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Botanic Garden arches to come down!

Anil Netto
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The much criticised Penang Botanic Garden arches, one of which is tilting, are to come down, the Tourism Minister announced today.

Apparently the decision was made after another survey in USM revealed that 71 per cent of 1,225 respondents surveyed at the Garden wanted the arches removed. I am told Ng Yen Yen also said that in future, all Ministry projects affecting Nature and the environment would require consultation with civil society. I don’t think she mentioned the tilt at all.

The decision comes after weeks of public complaints and disquiet expressed in opinion polls and civil society protests.

The whole saga provides several salutary lessons for us; in fact, the decision to bring down the arches is highly symbolic.

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Turmoil in PKR over Selangor

Anil Netto
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The way I look at it, the tussle in PKR over the leadership of the Selangor state government is essentially between a party which was elected to power to serve the people’s interest and a faction within that party that appears more interested in personal ambition.

Some politicians – and they can be found in all political parties – are in the game for self interest. This type is always on the prowl, on the look out for contracts, positions of power, largesse. Serving the rakyat takes second place. They have gone into politics not primarily to serve the public but to serve their own interests and personal ambitions. These are the types who think political party workers and leaders must be rewarded for their efforts through the award of contracts and appointments to positions of influence or power.

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Defiant Zunar vows to continue drawing

Anil Netto
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Here’s a defiant statement from cartoonist Zunar yesterday over the banning of his publications. After all, what else can a cartoonist do but draw what he feels for?

At press time, I have yet to receive an official letter from the Home Affairs Ministry on the banning of my books.

Based on the news report in Malaysiakini (24 June 2010), the Home Affairs Ministry was quoted as saying that three of my publication were banned, namely ‘1Funny Malaysia’, ‘Perak Darul Kartun’ and ‘Isu Dalam Kartun (IDK)’.

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Longest tennis match: A lesson for all of us

Anil Netto
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While most people are focusing on World Cup football and its pampered celebrity players, the stuff of legends was being played out on a Wimbledon tennis court by two virtual unknowns.

The longest tennis match in history provides us with a compelling lesson on commitment to the cause no matter what the odds.

According to the Busted Racquet blog:

Epic doesn’t even begin to cover it.

After 10 hours, 163 games and almost 1,000 points, American John Isner and Frenchman Nicolas Mahut were locked at 59-59 in the fifth set of their historic first-round match at Wimbledon when play was suspended for the second straight day due to darkness.

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Raub gold mining: Who owns the company?

Anil Netto
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Raub Australian Gold Mining Sdn Bhd has started gold mining in Bukit Koman near Raub, raising concern among neighbouring communities about health risks. But who exactly owns RAGM?


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This is from the Peninsular Gold Ltd website:

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Aussie firm builds rare earth plant in Kuantan

Anil Netto
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Something we will have to pay close attention to: an Australian firm, Lynas Corporation, is building an ‘Advanced Materials Plant’ in Gebeng, Kuantan to process rare earth concentrate.


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Malaysians now are familiar with rare earth and the problem of radioactive waste after what happened in Papan. Lynas, however, argues that its radioactive levels will be safe (see response below).

The firm appears to have engaged public relations firm Fox Communications to handle the Malaysian public.

Lynas had a concentrate plant in China but the firm moved that back to Australia, where it owns large rare earth deposits. If the raw materials are in Mt Weld, why would it choose Kuantan as the site for its ‘advanced’ processing plant?

Let’s look at the reasons given by Lynas for choosing Kuantan:

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More details needed on Sg Juru land sale deal

Anil Netto
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More details are required on the Penang state government’s sale of 8.1ha of land near one of the most polluted rivers in the country, the 8km-long Sungai Juru.

The land was sold to Juru Auto-City, which will now have to rehabilitate the river.

Under the arrangement with the state government (reported in the Sunday Star on 13 June), Juru Auto-City would revive the river and its banks for activities such as fishing, boating and the breeding of prawns and crabs.

Are they going to throw some mud balls in and hope for the best? See here and here too.

More images here. 

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Is the food you eat natural?

Anil Netto
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After you view this film, you may never want to order a hamburger – and more – again. This is the world of agrobusiness dominated by multinational corporations.

This film comes in 10 parts, but after watching just three or four parts, you’ll get the picture.

Thanks to MalaysianinNewYork for the heads up.

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-06-20

Anil Netto
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  • Not surprised. RT @anwaribrahim: Court:our appeal for docs rejected!Can't we prepare our defense?Why deny us? #
  • http://twitpic.com/1wxm3o #
  • Here we go again! RT @chunwai09: Perak DAP Adun Keshvinder Singh quits party and declares support for MB Zambry. #
  • Hmmm, I should be rotating the photo in my phone first so that it comes out the right way up! #
  • Just testing sending photos on twitter 🙂 #
  • http://twitpic.com/1wwsht #
  • Side effects of cholesterol-lowering statins: more risk of liver problems, kidney failure, muscle weakness, cataracts http://bit.ly/dsbxda #
  • RT @malikimtiaz: TBH inquest resumes. Porntip video link application this morning. http://fb.me/B86jHIEK #
  • Hey whadayaknow, U.S. Knew About Afghan mineral bonanza back in 2007 and that could have influenced military buildup http://huff.to/aItZoI #
  • US oil spill is 'environmental 9/11' – a defining moment that cud change how Americans view the environment http://bit.ly/cDPv7w #
  • U.S. eye massive iron and copper deposits in Afghanistan worth US$1 trillion. Economic colonialism beckons? http://nyti.ms/b9xJcU #
  • RT @shenloh Watch as those involved manipulate the vote on the Botanical gardens arches http://screenr.com/3nK #
  • RT @shenloh Watch as those involved manipulated the vote on the Botanical gardens arches http://screenr.com/3nK #

Is this the shape of things to come?

Anil Netto
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The way we go about planning the economy without a thought to the environment is worrying. Sometimes a cartoon can say so much more than words.

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