Hopefully, the Penang state government will put in place a large public park and other free recreational spaces, vegetable farms and fruit orchards for food security, and planned sustainable transport infrastructure, including bicycle lanes and top quality pedestrian networks in Batu Kawan.
A disturbing scene that greeted me at a general hospital
While political groups play on ethnicity and religion to strengthen their grip on power and divert attention from critical social issues, price hikes and corruption; while some political leaders seek the best medical treatment for themselves; while five-star ‘medical tourism’ is being promoted for better-off visitors; many Malaysians from the lower-income group and middle-class are silently feeling the strain of inadequate public health care infrastructure.
This was the scene that greeted me when I visited a friend at the Seberang Jaya Hospital on 4 January. A cubicle in a medical ward designed for six beds is now forced to accommodate 10 or 11 beds, making the whole cubicle congested.
Record grouper catch no cause for celebration
This letter by Dr Kam Suan Pheng was sent to The Star but it has not (yet?) been published.
Penang bicycle sharing system: Request for proposals underway
A briefing for those interested in participating in the tender exercise for the bicycle sharing system in Penang will be held in Komtar on 10 January.
Proton privatised – but still receiving government subsidies
While certain people are getting hot under the collar over the use of the word Allah, Proton, which was privatised to Syed Mokhtar Albukhary’s DRB-Hicom in 2012, continues to receive close to RM200m in “government R&D grants” (public money), according to reports.
The saga begins: Penang tunnel developer enters JV with Ewein Bhd
The convoluted saga of the compensation-in-kind for building the Penang tunnel continues.
The Penang state government plans to hand over land to the tunnel developer, Consortium Zenith BUCG Sdn Bhd (CZBUCG) as part of a swap deal for building the cross-channel tunnel. And now Consortium Zenith has entered into a 40:60 joint venture with a subsidiary of Ewein Bhd to develop 3.7 acres of that land (Lot 702 at Bandar Tanjong Pinang).
Journalists, activists demand greater media freedom (Video)
Several dozen journalists and activists gathered in KL yesterday to call for greater media freedom. Among those who addressed the gathering were Ambiga Sreenevasan and Malaysiakini’s Fathi Aris Omar.
Threatened protest at Klang church blossoms into flowers of solidarity
1334: “Okay, nak balik, tamatlah kisah cinta di pagi Ahad,” says the Muslim who has turned up to express solidarity. Once again, the tables have been turned, and the Muslims who have stepped forward to express solidarity with the Christians have given us real hope of an alternative, more inclusive vision for the future, in which the children of the light will overcome those of darkness.
1333: The priest says it is a historic day and thanks everyone who has come including the police. The large turnout this morning has made it almost like the attendance at Christmas. He mentions something about “kebebasan menyembah tuhan”, which sounds more poetic than freedom to worship, notes an observer at the scene. “You know, Malay is such a beautiful language, fit for any faith,” adds the observer.
PM must speak out now, says Aliran
Aliran president Dr Francis Loh has issued an urgent statement calling on Prime Minister Najib Razak to speak out now on the worsening tensions between certain Muslim groups and Christians over the use of the word Allah.
Tanjung Bungah Beach erosion worsens
Blog correspondent Michael Maguire reports on the the latest status of the erosion at the Tanjung Bungah Beach. Questions must now be asked as to the source of this erosion. Is it land reclamation (or some other factor?) and if so, what will happen when there is further land reclamation?