Heavy rains in Penang is not always a bad thing. Of course in the low lying areas, it cause floods and disruption in people' s daily lives.....for that we must always have the rescue boats ready....we must also ensure that clogged drains and rivers be unclogged everytime.....
Yet a heavy downpour like what occured yesterday do bring benefits to this place....first it clears the smog and the haze that hangs in Penang like a bad smell...the heavy rain sure flushes this awya and in the morning the air is fresh and crisp.....
Second the filth gets cleared away, it is almost like getting a clean bath...washing all the dirt away from the city...it refreshes the city and brings a sense of sweeping the old rubbish and bringing forth new life...
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Penang - and its flash floods
Five hours rain and the whole city drowns in the floods that ensued.....problems ...clogged drains....indiscriminate throwing of rubbish down......
The dirt and filth comes back to haunt you...
The dirt and filth comes back to haunt you...
Friday, September 05, 2008
Saving Gurney Drive?
Read in the Star, that the pollies visited the mud flats that appear when the tide is low. Like politicians that they are (no matter what shape or size) there is a pathological need to open their mouths and make pronouncements of what they want to do...i.e. to solve the "problem"...
They pronounce that they want to save Gurney Drive...(may I ask save Gurney drive from what?) That's when I think...it becomes dangerous...good intentions and muddled thinking or no thinking at all...just knee jerk reactions...
First of all, mr. exco, find out what cause the building up of the mud-flats in the first place...is it (as most people suspect) due to the massive reclaimed land in Tanjung Tokong.....years ago when most the excos and the CM was still residents in other states....there was a Mangrove swamp in Tanjong Tokong....probably the water currents were bringing the mud all the way from parts of South Kedah and north Seberang Perai or even parts of the Batu Ferringgi shore and depositing it in Tanjong Tokong.....but now there is a huge abutment...maybe that may have upset the current flow...and caused all this new land to be created at the Bagan Jermal end of Gurney Drive... who knows...
So do not create another problem by your trying to save Gurney Drive....u may end up creating more problems...find out first ...and for heavens sake...don't start 'reclaiming it" because you may cause the problem to shift to the Northam road end of GDrive.
Please, in all things environment err on the side of caution......
They pronounce that they want to save Gurney Drive...(may I ask save Gurney drive from what?) That's when I think...it becomes dangerous...good intentions and muddled thinking or no thinking at all...just knee jerk reactions...
First of all, mr. exco, find out what cause the building up of the mud-flats in the first place...is it (as most people suspect) due to the massive reclaimed land in Tanjung Tokong.....years ago when most the excos and the CM was still residents in other states....there was a Mangrove swamp in Tanjong Tokong....probably the water currents were bringing the mud all the way from parts of South Kedah and north Seberang Perai or even parts of the Batu Ferringgi shore and depositing it in Tanjong Tokong.....but now there is a huge abutment...maybe that may have upset the current flow...and caused all this new land to be created at the Bagan Jermal end of Gurney Drive... who knows...
So do not create another problem by your trying to save Gurney Drive....u may end up creating more problems...find out first ...and for heavens sake...don't start 'reclaiming it" because you may cause the problem to shift to the Northam road end of GDrive.
Please, in all things environment err on the side of caution......
Monday, September 01, 2008
Permatang Pauh, Revisited...
Anwar won ....so ? but did Malaysia win? Did the community come together as one or was the election campaign so divisive that the schism so great that it cannot mend? In the heat of the elections the Chinese community again became an easy target..."pendatang asing" ... "orang tumpangan" ...epithets so easily tossed at the Chinese and the gall of it to the Chinese of Penang.... where their houses are sometimes older than some of the sultanates.......
Well, AAB says that person who said it did not mean it...wow...he can even read the mind of people now....great...but let the person who said it speak for himself.....
Penang.....the home of reformasi....where we are all anak malaysia......
Well, AAB says that person who said it did not mean it...wow...he can even read the mind of people now....great...but let the person who said it speak for himself.....
Penang.....the home of reformasi....where we are all anak malaysia......
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Penang and its durians
It seems that everywhere in Malaysia local people will claim that their place of state or district produces the best durians.....In Perak, you have many such claims and places where durians are supposed to be the best in Malaysia, these areas are Batu Kurau, Padang Rengas and Tapah....In Selangor, it is Semenyih or even Ulu Langat....In Negeri Sembilan...you have Bahau and in Johore, Muar, Batu Pahat and Segamat....
I have to admit that i had tried durians in these places and they are good....excellent and very good indeed......but being a Penangite (prejudiced) I still think nothing beats the durians in Penang...if not for anything for the sheer variety of the wierd names of the clones.....Red Prawn.....Ku Leng Hoo, Hor Lor.....etc....etc etc.
I have to admit that i had tried durians in these places and they are good....excellent and very good indeed......but being a Penangite (prejudiced) I still think nothing beats the durians in Penang...if not for anything for the sheer variety of the wierd names of the clones.....Red Prawn.....Ku Leng Hoo, Hor Lor.....etc....etc etc.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Permatang Pauh, Province Wellesly
I remember Permatang Pauh as a place of pontoon bridges....which you have to pass on your way to BM and Nibong Tebal in the late fifties and early sixties....As the bridges only allow a single file of traffic to cross it, most of the time you have to wait for your turn. During the peak season (Fridays or Saturdays & Public holidays), the queue can be quite long and the wait always take ages before you can cross the the river.
During those long waits, I remember looking around the surroundings along the river. The nipah palms and mangroves would often conjure up images of crocodiles half-submerged in the river ready to pounce on any straying mischevous boy like myself.
I would also fantasize going along the river like Tom Sawyer on a raft..what an adventure catching fish and looking for treasure...
But today, Permatang Pauh means something all together different...it is D PLACE.....the beginning of the END for BN, or any pause, a comma, and then a discreet turn for the nation...who knows?
During those long waits, I remember looking around the surroundings along the river. The nipah palms and mangroves would often conjure up images of crocodiles half-submerged in the river ready to pounce on any straying mischevous boy like myself.
I would also fantasize going along the river like Tom Sawyer on a raft..what an adventure catching fish and looking for treasure...
But today, Permatang Pauh means something all together different...it is D PLACE.....the beginning of the END for BN, or any pause, a comma, and then a discreet turn for the nation...who knows?
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Olympic Opening Ceremony & me
Indeed the opening ceremony of the Beijing is truly spectacular and amazing and awesome...it exceeds superlatives...
Amidst the story telling and enacting of China's 5,000 year old history...the story of Zheng He and the brave seamen of Fujian for me epitomises my history...my ancestors...opening the south seas and coming to south east china....to malaya...
Amidst the story telling and enacting of China's 5,000 year old history...the story of Zheng He and the brave seamen of Fujian for me epitomises my history...my ancestors...opening the south seas and coming to south east china....to malaya...
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Cycling in Penang
Kudos to the CAP for organising the bicycle day in Penang...we should be encouraging people in Malaysia to cycle instead of taking to the streets in their cars.....
But then, our politicians' ideas of progress is to see lots of cars on the roads......more cars more progress....
I wrote something to about the cars that ate up Paris......not only Paris but Beijing as well...it takes the Olympics to realize that there a smog free sky is priceless.....
Oh when can we realise this.....
But then, our politicians' ideas of progress is to see lots of cars on the roads......more cars more progress....
I wrote something to about the cars that ate up Paris......not only Paris but Beijing as well...it takes the Olympics to realize that there a smog free sky is priceless.....
Oh when can we realise this.....
Monday, July 28, 2008
Penang or Georgetown listed as UNESCO Heritage City
What does it mean- heritage city? What benefits does it bestow and the obligations that comes with it? Should we celebrate it or mourned the conferment on Georgetown ?
Because of the heritage status........we expected everything to be freezed in time, no more development....or development with plastic feel to it an almost Disney type feel, very artificial....
Nobody told me anything and my opinions was not sought...and i pay my yearly assessment to support the Majlis..ie. the City Council....
Because of the heritage status........we expected everything to be freezed in time, no more development....or development with plastic feel to it an almost Disney type feel, very artificial....
Nobody told me anything and my opinions was not sought...and i pay my yearly assessment to support the Majlis..ie. the City Council....
Saturday, July 12, 2008
The waters around Penang Island
On a clear day when your plane aligns itself for the landing at the Bayan Lepas Airport, have a look at the sea below you....and you will be greeted with sudden changes in the colour of the water.
There seems to be a sudden change of the colour from dark grey to green. There is also a black strip like oil separating these two different coloured waters....
Don't know what it is...but definitely...it does not look healthy or clean.
There seems to be a sudden change of the colour from dark grey to green. There is also a black strip like oil separating these two different coloured waters....
Don't know what it is...but definitely...it does not look healthy or clean.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
No more PORR..so what's the fuss..I thot you were against it...
Politicians...ha, they are all the same. Lim Guan Eng & all DAPers should be rejoicing that PORR is scrapped....when they were in the opposition they were so dead against it. Now they are the Government, they are fuming because PORR had been scrapped.
Maybe, now they see that maybe without PORR and the Monorail, Penang's economy may be headed for a recession....it is a real possibility...with everybody expecting a global recession to hit us because of a perfect storm created by a confluence of events...the US sub-prime meltdown and the skyrocketing oil prices.....
Talking and screaming from the sidelines seems easy enough....now it is different when you have to perform...nice speeches don't bring home the bacon...
Good luck...
Maybe, now they see that maybe without PORR and the Monorail, Penang's economy may be headed for a recession....it is a real possibility...with everybody expecting a global recession to hit us because of a perfect storm created by a confluence of events...the US sub-prime meltdown and the skyrocketing oil prices.....
Talking and screaming from the sidelines seems easy enough....now it is different when you have to perform...nice speeches don't bring home the bacon...
Good luck...
Thursday, June 26, 2008
New thinking for Pg's age old problem - congested roads
Should we lament the loss of two projects in Pg........ from monorail to nomorerail & porr or porrah to most Penangites....
While abandoning PORR is most welcome.....giving us a nomorerail system in place of the monorail is a big disappointment..... A GOOD PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IS WHAT PENANG DESPERATELY NEEDS.....
Penang does not have the capacity to contain more cars...(with limited land available and we treasure our green spaces and do no want to turn them into parking lots...where one day we might just have to look for trees in a tree museum....) Public transport is the most environmentally friendly solution to our woes.....
Can our new state Government come up with a Bold, New and Innovative Master Plan to overcome this setback dealt to them by the BN Fed Government?
Is our new PR Government up to it? ..... From what we can see in Tanjong Bungah Zoning issue.....probably not???
If they can, they will probably stay in Government for a long time....
New thinking..... from quotas for cars...peak hours...non-peak hours.... buses....cycle lanes.....water taxis...from batu kawan to bayan baru.....
While abandoning PORR is most welcome.....giving us a nomorerail system in place of the monorail is a big disappointment..... A GOOD PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IS WHAT PENANG DESPERATELY NEEDS.....
Penang does not have the capacity to contain more cars...(with limited land available and we treasure our green spaces and do no want to turn them into parking lots...where one day we might just have to look for trees in a tree museum....) Public transport is the most environmentally friendly solution to our woes.....
Can our new state Government come up with a Bold, New and Innovative Master Plan to overcome this setback dealt to them by the BN Fed Government?
Is our new PR Government up to it? ..... From what we can see in Tanjong Bungah Zoning issue.....probably not???
If they can, they will probably stay in Government for a long time....
New thinking..... from quotas for cars...peak hours...non-peak hours.... buses....cycle lanes.....water taxis...from batu kawan to bayan baru.....
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Benefits of higher fuel prices
Obviously the main benefits of the higher fuel prices is "health". We all should be getting healthier... from the forced physical exertions we have to take...ie. we walk more because prices of fuel has make it more prudent for us to reduce the usage of cars especially for short distances....
More physical exertions means we get to exercise our hearts by walking more....Secondly the combined effects of the reduction in the usage of of our cars means less air pollution and smog...surely this could only bring better air, less asthmatic attacks, coughs and colds and sore throats...the reduction in the contaminants in the air...less cancer????
Besides better health....we would have less CO2...this translates to less global warming..every little bit helps...
Hooray for costlier fuels...
More physical exertions means we get to exercise our hearts by walking more....Secondly the combined effects of the reduction in the usage of of our cars means less air pollution and smog...surely this could only bring better air, less asthmatic attacks, coughs and colds and sore throats...the reduction in the contaminants in the air...less cancer????
Besides better health....we would have less CO2...this translates to less global warming..every little bit helps...
Hooray for costlier fuels...
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Penang - Walks
One of the joys of living in Penang is the numerous walking trails that we have here. We can walk to Penang Hill or rather hike there via the different trails available. One thing for sure, no matter what trails one takes one is sure to have pleasant views and most important of all, lots of work outs and buckets of sweat.
For the more adventurous the National Park that starts at Telok Bahang beckons. Here, one enters into a world, "millions" of years away from the hustle and bustle of the "normal" Penang we are so accustomed to. Situated at the North-western corner of the island, isolated from the rest of the island, this Park is a haven for those who seek the tranquility that emanates from Nature. Listening to rustle of leaves high up above the tree-tops and the bristling streams, where crystal clear water flows down and through stones...takes you to a zen like trance.....at peace with the world....
Yes, walks are not only good for your physical being but also nourishes the spirit...as you let nature, its sights and sounds lead you and take you to the essence of life, of being connected....as one with nature....
You get all that in your morning walks...
For the more adventurous the National Park that starts at Telok Bahang beckons. Here, one enters into a world, "millions" of years away from the hustle and bustle of the "normal" Penang we are so accustomed to. Situated at the North-western corner of the island, isolated from the rest of the island, this Park is a haven for those who seek the tranquility that emanates from Nature. Listening to rustle of leaves high up above the tree-tops and the bristling streams, where crystal clear water flows down and through stones...takes you to a zen like trance.....at peace with the world....
Yes, walks are not only good for your physical being but also nourishes the spirit...as you let nature, its sights and sounds lead you and take you to the essence of life, of being connected....as one with nature....
You get all that in your morning walks...
Friday, June 13, 2008
Laos - land of the gar fish
I met this fish in a floating restaurant in Laos. Just north of Vienchang, there are floating restaurants on one of the tributaries of the Mekong river.The fish actually looks like a dwarf crocodile......with an extended mouth. it must be a very ancient fish that did not eveolved into a crocodile????? Does not make sense.....neither do evolution makes sense to me...
Laos......land of a thousand elephants
Sunset over the Mekong River. Picture taken in Vienchang or Vientianne the capital of Laos.Relatively unspoilt, like Thailand in the fifties....people still cling on to their traditional customs....
People here have a polite and gentle culture.....greet you with "Sabai dee" instead of "Sawadee karp"....
Will be going to this land more often as we contemplate setting up a business there......
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Lembu punya susu sapi punya nama.....
Its hilarious, reading about the spat between DAP & Gerakan over who is responsible in bringing the recent investments into Penang....
Of course, Lim Guan Eng tries to "hint" (to be fair he did not claimed he was solely responsible for bring those investments in but his underlings trying to claim all the credit) of the link between him & the investments......that got the Gerakan real upset....
But really the Pg DAP government got better things to do...anybody who knows how foreigners or for that matter even locals make investment decisions...know that it is usually a long drawn out affair...you do not make those decisions in month or two...it takes months and sometimes even years....
Hey, both of you DAP & Gerakan guys stop it. We Penangites are not stupid ok...we know how and who to give credit to.
Get on with the real work....the challenge for DAP is how to get Penang GDP growing in the midst of an impending slowdown in the world economy...how to attract FDI in at lest favourable climate...
It is easier criticize than to take action.....I wonder "how would Jeff Ooi advice the CM" on the Motorola investment that Jeff so savagely attacked Koh Tsu Koon....Would he still call it"bribery"...would he sacrificed the wellbeing of people in Penang so that he can be "politically correct"...
What would his advise be to Lim Guan Eng?
Of course, Lim Guan Eng tries to "hint" (to be fair he did not claimed he was solely responsible for bring those investments in but his underlings trying to claim all the credit) of the link between him & the investments......that got the Gerakan real upset....
But really the Pg DAP government got better things to do...anybody who knows how foreigners or for that matter even locals make investment decisions...know that it is usually a long drawn out affair...you do not make those decisions in month or two...it takes months and sometimes even years....
Hey, both of you DAP & Gerakan guys stop it. We Penangites are not stupid ok...we know how and who to give credit to.
Get on with the real work....the challenge for DAP is how to get Penang GDP growing in the midst of an impending slowdown in the world economy...how to attract FDI in at lest favourable climate...
It is easier criticize than to take action.....I wonder "how would Jeff Ooi advice the CM" on the Motorola investment that Jeff so savagely attacked Koh Tsu Koon....Would he still call it"bribery"...would he sacrificed the wellbeing of people in Penang so that he can be "politically correct"...
What would his advise be to Lim Guan Eng?
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Penang - from the air
Thirty-five thousand feet from the air, one can see Georgetown or Tanjong and Butterworth or Bagan.The inhabited places on the island is so "small" in size compared to the huge swathes of green behind it.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
PKR-DAP Government in Penang
About 17 months ago, back in 30th & 31st January 2007, I was pondering about what the consequences would be if the Opposition was to take over Penang.....would the people in Penang suffer as a consequence.....Now that this has become a reality not only for Pg but Perak, S'gor, FT, Kedah & Kelantan.....collectively these states account for 57% of the country's GDP......
Will the federal BN government be the Government of all Malaysia, or just the government of the states where they are in control...thats the RM500 billion question?
How would the civil servants react? How are they are reacting now? Will they remain "the obedient servants or defiant servants"? Having serve just one party for almost 50 years (Pg during the short time when Gerakan was in the opposition)...can the civil servants learn to serve the new master?
Unlike, the former Unfederated Malay States, the former Straits Settlement and Federated Malay States do not have their own state civil service.....their civil servants come from a pool of governemnt officers who are dependent on the JPA & the KSN for the advancement in their careers.....and not on the respective MBs or CM.....how then, can the CM or MB "ensure" that these "civil servants" remain obedient and not defiant....
Not that easy....having serve as a Forest Officer i.e. a Federal Officer seconded to the state...I know what it is to serve two masters.....a matter which the Lord Jesus Christ had strongly advised his disciples from doing....as Jesus said..."no man can please two masters" ......
Interesting.....
Will the federal BN government be the Government of all Malaysia, or just the government of the states where they are in control...thats the RM500 billion question?
How would the civil servants react? How are they are reacting now? Will they remain "the obedient servants or defiant servants"? Having serve just one party for almost 50 years (Pg during the short time when Gerakan was in the opposition)...can the civil servants learn to serve the new master?
Unlike, the former Unfederated Malay States, the former Straits Settlement and Federated Malay States do not have their own state civil service.....their civil servants come from a pool of governemnt officers who are dependent on the JPA & the KSN for the advancement in their careers.....and not on the respective MBs or CM.....how then, can the CM or MB "ensure" that these "civil servants" remain obedient and not defiant....
Not that easy....having serve as a Forest Officer i.e. a Federal Officer seconded to the state...I know what it is to serve two masters.....a matter which the Lord Jesus Christ had strongly advised his disciples from doing....as Jesus said..."no man can please two masters" ......
Interesting.....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
