THE BLUE GOLD?

Is water a basic human right or human need? This simple but intriguing question was asked by Dr. Takahiro Kuba during one of the lectures I attended. Being true to its existence in nature - elegantly in abundance yet ungenerous, one may found it difficult to obtain freshwater. He was quoted as saying, 'if the earth was a sphere 1.5m in diameter, how much freshwater would it have? 1 bucket? 1 plastic bottle? A glass? Sadly, it's not. It's just 1 spoon of water!'

Water plays important role in humans' daily-life in terms of public (recreational means, catchments, agricultures, fisheries etc.) and private usages (drinking water, industries and household chores). That said, clearly, one can gauge the weightage it carries along should the already scarce water we have (do we really own them?) plunges.

Water gives life to plants and is essential for food production. Needless to say, like everything in the planet, water has become a commodity taken for granted, believing it'll be there forever. As the world is faced with diminishing water resources and reports predicting acute shortages in coming years (F. Chowdhury, 2010) we seriously need to address water issue the attention it deserved, instead of waiting for the catastrophe to unveil!

Governments all over the world admittedly acknowledged its vital value - either naturally or at the instigation of peer pressures - leading to more sagacious decisions (or so they were implied) with regards to water issues. The truth is, billions of lives in Africa consumed approximately 60L, less than 3L for some people in Latin America as compared to global average of 170L/person/day.

Through the Washington Consensus, it was made common philosophy under the new economic model that the entire world should engage in a free-market based economy which enables the benefactors to deregulate cross-border policies (relaxation of regulations, tariffs reductions, market liberalizations, investments etc.) which includes water privatization policies ('commodification' of water being common good to commodity) designed to further strengthen their dominance of right to water.

Before long, injustices with regard to freshwater supply and privatization issues arise in almost all continents. In Phillippines, it was reported that water price increased by 4 times in 1997, in 1980s water prices increased by 30% in UK. Similarly, the poor get expensive (often polluted) water in buckets while rich people are offered cheap and sanitized water from taps in Lima, Peru. Likewise in South Africa, more than 100 thousand people were contracted with cholera in 10 months with approximately 220 people died as a result of water supply deprivation (The World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2002).

Narrowing the scope to Malaysia based on the World Bank: Environment at a glance (2008), access to improved water source was recorded as 94-99 % in 2004. This data seemingly indicated an impression that almost all areas in the country has been covered with better water access - note that the criteria was improved water sources not access to water supply. In reality, thousands of families living in the outskirt of urban areas are still in the fell clutch of tap water supply. Anyway, to the government's credit, there were 'improvements' in terms of majestic dams, exaggerated projects etc. but at what price? The river - considered to be the source of life by the indigenous - quenches not only their daily needs/rights but also their blue gold!

Although, it's common sense for the the elected government to end up with rigorous plans in order to spur development, common good such as the case of freshwater should not be thoroughly sidelined. If the price for developments must be paid with massive environmental fallouts (though can be controlled and restored with technology - our willingness?) then it's fair, I guess, to realize some thing like water, air and nature in it's full glory are humans' basic rights; deserving protection, preservation and continuity of existence.

The importance and scarcity of water today, if not properly handled, may trigger century of water wars in the future. Ismail Serageldin, former World Bank Vice President (1995) was quoted as saying 'Many of the wars of this (20th) century were about oil, but the wars of the next century will be about water.' Aggravated by the impending chaos it may brings, one must opt to treasure water as a blessing and starts to regulate water issues vehemently.

THE CHRISTMAS STORY FORETOLD IN THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN

Christmas has never stop to mesmerize me - even as it becomes part of the you-must-do kind of event annually. As anticipated, merry makings, goodies, presents, santa claus etc. are the highlights of the day. Minus the part of which I'm no more fit to experience the wonder of Christmas like in the good old days (everybody was once a child), this year's celebration is somewhat different. Better still, I managed to celebrate it in Fukuoka, Japan.

To cut long story short, I attended the Christmas Eve at Itoshima surrounded by melting pot of people. In no time, I found myself to be in a bunch of Americans and Japanese! There at a corner, I stood as I introduced myself to a mid-50 years old man sitting next to me. Though I appreciated his effort in trying to engage in a conversation with me, we both literally speak in body languages. Thanks to his so-so English, my terrible Japanese and the art of body language! They seem to flow gracefully together. Not to forget the nimble mind too.

After countless fingers' flicking, hands moving and face expressions exchanged between us, I allowed my mind to be in harmony with the song "Gloria in Excelsis Deo" that came from the sound of the organ played by the pastor who administered the church. For a moment, I was picturing choirs of angels trotting on clouds with Gabriel leading the way, as the pastor's dainty fingers danced on the keyboard. Such a soothing moment - well at least for someone who is far from home that is.

With the theme 最初のクリスマス (The First Christmas), the service started with a play that went back to some 2010 years ago where the baby Jesus was born in a manger in the small town of Bethlehem. The performance was awesome beyond words to describe and I would say best actor should go to the baby Jesus - simply because he is a baby (a real cute kicking baby!). I believed he took away all the glory that night as the crowd focused their attention to him. Best part is, in the middle of a dialogue, he cried up to the point that required a short break just to get him out of scene. I can't help but to name him as the next Robin Williams as the crowd burst into laughter!

We had coffee and some home-made tidbits after service. I managed to chat with some new faces and luckily this time body languages are off the table. A couple of words exchanged with the pastor's little son named Kento-kun turned out to be amusing as he thought me Japanese phonetically - fresh from a 10 years old! Then, met with Bob and his wife Joan Verme - an American couple which has been living in Japan for the last 40 years as missionary. Will elaborate more about them later.

As I went for a refill of my hot chocolate drink which happened to be irresistible that particular night - I don't know why either - I came across Zack and his brother Jack (both are the sons of one of the church members I regularly attend in Meinohama). We exchanged stories of Christmas. Both kids shared their stuff like an epic. They really enjoy their holidays and how they effortlessly beg for presents from Santa when Christmas is approaching. Both kids may not said it straight but they are all written in their cute little eyes of American and Japanese parentage.

On the way back to hostel, one can vividly witnessed the colorful buildings and streets decorated with lights. Not to mention the 24 hours non-stop recording of famous Christmas songs like "Feliz Navidad" and "We wish you a Merry Christmas" all the way. One who do not know the Japanese culture well, might be made into believing that most of them are Christians. But, they are not. On the other hand, according to the local pastor just now, only 0.99% of the total population of Japan are Christians. Most of them are either Shintos or Buddhists.

Nonetheless, I feel a little bit shocked. Sincerely, I appreciate their acknowledgment of Christmas by putting up lights and Christmas trees around but, I believed to know the real purpose of Christmas in commemorating Jesus's birth as the savior is more important. To do something without knowing the purpose of doing it, is like driving a car to a middle of no where on the interstates! Yup, one may had the fun of it but to what extend? Anyway, I'm not here to pass on criticism whatsoever. Before long, I found myself in front of the university's bus station entrance.

Next day, I had a memorable dinner together with Duane, Brian and the Vermes as we discussed about broad topics of interests. From religion to America, from baseball to Sumo, California and Malaysia etc. A game called "Upwords" concluded the evening as we played. Frankly, it was my first time of playing. The game is just like "Scrabble" - words game but in contrast to scrabble, the alphabets can be on top of each other as long as it carries a meaning. Also, the board is half the size of Scrabble. Duane (the reigning champion) scored the highest points followed closely by Brian in the second place. I only managed to secure third place, a step ahead of Joan. I bet that was a gesture of kindness as an advantage to a newcomer, isn't it? LOL. Truly, it made my day guys! Ah, almost forgot, Dibby! The well-mannered dog belongs to the Vermes.

Till the next posting.

PUBLIC AMENITIES @ "AMIN"+ ITIES

The issue of our public amenities needs no introduction. It has been always household word for quite a time now though various campaigns or slogans like "Keep Clean" or "Jagalah Kebersihan Tandas Awam" being implemented, still people are just plain ignorant - waiting for it to resolve itself maybe?

It is reported that today, Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) for example, spent RM30 million yearly to repair and maintain public amenities in Bintulu (BorneoPost). In Kuching, PE Land Sdn Bhd, which manages The Spring, Joanna Ling said management spent an avarage of RM5000/month for 6 toilets in the mall (MBKS). Let's do a simple math shall we. Imagine there's 30 toilets more like the one in The Spring, monthly expenditure for that alone will be RM30,000/month which is equivalent to RM360,000/year. Not much? Remember, it's just toilets maintenance alone. Public amenities can be of other public usage structures like bus stops, markets, public phones, gardens etc.

Interestingly, if we are to total up everything together, the amount of money used just to repair and maintain public amenities alone culminates to around hundreds of million a year! That's a lot of money over petty issue don't they?

I called it petty because in other countries, public amenities are not as big an issue. This is because their authorities know exactly what the word amenity really is. Oxford English Dict. defines amenity as a building or a place that is pleasant, useful and desirable to go. That explains why in developed country like Japan their amenities look like the pictures below.

As you can see, the toilet summarizes the meaning of the word amenity into details. The bus station need not has formal bench for the public to wait because they follow the schedule strictly. In the case of Japan, it's every 15minutes for rural areas and 5-7minutes in big cities. Proper schedule couples with a conducive public-friendly environment amenities, they exploit them to the fullest. Even if the price of such amenities are slightly higher in relative to normal one but in the long run, the authorities need not to spend millions for the repair. Simply because it is up to standard and user friendly!

However, in our case, these kind of amenities - user friendly and pleasant, the way they should be - seem not fit in. Simply because our amenities are just 'amin'+ities. Local word for it will be 'boleh la.. amin jak.. asal siap' kind of mentalities.

The government promised to uplift our public amenities by granting great amount of budget for that purpose in RMK8 but where's my modern toilets or convenient buses as promised? There has been speculation that along the way, the money was somehow leaked by unaccountable c*cksuck*rs. I wanted to believe that those claims are just mumbo-jumbo. However, if it's true, then please stop it right away because we the 'rakyat' deserved our part in truly enjoy our amenities!

Every now and then, vandalism worsen every year. They claimed it was due to pre-matured teenagers etc. but on the other way round, why don't the authority check it first on their side by taking into consideration of the specifications of the amenities? Does it up to standard? Is it pleasant enough to enjoy? I hate to say this but should the authority optimize their budget rather than apple polishing to satisfy oneself, vandalism as we know it shall perish. If not all, I am positive a great number of it shall be minimized.

Let's think of our public amenities as our own belongings. You don't simply vandalize your own house don't you? If you do, then you'll be exempted from a meal or two as punishment. What if in the case of public amenities, if you vandalize, your rights to town are denied for 1-2 years, will you survive?

Above all, the time has come for all of us both the authority and the public to get serious in our public amenities matter. For example, the authority should from now devise a method to ensure that future made amenities agree to standard - or the least is pleasant to the user as the word amenity really means. "AMIN"+ITIES mentality should therefore be revisited. The public most importantly must impart the habit of regarding public amenities as their own home. By this way, they'll made into thinking twice of whether to vandalize or to be scrutinized later.

AND SO THE FLOODING BEGINS...

It is reported that on friday (15/10/2010), the flooding of South East Asia's largest dam - Bakun Dam - has begun. The construction of the controversial dam which started in 1994 has been always in hassle due to various reasons such as the 1997 Asian financial crisis, internal conflict of interest among parties involved, environmental and social damage link problems. Expected to be in operation by 2003, the fate of the dam is finally sealed today in 2010 amidst all the hiccups.

However, here are some interesting facts known about the dam:

1. It will generate 2,400 MW of electricity (equivalent to Doel nuclear power station in Belgium)

2. Be the tallest concrete faced rockfill dam (CFRD) in the world

3. Be the largest hydroelectric dam in Malaysia

4. It will cover an area of 700km sq. of land underwater - the size of Singapore

5. Some 9,000 natives (Kayan/Kenyah) indigenous people have been relocated

6. About 230km sq. of virgin tropical rainforest had been cut down

7. Thousands of exotic tropical biodiversity ecology perished

8. Other environmental fallouts i.e. illegal logging, poaching and water-borne diseases

Though Sarawak's initiative of planning ahead some 20-30 years down the road is commendable, construction of such mega project - if not properly addressed - may invoke great appraisal from the public. For example, if we are to weight the whole chronology of the Bakun Dam and the purpose of it's construction against all the losses (in terms of economic loss during the 1997 recession + social fallout impacts + environmental degradations) it brings, one can easily notice that the balance is justifiably tilted towards the latter! And yet you are suggesting of constructing another 12 more dams? Seriously, Sarawak needs an election... now!

Technically speaking - according to pre-conditional design specification - dam impoundment can only be commenced after a continuous 7 days of dry weather and a water depth of below 60m. However, in today's case as reported by the news, the flooding had already begun despite the conditions and protest from the Bakun folks which lodged a police report to halt the process earlier.

A critique suggested that the flooding is rather rush and improperly regulated since the people downstream were not being adequately inform of any kind of Emergency Rescue Plan should anything happen during the flooding. Also the compensation issue of the lands that has not settled till now - as we speak - is another thing! Interestingly, this is the MD and chief engineer of Sarawak Hydro, Zulkifle Osman's reply "We found that the weather was good enough in the past two days and the river level was safe, so we went ahead with the impoundment" Excuse me, I believed that's not how we engineers were thought back in faculty. We speak based on facts and figures. And unfortunately for Balui River, the fact is that on monday (11/10/10) there was an incident of a capsized longboat and the man is still missing! Safe huh?

As for Dato' Sri James Masing remark on the assurance that the people should not worry because the dam was build to last, let me correct you technically on that sir - in engineering, lifespan of each design process always has limitation otherwise great maintenance work is carried out. Even with rigorous maintenance check every now and then, nothing is build to last! Also about the promise that the government will compensate the Bakun folks in no due time, I'll say that's just another spin for the coming election. Why? Because they have been saying and keep on repeating that same cheap trick since the preliminary process of Bakun Dam in 1994.

I think Sarawakians agree to the notion of Bakun Dam - more electricity supply, more investors coming in to the state to set up their factories, more jobs created, less unemployment, high income generation per family and voila, everyone is happy! why not? - but the problem now that culminates amidst these chaos is only one simple thing i.e. the government is not transparent enough to the people. They refused to compensate the amount of pay for the lands deserved by the Bakun folks, rushed the flooding of the dam without prior notices and plundered the land intentionally savvy for themselves.

I used to remember my grandpa told me once that the politicians nowadays fight no more like their predecessors. In the old days, each representative fights for the plights of his/her people but today it is more likely that the he/she fights for himself, families and cronies.

Good news is, changing this we can as the electorates and the time is in the next coming election, if our politicians ceased to behave.

Till the next posting.