4 individuals, organisations awarded Singapore's highest environmental accolade

Liyana Othman Channel NewsAsia 8 Oct 15;

SINGAPORE: On Wednesday (Oct 7), four individuals and organisations received the President's Award for the Environment, given to those who have made significant contributions towards environmental and water sustainability.

One of them is Mrs Kirtida Mekani. She has been an advocate for the environment for the past two decades, serving as the founding executive director of the Singapore Environment Council, and contributing to environmental sustainability at the United World College of South East Asia, through the Mekani Sustainability Fund.

But her proudest achievement to date is the Plant-A-Tree programme, an initiative under NParks' charity, the Garden City Fund. Around 17,000 trees of 200 different species have been planted since its inception in 2007.

"Why trees?" said Mrs Mekani. "Trees are very important to me. Trees give you a lot of lessons in life. They don't discriminate. And by planting trees, you're making an impact, you're supporting everyone. These trees you plan today, day in and day out, they're appreciating. They're giving you oxygen, they're locking carbon dioxide, they're enhancing our environment."

East View Primary School is another winner. Recycling is big in the school. For example, it has green walls that are self-irrigated by rainwater collected from the roof. The water that drips down is then used for various science experiments. All this to develop students to become caring global citizens.

"When you care for your global home, you'll care for your immediate home and your friends as well," said East View Primary School's principal Yao-Lee Seow Foong. "And with our evinronmental science movement that we have adopted, we have taught our children to really care for each other, and also to care for the plants that they look after."

Other environmental champions include Mr Kwek Leng Joo, deputy chairman of City Development Limited and semiconductor firm Systems on Silicon Manufacturing Company.

Already in its 10th year, the award aims to inspire more people to play a part in tackling Singapore's environmental challenges.

Said Mrs Mekani: "We all have to chip in, we all have to come together and make a difference.What we are doing, somebody someday is going to reflect and say, 'hey, they did a good job. They've left a beautiful Singapore for us'."

- CNA/hs


CDL's Kwek Leng Joo among winners of President's Award for the Environment
Lynette Khoo Business Times 7 Oct 15;

CITY Developments Limited (CDL) deputy chairman Kwek Leng Joo is among four winners to be conferred the President's Award for the Environment (PAE) 2015, Singapore's highest environmental accolade.

Organised by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, this annual award recognises individuals, educational institutions and organisations for their outstanding contributions towards environmental and water resource sustainability in Singapore.

This year marks the award's 10th anniversary since 2006 and the first time where there are four winners instead of three.

The other winners are Kirtida Mekani, a member of a registered charity Garden City Fund (GCF); East View Primary School; and Systems on Silicon Manufacturing Company.

They received the award from President Tony Tan Keng Yam at a ceremony held at the Istana on Wednesday.

Calling Mr Kwek "a visionary and strong advocate for the environment", CDL said that Mr Kwek has championed sustainable practices to be adopted by businesses and spearheaded CDL's sustainability strategy since 1995.