Melamine in milk &you- Our rights to know!!!!!!!!!

China milk poisoning incidents make everyone afraid to look at the daily news report. Everyday the reports are changing. No one can clearly tell us what to eat and not to eat. Enforcement seem so lagging that what should be banned is not banned but still looming large on our food production.

For me, the best way to learn is not from hearsay but to ask lots of questions, questions that may seem silly to others but may be a lesson learnt never too late for others.Its our right to know and lobby for safe food.

1.What really is poisoned milk?

It is the milk powder mixed with "MELAMINE". Melamine is an organic compound not soluble in water and does not react to acid.

2. What is Melamine use for?

It is an industrial chemical use in the production of melamine wares.It is safe to use melamine wares for hot food

It is also used in home decoration."US resistant board"got it? Melamine is use in industrial production! It cannot be eaten

3.Why is Melamine added in milk powder?

The most important nutrient in milk is protein. And Melamine has the same protein that contains "NITROGEN"; it has 66% nitrogen mass and is only dangerous in powder form and when added to food.

Adding Melamine in milk reduces milk content and it is cheaper then milk so it lowers capitalization. It can give the business man more profit!

Below is Melamine. It doesn't look like milk! It doesn't have any smell, so it cannot be detected.

4.When was it discovered?

Wayback in the Year 2007 in US when cats and dogs died suddenly. Then they found that pet food from China contained Melamine.

Starting 2008, there was an abnormal increase in infant cases of kidney stones in China:-

August 2008 : China Sanlu Milk Powder was tested with Melamine.

September 2008 : The New Zealand government asked China to check this problem

September 21, 2008 : lots of food products in Taiwan were tested with Melamine

5.What happens when Melamine is digested?

Melamine remains inside the kidney. It forms into stones blocking the tubes. Pain will be eminent and person cannot urinate. Kidney will then swell.Although surgery can remove the stones, but it will cause irreversible kidney damage. It can lead to loss of kidney function and will require kidney dialysis or lead to death because of uremia.

6.What is dialysis?

In fact, it should be called "blood washing". It is filtering all of the body's blood into the machine and then go back to the body. The whole process takes 4 hours and it is necessary to dialysis once for every 3 days for the rest of your life!

A small hole is required in the arm to insert the sub-dialysis catheter

7.Why is it more serious in babies?

Because the kidney is very small and they drink a lot of milk powder. China currenty has 13,000 infants hospitalized. It does not matter how much a human being took Melamine. The important point is "It cannot be EATEN "

8.What are the foods to be avoided?

In this China`poisoned milk` context, foods that contain dairy products should be avoided.Remember: Foods with creamer or milk should be avoided. Or at least check it out with your nearest Ministry of Health department in your country.

9.What do we do next?

Avoid the `above foods` that are found to contain melamine for at least six months. If you have snack bar, restaurant or coffee shops , STOP selling those `dairy products` for the meantime.

Mothers - if you have infants at home, change to mother's milk or find other substitutes.

Women, especially mothers and wives, can champion for the good cause by keeping watch over the food that is supposed to be banned and act accordingly.

Learn to read more carefully the label on your food product and be aware of where and what the product is made from. The bar code will indicate the place/country of origin and the label will inform you of its contents -makeup .

For your information, the first 3 digits of the barcode is the country code wherein the product was made.

Sample all barcodes that start with 690.691.692 until 695 are all MADE IN CHINA. 471 is Made in Taiwan

This is our human rights to know.

00 ~ 13 USA & CANADA

30 ~ 37 FRANCE

40 ~ 44 GERMANY

49 ~ JAPAN

50 ~ UK

57 ~ Denmark

64 ~ Finland

76 ~ Switzerland and Lienchtenstein

628~ Saudi-Arabien

629 ~ United Arab Emirates

740 ~ 745 - Central America

All 480 Codes are Made in the Philippines.

Once again - IT IS OUR HUMAN RIGHTS TO KNOW - yes, to know whether our food is contaminated with Melamine or not. I hope the little information above will make us more informed and help us to understand what the whole world is shouting about.

YOU CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IF YOU KNOW YOUR FACTS RIGHT !!!!

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Is 1929 =2008 ?

Many people equate the great Depression in the 1930s to the present global economic turmoil.Many people too are pondering whether we are heading towards a similar kind of depression- 1929 vs 2008?

What really happend behind the 1929 Wall St. crash that kickstarted the Great Depression?And this is what I learned from the wisdom of investment adviser:-

1.According to Ben Bernake, the US Fed chairman, the main reason behind the 1929 Great Crash was due to the tight monetary policies adopted during that period. He said the high interest rate back then caused the US economy to fall into a recession that led to the market crash in October 1929.

For your information the great depression in the US started in August 1929 and ended only in March 1933. The stock market started to recover eight months before the US economy ended its depression.

2. As the US dollar was backed by gold, the acute selling of dollars for gold resulted in a run on the dollar. The Fed continued to increase the interest rates in an effort to preserve the US dollar. As a result, the high interest rates caused bankruptcies for many companies.

3. To add in all, the massive withdrawals of cash by pancky depositors brought about a total collapse of financial institutions. In that period, bank deposits were uninsured and the collapse of banks caused depositors to lose their savings. And due to the economic uncertainties, surviving banks were reluctant to give out new loans.

4. Another culprit was the margin financing which caused excessive speculation in the stock market. Investors needed only to put up 10% capital and borrow the rest from bank to invest in the stock market. The collpase of stock prices led to margin calls and further selldowns.

5.At the peak of the Great depression, the US uneployment rate hit 25%.

And this is what actually happened to the 2008 crash:-

1.The banking and credit-market crisis was mainly due to property boom and subprime bust. The collapse of the subprime loans sparked the credit crunch which in turn dragged some financial institutions into trouble.

2. As a result of the securitisation and the creation of innovative financial products like collateralised-debts obligations and credit-default swaps, the collpase of one financial institution has a domino effect, leading to the collapse of other financial institutions.

Are we heading for a similar depression?

1.It is believed that given the fast , concerted actions taken by central banks around the world, the global economy will not fall into a depression.

2. It is believed too that the reduction of interest rates and the increase in money supply will help cushion the impact of the credit crunch. Besides , deposits placed with most financial institutions are guaranteed by central banks.

3. Thus it is greatly believed that the economic turmoil will recover faster and the magnitude of the fall will be far less than the one in 1929. The rescue packages being implemented throughout the world will help stabilise the financial system.


So in a layman term, to be prudent at this point of time is the way out of this storm. And the good news is that Malaysians have a high propensity to save. It is only their current savings behaviour that is lacking proper planning.

And my advice to all my listerners far and near--LEARN TO LIVE IN MODERATION AND BE MORE PRUDENT TO WEATHER THIS CRISIS. Rest assure my MALAYSIAN LISTERNERS, we are not heading towards a recession- more probably, an inevitable economic slowdown.

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Makan Untuk Hidup?

Berita mengenai pencemaran bahan kimia melamin ditemui dalam produk tenusu China hari ini sama hebatnya dengan pergolakan politik negara. Bagus, ini menandakan masyarakat Malaysia kini semakin prihatin dengan keselamatan tubuh badan mereka.

Kali pertama saya mendengar berita mengenai pencemaran ini adalah menerusi radio negara seberang, Singapura. Tidak lama selepas itu, Menteri Kesihatan Malaysia membuat pengumuman di media bahawa Malaysia tidak ada mengimport sebarang produk susu tepung formula bayi dari China, khususnya produk yang dihasilkan oleh pihak Sanlu Group. Pengumuman dibuat berikutan kes kematian seorang bayi di China manakala lebih 50 bayi lain menghidap penyakit batu karang, dikaitkan dengan pengambilan susu tepung formula bayi yang tercemar dengan melamin yang dikeluarkan oleh pihak Sanlu Group.

Sebenarnya, anda tidak perlu risau sekiranya telah mengambil sebarang produk makanan yang disyaki tercemar dengan melamin. European Commission Directive EC No. 2002/72 telah menetapkan tahap migrasi melamin yang selamat daripada bekas/pembungkus kepada makanan ialah 30 mg/kg makanan. Dalam konteks ini, melamin telah dikesan di dalam minuman, kopi, jus oren, susu fermentasi dalam julat 0.54 – 2.2 mg / kg makanan, di mana ianya berada dalam tahap yang selamat untuk digunakan.

Tentu ada yang tertanya-tanya, apakah kesan melamin terhadap tubuh badan kita? Secara ringkas, kesan melamin secara langsung mengakibatkan iritasi apabila terhidu dan bersentuhan dengan kulit atau mata. Pengambilan melamin melalui makanan juga boleh mengakibatkan kerosakan pada sistem pembiakan dan pembentukkan batu karang dalam ginjal dan pundi kencing. Ini juga boleh mengakibatkan kegagalan ginjal terutamanya kepada bayi.

Walau bagaimanapun, sebagai langkah berjaga-jaga, KKM telah mengenakan tindakan Pemeriksaan Tahap 6 (Auto Rejection) kepada semua produk susu tepung formula bayi dari China buat sementara waktu melalui Sistem Maklumat Keselamatan Makanan Malaysia (Food Safety Information System of Malaysia – FoSIM).

Oleh yang demikian, semua produk susu tepung formula bayi dari China tidak dibenarkan diimport ke Malaysia buat masa ini. Perlu diketahui bahawa kesan melamin kepada manusia adalah kurang berbanding dengan haiwan kerana jangka hayat melamin adalah 3 jam dan ianya tidak berkumpul di dalam badan dan dikeluarkan melalui perkumuhan buah pinggang sebagai air kencing.

Baru-baru ini kerajaan mendapati kandungan melamin turut terdapat pada produk pertanian China seperti buah-buahan dan sayur-sayuran. Justeru, anda diingatkan supaya sentiasa memeriksa label makanan untuk memastikan ianya benar-benar selamat untuk dimakan. Bagi saya, cara yang paling mudah: Gunakanlah produk tempatan. Bak kata pepatah, “Mencegah lebih baik daripada Mengubati”

**Anda boleh mendapatkan maklumat lanjut mengenai pengesahan produk dan berita-berita terkini berkaitan melamin di sini**

sumber : Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia

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Don`t let trouble troubles you until troubles trouble you

On the first day of Hari Raya (1.10.08) and in the true spirit of a Malaysian Raya celebration, the Prime Minister and his muslim cabinet ministers hosted a Raya Open house in PWTC for the rakyat.

My dear listeners,especially my foreign listeners, Open house in a layman term, is liken hosting a big lunch or dinner to celebrate an occasion where people of all walks and race have a chance and avenue to get together to greet each other in peace and harmony, to get acquainted or enhanced friendship in a true community and festive spirit .

In Malaysia, Open house has become an indirect unifying factor that holds every citizen together.It is here everybody puts his or her differences aside in the true Malaysian spirit to celebrate and rejoice together in that particular occasion in-holding.Often too, in such open house celebration, the people on the street get to openly meet in person their Prime Minister and other cabinet ministers. Likewise in the village level, every household will look forward to such open house.

My dear listeners, especially those who hear from the hearsay at the international front, we heard there was a showdown by a group of sour-grape Hindraf
supporters who were there not for the festive celebration but to protest their grimances in the name of democracy.Supposedly they were to hand to the Prime Minister a teddy bear and a card and to ask him to release their five counterparts who are presently detained under ISA.But their approach was very disruptive to the festive occasion there.

These Hindraf supporters came and undermined the peace in the hall.In spite of their disrespectful acts and behaviours,the police allowed them into the hall to celebrate the occasion together with the rest of the guests-because they are invited too like any other people on the street.But their presence and actions were indeed MIND-less in spite of Prime Minister`s big hearted invitation and welcome to them.

Many who were there would say, amongst these:- ` Don`t let trouble troubles you till troubles trouble you!`... `Open houses are no platform to voice ISA or any other issues or grimances.`...`We can`t liken Open House as like protesting in front of the White House.`...` This is not democracy. It is a mockery of a sincere Raya Open House invitation !`

My dear listerners, ISA (Internal Security Act) in Malaysia is all about public order and safety.It is not draconian.It is liken to the United Kingdom Terrorist Act. Historically, ISA was used against those involved in subversive activities such as communists insurgency, Konfrontasi threats or any violent insurrection. Between 1948-1960, it was known then as the Public Order Emergency Ordinance.It was only in 1 August 1960 that ISA Act (Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negara 1960) was passed by the Parlimen and extended to Sabah and Sarawak in 1963.

It had in the past successfully been used to curb the religious and racial riots as like in the May 13 1969, Operasi Lalang in 1987 , Kg. Rawa in 1998 and Kg Medan in 2001. It had also been used on religious deviants such as the Al-Arqam Group in 1994, Al-Maunah Group in 2000, Malaysia Mujahidin Group in 2001 , and on terrorist threats as in Jemaah Islam Group in 2001 and the Darul Islam Group in 2005.

In the present context, ISA is used as a preventive law to handle threats to public order and peace. ISA is not about taking actions after threats occur but taking preventive actions before something happens.It is still relevant in the present context of public order and peace as the form and degree of crime and threats have over time evolved to great complexicity.We can`t be complacent especially when mankind has soared to such high level of intelligience.

You may ask what is public order and peace that needs ISA ? Well firstly,it is about the actions and behaviours of someone that are established to pose a threat to national security and public order such as causing conflicts, riots and civil war or provoking hatred towards religious, racial and cultural issues.

Secondly, actions that can affect the national economy such as crippling the country`s economy and scaring away investors . Syndicated activities such as producing fake identity cards and passports are also threats to national security.

Thirdly, ISA can also be used against those who threaten or disrupt essential services such as Tenaga Nasional Berhad and Radio Television Malaysia Services.

ISA has always been known as a detention law without trial under the jurisdiction of the Home Minister. Under section 73(1) of the ISA Act, the police are empowered to take preventive action by detaining without warrant any party considered as a threat to national security and order. Under this Act, the police is allowed to detain someone for 24 hours, 2 days or a week within the maximum period of 60 days for further investigation. If within this period, there is no evidence to establish that there is a threat posed by the detainee, the police can release him.It is entirely up to the discretion of the police.The police do not need permission to detain or release detainees but the police will inform the Home Minister as the matter will eventually be of public interest.

This type of detention is not a criminal offence and the detainee is not accused under the Penal Code or the Sedition Act.Their detention areas are different for those detained under different acts.Those under remand are detained in a lock-up while ISA detainees have their own cells.ISA detainees also have the rights to apply habeas corpus to meet their families and seek legal representation.

Under section 8(1) of the ISA Act, the Minister can order a detention of 2 years if he is satisfied that it is necessary to prevent that person from acting in a manner prejudicial to the country`s security.This is to facilitate police in deeper and further investigations.

For the sake of national security , public peace and order, we still need such laws to protect our country especially in this modern time of terrorism and globalisation. Let us not politicalise such issues but be more rationale less our country fall prey to these `silent Terror..ism` that can cause unrest and further undue economic downturn.

Democracy or freedom in any form still exists in this country but it must be excercised with responsibilty and in adherence to the law. Don`t let trouble troubles you till troubles trouble you. Be mindful of the laws of the country that you are residing in.

`There are two kinds of lawyers,those who know the law and those who know the judge.`-Hitler

So when you are in Rome, do what the Romans do--adapt, adjust and accomodate !!!!!!!!!

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The greatest gift for any festive celebration...

Often we are so reminded of doing good deeds in our lifes--help the underpriveledged, the physically challenged, the sick and aged ,the orphans, the homeless ,the poor and so on and on. Such acts of giving are common in the month of Ramadan or any festive season where corporate bodies will come forward to do their social obligations.


While the government stretches to go miles to see to the needs of every rakyat at all time, the younger generation are reminded to fulfill their filial responsibilities and to go extra miles to donate and contribute back to the society in their own ways. Anyway let me remind my dear listerners that charity starts at home too.


Again in ushering each new year, we would often generally see acts of children seeking parental forgiveness and blessing.They are also taught to forgive others and forget grimances,celebrate in joy and rise to move on. I wish not to be offensive but how much do we undertsand these noble practices/teachings? OR are these merely cultural rituals in every households or mere social gestures that are commonly understood by earthly beings? Does the younger generation cheerish the scarifices made for them by their parents?


How about the love of a mother that goes miles to provide, protect and care for her children till they are grown up and successful? No matter how tiring or weary her life journey is, never a day has a mother groaned in her responsibilties . She only knows how to lie-if you ever notice that.


Have you ever wondered why? Sit back and let me share with you the story of WHY that I have heard along the way. For those who have had heard this story before, take time to reflect its relevancy in our present time and reach out to those lost ones while you still can .


" EIGHT LIES OF A MOTHER~

1.The story began when I was a child; I was born as a son of a poor family. Even for eating, we often got lack of food. Whenever the time for eating, mother often gave me her portion of rice. While she was removing her rice into my bowl, she would say "Eat this rice, son. I'm not hungry." That was Mother's First Lie


2.When I was growing up, the persevering mother gave her spare time for fishing in a river near our house, she hoped that from the fishes she got, she could gave me a little bit nutritious food for my growth. After fishing, she would cook the fishes to make a fresh fish soup, which raised my appetite. While I was eating the soup, mother would sit beside me and eat the rest of the fish meat which was still on the bone of the fish I ate. My heart was touched when I saw it. I then used my chopstick and gave the other fish to her. But she immediately refused it and said "Eat this fish, son. I don't really like fish." That was Mother's Second Lie.


3.Then, when I was in Junior High School, to fund my study, mother went to an economic enterprise to bring some used-matches boxes that would be stuck in. It gave her some money for covering our needs. As the winter came, I woke up from my sleep and looked at my mother who was still awoke, supported by a little candlelight and within her perseverance she continued the work of sticking some used-matches box. I said, "Mother, go to sleep, it's late, tomorrow morning you still have to go for work. " Mother smiled and said "Go to sleep, dear. I'm not tired." That was Mother's Third Lie.


4.At the time of final term, mother asked for a leave from her work in order to accompany me. While the day light was rising and the heat of the sun was starting to get hotter, the strong and persevering mother waited for me under the heat of the sun's shine for several hours. As the bell rang, which indicated that the final exam had finished, mother immediately greeted me and poured me a glass of tea that she had prepared before in a cold bottle. The very thick tea was not as thick as my mother's love, which was much thicker. Seeing my mother covering with perspiration, I at once gave her my glass and asked her to drink too. Mother said "Drink, son. I'm not thirsty!". That was Mother's Fourth Lie.


5.After the death of my father,he died because of illness, my poor mother had to play her role as a single parent. By holding on her former job, she had to fund our needs alone. Our family's life was more difficult. No days without sufferance. Seeing our family's condition that was getting worse, there was a nice uncle who lived near my house came to help us, either in a big problem and a small problem. Our other neighbors who lived next to us saw that our family's life was so unfortunate, they often advised my mother to marry again. But mother, who was stubborn, didn't bother with their advice, she said "I don't need love." That was Mother's Fifth Lie.


6.After I had finished my study and then to get a job, it was the time for my old mother to retire. But she didn't want to; she insisted to go to the marketplace every morning, just to sell some vegetable for fulfilling her needs. I, who worked in the other city, often sent her some money to help her in fulfilling her needs, but she was stubborn for not accepting the money. She even sent the money back to me. She said "I have enough money." That was Mother's Sixth Lie.


7.After graduated from Bachelor Degree, I then continued my study to Master Degree. I took the degree, which was funded by a company scholarship program, at a famous University in America . I finally worked in the company. With a quite high salary, I intended to take my mother to enjoy her life in America . But my lovely mother didn't want to bother her son, she said to me "I'm not used to." That was Mother's Seventh Lie.


8.After entering her old age, mother got a flank cancer and had to be hospitalized. I, who lived in miles away and across the ocean, directly went home to visit my dearest mother. She lied down in weakness on her bed after having an operation. Mother, who looked so old, was staring at me in deep yearn. She tried to spread her smile on her face; even it looked so stiff because of the disease she held out. It was clear enough to see how the disease broke my mother's body, thus she looked so weak and thin. I stared at my mother with tears flowing on my face. My heart was hurt, so hurt, seeing my mother on that condition. But mother, with her strength, said "Don't cry, my dear. I'm not in pain." That was Mother's Eight Lie.

After saying her eighth lie, She closed her eyes forever. "


Amazing mother`s love.How has this story touched you? Like an eagle, when given a chance we will soar up to great heights and often than not we forget our roots , origins and focus.We tend to forget our parents` great scarifices in the name of seeking greater success and comforts.


Likewise my dear listerners and friends, I hope to those who are on their festive rush home are not doing them as just merely cultural gestures or yearly affairs but to remember them as your filial responsibilities .


To those who have not done so well in life yet and choose to evade going home because of no or low budget, do remember parents yearn for your appearance and presence even in state of penniless and nobody.


To those who had never had time to go home because of work business or corporate commitments , do remember the wealth you already have in your hands can be a blessing to others and a reward for your parents` scarifices.


To those who had to withold their duties at their work place,do not despair for parents know best your scarifices. Even your voice in a distance is heard by them with great gratitude.


To those who choose to go for a holiday break with their spouse and children than returning home, do remember your parents` days on earth are numbered- cherish the sweet moments and memories left before they are gone.


Do you know the greatest gift to give for any festive season is your time and prayers. Let me quote and unquote this - ` The perfection in mum`s handsewn baju raya is not in her stitching . Its her love` - what a timely raya wishing from Petronas.

So what would you wish for in this festive season? As for me, I wish I would not see another generation whose places of worhsip are the shopping malls with their vision and mission to possess latest handphones, cars, fashion and ask of them not to dwell into any harmful lifetsyle or doings of any dimension. Whatever it may be, DO NOT be prayer-LESS or fear-LESS but more appreciative, remorse and thankful of who you are and what you have.

Let me leave you with some wise words:-

`We have taken things for granted too much that we stop/fail to apprecitae the sunrise and thank God for that. Let` s be thankful, celebrate and be grateful.`

`We can`t use illegitimate ways to get legitimate things. We complain, compare, covet and quarrelled till our hearts become numb. Eventually we lose the sense of wonder for the important things in life. Is this not worse than TERRORism?`

Have a blessed Raya to all my muslim listerners and Happy Holidays to others.

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