Mothers’ Day in the United States has its roots in the rallying cry by a feminist, poet and anti-war activist Julia Ward Howe (left) for women to convene a major congress to further the cause of peace and oppose war.
Howe strongly believed that women had an important political role to play in shaping societies. Today, however, Mothers’ Day has been shorn of its radical overtones and reduced to a commercial occasion of sweet sentimentality.
Mother’s Day proclamation
A handful of people created history yesterday by becoming the first speakers to take to the stage at the Speakers’ Square in Penang since its official launch on 4 May.
The Square was launched on Wednesday and yesterday, Sunday, was the first time it was available to speakers from the public.
Live updates of the much-anticipated cross examination of Saiful Bukhari in the Anwar trial today.
Some little-publicised news locally: Malaysia may sell bonds soon in its first major foreign debt offering in eight years.
These could be 10-year dollar-denominated bonds.
Live updates on the Sibu by-election nomination process
Himanshu Bhatt has come up with a piece that describes the appalling “upgrading” project (mostly concrete) at the Penang Botanic Garden.
Horror at the Botanic Gardens
SINCE early this year, a scene some may well describe as one of utter horror has greeted Penangites and hundreds of visitors as they approach the island’s beloved Botanic Gardens, one of the oldest colonial-era parks in Southeast Asia. A huge swathe of land in front of the magnificent century-old raintree that looms above the gardens’ famous gates has been turned into a monstrous dusty scab, with two gigantic phallic structures built on it.
Sime Darby is reported to have incurred an estimated cost over-run of RM1.7 billion on a Bakun Dam contract worth RM1.8 billion.
It is understood the government has agreed to reimburse Sime around RM0.7 billion, leaving the firm to absorb the remaining RM1 billion, The Star reported.
But who actually owns Sime Engineering, which reportedly was awarded the RM1.8 billion contract? The firm is a 100 per cent subsidiary of Sime Darby Bhd, according to the group’s 2009 Annual Report. Sime Darby Bhd in turn is owned by Amanah Saham Bumiputera Scheme (39 per cent), EPF (14 per cent) and PNB (13 per cent).
A concerned Penangite sent me these photos of a stretch of road in Tanjung Bunga that is prone to flash floods. No prizes for spotting the reason.
Not the most brilliant design for keeping flash floods at bay. When the rain pelts down, flash floods materialise within minutes, rising to the level of car exhaust pipes.
Najib gives the impression that he is open to ideas regarding alternative sources of energy including the nuclear option – so why did his Cabinet Minister say a nuclear power plant is expected to be operational in 2021?
Najib’s latest blog entry:
As we consider all sources of energy, there has also been some attention given to nuclear energy. Nuclear is arguably efficient and cost effective. The question is this: is it the right one? Before embarking on such an important decision we must conduct a comprehensive study on it. As such the Government is undertaking feasibility studies on nuclear energy use for electricity generation. I am eager to understand better and to know the findings. If we press ahead with nuclear, 12 to 15 years could elapse before energy is produced using small reactors.
The government has reportedly announced plans for a nuclear power plant to start operations by 2021. Now they are considering suitable sites.
If this plant is as safe as they tell us it is, will we now see the BN MPs scrambling to have the nuclear plant located in their own constituencies? Imagine what a coup it would be if an MP succeeds in getting the plant located in his or her constituency! He or she would surely be guaranteed re-election, yes or no? The voters in that state would surely be thrilled.
Maybe they might even want to consider building the plant in Putrajaya to show us how safe it is?