Lynas (Part I): Scientific Evidence???

I read with great amusement of Najib's response towards recent Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL) protest over the operation of Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP) in Gebeng, Kuantan. He said that the public fear over this issue is imaginary and based on scientific evidence, LAMP will not adversely impact the safety of the residents and the environment  [1]. He is not alone, our Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai has reported to say that there's no scientific evidence to prove that LAMP is unsafe [2]. Scientific evidence seems to become the 'template answer' for most if not all of the other Barisan Nasional leaders when asked about Lynas issue. 

I wonder if they really understand what it meant by scientific evidence in safety and health impact context. Let me 'curi tulang' a bit and use the definition of scientific evidence from the Wikipedia (as it is suffice to give readers a general idea): 

" Scientific evidence is evidence which serves to either support or counter a scientific theory or hypothesis. Such evidence is expected to be empirical evidence and in accordance with scientific method......the strength of scientific evidence is generally based on the results of statistical analysis and the strength of scientific controls."  [3]

In Lynas context, when we need to prove scientifically that Lynas is safe or unsafe (hypothesis), there should be a statistical analysis on the historical safety records of rare earth plants that use the same technology and raw materials, controlling/weighting the variables such as socio-political, regulatory, geological etc. 

In proving safety or health impact, scientific evidence should be based on the statistical analysis of the historical safety data and not on what the scientists or engineers say about the technology of the process involved.  

Telecommunication Towers - Health Concern

We've recently received complains from the villagers of Kampung Chempaka regarding their concerns over the health impact of mobile phone towers in the neighborhood. These mobile towers have been there for more than 10 years. Due to the increased awareness over radiation hazards recently, the villagers are worried that the presence of mobile towers in their neighborhood do affect their health.

This article is to explain how mobile towers work, what the international bodies say about the health impact of mobile towers, what standards available in the developed countries that we can use as reference, and lastly, suggestions on how to handle the issues locally at Kampung Chempaka and other residential areas in Malaysia. 

What's the Big Fuss about Women's Rights Movement?

When I was complaining about our Women's Minister's remark of "no need for women's rights movement" to my sisters and some of my lady friends, many gave me a puzzled look and asked "I thought we have equal rights already? Why do we need more women's movement?"

First of all, I am not a feminist. This article is not to promote female superiority nor is this to fight for special rights for women. Two years of working in the upstream male-dominated area of oil and gas industry, I know fully well what it means to be competing on even ground with men and that only hard-work, intelligence and good leadership can earn respect, and not special rights.

So, what is the big fuss about women's rights movement? My point can be summarized here: 

We need women's rights movement so that women can enjoy equal rights with men (not special rights) on the basis of human rights for life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. And gender equality is not only a matter of doing the right thing from the social perspective, it is necessary so that Malaysia can reach our full potential in economic growth and development. 

If you have time, read on the details below.

Huge Opinion Polarization

Thanks to the "LIKE" and "DISLIKE" feature in Youtube (Facebook only has a "LIKE" button, Twitter has none), we probably can have a very rough idea of what the netizens think about our Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak. 

Image below is a print-screen of one of the many most recent Youtube videos of our Prime Minister. As you can see from the image below, out of the 59,975 views, 13,858 users rated the video, and more than 95% are negative responses (dislike).  This is not the only Najib-friendly video that get such a big proportion of negative response. Try to search the Youtube for yourself, you'll see. For the videos that make fun of him or criticize him, most get very high positive response (like). On the contrary, for the videos that are Najib-friendly, most get very high negative response (dislike). 

Can you believe that Najib approval rating across Malaysia is actually steadying in 60-70% in the opinion polls conducted by Merdeka Center? No, Merdeka Center result is not wrong, neither is the statistics in Youtube videos.  Let me explain why. 

20s and 30s, You are the Shareholders of Malaysia!

Part I: Ownership by Share 

Malaysians in 20s and 30s made up of the biggest chunk of the adult population (productive forces) in Malaysia. See chart below for the red and orange bars. If Malaysia is a company, we are the biggest shareholders! As the biggest shareholders of the country, we are supposed to have the biggest voice on how our country is managed and we are also supposed to be the biggest receivers of the wealth of the nation. 

However, do we behave like legitimate shareholders or quiet stakeholders? The reason why we are not receiving the benefits of the shareholders is simply because we have not been doing our part as shareholders. 

Sejahtera Malaysia

What a beautiful piano piece from a talented Malaysian, Jason.  

* The pianist is currently based in Taiwan. 

Puji dan syukur pada Ilahi

Anugerahnya tiada terhingga

Kedamaian kemakmuran 

Malaysiaku bahagia

Dengan tekad untuk berjaya

Berbakti pada nusa dan bangsa

Kami junjung cita-cita luhur

Perpaduan seluruh negeri

Chorus: 

Seia sekata sehati sejiwa

Menghadapi cabaran

Kami sedia kami setia

Berkorban untuk negara

Bersemarak Malaysia tercinta

Kibarkan panji kebesarannya

Kami rela menjaga namaMu

Sejahtera Malaysia

Today, My Heart Sinks for My Fellow Malaysians

After five decades in power, one economic policy after another under the Barisan Nasional, there are a few groups of people that I believe have been left out in our development.  While I am frustrated with the BN governance, I myself am guilty of being ignorant and indifferent at times. 

As I read these statistics, my heart sinks and tears flow, and I shall remember how I felt today for the rest of my life in politics. Today, I am determined to do this: never, never shall I see statistics as numbers and forget that these numbers represent the PEOPLE, my fellow Malaysians, the very individuals that deserve life, liberty, and the right to pursue happiness. 

BN, stop importing pollution to Malaysia!

After importing Lynas plant rejected by the Australian government, the BN government has once again proved itself a poor steward of Malaysia's environment by rushing into importing a petrochemical plant that was rejected by the Taiwanese government! Just like the Pahang government for Lynas, the Johor government is now considering the constructions of Kuokuang Petrochemical Tehnology Co plant. This project, which involves a petroleum refinery complex and a naphtha cracker, was scrapped by Ma Ying-Jeou government in 2011 in its own homeland because of environmental concerns. Just like what's shown in the picture below, it has been literally sent by the Taiwanese to Malaysian shore and received with an open arm by Datuk Sri Najib's government in Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex (PIPC)! How sad!

Source: AppleDaily (苹果日报)