Your views
If you want to have your say immediately, use your cellphone. SMS your comments to The Star on topics and issues related to general news, business and sports (include name/ pseudonym): Type STAR NW (or BZ or SP) followed by the message (of up to 140 characters) and send to 39993. This is a free service. However, normal mobile operators’ network charges apply.
> We can do better
It is heartening to know that Malaysia is the first country in the WHO Western Pacific region to be certified as having “eliminated” mother to child transmission of HIV and syphilis (The Star, Oct 9). However, there is no ground for any complacency. We achieved the “elimination” criteria with a less than 2% rate of HIV infection from mother to child and a syphilis transmission rate of 50 cases per 100,000 life births, which is still a case too many. We need to strengthen the prevention, screening and treatment programme further towards the goal of near zero. – Dr Goh Beng Tin, Kota Baru
> Quit complaining
Had deep thoughts after reading the view from Concerned Parent regarding working hours of housemen. Their normal shift is from 7am to 5pm. Does anyone know that kindergarten/daycare teachers work from 8am to 6.30pm (if they are lucky)? They often have to stay back till midnight and at times beyond that to prepare props or decorate the centre. Is anyone looking into their welfare? Their work stress is not much different from the housemen’s. The only difference is their salary. – Janq Referring to Concerned Parent, Shah Alam, as doctors, you can’t complain each time you go on call and for long hours. I was a houseman in the 80s and our hours were longer because there were fewer housemen then. Please stop complaining. – Senior doc
> Lay down the law
T. K. Chua, “Less talk, more action on safety” ( The Star, Oct 10), is absolutely right about the deplorable state of road safety in our nation. Why don’t the authorities do the enforcement? Without enforcement, motorists adopt an attitude of impunity and drive without the care that is actually due to their fellow road users. The end result is our sky-high road toll which is among the highest in the world. Government authorities, please act now. – Orang Tinggi Regarding the lorry driver who drove against traffic who was said to have 64 summonses and 36 arrest warrants to his name, the police must explain why no action was taken against this repeat offender and others like him. Such inaction has encouraged them to commit more serious traffic offences.
> Mid-month pay
The government and private corporations and organisations should consider paying part of their employees’ salaries at the end of the second week of every month. This will help employees to manage their financial needs. This is a practice in many countries in the world now. – S. PARAM
> Higher value
I do hope the Equanimity can be sold at a high price so that it can help to settle our debts. But as long as the issue of ownership is not resolved internationally, this super yacht can only be safe in Malaysian waters.