Wednesday, August 13, 2014

The Khalid Move: Formidable



The political drama unfolding in Selangor is unprecedented in the country's history in that a partyless and independent wakil rakyat (elected representative) is the chief executive of a state. - Bernama

Read  http://helenang.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/there-are-no-indians-and-zero-chinese-in-sgor-exco-only-malaysians/

And just like that, Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has lost the Selangor government.




Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Take Care of the Rivers

sourced from NST online

Sungai Kahang in Kluang
by Chuah Bee Kim

JOHOR BARU: MALAYSIA Nature Society (MNS) Johor recently called on the relevant authorities to check on the water catchment areas in Johor, namely, the Segamat and Endau-Rompin water catchment areas and drainage system.

Its chairman, Vincent Chow, cited the Sungai Kahang in Kluang as an example of a river that is now vulnerable.

Chow said that some 30 years ago, the river was deep, fast flowing and teeming with fish that could support the local community.

However, with the rapid development of oil palm plantation over the years, the river is drying up and has been reduced to a small stream when there is a dry spell.

He also cited the Sungai Sembrong in Kahang, Sungai Mengkibul in Kluang and Sungai Endau as examples of rivers that have seen a reduction in water flow over the years.

“Scientists have found that a matured oil palm tree can consume up to 40 litres of water per day. Imagine what a 10,000ha plantation can do to a water catchment area.

“With the clearing of forest trees for oil palm, the water catchment area cannot perform its natural function and is facing a nett loss of water during the dry season,” he said.

“If this is not looked into and allowed to continue, many rivers will dry up eventually and cause water shortage in Johor.

“MNS Johor would like the authorities to study the matter and encourage plantations to plant forest trees at these catchment areas whenever they re-plant after a 25-year cycle.”

Monday, August 11, 2014

R.I.P. Robby the Rottweiler



Robby passed away quite suddenly this morning.

That's life.  We are here for a little while, and then off to somewhere else... don't know where.

We thought love would give Robby a reason to live on, but the universe has other plans.

I wish you well, Robby.  May you find peace, happiness and love as you embark on a new journey. Will love you always though I have met you only once in this life.

Below is a chronology of my blog posts about Robby :-

My Christmas Wish

Pray for this Rottweiler

Companion for Life

Happy Birthday, Joanne

Robby Finds A Reason To Live Again


Budget 2015 Wishlist

sourced from NST online

Kluang Chinese Association president Datuk Jimmy Low Boon Hong has lauded Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for being the nation’s chief executive officer as well as its finance minister.
“This is a very rare position to be in, and Najib wields great power as such. The association’s only hope is for Najib to be firmer on the implementation of the 1Malaysia concept.
“The association would like the government to stop wastage, in the areas identified in the Auditor-General’s report.
“Budget 2015 should also be aimed at achieving harmony in the country and uniting everyone under the 1Malaysia concept.
“The 1Malaysia concept is an ideal concept, but it is one that must be implemented with a firm hand,” Low said.
The public’s views and opinions on Budget 2015 are welcome.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Nature Society Johor is wishing for a bigger allocation for conservation efforts in Budget 2015.


Its chairman Vincent Chow said the yearly allocation for the protection and conservation of the environment had always been miniscule.
Chow said such low priority accorded to conservation efforts, particularly of the rivers, would result in the loss of Malaysia’s unique and fragile eco-system.


Robby Finds A Reason To Live Again


JB SPCA chairman Ranjeet Singh Bhullar (left) with Harvey Yap, Wong U Ginn and Dr Edwin Singam with Robby.
Pic below shows Joanne Carlo and Robby.  

Robby's story appeared in the Johor Streets, a pullout of the New Straits Times, today.


CHUAH BEE KIM 

JOHOR BARU: AFTER a Rottweiler was rescued from a house in Taman Perling here, he was diagnosed with suffering from distemper by a veterinarian.

A decision was made to put the three-year-old dog to sleep.

The dog had been suffering from fever for three days. Neighbours who felt that something was wrong alerted its owner but he ignored them.

Harvey Yap, 73, and his neighbour Wong U Ginn, 19, then informed the Johor Baru Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

Yap and Wong, both animal lovers, noticed that the dog, which was chained up round-the-clock, was not eating well and had maggots around its anus.

Wong, who lives next door to the dog’s owner, claimed that the owner seldom fed the dog.

Streets had highlighted the 
plight of the dog several months ago.

That time, the dog was reportedly well but had been chained up round the clock.

JB SPCA vice-chairman Dr Edwin Singam responded to the call last Tuesday but the neighbour declined to hand over the dog until the state veterinary department intervened.

By then, the dog could not eat and hardly moved. For the first two days, it had to be on a drip.

Dr Singam confirmed that the dog was dehydrated and underfed.

Volunteers took turns to care for the dog at the clinic. Among them were Yap, Wong and Joanne Carlo.

On Aug 8, Carlo turned 22. That was the day, the dog was to be euthanised. But Carlo pleaded for the dog not to be put down on her birthday.

That evening, after Carlo left the clinic, the dog miraculously got up and wobbled around the room apparently looking for Carlo.

By Saturday, the dog now renamed Robby was strong enough to stand up and eat.

However, the fever had left the canine twitching for life.

JB SPCA chairman Ranjeet Singh Bhullar said people who do not love animals should not be allowed to keep pets.

Ranjeet said the SPCA is also looking for more volunteers to help and rehome dogs like Robby.

“Robby was very sick but he found a reason to live because of the care shown by the dog lovers,” he said.

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Happy Birthday Joanne

Updated


Robby was well enough to stand up and eat his meal at the clinic. Picture was sent to me via WhatsApp at 7.19pm.

Original post


For all those who have prayed and sent well wishes to the Rotweiller, I want to say my heartfelt thanks. The  three-year-old male dog renamed Robby seems to be on the road to recovery.

It was initially decided that the dog be put to sleep on Friday because it could hardly eat nor move due to distemper, but JB SPCA volunteer Joanne Carlo (pictured above, left) who turned 22 on that day asked that the dog not be put down on her birthday.

Joanne spent her birthday looking after Robby at the clinic. After she left the clinic in the evening, another volunteer said Robby got up and wobbled its way around the room looking for Joanne. 


Robby has found a reason to live. However, the distemper virus will leave the dog twitching throughout its lifetime.


The important thing now is for Robby to go to a new home that will give it all the love and care that an animal deserves.

Once again, thank you all for the well wishes.


Johor Baru SPCA chairman Ranjeet Singh Bhullar (left) with vice-chairman Dr Edwin Singam (right) at the veterinary clinic. Standing next to Ranjeet is former race car driver, Harvey Yap, and beside him is Wong U Ginn.

Both Harvey and U Ginn have constantly urged Robby's owner and his wife to show more love to 
their pet. Robby's owner moved into the neighborhood about a year ago. They also pointed out to the 
owner recently that something appeared to be wrong with Robby but their good intention was ignored.

On Aug 5, the neighbours alerted SPCA and Dr Edwin responded. The owner allegedly declined to entertain Dr Edwin. The Johor Veterinary Department had to intervene and that is how this Rottweiler got rescued from a home that showed it absolutely zero love.

Many lessons to be learnt here

1. Be a kind and responsible pet owner and guardian. Don't let it come to this.
2. Be a volunteer. The SPCA needs volunteers for the rescue and re-homing of dogs like Robby and all those which are homeless.
3. Be aware of what is going on in your neighbourhood. Be guardians of the neighbourhood.

I could go on but I guess I'll stop at 3. I want to take an afternoon nap.