Every year in Malaysia without fail we are familiar the haze episode and we always talking about this issue when haze coming, but after that we will forget about it.
However, we never focus on what is the solution to resolve it, but we focus on about the mask, which brand mask is the best for us.
Impact of fire and haze:
• The total economic losses for the 1997/98 fire episode was estimated to be US$10.3billion
- Indonesia – total losses in forestry, health, tourism and others estimated to be US$9.3billion (CIFOR)
- Other countries (Malaysia and Singapore) – total losses in forestry, health, tourism and others estimated to be US$1billion.
• This does not take into account the estimates US$5billion lost through emission of carbon into the atmosphere
• 1997/98 fire episodes
- School in Sarawak closed for 3 weeks
- Agriculture sector recorded an estimated yield reduction by 30%
- Malacca strait experienced several cargo ships related accidents
- 90% reduction of tourist arrivals and cancellation of flight recorded
• 2005 – Malaysia declared state of emergency on 12th Aug
• 2006 – Malaysia and Singapore badly affected where Ministers of Environmenthad to convene emergency meetings in Pakanbaru, Indonesia (Oct) and Cebu, Philippines (Nov)
Can we provide solutions to ensure reduction in forest fires and haze emission? Answer is yes, the solutions are as below(more info at Global Environment Centre):
- Stop destructive practices
- Prevent or control fires
- Stop further drainage and restore hydrology
- Develop alternate livelihoods for local communities
- Stop illegal/uncontrolled logging and encourage rehabilitation
- Introduce sustainable management options
- Block or control existing drains
- Encourage re-growth of vegetation
- Integrated management for multiple use
- Prediction and monitoring
Buddhism and defined that there are 2 main types of Buddhism i.e. Mahayana (大乘) and Hinayana (小乘).
Few things can be said with certainty about Mahayana Buddhism especially its early Indian form, other than that that the Buddhism practiced in China, Korea, Tibet, and Japan is Mahayana Buddhism. Mahayana can be described as a loosely bound bundle of many teachings, which was able to contain the various contradictions found between those differing teachings. Mahayana is a vast religious and philosophical structure. It constitutes an inclusive faith characterized by the adoption of new Mahayana Sutras, in addition to the traditional Pali canon or Aghama texts, and a shift in the basic purpose and concepts of Buddhism.
About Hinayana, Hinayana is used by Mahayanists as a name to refer variously to one or more doctrines, traditions, practitioners or thoughts that are generally concerned with the achievement of Nirvana as an Arahant or a Pratyeka-Buddha as opposed to the achievement of liberation as a Samyaksambuddha wherein the Samyaksambuddha is deemed to operate from a basis of vowing to effect the spiritual liberation of all beings and creatures from the suffering of samsara (not just himself or a small number of others).
The development of the Buddhism in Malaysia in the aspect of temple or monastery and Buddhism organizations are as follows:
1. The first temple in Penang is Kong Hock Keong (广福宫) which founded by a group of Hokkien and Cantonese Chinese in 18th century
2. 1891, the development of Kek Lok Si pagoda 极乐寺宝塔which completed in 1906 with 3 types of culture i.e. Thai, Myanmar and Chinese
3. 1925, the establishment of Penang Buddhism Institute 槟城佛学院 which started with the involvement in education
4. 1939, the foundation of Par Tay Institute with the strong financial support from Hu Wen Hu.
5. 1955, the formation of Malaysia Buddhism Association 马来西亚佛教总会
6. 1970, the formation of Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia 马来西亚佛教青年总会
7. 1989, the entry of Fo Guang Shan Malaysia 马来西亚佛光山总会
8. 1995, Malaysia Tzu Chi 慈济功德会founded and has actively involve in the voluntary works
After the Coup d’etat in 2006, Suan Dusit Rajabhat University (SDU) has conducted a poll to get public’s response. The findings showed that 83.93% agreed with the military intervention and 75.04% felt that the situation would be improved. Some of the people shortly realised they have perhaps created another necessary evil.
As result of the Coup d’etat, the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 1997 was abrogated and the Senate, House of Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the Constitutional courts – the Council were abolished.
A Constitutional Drafting Committee is responsible to draft a constitution. After 4 weeks of the releasing of the New Constitution, a referendum will be held. People are responsible either to vote NO to endorse on the New 319 Articles’ Constitution and the Military Government or to vote YES to support Thaksin and will delay election.
If the referendum succeeds, the junta can then justify the coup that ousted the elected but corruption-prone former Prime Minister Thaksin and claim credit for honoring its promise to implement political reform and restore democracy BUT Thaksin supporters could take street protest. If it fails, the military could impose its own constitution and before holding elections, which would cast doubt on the legitimacy of the polls.
Major changes in the 2007 Constitution in comparison to the 1997 Constitution
- The new constitution bars a prime minister and any spouses or children from owning major stakes in private companies and from having a stake in media groups.
- The entire cabinet and all lawmakers would have to disclose all of their assets and would also make it tougher to pass free trade deals.
- The Senate house is consists of 76 selected and 74 appointed, total 150 senators.
- Senators have the power to expel senior political officials.
- The New Constitution limit the Prime Minister to two four year terms.
- 80 party list MPs will be elected through eight clusters of provinces.
