EARTH HOUR 2009: Lights off to highlight global warming

By : By Minderjeet Kaur and Phuah Ken Lin
(NST Online)


KUALA LUMPUR: Thousands of Malaysians enjoyed an hour of quiet darkness last night, switching off their lights and other electrical appliances for Earth Hour nationwide from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.

In the heart of the capital, famous skyscrapers such as the Petronas Twin Towers, KL Tower, office towers, hotels and banking institutions went "missing" from the skyline.




Motorists along the usually bustling Jalan Sultan Ismail were also in for a surprise to see the entire street in total darkness except for some glitter from street lights.

At Jalan Bukit Bintang, hundreds of youths with some of wearing blinking lights on their clothes or handbags, sat along the road to enjoy the breeze.

The usual glitter of lights was also missing from Jalan Raja Laut and Jalan Ampang.

Angkasawan Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor also joined in the festivities at Starhill Gallery.

He reminded youths of the importance of saving energy.

In Penang, thousands switched off their lights.

From the heart of the city, across the channel to the mainland, it was lights off as a symbolic gesture to combat global warming.

The landmark Penang Bridge, Komtar building and government buildings in Bandar Perda near Bukit Mertajam went "black".

The lack of lights on the bridge meant motorists had to slow down. Despite this, traffic was smooth.

At the Esplanade, the facade lighting of majestic colonial-era buildings for city hall and town hall were also switched off.

The initiative of the World Wide Fund for Nature also received overwhelming response from hoteliers' associations and local authorities.

From the pristine beaches of Batu Feringghi to the famous promenade of Gurney Drive, 37 hotels took part in the campaign by switching off lights in common areas.


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Our "contribution"... coffee time :-)


its quite fun to hear neighbours reminding each other and looking forward to the "event", thou I overheard one "mak cik" worried that TNB (National Electricity Board) was going to "cut-off" the electricity supply...luckily someone corrected her! ... :-)

and when it was time, someone shouted from outside..."oi..padam lampu!" ("oi..switch off the lights!")..ha ha ha...

I guess the Earth Hour messages in media worked..he he..

Baked Potatoes

Yellow potatoes - pierce with fork several times, bake in microwave oven - HIGH - for 8 to 10 mins or until tender.

Split and fluff up the potatoes, add a bit of butter.

For the filling :

1 small can of sweet corn,

1 boiled egg - cut into small cubes

1 japanese cucumber-sliced or cubed,

cherry tomatoes-cut into half,

half cup of tuna flakes,

3 to 4 tablespoon of mayonaise,

salt and pepper to taste,

mix all in a bowl, and serve over the potatoes.

and TA-DAAA....here's what we had for lunch today :-)

at the same time, I made water melon juice - 3 cups of sliced melons, 1 cup of water and half cup of syrup, blended it, add a bit of ice and wa laa....

but somehow, we tasted additional "flavour" ... the blender was used to blend chilies before, so our juice was a bit "hot"!..haahaahaa....