out Selsuch hom ramme to rehaof life if es is succ The amb essfu bilitate kind proj itious and l. first the Peta ect is being carr -of-itsKeeping (MBPJ) ling Jaya City ied out by in collabora Council safe: Faizabandoned tas Design tion bab demons ah Mohd Tahi ies pan y, and Group, a privwith Veritrati baby hatc ng the use r (left) commun Rum ah Air ate comof the Datin Sofi h as local ity-b Pan as, celebrity a The sing ased charity. a STory Jane looks on. Maju Jaya le block at on pag the houses 59 apartments here Taman e 10 fam , which to und ergo ilies, will be which inclu the tran sfor the first furb ishm des renovatio mation, ns physical ents whi le keep and reaspe ing the "All wor cts intact. sions mad ks are based on social active by the resid the decients," said ist Won Wong, g Hay pointed who mooted Cheong. out dents were that many the idea , of flats whe forced to mov the resie demolishn squatter settleme into the facilities ed, but the buil nts were were hard dings and ly adeq The Gro up, entr y of Veritasuate. RM100 whi ch has con Design ,000 and architect the skill trib uted Wong said change, s], means that s [of their ryin the priv is going said to Cor g out the proj ate firm is carAs man Wong. ect as part porate Their relocate y as 50,000 fam Social of its (CS d technolo architects, usin 2000 and to low-cost flats ilies were last R) programme, Resp onsibilit g the gies y teri Besa 2008 under formbetween for two years layin having spent the rem ode l the and techniqu latest arch itect Iska g the grou es, the proj Squatter r Dr Khi r Toy er Menndwork budget, whic buil ding on a will Iskandar ndar Razak. policy whic The comect. o's Zer o tight than RM h is estimated LB_24 added that icised for 6391_ h has pany has 500,000 to be less difficult to creating Sun_m14.ai crit- with the fam been obta been liais . It high-rise 1 from vario obta in comit was very busi in what they feed ing ever is very chal ghettos.5/12/11 back on ilies regularly need from ness cont 9:56 leng ing; ythi the proj usparties at mitments to get them deci PM their need acts. their ect, with the De wiring is ng needs to be redo almost s and de on prac funding start of port spite it all, ticalsolu help and the horrible, the roof ne. The ous issue. this is still a seriant proj tions. The that a city ect for us as a very imstench, septic tank emit is leaking, spon success of the should not we believe saidVer s an awfu project sorships by the itas Des ign Gro l nents, such for the various rests on strat wealthy only be inhabited up part a of , but com as s, and the the supply of po- juvenati society. In a way, by ever y met ng the compan we y hopes al If the pilo city, said Iska are reto t is successfu ndar. l, the com Turn To pag e2

Facelift for old

flats

Carrefour (Bukit Rimau, Subang Jaya, Wangsa Maju, Sri Petaling, Kepong, Puchong, Ampang, Jalan Peel, Jalan Kapar, Bandar Tun Hussein Onn, S23 Shah Alam) Jusco (Bukit Tinggi, Tmn Maluri, Wangsa Maju, Bandar Baru Klang, Mahkota Cheras) Commuter Stations (Distribution by hand) Morning

Pasar Seri Setia SS9A/1 Pasar Kg Chempaka Taman Tun Dr Ismail Hospital Forrest Medical Centre Colleges Help Institute College Bandar Utama (KBU) Universiti Kebangsan Malaysia

Tesco (Puchong, Kajang, Mutiara Damansara, Rawang, Bukit Tinggi, Setia Alam, Ampang, Extra Shah Alam, Kepong)

food 20
april 6 8, 2012

Jazzy fare at Morganfields

By Brenda Chng
Wrapped Meatballs.

ive yourself a night off counting calories and indulge in Morganfields promotional lipsmacking meaty dishes which promise red meat lovers a delectable dinner to remember. Paired up with classical jazz and blues music resonating through the Europeanised American restaurant, diners can wind down from a stressful day while savouring the scrumptious range of new appetisers and entrees. Located on the fourth floor of Pavilion Shopping Mall, this non-halal restaurant Chocolate Creme Brule. is tastefully decorated to resemble a bucolic setting, with bare-brick walls, wine bottles and wooden planks lining the interior. To match the aesthetically pleasing decor is their new creative appetisers - Bacon Wrapped Meat Balls, Fried Potato Croquettes, Chili Cheese Nachos and Chili Cheese Fries. From RM14.90 per serving, patrons now have the luxury of reliving Chicken Roulade. their childhood hunger for fries with the Chili Cheese Fries and Nachos. Baked with an abundance of stringy cheese, both nachos and fries are served with a side of Chili Con Carne, also known as chili with meat. Stewed with bell peppers, diced meat, beans, tomatoes and spices, the Chili Con Carne acts as a perfect dip for the Mexican tortilla corn chips. Its recommended that you top the chip with a generous spoonful of the spicy stew and be surprised with what the crunch and mildly hot meat will do to your taste buds. However, if chips and fries isnt really your cup of tea, order up a serving of Fried Potato Croquettes or meatballs instead. Chili Cheese Fries. Boiled and mashed to a slightly choppy texture, the potatoes are then seasoned and mixed with bacon slices before being rolled into with mustard a ball, dipped in beer batter and fried grain sauce as Chili to a crisp. well. Cheese Thanks to the carbonation of the beer, Grilled to Nachos. the batter is fluffier and lighter, making the p er f e c ti o n , croquettes golden brown and crispy on the outside wrapped with boneless the meat was and soft on the inside. chicken thigh and enveloped just the ideal To add more flavour, try the fried potatoes with a dip of with bacon strips. tenderness, as the classic French garlic aioli sauce, normally made out of The meat is best eaten with the mustard grain sauce which it wasnt too mustard, garlic, mayonnaise or egg yolks. is usually made out of white cream sauce, Dijon mustard, tough nor too The taste isnt that garlicky, but goes extremely well with garlic and whole grain mustard. soft. the salt seasoned With the combination A bite into potato croquettes. of two types of mustard the well seaIf you are a fan whisked together, it forms soned meat tasted of this, you are sure a thick yet fluff y white like rosemary, mint to love the bacon texture, giving off a mus- and spring time. wrapp e d meattardy taste. It was definitely balls, served with This unique dish should a hearty yet refreshing Dijon mustard. be savoured as a whole, with- dish when compared to Next, d iners out separating the different the others. will get to choose layers of meat, as then the At RM32.90 for each from two new juices will be intact to add dish, the huge serving of meat is definitely a good buy. meat inspired enmoisture to the tender meat. Before ending the journey of meats galore, do make space trees, both served The chicken roulade was in your tummies for their special chocolate French Creme with mashed redun l ike any th ing weve Brulee or also known as burnt cream. skinned potatoes, ever tasted as the many flaTopped with a hard layer of caramel, the chocolate dessert buttered vegetavours coming from the comes served with a homemade chocolate chip cookie which bles and topped different meats was odd yet tasted rich in butter. with mustard grain pleasant in our mouths. The Creme Brulee, which is normally served with a rich sauce. For those who are less custard base, is not too sweet, making it a suitable dessert for First on the list a d v e n t u r o u s , t r y o u t patrons cutting down on their sugar intake. is the chicken rouMorganfields conventionPromotions only last until April 30. For more informalade, which is made al s h o u l d e r c h o p , tion, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ up of minced meat Fried Potato Croquettes. charbroiled and drizzled morganfieldsmalaysia or call them at 03-2141 3192.

Tans literary gift to Malaysia

Tan Twan Eng is a rare Malaysian who has entered the hallowed halls of literary excellence. LIN ZHENYUAN speaks to the writer who found fame with The Gift of Rain.

leisure 21
april 6 8, 2012

bespectacled man sits twirling a pen with his fingers at a table near the escalator in MPH at the 1 Utama shopping mall. Few people at the outlet paid heed to the short-haired Chinese wearing steel rimmed glasses sitting in front of a table filled with books with green-yellow covers. Not many readers knew that Tan Twan Eng was nominated for the Man Booker Prize 2007 for his debut novel The Gift of Rain. On a Sunday, when families were out window-shopping or enjoying an outing at the shopping complex, Tan had arrived for an autograph-signing session at noon to promote his second novel, The Garden of Evening Mists. It was released barely two weeks ago. Even though Tan, 40, is presently operating from Cape Town, South Africa, he returns home regularly. He left Kuala Lumpur 12 years ago when he was 27 years old. Somehow, the mild, wet winters and dry, warm summers of Cape Town agree with him and Tan finds the homeaway-from-home totally in congruence with his chosen lifestyle. His early years were spent in Penang where he was born. Naturally, he comes from a Hokkien-speaking household but his family moved to Kuala Lumpur when he was six. In his teenage years, his alma mater was the Catholic High School in Petaling Jaya. By the time, he was ready to enter the corporate world, he had already earned a law degree from the University of London. Years of working as a lawyer in KL did not give Tan the satisfaction or the fulfillment he craved. At the dawn of the 21st century, Tan made a life-altering decision and journeyed to South Africa. It was there that he decided to pursue a Masters in law or LLM. Ironically, his area of specialty was shipping law. He took his time and a few years down the road, he added another sterling academic achievement to his resume. By then, the inner calling to be a writer proved to be too The Gift of Rain and The Garden of Evening Mists each took three years to complete. strong in his heart and too loud in his head to be ignored. Finally, he succumbed to his hearts desire and started layJust before the Japanese army invaded Malaya, Philip by bullet or by the merciless swing of a Japanese sword. ing the groundwork for The Gift of Rain. befriended a quiet and mysterious Japanese man, Endo. In When I told Tan how much I enjoyed reading The Gift From gestation to birth, the literary journey took three truth, Endo was a spy assigned to gather geographical and of Rain, he replied with a twinkle in his eye that his newlyyears. It culminated in his agent sending him an urgent tactical information to expedite the invasion led by Japanese released The Garden of Evening Mists was even better. email one day with the word congratulations. Imperial Army General Tomoyuki Yamashita. This book also took about three years to complete. It Tans climatic success with his debut novel The Gift of As an impressionable young man, Philip finds Endo a found its way into the book shops in February. Rain had landed him a nomination for the Man Booker fascinating father figure who teaches the Japanese martial Currently, he is thinking of a third novel but like his first Prize Award. arts aikido, its phi- two novels, the blueprint is still in a hazy stage of construcAlthough he losophy and the art of tion. Like some successful writers, he prefers to follow the didnt win the bushido. flow of a particular story as it meanders along the rivers of ultimate By the time, the his mind. prize, the joy Japanese army gained Tan has been back in Malaysia since November 2011. of having total control of Ma- Before he returns to Cape Town, probably in April, he will made honourlaya, Philips life and be making numerous appearances to promote his new able mention Endos true identity novel. wa s a pri z e became inextricably I usually spend about four to five months on the road beyond measintertwined. promoting a new book, said Tan. ure. Loyalty to his senWork to this youthful former lawyer means a regime of The Gift of sei and love for his nine-to-five, Monday-to-Friday writing, planning and doRain has since family and friends ing research on his next project. Only weekends are rewon accolades were at dire odds and laxation and recuperation. from The Philip was caught in Most writers lead ordinary or even boring lives, Tan said L o n d o n the perfect political candidly. The reward understandably is when a book has Times, BBC storm of Japanese been published to his and the editors satisfaction. Radio to the brutality, British milFor the time being, Tan sees himself fully devoting all US Philadelitary impotence and his time to writing. In fact, he vows to continue to plod phia Inquirer Malayan subversion. along this route for the duration of his natural life. and PublishIt is a tale woven He does not see marriage and family intruding in his ers Weekly. into the tapestry of personal charted course. Altogether Japanese- occupie d His total dedication to the pursuit of literary excellence there were no Malaya and told in comes with sacrifices that Tan is most willing to make. fewer than 16 great colourful detail Perhaps thats what separates the successful authors from complimenb y a m a n w h o the ordinary writers. The author at his book promotion event in MPH at One Utama. tary mentions shouldnt have any His debut novel has been a major success outside the from newspainkling of those tragic shores of Malaysia. Whether his second book will enjoy the pers, journals and magazines across the world. and miserable times since he was born in the early 1970s. same level of success remains to be seen. The Gift of Rain tells the story of a family in Penang But as a testament to his excellent writing skills and Tan Twan Eng is one of those rare individuals who poscaught up in the throes of Japanese occupation in war-torn powerful imagination, Tan has managed to capture the sess the kind of mindset that transforms ordinary indiMalaya. The main character is Philip Hutton, an offspring essence of a period in this country when a momentary lapse viduals into champions. He really doesnt need luck. He of a Chinese mother and an English father. of good judgment by an innocent citizen would mean death makes his own.

Gallery 22
April 6 8, 2012 Selat Klang state lawmaker Dr Halimah Ali giving a donation to diabetes patient Rodiah Saad, 55, from Kampung Delek in the aftermath of flash floods in Klang last week.

One of the two judges observing and scoring the contesting magpie robins at the Ampang Magpie Robins Associations inaugural contest in Taman Bukit Teratai last Sunday morning. Some 30 enthusiasts took part in the event.

Cempaka state lawmaker Iskandar Samad distributing new bins to residents at flats around Jalan 33, Pandan Indah.

Selayang member of Parliament William Leong (standing, centre) with 102 beneficiaries of Selangors Welfare Scheme for the Elderly (SMUE) at the D Manggis Cafe in Kuang recently.

Hulu Kelang assemblyperson Saari Sungib giving out schoolbags to 90 students of SRJK (T) Taman Melawati last Wednesday. Looking on is headmistress P Ponnammah. The state government allocated 1,000 schoolbags to each state community service centre to be given out to children between six and 12 years.

The Backstage Life

culture 23
april 6 8, 2012

CalENDar
My Acoustic Affair
Music: April 7 (6pm); Bentley Music Auditorium, Mutiara Damansara; http:// myacousticaffair. weebly.com/; RM55.
Get ready for My Acoustic Affair on Saturday at the Bentley Music Auditorium, Mutiara Damansara from 6pm onwards. My Acoustic Affair is a platform for known and new generation artists or musicians who want to take their craft to the next level. The concert promises an acoustic show that will surely get you off your seats! Performing in the first series will be melodic metalcore band Massacre Conspiracy, singer songwriter Liyana Fizi, indie pop band Couple and upcoming local youtube sensation Iamneeta and soul funk band Friday King Road. Freestanding concert tickets are available now at any Rock Corner outlets and at Bentley Music Auditorium on event day.

By Dominic Luk
t isnt easy putting up a stage show or producing an entire film. So much work needs to be done. And if you think a lot of magic happens on stage, wait till you find out what really happens backstage; its really a different show altogether. So, when two enthusiastic young Malaysians, Nick Dorian and Sharon Lam, started working on a project to expose what happens behind the scenes of our local shows, I decided to meet up with them and find out what happens backstage in their online video show called.. The Backstage Life. The Backstage Life makes their videos available to the public through their Youtube channel (youtube. com/candidproductionsmy). They have produced nine episodes. Its a great way to learn about the people who bring us local shows, and to see what its like being part of this industry. I started by asking the duo the simplest question: Why? The project started in November last year, with the intention to create more awareness of the shows produced l o c a l l y. N i c k and Sharon just want people all over the country to appreciate the local performing arts scene more by understanding how much work is put in, and the fun of producing a show. According to Nick, countries like the US and in the UK have dedicated TV channels about stage shows in their countries, so why not start something like this in Malaysia, albeit on a smaller scale. Sharon, who used to work for a magazine, realized that many people visiting Malaysia do ask about whats showing and how they can find out more about the

shows. The Backstage Life aims to cater to help visitors as well as those living in our country to have a taste of whats currently showing, and to meet the awesome people behind it all. I was curious about how widespread The Backstage Life has become since their first episode. Both Nick and Sharon agree that they are not very popular yet, but hope that as the months pass and more episodes get released, they will eventually have a good following and maybe even become an actual show on our local TV channels. They added that it is difficult to reach out to more people for now apart from theatre practitioners and active theatre-goers, but were pleasantly amused when an unknown viewer contacted them to ask some questions about a show they featured in one of their episodes. Since its inception, The Backstage Life has covered shows like Malaysian Girls, Boom, and Dead Mans Cell Phone, and have even interviewed celebrities like Tony Eusoff. The show is very casual and fun, and Nick insists that it will remain like that for as long as he is alive. Hosted by Sharon and Nick, the show is entertaining with lots of humor, and more importantly, its never dull and serious. In other words, they want their viewers to see them and the people they talk to as who they really are: people who do what they love and love what they do. Nick and Sharon are encouraging Malaysians to join in the fun by watching the episodes and to support local talents. Be sure to catch them on their online channel, and even drop them an e-mail at candid.productions@ yahoo.com if you feel like telling them what you think about The Backstage Life.

Cameronian Arts Awards 2012

Awards: April 10 (4pm) & April 29 (8pm); www.kakiseni.com.
The annual Boh Cameronian Arts Awards 2012 is back in its ninth edition. Sponsored by Boh and organized by kakiseni.com, the annual affair celebrates the best in local arts with this years theme revolving around The Roaring 20s.

Play: April 11-15; Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, KL; 03-40479000; www.klpac.org/; RM23-RM33.
A play on the theme of puns and wordplay, Corporal Punishment, is set in an abysmally serious world where puncrafting and joke-cracking will earn you jail time The tale revolves around TL, who faces many difficulties in life due to the clash between his propensity for humour and the (literally) serious world he lives in. He then comes across the legend of the Pundoras box: a long-forgotten ancient relic which, according to the myth, would turn this otherwise boring world upside down. Corporal PUNishment sees TL embarking on an epic adventure with his companions, overcoming the odds that inevitably stand in their way. But, what awaits them inside the the box? Could it be the long forgotten sense of humour? Or could it be a global PUNdemic that will change the(ir) world forever? We dont know either. We havent written that part of the script yet. The concept and story is by Freddy Tan and Uihua.

Corporal Punishment

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