Persidangan Menteri Menteri Luar Negeri Pertubuhan Persidangan Islam (ICFM) Ke-27 : 27th Session of The Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) (26th July 2000)

Malaysia will be hosting the 27th Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) scheduled to be held from 27-30 June 2000 in Kuala Lumpur in Palace of the Golden Horses Hotel. It would be the second ICFM hosted by Malaysia, the first being the 5th ICFM in 1974.

The ICFM is the second principal body of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) which is responsible for the defining the policies of the Organization. It meets actually to examine the means to implement the general policy of the Organization. It takes decision on issues of common interest in accordance with the goals and objectives of the OIC which principally to safeguard the interest and secure the progress and well being of the Muslim Ummah.

The 27th ICFM is held at the dawn of the new millennium which brings with it new challenges to the Muslim Ummah especially in view of their lagging behind in term of social and economic development and technology. The situation would be further compounded with the so-called globalization and liberalization agenda currently espoused by the developing countries.

Globalization and a borderless world seem very attractive in this Information Age especially in view of the advances made in transportation and communication. While it provides opportunities for the creation of wealth and economic growth, it has brought with it new risks and threats. Malaysia and other developing countries strongly believe that globalization can bring benefits only if it is given a human face and if it is governed by rules and practices to protect the interest of poor and developing countries.

In this regard, the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in its 27th Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers held in Kuala Lumpur had chosen Islam and Globalization as the theme of the Conference. It is hoped that the Conference would be able to provide better understanding on the issues involved and to prepare the Ummah in facing the perils of globalization.

It is estimated that around 700 delegates from 56 Member States of the Organization if the Islamic Conference and other participants will be participating in the 27th ICFM. Some 300 members of the local and foreign Print / Electronic Media will also cover the Conference.

Perahu Tradisi : Traditional Boats of Malaysia (15th Apr 2000)

All four Malaysian boats are from the East Coast and are attractive in terms of their traditional value. They are able to sail the open seas, each accommodating up to 20 people.

Their unique shapes and colors are believed by some to have Patani influence. The decorations display unusual motifs depicting fishermen’s lives. Their use today has become limited following new technological advancements in fishing methods.

Serangga Siri III - Pepatung Donata : Dragonflies & Damselflies (25th Nov 2000)

Dragonflies and damselflies belong to the order Odonata. Dragonflies are grouped in the suborder Anisoptera while the damselflies are of the suborder Zygoptera. There are about 5,000 species of these creatures worldwide.

Studies on fossilized dragonflies clearly showed that these creatures have not changed much in body form since the time it began to exist on earth over 3000 million years ago. Pre-historic dragonflies grow up to 30 cm in length and have wingspan of up to 75 cm, making them giants of the insects’ world then, these days dragonflies with 18 cm wingspan are a rarity.

An exclusive feature these creatures have which is not seen among other species of insects is their ability to fly in reverse and also hover in a fixed position in mid-air. Dragonflies and damselflies are predators, both as nymphs during which they feed on aquatic creatures and as adults during which they feed on air borne insects including pests that threaten mankind. So far no known species of the Odonata themselves have been found to be pests.

Flora Tanah Tinggi Malaysia (Siri II) : Highland Flowers of Malaysia (Series II) (9th Oct 2000)

Rhododendrons are woody plants with showy flowers and attractive foliage. As ornamental plants, they are treasured for their flowers which come in all hues and colors of the rainbow. The flowers vary greatly in size – from tiny thimbles to trumpets-like ones that measure up to 20 cm long. The trees, too, vary in size – from dwarf shrubs to 4-storey tall giants.

There are 900 species of the genus and a majority of them are found in the colder regions of the Northern Hemisphere, especially in the Himalayan Regions of Nepal, South China and North India. No species have so far been found in Africa or South America. In Australia, only one species has been recorded so far.

Rhododendrons found in the tropics belong to the category vireya. There are about 300 species of these in South East Asia. Half of them, approximately 150 species can be found in the higher mountains and hills of New Guinea. Borneo has about 50 species, and 35 of them can be found in Sabah – 25 of which are found on the slopes of Mt Kinabalu alone. Sabah can also lay claim to having 12 species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

The species found in South East Asia are characterized with having ‘scales’, mainly on their leaves. Similar ‘scales’ can also be found on other parts of the plants such as the stem, calyx, pedicels, ovary, style and the outside of the corolla. Besides being helpful in the identification of the species, the scales also act as shields to protect the young developing leaves from the harsh radiation of the sun.

Rhododendrons are propagated from seeds, cutting or layering. Most vireya rhododendrons have long tailed seeds which help them to go great distances when carried by the wind. Vireya Rhododendrons grow well in areas with high atmospheric moisture and in acidic and peaty soils.

Most Malaysian Rhododendrons are mountain plants. Though many of them are epiphytes – living on other trees – a few can be found on rocky grounds on steep ridges.

Of the species featured four are native to Peninsular Malaysia, namely Rhododendron Malaya-num, Rhododendron jasmine-florum, Rhododendron scortechinii and Rhododendron pauciflorum. The rest are native to Sabah and Sarawak.

Permainan Traditional Kanak-Kanak Siri 2 : Children's Traditional Games Series 2 (16th Sept 2000)

Childhood is a time full of joy with children incessantly trying to have fun playing all kinds of games. Nowadays, however, we seldom see them playing the traditional children’s games. That because the kids of today are more exposed to electronic games where they just have to sit in front of a computer. Just think, what are a great waste if would be if this trend continues and these traditional games eventually become just a faded memory.

Therefore, as concerned citizens who love and treasure the wonder of traditional games, we should make every effort to revive interest in these games and popularize them among children of this era. Such traditional games include Sepak Raga, Letup-letup, Gasing and Baling Tin.

These games are simple to play yet provide endless fun because they all require physical movement while indirectly stimulating the children’s mind. The materials needed to play such games, such as bamboo, sticks, rattan and string are easily available.

Sepak Raga
Sepak Raga, or kicking the rattan ball , is played by four to five children who must ‘juggle’ the ball with one foot for as long as they can before passing it to a friend. Players form a circle and each player gets a chance to kick ball made from woven split rattan.

Gasing
Gasing, or top spinning, can be played by two or more children. A sting is wound around the top and held firmly while the top is hurled into the centre of the court. The opponent must then hurl his top into ‘nail’ the spinning top and if possible make it stop spinning. The other players then take their turn to continue the game and the player with the longest spinning top wins.

Baling Tin
Baling Tin, throwing the cans, is also very popular among children because it is really enjoyable. Participants are divided into two teams of three and more players each. Several empty cans of the same size are stacked up. A ball Is tossed from a pre-determined distance. The game begin with one of the teams trying to bowl over the cans and then re-stacking them. If the ball hits the person arranging the cans before he finishes re-stacking them, his team loses and the opponent will continue with the game.

Letup-letup
Letup-letup, or ‘bang-bang, is always associated with the game ‘perang-perang’ or mock battle. A piece of bamboo measuring about a foot is used as a weapon. The bullets are made of balls of damp paper which are loaded into the barrel using a smaller piece of bamboo as a shaft. The bullet will shoot out at high speed and hit the target.

Satu Keluarga Satu Komputer : One Home One Computer (11th Aug 2000)

Malaysia government initiative to promote its citizens to own a computer for every households.

XXI IUFRO World Congress (7th Aug 2000)

The International Union of Forestry Research Organization (IUFRO) is the foremost international body in forest research. IUFRO is a voluntary, non-profit, non-governmental, international scientific body open to all organizations involve in forestry research and forestry science. IUFRO has promoted international coordination and cooperation in research and development on most aspects of forest science since its inception in 1882. 

The Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), the Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia and University Putra Malaysia are amongst member of IUFRO from Malaysia.

Mamalia Yang Dilindungi (Siri II) : Protected Mammals (Series II) (26th Aug 2000)

CIVETS (MUSANG)

The civets (Musang) are nocturnal creatures that look like long-nosed cats. They have long tails and often patterned coats. They belong to the family viverridae of which the mongoose is a member. 

There are 12 known species of viverridae throughout Malaysia and they are mostly found in forest habitats. Civets are found throughout Peninsular Malaysia as well as in Sabah and Sarawak. They feed on small animals and fruits. The strong odour they discharge and the colour of their coats form their natural defence mechanism. It is also possible that the scent they emit is a form of communication. 

Four soecies of the civets are protected in Malaysia: 

• Binturng (Arctictis binturong) 
• Otter Civet (Cynogale bennettii) 
• Banded Palm Civet (Hemigalus derbyanus) 
• Banded Linsang (Prionodon lnsang)

Galeri DiRaja Sultan Abdul Aziz : The Royal Gallery (18th Nov 2000)

The Royal Gallery which existed since 1988 was the brainchild of His Majesty the King, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Alhaj. Located within the compound of one of His Majesty's private palaces, the Istana Mahkota Klang, the gallery was initially funded personally by His Majesty. It housed personal collections of artifacts, which includes Royal inheritance and gifts from his subjects and foreign dignitaries.

With the personal touches of His Majesty and the Queen, The Raya Permaisuri Agong, the Royal Gallery is an initiative taken by the Royal couple to foster closer rapport and promoting heritage consciousness amongst the people of Malaysia.