White Poison Chapter 1 - How "they" became poison in UM

This article is my personal view, and are based on my own reading, judgement, and personal communication with related parties.

People keep saying - USM has started, UUM started, UTHM also started why UM can't follow them?

USM started the "white coffin" campaign back 2008 when students managed to get their VC to ban the product.

In UM, the scenario is a bit different. I was (and currently still am) a student in UM from 2005. I stayed in 7th residential college, one of 9 colleges that has canteen rather than cafes. To us, "white poison" was not an issue. This is due to our canteen uses plates and no food packaging. Even when we need to pack food (due to class schedule, we might miss our meal time), we usually gave our OWN CONTAINERS to the mak cik canteen and they will pack into that container. So it was never a problem to us. Up til today.

So, how did "white poison" became poison? It all begin with cafes, found in the other 3 colleges and all faculties. It was never a serious problem (referring to the amount), until 12th college started to use polystyrene plates, in 2008. There are a lot of versions, from different parties, why the operators convert to use polystyrene. I summarise as below:-

1. Students steal the plates and bring them back to room

2. It's costly to bear the dish washing stewards

3. Not hygienic because of the improper cleaning of plates (complaints from students)

4. Covenient because it's disposable

Thus, when USM champion the "white coffin" campaign, UM is the other way round, sing more polystyrene than before. So, we are running on a different lane. So, I try to find out the problem. Here I summarise why people still prefer using polystyrene:-

1. Not enough space for eat-in during meal times, so, tapau (with white poison)

2. Convenient because don't have to wash (just throw, but infact students just leave it on table)

3. Don't have to carry own container everywhere they go

4. Lazy go back room to get own container

5. Lazy to wash own container

6. Not hygiene because of improper cleaning

7. Not aware of what white poison can do to the environment and health

Those are the reasons I managed to find out. We did a short survey, and found out that we use at least 1 white poison in every 20 seconds. During semester break (80% of students are back in hometown), we use 550 pieces of white poison in ONE MEAL SESSION (dinner) at one residential college. I'll let you do the calculation, when UM is full of students.

polystyrene will not decay even after storm, rain and etc.

we use so many white poison, until they are much longer than the Kancil

this is how much we use during semester break for just one dinner in one college

imagine 365 days in UM...

Baruk - Kebangkitan semangat padu

Bermula dengan sebuah kelahiran
Titik permulaan suatu lingkaran
"Lingkaran Hidup" suatu perjalanan
Tanpa sebarang hala tujuan
Tanpa mengenal maksud keperitan
Mahupun erti kegembiraan

Perjalanan bagaikan air mengalir
Mengalir mencari destinasi
Seperti "Rejang" yang terus mengalir
Biarpun jauh, tetap mencari
Mencari sesuatu erti
Kehidupan di dalam diri

Dalam pencarian bertemu jalinan
Membina suatu persahabatan
Bagaikan "Kalong" sebuah lingkaran
Yang mengikat setiap jalinan
Merapat setiap perhubungan
Mengerat setiap persahabatan

Keeratan memberi kekuatan
Tuk membina "Baruk" yang satu
Yang menyimpan sebuah kebangkitan
Kebangkitan semangat yang baru
Yang sentiasa akan dihidupkan
Setiap kali gong dipalu!

A Passion for Dance

Dancing have always been my passion, it's in my blood (i guess). I always have been doing dancing alone, so I could express my feelings thru my body. But things have changed after joining Tarian Kreatif. After dancing in Lingkaran Hidup, Rejang and Kalong, I've learnt a lot in life, met new and wonderful friends.

Dancing in a team, requires different skills. We may not be the best dancer, or even a good dancer, but if we dance with our hearts out, to tell audience a story, that's the best dance ever. Each character on stage carries a message, a spirit and a life. Thus, it requires effort and understanding in a team.

Though, I felt like retiring at this term, but my passion somewhat tells me that do not give up. Just dance and tell another story for another year. To my team mates, do not give up as well. How much effort you put in, will return you the equal results. But do not disappoint others, especially those who have been working hard to tell their own story. Let's strive together to write our Za'ba story on stage on the 17th March, in the hearts of the audience, so they'll remember for life!

Tarian Kreatif, Hidup Hidup Hidup!

Message to Obama

I can't believe myself, when I suddenly have the urge to write a short message to President Obama. I don't know how much it will help, but this is the least i can do, back here in Malaysia. If anyone, feels the same, and thinks this could be a way of solution, then pls, send something to him. Here's what I wrote:-

Dear Sir,

I'm just a young and environmentally concerned Malaysian wanting to ask you for a small favour, all the way from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

You've been a world figure ever since you've been elected as the President. You have the power to make changes. Honestly, I was inspired by you and your actions. That was what moved me to write this to you. You have been the inspiration to a lot of people around the world. You made everyone believe that change can happen if we want it. Therefore, I am pretty sure that you would inspire other leaders to make changes as well. You are the ONLY HOPE for a change across the world. Here, I would like to personally ask you for a favour - to attend COP15 in Copenhagen and get all the leaders of developed countries to agree on reducing the carbon emission and financing the developing countries.

You lived in Indonesia when you were young, and I’m sure you know very well how a major natural disaster makes people suffer. You have said before that you would want to “leave this world better than when you came in”. Thus, I hope deep down in my heart, that your presence at COP15 is for REAL, and really get the leaders to take ACTIONS. This world doesn’t belong to your generation or those before you and it also doesn’t belong to my generation. This world belongs to the future generations. So, I hope that you can make changes that we all believe in.

I don’t know how serious will you take my request because I’m a nobody, but I’m going to give a shot. Just like how you championed, “Change, yes we can!”. Thank you for taking your time to read this. I’ll be hoping for good news from you.

For Mother Earth,

Chai Ming Lau

Malaysia

October - the month of Actions!

Came October, and now gone October. Just realized I haven't blogged for 2 months! Some friends even tease me "when is ur next episode of Scientific Expedition?". I just said, "I've got no time to write la". I now realize, that writing a blog, is not that easy, when you have too many things to share, and yet to many things to do. I always wonder, why I have not enough time? Was it because I'm not good at time management? I guess so.

Well, this month have been hectic. Within two weeks, I've been away from my 'base' 2 times. First, Bangkok for Asian Youth Climate Workshop. Then, barely a few days, I'm on trip to Langkawi already. Jetlagged, but work needs to be done. People may envy me, for travelling a lot. But I always say, "this is my job, my passion...you can do the same if you really want".

To make things short, this month have the month of actions, and not just talk. It's quite inspiring how I made my mind, and decided to take bigger actions after I came back from Scientific Expedition. Thanks to Abe, who told me about 350.org, and I got a hook on it. All these while, I've been doing small small things that is not enough. Now, having the capacity with UM Cares, and eco-active friends from out of campus, I think I finally achieved something. The feeling is so different, so much different. It was even more different than getting the 'Braille walkway' done in campus. Maybe because this time I'm involved in the process of the action.

As the saying goes, picture paints a thousand words. I'll just gonna put up some link and photos to end this time's blog.

The big march in Bangkok to UN building during UNFCCC (5th Oct)

Freeze for Earth as part of our actions of awareness to push for 350 ppm of CO2 in the atm. Took place in KL Sentral and KLCC.

Thousands over candles lit in KPS,UM to mark UN day, and represent hope that we can achieve 350 ppm

The jump of joy as event ends...over the banner that I and Jimmy put on to the pole
another 350 made by shoes...so that we can feel the sand with our barefeet, and enjoy the nature before it's gone

Links to videos on youtube:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4vkNYlPIyY
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzUiwvasiUw
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfHje4RNslw
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBos7L-I43M
5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcTiVeSsFg8
6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK-s8Q5FVNA

That many videos? Well, at least that's what my passion goes to. Lets save our Earth before its too late. Not for us, but our children's children.