Moon's blurry perigee

There seemed to be a bit of a flurry on facebook last night over the incidence of the so-called super-moon, a natural phenomenon when the orbit of our terrestrial neighbour moved it closest to our planet. 

Let me repeat: this is a natural phenomenon but inorder to understand it, one must realise that the moon's orbit around our planet is not circular. It is elliptical which means that sometimes, the moon is farthest away from the earth (apogee) and sometimes, the moon is nearest to the earth's surface (perigee).

Well, this time on 23 Jun 2013, the moon happened to be skirting round nearest to us. When conditions are right - when moonrise is at night and moonset is in the morning, and also when the sky is clearest - we should be able to see the moon in its fullest glory. Unfortunately, with all the haze around us in the past week or so, the issue of whether or not we could see a clear moon became a matter of interest.

Some people in the country said that they saw a red moon which was not improbable because the dust particles in the air do contribute to light refraction and absorption. There were others who said that the moon was all blurry. We in the north could have been slightly luckier because there were photographers who managed to get pin-point sharp images.

As for me, my old Konica Minolta Dimage Z5 has never been able to give me a sharp resolution because it is such an old camera already. Even if I put it on a tripod, I can get anything better than a grainy image at the longest focal point. I thought the newer Fujifilm F500EXR would serve me better but I am also disappointed with it. Perhaps the only solution is to buy a third-party long telescopic lens with the biggest aperture to go with my son's Nikon D5100. But it has to be within budget too. However, all things considered, this is only wishful thinking because why should I get such a lens if I'm not going to use it for anything else? Must be practical with my expenditure.

Yesterday morning, I was woken up at about five o'clock by the bright moon shining through the window. The only thought that came to my mind was, gosh, what a bright moon. Not again! Then I turned over and went back to sleep.

This morning, it was almost six o'clock when I noticed the moon again. For the second time, it disturbed my sleep. But since it was almost time to get up anyway, I decided to grab both these two cameras - the Dimage and the Fujifilm - and tried to make do with the best of the situation. Unfortunately, with me holding the cameras without any support, almost all the images turned out blurry. This image below was the best I could get away with. Mind you, I've got better moon pictures elsewhere on this blog.

The MacAlister Road tragedy

This Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) video below gives a technical explanation of what could have happened when the concrete structure at the Menara UMNO broke loose and punched the ground below.

From what I understood after watching the video, the concrete did not fall flat on the road because the impact area was relatively small. Rather, it drilled straight into the ground like a nail. As the original structure was about 38 metres high and only about 10 metres of concrete laid exposed on the ground, the MPPP believed that there was still about 28 metres of concrete below the surface. When it fell, it dragged the right side of a car, including the driver, into the ground as well.

There was no way to recover the man's remains beneath the remaining concrete. Heart-breaking news for everyone, especially the family members of the victim.

The MPPP also believed that the design of the top of the building could have a contributory factor to the concrete structure breaking off. Because of the shape of the wall and the direction from which the gale was blowing, the flow of air around it became strong enough to attack the weakest points on the rooftop. All the forces added up and they tore off the lightning arrestor and supporting concrete.

In my opinion, this is the latest evidence of how global warming and climate change are going to affect our daily lives. I would expect that from now on, strong winds and gale-force winds will be regular features of our tropical weather here in the northern part of the peninsula. As the polar icecaps start melting and the ocean temperatures go up, the wind patterns will change around the world. It's a global phenomenon. We may live far away from the melting icecaps but there is no way that we won't be affected too. This tragedy in MacAlister Road on 13 June 2013 is just a warning sign of more natural disasters to come.

 

Penang public library

I decided to visit the Penang Public Library in Seberang Jaya, Province Wellesley on the mainland of Penang today. Haven't been there for quite a while. Despite it being the middle of the week, there were people inside. Mostly doing their reading but there were a few who were nodding off on the easy chairs. Don't blame them, of course, because the library was so darn conducive for this kind of activity.

As for me, I headed towards the mini-exhibition on the upper floor of the building. The library had put together some interesting facts on the Governors of Penang.

Prior to Independence in August 1957, there was a whole list of people who had been appointed Resident Councillors, Resident Commissioners, Governors, Lieutenant Governors and even a Military Governor. Some were appointed only in an acting capacity. There were those who served for several years but there were also those whose tenure lasted only for a few months. Interestingly, during the period of Japanese Occupation in the Second World War, several Japanese military bigwigs assumed this post in Penang. They might have brought terror to the people here but to their credit, crime was at a minimum level.

Francis Light was, of course, considered as the very first person to govern the Prince of Wales' Island, as Penang was called initially. He was the first Superintendent of the island from 1786 till his death in 1794.

From the upper floor of the Penang Public Library, I wandered downstairs to the Lincoln Corner which was set up in 2008 as a collaborative effort between the Library and the American Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. This is only one of several Lincoln Corners in the country.

If the aim was to share information on Americana with Malaysians, I must say that I wasn't much impressed by the current collection of books and magazines. It was really very modest. I really believe that the United States Embassy could have done better. Surely, there is a wealth of cultural information to share with us through your books. And surely too, your magazines can do with better up-to-date copies. The latest copy of any magazine I saw was dated October 2012, and this was already June 2013 when I visited.

But I know that there will be people who will say that my criticism is unwarranted. Perhaps they are correct because I am actually measuring this little Lincoln Corner against the original yardstick which was the immensely grand USIS Library that used to occupy India House at the corner of Beach Street and Church Street Ghaut for about 18 years until November 1970. Walking into the place then was like walking into a very august institution with all sorts of hallowed traditions. Really missed that place.

Bullock cart express: 10 days for letter from Singapore

Something to ponder about. Are we living in the 21st Century or the 20th Century? I just received this letter from Singapore which had been sent by registered post. It was postmarked 7 Jun 2013 in Singapore but the postman only came to deliver it today, 10 days later. Some more, it was by special delivery because I was asked to sign for it.

It makes me wonder why the letter had taken so long to cross the causeway. It is not like Malaysia and Singapore are worlds apart. In fact we are separated by only a narrow sliver of water and are extensively connected by air, road and rail. In the case of this letter, it was very clear that though the "Air Mail" sticker was affixed, "bullock cart express" was the preferred mode of transportation.

Just dunno who has to take responsibility for this absurdly long delivery period: the Post Office in Singapore or the Pos Malaysia here? No other date stamp apart from the Singapore mark. But on the reverse side of the envelope was a sticker marked "RS16 110 635 1MY". A bit of an irony, actually, because of the "1MY" at the end of this string of identification number.

Relatives @ Bao Sheng

Busy day for me yesterday. Had been arranging an afternoon trip to the Bao Sheng Durian Farm in Sungai Pinang - 10km driving distance from either Teluk Bahang or Balik Pulau town - for my far-flung, some long-lost relatives from the Oh clan (my mother's side of the family). Some had driven all the way from the Klang Valley just for this mini-reunion.

Oh yes, after driving down from Sungai Pinang, I stopped by the Eurasian Fiesta at the St Xavier's Branch School in Pulau Tikus. Had a whale of an interesting evening, stuffed with good food and good entertainment.

When Mother Nature visited Penang

So where were you when the gale-force winds hit Penang yesterday evening? 

Just like the Indian Ocean tsunami that affected our shores on 26 December 2004, this latest tragedy is a reminder that Mother Nature is still the greatest force to be reckoned with on our planet. We can plan all we want but Mother Nature will still know how to expose and exploit our weakest points.

As for the strong winds that ripped apart the concrete and lightning arrestor at the 21-storey UMNO building in MacAlister Road, George Town, we should grief for the unfortunate victim that died and hope that those injured would recover quickly. They were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

When the storm broke at about seven o'clock, I was at the Sentosa hawker centre in Bukit Mertajam, buying dinner for my wife and I. Just as the hawker finished cooking the food, a huge deluge of rain descended on the town, followed by huge gusts of wind.

Obviously, as it was impossible for me to even run to the car, I decided to wait out the storm at the hawker centre. Right in front of me, lamp shades were swinging wildly. I could also see the weighted bamboo awnings flap around in the wind. They were blowing open and then blew shut again. Nervousness showed on the faces of the hawkers nearest to the awnings. Nothing like this had been experienced before.

One of these huge awnings even flew up on the roof of the hawker centre and stayed there for several minutes. One moment it was there flapping away but the next moment, it was gone. Actually, I thought the wind had torn it away but no, the part of the awning was still fastened securely to the building and the awning had swung up to rest on the roof. Only after several more minutes did the strong gusts of wind finally send it swinging down again and crashing on the side of the building.

Just as fast as the winds came, they died down rather quickly. The rain also eased to a trickle, long enough for me to walk back to my car and drive back home. Soon later, word reached us about the disaster that had hit George Town. The rest, as we all know, have already been reported in the news and social media.
  

Penang senior citizen appreciation programme

It was in the first half of last month that we received my aunt's copy of the letter from the Penang government regarding the distribution of RM100 in this year's Senior Citizens Appreciation Programme.

As my aunt was already warded at the USM Hospital in Bertam, it was up to me to go collect the money for her at the Maybank branch in Seberang Jaya. Even if she wasn't warded, it would have been very difficult for her to go personally to the bank.

But first, I had to go see my nearest state assemblyman to obtain a Letter of Indemnity. I had already learnt the hard way that the banks would require this letter before they could release any money. So in the morning of 18 May 2013, I made my way to the Maybank branch nearest my house to get this letter and later at about noon, my son and I stopped by their Seberang Jaya branch to collect the money on my aunt's behalf.

As it turned out, this would now be the last RM100 that she would ever collect from the state government. She passed away on the next day.

I was commenting to my wife yesterday that good though this Senior Citizens Appreciation Programme was, the Penang government could certainly try to improve on it. What I was thinking aloud about was that instead of giving out a flat RM100 contribution to all registered voters in Penang who are at least 60 years old, why not structure the programme such that the older senior citizens would be eligible for more?

For example, RM100 could continue to be given to people above 60 years old but RM150 could be given to those above 70 years old and RM200 to those who are 80 years and older. The rate would increase with every 10 years of a senior citizen's age. And the Penang government can afford to be even more generous if they want to, within budget constraints, of course!

I am sure that these increased contributions would not unduly overburden the Penang government. After all, the number of people that would be eligible under this suggested structured scheme would decrease as their age brackets go up. Personally, I doubt there would be many senior citizens who are 90 years old or older. But think of the goodwill in return. Effectively, the extra contribution would recognise the citizen's seniority in the state even more.

As a footnote, I need to add that as my aunt's closest relative, I have already submitted her death certificate to the local DAP office here in Bukit Mertajam. This is not about collecting the one-time bereavement contribution from the state but rather, to act responsibly to ensure that the file on my aunt can at last be closed.

I Musici Di Roma at the George Town Festival 2013

My wife and I had a little treat last Friday (7 Jun 2013) when Italy's oldest chamber ensemble, I MUSICI DI ROMA, gave a signature performance at the Dewan Sri Pinang. The internationally-acclaimed I MUSICI was the opening act at this year's month-long George Town Festival celebrations.  We took pride that George Town was one of only two South-East Asian venues during their current Asia tour, the other being Singapore a few days later.

We arrived early and sneaked into the Dewan Sri to escape the heat and humidity outside. Empty stage with an almost empty audience. Of course, the people started coming in soon afterwards and it was a full house with all tickets having sold out.

Lim Guan Eng, the ever popular Chief Minister of Penang,even took some time off to share in some friendly banter with the people. Would you see this elsewhere?
 

Antonio Anselmi received the Brand Laureate award on behalf of I MUSICI.

The I MUSICI ensemble with the Chief Minister and some other personalities before the start of their one-and-a-half-hour performance.

The first set of the programme consisted of Overture from Barber Of Seville (Rossini), Variations on a Theme from Moses in Egypt by Rossini (Paganini), Prelude from La Traviata (Verdi), Une Larme for cello and strings (Rossini), Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni) and Sinfonia from Nabucco (Verdi).

I MUSICI returned after the break to perform one of their most famous pieces, the full set of Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Then, garbed in the George Town Festival T-shirt, the musicians presented two stirring encores.

The people that waited patiently after the concert were rewarded with an autograph session by all the musicians at the Dewan Sri Pinang's lobby.

I didn't realise it then but here I was with my wife, caught lining up during the autograph session. This picture was lifted from the George Town Festival page on facebook. Of course, I had brought along my booklet of the Brandenburg Concertos double-CD that had been performed by an earlier incarnation of I MUSICI during the 1990s. Francesca Vicari, the only lady amongst the present 12-member ensemble, was totally engrossed with the booklet.

Farewell to my aunt

Today marks the 25th day that I had been away from my blog. The absence had not been planned or on purpose. It was just that I had been very busy trying to get over a personal loss. It hadn't been just me; my whole family is now trying to adjust ourselves to a home without my old aunt, my late father's sister. She passed away two days after my last blog entry.

For a long time already, she had been suffering from osteoarthritis in her knee joints. Both left and right. Then in October or November last year, she began complaining about a back pain. We took her to so many doctors and specialists. Injections she had, pills she took, but the pain persisted. One doctor even suspected a problem with her renal system because that was the general direction where the pain was coming from.

And eventually in February, just a week before Chinese New Year, we persuaded her to be warded at a private hospital in Province Wellesley. It was there that we finally learnt that her back pain was caused by a compressed T12 bone in her spinal column.

It must have been from a fall a very long time ago as she couldn't remember when or how she got it. I suspected the ache must have been there all this while but with age and her osteoarthritis catching up with her, she was now feeling the discomfort even more. And with the bone pressing on her nerves, the old injury was now affecting both her hips and knee joints. The orthopaedic surgeon said that at her age, it would be very risky to operate and the only solution for her was pain management through medication and physiotherapy.

Despite the pain, my aunt still wanted to get on gamely with her life. As she could no longer take her daily morning walks to the market, I had to drive her there. At least, the brief time at the market would keep her mind and body busy. But from April onwards, she asked me even to stop taking her there. It was becoming almost impossible for her to walk unaided anymore.

At first, she started using a walking stick, one with four mini-legs for more stability but later, I decided on a walker. It helped her mobility but by early May, even that became an ordeal. She couldn't be on her feet for long.

We heard of the Institut Perubatan dan Pergigian Termaju (Advanced Medical and Dental Institute) in Bertam. This was a research hospital run by the University of Science Malaysia. A very modern hospital with good facilities but basically little known and consequently under-utilised. The orthopaedic specialist warded her for observation. This was the eighth of May.

We could see that her medications were working and her pain was actually getting less. But she kept complaining that her appetite wasn't improving and she still suffered from lightheadedness and dizziness, and couldn't move her bowels well. There were occasional bouts of vomiting as she couldn't put her food down. All this we had expected as she had been complaining about them even a long time ago.

When my son and I went up to see her on 18 May, she was well enough and happy. We thought everything was beginning to be alright with her.

Then in the morning of 19 May - can't be sure of the time but it could possibly be around nine o'clock or so - we received a very innocuous call from a nurse at the IPPT telling us that my aunt wanted broth for lunch. So okay, my wife started to prepare this broth. Just before noon, another call came in to ask why we weren't at the hospital yet. We were told that my aunt was in critical condition and would be moved to the Kepala Batas Hospital. For the first time, we were alarmed. What had suddenly happened to the old lady?

By the time we arrived at the IPPT, we were told that they had already moved her to the Kepala Batas Hospital. We rushed there to find her in the critical ward, basically already semi-conscious and with two or three tubes stuck into her. The prognosis wasn't good. The resident doctor there told us to actually prepare for the worst. They would try to help as much as possible but with her condition, the chances were deemed very slim.

We hunkered down, expecting a very long night. About a quarter before midnight, my wife noticed that her breathing had become shallow and her heartbeat was suddenly slowing down. The nurses tried to revive my aunt, even by using a defribrillator, but there was nothing more that could be done. My aunt's date of demise: 19 May 2013.

My family's style has never been to prolong the mourning period for more than three days. So the funeral was held on the 21st of May and my aunt's remains were cremated. We collected her ashes on the next day and her urn was placed at the Batu Gantong columbarium next to that of my father and mother.

The 24th of May being Wesak Day, we carried out one of her final wishes by doing dana for her at the Buddhist Hermitage Lunas. The next day being the seventh day of her demise, we held prayers at the columbarium followed by one at the Triple Wisdom Buddhist Temple in Pangkor Road on the island and then another offering of dana at the Sri Mahindarama Buddhist Temple in Kampar Road.

End of an era

First David Gill leaves, then Alex Ferguson retires, Paul Scholes quitting and now, David Beckham hangs up his old shoes...

Vanishing sight, vanishing point

Yes, there are still breath-taking padi fields in some parts of Penang, although they are far from expanding. This - an almost 180 degrees picture - scenery was taken in northern Province Wellesley just last week. Will this plush expanse of green still be around 10 years from now? Or will the farmers sell out and resign themselves to the inevitable encroachment of concrete development?

Your friendly neighbourhood taxmen cometh

I had heard yesterday that a group of people from the Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri descended on Penang to conduct a spot check or survey on businesses operating in the Church Street area of George Town. I didn't pay much attention to this piece of news.

Then today when I was at an economy rice shop in Bukit Mertajam, I overheard people saying that there were several taxmen that had made spot checks on the small-time traders and merchants around the Kampung Baru market.

So maybe yesterday's news was true after all. Yesterday on the island, today on the mainland.

Immediately after that as I was driving through the Jalan Maju commercial area to the bank, I had a jolt when I came face to face with a bus and a van that bore the LDHN markings.

Some seven or eight people were pouring out of the bus as I whizzed pass, many of them carrying a bag slung over their shoulders. A few wore vests with the unmistakeable HASIL name on their backs.

As I was parking the car, I noticed this lady standing outside a shop and asking to enter. I doubt she was much interested in the collagen products that they were selling.

I noticed too this guy taking details of the shops along the road. I wonder whether any of them wandered into the bank further up? Nahh, they wouldn't be interested to befriend this big giant of an establishment. Or would they? I don't know. Perhaps one day, I'll just go and ask the bank manager.

DAP appreciation dinner

This was the huge crowd of about 400 people at last night's appreciation dinner at the Penang Chinese Town Hall which the Democratic Action Party had held for their members and people who had volunteered their services to the political party at the General Elections 10 days ago. It wasn't as formal as the one two nights ago for the Air Putih volunteers but definitely, it was more animated.

Mind you, this was an appreciation in kind in lieu of services volunteered. Nobody gave out any angpow. Nobody gave out any redeemable lucky draw ticket. No money, ever, changed hands from party to people or from people to people. No cash payment at all. Everything was above board. Just like to make it clear, as I saw it.

Of course, Lim Guan Eng spoke at the function. It's totally obligatory. Who else would you expect to speak at such a function if not for the party's secretary-general who so happens to be the Chief Minister of Penang as well?

He spoke of three significant classes of people who contributed to the success of the Pakatan Rakyat during the general elections:

• In the first instance, he acknowledged the role of the first-time voters. Many had come back to Penang from working in the other states of the country while some had even chosen to return from overseas just to exercise their constitutional right. With touch-in-cheek, he termed them as virgin voters. 
• Secondly, he was much gratified to observe that the youth in our country have finally come out to fight for their own future. They have a voice and they have a mind of their own, and they have chosen to make themselves heard,
• And finally, he paid an immeasurable tribute to the women of all races, both young and old, who had joined the queue to make their votes count.

Later, LGE weaved around slowly from table to table to greet all the diners. Needless to say, everybody wanted a group photograph to be taken with him and Chow Kon Yeow, and that delayed his momentous stop at our table. But eventually, they did finish making their rounds.

But was there any respite for them and some of the other Members of Parliament who were around too: people like Jeff Ooi and Lim Wei Aik? You'd be rather silly if you think there was. Immediate after his walkabout and group photograph, he was waylaid by people all clamouring for his autograph. Rock(et) star treatment for this man, indeed. Such adulation, I haven't seen in a politician before.

By the way, during Chow Kon Yeow's pre-dinner speech, he was mentioning that the sales of merchandise - including T-shirts, vests, caps, badges, banners and stickers, Ubah toys and books - at the DAP Penang headquarters in Rangoon Road during the crucial weeks leading up to the general elections went far beyond their expectations.

The above picture does not do enough justice to my comments above as I took it about 10 days before the general elections but the crowd swelled up significantly as the date drew closer. Anyway from the sale of the merchandise, I heard from inside sources that more than RM1 million was collected at the DAP Penang headquarters alone, what more from the other DAP branches across the state? This amount excluded the moneys donated by the people of Penang at the political ceramahs during the campaign period. I did heard a figure mentioned as well but sorry lah, you'll have to excuse me. I can't remember everything I heard at my table. 

Steel rod street art at Che Em Lane, George Town

I had a bit of extra time on my hands last Sunday as I headed down to the E&O Hotel and decided to stop at the junction of Beach Street and China Street Ghaut. For some time, I had wanted - very curious, actually - to see what the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) had cooked up for the wall art at our Quah Kongsi building at the corner with Che Em Lane.

Trouble was, you see, after we had given the MPPP the go-ahead to use the wall for one of their their steel rod sculptures in January, we had not heard back from them. We did not know whether the MPPP would go ahead with their plans or abandon this particular one, the reason being we had responded a little late to their request. And so, this was the first opportunity for me to visit that part of Beach Street and see what had developed since giving MPPP the permission.

My opinion of this type of street art sculpture? Personally, I would prefer the Zacharevic wall drawings over these steel rod sculptures. The former were more realistic and less confusing, though also less permanent. But for this particular design on our wall, well, it looks okay, lah.... Anything to play our part in promoting the cultural heritage of our old city of George Town.

Oh, by the way, I felt that the cemented wall imparted a real character to the sculpture as well.

Air Putih appreciation dinner

Some pictures from the appreciation dinner which the DAP Air Putih had given to their volunteers who gave their time at the recent General Elections on 6 May 2013. I was thrown into the melee of the GE13 when I became a polling and counting agent (PACA) at the Kong Min School in Ayer Itam. Memorable experience that came with witnessing a bonus scuffle, which unlike the infamous ink was really indelible in my mind. 

Met up with an old friend of some 20 years (Has it been that long, Jeffrey?) and made some new ones along the way. Willy nilly, we were all caught up in it together that afternoon and night at the Kong Min School.

A bookmark in football history

Just a few memorable pictures from the team's final home game under Alex Ferguson.

Black 511 @ Batu Kawan Stadium

So this was the 80,000-strong crowd at the Batu Kawan Stadium in Province Wellesley, Penang on 11 May 2013. Speakers included Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Guan Eng and Mat Sabu.

Penang exco line-up: Then and now (2013 version)

Since I did a comparison in 2008, it will be very pertinent if I were to make it again in 2013. So here goes, I present the Penang state exco 2.0 and compare it with the initial line-up announced five years ago.

2013 Government:

• Lim Guan Eng - Land Matters & Land Development, Information, Heritage & Non-Islamic Religious Affairs
  Email: limguaneng@penang.gov.my
• Mohd Rashid bin Hasnon - Industrial Development & International Trade, Co-operatives & Community Relations, Entrepreneur Development
  Email:
• Dr Ramasamy a/l Palanisamy - State Economic Planning, Education & Human Resources, Science, Technology & Innovation
  Email: ramasamy@penang.gov.my
• Chow Kon Yeow - Local Government, Traffic Management, Flood Mitigation
  Email: chowkonyeow@penang.gov.my
• Abdul Malik bin Abdul Kassim - Religious Affairs, Domestic Trade, Consumer Affairs
  Email: abdmalik@penang.gov.my
• Chong Eng - Youth & Sports, Women, Family & Community Development, Arts
  Email:
• Lim Hock Seng - Works, Utilities (energy, Water & Telecommunication), Transport (Air, Sea & Train)
  Email: limhockseng@penang.gov.my
• Danny Law Heng Kiang - Tourism Development, Culture
  Email: lawhengkiang@penang.gov.my
• Phee Boon Poh - Welfare, Caring Society, Environment
  Email: pheeboonpoh@penang.gov.my
• Jagdeep Singh Deo a/l Karpal Singh - Town & Country Planning, Housing
  Email:
• Dr Afif bin Bahardin - Agriculture & Agro-based Industry, Rural Development, Health
  Email:

2008 Government:

• Lim Guan Eng - Industrial Development and International Trade, Land Affairs and Land Development Committee
  Email: limguaneng@penang.gov.my
• Mansor bin Othman (replaced Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin) - Religious Affairs, Entrepreneurial and Co-operative Development and Information and Community Relations Committee
  Email: mfairus@penang.gov.my
• Dr Ramasamy - State Economic Planning, Education and Human Resources, and Science, Technology and Innovation Committee
  Email: ramasamy@penang.gov.my
• Chow Kon Yeow - Local Government, Traffic Management and Environment Committee
  Email: chowkonyeow@penang.gov.my
• Lim Hock Seng - Public Works, Utilities and Transportation Committee
  Email: limhockseng@penang.gov.my
• Danny Law Heng Kiang - Tourism Development and Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee
  Email: lawhengkiang@penang.gov.my
• Abdul Malik Abdul Kassim - Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee
  Email: abdmalik@penang.gov.my
• Phee Boon Poh - Health and Welfare and Caring Society Committee
  Email: pheeboonpoh@penang.gov.my
• Wong Hon Wai - Town and Country Planning and Housing Committee
  Email: wonghonwai@penang.gov.my
• Law Choo Kiang - Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Rural Development and Flood Mitigation Committee
  Email: lawchookiang@penang.gov.my
• Lydia Ong Kok Fooi - Youth and Sports and Women, Family and Community Development Committee
  Email: ongkokfooi@penang.gov.my

Red replacement

Yes, this is David Moyes in 1982.

Black 505

Below was the scene at the Black 505 rally at the Kelana Jaya Stadium on Wednesday, 8 May 2013. I hope when the Pakatan Rakyat holds the rally at the Batu Kawan Stadium in Penang tomorrow, 11 May 2013, it will be equally filled up.