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Thursday, November 30, 2006

Anniversary

Tomorrow is the first day of the last month of this year, and I just realised that tomorrow is my 1st anniversary working at Yayasan Ilmuwan. It didn't feel like a year, probably because of the workload. People say, the more you do, the faster time flies.

How time flies indeed.

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Who am I?

My friend, Izza Aripin, asked in her latest blog entry, "Who am I?"

As a response, perhaps this article I wrote which was published in The Star in May 2000 would help Izza to answer her question.

Can someone explain?

This is something for the X-Files or Twilight Zone...

I am in the middle of collecting articles from writers for a new book I'm co-editing with my boss. To my dismay, I seem to be having some problems with my e-mail. I can't seem to receive e-mails with attachments if the sender's e-mail addresses are from Universiti Malaya and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. However, I don't seem to have any problems with other people working at other places.

What bothers me (as well as the senders) is that the e-mails sent are not received, and the sender did not get a delivery failure notification. So, where in the cyberworld did the e-mails disappear to?

Could anyone enlighten me? Or better still, does anyone know how to rectify this ridiculously annoying problem?

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Memories past

My old friends from school just set up a Yahoo Group so that we could get in touch. Although we have yet to meet up, we have been sending messages and posting photos.

Today, an episode of my past was put up on the group. The group moderator, Sreedharan - or Sree, for short - found some old photos taken in 1990 of us acting in a drama, which I was the director and producer. For the life of me, I had totally forgotten about this episode in my life. Sree sure did manage to stir some "fun and crazy" memories that we went through as a class. Having said that, I can't remember what the story was about, but I do remember some characters - a medicine man (played by Chee Hong), a witch (played by Paul Raj), a bad guy (played by Ariff Murzali), the hero (played by Sree) and the heroine (played by Maya Syahira). I was in the play as well, but I can't remember what my role was.

Talk about getting old. And looking at the photo, I cannot believe how skinny I was. Or a more appropriate question would be, how much weight I've put on since!

Hehehe... talk about good old memories. As long as you cherish them, they'll bring a smile on your face.

Monday, November 27, 2006

Same topic different station

I knew about this some time last week, but decided to keep it to myself until it is confirmed. Tomorrow at 12 p.m., I'll be appearing live on Wanita Hari Ini over at TV3. The topic of discussion? With me as guest, one can easily hazard a guess that the topic would be organ donation. This will be my third appearance on tv this month talking on the same issue. Only difference this time is that I won't be alone as I'll be one of 3 panels, one of whom is Datin Dr. Lela Yasmin Mansor of the National Transplant Resource Centre (NTRC).

So, what can I say more? Just stay tuned.

Friday, November 24, 2006

Relocating

Yayasan Ilmuwan was informed by the landlord a couple of days ago that we'll have to move out from the current office. The Yayasan occupies a small corner of a huge office block which is otherwise empty for the past 4 years or so. The whole building apparently has a potential buyer who wants to convert it into a private college's branch campus.

Therefore, for the past couple of days, the Yayasan's executive chairman and I have been busy scouting and viewing potential locations for our office. It's a bit exhausting and somewhat tedious, but it's something that needs to be done.

We have viewed 7 potential locations at 3 different buildings in Kuala Lumpur. It is almost certain that we'll be shifting to the one situated at AmpWalk at Jalan Ampang. Unless something else turns up, we'll be moving there in December.

As I type this, I am looking at the books, journals and magazines in my room. The last time we moved, I needed 12 boxes to squeeze in all my stuff. I wonder how many boxes I need this time around?

Relocating is not something I really look forward to. *Sigh*

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Googled

Google as we all know is a popular search engine for the Internet. As a result, the terms "googling" and "googled" are now quite commonplace. People use search engines such as Google to search for stuff.

One thing some people do is that they'd google other people. Say, for instance, you hava a new boss, but you haven't a clue as to who he or she really is. So, the more tech-savvy among the staffs would "google the boss." Another example is when a new neighbour just moved in next door, and you want to know who your neighbour is, so you'd "google the new neighbour."

Of course, as pointed out in a comic strip - "Zits" if I recall correctly - googling other people would sound disgusting to the less tech-savvy amongst us. And of course, not to mention googling also involves issues on privacy. How much of your life can people trace by googling you? Which part of your life is in the public domain of the Internet? Do you want people to know who you are by simply googling your name?

This blog entry comes about after reading Pinky's response to one of my previous posts. She asked me whether I've googled myself. The thought of googling myself left me giggling, which lead me to blogging about googling. [Phew! That's a mouthful]. And by the way, don't forget to visit Pinky's blog.

The answer to Pinky's question is "yes." I do google myself from time to time. Why, you may ask. It's only logical, actually.

I write a lot of stuff. My writings appear in many places, locally and internationally. The issues that I write on are often stuff that people consider sensitive or controversial to a certain segment of society. For instance, organ donation among Muslims, genetic engineering as well as the harm reduction programme to combat HIV/AIDS. These are some of the big issues being discussed among Muslims.

And when you write on big issues, you'd want to know what kind of responses you get, who reads what you write, and who or where your writings are quoted, cited or republished. That is why I google myself.

And because I write quite substantively and being quoted here and there quite a lot, especially in areas that lack Islamic input such as the three aforementioned issues, googling my name would result in at least 7 pages of unrefined search results. The simple reason for this is because the majority of what I wrote could be found in the public domain. And also, it's quite easy to obtain results from googling my name as it is not a common name. I have yet to find anyone else with my name and spelling.

Admittedly, it is somewhat fun reading what people think of what you wrote or said. In this day and age, gauging people's opinions are quite easy. Of course, not everyone agrees with you, but this is normal. Differences of opinion are welcomed, so long as we be civil to one another.

So, have you googled yourself lately?

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Green fingers

I was at the Malaysian Agro Exposition Park (MAEP) in MARDI, Serdang yesterday afternoon to chair a seminar organised in conjuction with the Malaysian Agricultural, Horticultural and Agrotourism (MAHA) Exposition 2006. The seminar went very well, and I was very happy with the way things turned out. Being a regular at many many academic seminars, I must say that the outcome of this particular seminar which tackled the topic of "Islam and Genetic Engineering" was very positive.

On a side note, may I suggest that everyone visit MAHA. From where I was yesterday, the expo was impressive and attractive AND educational. There were thousands of people yesterday, and more are expected to be there on a daily basis until the last day which is this coming Sunday. I love gardening, though I've to admit I've not been doing much gardening this past year or so - hence, the opportunity to be at MAHA was certainly something that I cannot simply ignore. Even if gardening is not your cup of tea, if you have the time, do have a visit, and I'm sure you'll leave feeling satisfied.

I know that I was satisfied yesterday so much so that I'm even thinking of going to MAHA again this weekend.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Stuff made for Hollywood

I find it rather disturbing upon reading the "daring raid" news in Penang where RM47 million worth of computer chips were stolen. I hope that the culprits are brought to justice, and the goods are recovered. This kind of stuff while may look good for a Hollywood movie, will hurt the country's image.

On a related note, as my interest on this story beginning to perk, I started googling the Internet. I found this piece of news which took place in January 2003 at London Heathrow Airport. It's quite interesting to note that there are certain similarities to the raid in Penang, thus bringing a sense of deja-vu. Only difference is that the thieves raided an airplane and not an airport cargo complex. But the stolen goods were computer chips and worthed millions nonetheless.

I wonder if the thieves got this idea by googling the Internet?

Monday, November 20, 2006

Volitional chronic sleep disorder

Continuing my blog on the danger of lack of sleep. This condition for most people living in fast-paced societies is a lifestyle disorder, known as the "volitional chronic sleep disorder." It is intriguing for me to read the article entitled "Rest... it's required" in the Sunday Star yesterday. Some points from the article I'd like to share:
  • A psychiatry journal, the Archives of General Psychiatry (February 2002), came to a conclusion that "short sleep can hasten the arrival of the inevitable long sleep."
  • The best amount of sleep is 7 hours. The worst is less than 4.5 hours. Too much (more than 9 hours) is also bad.
  • Another study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine (7 December 2004) found that lack of sleep prompts the decrease of the hormone leptin (crucial in signalling satiety) and the increase of the hormone ghrelin, thus increasing appetite. According to the study, "Chronic short sleep is the royal road to diabetes and obesity."
  • Yet another study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology (16 August 2006) found that those who sleep less than 5 hours per night were 5.5 pounds heavier than those who slept an average of 7 hours nightly.
So, there you have it folks. We have scientific proofs that inadequate sleep is unhealthy, leads to a number of chronic health problems, and can even shorten your life span.

Mental note to self: Must get enough sleep... must get enough sleep... must get eeennoouuggghhh zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Friday, November 17, 2006

Rest assured?

Yesterday was perhaps the most exhausting day for me in quite a while. Having only slept for about 2 hours the night before, I came home yesterday with fatigue, muscle cramps and dizziness, though strangely enough, without feeling sleepy. Having said this, I still have enough energy to go out shopping for groceries after dinner.

Not enough rest is an on-going problem for me. Many have labelled me as a workaholic, because of the amount of time I spend on work. When I'm in writing mode, I can go on writing for 5 to 6 hours non-stop. Perhaps, to a certain extent, this habit is beginning to take its toll on me.

I happened upon an article in Reader's Digest this morning that touches on sleeping. I'd like to share some bits of the article as food for thought:
Studies have suggested that too little sleep may increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity and depression. Getting a good night's sleep is one of the simplest things you can do to stay healthy... A good night's sleep means waking up rested and energised... We're so busy that we just don't have sufficient time to get the sleep we need... we're sleeping less than we should... Not getting enough sleep can compromise your immune system (because) the immune system works best when you sleep...
[Tacio, H.D. (2006). "Sleep Tight, Sleep Right".
In Reader's Digest, November 2006: 58-62]
There you go. Perhaps I should endeavour to put sleep into my daily agenda so that I don't miss it or compromise it. I was told some time back that the former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad not only looks after what he eats, but also ensures that he has enough sleep and rest every day, in spite of his crazily hectic schedules.

This is no small matter. We really need to ensure that we do get enough sleep and rest, lest we want to expose ourselves to the risks of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity and depression.

I wonder if my expanding waistline has anything to do with not getting enough sleep? Hmmm...

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Checking facts

NOTE:

This post has been removed. Let's await for the trial proceedings.

Thank you.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Politics sans rhetorics

For the past couple of days until this weekend, UMNO politicians are in town for the UMNO General Assembly. Most assuredly, the media will give their focus to the goings-on of the assembly. For those interested, the PM's opening speech (the Presidential's Policy Address) can be read here.

As many close friends know, I am no longer interested in politics since coming back from the UK way back in 1996. At best, I consider myself just an observer and perhaps an analyst of the goings-on.

My only hope for this year's assembly is that the politicians put aside their rhetorics, focus on real issues, and speak intellectually based on facts and not emotions.

But then, as a friend pointed out, it wouldn't be politics if there are no emotions and rhetorics.

Mayhaps it's time to change?

Better late than never

I know I promised to post this picture up many moons ago. But alas, I didn't get around to doing it until today. So, here it is, the convocation studio photo of my family.
You know what they say, better late than never.

Monday, November 13, 2006

Judge, jury and executioner

Newswise, what an interesting week it has been last week. So much has happened on the local front, that I'm sure the otherwise plunging newspapers sales have picked up since last week.

I'm in no mood to give an analytical comment on any of the events that transpired last week. The only thing that I want to blog down is the incessant speculation that most of us tend to make based on conspiracy theories and hearsay.

Almost immediately upon hearing something which has yet to be confirmed true or accurate, we have this tendency to jump to a conclusion. We are also quick to condemn without checking the facts and without ascertaining the accuracy of what we hear. To make matters worse, even those reporting (for the sake of reporting a groundbreaking event), ignores the need to verify and validate what is being reported.

What is even terrible is when what is reported is still under police investigation. The way the story is projected in the media has inadvertently draw people to come to a conclusion that the person or persons involved is/are already guilty. The police are still investigating the facts. No charges have been made as yet. The case has not even been brought to court to be tried. Yet, in the eyes of the Malaysian public, who just loves juicy gossips, the implicated person(s) involved is/are indeed guilty. This coming from the same Malaysian public who wants to see justice being done without fear or favour.

In a nutshell, this is what I have to say about all this:
  • Let the police do their job;
  • Let justice prevail;
  • Let's stop speculating, and worse still, spreading unfounded rumours and suspicion;
  • If the person(s) is/are indeed guilty, let he be punished in the court of law, and not in the court of public opinion;
  • For Muslims, even if the person(s) is/are guilty and he/she/they get(s) away with it, always put your faith in the Day of Judgement when true Divine justice is handed out;
  • And more importantly, let's stop from being judge, jury and executioner.

I'd like to share the following verses from the Quran as a reminder to us all, especially Muslims:
O ye who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest ye harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for what ye have done... O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others. It may be that the (latter) is better than the (former); nor let some women laugh at others. It may be that the (latter) is better than the (former); nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames; ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness, (to be used of one) after he has believed. And those who do not desist are (indeed) doing wrong. O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible); for suspicion in some cases is a sin; and spy not on each other, nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, ye would abhor it. But fear God; for God is Oft-returning, Most Merciful.
[Al-Hujurat (49): 6, 11-12]

Friday, November 10, 2006

Friends

Friends are an integral part of one's life. From my observation, friends who last the trial of time are actually your childhood friends. You know them (and they know you) before anyone is established in life. As such, they don't have any preconceived images or expectations of you. They know you for who you really are, and not for what you have become in life.

As I mentioned in my previous post, over the past week, I managed to trace back quite a number of my school buddies, thanks to an e-mail that started from another friend, Puah Soo Shin. Now the number on the mailing list is growing, and we've traced down friends who are now in the US of A, the Land Down Under, Singapore, and perhaps others.

Interestingly enough, I managed to meet up with one of them, Wong Chee Meng, earlier today. While the meeting was brief, we managed to catch up a bit. After all, we've not seen each other in over 5 years. It'd be good to see most, if not all, of my school buddies in the near future, some of whom I've not seen since I left for the UK in January 1992.

Whatever it is, friendship is the next thing after family that should be cherished and treasured all through your life.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Praying for Tun's health

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been admitted to IJN this morning. Let us all pray for his health and well-being.

Source: Bernama News

Strange week this

It's already Thursday and I've been having a strange feeling throughout the week.

I just got back from RTM after doing another live talk show discussing the issue of organ donation. I felt today's programme was better compared to last Friday's. After that, I was interviewed on the same issue for a news item to be featured in RTM's news.

I'm already in the office and there are tonnes of things in my head at the moment. I'm helping MARDI and MABIC organising a seminar in conjunction with MAHA on the 21st of this month. I have also been invited to chair a session during an international conference on ICT and Islam organised by IIUM on the 22nd.

Aside from those things, I am also juggling several other things at the same time, ranging from office work to family and personal matters.

I am also somewhat affected by the news that has become the headlines of all newspapers as well as tv and radio news programmes. It is difficult (not just for me apparently) when you actually know the person being highlighted.

Also, out of the blue, I managed to trace a number of my classmates during secondary school who are now scattered all across the world.

Strange week indeed.

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Airing thoughts on organ donation

Still more discussion on organ donation. This opinion came out in Utusan Malaysia yesterday. Although it is the opinion of a non-Muslim, his view is relevant to our society.

As for the perspective of Islam, well... it is confirmed that I will be on air on Thursday at 8.30 a.m. on RTM1 to continue last Friday's discussion on organ donation in Muslim community. Stay tuned.

Monday, November 06, 2006

More on organ donation

Talk about good coverage. Personally I am happy to see Malay newspapers highlighting the issue of organ donation. It's good in that the Malay community will be made aware of the severity of the problem of the lack of organs for transplant operations.

Last Friday in Utusan Malaysia, a reader gave his comment that "organs are not us to keep." If only we can make more people realise about this.

The following day in the same newspaper on the front page, there is a write-up on the 12,000 kidneys of road victims which are unused. In the same newspaper on the same day, a journalist friend of mine, Zin Mahmud, wrote that there is a need to treat organ donation the same as blood donation.

This healthy discussion continues on Sunday in Mingguan Malaysia. Ustaz Mohd Shauki Abd Majid of YADIM wrote an article explaining Islam's stand on this issue and why there exist differences in opinion.

Not a bad week for discussing organ donation. I have received an invitation to go on air again to discuss this issue this coming Thursday. Insya-Allah if everything goes as planned, I'll be on TV1 again this Thursday.

100th posting

This is TeropongSkop's 100th posting.

I never actually thought that I could get this blog running this long, in all honesty. Alhamdulillah, the blog is still up and running. The number of visitors are decent, and seems to be picking up in this past couple of weeks.

Please continue your support, and I'll continue blogging.

Friday, November 03, 2006

Mass coverage on organ donation

I just got back from my tv interview on organ donation. It went pretty much as I expected. My only regret is the time constraint. Personally, an hour would be more decent to talk on a "heavy" issue like this.

In any case, if anyone notices, there seems to be a lot of happenings vis-a-vis organ donation this week. The media seems to give a lot of attention to this issue these past few days.

It began with the death of 18-year old Mohd Fikry Fadzail in Alor Setar. Because he suffered from severe head injuries, he was pronounced brain dead. His family donated 4 organs - heart valve, liver, kidneys and corneas.

Reader's Digest Asia meanwhile, as blogged elsewhere here, also carries a story on this issue. In conjunction with this, Reader's Digest along with the National Transplant Resource Centre (NTRC) and Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) launched a drive to increase the number of organ pledgers.

Then, there was the story of 13-year old Tee Hui Yin who is waiting for a new heart. For the first time, her picture was shown to the public on Wednesday.

This was followed the following day with Utusan Malaysia headlining on the importance of organ donation. The news item can be read here whereby it states that 9,000 people are waiting to get new kidneys.

And today, I was on air talking about this issue as a result of the headline in Utusan Malaysia. We fielded questions on air, and to me, everywhere I go, the questions remain the same. From my point of view, the level of sensitivities, emotions and misconceptions still remain high. Something needs to be done to change this.

While the media will continue to highlight this issue now and again, what is imperative is for us to look at organ donation rationally, intellectually and factually. Herein lies our greatest challenge, for we are all sensitive and emotional.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Giving the gift of life

The November edition of Reader's Digest has a story on organ donation with the theme "Giving the Gift of Life." I was one of those interviewed for the story.

Have a read at the article. It's one of the best I've read on organ donation. The preview for the article can be read here.

Don't change that tv channel

After nearly a 3-year hiatus, I'll be appearing on tv again tomorrow morning as a guest on RTM1's Selamat Pagi Malaysia. It'll be live at 8.30 a.m.

It's actually a favour I'm doing for a friend. Otherwise, I'd rather not appear on tv. Not really my cup of tea. Oh, well... just stay tuned and see whether I got my words jumbled up.

[UPDATED: Initially I was supposed to talk something on teenagers tomorrow, but due to the media attention given to the issue of organ donation these past few days, I've just been informed that my topic will be on Muslims and organ donation. Personally, I'm more comfortable with this issue. So, we'll see how it goes tomorrow].