TwoSen

I READ with interest the Sad state of affairs at local libraries in The Star, Jan 29. I feel that writer is lucky because at the very least those libraries are functioning in that you can still borrow books there.

I am a life member of the Kuala Lumpur Library (Perpustakaan Kuala Lumpur) and it is certainly impressive, fully air-conditioned and centrally located behind the famous Dataran Merdeka.

I have no complaints on the building or its staff. The problem is no library member has been able to borrow a single book since Dec 24 last year.

Sometime in the middle of December the library’s computer system crashed and the staff resorted to lending books manually, the good old-fashioned way.

However, on Dec 24 a sign was put up saying that all books cannot be borrowed.

Later, this sign was replaced with one saying that books still cannot be borrowed due to a “hardware problem” whatever that means.

Regardless of the problem, what we have is a relatively new, modern and impressive looking library that does not function as a library.

Seriously, DBKL should get it functioning as soon as possible as it has been more than a month since their fine library has stopped functioning as one.

FREDRIC KONG YAT SEN,
Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

Source: The Star – February 4, 2008

I refer to R. Nadeswaran’s column “Rent-seeking from rain” (Citizen Nades, Jan 30). Wasn’t it just months ago that our prime minister promoted the harvesting of rain water for non-consumption use? This idea should be absolutely supported by all Malaysians as our contribution to save potable water and help the environment.

Rain water is free and should be used for purposes such as gardening and general cleaning. In the commercial sector rain water can be used for cooling towers for air-conditioning. All such use of rainwater does not introduce chlorine into the environment as compared to using treated water. Harvesting and using rainwater also reduces the use of energy needed to filter, purify, pump and circulate the treated water via miles and miles of pipes to each individual premises. The reduction in the volume of treated water needed will also mean smaller mains and reservoir capacities and treatment plants and also reduction of earth scorching chlorine. Furthermore, the harvesting and storing of rainwater serves a detention function and reduces the rush of rainwater into drains and rivers and alleviates the incidence of flooding. In fact the Drainage and Irrigation Department requires all new developments to create detention ponds to do just that, detain rainwater to prevent flooding downstream.

Previously, Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) had attempted to impose charges for rainwater harvesting as they had contended that they had the monopoly for treating sewer water. Fortunately other events overtook their attempts to do so. Now lo and behold, Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (Luas) has discovered this lucrative and preposterous opportunity to rent-seek and get money for nothing. Wow, I have to give A++ for misplaced ingenuity for yet another scheme to reap millions for free! With so many wide-ranging contrived monopolies, from billboards, pest-control, Fomema, property management, etc., etc., it is no wonder Malaysia is losing out in foreign investments and driving out domestic businesses overseas.

It is these non-coherent and conflicting policies that is causing turmoil in our business environment and unnecessarily driving up the cost of doing business. I fervently hope that in the current drive to make Malaysia more competitive globally and with the establishment of Pemudah, all such “get-rich-quick” schemes are killed-off quickly by the authorities before further damage is done to Malaysia’s image and credibility.

Disgusted
Petaling Jaya

Source: The Sun – February 4, 2008

I am prompted to write after learning about a Year Six pupil who was in a coma last week as a result of being struck by lightning while playing football.

I hope all schools, colleges, universities, sports clubs and outdoor event organisers will take action to ensure that all students, players and spectators will take shelter in a large building as soon as the first thunder is heard. They should not wait for the rain to start falling in order to clear the playing field.

The following ten safety tips should be informed to all students, sports persons and spectators in order to prevent any unfortunate incidents during a thunderstorm:

» Stop all outdoor activities and seek a shelter as soon as you see dark thunder clouds gather on the horizon or over the hill. Lightning can strike up to 15km away from the thundercloud i.e. even before the rain starts!

» Run for a shelter if you can hear thunder or see a lightning bolt. You are already in danger of being struck by lightning.

» Do not wait for the rain to fall before you act. Sometimes, lightning occurs before the rain starts to fall. Never use an umbrella in a lightning storm.

» Do not shelter under a tree or in a tent, small shed, rotunda or roadside food stall. For small shelters, ensure that they have been installed with a proper lightning protection system before you take shelter in them.

» Do take shelter inside a sturdy or large building (e.g. a shop or a house), inside a metal-roofed vehicle (e.g. a bus, van or car) or under a large structure (e.g. a bridge). Do not loiter outside a large building to avoid being struck by debris from lightning damage.

» If there is no proper shelter nearby, get down from an elevated position (e.g. mound, hill top or platform). Get into any depression in the ground or in a dry drain.

» Get into a Lightning Defensive Position i.e. squat down with your feet together and close your ears with your hands. Do not lie down. Do not touch anyone or any metal objects (eg. fence, gate, etc.).

» If it rains, get your clothes wet because wet clothing helps to reduce serious injuries to the person struck by lightning. Let the current flow over you instead of inside you.

» Inside a shelter, do not touch any metallic object, electric equipment or cable. Do not use the telephone unless it is really urgent. Use a mobile phone instead (if available). Keep away from the balcony, verandah, doorway, window, wall or pillar.

» Stay inside your shelter for 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard. Lightning can strike up to 15 km away from the thundercloud i.e. even after the rain had stopped!

Zahar
Kuala Lumpur

Source: The Sun – February 4, 2008

It is heartening that today more people want to be heard. That is good for the nation as well as the people.

A decade ago, things weren’t like this. People spoke less. The media wasn’t brave enough. Even now, the former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad can attack the present prime minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on a matter of “a gentleman’s agreement” that the latter would serve one term as prime minister. However, Abdullah has denied this.

Now I read many a columnist in the newspapers, and hear speakers on TV speaking their mind. They do not hesitate to say things even if it may be not be palatable to the government.

Editorial comments in newspapers are more brave, touching on matters they stayed away from before. Many a website speaks loud and clear, whether people or the government like it or not.

Even bloggers have jumped on the bandwagon. They say so much, sometimes it is like Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

While I hope more of us speak up on matters that matter, maybe the following tips will help:

Go for the issues, not the person. Get your facts right. Don’t say what isn’t true. Be fair in you words and approach. Do not be biased.

Do not get emotional, but be rational. It is our right to speak up, and clearly state our views. Use this freedom. Do not abuse it.

Bulbir Singh,
Seremban

Source: The Sun – February 4, 2008

MANY people die on the roads because of road accidents caused, more often than not, by careless drivers.

Even if they are booked, they are not bothered as they can pay the fines. They act like the kings of the roads.

You can always see these drivers who drive in a zig-zag manner and cause fear in other drivers. Lorry and bus drivers drive on the fast lane.

Having road traffic campaigns is not the way to solve the problem.

In foreign countries, when a driver makes a mistake, he is caught immediately and given a ticket.

The offending driver must pay the fine, attend a day’s traffic lesson, and then explain how and why he made the mistake.

Then, he has to promise not to make another mistake or else he has to pay a higher fine and pay higher car insurance.

People fear getting involved in accidents or beating the lights. They are aware of the speed limits and fear losing their freedom to drive.

When they drive, they keep some distance away from other vehicles, keep to their lane and do not hop lanes as they wish.

In Malaysia, drivers love to tailgate others.

They use neon lights which blind other road users but nobody stops them.

Motorcyclists drive in between cars as they wish.

Why not observe these drivers who ignore the law through closed-circuit television cameras?

Bad drivers must be sent to attend courses and fined heavily. We should also make it difficult for new drivers to get licences.

And if they make mistakes, it should be cancelled immediately and they must start all over again. This may sound drastic but if nothing is done, Malaysian roads will always be killing fields.

Motorbikes should be taken off the main roads and highways. The very old cars should be taken off the roads.

The implementation of the law has to be tightened.

Ordinary members of the public should be able to report bad drivers with proof. Passengers in buses must be able to report a driver not following the rules.

All telephone numbers must be printed inside the buses so that passengers can alert the authorities immediately at all times.

Have a system that works round the clock to track bad drivers immediately.

Source: NST – February 4, 2008

PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s statement that police can increase their presence in crowded urban areas by renting more shoplots for use as stations or beat bases is laudable (”Use shops to boost service, cops told” — NST, Jan 29).

The prime minister added that a wider police presence would enable them to respond more quickly to distress calls and boost public confidence.

The police force has the resources to find a shoplot to be used as a police station or a base but to run a police station effectively, it needs office equipment, furniture or any of those items that are needed to make the place look like one.

This is where the private sector, including successful businessmen, come in, by making contributions.

The government can encourage these businessmen and companies, especially those rich corporate ones, to contribute as a form of social corporate responsibility. They can also provide monetary assistance to help maintain and upkeep the police stations.

And as a gesture of goodwill, the government can perhaps provide tax rebates to these companies or individuals making the contributions or donations when they file their tax returns to the Inland Revenue Board.

MOHD FAIZAL ABDULLAH, Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – February 4, 2008

I REFER to the statement made about the former Indonesian president, Suharto, by the former prime minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (”He was a great leader, says Dr Mahathir” — NST, Jan 28).

Dr Mahathir dismissed as “absolute nonsense” reports by Western media accusing Suharto of being responsible for nearly half a million deaths when he assumed power.

I would like to point out that it is not just the Western media that accuse Suharto of this atrocity but also every other news media around the world and Human Rights groups.

Dr Mahathir goes on to state that Suharto was not responsible for the killings and he was not even president at the time.

It is a known fact that Suharto ordered the army, as their leader, to rid the country of communist party leaders and Sukarno loyalists.

It is also well known that Suharto had a very contentious human rights record, from the time before he was made president until the time he stepped down.

In order to defend Suharto, Dr Mahathir need not distort historical facts and accuse the Western media of false reporting.

S. SIVA, London

Source: NST – February 4, 2008

I READ “Siti Norma appointed to Dubai courts” (NST, Jan 31) with much delight. Indeed, she has proven that “the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world”.

Not only is she the sole woman to be appointed among men, Tan Sri Siti Norma Yaakob has also done the country proud by being selected as president of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association (CMJA).

As one of the younger generation, I look up to her as the epitome of strength, upholding the virtues of being a woman while at the same time standing on par with men, proving that women can also be equal counterparts to men in the professional field.

With more women emerging as leaders in the world and getting the recognition we finally deserve, I hope that this will put a stop to anyone from having the mindset that women are the weaker sex, always waiting for the “knight in shining armour” to rescue us.

Women are much more than “exploitable products”.

With notable and strong figures like Siti Norma, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah, Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz and others, it is high time for the younger generation of Malaysian women to step into the limelight and take charge of their future.

Who knows, there might one day be a woman prime minister of Malaysia.

NAZREEN, Mersing

Source: NST – February 4, 2008

THE director-general of Health, Tan Sri Ismail Merican, has stated that 6,322 clinics and 1,439 dental clinics had their licences approved under the Private Health Facilities and Services Act (1998). This, he claimed, spoke volumes of the support from the majority of doctors (”Doctor chose to go to jail” — NST, Feb 1).

I beg to differ. The vast majority of private doctors are still unhappy with the ridiculous and absurd conditions stated in the Act. In fact there was even a suggestion that doctors should boycott the registration exercise.

If it were not for the DG’s “assurance” that the Act would be implemented judiciously and the frequent coaxing from the Malaysian Medical Association, the registration of the private health facilities would not have proceeded smoothly.

Within the short period of the implementation of the Act, a registered doctor has been sent to jail. Why bother to offer Dr Basmullah Yusom the alternative to avoid jail when the fine of RM120,000 was so hefty? Private clinics are not making money like gold mines. If I were in his situation, I too would choose jail.

DR TAN KEE SENG, Kangar

Source: NST – February 4, 2008

I WITNESSED an incident similar to that described by I.H. of Subang Jaya (”Cops who do not respect the rules” — NST, Jan 30) at the Malacca Court cafeteria last week.

Two men were smoking despite the no-smoking signs. This happened when two policemen in uniform were eating at the next table.

My wife and I were wondering why the policemen were not doing anything. Then the two smokers went over and offered cigarettes and all four of them were soon puffing away!

D.A., Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – February 4, 2008