TwoSen

I THANK Bulbir Singh of Seremban for his advice to consumers on how to fight for their rights (”If you want results, learn how to gripe” — NST, Aug 20). I wonder though whether his methods would have worked in the situation I found myself in at a restaurant in Keramat recently.

My family and I were enjoying our dinner at the restaurant when my mother suddenly stopped eating and picked out a strand of hair from the “Ikan 3 rasa” dish that we had ordered.

I alerted the restaurant manager, and showed her the evidence. I insisted that the half-eaten dish be replaced with a freshly cooked fish dish free of hair.

The manager grumbled something about it. She seemed reluctant to do anything but eventually agreed to do as I had requested.

It could not have taken long to prepare that substitute fish dish but we were made to wait 45 minutes for it.

And when it did arrive, we discovered that it was so fiery (spicy) and sizzling that it literally brought tears to our eyes. I should have known that the kitchen staff would exact their revenge for my complaint and insistence on redress.

I was about to express my anger at the restaurant staff, but my mother stopped me and told me to let it go and just pay the bill. No apologies whatsoever were forthcoming from the manager. In fact, she seemed quite pleased that we left all teary-eyed.

As it turned out, not “keeping our mouths shut” spelt trouble for dissatisfied customers like us.

NAZREEN TAJUL ARIF, Mersing

Source: NST – August 25, 2008

THE news that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi acknowledges the deteriorating state of Komuter and LRT services in the Klang Valley offers hope that the mass transit system will be improved.

It was timely that Abdullah used the train services last Thursday. He should also take RapidKL buses one day.

There has to be an understanding of how mass transit can improve our lives before we offer quick-fix suggestions. Knee-jerk reactions such as the retraction of the subsidy to RapidKL few weeks ago show a lack of understanding of the goal of having a mass transit system.

Look at the things that we use and share with others. Streets, street lamps, trash and police services are among the things we share through tax contributions.

If we live in an apartment, we are collectively responsible for maintaining the lifts because we can’t afford to have individual lifts.

Mass transit, too, behaves in a collective manner. If most of us think we should get to where we want to be individually, then there will not be enough incentive for a pooled fund to be set up for mass transit.

Most of us are used to driving our own vehicles until our pursuit for a better lifestyle ends up in urban sprawl, costly public road infrastructure, massive traffic jams and sky-rocketing fuel prices, ruining our collective productivity and halting our pursuit of a better life.

Every road space taken by a new road user will eat out another user’s space.

If we can pool our resources together to build sidewalks and streets, why is it hard for us to get the same allocation to build an integrated mass transit system that can use the shared sidewalks and streets more efficiently?

If we think public transport operators (and hence, users) should bear all of the costs related to mass transit infrastructure and system, then we should remind ourselves that most of those costs are a result of our collective lack of concern about sharing.

Beating traffic jams individually means creating more air and sound pollution, more productivity losses, and more injuries and fatalities.

If we think mass transit thrives in the presence of competition without governmental interference, then remember the single biggest competitor to mass transit is private transport (cars, motorbikes and trucks).

Private transport monopolises most of the government-funded infrastructure that mass transit relies on.

Not just infrastructure, but other types of mass-transit-related activities, such as licensing and route rationalisation, are under overlapping jurisdictions (Economic Planning Unit, Transport Ministry, Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board and City Hall) all working in isolation.

Without well-coordinated mass transit support, there can be no accountability, and without key performance indicators to achieve and no systems to rely on, mass transit operators have no choice but to cut corners to survive.

If we think public transport operators and users should privately bear all the costs related to mass transit infrastructure and operations, then we should remind ourselves that our scarce public roads are disproportionately taken up by private vehicles which do not bear the full costs they generate for society in terms of pollution, congestion and loss of productivity.

That is why fare revenues only make up one-third of a transit system’s operating budget in most developed countries. The rest is made up for by taxpayers’ money.

Studies in the United States have shown that every US$1 (RM3.30) invested in public transportation projects generates between US$4 and US$9 in local economic activity.

Without sufficient government funding, there is no way mass transit operators can take away the lure of motorcycles.

The Malaysian Institute of Road Safety recently anticipated more road deaths from the increase in the number of motorcyclists in the wake of the petrol price hike.

The government must do more to improve mass transit coverage under the 2009 Budget.

Riding a transit bus is 79 times safer than riding a car, let alone riding a motorcycle.

If the government allows more highways to be built to increase connectivity, why can’t it use a portion of its pooled resources to support an economical yet integrated mass transit system, which includes all modes of transport, to prevent congestion?

For example, 30 buses can relieve the maximum amount of free-flow traffic on the Ampang-KL Elevated Highway.

With a combined “park-n-ride” capacity of 10,000, the parking bays at the Shah Alam and Bukit Jalil stadiums can render the Kesas, New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) and Elite expressways empty of private vehicles.

Since we have an excellent network of limited-access free-flow expressways in the Klang Valley, we can consider these as expressway rapid transit (ERT) “tracks”, with ERT buses as “trains”.

Bus “stations” can be built on top of these “tracks” at places with a high suburban population, and bus terminals for suburban feeder bus services can be built within the suburban areas and next to the ERT points.

Three Kuala Lumpur gateway points for ERT buses can be created at KL Sentral/Mid Valley Megamall, Imbi and Sentul Timur with bus ramps to the NKVE and the North Pantai Expressway, KL-Putrajaya expressway and Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway.

These gateway points should be linked to the Ampang and Kelana Jaya LRT lines, KL Monorail and high- frequency bus routes.

The Dang Wangi LRT station can be the main gateway point for ERT from Ampang as it sits at the end point of the Ampang-KL Elevated Highway.

To meet demand during rush hours, express bus operators should be allowed to bid for contracts to serve as ERT buses.

In a nutshell, all stakeholders of mass transit must consider the following to improve mass transit:

- Mass transit should not be seen as a means of travel only for those who can’t afford private transport, as the entire population can no longer afford to neglect mass transit;

- Investment (often wrongfully perceived as subsidies) in mass transit infrastructure and operations has to be coordinated by transit authorities;

- Mass-transit infrastructure needs support at the local level as the single biggest means of accessing public transport is walking and local councils can ensure accessibility for all;

- There must be fair allocation of risks and responsibilities between operators and authorities, and non-discriminatory distribution of tax revenue and fee income to cover the urban population’s transport needs; and,

- The government must not abandon the principles of transparency, good governance and public participation in improving mass transit.

The longer we ignore the problem, the harder it is to solve it.

We must aim for effective and integrated rapid transit.

Hopefully, Abdullah’s visit is a sign that the government has the will to put mass transit on the right track.

M. ZULKARNAIN HAMZAHA, ssociation for Improvement of Mass Transit (Transit) Klang Valley

Source: NST – August 25, 2008

KLANG Valley commuters welcome the move by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahamd Badawi to get the LRT and KTM Komuter to improve their services.

Long delays, packed trains, pushing, shoving and queue-jumping are the norm every working day.

With more people switching to public transport in the wake of the fuel-price increase, the need for improved services has become more urgent.

Unfortunately, up to now, all complaints about the inefficient service of public transport operators has fallen on deaf ears.

We hope that with the complaints coming from Abdullah, something will be done to make travelling easier for commuters.

HAMDAN IBRAHIM, Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – August 25, 2008

I AM glad and thankful that the fuel price reduction was announced on Friday.

It has come some 10 days early. That is pleasing to know.

And please keep on reviewing periodically for appropriate adjustments.

Another priority for the rakyat is food and service price hikes.

This must be halted. I hope we have some way to do it.

I also call on traders and merchants to be seen to be fair now in reducing prices that they had raised when the fuel prices were increased. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

Please share this good news with the people by doing your duty in ensuring fair prices in tandem with the reduction in fuel prices as of Saturday.

BULBIR SINGH, Seremban

Source: NST – August 25, 2008

I REFER to Johan Jaafar’s account of decorated soldier Kanang anak Langkau (”For Hero Kanang, the datukship can wait” — NST, Aug 16).

In our society where a datukship is a much sought-after status symbol, no one will ever turn down such an offer. Kanang, like most Iban soldiers that I had known, was too straightforward, honest and humble.

In the old days, bravery was the highest form of virtue in a man. Today, many still hold on to this belief.

I would like to relate my encounters with two Iban soldiers back in the 1970s and 1980s.

Corporal Likau and Corporal Kaya were soldiers of the Sarawak Rangers before it was disbanded on Sept 15, 1963, a day before Malaysia was formed. On Sept 16, 1963, the 1st Malaysian Rangers was formed with 100 former soldiers of the Sarawak Rangers volunteering to join the new unit to form its nucleus. As the Rangers Regiment expanded to more battalions, these old soldiers were sent to the new battalions to impart their skills and enthusiasm.

When I joined 3rd Rangers in 1969, I met Likau in an outpost on the Sarawak-Kalimantan border. I sent him on a number of patrols in the jungle. I noticed that he never carried a map or a compass, which were a must for such a mission, otherwise you could get lost.

“Kalau saya guna peta dan compass saya sesat tuan!” (”If I use a map and compass I will get lost, sir!”), he replied.

I met Kaya in the 10th Rangers in the mid-80s in Bau, Sarawak. He was on the verge of retirement. He had been a dedicated and a hard-working soldier.

I offered to promote him to the next higher rank but he declined. He said he was not qualified as he couldn’t read and write and the promotion would only make matters worse for him.

I was and still am spellbound by the pure honesty of these Iban soldiers. But when they were in the jungle, they were totally different men — very serious with their job. I would rather have 10 such men instead of 30 soldiers. They become the hunters for whom the word “retreat” does not exist.

It was these traits that had made them the choice of the Brookes during their 100-year rule of Sarawak. They were also immensely successful and popular during the First and the Second Emergency in Malaya. Similarly, they played an important role in eliminating the communist threat in Sarawak in the 1970s and 1980s.

Are there any more Kanangs, Kayas and Likaus in the Malaysian Rangers? Perhaps there are. What I’m sure about is that this breed of soldier is disappearing. They will totally disappear if the army does not do enough to attract the Iban into joining the army, the Malaysian Rangers in particular.

Iban soldiers were synonymous with bravery, tracking skills and prowess on the battlefield. The British Army acknowledged this and made Sarawak Rangers part of the British Army when it became Sarawak Rangers (Far East Land Forces).

The Malaysian Army must ensure that a good number of Iban soldiers are maintained in every Ranger battalion in order to keep this heritage alive. It is something that all Malaysians, not just Sarawakians, should be proud of and try to keep alive for future generations.

LT COL (R) RIZAL ABDULLAH, Taiping

Source: NST – August 22, 2008

Did we come out any wiser after the television debate between Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his predecessor Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon on Wednesday night?

I think not. Was it worth it? To me, no.

Should we have such debates in the future? No. Questions that were asked were left unanswered.

So what did we gain? Really nothing!

Any such debate must focus on the issues at hand, not beat around the bush.

If they do, then we might as well not have the debate, since they do not unearth anything relevant.

BULBIR SINGH, Seremban

Source: NST – August 22, 2008

I share the disappointment of thousands of Malaysians over the postponement of Avril Lavigne’s concert.

The rude, crude, distasteful and talentless bunch called the Pussycat Dolls gave us songs that were offensive and downright disgusting.

How on earth were they permitted to perform here while Avril Lavigne has been considered unsuitable?

DUNCAN HORNE, Kuantan

Source: NST – August 22, 2008

I AM sure the official announcement on the postponement (for now) of the Avril Lavigne concert will be disappointing to her many fans in Malaysia. I am also a fan of Avril Lavigne and I am completely stunned by the reasons given for the postponement of the concert.

Avril Lavigne is just another pop icon with a very clean and healthy image, so how is it possible for her to “promote the wrong values just before Independence Day”?

She is one of the teen celebrities who worked very hard to achieve her current status and she doesn’t do drugs or have any social issues.

Her style during performances shows great confidence and identity. All her music productions are lively, enjoyable and most of all, entertaining.

I do not understand how the Avril Lavigne concert is not timely and not in the spirit of our Independence Day celebrations.

KENG SEIN, Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – August 22, 2008

THE Consumers Association of Penang is encouraging various groups to use eco-bags (reusable cloth bags) to help reduce the use of plastic bags. CAP is now working on a “No plastic bags” project with a group of pharmacists from the northern states.

We are also encouraging major supermarkets to embark on their own eco-bag campaigns since it is at supermarkets that the largest number of plastic bags are handed out.

In November last year, CAP supported the launching by the then-deputy minister of housing and local government, Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun, of a campaign in Selangor to cut down the use of plastic bags.

The campaign was a step in the right direction as it was clear that the mindless use of plastic bags for shopping and other purposes had become a major ecological and health problem in our society.

CAP has long called for an end to the use of non-biodegradable bags for shopping purposes. As part of its campaign to “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle”, CAP has advocated the use of more sustainable shopping and other bags for daily use.

Discarded plastic bags ruin our environment and harm our health. Recently, the British Broadcasting Corporation reported that toxic elements in plastic bags cause an “enormous amount of neurological problems and so on” besides the mountains of ugly waste.

It is acknowledged that chemical elements used in plastic-bag production are highly deleterious to human health. They can cause cancers, reproductive-organ dysfunction and damage to the central nervous system. When plastic bags are burned, the negative effects are intensified.

Plastic bags clog drains and waterways, posing a threat to cities and towns. For instance, plastic bags blocking drains worsened the effects of severe flooding in Bangladesh in 1988 and 1998. This led to a ban on plastic bags in Bangladesh in 2002.

Humans are not the only victims. About 100,000 marine animals like whales, seals and turtles are killed by plastic bags every year — either through suffocation or through indigestion after swallowing them.

The biggest problem with plastic bags is that they take a very long time — a minimum of 20 years — to be biodegraded.

For all these reasons, many countries — including Australia, Bangladesh, Ireland, Italy and Taiwan — are now banning the use of plastic bags.

Ireland achieved a 94 per cent reduction in the use of plastic bags within six months. This suggests that the use of plastic bags can be reduced dramatically with proper policies in place.

It is unfortunate that in Malaysia the public is not enlightened and motivated enough to put enough pressure on the government to implement a ban on the use of plastic bags. CAP urges the government to seriously look into banning the use of plastic bags for a cleaner and healthier nation.

S.M. MOHAMED IDRIS for Consumers Association of Penang

Source: NST – August 22, 2008

I REFER to your report “Debate reveals nothing new” (NST, Aug 21).

I watched the Lim Guan Eng-Koh Tsu Koon debate live on TV on Wednesday.

I must say I find that by constantly harping on the same issues, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng gave politics a bad name, and by responding with facts and figures and with grace and clarity, former Chief Minister Tan Sri Koh redeemed it. Kudos to Koh.

Lim needs more time to mature politically and understand that he is not addressing mindless constituents.

He should get on with the task of administering the state and not look for black cats in dark alleys.

W.S.K., Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – August 22, 2008