Penang Watch

June 27, 2008 15:56 PM

Country Needs To Reduce Dependence On Fossil Fuels

By Syed Azwan Syed Ali

KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysia needs to identify energy sources that are cheaper and sustainable in a bid to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.

Principal Fellow of Malaysia's Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) Dr Mohamad Yusof Sulaiman said among potential alternative sources of energy was solar energy.

He told Bernama that solar energy was renewable energy that was safer, environmentally-friendly and did not diminish like oil and gas.

Many developed countries like Germany, Japan and Switzerland use solar energy to generate electricity.

NST Online » Local News
2008/06/24
Logging to go ahead in water catchment areas

ALOR STAR: Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak is adamant with his intention to log timber in water catchment areas in Kedah.
He said this was a matter of survival for Kedah due to escalating costs in running the state.

"I thanked my Penang counterpart for his concern, and his call that I reconsider it, but we have little choice to generate revenue for the state to carry out programmes for the people," he said after launching e-Sinar, an effort by the Pas-led state government to collect data on the number of poor people in the state.

Many economists and environmentalists hope that the fuel subsidies ut can be reallocated to more relevant areas -most notably on our poor pulic transports. Yet there is no such reallocation on the drawing board (latest pronouncement is a measely RM100mil for the Public Transport Fund, while subsidies cut range in the billions). Is the hope for better fund (re)allocation misplaced/wishful thinking? Endorsing such half-way measures sems to give wrong credit to the Badawi government when the subsidies cut may well end up in politicians' pockets as suggested by a poll by Penang Watch recently. When the government make piecemeal policy may be the civil society need to do better than take their piecemeal solutions at face values! 

Penang appeals to Kedah to review logging policy for the sake of water supply
Opalyn Mok

GEORGE TOWN (June 20, 2008): The Kedah state government's decision to allow logging activities in dam areas will greatly affect water supply in Penang, Perlis, Kedah and Pulau Langkawi.

Urging the Kedah government to reconsider its decision, Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) general manager Jaseni Maidinsa said water catchment areas should be gazetted instead of allowing logging activities.

"About 80% of water supply to Penang comes from the Muda dam catchment areas," he said in a press conference in the Chief Minister's office in Menara Komtar here today.

Tuesday June 17, 2008(Star)
Trapping the grease monster

A GREASE trap tank invented by a local company can help check pollution of waterways, said Pulau Tikus assemblyman Koay Teng Hai.

He said the invention was timely, as the state needed such gadgets to control kitchen discharges that are not environmentally friendly.

The grease trap tank is tested and certified by Sirim Bhd and can be fixed at homes and food outlets.

The tank can prevent kitchen wastes including oil and grease from clogging pipes including sewers.

“The gadget will help filter waste water to make sure grease is not released into waterways and ultimately into the sea,” he said.