power issue

The electricity tariff will be lowered starting from 1/3/2009. The reason: lower oil prices from US$140 per barrel to US$43 per barrel. A lower tariff will be translated to lower electricity bills for the consumers, household and industry alike. At present, the consumers are paying 21.8 cents per kilowatt per hour if their consumption does not exceed 200 kwh.

Although I welcome any move to ease the burden of the people, we need to ask the conventional wisdom behind this move. Do we really need cheaper tariff or we need energy efficiency? Or perhaps we can turn to renewable energy. Notice that the tariff fluctuates at the mercy of the oil price. Should we keep on rely on the oil to power up our electrical appliances? Although our politician seems to think that mother earth keep on growing oil so what we need to do is keep on digging, I think we are wiser than that.

Malaysia, like most of the developing countries, is facing an increase of the generation of waste and problems that entails the disposal of this waste. Overall, the local communities generate 16, 000 tons of domestic waste per day and the amounts per capita vary from 0.45 to 1.44 kg per day depending on the economic status of the areas concerned. On average, waste generation is about 1 kg per capita per day.

Waste is grouped into three different categories in respect of disposal;
1. Solid waste
2. Medical waste
3. Hazardous waste

According to study by E. Grant Anderson in five states (Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan) represent 70% of the total amount of waste in the country, the composition of waste is shown in figure 1. We can see that 64% of the waste is domestic waste.
Municipal solid waste in Malaysia is under the responsibility of the public sector, although the government has contracted out part of the municipal solid waste management services to private contractors under the privatization program. The Municipal Solid Waste management (MSWM) services account for a high percentage of the municipal budgets as waste management and planning are under municipal responsibility. On average, 50% of the municipal operating budgets are spent on MSWM and 70% is spent on collection of waste.

In Kuala Lumpur, 80% of all waste is collected. In order to improve collection and transfer services and also to overcome the financial constraints of local municipalities, private companies are being invited to bid for privatization-cum concession agreements for MSWM services. Private companies are allowed to form joint venture companies that have the financial resources and experience to win collection contracts from municipal authorities, and to design and to design and build transfer stations and landfills, or any final disposal systems.

Presently, there are 3 types of waste disposal categories – solid waste disposal and incineration, medical waste incineration and hazardous waste incineration. The disposal of solid waste is done solely through landfill. There are 168 disposal sites throughout the country, of wgich only 7 are sanitary landfills. The rest are open dumps and about 80% of these dumps have been filled up to the maximum and have to closed in 2005. The federal government had spent RM20.9 million to build 9 sanitary landfills and upgrade 27 existing landfills in 34 designated areas. These measures are, however insufficient to overcome the problem of waste disposal as the waste generation rate is increasing rapidly due to high population growth and urbanization.


Why waste-to-energy?
Imagine a machine that can turn anything into fuel by using pollution-free processes like heat and preasure. Imagine wastes from landfills, refuse from poultry farms, sludge and sewage from city sewers are used to generate electric. Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF), a technology adopted from India, enables power generating where the fuel is derived from Municipal solid waste via series of process like separation, shredding and drying

Garbage does not contain as much heat energy as coal. It takes one ton of garbage to equal the heat energy in 500 pounds of coal. USA has 90 waste-to-energy plants. Waste –to-energy plants generate enough electricity to supply almost 3 million households. However, it cost more to generate electricity at a waste-to-energy plant that it does at a coal, nuclear, or hydropower plant.

On the other hand, the major advantage of burning waste is that it reduces the amount of garbage we bury in landfills. Burning waste substantially reduces the amount of trash going to landfills. Waste-to-energy plant disposes of waste of 40 million people.

Similar to fossil fuel power plants, MSW power plants discharge used water. Pollutants build up in the water used in the power plant boiler and cooling system. In addition, the cooling water is considerably warmer when it is discharged than when it was taken. These water pollutants and the higher temperature of the discharged water can upon its release negatively affect water quality and aquatic life. This discharge usually requires a permit and is monitored.
Solid Waste Generation

The combustion of MSW reduces MSW waste streams, reducing the creation of new landfills. MSW combustion creates a solid waste called ash, which can contain any of the elements that were originally present in the waste. MSW power plants reduce the need for landfill capacity because disposal of MSW ash requires less land area than does unprocessed MSW. However, because ash and other residues from MSW operations may contain toxic materials, the power plant wastes must be tested regularly to assure that the wastes are safely disposed to prevent toxic substances from migrating into ground-water supplies. Under current regulations, MSW ash must be sampled and analyzed regularly to determine whether it is hazardous or not. Hazardous ash must be managed and disposed of as hazardous waste. Depending on state and local restrictions, non-hazardous ash may be disposed of in a MSW landfill or recycled for use in roads, parking lots, or daily covering for sanitary landfills.

Land Resource Use
MSW power plants, much like fossil fuel power plants, require land for equipment and fuel storage. The non-hazardous ash residue from the burning of MSW is typically deposited in landfills.

Electricity can be generated by burning Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) as fuel also called waste to energy (WTE) plants, are designed to dispose of MSW and to produce electricity as a byproduct of the incinerator operation.

The term MSW describes the stream of solid waste (“trash” or “garbage”) generated by households and apartments, commercial establishments, industries and institutions. MSW consists of everyday items such as packaging, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, newspapers, appliances, paint and batteries. In does not include medical, commercial and industrial hazardous or radioactive waste, which must be treated separately.
MSW is managed by combination of disposal in landfill sites, recycling, and incineration. MSW incinerators often produce electricity in WTE plants.

Perhaps, apart from changing habit in our electricity consumption, a more proactive effort perhaps is by turning our municipal solid waste into energy.

Federal territory Day 1st of February

In 1850, tin mining industry is booming in the Malay Peninsula, especially in area called Klang valley. The then Malay chief of Klang had expanded his tin mining business at the Gombak River (formerly known as Sungai Lumpur which literally means Muddy River). It was not until 1870s, when Chinese Kapitan Yap Ah Loy took Kuala Lumpur into a next level as a mining town.
With more than 100 years of existence, Kuala Lumpur is a witness to the development of this nation. From a small village in 1800 to a metropolitan city with an iconic KLCC that rule its skyline, Kuala Lumpur really a great city. Every year on the 1st of February, the citizen of Kuala Lumpur will celebrate the Federal Territory day (which consist of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya).

I was born in this great city two years after it was declared as a federal territory. This is where I grew up, studied and earn my living. Traffic jams is part of my life and my lungs is ‘immune’ to the smokes coming from vehicles, factories, open burning, cigarettes etc.

However, this concrete jungle needs a paradigm shift in defining its development. The increase of vehicles translates into higher air pollution. However, the focus is always on reducing traffic jams by constructing wider and better roads. Perhaps we fail to see that wider and better road is an invitation for increase of vehicles on the road. When that happen, we end up widen the existing road and the cycle goes on and on.

There are calls and effort to revamp the public transportation. I read about this effort every year on 1st of February without fail. The plan looks impressive in the newspaper report but come December every year, I see no progress in this department.

Air pollution…we always have our neighboring country to blame. Is there any move to impose the usage of hybrid vehicle? I did not hear any. The recent regulation that imposes the use of rear seat belt was greeted with negative remark from the public. I think if there is regulation on hybrid vehicles, there will be a coup d’etat against the present government.

Solid waste…the city pays RM160 million a year to manage solid waste. How do we manage solid waste? Dump it at a dumping site course. Recycle is only meant for school projects. Adults can throw our refuse anywhere and the word ‘recycle’ is not in our dictionary. How can we recycle our garbage when the garbage collector will dump everything in the garbage truck? Yes, I can go to the recycle center, but it is too far from my house and I do not even know where is the center is. I can give you 1001 reason not to recycle.

Alas…the plastic bottle once thrown away is someone else problem. There are still trees in the jungle somewhere to keep the temperature down. There is always someone else to take up the pieces…always…and always it is not my business.

Hence, in supporting the inspiration to be the world class city, let us increase our carbon footprint by releasing more smoke through our vehicle, cut more trees, choke up our rivers with our refuse, and use more plastics.

"under siege"

Before midnight on the eve of Chinese New Year, Kuching was ‘bombarded’ with land to air ‘missiles’ and ‘rockets’. The noise was deafening and the ground trembling. The Chinese community in Kuching is celebrating the coming of the year of the Ox with a bang.

In a near perfect ‘synchronized’ performance, it seems that the whole of Kuching is on ‘fire’. The ‘fire’ had turned night into day. You can just see and smell the smokes filling up the air. The ‘bombardment’ continued for an hour followed by small cracking sounds of ‘ground assault’.
Hmm…it reminds me of my childhood where 90% of the neighborhood are Chinese. The firecrackers ‘sessions’ started from the eve of the New Year and will continue the next day. Lion dance routine is a must in every house. Perhaps it is a way to bless the house and its occupants. My routine is to visit my neighbors for the ang pau and the oranges. Those are the time when life was so simple (and perhaps… pure).

I guess it is a culture that transcends to all cultures and religions. For Malay Muslim, there will be a group of people reciting ‘takbir’ to each house within the residential area or ‘qariah’. The ‘takbir’ session is usually done the night before the eidilfitri. The session will be followed by a small ‘feast’. So you can just imagine after the 10th house, you can hardly get up.

This year, I just sit at the balcony and enjoy the colorful display of firecrackers that light up the sky. Thank you for those who had spent thousands of RM to give me this free entertainment. I guess in this year of the Ox, we shall have the endurance to shoulder the challenge of the current economic ‘chaoses. So have a very good year guys!

river of life

The water of Batang Lupar (Lupar River) flows melancholically from the mountains to the sea. It is a bit muddied after the rain but still can support the lives along the river. Batang Lupar was (and still famous) for the crocodiles that inhabited the river. Once in a while, there are sighting of this ‘predator’ at Batang Lupar.

I attended a funeral at one of the village at Sri Aman located at the riverbank of Batang Lupar River. At the time I arrived at the village, villagers, friends and families are in the midst of making preparations for the funeral the next day. The somber atmosphere can be felt the moment I enter the house.

The river is a reflection of our life in this world. It started flowing from the day we was born and ends when it reaches the sea. In our journey, we touches the lives that is connected to ours. We have a choice whether to benefit or to destroy the lives along our odyssey to the sea.
Perhaps, as we managing the sinuosity of our lives, we should not forget our duty as the ‘khalifah’ or God’s servants in this world. Are we only duty bound to make our own life better or we supposed to make this world a better place?

As they lowering down the coffin into the grave I had this question hammering my mind over and over again. I cannot even convince myself that I had done a good job as God’s servant. As I watched the river flow, I wonder how much time I have to discharge the duty given to me as servants before it ends.

City of entertainment

Welcome to Genting, city of entertainment!
This hotspot for entertainment is only 30 minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur. Located on top of a hill, the air is so chilled that I don’t need a mini bar to cool cans of soft drinks. This time, we decided to take the Genting Skyway, a cable car to the top. At RM10 you can enjoy 3.4 kilometer scenic view from the cable car which is the longest and the fastest in South East Asia operating from 7.30am to 11pm (12pm during weekend).
As usual, the theme park is packed with thousands of visitors. I do not know about others but I am here just to escape from Kuala Lumpur hot temperature. Fully ‘armed’ with my jacket, I ‘browse’ through the labyrinth of shops. Of course the price is slightly ‘inflated’. What do you expect?
Almost everything here is commercialized. However, you need to admire the vision and the set up of the theme park. Who can imagine that there is a ‘hotspot’ on top of a hill in the middle of nowhere? (perhaps the casinos had something to do with it…maybe…) Nevertheless, you can find almost everything here from roller coaster, video games, cinema, bar with live bands etc to keep up with the tag ‘city of entertainment’.
The temperature became cooler in the evening. I looked outside the window of my hotel room. The valley beneath my hotel is slowly become ‘invisible’ as the clouds slowly enveloped the valley. At 9pm, you can’t see anything but the clouds. I took a quick shower (believe me it is really quick as the water is darn cold) before I went out for dinner. Somehow, my appetite doubled in cold weather. Better check my weight tomorrow. I end the day watching the late night movie at the cinema theatre.
My mobile which doubled up as my alarm in the morning perform its duty exactly 6am. Arrghh!!!! I had to brave the cold shower again.
As I look outside the window, appreciating the panoramic view of the tropical forest, I wonder how long this last can. Whether the next generation will be able to enjoy the same fresh air that I breathe today?
Carol bought blouses from FOS (Factory Outlet Store) yesterday and instead of putting the merchandise in a plastic bag, they are giving away bags with environmentally friendly message (for purchase above RM100). Our bag consist a simple message of “Stop Global Warming” with a picture of two sad looking penguins. Hmm…everybody is in the ‘green’ bandwagon now.
However, there are people who does not know (perhaps does not care is more accurate) of the ‘green revolution’. Malaysian produces an average of 0.8kg to 1.2kg of waste per day per person. Out of that amount, we only recycle 5 per cent of our waste compared to countries like Switzerland, Germany and Japan who recycle 35 to 47 per cent of their total waste. The Waste Management of Malaysia is targeting to increase the percentage to 22 per cent in 2020; the year that Malaysia supposed to be the first world country. Compare this with the aim for our recycle percentage is even lower than what the first world countries have right now! It is quite a deplorable aim for a Malaysia Boleh spirit don’t you think?


On the other hand, the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 were put off once again (somehow it did not surprise me at all). This Act supposed to create an integrated system in managing waste in Malaysia. One of the intentions of the Act is to ‘force’ home owners to separate their waste and make it easier for recycle measure. One of the reasons of the delay is the jurisdiction issue between the federal and the state government in implementing the waste management. It is silly to even think that we can politicize environmental issue.
We are busy exploiting the natural resources and forget we need to dump our waste somewhere. We thought that somebody will pick the waste and the upper echelon of the society is fighting on the issue who should have the right to pick up our waste. At this moment, I don’t have the answer to the two sad looking penguins at the FOS bag.

maznah's birthday

We are celebrating Maznah’s birthday today. It is to keep up with the ‘department’s tradition’ of celebrating birthdays. Today’s celebration was at Penang Village Plaza Damas, Damansara. Of course, birthday will not complete without a birthday cake… an insignia of us getting another year older…

The best part of this outing is we get to gossip…well I reserved that for another day...har har har…

friday prayer

2/1/2009, Friday…so it is time for Friday prayer. I decided to perform my Friday prayer at Masjid (mosque) Wilayah at Jalan Duta. I took the opportunity to eat my rojak Singapore at my favorite stall at the nearby food court. I wonder whether this rojak really coming from Singapore. Everything from the owner, prawn, potato, fish balls etc is coming from Malaysia. However, I have no time to think about the Geographical Origin of the food while eating.

Having filled up the ‘tank’, I went into the mosque to wait for the Friday prayer session to start and then I saw at the multimedia screen that the topic for the Friday sermon that day is about Palestine. Aha!! This should be interesting.

From the serene and peaceful atmosphere inside the mosque, the sermon that day was as fiery as the chaos in Palestine. The sermon touches on the plight of the Palestinians from a Muslim perspective. Rockets were launched from Palestine to Israel and vice versa (the latter of course have more firepower than the former).

It was reported in the Malaysian newspaper that the Israel jet fighter can shoot their target with precision like driving a car with GPS. Their targets include missile sites that were used to launch rockets into Israel’s territory. I guess their weapon technology need to be upgraded to differentiate between army sites and hospitals.

Every year without fail, majority of us will celebrate the New Year. This year is no exception to the ‘tradition’. However, I notice that the New Year is the same as the last year (some pessimist may say it even worse). The Palestine issue has been discussed since 1948. Every time a new conflicts, we will march, demonstrates, collecting donations and showing off placards. Then after the euphoria had gone, the ‘voices’ will slow down. Due to the rising cost and the move to reduce the use of papers, I would suggest that the demonstrators to recycle the placards, banners etc for the next demonstration. Hence, the demonstration will be more ‘environmentally friendly’. The conflicts in Palestine will fill the human history for years to come promising more conflicts in the future.

War always involved plethora of issues; political, religion, racial just to name a few. However, in every conflict, humanitarian issues should transcend all the other issues. Nobody (who does not require a lobotomy procedure) wants to start a war. However, human had witnessed two major world war and ‘pockets’ of armed conflicts all over the globe. Hence, at the eve of next year, when you want to wish your friend happy new year, you may want to give some deep thought of what you really wish for.