UMCares Community Summit and Exchange 2014

The word UMCares spells sentiment in me. The Green Journey I had in UM couldn't be materialized if without UMCares.

It all started when the rebellion and stubborn me decided to take up Environmental Science and Management program in UM when I was in matriculation study. Frankly, I get lots of boo on my decision because they see no prospect of this field in Malaysia. True enough, but that was the past. Malaysia and lots of countries are starting to take green and Mother Nature into account - well that's because they realize they have destroyed enough and that the natural resources are depleting = source of money depleting. 

Back that, none of my family members said yes, until my uncle magical "Yes" that changed my mother's mind. Okay, as a deal to her consent, I chose UM - which I initially intend to go UPM, UMT or maybe UMS. Few months before entering uni, I read about Jaron Keng, who had been running an initiative on composting in UM. 

Hope shone immediately after knowing the good news that I wasn't alone. Yeah, the initial thought on not able to find any environmental passionate people in uni daunts me. But things are not as bad as I thought as the journey continues.

I never know that I can meet Jaron in person until Shian Feen, my coursemate cum environmental comrade, who asked me to accompany her to meet him for a recycling project she wanted to do back in first year. From then onward, we begin to know each other and became partner in waste management. 

At the same time, the adrenaline driven me and Shian Feen also joined UMCares. UMCares is now 6 years old, and it was 2011 when I first joined. It's amazing to see how it grows from nothing, nothing, nothing to something, something and more thing. It's touching to see UMCares family grows when it first started from Dr Zeeda, Teha, Hariz and Chai Ming. It's blissful to have UMCares as strong environmental platform for young people like us to drive our initiative and I am very grateful to be part of UMCares. 

From its first engagement with residential college by establishing UMCares squad to the now growing number of flagships program, holistically covering on water, waste and biodiversity and also, the merger between community and environment. From having a small office in Department of Science and Technology to establishing their very own Green Office, well-equipped with solar panel, energy saving light, green wall and also cabinet made out of recycled wood.

UMCares Community Summit and Exchange this year has showcased that UMCares really walks the talk.

On the first day, we touched on community work like for example, establishing Kelab Sahabat UM Network with schools in the vicinity of UM in which those schools are giving opportunity to access to UM facilities and expertise;

Then we had kids from Kelab Alami, presenting to all of us the knowledge they have on mangrove conservation; it was impressive because at the age of 10, these kids already know what are Avicennia, Bruguire and other mangrove species names.

Besides that we have Yayasan Chow Kit and Madrasah Hashimiah which both are looking into the welfare of refugees from Mynmar, and just to share a new info with you on what I have learned from yesterday’s presentation, is that KL has been recorded to have the most number of refugee in the world and the figure we are talking is 200,000 of them.

As for the second day, the whole day is dedicated for student to present initiatives they have done in their campus. We have student all the way from Manila, Philippine, who educate community on disaster’s mitigation action, student from USM, Penang who shared with us his experience in engaging the community on dugong and seagrass and last but not least our own students who talk about their initiative on beverage carton recycling and also on disabled students’ welfare.

The summit and exchange also cover the aspect on sustainable lifestyle in which we have panelists that encourage urban farming, cycling, green office and also wellness. And lastly, the Environment Summit holistically highlight greening and biodiversity, waste management, energy efficiency as well as water conservation and revival.

UMCares has done so much for the past 6 years, and seeing it grows while taking baby steps, shielding itself strongly from hurricane of rejection, condemnation and failure really touch my heart. Now we have two great ladies: Dr Zeeda and Dr Serina ensuring that the organization to be on the right track and also, various support from top management especially the Vice Chancellor come pouring in. 

It's November 2014 now; two more months before I leave the campus. My sincere hope that this organization can continue to flourish and more of our graduates can use this platform wisely.

Without UMCares, 

- I won't be able to lead environmental initiative in my own residential college,

- I won't be emceeing for MoU Signing, River of Life Technical Talk and UMCares Community Exchange and Summit 2014; 

- I won't be organizing EcoExplorace 2014 and E-waste, Beverage Carton and Unused Medication Collection Drive;

- I won't be awarded with UMCares Squad Idol (Challenge Trophy) 2013, UMCares Inspirational Apprentice Award 2013 and the latest, UMCares Sustainability Star Award 2014;

- I won't be able to represent UM, Malaysia to China for Asian Student Environment Platform 2014;
- I won't be able to deduce my own secret recipe of success which is "Will (willingness) + Belief" - to what extent are you willing to sacrifice, going through red tapes and strive for what you believe is right to do.

Thank you UMCares.

Yeah I was presenting on my Green Journey in UM.

During the Q & A session.

Prof Suresh, from Faculty of Medicine, an advocate for social welfare highlights on how our external world is a reflection of our internal world. His speech was the most hilarious yet inspiring one. He said that the moment we start to care for people who we don't know, that's the time we get most enlightenment.

Great to have my girls with me too! - Shian Feen (right) and Chee Jing (middle).

With Hariz and Amalina.

This UMCares Sustainabilty Star Award 2014 award giving was an awkward one when I had to ran all the way to the corner to take off my blazer before putting on the UMCares grey blazer that they presented to me.

With me is Datin McCoy, an inspiring woman who was the key person in Agenda 21 implementation and had been instrumental in Malaysia's involvement in Rio 21 with Environmental Protection Society of Malaysia.

My dearest emcee partner, Ateen, whose emceeing skills are aamzing! - eloquent and natural.

Great people who protects the welfare of Orang Asli and Orang Asal (Borneo). The one on the right is Mr Rahman who can blow flute using his nose! Imagine what other things that come out if we blow using our nose instead!

Water warrior - Affan and Asiah and Qassim.

And last but not least, fantastic Dr Serina Rahman.

Thanks for the meaningful blazer!

Lynas Visit

November 8, 2014. Interesting and historical day in my life for being able to visit the infamous and controversial Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP). To be honest, the word “Lynas” really sends shiver down my spine for the processing factory involves rare earth, which rumour has it that it is high in radioactive. Well, that’s the perception embedded in most of the Malaysians (including me, but not any more after today’s visit) by the media.

For those who are oblivion on what is happening in my country regarding rare earth issue, here’s an explanation on what is it about:

What Are Rare Earth (RE) and What Is It For?

·         RE – a group of element with unique properties;

·         Demand for RE increases with demand of green technology;

·         Why? Because it has been widely used in:

> Energy efficient lighting – LED light

> Oil and gas – as addictive to increase efficiency        

> Automobile – catalytic converter is coated with RE in order to filter hazardous gas emission.

> Mobile phone – iPhone contains 16 RE but it does not convey that the phone itself largely comprises of rare earth. It just merely depicts sugar and salt like in our daily food – material added to enhance something

> Eyewear – interestingly, in our grandfather’s era, their eyewear is literally made of glass; break once dropped. Also, when the glasses are viewed under microscope, large pores can be seen and consequently, molds are trapped in between. To overcome these drawbacks, rare earth elements are used to make Perspex-like glasses and also to polish the glass surface until the pore size becomes smaller than dust particles. As such, our spectacles now are more durable and clear without speck of mold.

·         Basically, things are getting smaller and efficient with the incorporation of RE into products. For instance, the conventional magnet is used in the motor, which is the size of a brick, to recline car seat. Now with the existence of RE, the motor is now of thumb size only because of the creation of Super Magnet which is 15 times more effective. Fundamentally, when the size of motor has been reduced drastically, the weight of a car also decreases, which then lesser petrol is needed in the car.

·         Basic concept on RE is that it is everywhere on Earth. Today if you dig some soil, you may find some RE, but it may not be in large quantity. Furthermore, it is not harmful to you as it is in small amount.

Fact on Radiation

·         Everywhere around us has radiation. Just look at the gadgets that you own: laptop, smartphone, watch, television, radio and food like banana (contain potassium) emit radiation. Fortunately, we are unharmed because it is of small amount.

            

      The Issue

t

Primarily, Lynas Corporation Ltd is based in Mount Weld, Australia. At Mount Weld, RE, specifically Lanthanide ore is mined, crushed and concentrated*. The by-product is then transported to Gebeng in Pahang State for further processes: cracking, leaching, separation, neutralization and product finishing.

*Lantanide ore is concentrated by making it wet so as to ease transportation and prevent the dust from flying all over the place.

The main issue here is the public reaction towards the embarkation of a rare earth processing plant in Malaysia.

Protest and incessant chanting on “Not In My Back Yard” (NIMBY) motive by the people staying near the plant area; hullabaloo and defamation by certain individuals in social media (undoubtedly on their own hidden agenda) on Lynas; widespread of nauseating photos showing effect of radiation; updates on Lynas activities splashed in the tabloid every now and then; NGOs and individuals gathering to sign petition – were what had basically happened in the year 2012 when the news on construction of LAMP erupted.

After several unfortunate issues such as: the nuclear bombing during war time in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan and Fukushima Daiichii nuclear disaster, public has lost confident over the reliability of nuclear energy. To add salt on wound, 20 years ago, Malaysia had a rare earth plant in a state called Perak which the radiation level had been found to be high and unsafe. Therefore, many were strongly against their operation and it was ultimately closed down.

Why and How Did Gebeng, Pahang got selected?

1. Reason on why they would not want to build a processing plant in Australia is because of the high cost and volatility of market. Huge investment is needed and at that point, they were uncertain on the risk and also the inadequacy of infrastructure and resource like water. For instance, Pahang state government only charged RM0.86/cm³ while in Australia, RM6.00/cm³ is incurred.
2. Besides, human resource in Australia particularly the profession in engineering is lacking. Most of the young prefer to be the next chef, artist than engineer.
3. Initially they considered China. But due to the market monopoly by China, they reject.
4. Two countries were considered: Malaysia and Vietnam. Ultimately, Malaysia was selected in 2006 during the leadership of Former Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Badawi. Initially, Kemaman, Kelantan is chosen for the construction of the plant. All legal documentation like Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and consent from appropriate authorities had been obtained. But due to some land ownership matter, the project did not happen. Gebeng Industrial Park in Pahang was then selected after they found that it was a strategic area. They then repeated the whole procedure of making EIA document and in fact, provided more documents than required to Department of Environment (DOE).

How Reliable Is The Safety and Management of This Rare Earth Processing Plant?

1. They are accredited with world-class certifications by Bureau Veritas:
   > OHSAS 18001:2007
   > ISO 14001:2004> ISO 9001:2008   
2. Dose to public from LAMP (at LAMP fence) from radon and thoron inhalation is 0.002mSv (500x lower than Permissible Dose Limit for public).
3. Basically, radiation dose to the lungs from smoking a packet of cigarette a day/year is 150mSv, 75000x higher than LAMP
4. In fact, international standard  for permissible dose limit is less than 5mSv while in Malaysia, it is less than 1mSv. Lynas pretty much has achieved the low limit.
5. Basically, Lynas residues are temporarily stored in specially engineered residual storage facilities (RSF) before conversion into safe commercial products like fertilizer and component in tar road material.
6. Lynas operates at atmospheric pressure and don't involve explosive or highly flammable material as compared to oil and gas industry in the vicinity of Gebeng.

Here's from me

It's a dilemma when we know that green technology which deemed to be the solution to myriad of human destruction on environment, turns up to also destruct environment in another way. 

In order to create prevent car exhaust from releasing hazardous gas to the air, we need catalytic converter, which the filter must contain rare earth element.

In order to merge the functions of computer into smartphone, which the latter reduces more energy consumption compared to the former, you need to have rare earth element.

In order to produce energy efficient and power saving light, you need to have rare earth element.

I understand the perspective of the country that bringing in Lynas is a great business opportunity because in the long run, the demand for rare earth will be equivalent to the demand for human to survive longer. From the perspective of sustainability, we look into three elements: social, economy and environment. Presence of rare earth (environment) processing factory will increase country's revenue (economy) and at the same time, provide job opportunity and prevent brain drain (social). 

Understanding that this is anthropocentrism, and as long as I am a human, I can't run away from the vicious cycle. As an environmentalist, I don't at all condemn development and technology, we just condemn someone overdo it and make the whole situation irreversible. Same goes to you Mr Lynas, you can continue your operation and what not, but please instill sense of responsibility in every each of the workers. Our concern is not on the technology, but human's laxity. Our concern is not for human only, but at least don forget to dress Mother Nature with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) just like how you emphasize your people in the factory to wear it.

Coursemate and I always think that moderation is the key. Just like how indigenous people live. They see themselves as one of the components of ecosystem; they take what they need and they ensure that they return it; environment and man are not at all a separate entity.

What Lynas has just presented to us is just from one perspective; I already been half convinced by their confidence. It reminds me of Lynas Protest 2.0 that I went in 2012. Why did I go? Frankly, the only few reasons I could squeeze out was just because I wanted to experience what's demonstration and protest were all about; what's been stung by tear gas was all about; what's running away from police and nonsensical fighting were all about.

But seriously? Protest is solution? Asked the uncountable number of crowd on why they protest, I think most will just say that they wanna follow the trend or claim that Lynas is harmful. Question is how knowledgeable and informative are you to say that Lynas is harmful? How true is true on what our green leaders said to us? How genuine are those photos posted in social media - at least no photoshop? 

It was a one-way communication. Our brain is hacked by certain parties:

Opposition of Lynas : "Save Malaysia, Stop Lynas"
Proponent of Lynas : We promote Zero Harm and radiation is as low as 0.002mSv!

At the end of the day, all these are in my Keep-in-View mind. I'll remain neutral or at least talk fact with you, (like serious fact from scientific research) or renew my judgement if I get a chance to work in Lynas.

A definitely worth long journey to Gebeng, Pahang.

Catalytic converter installed in car. At the top is the filter which contains rare earth that I am talking about.

A comparison of radiation exposure from other things with Lynas plant.

A stream outside of Lynas plant, as a biological indicator of their wastewater treatment.

Losing Flexibility

Jogging never fails to relieve my pain. Yesterday's run was tough. When the sky turned dark in the midst of the jog and every thing seemed like no U-turn except to continue the path with much pant, with much tears, with throbbing mind. 

All this frustration and hatred I have for myself, scary how I see it sucking my soul, energy and then slowly, I begin to lose myself. 

What does it mean when you have your own stand? 

What does it mean that you just want to stick to it? 

What does it mean to have own policy/view on how life works? 

What is it mean to just be yourself, not losing yourself yet do not go overboard by turning into egoist? 

What does it mean when one should be open-minded?
What does it mean when one should continue believing what she initially/naively hold on to?