How should we judge a government?

In Malaysia, if you don't watch television or read newspapers, you are uninformed; but if you do, you are misinformed!

"If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing." - Malcolm X

Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience - Mark Twain

Why we should be against censorship in a court of law: Publicity is the very soul of justice … it keeps the judge himself, while trying, under trial. - Jeremy Bentham

"Our government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no
responsibility at the other. " - Ronald Reagan

Government fed by the people

Government fed by the people

Career options

Career options
I suggest government... because nobody has ever been caught.

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?

Corruption so prevalent it affects English language?
Corruption is so prevalent it affects English language?

When there's too much dirt...

When there's too much dirt...
We need better tools... to cover up mega corruptions.

Prevent bullying now!

Prevent bullying now!
If you're not going to speak up, how is the world supposed to know you exist? “Orang boleh pandai setinggi langit, tapi selama ia tidak menulis, ia akan hilang di dalam masyarakat dan dari sejarah.” - Ananta Prameodya Toer (Your intellect may soar to the sky but if you do not write, you will be lost from society and to history.)

Saturday, January 03, 2009

My wish for 2009: Get our priorities right

Before we send a Malaysian to the moon...make sure we are up to the mark on basic requirements.

Last Sunday, I walked to buy newspapers and for those familiar with Batu Gajah, it was supposed to be a pleasant walk along Jalan Pusing, between the Indian temple and the flyover to the market.

But I was greeted with a strong stench and judging from the liquid along the road, there was no mistake that the rubbish truck had been. This was not the first time, and would not be the last as it happens each time the truck goes round town. So we have two services for the price of one – waste disposal and pong distribution.

A few years ago, I have written in protest against having an incinerator in Selangor simply because of our lack of professionalism and standard of care in our services. If we cannot maintain rubbish trucks properly, how can we trust the maintenance of a high tech incinerator? A few years down and carelessness and lack of maintenance would create a disaster.

After my post on December 26, How prepared are we in a medical emergency, a friend related to me about her uncle who had a heart attack in Sitiawan about 18 years ago. He was taken to Lumut before the doctor decided he should be sent to Ipoh! But to add insult to injury, the ambulance had to wait for four passengers before making the trip! Just imagine that - in an emergency! At the Ipoh GH, it seems there was an argument between doctors before he was finally admitted to ICU! By then, half the patient’s heart tissues were damaged because of the long delay.

I don’t think our public health services, especially public awareness of how to deal with a medical emergency, have improved very much. Prior to the Pusing dinner incident, I was told by a taxi driver recently that his passenger was refused admittance by BG GH until he called YB Sivakumar who actually drove there to convince the doctor, who then relented! I mean, it must be terrible to expect a State Assemblyman to be present before an emergency case can be admitted.

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