Are you surprised by the floods in the East Coast and Sarawak? Don’t be. Apart from climate change resulting in almost double the rainfall in December in the East Coast, the extent of deforestation is breathtaking in its sheer audacity.Take a look at the video above and the photograph in the front page of theSun, reproduced below:Where have all our forests gone?
What happens when you put a group of youths in a room over the weekend, with plenty of coffee, and ask them to come up with an article ready for publication? Not just on any topic but on issues facing the nation. How do they grab the readers’ attention from the first paragraph and ensure that their writing is coherent, concise, engaging and readable?
It is not just in Malaysia that people are concerned about 1MDB. Apparently, certain parties in the Middle-East are getting a bit jittery. This was the lead in the Business section of the Gulf Times on 15 January 2015.
Police have said they believe human trafficking syndicates are behind the series of murders in mainland Penang.This was what I was alluding to in my blog post in August 2014: Bukit Mertajam in the spotlight – for the wrong reasons. The news about human trafficking syndicates operating here had emerged in January 2014.
Why would a judicial police commissioner allegedly commit suicide while wrapping up a report on investigations into one of the biggest criminal acts in France in recent times?Helric Fredou, a 45-year-old French police commissioner, reportedly shot and killed himself in his office at 1.00am, while he was wrapping up a police report after meeting with the family of one of the Paris murder victims.
Bloomberg has carried a report on the situation at 1MDB that Malaysians must keep a sharp eye on:
The Edge Financial Daily said this week the fund had missed a 2 billion ringgit ($563 million) loan repayment on Dec. 31. It has been given until Jan. 30 to settle the debt, which was first due on Nov. 30, the article said, citing people it didn’t identify.
The promotion of heritage awareness of Seberang Perai is long overdue but care but be taken to ensure that it doesn’t encourage property speculation and further drive up house prices, pushing them beyond the reach of ordinary residents.Raising heritage awareness – Photograph sent in by blog reader Henson
Batu Ferringhi residents have launched an online petition expressing concern about high-rise high-density projects that could mar the tranquil setting (what remains of it) of this popular coastline.This is the link to the petition.Meanwhile, the Penang Structure Plan 2005-2020, which is the overriding planning document for Penang (just below the National Physical Plan), has this to say about the area. Note the densities specified:
It is not only because of the floods that prices of vegetables have soared. The weakening ringgit may have made foreign vegetables cost more, while fuel price hikes last year may also have contributed to the price hike.Blog reader Henson sent in this photo of kangkung which he says normally costs RM6.99, but here is seen growing freely in a drain in Relau, Penang
Update: Major Zaidi has been dismissed from the air force.Major Zaidi obviously believed that the truth would set us free when he highlighted what many Malaysians were realising during GE13 – that the indelible ink was not really indelible. But this morning a military court found him guilty of two charges of violating protocol in speaking to the media without approval.https://twitter.com/themmailonline/status/554469542429093888/
A heated exchange of words took place in Parliament when Azmin Ali asked whether the PM’s spouse Rosmah is eligible to use the government VIP executive jet, whether the PM was involved in the approval of the use, and if it is proper for Rosmah to represent the country or government in foreign affairs.
Be prepared for more congestion in already congested Batu Ferringhi if this project goes through. And that’s just for starters.A resident’s illustration of what the higher density would look like in Batu Ferringhi
Ever fancied writing about current issues? Aliran is organising a series of four writing workshops for youths (18-35) on various topics.Those interested, may register online. Click on the image below for more details.
(Senior meteorologist) Mohd Hisham noted that most of the weather stations on the east coast have recorded almost double the regular amount of rainfall for December.
Gerak Hapuskan Akta Hasutan (GHAH), along with Tasik Gelugor Pas, is holding a forum on mainland Penang tomorrow night.Abolish Sedition Act forum in Tasik Gelugor
Thanks to blog visitor tunglang for designing this poster to encourage people to do their bit to chip in.Flood relief poster for East Coast floods 2014-2015
