The VALUE of H2O

Published on March 11, 2010 in Water. 0 Comments

Congratulations to Mr James Gonzales for the very apt comments that he made in today’s NST about water wastages taking place in the country; perhaps not in Seremban now as water is being rationed due to prolonged drought.

I like to add that there is a cost to bring clean water to our houses or our workplaces. This cost includes treatment and reticulation which are getting higher and higher.

 

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NST’s Letter by President of the Sarawak Sabah Foochow Association Kuala Lumpur

Published on March 8, 2010 in article. 0 Comments
I should congratulate Philip Wong’s comments in a letter to the NST on the need to get out of the middle income rut.
Being president of the Sarawak Sabah Foochow Association, he can take steps, big or small ones, to spur the practice of insisting on better trained and better paid workers.
I acknowledge, however, that the government has to act but I do think a more pragmatic approach can be spear-headed by the private sector.
It has to be said that salaries of government workers have been raised from time to time and these steps have made the public becoming more and more attractive for new job seekers nowadays.
You may like to follow Philip Wong Pak Ming’s letter to NST as follows:

NST’s Letter by Philip WongPakMing

Ecobuild Exhibition @ London

Published on March 6, 2010 in Renewable Energy. 7 Comments

The Ecobuild Exhibition at Earls Court, London (2nd to 6th March), which I visited, was quite extensive and wide-coverage in various sectors concerning the built environment.

Going through the exhibits dealing with the latest technology on solar pv and thermal heating, insulation, rain water harvesting, etc,I on the spot invited quite a few exhibitors to participate in our own IGEM 2010 (see this same site at http://www.igem.com.my for details).

Malaysia needs to move ahead and invests in energy and water efficient technologies, two important necessities which will become even more important going towards 2020.

For those who are interested you can find lots of examples of products in the Internet at http://www.ecobuild.co.uk/.

Perhaps you can share your views with me.

Managing Water Resources

Published on March 3, 2010 in Water. 3 Comments

I laud the initiative by the Council for Water and Green Technology Professionals or PROATEK comprising water and green technology industry professionals in Malaysia in championing the awareness program for all Malaysians to be aware of the importance of managing the country’s water resources in a responsible and sustainable manner.

Please kindly refer to this article as published by StarMetro Central dated 3rd March 2010 at:

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/3/3/central/5772478&sec=central

MEF-Munich Spring Rountable 2010

Published on March 3, 2010 in Green Technology. 2 Comments

The MEF-Munich Spring Rountable 2010 with the theme “The Global Green Agenda: Securing a Sustainable Future”, organised by the Malaysia Europe Forum (MEF)  which was held at Munich, Germany from 2nd-3rd March is another manifestation of the interests which Europeans show in wanting to have trade ties on green technologies with Malaysian counter-parts.

This forum addressed issues pertaining to sustainable growth and the greening of business through three Rountable sessions featuring prominent speakers from the Malaysian business fratenity. On the invitation of YB Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Patron and Advisor of the MEF, and coincide with my Ministry working visit to EU, I accepted MEF invitation to deliver the Keynote Address entitled “Collaborative Opportunities in Green Technology in Malaysia”.

Though the participation level was not hugh by comparison with some other trade forums, the emphasis was on green technologies of which Malaysia is a relatively newcomer. Still the keen interests of the participants were encouraging and will surely attract more in the future.

Malaysia intends to be amongst the leaders on green technologies in the ASEAN area at least. Malaysia looks to green technology as a new growth area for the economy and from the reactions ever since the Ministry was formed in April, 2009, this aspiration is certainly achievable.

 

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Big Boost for Rural Development Projects in Sarawak

Published on February 24, 2010 in article. 1 Comment

The sincerity and commitment of our Prime Minister in wanting to bring development to the rural areas of Sabah and Sarawak is clear for everyone to see. The RM3.4 billion that have been allocated for rural development projects in Sarawak is translation of that commitment. This biggest ever allocation is going to spur a big transformation of the rural landscape and no doubt will produce the outcomes that are going to bring about strong support for the BN in the future. On this platform alone all Sarawakians should see that the BN (and the PM) can and will bring about lasting and meaningful development to the State. No amount of rhetoric from the opposition parties will change this fact.

More news coverage on PM’s visit to Sarawak as follows:

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/23/nation/5725253&sec=nation

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/24/nation/5734108&sec=nation

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/04sixb/Article/index_html

http://www.easterntimes.com.my/index.php?news_id=1&news_content=15445

http://www.easterntimes.com.my/index.php?news_id=1&news_content=15444

http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=12362

http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=12513

Restructuring of the WATER Industry

Published on February 21, 2010 in Water. 1 Comment

Water industry in Pen. Malaysia is facing an urgent need for restructuring. The present low tariffs are causing operators to hold back on much needed investments on CAPEX works without which the standard of services will suffer.

Rain Water Harvesting @ 1U

Published on February 21, 2010 in Water. 2 Comments

My tour of duty on 19th February 2010 with senior officials of the Ministry  was to look at 1 Utama development projects especially the Rain Water Harvesting, in which 1U had implemented quite some times ago.

 

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Dry Spell – Please Use WATER wisely

Published on February 21, 2010 in Water. 3 Comments

In ushering this lunar new year of the Tiger, allow me once again to remind everyone to be moderate in using piped water.

We should not forget that there is a need to do conservation especially during this dry spell.

CNY Open House

Published on February 21, 2010 in article. 0 Comments

Chinese New Year open houses across the Nation are really manifestations of the stead-fastness and pragmatism of Malaysians wanting to live in peace and harmony.

Everywhere goodwill and unity are displayed. I am sure the doom-sayers are disappointed as Malaysians are not perturbed by the recent spat of vandalism of places of worship. It shows amply that those acts are definitely not Malaysians’ style and thinking. Let us resolutely condemned such senseless actions.

Let us be truely 1Malaysia.