Pulau Tioman - Krisnamoorthy has redeemed our faith in young people

KRISNAMOORTHY, a wireman, was the hero who saved dozens at the Seagull Express inferno off Pulau Tioman last Saturday.

Dictionaries define “altruism” as “the unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others” This teenager fits the bill well.

Survivor, Ng Soon Tiong, said he saw Krisnamoorthy selflessly handing out lifejackets to other passengers and helping children off the burning ferry.
He repeatedly dived into the water to pull others to safety, including Ng's two sons, aged seven and nine as well as several other relatives.

Glowing tributes befell this teenage hero from all fronts: the 18 survivors, politicians and the Group of Concerned Citizens. Ng acknowledged that many of them were alive today because of him.

However, this teenager was a picture of modesty, saying that his main concern was the children although he was struggling to keep afloat as his jeans were water logged. His reaction to the tragedy was immediate and spontaneous.

This guy is a cut above the rest. His action was one of exceptional commitment to save others in the face of adversary. It was a moral and spiritual challenge to him that he readily accepted. Not many would have taken the risk.

This guy has redeemed our faith in young people. He has made us proud to be Malaysians! He deserves the Guinness Award for Bravery.

DR A. SOORIAN,
Seremban, Negri Sembilan.

Hail our Malaysia inventors

FROM breathing doors and designer eggs to an anti-ageing gel and bio-ceramic bone implants, the mind-boggling display of gadgets beggared belief.

There was even an electronic nose and tongue device to “tantalise” the crowd at the four-day British Invention Show, which ended yesterday.

Then again, it was Britain’s largest expo to showcase the latest inventions, innovations and new technology from around the globe.

And a group of Malaysians were among the 250 inventors from 17 countries who presented their unique ideas for the benefit of mankind.

Led by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM’s) Dr M. Ratnasamy, the 30 researchers were from Universiti Teknologi Mara (Uitm), Universiti Malaya, USM, UKM, UPM, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (Unimap), Mardi and the National Defence University.

Azimin Samsul Mohd Tazilan literally breathes life into his innovative door, which is based on the traditional kampung house design. “I was inspired by my grandparent’s house in Selama, Perak, which is breezy and has plenty of natural lighting,” said the UKM lecturer/researcher.

Azimin noted that houses with conventional doors were often warm and stuffy due to lack of good ventilation. “Imagine both the front and back doors closed and somebody’s cooking in the kitchen,” he said, describing a typical Malaysian home.

He said his breathing door comprised four pieces “sandwiched” together – a perforated inner layer, a movable screen panel, a safety metal/polymer plate and an external unit.

The unique combination allows for easy air movement with cross-ventilation, natural lighting, privacy, safety and health, he explained. “This is a low-tech, cost-effective but smarter way to cool the house by up to 30%,” he added.

Azimin said his aim was to design a functional house complete with breathing ceilings, walls and roof within five years.

Source: The Star