Frontiers is One!
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Applying Science into Our Daily Lives
How do we apply scientific formulas or theories into our daily lives? According to Associate Professor Dr Hon Wei Min, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences at UCSI University,
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happenings
Kuala Lumpur International Dragon Boat Festival
By Edrea Sun Since its inception many hundred years ago, the dragon boat race had traditionally drawn huge crowds in the thousands comprising rowers, supporters, foreign tourists, curious onlookers and locals alike. This time around the festival has come early and was held at the Kepong Metropolitan Lake Garden, the first ever water activity held
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Leisure & Lifestyle
Nocturne:Five Stories of Music and Nightfall
By Khoo Kok Kian Nocturne is derived from the French word, Noctunal and from Latin, Nocturnus. People usually interpret it as a music piece which is inspired by night. A very famous classical music piece by Frederic Chopin was also named based on this word. Kazuo Ishiguro, a prominent author, who is also penned The
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Talk To Us
By Conrad Edmund Bateman Mitch Albom once said that, “The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” In conjunction with a yearlong celebration of UCSI University’s Silver Jubilee, the
"Light UP Lives Charity"
Celebration for the right reasons?
By Farezza Rashid
31st August 2010 marks 53 years of Malaysia’s independence. Our forefathers have fought through blood, sweat and tears to get us to where we are today; in freedom, peace and prosperity. They have fought arms against the powers that conquered us for years to enable us to progress on our own as a sovereign country. Achieving that independence in 1957, Malaya became Malaysia in 1963 when it merged with Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore to form a new federation (Singapore left Malaysia in 1965).
Over the years, Malaysia has transformed in so many ways. Not only did the country grow economically from one that was based on agriculture to computers and electronics, but also in its physical landscape. And in ten years, Malaysia has completed numerous mega-projects that made it as one of the most recognized developing countries in the world.
In 1994, traveling from the northern state of Kedah to the southern state of Johor by land was made easier with the completion of the North-South Expressway which runs 966 km. Better known by Malaysians as the PLUS Highway, it eases the travel from one end of Peninsular Malaysia to the other as it reduces traveling time tremendously.
Putrajaya was established in 1995. In 1999, the seat of government shifted from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya because the former was overcrowded. Putrajaya was made into a Federal Territory in 2001 even though Kuala Lumpur remains to be the country’s national capital.
In 1998 the KL International Airport, commonly known as KLIA, was built and it has been known to be in the top five best airports in the world several times between 2006 and 2008 ( “KLIA – world’s best airport for third year running”. Business Times. http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/Wednesday/Nation/klia01f.xml/Article/index_html.)
Malaysia also entered the F1, A1 and SuperGT calendars when it opened the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) in 1999. It is 5.54 km long and is noted as one of the toughest circuits around with its sweeping corners and wide straights. Since its opening the SIC has seen major events including the FIA Formula One, Malaysian Grand Prix, FIM MotoGP, Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, A1 Grand Prix, SuperGT and Asian Touring Car Championship. Now Malaysia is no stranger for Michael Schumacher and his peers. (“Sepang International Circuit Preview”. www.forumula1.net. http://www.forumula1.net/2008/f1/race-tracks/malaysia-sepang-international-circuit-preview.)
Malaysia still wears the crown for having the tallest twin building in the world with its Petronas Twin Towers which was built in 1998, standing at 451.9 metres tall (Palmer, 2008).
Despite the infrastructure developments, our forefathers might not be so proud of a few ‘other’ things. After 53 years.
Not quite there yetof co-existence, they would think that all of us living together in total harmony. But is that so?
Imagine how disappointed they would be if they knew that after their struggle and sacrifices, little Indian girls is still eating sand to fill their hunger because of poverty. The Indian community, who have worked equally hard during the pre-independence period, are now being denied the equal opportunities and the equal upward mobility opportunities. (http://www.humanrightspartymalaysia.com/2010/06/01/hungry-indian-poor-children-eating-sand-umnos-new-straits-times-and-the-star-damage-control-false-news-reporting-felda-like-land-scheme-for-poor-indians-denied-2-2/)
Does poverty still lurk?
With the tallest twin buildings in the world, poverty still lurks, and with the ridiculous poverty line of RM720 a month for a family set by the government, it will be difficult to overcome. A family of five needs at least RM 1,750 a month for a house and a small allocation for savings as a balanced budget. (http://www.aliran.com/oldsite/monthly/2004a/2j.html)
Besides that, we are also expected to be able to co-exist in total peace and harmony but incidents such as church arsons and stepping on cow heads due to racial and religious differences are clear evidences that we are still far from the expected level of maturity and acceptance. (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?sec=nation&file=/2010/7/27/nation/20100727113906, http://www.worthynews.com/8727-two-muslims-sentenced-for-church-arson-in-malaysia)
The increase of crime rates also makes us wonder if the law enforcement system had not developed in parallel with the economic and infrastructural developments. Victims of snatch theft have been left in commas and traumas while many of the perpetrators are still riding wild and free on our roads. Innocent newborn babies are dumped and left to die and decay while their so-called parents walk away freely without guilt.
These are just some of the ordeals that we do not think about while we wave our little flags during National Day parades and celebrations that have cost the country millions of ringgits. As we stand watching the colorful celebrations, let us think about where we came from and where we are going, to ensure that the National Day or Independence Day is really celebrated for the right reasons. Is Malaysia a country with first world infrastructure but third world mentality?
