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Hospitals struggle to cope with crowds

Anil Netto
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Some of our underfunded general hospitals appear to be overstretched as staff struggle to cope with the large number of outpatients. And to think they want to build a 100-storey tower while others want to promote ‘medical tourism’.

Waiting to pop your card in the box at the counter, and then waiting to get a waiting number(!) and then waiting to be called to see a medical officer
Waiting for a waiting number!
Finally waiting to see a doctor - notice the crutches and the wheelchairs

I happened to be at the orthopaedic outpatient treatment section at the Seberang Jaya General Hospital this morning and this was the scene that greeted me. Young and old, of all ethnic groups – people in wheelchairs, others in arm slings and still others holding crutches – they are accustomed to waiting and waiting and waiting to be called.

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Live – Penang local council polls

Anil Netto
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Welcome to updates from the Penang local council elections to determine civil society nominees to serve as MPPP and MPSP councillors for 2011. It is the first step in the journey towards the full restoration of local government elections.

Penang residents packed the hall for the Penang Forum 3 today

US charm offensive in Asia

Anil Netto
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Suddenly, it seems that the United States is on a charm offensive in Asia. It’s amazing what an economic slowdown or recession can do.

A flurry of high-level visits by top US officials appears aimed at reasserting American influence in the region as China flexes its economic muscles. These high-level US trips around the  G-20, Apec and the East Asia Summit (EAS) may also be seen as attempts to secure access to important markets (and cheap labour) and shore up US footholds in the region.

The US of course is also concerned about China’s growing naval power. America has large long-term bases in Japan and South Korea and military facilities and strategic arrangements elsewhere in Asia.

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15 candidates vie for MPPP, 9 for MPSP

Anil Netto
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A total of 24 candidates will contest in elections to determine civil society nominees to serve as MPPP or MPSP councillors for 2011. The elections this Sunday will see 15 candidates contesting for five MPSP positions and nine for five MPPP positions.

Have you registered as a voter already? Deadline is 5.00pm today! The following is a statement released by Penang Forum:

Penang Forum 3 (PG3) akan berlangsung di Penang Chinese Girls School Alumni Hall (di hadapan St Nicholas), Jalan Bagan Jermal pada hari Ahad, 14 November. Acara ini membuka peluang kepada penduduk-penduduk Pulau Pinang untuk mendengar, membuat pertanyaan, dan mengundi bakal ahli-ahli majlis mereka.

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Khalid Ibrahim and the mega tower

Anil Netto
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I can’t say I was surprised to read reports that the Selangor MB appeared less than unequivocal in expressing opposition to PNB’s proposed mega tower.

His subsequent back-tracking on his initial apparent support for the project was reported in the Malaysian Insider here.

Apparently, the 240,000-strong Facebook opposition to the tower didn’tt seem to count for very much – nor Anwar’s and Khalid Samad’s vocal opposition to the tower. As if PKR didn’t have enough problems as it is!

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More than 20 apply to contest polls

Anil Netto
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So far, more than 20 people have applied to contest polls to become civil society’s nominees to serve as MPPP or MPSP councillors.

Information on the potential candidates is being uploaded onto the Penang Forum website. Closing date for applications to contest the elections is tomorrow. (The application form is available on the PF website.) Polling will be on 14 Nov.

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Smile, you are on camera

Anil Netto
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Have a look at this video clip.

The Sarawak Report has the story here.

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-11-07

Anil Netto
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Trams could complement no-car zone

Anil Netto
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Tram engineer Ric Francis has responded to a newspaper report about a proposal for a no-car zone in George Town.

Inner city George Town tram route proposed by Ric Francis

I read with interest your article on Heritage Area car free, I have pushed this subject with Government Officials included with my Tramway in Heritage Area, I know things take time to happen in Penang, but this idea would work with my suggestion on a Tramway

Ric Francis
Tramway Engineer
Vice-President
Perth Electric Tramway
Perth, Western Australia

Trams in Berlin - Image credit: berlinculture.co.uk

Meanwhile, one political economist has said there is no reason why trams cannot be eventually extended all over Penang. He noted that trams are used extensively and effectively over long stretches in cities such as Amsterdam and Berlin.

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Customs poll: 90% say ‘No’ to GST

Anil Netto
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More than 90 per cent of close to 5,000 respondents have voted a resounding ‘No’ to the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) on a poll put up on the Customs Department’s website.

You can still vote here.

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