Help preserve our marine life forms

Within a month's time, i have been travelling to Tioman twice. The first time was to help a friend in her Master's research and the other time, was to carry out reef check. The last dive i did was in February. Surprisingly, within approx 5 mth's time, everything in Tioman had changed. The corals are seriously in stress due to the heavy construction along the beach. For the first time in my life, I'd seen serious bleaching of corals in depth less than 2m. To some people, this is just normal. But as for a diver, and as a person interested in corals research, i find that this phenomena is a sign that the environment is seriously changing.

Bleaching, is an event where the zooxanthellae inside corals are expelled and the corals starting to loose their natural colours turning white, just like the two pics shown top right and left (i try to briefly explain in the layman's language). Bleaching in Tioman has gone serious, with even the most robust of them all are also bleached. The only factor that may be involved or in relation with bleaching event is water temperature. The water temp for last few months have been increasing based on recorded data from a reliable source. No many people know that although with an increase of 1 degree of celsius, is already providing stress to the corals. Corals can actually be the indicator to the changes in the environment as they are very sensitive to slight changes. They are also very fragile. Some corals, would only grow bout 2 cm a year (imagine now how long a big coral have been living).

One big problem to corals in Malaysia is that not many issues and phenomena have been recorded or documented. Even that, the development that have been taking place, will always 'forget' the importance of marine life forms. For bleaching event, as far as we know, the last event was in 1998. Therefore, i hope that snorkellers, and leisure divers, would report to the authorities of any bleaching event (either Marine Parks, or any universities in Malaysia, UM, UKM, UMT or UMS). This small report would help to enhance the conservation movement around Malaysia. We can see improvements (just improvement, but still more to do) however but unfortunately, these were focused on terrestrial organisms. Many are not aware of the marine ecosystem is equally important or i would say play more important role than the terrestrial ecosystem.

Development are important, but think again, without the natural resources, will there be development? Isn't it time for all human being (especially business minded people - and i do really mean it) to stop being selfish and try to save the world. Some will go "oh my gosh, that's horrible!" and then do nothing. Small contribution is better than no contribution at all. Development will create heavy sedimentation to the seawater (refer pic on the right, the view is being blocked by sediments), and that will reduce the light received by corals. Even small particles can reflect light, what more sediments. What's the point of development, when they will destroy the environment? Its a fact that the world doesn't belong to us, but to the future generations. What we do today, may be harmful for our children. Stop being selfish, some would even think what's more important to them now, rather than the future.

Let us all pray that the corals that are facing this massive bleaching event, will be able to recover. Another information to share is that although bleaching is a catastrophe, but they are not dead yet. Corals have the ability to recover when the water temp begin to cool, where the zooxanthellae will be able to get back into the corals. This recovery event is like chasing the time. If corals are bleached for too long, they will eventually die, or when algae grows faster than the recovery rate, that's the end for the corals.

Za'ba Champs again!

"7th college....power! 7th college...power! 7th college..power,power,power!. Za'ba power..yah! Za'ba power..yah! Za'ba power..yah,yah,yah!" - Those were the days...when i was the cheers leader for orientation week in UM (also known as Minggu Haluansiswa, MHS). When i first came in to Za'ba, i never expect to end my journey of college (not college in institutions, but residential college) in such a high note. The first responsibility given, unexpectedly was the cheers leader. I have never expected that coming, but nevertheless, i liked it (i meant i like cheers, not being cheers leader). Until today, the atmosphere of cheering in Dewan Tunku Canselor, still fresh in my mind.

A year before my MHS, Za'ba college emerged as champion of cheering competition (year 2004). Michael Ng, who was my mentor and the cheers leader for the year 2004, lead the team to champions. However, during my time, in 2005 we only managed as first runner up. I was disappointed myself, but it was an enjoyable moment for me. I was determined the next year I will be back to help regain the title by becoming Pembantu Mahasiswa (PM) to help our juniors to regain the title. Joseph, Fairus and Sanjivi were the cheers leaders that time. It was a different feeling then, being the one to guide the leaders instead of leading. However, luck wasn't on our side again. For the second time, we were in second place. The year after that, 2006, Za'ba finally lost its touch. There wasn't any placing for us. No one knows exactly where went wrong. No one knows. But the cheers leader that year, managed to bring back the glory, the trophy, this year, when he and his team guided the freshies to emerged as champions!..Bravo! Guess i was the bad charm for Za'ba...a year before i enter, we won...a year later after i finished, we won again. But the years that i was in Za'ba, we didn't win. Amazing, huh?...well, maybe i'm a bad luck for Za'ba.

Cheers competition, is a common thing in UM, and it has become a tradition in UM. No other uni in msia have the tradition that we do. This cheers tradition doesn't just stop at MHS, bt will be carried along all the way until the next year, and the year after...and so on. Even until now, it's in my blood. The rivalry between colleges doesn't just end after MHS, instead it will be carried on for years. But it's a healthy rivalry, bcoz from these rivalry, we get to know each other...just like the rivalry between MU and Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal. It goes on and on and on. In return, it makes the residents of that college becomes closer and have a strong relationship to the college (not all lar of course, some nerds wont ever feel the love to the college, but to the books instead). It builds a strong teamwork, communication skills and leadership as leading the team wasn't easy, and i'm not saying a team of 40 or 50...but 400 to 500. It was a challenge to all the leaders. It was a challenge to the team as well, for 400 to 500 people to be able to follow one's instruction and signal.

The situation is like in the battle scenes in Lord of The Rings, at Helms Deep and at Minas Tirith. The teams are eagerly to attack each other, and to defend themselves. Waiting for the command from the general, one shout, or even one hand signal, the war begins. The crowd in DTC will roar till walls shook, heart beat increased and blood pumped like waterfall. During my year, the best scene i'll never forget, was during the sports event...the horn was blown, and almost 400 of us, who were hiding under a tent, behind one big banner...ran out like soldiers ramming into war, just like the scene at Helms Deep, where Gandalf brought the Rohirrims to the rescue during the first light in the morning. We roared like dragons and ran thru the whole field, carrying banners (these banners are really damn big) as if we are really in war. The best scene for me a year after that, was the last day, when our college was split into two on the first floor, left and right of DTC. It was a difficult position becoz both sides are facing each other, and the leader cant be seen clearly. However, the strategy i planned worked out in the end, amazingly, both sides were very synchronized in their movement, and their cheeers, stunned the whole crowd watching us from below! These were the best moment which i'll never forget.

Looking back at the video now, i looked like sum crazy, hyperactive guy cheering like monkey. But when come to think of it, it was really fun and will never be forgotten in my campus life, in UM. I hope i can still feel the atmosphere just like in a stadium roaring when their team scored last gasp winning goal in soccer...during my convo this 7th of Aug. Well done Za'ba...once a Za'bahan, always a Za'bahan.

Do we change the world, or just change ourselves?

"He wanted to change the world, so he work very hard, do what ever he can to change the world. But after many years, he found that wow, it's very difficult to do it. So he decided to just change the people around him. He tried for so many years, but still didn't worked. Towards the end of his life, he finally realized that what he should do, is just to change himself instead of anything else." - This was a short story by a friend on a guy who has a big but kind hearted ambition. It was interesting talking to him on this matter. I also realized that in watever we do, we should first change ourselves rather than changing others. It's not the matter of difficulty, but it's a matter who would take the first step. In life, the biggest enemy is ourselves, not the ppl in front of us. The person who takes the first step to change him/herself is already making a first move to change the world. Life now, especially as a Malaysian is even more difficult than it used to be.

I used to enjoy playing outdoor traditional games with my friends, specially from different races...such guli (marbles in english), tarik upih, gasing (top spinning), konda kondi and my favourite is the galah panjang (picture shown on the left, taken from Kampung Boy by LAT). But now, how many of us still play this? some have not even heard of it before especially the younger generation these days. The Malaysia i've wished for is not goin to happen if the mindset of majority still remains the same. I used to enjoy seeing my friends playing soccer, with different races, different backgrounds, together as a team (i also play lar...but not a good footballer). Even sumtimes when i go back PD, i do play soccer with my friends, and never in my mind they were of different races. But as I grew older, i tend to meet ppl that are very racists. I realised that the government are being biased towards certain race. Is race very important? Ppl said that chinese are the strongest race (and seriously, some chinese believed they are). Is that really true? I'm a chinese and i dun feel that i'm good. There's stil alot more to learn. The malays will feel that they are always being bullied becoz the chinese dominate the economy. Think again, there are rich malays, and poor chinese. How bout indians, then? If it wasn't bcoz of them, our transportation wouldn't have survived. Well what ever it is, the problem is in us, ourselves.

Galah panjang, one of the old skools traditional games (picture taken from http://myuae.typepad.com).

Konda kondi, another traditional but forgotten game (picture taken from Kampung Boy by LAT)

I watched Hotel Rwanda (is a good movie, i reckon everyone to watch this...this movie was banned in Malaysia). I was so touched with Paul Rusasebangia (the main character in the movie), where he changed himself from being selfish and wanted to just save his family, to saving the ppl who seeks help from him. By doing that, he changed the people around him and in the end, he managed to change the whole world's perception. If a small country like Rwanda can do that, why can't malaysia? How many of us realised the race problem becomes more serious? That shouldn't be the question to ask. The one question we should ask ourselves and everyone else around us, if u realise this, what did u do? Demonstration like some oppositions do? Deny like the governments?...I felt that we should start telling our children, our family, there's no difference in races...be it malay, chinese, indians or any other ethnics...we are one, truly Malaysian, share the same red blood, share the same no of chromosomes and share the same ancestors, evolved to be Homo sapiens. We don have to have big ambitions, but if every one of us, start to change ourselves, believe me, a miracle will happen. Let's us all that are born as malaysian, live as malaysian and die as malaysian...not as malay, chinese or indian solely.

Ubah Gaya Hidup!

Wow, it has been a tough week last week...two consecutive field trips, followed by RIKL Introweekend (visit www.raleighinternational.org.my for more info on Introweekend). But addition to that, wonderful things had happened and it was a great week. Fuh!

For the whole past week, despite being busy with work and camp, still managed to chit chat with some friends and some people. It's kinda interesting to realize something. I finally realized that the Malaysian have a bad habit, a habit of wasting things. Ok, maybe not all as i dun hav the statistics here but generally (if u agreelah), Malaysian waste five things: W.F.E.E.T. - Water, Food, Electricity, Energy and Time. Few examples to show these.

Water - I was away on field trip in Pantai Kelanang and stayed at Golden Hope Research Academy's Visitors' lodge for 3 nites. There were two more ppl, practical students who have been staying there for sumtime dy (i just go tumpang there only). When i got there, i was surprised to hear heavy water leak in one of the bathrooms. So my senior (who came along with me) asked what happened to that bathroom. One of them who stayed there for almost 2 months, simply just ans: Tak tau, saya tak pernah tengok pun. Saya pun tak report kebocoran. To my surprise, he answered just like that. From my senior and my observation in that bathroom, it has been leaking for quite sumtime and even sum fungus which i suspect was Stachybotryus (google it or look for sick building syndrome for more info) that will cause serious illness. Infact it was coz of the heavy fungus smell in that bathroom. Other incidents are usually seen in my own residential college, where usually i was the one to report and get it fixed (sad). Sumtimes in shopping complexes which i've seen in MV, where the tap water will be flowing all the time bcoz of the eroded rubber. Isn't it like pouring money down the drain? Hmm...r v really wasting water? Isn't it time for all of us to change?

Food - Oh, this happens everyday, everywhr. Try searching in the bins, i'm sure u'll find leftover food. I'm sure everyone agrees. I thank my parents for teaching my siblings and i not to waste any food. Since young, we all were forced to finish our meals even if we were really full. My dad used to say, "who told you to take so much? If u can't finish it, then dun take too much". I really thank them for this lesson. Until today, my siblings and i will finish every single bit of leftovers, even a small grain of rice. But how malaysians do generally? I can just look out on the canteen by my lab window, and i see plates of extra rice. Another very clear example...open house! Free food! Everyone rush to get food, fill the plates like hills, sum even looked like Mount K. In the end, all ended up not just in the stomach but black plastic bags! I'm sure u have to agree with me on this.

Electricity - Oh this is even worse. Some of us can't stand the heat outside and usually turn on the air cond to the coolest. I understand it's hot and humid in msia but v can save it by using it necessarily. Not all the time v have to use at coldest temp bcoz this will use up more electricity. Not only that, some ppl leave the lights on although it's bright enough. Or even leave the fans turned on when there's no one in the room. I admit i did that in college but now i realized how wasteful i was. And how many of us malaysian are aware with "Earth Hour"? I did my part, by turning off the all electricity in my room (infact, i went for a walk so that i'm not boring in the room) and my floor (but of course, sum idiots turned it on again) for at least one hour. But how many did?
Energy - Well, sumthing similar to electricity, but i think i would refer this to petrols. I was chatting with a friend and she brought up an interesting point. She said that we Malaysian should try not to depend too much on petrol. In the past, people dun hav to worry bout food because almost everyone knows how to get food from natural resources. But now, without petrol, u cant get food. Besides, global warming only happened after introduction of petroleum. Nowadays, petrol has become more important than anything else. Ppl have been complaining...but try this, ask any of ur friends who studied economics, n see whether if they tell u the price hike is needed or not. Try it, dun just guess. Even another friend of mine, told me that the subsidies given by the gov has been like giving opium, everyone gets addicted to it.
Time - Well, what do Malaysians do in their free time? Government servants (not all, ok...just sum) sitting in the office, shaking their legs doing nothing. One ad in TV regarding false emergency calls..there was this guy had nothing to do in office, so he called up 999 and made a false fire report to entertain him. This was a good ad. Well, we should start thinking on whether should v change our lifestyle?

Think again, or observe around. Some may not waste anything but also play important role in influencing others not to waste. Or v choose to blame the government for not looking after our welfare? Or some even blame the education system for not functioning in teaching on these matters. Some even blame the society is spoilt itself (but society includes u and me rite?). Should v keep pointing fingers on others? Not fingers, it's finger..coz when u point one finger on others, three more fingers are point back at us n one more pointing downwards (is there anything down there? i dunno). Think bout it, it's time for us to UBAH GAYA HIDUP. Change our lifestyle, play our own part and see how we can make a difference.

Price hike for petrol...good or bad?

Everyone are now making a big havoc after the announcement of the price hike for petrol. Everyone complains and are making a big fuss over it. I understand that. The increase of price of petrol will indirectly affect the increase of price for food and other necessities. But personally, I beg to differ in this case.

There are a few points to support my opinion. First, the increase of the petrol price would indirectly reduce the air pollution especially in KL. In order to save money, car pool is one of the best ways. By doing this, not only one would save loads of money, but at the same time reduces traffic jam and also air pollution. Everyday when I travel on a bus around KL and busy areas in Selangor, I find that one car contains only one person (that's the driver of course). I can tell it's really hard to find one car which is full with 5 people. Let the maths do its job. If one car can fit 5 people, that would reduce 4 cars on the road. So, if we have 50000 people working everyday, wouldn't that reduce the number of cars on the road by 40000 on the road? Think again, it's Malaysian attitude that always point fingers and blame others but they never look for opportunity to improve themselves. I felt that Malaysian are more 'kiasu' that Singaporeans. I really hope that this move will start to enlighten drivers to car pool everyday, to reduce expenses on petrol and at the same time reduce air pollution. We don't see the obvious effects of air pollution, but our children or even great grandchildren will suffer by then.

The second point that I would like to highlight is usage other means of transportation to work. Some people, and I really mean it, that some people stay near to the working place still prefers to drive and it's annoying to see them drive alone. Wouldn't it will be healthier to walk, or even cycle to work? Don't give lame excuses that the weather is hot and such. BULLSHIT! Office hours starts at around 8.30am, and definitely we start our journey earlier, which at that time, the weather is still cool. And also lame excuse that have to wake up early. Usually we do wake up early to avoid traffic, or caught in traffic. Tired is another reason. Research have found that if we exercise more, then we wouldn't get tired quickly, in fact we'll be more alert. So think bout it! LRT and buses are available. Why not make full use of it? Yes, the system is not that good in Malaysia, but if we create the demand, don't you think that the system will improve? Do anyone know that the current public transportation is actually suffering losses because the demand is less? Same cases in overseas. In KL, only about 10% of the population in KL is using the public transport. Well, if these suggestions weren't good enough, then maybe we should go back to the stone age...and travel like Wilma and Fred...like the Flintstones. Good for the environment, and also for our health. And no need to worry bout parking skills.


Third point, I really hope the government will use the reduced subsidy in petrol to subsidize other more important necessities such as food. I personally felt that this is more important. Coz food prices are going up. So if the government is increasing the petrol price, I hope that the government will subsidize food prices instead. We need food more than petrol! We can take petrol to live, right? Besides, petrol is running out in next few decades...better save it for later use. And pls Malaysians, don't waste food! Take what ever you can and pack whatever u can't finish so can finish it later.

Last point, I dun think that the government will be so stupid to purposely raised the price. The last election results showed that the government shouldn't mess with the Rakyat. And I believe that this time they are doing changes for the benefit of the people. Maybe I'm wrong, but time will tell. Who knows. So whatever it is, the increase of price of petrol may not necessarily be bad. Think again, for the environment and for the future. Think long term, we don't live forever.

Malaysia still very racist?

These two articles were taken from The Star Online...

Monday June 2, 2008

Malay students affected

PETALING JAYA: Increasing the quota for non-bumiputras for Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships without increasing the actual number of scholarships has drastically affected the bumiputras, the Umno Youth Education Bureau said.

Its chairman Ahmad Ikmal Ismail said while the bureau agreed with the Government to give more scholarships to non-bumiputras, it did not agree with the way it was done.

“The quota for non-bumiputras has increased from 10% to 45% but the number of total scholarships has remained at 2,000.”

Ahmad Ikmal said this meant that scholarships were being taken from the bumiputras to be given to the non-bumiputras.

“We object to this move because it now means that 700 scholarships for bumiputra students are gone,” he said.

Ahmad Ikmal said a better way would be to use the New Economic Policy concept to increase the number of total scholarships. He said this was to ensure that the bumiputras were not affected and the non-bumiputras would get even more opportunities.

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/2/nation/21425360&sec=nation

Tuesday June 3, 2008

MCA shocked by objection to PSD move

KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA is saddened and shocked by an Umno Youth leader’s objection to the fairer distribution of Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships for all races.

MCA Youth education bureau chief Dr Wee Ka Siong said the last five years had seen an expansion of PSD scholarships from 900 places in 2004 to 2,000 this year.

“The decision to increase the percentage of non-bumiputra recipients is in tandem with the rise in the number of scholarships. It is a win-win situation for all,” said Dr Wee.

He was commenting on the statement by Umno Youth education bureau chairman Ahmad Ikmal Ismail that increasing the quota for PSD scholarships for non-bumiputras without increasing the actual number of scholarships had drastically affected the bumiputras.

Ahmad Ikmal added this meant scholarships were being taken from the bumiputras and given to non-bumiputras.

Dr Wee, who is Deputy Education Minister, said outstanding bumiputra students should not worry about being deprived of a scholarship if their qualification met the criteria set out by the PSD.

He added the PSD move would also ensure a more level playing field because when more competition prevailed, students would be encouraged to perform their best.

Dr Wee also said the MCA supported the PSD move as a step in the right direction.

He said Malaysian students must strive towards achieving meritocracy in applying for government scholarships, just like the criteria for intake into public universities.

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/3/nation/21434785&sec=nation

These two articles showed how Malaysia is still not ready to accept the fact that race should not be a matter of issues in terms of opportunities for all. After 50 years of independence, Malaysia is still the same as 50 years before. Singapore, achieved independence later than Malaysia, but progressed faster than us. Why? One of the reasons, in my opinion is because the issue of race and opportunities. Up until today, the ‘higher ranked’ people judge us by our race and not by our abilities. If you’re good, talented but not the same colour, then your opportunity is taken away. As for this case, if the number of PSD scholarship increases, then wouldn’t that mean there’s no changes in opportunity at all? What difference does it make in terms of percentage? Yes, this move will reduce the number of bumiputras but if we consider that so many years ago, the non-bumiputras have lost even more opportunities of getting scholarships to the bumiputras. And, there’s always a question that wonders, does bumiputra here refers to single race malay or the natives that have been occupying the land even longer than the malays? Just look at the title…Malay students affected. Have we ever really taken into consideration of the real bumiputras which are from Sabah and Sarawak? It is obvious that this is a single race issue. However, my comments here are not meant to side the non-bumiputras, but instead it is my wish to see the country progress without even looking at what race we are. In fact, I would suggest removing the quota and giving the scholarships based on meritocracy, which means all are given equal opportunity. I also understand that the non-bumiputras would now be afraid that the judging panel would be bias if there’s no quota at all. But it is time for Malaysians to trust each other, and be mature enough to accept openness. Therefore, I hail all Malaysians, to put aside our race, compete fairly and equally to develop ourselves and our beloved country. Put our country first, not race. For without the country, we may not be standing here enjoying what we have. Malaysia is for all, a non-racial country, not a multi-racial country.

Do we really know how beautiful our Malaysia is?

Last week was a tiring but an enjoyable week for me as I managed to travel to the north of west coast (except Perlis) and then down south. It took me ten days to complete the route. That was the first time I traveled to so many places with such a small budget within 10 days. Strangely, I learned a lot from this trip instead of just enjoying it. This trip had put me into thoughts about Malaysia. I haven't been to overseas a lot, but just a few such as New Zealand, Australia and Singapore. But this trip had really made me realize how beautiful Malaysia is. A lot of people would like to travel overseas for the sceneries and for holidays. I'm in this group of people as well. However, my perception changed after this trip. I realized that there are still a lot of beautiful places in Malaysia that we haven't been to. Why would we want to travel overseas to enjoy the sceneries when we haven't really know how beautiful Malaysia is? Every Malaysian would tell foreigners that Malaysia is unique, with breath-taking picturesque sceneries and bla bla bla. But have we really ever been to these places to really see it and feel it? Some people can't afford to travel overseas to see and enjoy a different environment, but hey, there's always our own hometown to go. I'm not surprised that some people don't even know where to take their friends to in their own hometown. Why? This is a question that every Malaysian should ponder on.

Before making it to other countries, it's always wise (and should be made a habit) to really see things around us, the places and the people nearest to us, which is our own beloved hometown. Malaysia is a gifted land with the tropical weather and hence the high biodiversity from terrestrial to marine. Every corner in Malaysia has something to see and to enjoy. Breath-taking waterfall of Lata Kinjang, shiny beautiful beach around Penang National Park, muddy but unique mangrove of Larut Matang and even cool, misty hill of Maxwell, to name a few. In this 10-day trip, I've really seen all these places and I bet that not many are lucky to really enjoyed this. Well, I guess I would be doing more trips around Malaysia, before heading overseas so that I can really tell people around the world, how beautiful Malaysia is, and how lucky that Malaysians have privilege living on such a wonderful land. Moreover, travel around Malaysia is definitely cheaper than going overseas! Think about it!

Lata Kinjang waterfall, Kampar, Perak

View of Batu Ferringhi from Lighthouse in Penang National Park