Example 1: H1N1 OUTBREAK

H1N1 is defined as an infectious disease caused by a newly emerged virus strain. This new strain emerged from the mutation of genes found in the influenza virus of pigs, aviaries and humans. The first outbreak was reported in Mexico and the United States of America in April 2009.During the course of this outbreak, it has spread to all over the world, including Malaysia. Highly contagious, it spreads through the act of sneezing and coughing of carriers and H1N1 patients.However, the virus is not contagious from infected pigs to humans. Those who are suspected to have H1N1 symptoms are strongly advised to see the doctor immediately. Avoid the spread of the virus to others; this can be done by covering the mouth with a tissue with every cough or sneeze. It also advised that patients wash their hands frequently to prevent contagions from spreading through items that they are physically in contact with. H1N1 patients are also advised to quarantine themselves in their homes and limit their interaction with other people. They are strongly advised to not be within areas of heavy human traffic and crowds as this causes the virus to spread and infect others easily. Furthermore, usage of public transportation is also not encouraged. The virus can infect others within several days for a full grown adult, and much longer for children. Advice to the public includes to live a healthy way of life, be aware of the outbreak and how to avoid getting infected. This includes avoiding crowded areas, keeping a distance from those who sneezes or coughs, and also maintain a good hygiene. Last but not least, avoid physical contact with potential H1N1 victims, especially around the face. To date, there is no cure or vaccine that is regarded as effective. Existing antiviral treatments do not give protection as effective as a vaccine. Therefore, in conclusion, precautionary steps must be taken by all parties to prevent the H1N1 virus from spreading. Cooperation from all members of the public is paramount.

Example 2: LANDSLIDE
The latest landslide incident was reported to have occurred on the 6th of November, 2008 at Taman Bukit Mewah, Bukit Antarabangsa, Kuala Lumpur. It claimed four lives, injured fourteen people and buried fourteen bungalows. This was reported to be the third occurrence within the same area after Highland Tower on the 11th December, 1993 and Taman Hill View on the 20th of November, 2002. Effects of these occurrences were simply numerous. The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) was accused of not carrying out their duties in ensuring the safety of the affected area. The incident also spurred the area to become a stage of political stunts. Fines and lawsuits were made between the residents, developers and authorities. The numerous drawbacks which have occurred resulting from this landslide caused the value of homes within the immediate area to drop (in terms of both the selling price and the average rent). Many factors were suspected to have caused such a tragedy. Among the most obvious reason is the fact that those responsible simply failed to learn from past occurrences within the area. The existence of certain groups of people who disregard the issue of safety further obviates their own vital interests. The area was regarded to have privacy, making it a hot spot in the real estate and property market. With such high demands, a lot of residential development took place within the area. It is important to avoid further incidents of landslides. As a start, the awareness of property owners or those looking to invest in properties must consider numerous factors. This includes the geographic features, the steepness of the area as well as the safety measures implemented for living in such areas. This would help reduce the risk of property owners from making the wrong investment that would prove to be more of a liability if they invest in property within volatile areas. Numerous acts were enacted and laws were already ratified to further reduce the risk of landslides. These included the Land Conservation Act 1960, The Environmental Quality Act (EQA) 1974 and the National Forestry Act 1984. These acts and laws and regulation

contained within them must be further enforced by both federal and state authorities. In addition, the integrity of developers and government authorities must be improved. In truth, the occurrence of landslides is a result of human activity; therefore human beings must take action to avoid further occurrences.

Example 3: 1MALAYSIA
Introduced by the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia on the 3rd of April, 2009 as continuation from the ideas of the first Prime Minister. The following was a statement which defined the One Malaysia Concept: We stand, we think and we act as Malaysians. And we take actions based on the needs of all ethnic groups in our country. This doesnt mean that we marginalized affirmative action, which is the policy to help Bumiputeras as long as the policy is executed fairly and due consideration is given to Bumiputeras who qualify to get a certain consideration from the government. We venture out of acting within the ethnic walls which was practiced for a long time. This concept is defined through the prioritizing the needs of the people first, people from all layers of the society. It ensures the share of equal benefits and no discrimination. It does not dismiss or revoke the development of Bumiputeras in any way. In fact, the people and the country they live in should achieve a state of recognition. The constitution and the National Principles (Rukunegara) becomes the core as it embraces the society as one reality. Furthermore, the people has rights and responsibilities for their country: Malaysia. The objective of One Malaysia is to restructure the peoples unity and the Malaysian society (national unity) while improving the values and quality of peace and prosperity of life in Malaysia. It breathes a new spirit in a new organization to serve the country that should one way of thinking and one spirit based on the spirit of the Federal Constitution. The One Malaysia concept is also revolved around the vision to form an industrious nation and account for the needs of the people regardless of their race or religion. It is to prepare the people of the nation to face any challenges

and factors which can threaten and destroy the nation, whether its foreign or domestic. The strategy is simple; people first and achievement now. The first strategy is defined as such to put the interests of the people above all else. Achievements are strongly encouraged with the drive to achieve any goals. The impacts of such an excellent outcome which will only result in increased benefits for the people of Malaysia as a whole, without anyone being left out from the countrys development. In conclusion, this concept deserves a warm welcome by all Malaysians and must be embraced as such that it would drive the people and country forward. It must be further translated in the form of action to give a positive outcome for the people.

Example 4: PRICE HIKE

A lot of people would complain whenever there is an increase in price for goods that they require. This further increases the costs of living expenses. A lot of reasons were given by shop owners and resellers to a point that the end consumers dont really have any say or any power at all to control the price hike of goods. This is detrimental to the overall stability of the country. Price hikes are one of the main factors causing aggravation of the current populace, causing political and socio-economic instability. With costs of living further increased, the crime rate would also increase. This is due to the rising poverty rate as people simply cant afford to buy goods that they require for living. In the long run, price hike would simply result in famine. The soaring prices of numerous vital goods have been attributed by numerous factors. This includes the rising costs of fuel sources. As fuel prices increase, so does the overall production and transportation costs. Greediness of business owners is also a factor. As an example, even with the reduced fuel prices imposed by the government, the prices of goods remain at an all time high. Furthermore, some consumes insist on buying the same type (or brand) of certain goods despite the higher price. Another cause for concern is the lack of emphasis for this country to produce to its own food source. This is

apparent as a significant amount of food stuffs and goods are still imported and not produced in-house. There are a few suggestions that can be considered in order to curb the effects of price hikes on the society. This includes the distribution of good money management skills among consumers, as they must learn to spend wisely to avoid unnecessary waste of money. Another way to solve this is by optimum use of land, allocating areas of high potential and fertility for the use of agriculture. In addition, steps should be taken to popularize the career of agriculture and farming which can generate a good source of income. As a precaution, international trade agreements must be made to cooperation between countries to reduce the import duty, which will help reduce the price hike of imported goods. In conclusion, the rise of prices for any goods or services is difficult to avoid. However the effects of it can be reduced if consumers are thrifty and savvy in managing their spending habits. Besides the consumers, the responsible parties must also take part and do whatever necessary to curb the price hike and help control the market situation.

Example 5: ROAD SAFETY

The total number of deaths and injuries due to road accidents increases year after year despite numerous campaigns held in order to curb the situation. Effects arising from road accidents include loss of life which results in loss of human resource to a certain extent. It also causes damage to property. The rise in the number of road accidents reflects on the safety of one of Malaysias main medium of transportation. This reflects the countrys image which in turn affects our tourism industry, an important source of our countrys gross income. Human factors has always been the center of blame and fault when it comes to road accidents. Carelessness resulting from various factors including pressure, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and also the act of doing something else like talking on a mobile phone or text messaging is often the cause. Another human factor which leads to accidents is the tendency to speed on the road. Whether its to get to a destination on time or to boast a

cars power and size, speeding is simply an act portraying the disregard of human life. Another factor is the road condition themselves. Although access to expressways and interstate highways are present, traffic builds up easily, causing major congestions, especially during festive seasons. The overall quality of road systems in some parts of this country is still considered poor. As for the vehicles themselves, some are not properly inspected and regularly maintain. Whats worse, many car owners make excessive modifications not according to road safety rules and specifications. Furthermore the lack of road safety and traffic enforcement has always been another factor to blame. Road safety should be improved by shaping the human factor at various levels, including road safety education at schools, driving school and learning centers, and also through the media campaigns. New laws and road safety regulations should be drafted and enforced. In addition, road transportation management should be researched and revised wherever necessary. Upgrading of the current road systems and utilities should also be considered. This includes and overhead bridge for pedestrians, maintenance and calibration of traffic lights and also the repair and maintenance of damaged roads and improvement of old roads. To achieve this, the contractors involved in road construction, maintenance and repair must be monitored and accounted for. Vehicles must undergo regular inspection, whether its a commercial truck, lorry or a private owners car. Such practices must be encouraged, especially before long travelling periods during the festive season for example. Commercial vehicles should go through periodic maintenance and servicing. To complement all that, enforcement of road safety and traffic regulations is a must. As a conclusion, the awareness and cooperation of all parties is required in order to curb the problem of road accidents. This will help reduce road fatalities, unnecessary damage to property and helps portray Malaysians as civilized people responsible on the road.

Example 6: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

There are many signs that indicate environmental degradation. This includes unpredictable changes, thinning of ozone layer, green house effects, global warming, air

pollution and also polluted water source filled with toxic substances. The cause of environmental degradation is clear, and steps must be taken to mitigate such environmental impacts. This can be done by educating the younger generation as well as the public to be aware of the importance of environmental quality. Recycling should be encouraged as a common practice for all parties, domestic and commercial alike from households to factories. Use of plastic bottles should also be reduced as it is non-biodegradable and detrimental to the environment. For that matter, use of plastic bags should also be avoided. Disposal of waste should be done as such that it is burnt as an energy source at power production plants. It is also advised that the use of styrofoam as food containers be eliminated. Instead, restaurants and food stalls should use containers that which are made of plant components like palm fiber. In fact, stainless steel and glass should also be considered. For industrial and commercial use, packaging should be based materials such as paper or metals. All consumer goods should be environmental friendly. Disposal of waste items should be done at proper waste disposal sites and facilities. Neighborhoods and townships should practice gotong-royong (cooperation and involvement among people) regularly to clean up the environment they live in. Furthermore, any suspicious activity which may prove to be detrimental to the quality of environment is to be reported to the relevant authorities immediately. Last but not least, everyone must practice efficient use of natural resources by not wasting too much water or leaving unnecessary lights and equipments on. It is important that all parties, both the government and the public achieve a common state of awreness and understanding to conserve the environment. The attitude towards the environment must change in order for us to preserve our beloved natural resources.

Example 7: FOREIGN IMMIGRANTS

The existence of more than two million foreign immigrants (both legal and illegal) causes major concern of certain parties in the nation. The labor sector for example is monopolized by foreign workers including construction works, house maids, production lines, field work, agriculture

and services. The increasing number of incoming immigrants implicates many things. On the positive side, there are benefits of having foreign laborers. Among the benefits of foreign labor is how cheap they are. With reduced labor costs, it will eventually result in lower production costs. Foreign laborers are also considered productive an efficient as they are known not to complain much. Furthermore, they are considered robust with their willingness to do a multitudes general works which are otherwise considered dirty, dangerous and require a great amount of strength. In addition, foreign workers are known to have contributed to the Nations development. They also help with the public elections. In the long run, foreign immigrants help with the diplomatic relations between countries. Despite all the benefits mentioned, foreign labor is known to cause a lot of problems. With general labor works and services being monopolized by foreign workers, the job market is severely limited for Malaysians to even consider. At times, proper documents are absent for these foreigners which results in numerous issues later on. Furthermore, a lot of foreign workers comprise of incompetent human resource, restricting them to only perform general works or typical labor i.e. cleaning. With the influx of immigrants, it is difficult to keep track; arising certain issues such as the laborers welfare, etc. are usually caught in disregard. This is evident with cases of physical abuse of foreign maids for example. Implications are further evident with the involvement of crime, prostitution and drug trafficking by foreign immigrants. Whats worse is the existence of middlemen, job agencies and corrupt government officials who are simply irresponsible with so many immigrants that are not accounted for. In conclusion, it can be said that the existence of foreign immigrants have its benefits and as well as downsides. However, the peace and prosperity of our nation must be well-balanced and maintained in order to address this issue.

Example 8: SNATCH THIEVES

The rise of snatch thieves and snatch victims is at an alarming rate. This is of major concern as snatch thieves are becoming more and more violent, where some cases are implicated with murder when victims die. Aside from the loss of valuable items and money, etc. snatch victims suffer serious injuries and trauma. Crimes such as snatch have numerous negative effects on our Nation. This includes the fear of tourists visiting Malaysia, as well as foreign investors. The Nations image is also at risk. This is further evident with people having fear to even go out to perform their routine work and daily activities. There are many causes of snatch cases. This includes the victims carelessness in going about walking in areas that are known to expose them to potential snatch thieves. The snatch thieves themselves are getting bolder with their intent to break the law. Making it worse is the fact that a significant number of snatch thieves are actually drug addicts, looking for quick money and easy cash in order to buy drugs. Among other causes of rising snatch cases are the rising rate of unemployment. This is further obviated with the economic slowdown. With increased costs of living, people end up resorting to unlawful means to get money in order to survive. Furthermore, the constant migration of people into cities provides more opportunities for snatch cases to occur. There are many ways to curb the serious problem of snatch thieves. For instance is the cooperation of the public to report any information that can help in the arrest of snatch thieves. Incidences should also be reported immediately. Prevention is better than being snatched as accusations cannot be made without strong evidence. This includes walking in public areas that are well lit instead of walking alone in dark and quiet areas. Bags should also be kept safely and securely. The cooperation between various authorities like the police, municipal councils, volunteer groups like RELA as well as the Department of Roads and Transportation is important to curb the plague of snatch thieves. This can be done by frequent inspection of motorcyclists for any signs of suspicious activity. Furthermore, motorcycle access should be prohibited in certain areas, especially places where there are pedestrians at commercial places. Special walkways should be made for the safety of pedestrians. Bushes should

also be planted beside pedestrian walkways and pavements as a deterrent towards motorcyclists. To accommodate such restrictions, public transportation should be made more efficient. Street patrols by traffic police and relevant authorities should be scheduled more frequently. The public should be aware and concerned with each others well being and safety. This responsibility falls on the families and parents to educate their children and always make safety a priority. Laws and regulations should be reviewed and the punishment should be more severe towards convicted snatch thieves. There are many campaigns and measures taken in order to curb the plague of snatch thieves. To date, we have yet to achieve the desired results to consider these steps as effective. A revision of all these stated suggestions and mitigating measures is required by the responsible parties.

Example 9: THE RISE OF UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AMONG GRADUATES

There are more than forty thousand degree holders that are currently registered with the Labour Department looking for jobs and this number increases year after year. This is proportionate with the increase of higher learning centers and institutions of higher learning like universities, colleges, etc. Numerous factors have been indentified causing the high rate of unemployment. Among the most obvious reasons is the selective nature of which career to partake. The preferred jobs among Malaysian graduates are often those of exclusive benefits and high remunerations. Then again, an obvious factor in unemployment is the lack of value-added skills such as management skills, critical thinking and communication skills. Furthermore, most fresh graduates do not possess the required level of understanding regarding their career, causing a severe lack of aptitude. In fact, most Malaysian graduates dont even bother to increase their proficiency in their second or third languages (like English or Mandarin). Malays for example, prefer to stick to their Bahasa Malaysia. As of late, one of the major causes of unemployment is the downsizing of companies and forced retirement due to economic crises.

A paradigm shift must be made by all graduates and higher learners. This includes empowerment through gaining more knowledge, value-added skills as well as experience to translate the qualities of Malaysian graduates on a more practical scale. Graduates should reevaluate their potentials, skills, strengths and weaknesses before deciding on which career to partake and which job to apply. The mental preparation of this process enables the graduate to fulfill the needs of the current job market. The responsible parties and higher learning centers should conduct programs that value-add their graduates like co-curriculum activities, practicum and graduate training schemes to prepare them for the job market. Last but not least, graduates should also be fully equipped with entrepreneurship skills to make them more competent in the modern economy. The issue of unemployment can be resolved with the cooperation of all relevant parties especially graduates, higher education and training centers, colleges and universities, the government and also the current industry.