Before We Promote Another Visit Malaysia Year

We all agree that tourism can be a major money spinner for Malaysia given our diverse cultures, beautiful beaches and usually wonderful weather.

However during VMY2007, the following shows that we need to do more to ensure that tourists can be given proper protection and more measures are really necessary to safeguard the welfare of our visitors.

We now have a scenario where it seems it is not safe to travel by air, road or sea.
Road accidents have been a major concern in recent years and the recent case of the serious bus accident that revealed a rogue driver and also dubious road test centers show the extent of the rot that has set in.

Then we have the case of the guy who managed to evade security at KLIA and ended up in Singapore. This means that it is possible to get unto a plane to any of the hundreds of destinations that originate from Kuala Lumpur. Imagine what would have happened if such a stowaway had been detected just before a plane landed in Washington or New York?

The third case is reported in malaysiakini of how the passengers on the ill-fated ferry had to jump into the sea, even without life-jackets, or face a fiery death. I have taken the ferry to Tioman and it is usually the practice to overload such vessels - so this comes as no surprise.

The DPM has ordered a probe but I suggest a public inquiry would be more appopriate for both the KLIA breach and the ferry fire and the inquiry can look into both events togther.

It is important that people regain confidence in public transport or our plans for an expansion in tourism will surely be derailed.


Photo: Thanks to the Star

Malaysia - Truly Confusing!

A quick glance at malaysiakini's stories for 14th October 2007 shows that Malaysia could truly be a confusing nation for foreigners.

We have the triumph of the first Malaysian to travel to space.And the story of how we will spend more millions on the second traveller.

Then there is the story of how an overloaded ferry caught fire after operating with an expired licence; killing at least 4 passengers in the process.

The next item is the lapse of security at KLIA that allowed a stowaway to get aboard a plane that flew to Singapore. Looks like the security system here is doubtful.

I am not sure which of these 2 stories is more newsworthy:

The Information Minister telling editors that the PM "does not want to hear the truth" or the "Law" Minister proclaiming that the 1000 odd lawyers are crazy. A case for a class action suit?

All these stories could be used for a dramatic stage production but would the play be a comedy, tragedy or farce?

I guess it would depend on whether you are in the mood to laugh, cry or rage.

Graphics: Thanks to http://img.tfd.com/dict/106/587098-farce.jpg

Even Before the Dust Settles.....

Two events in October were the highlights of the media and these were:

The heart transplant from a Malay donor to a Chinese girl that shows life and death is a struggle for everyone.

Malaysia's first man to travel to space that shows we still have enough resources to afford such activities.

But even before any scientific and costs evaluation has been performed on the first mission we are talking about the second mission according to this malaysiakini's report .

I find this quite irresponsible planning - perhaps there is a gold mine somewhere in the space program that has just been discovered. Another dubious tradeoff for an arms for palm oil deal?

The two prominent stories do have a connection. Heart transplants and donor programs require lots of funds to promote and to help both donor and recipient families.
That RM90m spent on the first flight could have funded vital research in Malaysia on medicine, don't you think?

Or do we really have to tolerate such wastage untill our oil runs out?

Photo: Thanks to http://www.thebestlinks.com/images/thumb/9/9a/250px-Vostok_rocket_launch.jpg

Do Something to Make Malaysia Better TODAY...

There is a petition to the Agung being organised by an enlightened Malaysian that deserves support.

Don't just read blogs and think, "Hmmm...I agree but what to do?"
Read the petition and if you agree, do sign up.

If you don't do something for the nation, who will?

Seeking the Truth about May13?

It is a well-known fact that history books about major events like wars, riots etc will be biased towards the perpective or self-interests of the writer and one can only get a more balanced but not necessarily true version of what actually took place years ago by reading as many books as possible.

In fact if you were a player in the event, your version is already biased. So this story in malaysiakini about the Tunku's book can be useful but should not be taken as the definitive "be-all end-all" story.

All Malaysians will surely benefit from this sad episode in our history if all documents related to that incident were declassified and we allowed a panel of international historians to tell us more what happened during those bloody riots.

A Truth and Reconciliation Panel will also help to heal some old wounds and not just a self-interest group that is linked to the ruling party.

Years Past 1984 - TRUTH Hurts

I guess the news media should change their names soon if this article is true.

Just imagine that!
According to malaysiakini, the media has been directed not to report any bad or negative news as the PM is unhappy about the slew of bad news.

In future stories like the following may not see the light of day:

Auditor-General Reports
Sensational Tapes
Bodies Disposed with C4

What would be a good name for established newspapers like NST?
How about "Good News Times"?

Graphics: Thanks to http://qbs4u.co.uk/1984.jpg

Selamat Hari Raya and Drive Carefully

Here is a checklist to consider before you go on holidays.

I have a few reservations as follows:

1.Newspapers should have been cancelled a week earlier. Just mention you want to stop and not going for holidays. Can always restart when you return.

2.I prefer not to inform the police as one can never be sure how the info is used. Just consider the photos of Nurin being put on the Net.

They forgot to mention to get someone collect your mail and bills etc if you are going for an extended "balik kampong."

If your son or daughter is still a "P" driver, please supervise his or her driving as even experienced drivers can make mistakes on the highway especially changing lanes and overtaking.

Graphics: Thanks to http://cards.thestar.com.my/raya/images/big/raya08.jpg