Please bear with me for not having written anything for the past month as I’ve been so busy with moving into a new neighbourhood and with my work. I am hoping to be able to get my net connection going, so I cant wait to get back to my beloved cyberworld. Till then, take care and have fun! Peace y’all!

WWF Malaysia, WWF’s 19^th chapter, seeks to conserve Malaysia’s rich heritage of forests, wetlands and seas, and also the various species that they protect from being extinct in the wild.

I had the opportunity to an interview with the President Emeritus of WWF Malaysia Tan Sri Dato’ Paduka Khir Johari. Although this interview go way back some three years ago (for a Journalistic Assignment), but the key questions and answers are proven to be still relevant today. Some of the issues that I’ve raised include Malaysia’s environmental state, the welfare of the animals and the main objectives and concerns of WWF Malaysia. It is also vital to know how the people are responding to its causes and what are the efforts needed to help make the world a better place to live in, for the sake of our future. Here’s hoping that the proactive measures taken to conserve and protect our flora and fauna may not be futile, and that everyone on Earth would realise and do their part to make an impact or even a small improvement before it’s too late. It shall not be in vain, because there’s nothing more momentous than to provide a sustainable and comfortable life for generations to come.

Have a look at the transcript of my Online Interview with Tan Sri Dato’ Paduka Khir Johari, President Emeritus of WWF Malaysia, Dated April 10, 2003:

First of all I would like to extend my appreciations to you Tan Sri Dato' Paduka Khir Johari for taking the time to answer a few questions regarding Malaysia's outstanding World Wide Fund for Nature organization.
Here are the questions:

1. What are the main purposes or goals that you along with many others are trying to achieve with WWF Malaysia?

ANSWER: WWF's mission is to stop, and eventually reverse, the degradation of the planet's natural environment, and also towards building a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. In Malaysia, WWF, in its 30 year history, has grown into one of the country's largest and most effective independent organisations.It is dedicated to the conservation of the environment typically running some 50 projects around the country at any one time. Many of our staff work at the front line of conservation, sometimes in difficult conditions, helping to make full use of the limited resources that are at our disposal.

2. Do you think that WWF has been effective in ensuring that the environment and wildlife gets a voice to be heard in this millennium?

ANSWER: Yes. In many ways, WWF has been effective. When WWF started its work in 1972, conservation was a much simpler business than it is today. Efforts were focused on nature education and on the species and places that were clearly in need of protection. By and large, it was left to others to make the links with economics, social issues and other aspects of national development that have to be integrated with conservation.

These days, we see more members of the public picking up on environmental issues themselves. If you were to pick up a day's newspaper for instance, you will see many highlighted issues relating to the environment. As such, environmental awareness and stewardship is beginning to grow.

3.) How do you personally feel about the present issues concerning the environment and wildlife situation in these times where world peace is being threatened?ANSWER: The environment and world peace are very much related and at the same time different. For WWF Malaysia, our focus is very much national; i.e. we concentrate on conservation priorities in the country. Obviously, we cannot discount the fact that the war in Iraq could have implications on the environment itself.

All wars have a devastating and traumatic impact on people. WWF's core business is nature and the environment, and as an organization, our mandate focuses us on the impact of war on wildlife, critical habitats, and the environment. WWF is calling on all parties to find a peaceful solution to the current crisis in Iraq.

In Iraq itself for example, the following issues are pertinent:

• Freshwater:

A conflict in Iraq could gravely impact upon fresh water ecosystems and resources in that country – in particular in the Mesopotamian Marshes. Although Iraq does not suffer from a water shortage, should a bombing campaign be launched for example, severe pollution is likely.

In a worst case scenario, a bombing campaign could result in a rapid and widespread contamination of surface and groundwater by oil, other industrial chemicals, and sewerage. Many people could die as a result of such a contamination. Remaining fisheries would be dramatically reduced and contaminated, depriving Iraqis of an important source of protein and calcium.

Extensive flooding is likely from the destruction of dams and other water infrastructure. In the short term this will be disastrous for Iraqi people and exacerbate pollution. If the Mesopotamian Marshes are reflooded then depending on pollution, a partial return to ecological health is possible, bringing back wildlife, fisheries and the Ma’dan Arab communities who once depended on them.

WWF believes that any peace settlement should include:

1. A program to decontaminate the marshes and rivers to the extent practicable by removing sunken ships, unexploded ordinance and spilt chemicals where possible;
2. Restoration of the Mesopotamian Marshes by breaching levee banks and restoring natural water flows to the extent possible.

Ultimately Turkey, Syria and Iraq must agree to equitably and sustainably manage the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. A peace settlement should include these countries and require action to:

• Establish a river basin commission to facilitate cooperation, including sharing of data, decision making and conflict resolution mechanisms;
• Jointly assess, decide and minimise social and environmental impacts of proposed new dams;
• Maintain equitable and sustainable water flows (to mimic natural volumes, seasonality and timing to restore wildlife and fisheries), including a water sharing agreement;
• Change dam operations to facilitate such water releases;
• Modify water off-takes on dams to oxygenate released water and eliminate cold water pollution;
• Install fish passages on dams.

• Climate:

Iraq's oil resources will play a role in the evolution of the conflict both in terms of access to them as well as potential pollution. Determining use of these resources will be a major factor in any post war settlement. WWF has a vision for the world’s energy future that leads us away from dependence on fossil fuels such as oil and coal and towards a more sustainable energy future. In the power sector, this sustainable energy future is based on dramatically scaling up the use of renewable energy and vastly increasing the efficiency by which we generate energy. In the shorter-term (2010 – 2020) large scale wind and sustainable biomass, coupled with highly efficient natural gas and other targeted efficiency measures, can meet the energy demand of Europe and the United States. It can also go a long way of meeting energy demands in developing countries. WWF believes that instead of finding oil elsewhere, governments should introduce progressive energy policies to scale back demand and increase supply of cleaner energy sources. This was done with success in 1991 when the US Administration, through public education and strategic measures, managed to cut oil demand by 100,000 barrels/day. Not implementing these types of measures is short-sighted and continues the vicious cycle of having a fossil-fuel dependent world

• Species:

Sixteen globally threatened or near-threatened bird species occur in Iraq as well as three unique endemic wetland bird species (Iraq babbler, Basra reed warbler, Grey hypocolius). At the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers is an alluvial salt marsh important to migratory birds. This ecoregion is surrounded by a vast region of desert shrubland. This complex of shallow freshwater lakes, swamps, marshes, and seasonally inundated plains is among the most important wintering areas for migratory birds in Eurasia. The marshes support a number of globally threatened species on a seasonal basis including Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus), pygmy cormorant (Phalocrocorax pygmeus), imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca), white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), marbled duck (Marmaronetta angustirostris), and the globally endangered white-headed duck. The valleys of the two great rivers are an important migratory route and staging area for many species of long-distance migrant birds, including pelicans, storks, and numerous species of herons and egrets.

Endangered Species

In Iraq, those species considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild, as determined by IUCN-The World Conservation Union include:

• Euphrates softshell turtle
• Blue whale
• White headed duck

Vulnerable Species

In Iraq, those species considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild, as determined by IUCN-The World Conservation Union include:

• Cheetah
• Wild goat
• Sea cow or dugong
• Common otter
• Smooth-coated otter
• Humpback whale
• Long-fingered bat
• Spotted eagle
• Imperial eagle
• Marbled duck

Other species at risk: corn crake, cinereous bunting, lesser kestrel, long billed curlew, great bustard, dalmatian pelican, lion, Arabian oryx, apollo butterfly, European pond turtle, goiterd gazelle, socotra cormorant, Mediterranean horseshoe bat, greater horseshoe bat, lesser horseshoe bat, Mehely’s horseshoe bat, sociable plover.

(For additional information)

Background on impacts of conflict on the environment:

Previous armed conflicts have caused substantial environmental impacts. According to 'War and Biodiversity: An Assessment of Impacts' by Jeffrey A. McNeely of IUCN – The World Conservation Union, these can be direct, such as through hunting and habitat destruction by armies, or indirect, for example through the activities of refugees. In general, negative impacts of war include: deforestation, increased wildlife poaching, habitat destruction, land and water pollution, reduced funds for conservation, forced movement of people onto marginal lands, and creation of refugee populations who harm biodiversity.

Some specific examples include*:

• Vietnam War: 325,000 hectares of land were cleared. As a result, high-diversity forests were replaced extensively by low-diversity grasslands. Spraying of pesticides on mangroves turned them into mudflats.
• Iran-Iraq War 1980-1988: severely disrupted the way of life of the Marsh Arabs and resulted in devastation of the date palm population – it has been suggested that the number of productive palms declined from 16 million to less than 3 million.
• 1991 Gulf War: over 700 million litres of oil were spilled into the Persian Gulf. 300km of the coastline of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia were covered in oil, affecting wetlands and marshes. Between 15,000 and 30,000 birds are thought to have died as a direct result of the war – with numbers of migratory birds also dying later as a result of contamination of oil during passage. Six hundred oil wells were sabotaged – releasing half a billion tonnes of CO2, and spreading air pollution as far away as India. Massive oil lakes formed from the world's largest oil spill on land to date. Desert ecosystems were harmed by the movement of heavy equipment. Two of Kuwait's proposed nature conservation areas – Al-Khiran Desert Park and Jal Al Zhor National Park were seriously disturbed. The UN Compensation Committee awarded Kuwait USD 108.9 million in reparations from Iraqi oil sales to be spent on addressing the environmental impacts of the Gulf War.

• Civil war in Rwanda/DRC in early 1990s: More than 700,000 refugees were pushed by fighting into Virunga National Park. Lack of resources meant that forests were cut down for firewood and wildlife – including endangered mountain gorillas, were killed for food.
• 1999 war in Yugoslavia: highly toxic contaminants were spilt into the Danube River. An assessment mission by the UN with the participation of WWF found threats to human and ecosystem health were posed by these spills.

It should also be noted that while chemical and biological weapons can have devastating impacts on humans, they also have substantial and long-term impacts on biodiversity.

*Note that the majority of these examples are taken from Jeffrey A. McNeely's book referenced above.

4.) Will the animals that are currently on the endangered species list be saved? Are they getting the right help needed to ensure their survival for generations to come?

ANSWER: Malaysia is blessed with a staggering array of wildlife. Our country is recognised as one of the top twelve in the world for its species diversity and among those numbers are some remarkable superlatives. Just among the reptiles, the Malayan python is the world's biggest snake, the king cobra is the world's biggest poisonous snake, the estuarine crocodile is the largest crocodilian and the leatherback turtle grows to be the heaviest living reptile of all.With all these blessings, the least we can do is look after them.

5.) How have the government and the people of Malaysia contributed to WWF's cause? ANSWER: WWF Malaysia believes that working with partners is the most effective way of achieving conservation successes. This can be seen in the many programmes we conduct. E.g. in Perlis, we worked with the Perlis State Government and also the Forestry Department to establish a State Park. We believe that people are important in conservation, as we are also part of nature.

6.) Modernization comes with a price, because many lands and animals lose their natural space and habitat to development. How do you feel about having all animals living in cages and in zoos possibly in the future?

ANSWER: Natural habitats are important to ensure the survival of our fellow animals. It is very important to have a thriving population of animals in the wild to maintain a balance in the cycle of life. Properly managed facilities for animals are important as a platform to educate and create the awareness amongst those who have probably no chance at all to see animals in the wild.

7.) What are your thoughts on cloning an extinct animal, e.g. Tazmanian Tiger, Dodo bird, Mammoth?

ANSWER: There is no way we can ever replace what is already gone. This is precisely why our work focuses on maintaining a healthy population of wild animals in the world.

8.) What are WWF's real big plans for the near future?ANSWER: Our focus for the past few decades has been to concentrate our limited resources to forests, freshwater habitats, marine habitats and threatened species. This will continue to be our main thrust. For each of those, we have clear targets and strategies. And for each of them, we try to work both at the planning level and on site wherever our contribution is most needed.

9.) What are your hopes for the future and for the organization?

ANSWER: We dream of a sustainable future for Planet Earth. We need everyone's help to make it a reality.

Once again I would like to thank you for taking the time on your busy schedule to answer my questions. WWF’s struggles in its continued efforts and strong influential presence for the world are priceless and that everyone must take a stand in helping to make a change.

By Ben Quah.

Additional References and Sites of Interest

www.wwfmalaysia.org/

www.panda.org

www.wwf.org

How you can help:

http://www.wwfmalaysia.org/support.htm

Be a Kawan WWF:

http://www.wwfmalaysia.org/coolstuff/kawanwwf.htm

Directed by François Truffaut, it is a light-hearted comedy that portrays the daily lives of young children with their own dreams and everyday problems set in Thiers, France. The myriad adventures and emotions are explored. One key element in the film stood out, when a boy named Julien, grabs the attention of the village’s adults, through his misdemeanours and the startling revelation of being constantly abused and neglected by his parents. Thus, it will forever affect and change the lives of the children, for the better.

This is the issue I would like to highlight, as the film’s most profound and important part came when the school’s dedicated teacher, Mr. Richet, gave a heartfelt speech to his class that would have opened their eyes to the realities of child abuse, still ever prevalent in our societies today.

Have a read at Mr. Richet had to say, in hopes that all of us would benefit from and advocate the rights and especially, the happiness of all children all around the world.

Text of the speech by Mr. Jean Francois Richet (as featured in L’Argent de poche (Pocket Money, 1976). Directed by François Truffaut, written by François Truffaut and Suzanne Schiffman).

“Lets talk about Julien. I don’t know much more than you do but I’ll tell you how I feel. First, Julien will be taken care of by welfare. He will be placed in a family. Wherever he goes he’ll be better off than in his own home, where in his own words, “he was beaten”. His mother shall lose her maternal rights. For Julien, it may be quite a few years before he’ll know the freedom to come and go as he pleases. Julien’s case is so tragic that we cannot help comparing our lives to his.

My own childhood was also quite painful. I couldn’t wait to grow up. I felt adults had all the rights. They can lead their lives the way they want. An unhappy adult can start again from scratch. But an unhappy child is helpless. He may not know how to put it in words, but he feels that he cannot even contest his parents’ right to hurt him. An unloved and battered child feels guilty. That’s what’s so tragic. Of all mankind’s’ injustices, injustice to children is the most despicable.

Life isn’t always fair but we can fight for justice. It’s the only way. It’s a slow progress but we do move forward. All people with power like to claim they’re impervious to threats. But they do give in to pressure. A show of strength is the only way to get results. Adults understand that and they obtain what they ask for by demonstrating. I want to show that when adults are determined, they can improve their lot. But children’s rights are totally ignored. Political parties are not concerned with kids like Julien or you. Do you know why? Because children don’t vote. If kids have the right to vote they’d have better schools, sports facilities. You’d get them because politicians need your votes. You could come to school an hour later in winter instead of rushing out before daylight.

I also want to say, because of my own childhood, I feel kids rate a better deal, that’s why I became a schoolteacher. Life isn’t easy. You must steel yourselves to face it. I don’t mean “hard-boiled”. I am talking about stamina.

Some of us who’ve had a difficult childhood are better equipped for adult life than those who were overprotected with love. It’s the law of conpensation. Life may be hard but it’s also wonderful. When we’re confined to sickbed, we cant wait to get out and enjoy life. We sometimes forget how much we really love it.

You’re about to go on vacation. You will discover new places and make new friends…Time flies, before long, you’ll have kids on your own. If you love them they’ll love you. If they don’t feel you love them, they’ll transfer their love and tenderness to other people or other things. That’s life! Each of us needs to be loved.”

How true indeed.

By Ben Quah (16.06.06)

    She earns a good salary and she has a lifestyle to match. She owns a 2005 striking cool blue Honda Jazz which she drives it everywhere she goes, Being the adventurous kind of person that she is, she also owns a red hot Yamaha Virago motorcycle on which she loves to cruise around the green, tranquil and breezy countryside on weekends. She enjoys the calmness of the cool wind blowing against her smooth and milky skin with her long, silky jet-black hair flying away. The sound of the engine revving loudly is like music to her ears. She invited me for a ride around one of these days and I gladly accepted her invitation without any hesitation. “Why not?” I said to myself, you have to be spontaneous sometimes. Life’s after all is meant to be enjoyed every step of the way, no matter what.

    Jennifer always loves to look her best and she will wear stylish and fashionable designer wear. She just enjoys wearing clothes with rich colours, especially bright yellow and dark blue with shiny jewelry to match. When I first saw her, a thought went through my mind, as if she was a model or an actress. She’s indeed blessed with movie star good looks! She had put on just the right makeup on. Shades of light chocolate brown mascara, creamy white foundation and ruby red lipstick filled her face, which brought her exuberance and natural beauty glittering out.

    That night we talked all about our lives, hopes and aspirations. Taking a sip of the hot black coffee, she sighed in relief to the tasteful and aromatic concentrated liquid flowing through her tongue. “Coffee can do wonders”, I said to her, as I am fond of drinking it too at every opportunity, albeit mostly ice-blended concoctions.

    She hopes that all her dreams will be fulfilled and she will not regret a single day of her life. She plans to have as many children as she can, as she loves children with much affection. She said that children are the essence of life and the future of civilization. “We must do whatever it takes to ensure that the future would be a good one for the sake of humanity”, she said quite philosophicaly.

    Her phone rang loudly to the tune of Mission Impossible’s theme. After answering it, she told that she was needed urgently in her office in Sri Hartamas, a place where most people hang out in the midst of their busy lives. She rose up and we said our goodbyes. I offered to pay the bill for her. Without anymore hesitation, she left the premises. In the rush of the moment, I realised that I did not asked for her phone number.

What more can I say about her. She was just the perfect girl with the perfect personality.

by Ben Quah (06.06.06)

The positive side of life

Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year.

How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you’re on.

Birthdays are good for you; the more you have, the longer you live.

Happiness comes through doors you didn’t even know you left open.

Ever notice that the people who are late are often much jollier than the people who have to wait for them?

Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us.

If Carrefour is lowering prices every day, how come nothing is free yet?

You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.

We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors….but they all exist very nicely in the same box…

So remember to always look on the bright side of life!

This was sent in by my good friend Christopher Terry. Thanks!

-BQ

Hey if you’re still here, let me treat you with another. It’s a very funny joke about Bill Gates.

Heaven or Hell?

It comes to the end of Bill Gates long, successful life, he finds himself in the Purgatory waiting room, when God enters…

“Well, Bill,” says God, “I’m confused. I’m not sure whether to send you to Heaven or Hell: you helped society enormously by putting a computer in almost every home in the world, and yet you’ve also created some of the most unearthly frustrations known to mankind. I’m going to do something I’ve never done before: I’m going to let you choose where you want to go.”

Bill replies, “Well, thanks, God. What’s the difference between the two?”

God says, “I’m willing to let you visit both places briefly to help you make your decision.”

“Okay, where should I go first?” asks Bill.

God says, “That’s up to you.”

Bill says, “OK, let’s try Hell first.”

So Bill goes to Hell. It’s a beautiful, clean, sandy beach with clear waters. There are thousands of beautiful women running around, playing in the water, laughing and frolicking about. The sun is shining, the temperature is just right. The whole thing looks perfect, and Bill is very pleased.

“This is great!” he tells God, “If this is Hell, I REALLY want to see Heaven!”

“Fine,” says God, and off they go.

Heaven is a high place in the clouds, with angels drifting about playing harps and singing. It very nice but not as enticing as Hell. Bill thinks for a moment and announces his decision.

“Hmm, I think I prefer Hell.” he tells God.

“Fine,” says God, “As you desire.”

So Bill Gates is taken to Hell.

Two weeks later, God decides to check up on Bill to see how he’s doing in Hell. When God arrives in Hell, he finds Bill shackled to a wall, screaming amongst the hot flames in a dark cave. He’s being burned and tortured by demons.

“How’s everything going, Bill?” God asks.

Bill replies, his voice full of anguish and disappointment, “This is awful, it’s not what I expected at all, I can’t believe it. What happened to that other place with the beaches and the beautiful women playing in the water?”

God smiles and says, “That was the screen saver.”

-Author Unknown

I remember the first time I decided to put my web designing skills to good use way back when I was in University (2003) taking classes in Multimedia design. As I have an avid interest in all things technology and the Internet, I breeze through those classes having gained an appreciation for the design esthetics of a website and what it takes to attract an audience.

That was when I came up with designing my own personal webpage featuring a portfolio of my coursework and some additional information on yours truly. I felt that it was a chance for me to showcase what I can do with my creativity, hence, BQonline was conceptualized!! Although I am not the least happy to tell you it took me more than 3 years to finally get it up but I am definitely satiated with the fact that I have a website to call my own. To tell you the truth, BQonline can never get done. It can never be perfect. It will always be a work in progress. Like a sculpture that's being carved to hopefully one day to become a masterpiece. (Being a relative novice, its highly unlikely for the foreseeable future, but who knows?)

I've always been a fan of Flash-based websites. It's a great platform for one to showcase dynamic animation, fun interactive multimedia design. A few of my favourite sites (which I gained inspiration from) include the 2advanced.net, Pixelranger.com and Neostream.com and not forgetting the web's best flash resource for Flash designers and developers, Flashkit.com.

Do you have a favourite website to share? Please do tell me! I would love to know!

In the meantime, surf over to my website www.BQonline.tk and tell me what you think and how I can improve on it.

"Enjoy life to the full and have fun always!"
-BQ

I read this in the latest issue of Reader's Digest and I thought I'd share it with you. Very poignant and it serves as a reminder to us to never give up and to always pursue your dreams despite the odds, obstacles and hardships.  If you fail, then you just have to find it in you to pick yourself up and try, try again. Dare to fail! 

As I have always been an avid reader, I enjoy every aspects of literature and had always enjoyed writing. This blog would be an excellent platform for me to nurture and hone my writing skills as well as to express and bring out the creative side in me. Like some famous guy once said, “Let your creativity shine though and never let it be stifled” Hence, I give you TheBQExperiment. Welcome! My personal space in the infinite WorldWide Web for me to experiment, to inform and educate, to nurture and to discover. My objective? To make a difference and I hope to reach out in any way that I can, a vow to help change the world for the better, starting with the change in me, to create a life of meaning, fulfillment, passion and purpose.

There’s one more thing. Some questionable questions I ponder: Who’s gonna read my blog? Will I ever find an audience? Honestly I don’t care if no one ever reads this blog. But to those whom will, I truly hope that you will at least enjoy and be entertained and be informed and be enlightened.
I would love it if you do take some time out of your busy life to come here and hang out with me. Treat TheBQExperiment as a casual space, a teh-tarik mamak stall-like table where you and I can discuss whatever the heck we want to, no holds-bar. And please do share your comments and whatever ramblings you have on your mind.

Last but not least, I thank you in advance for visiting TheBQExperiment. I really do wish you will enjoy the content that I will put out on a regular basis. Lastly, do enjoy life, live life to the max and make the most of it. We only live once!

-BQ [www.bqonline.tk]

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”
- Mother Theresa