The Meneki Neko Bobtail cats

I just went to the One-Utama Shopping complex this evening and was surprised to see all these giant-sized cats at strategic points of the complex.

Strangely, there were no ferocious tigers around to paw in the lunar new year. Amidst huge clusters of red lanterns,there were three Meneki Neko cats, or Beckoning Cats in Japanese, at the concourse beckoning customers with new wealth for the new year.

These Meneki cats or better known as the Japanese Bobtail Cats are usually placed at business entrances. It beckons with its right paw. A raised left paw is to attract customers while the raised right paw signifies wealth is coming. These days both paws moved in tandem as they are battery-powered.

As and when these Meneki Cats have entered Chinese New Year folklore is anybody's guess.

Water Users or Abusers?

 

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has come out clean. Penangites use an average 285 litres of water each daily in 2008, the highest compared with people in other states. How sad!

He said although the state did not experience water shortage, Penangites should use water with care due to the hot spell sweeping across the country.

“Penang is facing a big problem as there is a lot of water wastage,” he said.

He then gave a comparison with other states usage of water.

In 2008 the usage of water per person are Johor (207 lit), Selangor (234), Kedah (236), Negeri Sembilan (239) and Melaka (268).

The standard fixed by the United Nations (UN) is 165 litres per person daily.

Lim said the high water usage by Penangites could be due to the tariff of 31 sen per cubic metre, the lowest compared with the other states. [This could be use as a deterrent to ensure a better usage in future].

On water level at three dams in the state, he said Air Itam Dam was at 84 per cent capacity and capable of supplying water for 100 days.

Mengkuang Dam was at 95 per cent capacity capable of supplying water for 166 days and Teluk Bahang at 86 per cent capacity capable of supplying water for 276 days.

“Penangites need not worry as water supply in the state is still adequate to meet daily needs,” he said.

I am sure Penang under the CAT philosophy can economize water usage. I do hope the Hon Chief Minister can do something about this.