Monday, June 4, 2012

Chemical contents of a Cigarette

What's your poison?

The other day, my friend and I were talking about his smoking habit when I asked him how many sticks he burn on a daily basis. He replied that on a normal day he would finish up the whole box of 20 sticks but on days that he stay up late he could continue with a second packet and smoke up to half of its content. I did a little maths and reckoned that his habit could cost him RM400 to RM500 (US$125 - $155) monthly.

I am not asking you to kick that habit right now; I'm just going to share this with you - when you smoke, you inhale up to 4,000 chemicals including these poisons:

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Projectandi


Beware of cigarette promotion by tobacco industry

Society must be wary of efforts by the tobacco industry to promote cigarettes as smoking is harmful to the health and can kill. We have a right to healthy living via tobacco control and should not be conspiring together secretly with the industry.

Recently Health Minister, Dr. Liow said in a statement that the tobacco industry is targeting children as new smokers. Without further elaborating, he hinted that the industry is creating myths about smoking that are appealing to children. What is more alarming (at least to me) is that there are efforts by the tobacco industry to interfere in the WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. So, policy makers and the public beware!


What say you?

Scientific evidence showed that smoking and exposure to cigarette smoke caused death, diseases and disabilities. But I'm sure there would be doctors - for whatever reason, and yes you got my point - that'll argue with every fact and figure pertaining to the dangers of smoking.

Again, whether or not you quit smoking is entirely up to you? But as a member of the public I am entitled to a protection from exposure to tobacco smoke at my work place, public places/transport and other areas.

AND that right applies to all other non-smokers, too.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Cuepacs wants upgrade for 50,000 civil servants

Cuepacs was recently reported to have submitted a proposal stating it wants the grades of about 50,000 civil servants in the technical, agriculture and forestry groups to be upgraded.


Image credit: inilah.com


Cuepacs secretary-general Lok Yim Pheng said civil servants in Grade G17, G22 and G26 have been proposed to be upgraded to G27, G32 and G36 because they are equipped with academic qualifications. Lok said it would be in line with the government's efforts to produce skilled labour so as to fulfill the government's aspiration to become a high income nation by 2020.

"As such, workers with the necessary skills, experience and qualification must be recognised," she told Bernama here today adding that the proposal had already been submitted to the Chief Secretary of the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan, in March. Lok added that to ensure the upgrading proposal was implemented, Cuepacs hoped a special commission would be set up to carry out a holistic study of the civil service.

Cuepacs has also proposed to the government to review the salary scale of civil servants with a view for better remuneration, she said. [sourced from Bernama, 30 May 2012]


TheGreenMechanics two cents:

While I am not against any upgrading of grade to the deserving workforce, quick succession of salary revisions is a bit too much. Revisions after revisions in a span of only several years give impression that we are not doing it holistically, but rather based on 'after-thought', reactive, and short-sighted.

What will this mean to the general consuming public? Not good. There will be drastic increase in goods and service prices - several increases in a short span of time. Not only that. To the neutral observer, such shortsightedness by those responsible will demoralise the counterparts in the private sector.

Salary adjustment (not including annual increment) must commensurate with national productivity, just like a capability of an enterprise to remunerate the workers is based on its capability to generate fund (and profit). Why should it be any different?


One change too many?

Not too long ago, civil servants had every reason to celebrate with the salary revision of between 7.5% and 35% with additional 20% on top of that for PDRM and ATM. Latest in the news was that civil servants will get another adjustment of (March 2012 announcement) between 7% and 13% under the Malaysian Remuneration System (SSM). Example of salary restructuring in the police force (Appendix B). There were other minor adjustments between these two major ones.

No doubt, there will be more to it between now and the next general election.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Melinda is Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2012

The peak of the state level Harvest Festival 2012 was marked with the crowning of the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan, which is traditionally done during the closing ceremony. What you can expect is a packed Hongkod Koisaan KDCA hall.

Date       : 31 May 2012
Venue    : KDCA Hall, Penampang
Time      : 12.30pm - 6.30pm
Emcees  : Denis Primus & Jennifer Lasimbang

Unduk Ngadau 2012 received prizes in cash and kinds totalling RM68,80.00 and top seven get at least RM4,000.00 each.


The winners are:

Unduk Ngadau 2012   : Miss Melinda Louis (Telupid)
1st Runner Up           : Miss Fenney Doimis (KK City), and
2nd Runner Up          : Miss Meryl Foster Paladius (Tambunan)

4th place     : Miss Vanessa Samantha Manih (Tg. Aru)
5th place     : Miss Samantha Sharon Laujang (Penampang)
6th place     : Miss Milviana Madrigal (Kota Belud)
7th place     : Miss Raemma Justin (Tuaran)

Note: This is not my photography website, hence the limited pictures uploaded here. But I will point you to my photopage  for more pictures once it is updated. Please bare with me.


The final 7 prize winners


2nd runner up receiving her trophy, and this...


...leaves the last two smiling at each other (full of hope)


Nervous or excited?


Unduk Ngadau Telupid, Miss Melinda Louis was crowned Sabah Unduk Ngadau 2012


Congratulations!


Miss Melinda Louis (Unduk Ngadau 2012) is flanked by
1st runner up, Miss Fenney Doimis (left) and 2nd runner up, Miss Meryl Foster Paladius (right).


Top 3 Winners receive:

Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan (Winner):
Pewter trophy RM1,500, cash RM5,000, Diploma scholarship RM25,000, jewelry RM8,400, Samsung smartphone + 1 year internet subscription RM2,300, Travelling sponsorship RM25,000, hamper RM300, cosmetics RM600
Total: RM68,800.00

1st Runner up:
Pewter trophy RM1,400, cash RM4,000, jewelry RM5,300, Samsung  smartphone + 1 year internet subscription RM2,000, hamper RM300, cosmetics RM300
Total: RM13,450.00

2nd Runner up
Pewter trophy RM1,200, cash RM3,000, jewelry RM3,000, Samsung  smartphone + 1 year internet subscription RM1,700, hamper RM250, cosmetics
Total: RM9650.00

4th, 5th, 6th and 7th place receive prizes totalling RM4,000.00 each.