The __earthinc

[902] Of migrating to WordPress

2006-10-08T12:35:00.000-04:00

After years of contemplating, plus Blogger's unsatisfactory service, I decided to move to WordPress. Plus, this migration forces me to learn php. I've always wanted to learn php and this is my chance.

I'm still migrating. I spent the whole weekends tweaking my open source template. I expect the migration to be completed by next Friday. So, forgive me for any pothole.

Oh, the new location of the blog is at http://www.maddruid.com/wp/.

To encourage move, comment facilities at Blogger-based The __earthinc have been closed while people are free to comment to my WordPress-based blog, subject to rules and regulations provided at "About" section.

[901] Of demanding Indonesia to ratify the Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution

2006-10-06T11:36:00.000-04:00

Last year, I blogged about how Indonesia hasn't ratified the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. I really believe Malaysia and others countries that are affected by this current major environmental disaster should press on Indonesia to ratify the agreement immediately. However, our government is too busy regulating language and moral while stiffling freedom instead of ensuring our well-being.

Given the inability of our government to prioritize its priorities — given the current administration's failure to protect our interest, our health, our environment — I call on all environmental conscious Malaysians to not to vote for Barisan Nasional in the next election. The next time you're at the ballot box, remember this haze. Remember how ineffective this administration is in solving this problem.

I've already said the haze will return this year despite all the Badawi administration said. This environmental degradation will happen every year unless we stand up against Indonesia and say no more. We need to arrest this issue at its root cause. All the cloud seeding does not permanently solve our problem. We need to insist Indonesia to ratify the Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. From there on, more meaningful cooperation between Malaysia, Indonesia and other ASEAN countries could be forged.

While our government is failing us, I'm happy to spread the word that Greenpeace is fighting for us:

Greenpeace activists literally smoked out the forestry ministry in Jakarta on Thursday to protest the government's failure to stop forest fires. The blazes have spread choking smog over much of Southeast Asia, threatening the health of millions.

Over the past week, thick smoke from fires in Sumatra and Central Kalimantan has affected Singapore and Malaysia.

Greenpeace Southeast Asia has more pictures at their website.

Some may point out that it's the Malaysian plantation firms operating in Indonesia that are causing this. The counter-punch hasn't changed; Malaysia doesn't have the authority to exercise its environmental laws on Indonesian soil.

Regardless, I strongly believe the Malaysian government should a law that could somehow punish this Malaysian firms for causing this environmental degradation. The law must internalize this negative externalities.

Hey DAP, are you organizing another protest in front of the Indonesian embassy? I'll join you guys again if it's going to be held on weekends.

[900] Of stay away from the LRT for today's morning

2006-10-06T00:01:00.000-04:00

I just finally got off the LRT. There was (and probably still is) a major technical problem along the Kelana Jaya Line. Two trains got stuck in the middle of Dato' Keramat and Damai stations. At the same time, the management did a very poor job to inform commuters of the problem.

I see this notice only after I got off the train; after wasting close to two hours. Not before:

Hence, I was late for work. Thank heavens my CEO is an understanding person...

It was a horrendous experience. I advise you all to not get on the Kelana Jaya Line for this morning, unless are you're game for a very inconvenient journey.

[899] Of Tories are green

2006-10-05T11:11:00.000-04:00

I first noticed David Cameron when he took over the UK Tories' leadership last year from Michael Howard. First of all, I've always like Blair; charming, young and best of all, green. That doesn't necessarily translate into support for the Labor Party though. (Okay, okay, Labour. Happy now?) I don't know enough of British politics to choose side but Blair's personality and his green tendency is strong enough for me tip my hat to the Labour Party. However, Blair's possible successor, Gordon Brown isn't as fun as Blair himself. And Brown seems a little bit closer to the red side as far as I'm concerned. Cameron on the other hand, while coming from a conservative, is green. With a green leadership, the Tories are starting to suit me. It's a sort of a green-blue party. I consider myself as a libertarian green and hence, it's only natural for me to be attracted to the new Tories.

Nevertheless, there are accusations that David Cameron is doing a Kerry - trying to impress too many people at once. New stuff is also coming out about him; despite earlier the media hailing him for cycling to the Houses, that cycling activity is apparently a gimmick. I really hope hypocrisy isn't the case. Reason is, if Cameron's really sincere, this is something good for the green. Why? Simple. When was the last time two major parties in a country with great global influence last tried to be greener than the other?

From the top of my head and from my limited knowledge, I can't think of any.

And certainly, Malaysia comes nowhere near such scenario despite the Badawi administration's initial green slogans. Like so many of the administration efforts, his green effort is starting to look like greenwashing.

Coming back to the main issue, usually, it's the race to the center. But perhaps, this race towards the green is really a race to the center. Maybe — for those in the UK, correct me if I'm wrong — environmental issue is a centrist's issue in the UK. If that is so, what a wonderful place the UK is right now.

Of course, the unfortunate part is that both the Labour and the Tories support the invasion of Iraq. Another thing is that, the Tories are Euroskeptics. I'm pro-EU simply because I'm for a more integrated ASEAN. I see a successful EU as a brownie point for those that are for a stronger ASEAN.

Still, whichever side wins next year, I'm happy to speculate that the UK would be green.

[898] Of Ajax's in Group F of the UEFA Cup

2006-10-04T02:04:00.000-04:00

After shockingly dropping out of the UEFA Champions League earlier this year, Ajax bullied IK Start 9-2 to qualify to the next stage of the UEFA Cup (tag). Ajax now sits in Group F along with Sparta Prague, Espanyol, Austria Wien and Zulte Waregem.

Easy, especially when top three team from the group will qualify to the next stage. Apart from Ajax which currently sits first in the Eredivisie, the teams of Group F are having pretty bad season so far:

It is remarkable that Ajax are the only side in group F to do well in their domestic league: the Amsterdammers are at the top of the Eredivisie table since last Sunday's triumph in Utrecht. All four of Ajax's opponents, however, have had a disappointing start of the season. Sparta Prague are currently third in the Czech league. Not terrible (at least they're close to the top), but the 'Ajax of the Czech Republic' can never be satisfied with it. Sparta won only four out of their first eight league games. Espanyol are five games underway in La Liga, but the full three points were grabbed only once. The team scored only two goals in five games and are currently Spain's modest number 15 (in a league of 20). Zulte Waregem are also 15th, but in a league of 18. Only two out of the first eight games were won. Austria Vienna, finally, perform way under par as well: there are only ten teams in the Austrian Bundesliga, and FK Austria are currently 8th. The first eleven league games brought them only two wins, an unacceptable score for what is traditionally one of Austria's greatest clubs.

The bad news is that Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is out for a month. But I'm convinced that won't stop Ajax from doing extremely well in the group.

[897] Of dear Ministry of Agriculture

2006-10-03T09:10:00.000-04:00

Or whatever they call you nowadays,

I wish to direct your attention to your recent temporary ban lift on paraquat (tag).

In an article by M. Krishnamoorthy in The Star on Tuesday, October 3 2006, you state the reason the ban is being lifted is to conduct a cost and benefit analysis on the usage of paraquat:

KUALA LUMPUR: The ban on the herbicide paraquat will be temporarily lifted from Nov 1, to allow a comprehensive study on its many uses.

The Pesticide Control Division under the then Agriculture Ministry banned the weedkiller for its hazardous effect on health in August 2002.

The decision to temporarily lift the ban by the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry now was made following appeals from farmers and manufacturers to look at the greater uses of the herbicide.

"We want to do an extensive study on paraquat, its harmful effects and positive aspects, before the set date for its total ban in November next year," Pesticide Control Division director Nursiah Tajul Arus told The Star.

After reading the article, I'm a little dumbfounded. I'm neither a farmer nor a scientist that specializes in herbicide. Neither am I too sure if I've actually seen a bottle of paraquat. So pardon the state of mind I'm currently in. Nevertheless, I do know through my readings that paraquat is a very strong poison. It's potentially dangerous if safety guidelines aren't followed to the letter. Despite that, I'm not totally against the usage of paraquat. In fact, I'm not even sure if I'm actually objecting to the use of that herbicide. What disturbs me is the reasoning you offer. It doesn't make sense. Moreover, if that's your policy on how to conduct experiment, it's a bad practice.

If you want to commission a comprehensive study on the effects of paraquat usage, couldn't you just study it a laboratory instead of lifting the ban nationwide? With the lift of the ban for the sake of conducting a study, you're turning the country into a guinea pig. Worse, that descision potentially expose many plantation workers in harm's way. If you really need to test paraquat out in the open air, you could just find a farm or two and conduct experiments there. The country isn't a one big laboratory owned exclusively by you.

Perhaps, you have never heard a concept called "precautionary principle". I'm a green and so, I'm familiar with it. I embrace it though from time to time, I do take too much risk that I'm supposed too. But I'm digressing. The point I'm trying to convey here is that you should be familiar with the concept, given that you get to play with many dangerous species of chemicals that could potentially affect million if used widely unwisely.

I don't mind if you like to play around with chemicals. Hey, when I was a student at a high school (even as an undergraduate at Michigan), I love chemicals! At Michigan, there are a number of small chambers where I as a freshman handled hazardous fume; I didn't handle hazardous chemical outside of the chamber. It wouldn't be safe to me or anybody that might be around during that experiment.

Do you have the same chamber in your laboratory? I hope you do. If you don't, perhaps you could ask some cash from the Malaysian astronaut program and build that chamber for your use. In fact, you could do your experiment in that chamber!

With the chamber, if something bad accidentally happened, at least it would be limited in that chamber. The country isn't a guinea pig; please be responsible. Please limit your little science project to your laboratories.

With all this in mind, I suspect your intention to temporarily lift that ban has nothing to do with cost and benefit analysis. I suspect the lift is a little less than sincere. The basis of the suspicion is simple; with the temporary nationwide lift of the ban for the sake of conducting a cost and benefit analysis, entities that are calling for the legalization of paraquat usage get to use the chemical freely. On one hand, the study could be conducted at some confined place. That strikes as a bit odd, don't you think so, especially the analysis could easily be done in a lab, thus migitating lots of risk?

Sorry if I sound redundant but I'm not supporting the ban at the moment. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty much a free market kind of guy and most often than not, I'd support the use of paraquat and disagree with bans. Accounting full cost accounting practice, I might be okay with heavily regulated use, even. So, you could say, all I'm questioning is your sincerity of the lifting of the ban.

Regards.

[896] Of a dead boy and two mutilated crocodiles

2006-10-02T09:55:00.000-04:00

Approximately a month ago in Sarawak, Malaysia, a crocodile snatched a boy as he swam in a river. The boy's remain has yet to be found. The locals are trying hard to recover the body but only heaven knows how many crocodiles there are in the river.

The boy is dead. However disheartening the episode is, the locals are being overzealous in their search for the boy. So far according to reports, two crocodiles have been killed. Both crocodiles' stomach were cut open. For the loss of a human life, two crocodiles have been killed heartlessly. It's time to stop and accept the fact that the boy is dead.

Though I understand the strong urge to find the body, two wrongs don't make a right. Though perhaps I might not comprehend the parents' grief, two wrongs still don't make a right. This is beyond justice. This is simply revenge. I'd like to think we humans are better than this:

The crocodile, with its four legs tied, was taken to the Bako National Park boat terminal after news of its capture spread like wild fire, prompting villagers from Kampung Bako and surrounding areas to gather at the terminal since early morning eager to see the animal.

Before that, water was pumped into the live crocodile's mouth, causing it to vomit out bones believe to be that of a dog and monkey.

Mohd Azuan's father, Hatta Abidin, 36, and mother, Maria Kepli, 34, who were among the crowd at the terminal, were not satisfied and a decision was made to dissect the crocodile's stomach to determine if it was the same crocodile that took away their son's life.

I'm disgusted by the way the the locals treated the reptile. Dare do I ask, do they plan to cut all the reptilians' stomach open until — if ever — they found the body?

The boy is dead. It's time to accept it. It's far better for us as a society to devise ways to live harmoniously with other beings rather than engage in our thirst for blood.

Please spare the rest. Stop the senseless killing.

p/s - according to Utusan Malaysia, three crocodiles have been killed (via):

KUCHING 2 Okt. - Empat ekor buaya telah ditangkap dan tiga daripadanya dibunuh serta dibelah perut, namun penduduk Kampung Bako, dekat sini masih kebingungan kerana tidak ada tanda-tanda bahawa reptilia tersebut membaham kanak-kanak berusia 12 tahun, sebulan lalu.

Sorry, too busy to actually translate the paragraph into English. Regardless, if you think that fact makes this whole event more inhumane and angering, wait to you read this in the Utusan's article:

Dalam pada itu, para wartawan yang membuat liputan mengenai tangkapan buaya besar itu dihalang oleh para petugas Sarawak Forestry.

Mereka dihalang merakamkan gambar ketika buaya itu dibelah perut.

Difahamkan, Sarawak Forestry bimbang jika gambar buaya yang dibelah disiarkan dalam akhbar seperti dua ekor buaya sebelum ini, ia akan dipertikaikan oleh masyarakat.

Whereas wildlife authority is supposed to protect wildlife, they're going on a killing spree instead. And they fear the possibility the public would question their consent for the killing...

[895] Of the haze returns after a respite

2006-10-01T02:44:00.000-04:00

Just when we all thought the worst has past for this year, the haze returns to Kuala Lumpur (tag). But then, the meteorological department did warn us all that the haze would return after the raining season ended.

Last Friday's night, I had the luxury of dining at the top of PNB Darby Park. The view would have been magnificent, if it wasn't for the haze:

The haze gives the Petronas Twin Towers some interesting "natural" effect:

With El Niño's here, I have a feeling that this part of the year is going to be the toughest for us all. In term of climate, that is.

p/s - The Little Brown Jug has safely returned to Ann Arbor. With Michigan's 28-14 win against Minnesota, we and some school called Ohio State are 5-0 — the only undefeated teams so far in the Big Ten. Because of the win, I expect Michigan to move from #6 to #5.

Other undefeated teams nationwide (I mean the US) are Boise State, Florida, Auburn, Georgia, USC, Oregon, Missouri, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Rutgers, West Virginia and Louisville. All together, there are 14 undefeated teams so far. Out of 14 teams, I think 11 would stay undefeated after next week's matches, including Michigan and (unfortunately) OSU.

Next's Michigan State. Bush would say "Bring 'em on".

pp/s - oh yeah, new banner. The image was manipulated by me; original picture is produced by the USDA. Taken from Wikipedia.

[894] Of Lex Gabinia

2006-09-30T00:43:00.000-04:00

An extremely interesting article at the New York Times. Pirates of the Mediterranean (via):

IN the autumn of 68 B.C. the world's only military superpower was dealt a profound psychological blow by a daring terrorist attack on its very heart. Rome's port at Ostia was set on fire, the consular war fleet destroyed, and two prominent senators, together with their bodyguards and staff, kidnapped.

The incident, dramatic though it was, has not attracted much attention from modern historians. But history is mutable. An event that was merely a footnote five years ago has now, in our post-9/11 world, assumed a fresh and ominous significance. For in the panicky aftermath of the attack, the Roman people made decisions that set them on the path to the destruction of their Constitution, their democracy and their liberty. One cannot help wondering if history is repeating itself.

At the Economist's View, the blogger says "Can we avoid making the same mistakes, or is it too late already?"

[893] Of Malay-shire and globalization

2006-09-26T23:09:00.000-04:00

Cool ads by Tesco, UK.

Hail globalization.

[892] Of a three-state Iraqi federation is just another Yugoslavia

2006-09-25T05:09:00.000-04:00

Iraq might be moving towards a weak three-state federation divided by religion and ethnicity (tag):

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- Iraq's fractious ethnic and religious parliamentary groups agreed Sunday to open debate on a contentious Shiite-proposed draft legislation that will allow the creation of federal regions in Iraq, politicians said.

The agreement came after a compromise was reached with Sunni Arabs on setting up a parliamentary committee to amend Iraq's constitution, a key demand by the minority.

The committee will be set up Monday and the federalism bill will be read to the body a day later, Sunni and Shiite politicians said.

The deal opens the way for Iraq's Shiites, Sunni Arabs and Kurds to move ahead politically and break a two-week political deadlock that threatened to further sour relations between the communities. If left unresolved, the deadlock could have further shaken Iraq's fragile democracy and led to more sectarian violence.

The federalism bill calls for setting up a system to allow the creation of autonomous regions in the predominantly Shiite south, much like the self-ruling Kurdish region in northern Iraq. Sunni Arabs have said they fear the legislation will split Iraq apart and fuel sectarian bloodshed.

The Kurdish north and Shiite south hold Iraq's oil fields, while the predominantly Sunni Arab areas are mostly desert.

Somehow, I don't think the creation of that kind of federation suits the condition Iraq is currently in. I fear the act of craving Iraq into three regions might mean a permanent strike on Iraq forever. While the three-state solution does have its merit, who could guarantee Iraq won't be another Yugoslavia?

[891] Of #6 Michigan is up against Wisconsin

2006-09-23T14:51:00.000-04:00

Michigan is currently up against Wisconsin Badgers (tag). The good news is that the game is currently in its final quarter and Michigan is ahead with 24 points against 10. Wisconsin hasn't scored since the second quarter. It was kind of scary to see Wisconsin taking the lead in the first two quarters but thank goodness the Wolverines bucked up.

Anyway, it looks like the Wolverines are back in national radar. On Yahoo!'s front page:

Heh. It's 27 - 10 now. Rivas got a field goal. Unless something really out of this world is going to happen Michigan ought to win this.

Next stop: the Little Brown Jug game. It's time to return the Jug back to Ann Arbor.

[890] Of failing to line up at the train stations

2006-09-22T23:24:00.000-04:00

It's quite surprising for me to see many commuters of the light rail transit in Kuala Lumpur failed to line up (tag). A considerable number of commuters — at some stations almost overwhelmingly — simply ignore pre-existing lines and cut it with impunity. When the train comes, they get to be the first to get on the train, at the expense of those that actually take the pain to line up. What's more shocking is the fact that those that are made worse by those that cut the lines do nothing to stop it almost every time.

What's up fellow commuter?

Don't you get ticked off to see somebody cut the line you're in? Don't you feel the need to do something?

Commuters that don't know how to line up come in many forms. It might be some senior citizens, adults or simply school kids that think they're kings of the world with their latest pants style; male or female. Through complex Malaysian culture, perhaps it's comprehendible why the young don't criticize their seniors — that would probably amount to disrespect. If this is the case, then I'd like to say, respect is earned; it doesn't not come automatically with age.

I'm not sure why many commuters refuse to stand up for themselves and tell those that failed to adhere to common courtesy to get in line.

I on the other hand have a strong urge to defend my rights - I line up and I plan to get on the train when my turn comes. I have serious issue when those that don't line up and then get to get on the train earlier than me. In most cases, the libertarian part of me will whisper to me and say "Hey, are you going to let him/her get away with that?"

Throughout months of me using the light rail system, I've only seen four times when somebody actually told off those that cut the line to get in line; that somebody was me.

In three times, it were uncontroversial. I simply reached out for the arm of the person each time and politely said, "I'm sorry but there's a line here" or its variation right in the public. One time, it was a foreigner while the other two involved locals. The fourth incident however was pretty harsh on my part.

It was morning and commuters were lining up. I as with many others had to let many trains to pass us by simply because the trains were full and it was impossible to get in. Then suddenly came a woman with headscarf. Instead of standing at the back and line up, she had the audacity to come straight to the front and made another line of her own.

When I saw that and the fact that nobody stopped her, my day was practically ruined early in the morning. The thought that she would get on the train first by cutting the line while diminishing my chance of getting on the train according to my turn was the final throe. I asked a person behind me to reserve my turn, broke off from the line, came up to the women and verbally abused her in front of all the other commuters. After a minute or two of abuse, I got back into my line.

And boy, the blowing up experience was a great feeling and even greater because she didn't fight back. In fact, not only didn't she fight back, from the look of her face, she was absolutely stunned!

In retrospect, it would've been a horrible experience if she had fought back. I myself hate unnecessary confrontation. Perhaps, another reason why most commuters don't confront the "line cutters" is that common commuters aren't fond of confrontation. I personally would prefer a peaceful day where I could do my dealings with ease and without trouble if it's at all possible. Nevertheless, I don't compromise my rights if the rights are just and fair. Even more if I worked for it. Neither should you.

Really fellow commuters, if you don't defend your right, nobody will. If you allow others to cut your line at your expense and you fail to stand up for yourself, you only embolden the violators to continue to cut your and somebody else's lines. Our lines. Soon, they'd would assume that its a norm to cut the lines. Is that what we want?

So, stand up and tell them off. The next time somebody cut your line, ask politely "didn't your mother tell you to line up when you were small?"

Or you could just say, "Yo f*** face, get at the f***ing back and line your big f***ing *** up like everybody ****ing else" if you're having a bad day. But please be polite while saying the f word.

p/s - I've reading KL Commuter for about a week or so now and I like it.

[889] Of from sugar shortage to sugar subsidy

2006-09-20T06:23:00.000-04:00

The inefficiency in the sugar market has gone from bad to worse. In order to combat sugar shortage, the government now plans to import sugar at a higher cost and sell it locally at a lower controlled price:

IPOH: Malaysia has identified several sugar-producing countries in the event the item has to be imported to meet demand, especially during the festive season.

...

Shafie said if sugar was imported, the retail price would be similar to sugar produced locally but the wholesale and industrial prices might differ.

If the plan goes through, that would basically mean that the government is subsidizing sugar. The problem would have been solved through the liberalization of the sugar market at no cost at all. Unfortunately, the government plans to undo the shortage through more expensive means.

That's our government at work; our money mishandled.

[888] Of wishing for a speedy recovery towards Thai democracy

2006-09-19T21:16:00.000-04:00

How ironic it is for us in ASEAN to discuss so profusely about getting Myanmar closer to democracy, we failed to stop a democracy from falling back into military rule. (tag)

When I was in Bangkok not too long ago, I witness the symbol of Thai democracy. It stands so proudly in the middle of the city.

I as a citizen of ASEAN wish the people of Thailand a speedy return to democracy. It's only fair for the birthplace of ASEAN to be in a democratic atmosphere.

[887] Of Earthly Strip: Selective reasoning

2006-09-18T10:21:00.000-04:00

The followers of the religion of love and the religion of peace duking them out.

And we liberals watching on the sidewalk, noting every bit of irony in the episode.

[886] Of the coming of El Niño

2006-09-17T02:39:00.000-04:00

El Niño according to Wikipedia is a sustained temperature anomalies of magnitude greater than 0.5°C across the central Pacific (tag). By that definition, it's back.

I'm not a meteorologist but I've gone through El Niño and I hate it. Hence, its development is of personal concern and I'm preparing for it by adjusting my lifestyle accordingly. I suggest you do the same. Be adaptable or be a dinosaur!

According to Wikipedia further, the first signs of El Niño are:

Rise in air pressure over the Indian Ocean, Indonesia, and Australia

Fall in air pressure over Tahiti and the rest of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean

Trade winds in the south Pacific weaken or head east

Warm air rises near Peru, causing rain in the deserts there

Warm water spreads from the west Pacific and the Indian Ocean to the east Pacific. It takes the rain with it, causing rainfall in normally dry areas and extensive drought in eastern areas

Mike at RealClimate is kind enough to direct me to an animated diagram by Climate Diagnostics Center of the US National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration that illustrates point 4 and 5:

The diagram ranges from August 2005 till early September this year. In the diagram, you could see how the warmer colors are spreading from Latin America to Southeast Asia. It sucks, isn't it?

I wonder how next year's haze's going to be like.

According to the CDC, NOAA, the diagram is a public domain. So, feel free to spread it.

[885] Of Belum-Temengor: a possible alliance between the greens and the pharmaceutical industry

2006-09-16T10:31:00.000-04:00

The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) with cooperation of TVG at KLCC — a major local cinema — is screening "Temengor - Biodiversity In The Face of Danger" for free. The film is a documentary on Temengor, part of the Belum-Temengor forest complex up north in Perak. It's the largest continuous forest in Peninsular Malaysia and is currently facing deforestation. The documentary itself was produced by Novista and is being screened in conjunction of the Belum-Temengor Campaign. The campaign itself was launched earlier this year and I've given it a passing mention back on Earth Day 2006. I won't talk about the film per se but instead, I want to share my opinion on possible alliance the campaign organizers could forge to make their effort more successful (tag).

The documentary mentioned several reasons why Temengor should be preserved. One of the reasons concerns the pharmaceutical industry. The narrator in the document said that deforestation there threatens the possible development of new drugs. She went on further that tropical flora species are major contributors to drugs development. Therefore, each day of deforestation reduces humankind's chance to discover new medicines to fight diseases. One sentence struck me so deeply and it roughly goes something like this: "just as mankind starts to open up the treasure chest, the content begins to disappear."

After the documentary ended, there was a Q&A session conducted by a representative from MNS. The audience — there were about 30 people in the hall — had a discussion and I shared my thought with everybody. I asked the society's representative whether the organizers had come in touch with the pharmaceutical industry. My rationale for contact is simple: destruction of the forest reduces the chance the pharmaceutical industry to discover new drugs and essentially, chance to make more money through patents. In essence, the pharmaceutical industry has every incentive to stop deforestation and protect its potential goldmines.

Representative answered that while it's a good strategy, Malaysia doesn't have a strong patent law, especially when it comes to the protection of local interest. Somebody followed-up on it and asked whether the government plans to draft a relevant law on it. The representative said that there's already a draft on it. Given how the current free trade agreement with the United States is heading which is giving lots of stress on intellectual property, I suspect that law would come sooner than later.

In The Carbon Wars by Jeremy Leggett, the author wrote that climate changes cause damages and adversely affect the insurance, or rather the reinsurance, industry. With every damage caused by climate change-related disasters, the cost of business for the industry goes up. Hence, the insurance industry has every reason to support action to slow down climate change. Right now, the reinsurance industry is one of the industries that are actually taking a proactive stance to combat human-induced climate change.

Similar alliance could be created between the greens and the pharmaceutical industry. It's in the industry's best interest to protect the its revenue source. Thus, this rationalizes an alliance between the greens and the pharmaceutical industry.

So far, the organizers have only contacted with the banking industry. While the banking industry's involvement in the Belum-Temengor campaign is encouraging, I don't believe the banking industry has a strong incentive to save the environment as the pharmaceutical industry does.

p/s - when the Pope said something that isn't too admirable, regardless his intention, for me it was like "here we go again". I'm glad that the Pope later apologize and hence possibly closed the controversy down. But it seems the apology isn't sincere:

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI "sincerely regrets" offending Muslims with his reference to an obscure medieval text that characterizes some of the teachings of Islam's founder as "evil and inhuman," the Vatican said Saturday.

But the statement stopped short of the apology demanded by Islamic leaders around the globe, and anger among Muslims remained intense. Palestinians attacked five churches in the West Bank and Gaza over the pope's remarks Tuesday in a speech to university professors in his native Germany.

Moreover, some Christians are disappointed with the Pope's apology. They said the Pope shouldn't have apologize. Sorry is the hardest word for them it seems.

Whatever it is, a Catholic school in South Bend isn't happy regardless of what the Pope said. Reason is, the school — Notre Dame — just got kicked in the ass by a school called Michigan:

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) -- Take that, Notre Dame.

No. 11 Michigan finally put a Big Blue bruising on the second-ranked Fighting Irish in a 47-21 rout Saturday -- the most points scored against Notre Dame at home in 46 years.

And Michigan won't say sorry to Notre Dame. Nope. No way.

[884] Of 43 years of the Malaysian Federation

2006-09-15T22:31:00.000-04:00

That 16 days have passed.

Don't forget your history, lest somebody will rewrite it.

Happy birthday Malaysia. (tag)

[883] Of welcome back El Niño and screw you

2006-09-14T11:03:00.000-04:00

Editors at Wikipedia has labelled the article "El Niño-Southern Oscillation" as current news. Surprised, I checked up the news and it seems Wikipedia is right. The little boy is back:

NEW YORK — El Niño, a warming of equatorial waters in the Pacific Ocean that wreaks havoc with world weather conditions, has formed and will last into 2007, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported Wednesday.

I remember the last time it struck, life wasn't too comfortable:

In Asia and South America, the last severe El Niño killed hundreds of people and caused billions of dollars in damage as crops shriveled across the Asia-Pacific basin.

With Ramadan around the corner, this will get ugly. But in the same article:

This El Niño has caused drier-than-average conditions across Indonesia, Malaysia and most of the Philippines.

Really? If it's not, I haven't felt it. For all I know, it's been raining for almost everyday for the past few weeks now.

[882] Of controlling price to curb shortage

2006-09-13T09:36:00.000-04:00

In economics, price ceiling introduces shortage (tag).

In Malaysia, price ceiling combats shortage:

Controlling prices to ease sugar shortage
13 Sep 2006
Fay Angela D'cruz

KUALA LUMPUR: Fine sugar has been made a controlled item, with its price fixed at RM1.55 per kg in West Malaysia, and RM1.65 per kg in Sabah and Sarawak.

This move follows the tendency among refineries to produce more fine sugar as it was not a controlled item, resulting in the shortage of coarse sugar in the market.

Before the decision, fine sugar was sold between RM1.90 and RM2.50 per kg. Coarse sugar is controlled at RM1.40 per kg.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal announced the decision, which is effective from today.

He said the government hoped the move would help solve the coarse sugar shortage in the retail market.

May a higher being saves us all.

For previous entries on sugar shortage, see post [824] Of sugar: price ceiling and oligopoly, [810] Of doctor says sugar is unhealthy and [763] Of honey, ah sugar sugar.

[881] Of Wikipedia defies the dragon

2006-09-12T10:26:00.000-04:00

Where Google falls, Wikipedia takes the lead. At The Observer (via):

The founder of Wikipedia, the online encyclopaedia written by its users, has defied the Chinese government by refusing to bow to censorship of politically sensitive entries.

Jimmy Wales, one of the 100 most influential people in the world according to Time magazine, challenged other internet companies, including Google, to justify their claim that they could do more good than harm by co-operating with Beijing.

Wikipedia, a hugely popular reference tool in the West, has been banned from China since last October. Whereas Google, Microsoft and Yahoo went into the country accepting some restrictions on their online content, Wales believes it must be all or nothing for Wikipedia.

Maybe Google should give up its claim to "don't be evil" philosophy and surrender it over to Wikipedia.

[880] Of Michigan 41 - 17 Central Michigan; bring on Notre Dame

2006-09-10T02:14:00.000-04:00

Some music peep?

Although Michigan won, some are unsure how to celebrate the win:

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan has won its first two games by an average of 22 points.

The 10th-ranked Wolverines beat Central Michigan 41-17 Saturday after handling Vanderbilt in their opener, but still don't know if they are merely good or potentially great.

This is the curse of being historically great football school (tag). Being good is not enough. Winning is not good enough.

The real test starts next week at South Bend - it's the Fighting Irish; Notre Dame. Unlike the Fighting Illini — a team fighting in name only — Notre Dame will be a tough fight. Notre Dame indeed defeated Joe Paterno's #19 Littany Lions 41-17. The Littany Lions, surprisingly, was a strong team last year.

Michigan is was ranked #10 for Week 2 while Notre Dame ranked #4. Last year, #3 Michigan lost to #20 Notre Dame 17-10 at home.

Despite the fact that the Notre Dame-Michigan game is a non-conference one, this game is important because a win for the Wolverines will boost Michigan deep into the top 10.

More crucially, a win will get Michigan closer to #1 Ohio State and thus limiting any psychological advantage the Buckeyes might have on the Wolverines for The Game on November 18. By the way, the Buckeyes routed #2 Longhorns; Texas is the defending champion. To make the Buckies' victory even more impressive, OSU won at Texas:

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Before the Longhorn band played a somber "Eyes of Texas," Ohio State offensive lineman Kirk Barton ran to the sliver of the stadium filled with Buckeyes fans and flashed the Hook 'em Horns sign with both hands aimed down.

The message was clear: Ohio State showed the defending national champions who's No. 1.

Alrighty.

Bring 'em on.

p/s - don't forget, Ajax - Vitesse later today.

w00t!

pp/s - Ajax Amsterdam 3 - 0 Vitesse Arnhem:

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored twice to help Ajax to a 3-0 win over 10-man Vitesse Arnhem in the Dutch league on Sunday.

Huntelaar collected a pass from Mauro Rosales to score his first Eredivisie goal of the season in the 32nd minute.

Ajax doubled its lead in the first-half stoppage time when Roger beat Vitesse Arnhem goalkeeper Harald Wapenaar with a low shot from close range.

Midfielder Wesley Sneijder set up Huntelaar for Ajax's third goal in the 55th.

Ajax is now second in the Eredivisie with three wins out of three matches. AZ Alkmaar is currently first and only tops Ajax due of goal difference.

[879] Of top Malaysian environmental issues for 2006, part two

2006-09-09T13:26:00.000-04:00

It's already September and it's time to revisit and update the 2006 top environmental issues. Unlike the first four months of 2006, the second four months have some good news on the Malaysian environmental front (tag).

The first issue I want to add up into my ongoing list definitely concerns Sipadan. Last May, a barge was transporting large amount of construction materials to build something on the island. The barge accidentally rammed through a wall of corals — or rather, accidently killed off lots of reefs — hence damaging what nature takes many years to build. This resulted in public outcry. Just like that smelly water in Klang Valley issue, this whole disaster was spreaded by blogs and thus outdoing and outbest the local mainstream media.

What makes the issue worse was the reason the barge was there in the first place. It was exactly Tioman all over again! Once the public found out that the Sabah government was building a RM 5 million tourist complex on a supposedly protected island, the state government was under attack. Even the Malaysian Prime Minister was forced to get into the argument and later in July, he ordered a stop to the development but the Chief Minister of Sabah continued the project, albeit at a reduced scale — at 'just' RM 2 million and they call it sustainable development...

Nevertheless, the project is still large and Sipadan doesn't need such development. To distract public attention, the state government started to talk about the presence of illegal divers around Sipadan. The state government must think us the citizens as a bunch of stupid.

Witnessing the fate of Sipadan, I wish Indonesia had won the case instead of Malaysia. At least, Indonesia would be too poor to spoil Sipadan with insensible and unneeded development.

From Sipadan, it's down to Bakun, Sarawak. Bakun is the site of what used to be taunted as the largest dam in the region before the Asian financial crisis hit Malaysia. Around a decade later, it's still under construction. As plan to really revive the construction of the project started to gain momentum, suggestion to build metal smelters around Bakun popped up early in January this year. Believe it or not, the state government said the presence of a metal smelters would provide justification to have the Bakum dam. Without the smelters, there just isn't enough demand for electricity to justify the construction of the Bakun dam. Talk about circular reasoning!

The idea has been killed or died off since but like a zombie, it refuses to die and has come back to life earlier this month:

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Malaysia's Sarawak state is still pursuing plans for an aluminium smelter, a government minister said on Thursday, despite media reports that the proposal was close to being scrapped.

Malaysian newspapers reported in July that the federal government might call off the smelter project, which was to be powered by Sarawak's 2,400-megawatt Bakun hydro-electric dam.

This is something that needs to be watched.

While the zombie rises, something received a headshot in August. The controversial Broga incinerator project has been cancelled. It has been called off (reg. req.) in mid-August. Here's to citizens' power. And to "not in my backyard" (NIMBY) too.

While the cancelation of an incinerator might reduce the amount of polluted air we as Malaysians might inhale into our lungs, the open burning in Indonesia is of greater concern. The burning, like last year, caused massive haze. But the good news is, unlike last year, this year was less hazy though it still affected our daily chores. The reason for a less severe pollution is the amount of rain we enjoy.

But the haze was still bad, that the turtles can't find their way to Terengganu!

Alright. That was lame but the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) says that the leatherback turtle species has virtually extinct from Peninsular Malaysia. Well, everybody has somewhat already knew that but some Malaysians begged to differ. They say there still one or two of this graceful species that still land on Terengganu beaches every year. Righto, one or two.

But not all things are gloomy here in Malaysia. Somebody in the government are actually doing something to preserve and improve the environment. Yes, I'm talking about the sustainable forestry as proposed by Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities. Instead of continuing ravaging the forest for timber, if things go well, soon we don't need to depend on the forest for timber. We will have tree farms!

It's so encouraging to see that an industry-centric ministry is being so progressive in its environmental policy. Talking about progressiveness, the local government of Kuala Lumpur plans to introduce congestion tax. This will be a tough fight because not many will like the idea of paying more tax and especially the fact the mass transit system here in Kuala Lumpur is horrendous. I myself am not too keen of the idea because I've started to experience first hand the unreliability of the trains of Kuala Lumpur. It used to be fantastic but something must have had happened between now and then.

The third good news is about rhinoceros. As recently as this week, conservationists are overjoyed to find out that there's a growing population of Sumatran rhino in the middle of Borneo:

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Wildlife rangers have made the first-ever sighting of a Sumatran rhino deep in the jungles of Borneo, taking video and photos of a single male after a decade-long search, conservationists said Friday.

SOS Rhino, a Chicago-based wildlife foundation, hailed the recent sighting in Malaysia's Sabah state as a "major discovery" that suggested a growing population of the Sumatran rhino was present in the wild.

Sumatran rhinos have been classified as an endangered species. Before last year, it was thought the species has already extinct from the world's third largest island.

Well, roughly four more months to go before 2007 hits us all. That's four more months to makes this year better than 2005.

Finally, I'd like to dedicate this post to Steve Irwin, for all the good work he had done. I know it's late but he was a great conservationist. There really aren't too many persons like him that inspire others to appreciate nature and life. So, to prevent this blog from forgeting him, I'm craving his name on my blog.

[878] Of Hell, Michigan

2006-09-08T23:39:00.000-04:00

Contrary to popular belief, there are only 266 people in Hell. According to Wikipedia:

The first holds that a pair of German travelers stepped out of a stagecoach one sunny afternoon in the 1830s, and one said to the other, "So schön und hell!" - roughly translated as, "So beautiful and bright!" Their comments were overheard by some locals and the name stuck.

The second holds that after Michigan gained statehood, George Reeves was asked what he thought the town he helped settle should be called, and replied, "I don't care, you can name it Hell for all I care." The name became official on October 13, 1841.

I didn't I came this close to Hell when I was in Michigan but I'm sure many conservatives are disappointed that there are only a little over 200 people in Hell.