Xtra spices on caricatures in S'wak Tribune

Now the drama surrounding S'wak Tribune got more interesting... it is now revealed by Melanyi that the caricature in fact had been published before the Feb 4 issue. The first publication is on Feb 2 in a 'picture in picture' format - the same format that got guang ming daily a 2 week suspension. The interesting news is that nobody seems to be aware of it..not even me! But after checking on that day's paper..it is indeed there..quite clear too..

It looks like that Melanyi deemed that there is no harm done by reprinting the caricature as there are no public outcry at all over the first publication. This leads me wondering are the public really angered by the printing of the caricature or that it is the federal government who make such a big outcry... from my experience, S'wak Malays are a moderate and open minded lot.. even PAS cant survive here..

Definately someone is making a mountain out of molehill here, and in the process igniting public sentiments and aggrieved the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslilms.. in my opinion those brought up the issue in oublic should be the one detained by Internal Securities Office instead of S'wak Tribune editors being made the scapegoats...

Valentine Day Wish

Today is February14, valentine day. And for the 21th consecutive year, I spent it alone.

Hehe, actually it wasn't so depressing as it sounds ^___^ but today spent a little time reflecting on this: if given the chance to have a wish come true next valentine day what would i want it to be..and after much pondering, here's my wish:

I wish that next valentine day, a nice gal will ask me out for dinner, give me a valentine present, and whispers i love you in my ear.

I wondered if my wish really comes true, how would i feel... hmm..its pretty interesting... wonder why the norm is alwaz that guys are the one to ask the gals out, giv them roses n whispers sweet nothings in their ear...i dun mind at all if a gal was to take the initiative to ask me out.. no..i think i would like it very very much.. ^-^ points to ponder...

Pure carelessness or something else?

Sarawak Tribune, the daily which had been my window to the world ever since i can read, had became famous...all for the wrong reasons. Guess you all knew about it... unless you are really really too 'engrossed' in your holidays...

Well, my mum discovered something interesting about the alleged publication that got the now demised daily mired in such HOT soup.. which i thought is pretty interesting too. The caricature of Prophet Muhammed published in S'wak Tribune is as a complement to a main article titled: Cartoon not much impact here. What is interesting is that in the article by AFP, it was reported in one para that 'Karzai (Afghan president Hamid Karzai) also welcomed the sacking Wednesday of an editor of French newspaper France Soir for reproducing the images first published in Danish daily Jyllands-Posten last year. '

I wonder how such an esteemed editor like Melanyi, who cut his teeth as a reporter for Sarawak Tribune and Malaysian Today, can oversee such a glaring statement without thinking about the consequence of publishing the caricature.. he is as good as digging his own grave.. or perhaps there is something more sinister behind it? I tend to think that it is the former reason that the caricature got published... one careless mistake is all it take to send 70+ employees out of job temporarily, as well as forcing the resignation of the chief editor. Guess have to learn the moral of the story: Never be careless in whatever you do.. the consequence of one mistake may be greater than you think. Take heed.

Rejuvenation

After a 3 month hiatus where i had been spending my time revising for my finals and then enjoying a blissful three months holiday back home in Kuching, I think its high time to give this blog a new breath of life again...

Well, since my 2nd year as a Bachelor of Pharmacy undergraduate is starting soon, i would think it is appropriate to start off with a post linking to my future profession. I would like to touch on a potentially fatal but still relatively low-profile medical issue: Penicillin allergy.

Recently it was brought to my attention that even though it was a standard procedure to ask a patient in Australia whether he/she is allergic to penicillin, a lot of people in M'sia is still in the dark concerning this matter. Penicillin and its derivative, including amoxicillin, is a commonly prescribed antibiotics to trear a myriad on bacteria caused maladies such as sore throat and common cold. A penicillin allergy occurs when one's body immune system overreacts to this group of antibiotics.

According to several reliable medical websites, common allergic reactions to penicillin include rashes, hives, itchy eyes, and swollen lips, tongue, or face. But on certain rare cases, an allergy to penicillin can cause an anaphylactic reaction, which can be deadly. This type of reaction usually develops within an hour after you take penicillin. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, hives, wheezing, dizziness, loss of consciousness, rapid or weak pulse, skin turning blue, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

It is estimated that around 500,000 Malaysians suffered various degrees of this allergy. Indications that one are allergic:
(1) if you have a positive skin test for penicillin allergy.
(2) hives that appeared quickly after you took the penicillin.
(3) a previous anaphylactic reaction to penicillin.

Plesae consult a medical doctor if any you encounter any indications stated above after taking a course of penicillin or have a skin test for penicillin allergy. Your life may be at stake here.

Glossary:

Hives (urticaria) are an allergic reaction of the skin that may last a few minutes or can persist for a few days. They appear as raised, red, itchy bumps (wheals) of different shapes and sizes, with defined red margins and pale centers.

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that affects the entire body (systemic). It can occur within a few seconds or minutes after a person is exposed to a substance (allergen or antigen).
Symptoms and signs of a severe allergic reaction may include itching; raised, red bumps on the skin (hives or wheals); wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling, either in one area or over the entire body. Swelling is most serious when it involves the lips, tongue, mouth, or throat and interferes with breathing; abdominal cramps; low blood pressure, shock, and unconsciousness.

Sources:
Palo Alto Medical Foundation www.pamf.org
About http://allergies.about.com
Dr. Paul http://www.drpaul.com
Wrong Diagnosis http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com