Malaysia: Johor Sultan Wants Study, Long-term Water Management Plan Conducted

Bernama 14 Apr 16;

JOHOR BAHARU, April 14 (Bernama) -- The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar today called on the state government to conduct a study and produce a long-term water management plan that would ensure continued water supply for future generations.

Sultan Ibrahim said each household should be encouraged to have a rainwater collection system for external use while the state government should control land clearing activities in water catchment reserve areas to ensure good quality water supply.

"Of late, the public often complain about disruption of supply of clean water. Although we cannot control climate and weather changes, we can take proactive steps to tackle the problem of lack of water supply," said Sultan Ibrahim.

He was speaking at the opening of the first meeting of the fourth session of the 13th Johor State Legislative Assembly at Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim here today.

Sultan Ibrahim said the people must appreciate water and avoid wastage, and clear water should not be used to water plants or clean vehicles excessively.

The Sultan also advised the people of Johor to change their attitudes and grab jobs which had been created by the rapid development in the state.

He said from his observation, there were still people in the state who were narrow-minded and did not appreciate development, but felt that it only benefitted foreigners.

"Today, the job opportunities have increased, and business possibilities have been opened up for everyone. The people must change and grab them. Chance favours the prepared mind," he said.

Sultan Ibrahim also commented on traffic congestion in Johor Baharu and advised the local authorities to formulate a public transport management plan which provides for centralised parking areas and a more efficient public transport system.

However, he lamented the problem of the poor attitude of undisciplined motorists including bus and taxi drivers who stopped their vehicles as and when they liked, car owners who parked on road shoulders and reckless motorcyclists.

"If the attitudes of the motorists cannot be changed for the better, I suggest that more stern and continuing enforcement action be taken. Do not just issue compounds, but suspend their driving licences or confiscate the vehicles," he said.

Sultan Ibrahim also urged the government to discuss and listen to the opinions of all parties in making a decision on a policy so that when it is approved, the government would stick by it.

He added that changes in policies would only cause a lack of confidence by investors to locate their businesses in this country.

-- BERNAMA

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Malaysia: Water rationing in Kota Tinggi, Mersing from April 18 to May 15

ZAZALI MUSA The Star 14 Apr 16;

JOHOR BARU: SAJ Holdings Sdn Bhd will start scheduled water rationing to 85,000 domestic and industrial consumers in the Kota Tinggi and Mersing districts starting from April 18 until May 15.

During the exercise, water supply will run normally for one day in the affected areas while there will be no water supply for the next two days.

The exercise is implemented after the water levels at the four water treatment plants in the two districts had reached the critical levels.

The water treatment plants are in Lok Heng and Sungai Gembut in Kota Tinggi and Sungai Mersing and Tenglu in Mersing.

“The rationing is the best measure to ensure we will be able to supply water to users in the affected areas,’’ it said in a press statement released here on Thursday.

According to the statement, the water level at Sungai Sedili Kecil which supplied water to the Lok Heng treatment plant had dropped to 1.58m almost reaching the critical level of 1.50m.

The water level at Sungai Gembut which channels water to the Sungai Gembut treatment plant had reached the 0.04m from the 1m mark.

On the other hand, the water level at the Sungai Mersing and Tenglu treatment plants is dropping at the rate of 0.03m daily and the situation is alarming.

The affected areas in Kota Tinggi are Felda Bukit Waha, Felda Bukit Easter, Felda Simpang Waha, Felda Lok Heng Barat, Felda Lok Heng Timur, Felda Lok Heng Selatan and Bukit Tentera.

Others are Felda Bukit Aping Timur, Felda Bukit Aping Barat, Bandar Sri Perani, Gembut Cina, PPRT Kampung Sayang, Pekan Tanjung Sedili, Kampung Tuan Seh, Taman Tuan Seh, Sedili Kecil, Kampung Belukar Durian, Telok Mahkota, Kampung Sri Gading Laut & Dalam, Kampung Sri Paya, Kampung Mawai Baru, Kampung Mawai Lama, Jalan Mersinbg, PPRT Mawai, Ladang Sungai Mong and Jalan Mawai.

Kampung Gembut, Kampung Singapura, Kampung Sentosa, Kampung Teluk Jeri Luar & Dalam, Taman Sedili, Legaran Air Gemuruh, Kampung Sayang, Sedili Besar, Kampung Telok, Kampung Perepat, Kampungh Semayong, Kampung Nelayan and Kampung Teluk Nyireh.

In Mersing the affected areas are from KM0.5 to KM14 Jalan Mersing-Endau, Taman Pantai Timor, Taman Samudera, Taman Sri Bayu, Kampung Sungai Muka Dua, Kampung Air Merah, Taman Air Merah, Taman Guru, Taman Sutera Indah, Estate Kuala Mayang, Jalan Hassan, Taman Emas, Kampung Sawah Dato, Kampung Sri Lalang, Kampung Silapu, Taman Intan, Pusat Desa Bina Diri, Felcra Bukit Pedoman, Kampung Tenglu KM6 to KM14, Taman Lautan Biru, Kampung Makam, Kampung Tenglu Besar, Jalan Sekolah, Jalan Dato’ Onn and Jalan Abdullah.

Other are from KM0.5 to KM12 Jalan Mersing-Jemaluang, Mersin town, Hotel Sri Malaysia, Jalan Ismail, Jalan Panchor, Jalan Abu Bakar, Jalan Sultanah, Kuarters Kastam, Air Putih, Mersing Kecil, Jalan Mahkota, Jalan Bukit, Jalan Padang, Taman Sri Mersing, Taman Nakhoda, Taman Wawasan, Kampung Sri Pantai, Taman Pantai, Kampung Bukit Jaya, Kampung Paya Tingal, Taman Haji Hashim, Kampung Gajah Mati and Pekan Jemaluang.

Affected consumers are advised to use water wisely and avoid wastage in view of the current water supply situation at the two districts.

For more information please contact SAJ Info Centre at 1 800 88 7474 or SMS at 019-772 7474 or e-mail at customer.care.saj.com.my


Almost 85,000 people in Kota Tinggi and Mersing to face water rationing from Monday
Ahmad Fairuz Othman New Straits Times 14 Apr 16;

JOHOR BARU: Almost 85,000 people in Kota Tinggi and Mersing districts will face water supply rationing beginning next Monday until May 15.

State water utility, SAJ Holdings Sdn Bhd said in a statement that the decision followed the low water levels recorded at four water treatment plants in the two districts.

The water treatment plants obtained raw water from a dam and rivers that have seen their water levels depleting in the current hot weather.

A total of 84,935 users are involved in the water rationing exercise.

Based on SAJ's water supply schedule, affected consumers will receive water supply for a 24-hour period once every three days.

SAJ Holdings said the water levels in Sungai Sedili Kecil, Kota Tinggi, which supplies raw water to the Lok Heng water treatment plant dropped to 1.58m compared to its 1.50m critical level.

This required SAJ to conduct water rationing in Felda Bukit Waha, Felda Bukit Easter, Felda Simpang Waha, Kuari Waha, Felda Lok Heng Barat, Felda Lok Heng Timur, Felda Lok Heng Selatan and Bukit Tentera starting Monday (April 18) until May 15.

The water levels at Sungai Gembut, which supplies raw water to the Sungai Gembut water treatment plant, Kota Tinggi stood at 0.04m against the 1m minimum mark. In Mersing district, SAJ Holdings said the water levels in Sungai Mersing, which supplies raw water to the Sungai Mersing water treatment plant was at 12.22m and approaching its 11.7m critical mark.

The water level at the Congok dam, which supplies water to the Tenglu water treatment plant showed a reading of 4.52m which approached its 4.5m critical level. "The water level at the Sungai Mersing and Tenglu treatment plants are dropping at a rate of 0.03m daily and the situation is alarming," said the statement.

"The scheduling will cease if the levels at the dam and treatment plants improve," it said.

In Kota Tinggi, the other areas affected by the water rationing are Felda Bukit Aping Timur, Felda Bukit Aping Barat, Bandar Sri Perani, Gembut Cina, PPRT Kampung Sayang, Pekan Tanjung Sedili, Kampung Tuan Seh, Taman Tuan Seh, Sedili Kecil, Kampung Belukar Durian, Telok Mahkota, Kampung Sri Gading Laut, Kampung Sri Gading Dalam, Kampung Sri Paya, Kampung Mawai Baru, Kampung Mawai Lama, Jalan Mersing, PPRT Mawai, Ladang Sungai Mong and Jalan Mawai.

Also affected are Kampung Gembut, Kampung Singapura, Kampung Sentosa, Kampung Teluk Jeri Luar/ Dalam, Taman Sedili, Legaran Air Gemuruh, Kampung Sayang, Sedili Besar, Kampung Telok, Kampung Perepat, Kampung Semayong, Kampung Nelayan and Kampung Teluk Nyireh.

In Mersing, the affected areas are from KM0.5 to KM14 Jalan Mersing-Endau, Taman Pantai Timor, Taman Samudera, Taman Sri Bayu, Kampung Sungai Muka Dua, Kampung Air Merah, Taman Air Merah, Taman Guru, Taman Sutera Indah, Estate Kuala Mayang, Jalan Hassan, Taman Emas, Kampung Sawah Dato, Kampung Sri Lalang, Kampung Silapu, Taman Intan, Pusat Desa Bina Diri, Felcra Bukit Pedoman, Kampung Tenglu KM6 to KM14, Taman Lautan Biru, Kampung Makam, Kampung Tenglu Besar, Jalan Sekolah, Jalan Dato Onn and Jalan Abdullah.

Other areas are from KM0.5 to KM12 Jalan Mersing-Jemaluang, Mersing town, Hotel Sri Malaysia, Jalan Ismail, Jalan Panchor, Jalan Abu Bakar, Jalan Sultanah, Kuarters Kastam, Air Putih, Mersing Kecil, Jalan Mahkota, Jalan Bukit, Jalan Padang, Taman Sri Mersing, Taman Nakhoda, Taman Wawasan, Kampung Sri Pantai, Taman Pantai, Kampung Bukit Jaya, Kampung Paya Tingal, Taman Haji Hashim, Kampung Gajah Mati and Pekan Jemaluang.

Consumers are urged to contact SAJ Info Centre at 1-800-88-7474 or send a text message to 019-772 7474 or e-mail to customer.care.saj.com.my, or to log on to its website at www.saj.com.my.


Water rationing for Johor districts starts on Monday
The Star 16 Apr 16;

JOHOR BARU: Scheduled water rationing for 85,000 domestic and industrial consumers in the Kota Tinggi and Mersing districts will be implemented from April 18 until May 15.

This is due to the four water treatment plants in the two districts having reached critical levels.

The water treatment plants are situated in Lok Heng and Sungai Gembut in Kota Tinggi, and Sungai Mersing and Tenglu in Mersing.

“This is the best measure to ensure we will be able to supply water to users in the affected areas,” SAJ Holdings Sdn Bhd said in a press statement.

During the exercise, water supply will run normally for one day in the affected areas, while there will be no water supply for the next two days.

The affected areas in Kota Tinggi are Felda Bukit Waha, Felda Bukit Easter, Felda Simpang Waha, Felda Lok Heng Barat, Felda Lok Heng Timur, Felda Lok Heng Selatan and Bukit Tentera.

Others are Felda Bukit Aping Timur, Felda Bukit Aping Barat, Bandar Sri Perani, Gembut Cina, PPRT Kampung Sayang, Pekan Tanjung Sedili, Kampung Tuan Seh, Taman Tuan Seh, Sedili Kecil, Kampung Belukar Durian, Telok Mahkota, Kampung Sri Gading Laut & Dalam, Kampung Sri Paya, Kampung Mawai Baru, Kampung Mawai Lama, Jalan Mersinbg, PPRT Mawai, Ladang Sungai Mong and Jalan Mawai.

Kampung Gembut, Kampung Singapura, Kampung Sentosa, Kampung Teluk Jeri Luar & Dalam, Taman Sedili, Legaran Air Gemuruh, Kampung Sayang, Sedili Besar, Kampung Telok, Kampung Perepat, Kampung Semayong, Kampung Nelayan and Kampung Teluk Nyireh.

In Mersing, the affected areas are from KM0.5 to KM14 Jalan Mersing-Endau, Taman Pantai Timor, Taman Samudera, Taman Sri Bayu, Kampung Sungai Muka Dua, Kampung Air Merah and Taman Air Merah.

Others are Taman Guru, Taman Sutera Indah, Estate Kuala Mayang, Jalan Hassan, Taman Emas and Kampung Sawah Dato.

Contact SAJ Info Centre at 1 800 88 7474, SMS 019-772 7474 or e-mail customer.care@saj.com.my for details.


Hot spell affecting supply
NABILA AHMAD The Star 15 Apr 16;

JOHOR BARU: The current hot and dry spell has contributed to the rise in the price of some vegetables and also a shortage of quail.

Sellers claimed that the hot spell had affected their supplies with many saying that farms were experiencing water shortages.

A check by Star Metro at four wet markets here in Kipmart, Larkin, Taman Johor Jaya and Tebrau showed that the prices of cucumber, long beans and spinach has shown the most increase, between 18% and 43%.

A trader at Larkin market, G. Muthusamy, 56, said that the price of cucumbers had risen by 33.3% from RM1.50 to RM2 per kg.

“The price of cucumbers has continued to increase since last month and my supplier from Kulai told me that the farm was dry because of the hot weather,” he said.

Another trader in Taman Johor Jaya market who wanted to be known only as Ella, 50, said the prices of long beans had gone up by 43% since last month, from RM3.50 to RM5 per kg.

“I have been a vegetable trader for so many years and usually, during the hot weather season, the prices of vegetables will always be changing,” she said.

Trader Azaraai Ismail, 60, said there was also an increase in the price of spinach by 18.42%, from RM3.80 to RM4.50 per kg.

“It is common for the prices of vegetables to rise during the hot weather,” he said.

Meanwhile, there have been no changes to other vegetable prices such as red and green chillies (at RM7 per kg), cauliflower (RM7 per kg) and ladies fingers (RM6.90 per kg).

The price of chicken remained at RM7.50 per kg.

A meat trader who wanted to be known only as Mamat, 37, from Larkin said that there has been a shortage of quail from his supplier in Pontian.

He said the dry and hot weather had affected the breeding of the birds.

“It has been a week since this problem had started and my supplier has not been able to tell me when supply will resume,” he added.

However, quail meat was available at the Johor Jaya market but the supply was limited.


Lim: Water crisis in Penang if no rain for two more months
The Star 15 Apr 16;

GEORGE TOWN: The state’s dams are getting drier by the hour due to El Nino.

About 5pm yesterday, the dam levels’ LED display in Teluk Bahang showed that it was 62% full, while the Air Itam Dam was 64%.

But by 6.30pm, however, Penang Water Authority’s website (www.pba.com.my) showed that Air Itam Dam had slipped to 59.9% and Teluk Bahang was down to 61.5%.

Mengkuang Dam is nearly full, but it is being upgraded by the Federal Government, so its water level was not available.

“If the rains do not come soon, Penang is heading for a water crisis in two months,” said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Adding that Perlis and Kedah could face the crisis within a month, Lim called on the Federal Govern­ment to do large scale cloud seeding in the northern region.

“It is now being done on an ad hoc basis. That is not enough,” he added.

When the inter-monsoon season began early this month, he said the rainfall was the lowest in history.

“That was the Qing Ming (Chinese All Souls Day) season and it usually rains, except for this year.”

According to infokemarau.water.gov.my, Perlis’ Timah Tasoh Dam level is at 26.71m, 1.4m above critical level. Lim said in a press conference yesterday that Beris Dam in Sik, Kedah, was also low.

A check on the website, however, showed that this dam had been taken offline, so its information was not available on the Internet.

Kedah’s larger dams in Pedu and Muda, however, remained high at 72% and 93% respectively.

Since Beris Dam regulates the flow of water in the Muda River Basin, he expressed fears that the river would be affected if Beris Dam dips to critical levels.

Penang draws about 90% of its daily water needs from this river.

“We are talking about a crisis which could affect more than four million people,” added Lim.

However, he stopped short of saying if there would be any water rationing in Penang.

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Malaysia: Putting an end to poaching and ivory trade

The Star 15 Apr 16;

PORT DICKSON: Malaysia will join forces with other countries to end wildlife poaching and smuggling.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the Government strongly supported efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking, especially the ivory trade.

“The world is facing the loss of more elephants, thus threatening the future of elephants across the continents.

“According to the Convention on Interna­tional Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites), over 20,000 elephants may have been poached across Africa in 2013,” he said at a ceremony to destroy seized ivory at Bukit Pelandok here yesterday.

Dr Wan Junaidi said Malaysia had actively participated in regional and international enforcement collaborations.

The country, he added, had confiscated more than 4,000 pieces of ivory and various other wildlife species through the coordinated efforts of an international enforcement network and public information.

“Results from the forensic analysis revealed that the ivory came from Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Ghana, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya and South Sudan.

“However, unlike other countries identified as transit points, Malaysia does not have a domestic market for ivory or the ivory-carving industry,” he said.

At the event, some 9.55 tonnes of ivory worth US$20mil (RM77mil) were destroyed.

The ivory was seized at the low-cost carrier terminal of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, as well as in Port Klang and Butterworth. — Bernama

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Indonesia: Govt looks to disband zero-deforestation pledge

Hans Nicholas Jong The Jakarta Post 13 Apr 16;

The government is campaigning against a “zero deforestation” pledge (IPOP) signed by leading palm oil producers in Indonesia. This stands in stark contrast to Indonesia’s commitment to promoting sustainable agro-forestry practices.

The Agriculture Ministry said on Tuesday the government was looking for a legal basis to disband the pledge. The pledge was initially designed to promote sustainable practices in Indonesia, the world’s largest producer and exporter of palm oil.

“The point is that we oppose the IPOP. The Business Competition Supervisory Commission [KPPU] has issued a letter saying that there are indications of a cartel in the IPOP. We will coordinate with the KPPU first and that letter can be used as a basis for its disbandment,” the ministry’s plantations director general, Gamal Nasir, told The Jakarta Post.

The Agriculture Ministry has joined with the Environment and Forestry Ministry to attack the IPOP, with the latter officially stating its opposition to the pledge last year. The KPPU letter, issued in October 2015, said the IPOP might lead to cartel-like activities as it could create barriers to entry for palm oil farmers who conduct business with IPOP members. The signatories to the pledge are Asian Agri, Astra Agro Lestari, Cargill, Golden Agri-Resources, Musim Mas and Wilmar.

The KPPU said a requirement imposed by the IPOP demanding that its members only buy palm oil from farmers who plant sustainable palm oil was too difficult for small farmers to meet.

“In some points, the pledge is not in line with the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil [ISPO], which is a regulation for Indonesia’s palm oil industry,” the KPPU letter said.

The ISPO is a certification for legal compliance given out by the government. However, only a few companies in Indonesia are ISPO-certified. All signatories to the IPOP are also signatories to the ISPO.

The Consumer Goods Forum and the Tropical Forests Alliance 2020 lobbied for a better standard than the ISPO, which helped give birth to the IPOP. The IPOP goes beyond mere legal compliance as required by the ISPO.

IPOP members decided to ban clearing on four types of land: Primary forest, peatland, secondary forest and bush, regarded as land with a high carbon content. Meanwhile, the government only bans land clearing in primary forest and peatland as the ISPO only requires producers to avoid planting palm oil trees on high conservation value forest (HCVF), as opposed to IPOP members who are committed to avoiding high carbon stock (HCS) areas.

“That clearly violates the UUD [Constitution] as it stipulates that natural resources have to be utilized for the people’s welfare,” Gamal said.

However, IPOP legal team member Ibrahim Senen said the government had to prove that the pledge violated the law. “There’s no law that bans people from creating a higher standard,” he said.

Ibrahim also questioned the legal basis for the IPOP’s disbandment because the IPOP was simply a pledge, and not a legal subject in the country.

IPOP management team director executive Nurdiana Darus said the pledge did not aim to drive small farmers out of business.

“What we are hoping to achieve through the IPOP is the empowerment of small farmers. We are hoping to grow step by step because in the future, the market will demand sustainable palm oil from Indonesia,” she said.

Besides raising the concern of cartel-like activities, Gamal also accused the IPOP of submitting to pressure from foreign companies as it requires stricter sustainability practices. “Why do we want to be controlled by other countries?” he asked.

The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (Kadin), meanwhile, said the presence of the IPOP was important to unlock foreign markets as the country’s palm oil industry was often criticized, and sometimes boycotted, by overseas buyers for its unsustainable practices.

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Indonesia to issue a moratorium on new palm oil concessions

Indonesia, the world's top producer of palm oil, will issue a moratorium on new palm oil concessions, President Joko Widodo said on Thursday, part of the country's efforts to reduce the sector's impact on the environment.
Channel NewsAsia 14 Apr 16;

JAKARTA: Indonesia, the world's top producer of palm oil, will issue a moratorium on new palm oil concessions, President Joko Widodo said on Thursday, part of the country's efforts to reduce the sector's impact on the environment.

Home to the world's third-largest area of tropical forests, Indonesia has been criticised by green activists and other Southeast Asian nations on its forestry policy and for failing to stop the region's annual "haze" problem caused by forest-clearing for palm and pulp plantations.

Palm oil is a major growth driver in Southeast Asia's largest economy, and the industry is sensitive to the issue of environmental standards, used by global food and consumer goods giants like Kellog, Mars and Unilever, to determine which producers are acceptable.

"They can no longer ask for concessions for palm oil mining," Widodo told reporters on Thursday, when asked about the moratorium plans. Widodo said he had spoken to government ministers regarding the plan but stopped short of providing a timeline for the move.

Based on the government's calculations, the area already issued to oil palm growers could be more than twice as productive "provided they use the right seeds", the president said.

Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said he agreed with the plan, adding that in terms of productivity Indonesian palm growers were a long way behind those in Malaysia.

"We should invest in sugar, corn and cattle," Sulaiman told reporters, noting that Indonesia is already the world's top palm oil producer and that output from its existing plantations is expected to climb.

Earlier on Thursday, the government's anti-monopoly agency announced it would investigate suspected cartel practices among a grouping of the country's biggest palm oil producers - including Wilmar International, Cargill Inc and Golden Agri Resources - that are signatories to the Indonesian Palm Oil Pledge.

The landmark pledge to cut deforestation, agreed in 2014, was seen as in direct competition with the government's own standards and too difficult for smallholders to comply with.

Smallholders account for about 40 percent of Indonesia's palm output.

Last week media reports said Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio faced the risk of being banned from returning to Indonesia over his comments that palm oil plantations are destroying the Sumatran rainforests and endangering wildlife.

Later, however, the forestry minister said she shared DiCaprio's concerns and that he had acted in good faith.

(Reporting by Jakarta bureau, Writing by Fergus Jensen; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Susan Fenton)

- Reuters

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Indonesia launches national movement to preserve flora and fauna

Antara 14 Apr 16;

Kepulauan Seribu, Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo has arrived in Karya Island, Seribu Islands, Jakarta, on Thursday to launch the National Movement for the Rescue of Wild Fauna and Flora to preserve Indonesias endemic animal and plant species.

The president, accompanied by Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya, will release several endemic species such as the brahminy kite (Haliastur indus) and hatchling turtles in these waters.

The president will also sign an inscription to inaugurate Pramuka Islands Nature Reserve Center for turtles and Kotok Besar Islands Nature Reserve Center for the brahminy kite.

The president is scheduled to plant mangroves and coral reefs in the surrounding areas.

The government will set free doves and yellow-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier) along with several other birds on the island.

The activity was a testament of Indonesias support to commemorate International Forest Day on April 21.

The United Nations, through Resolution Number 67/200 of 2012, set the day to foster public awareness of the importance of the existence of all types of forests and of trees growing outside the forests.(*)

President Jokowi attends event to commemorate International Day of Forests
Antara 14 Apr 16;

Pulau Karya (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) attended a function to commemorate the International Day of Forests at Pulau Karya in the Thousand Islands District, Jakarta, on Thursday.

Ari Dwipayana from the presidential communication team noted in a press statement that President Jokowi will declare the National Movement for Wildlife Protection.

In addition, Dwipayana said the president will set free a Bondol Eagle (Haliastur indus) and release baby sea turtles into the ocean at Pulau Karya beach.

Boarding an Air Force Super Puma helicopter from Bogor, West Java, the president arrived at Pulau Karya on Thursday morning to attend the International Day of Forests and returned to Jakarta in the afternoon.

After arriving in Jakarta, President Jokowi will receive the leaders of the Audit Board of Indonesia and will hold a consultation with the leaders of the Peoples Consultative Assembly.

Every year, on the International Day of Forests, people across the world celebrate the ways in which forests and trees sustain and protect them.

This year, the International Day of Forests is being observed to raise awareness on how forests are the key to the planets supply of freshwater, which is essential for life.

Forests cover one-third of the Earths land mass and perform vital functions. Some 1.6 billion people, including those from more than two thousand indigenous cultures, depend on forests for their livelihood.

Forests are the most biologically diverse ecosystems on earth and are home to over 80 percent of the terrestrial species of animals, plants, and insects. They also provide shelter, jobs, and security for forest-dependent communities.
(Uu.O001/INE/KR-BSR/A014)

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Taiwan fishing industry 'out of control': Greenpeace

Taiwan has one of the world's biggest tuna fishing fleets and the new Greenpeace investigation is just the latest criticism of its practices.
Channel NewsAsia 14 Apr 16;

TAIPEI: Taiwan's fishing industry was "out of control", environment advocacy group Greenpeace said on Thursday (Apr 14), with shark finning still rampant as well as labour and human rights abuses.

Taiwan has one of the world's biggest tuna fishing fleets and the new Greenpeace investigation is just the latest criticism of its practices.

The European Union warned Taiwan last October that it would face economic sanctions if it did not tackle illegal fishing within six months - a period which is almost over.

"These investigations paint a comprehensive picture of an industry in crisis," said Yen Ning, campaigner at Greenpeace East Asia. "Despite talking the talk, Taiwan's Fisheries Agency appears incapable of monitoring the out-of-control tuna industry."

The year-long probe into Taiwan's distant water tuna fisheries revealed the "devastating impacts on marine life and people's lives" from the industry, Yen added.

Crew on Taiwanese vessels - which include as many as 160,000 migrant workers - endure "horrendous" working conditions and physical abuse, withheld payments and exploitation by recruitment agents, the report said.

Greenpeace said foreign crews' labour rights are not protected by any regulations, with workers recounting tales of being beaten by captains and working more than 20 hours a day for months on end.

Taiwan's Fisheries Agency - the government division overseeing the industry - did not have an immediate response to the Greenpeace allegations.

Commenting on the expiring warning from the EU, the agency's deputy chief Huang Hung-yan said: "They know that Taiwan has done a lot of work in this area. We communicate frequently."

An EU ban on Taiwan fishery imports could cost the island €13 million (US$14.6 million) a year, the European Commission, its executive arm, has estimated.

Despite warnings against illegal shark fishing, Greenpeace said its investigation discovered 16 cases of shark finning in just one Taiwanese port over a three-month period.

Legislation passed in 2012 requires fishermen to ship back entire shark carcasses, preventing them from just slicing off the fin - a delicacy in Chinese cuisine. But Greenpeace said in September it had discovered a haul of illegal shark fins on a Taiwanese ship near Papua New Guinea.

The Fisheries Agency rebuked Greenpeace for boarding a Taiwanese vessel without permission from the government, but promised it would investigate claims the ship was fishing illegally.

The report on Thursday also raised concerns about Thailand, one of the biggest markets for Taiwan's catch, where labour rights abuses have been revealed in its seafood processing industry.

Thailand was also warned of potential fishery sanctions by the EU last year.

"The fishing industries of both Taiwan and Thailand have been shown to have human rights problems," said Yen of Greenpeace. "Seafood lovers everywhere may be eating tuna tainted by human exploitation and environmental crime, and they'd never know."

- AFP/rw/ec

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WWF launches new Sustainability Guide to encourage sustainable FMCG products in Asia

WWF 15 Apr 16;

Singapore – The risks of serious environmental and social impact caused by poorly-managed supply chains can be avoided with improved practices that will also benefit business, according to a new guide released today by WWF.

The guide, “Asian Fast Moving Consumer Goods – A Sustainability Guide for Financiers and Companies”, is the first-ever review of public data on soft commodities, water and packaging from 26 companies in nine Asian countries* and identifies key risks, sets out the business benefits of sustainable practice and provides practical recommendations for improvement.

“Climate change, water and food crises are already causing increasing problems in the region. Events such as the regular haze in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore are not only unacceptable but also avoidable, and informed consumers are increasingly pointing the finger at companies they see as responsible,” said Jeanne Stampe, co-author of the guide and WWF’s Asia Finance and Commodities Specialist.

Asian Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) – defined as food and beverage, household and personal care – are an important economic growth sector for Asia and a crucial component of financiers’ portfolios due to a growing middle class population and urbanization in the region. But companies risk serious environmental and social impacts over coming years if their supply chains are not well-managed, especially those relating to ‘soft’ commodities (agriculture, forestry and seafood), water and packaging.

“Overall, Asian FMCG companies have a low awareness of environmental, social and related business risks compared to Western FMCG companies that are leading on sustainability. They have made limited progress in managing risks due to less scrutiny from customers, financiers and civil society. Corporate disclosure, investor engagement and due diligence by lending banks are also low in the region, though this is starting to change,” Stampe added.

As part of its Market Transformation Initiative, WWF is working with major soft commodity buyers, supply chains and financial actors to show that commodities can be produced at affordable costs with measurably reduced environmental and social impacts.
Through the guide WWF is challenging Asian FMCG companies to implement sustainable sourcing policies based on credible, international certification schemes with time-bound targets and regular progress reports.

WWF is also calling on companies, to demonstrate sound leadership in water risk management using WWF´s Water Risk Filter, and to develop packaging strategies that meet product needs while providing maximum benefit for the system as a whole.

“The FMCG sector’s vulnerability to extreme weather events and water and food crises emphasizes the need for companies and financiers involved in the sector to better understand and manage such risks. Active participation through multi-stakeholder platforms to jointly develop, implement and promote practicable and acceptable sustainability standards has now become imperative,” said Ben Ridley, Asia Pacific Head of Sustainability Affairs at Credit Suisse, which supports the guide.

WWF recommends financiers of Asian FMCG companies assess their portfolio companies, banking clients and potential new investments as a priority, linking costs and access to capital to more sustainable practices.

“Companies alone do not have the means to move towards more sustainable products. Support from their financiers through active investor engagement and due diligence by lenders is also essential,” said Stampe.

The guide was released today at the 3rd Singapore Dialogue on Sustainable World Resources organized by the Singapore Institute of International Affairs.

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