Lunar Goddess, China first moon orbiter

China launched its first moon orbiter with a patriotic propaganda celebrating the country’s space ambitions and technological prowess. The Chang’e One orbiter, named after a lunar goddess, blasted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the southwestern province of Sichuan and expected to arrive in moon orbit on Nov. 5.

The satellite also expected to beam back its first pictures of the moon in late November and continue in lunar orbit for about a year. This is the first step and to be followed by an unmanned moon landing and deployment of a moon rover planned for 2012 and the retrieval of lunar soil and stone samples around 2017. Chinese scientists also talked about of the possibility of sending a man to the moon after 2020.

As a story, Chang’e is a mythical Chinese goddess who was banished to the earth with her husband for offending a heavenly emperor. Stealing an elixir for eternal life, she flew to the moon only to regret abandoning her husband and ending up sad and lonely.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono launch his music album

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has released his first music album, a collection of love ballads and religious songs he wrote. Entitled with “My Longing for You”, the album contains ten songs written by Yudhoyono after he became president in 2004 and features by some of the country’s popular singers. One of the songs he wrote during a trip to Australia to attend a summit of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) grouping in September.

“I took time in my busy schedule to express my feelings as an ordinary human being,” said The President. A former army general who crooned during his election campaigning, said it took between one to two-and-a-half hours to compose a song. As a record, Yudhoyono is not the only Indonesian general with musical talent. A former armed forces chief, Wiranto, who is expected to run for president in the 2009 elections, has released a collection of love ballads sings by himself.

Lim Goh Tong in memories

Personal life

Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong (1918 – 23 October 2007) was a prominent wealthy Malaysian Chinese businessman. He was renowned for his vision and courage in transforming Genting Highlands from an unexplored hilltop to one of the world’s most successful casino resorts. He was once the 3rd richest man in Malaysia with a net worth estimated to be 4.2 billion USD, making him the 204th richest person in the billionaire list compiled by Forbes.

Lim Goh Tong is married to Lee Kim Hua, together they have six children and nineteen grandchildren. The six children are Lim Siew Lay, Siew Lian, Siew Kim, Tee Keong, Kok Thay and Chee Wah.

Throughout his life Lim has had a few medical crises, among them were a malignant tumour and cardiovascular problems, which he pulled through after several surgeries.

Lim wrote his autobiography “My Story - Lim Goh Tong” and it was published in 2004. In the book he wrote about his early life, how he started off with nothing to building a world-class casino resort through hard work and perseverance confounding skeptics, and the people he acknowledges.

Achievement and awards

Lim had won many awards together with his company Genting Group for his entrepreneurship and his contribution, among them were:

* Malaysian Entrepreneurs Award 1985
* Manager of the Year Award 1986
* Business Achiever of the Year Award 1994
* Number 1 ranking of 10 Malaysian Leading Companies 1996
* The Best Employer Award 1996

He was conferred the title “Tan Sri” by the government of Malaysia on 6 June 1979 in recognition to the contribution he has made to the country. In 1978 Lim set up Yayasan Lim, a family foundation that donates regularly to educational and medical institutions, old folk’s homes, various organisations for the physically handicapped and other charitable causes.

Death

Lim died at 11.20am, 23 October 2007, at the Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC). His body will be laid to rest at Gohtong Memorial Park at Gohtong Jaya on Monday 29 October 2007.

Malaysia’s first Scorpene submarine launched

Malaysia’s first Scorpene submarine was launched on 23 October 2007 signifying yet another leap in Malaysia pursuit of new technology. KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, named after the country’s first Prime Minister, was unveiled in a historic ceremony at the DCNS dockyard Cherbourg France, about 400km from Paris.

Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor broke a bottle of water against the submarine’s sail to signify the official launching and naming of the vessel in keeping with maritime tradition. The Deputy Prime Minister’s wife then unveiled a plaque with the submarine’s name and called upon “Allah to bless her and all who serve and sail with her” with Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, French Defence Minister Herve Morin, Defence Forces chief Jen Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal and senior officials from both countries witnessed the ceremony.

The vessel was one of two bought by Malaysia in 2002, with both being jointly constructed by DCNS of France and Navantia of Spain. In his speech, Najib said the submarine was named after the Tunku in recognition of his contribution in leading the country to independence.

“His courage, wisdom and foresight had steered our nation to what it is today,” he added. Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the submarine acquisition was part of the Malaysian Armed Forces’ modernisation programme which could contribute significantly towards creating a more balanced capability.

As a maritime nation and given its geographical setting, it is inevitable that Malaysia’s national interests and security concerns are closely related and associated with the seas, he said. Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said commercially, more than 90% of the country’s domestic and international trades were dependent on sea transportation.

“It is thus crucial for Malaysia to have a small but credible and effective naval force to not only safeguard its sovereignty and maritime interests but also contribute to the region’s maritime security and safety,” he added.

Najib said the project signified a major leap into high technology defence acquisition, providing the impetus for the local industry to acquire cutting-edge technological knowledge and expertise. KD Tunku Abdul Rahman is set to sail home, manned by the country’s first submarine crew in January 2009 while the second vessel, to be named KD Tun Razak, is expected to be delivered by October 2009.

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