Indonesia: Singapore seeks new investment, joint haze efforts

Ina Parlina, The Jakarta Post 14 Jan 16;

Indonesia and Singapore have agreed to improve bilateral ties following a courtesy call meeting between President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Wednesday at the State Palace.

Balakrishnan, a former environment and water resources minister, was in Jakarta for a two-day introductory visit for his new post.

“The President said that we have close ties and that improving relations and cooperation is imperative; mutually beneficial cooperation, naturally,” Deputy Foreign Minister AM Fachir, who accompanied Jokowi during the meeting, told reporters on Wednesday.

Singapore has long been one of Indonesia’s top trading partners and sources of investment. Data from the Foreign Ministry show that bilateral trade reached US$41.99 billion in 2014, the second-highest amount after China. Singapore has consistently been among the top five investors in Indonesia in the past five years, with $5.8 billion in investment in 2,056 projects in 2014.

During Wednesday’s meeting, Fachir said Balakrishnan had expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s efforts to improve the business climate through deregulation.

“Other than recognizing Indonesia’s potential, he also said he had great confidence in further investment in Indonesia,” Fachir added.

According to Fachir, Singapore also appreciates Indonesia’s efforts in tackling the annual haze that has often blanketed neighboring countries, including also Singapore.

“[Balakrishnan] believes that the situation will be better in the future [for both countries] and expressed willingness to cooperate with Indonesia [in tackling haze],” Fachir said.

Jokowi visited Singapore in mid-2015 and held a meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at which the two reiterated their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in the economic sector. Jokowi also told a business forum of top Singaporean government and corporate officials not to miss the chance to invest more in Southeast Asia’s largest economy.

During his visit to Jakarta, Balakrishnan has also met with a number of ministers, including, on Tuesday, his counterpart Retno LP Marsudi.

The two discussed ways to improve Indonesia’s agribusiness exports to Singapore, as reported by Antara news agency.

Retno was quoted by Antara as saying that Singapore needed agriculture products and Indonesia could meet those needs.

Balakrishnan also met with Communication and Information Minister Rudiantara on Tuesday to discuss possible cooperation in the ICT sector and digital economy amid a growing Indonesian digital economy.

Balakrishnan also met with Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan on Tuesday morning; Luhut explained Indonesia’s efforts to improve the investment climate in the Batam-Bintan-Karimun Special Economic Zone (BBK). The two also briefly discussed issues related to the flight information region (FIR), amid Jakarta’s efforts to take over the management of airspace over Riau and Riau Islands provinces from Singapore in the next three years.

According to the Singaporean Foreign Ministry’s official website, Singapore sees the FIR as an issue not of sovereignty, but of commercial air traffic safety and efficiency.

Singapore has been managing the FIR over the area since 1946 and Indonesia’s efforts since 1993 to take over the airspace have so far been fruitless. The city-state controls airspace up to 110 nautical miles from its position, covering Batam, Dumai and Natuna — an arrangement that deprives Indonesia of authority over the airspace. As a consequence of the arrangement, patrols conducted by the Indonesian Air Force and Navy in the territory must also seek guidance from Singapore.


Singapore, Indonesia express interest in manpower development cooperation
In terms of economic partnership, the Republic's Foreign Minister believes Singapore companies will be looking for more opportunities to invest in Indonesia amid the country's ongoing economic reforms.

By Saifulbahri Ismail Channel NewsAsia 12 Jan 16;

JAKARTA: Singapore and Indonesia have expressed interest to enhance cooperation in areas such as manpower development, and this includes a scheme to help companies from Singapore recruit talent in Indonesia.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore's Foreign Minister, said this during a meeting in Jakarta with his counterpart Ms Retno Marsudi.

"We believe Indonesian universities and technical institutes will produce many graduates with digital skills and we are thinking of launching a scheme, in which Singapore companies - which are looking for talent - will be able to recruit talent here, deploy them here, and provide services for the rest of the world," he said.

The meeting was held on the first day of Dr Balakrishnan's visit to Jakarta. Earlier on Tuesday (Jan 12), he had also met with Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan. The visits are part of his introductory visits to countries in the region, after taking office as Singapore's new Foreign Minister.

Dr Balakrishnan said Singapore and Indonesia have a long, deep and multifaceted relationship. In terms of economic partnership, he believes Singapore companies will be looking for more opportunities to invest in Indonesia amid the country's ongoing economic reforms that will provide better regulatory certainty.

REJUVENATE COLLABORATION

In addition, Dr Balakrishnan said Singapore looks forward to opportunities to rejuvenate the collaborative projects the two countries have in Batam, Bintan and Karimun.

Ms Retno also indicated that the two countries could cooperate in manpower for caregivers.

"There is a possibility of cooperation in manpower for caregivers,” said Ms Retno. “I expressed the Indonesian government's appreciation to Singapore for the good treatment given to Indonesian workers in Singapore. Moving forward, Indonesia will also increase its skilled workers, among them related to caregiver therapists."

Indonesia is also keen to increase its export in agri-business to Singapore. Ms Retno said Singapore needs agriculture products and Indonesia has the export capacity.

Both foreign ministers also discussed the possibility of Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong visiting Indonesia this year, which is expected to be one of the highlights marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Indonesia.

In a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, Singapore's Foreign Affairs Ministry (MFA) said Dr Balakrishnan also met with Governor of the Special Capital Region of Jakarta Basuki Tjahaja Purnama.

The two discussed ways in which Singapore could cooperate more closely with the Jakarta government "in areas of mutual benefit", said MFA, adding that Mr Basuki hosted Dr Balakrishnan on a tour of the Jakarta City Hall, as well as briefed him on the operations of the Jakarta Smart City Lounge.

On Wednesday, Dr Balakrishnan is scheduled to meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

- CNA/ek


Vivian affirms close Jakarta ties on visit
Today Online 13 Jan 16;

JAKARTA — Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan and Indonesian Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan reaffirmed the “long-standing and strong bilateral relationship” between the two countries during a meeting in Jakarta yesterday.

Dr Balakrishnan, who took over the foreign affairs portfolio following the General Election in September, is in Indonesia for an introductory visit.

Mr Luhut briefed Dr Balakrishnan on the Indonesian government’s efforts to improve the investment climate in the Batam-Bintan-Karimun Special Economic Zone (BBK), and both ministers discussed “the importance of ensuring regulatory certainty for investors and improving labour relations in BBK”, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said yesterday. Both countries had agreed in 2006 to set up special economic zones in BBK.

The MFA said that during the meeting, Mr Luhut briefly touched on the issue of Indonesian airspace controlled by Singaporean air traffic controllers — also known as Flight Information Region (FIR). Last year, Jakarta indicated that it had wanted to reclaim control of its airspace above the Riau Islands from Singapore.

“Singapore’s position is that the FIR issue is not an issue of sovereignty. The safety and efficiency of commercial air traffic is the paramount concern,” said the MFA in its statement, adding that the FIR is “a complex technical and operational issue under the ambit of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and involves many other countries and airlines”.

“The current arrangements have worked well for many decades for the benefit of the international aviation community by ensuring the safe and efficient provision of air-traffic services in the region,” the statement added.

Dr Balakrishnan also met several other Indonesian ministers and politicians, such as Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi and Minister of Communication and Information Technology Rudiantara, and was taken on a tour of Jakarta City Hall by the city’s governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama.

“We had good, frank, constructive discussions on bilateral ties, including regional and international issues,” Dr Balakrishnan said of the meetings on Facebook. “Governor Basuki kindly brought me on a tour of the Jakarta City Hall and briefed me on the operations of the Jakarta Smart City Lounge. What was truly impressive was not just the technology, but the passion and energy of the many young people trying out new ideas with open data in government.”

Both ministers also noted the strong economic ties between Singapore and Indonesia, and agreed that “there was scope to explore other possible areas of cooperation, such as tourism and infrastructure development”, added the MFA.

Dr Balakrishnan will conclude his visit today.

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First-aiders at Pulau Ubin say formal treatment facility needed at island

KENNETH CHENG Today Online 15 Jan 16;

SINGAPORE – First aid is at hand for visitors to Pulau Ubin on public holidays, under a Singapore Red Cross (SRC) initiative that began on the island last July, as accidents involving cyclists remain a regular occurrence there.

As part of its First Aiders on Wheels programme, SRC first-aiders have been stationed at a temporary first-aid post in the National Parks Board (NParks) office on the island every public holiday since Hari Raya Puasa on July 17 last year.

The post is staffed by a team comprising volunteers and SRC staff, all of whom are certified in first aid.

They have tagged along when the police are called to help a casualty and have also joined NParks staff on patrols to “provide first aid to those in need”, said SRC secretary-general and CEO Benjamin William, in response to TODAY’s queries.

Last year, TODAY reported that NParks was considering the possibility of establishing a first-aid facility on the island. After reading the story, the agency decided to extend the programme — which started with the provision of first aid at East Coast Park in 2012 — to Pulau Ubin, Mr William said.

On the seven public holidays that the first-aiders had stationed themselves on Ubin thus far, they administered first aid to more than 60 casualties, with injuries including “multiple abrasions, head trauma, fractures and dislocations”, said Mr William.

Twenty per cent of them had injuries that required further medical treatment or evacuation by the Police Coast Guard to the mainland.

The humanitarian agency is exploring the possibility of providing the first-aid service on Pulau Ubin on Sundays as well.

Mr William noted that Ubin’s rugged terrain draws many cyclists to the island, as it “provides a sense of adventure”.

“There is, however, a certain degree of risk especially for those who are less familiar with the trails around the island,” he added.

The first-aid post responded to injuries every hour when volunteer Ivan Low, 22, was there last Hari Raya Puasa. The third-year medical student at the National University of Singapore recounted administering first aid to a cyclist in his 30s who suffered a “pretty bad head injury” and whose teeth had fallen off from the impact of the accident. The casualty was descending a slope, said Mr Low.

Fellow volunteer Adeline Tay, 19, found herself overwhelmed during her first scheduled volunteering stint during the SG50 public holiday on Aug 7 when she saw the extent of the injuries.

Some casualties had suspected head trauma and fractures, and “really bad” abrasions, and their injuries left her feeling “not confident enough to do first aid”, Ms Tay said.

However, she mustered up the courage and returned to Ubin to volunteer on Christmas, rendering first aid to two or three casualties, mostly with serious abrasions.

“It feels good to be able to help,” said the first-year chemical-technology student at ITE College East.

For Mr Low and Ms Tay, their encounters at the first-aid post have highlighted the need for a formal first-aid facility on Pulau Ubin.

“First aid has always been provided on a very ad hoc, informal basis by the islanders (and) bike providers … so there is a need for a formal first-aid facility (with) people who are trained (and) have the resources,” said Mr Low.

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Malaysia: Close watch on water level at dams

The Star 15 Jan 16;

JOHOR BARU: SAJ Holdings Sdn Bhd is closely monitoring the current water levels at the Sungai Layang and Sungai Lebam dams in view of the El Nino phenomena.

The Meteorological Department forecasts that El Nino is likely to last until the end of March, causing dry spells and lower rainfall for the next three months.

SAJ Corporate Communications head Jamaluddin Jamil said it would do its best to ensure water users do not face any inconvenience like last year.

“At the same time, consumers are also advised to use water wisely and avoid wastage,’’ he told StarMetro.

SAJ had from Aug 16 to Dec 31, 2015 implemented a scheduled water rationing exercise (SWR) affecting about 641,495 domestic and industrial consumers in three districts in south Johor.

It was done after water levels at the Sungai Layang dam in Masai, Pasir Gudang and Sungai Lebam in Kota Tinggi had reached critical levels.

The Sungai Layang dam supplies water to 575,000 users in Pasir Gudang and Masai - mostly industrial users - and parts of Johor Baru.

The Sungai Lebam dam channels water to about 66,495 users in Mukim Tanjung Surat, Mukim Pantai Timur and parts of Kota Tinggi.

“Although the water levels at the two dams are still at critical levels, we ended the exercise because of the burden faced by consumers,’’ said Jamaluddin.

He said that the water level at the Sungai Layang dam had dropped to 21.47m as of Jan 13, from 23.50m (critical level), and Sungai Lebam dam from 12.27m to 10.16m.

Jamaluddin said water at the other dams in Johor were at acceptable levels.

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Malaysia: Don't buy endangered wildlife, says Sabah Wildlife Department

RUBEN SARIO The Star 14 Jan 16;

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Wildlife Department is asking the public to avoid buying captured animals although they may be buying them to turn them over to the authorities.

Department assistant director Dr Senthilvel Nathan said buying the animals would only encourage illegal trade in wildlife.

“Instead, we are asking the public to alert us as quickly as possible about the sale of wildlife,” he said.

Senthivel said the public can contact him at 0128019289, adding that the public should try to get as much information as possible about the dealers – including photos of the dealers in action.

“We need to arrest and prosecute these offenders who threaten our beautiful wildlife,” said Senthivel.

He spoke following the actions of a family on Sunday.

The family had purchased a young male pangolin in Sandakan and handed the pangolin over to the Sabah Wildlife Department.

The pangolin was eventually brought to the Danau Girang Field Centre in the Kinabatangan region.

It was released into the wild on Monday at an event that was witnessed by Dr Melanie Billings-Yun, the wife of US Ambassador to Malaysia Joseph Yun.

“It was heartbreaking to witness the release of this wonderful animal into the wild, said Billings-Yun.

She added that US President Barack Obama had announced his government’s National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking.

“My husband and I are extremely concerned by the rampant wildlife trade that threatens the biodiversity in South-East Asia,” said Billings-Yun.

She added that she hoped the Sabah state government could win the battle against illegal wildlife traders.

“We have been working very closely with the department, Danau Girang Field Centre and other partners in finding ways to tackle this issue,” said Billings-Yun.

On pangolins, Senthivel said that the department was preparing the relevant documentation to have them listed as a totally protected species.


Perhilitan: We will go all out and nab wildlife smugglers
SIMON KHOO The Star 14 Jan 16;


KUALA LIPIS: The Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) has two words of advice for wildlife smugglers – cease and desist.

In issuing this stern reminder, Perhilitan enforcement division director Hasnan Yusop said his officers had pledged to go all out to track down and nab such offenders.

Hasnan said Perhilitan took a serious view in matters pertaining to capturing, keeping, smuggling and trading in wildlife and protected species.

“We will step up our efforts to put a stop to these illegal activities in line with our duties and responsibilities to safeguard protected species of wildlife.

“This is one of our resolutions for this year and we will not back down or be intimidated,” he told StarMetro.

To mean business, Perhilitan scored its first success this year by crippling a syndicate specialising in smuggling exotic and protected species of birds.

Three syndicate members, believed to be smugglers and wildlife traders, aged between 20 and 50, were detained during the raid at a house in Kampung Tanjung Gahai, Bukit Betong near here.

Eighty-seven magpies hidden in eight makeshift plastic cages were seized by personnel from the Wildlife Crime Unit, in addition to several other birds and fowls.

The magpies were destined to be smuggled to a neighbouring country via Johor in a car when Perhilitan officers ambushed and nabbed the suspects red-handed.

All three will be investigated under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, which carries a fine of up to RM100,000 or a jail term up to three years, or both.

Records showed that from 2011 to last year, a total of 4,167 species of magpies were seized from smugglers, involving 179 cases.

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Malaysia: Sabah govt urged to ban shark hunting

The Star 15 Jan 16;

KOTA KINABALU: An environmental NGO wants an immediate halt to shark hunting in Sabah to enable a detailed study on the remaining population of the marine creatures in the waters off the state.

The Sabah Shark Protection Association (SSPA) said a one-year moratorium on shark hunting would also be in line with the Sabah government’s call for a ban in 2012.

“There is an urgent need to strengthen shark protection under Malaysian conservation and fisheries laws,” SSPA chairman Aderick Chong said following reports of two British tourists spotting sharks being landed near the diving haven of Pulau Mabul in Sabah’s east coast.

“Given the absolute importance of sharks to Sabah’s marine ecosystem and their significant value to tourism, allowing shark hunting will be nothing more than extreme recklessness,” he added.

He said a scientific study of marine creatures in the Semporna region by the Australian Institute of Marine Science a few years ago valued a single living shark at US$815,000 to Sabah in terms of tourism revenue, compared to US$100 for its fins.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said that the state government would continue to pursue the ban through amendments to the Fisheries Act.

NGO calls for ban on shark hunting in Sabah
RUBEN SARIO The Star 14 Jan 16;

KOTA KINABALU: An environmental NGO wants an immediate halt to shark hunting in Sabah to enable a detailed study on the remaining population of the marine creatures in waters off the state.

The Sabah Shark Protection Association (SSPA) said a one year moratorium on shark hunting would also be in line with the Sabah government’s call for a similar ban in 2012.

“There is an urgent need to strengthen shark protection under Malaysian conservation and fisheries laws,” SSPA chairman Aderick Chong said following reports of British tourists spotting shark landings near the diving haven of Pulau Mabul in Sabah’s east coast.

“Given the absolute importance of sharks to Sabah’s marine ecosystem, the continuing of shark hunting in Sabah is nothing more than extreme recklessness,” he added.

Chong noted that most shark species were endangered and Sabah could not afford to lose more due to their hunting.
He said sharks were vulnerable to over-exploitation because they are slow-growing, mature at a late age, and have relatively low productivity.

“Therefore, their populations are slow to reproduce and may not recover once overfished,” he added.

He said shark conservation was crucial for the diving industry in the east coast. A scientific study of marine creatures in the Semporna region by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) a few years ago valued a single living shark at US$815,000 (RM3.6mil) to Sabah in terms of tourism revenue, compared with US$100 (RM440) for its fins.

Chong said apart from the economic benefits from dive tourism, sharks help to stabilise the marine ecosystem and keep our oceans healthy.

“Sharks also help maintain the health of coral reefs, protect vital sea habitats and even prevent climate change,” he added.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said the photographs taken by the British tourists of the shark landings at Pulau Mabul justified the need for hunting the marine creatures.

He said the state government would continue to pursue the ban through amendments in the Fisheries Act.


Urgent Need to Protect Sharks in Semporna and throughout Malaysia
WWF 14 Jan 16;

13 January, Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Shark Protection Association (SSPA) is calling for Malaysia to protect its dwindling shark populations in the country, especially in Semporna.

SSPA President, Aderick Chong, is reiterating this urgent call for shark protection in light of distressing news that the shark fishing on Pulau Mabul has resumed (Destruction of sharks in Semporna shocks tourists, Borneo Post Online, 13 January 2016).

“Shark fishing needs to stop immediately. Most shark species are endangered and we cannot afford to lose more due to direct take from humans,” stresses Aderick of SSPA. “Fresh shark meat and dried shark fins and products are still openly traded in wet markets and shops throughout Sabah.”

The sharks are being landed and finned in plain view of the public, which includes local and international tourists and divers who come to Semporna expecting to see the beauty and wonders of our marine treasures, especially the rare and endangered sharks.

“How do we explain such horrific shark activities to our paying visitors?” laments Aderick. Global shark tourism generates revenue of around US$314 million annually and is expected to keep growing to a potential $780 million annually over the next 20 years.

The demand for shark fin and meat leads to the high volumes of sharks being caught. Malaysia is already ranked the world’s 9th largest shark producer and 3rd largest shark importer in volume (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation’s State of the global market for shark products). The report clearly indicates that Malaysia is a major shark producer with a large consumer market for shark fins.

“We do not want to increase the volumes by allowing shark fishing to continue, and embarrass ourselves by ranking higher in future!” says Aderick.

A scientific study of sharks in the Semporna region carried out by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) a few years ago valued a single living shark in Sabah’s waters at US$815,000 to Sabah in terms of tourism revenue, compared with US$100 for its fins.

Apart from the economic benefits from dive tourism, sharks help to stabilise the marine ecosystem and keep our oceans healthy. According to new studies (Predators as Prey: Why Healthy Oceans Need Sharks, July 2008 and Predators help protect carbon stocks in blue carbon ecosystems, September 2015), sharks also help maintain the health of coral reefs, protect vital sea habitats and even prevent climate change.

Sharks are very vulnerable to over-exploitation because they are slow-growing, mature at a late age, and have relatively low productivity. Therefore, their populations are slow to reproduce and may not recover once overfished.

Considering AIMS’ study and the recent evidence, shark fishing has resumed with a vengeance in Semporna; every passing day spent discussing how exactly to protect Sabah’s sharks, we are in reality losing millions of dollars’ worth of potential revenue, as well as undermining the very marine ecosystem upon which we all depend.

Moving forwards, SSPA strongly recommends a moratorium on ALL shark fishing in Sabah’s waters for at least 1, possibly 2 years to allow a proper scientific study to be undertaken to understand more about the remaining sharks left swimming in Sabah’s waters before these too are removed.

Given the absolute importance of sharks to Sabah’s marine ecosystem, their significant value to tourism continuing to fish sharks in Sabah is nothing more than extreme recklessness.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry suggested banning shark fishing in 2012. SSPA urges that the need is apparent and urgent now to strengthen shark protection under relevant conservation and fisheries laws in Malaysia.

SSPA consists of the Malaysian Nature Society (Sabah branch), Marine Conservation Society (MCS), Shark, Education, Awareness and Survival (SEAS), Scubazoo, Tropical Research and Conservation Centre (TRACC), WWF-Malaysia, Shark Stewards and Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP).

Shark sanctuaries all set to take off in Sabah
RUBEN SARIO The Star 17 Jan 16;

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s planned shark sanctuaries are set to take off, most likely by June this year.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said plans were being finalised for the setting up of the sanctuaries in waters surrounding Sabah where shark hunting would be banned.

“Hopefully, we will be able to make an announcement in June,” he told The Star yesterday.

Masidi did not state where the sanctuaries would be, but talk is that they will include areas within the 340sq km Tun Sakaran Marine Park in the east coast.

It is learnt that state officials are considering gazetting as many as six shark sanctuaries off Sabah.

The issue of the sanctuaries came to light again after British tourists photographed shark carcasses at Pulau Mabul, famed for diving activity, on Monday.

Sabah had clamoured for a ban on shark hunting but Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said such a move was unnecessary.

The state is getting help from the Federal Fisheries Department to set up these, with the latter identifying locations for it.

Sabah Shark Protection Association (SSPA) had raised an alarm about sharks being intentionally hunted after hundreds of fins were seen outside a shop here last October.

SSPA chairman Aderick Chong said the fins showed a supply chain from fishing vessels to the shops.

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Thailand reports progress in illegal fishing clampdown ahead of EU visit

Thailand delivered a progress report on Thursday on efforts to clamp down on illegal fishing in a last-ditch attempt to show progress made ahead of a visit by EU officials next week.
Channel NewsAsia 14 Jan 16;

BANGKOK: Thailand delivered a progress report on Thursday on efforts to clamp down on illegal fishing in a last-ditch attempt to show progress made ahead of a visit by EU officials next week.

Thailand, the world's third-largest seafood exporter, faces a ban after the EU issued the country a "yellow card" in April for failing to crack down on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

Last month, Thailand said its seafood exports to Europe, the United States and Australia had not been hit by reports of slavery by campaign groups and media.

At a news conference attended by the navy, labour and foreign affairs ministries, authorities said Thailand had registered most of its fishing vessels and caught groups suspected of human trafficking offences in the fishing sector.

"We have completed 70 percent of the task," said Vice Admiral Jumpol Lumpiganon, deputy chief of staff for the Royal Thai Navy.

National police said 35 groups suspected of involvement in human trafficking in the fishing industry and 73 individuals had been apprehended since April.

Iris Petsa, Press Officer for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries at the European Commission, said the EU could not comment on what was said by the Thai authorities.

"Indeed the delegation is going to Thailand next week and the delegation will have to come back and make an assessment. I cannot give a time-frame on when that decision will be made," Petsa told Reuters by telephone from Brussels.

Thailand's annual exports to the EU are estimated to be worth between 575 million to 730 million euros (US$641 million to US$813 million). The government has said it is confident exports won't be banned.

Sompong Srakaew, director of the Thailand-based Labour Rights Promotion Network which works with Thai and migrant workers in the fishing sector, said not all issues had been resolved and the government needs to take a long-term view.

"The government mustn't take a short-term view just to meet the EU's targets," said Sompong. "Some progress has been made but the law will need to be enforced both in terms of monitoring vessels and also workers in the fishing sector."

(Reporting by Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by Nick Macfie)

- Reuters


Thailand moves to clean up fishing industry after EU warning
The EU warned Thailand last April that if the country’s illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing situation does not improve, Europe may ban Thai seafood products in its markets.
Panu Wongcha-um, Channel NewsAsia 18 Jan 16;

BANGKOK: Thailand’s fishing industry this week faces an assessment by the European Union (EU), which is evaluating the government’s progress in tackling illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing.

The EU warned Thailand last April that if the country’s IUU fishing situation does not improve, Europe may ban Thai seafood products in its markets.

The EU technical team will conduct random inspections of the Thai fishing industry from Monday (Jan 18) to Wednesday, while official delegations will follow from Thursday to Friday.

The EU has accused Thailand’s fishing industry of flouting international regulations, which has led to problems such as overfishing and the abuse of workers in the industry.

The Thai government has introduced a new legal framework as a result, and introduced new laws and regulations in an attempt to prevent the EU ban.

“The most important thing is to create an understanding that will help the fishermen themselves do the right thing,” said Vice Admiral Jumpol Lumpiganon, spokesman for the Command Centre for Combating Illegal Fishing. “This also includes officials that were complicit in the problems; they must adapt and abandon their old ways and conduct themselves in the right way under the law and their duty.”

New monitoring systems for ships were introduced on 93 per cent of large commercial fishing vessels, as well as Port-In-Port-Out Controlling Centres created in coastal provinces to allow authorities to better track the movement of fishing ships and prevent illegal fishing.

More than 45,000 commercial fishing vessels have registered under the new rule, while more than 8,000 that failed to comply have had their licenses revoked.

"FURTHER WORK"

Under the new regulations, law enforcement has improved, which resulted in the prosecution of more than 1,000 suspects. Authorities have shut a number of seafood factories found using illegal or forced labour.

Some local civil society groups agree that there have been huge improvements in the regulation and protection of workers' rights, but warn that there are still legal issues that concern migrant workers, who make up a bulk of the workforce in the fishery industry.

“All workers in the fishing boat have to come from a legal channel,” said Sompong Sakawe, director of the Labour Rights Promotion Network. “This may not be a problem for the Thai workers, but for the migrant workers, this is the most important issue. Will they be working under an MoU system between governments or will they be registered in a different way? I think these are the issues that will need further work.”

If the EU decides that Thailand has not done enough to tackle illegal fishing, it is likely to impose sanctions on seafood exports to its 28 member states. Thai seafood exports to the EU accounted for 10 per cent of total exports, estimated at almost US$7 billion a year.

- CNA/yt

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Severe weather in Sydney kills one, disrupts flights

Channel NewsAsia 14 Jan 16;

SYDNEY: Severe thunderstorms in Sydney on Thursday killed at least one person and injured another, police said, with winds of 122 kmph (76 mph) lashing Australia's busiest airport, besides ripping down power lines and closing roads.

A man was killed and a woman passenger suffered critical injuries when a falling tree crushed their car in the city's west, which emergency services said took the initial brunt of the storm.

Photographs showed damaged shop fronts and roads left impassable by twisted metal and roofing panels. Authorities urged residents to stay indoors and keep away from windows.

"Substantial damage has been caused to a number of homes, cars and power lines," New South Wales state police said in a statement.

The fierce winds, rain and hail struck Sydney after a blistering day that drove temperatures to 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit), the Bureau of Meteorology said, forcing disruptions at the city's international airport.

The storm had caused delays and diversions, Sydney Airport said in a Twitter message, urging passengers to check with individual airlines for details.

An airport spokeswoman could not immediately be reached for comment.

(This version of the story ahs been refiled to delete extraneous word "winds" in paragraph 1)

(Reporting by Matt Siegel; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

- Reuters

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