The rape of Ipoh’s Kinta Valley
- Mariam Mokhtar (MAY 3, 2010)
Ipoh is surrounded by beautiful limestone hills. Last month, a property developer unveiled a project called “The Haven,” which comprises three tower-blocks, each 26-storeys high, beside a four-acre natural lake next to a 280 million–year-old limestone formation. Destroying our hills serves a narrow set of business interests.
It is the hills’ beauty that has attracted these unscrupulous profiteers. They have blasted hills for their marble or calcium carbonate products to make cement, or in this case, as a pretty backdrop for their high-rise dwellings. It is ironic that they are attracted by the hills but they destroy this beauty in the pursuit of profit.
The company’s chief executive officer claimed that the development “will be an icon for Ipoh” and that “no projects in the world will be able to replicate it for the next three to five years, as land with natural settings is scarce”.
Naturally! Other companies will apply for building permits and the tower-blocks will no longer be in a beautiful setting but in a concrete jungle.
How ironic, too, that although the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is on a nationwide hunt for sand thieves, it conveniently ignores the daylight robbery and rape of the Ipoh countryside. The sand smuggled into Singapore is worth billions and has resulted in a 20 per cent increase in the size of the island. Does the MACC consider the intensive quarrying of Kinta’s limestone hills a trivial domestic matter?
The MACC is right to apprehend the sand thieves who have caused massive erosion and environmental damage. Entire beaches have been removed and transported by barge or road, for land reclamation in Singapore. For years, bribes and sexual favours fuelled these smuggling activities. Are the limestone hills of Ipoh worthless in comparison?
These hills are of huge biological importance but we have failed to prevent the rape of these geological treasures. Commercial human activity generates the most conflict — quarrying and blasting have obliterated cave formations, and destroyed historical artefacts from Malaya’s ancient civilisations, including the flora and fauna that thrive on these outcrops.
Passive industries like tourism or recreation provide jobs but do preserve the hills.
Driving along the highway towards Ipoh and seeing the mists hugging the hills, is magical. Light shining on the rock surface at different times of the day reflect different hues, like a watercolour painting coming alive. A tour of Gua Tempurung will help us appreciate the hills’ beauty and splendour, which are comparable to Mulu in Sarawak or Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. These limestone formations are only found in a few sites in South-East Asia.
Building tower-blocks near hills is an ecological disaster. The Haven’s multimillion-ringgit development of 489 units, would be the tallest buildings in Perak. The other amenities include the usual trappings of a condominium like a swimming pool.
The developers allege to be the first to harvest nature’s renewable, sustainable resources such as wind, water, bio-gas and pro-active mechanical resources to power and maintain common areas. Solar panels and wind technology will be used. Water from the lake will be used for “common washing areas”. The developers claim that the lake water is drinkable as it surpasses the World Health Organisation’s requirements.
The biodiversity of a limestone outcrop and the surrounding area is very fragile. Any removal of water will result in an imbalance in the equilibrium and affect the groundwater or water table. There is good quality drinking water in the lake now. Can the same be guaranteed after human habitation? If this project is green, why is rainwater not collected on the roof and funnelled into a tank in the basement?
Will the building design incorporate passive ventilation methods and will the biogas generation plant convert sewage into alternate energy and fertiliser? Is there a grey-water recycling system to irrigate its landscaped areas? Will the residents practice garbage recycling?
A chlorinated swimming pool is not green unlike a natural pond with reed beds to maintain the water quality. It is doubtful if the residents of these luxury apartments will swim in waters with insects and other pondlife, as well as oxygenating weeds present, as in a natural pool.
The developers claim to care for the environment and reduce its carbon footprint. Air-conditioning of the apartments is not a “green” alternative. Air-conditioning has a high energy and chemical requirement. These will negate any carbon footprint reduction. The true green alternative would be adequate ventilation from ventilation holes or double slats in the eaves, like in traditionally constructed “kampong” houses which are “green”.
The residents will drive to work or to the shops. Only an efficient public transport system which transports huge volumes of people in one vehicle, or as an alternative, car-pooling, can be considered green. Individual car usage adds to the carbon footprint. Incidentally, Ipoh’s public transport is abysmal.
Why was this controversial project not aired for public scrutiny earlier? Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore may have acute land shortages. Ipoh’s uniqueness is the serene hills surrounding them. If Bali and parts of New Zealand have strict height restrictions on the buildings to preserve the beauty of their islands, why can’t we?
This project should be criticised by the public, politicians and environmental groups, and be rejected, if necessary. Greedy developers are determined to destroy the pristine hills, the pride of Ipoh, either by blasting or building high-rises. Why can’t Ipoh maintain a height restriction for their buildings and leave their children and grandchildren a beautiful legacy?
Why has the state government not stepped in to protect our hills? It has failed to manage the hills effectively and sensitively. These geological treasures should be protected under the National Park Act 1980, Wildlife Protection Act 1972, and gazetted a world natural heritage by Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation).
Tower-blocks do not enhance the character of our hills. Tower-blocks are evidence of greedy companies and ignorant local government colluding for short term interests. They reject what nature took millions to build. Sadly, Ipohites won’t get a second chance.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Malaysian tales of love and loathing
By : Mariam Mokhtar
If there ever was a time when Malaysians should speak up on behalf of people, whose rights are being curtailed, that time is now.
But last Friday (12 March), a new twist was added to this freedom of expression when khutbahs, or sermons, throughout mosques in Selangor addressed the congregation, with the chilling message that the Muslim women’s NGO, Sisters in Islam, was insulting the religion.
And to make it personal, the SIS Director, Dr. Hamidah Marican, was singled out for condemnation.
Maybe it comes as no surprise that none of the religious officials was censured for making this abhorrent speech. If Islam is the religion of peace, how is it possible that an inflammatory sermon such as this was allowed to be delivered? True to fashion, when it comes to prosecution, some groups are allowed leniency whereas others are not allowed any leeway.
This is Muslim against Muslim, but the only difference here is that a woman’s organisation was involved. And yet it was a women’s NGO which dared to condemn the harsh and degrading treatment against a fellow Muslim, albeit a woman.
The irony is that the three defenseless women, who were caned, were given a voice by SIS. But, when the religious officials addressed an assembled audience and preached hate against SIS, this NGO was unable to defend itself nor reach out in a similar public manner. Who will speak up for SIS, if not us?
We dare call ourselves a religion that practices equality and peace, do we? It is the people who issued the khutbahs who are the ones who have desecrated the good name of the religion with their incendiary talk.
According to the JAIS representative, Mohd Hidayat Abd. Rani, the contents of their sermons are factual and focused on current issues that affect the Muslim community. He confirmed that sermons were scrutinized by a committee before they were distributed throughout Selangor.
It is shocking, inappropriate and irresponsible that a sermon such as this was even authorised. The roots of this arose when three Muslim women were surreptitiously caned in early February by the authorities.
Sisters in Islam (SIS) swiftly issued a press statement condemning this unjust and degrading treatment. An article by P. Gunasegaram, the Managing Editor of The Star, called ‘Persuasion not Compulsion’ soon followed.
SIS and Gunasegaram were like the several thousand people, from within and outside Malaysia, who protested about these humiliating and degrading acts. It was a serious matter; Civil law precludes women from whipping and another case involving a woman to be whipped, had to be resolved first. (Her punishment was for drinking beer).
Many people are probably aware that police reports have now been made against SIS and also P. Gunasegaram. Most right minded people also realise that they were only exercising their rights as a citizen or civil society organisation, to speak publicly about injustices.
The police have already begun an investigation under Section 298(A) of the Penal Code for “causing, etc., disharmony, disunity, or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will, or prejudicing, etc., the maintenance of harmony or unity, on grounds of religion”.
But why are the police investigating a legitimate action by a civil society organisation, such as SIS?
Does that mean to say that inciting hate from a pulpit, does not contravene Section 298(A)? Why the double standards? And why are religious preachers not spreading the message of peace, goodwill, cooperation and love for your fellow man?
Events in history have warned us of what can happen when people do not come to the defense of others whose civil liberties have been taken away.
Sadly, in Malaysia, those who dare speak up are themselves seized upon by the authorities. And uppermost in everybody’s mind is the hypocrisy and extreme sexism that exists.
Speaking-out against an injustice does not equate with insulting the religion. But speaking out about syariah legislation that has been poorly drafted or inadequately scrutinized, and which then causes perverse outcomes, is absolutely necessary.
The religious authorities, JAIS and other relevant bodies must end the atmosphere of mutual suspicion and distrust. It is detrimental to both Muslims and non-Muslims. It is apparent that it is not just the legislation that needs amending, but their whole culture and attitude that requires a complete rethink.
And for starters, Dr. Hamidah Marican, P. Gunasegaram and the respective organisations they represent, deserve an unconditional apology.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Postcards From Shenzhen
By Yin Ee Kiong
I have been asked ‘Why no postcards?”
The truth is I have been off my stride since returning from England.
Nothing much has happened that is worth telling to be frank.
Well . . . a stupid guy was caught on camera dragging his dog on his motorbike and the poor dog is off his feet and is skinned on the rough road surface. People shouted at him but he just ignored them.
I can see the collective fingers out and pointing and the stereotypical jibes that Chinamen are cruel to animals and are dog eaters etc. Yes the Chinese eat dogs but so do Koreans, Vietnamese, Laotian, Cambodians and Filipinos (no, I think in the Philippines they like cats) – but not all Chinese.
But the Chinese attitude to dogs is changing very quickly. They are loved as pets more than as dishes these days. Pooches are pampered and a dog’s life no longer means a dog’s life. Pet shops flourish and vets are doing well.
The final proof that attitudes to dogs have changed is the proposed legislation by the government to make eating dog illegal! Governments are usually a few steps behind social trends, so if the government’s ban is merely a reflection of the changed social attitude to dogs. Amen.
Some things don’t change though. I saw the same ‘antiques finder’ squatting in the same spot not many weeks ago with his new find caked in mud. Actually the ‘new find’ looked suspiciously like the one I saw last time. He had the same serious and frightened look of one who has unearthed a treasure and afraid the authorities will come after him for not declaring a national treasure. If I am not mistaken the gentleman ‘buyer’ with his pretend interest was the same guy who bargained with him the last time. This time there was no crowd – not when I left. Like me, they are not falling for this one. But there will be other suckers – with one born everyday it’s a big market for conmen.
The Spring Festival (which we call Chinese New Year) is over and for every ten who went, rumour is only 2 or 4 returned. As the economy filters to the provinces people prefer to stay back as they can find work there. There must be some truth to this rumour. Shenzhen’s factories are reporting a shortage of 200,000 workers. The recent jobs fair has not been able to fill the vacancies. Employers are having to raise their pay to attract workers.
Oh yes, the authorities are serious about keeping clean. The local government in Guanzhou (Canton to the colonialists) brought out a set of rules for occupants in government flats. It covers everything from noise pollution to littering. Offenders will be given penalty points. Once you have acquired twenty points you will be kicked out. The only thing that is missing is a rule against spitting. And that is one of the foulest habits of the Chinese. I can understand why this is not in the rules – those making them are probably big spitters themselves. Spit is everywhere – like oysters on the road – big slimy blobs – puts me off raw oyster or even O Chien. When the Chinese conquer this anti social practice we can then say they have arrived socially.
The 11th session of the Central Planning Congress is still going on. In the opening address last week, Wien Jia Pao acknowledged the people of China, the people of Taiwan, of the SARs – Hong Kong and Macau and then Overseas Chinese everywhere. That’s me and all you with Chinese ancestry. This is the standard address in all major state events – the celebration of the 60th Anniversary etc.
I hesitated about bringing this up as I can see the UMNO and Malay extremist lot sharpening their krises ready to drive the China-kui back to Tong San. They will put two and two together and get five.
I have said so before, there is nothing wrong with ethnic pride. American Italians are proud of their Italian heritage, the Irish celebrate St Patrick’s day and are proud of great Irishmen like Joyce. The Indian spacewoman who was in the tragic mission acknowledged her father’s homeland India and so on and so forth. It’s similar to the pride the Malays take in Islamic Civilisation. We can’t ask them to balek Arabia are we?
I am 100% loyal to Malaysia and I love my country. So do the millions of Chinese and Indian Malaysians. And I am sure the Malays love Rhiau where they come from, just as the Bugis, Minangkabaus, Mandalings, Achenese, Boyanese etc have links with the various places in Indonesia where they came from. No one questions their loyalty to Malaysia because of that.
We have come in different ships, at different times to make Malaysia our home; that this is our home now is what matters, not where we came from. We are all in the same boat, either we row together or sink together.
Went back to Dafen Art Village after six months. Still the same copycat artists but the place has spruced up a bit. Went to see an artist friend and had tea with him. At the same time there was another guy – Steve Cheong, calligrapher and art collector. Spoke great English without a trace of Chinese (one can only surmise he studied abroad). Very urbane with an easy charm, much like someone I know, the same sharp features and enigmatic smile. Steve is a recognized calligrapher. I am told his calligraphy sells for 12,000 or more – more when he dies, he laughs. He has stories of the ones that got away . . . which now sells for seven figures. It’s taking a chance, buying art, espy of emerging but yet unknown artists. The point is to buy what you enjoy and any gain will be just a bonus. That I have heard others say too. He was writing the calligraphy for my artist friend – on his painting. It’s a pleasure to watch him work – the easy sweep of the brush, the control. That was the first time I’ve met him. But he generously offered help “See me if you need any help. I mean it!”. Who is Steve Cheong? There’s more to him than meets the eye I feel.
Luohu is at the end of the metro line (no?). It took us one and the half hours to get there from our place. First bus 369 (or 42) to Shi Jie Zi Chuang – Window on the World. Then the metro – 15 stops. You can go to Penang from Ipoh in that time. Luohu is next to Hong Kong – it’s the entry point. We are told that here you have the best dim sum in Shenzhen. Because Hongkies come over to eat (cheaper) the standard is high. It must be good because we had to wait one hour for a table. Friends from Medan came and they insisted on eating there – apa mau buat?
After lunch one of them insisted on a massage. The place we went to must be a massage palace – it’s all five floors of it maybe incorporating a hotel (knocking shop more like it).
Anyway it was big and business was good. And the massage? Well I cannot tell on the grounds that it may incriminate me!
It’s a slow news day in Shenzhen as you can see.
So I will tell you a bit about England. I will confess that it’s like going home.
Yes, I am again making myself a target of UMNO and the so called nationalists who think that liking another country is akin to disloyalty. Balderdash!
We all have attachments of one sort or another. It was good to see the alma mater. I went back to the Vicarage at 132 Trinity St. to view my room which overlooked the graveyard. I paid only 2.50 (pounds) per week for digs. It was cheap even then. It had one of those slot machine gas heater and you had to keep feeding it to keep warm. The room was huge. Rev John Poole has since passed away. One thing, I never went to church all the time I was there and Rev Poole never minded. I was not able to get in to get a whiff of the musty old place because the vicar was not around. I went around the town looking up familiar places like old friends – the George Hotel by the railway station. I waited at tables there – the maitre d then was Angelo, a kindly Italian who was a really smooth operator. The town hall where I waited at the Mayor’s Ball and kept giving drinks to the wrong people because they all looked alike. The canal which has since been cleaned up and is now a very attractive feature of the town. Barges used to come up these canals. Green Head Park, the Yorkshire Grey where gays used to hang out. I wonder if Highball Chinese Restaurant is still there – there was no time to see everything. It was where I washed dishes most nights – George and Peter two brothers from Hongkong ran a successful business catering to after pub hours customers.
Huddersfield still has the mill town feel about it. It was a very prosperous mill town and people from all over the world went there to buy woolen materials. Even when I was there the Japanese and Canadians etc still came. That’s all over now. While it is not run down, the place has still the working class feel about – flat caps and workingmen’s clubs – a Labour stronghold. Harold Wilson came from there. Huddersfield was quite multicultural then and even more so now. When you have Ali & Sons Fish and Chips it must be multicultural!
You read about the racial troubles in England – espy about the Muslims. While we won’t accuse the press of lying, we can safely say they have sensationalise the whole issue of race and religion. On the whole people get along very well with each other.
Making our way to Elland Road on an icy night with the ex Chief Police Constable of Yorkshire and a friend, we were stopped by a taxi. The driver yelled out ‘Want a lift?” He had such a broad Yorkshire accent if you closed your eyes you’d never have guessed he was a darkie from the sub continent. We piled in . In the front was his wife who wore a tudung, She also has a Yorkshire accent. People are generally friendly and there’s no racial problem on the whole.
I guess it’s the same in Malaysia. People generally get along with each other and neither race nor religion matters. Despite the deterioration in recent times – thanks to the politicians – overall it’s still good. But the way we are going, for how long? And while churches are fire bombed in Malaysia, in England old churches have become mosques and muslim schools. In Lancaster one has been taken over by the Sultan of Lancaster. Spend ten pounds on any meal and you get a datoship. Spend fifty pounds a Tan Sri. And why not, our sultans do it!
People have no problem with turning an edifice from one religious use to another. Can you imagine a mosque becoming a church or vice versa in Malaysia?
Probably there will be no problems with the majority but unfortunately the majority are too often silent. It’s not the extremist minority that is our problem in Malaysia, it’s the silent majority – it’s the apathy of the majority, the smugness of the middle class. Their silence will cost them dearly.
While on religious, the Manchester train station has provided a prayer room where all religions can go to pray – Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhists. It’s a place for quiet religious reflection. A place where all religions can pray together. I saw some Muslim guys entering it as did other non-muslim guys (I can only guess they are not . . . unless they reveal themselves).
Well we are all friendly except where football is concerned, then tribalism takes over.
It was great the atmosphere, the chanting, singing, taunting the opponents and their supporters. If the abuse thrown at the Spurs fans was bad I can’t imagine what ManUre fans get. How I love to be there to give the scumbags a few choice Malaysian swear words. Marching on together. . .We are Leeds! Up Ye Whites! Yorkshire pride!
England is doing well. I sense a prosperity which wasn’t there when I lived there. The supermarkets are great – just like those in America. One is spoilt for choice – there must be at least thirty different beers – from Tsingtao, to Orangeboom, to unpronounceable East European. And it’s not just liquour – it’s everything.
People are driving big Audis, Benzes, Beemers and every foreign make – except Proton. I used to see a few Protons in the past but not a single one now.
And of course the papers – what great reads! Informed writing, all views published. You take your pick which slant you go for – the Conservative Daily Mail and Telegraph, the left of centre, Guardian. The more centrist Independent or if While on religious, the Manchester train station has provided a prayer room where all religions can go to pray – Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhists. It’s a place for quiet religious reflection. A place where all religions can pray together. I saw some Muslim guys entering it as did other non-muslim guys (I can only guess they are not . . . unless they reveal themselves).
you just want boobs, then turn to page three of the Sun (some things don’t change). What about the sensational News of the World or the Mirror – I worked at the Shamrock pub which got most of its trade from the printers at the Mirror (we got free papers literally off the press).
It was a home coming of sorts, a sentimental journey.
(Please note Postcards from SZ is always written off the cuff so bear with the typos etc)
Copyright @ Yin Ee Kiong 2009
By Yin Ee Kiong
I have been asked ‘Why no postcards?”
The truth is I have been off my stride since returning from England.
Nothing much has happened that is worth telling to be frank.
Well . . . a stupid guy was caught on camera dragging his dog on his motorbike and the poor dog is off his feet and is skinned on the rough road surface. People shouted at him but he just ignored them.
I can see the collective fingers out and pointing and the stereotypical jibes that Chinamen are cruel to animals and are dog eaters etc. Yes the Chinese eat dogs but so do Koreans, Vietnamese, Laotian, Cambodians and Filipinos (no, I think in the Philippines they like cats) – but not all Chinese.
But the Chinese attitude to dogs is changing very quickly. They are loved as pets more than as dishes these days. Pooches are pampered and a dog’s life no longer means a dog’s life. Pet shops flourish and vets are doing well.
The final proof that attitudes to dogs have changed is the proposed legislation by the government to make eating dog illegal! Governments are usually a few steps behind social trends, so if the government’s ban is merely a reflection of the changed social attitude to dogs. Amen.
Some things don’t change though. I saw the same ‘antiques finder’ squatting in the same spot not many weeks ago with his new find caked in mud. Actually the ‘new find’ looked suspiciously like the one I saw last time. He had the same serious and frightened look of one who has unearthed a treasure and afraid the authorities will come after him for not declaring a national treasure. If I am not mistaken the gentleman ‘buyer’ with his pretend interest was the same guy who bargained with him the last time. This time there was no crowd – not when I left. Like me, they are not falling for this one. But there will be other suckers – with one born everyday it’s a big market for conmen.
The Spring Festival (which we call Chinese New Year) is over and for every ten who went, rumour is only 2 or 4 returned. As the economy filters to the provinces people prefer to stay back as they can find work there. There must be some truth to this rumour. Shenzhen’s factories are reporting a shortage of 200,000 workers. The recent jobs fair has not been able to fill the vacancies. Employers are having to raise their pay to attract workers.
Oh yes, the authorities are serious about keeping clean. The local government in Guanzhou (Canton to the colonialists) brought out a set of rules for occupants in government flats. It covers everything from noise pollution to littering. Offenders will be given penalty points. Once you have acquired twenty points you will be kicked out. The only thing that is missing is a rule against spitting. And that is one of the foulest habits of the Chinese. I can understand why this is not in the rules – those making them are probably big spitters themselves. Spit is everywhere – like oysters on the road – big slimy blobs – puts me off raw oyster or even O Chien. When the Chinese conquer this anti social practice we can then say they have arrived socially.
The 11th session of the Central Planning Congress is still going on. In the opening address last week, Wien Jia Pao acknowledged the people of China, the people of Taiwan, of the SARs – Hong Kong and Macau and then Overseas Chinese everywhere. That’s me and all you with Chinese ancestry. This is the standard address in all major state events – the celebration of the 60th Anniversary etc.
I hesitated about bringing this up as I can see the UMNO and Malay extremist lot sharpening their krises ready to drive the China-kui back to Tong San. They will put two and two together and get five.
I have said so before, there is nothing wrong with ethnic pride. American Italians are proud of their Italian heritage, the Irish celebrate St Patrick’s day and are proud of great Irishmen like Joyce. The Indian spacewoman who was in the tragic mission acknowledged her father’s homeland India and so on and so forth. It’s similar to the pride the Malays take in Islamic Civilisation. We can’t ask them to balek Arabia are we?
I am 100% loyal to Malaysia and I love my country. So do the millions of Chinese and Indian Malaysians. And I am sure the Malays love Rhiau where they come from, just as the Bugis, Minangkabaus, Mandalings, Achenese, Boyanese etc have links with the various places in Indonesia where they came from. No one questions their loyalty to Malaysia because of that.
We have come in different ships, at different times to make Malaysia our home; that this is our home now is what matters, not where we came from. We are all in the same boat, either we row together or sink together.
Went back to Dafen Art Village after six months. Still the same copycat artists but the place has spruced up a bit. Went to see an artist friend and had tea with him. At the same time there was another guy – Steve Cheong, calligrapher and art collector. Spoke great English without a trace of Chinese (one can only surmise he studied abroad). Very urbane with an easy charm, much like someone I know, the same sharp features and enigmatic smile. Steve is a recognized calligrapher. I am told his calligraphy sells for 12,000 or more – more when he dies, he laughs. He has stories of the ones that got away . . . which now sells for seven figures. It’s taking a chance, buying art, espy of emerging but yet unknown artists. The point is to buy what you enjoy and any gain will be just a bonus. That I have heard others say too. He was writing the calligraphy for my artist friend – on his painting. It’s a pleasure to watch him work – the easy sweep of the brush, the control. That was the first time I’ve met him. But he generously offered help “See me if you need any help. I mean it!”. Who is Steve Cheong? There’s more to him than meets the eye I feel.
Luohu is at the end of the metro line (no?). It took us one and the half hours to get there from our place. First bus 369 (or 42) to Shi Jie Zi Chuang – Window on the World. Then the metro – 15 stops. You can go to Penang from Ipoh in that time. Luohu is next to Hong Kong – it’s the entry point. We are told that here you have the best dim sum in Shenzhen. Because Hongkies come over to eat (cheaper) the standard is high. It must be good because we had to wait one hour for a table. Friends from Medan came and they insisted on eating there – apa mau buat?
After lunch one of them insisted on a massage. The place we went to must be a massage palace – it’s all five floors of it maybe incorporating a hotel (knocking shop more like it).
Anyway it was big and business was good. And the massage? Well I cannot tell on the grounds that it may incriminate me!
It’s a slow news day in Shenzhen as you can see.
So I will tell you a bit about England. I will confess that it’s like going home.
Yes, I am again making myself a target of UMNO and the so called nationalists who think that liking another country is akin to disloyalty. Balderdash!
We all have attachments of one sort or another. It was good to see the alma mater. I went back to the Vicarage at 132 Trinity St. to view my room which overlooked the graveyard. I paid only 2.50 (pounds) per week for digs. It was cheap even then. It had one of those slot machine gas heater and you had to keep feeding it to keep warm. The room was huge. Rev John Poole has since passed away. One thing, I never went to church all the time I was there and Rev Poole never minded. I was not able to get in to get a whiff of the musty old place because the vicar was not around. I went around the town looking up familiar places like old friends – the George Hotel by the railway station. I waited at tables there – the maitre d then was Angelo, a kindly Italian who was a really smooth operator. The town hall where I waited at the Mayor’s Ball and kept giving drinks to the wrong people because they all looked alike. The canal which has since been cleaned up and is now a very attractive feature of the town. Barges used to come up these canals. Green Head Park, the Yorkshire Grey where gays used to hang out. I wonder if Highball Chinese Restaurant is still there – there was no time to see everything. It was where I washed dishes most nights – George and Peter two brothers from Hongkong ran a successful business catering to after pub hours customers.
Huddersfield still has the mill town feel about it. It was a very prosperous mill town and people from all over the world went there to buy woolen materials. Even when I was there the Japanese and Canadians etc still came. That’s all over now. While it is not run down, the place has still the working class feel about – flat caps and workingmen’s clubs – a Labour stronghold. Harold Wilson came from there. Huddersfield was quite multicultural then and even more so now. When you have Ali & Sons Fish and Chips it must be multicultural!
You read about the racial troubles in England – espy about the Muslims. While we won’t accuse the press of lying, we can safely say they have sensationalise the whole issue of race and religion. On the whole people get along very well with each other.
Making our way to Elland Road on an icy night with the ex Chief Police Constable of Yorkshire and a friend, we were stopped by a taxi. The driver yelled out ‘Want a lift?” He had such a broad Yorkshire accent if you closed your eyes you’d never have guessed he was a darkie from the sub continent. We piled in . In the front was his wife who wore a tudung, She also has a Yorkshire accent. People are generally friendly and there’s no racial problem on the whole.
I guess it’s the same in Malaysia. People generally get along with each other and neither race nor religion matters. Despite the deterioration in recent times – thanks to the politicians – overall it’s still good. But the way we are going, for how long? And while churches are fire bombed in Malaysia, in England old churches have become mosques and muslim schools. In Lancaster one has been taken over by the Sultan of Lancaster. Spend ten pounds on any meal and you get a datoship. Spend fifty pounds a Tan Sri. And why not, our sultans do it!
People have no problem with turning an edifice from one religious use to another. Can you imagine a mosque becoming a church or vice versa in Malaysia?
Probably there will be no problems with the majority but unfortunately the majority are too often silent. It’s not the extremist minority that is our problem in Malaysia, it’s the silent majority – it’s the apathy of the majority, the smugness of the middle class. Their silence will cost them dearly.
While on religious, the Manchester train station has provided a prayer room where all religions can go to pray – Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhists. It’s a place for quiet religious reflection. A place where all religions can pray together. I saw some Muslim guys entering it as did other non-muslim guys (I can only guess they are not . . . unless they reveal themselves).
Well we are all friendly except where football is concerned, then tribalism takes over.
It was great the atmosphere, the chanting, singing, taunting the opponents and their supporters. If the abuse thrown at the Spurs fans was bad I can’t imagine what ManUre fans get. How I love to be there to give the scumbags a few choice Malaysian swear words. Marching on together. . .We are Leeds! Up Ye Whites! Yorkshire pride!
England is doing well. I sense a prosperity which wasn’t there when I lived there. The supermarkets are great – just like those in America. One is spoilt for choice – there must be at least thirty different beers – from Tsingtao, to Orangeboom, to unpronounceable East European. And it’s not just liquour – it’s everything.
People are driving big Audis, Benzes, Beemers and every foreign make – except Proton. I used to see a few Protons in the past but not a single one now.
And of course the papers – what great reads! Informed writing, all views published. You take your pick which slant you go for – the Conservative Daily Mail and Telegraph, the left of centre, Guardian. The more centrist Independent or if While on religious, the Manchester train station has provided a prayer room where all religions can go to pray – Muslims, Jews, Christians, Buddhists. It’s a place for quiet religious reflection. A place where all religions can pray together. I saw some Muslim guys entering it as did other non-muslim guys (I can only guess they are not . . . unless they reveal themselves).
you just want boobs, then turn to page three of the Sun (some things don’t change). What about the sensational News of the World or the Mirror – I worked at the Shamrock pub which got most of its trade from the printers at the Mirror (we got free papers literally off the press).
It was a home coming of sorts, a sentimental journey.
(Please note Postcards from SZ is always written off the cuff so bear with the typos etc)
Copyright @ Yin Ee Kiong 2009
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Eating fruit.
Shereen sent this article to John Baker of Germany. John sent it to me. I think that this is an interesting and good article to read...ks
Eating Fruit - This opened my eyes.
Dr. Stephen Mak is a friend of mine at the BSF course. He told me he treats terminal ill cancer patients by "un-orthodox" way and many patients recovered. He explained to me before he is using solar energy to clear the illnesses of his patients. He believes on natural healing in the body against illnesses. See the article below.
Dear Shereen,
Thanks for the e-mail on fruits and juices. It is one of the strategies to heal cancer. As of late, my success rate in curing cancer is about 80%. Cancer patients shouldn't die. The cure for cancer is already found. It is whether you believe it or not? I am sorry for the hundreds of cancer patients who die under the conventional treatments. Very few can live for 5 years under the convenctional treatments and most live for only about 2 to 3 years. The conventional treatments do not make any difference because most cancer patients also live for about 2 to 3 years without undergoing any treatment. It is difficult to cure those cancer patients who have undergone chemo and radiotherapy as their cells are toxic and weak. When there is a relapse, the cancer will spread very fast as the resistance is poor.
Thanks and God bless.
Dr. Stephen Mak
EATING FRUIT ...
It's long but very informative ........
We all think eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. It's not as easy as you think. It's important to know how and when to eat.
What is the correct way of eating fruits?
IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUITS AFTER YOUR MEALS! * FRUITS SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.
If you eat fruit like that, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.
FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD. Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so.
In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil.
So, please eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals! You have heard people complaining — 'every time I eat watermelon, I burp', 'when I eat durian, my stomach bloats up', when I eat a banana, I feel like running to the toilet, etc. — Actually, all this will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. The fruit mixes with the other food, putrefying them and producing gas, hence the bloating!
Graying hair, balding, nervous outburst, and dark circles under the eyes all these will NOT happen if you take fruits on an empty stomach.
There is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton, who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.
When you need to drink fruit juice - drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT from the cans. Don't even drink juice that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all. You only get the taste. Cooking them destroys all the vitamins.
But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it. You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look!
KIWI: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, Vitamin E & fiber. Its Vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.
APPLE: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low Vitamin C content, it has antioxidants and flavonoids which enhances the activity of Vitamin C, thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack and stroke.
STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits and protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.
ORANGE : Sweetest medicine. Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent and dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.
WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene — the cancer- fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are Vitamin C and potassium.
GUAVA & PAPAYA: Top awards for Vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high Vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes.
Drinking Cold Water After a Meal = Cancer! Can you believe this? For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.
A serious note about heart attacks. HEART ATTACK PROCEDURE: (THIS IS NOT A JOKE!) Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line. You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. Sixty percent of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive.
A Cardiologist says if everyone who gets this mail sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.
Read this. It could save your life!!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Scholarships for the needy
By Koon Yew Yin
Please kindly help me find poor students to accept my scholarships offer as attached. It cost so little to produce graduates and you also can use the same trick to produce more when all of us are gone. As you know my parents could not afford to send me to University, I would be flabbergasted if I had such an offer.
I wish to offer scholarships to 50 poor students for the next academic year to study finance and accountancy in University TAR, Kampar, Perak on the following conditions:-
1. Each student’s family income should not be more than Rm 2,000 per month.
2. Students will be selected more on the basis of their financial need and not merely on their academic achievement.
3. Each scholarship is worth Rm 20,000 which should be enough for each student to cover the cost for the first year foundation course and the first semester of the degree course in finance and accountancy until he or she secures the PTPTN loan. This Government loan is given to all students irrespective of race and financial position who are doing a recognised degree course.
4. Students who receive my financial aid do not require to pay back the money or work for me after they graduate. But I want them to promise me that they will help other poor students when they have graduated and are financially solvent.
U TAR takes in students in January and June every year. Students who are currently doing SPM can submit their applications to U TAR this October with their forecast results to start in January 2010.
Needy students who are currently doing SPM or have passed the SPM can submit their applications to me:
Koon Yew Yin, yewyin@gmail.com
27, Lengkok Harimau,
31400, Ipoh, Perak
____________ Mr Koon Yew Yin's Note to KS Chong
Friday, January 15, 2010
ALL BECAUSE OF THE 'A WORD'
By : Yin Ee Kiong 2010
By : Yin Ee Kiong 2010
Even as we condemn UMNO for the recent fire-bombing of churches, the other component parties of BN are not totally blameless. While UMNO has consistently played the race and religion cards the other parties have consistently failed to stand up against it.
By allowing UMNO to have its way the other parties have abetted the crime.
The issue is simply this: Should the use of ‘Allah’ be allowed?
The court has delivered its verdict on this (even though a higher court has exercised a stay order which to its credit the Catholic Church has agreed to). But that aside, while we know UMNO’s stand on this matter, what is the stand of the other non-UMNO component parties in BN? In the past we have seen them turn tail in the face of UMNO displeasure; will they find their spine this time?
My own take of the matter is as follows:
Whatever the final ruling on this matter, we cannot continue to give in to extremists. It’s gone beyond the A word. It’s about mob rule and whether we should again give in to religious bigots and extremists.
Unfortunately because the government has always given in to the extremist elements (most of it from UMNO it must be said) this has set a pattern.
Examples:
¨The APCET Case (which the court has now awarded 30,000 ringgit each to the plaintiffs)
¨ The threat to burn down the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall by UMNO Youth
¨The Article 11 incident in Penang where instead of arresting the demonstrators (which the police would gladly have done were they Opposition members) ordered the meeting to be ended.
¨ The Cow Head Demonstration and before that issues of conversions, demolishing of
temples, obstructing the building of churches etc.
With all that kind of track record, should anyone be surprised with what has happened. It is a matter of sooner or later, and now it has happened.
In the past UMNO, if not openly encouraging extremists, has at least given them a nod and a wink. This invariably happens whenever UMNO wants to up the ante in the face of its eroding popularity, it sends in its storm troopers from UMNO Youth.
Over the years there have been many other instances where the government has pandered to these extremists. The government has often argued that (as Najib has done) “you can’t stop people from protesting”. This when it suits them. The freedom to protest unfortunately is reserved only for BN.
I never understand the logic that the way to respond to a bully is to give in to him. As we know giving in to bullying only encourages more bullying.
Had the government applied the law fairly and without bias, and nip such actions in the bud – whichever quarter it comes from - then I believe we won’t have seen the fire bombings of churches that we have today.
We cannot rule by shifting and wavering according to where the government perceives the votes to be coming from. The government cannot say that because of the threat by certain Malay or Muslim religious extremists it will therefore not apply the law. A country cannot be governed like that. We have the constitution and we have laws and those who flout them must be dealt with accordingly.
This is not to say that we should not apply the law wisely, but ultimately extremist elements must learn that they cannot have their way.
Is there a danger of widespread racial/religious unrest a la May 13?
I don’t think so.
2010 is not 1969.
There is a very large middle class of educated and liberal Malays. There is better access to alternative media – people are better informed. This trouble is started by only a very small section of the Malays (albeit with UMNO’s tacit approval). Most Malays have nothing to do with these protests. Unlike 1969, the Malays today have much to lose and they will not tolerate a few hooligans spoiling it for them.
More importantly Malay leaders from the Opposition are not supporting this ‘jihad’. PAS has in fact backed the court’s ruling – contrary to Najib’s calculations. And not every UMNO member is in support of it either, although I suspect there are those who are desperate enough to do anything to save their sinking ship – including risking racial strife.
The non-Muslims are not going to make trouble – they are too preoccupied with making a living. Malaysians, whatever their ethnicity or religion are by and large peace loving. They are more interested in ‘cari makan’ than ‘cari gadoh’.
However there are those who call for the non-Muslims to abandon the use of ‘Allah’ for the sake of peace. If only it were so easy. Do the Sikhs now have to remove ‘Allah’ from their holy book? Would Christians who have been using the word all these years (without any trouble) have to stop using it just because lately it has become taboo?
More to the point, when do we stop appeasing the bullies? If not ‘Allah’ then it will be something else. At some point we must draw a line in the sand.
If UMNO had hoped to gain leverage by exploiting this situation it has seriously miscalculated. It has now virtually lost Peninsula Malaysia. More than ever it now depends on Sabah and Sarawak to survive. The majority of the population in both our eastern states are non-Muslims. In fact the majority are Christians and they are not going to take this sitting down.
Time will tell if the extremist bullies UMNO has nurtured will become uncontrollable.
Like the parent whose spoilt child has finally gone too far and now refuse to take responsibility, Najib is denying UMNO’s part in raising a monster. It won’t wash; the extremists we have today have not just popped up overnight. Najib himself was the poster boy of the extremist elements in UMNO Youth during his kris waving days as President.
He now asks that fingers not be pointed at him and UMNO.
Why not? Did he and Hishamuddin not encourage the mob albeit indirectly?
For the government to continue to block the use of ‘Allah’ and to withhold the Bibles even when the Islamic party PAS has agreed to its use, is tantamount to condoning what has happened.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Treat the Problem, Not the Symptom
By : Mariam Mokhtar
By : Mariam Mokhtar
So now, women, single mothers in particular, should be viewed as a product or commodity, like a prized car, or maybe in the rural areas, the prized cow. They are to be treated as mere chattels. And men will be awarded for marrying them.
And for the single mum? Will being married (or remarried) be consolation enough for the woman? Will she have any say in this?
Wan Ubaidah Omar, is the Women, Family and Health committee chairman in Kelantan. Her attention grabbing suggestion, at the Kelantan assembly, was for men to be given awards for increasing their quota. Incidentally, quota is her definition for the men’s religious entitlement to four wives.
Unsurprisingly, all who agreed, were men.
Her intention to assist the plight of single mothers is good and genuine. However, she is deluded into thinking that they can be treated as mere trophies.
Her statement has only reinforced harmful attitudes towards women. It is also discriminatory, degrading and objectionable. Her suggestion coupled with the reaction of the men in the assembly, is a mockery of the responsible position and the office of which she chairs.
But why only treat the symptom, and not address the cause?
It is a fact that there is an inordinately high divorce rate among Muslim men, when compared to the other races.
Why?
It is because of the Muslim man’s unilateral right to divorce his wife at will and for any reason. His right, as far as he is concerned, is to have four wives, to demand obedience, to beat his wife, to have sex on demand and to divorce his wife at will.
To him, she is the perfect hostess, the guardian of his children, the cleaner of his house, the whore in bed, the cook in the kitchen. It is the ease and impunity that men can pronounce a divorce, under whatever pretext that they choose, that is shocking. ‘Use ’em, abuse ‘em, leave ‘em.’
Yes, we did have laws to halt this apparent ease to divorce. But when certain sections of society objected to the amended Family Law, the lawmakers buckled under pressure.
And the result? A proliferation of divorce.
There will be some who consider my views anti-Islamic even anti-God. Did HE not grant all Muslims the right to be treated as humans being of equal worth and dignity? All I can say is listen to the many thousands of women who have suffered, who have been denied the right for consultation, who have no prior knowledge, no means of prevention, no room for discussion nor the ability to negotiate terms of divorce. Some of these are close friends, family or acquaintances who have had no redress, several years after the divorce.
Sure, there are laws to prevent ‘easy’ divorce. Few adhere to them and the irresponsible men who were unlucky to be caught out were only given the most minimal of fines. Deterrent enough? Hardly.
Others will remind me of the Kursus Perkahwinan. Of what use is this course where men are told how to beat their wives so it does not show, where to go for a subsequent marriage where the laws are lax, and their rights as a man are extolled, without taking into account respect, consideration and equality for the woman, his wife-to-be? All of these are laughable.
Wan Ubaidah was asked what was being done to reduce the number of divorce cases and what efforts were being taken by the state government to help single mothers.
Her idea of awarding men if they were to marry these single women is no solution. It might even add to the problem. A marriage of convenience, for this is what it sounds like, will have no solid foundation based on mutual respect, trust and communication.
Wan Ubaidah claimed that there were 16,500-registered single mothers below the age of 60 in Kelantan and this figure did not include those who had been left in the lurch by their husbands. She added that one dilemma facing some single mothers in Kelantan and the country as a whole was that many of them could not register at the Welfare Department or related agencies because their husbands had left them without filing for divorce.
So tell me, how are these women (who have been abandoned) to remarry because then they might be considered committing bigamy? These women are not the problem. It is the men.
Furthermore, this problem is not a recent phenomenon and whipping is not going to be the panacea of all evils.
The answer is to treat the problem and not a symptom of it. Ours is a traditional patriarchal society. It would be prudent to look at the problem as a whole, and in the context of the twenty-first century.
In today’s society, family is important, but so are money, education and skills. Women are now more educated, more financially independent with more opportunities are open to them. In comparison, some of the men she speaks of are poor, less well educated, unskilled, have few social bonds, few social skills and turn to vice and violence easily.
We need to change the way we bring up and educate our little boys, and turn them into mature, responsible, caring, law-abiding, brothers, fathers and husbands who will respect their fellow woman and treat them with equality.
We also need to focus on building strong, long-lasting, happy relationships with a solid foundation based on trust, mutual respect and effective communication. Love, not mistaken for lust, might be a helpful ingredient.
The reasons for family breakdown are well-documented. The testimony of the ex-wives and the despicable plight of the children left behind by errant fathers is evidence enough.
Focus on the upbringing and education of the males in our society. Amend the laws so that irresponsible men who mistreat their wives will think twice about doing so. Introduce effective deterrents, not minimal fines. And amend laws that do not discriminate women in our society.
Don’t take the easy way out and tell men to take on single mothers. Why create more problems? Just go right to the source and treat the problem. There is such a thing as ‘prevention is better than cure’.
And stop using religion as a means to justify a man’s right. Remind them that with rights, come responsibilities.
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