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Penang Botanic Garden: What went wrong?

Anil Netto
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29

Concerned Penangites distributed leaflets yesterday calling for a halt to projects to ‘upgrade’ the Penang Botanic Garden which have resulted in more concrete structures, including two large arches at the entrance.

They came face-to-face with federal and state government officials responsible for managing and overseeing the Garden who were there for the launch of the official programme to mark the 126th anniversary of the historical site.

One activist was overhead telling the officials, “The whole world is trying to move towards more greenery; here, we are adding more concrete.” The officials say they will hold a public briefing on what is happening to the Garden.

What went wrong at the Garden? Who is responsible for the mess? A source familiar with the workings of the Garden described the situation as follows:

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PICC: Don’t touch MPPP funds

Anil Netto
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11

The Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) has issued a clarification over a report in The Star yesterday that is at pains to stress there is no difference in position between the Council and state government over the Penang International Convention Centre (PICC).

The clarification seems to be an attempt at damage control. The MPPP chief’s views reported yesterday would not have pleased the state government. Let me just say, for what it’s worth, I fully support her position that no Council funds should be used for PICC. Remember what happened to Batu Kawan Stadium, that white elephant? Two more convention centres are coming up under private projects – so why get the MPPP to undertake PICC (even with private assistance)?

In the MPPP clarification (below), they say they are inviting the private sector to help reduce the burden of building PICC. But if there is no private interest, the MPPP will abide by the state government’s decision – which means using Council funds? Please, NO!

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MPPP chief says “No” to funds for PICC

Anil Netto
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25

The newly appointed Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) chief, Patahiyah Ismail, has come out to say she is not in favour of using Council funds for the controversial RMR50 million Penang International Convention Centre (PICC).


Site plans showing the proposed PICC (in brown) located directly in front of the existing Penang International Sports Arena (Pisa)

“I would not want to spend the council’s money on this project. This is my opinion,” she was reported as saying in The Star today.

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Varying estimates of Perkasa AGM turnout

Anil Netto
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25

Perkasa held its first AGM at the PWTC in KL this morning with Mahathir in the spotlight – but estimates of the turnout vary.


The large crowd at the PWTC – Photo twittered by Tun Faisal (More photos here)

Malaysiakini put the turnout at more than 2,000.

According to blogger Aisehman, the MC said 8,000 seats were put out but the crowd was 10,000-strong.

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Dam conference in Sawarak

Anil Netto
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12

A conference on building dams – and what more ‘appropriate’ venue than Sarawak, where a dam-building frenzy has gripped policy makers.

These days they have green-washed their image: they are calling it “Water Resources and Renewable Energy Development”.

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Highspeed broadband for whom?

Anil Netto
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60

Many Malaysians would have been shocked at the expensive highspeed broadband (Unifi) packages rolled out by Telekom.

No wonder TM decided to launch them in the affluent areas of Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, Taman Tun Dr Ismail and Bangsar. Whatever happened to bridging the digital divide?

Blog reader Ganesh shares his concern:

Yet again, Malaysians are misled with false promises. For months there was so much hype to the government’s initiative to provide cheaper, affordable and yet very fast broadband.

Yesterday, it came as a shock to Malaysians that the so-called affordable and fast broadband service starts at RM149 and ranges up to RM249. To many Malaysians, this sum is a huge commitment. Many were expecting prices from RM50 onwards.

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Bush uses Clinton’s shirt as handkerchief

Anil Netto
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8

He’s out of office but he still manages to do some pretty dumb things. Bush wipes his hand on Clinton’s shirt after shaking hands with a local during a recent trip to Haiti.

Moral of the story: In this Internet age, politicians had better be prepared for intense scrutiny of their every public action.

What are the issues in Hulu Selangor?

Anil Netto
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45

This time, they have to call a by-election.

What do you think are likely to be the main issues in Hulu Selangor?

Anwar’s trial will be going on.

So will the Teoh Beng Hock inquest.

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Politics over a cup of coffee

Anil Netto
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16

This morning I bumped into a retired veteran politician and we got to chatting about current developments over a cup of coffee.

Top of the list of talking points was the resignation and U-turn by Yip Sun Onn, the Perlis State Assembly member for Titi Tinggi. Yip reportedly retracted his resignation from the assembly in a text message to the Perlis Speaker last night.

The veteran politician sounded perplexed and bewildered at what had happened. From all his years in politics, he had always understood that once a resignation letter was handed over to the Speaker, the Speaker had to declare the seat vacant and inform the Election Commission, whose duty it was to conduct a by-election. He had never heard of a retraction. Neither had most of us. Just goes to show how terrified they are of by-elections these days.

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FDA warning on popular statin

Anil Netto
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15

The US Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) has warned that the cholesterol-lowering drug Zocor (simvastatin), made by Merck, increases risk of muscle injury when used in large doses.

The FDA said that people taking the 80mg dose face an especially high risk of developing muscle problems, including rhabdomyolysis, the most serious form of myopathy, which can lead to kidney damage, kidney failure and even death, reports Business Week.

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