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Rajang River silap mata

Anil Netto
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9

The recent logjam on the Rajang River was a natural disaster caused by heavy downpour and not by over-logging or impoundment of the Bakun Dam – so says an initial report by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation.

This photo taken on Wed morning at 8 am ... a general view of Kapit water front ... the Kapit/Sibu jetty at far end - Photo credit: Borneo Post.
The edge of the river, which had about 2m of water (inset) is now little more than a muddy bank - Photo credit: The Star.

Sarawak Forestry CEO Len Talif Salleh was reported by Bernama as saying that a ‘3D Airborne Hyperspectral Sensor’ taken on 15 October showed that the area was still covered by forest but traces of landslides could be seen due to heavy downpour at the Ulu Sungai Melatai catchment area. “We want to clarify the misconception and nonsense from an overseas source that the logjam was caused by over-logging or impoundment of Bakun Dam.” Over-logging was not an issue, he said, because there was no logging activity on both sides of Melatai River since 2006.

Some questions and concerns:

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1MDB in two massive projects

Anil Netto
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10

While the controversy over the megalomaniacal 100-storey tower is still swirling, many seem to be unaware of two other massive property development projects in the pipeline.

  • 1MDB is bringing in Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Development Co to jointly develop a RM26 billion financial district on a 36ha plot in Jalan Tun Razak.
  • 1MDB will also partner Qatar Investment Authority in another huge project on the present RMAF Sungai Besi land.

Three questions come to mind.

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Only 6 ‘baby friendly’ private hospitals?

Anil Netto
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4

The Penang state government may be interested in promoting the state as a centre for meetings and conventions – but the state already has a reputation for being a hub for civil society activities, not just nationally but globally as well.

Over the weekend, two global forums were held – the Friends of the Earth International Asia Pacific forum “Ecological equity: Sharing the stories, reclaiming our rights” and the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action’s Global Breastfeeding Partners Forum.

I dropped by to find out what was being said at each forum. At Waba’s forum, delegates were pleased to hear that the maternity leave for Malaysian civil servants would be extended to 90 days (which is 12 weeks, still well short of the ILO target of 40 weeks.) And what about private sector employees? Still 60 days? Shouldn’t the 90-day maternity leave be included in our labour laws?

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Press freedom: How low can we go?

Anil Netto
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28

If you thought Malaysia’s press freedom ranking was already bad, think again.

Singapore has surpassed Malaysia in the latest RSF global ranking for 2010. Singapore! Now Singapore may have made great strides in terms of material progress but press freedom is not exactly its forte.

Singapore is now ranked 136th (133rd in 2009) – ahead of Malaysia’s 141st (131st in 2009). That’s about the same as our football Fifa ranking of 144th place!  What else do you expect when even a cartoonist can be arrested?

The ‘democratic’ nation of Brunei, at 142nd, is now breathing down our necks. 

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Next up: Penang Housing Board Bill

Anil Netto
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10

Can we look forward to more affordable housing in Penang?

The Penang Chief Minister has announced a Penang Housing Board Bill – “next State Assembly by Housing Exco Wong Hon Wai,” tweeted Kit Siang last night.

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Shamrock condos: No approval yet

Anil Netto
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10

No approval has been given so far for a high-rise condominium project on the green stretch opposite Shamrock Beach in Batu Feringghi.

But residents are worried that the council may eventually approve the project. Following howls of protest, the project was scaled down from 37 storeys to 22 storeys.

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Wild boars invade Botanic Garden

Anil Netto
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8

Since about a year back, the Botanic Garden has been regularly invaded by wild boars, according to a source.

These wild boars have destroyed most of the aroids (common name for members of the Araceae family of plants) in the Aroid Walk and the lawns.

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Want to be a municipal councillor?

Anil Netto
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18

Civil society groups under the umbrella of Penang Forum 3 are inviting the public to participate in elections on 14 November to determine their nominees to serve as MPPP and MPSP councillors in 2011.

These pilot elections are a small first step in the journey towards the full restoration of local council elections in the future. Although many shortcomings in the process leading up to 14 November will inevitably crop up (given the constraints Penang Forum is operating under), the aim is to get the public used to the idea of having elections at the municipal council level.

Not all ‘NGOs’ are public interest groups. Groups such as Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers and the various Chambers of Commerce are more like lobby groups representing the interests of their members.

On the other hand, the civil society groups that are under the Penang Forum (such as Suaram, Aliran, Sembang-Sembang, PHT, and Malaysian Nature Society) advocate issues that are of concern to the wider public i.e. public interest issues.

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Penang to table FOI Bill next week

Anil Netto
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8

Penang is to follow Selangor and introduce a Freedom of Information Act.

The Bill will be tabled in the Penang State Assembly next week. This was announced by the Penang Chief Minister at a DAP fund-raising dinner tonight, according to a tweet by Lim Kit Siang.

Deputy CM Ramasamy headed the committee that drafted the Bill.

This move is to be welcomed, of course – but we should hold back on the standing ovation until we examine the contents of the Bill.

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And so it begins… Rajang level drops

Anil Netto
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12

The Rajang River water level reportedly has dropped after flooding began at the Bakun Dam. Already the express boat between Kapit and Belaga has been suspended.

Rajang River water level drops - Photo credit: Borneo Post

Will Kapit now be cut off from vital river transport? What about the area’s future water and energy supply?

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