1. UKM is the only public university to receive an increased allocation in the 2016 Budget. Its estimated allocation will be increased by 5 per cent from RM488m to RM512m in 2015. All other public universities, including UTM, which is the highest ranking Malaysian university, have had their budgets trimmed, leading to concern among many that next year could see university tuition fee hikes. The above image is an excerpt from the 2016 budget allocations. What makes UKM so special?
Despite falling oil prices, we could have managed without GST
I don’t know about you, but I didn’t watch Najib’s Budget 2016 speech. I thought it would be too painful to listen to. Not just because of the bad news but because of the thought of what could/might have been.
Kit Siang the latest victim of 1MDB uproar
A sad day for Malaysia. Instead of a no-confidence motion against the PM being allowed to see the light of day, veteran opposition parliamentarian Kit Siang was suspended from Parliament. Kit Siang claimed he was “the latest victim of the 1MDB monster”. This was his parting shot.
Poll: As smog gets in your eyes, how accurate are our API readings?
A thick smog has blanketed Penang, with visibility less than 1km. Residents of Penang Island have their own air quality indicator: if the imposing Penang Hill at the centre of the island vanishes from sight, you should be concerned!
This smog is the worst it has been for years, perhaps since 1997. Now we hear that the oil palm fires in Indonesia are emitting more greenhouse gases than the entire US economy.
For a deeper discussion of the smog and the oil palm industry, check out agribusiness researcher Khor Yu Leng’s blogs here and here.
This morning, a friend sent me a message saying he feels like choking.
Later, a security guard wearing a surgical mask advised me to wear one before I stepped outdoors. Ironically, a couple of weeks ago, this same guard had told me he was trying to quit smoking! Poor chap.
About an hour ago, a neighbour asked me later why I was sitting outside to read. Everyone quite concerned.
The API reading just after noon for the island? 149. In Kuala Lumpur, it is 154 and in Section 14, PJ, it is 187. You can see the API reading for your area at the same link. (Remember, below 50 is healthy, 51-100 is moderate, 101-200 unhealthy, 201-300 very unhealthy, and over 300 hazardous.)
I hear that with advances in technology, it is not rocket science to obtain accurate API readings: realistic analyses of air quality can be obtained with fairly simple equipment without having to buy ultra-sophisticated and super-expensive equipment. Meanwhile, let’s do a quick poll to find out what you think of our official API readings:
Mysterious super yacht spotted in Japan
A magnificent three-tonne super yacht registered in the Cayman Islands has been spotted in Japan.
| ShipSpotting.com |
 |
| © Manuel Hernández Lafuente |
Najib adminstration’s plunging approval ratings a major talking point
The other day, while sipping a glass of wine at a dinner attended mainly by professionals working in KL, I was fascinated to gain an insight into what they were concerned about.
Loss of confidence a major talking point among Malaysians
The other day, while sipping a glass if wine at a dinner attended mainly by professionals working in KL, I was fascinated to gain an insight into what they were concerned about.
Bank Negara has its own powers to enforce compliance
Even if the attorney general does not take action, the central bank has its own powers which it may use to enforce compliance with its regulatory laws.
This chart explains why folks in Sarawak are concerned
Just look at this constituency redelineation proposal for Sarawak and you will understand what is at stake.
Videos: New AG, Najib’s grip on power, and the gloomy economic outlook
A collection of videos here which sums up the state of the country today.
Catch a glimpse of Najib’s handpicked new attorney general, who argues simplistically that 1MDB complied with Bank Negara’s reporting requirements.