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When even the dead are evicted

Anil Netto
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The century-old family cemetery of Penang’s first ‘Kapitan Cina’ Koh Lay Huan in Batu Lanchang has been dug up to make way for a property development project in a move that has alarmed heritage enthusiasts.

The plot is behind the Lintang Gangsa Apartment (next to the market) off Green Lane (lot number 1560, section 5, DTL. The housing project, reportedly undertaken by developer Kemuning Setia Sdn Bhd covers 11.5 acres of the 27-acre site, was approved by the MPPP in December 2009.

Read Wikipedia here to find out more about Koh Lay Huan, who was appointed by Francis Light as the the first Kapitan Cina of Penang in 1787. One of Koh’s sons even accompanied Stamford Raffles to Singapore in 1819.

Among those buried in the cemetery is Koh’s grandson, Koh Seang Tatt, who died in 1899.

According to an NST report:

Prior to 1880, Balik Pulau was under the jurisdiction of an adviser to the British colonial government, Koh Seang Tatt, a local magnate who took up law studies in England.

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Mr and Mrs Taib Mahmud

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The much talked about Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud and his new wife (or wife-to-be… whatever) just days before a crackdown on activists in the state ahead of what promises to be keenly contested state elections in March.

Mr and Mrs Taib Mahmud attending a wedding in Subang Jaya on Saturday - photo in Borneo Post

Image and report in The Borneo Post here.

Dog-owners must read early signs

Anil Netto
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In the light of the horrific killing of an Irish tourist by dogs in Penang, it is time for dog owners to educate themselves on way to detect and control aggression in their pets.

An experienced vet told me today that tying up dogs or putting them in cages for prolonged periods may contribute to aggression. He said from the photo of the dog in the press today, it did not appear to be an ordinary mongrel, but a mixed-breed: “It looks almost three quarters like a pit bull,” a breed known for its ferocity. He didn’t think the aggression had anything to do with the dogs’ diet whether meat or dog biscuits. Having himself encountered fierce canines during his various visits to farms, the vet said such aggressive dogs should not be allowed to roam freely and pose a threat in public areas; instead they may be let loose in fenced up private premises. Licensing and regulation would come under the jurisdiction of the MPPP, he added.

There are various types of dog aggression according to a buzz.com article ‘What makes dogs aggressive’:

The dominance aggression is about the dog’s social status being challenged or his control of a situation being questioned. Dogs just like humans are social beings. They think of their families as their group or pack. Within this pack there is a dominance hierarchy that is always established. Unfortunately, if your dog thinks his rank is higher than yours then there will situations that he will challenge you. Since most people don’t have a basic understanding of how canines communicate, unknowingly you may challenge your dog’s social position. Any physical restraint on the dog’s part can be viewed as a challenge for dominance although he can be friendly when not threatened nor challenge. This type of aggression can be directed at anyone or any animal.

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Kua Kia Soong on defence spending

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Thought-provoking interview over BFM Radio with Kua Kia Soong, author of the book Questioning Arms Spending and former MP of Petaling Jaya.

He questions the need for large amounts of defence spending in the region and the way defence contracts are awarded out.

In fact, Jane’s ‘Intelligence and Insight’ on the Malaysian defence budget reports: “It could be argued that Malaysia is involved in somewhat of a regional arms race that has its basis more firmly in nationalist sentiment than genuine military threat. This mini-arms race may have distorted the purchasing plans of the Malaysian military.”

US proposes cut in water fluoride level

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The US Department of Health and Human Services and the US Environmental Protection Agency have proposed that the fluoride level in drinking water be reduced to prevent dental fluorosis, a form of tooth decay.

But there has been no mention of the other “more serious (non-dental) health concerns” about fluoride ingestion, noted the international campaign group Fluoride Action Network. The Network added that “the chemicals used to fluoridate drinking water in the US are hazardous waste byproducts of the phosphate fertiliser industry”.

The proposed cut bucks a trend of promoting fluoride that began in the 1940s. The Health and Human Services Dept has now proposed cutting the level to 0.7 milligrams per litre of water, from the current standard of 0.7 – 1.2 mg/litre, according to an AP report. The American Dental Association has welcomed the move, reports the AOL Health website.

Last year, a research paper published in the the Research Journal of Medical Sciences, found on the Medwell Journals website, stated that the national standard for fluoride level in Malaysian water is 0.5 – 0.9 mg/litre.

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‘Store Wars’: Organic vs GM food

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Watch Cuke lead the organic rebellion to free Princess Lettuce from the clutches of the evil Darth (GM) Potato.

May the (organic) Farm be with you!

Sweden to close embassy in KL

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Sweden is closing five embassies worldwide in 2011: Buenos Aires, Brussels, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur and Luanda.

The official reason is budget cuts. “This painful decision is a consequence of the recent decision of the Riksdag to cut funding to the Government Offices by SEK 300 million,” said Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt.

Elsewhere within Asean, Sweden has embassies in Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta, Phnom Penh and Hanoi. Unlike certain Asean countries, Malaysia actually has an embassy in Sweden.

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‘Much ado about nothing,’ says Herald

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The latest Catholic Herald weekly has carried a report seeking to downplay the Christmas tea party controversy.

Hardev Kaur

Meanwhile Special Officer to the Prime Minister Hardev Kaur has expressed regret in a Malaysian Insider report here and here. It was not an instruction but just a ‘request’ or suggestion, on her own initiative, for symbols to be removed from the rostrum, she claims. (The Insider has disabled comments to these reports.) Hardev is an officer in the Finance Ministry (which is headed by Najib) and formerly Group Editor of NST.

Here’s the Herald report, written by someone who attended the tea party:

Much Ado About Nothing!

Published on: January 06, 2011 at 11:30 AM

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak with Archbishop Murphy Pakiam and Bishop Ng Moon Hing, who were wearing their pectoral crosses. HERALDpix courtesy of Tan Kong Beng.

KUALA LUMPUR: No crucifixes were taken down as there were no crucifixes mounted anywhere in the car park area fronting the residence of the Archbishop Murphy Pakiam. It is surprising that those who carried the news report in their various portals did not check the veracity about the statement of the ‘removal of crucifixes’.

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Starving Fox put to pasture

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Public relations firm Fox Communications Sdn Bhd is pulling down its shutters for good, according to BFM Radio this morning, a development confirmed by another press report.

The company, whose prime movers were former NST group editor Brendan Pereira and former Star group chief editor Wong Sulong, flourished under the Abdullah Badawi administration.

The firm landed plum jobs such as the Northern Corridor project launch. Its portfolio of high-profile clients included Sime Darby, Realmild and Patrick ‘Badawi’ Lim’s ill-fated Penang Global City Centre project. In the case of the PGCC, the firm audaciously tried to convince Penangites that the mammoth project on the Penang Turf Club land was ‘green’ and right for Penang: Abdullah Badawi, Koh Tsu Koon and Patrick Lim even appeared together at the PGCC launch. But a concerted anti-PGCC civil society campaign torpedoed Fox’s slick public relations blitz in the media.

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Only 2 civil society reps in Pg councils

Anil Netto
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Only two of the 10 nominees chosen during the Penang Forum elections were appointed as councillors of the MPPP and MPSP in 2011.

They are Dr Tiun Ling Ta (MPSP) and Dr Lim Mah Hui (MPPP). That’s one out of 24 councillors in each of the MPPP and MPSP.

But the candidate who received the most number of votes for MPPP, Teo Lee Ken, was ignored. And so was Siva, an experienced lawyer who received the second highest number of votes for MPSP. Is the state government not interested in having more independent-minded councillors who can demand greater accountability and transparency without having to worry about upsetting party bosses?

Some decent and qualified candidates were chosen among the 10 during the Penang Forum elections, which broadened the selection process. So it’s disappointing that most of the candidates finally selected by the state government are political party appointees.

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