H1N1 - Will We Survive?

Citizen journalist Jimmy Leow is curious about the low H1N1 death rate in Hong Kong compared to Malaysia. Hong Kong recorded 9,350 H1N1 cases with 4 deaths to date, whereas Malaysia has recorded 4,200 cases with 69 deaths as at Aug 24, 2009.

The authorities has indicated that the current H1N1 cases in Malaysia are under-reported.

Based on the population of 7 million with a 422 square mile area, Hong Kong is definitely one of the most congested area in the world. It has been recorded that the population density is approximately 6,700 per square mile.

Public transport such as buses and MTR are frequently used and most of the time, they are crowded, therefore, the spread of H1N1 should be more serious than of Malaysia.

But why is the death rate so low in comparison with Malaysia.

As I searched for clues, I noticed that the public toilets in Hong Kong are extremely clean and they are equipped with hand soap too.

Additional to this, there are a lot of anti-bacteria dispenser installed in most of the office buildings, at every lifts, airport, train stations, public places which made it so easy to disinfect your hands.

I also believe that the H1N1 early detection method done in Hong Kong has been effective and that is why the death rate is still 4 until today.

New CJs Video Training & Assignment

Malaysiakini have trained close to 100 Malaysians in Kuala Lumpur and Penang in Citizen Journalism, Video Story Telling, Video Camera and Video Editing. A program designed to equip Malaysian with the tools and the know-how to be responsible citizen by reporting the events and happenings in their surroundings. We are still organizing short courses and trainings in Malaysia. If you are interested to join us, please contact us at maran@malaysiakini.com

The latest batch of CJs from Penang being trained by Mr. Teoh who has over 35 years of experience under his belt. This two days intensive video training includes important pointers on making good shots that matters. The training ended with the new CJs making a short video as an assignment.

Video by Jimmy Leow (Citizen Journalist)

Ramadhan Bazaar

Today marks the first day of fasting for our Muslim friends throughout Malaysia. Ramadhan bazaars can be found everywhere in the next one month. Eventhough the food sold here are prepared for Muslim, none Muslim like me took the opportunity to enjoy the delicious variety. Citizen journalist, Jimmy Leow wishes all his Muslim friends, " Selamat Berbuka Puasa".

Video by : Jimmy Leow

Heal Our Rivers

3000 Effective Microorganisms (EM) mudballs were thrown into Sungai Keluang in Penang yesterday in a move to make the river cleaner.

ADUN Pantai Jerejak, SIM Tse Tzin and ADUN Batu Maung, Haji Abdul Malek said that this joint effort from the private sector and government has proven to be a win win partnership to help clean the rivers in Penang. Haji Abdul Malek also thanked Renesas for their commitment to help clean the Keluang River. Both ADUNs are also committed to "heal" Sg Nibong Kechil located at the Bayan Lepas roundabout which is currently very dirty and requires immediate attention. See video below:-

http://www.malaysiakini.tv/video/1721...

Almost 50 people from governmental bodies, organisations and the private sector took part in the event.

The Effective Mircoorganism technology uses naturally occuring, beneficial micro-organisms such as photosynthetic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and yeasts which are able to purify and revive nature. It is currently in use in over 130 countries.

Developed by University of Ryukyus professor Dr Teruo Higa, EM has a wide range of applications such as water and sewage purification, improving recycled water and solving sanitary problems.

It is also widely used in agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries and food production.

EM mudballs are made from ordinary clay, EM Activated Solution (EMAS) and rice bran with a small quantity of molasses. To make them, dry clay is mixed with 10% to 20% rice bran, while the EMAS is mixed with molasses at a ratio of 10:1.

Both mixtures are then mixed together and thoroughly kneaded and formed into mudballs the size of tennis balls. After drying for about a week, the mudballs are ready for use.

Video by Jimmy Leow (Citizen Journalist)

Petronas Cub Prix, Penang

CJ Jimmy Leow got his blood pumping with the sounds and sights of Petronas Cub Prix held at Batu Kawan, Penang on the 2nd Aug 2009. Fast bikes and beautiful models, what can go wrong.

Video by : Jimmy Leow

New CJs in Kampung Buah Pala

The latest batch of CJs from Penang went to Kampung Buah Pala to understand the situation there. This was an assignment for the citizen journalists in story writing.

Video by : Jimmy Leow

Nusmetro Offer Illegal

Kampung Buah Pala residents have rejected the double-storey house offered by developer Nusmetro Ventures (P) Sdn Bhd to vacate their homes.

Kampung Buah Pala residents association chairman M. Sugumaran said there were too many loopholes in the offer.

Meanwhile, the villagers adviser A Thiruvenggadam (ex-MBPJ councillor) demanded the state government to explain its claim that villagers would be made owners of RM500,000 worth of properties through the Nusmetro offer.

He also mentioned that Nusmetros proposal is illegal because the land cannot be transferred, mortgaged, pawned, sub-let or used as a business instrument without getting written approval from the State Authority.

Video by : Jimmy Leow Beng Hock (Citizen Journalist)

LGE : No More Dealing with BN Collaborators

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said today he would have no further meetings with the residents of Kampung Buah Pala after they rejected an offer of a double-storey terrace house for each family.

He also mentioned that certain quarters are playing with the lives of the other residents on this issue. When asked if the state government would open up talks again, Lim said that he will talk to residents who are genuinely pursuing a reasonable compensation and will not discuss or deal with BN collaborators who have been trying to discredit the capabilities of the Pakatan government.

During the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) administration, the land was sold, and the current owners won a court decision recently to evict the villagers in order to develop high-rise apartments.

Video by : Jimmy Leow Beng Hock (Citizen Journalist)

Another New Road To Ease Traffic Congestion in B'worth.

Another new road will be extended from Lorong Bunga Tanjung 7 to enhance the traffic flow in Butterworth, Penang. This is the second plan by the state government to provide better accessibility for residents in that area.

Recently, Penang state government put in plans to connect Jalan Bagan 29 to Jalan Siram in Butterworth which brought relieve to many residents at Taman Bagan and its surroundings.

Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng said that both new four lane roads will be completed as soon as possible to ease the traffic congestion.

Video by : Jimmy Leow Beng Hock (Citizen Journalist)

New Access Road for Public's Convenient (Tmn Bagan, Penang)

Penang State Government has decided to join Jalan Bagan 29 at Prai to Jalan Siram to ease traffic flow and to enhance better accesssibility for the residents.

Video by : Jimmy Leow

Kpg Buah Pala D-Day

Meanwhile with the deadline to vacate the land expiring yesterday around 300 people gathered at the village at around 10am to protest the move .

Among them were members of the banned-Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), MIC, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) and non-governmental organisation Jerit.

However, despite waiting for almost two hours, there was no sign of the developers but there is no guarantee that the demolition will not take place although the Penang government had held back the revocation of development order last week.

According to journalists on the ground at that time there were no bulldozers, police or local council officers at the site.

The protesters left the village at 11.45am and proceeded to Komtar to submit a memorandum to Lim.

Video by : Jimmy Leow (Citizen Journalist)

No Easy Path (Permatang Pasir By Election)

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng told reporters that the preparation for the coming Permatang Pasir by election will treated seriously to retain the seat.

Video by : Jimmy Leow

New Access Road for Public's Convenient (Tmn Bagan, Penang)

Penang State Government has decided to join Jalan Bagan 29 at Prai to Jalan Siram to ease traffic flow and to enhance better accesssibility for the residents.

Video by :Jimmy Leow (Citizen Journalist)