2012 – Page 7 – Consumers Association Penang

Malaysia’s nuclear project definitely on but why are the feasibility studies, EIA & RIA not made public?

admin April 5, 2012 0 Comments

We refer to the news item in which the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was quoted as saying ‘There may come a time when we may have to turn to nuclear power. But the government hasn’t decided on that yet’ (‘Nuclear Power “an option” ’, NST 27 March 2012 p3). This appears to contradict the government’s clearly stated aim of ‘Deploying Nuclear Energy for...

Abandoned housing projects: Is Malaysia a lawless country?

admin April 4, 2012 0 Comments

It is scandalous that 195 housing projects could have been carried out by unlicenced housing developers under the eyes of various parties that could have prevented this happening. At a conservative estimate of 100 units per project, this means at least 19,500 purchasers were cheated. The Ministry of Housing should disclose the actual number of house buyers affected. There could still be more...

Are we going to lose our staple food to development?

admin April 2, 2012 0 Comments

Rice is our staple food and central to our culture. Thus it is dismaying to learn that almost 100,000ha of paddy land in Peninsular Malaysia has been converted in the past 15 years, arising in increase in rice imports to meet local needs. The Malaysian government’s ill-defined development strategies and pursuance of export earnings has brought us to the stage that we have to import more rice...

Issue 42-2 Mar-Apr 2012

admin April 1, 2012 0 Comments

We have stories which you will not find in other papers -- hard-hitting stuff with no holds barred, for we name the brands, companies or people in our exposes, unlike the commercial papers which are dependent on companies for their advertisements or are owned by political parties. You can expect our views and perspectives to be different, for we are on the side of consumers.

Gazette water catchments

admin March 29, 2012 0 Comments

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) urges all state governments to take immediate measures to gazette all Permanent Reserved Forests that have been identified as water catchment areas in the country in line with the decision by the National Land Council. This call is to avoid damaging activities such as deforestation and other encroachment, upstream of the water catchment areas as it would be...

Deficiency in management of Malaysian aquaculture industry

admin March 28, 2012 0 Comments

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) urge the Malaysian government to review and halt the rapidly developing aquaculture industry. The Annual Fisheries Statistics of 2010 indicate that the total area of brackish water aquaculture ponds is 7,722.82 hectares, compared with 5,623.69 hectares in 2006. An analysis of changes in mangroves area in the district of Manjung, Perak conducted by the Forest...

Preservation and destruction in Penang’s development

admin March 24, 2012 0 Comments

Development must be located within a vision. What is the vision for Penang’s development, asks Dr Lim Mah Hui. In the past 12 months, we have painfully witnessed the demolition of several historical buildings, some illegally. The latest victim is a mansion at 177 Jalan Macalister, opposite Loh Guan Lye Specialist Centre. First, I would like to request the Council to provide data on all the...

Investigate and stop the Arowana culture project in Bukit Merah

admin March 22, 2012 0 Comments

CAP urges the Perak State Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry to thoroughly investigate the Arowana culture project in Bukit Merah in Kerian District. We had previously revealed that laws were being flouted since the project commenced 10 years ago. The Arowana culture project in a productive rice-growing area has also brought about negative impacts to the...

i-SHARP aquaculture project negatively impacts fisherfolk and the environment

admin March 21, 2012 0 Comments

The 1,000ha Integrated Shrimp Aquaculture Park (i-SHARP) in Setiu is causing negative impacts to the environment and local fisherfolk. SAM’s forecast that the project will bring about negative impacts to local fisherfolk and the environment has been proven. It was evident from the severe flooding during the recent monsoon season. Land reclamation work that was carried out on a flood-plain to...

Urgent need for ban on shark finning

admin March 19, 2012 0 Comments

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) is highly disturbed at news of shark finning carried out regularly in the diving haven of Sipadan, off the coast of Semporna in Sabah. There is no reprieve for sharks as calls from academics, divers, conservationists, social activist and NGOs for a ban on shark hunting have proven futile, following a disclosure from the Sabah Department of Fisheries that a total ban on...

Consumers Association Penang

Year: 2012