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S’pore, M’sia fare poorly in ‘quality of life index’

Anil Netto
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5

Many Malaysians look up to Singapore for its quality of life.

But have a look at the ‘quality of life index’ compiled by International Living based in Ireland. Singapore has an overall score of only 61, just above Malaysia’s 58. Both are way down the list.

Of course, this ranking isn’t entirely objective as it is based on a combination of data obtained from official sources and editors’ and readers’ perceptions. Moreover, the compilers of the index admit they have a Western bias when it comes to matters such as climate preference.

Malaysia
Cost of Living 70
Leisure & Culture 71
Economy 48
Environment 62
Freedom 50
Health 68
Infrastructure 44
Risk & Safety 86
Climate 24
Final Score 58
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9 pro-democracy students held in Dang Wangi

Anil Netto
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11

The nine students arrested in front of Sogo this morning are now being held in Dang Wangi.

The nine were among were among a hundred who had gathered this morning for a rally organised by various student groups reportedly to express concern over campus election procedures.

Latest update from Suaram:

Altogether 9 persons were arrested by police for demanding campus autonomy and freedom of academic on 23 January 2010, between 11.30am and noon in front of Sogo shopping mall. Until 1.45pm, they are in IPD Dang Wangi.

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Reflections on the Penang dragon boat tragedy

Anil Netto
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27

Still coming to terms with the dragon boat tragedy in Penang.

For a gut-wrenching and descriptive eye-witness account of the scene in the aftermath of the tragedy, go here.

If what she says is true, the authorities and rescue services should seriously look into their response times – especially the helicopter and marine (including divers) search-and-rescue teams. Press photographers (and their editors) too need to be more sensitive in their work. And note that victims’ families do not appreciate onlookers gawking and gossiping…

Thanks to blog reader Iron for alerting me to the findings of a safety inquiry panel in Singapore which looked into another dragon boat tragedy in Cambodia in November 2007. That tragedy left five Singaporeans dead.

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Questions re: 1MDB’s RM100 million CSR fund

Anil Netto
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22

Whenever I see the word “foundation”, my antenna is inclined to buzz.

On 11 January, Bernama reported that PM Najib had announced the “establishment of Yayasan 1MDB to manage a RM100 million Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Fund“.

The 1MDB Foundation will soon launch “several key initiatives in bridging socio-economic gaps towards fulfilling the aspirational values of 1Malaysia”. Najib would be the chairman of the foundation’s board of trustees.

I have a few questions:

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Two suraus in Muar now…

Anil Netto
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26

Berita Harian reports that two suraus in Muar, two kilometres apart, are the latest religious sites affected.

Surau Silaturahim di Jalan Ismail mengalami kebakaran pada langsir dan cermin manakala Surau Parit Beting pula mengalami kebakaran di ruang solat wanita, permaidani dan pintu.

Hmm, what’s going on here? So far, the general Malaysian reaction to all this has been admirably ‘cool’ – a reflection of increased maturity, wisdom and discernment. Let’s hope it stays that way.

This brings the tally of religious sites affected since 8 January to 16.

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Penang transport masterplan in the pipeline

Anil Netto
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13

From what I hear, a Penang transport masterplan is in the pipeline, with the state government believed to be working now on the terms of reference.

Once the TOR are finalised, an open tender is likely be held, perhaps in the second quarter of 2010, for the actual work of formulating the masterplan, which could take about a year to complete.

The emphasis of the plan is likely to be on sustainable transport. I hope the masterplan will try and wean people away from private vehicle ownership and encourage them to switch to public transport. In line with this, the focus of new infrastructure spending should be on public transport and pedestrian networks (and perhaps even cycling facilities) rather than new highways. The masterplan should also try and maximise the potential of water-based transport in the state.

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Did land reclamation affect currents?

Anil Netto
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42

Now here’s a piece by Himanshu Bhatt in theSun that is worth pondering over. Goes to show why we can’t take anything for granted if we mess with Nature.

GEORGE TOWN (Jan 19, 2010) : Inshore fishermen who ply the waters of the Penang Channel where the dragon boat capsize incident occurred on Sunday want the authorities to look into the impact of reclamation on the currents in the channel.


Traditional inshore fisherman Khoo Kay Keat points to this new shallow
shoreline along the reclaimed land in Jelutong where the Bandar Sri Penang
fishermen’s jetty is built. Penang held its Pesta dragon boat race here last year.
The accident that took the lives of six people during a dragon-boat training
session on Sunday occurred about a km away from this reclaimed area.

Khoo Kay Keat, 55, a former Penang Inshore Fishermen’s Welfare Association committee member, who now operates in the area, said they had observed currents changing over last 10 years or so.

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Malaysians investing abroad more

Anil Netto
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40

Malaysians are investing more abroad than what foreigners are investing in Malaysia, the country’s balance of payments figures indicate.

Financial Account RM million Q3/09 -11,078 -24,198
Direct Investment Abroad RM million Q3/09 -13,283 -8,964
Direct Investment in Malaysia RM million Q3/09 3,565 863
Portfolio & Financial Derivatives – Net RM million Q3/09 18,580 -9,933
Other Investment – Net RM million Q3/09 -19,939 -6,163

The “Financial Account” (IMF format) of Malaysia’s Balance of Payments – Source: Bank Negara. Figures in the middle are for the third quarter of 2009, compared to the second quarter (far right column). All figures in RM million.

Malaysians invested RM13.3 billion in stakes in companies abroad while foreigners invested RM3.6 billion in Malaysian firms during the third quarter of 2009.

Portfolio funds appear to have returned in a big way in the third quarter. Has the impact been felt in the country? Or does this represent just a return of portfolio funds seeking higher returns in emerging markets as a result of the low-interest rate regimes in developed nations that have introduced stimulus packages?

The ‘Other Investments – Net’ figure shows an outflow of RM19.9 billion, which warrants a closer look:

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Sadness

Anil Netto
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7

A haunting melody by songwriter Amirah Ali, who won the Best Pop Category for “Tell Me”  in the 2008 Signature Songwriting Competition.

Thanks for the lead, Sivin. While listening to the song, check out the report “Four reasons for controversial ‘Allah’ ruling” in the Malaysian Insider here.

Music and Lyrics by Amirah Ali
Engineered by Jon Gillespie

I am saddened and angered by the recent happenings in my country, Malaysia. I would like to share with you this song that I wrote. We are all ONE and so is GOD.

KATAKANLAH

Hari ke hari ku cari
Tapiku tidak pasti
Seribu malam ku mimpi
Tapi ku belum fahami

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PICC petition handed in to Chief Minister’s office

Anil Netto
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16

A petition against the proposed Penang International Convention Centre (PICC) was handed in to the Penang state government on Friday, 15 January.

Engineer Tan Seng Hai handed over the petition to Lim Guan Eng’s political secretary, Ng Wei Aik, who received it on behalf of the Chief Minister. Copies were also handed over to the personal assistants of the Secretary and Acting YDP of the Penang Municipal Council, Patahiyah Ismail, and Penang exco member Abdul Malik at their offices.

A total of 347 signatures were collected within 12 days, and Tan expressed satisfaction with the awareness and publicity generated by the petition.

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