MP Louis Ng urges Government to ban shark’s fin from public service events
NICHOLAS KHONG Today Online 17 Jan 19;
SINGAPORE — Shark’s fin dishes should be banned from events organised by or for the public service, Member of Parliament (MP) Louis Ng said.
Mr Ng, who is MP for Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency, submitted a parliamentary question on the issue earlier this week, asking whether shark’s fin — traditionally considered a delicacy and a staple at Chinese weddings and formal banquets — is still being served at public service events and if it will be on the menu at future events.
In a written response, Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said that government agencies decide on their respective menus based on what is “prudent and appropriate for the occasion”.
“We do not have policies specific to the serving of shark’s fin,” Mr Chan said, adding that public agencies abide by the procurement principles of fairness, transparency and value-for-money.
Speaking to TODAY, Mr Ng said that these principles would rule out serving shark’s fin dishes.
SINGAPORE — Shark’s fin dishes should be banned from events organised by or for the public service, Member of Parliament (MP) Louis Ng said.
Mr Ng, who is MP for Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency, submitted a parliamentary question on the issue earlier this week, asking whether shark’s fin — traditionally considered a delicacy and a staple at Chinese weddings and formal banquets — is still being served at public service events and if it will be on the menu at future events.
In a written response, Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said that government agencies decide on their respective menus based on what is “prudent and appropriate for the occasion”.
“We do not have policies specific to the serving of shark’s fin,” Mr Chan said, adding that public agencies abide by the procurement principles of fairness, transparency and value-for-money.
Speaking to TODAY, Mr Ng said that these principles would rule out serving shark’s fin dishes.
Malaysia: Soldiers foil attempt to smuggle 310 magpies to Indonesia
Bernama New Straits Times 17 Jan 19;
KUCHING: Soldiers yesterday foiled an attempt to smuggle 310 magpies to Indonesia via a 'lorong tikus' (illegal route) near the Malaysia-Indonesia border in Tebedu, about 100 km from here.
KUCHING: Soldiers yesterday foiled an attempt to smuggle 310 magpies to Indonesia via a 'lorong tikus' (illegal route) near the Malaysia-Indonesia border in Tebedu, about 100 km from here.
Indonesia: Fires burn 124.5 hectares of land in Riau since early January
Antara 17 Jan 19;
Pekanbaru, Riau (ANTARA News) - Some 124.5 hectares of land and forests in Riau Province caught fires since early this year due to low rainfall, coupled with strong winds, according to the Riau Provincial Disaster Mitigation Board (BPBD).
The land and forests are located in Rokan Hilir, Bengkalis, Kampar, Dumai, and Kepulauan Meranti districts and Pekanbaru and Dumai municipalities, Edwar Sanger, acting chief of BPBD Riau, stated here on Thursday, Jan 17.
Pekanbaru, Riau (ANTARA News) - Some 124.5 hectares of land and forests in Riau Province caught fires since early this year due to low rainfall, coupled with strong winds, according to the Riau Provincial Disaster Mitigation Board (BPBD).
The land and forests are located in Rokan Hilir, Bengkalis, Kampar, Dumai, and Kepulauan Meranti districts and Pekanbaru and Dumai municipalities, Edwar Sanger, acting chief of BPBD Riau, stated here on Thursday, Jan 17.