4/16/2010
The similarities in size and complexity of the domesticated pig’s genome as well as its chromosomal organization (2n-38, including meta and acrocentric chromosomes) to the human genome has endeared the Sus scrofa to be widely used as surrogate in experimental models in scientific test labs.
(Link: http://www.genome.gov/Pages/Research/Sequencing/SegProposals/PorcineSEQ921203.pdf)
The ears for example, have occasionally been used in in chemical weapons’ testing due to this similarities. A recent research in Holland by Christein Meindertsma had identified 185 different industrial uses for the parts.
It is widely used in the food industry, medical, hygiene and beauty products. A recent comment by University of Sydney Professor Simon Chapman referred to Christein’s finding on the use of pig’s haemoglobin in cigarette filters and the fact was not disclose by the tobacco companies
( link: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/cigarettes-may-contain-pigs-blood/story-e6freuyi-1225847538778)
What is more important, the findings by Christein noted that some companies in the supply chain claimed ignorance since the complex distribution process involve products without clear ingredient labels about their origin.
What this indicates is the complex structure of global food and processing industry which makes the detection of ingredients originating from pig a difficult task at best. In other industries such as weaponry and other non-consumables, tracing the existence of pig's by products have rarely even made the news.
This revelation has raised concerns for the vegetarians, vegans, Muslims, Jewish keeping kosher and others wishing to avoid pig products. It also has a major impact on Malaysia as an Islamic country that has been advocating and promoting the Halal concept rigorously.
Malaysia is actively developing the Halal market while practising an open market for foods import and this development brings forth a challenge to the ‘Halal’ labelling that has become the benchmark for consumers in Malaysia and abroad alike for Halal standards, particularly the use on imported products.
Jakim ,which is actively involved in issuing the Halal certificates
( link: http://www.halal.gov.my/maklumat_persijilan.php?PHPSESSID=13d86d8db797b55938798b8284499d5a)
has been actively taking steps to ensure the integrity of the certification process. Jakim ‘s effort is further fortified by the existence of the other concerned NGO such as the Persatuan pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM)
(link: http://www.muslimconsumer.org.my/ppim/page.php?10),
and other consumer groups such as the Consumer Association of Penang (CAP) which conducted their own research on the topics as well.
Jakim and the whole certification process, while fulfilling the needs of Muslim consumers to identify Halal products and processes, must be equipped and updated with cutting edge technologies to help the advocacy position at global level. Looking at the technological development of Halal concept in Malaysia, numerous research initiatives have been undertaken to support the development of the market.
A very relevant and timely initiative has been taken by a group of researchers led by Prof. Yaakob Che Man and his team from the Universiti Pertanian Malaysia’s Institut Penyelidikan Halal. The end product appropriately named the Halal Detection Kit has been developed to help detection to be done on site. For further information contact Professor Yaakob at yaakobcm@gmail.com
Perhaps it is time to explore the identification and tagging program to include non-food products as well. The newly developed kit as well as Malaysia's experience in developing Halal Food Industry would provide valuable insights in building a similar identification system in other industries.
4/15/2010
A 7.7 magnitude(M) earthquake strike at Pulau Banyak, Indonesia again in the early morning of Wednesday 7th April 2010. It wasn’t an isolated incident, as Indonesia is located on the Pacific Ocean’s “Ring Of Fire”, where continental plates meet and move to create conditions of frequent earthquakes and volcanoes. The last earthquake is the latest in a sequence of large ruptures along the Sunda megathrusts, which included two M 7.4 quakes beneath Simeulue in 2002 and 2008, a M 9.1 quake in Aceh in December 2004 that triggered the tsunami that killed more than 200,000 people, a M 8.5 quake in 2007, and a M 7.5 quake that shook Padang in 2009.
Although no damage, injuries and casualties were reported, it triggered off tsunami watch for local tsunamis by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, a call that was adopted by Malaysia and Thailand. This warning was cancelled after two hours after affirmation that a widespread destructive tsunami was not expected. The full story can be found on US Geological Survey website or read http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2010/04/usgs-78-earthquake-strikes-sumatra-tsunami-watch-in-effect.html Although the center of the quake lies approximately 320 miles west of Kuala Lumpur, the tremors of the aftershock was felt in a number of places in Malaysia, including certain areas of Penang and Kuala Lumpur. This was widely reported in the media in the previous quakes by occupants of high rise buildings in Puchong, Selangor and Penang. Even Putrajaya was not spared from experiencing the tremor. Malaysia can expect this experience to repeat again in the future. This brought forward the question of Malaysia’s readiness in mitigating the impacts of a future catastrophic quakes hitting Sumatra. Perhaps further analysis of the issue should be explored. The eventual action plan, a small measure or otherwise, would put Malaysia as proactive in handling its ERP. Malaysia could identify the ‘hotspots’ that needed special attention – especially involving low to medium costs high-rise buildings. It is a good practise to know whether repetitive minor tremors render the buildings susceptible to damage under strains of major aftershocks. Does it need an anti seismic building technology to minimize the effects of the shocks? Should the ‘tremor prone’ areas be identified as such, to enable the surrounding infrastructure and the public support system prepared to overcome problems arising from the aftershocks? Can an aftershock cause movement of the earth to the point of triggering off a landslide similar to the one hitting Bukit Antarabangsa, Ulu Klang? If the aftershock warning program is readily available, how should the public media start an awareness campaign to publicise it? (Some info on handling earthquake: http://www.earthquakecountry.info/roots/seven_steps.html) Normally the world should expect 18 quakes every year at the magnitude of 7.0 and above, with lowest years in 1986 and 1990 with 6-7 events/year and the highs in 1970, 1971 and 1992 with 20-23 events/ year. Although specific prediction on quakes cannot be made, most large earthquakes occur around the margins of Ring of Fire. (http://www.geophys.washington.edu/SEIS/PNSN/INFO_GENERAL/eq_prediction.html) So far Malaysia has been a helpful neighbour to Sumatra every time the quake hit the island. From Aceh to Padang, Malaysians helped their families, friends, and another human being to get back their lives after the traumatic experience. Except for the Tsunami that hit Kedah, Penang, Selangor and some parts of Perak in 2004, Malaysia has been lucky to escape major damage from the aftershocks. But it had happened, and being in the Ring of Fire with method of predicting the quakes yet to be discovered, Malaysia should plan ahead to avoid the trauma experienced by those caught unaware by the earthquake and its aftershocks.
Malaysia’s plan to join the global fraternity of countries building healthy ‘Green Cities’ is a commendable and timely measure. With the wealth of bio-diversity and other natural resources that positions Malaysia in ‘organic’ advantage compared to some other countries that have joined this bandwagon, it is a natural expectation to see this effort to grow at exponential levels. The cost of installation for such systems requires high initial investment either by the government or by private investors. This has brought about comments on the systems concerning the costs, the return on investment, the efficiency, the use of technology, the fit with the local environment etc. Malaysia could benefit by learning from these suggestions in its quest for the best system to be implemented in the Green Cities program. The Solar lights commonly use LED lighting system which helps to cut down carbon emission. If the light levels are lower than the present rate in the cities, it will also help reduce the light pollution that reduce human eyes’ ability to see the stars, the milky way and the moon – something that is well understood by the those interested in stargazing. Aesthetics as well as the technical composition have been emphasized in applying the Green Cities’ concept throughout these cities. The design and the positioning of the structures serve to accentuate the attractiveness of these cities, particularly the solar panels’ structures. Some of the the results can even be categorized in a class of its own, such as the one designed by the Grant Associates which won International accolade for the Marina South, Singapore .
The 54 hectare garden in Marina South, Singapore is billed as the heart of Singapore’s Garden City. It boasts the conservatory complex that allows visitors to enjoy flowers from around the world in a cool environment. The structures above, standing from 30 to 50 metres are appropriately called “Super Trees” that will be the engine room for the conservatory system by providing shades during the day while providing renewable energy (solar) lights at night.
For the city of Vienna, designer Ross Lovegrove created the solar powered street lighting system dubbed “Solar Tree” that went on for the first time on October 8, 2007. This system passed the test by providing enough light even when there was no sunlight in Vienna for 4 days in a row.
Ross Loveglove later created the Solar Mallee Trees (named after a eucalyptus plant for the city of Adelaide, Australia.
Iran is also very serious in developing Green Living Space by leveraging the advantage afforded by its hot climate and the clear sky. Iran has built an expansive solar power farm that utilizes the CSP process, whereby a parabolic mirror is positioned to maximize reflection towards a tube of water which in turn will create steam that generates electricity. (http://keetsa.com/blog/eco-friendly/iran-gets-its-first-solar-power-plant/) While Malaysia is not at the forefront in adopting these technologies, it has the advantage of learning from those who have. This is especially true as the technology is still developing at a fast rate. The panels are getting smaller, are utilizing new materials, are integrating new concepts, are becoming modular and flexible which will enable Malaysia to calculate the cost benefit ratio better. By working with a more advance partner nations that share interests in promoting ‘Green Environment’, Malaysia may also benefit from synergy that goes beyond commercialization. 4/5/2010
Every year institutions and industries will try to predict the emerging technologies that create the biggest impact on the future of identified human lives. However, the emergence of new information would sometimes force these forecasts to be amended in order to incorporate the unexpected development. The effectiveness of the forecast is highly dependent on the methods as well as on how the unexpected and uncontrollable ‘Black Swans’ events are treated in the perimeters.
At the end of day, these are tools, and how an organization incorporates the changes can provide interesting perspectives about its resilience; an analysis that may require a lengthy discussion! The environment though, will always play a critical factor, such as the economic cycle. For many industries, recessions are the time when R&D investments on technologies to take center stage in managing the accompanying changes and challenges. More often than not, when markets and prosperity return, technology never return in the form that they went away.
Maybe that’s why we have Museums.
Having said that, it is interesting to consolidate some of these predictions, a sampling - albeit 4 months past the start date of 2010, and to try to review them after four months to see if any or all of them will show indications about being permanent trends. It is interesting to note that while we are talking about technology trends, many are interdisciplinary and rally around the quality of human lives.
Despite of our limited knowledge on these technologies, some of them are probably still being tested in the labs. And just in case, if you think they got nothing to do with you, think again when using shrinking-sized handphones, nanotechnology cosmetics or finding your route using the GPS system. You are inside the matrix.
Let us start by examining the overall trend as predicted by the Massachusett’s Institute of Technology (MIT)’s online publication Technology Review:
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TECHNOLOGY |
WHAT IS THAT? |
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Peering Into Video’s Future |
Peer-to-peer network to save the Internet from drowning in digital video
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Nanocharging Solar |
Quantum-dot solar power could increase output of low cost photovoltaics
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Invisible Revolution |
Artificially structured metamaterials could transform telecommunications, data storage, and even solar energy
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Personalize Medical Monitors |
Automation of medical diagnostics.
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Single-Cell Analysis |
Detecting minute differences between individual cells could improve medical tests and treatments.
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A new Focus on Light. |
Light-focusing optical antennas that could lead to DVDs hundreds of movies.
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Neuron Control |
Genetically engineered ‘Light switch’ lets scientists turn selected parts of the brain on and off, may help improve treatments for depression and other disorders.
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Nanohealing |
Tiny fibers saving live by stopping bleeding and aiding recovery from brain injury.
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Digital Imaging, Reimagined |
Compressive sensing could help devices such as cameras and medical scanners capture images more efficiently.
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Augmented Reality |
Superimposing the digital world on the real world.
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From the blogosphere, the 2020 Science Blog defined synergistic convergence between different areas of knowledge and expertise as a mega trend besides identifying the 10 Emerging Technology Trends as:
- Geoengineering
- Smartgrids
- Radical materials
- Synthetic biology (engineering DNA)
- Personal genomics
- Bio-interfaces
- Data-interfaces
- Solar power
- Nootropics (drugs that enhance cognitive ability)
- Cosmeceuticals (cosmetics that also deliver drugs)
[ Ballmer thinks the future areas of exploration include smart displays, better human-computer interaction and software will have impact on the future of energy, environmental science and other fields. ] | Meanwhile, Steve Ballmer, the CEO of Microsoft, on May 26th, 2009, opined that there will be more great technology companies to be created and the only certainty about technology is its dynamism, while the names and the players would always changing. He was providing an input from the Information Technology viewpoint.
IBM listed their forecast of life changing innovations the next five years: ( http://www.ibm.com) that include:
Ø Built-in, affordable energy saving solar technology with the creation of lower cost thin-film cells
Ø Genetic mapping that will radically transform healthcare based on specific DNA
Ø “Talking” to the web through “VoiceSites” that will enable those who can’t read and write to benefit from the web
Ø Personal digital Shopping Assistants
Ø Forgetting will become a distant memory
Meanwhile, the 2009 HORIZON REPORT, looking at innovation from the education and mainstream culture, manages the emerging technology in three time horizon –
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TIME HORIZON |
TECHNOLOGY |
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within the next year:
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Ø Mobiles
Ø cloud computing (large scale “data-farm”) – large clusters of networked servers - |
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within 2-3 years
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Ø Geo-everything – geo-coded data
Ø personal web - managing online content
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4-5 years.
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Ø Semantic-aware applications - using tools that can simply gather context to provide new ways of finding and aggregating content.
Ø smart objects - Technology that allow ordinary objects to “know” itself – such as RFID, QR codes, smartcards, touch and motion sensors etc – on a wider applications.
| 3/30/2010
AGENDA FOR CHANGE.
A DEFINING MOMENT FOR MALAYSIA.
REFORM.
CRITICAL JUNCTURE FOR MALAYSIA.
THE HISTORY VERSUS THE FUTURE.
COURAGE.
MOMENTOUS JOURNEY.
DIVESTMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTERESTS.
PRIVATIZATION.
PRIVATE SECTOR-DRIVEN GROWTH, GOVERNMENT AS FACILITATOR.
THOROUGH CONSULTATION WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS.
STRATEGISTS TO CREATE HIGH VALUE AND DEVELOP DENSITY FOR CITIES.
CLUSTERS.
DIRECT INVESTMENTS FOR GLCS.
CORPORATIZATION AND REBRANDING OF MIDA AS MALAYSIA INVESTMENT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.
CATALYTIC COALITION.
RECALIBRATION.
A NEW INCLUSIVE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION - TO BE BASED ON NEEDS OF THE 40% LOWEST INCOME OF THE SOCIETY.
It was clear to all that the Prime Minister was serious about taking Malaysia into a new realm of economic development aptly named the "New Economic Model", (NEM). Again and again, he reiterated the consultative manner of developing this model by referring to the backbone of the thinking process - the NEAC or the National Economic Advisory Council, a set up of 10 members led by Tan Sri Amirsham A Aziz, and includes MIGHT's Joint Chairman for Government sector, Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak.
The three basic principles for the transformation are:
HIGH INCOME
SUSTAINABILITY
INCLUSIVENESS
The model, yet to be digested fully by the public, and is being debated and discussed in many circles, thrives on 'transformation'; one of the four pillars crafted by the government to drive change. The NEM will be achieved through Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) which in turn in driven by 8 Strategic Reform Initiatives (SRIs) as the basis to form relvant policy measures. The other 2 pillars - 1Malaysia and The Government Transformation Programme through NKRAs was lauched in the past year, while the last, 10th Malaysia Plan 2011-2015 will be unveiled later this year.
The Prime Minster also reaffirms Malaysia's commitment to move forward through the development of the Human Capital and Innovation, which will definitely affect the present industries. He warned that some industries will be facing adverse consequences from the new model, but invited all to look at new industries as oppportunities and to alleviate the burden of having to depend on very select industries for the country's growth. To lead by example, the government has started initiatives to divest Khazanah's investments in Malaysia's blue chips companies including Tenaga Nasional and ASTRO.
Malaysia's plan to increase the per capita income of USD7000 to USD15,000 will require a high income economic model, and will require a massive upgrading of skills and knowledge of the people through among others, continuous reskilling programmes, On The Job Training (OJT) and multi skilling of the workforce.
To conclude his remarks, the Prime Minister reminded the listeners that Malaysia is at a critical juncture, and that the New Economic Model is more than a meer economic goal or simply being richer. The quality of life of the people will share the centerstage in the form of narrowing inequalities, with everybody sharing the increased in national wealth equitably and no one is left out in contributing and sharing the economy.
MALAYSIA MUST HAVE THE COURAGE TO MAKE THIS PARADIGM SHIFT TO BUILD A NEW FUTURE FOR NEXT GENERATION.
3/29/2010
(For Self assessment visit: http://1-innocert.innoxchange.my)
1. What’s your company’s innovation level? If you want to improve this capability, you need to know where to focus your efforts by identifying your biggest gaps in creative innovation. And this is where the 1-innoCERT Innovation Audit program can help. The audit allows you to see if your perception of the company matches with how others perceive you.
2. Embedding innovation in the organization’s processes and culture.
3. Your company will be one of the pioneers of this certification program, which has been designed to coincide with the Malaysia Inovatif 2010. As pioneers, you will have the competitive advantage of being in the early list of companies to be considered for the fast track program, and for other program that refers to the database on innovation certified companies of Malaysia.
4 Small And Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysian stand a chance to win RM1.8 Million worth of cash prizes at the SME Innovation Award 2010 based on their innovation capabilities. Top Prize Award for the most innovative SME will receive RM1,000,000.00 and the top for four categories - Manufacturing, Services, Agriculture sectors, Packaging & Design and Green Technology & Energy Efficiency - will be awarded RM200,000.00 each.
5. The purpose of 1-InnoCERT is to recognize and certify innovative enterprises & SMEs and to foster them in becoming profitable global ‘blue chip’ companies through Fast Track privileges. The programme has two distinct components;
i) Innovation Certification program for innovative companies
ii) “Fast Track Program” privileges to support the growth of 1-InnoCERT certified innovative companies.
6. The Prime Minister of Malaysia will present the awards which will be held in conjunction with “SMIDEX 2010 Showcase” scheduled on 1-3 June 2010 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (KLCC). The first 100 companies scoring above 700 for the on-site audit will get a FREE exhibition booth for their products at this event.
7. Like any standards, such as ISO program, which has gained worldwide acceptance, Malaysia’s Innovation certification program, which is based on Korean framework would automatically brand the successful companies into a standard that is recognized at an international standard – and being an innovation program – your presence as the pioneer group speaks well for your company!
So wait no more and take the first step by doing a self assessment innovation audit at http://1-innocert.innoxchange.my to be considered as the pioneering group of 1-innoCERT company. 3/26/2010
By Mastura Ishak, MiGHT
Governments and politicians alike have noted that the aerial view of the earth record shows an alarming trend of deforestation. A closer look at the arctic ice is melting at a faster rate and has opened up new Arctic route for ships – seen as a disaster by some and a boon for those who appreciate an alternative sea route linking the Americas, Europe and Asia. Extreme weathers – linked to global warming by some scientists and doubted by others – have become more common.
One thing for certain, the concern and demand for a greener earth with a sustainable growth pattern have grown stronger and in many countries have touch base with the roots of societies. In Sydney, Australia, in 2007, 2.2 million homes and businesses turned their lights off for one hour to show their concern for climate change. It was the beginning of the Earth Hour, an initiative led by World Wide Fund for nature (WWF) (www.earthhour.org), and a year later, it became a global sustainability movement and more than 50 million people across 35 countries, including Malaysia, joined in to turn off their light for an hour at 8.30 pm local time. In 2009, more than 4,000 cities in 88 countries participated.
EARTH HOUR is here again – 8.30 pm, Saturday, 27th March 2010 as a reminder for all individuals, businesses and communities all around the world that the clock is ticking for everyone to realize that every person is responsible for it!
In Malaysia, TV stations are joining hands with corporations such as Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia to promote the public’s environmental awareness. Here are some of the things you can do to make it memorable!
1. Document the celebration and share your e- ‘scrap book’ with others. The time you switch on your lights again maybe the time your friend from other time zones switch off theirs – so watch the global movement of switching off the light!
2. Explore the outdoor.
3. Do a group environmental clean-up program for your area.
4. Involve local leaders to set up green communities.
5. Enjoy the hour with your family and friends without any electrical ‘noise’
6. Don’t forget to switch off your lights and electronic gadgets before going to sleep!
7. Make a pledge for an energy makeover. Reduce usage, or use energy efficient methods, walk, use public transport and find out more ways to make earth greener and cleaner.
Understand that EARTH HOUR does not end at 9.30pm. It is the beginning of a personal pledge to become more environmental friendly person, while saving on the cost of electricity and carbon emission!
HAPPY EARTH HOUR!
3/24/2010
As the world leans towards renewable energy, the power of solar has been touted as one of the most likely method to lead this energy evolution. Malaysia is no exception in managing its energy resources, whereby SOLAR ENERGY is seen to be in the forefront in this shift.
Before we go further on the strategic plans as nation, it is interesting to see the latest designs of solar power usage in the society at large, mostly to the power human lives as the end users.
Much of the present graphical presentation of solar panels are shown as what else but flat squarish/rectangular panels. And unless solar panels are integrated into your building at the time the building is built, they can look pretty obtrusive and awkward, especially for existing building. A Brooklyn based sustainable design start-up company SMIT has come up with solar panels that look (from a distance) like the ivy plant. The group is very close to finalizing solar ivy for commercial use and maybe they are looking for you if you’d like to invest money! Besides looking good, it can be used on walls which give you a huge advantage - such as a multi storey buildings where the wall space becomes greater than the roof space (which is often taken up by mechanicals, skylights, or decks).
This artificial “power plant” looks like a normal living houseplant. Perhaps perfect for those who like low maintenance plants. The aim of the project is to create super thin solar cell that could eventually be used in all sorts of everyday products from windows to outdoor furniture. Just make sure NOT to water this plant!
This tie has built-in solar panels in the front and a gadget pocket in the rear to hold your phone or iPod etc. The solar panels are actually photovoltaic textiles that look much like regular fabric. Errr..I will call you when I need to recharge my handphone alright!
The Solar Vertical Lamp look like standard vertical blinds but on the backside are solar panels. During the day, the blinds block the sunlight while charging up. At night with the blinds closed, the embedded LED lights in different lamp-like shapes use the power they’ve collected during the day to light themselves up at night. Interesting!
This lamp is powered solely by the minute trickle of electricity from your telephone socket (RJ11 jacks) – that’s almost FREE ELECTRICITY! The lamp has 8 LED lights in its top. There is no other way to plug it ini other than your telephone jack. I am not certain if it is presently available in Malaysia. Unlike the before before it, this is like a ‘cheat sheet’ for electricity that can be easily derived from solar energy due to the minimal amount required.
Again, these inventions are probably not available yet in Malaysia. Nonetheless, the government has voiced strong commitments towards developing green technology, which include the solar energy for the country. Applications such as these could inspire local developers of solar energy to imagine and create other new applications that aim to fulfil the needs of society on a minimal usage cost basis.
Many strategic plans on solar energy revolve around producing electricity on large scale – something that needs rethinking perhaps as Malaysia moves forward into a world trend that value miniaturization. While on the subject of power generation, the trend for the nuclear plants is to become smaller while getting more efficient, so who is to say that electricity generation can’t move the same way too?
Innovate in the are of green technology and get support for your idea. The government has prepared the platform. Check out the Green Technology Financing Scheme under KeTTHA.
Oh, I am looking forward to a fantastic fan-tan using cheap solar power!
By Mastura Ishak, MIGHt
I always hold the view that in order to understand how others see us, we must understand ourselves first. And that holds true too when looking at ourselves as a country.
Malaysia has had the luck of gaining its independence without shedding blood through war in 1957.- and that may have set the underlying culture of all things Malaysians – whenever possible, be pragmatic and find the least conflicting position. As the country began absorbing more cosmopolitan life, with technological changes throughout the world transforming the masses - many began to experience ‘new lifestyles’ associated with these technological advancement
If anything, the 1970s were marked with the introduction of television – previously a sign of prosperity in a village life where communities congregate to watch the black and white tv. With the advent of technology, colour tv began to be introduced in the 70s that catered to the mass market. Malaysia was developing its electronics market anyway, and Penang was the center. Television and later video had certainly changed the way the perception of the senses. It was a bi-sensory technology - one could see as well as listen. Isolation became a choice for couch potatoes, while football nights unite friends like nothing else could!
Some of these development, when looked at macro level, have had major impact that created ‘derivative changes’. Take the development of the highway system for example.It defined the development of the 1980s in Malaysia. Prior to 1970’s, the word ‘expressway’ was a word in a dictionary. Originally, the road linking the West and the East coast of Peninsula Malaysia was a single lane scenic road that snaked through the Titiwangsa Range; more than 5 hours were needed for KL –Kuantan journey. Then came the Karak Highway with its impressive tunnel. In contrast, with the latest addition of KL-Kuantan highway, now one can easily reach Kuantan within 2 ½ hours!
When the national expressway better known as Projek Lebuhraya Utara Selatan(PLUS) came into existence beginning with KL-Seremban stretch in 1982, Malaysia was changed forever, as the routes opened up communications and shortened journeys, and hence changed the travel pattern of the people in the country. Travel from Singapore to Thailand on the roads become possible within a day, and transportation pattern of goods on land changed as new routes allow for deliveries to areas that were not possible before. New townships began to spruce up around the routes, and older towns that used to be main pit stops for travellers were relegated as ‘quaint towns’ as they lost out to the highway systems. Travelling time became the benchmark, the cost of transportation changed, and privatization of the highway put the expectation of continuous upgrading of highway system as a foregone conclusion.
Certainly there were many innovations that had changed the country, but one of the more powerful changes were brought about by the mainstreaming of computer use. 1990s was the beginning of its widespread use, and word like “Plaza Imbi” - a shopping complex known for computer equipments and later software became a society buzzword. Computers, emails that were previously in the turf of corporations and academia were by then brought down to the everyday people. It took a longer time to go beyond the green screen, but hey, it was done!
Now compare that to the generation that texts on their mobile phone AS WELL AS connecting online at the same time now, certainly the personal communications technology has come a long way. With the introduction of internet and the mobilephone, the digital information or better known as the information superhighway changed the personal definition of the world. Information that used to be available in hardcovered books halfway across the world is suddenly available at one’s fingertips, as are knowledge and gossips.
Maybe in a slightly different dimension, the introduction of AirAsia in the year 2002 had also revolutionize the transportation patterns of Malaysian again! And this time the Malaysian-born airway even managed to make flying an affordable alternative for mainstream South East Asia.
It is said that with every new technology or innovation that emerged, there probably are other effects that needed to be managed, mitigated or discarded for the destructive results; and in some instances, such as television and the internet brought about a paradoxical sense of isolation. This again depends on how much control we have on the trends of the technologies and innovations, or that they are necessary for the next level of development for the country. 3/22/2010
Certify your company now before 31st March 2010!
Innovation certification is the way forward in positioning your company in international market, and has accorded many companies in advance countries the much needed competitive advantage when competing with global industry giants. Let it be known that you are residing in Malaysia, and striving to be at the forefront of innovation by certifying your company with Malaysia’s own 1-innoCERT.
Further to our earlier announcement on the launching of the “SME Innovation Award 2010” in conjunction with “SMIDEX 2010 Innovation Showcase” which will be held on 1st – 3rd June 2010, you are invited to attend the following event:
3RD BRIEFING ON THE INNOVATION AWARD AND INNOVATION SHOWCASE:
Date: 22 March 2010 (Monday)
Venue: SME Corp, 20th Floor, MATRADE Building
(register with innocert@smecorp.gov.my).
The top 100 companies who have participated in the Innovation Assessment at www.1-innnocert.my and have scored the highest Innovation Rating Index will be invited to participate in the Innovation Showcase at the KL Convention Centre with FREE Exhibition Space/Booth.
The objective of this Award is to highlight and recognise Malaysia’s innovative companies in six categories. The Top Most Innovative SME will be awarded a grand prized of RM1 Million in cash, and additional RM200,000 to be awarded to the most innovative SME in six sectors (Manufacturing, Non-Manufacturing/Services, Packaging and Design, Green Technology/Energy Efficiency, Agriculture, and Halal. The Award will be presented by YAB Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Register now! |
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