STOP MUTILATING OUR READING MATERIALS!

Photo: The Star 8 Aug 2009

It is a relief to know that the government will not impose any censorship of the Internet. This is the assurance given by the PM Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Let's pray that he keeps his word. He said this after Information, Communications and Culture Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim announced plans to introduce a filtering system for the Internet, albeit only for pornography.

Honestly, what's there to censor in this picture?? (IHT)

It is pointless to censor anything in this day and age where information is easily available at your fingertips and from the home. Yet, censorship continues in Malaysia. And it's not just for internet pornography. As far as I'm concerned, the officers at the Home Ministry are marker-pen happy. The pictures on my subscriber copy of the International Herald Tribune are covered with the ubiquitous black boxes. It's absolutely annoying. Don't they know that this makes me even more curious to see what's behind those black boxes? And I can easily find out by looking up the IHT online. That defeats the purpose of censoring the pictures, don't you think?

Obviously, these black blotters are not art connoisseurs.

Since when were male chests and female breasts considered obscene? (Inset) Even the devil's chest is not spared!

It's not only the IHT that has suffered this mutilation. One irate subscriber of the National Geographic has also vented his anger in the local press over the same issue. "These overzealous censors need to get their priorities right," he says.

(Right) 11 black blots on one picture alone!

Grandma and the children are victims too. And they are wearing their swim-suits!

And while we are on the topic, did you know that there are only three panel members on the National Film Censorship Board? My Google search for the names of the panel members drew a blank. So much for transparency!

Malaysian film director, Amir Muhammad, had three of his movies banned, including his latest "Malaysian Gods". He deserves credit for never giving up. His movies have received even more publicity and critical acclaim thanks in part to the ban!


Malaysia has some of the strictest censorship laws in the world. Books, films, TV programmes, video games are routinely banned if the content is deemed objectionable or detrimental to the moral and spiritual values of the people. The same laws are also applied to local and foreign concerts.


I can understand the need for censorship, but censors should not go overboard in doing their job. At least, for education, arts and culture, censorship should be relaxed. Are Malaysians so weak in character and faith that the government has to protect and mollycoddle them from what it subjectively deems as 'bad' influence?

CAN WE TRUST MEDICAL LITERATURE?

We would all be jumping for joy if we could finally say goodbye to cancer

I was reading the papers yesterday when two articles caught my attention. The first one was actually a leaflet that fell out when I turned the pages of a local daily. It proclaimed a cure for cancer. Wow! The world’s biggest pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporations are ploughing billions of dollars into cancer research, and guess what? A virtually unknown company in Malaysia has beaten the big boys to the finish line!

If that sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

There are countless advertisements out there all claiming to be the best or the only remedy for one ailment or another. There are also tonics, health supplements and anti-ageing treatment targeted at the seniors market. The companies that manufacture these products back their claims with impressive research statistics and testimonials from satisfied customers. The big question is - how far can we trust these product claims?

I found the answer in the second article. It was the front page headline in my subscriber copy of the International Herald Tribune (IHT) that caught my attention - "Behind some medical literature, drug industry's invisible hand".

“Newly unveiled court documents show that ghostwriters paid by a pharmaceutical company played a major role in producing 26 scientific papers backing the use of hormone replacement therapy in women, suggesting that the level of hidden industry influence on medical literature is broader than previously known.” (Want to know which company is involved? Click here to find out).

Apparently, the practice of ghost-writing for drug companies has been going on for some time. There are court cases involving some of the biggest names in the pharmaceutical industry.

This is the modus operandi: the drug company hires a medical communications company to draft the article promoting the efficacy of a certain drug or therapy. Then it approaches top physicians to sign their names to the article. Such articles usually highlight the benefits of the drug and play down the side-effects. The unsuspecting end-user trusts what’s written and purchases the drug.

The next time you go to the pharmacy or drug-store, do some research first before you make any purchases. Don’t trust everything you read about a wonder drug or a miracle cure. Don’t be taken in by the superlative claims made in medical advertisements.

Be even more wary when you read about a break-through cure for cancer. The last time I checked, which was this morning, 1962 Nobel Prize Laureate in Medicine, Dr James Watson has this to say in his article "To Fight Cancer, Know The Enemy": "We still do not yet have in hand the 'miracle drugs' that would stop most metastatic cancer cells in their tracks".

Think twice before you part with your money on expensive tonics and pharmaceuticals. And if you do find a genuine miracle cure for cancer, don’t keep it to yourself. Share.

GIVE PEACE(FUL PROTESTS) A CHANCE

I was away in Singapore during the recent anti-ISA street protests in KL. But I managed to catch some footage of it on Channel 5. It’s certainly not the kind of image you want to see of your country on the telly.

I remember back in the late 60s taking part in student protests against police brutality and against the ISA detention of Hamid Tuah. I was an undergraduate at University of Malaya then. We went on a peaceful march with our placards to show how we felt about these issues. Midway during the march, the police fired tear gas at us to disperse us. Their action was totally uncalled for.

Now, 40 years down the road, things have not changed much as far as police action is concerned. Whenever there is news of an imminent street protest or rally, road blocks are set up to prevent people from amassing. The police are out in force, armed with riot gear, tear gas canisters and backed by water cannon vehicles and helicopters. They are in readiness to battle the protesters.

And what do these protesters have on them? Guns? Parangs? NO. Just placards, banners, masks, and colour-coded T-shirts. Paper and cloth against metal and chemical weaponry. Is there a need for such show of might against unarmed, defenceless men and women? Is there a need to instil fear in the people?

Clenched fists and raised voices for a universal cause (read justice, transparency, corruption, human rights) do not constitute potential danger if left to run its course. Malaysians are mature enough to know that violent street protests do more harm than good, and do not serve their cause. Let the people shout their slogans. Let them release their pent-up frustrations and grievances. Let them be seen and heard in the streets, in the media and on the world stage. This is the people’s right. Shut them up, suppress them, stifle them, and they will explode.

Governments are supposed to listen to the people. Find out if they have a real cause to complain. If they do, work out a solution together. This is an integral part of public service that seems to have been conveniently forgotten.

Remove the road blocks. Get rid of the riot armoury. The police should be there only to protect, not to attack. Learn from the mistakes of oppressive regimes. Do not let the country descend into the Dark Ages.

Give peaceful protests and rallies a chance.

PUTTING THE SPARKLE BACK INTO YOUR SMILE

The Specialist Dental Group (SDG) team: (from left) Dr Patricia Yeong, Dr Neo Tee Khin, Dr Helena Lee, Dr Ansgar Cheng, Dr Elvin Leong, Dr Ho Kok Sen and Dr Eugene Chan.

Dental woes are the bane of many a senior citizen. Back in the 1950s and 60s when we seniors were in our early teens, a toothache meant an immediate extraction often by an unlicensed 'dentist' who learned his trade as an apprentice to a quack much like him. We grew up without the benefit of regular dental check-ups, flouride in our drinking water or toothpaste.

Dental care has come a long way since then as I discovered after attending a dental seminar at Suntec Convention Centre this afternoon. It turned out to be a most enlightening and enriching

three hours spent learning about oral health and the latest in dental procedures.

Organized by Channel NewsAsia, the seminar featured a panel of six highly qualified and experienced professionals from Specialist Dental Group (SDG). Together they covered a wide spectrum of topics that were of interest and relevance to the general public.

The 600-seat auditorium was packed to capacity. At S$11 admission fee (for early registration), it was definitely value for money. Some of the things I picked up at the seminar:

~ Not many people realize this - our mouth is a window to our health. Poor dental hygiene, for example, may lead to periodontitis or gum disease. In her opening talk "The Mouth and Body Connection", periodontist Dr Helena Lee presented clear evidence of the link between oral health and health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease, premature births and digestive problems. Treatment and healing for gum disease is more difficult in smokers. The good news is that gum disease is preventable with early diagnosis. That means a dental check-up every six months.

~ Dental procedures, including surgery, are relatively pain-free today. Trust me on this one as I had bone-grafting done in my lower jaw last December. I was given local anesthesia, so I was fully conscious during the entire surgery. I hardly felt any pain under the expert hands of Dr Ho Kok Sen from SDG.

~ Braces are no longer confined to the traditional metal ones. Says orthodontist Dr Patricia Yeong, "Braces can be a fashion statement as they now come in various materials and colours. Some can be worn behind the teeth so no one knows you are wearing braces." I am sure such braces would be a hit with adults seeking to straighten their teeth. The latest type of braces is Invisalign. The name says it all. According to accredited Invisalign orthodontist Dr Eugene Chan, these braces are made of a clear transparent material that renders them almost invisible. They help to straighten teeth invisibly without any discomfort or need for lifestyle changes. My daughter uses these braces. She has no complaints at all despite having to wear them 24/7. She only removes them when eating.

The Invisalign pamphlet

~ For people with missing teeth, a much better alternative to dentures is implants. Implants function like permanent teeth. You eat better, and speak and smile with more confidence. Your self-esteem improves, and so does your quality of life. The whole procedure may take several visits to the clinic but at no time do you leave the clinic with missing teeth, especially the front ones. This is welcome news for those whose job entails speaking or smiling a lot.

~ There’s also “Teeth-in-an-Hour”. These are implants that can be done in a single session at the clinic. This instant teeth ‘makeover’ is possible thanks to advanced imaging and computer design technology. I am not sure how these instant implants compare with the conventional ones in terms of functionality, durability and cost. Judging from the number of older people gathered around prosthodontists Dr Neo Tee Khin and Dr Ansgar Cheng after the seminar, one can assume that senior Singaporeans are eager to bring back that sparkle into their smile and into their lives!

A section of the capacity crowd during coffee break.

If the objective of the seminar was to educate the public on oral health and hygiene, it certainly achieved the objective. It is a relief to know that, whatever your dental problem, there is a solution. The speakers injected a touch of humour into their powerpoint presentations and effectively turned what could have been a series of boring academic lectures into easily digestible nuggets of dental knowledge for the lay person.

The contents of my goody bag - thanks to the generous sponsors.

Besides taking home useful information on oral care and solutions, participants also received goody bags that contained an assortment of dental products as well as health magazines.

All in all, it was an afternoon well-spent. Count me in for the next seminar!

SINGAPORE GEARS UP FOR AN AGEING SOCIETY

The population of Singapore is ageing rapidly. Today one in 12 Singaporeans is aged 65 and older. This figure is projected to rise to one in five in 2030. In absolute terms, this means an increase from 300,000 people today who are aged 65+ to 900,000 by 2030. The government is well aware of the opportunities that this 'silver tsunami' will bring, but at the same time it also recognizes the strain an ageing society will have on the country’s economic and social infrastructure.

It is a challenge that the Singapore government is well-prepared to handle. To quote Mr Lim Boon Heng (see pic), the minister in charge of ageing issues in the Prime Minister’s office, “We will develop Singapore as a thriving business and research centre on ageing.”

Here is a brief outline on how the Ministerial Committee on Ageing plans to tackle issues on ageing.

~ The Ministry of Manpower will push for legislation in 2012 to encourage companies to hire or retain their older workers.

~ The Ministry of Health will add more than 2000 nursing home beds over the next five years, a second heart and cancer centre, a new general hospital in Yishun and in Jurong and the expansion of the National University Health System’s dental centre.

~ From 2013 the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Life Scheme will be set up to provide contributors a regular income for the rest of their lives.

~ The Housing Development Board (HDB) will increase efforts to raise awareness of their new Lease Buyback Scheme which allows elderly owners of smaller flats to sell to the HDB the tail-end of their lease at market rate. Proceeds will be used to buy an annuity from the CPF Board.

~ All HDB precincts will be barrier-free by 2011.

~ More day-care centres for seniors will be set up in the next five years.

~ Caregivers, including maids who look after the elderly at home, will be given basic training in nursing skills.

Distributing food essentials to the elderly.

~ Within the next 15 to 20 years Singapore will have a fully developed system of 3Es.
1. Elderfund helps the elderly poor pay their hospital bills.
2. Eldershield is insurance for severe disability.
3. Eldersave encourages the young to set aside enough CPF funds to provide for their healthcare needs in their old age.

~ To improve elder care, Singapore will expand its current pool of 200 medical workers and provide them with clinical attachments and postgraduate training.

(The above news snippets were sourced from The Straits Times. Based on the government’s past track record, the future of Singapore’s senior citizens certainly looks promising.)

SENIOR CITIZENS HAVE IT GOOD IN SINGAPORE

Managed to get a shot of the plane before boarding at Subang Airport.

Last Tuesday I flew to Singapore on Firefly. It was my first time flying on a twin-turbopro plane (not sure if that’s the correct name). It turned out to be a very pleasant experience. The aircraft was new, the crew was courteous and the service was efficient. Passengers were allocated seats, and served light refreshments – a muffin and an orange juice for the 60-minute flight. No need to scramble for choice seats or pay for pricey in-flight snacks. What a welcome difference compared to the service on other budget airlines where passengers have to pay for anything they consume or use.

Another plus point is all departures are from Subang Airport – so much nearer and cheaper than going all the way to KLIA. I paid less than RM100 one way for the fare to Singapore. The next time you are planning a trip south to Singapore, you might want to check out Firefly. It’s definitely easier on the pocket and more hassle-free for senior citizens. Oh, one more thing - the Subang airport terminal building has been given a major face-lift befitting an airport of the 21st century.

Subang Airport check-in counters.

Speaking as a senior citizen, every trip I make to Singapore is an enriching experience. I usually stay a week or so. There’s always something going on for senior citizens. Browse The Straits Times and you will find news reports on the latest initiatives or projects undertaken by the government. Check the events page, and you are bound to come across some talks or workshops specifically targeted at the seniors.

Here’s a sampling:

A snapshot of the news report on VISA in the Straits Times

The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) have teamed up to set up the Virtual Institute for the Study of Ageing (VISA). Any group working on projects related to helping the elderly can apply for funding from MCYS and have the expertise of 300 researchers from NUS at their disposal to fine-tune their projects. These researchers come from a diverse multi-disciplinary group comprising doctors, engineers, architects and social scientists.

A news write-up in The Straits Times about the Wellness Programme.

The Wellness Programme is a 2-year pilot project launched by the government at the end of 2007 to promote healthy ageing by encouraging seniors to be physically, mentally and socially active. To date, about 6,000 Singaporean seniors have signed up. The target is to get 12,000 on board. Besides regular free health screenings, there are activities like Nintendo Wii sports sessions, classes on singing, exercise, dancing, drum and percussion. One seniors centre has started a herb and vegetable garden. These are only a few of the many and varied activities enjoyed by the members.

The "Active Neighbours" initiative - article in the Business Times Weekend.

"Active Neighbours” is an initiative between Post Office Savings Bank (POSB) and Council for Third Age (C3A) to help seniors with basic banking transactions like how to use Internet banking facilities and ATM machines. There are 60 vacancies to be filled. Applicants must be aged 45+ and be prepared to put in five hours on the job two days a week. Successful applicants will be paid S$8 an hour. This gives seniors an opportunity to earn some money as well as provide assistance to their peers. POSB has found that older people feel more comfortable being guided by someone their own age than someone much younger.

Senior participants having fun at a dance workshop.

The National Arts Council (NAC) has in place a Community Participation Grant (CPG) whereby a successful grant recipient is eligible for up to S$50,000 worth of funding support a year. The grant is to encourage arts groups, NGOs or individuals to enrich the community through arts projects. One of the 10 groups awarded the grant is Arts Fission which conducts contemporary dance classes in elder care centres through their workshop called ‘The Peony Season’. Once a week for eight weeks, elderly participants follow the movements of three professional dancers. The participants can either stand or be seated, and they go through movements that are inspired by everyday actions. The workshop is therapeutic for the seniors and encourages the more timid ones to open up and make friends.

I shall be blogging from Singapore over the next few days, and sharing my observations on the latest developments for senior citizens here.

Angel

This is for Yasmin Ahmad, one of Malaysia's most beloved daughters. You were taken from us too soon. Through your heart-warming films and commercials you have left us a legacy of hope that 1Malaysia is not a mere slogan, but an attainable reality.
Rest in peace, sister.