TwoSen

Dear Editor,

IT saddens me that whenever I turn my head, I see teenagers puffing away, polluting their lungs.

In fact, it was reported that each day, thousands of people, aged between 12 and 17 pick up smoking.

It is widely known that smoking is a silent killer. Yet, smokers keep puffing away and wasting their hard-earned money.

Why are they taking such a terrible risk?

Some kids start smoking because they’re curious, while some think that it’s cool.

They don’t think of the consequences.

What made them think this way?

Although you don’t see cigarette advertisements, kids are still lighting up.

Parents should monitor their children’s movement.

But, sometimes, the parents themselves influence their children to pick up the bad habit as they are smokers themselves.

It seems that the Tak Nak anti-smoking campaign is not sufficient.

We need to do something drastic to save our kids from killing themselves.

Source: Malay Mail – March 18, 2008

Dear Editor,

I WOULD like to share my horrible experience at the Medan Gopeng bus station in Ipoh recently.

After three hours of travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh, I reached the station at 9.20pm and then called a taxi.

I waited at the station’s parking area as it was already late.

Moreover, I did not want to walk to the taxi stand, which is about 10 minutes away from the station, as it was dark.

I felt that it was dangerous for a girl to walk there alone as anything could happen.

After waiting for 10 minutes, the taxi arrived. When I was about to board it, another cabbie from the taxi stand approached and started taking photos of my taxi’s registration number using his cell phone.

He then threatened my cabbie and said he would send the photo to the Road Transport Department if I didn’t get down from his cab.

I was so scared at that point. I did not know what to do as it was almost 10pm and the man kept threatening us and repeatedly told me to take a cab at the stand instead.

How can you force someone to take your cab? I am certain that we have the right to choose.

However, fearing for my safety, I decided not to take the cab.

I had to walk for 10 minutes in the dark to the taxi stand. I was lucky that nothing happened to me.

I hope the authorities will do something about this.

Source: Malay Mail – March 18, 2008

Dear Editor,

KUDOS to Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB) for introducing the paging board system at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang to tighten the security at the airport.

However, I wish to point out that asking agents to leave their MyKad or driving licence as a ‘guarantee’ is not a good idea.

This could lead to further complications should these important documents go missing while in MAHB’s possession.

Furthermore, our laws state that no one is allowed to hold another’s MyKad or driving licence, except the National Registration Department, the police, Road Transport Department or other relevant authorities.

Alternatively, MAHB should impose a deposit of a reasonable amount which is returnable once the board is returned.

I feel that the agents would agree to this.

Once again, well done Datuk Azmi Murad (MAHB senior general manager).

Source: Malay Mail – March 18, 2008

Dear Editor,

I am shocked that another child, Mohd Asmawi Jalaludin, has gone missing.

What is happening to our country?

With Nurin Jazlin Jazimin’s case still fresh in our minds and Sharlinie Mohd Nashar’s still unsolved, we are dealt with another one.

We should not be reading about these cases in the media as it saddens us to imagine the suffering of their parents. Yet, it still happens.

The government has to do something — a campaign, for example, to increase public awareness on the dangers and risks we are facing.

Go big with advertisements on television, billboards, radio and newspapers.

It doesn’t matter if the government uses graphic images or messages. We need to get the message across.

Please do something before it’s too late.

To parents, be wary and responsible enough in taking care of your children.

Love them and nurture them with religious education because they’re the country’s future.

The Malay Mail, as the Paper That Cares, can probably start a campaign so that others will follow.

It is our responsibility to care for our children.

Source: Malay Mail – March 18, 2008

Dear Editor,

IT saddens me that whenever I turn my head, I see teenagers puffing away, polluting their lungs.

In fact, it was reported that each day, thousands of people, aged between 12 and 17 pick up smoking.

It is widely known that smoking is a silent killer. Yet, smokers keep puffing away and wasting their hard-earned money.

Why are they taking such a terrible risk?

Some kids start smoking because they’re curious, while some think that it’s cool.

They don’t think of the consequences.

What made them think this way?

Although you don’t see cigarette advertisements, kids are still lighting up.

Parents should monitor their children’s movement.

But, sometimes, the parents themselves influence their children to pick up the bad habit as they are smokers themselves.

It seems that the Tak Nak anti-smoking campaign is not sufficient.

We need to do something drastic to save our kids from killing themselves.

Source: Malay Mail – March 18, 2008

Dear Editor,

I WOULD like to share my horrible experience at the Medan Gopeng bus station in Ipoh recently.

After three hours of travelling from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh, I reached the station at 9.20pm and then called a taxi.

I waited at the station’s parking area as it was already late.

Moreover, I did not want to walk to the taxi stand, which is about 10 minutes away from the station, as it was dark.

I felt that it was dangerous for a girl to walk there alone as anything could happen.

After waiting for 10 minutes, the taxi arrived. When I was about to board it, another cabbie from the taxi stand approached and started taking photos of my taxi’s registration number using his cell phone.

He then threatened my cabbie and said he would send the photo to the Road Transport Department if I didn’t get down from his cab.

I was so scared at that point. I did not know what to do as it was almost 10pm and the man kept threatening us and repeatedly told me to take a cab at the stand instead.

How can you force someone to take your cab? I am certain that we have the right to choose.

However, fearing for my safety, I decided not to take the cab.

I had to walk for 10 minutes in the dark to the taxi stand. I was lucky that nothing happened to me.

I hope the authorities will do something about this.

Source: Malay Mail – March 18, 2008

I HAVE just returned from a great weekend in Tanjung Tuan, Port Dickson, to observe the annual migration of the eagles in “Raptor Watch 2008″.

Birdwatchers from several countries came to watch thousands of Oriental Honey Buzzards and Japanese Sparrowhawks fly from the Indonesian islands to Siberia, Russia and other countries via Tanjung Tuan. What a sight to see “geography and biology in motion”. And there was no entrance fee.

This event has gained more followers since its inception a few years ago. It has vast potential to attract even more tourists and naturalists. Stalls operated by the government bodies and non-governmental organisations were disseminating information with regular nature walks, side shows, drawing sessions for children, talks and guided trips to the Tanjung Tuan lighthouse site.

What was also encouraging to see were the busloads of schoolchildren learning about the environment.

The eagles were a sight to behold and I wish to convey my appreciation to the organisers, especially the Malaysian Nature Society, for the success of the event.

The dedication and passion of the diverse volunteers from Johor to Penang was fantastic. It is good to see the spirit of volunteerism at its best.

Still on the subject of birdwatching, I am glad to hear the Tourism Ministry has come forward to play a significant role in assisting and promoting current and potential sites in the Danum Valley, Fraser’s Hill and Belum Park as birding sites of international importance.

Birdwatching tourists are a niche market and these tourists spend a lot of money, shown by their presence at other birding sites of Mulu Park, Endau Rompin, Taman Negara and Kukup.

I think Malaysia needs such new products to be promoted, as is being done annually in this raptors’ watch. Let’s keep up the good work.

HARBAN SINGH, Johor Baru

Source: NST – March 18, 2008

NOW that the 12th general election is over, it is time for Malaysians to look forward and work towards improving this country.

One challenge that is facing our society is the increasing price of petrol, the impact on transportation and cost of living. As the price of oil has risen past US$100 (RM320) per barrel, the government is facing an increased burden in providing subsidised petrol and gas.

In fact, oil price has hit US$110 a barrel because of increase in demand. The risk of supply problems and shortages could raise the price of oil even higher.

Although Malaysia is an oil-producing nation, we can no longer rely on this supply just as we can no longer rely on subsidies.

It is predicted that Malaysia will become a net importer of oil by 2011, which is only three years away. It is further predicted that domestic oil supplies will run out by 2020. The only solution is to reduce our use of this resource so that our supply can last longer.

The government must work towards encouraging Malaysians to economise, switch to smaller cars and motorcycles, explore alternative fuels and use more public transportation.

The best way to encourage Malaysians to use public transportation is to invest in a system that will reach as many people as possible.

The current proposals for the light-rail transit (LRT) extensions to the suburban areas of Kuala Lumpur are good, but they will not serve enough people in the Klang Valley.

What of the other cities? Will they be able to benefit from improved public transportation if almost all of the available money is spent on building LRT lines in the Klang Valley?

It is far better to invest in LRT lines in cities where space is scarce.

Suburban areas would be better serviced by a system of express buses, rapid transit buses and trams.

These lower-cost alternatives will give us four to eight times the number of kilometres of public transportation route compared with LRT. This means that public transportation will reach more people and more people will be encouraged to use public transportation.

The government must now look forward and improve the standard of living of all Malaysians.

They will be able to have higher disposable income. Instead of being locked into repaying car loans, they will be able to spend their money as they please.

Having more mobility and choice will allow more Malaysians the freedom of travel.

MOAZ YUSUF AHMAD, Subang Jaya

Source: NST – March 18, 2008

DARE we, the blind and other handicapped people of Penang, look forward to a better deal under the new state government?

Please understand that caring for the blind is more than making annual donations to St Nicholas home because the majority of the blind (99 per cent) live outside St Nicholas and receive no help from it.

Apart from the welfare allowance from the federal government, which is not even sufficient to meet a quarter of their daily needs, they receive no help because St Nicholas prevents outsiders from receiving it from the public.

Allow us to present the following requests:

- An additional welfare allowance of RM300 per month to all blind citizens born or residing in Penang, who live on their own and who are unemployed.

- Provide more employment opportunities both in the state government and in the various local councils. Erect more stalls so that the blind, with the help of their families, can earn a decent living.

- Exemption from all assessment rates for all blind and other handicapped persons.

- Free public transport for the handicapped. In 1964, when the late C.Y. Choy was elected mayor of George Town, he granted free transport for the blind on the city council buses but this privilege was taken away by a later administration. Free public transport for the blind is an international norm and Malaysia has the dubious distinction of being the only country where the blind pay for their bus rides.

- Get the various local councils to allocate funds to help blind and other handicapped people in the purchase of equipment specific to their needs, such as wheelchairs.

- Grant easier access to low-cost housing to handicapped people, even to those who are not married.

Let Penang show the way and make the blind and handicapped feel that they, too, have a place under the Malaysian sun.

JOSEPH SOON, Penang

Source: NST – March 18, 2008

I WOULD like to offer a modest proposal as a solution to Kuala Lumpur’s traffic woes.

The solution which can be effected in one fell swoop is simply to ban education in the capital. Educational institutions - primary, secondary and tertiary - are the cause of our worst traffic problems.

When schools are closed, traffic runs smoothly; the cost of transporting goods is reduced; and; hence, we all benefit. It is the parents, guardians and chauffeurs ferrying the children to school who cause the snarl-ups.

Educating children raises their expectations of obtaining higher salaries, and what is the first thing they do with a higher salary? Why, of course, they buy a car, which worsens the traffic situation and the vicious cycle continues.

Ban education in the capital and leave the roads free for commercial vehicles to serve efficiently our economy at low cost.

REVILO ROLAL, Subang Jaya

Source: NST – March 18, 2008