Thursday, October 11, 2007
Thursday-11/10/2007-INVESTORS KEEN ON SABAH RETAIL, OFFICE SPACE
KOTA KINABALU: A survey carried out last year revealed that there is a strong market for investors in retail and office space in Sabah. Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Shareda) PropEX ‘07 organising chairman Francis Goh said their survey of investor interest in last year’s exhibition showed nearly 85 percent of attention going to the two sectors.
Topping demand in commercial properties were shopping malls/ retail space which accounted for 46 percent of investments earned while two to four-storey shop/office space accounted for 38.8 percent.
“The clear indicative figure of 84.4 percent in the survey shows that potential investors still sought after shop, office and retail lots,” he said in a statement yesterday. Remaining investor interest in commercial space covered a distinctively smaller spectrum with industry lots taking 6.2 percent, uncategorised lots taking 5.5 percent while warehouses accounted for 3.9 percent of investments clinched in last year’s PropEX.
Goh said that there was a more diverse interest in residential property, with double-storey terrace houses taking more than a quarter of the total sales at 29 percent.
Also accounting for a large portion of the market share were semi-detached houses (19.2 percent) followed by single-storey terrace houses (11.9 percent), two to three- room apartments (9.9 percent), condominiums (9.4 percent), bungalows (9.3 percent), low-cost housing (5.9 percent), studio apartments (4.0 percent) and uncategorised structures (1.6 percent). Goh noted that an analysis of the survey data showed that 69.1 percent of investments in residential property went to landed properties, hence the need for the State Government to increase the density for landed properties in Sabah in line with national policy and in view of increasingly scarce and pricey land and soaring construction material costs.
Meanwhile, Goh paid separate courtesy calls on Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad (SPNB) Sabah branch manager Khairroul Norsaidi Taib and Penampang Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Datuk Kenneth Yen to promote the annual exhibition.
Themed the “Sabah Ultimate Home and Property Exhibition”, PropEX ‘07 is scheduled to be held at the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex multi-purpose hall on Nov 22-25 from l0 am to 9.30 pm daily.
Thursday-11/10/2007-Sabah Food Products-popular in Brunei
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah homemade cookies and snacks are enjoying strong demand in Brunei and the market there has much in potential for expansion, said Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA).
Its Sabah Deputy Director Abdul Jaafar Lian yesterday said five small and medium enterprise products, namely Lidah Buaya, Kuih Cincin and Belacan (prawn paste) from Papar and Amplang and Kerepek Pisang (banana chips) from Tawau have managed to gain a big market share in the oil rich Sultanate.
The five products made their way into Brunei after a Halal Food Expo was held in August this year, and they received a tremendous response from buyers, he said, adding that a second consignment of the products will be delivered after Hari Raya to meet the demand.
“The response is so overwhelming that our local producers just cannot produce enough to meet the demand,” said Jaafar, adding that the first consignment of 10,000 boxes worth around RM4O,000 was sold out. Jaafar noted that the SMEs which make these products are mostly operating on a small-scale and manually, thus FAMA is looking for ways to assist them to expand and fully tap the promising market in the neighbouring country. He said the agency is also planning to introduce more SME products to Brunei and they are already in the process of identifying these products. “Sabah has a lot of products but we are looking for those that are unique and have high competitive value,” he said.
One of such products could be the high quality ginger paste, he said. Jaafar said Brunei is the nearest market for Sabah products and its potential can be further exploited for other Sabah products as the export cost is considerably lower he compared to other farther markets like Peninsular Malaysia.
He said FAMA has been actively helping SMEs in Sabah to improve and market their products, especially to Peninsular Malaysia. FAMA also provide assistance in training as well as product research, he said, adding that last year, FAMA helped market about RM1 million worth of fresh farm products such as fruits and vegetables from Sabah in Semenanjung.
It also marketed more than RM200,000 worth of processed products, mainly cookies and chips, in the Peninsular last year, he added. Jaafar was speaking after the official launch of FAMA’s Special Aidilfitri Agricultural Market at Ruang Singgah Mata Asia City here yesterday. Singgah Mata is one of the 84 venues for the special market throughout the country for selling festive goods for Hari Raya celebrations.
Another such market will be held at Papar Multipurpose Hall car park today and tomorrow. Seventy-five registered members participated in the Aidil Fitri Market at Asia City. FAMA currently has 928 registered members throughout the State. Jaafar said that as at August last year, the 12 farmers’ markets in the State recorded a total ofRM63O,911 in turnover. Food products, especially cookies, were the main contributor with RM141 ,429 sales, followed by fruits and vegetables. Jaafar said FAMA is currently in the process of discussing collaboration with Rural Development Corporative (KPD) to enable its members to use the KPD open market at Tanjung Lipat to sell their products.
Thursday-11/10/2007-Opposition Parties should merge-ex-MP Yunof says
KOTA KINABALU:The merger plan for all the Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties into a single political entity, should also apply to the opposition as such political scenario and development would in the long run, be in the best interest of the people and the country.
With a few parties merging together, the country can then develop at a faster
rate dealing with the true economic and political management rather than handling political wrangling within the present situation.
“The other main advantage for this is to eradicate money politics in the sense that the competition for candidacies will be limited,” former Tuaran Member of Parliament Yunof Maringking told The Borneo Post yesterday.
“Such a political scenario will be in tandem with historical development in countries like the United States, India, England and Australia where only the major parties will fight in the election. Yunof fully supported the stand taken by UPKO President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok with regard to merging of all the BN component parties in the country. He also concurred with the Minister
in the Prime Minister’s Department that such development would be in the right direction and good in the long term on the political and economic development of the country. Yunof claimed that he had discussed the matter when he was still an MP with many Umno and MCA leaders in Kuala Lumpur.
Most of the leaders agreed that it would be in the best interest of the country in the long term, he recounted.
Yunof pointed out that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in his recent reaction to the merger idea floated during the recent delegates conference of Parti Gerakan did not shoot down the idea, but merely stated that it was not the right time yet.
“Unfortunately, when is the right time? The right time is during the forthcoming general election in order to alleviate the Prime Minister from the headache in allocating the seats among the 14 BN component members,” the former Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) vice-president said.
However, Yunof reckoned that that the small parties in Peninsular Malaysia and in Sabah must take the initiative to merge first before they can force Umno, MCA and MIC to merge into a single party.
In Sabah, he suggested that the SAPP, PBS, LDP, PBRS and UPKO should dissolve and merge with Sabah Umno so that it would be easier for the Prime Minister to deal with only three parties, namely Umno, MCA and MlC to merge
into one party, whatever the name maybe. Apart from the BN, Yunof said that the merging should also apply to the opposition.
He said all the “mosquitoe parties” in Sabah should merge with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in order to provide the people here with a formidable alternative government for the State.
In this regard, the DAP and PAS should talk to PKR to merge into one opposition party so that the people would have more confidence in electing the opposition during the election, Yunof suggested.
He said that the merger should also apply to Sarawak which at the moment he considered the most volatile political situation in the country.
The situation in Sarawak is still uncertain following the dissolution of PBDS, Yunof added.
With a few parties merging together, the country can then develop at a faster
rate dealing with the true economic and political management rather than handling political wrangling within the present situation.
“The other main advantage for this is to eradicate money politics in the sense that the competition for candidacies will be limited,” former Tuaran Member of Parliament Yunof Maringking told The Borneo Post yesterday.
“Such a political scenario will be in tandem with historical development in countries like the United States, India, England and Australia where only the major parties will fight in the election. Yunof fully supported the stand taken by UPKO President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok with regard to merging of all the BN component parties in the country. He also concurred with the Minister
in the Prime Minister’s Department that such development would be in the right direction and good in the long term on the political and economic development of the country. Yunof claimed that he had discussed the matter when he was still an MP with many Umno and MCA leaders in Kuala Lumpur.
Most of the leaders agreed that it would be in the best interest of the country in the long term, he recounted.
Yunof pointed out that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in his recent reaction to the merger idea floated during the recent delegates conference of Parti Gerakan did not shoot down the idea, but merely stated that it was not the right time yet.
“Unfortunately, when is the right time? The right time is during the forthcoming general election in order to alleviate the Prime Minister from the headache in allocating the seats among the 14 BN component members,” the former Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) vice-president said.
However, Yunof reckoned that that the small parties in Peninsular Malaysia and in Sabah must take the initiative to merge first before they can force Umno, MCA and MIC to merge into a single party.
In Sabah, he suggested that the SAPP, PBS, LDP, PBRS and UPKO should dissolve and merge with Sabah Umno so that it would be easier for the Prime Minister to deal with only three parties, namely Umno, MCA and MlC to merge
into one party, whatever the name maybe. Apart from the BN, Yunof said that the merging should also apply to the opposition.
He said all the “mosquitoe parties” in Sabah should merge with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in order to provide the people here with a formidable alternative government for the State.
In this regard, the DAP and PAS should talk to PKR to merge into one opposition party so that the people would have more confidence in electing the opposition during the election, Yunof suggested.
He said that the merger should also apply to Sarawak which at the moment he considered the most volatile political situation in the country.
The situation in Sarawak is still uncertain following the dissolution of PBDS, Yunof added.
Thursday-11/10/2007-First Malaysian blast off into space
BAIKONUR (Kazakhstan):
DR Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha blasted off from here yesterday in a Soyuz spacecraft to become the first Malaysian to go into space in a launch seen as a milestone in propelling Malaysia into a new and exciting chapter in its history. The 35-year-old “angkasawan” (astronaut in Malay), an orthopaedic surgeon from Seremban who has American Peggy Whitson and Russian Yuri Malenchenko for company, lifted off at 7.21 pm (9.2lpm Malaysian time) from the
DR Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha blasted off from here yesterday in a Soyuz spacecraft to become the first Malaysian to go into space in a launch seen as a milestone in propelling Malaysia into a new and exciting chapter in its history. The 35-year-old “angkasawan” (astronaut in Malay), an orthopaedic surgeon from Seremban who has American Peggy Whitson and Russian Yuri Malenchenko for company, lifted off at 7.21 pm (9.2lpm Malaysian time) from the
Baikonur Cosmodrome in a Soyuz TMA-1 1 spacecraft bearing the flags of Malaysia, Russia and the United States. The huge rocket travelled at 26,000 kiometres (16,155 miles) an hour and took just a few minutes to reach orbit. Having shed its empty fuel tanks and entered orbit, the Soyuz capsule was to spend two days travelling to the space station. The launch of the scecraft. which is headed for a docking with the orbiting International Space Station (ISS) 333km above the earth, was followed live by millions of Malaysians back home who were glued to their television sets or giant screens placed at strategic locations in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi watched the historic lift-off live on one of the several huge screens set up at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), along with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha and 280 schoolchildren. A breaking-of-the-fast was held earlier at the venue. The launch was observed here by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis as well as the parents of Dr Sheikh MuszapharShukor— Datuk Sheikh Mustapha Sheikh Shukor and Datin Zuraida Datuk Sheikh Ahmad. Coming on the 28th day of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, the launch holds a special significance for Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor. He does not have to fast in space but has said that he may want to observe the regime, if possible. He will then take credit for being the first Muslim astronaut to observe the Ramadan fast and also celebrate Aidilfitri, which is likely to fall on Oct 13, in space. For this “angkasawan” and all other Malaysians, the launch could not have come at a more opportune moment when the nation is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its independence. Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor said his trip, paid for by the Malaysian Government, was a great step for his nation. “I feel great. I just can’t wait to go up — for the Malaysian people,” Muszaphar told AFP as he headed for the launch pad after being helped into his spacesuit. Coincidently, Russia is marking 50 years of space exploration. The first ever satellite, Sputnik, was launched from the very same Baikonur Cosmodrome on Oct 4 1957. Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and his fellow astronauts will be in the ISS for nine days, during which time the Malaysian is scheduled to conduct three experiments involving cells in space, microbes in space and the crystallisation of proteins. He is due to return to earth on Oct 21. The 35-year-old doctor who has spent a year training for the flight in Russia, said Tuesday that he hoped to inspire Malaysians to further space achievements and that Malaysia should have its own spacecraft by 2020. His space venture has been made possible by Malaysia’s Angkasawan Programme to send the first Malaysian into space. The programme was conceived in 2003 when Russia agreed to send a Malaysian to the ISS as part of Malaysia’s RM3.42 -billion purchase of 18 Russian-made Sukhoi 30MKM fighter jets. The Russian government is bearing the cost of the programme. Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor is one of two candidates chosen from’ 11,267 applicants in an open selection process which started in October 2003 and ended in September 2006. The other is backup “angkasawan” Capt Dr.Faiz Khaleed. After a series of tests, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and Dr Faiz underwent training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, a facility inaugurated on Jan 11 1960 in Star City outside Moscow, from September last year. The Russian space agency, Roskosmos, has agreed that Dr Faiz participate in the 2008/2009 space mission and has allowed him to continue training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre. The Angkasawan Programme is seen as a giant step for Malaysia in developing its scientific and technological capabilities and in building its international image. It is hoped that the programme will spur Malaysians to develop an interest in space studies in particular and science and technology in general, and encourage local scientific and space industries.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi watched the historic lift-off live on one of the several huge screens set up at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), along with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha and 280 schoolchildren. A breaking-of-the-fast was held earlier at the venue. The launch was observed here by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis as well as the parents of Dr Sheikh MuszapharShukor— Datuk Sheikh Mustapha Sheikh Shukor and Datin Zuraida Datuk Sheikh Ahmad. Coming on the 28th day of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, the launch holds a special significance for Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor. He does not have to fast in space but has said that he may want to observe the regime, if possible. He will then take credit for being the first Muslim astronaut to observe the Ramadan fast and also celebrate Aidilfitri, which is likely to fall on Oct 13, in space. For this “angkasawan” and all other Malaysians, the launch could not have come at a more opportune moment when the nation is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its independence. Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor said his trip, paid for by the Malaysian Government, was a great step for his nation. “I feel great. I just can’t wait to go up — for the Malaysian people,” Muszaphar told AFP as he headed for the launch pad after being helped into his spacesuit. Coincidently, Russia is marking 50 years of space exploration. The first ever satellite, Sputnik, was launched from the very same Baikonur Cosmodrome on Oct 4 1957. Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and his fellow astronauts will be in the ISS for nine days, during which time the Malaysian is scheduled to conduct three experiments involving cells in space, microbes in space and the crystallisation of proteins. He is due to return to earth on Oct 21. The 35-year-old doctor who has spent a year training for the flight in Russia, said Tuesday that he hoped to inspire Malaysians to further space achievements and that Malaysia should have its own spacecraft by 2020. His space venture has been made possible by Malaysia’s Angkasawan Programme to send the first Malaysian into space. The programme was conceived in 2003 when Russia agreed to send a Malaysian to the ISS as part of Malaysia’s RM3.42 -billion purchase of 18 Russian-made Sukhoi 30MKM fighter jets. The Russian government is bearing the cost of the programme. Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor is one of two candidates chosen from’ 11,267 applicants in an open selection process which started in October 2003 and ended in September 2006. The other is backup “angkasawan” Capt Dr.Faiz Khaleed. After a series of tests, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and Dr Faiz underwent training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, a facility inaugurated on Jan 11 1960 in Star City outside Moscow, from September last year. The Russian space agency, Roskosmos, has agreed that Dr Faiz participate in the 2008/2009 space mission and has allowed him to continue training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre. The Angkasawan Programme is seen as a giant step for Malaysia in developing its scientific and technological capabilities and in building its international image. It is hoped that the programme will spur Malaysians to develop an interest in space studies in particular and science and technology in general, and encourage local scientific and space industries.
Thursday-11/10/2007-THE SUN IN THE SKY OVER KOTA KINABALU AT 12.50 pm
THE SUN IN THE SKY OVER KOTA KINABALU AT 12.50 PM
CAR NUMBER PLATES IN SABAH
Sabah
Before the 1980s, the number plates in Sabah used the prefix letter "E" to indicate the vehicle was registered in East Malaysia, followed by a second letter denoting the region in the state. Examples include "EJ 1234", and "EJA 1234":
EJ: Jesselton (renamed Kota Kinabalu in 1968).
ES: Sandakan
ET: Tawau
ED: Lahad Datu
EU: Keningau
EK: Kudat
EL: Labuan
The letter "E" was added to overcome confusion with vehicles from Peninsular Malaysia, but those plates then became identical to Singapore licence plates, some of which also starts with the letter "E".
Beginning the 1980s, new Sabahan vehicle license numbers were issued in a "SA 1 A" format, the "S" and "A" being the prefixes while the "A" at the end is the suffix. The second prefix will indicate the region — in this case, "A" refers to vehicles registered in Kota Kinabalu or in the West Coast Division. This format is used throughout Sabah. For example, in Tawau, the number plates will follow the series "ST 1 A". Since 2000, vehicles registered in Kota Kinabalu are issued a "SAA 1 A" format of license numbers after the exhaustion of the "SA 9999 Y" format in 1999.
S: Sabah
SA: Kota Kinabalu and Kota Belud
SB: Beaufort
SD: Lahad Datu
SK: Kudat
SS: Sandakan
ST: Tawau
SU: Keningau
SG: Government
Sabah Motor Dealers' (Trade) plates are red on white in the format 1-3 numbers followed by a district letter, usually J, for Sabah's capital, Kota Kinabalu.
Specialised designations
Taxi
HWC 1234
While older taxicab number plates had previously used normal number plate formats as standard vehicles, most newer Malaysian taxi assume an H (Hire) prefix at the start of its plate, followed by its respective location prefix. Unlike standard vehicles, taxi number plates have black characters on a white background. An example of a taxi license plate is illustrated at the right. The local Road Transport Department, JPJ, allows sales of personalised numbers for taxis. Prefixes and suffixes are dependant on the location the taxi was registered in. A single digit number, can be purchased for only around 100-200 Malaysian Ringgit. This applies for all taxi types.
HSA: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Diplomatic vehicle
Diplomats' number plates also use white on a black background and Consular Corps personnel have white on red plates. Unlike other licence plates, which have the format of (typically) ABC 1234, diplomatic licence plates are formatted (for example) 11-22-DC for Diplomatic corps or ending CC for Consular Corps (for Commonwealth countries). United Nations uses UN and some international organizations have the code PA.
Military vehicle
The Malaysian military uses Z as the starting prefix of a licence plate, followed by a second prefix letter to denote the branch of the military. The Z alphabet is not used as suffixes in any type of Malaysian plate.
Z : The top men of the Malaysian Royal Army
ZA to ZD: Army
ZL: Navy
ZU: Air Force
ZZ: Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) staff
Trailer
T/BB 5037
Semi-trailers feature two license plates, place at the rear of the trailer. One is designated for the tractor unit, and another for the following trailer itself. The tractor unit's license plate follows that of a normal ABC 1234 arrangement in accordance to those of the tractor unit itself, while the trailer's own license plate features a T/ prefix, followed by the trailer's normal registration number. Thus, an example of a trailer's license plate tends to read as followed: T/BA 1234. In a handful of cases, the T/ prefix is superscripted.
Vanity & Specialty plates
Proton 1234
Vanity plates, i.e. plates using special, distinctive prefixes, are available at extra cost. These special prefixes may denote the brand of the car (such prefixes are often used, for example, on Proton and Perodua cars). Among the more commonly used special prefixes are:
Proton: Issued for certain Proton cars.
Perodua: Issued for certain Perodua cars.
WAJA: Issued for Proton Waja cars.
Satria: Issued for Proton Satria cars.
Tiara: Issued for Proton Tiara cars.
Perdana: Issued for Proton Perdana cars.
LOTUS : Issued for Lotus cars.
KRISS: Issued for Modenas Kriss motorcycle.
Jaguh: Issued for Modenas Jaguh motorcycle.
NAZA: Issued for Naza vehicles.
SUKOM: Issued only during the 1998 Commonwealth Games, which was held in Kuala Lumpur at that year.
XIII NAM: Issued only during the 2003 NAM Summit which was held in Kuala Lumpur at that year.
X OIC: Issued only during the 2003 OIC Summit which was held in Kuala Lumpur at that year.
XI ASEAN: Issued only during the 2005 ASEAN Summit which was held in Kuala Lumpur at that year.
BAMbee: Issued only during the 2000 Thomas and Uber Cup which was held in Kuala Lumpur at that year.
XXX IDB: Issued to members and participants of the Islamic Development Bank conference.
Before the 1980s, the number plates in Sabah used the prefix letter "E" to indicate the vehicle was registered in East Malaysia, followed by a second letter denoting the region in the state. Examples include "EJ 1234", and "EJA 1234":
EJ: Jesselton (renamed Kota Kinabalu in 1968).
ES: Sandakan
ET: Tawau
ED: Lahad Datu
EU: Keningau
EK: Kudat
EL: Labuan
The letter "E" was added to overcome confusion with vehicles from Peninsular Malaysia, but those plates then became identical to Singapore licence plates, some of which also starts with the letter "E".
Beginning the 1980s, new Sabahan vehicle license numbers were issued in a "SA 1 A" format, the "S" and "A" being the prefixes while the "A" at the end is the suffix. The second prefix will indicate the region — in this case, "A" refers to vehicles registered in Kota Kinabalu or in the West Coast Division. This format is used throughout Sabah. For example, in Tawau, the number plates will follow the series "ST 1 A". Since 2000, vehicles registered in Kota Kinabalu are issued a "SAA 1 A" format of license numbers after the exhaustion of the "SA 9999 Y" format in 1999.
S: Sabah
SA: Kota Kinabalu and Kota Belud
SB: Beaufort
SD: Lahad Datu
SK: Kudat
SS: Sandakan
ST: Tawau
SU: Keningau
SG: Government
Sabah Motor Dealers' (Trade) plates are red on white in the format 1-3 numbers followed by a district letter, usually J, for Sabah's capital, Kota Kinabalu.
Specialised designations
Taxi
HWC 1234
While older taxicab number plates had previously used normal number plate formats as standard vehicles, most newer Malaysian taxi assume an H (Hire) prefix at the start of its plate, followed by its respective location prefix. Unlike standard vehicles, taxi number plates have black characters on a white background. An example of a taxi license plate is illustrated at the right. The local Road Transport Department, JPJ, allows sales of personalised numbers for taxis. Prefixes and suffixes are dependant on the location the taxi was registered in. A single digit number, can be purchased for only around 100-200 Malaysian Ringgit. This applies for all taxi types.
HSA: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Diplomatic vehicle
Diplomats' number plates also use white on a black background and Consular Corps personnel have white on red plates. Unlike other licence plates, which have the format of (typically) ABC 1234, diplomatic licence plates are formatted (for example) 11-22-DC for Diplomatic corps or ending CC for Consular Corps (for Commonwealth countries). United Nations uses UN and some international organizations have the code PA.
Military vehicle
The Malaysian military uses Z as the starting prefix of a licence plate, followed by a second prefix letter to denote the branch of the military. The Z alphabet is not used as suffixes in any type of Malaysian plate.
Z : The top men of the Malaysian Royal Army
ZA to ZD: Army
ZL: Navy
ZU: Air Force
ZZ: Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) staff
Trailer
T/BB 5037
Semi-trailers feature two license plates, place at the rear of the trailer. One is designated for the tractor unit, and another for the following trailer itself. The tractor unit's license plate follows that of a normal ABC 1234 arrangement in accordance to those of the tractor unit itself, while the trailer's own license plate features a T/ prefix, followed by the trailer's normal registration number. Thus, an example of a trailer's license plate tends to read as followed: T/BA 1234. In a handful of cases, the T/ prefix is superscripted.
Vanity & Specialty plates
Proton 1234
Vanity plates, i.e. plates using special, distinctive prefixes, are available at extra cost. These special prefixes may denote the brand of the car (such prefixes are often used, for example, on Proton and Perodua cars). Among the more commonly used special prefixes are:
Proton: Issued for certain Proton cars.
Perodua: Issued for certain Perodua cars.
WAJA: Issued for Proton Waja cars.
Satria: Issued for Proton Satria cars.
Tiara: Issued for Proton Tiara cars.
Perdana: Issued for Proton Perdana cars.
LOTUS : Issued for Lotus cars.
KRISS: Issued for Modenas Kriss motorcycle.
Jaguh: Issued for Modenas Jaguh motorcycle.
NAZA: Issued for Naza vehicles.
SUKOM: Issued only during the 1998 Commonwealth Games, which was held in Kuala Lumpur at that year.
XIII NAM: Issued only during the 2003 NAM Summit which was held in Kuala Lumpur at that year.
X OIC: Issued only during the 2003 OIC Summit which was held in Kuala Lumpur at that year.
XI ASEAN: Issued only during the 2005 ASEAN Summit which was held in Kuala Lumpur at that year.
BAMbee: Issued only during the 2000 Thomas and Uber Cup which was held in Kuala Lumpur at that year.
XXX IDB: Issued to members and participants of the Islamic Development Bank conference.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
WEDNESDAY- 10/10/2007-LEST WE FORGET 3 - ALBERT KWOK IN THE CYBER AGE
Easier Research With Online Directories
By Ellen Whyte
WHEN you are told to write an essay, instinct says typing keywords in a search engine will deliver the goods. But while search engines are useful for finding a specific resource, it may help to take a step further and sift through the layers of a directory.
Directories can tell you at a glance how much cyberspace is devoted to a particular topic. Let's say you are given an instruction to write 2,000 words on any World War II personality. If you are not a fan of history, this is the time to refer to a directory to see what's available online.
Two excellent directories are Yahoo at http://www.yahoo.com and the Open Directory Project at http://dmoz.org.
Surfing through Yahoo's categories such as Arts, Humanities, History, By Time Period, 20th Century, Military History, World War II, will reveal pages devoted to leaders such as Sir Winston Churchill, Benito Mussolini, Adolph Hitler and Chiang Kai-shek.
Oddly, Hideki Tojo who ordered the fateful attack on Pearl Harbour and Mao Zedong who was fighting Chiang Kai-shek are not on the main list.
Malaysian heroes such as Albert Kwok who led the Kinabalu Guerrillas in the west of Borneo, and Datuk Mustapha who resisted the Japanese in the northern part of Borneo don't occupy enough Web space to rate a mention either.
These two snapshots of what's available online suggests a researcher looking for easy, quick results should stick to Churchill, Chiang Kai- shek, etc.
If you decide to focus on someone not mentioned on the big lists, looking for enough facts to write 2,000 words will be a much tougher project.
For example, a quick check with Google for Albert Kwok Kinabalu Guerrillas reveal just 70 matches, most of which are duplicates with very little information. A Google for Tun Datuk Haji Mustapha looks more promising with 911 matches, but a closer look reveals duplicates, plus lots of pages which focus on his subsequent career in politics - interesting, but not useful for our hypothetical project.
When seeing what the directories have to say, it's important to note that counting resources just shows quantity of information, not quality! Where subjects seem to have equal coverage, you will have to investigate further before determining which is the better option for your needs.
In addition, directories are a good way to find out what topics are the focus within a certain discipline.
Let's say you are interested in architecture but don't know anything about it. To find out what's hot, visit the directory of your choice, click on architecture and then browse through the sub- categories to find out more about the different schools, which buildings are the most written about, etc. Surfing a directory this way gives you a bird's eye view of a subject.
While Yahoo and the Open Directory Project are consistently rated as top directories", these two alternatives are worth checking out as well:
* The World Wide Web Virtual Library at http://vlib.org.
Edited by volunteers, consisting a number of academics or experts their own particular categories, this the oldest directory on the Web. It was started by Tim Berners-Lee, the creator of hypertext markup language (HTML) and the Web, and remains an excellent resource for older researchers looking for information for college and university projects.
By Ellen Whyte
WHEN you are told to write an essay, instinct says typing keywords in a search engine will deliver the goods. But while search engines are useful for finding a specific resource, it may help to take a step further and sift through the layers of a directory.
Directories can tell you at a glance how much cyberspace is devoted to a particular topic. Let's say you are given an instruction to write 2,000 words on any World War II personality. If you are not a fan of history, this is the time to refer to a directory to see what's available online.
Two excellent directories are Yahoo at http://www.yahoo.com and the Open Directory Project at http://dmoz.org.
Surfing through Yahoo's categories such as Arts, Humanities, History, By Time Period, 20th Century, Military History, World War II, will reveal pages devoted to leaders such as Sir Winston Churchill, Benito Mussolini, Adolph Hitler and Chiang Kai-shek.
Oddly, Hideki Tojo who ordered the fateful attack on Pearl Harbour and Mao Zedong who was fighting Chiang Kai-shek are not on the main list.
Malaysian heroes such as Albert Kwok who led the Kinabalu Guerrillas in the west of Borneo, and Datuk Mustapha who resisted the Japanese in the northern part of Borneo don't occupy enough Web space to rate a mention either.
These two snapshots of what's available online suggests a researcher looking for easy, quick results should stick to Churchill, Chiang Kai- shek, etc.
If you decide to focus on someone not mentioned on the big lists, looking for enough facts to write 2,000 words will be a much tougher project.
For example, a quick check with Google for Albert Kwok Kinabalu Guerrillas reveal just 70 matches, most of which are duplicates with very little information. A Google for Tun Datuk Haji Mustapha looks more promising with 911 matches, but a closer look reveals duplicates, plus lots of pages which focus on his subsequent career in politics - interesting, but not useful for our hypothetical project.
When seeing what the directories have to say, it's important to note that counting resources just shows quantity of information, not quality! Where subjects seem to have equal coverage, you will have to investigate further before determining which is the better option for your needs.
In addition, directories are a good way to find out what topics are the focus within a certain discipline.
Let's say you are interested in architecture but don't know anything about it. To find out what's hot, visit the directory of your choice, click on architecture and then browse through the sub- categories to find out more about the different schools, which buildings are the most written about, etc. Surfing a directory this way gives you a bird's eye view of a subject.
While Yahoo and the Open Directory Project are consistently rated as top directories", these two alternatives are worth checking out as well:
* The World Wide Web Virtual Library at http://vlib.org.
Edited by volunteers, consisting a number of academics or experts their own particular categories, this the oldest directory on the Web. It was started by Tim Berners-Lee, the creator of hypertext markup language (HTML) and the Web, and remains an excellent resource for older researchers looking for information for college and university projects.
WEDNESDAY, 10/10/2007 - LEST WE FORGET 2 (IN MEMORY OF ALBERT KWOK) -MASA JEPUN
Bob Reece: Masa Jepun: Sarawak under the Japanese 1941-1945. Sarawak Literary Society. Kuching, 1998. 258 pages, RM80/- paper; RM150/- hardbound.
review by Otto Steinmayer
SOON after the Japanese Imperial Army captured Kuching on Christmas Eve, 1941, they hung a large propaganda poster from the corinthian columns of the General Post Office in (then) Rock Road. A Japanese soldier stands upright and grasps the right hand of a Malay man beneath him, as if to help him out of a ditch. Letters in Jawi above read: ‘Yes, Allah! We have been saved by the Japanese soldiers!’ Behind them the battle-flag streams in proud glory. This picture Prof. Bob Reece chose to be reproduced on the cover of Masa Jepun may chill one person and arouse bitter and sad feelings in another—those who lived through the Japanese Occupation. Younger generations may find it a remnant of an irrelevant past. Yet nothing better sums up with striking brevity the terrors, hopes, and ironies of the Japanese Occupation in Sarawak. I say ‘hopes’ advisedly. When the occupation ended most Sarawakians were content to wipe the four years from memory. People talked little about it, and when they did handed down tales of unrelieved darkness and suffering. But as Sarawak was a backwater of the war—no great battles were fought there, no large scale massacres occurred—the occupation-period, what it really was, remained a dark hole in Borneo history, largely unexamined. Now Prof. Bob Reece, the foremost historian of 20th century Sarawak, has with this magnificent book not only restored this empty time back to the calendar of Sarawak history, but brought it to life in a breathtakingly vivid way. Reece searched through the archives and libraries of half the world for written accounts, but the most fascinating stories are told by Sarawakians of every race whom Reece interviewed. From these hundreds of voices emerges a picture of the Occupation that looks strikingly more mixed than the simplistic Iron-Heel-Crushing-the-Helpless view. The Occupation was not such a strictly black and white affair. Those who lived through it describe it in color, and for that reason the story is all the more complex—and tragic. The main events, the outbreak of war, the arrival of the Japanese, and the course of the occupation are familiar to all Malaysians and I need only sketch them here. On Monday 8 December (our time) the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and Malaya. The same day the staff of the oil fields at Seria blew up the wells and machinery. The Japanese captured Miri on the 16th, bombed Kuching on the 19th, killing many civilians at Ban Hock Road, and took Kuching on Christmas Eve. Fortress Singapore’s guns might have pointed the wrong way, but Sarawak lay completely naked. By the end of January the country was entirely in Japanese hands, the white officials of the Brooke government had been interned, and an era had closed for good. The Japanese were in the beginning determined to make the best of their conquest. Japanese propaganda was that they were sama kulit with the Malays and natives and that they had come to liberate the oppressed races from the European yoke. These at first appeared to be more than words. The Japanese busily moved to establish order, re-constitute the civil government, and stabilize prices. The cultured and liberal Lieut. General Marquis Toshinari Maeda was picked to head the Borneo Defence Force. His friend Setsuo Yamada, a ‘pleasant and informal man’, governed Kuching following a policy of continuity and attempted to smooth the transition from Brooke to Japanese administration in such a way as to minimize confusion and gain the good will of the people. The Japanese kept the local elite in their jobs. The datus, the foremost Chinese such as the Ongs, and prominent Iban such as Phillip Jitam and Charles Mason received prestigious positions in the administration. Through them the Japanese governed much as the Brookes had. The Japanese also tried hard to increase productivity. They needed oil for their war effort, but a top priority was to make Sarawak self-sufficient in rice. The planting of padi was encouraged—conscript labour proved necessary— and eventually Sarawak was producing 70% of its needs. The Japanese instituted a vigorous policy of Japanification in culture, hoping themselves to enjoy the prestige that the British knew before, and by insisting on their kinship with Sarawakians as fellow Asians, to make them sharers in Japanese imperial pride. At the same time the Japanese kept a respectful attitude towards Islam and kept their hands off the Iban and other natives, as long as they did not make trouble. Despite these pretensions to progress, Japan was at war and Sarawak suffered the grim subjection of a conquered nation. The kempei-tai dealt ruthlessly with any hint of anti-Japanese sentiment. The Chinese suffered the worst. The Sarawak Chinese knew very well the horrors that the Japanese had been committing in the mainland since 1937, and many had been active raising money for the China Relief Distress Fund. The Japanese considered the Chinese, unlike the other races of Sarawak, their enemies, and one of the first actions of the kempei-tai was to launch a operation of arrests and terror against them in particular. Residents of Kuching were brought to witness a mass public execution. The kempei-tai continued to torture and murder suspected persons up to the end of the war, and the jikeidan, a vigilante network, ensured that there always informers and suspects. The sinister mansion which housed kempei-tai headquarters still stood, shunned and crumbling, up to a few years ago on Jalan Jawa. Even for those not in danger of being hauled to the cells, the Japanese presence inspired fear. Anybody could be slapped or beaten for not bowing to the lowliest private; people could have their homes entered, and their food taken away, or even their daughters and sons to serve in brothels and in forced labour. The Japanese in Sarawak reached the pinnacle of their glory in July 1943 when Prime Minister Tojo came to visit. From then on, things declined swiftly as the Allies pushed forward in the Pacific and destroyed Japanese supply lines. Japanese currency began an inflationary spiral; the term duit pisang still goes the rounds as a bad joke. Food and other necessities disappeared and life became harder for everyone. The agonies of the Occupation did not end without blood. In March Allied guerrillas parachuted into Bario. The Dayaks, and especially the Iban, were encouraged by increasing signs of Japanese weakness to abandon their neutral stance and declare war upon them. The Iban, as Temenggong Koh later stated, became principally responsible for driving the Japanese from the interior of Sarawak. We would never have known the scope and intensity of the Iban campaign, what they themselves call perang jipun, if Reece had not gathered eyewitness narratives. Reece’s careful reconstruction of perang jipun makes very exciting reading, for the Iban responded to the liberation of Sarawak with the full energy of their martial tradition. Iban tell some of the most interesting stories in the book. Tedong anak Barieng, the brother of Tun Jugah, was an enthusiastic leader of the fighting. His account of the capture of Kapit by the Iban is appallingly vivid. Meantime in Engkelili, Soichiro Suzuki, a person of genuine goodwill towards the Iban, summoned remarkable courage and single-handedly dissuaded Pengulu Jimbun and his followers from further hostility. Japanese voices speak too. As defeat loomed for them, many Japanese suffered terribly as they retreated unprepared into the jungle. The account by the two survivors of the Seria unit as they fled from Seria cannot but make us feel pity for them in their ordeal. Reece has rescued many other heroes of the occupation from oblivion. The ill-fated patriot Albert Kwok, a Kuching-born doctor, raised a guerrilla force that caused alarm to the Japanese in North Borneo until he gave up his life to end reprisals against civilians. Andrew Jika in Lundu took lesser risks, and in palming off inferior timber on the Japanese managed to preserve his people’s valuable engkabang trees. Reece tells the stories of dozens of other men and women who persevered. The Occupation had been harsh, but it taught some valuable lessons. Reece tells how Sarawakians managed out of their own ingenuity to devise substitutes for kerosene and diesel out of rubber, and medicines out of jungle products. Chinese towkays who had fled to the countryside learned to grow vegetables and rice. Entrepreneurs like Baki anak Resol traded stealthily with Sambas, others sailed to the Natunas. In outlying parts the old ways came back to their own. With shotgun cartridges gone, Dayaks again hunted with sumpit and spear, made cloth out of tree-bark and used piston-lighters instead of matches. For the Iban, the Occupation was a cultural renaissance. Unable to travel, young men returned to their longhouses and to their parents and grandparents. In this time Iban scholars such as Benedict Sandin and Gerunsin Lembat acquired their deep knowledge of poetry and myth. Æschylus says that learning is through suffering. It is not a complete irony that the hardships of the Occupation taught the lesson which thoughtful people remembered as the most impressive, that if you stand on your own feet and work hard, you can look after yourself, that in a place like Sarawak no-one need starve. The Japanese themselves set an example of hard work and discipline. Though in the end their claims of being brothers and liberators of fellow Asians proved hollow, their ideal of self-reliance genuinely benefited the people they had ruled so briefly. With complete justice Masa Jepun can be called a panoramic book. Reece has put a photograph on nearly every page, and together they illustrate every aspect of the Occupation and show us the faces of many participants, great and small, Japanese and Sarawakian. Some of these portraits, such as that of G.R.H. Arundell and his Iban wife, must have been extremely hard to find. The portrait of Tedong that captures his character so well is worth the price of the book. Masa Jepun is at the same time scholarly and eminently readable. Reece not only gives us the facts, he also makes us feel the poignancy and pathos of life under the Japanese. Masa Jepun is a major new contribution to Sarawak history and will give much opportunity for thought as well as the pleasure of an epic story.
review by Otto Steinmayer
SOON after the Japanese Imperial Army captured Kuching on Christmas Eve, 1941, they hung a large propaganda poster from the corinthian columns of the General Post Office in (then) Rock Road. A Japanese soldier stands upright and grasps the right hand of a Malay man beneath him, as if to help him out of a ditch. Letters in Jawi above read: ‘Yes, Allah! We have been saved by the Japanese soldiers!’ Behind them the battle-flag streams in proud glory. This picture Prof. Bob Reece chose to be reproduced on the cover of Masa Jepun may chill one person and arouse bitter and sad feelings in another—those who lived through the Japanese Occupation. Younger generations may find it a remnant of an irrelevant past. Yet nothing better sums up with striking brevity the terrors, hopes, and ironies of the Japanese Occupation in Sarawak. I say ‘hopes’ advisedly. When the occupation ended most Sarawakians were content to wipe the four years from memory. People talked little about it, and when they did handed down tales of unrelieved darkness and suffering. But as Sarawak was a backwater of the war—no great battles were fought there, no large scale massacres occurred—the occupation-period, what it really was, remained a dark hole in Borneo history, largely unexamined. Now Prof. Bob Reece, the foremost historian of 20th century Sarawak, has with this magnificent book not only restored this empty time back to the calendar of Sarawak history, but brought it to life in a breathtakingly vivid way. Reece searched through the archives and libraries of half the world for written accounts, but the most fascinating stories are told by Sarawakians of every race whom Reece interviewed. From these hundreds of voices emerges a picture of the Occupation that looks strikingly more mixed than the simplistic Iron-Heel-Crushing-the-Helpless view. The Occupation was not such a strictly black and white affair. Those who lived through it describe it in color, and for that reason the story is all the more complex—and tragic. The main events, the outbreak of war, the arrival of the Japanese, and the course of the occupation are familiar to all Malaysians and I need only sketch them here. On Monday 8 December (our time) the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and Malaya. The same day the staff of the oil fields at Seria blew up the wells and machinery. The Japanese captured Miri on the 16th, bombed Kuching on the 19th, killing many civilians at Ban Hock Road, and took Kuching on Christmas Eve. Fortress Singapore’s guns might have pointed the wrong way, but Sarawak lay completely naked. By the end of January the country was entirely in Japanese hands, the white officials of the Brooke government had been interned, and an era had closed for good. The Japanese were in the beginning determined to make the best of their conquest. Japanese propaganda was that they were sama kulit with the Malays and natives and that they had come to liberate the oppressed races from the European yoke. These at first appeared to be more than words. The Japanese busily moved to establish order, re-constitute the civil government, and stabilize prices. The cultured and liberal Lieut. General Marquis Toshinari Maeda was picked to head the Borneo Defence Force. His friend Setsuo Yamada, a ‘pleasant and informal man’, governed Kuching following a policy of continuity and attempted to smooth the transition from Brooke to Japanese administration in such a way as to minimize confusion and gain the good will of the people. The Japanese kept the local elite in their jobs. The datus, the foremost Chinese such as the Ongs, and prominent Iban such as Phillip Jitam and Charles Mason received prestigious positions in the administration. Through them the Japanese governed much as the Brookes had. The Japanese also tried hard to increase productivity. They needed oil for their war effort, but a top priority was to make Sarawak self-sufficient in rice. The planting of padi was encouraged—conscript labour proved necessary— and eventually Sarawak was producing 70% of its needs. The Japanese instituted a vigorous policy of Japanification in culture, hoping themselves to enjoy the prestige that the British knew before, and by insisting on their kinship with Sarawakians as fellow Asians, to make them sharers in Japanese imperial pride. At the same time the Japanese kept a respectful attitude towards Islam and kept their hands off the Iban and other natives, as long as they did not make trouble. Despite these pretensions to progress, Japan was at war and Sarawak suffered the grim subjection of a conquered nation. The kempei-tai dealt ruthlessly with any hint of anti-Japanese sentiment. The Chinese suffered the worst. The Sarawak Chinese knew very well the horrors that the Japanese had been committing in the mainland since 1937, and many had been active raising money for the China Relief Distress Fund. The Japanese considered the Chinese, unlike the other races of Sarawak, their enemies, and one of the first actions of the kempei-tai was to launch a operation of arrests and terror against them in particular. Residents of Kuching were brought to witness a mass public execution. The kempei-tai continued to torture and murder suspected persons up to the end of the war, and the jikeidan, a vigilante network, ensured that there always informers and suspects. The sinister mansion which housed kempei-tai headquarters still stood, shunned and crumbling, up to a few years ago on Jalan Jawa. Even for those not in danger of being hauled to the cells, the Japanese presence inspired fear. Anybody could be slapped or beaten for not bowing to the lowliest private; people could have their homes entered, and their food taken away, or even their daughters and sons to serve in brothels and in forced labour. The Japanese in Sarawak reached the pinnacle of their glory in July 1943 when Prime Minister Tojo came to visit. From then on, things declined swiftly as the Allies pushed forward in the Pacific and destroyed Japanese supply lines. Japanese currency began an inflationary spiral; the term duit pisang still goes the rounds as a bad joke. Food and other necessities disappeared and life became harder for everyone. The agonies of the Occupation did not end without blood. In March Allied guerrillas parachuted into Bario. The Dayaks, and especially the Iban, were encouraged by increasing signs of Japanese weakness to abandon their neutral stance and declare war upon them. The Iban, as Temenggong Koh later stated, became principally responsible for driving the Japanese from the interior of Sarawak. We would never have known the scope and intensity of the Iban campaign, what they themselves call perang jipun, if Reece had not gathered eyewitness narratives. Reece’s careful reconstruction of perang jipun makes very exciting reading, for the Iban responded to the liberation of Sarawak with the full energy of their martial tradition. Iban tell some of the most interesting stories in the book. Tedong anak Barieng, the brother of Tun Jugah, was an enthusiastic leader of the fighting. His account of the capture of Kapit by the Iban is appallingly vivid. Meantime in Engkelili, Soichiro Suzuki, a person of genuine goodwill towards the Iban, summoned remarkable courage and single-handedly dissuaded Pengulu Jimbun and his followers from further hostility. Japanese voices speak too. As defeat loomed for them, many Japanese suffered terribly as they retreated unprepared into the jungle. The account by the two survivors of the Seria unit as they fled from Seria cannot but make us feel pity for them in their ordeal. Reece has rescued many other heroes of the occupation from oblivion. The ill-fated patriot Albert Kwok, a Kuching-born doctor, raised a guerrilla force that caused alarm to the Japanese in North Borneo until he gave up his life to end reprisals against civilians. Andrew Jika in Lundu took lesser risks, and in palming off inferior timber on the Japanese managed to preserve his people’s valuable engkabang trees. Reece tells the stories of dozens of other men and women who persevered. The Occupation had been harsh, but it taught some valuable lessons. Reece tells how Sarawakians managed out of their own ingenuity to devise substitutes for kerosene and diesel out of rubber, and medicines out of jungle products. Chinese towkays who had fled to the countryside learned to grow vegetables and rice. Entrepreneurs like Baki anak Resol traded stealthily with Sambas, others sailed to the Natunas. In outlying parts the old ways came back to their own. With shotgun cartridges gone, Dayaks again hunted with sumpit and spear, made cloth out of tree-bark and used piston-lighters instead of matches. For the Iban, the Occupation was a cultural renaissance. Unable to travel, young men returned to their longhouses and to their parents and grandparents. In this time Iban scholars such as Benedict Sandin and Gerunsin Lembat acquired their deep knowledge of poetry and myth. Æschylus says that learning is through suffering. It is not a complete irony that the hardships of the Occupation taught the lesson which thoughtful people remembered as the most impressive, that if you stand on your own feet and work hard, you can look after yourself, that in a place like Sarawak no-one need starve. The Japanese themselves set an example of hard work and discipline. Though in the end their claims of being brothers and liberators of fellow Asians proved hollow, their ideal of self-reliance genuinely benefited the people they had ruled so briefly. With complete justice Masa Jepun can be called a panoramic book. Reece has put a photograph on nearly every page, and together they illustrate every aspect of the Occupation and show us the faces of many participants, great and small, Japanese and Sarawakian. Some of these portraits, such as that of G.R.H. Arundell and his Iban wife, must have been extremely hard to find. The portrait of Tedong that captures his character so well is worth the price of the book. Masa Jepun is at the same time scholarly and eminently readable. Reece not only gives us the facts, he also makes us feel the poignancy and pathos of life under the Japanese. Masa Jepun is a major new contribution to Sarawak history and will give much opportunity for thought as well as the pleasure of an epic story.
WEDNESDAY, 10/10/2007- LEST WE FORGET - IN MEMORY OF ALBERT KWOK - HERO OF SABAH
TODAY IS THE 10TH OF OCTOBER
The Kinabalu Guerrillas a local underground resistance group led by Albert Kwok staged a surprise attack on the Japanese on the eve of October 10 (Double Tenth) in the year 1943 in Tuaran and Menggatal and marched to Jesselton before they were finally defeated. 176 of the Guerrillas were massacred on 21 January 1944 and buried at Petagas.
The remaining 131 were sent to labour camps in Labuan. In 1948, the remains of the 122 Kinabalu Guerrillas who perished in Labuan were brought back in urns and buried next to their heroic comrades. The burial site is now the Petagas Memorial Garden and each year a morning Service is held on 21 January to commemorate their heroic sacrifice and the tragedies suffered by their families.
The Kinabalu Guerrillas a local underground resistance group led by Albert Kwok staged a surprise attack on the Japanese on the eve of October 10 (Double Tenth) in the year 1943 in Tuaran and Menggatal and marched to Jesselton before they were finally defeated. 176 of the Guerrillas were massacred on 21 January 1944 and buried at Petagas.
The remaining 131 were sent to labour camps in Labuan. In 1948, the remains of the 122 Kinabalu Guerrillas who perished in Labuan were brought back in urns and buried next to their heroic comrades. The burial site is now the Petagas Memorial Garden and each year a morning Service is held on 21 January to commemorate their heroic sacrifice and the tragedies suffered by their families.
Wednesday-10/10/07-CHEMIST TELLS COURT HE WAS TOLD BONE FRAGMENTS BELONGED TO ONE BODY
SHAH ALAM: A chemist told the High Court here yesterday that he did not carry out DNA analysis on four bone specimens collected at the place where Altantuya Shaariibuu was allegedly murdered because he was informed that they belonged to one body. The four bone specimens were labelled spine, lumbar, pelvic and humerus. J. Primulapathi, 54, who is the Petaling Jaya Chemistry Department’s head of forensic division, said he relied on the police about that fact and verified it with Kuala Lumpur Hospital’s forensic pathologist, Dr Mohd Shah Mahmood, who had examined the specimens before they were handed over to the Chemistry Department. “I had a talk with him and he told me all these bones belonged to one body from his examination,” he said on the 48th day of trial for the murder of the 28-year-old Mongolian woman. On Monday, the defence contended that the bone fragments could have been from different sources as Primulapathi had decided to conduct analysis only on pieces of skull bone which were also found at the scene. In previous preceedings, the chemist testified that the skull borne came from the biological daughter of Setev Shaariibuu and Altentsetseg Sanjaa — the parents of the victim. In re-examination conducted by DPP Noorin Badaruddin, Primulapathi said he was only able to obtain DNA profiles from a piece of tissue and a piece of bone but was unable to get any from six other tissue samples and two bone fragments. He also dismissed the defence’s suggestion of a mix up or contamination in the exhibits and said that his team was the only one analysing the exhibits on this case but there were other chemists analysing different exhibits for other cases in different parts of the laboratory then. Primulapathi was also asked to explain on a probable cause of a scenario where a person’s DNA profile was found on a jacket belonging to another as the court was earlier told that a DNA profile found inside Sirul Azhar’s black jacket matched that of Altantuya and not Sirul Azhar’s. “Probably, I would say the second person whose DNA was found in the jacket had either handled or worn the jacket. The fact that I could not find the DNA profile of the owner of the jacket could indicate that the jacket had been washed or cleaned prior to being handled by the second person,” he said. Meanwhile, the prosecution also called another chemist to the stand. He was Shaari Desa, 40, the firearms unit head of the Petaling Jaya Chemistry Department’s forensic division. He said he received 70 case items from investigating officer ASP Tonny Lunggan on Nov 17 last year analysis. At this point, Noorin applied for the items to be produced in court and marked as exhibits after the Aidilfitri celebration. Justice Datuk Mohd Zaki Md Yasin agreed and set Oct 22 for the trial to continue.
Wednesday-10/10/07- 1,500 SMALLHOLDERS REAP FRUITS OF JOINT VENTURE WITH SAWIT KINABALU
KOTA KINABALU: Over 1,500 eligible smallholders from Bagahak and Silabukan of Lahad Datu, who took part in a joint venture oil palm plantation project with Sawit Kinabalu Group, received their advance payment, yesterday. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman presented a RM3 million cheque for the Bagahak smallholders while RM120,000 for Silabukan smallholders on behalf of the Sawit Kinbalu Group, a government-owned company. The Government is well aware that the rural communities are not able to develop the land allocated to them, therefore a joint venture I project was introduced, and the capable and commercially focused company, Sawit Kinabalu Group, was appointed to undertake the project. Through the project, the smallholders could have their land developed while they own shares in a well-managed project that generates long-term and sustainable income, thus discouraging them from selling their land for quick gains. Both the Bagahak and Silabukan smallholders are the first recipients of share ownership in this pioneering Government-initiated development venture. According to Sawit Kinabalu Group managing director Salim Mohammad, over RM10. 5 million had been paid over the past seven years. The Bagahak Estate is expected to record a pre-tax profit of over RM50 million which is RM35 million more than that last year, while Silabukan Estate is expected to make a profit before tax of RM1.5 million compared to only RM700,000 last year. Musa thanked Sawit Kinabalu Group for a job well done. “I am happy to see the good management and performance of the project despite having to face increasing cost of diesel and labour and at the same time frequent flooding due to severe weather conditions,” said Musa. He advised all smallholders in Sabah not to leave their land idle. “Emulate the Bagahak and Silabukan smallholders who are now continuing to reap the fruits of their joint venture,” he stressed.
Wednesday-10/10/07-WITHOUT NATIVE CERTIFICATE, SINO-KADAZAN CANNOT INHERIT LAND OR GET LOAN
KOTA KINABALU: Sepanggar Member of Parliament Eric Majimbun has urged the State Government to address the Sino-Kadazan issue urgently. Eric, who was the District Chief of Kota Kinabalu for 17 years, said he had already submitted a comprehensive report on the bumiputera status in Sabah way back in 2004. “All the works that we had done had already been handed over to the State Legislative Assembly for deliberation and approval but until now nothing has happened,” he said when met at Kampung Likas here on Monday night. Eric, together with Likas Assemblyman Datuk Liew Teck Chan, SAPP President Datuk Yong Teck Lee and other SAPP leaders, distributed Hari Raya goodies to the needy at the village in conjunction with forthcoming Hari Raya celebration. “I appeal to the Local Government and Housing Ministry to really bring this matter up to the State Assembly because some of these people have been until the third generation unable to hand down their property to their grandchildren because the latter don’t have the Native Certificate,” he said. “If we don’t have the Native Certificate, the status will be grey because the Land and Survey Department needs the certificate to prove that they inherited the land,” he said. Without the certificate, he said the land or property will still be deemed as belonging to the first owners or the great grand parents because the land titles are still in his or her name and cannot be transferred to the next generation. “Because of this problem, even though we encourage the natives to develop their land, it has remained idle because they cannot use the land as collateral to secure bank loans,” he said. Under the Native Laws, it is interpreted that so long as one of the ancestors is a native and the descendants practise the culture, they are considered as bumiputera because the name of a person does not really reflect the status of the people. Meanwhile, Yong said there are appropriate laws in place to address the Sino-Kadazan issue and he hoped it will continue to be used. Yong, who is a former Chief Minister under the rotation system, said the issue is actually an old subject dating back to the Berjaya Government times and because of abuse, they decided to suspend the issuance of the certificate. “This matter has been going on and off for more than 20 years. So, if we need some rethinking on the subject, I am sure the leaders in the Government today will consider all aspects, including the history and present situation. I am sure they will consider all factors,” he said. Meanwhile, Yong said the visit to Kampung Likas on Monday night was the last round of SAPP’s visits to villages in Inanam, Karambunai and Likas constituencies to distribute goodies to the needy people and join them in the breaking of fast in conjunction with the Ramadan month. Because of the close cooperation among the community leaders and Barisan Nasional component parties, he said the visit had been successful as the spirit of unity and harmony continue to prevail.
Wednesday -10//10/07-16 SABAH CHILDREN CHOSEN TO UNDERGO HEART SURGERY IN SEOUL
KOTA KINABALU: It has never been a normal life for a group of 16 special children who were born with a chronic heart disease. Apart from the disease, they all share another thing in common, that is they come from poor families, and their chances of undergoing a life-saving heart surgery were very slim due to financial constraint until a Korean charity and hospital extended a helping hand to them. The Seoul-based Bucheon Sejong Hospital will operate on all the 16 selected children under a RM1 million charity programme involving several organisations and funds. Eight of the children whose names were on the waiting list of a treatment scheme under the Institute Jantung Negara (IJN) flew to South Korea at 12.30 am yesterday to undergo open heart surgery that cost roughly RM50,000 per individual. The remaining eight children will fly to Seoul next Tuesday. Each of the children is accompanied by one of their parents, mostly the mother, and they will remain at the hospital for three weeks before returning to Sabah, according to Program Coordinator, Pastor Daniel Chin of Kota Kinabalu Bread of Life. The whole project is mostly sponsored by a Korean-based charity fund known as the Gift of Life Fund and Sung-An Heart fund, Chin said. Korea Food For the Hungry International (KFHI) is the main coordinator who put together various NGOs and Bucheon Sejong Hospital for this project, he said. The programme also involves assistance by various local charity organisations and NGOs, including Sabah Agape Counseling Association (SACA), S.O.S Heart Fund, Lions Clubs and many more, he said. One of the children’s parents, Zapail Malakin said he is happy and thankful that his daughter Faradina, 8, was chosen for the programme. The 29-year-old Rungus from Kudat said his income is simply not enough to pay for the treatment needed by his daughter who has been suffering from heart disease for years. “Unlike normal children, she always looks pale and tired. Nevertheless, I managed to save some money to travel to Kota Kinabalu every six months to take her for check up and treatment at Hospital Likas,” he said, adding that the oldest child in the family also did not do well in school due to her illness. Every trip from Kudat to Kota Kinabalu would cost him around RM250, a small amount to many of us but it involved a lot of sacrifices for Zapail to save it as he has to provide for his wife and three children with his RM480 monthly income as a farmer. Another child, two-year-old Sarah Rninh from Penampang, was diagnosed with a hole in her heart when she was 10 months old. Her mother, Alinah Bimbir, 38, said she is grateful that her daughter will be treated and live a normal life, but she is worried about the risk in the surgery. Alinah, who is five months pregnant, is flying to Seoul with her husband. “At first, we didn’t know. We thought it was just a normal fever and we were shocked when the doctor told us that our daughter has a hole in her heart. Hopefully she will be cured,” said the couple when met last night before leaving for Seoul.
Wednesday-10/10/07-MALAYSIA's DR SHEIKH MUSZAPHAR TO BLAST OFF TO SPACE AT 9.21 PM TODAY
BAIKONUR (Kazakhstan): Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor has been chosen by the Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos) as Malaysia’s first angkasawan (cosmonaut) to join a space mission today. The 35-year-old orthopaedic surgeon from Seremban will spend 10 days on the International Space Station (ISS). Joining him are Commander Peggy Whitson from the United States and Russian flight engineer Yuri Malenchenko. The spacecraft that will take them to the ISS will lift off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 7.2l pm local time - (9.21p.m Malaysian time) Science, - Technology and Innovation -Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said Dr Sheikh Muszapha - I was selected based on Malaysia’ original recommendation to - Roscosmos naming him as - first-choice candidate and Capt Dr Faiz Khaleed, 27, as the second choice. He said the Roscosmos selection panel studied all reports submitted by the various training units which had prepared the two men for the mission.
The minister told Malaysian journalists covering the space mission that Dr Sheikh Muszaphar, Dr Faiz and their respective team members were present when the announcement in the was made,
He said the selection panel which met for 30 minutes also agreed that Dr Faiz be included in the 2008/09 space mission and allowed to undergo training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City, Moscow. Dr Jamaludin said he would inform the Cabinet about the panel’s recommendation pertaining to Dr Faiz. The minister, however, did not rule out the possibility of changes in the crew line-up four hours prior to lift off.
“On behalf of the Malaysian Government, I would like to say thank you to Russia for making this mission possible. It’s going to be a truly historic moment for Malaysia which is celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence this year. “It’s also a significant event for Russia as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the launch of the first man-made satellite (Sputnik),” he said. Dr Jamaludin also thanked the Russians for having assisted Malaysian scientists in making preparations for the research work to be conducted by Dr Sheikh Muszaphar during his space sojourn. He said Dr Sheikh Muszaphar and Dr Faiz also addressed the selection panel in Russian. The programme to send a Malaysian to space was conceived in 2003 when Russia agreed to send a Malaysian to the ISS as part of Malaysia’s RM3.4 billion purchase of 18 Russian-made Sukhoi jet fighters-
The minister told Malaysian journalists covering the space mission that Dr Sheikh Muszaphar, Dr Faiz and their respective team members were present when the announcement in the was made,
He said the selection panel which met for 30 minutes also agreed that Dr Faiz be included in the 2008/09 space mission and allowed to undergo training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Star City, Moscow. Dr Jamaludin said he would inform the Cabinet about the panel’s recommendation pertaining to Dr Faiz. The minister, however, did not rule out the possibility of changes in the crew line-up four hours prior to lift off.
“On behalf of the Malaysian Government, I would like to say thank you to Russia for making this mission possible. It’s going to be a truly historic moment for Malaysia which is celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence this year. “It’s also a significant event for Russia as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the launch of the first man-made satellite (Sputnik),” he said. Dr Jamaludin also thanked the Russians for having assisted Malaysian scientists in making preparations for the research work to be conducted by Dr Sheikh Muszaphar during his space sojourn. He said Dr Sheikh Muszaphar and Dr Faiz also addressed the selection panel in Russian. The programme to send a Malaysian to space was conceived in 2003 when Russia agreed to send a Malaysian to the ISS as part of Malaysia’s RM3.4 billion purchase of 18 Russian-made Sukhoi jet fighters-
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Tuesday-9/10/07-NUMBER OF KIDNEY PATIENT INCREASING IN SABAH
KOTA KINABALU: The number of kidney patients in Sabah is increasing in recent years with about 100 new patients detected annually, said State Kidney Foundation (SKF) chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim Ukin. He said the number of kidney patients in Sabah rose from 575 people last year to 638 this year. “The increase means additional costs for medical treatment for the patients,” said Lajim after presenting Hari Raya assistance to 46 patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital here. Towards this end, the Government funded about two thirds of the costs of medical treatment for patients, he said. In this regard, the former Deputy Chief Minister urged the private sector, in particular the corporate and multi-national companies, to fulfil their social obligation and render their assistance to the foundation. “The assistance from the corporate bodies will greatly ease the financial burden of patients, in particular those from the poor families. “Kidney patients can be categoried as disabled persons as they are unable to perform any hard work and have to undergo costly medical treatment,” said Lajim. He also advised the public to lead a healthy lifestyle and engage in regular physical exercise to avoid kidney problem or ailment. Also present were QEH director Dr Zuraidah Ahmad Baji, SKF Secretary-General Haji Abdullah Mangga and the foundation’s council member, Asmat Japar.
Tuesday-9/10/07-Dompok says: A lot can be done on KDM’s role in civil service
KIULU: There is still much that can be done to improve the participation and role of the Kadazandusun and Murut (KDM) community in the State’s Civil Service, especially in terms of appointments to key posts. “If you look at the situation with a naked eye, a lot more can be done,” Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok (who is pictured above) said. Dompok who is also UPKO President said this when asked to comment on the issue of Kadazandusun and Murut community being marginalised in the Civil Service. He said: “Marginalized is a term that is very provocative. I do not know if that is the term used but people can see that a lot can be done.” At the party’s congress in August, the delegates passed a resolution proposing that the Government implement a quota for political appointments for all component parties at the state assembly level.
Upko Vice President Maijol Mahap (pictured above) who is also Chairman of the Resolution Committee said then that this would provide opportunities for all BN component parties to hold posts at the village, sub-district and district levels. UPKO, he added, had urged the State Government to implement the 4:4:2 quota which is in line with the BN’s power-sharing concept. “We in Upko notice that there are less and less KDM being appointed to new posts in the civil service or as heads of departments. This could lead to public misunderstanding and distrust towards the Government’s integrity,” he had said.
Tuesday 9/10/07-THE GENERAL ELECTION - BERNARD DOMPOK'S COMMENTS IN KIULU & SAIMON GALIUN (PKR)
Donggongon Town (above) & the Kiulu River (below)KIULU: Malaysians are more interested to see the outcome of the general election and the votes majority of the Barisan Nasional coalition and not just victory, UPKO President Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said. Dompok who was asked if the BN would repeat its landslide victory achieved in 2004 elections, in the coming polls, replied: “Oh yes. The BN will win the elections .. there is no doubt about that. All Malaysians are interested to see what would be the majority this time, not whether BN will win or not.” On support for the Opposition parties, he said such would not be translated into votes during “crunch time” as the people do not need their representations, according to him. “I dont think so” was his reply to a question whether those who claimed to be supporting the Opposition parties, would actually vote for them during polling day. “The people are of course asking questions... all the right questions as it is their right to do so. There are 14 component parties in BN to tell them about Government policies and issues as well as air their views,” he said when met after launching UPKO division’s election machinery yesterday. Dompok said “as difficult as it may be to swallow, the Government has accepted a lot of our suggestions and Sabahans do not need political representations from the Opposition parties as UPKO and the other BN component parties are doing a good job.” He added that the Members of Parliament from UPKO and the other component parties are as vocal as anyone else and are in fact in a better position to inform the Prime Minister on what is happening in the State. When asked about the party’s preparations for the coming elections, Dompok said the party had directed all its divisions to organise their election machinery. “This is something that has been happening quietly in all the divisions and we will be organising our voting centres as well as pooling our people so that when the time comes, they will merge with the other component parties members,” he said. To a question about seats allocation for the party, Dompok replied: “We have told the PM during the party’s convention that UPKO will not be making a public issue on seats allocation as it is best discussed within the party or BN.” “We want people to know that we are here for them and not just here to argue among ourselves and about seats. We have gone through many elections and from experience, we know that public posturing will not achieve what we want,” he said. On the exodus of 100 UPKO Kampung Moyog branch members and its chief Saimon Galiun as well as committee members to Parti Keadilan Rakyat Sabah, Dompok said these are people with known record of insecurity. “We are not worried about people who are in one political party for one season and in another the next season. This does not worry us at all,” he said. Saimon had said another 1,000 UPKO members from Zone 1 Moyog area were expected to quit the party and join Keadilan soon, as he cited the failure of the BN Government, in particular UPKO, in bringing development to remote areas within the Penampang District. Saimon said the BN is already in power since 1994, but there is still no road between Donggongon Town and Kampung Terian and Kampung Buayan and that the residents there have to walk on foot for about six hours to reach the town to sell their agriculture produces and buy household essentials or going to the hospital for medical treatment. “The villages also have no electricity and treated water supplies since Sabah gained independence in 1963,” he said, adding that Kampung Rugading still does not have electricity supply until today. Saimon said the BN, in particular the elected representatives, had failed to honour their promise made during the previous elections to bring infrastructure development to three villages.
Tuesday 9/10/07-NEWLY AMENDED LAND ACQUISITION ORDINANCE TO PREVENT ABUSE OF PROVISION IN THE AMENDED LAW
Datuk Osman Jamal, Director of Lands & Surveys
NEWLY AMENDED LAND ACQUISITION ORDINANCE TO PREVENT ABUSE OF PROVISION IN THE AMENDED LAW
KOTA KINABALU: The Land and Survey Department is coming up with a written procedure on the mechanism of acquiring land under the newly amended Land Acquisition Ordinance to prevent abuse of the provisions in the amended law. Director Osman Jamal said when ready, the procedure of acquiring land would be distributed to relevant associations and professional bodies to promote understanding and erase any misconception among the public on the importance of the new law. Reassuring that the amended Land Acquisition Ordinance passed by the State Legislative Assembly recently, is not subject to abuse, he said many had misunderstood the true concept of the amendment and thus, they worried it may be abused by agencies concerned. He said the department would also brief the relevant organisations on the amendment and the mechanism of its implementation to avoid further confusion. “We will invite all business chambers, relevant associations such as developers association, architects, lawyers and other professional bodies to explain and try to answer their questions pertaining to the amendment,” he said. He said this after meeting a group from the Federation of Chinese Associations led by Datuk Sari Nuar at his office in Wisma Tanah yesterday afternoon. The amendment to Section 2 of the Ordinance among others defined the term “public purpose” by substituting the words “or any corporation incorporated directly by the written law” to “any corporation incorporated directly by written law or by private enterprise, or otherwise howsoever”. Osman said the two-hour meeting mostly discussed the association’s concerns pertaining to the amendment. He said most of the issues raised during the meeting pertained to the delay in payment of compensation as well as inadequate compensation to land owners. The association requested the department to ensure that under the new provisions, all land owners whose land were acquired by the Government be paid in accordance to the market value and as quickly as possible, Osman said. Osman had said delays in land compensation payments arose only when a landowner refused to accept the amount offered by the Government. In this regard, he advised land owners to accept the payment with protest and file a suit for additional payment should they feel the compensation offered to them is lower than the actual value. This, he said, would avoid any delay in payment of compensation. “We will obey the court’s decision. Should the court say our assessment is incorrect and that the value of the land is actually more than the compensation we give to the owner, then we will give additional compensation,” he said. Osman said the Department is legally and ethically obliged to give an accurate assessment on the value of the land to be acquired and land owners shall be paid accordingly. “Land owners must understand that we have rules and regulations in assessing the value of any land to be acquired and that the amount of compensation will be based on the market value of the land,” he said. He noted that there were less than five percent of land owners whose land were acquired for utilities development in the past disagreeing with the amount of compensation given to them and they had turned to the court for a higher compensation. Out of this figure he said, less than two percent proceeded with their appeal with only very few being given higher compensation. Most of the land owners opted to settle their claims prior to hearing and accepted the initial amount of compensation offered to them, he added.
The Federation of Chinese Associations also voiced their concern that the purpose for land acquisition under the Ordinance would be changed to allow it to be used to acquire lands for developing commercial projects, according to Osman. “This would never happen because unlike in Peninsular and Sarawak, the State Land Ordinance only allows the Government to acquire land for developing public utilities,” he said. Osman proposed that Sabah should follow the steps of the other states to enable the Government to acquire land for commercial development to boost its development “We are the only state that don’t practise it. In the Peninsular, their land acquisition system is more advance. If we are to handle a more rapid development we too should
do the same. This is for the benefit of the people,” he said.
KOTA KINABALU: The Land and Survey Department is coming up with a written procedure on the mechanism of acquiring land under the newly amended Land Acquisition Ordinance to prevent abuse of the provisions in the amended law. Director Osman Jamal said when ready, the procedure of acquiring land would be distributed to relevant associations and professional bodies to promote understanding and erase any misconception among the public on the importance of the new law. Reassuring that the amended Land Acquisition Ordinance passed by the State Legislative Assembly recently, is not subject to abuse, he said many had misunderstood the true concept of the amendment and thus, they worried it may be abused by agencies concerned. He said the department would also brief the relevant organisations on the amendment and the mechanism of its implementation to avoid further confusion. “We will invite all business chambers, relevant associations such as developers association, architects, lawyers and other professional bodies to explain and try to answer their questions pertaining to the amendment,” he said. He said this after meeting a group from the Federation of Chinese Associations led by Datuk Sari Nuar at his office in Wisma Tanah yesterday afternoon. The amendment to Section 2 of the Ordinance among others defined the term “public purpose” by substituting the words “or any corporation incorporated directly by the written law” to “any corporation incorporated directly by written law or by private enterprise, or otherwise howsoever”. Osman said the two-hour meeting mostly discussed the association’s concerns pertaining to the amendment. He said most of the issues raised during the meeting pertained to the delay in payment of compensation as well as inadequate compensation to land owners. The association requested the department to ensure that under the new provisions, all land owners whose land were acquired by the Government be paid in accordance to the market value and as quickly as possible, Osman said. Osman had said delays in land compensation payments arose only when a landowner refused to accept the amount offered by the Government. In this regard, he advised land owners to accept the payment with protest and file a suit for additional payment should they feel the compensation offered to them is lower than the actual value. This, he said, would avoid any delay in payment of compensation. “We will obey the court’s decision. Should the court say our assessment is incorrect and that the value of the land is actually more than the compensation we give to the owner, then we will give additional compensation,” he said. Osman said the Department is legally and ethically obliged to give an accurate assessment on the value of the land to be acquired and land owners shall be paid accordingly. “Land owners must understand that we have rules and regulations in assessing the value of any land to be acquired and that the amount of compensation will be based on the market value of the land,” he said. He noted that there were less than five percent of land owners whose land were acquired for utilities development in the past disagreeing with the amount of compensation given to them and they had turned to the court for a higher compensation. Out of this figure he said, less than two percent proceeded with their appeal with only very few being given higher compensation. Most of the land owners opted to settle their claims prior to hearing and accepted the initial amount of compensation offered to them, he added.
The Federation of Chinese Associations also voiced their concern that the purpose for land acquisition under the Ordinance would be changed to allow it to be used to acquire lands for developing commercial projects, according to Osman. “This would never happen because unlike in Peninsular and Sarawak, the State Land Ordinance only allows the Government to acquire land for developing public utilities,” he said. Osman proposed that Sabah should follow the steps of the other states to enable the Government to acquire land for commercial development to boost its development “We are the only state that don’t practise it. In the Peninsular, their land acquisition system is more advance. If we are to handle a more rapid development we too should
do the same. This is for the benefit of the people,” he said.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Monday-08/10/07-AN EARLY NOTICE SHOULD BE ISSUED: SAYS WATER VILLAGE FOLKS
a baazar in Sembulan, Kota Kinabalu, SabahKOTA KINABALU: Residents living in houses standing on water insist the Kota Kinabalu City Hall issue them an early notice if their houses were found to have been built without approval, and thus face its demolition squad. They said by notifying them early, they could have enough time to move from their structures and find a new place to live. “An early notice should be issued to us if City Hall wants to demolish our houses. Otherwise, it is hard for us to find a new house in a short time as we are living in poverty,” said Herma bt Muhamad, a 32- year-old Filipino housewife. The mother who is among those who living in houses built on water in Kampung Sembulan Baru, said this when she was asked on the City Hall’s warning that its demolition team would soon tear down all structures which have not been approved. “Actually, this house that we are living in now does not belong to us but we rent it from a local Chinese man for RM100 a month. We are still looking for a new house. At this moment, we just live here until we could get a new place,” said the mother of five children aged between two and 12 years.
However Herma claimed that City Hall had given its approval for the house to be built there. As far as I know, this house was built on this lot with the approval of the City Hall. If not, it would have been demolished, Herma added.
Herma’s husband Tony Najar, 37, also stressed the same message given by his wife. “I have ever heard that this area is going to be torn down by the local government but until now, there has been no such action and I assume that there is approval for this house to be built here,” said the Filipino labourer who came to Sabah at the age of 10. Nursimah bt Datu Aling, a 31-year- old resident of Kampung Sembulan Tengah, also claimed that the house which her family currently occupies, had been built on the water with the approval of City Hall. If City Hall wants to demolish the house, they should inform the owner of the house first, according to her. “They (City Hall) should also issue an early notice to us before the demolition is carried out,” Nursimah said, adding they rent the house from a Chinese man too for RM100 a month. For Mohd Pati b Tam, 54, houses built without the approval of City Hall should be torn down. “If a house is built with approval, there is no reason to demolish it,” said Pati, adding that the house he is staying now has City Hall approval.
“However, the owner of the house had told me that the house is going to be demolished and will inform me if it is about to be carried out,” he said. “I am just waiting for his instruction whether I have to move out from the house or not,” said the labourer who earns between RM400 and RM500 a month. Like others, the father of seven children, however, hopes the relevant authorities would pre-warn them before carrying out any demolition. “By doing so, I can get prepared such as what I should do including finding another house to stay,” he said. Dani Sandalan of Kampung Sembulan Lama however said he and his family are not afraid of demolition for the second time as they have already obtained an approval from the City Hall to build the house on the same lot. “Our house was demolished last year but we have already got the approval from City Hall this year to build this house at this lot,” he added. He said if they did not get the approval, surely they would never rebuild their home at the same place. When met yesterday, Dani and his sons were just taking a rest after some work on the house which is still not completed.
Monday-08/10/07-HEART TRANSPLANT GIRL TO RELY ON MEDICATION FOR LIFE
KUALA LUMPUR: Tee Hui Yi who successfully underwent a second heart transplant at the National Heart Institute (IJN) here on Friday, will have to depend on medication for life. IJN transplant co-ordinator Noor Salina Othman said this was to ensure that the 14-year-old was able to live with the new heart without complications. “Rejection of a transplanted organ can happen at anytime, be it a week after the operation or perhaps some months afterwards. “For the time being, the second heart is working fine for Hui Yi but we have to keep monitoring her condition and ensure that she takes her immunosuppressants. “If she misses her dose, the possibility of rejection is very high,” she told reporters at the IJN lobby yesterday.
Hui Yi, who was kept alive over the past year by a mechanical heart powered by a 9kg battery pack, this week received a new heart from a boy who was declared brain dead following an accident in Sitiawan, Perak. Barely 24 hours later, however, her body rejected it, forcing another operation to plant a heart harvested from a 20-year-old factory worker who had an accident in Johor Baharu.
Salina said IJN doctors would usually advise organ transplant patients on the medication they would have to take after a successful operation. “While she is under my care, I will always remind Hui Yi that the most important thing that she needs to do is not to miss her dose. Even when she feels that she has fully recuperated she would still need to continue with her medication because the rejection can happen at anytime,” she said. She said Hui Yi’s condition is stable and she is able to move her hands and legs but she was still on a ventilator. Meanwhile, the 39-year-old Sabahan man who underwent a double-lung transplantation at the same time as Hui Yi’s, is also in stable condition, she added. -
Hui Yi, who was kept alive over the past year by a mechanical heart powered by a 9kg battery pack, this week received a new heart from a boy who was declared brain dead following an accident in Sitiawan, Perak. Barely 24 hours later, however, her body rejected it, forcing another operation to plant a heart harvested from a 20-year-old factory worker who had an accident in Johor Baharu.
Salina said IJN doctors would usually advise organ transplant patients on the medication they would have to take after a successful operation. “While she is under my care, I will always remind Hui Yi that the most important thing that she needs to do is not to miss her dose. Even when she feels that she has fully recuperated she would still need to continue with her medication because the rejection can happen at anytime,” she said. She said Hui Yi’s condition is stable and she is able to move her hands and legs but she was still on a ventilator. Meanwhile, the 39-year-old Sabahan man who underwent a double-lung transplantation at the same time as Hui Yi’s, is also in stable condition, she added. -
Monday-08/10/07-German yachtsman latest victim of decompression sickness
cartoon of decompression illness victim
German yachtsman latest victim of decompression sickness
LABUAN: A 61-year-old German yachtsman has become the latest victim of decompression sickness and is seeking treatment at the Navy’s recompression chamber here. Berekoven Hans Joachim was leisure diving off Kuching, Sarawak when he came across a big stingray. Fearing for his safety after what had happened to Steve Irwin (Australia’s famous Crocodile Hunter), he made a fast ascend to the sea surface and later felt numbness around his legs. “I have never seen so much fish in my life and suddenly a monstrous stingray which seemed to be agitated by the fish, came reálly close to me. I saw the barb that was about six inches long and the thought of Steve Irwin and his fatal encounter flashed through my mind,” said Berekoven yesterday. Re1ating his experience that took place while wreck-diving 20km off Kuching, Joachim, who has a sheep and wine farm in Monaro, Queensland in Australia and currently sailing his yacht, Southern Sun, around the South East Asian region, added: “I panicked and deflated my buoyancy vest. I ascended too fast!” The sailor said that he felt numbness around his legs when he got aboard his yacht but his diving buddy and him initially thought it was just over exertion. However, when it got worse, the hospital in Kuching advised him that he should go for the hyperbaric oxygen treatment that is available at the Royal Malaysian Navy’s dive centre here. Decompression sickness, also called the Bends (the term likely describes the bent-over posture of the suffering diver) is a dangerous and occasionally lethal condition caused by nitrogen bubbles that form in the blood and other tissues of divers who surface too quickly, without decompression stops. Joachim, who was diving 25 metres deep with proper scuba equipment that he carries on board Southern Sun, expressed his appreciation for the Navy’s facility. He is among the lucky ones who are quite certain to fully recover. The same however cannot be said of Mohamad Asri Bin Dayan, 27, of Pulau Tiga and 23-year-old Mohd Arah Bin Kassim, a Pulau Gaya village fisherman. Mohamad Asri is still paralyzed, waist downwards, in the intensive care unit of the hospital here while Mohd Arah is not even able to breath independently and unconscious at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu. Both were diving for fish the risky primitive way — breathing through garden hoses attached to old automotive-spraying compressors; diving far too deep (50 to 70 meters) and far too long, without safety considerations. Publicity on the two fishermen’s cases has sparked public outcry that these people are not only endangering their own lives but also destroying the State’s marine life by carrying out unscrupulous fish bombing and poisoning activities. Meanwhile, Rear Admiral Datuk Ahmad Kamarulzaman Hj Ahmad Badaruddin, the Commander of Naval Region Two encompassing Sabah, Labuan and Sarawak waters, said that the Navy is always ready and willing to assist with their recompression chambers, one located in Labuan and the other in Semporna, but action should be taken and awareness campaigns organized to curb the problem. Lt Kamid Bin Sulaiman leads the team from the naval base in Sabah to manage the recompression facility for the latest victim.
Decompression sickness
Decompression sickness (DCS), the diver’s disease, the bends, or caisson disease is the name given to a variety of symptoms suffered by a person exposed to a reduction in the pressure surrounding their body. It is a type of diving hazard and dysbarism.
Introduction
Decompression sickness can happen in these situations:
A diver ascends rapidly from a dive or does not carry out decompression stops after a long or deep dive.
An unpressurized aircraft flies upwards.
The cabin pressurization system of an aircraft fails.
Divers flying in any aircraft shortly after diving. Pressurized aircraft are not risk-free since the cabin pressure is not maintained at sea-level pressure. Commercial aircraft cabin pressure is often maintained to about 8,000 feet above sea level.
A worker comes out of a pressurized caisson or out of a mine, which has been pressurized to keep water out.
An astronaut exits a space vehicle to perform a space-walk or extra-vehicular activity where the pressure in his spacesuit is lower than the pressure in the vehicle.
This surfacing diver must enter a recompression chamber to avoid the bends.
These situations cause inert gases, generally nitrogen, which are normally dissolved in body fluids and tissues, to come out of physical solution (i.e., outgas) and form gas bubbles.
According to Henry’s Law, when the pressure of a gas over a liquid is decreased, the amount of gas dissolved in that liquid will also decrease. One of the best practical demonstrations of this law is offered by opening a soft drink can or bottle. When you remove the cap from the bottle, you can clearly hear gas escaping and see bubbles forming in the soda. This is carbon dioxide gas coming out of solution as a result of the pressure inside the container reducing to atmospheric pressure.
Similarly, nitrogen is an inert gas normally stored throughout the human body, such as tissues and fluids, in physical solution. When the body is exposed to decreased pressures, such as when flying an un-pressurized aircraft to altitude or during a scuba ascent through water, the nitrogen dissolved in the body outgases. If nitrogen is forced to come out of solution too quickly, bubbles form in parts of the body causing the signs and symptoms of the "bends" which can be itching skin and rashes, joint pain, sensory system failure, paralysis, and death.
An air embolism, caused by other processes, can have many of the same symptoms as DCS. The two conditions are grouped together under the name decompression illness or DCI.
History
Wikisource has an original article from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica about:
Caisson Disease
1841: First documented case of decompression sickness, reported by a mining engineer who observed pain and muscle cramps among coal miners working in mine shafts air-pressurized to keep water out.
1867: The submarine pioneer Julius H. Kroehl died of decompression sickness during experimental dives with the Sub Marine Explorer.
1869: An early case resulting from diving activities while wearing an air-pumped helmet.
1872: Washington Roebling suffered from caisson disease while working as the chief engineer on the Brooklyn Bridge. (He took charge after his father John Augustus Roebling died of tetanus.) Washington's wife Emily helped manage the construction of the bridge, after his sickness confined him to his home in Brooklyn. He battled the after-effects of the disease for the rest of his life.
Predisposing factors
Magnitude of the pressure reduction: A large pressure reduction is more likely to cause DCS than a small one. For example, the ambient pressure halves by ascending during a dive from 10 metres / 33 feet (2 bar) to the surface (1 bar), or by flying from sea level (1 bar) to an altitude of 16,000 feet / 5,000 metres (0.5 bar) in an un-pressurized aircraft. Diving and then flying shortly afterwards increases the pressure reduction as does diving at high altitude.
Repetitive exposures: Repetitive dives or ascents to altitudes above 18,000 feet within a short period of time (a few hours) also increase the risk of developing altitude DCS.
Rate of ascent: The faster the ascent, the greater the risk of developing altitude DCS. An individual exposed to a rapid decompression (high rate of ascent) above 18,000 feet has a greater risk of altitude DCS than being exposed to the same altitude but at a lower rate of ascent.
Time at altitude: The longer the duration of the flight to altitudes of 18,000 feet and above, the greater the risk of altitude DCS.
Age: There are some reports indicating a higher risk of altitude DCS with increasing age.
Previous injury: There is some indication that recent joint or limb injuries may predispose individuals to developing "the bends."
Ambient temperature: There is some evidence suggesting that individual exposure to very cold ambient temperatures may increase the risk of altitude DCS.
Body Type: Typically, a person who has a high body fat content is at greater risk of altitude DCS. Due to poor blood supply, nitrogen is stored in greater amounts in fat tissues. Although fat represents only 15 percent of a normal adult body, it stores over half of the total amount of nitrogen (about 1 litre) normally dissolved in the body.
Exercise: When a person is physically active, or performing strenuous activity before or after a dive (such as rowing to and from a dive site), there is greater risk of DCS.
Rate of Air Consumption: If you tend to consume more air than what may be considered "normal" for scuba diving, you will certainly be more susceptible to DCS if you skirt the no-decompression limits.
Alcohol consumption/dehydration: While conventional wisdom would have one believe that the after effects of alcohol consumption increase the susceptibility to DCS through increased dehydration and decreased motor coordination/mental acuity, one study concluded that alcohol consumption did not increase the risk of DCS.[1]. The high surface tension of water is generally regarded as helpful in controlling bubble size, hence staying hydrated is recommended by most experts.
Patent foramen ovale: A hole between the atrial chambers of the heart in the fetus is normally closed by a flap with the first breaths at birth. In up to 20 percent of adults the flap does not seal, however, allowing blood through the hole with coughing or other activities which raise chest pressure. In diving, this can allow blood with microbubbles in the venous blood from the body to return directly to the arteries (including arteries to the brain, spinal cord and heart) rather than pass through the lungs, where the bubbles would otherwise be filtered out by the lung capillary system. In the arterial system, bubbles (arterial gas embolism) are far more dangerous because they block circulation and cause infarction (tissue death, due to local loss of blood flow). In the brain, infarction results in stroke, in the spinal cord it may result in paralysis, and in the heart it results in myocardial infarction (heart attack).
Signs and symptoms
Bubbles can form anywhere in the body, but symptomatic sensation is most frequently observed in the shoulders, elbows, knees, and ankles.
This table gives symptoms for the different DCS types. The "bends" (joint pain) accounts for about 60 to 70 percent of all altitude DCS cases, with the shoulder being the most common site. These types are classifed medically as DCS I. Neurological symptoms are present in 10 to 15 percent of all DCS cases with headache and visual disturbances the most common. DCS cases with neurological symptoms are generally classified as DCS II. The "chokes" are rare and occur in less than two-percent of all DCS cases. Skin manifestations are present in about 10 to 15 percent of all DCS cases.
Table 1. Signs and symptoms of decompression sickness.
DCS Type
Bubble Location
Signs & Symptoms (Clinical Manifestations)
BENDS
Mostly large joints of the body(elbows, shoulders, hip,wrists, knees, ankles)
Localized deep pain, ranging from mild (a "niggle") to excruciating. Sometimes a dull ache, but rarely a sharp pain.
Active and passive motion of the joint aggravates the pain.
The pain may be reduced by bending the joint to find a more comfortable position.
If caused by altitude, pain can occur immediately or up to many hours later.
NEUROLOGIC
Brain
Confusion or memory loss
Headache
Spots in visual field (scotoma), tunnel vision, double vision (diplopia), or blurry vision
Unexplained extreme fatigue or behaviour changes
Seizures, dizziness, vertigo, nausea, vomiting and unconsciousness may occur, mainly due to labyrinthitis
Spinal Cord
Abnormal sensations such as burning, stinging, and tingling around the lower chest and back
Symptoms may spread from the feet up and may be accompanied by ascending weakness or paralysis
Girdling abdominal or chest pain
Peripheral Nerves
Urinary and rectal incontinence
Abnormal sensations, such as numbness, burning, stinging and tingling (paresthesia)
Muscle weakness or twitching
CHOKES
Lungs
Burning deep chest pain (under the sternum)
Pain is aggravated by breathing
Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
Dry constant cough
SKIN BENDS
Skin
Itching usually around the ears, face, neck arms, and upper torso
Sensation of tiny insects crawling over the skin
Mottled or marbled skin usually around the shoulders, upper chest and abdomen, with itching
Swelling of the skin, accompanied by tiny scar-like skin depressions (pitting edema)
Treatment
Recompression is the only effective treatment for severe DCS, although rest and oxygen (increasing the percentage of oxygen in the air being breathed via a tight fitting oxygen mask) applied to lighter cases can be effective. Recompression is normally carried out in a recompression chamber. In diving, a high-risk alternative is in-water recompression.
Oxygen first aid treatment is useful for suspected DCS casualties or divers who have made fast ascents or missed decompression stops. Most fully closed-circuit rebreathers can deliver sustained high concentrations of oxygen-rich breathing gas and could be used as an alternative to pure open-circuit oxygen resuscitators.
Common pressure reductions that cause DCS
The main cause of DCS is a reduction in the pressure surrounding the body. Common ways in which the required reduction in pressure occur are:
leaving a high atmospheric pressure environment
rapid ascent through water during a dive
ascent to altitude while flying
Leaving a high pressure environment
The original name for DCS was caisson disease; this term was used in the 19th century, when large engineering excavations below the water table, such as with the piers of bridges and with tunnels, had to be done in caissons under pressure to keep water from flooding the excavations. Workers who spend time in high pressure atmospheric pressure conditions are at risk if they leave that environment and reduce the pressure surrounding them.
DCS was a major factor during construction of Eads Bridge, when 15 workers died from what was then a mysterious illness, and later during construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, where it incapacitated the project leader Washington Roebling.
Ascent during a dive
DCS is best known as an injury that affects scuba divers. The pressure of the surrounding water increases as the diver descends and reduces as the diver ascends. The risk of DCS increases by diving long or deep without slowly ascending and making the decompression stops needed to eliminate the inert gases normally, although the specific risk factors are not well understood. Some divers seem more susceptible than others under identical conditions.
There have been known cases of bends in snorkellers who have made many deep dives in succession. DCS may be the cause of the disease taravana which affects South Pacific island natives who for centuries have dived without equipment for food and pearls.
Two linked factors contribute to divers' DCS, although the complete relationship of causes is not fully understood:
deep or long dives: inert gases in breathing gases, such as nitrogen and helium, are absorbed into the tissues of the body in higher concentrations than normal (Henry's Law) when breathed at high pressure.
fast ascents: reducing the ambient pressure, as happens during the ascent, causes the absorbed gases to come back out of solution, and form "micro bubbles" in the blood. Those bubbles will safely leave the body through the lungs if the ascent is slow enough that the volume of bubbles does not rise too high.
The physiologist John Haldane studied this problem in the early 20th century, eventually devising the method of staged, gradual decompression, whereby the pressure on the diver is released slowly enough that the nitrogen comes gradually out of solution without leading to DCS. Bubbles form after every dive: slow ascent and decompression stops simply reduce the volume and number of the bubbles to a level at which there is no injury to the diver.
Severe cases of decompression sickness can lead to death. Large bubbles of gas impede the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain, central nervous system and other vital organs.
Even when the change in pressure causes no immediate symptoms, rapid pressure change can cause permanent bone injury called dysbaric osteonecrosis (DON) "bone cell death from bad pressure". DON can develop from a single exposure to rapid decompression. DON is diagnosed from lesions visible in X-ray images of the bones. Unfortunately, X-rays appear normal for at least 3 months after the permanent damage has occurred; it may take 4 years after the damage has occurred for its effects to become visible in the X-ray images. [1]
Avoidance
Decompression tables and dive computers have been developed that help the diver choose depth and duration of decompression stops for a particular dive profile at depth.
Avoiding decompression sickness is not an exact science. Accidents can occur after relatively shallow and short dives. To reduce the risks, divers should avoid long and deep dives and should ascend slowly. Also, dives requiring decompression stops and dives with less than a 16 hour interval since the previous dive increase the risk of DCS. There are many additional risk factors, such as age, obesity, fatigue, use of alcohol, dehydration and a patent foramen ovale. In addition, flying at high altitude less than 24 hours after a deep dive can be a precipitating factor for decompression illness.
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station preparing for Extra-vehicular activity "camp out" at low atmospheric pressure (approximately 10 psi = 700 mbar) spending 8 sleeping hours in the airlock chamber before their spacewalk. Their spacesuits can operate at 4.7 psi = 330 mbar for maximum flexibility.
Helium
Nitrogen is not the only breathing gas that causes DCS. Gas mixtures such as trimix and heliox include helium, which can also be implicated in decompression sickness.
Helium both enters and leaves the body faster than nitrogen, and for dives of three or more hours in duration, the body almost reaches saturation of helium. For such dives the decompression time is shorter than for nitrogen-based breathing gases such as air.
There is some debate as to the decompression effects of helium for shorter duration dives. Most divers do longer decompressions, whereas some groups like the WKPP have been pioneering the use of shorter decompression times by including deep stops.
Decompression time can be significantly shortened by breathing rich nitrox (or pure oxygen in very shallow water) during the decompression phase of the dive. The reason is that the nitrogen outgases at a rate proportional to the difference between the ppN2 (partial pressure of nitrogen) in the diver's body and the ppN2 in the gas that he or she is breathing; but the likelihood of bubbles is proportional to the difference between the ppN2 in the diver's body and the total surrounding air or water pressure.
LABUAN: A 61-year-old German yachtsman has become the latest victim of decompression sickness and is seeking treatment at the Navy’s recompression chamber here. Berekoven Hans Joachim was leisure diving off Kuching, Sarawak when he came across a big stingray. Fearing for his safety after what had happened to Steve Irwin (Australia’s famous Crocodile Hunter), he made a fast ascend to the sea surface and later felt numbness around his legs. “I have never seen so much fish in my life and suddenly a monstrous stingray which seemed to be agitated by the fish, came reálly close to me. I saw the barb that was about six inches long and the thought of Steve Irwin and his fatal encounter flashed through my mind,” said Berekoven yesterday. Re1ating his experience that took place while wreck-diving 20km off Kuching, Joachim, who has a sheep and wine farm in Monaro, Queensland in Australia and currently sailing his yacht, Southern Sun, around the South East Asian region, added: “I panicked and deflated my buoyancy vest. I ascended too fast!” The sailor said that he felt numbness around his legs when he got aboard his yacht but his diving buddy and him initially thought it was just over exertion. However, when it got worse, the hospital in Kuching advised him that he should go for the hyperbaric oxygen treatment that is available at the Royal Malaysian Navy’s dive centre here. Decompression sickness, also called the Bends (the term likely describes the bent-over posture of the suffering diver) is a dangerous and occasionally lethal condition caused by nitrogen bubbles that form in the blood and other tissues of divers who surface too quickly, without decompression stops. Joachim, who was diving 25 metres deep with proper scuba equipment that he carries on board Southern Sun, expressed his appreciation for the Navy’s facility. He is among the lucky ones who are quite certain to fully recover. The same however cannot be said of Mohamad Asri Bin Dayan, 27, of Pulau Tiga and 23-year-old Mohd Arah Bin Kassim, a Pulau Gaya village fisherman. Mohamad Asri is still paralyzed, waist downwards, in the intensive care unit of the hospital here while Mohd Arah is not even able to breath independently and unconscious at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu. Both were diving for fish the risky primitive way — breathing through garden hoses attached to old automotive-spraying compressors; diving far too deep (50 to 70 meters) and far too long, without safety considerations. Publicity on the two fishermen’s cases has sparked public outcry that these people are not only endangering their own lives but also destroying the State’s marine life by carrying out unscrupulous fish bombing and poisoning activities. Meanwhile, Rear Admiral Datuk Ahmad Kamarulzaman Hj Ahmad Badaruddin, the Commander of Naval Region Two encompassing Sabah, Labuan and Sarawak waters, said that the Navy is always ready and willing to assist with their recompression chambers, one located in Labuan and the other in Semporna, but action should be taken and awareness campaigns organized to curb the problem. Lt Kamid Bin Sulaiman leads the team from the naval base in Sabah to manage the recompression facility for the latest victim.
Decompression sickness
Decompression sickness (DCS), the diver’s disease, the bends, or caisson disease is the name given to a variety of symptoms suffered by a person exposed to a reduction in the pressure surrounding their body. It is a type of diving hazard and dysbarism.
Introduction
Decompression sickness can happen in these situations:
A diver ascends rapidly from a dive or does not carry out decompression stops after a long or deep dive.
An unpressurized aircraft flies upwards.
The cabin pressurization system of an aircraft fails.
Divers flying in any aircraft shortly after diving. Pressurized aircraft are not risk-free since the cabin pressure is not maintained at sea-level pressure. Commercial aircraft cabin pressure is often maintained to about 8,000 feet above sea level.
A worker comes out of a pressurized caisson or out of a mine, which has been pressurized to keep water out.
An astronaut exits a space vehicle to perform a space-walk or extra-vehicular activity where the pressure in his spacesuit is lower than the pressure in the vehicle.
This surfacing diver must enter a recompression chamber to avoid the bends.
These situations cause inert gases, generally nitrogen, which are normally dissolved in body fluids and tissues, to come out of physical solution (i.e., outgas) and form gas bubbles.
According to Henry’s Law, when the pressure of a gas over a liquid is decreased, the amount of gas dissolved in that liquid will also decrease. One of the best practical demonstrations of this law is offered by opening a soft drink can or bottle. When you remove the cap from the bottle, you can clearly hear gas escaping and see bubbles forming in the soda. This is carbon dioxide gas coming out of solution as a result of the pressure inside the container reducing to atmospheric pressure.
Similarly, nitrogen is an inert gas normally stored throughout the human body, such as tissues and fluids, in physical solution. When the body is exposed to decreased pressures, such as when flying an un-pressurized aircraft to altitude or during a scuba ascent through water, the nitrogen dissolved in the body outgases. If nitrogen is forced to come out of solution too quickly, bubbles form in parts of the body causing the signs and symptoms of the "bends" which can be itching skin and rashes, joint pain, sensory system failure, paralysis, and death.
An air embolism, caused by other processes, can have many of the same symptoms as DCS. The two conditions are grouped together under the name decompression illness or DCI.
History
Wikisource has an original article from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica about:
Caisson Disease
1841: First documented case of decompression sickness, reported by a mining engineer who observed pain and muscle cramps among coal miners working in mine shafts air-pressurized to keep water out.
1867: The submarine pioneer Julius H. Kroehl died of decompression sickness during experimental dives with the Sub Marine Explorer.
1869: An early case resulting from diving activities while wearing an air-pumped helmet.
1872: Washington Roebling suffered from caisson disease while working as the chief engineer on the Brooklyn Bridge. (He took charge after his father John Augustus Roebling died of tetanus.) Washington's wife Emily helped manage the construction of the bridge, after his sickness confined him to his home in Brooklyn. He battled the after-effects of the disease for the rest of his life.
Predisposing factors
Magnitude of the pressure reduction: A large pressure reduction is more likely to cause DCS than a small one. For example, the ambient pressure halves by ascending during a dive from 10 metres / 33 feet (2 bar) to the surface (1 bar), or by flying from sea level (1 bar) to an altitude of 16,000 feet / 5,000 metres (0.5 bar) in an un-pressurized aircraft. Diving and then flying shortly afterwards increases the pressure reduction as does diving at high altitude.
Repetitive exposures: Repetitive dives or ascents to altitudes above 18,000 feet within a short period of time (a few hours) also increase the risk of developing altitude DCS.
Rate of ascent: The faster the ascent, the greater the risk of developing altitude DCS. An individual exposed to a rapid decompression (high rate of ascent) above 18,000 feet has a greater risk of altitude DCS than being exposed to the same altitude but at a lower rate of ascent.
Time at altitude: The longer the duration of the flight to altitudes of 18,000 feet and above, the greater the risk of altitude DCS.
Age: There are some reports indicating a higher risk of altitude DCS with increasing age.
Previous injury: There is some indication that recent joint or limb injuries may predispose individuals to developing "the bends."
Ambient temperature: There is some evidence suggesting that individual exposure to very cold ambient temperatures may increase the risk of altitude DCS.
Body Type: Typically, a person who has a high body fat content is at greater risk of altitude DCS. Due to poor blood supply, nitrogen is stored in greater amounts in fat tissues. Although fat represents only 15 percent of a normal adult body, it stores over half of the total amount of nitrogen (about 1 litre) normally dissolved in the body.
Exercise: When a person is physically active, or performing strenuous activity before or after a dive (such as rowing to and from a dive site), there is greater risk of DCS.
Rate of Air Consumption: If you tend to consume more air than what may be considered "normal" for scuba diving, you will certainly be more susceptible to DCS if you skirt the no-decompression limits.
Alcohol consumption/dehydration: While conventional wisdom would have one believe that the after effects of alcohol consumption increase the susceptibility to DCS through increased dehydration and decreased motor coordination/mental acuity, one study concluded that alcohol consumption did not increase the risk of DCS.[1]. The high surface tension of water is generally regarded as helpful in controlling bubble size, hence staying hydrated is recommended by most experts.
Patent foramen ovale: A hole between the atrial chambers of the heart in the fetus is normally closed by a flap with the first breaths at birth. In up to 20 percent of adults the flap does not seal, however, allowing blood through the hole with coughing or other activities which raise chest pressure. In diving, this can allow blood with microbubbles in the venous blood from the body to return directly to the arteries (including arteries to the brain, spinal cord and heart) rather than pass through the lungs, where the bubbles would otherwise be filtered out by the lung capillary system. In the arterial system, bubbles (arterial gas embolism) are far more dangerous because they block circulation and cause infarction (tissue death, due to local loss of blood flow). In the brain, infarction results in stroke, in the spinal cord it may result in paralysis, and in the heart it results in myocardial infarction (heart attack).
Signs and symptoms
Bubbles can form anywhere in the body, but symptomatic sensation is most frequently observed in the shoulders, elbows, knees, and ankles.
This table gives symptoms for the different DCS types. The "bends" (joint pain) accounts for about 60 to 70 percent of all altitude DCS cases, with the shoulder being the most common site. These types are classifed medically as DCS I. Neurological symptoms are present in 10 to 15 percent of all DCS cases with headache and visual disturbances the most common. DCS cases with neurological symptoms are generally classified as DCS II. The "chokes" are rare and occur in less than two-percent of all DCS cases. Skin manifestations are present in about 10 to 15 percent of all DCS cases.
Table 1. Signs and symptoms of decompression sickness.
DCS Type
Bubble Location
Signs & Symptoms (Clinical Manifestations)
BENDS
Mostly large joints of the body(elbows, shoulders, hip,wrists, knees, ankles)
Localized deep pain, ranging from mild (a "niggle") to excruciating. Sometimes a dull ache, but rarely a sharp pain.
Active and passive motion of the joint aggravates the pain.
The pain may be reduced by bending the joint to find a more comfortable position.
If caused by altitude, pain can occur immediately or up to many hours later.
NEUROLOGIC
Brain
Confusion or memory loss
Headache
Spots in visual field (scotoma), tunnel vision, double vision (diplopia), or blurry vision
Unexplained extreme fatigue or behaviour changes
Seizures, dizziness, vertigo, nausea, vomiting and unconsciousness may occur, mainly due to labyrinthitis
Spinal Cord
Abnormal sensations such as burning, stinging, and tingling around the lower chest and back
Symptoms may spread from the feet up and may be accompanied by ascending weakness or paralysis
Girdling abdominal or chest pain
Peripheral Nerves
Urinary and rectal incontinence
Abnormal sensations, such as numbness, burning, stinging and tingling (paresthesia)
Muscle weakness or twitching
CHOKES
Lungs
Burning deep chest pain (under the sternum)
Pain is aggravated by breathing
Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
Dry constant cough
SKIN BENDS
Skin
Itching usually around the ears, face, neck arms, and upper torso
Sensation of tiny insects crawling over the skin
Mottled or marbled skin usually around the shoulders, upper chest and abdomen, with itching
Swelling of the skin, accompanied by tiny scar-like skin depressions (pitting edema)
Treatment
Recompression is the only effective treatment for severe DCS, although rest and oxygen (increasing the percentage of oxygen in the air being breathed via a tight fitting oxygen mask) applied to lighter cases can be effective. Recompression is normally carried out in a recompression chamber. In diving, a high-risk alternative is in-water recompression.
Oxygen first aid treatment is useful for suspected DCS casualties or divers who have made fast ascents or missed decompression stops. Most fully closed-circuit rebreathers can deliver sustained high concentrations of oxygen-rich breathing gas and could be used as an alternative to pure open-circuit oxygen resuscitators.
Common pressure reductions that cause DCS
The main cause of DCS is a reduction in the pressure surrounding the body. Common ways in which the required reduction in pressure occur are:
leaving a high atmospheric pressure environment
rapid ascent through water during a dive
ascent to altitude while flying
Leaving a high pressure environment
The original name for DCS was caisson disease; this term was used in the 19th century, when large engineering excavations below the water table, such as with the piers of bridges and with tunnels, had to be done in caissons under pressure to keep water from flooding the excavations. Workers who spend time in high pressure atmospheric pressure conditions are at risk if they leave that environment and reduce the pressure surrounding them.
DCS was a major factor during construction of Eads Bridge, when 15 workers died from what was then a mysterious illness, and later during construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, where it incapacitated the project leader Washington Roebling.
Ascent during a dive
DCS is best known as an injury that affects scuba divers. The pressure of the surrounding water increases as the diver descends and reduces as the diver ascends. The risk of DCS increases by diving long or deep without slowly ascending and making the decompression stops needed to eliminate the inert gases normally, although the specific risk factors are not well understood. Some divers seem more susceptible than others under identical conditions.
There have been known cases of bends in snorkellers who have made many deep dives in succession. DCS may be the cause of the disease taravana which affects South Pacific island natives who for centuries have dived without equipment for food and pearls.
Two linked factors contribute to divers' DCS, although the complete relationship of causes is not fully understood:
deep or long dives: inert gases in breathing gases, such as nitrogen and helium, are absorbed into the tissues of the body in higher concentrations than normal (Henry's Law) when breathed at high pressure.
fast ascents: reducing the ambient pressure, as happens during the ascent, causes the absorbed gases to come back out of solution, and form "micro bubbles" in the blood. Those bubbles will safely leave the body through the lungs if the ascent is slow enough that the volume of bubbles does not rise too high.
The physiologist John Haldane studied this problem in the early 20th century, eventually devising the method of staged, gradual decompression, whereby the pressure on the diver is released slowly enough that the nitrogen comes gradually out of solution without leading to DCS. Bubbles form after every dive: slow ascent and decompression stops simply reduce the volume and number of the bubbles to a level at which there is no injury to the diver.
Severe cases of decompression sickness can lead to death. Large bubbles of gas impede the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain, central nervous system and other vital organs.
Even when the change in pressure causes no immediate symptoms, rapid pressure change can cause permanent bone injury called dysbaric osteonecrosis (DON) "bone cell death from bad pressure". DON can develop from a single exposure to rapid decompression. DON is diagnosed from lesions visible in X-ray images of the bones. Unfortunately, X-rays appear normal for at least 3 months after the permanent damage has occurred; it may take 4 years after the damage has occurred for its effects to become visible in the X-ray images. [1]
Avoidance
Decompression tables and dive computers have been developed that help the diver choose depth and duration of decompression stops for a particular dive profile at depth.
Avoiding decompression sickness is not an exact science. Accidents can occur after relatively shallow and short dives. To reduce the risks, divers should avoid long and deep dives and should ascend slowly. Also, dives requiring decompression stops and dives with less than a 16 hour interval since the previous dive increase the risk of DCS. There are many additional risk factors, such as age, obesity, fatigue, use of alcohol, dehydration and a patent foramen ovale. In addition, flying at high altitude less than 24 hours after a deep dive can be a precipitating factor for decompression illness.
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station preparing for Extra-vehicular activity "camp out" at low atmospheric pressure (approximately 10 psi = 700 mbar) spending 8 sleeping hours in the airlock chamber before their spacewalk. Their spacesuits can operate at 4.7 psi = 330 mbar for maximum flexibility.
Helium
Nitrogen is not the only breathing gas that causes DCS. Gas mixtures such as trimix and heliox include helium, which can also be implicated in decompression sickness.
Helium both enters and leaves the body faster than nitrogen, and for dives of three or more hours in duration, the body almost reaches saturation of helium. For such dives the decompression time is shorter than for nitrogen-based breathing gases such as air.
There is some debate as to the decompression effects of helium for shorter duration dives. Most divers do longer decompressions, whereas some groups like the WKPP have been pioneering the use of shorter decompression times by including deep stops.
Decompression time can be significantly shortened by breathing rich nitrox (or pure oxygen in very shallow water) during the decompression phase of the dive. The reason is that the nitrogen outgases at a rate proportional to the difference between the ppN2 (partial pressure of nitrogen) in the diver's body and the ppN2 in the gas that he or she is breathing; but the likelihood of bubbles is proportional to the difference between the ppN2 in the diver's body and the total surrounding air or water pressure.
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