Killing of Sharks at Mabul Island

These are pictures shared by Semporna Shark Sanctuary a non-governmental organisation (NGO), on the rampant killing of sharks in Mabul island near Semporna (in the island of Borneo), for their fins. Shark fins are quite popular in the local restaurant menu and it also made its way into upscale eating destinations not too long ago.

According to the NGO ,the sharks are finned and their bodies are then thrown back into water and it happened right in front of Mabul resort.

Click the link given above to learn more about this and give your support. There is an online petition to this cause in their web site.

About Semporna Shark Sanctuary

The mission of the Semporna Shark Sanctuary is to protect one of the most diverse marine eco systems on the planet and protect the over exploitation of sharks, mantas, eagle rays, devil rays, marlin, sail fish and sea turtles. In doing this its objective is not only to protect and preserve these animals and the diversity of the coral reef systems in Semporna, but in doing so, protect and compensate fishing communities, secure the jobs that are currently held by many Sabahans in eco tourism which would be lost with the decline of these species and create many more in the maintenance, up keep and protection of South East Asias first Shark Sanctuary. - excerpt from the NGO's website.

The All New iPad (iPad3)

Excited about it yet?

The all new iPad from Apple was officially announced on 7th March 2012 and will be available to the US consumers beginning 16th March 2012. As always, they did not continue with the numbering sequence, instead they called it just iPad and for now, we'll call it the New iPad.

Image: store-apple.com

WHAT'S NEW

Resolutionary Retina Display

The typing error is intentional; it was meant for a revolutionary-high-resolution display. The new iPad is packed with stunning Retina display and probably making it the most pixel-packed tablet on the market. The screen size is similar to the iPad2 but packed with 3.1 million pixels in a 2048 x 1536 arrangement; claimed to have great improvement in color saturation.

5MP iSight Camera

Although only 5 mega pixel, the iSight camera is similar to the one fitted inside the iPhone 4S, with backside illumination sensor. If it is as good as the one in the 4S, then I will be the first to agree that the images captured are quite decent. I own a couple of compact cameras, a D90 and a D700 DSLR. The iPad lens assembly has five elements in it to capture the best possible image, and it is claimed to be capable of capturing 1080p HD video.

Super fast 4G connectivity

The new iPad boasts 21 mega bits per second (Mbps) HSPA+, with LTE radio capable of 73Mbps downlink on both AT&T and Verizon in the US, the home of Apple. In Malaysia though, we are just at the early stage of adopting 4G LTE technology. Case in point is Klang valley, although certain telcos claim to have 4G services in other cities. 4G connectivity is said to be up to 10 times the speed of 3G. It seems like this new gadget is way ahead of our telecommunication infrastructures.

And that's it! Nothing to shout about, really.

With technological advancement in the manufacturing of telecommunication and IT gadgets, newer product sporting a relatively similar feature or even a slight upgrade like the new iPad should be priced lower instead of going up. Or, at the very least maintained. Check the price movements in the following matrix:

		iPad2 (US$)	New iPad (US$)
WiFi	16GB	399.00	499.00
	32GB	499.00	599.00
	64GB	599.00	699.00
WiFi +3G	16GB	529.00	629.00
	32GB	629.00	729.00
	64GB	729.00	829.00

If you are a consumer like me, you will agree that the increase of US$100 (approx. RM300) for a slight tweak is not justified.

Comparing iPad2, New iPad, Galaxy Tab 7.7 and Galaxy Tab 8.9

So that we have some idea of what sort of progression the new iPad went through, I have compiled in the following Table my findings from the internet, mostly from Apple website. Just for comparison, the new super AMOLED Galaxy Tab 7.7 is pitted side by side, specification-wise, with the new iPad. See which one is worth the money and of course most importantly, better suited to you.

Note: The new iPad uses dual-core A5X processor, with quad-core graphics.

When our regular phone outlet receives their shipment next week, we'll be checking the Tab7.7 out to fiddle with features. Some say, you have to see it to appreciate the super AMOLED display.

World Water Day Conference 2012 - Sabah

Pacific Sutera, Kota Kinabalu

Organised by Institution of Engineers, Malaysia, the Sabah State Level World Water Day Conference 2012 will be held this month in the state capital as follows:

Date : 20th – 22nd March 2012 (Tuesday – Thursday)

Time : Please refer schedule attached

Venue : Pacific Sutera, Kota Kinabalu

At the end of the conference, participants will have the opportunity to visit one of the following installations or research centres of their choice. A visit at the Sewage Treatment Plant would be interesting. This treatment plant is still under construction and is nearly at its completion stage.

CHOICES OF SITE VISIT

1) Telibong Water Treatment Plant, Tamparuli

Water supply to Kota Kinabalu City and its vicinities stretching from Papar, Kimanis in the South and Tamparuli, Tuaran in the

North are experiencing inadequate water supply situation due to the rapid urbanized development.

In view of the urgent need to increase water production capacities and supply distribution networks, the fast track Telibong Water Supply Scheme was implemented. The plant will have a capacity of 80MLD to meet demand up to year 2015.

2) Regional Sewage Treatment Plant Under Kota Kinabalu Sewerage Scheme Phase 1, Penampang By-Pass.

The proposed scope of work for Kota Kinabalu Sewerage Phase 1 involves the provision of sewer networks 20,000 metre, refurbishment of existing pump stations and construction of a new regional sewage treatment plant (RSTP Penampang). The project cost for Kota Kinabalu Sewerage Phase 1 is RM183,335,000.00.

The RSTP is located at Jalan Pintas and the area is about 22.296 acres. The RSTP can cater up to 300,000PE including the future extension projected up to year 2020. The RSTP can have 4 Intermittent Decant Extended Aeration (IDEA) tanks with each tank serving 75,000PE. Under phase 1 only 1 IDEA tanks will be constructed.

3) Agriculture Research Centre, Tuaran

The Tuaran Agriculture Research Station was set up in 1963 mainly for carrying out research activities on agriculture crops. The main activities include research on food crops such as rice and vegetables, crop physiology, pest and disease, and soils. The center also provides analytical services for soil and foliar analysis, and pesticide residues on vegetables.

4) Stesen Perikanan Air Tawar, Babagon

The Tagal System is a smart partnership between local communities and government agency Department of Fisheries Sabah (DOFS) to protect, conserve & manage the river resources in Sabah. Benefits included the upgrading of the river ecosystem & improvement of fish landing.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Managing Directors, Senior Managers, Federal & State Government Officers, Agriculture & Plantation Sector Managers, Professionals, Industry Analysts & Conservation Enthusiasts, Environmentalists, Environment-Consultants, etc.

If you have some time to spare, this is a good opportunity to have a good look at the water and waste water industry in Sabah. You do not have to attend the conference to visit the exhibition booth at the same venue.

Happy visiting!