On The Brink

Anonymous writes: I think before the oil run out we will have big problem with our economy, where are our money coming in, it seem none of our industries or government link company is profitable. Most of our business seems to be depending on cheap oil or oil money to function.

Anonymous writes: What's the difference for the rest of the world. To make things worse, the US government as a prime example, has it's foreign policies influenced by oil & gas. For the present, Oil & Gas will still be the primary influence of the world's economic function. The rich countries needs the resource and the poor countries needs their resource be needed by the rich. Once the wells run dry, instability. So in terms of money oil, for the time being, everything is dependant on it. I agree that it is a problem and we and the rest of the world should move away from the dependency of it. How ? absolutely no idea. I myself am working in the industry, currently my livelihood depends on it. But then again so does everybody else in my country. Billions generated from it is injection to the economy via infrastructure projects / agriculture and education to say the least. And these projects provide the platform for other industries, consultancies etc, which in the end helps produce and provide consumers to the market, ie, source for the consumer industry (Automotive, telcos, IT, advertising etc) and lets not forget, military. So to say most of our businesses, would be a grave underestimation.

HI again,

I enjoyed your paper and also your style of writing it's fabulous.

I have sent your blog to a friend on Opera who is in the Petroleum business.. http://my.opera.com/Petroleum/

It's nice to be in the middle of you two

Ma Salaams,
Fatimah

hohenheim of light writes: its an omen..lol

Anang Adiwarni writes: We are in (the midst of) energy crisis, not only locally, but globally. The similar problem occured more than a millenium ago in ancient Rome -providing us the clue of the early demising process of "great" but "old" civilizations like the US and guess what? The young energy regime born from the womb of science and technology soon would likely to erupt war, and hence changing the world order. Sounds ridiculous like the conspiracy theory? Okay, fine. So what would you suggest to face the becoming surprises? Any alternative of energy resources? Back to coal? Buy uranium? Extract hydrogen? p/s: it's me, socrates. ok, dah komen blog ko, ko punye turn lak pasni.. huhuh

Anang Adiwarni writes: This 'liquid-fuels & a chemical feedstock problem' directly implies the 'issue of power generation' which further implications on the issues of production, transportation, agriculture, pharmaceuticals etc. The problem is the looming energy crisis. OK, fine. I am not critical and analytic enough to dig into the problem with every single detail. But I am interested in solving the problems with open alternatives. Coals are less efficient and dirty, nuclear's risks and costs are apparent. While those alternatives are subjects to international controversy, wind, geothermal, biomass, hydroelectric energy are considerable though geographical. Hydrogen is an energy carrier, but still can be used in generating power (although cynical critics may brag the high cost issues into unnecessary debates). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_cells

Naz writes: good writing luq. keep up the good fight... your brother

Rontol writes: Err there's any plan to make a nuclear reactor???

lepak-lad writes: The govt will have to take mitigating measures to ensure that the country will not be dependent on oil. Renewable enegy sources ie solar, wind & hydro should be the new priority eg Bakun Dam..maybe that white elphant can be of some use. Urban design & architecture needs to to take into account energy requirements & reduce loads needed to build & maintain our lifestyles. How about promoting independent energy generation for those who can afford it, & feed it back into the grid? Generators should only be only used in utmost 'emergency' situations. The only hindering any development in energy resource & policy are the unmitigated interestes of those who have a stake in the energy sector. So many good ideas...so little time...many govts have the same problem.

I don't think there is an alternative energy available that can save Malaysia, we need oil to dig up uranium, most of it will be used up togather with oil. Most of the oil is used in vehicle so dam will only give temporary respite. All the palm oil wouldn't be able to even replaced a fraction of our petrol. Our economy is gear toward producing more cars, more infrastrure for cars, huge long term bank loan for cars, an increasing population that will goble up most of the oil soon. We have a massive civil service & drug addict population that is not productive. Most of our work is done by foreign workers. Malaysia has a lot of resources that would be a paradise (if it is properly managed), otherwise it would be hell as we don't even have the ability to support ourself. I don't think the government have the political will to bear the short pain to correct our sickness. A massive police force in a society ridden with crime, palm oil is mostly havested by foreign workers, huge tract of jungle is cut down for development that place it further away from any source of work or substenance that need private transport to make it feasible. Most of the major companies are GLC monopoly that is cash draining & stiffle private enterprise. So there is no one interested in becoming a producer as it dosn't pay. For the non bumi a desperate search for safe haven, for the bumi a paradise waiting for a benefactor to upkeep it.

Анонімний writes: I think that to get the business loans from banks you should present a firm reason. Nevertheless, one time I've got a term loan, because I was willing to buy a house.