30 April, 2011

Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020



United Nations General Assembly , 2nd March 2010 proclaims 2011-2020 as the Decade of Action for Road Safety, with a goal to stabilize and then reduce the forecast level of road traffic fatalities around the world.

Reasons to act:
1. More than 1.3 million people die every year
2. Road crashes kill more people than malaria
3. 50 millions are injured, many disabled as a result
4. 90% of these casualties occur in developing countries
5. This is the number one cause of death of young people worldwide

25 April, 2011

Another week to File Your Income Tax Return

It is less than a week before last day to file your income tax return. The last day for submitting the Income Tax Returns is April 30. For those who are still pondering on filling in the tax return, you can refer to this article for tips and explanations on some of the deductions available for your taxable income.

24 April, 2011

Kampung Buntal

Buntal


Once upon a time, this village received an abundance of puffer fish (locally known as ikan Buntal). Thus, no wonder, the name of the village is called Kampung Buntal. This village is located about 45-minute drive from Kuching and located not far from Santubong.

Puffer fish is known for its bloated stomach, which contains a toxin that can cause nausea and even death. Some people claimed that the fish is one of the tastiest sea creatures.
Buntal
There are a lot of seafood restaurants in Kampung Buntal. The area  is very lively in the evening as people from near and far congregate the area to have dinner at the seafood restaurants.


Buntal

The picture above shows one of fishing facilities that is a normal sight in Kampung Buntal.

For more information about Kampung Buntal, read HERE.

23 April, 2011

Rearing Goat

Goat
On my way to Santubong this morning, I have a chance to visit a goat rearing facility. The facility can handle large number of goats at any one time. Salts nutrient, as shown hanging from the ceiling, is always available for the goats.

Goat
Lunch time for the goats.



Goat
Salt time for the goat. The salt provides valuable nutrients to the goat.

Goat
This goat will soon be the hero for the facility given that he is not being sold to interested individual.

This is the information about the facility.

This is Good News to Most Malaysian Households

After several months enduring the shortages of maids, Malaysian households can feel much relieve now since Indonesian maids are expected to come in by as early as June according to Human Resource Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam. However, the decisions will be much depended on the signing of the memorandum of understanding, expected to be held next month, for the resumption of recruiting Indonesian maids.


For further details, read HERE.

19 April, 2011

Samarahan's Pineapples

Samarahan is one of the division in Sarawak. One of the main products of Samarahan is pineapples. Pineapples are sold alongside the road as shown below. Most travellers passing through the area will make it a point to purchase the pineapples.

Pineapples


The pineapples are very sweet and delicious. Yummy.
Pineapples

18 April, 2011

Safety Aspects of Motorcycles in Rural Areas

Look closely at the motorcycle being pushed by three boys below. You will notice that all safety aspects of the motorcycle are missing. Even the motorcycle does not have plate or identification number. Besides that, they are not wearing any safety helmet.
Motorcycle



You can have a closer look at the condition of motorcycle below. The motorcycle is heavily modified to such an extend that the riders' safety can be compromised.
Motorcycle



The boys are waiting for his friends to get some petrol to refill his machine.
Motorcycle



A bottle of petrol would be enough to roam the rural road.
Motorcycle



In rural areas, petrols are sold in bottles since petrol stations not available along the road.
Petrol

17 April, 2011

Pedestrian Bridge: Part of NKRA

Part of the National Key Results Area (NKRA) is to provide proper pedestrian facilities to prevent snatch thieves and also to provide proper public transportation facilities. Proper design of the pedestrian bridge will ensure that crimes involving pedestrian will be reduced. As part of the public transportation networking, interconnected and proper pedestrian facilities are necessary to increase the usage of public transportation facilities.

Pedestrian facilities interconnecting PWTC's LRT station, Bus Station, and nearby shopping centers are under construction. I am eager enough to see the completion of the facilities which will provide convenience to pedestrians to access public transportation facilities in  Kuala Lumpur.
Pedestrian Bridge



One of the equipments being used to construct the pedestrian facilities.
Pedestrian Bridge

One of the pedestrian bridge pillars under  construction.
Pedestrian Bridge

16 April, 2011

10th Sarawak Election Day

The situation at one of the polling station for the 10th Sarawak Election looks very peaceful and number of voters turning up to cast their vote is increasing steadily throughout the day. Alhamdulillah, there are no untoward incidents happening anywhere in the vicinity of the polling station.

Voters queuing up at one of the polling station: Sekolah Kebangsaan Dato Mohd Musa.
10th Sarawak Election

Elderly and those who needs help are given priority to cast their vote.
10th Sarawak Election

10th Sarawak Election

A glimpse of activities in the voting room.
10th Sarawak Election

If you are a Sarawakian, come early to cast your vote because the polling station closes at 4 PM.
Latest time to Cast Your Vote

The queue can be very long and it will take a while for your turn to cast the vote.
Queuing at Polling Station

15 April, 2011

Poster Wars for the Upcoming Election

Poster Wars
Only one more day left for upcoming state elections and the posters are now can be seen everywhere. The bigger the roundabout the better it will be to place the posters; you will hardly not being able to see it.


Poster Wars

Poster Wars

09 April, 2011

Video about Fake Eggs

Tough action will be taken on the distribution of fake eggs in the country, read HERE.

Video on how to identify the fake eggs and health consequences of consuming the fake eggs, view it  HERE.

Related posting about fake eggs HERE.

07 April, 2011

Are your Eggs Fake?

Eggs

Have you heard about fake eggs? Currently, there are fake eggs being sold in the supermarket based on this report and this report.


The fake eggs were allegedly full of chemicals. It was claimed that the fake eggs did not smell like real eggs (I wonder what is the smell of real eggs). The fake eggs are claimed to have unusual shapes, larger and had rougher surface than the genuine one.

Based on the smell, shape and texture, you can recognize the fake eggs. But, what about if the fake eggs are being used in preparing the readymade food from the store such as cake, bread, foods etc. Can you differentiate between the fake or genuine eggs in such case? I am not sure what is the side effect of the fake eggs has on our health and body system.

You also can browse HERE. My friend Hasrul Hassan describes in detail the effect and ingredients of fake eggs.

06 April, 2011

Cultural Show

Several dance groups from several secondary schools within Kuching area and Kota Semarahan had participated in dance competition held in Unimas. The dances demonstrated the diversities in culture which can only be found in Sarawak.

Cultural Week
Performance by Sekolah Seni Kuching. They really gave a very good show and as expected they are the winner for the competition.



Cultural Week

Cultural Week
Performance by the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Kota Semarahan



Cultural Week
Performance by Sekolah Mengengah Semerah Padi.

Cultural Week
Performance by Sekolah Mengengah Tun Abdul Rahman

05 April, 2011

Temporary Scaffolding

Temporary Scaffolding
Temporary scaffolding were erected along the Kota Semarahan Expressway. The scaffolding  is a structure made by binding several woods together into a very tall and strong structure.



Temporary Scaffolding
The scaffolding are used as a temporary structure for workers to lay down high tension wire crossing the highway. Without the scaffolding, the high tension wire will pose as road hazards to transportation users.

Temporary Scaffolding
Due to the width of the Kota Semarahan Right of Way, there are several structures being erected to support the high tension wires.