Hello everyone! Let us support the arts – development is not just about providing physical public amenities. We also need to nurture the arts so we get the right balance in society to add to the ‘soul’ of a place – and what better way than to support some of the hidden talents among us.
10 alarming images from Penang they don’t want you to see
Ever since the fatal landslide and the floods in Penang, I have received or seen photos from about half a dozen concerned Penangites.
52-51 vote shock exposes BN’s vulnerability to rising cost of living
The BN-led government’s razor-thin 52-51 winning margin in a vote called by the opposition to protest at the rising cost of petrol of goods has sent a ripple of excitement down the nation.
Group raises concerns over Penang Botanic Garden corporatisation
The following are areas of concern raised by the Friends of the Penang Botanic Garden Society.
Some questions about the quiet ‘corporatisation’ of Penang Botanic Garden
Update (15 November): The bill to corporatise the Penang Botanic Garden was passed yesterday with barely any prior publicity.
One BN state assembly rep reportedly questioned why the general manager reports to the chairman (who will be the chief minister) rather than to the board of directors.
Concern was expressed that the bill allows for the collection of fees: a DAP exco member conceded that fees should not be charged for entrance into the gardens; but then he suggested that fees could be charged for a certain ‘product’ within the gardens.
Uh-oh, if the Penang Hills Corporation is the model to be used, then we have reason to be concerned.
Original post (14 November):
With the Penang public largely unaware, moves are afoot to ‘corporatise’ the Penang Botanic Garden and turn it into a Penang State Park (Botanic) Corporation.
‘George Town looked as if someone had poured teh tarik over it’
That’s what a visiting friend of mine, a former Penang resident, remarked when he saw images of the flood in George Town.
Clarify these hill land project approvals since 2008
The Penang state government claims no hill slope projects above 250 feet have been approved since 2008.
Tree planting: Tanjung Bungah remembers the landslide victims
An update from the Tanjung Bunga Residents Association:
On 11 November, the Tanjong Bunga Residents’ Association (TBRA) will be planting trees at the site of the fateful landslide, which cost the lives of 11 men, all except one, migrant workers.
Penang landslides, floods: Unusual weather phenomena a sign of things to come
Aliran is holding a talk on Climate change: Global challenges, local solutions on 21 November in Penang. You might like to register here.
Meanwhile, Penang Forum has just released a statement:
Penang Forum deeply empathises with the suffering that many Penangites and Kedahans have had to endure over the unprecedented flash flood and landslide mishaps that happened over the weekend of 4-5 November 2017.
Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia launches fundraising drive for flood relief
If you want to contribute to the flood relief effort, please check out this initiative by this multi-ethnic, multi-religious civil society coalition.