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The Wild Side of Singapore (2014)
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A beetle at sea
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Free-living wild birds breeding in your home
from Bird Ecology Study Group
Haikal Latiff Channel NewsAsia 6 Jan 15;
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Management University (SMU) on Monday (Jan 6) launched its GROW initiative to encourage more sustainable living in Singapore. The programme aims to cultivate a harvest of food by encouraging more to pick up gardening.
People across all walks of life - students, staff, faculty members, residents, and business partners - can take part by planting crops at two plots of land outside SMU's School of Accountancy, which have been set aside for the university-wide urban farm programme.
Workshops for staff and faculty members to learn more about growing food in environmentally-friendly ways will be conducted, while healthier meals are expected to be served within the campus.
The GROW programme will also dovetail into the 80-hour community service required of SMU students, and will also be built into the annual community service project of delivering food and household needs to Queenstown residents.
Mayor for Central Singapore District Denise Phua and SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer were at SMU on Monday to kickstart the initiative. They planted two saplings of nutmeg - a spice said to bear a long cultural and historical significance in Central Singapore.
Nutmeg was once an important commercial crop in Bras Basah and Orchard Road and can be used for culinary, medicinal and other purposes.
- CNA/av
Malaysian vegetables that cost more include cai xin, Chinese spinach, brinjal, cucumber and chilli.
JESSICA LIM Straits Times 6 Jan 15;
The prices of some vegetables at wet markets here have gone up by as much as 60 per cent, as floods devastate crops on Peninsular Malaysia's east coast, affecting their supply to Singapore.
Malaysian vegetables that cost more include cai xin, Chinese spinach, brinjal, cucumber and chilli.
At a wet market stall in Yew Tee, Malaysian brinjals now sell at $5 per kg, up from $3.50 per kg in the middle of last month, when the massive floods began. At another stall in Serangoon, Malaysian cucumbers now cost $1.60 per kg, up from $1.
Singapore imported 226,500 tonnes, or 44 per cent, of its vegetables from Malaysia in 2013, according to the latest figures from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority. China (26 per cent) and India (6 per cent) are also major suppliers.
The prolonged rainy season in Malaysia has caused a supply drop in the country of between 30 per cent and 40 per cent, The Star newspaper reported, quoting Mr Chong Tek Keong, treasurer of the Federation of Malaysian Vegetables Wholesalers Association.
This means reduced supply for Singapore, as suppliers in Malaysia need to serve their local market first, said Mr John Chia, 52, a wholesaler in Singapore."They then increased prices by at least 20 per cent," said Mr Chia, who owns JnJ Vegetable Suppliers.
For vegetables that make it to Singapore, some have to be thrown away as water-logged greens tend to rot faster, said Mr Law Song Nam, vice-chairman of the Singapore Fruits and Vegetables Importers and Exporters Association.
Despite the supply fall, prices at supermarket chains here, such as NTUC FairPrice, Cold Storage, Giant and Sheng Siong, have so far remained the same.
Said a spokesman for Sheng Siong: "Through procuring from multiple sources, we try as much as possible not to adjust the retail prices of fresh vegetables."
Large retailers also usually have contracts with vegetable wholesalers on a fixed-price basis.
The bad weather has also put a dampener on fish supplies, as fishermen keep their boats moored. Prices of Malaysian fish have inched up about 10 per cent, said the Singapore Fish Merchants General Association.
The good news is that prices of Malaysian produce are expected to return to normal levels by Chinese New Year next month, as weather conditions in Malaysia improve and importers here switch to alternative sources, said Mr Law.
Malaysia's Meteorological Department has said that the weather is gradually improving in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang.
Some consumers such as Mr V. Balakrishnan, who was spotted shopping for vegetables yesterday, are not put off by the price hike. "Yes, prices have gone up, but not by that much," he said. "It's only a few cents, we won't be cutting down."
- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/some-malaysian-greens-cost-60-more-wet-markets-20150106#sthash.lwkejnz3.dpuf
Ranjeetha Pakiam Bloomberg News 5 Jan 15;
A monsoon surge that brought the worst floods in decades to Malaysia, hurting palm oil output in the second-largest grower, is forecast to move south this week, risking further inundations in Johor and Sarawak. Prices fell.
Heavy rains will probably start on Jan. 7 or Jan. 8 in the two states and could last two or three days, potentially causing floods, according to Ambun Dindang, an officer at the Malaysian Meteorological Department. Johor, at the southern end of Peninsula Malaysia, together with Sarawak in Borneo Island account for about one third of the country’s total production.
Palm oil rallied last week to the highest in almost two months after the severe flooding in the north hurt harvesting, and Ambun’s forecast raises the possibility of a second wave of disruptions further south. The wetter-than-usual weather that stretched from southern Thailand, through Malaysia and into Indonesia also triggered rubber-supply concerns, sending futures into a bull market. The floods will probably cut palm oil output and push prices higher, according to BNP Paribas SA.
“At the moment, the cloudy areas are more towards the sea, just at the northeast of Johor and northwest of Sarawak,” Ambun said in a telephone interview from Petaling Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur today. “These patches of clouds are still hovering over this place. So once it moves in, you can see some increase in rainfall amount, especially in Johor and Sarawak.”
Prices Rally
Palm oil for March delivery rose as much as 0.6 percent to 2,297 ringgit ($650) a metric ton on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives today before ending 0.9 percent lower at 2,262 ringgit. Last month, most-active futures advanced 4.3 percent as the floods spread in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang, three states that lie north of Johor along the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia. The price rallied to 2,308 ringgit on Dec. 29, the highest since Nov. 4.
“This could drive prices up,” Michael Greenall, a Kuala Lumpur-based analyst at BNP Paribas, said by phone today, referring to the risk of floods in Johor and Sarawak. “It depends on how severe the long-term impact is, because we don’t know whether there’s any damage to the trees as well if there’s flooding, and how fast these trees will recover.”
Models still show a surge of showers this week, keeping a risk of damage over palm oil areas in Malaysia, Commodity Weather Group LLC, a Bethesda, Maryland-based forecaster, said in a report on Jan. 2.
Floods Possible
“At the beginning of the monsoon season in November and December, normally the northeastern part of Peninsula Malaysia will get this impact of the monsoon surge, and then it propagates to the south,” said Ambun. “Floods are possible,” he said, referring to areas in Johor and Sarawak.
Malaysian output may have dropped 22 percent to 1.36 million tons last month, Ivy Ng, an analyst at CIMB Investment Bank Bhd., wrote in a report dated yesterday, citing a survey by the bank’s futures team. Inventories probably declined to 2 million tons, providing short-term support to prices, Ng said.
Prime Minister Najib Razak is down with E. coli after visiting the flood-hit areas, his media office said in a Twitter posting. Flood victims are concerned about diseases caused by contaminated water, rubbish and carcasses, the Star newspaper reported on its website today.
10 Jan (Sat) evening: Free guided walk at the Pasir Ris mangroves
Adventures with the Naked Hermit Crabs and Sharing Pasir Ris Mangroves with families in our December walk
Red-legged Crake (Rallina fasciata) @ Mandai Lake Road
from Monday Morgue
Today Online 5 Jan 15;
KUALA LUMPUR — China developer Country Gardens Holdings can only develop less than 1,000 acres or a quarter of its controversial 1,600 hectares Forest City project in the Johor Straits under new limits set by the Malaysian Department of Environment (DOE).
The Malaysian Insider has learnt that the DOE has verbally informed Country Garden Pacificview, a joint-venture unit of Country Gardens Holdings, of the new limits after complaints from locals and the Singapore government over reclamation works in the narrow waterway between Malaysia and the island state.
“The DOE has decided to limit the project to the first phase and wait for a few years to see the impact before looking at future phases,” a source told The Malaysian Insider.
“The DOE is expected to send an official letter about its decision soon to relevant parties,” he added.
Country Gardens Holdings is China’s seventh-largest property developer with a market capitalisation of HK$63 billion (S$10.8 billion) as of Dec 31 last year. Its financial revenue for the financial year ended June 30, 2014, was HK$38.3 billion with HK$5.5 billion net profit.
Another source said Malaysian environmental authorities made their decision after Singapore presented videos and documentary proof of continued reclamation works for the ambitious China-Malaysia joint-venture project.
It is understood that the evidence was presented at the last Malaysia-Singapore Joint Commission on Environment (MSJCE) which met last month.
Singapore had raised the issue of reclamation works near its sea border as it had effects on its coastal areas. The reclamation works had also affected Malaysia’s nearby key transhipment hub, the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP).
Last September, the Johor government said it wanted Country Garden Pacificview, the developer of Forest City, to comply with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before developing the project at Tanjung Kupang, Gelang Patah.
Johor chief minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin had said it was important to ensure issues such as environment were given full attention and regulations were adhered to.
“We hope the developer complies with the requirement to submit an EIA report, which is very important for us to ensure all concerns, including from the environmental aspects, are given attention,” he said in Johor Bahru.
A public dialogue on Forest City’s Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA) turned chaotic on September 2 last year, when the developer was confronted with all kind of enquiries from the residents in Kampung Pok affected by the project.
They expressed dissatisfaction for not being consulted before the implementation of the project, which involved the construction of a 1,600-hectare man-made island, which was seen as polluting the environment and jeopardising the area’s marine ecology.
The developers had reportedly voluntarily stopped sea reclamation to build the island, which was 30 per ccent completed, on June 15 last year, although there was no official DOE notice.
The Forest City project, which has gross development value (GDV) estimated at RM600 billion (S$226.7 billion) on reclaimed land, is a joint venture between KPRJ, a Johor state government owned subsidiary and Country Garden Holdings.
Country Gardens first entered Malaysia in 2011 in a joint-venture with Mayland Group to develop two parcels of land in Semenyih and Rawang.
The China developer ventured into Johor in 2012 when it acquired 22 hectares of waterfront and in Danga Bay for nearly RM1 billion. It launched Phase One of the Danga Pay project in 2013 where over 1,500 units were snapped up in three days.
It launched Phase Two of the Danga Bay project in 2014 which has sold over 6,000 units to date. Danga Bay is part of Malaysia’s ambitious Iskandar Region corridor to develop the southern state as the Shenzhen to Singapore. THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER
Malaysia sets new development limits on Johor's Forest City project
Straits Times 5 Jan 15;
JOHOR BARU - China developer Country Gardens Holdings can only develop less than a quarter of its planned Forest City project in Johor Strait, under new limits set by Malaysia's Department of Environment.
The company was informed verbally about the new limits (405ha), Malaysian Insider has reported, after complaints from locals and the Singapore government over reclamation works in the narrow waterway between Malaysian and the city state.
"The DOE has decided to limit the project to the first phase and wait for a few years to see the impact before looking at future phases," the Malaysian Insider quoted a source as saying. An official letter about the decision will be sent to the relevant parties soon, the source said.
The ambitious 1,600ha project, a joint-venture by Country Gardens and a Johor development company, involved massive reclamation off Tuas in the next 30 years. The man-made island was going to measure nearly three times the size of Ang Mo Kio estate and was to offer luxury homes in the Johor Strait.
Singapore had raised the issue of reclamation works near its sea border which would effect its coastal areas. Evidence to the same, in the form of videos and documentary proof, was presented to the Malaysian environmental authorities during the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Commission on Environment (MSJCE) which met last month, another source told the Malaysian Insider.
The reclamation works had also affected Malaysia's nearby key transhipment hub, the Port of Tanjung Pelepas.
Last September, the Johor government said it wanted the developer to comply with the Environmental Impact Assessment. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin had said it was important to ensure issues such as the environment were given full attention and regulations were adhered to.
A public dialogue on the detailed impact assessment of the City in September last year had turned chaotic, after the developers were bombarded with inquiries from locals who were worried about environment pollution and jeopardy to the area's marine ecology.
Country Gardens Holdings, the parent company of the developers, is China's seventh-largest property developer with a market capitalisation of HK$63 billion (S$10.8 billion) as of Dec 31, 2014.
KL limits Forest City project after concerns over its impact
Today Online 6 Jan 15;
KUALA LUMPUR — China developer Country Gardens Holdings can develop less than 405ha, or only a quarter, of its controversial 1,600ha Forest City project in the Johor Straits, under new limits set by Malaysia’s Department of Environment (DOE), a report yesterday showed.
The Malaysian Insider has learnt that the DOE has verbally informed Country Garden Pacific View, a joint-venture unit of Country Gardens Holdings, of the new limits after complaints from locals and the Singapore Government over reclamation work in the narrow waterway between Malaysia and the island state.
“The DOE has decided to limit the project to the first phase and wait for a few years to see the impact before looking at future phases,” a source told The Malaysian Insider.
“The DOE is expected to send an official letter about its decision soon to relevant parties,” he added.
The Forest City development in the Strait of Johor, near Singapore’s Second Link, involves creating a 1,817ha island almost three times the size of Ang Mo Kio and the construction of luxury homes. The project, which includes a 49ha tourist hub and recreational facilities, is expected to be completed in 30 years’ time.
The ambitious project involves massive land reclamation work. Singapore had previously expressed concern about the possible transboundary impact of the reclamation work near its sea border.
Another source said Malaysian environmental authorities made their decision after Singapore presented videos and documentary proof of continued reclamation work for the China-Malaysia joint-venture project.
It is understood that the evidence was presented at the last Malaysia-Singapore Joint Commission on Environment, which met last month.
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not issue a response to TODAY’s request for comment.
Analysts said it was difficult to gauge how much interest the project has generated among Singaporeans, but that it was likely investors would have already been cautious about the mega-project because it was on reclaimed land.
“At this point, I think the news hasn’t reached the majority of their consumers,” said Mr Sean Tan, general manager of iProperty Singapore.
“And as a Singaporean investor, obviously they would have to relook how that would affect their investment overall. I think Singaporeans being Singaporean investors, they will have a wait-and-see attitude until the formal letters and legislation have been put through.”
The reclamation work had also affected Malaysia’s nearby key transshipment hub, the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP).
Last September, the Johor government said it wanted Country Garden Pacificview, the developer of Forest City, to comply with an Environmental Impact Assessment study before developing the project.
Johor Chief Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin had said it was important to ensure issues such as the environment were given full attention and that regulations were adhered to.
A public dialogue on Forest City’s Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment turned chaotic on Sept 2 when the developer was confronted by locals affected by the project who were unhappy about not being consulted before its implementation, which was seen as polluting the environment and jeopardising the area’s marine ecology.
The developers had reportedly voluntarily stopped sea reclamation to build the island, which was 30 per cent completed, on June 15 last year, although there was no official DOE notice.
The Forest City project, which has gross development value (GDV) estimated at RM600 billion (S$225 billion) on reclaimed land, is a joint venture between KPRJ, a Johor state government owned subsidiary, and Country Garden Holdings.
The China developer ventured into Johor in 2012 when it acquired 22ha of waterfront land in Danga Bay for nearly RM1 billion. It launched Phase One of the Danga Bay project in 2013, when more than 1,500 units were snapped up in three days.
It launched Phase Two of the Danga Bay project last year, selling more than 6,000 units to date. Danga Bay is part of Malaysia’s ambitious Iskandar Region corridor, a project to develop the southern state as a special development and economic zone that would attract foreign investors.
Country Gardens Holdings is China’s seventh-largest property developer with a market capitalisation of HK$63 billion (S$10.8 billion) as of Dec 31 last year. Agencies, with additional reporting by Laura Philomin
Malaysia sets new limits on Forest City project
The Straits Times AsiaOne 6 Jan 14;
JOHOR BARU - China developer Country Gardens Holdings can develop only less than a quarter of its planned Forest City project in the Strait of Johor, under new limits set by Malaysia's Department of Environment.
The company was informed verbally about the new limits of 405ha, The Malaysian Insider has reported, after complaints from locals and the Singapore government over reclamation works in the narrow waterway between Malaysia and the city-state.
"The Department of Environment has decided to limit the project to the first phase and wait for a few years to see the impact before looking at future phases," The Malaysian Insider quoted a source as saying. An official letter about the decision will be sent to the relevant parties soon, the source said.
The ambitious 1,600ha project, a joint-venture by Country Gardens and a Johor development company, would have involved massive reclamation off Tuas in the next 30 years. The man-made island was going to measure nearly three times the size of Ang Mo Kio estate, and was to offer luxury homes in the Strait of Johor.
Singapore had raised the issue of reclamation works near its sea border, which would affect its coastal areas. Evidence to the same, in the form of videos and documentary proof, was presented to the Malaysian environmental authorities during the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Commission on Environment, which met last month, another source told The Malaysian Insider.
The reclamation works had also affected Malaysia's nearby key transhipment hub, the Port of Tanjung Pelepas.
Last September, the Johor government said that it wanted the developer to comply with the Environmental Impact Assessment. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin had said that it was important to ensure issues such as the environment were given full attention and regulations were adhered to.
A public dialogue on the detailed impact assessment of the City in September last year had turned chaotic, after the developers were bombarded with inquiries from locals who were worried about environmental pollution and jeopardy to the area's marine ecology.
Country Gardens Holdings, the parent company of the developers, is China's seventh-largest property developer with a market capitalisation of HK$63 billion (S$10.8 billion) as of Dec 31.
Feng Zengkun The Straits Times AsiaOne 5 Jan 15;
The fate of a group of stray cats in Sembawang remains up in the air, with the authorities refuting online reports that the animals will be removed and likely culled.
On Thursday, a group of cat feeders taking care of the strays in Jalan Lengkok Sembawang wrote to the MP for the area, Ms Lee Bee Wah, and others to ask that the cats be spared from culling.
The feeders said the authorities had conducted a survey asking residents whether they wanted the cats to be removed.
"Our concern is that... community cats that are caught will have to be sent to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority, where they are likely to be culled," the cat feeders said in their letter.
But when asked, Ms Lee said that "while a survey has been done, we intend to ask the Cat Welfare Society and a group of animal lovers to consider what possible solutions there are".
"A decision will be taken only after they look at the situation and make suggestions," said Ms Lee.
She did not respond to queries about the nature of the complaints in Jalan Lengkok Sembawang, or about the survey.
The Straits Times understands, however, that the same poll was done in Yishun last month.
The Straits Times obtained a copy of that survey, which started with a paragraph noting residents' feedback about hygiene and cleanliness issues related to discarded cat food.
"We also received requests for the stray cats to be removed," the survey said, before asking the resident a single yes/no question: "Do you agree to the stray cats to be removed (sic)?"
Cat Welfare Society chief executive Joanne Ng said it was not consulted about or involved in either survey, although the group works with Nee Soon Town Council to resolve cat-related complaints.
Ms Ng said she met Ms Lee and town council representatives on Tuesday after learning of the Yishun survey.
"We agreed to work closer together and to communicate more effectively," she said.
Regarding its involvement in future surveys, Ms Ng said the society does not agree with surveys that ask whether cats should be removed or culled, as these do not solve the underlying conflict between those who want the cats left alone and those who want them removed.
The Star 5 Jan 15;
TANAH MERAH: The spectre of a disease outbreak is now hanging over residents who are struggling to cope with the aftermath of the floods.
Although water and power supplies are gradually resuming since last Friday and food supply like vegetables and chicken are also being sold after the reopening of roads, residents are worried about diseases caused by contaminated water, rubbish and carcasses.
The stink from rotten food and garbage is pervasive everywhere, from the town centre to the villages.
Tan Kim Kui, 46, who runs a bookshop, had to discard countless books, magazines and other items that were damaged in the disaster.
“I contacted the recycling companies but they said their stores are full.
“I’m not selling but giving them away and yet, no one wants them,” she said.
One housewife, who only wanted to be known as Rima, said she had no choice but to dispose her damaged belongings.
“My whole house was submerged under water. I had to throw away almost everything,” she said.
MCA central committee member Koh Chin Han called on local councils to look into the rubbish problems to prevent an outbreak of infectious diseases.
He also reminded the people to be careful in their food intake.
Koh, who is Malacca MCA secretary, came here to help clean up SJK (C) Yuk Cheng, which was damaged in the floods.
“I am merely doing my part to help.
“Most importantly, we must ensure that the school is able to start as scheduled next Monday,” he said, adding that many desks, chairs and teaching materials were destroyed.
Joining him in the operation were several division leaders from Malacca MCA, grassroots leaders and members as well as volunteers from the party’s Crisis Relief Squad from Perlis, Kedah and Perak.
Floods: Perak hit by second wave
SYLVIA LOOI New Straits Times 5 Jan 15;
IPOH: As the number of flood evacuees continues to drop nationwide, Perak has been hit by a second wave of flood with 32 people in Batu Gajah being evacuated after water rise to one metre.
State National Security Council spokesman said as at 8am today, there were still 5,728 evacuees at 38 flood relief centres.
"Perak Tengah district tops the worst hit area with 4,562 victims seeking shelter at relief centres," she said.
Meanwhile, a state Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said 32 victims at Kampung Piandang Baru in Pusing were evacuated from their homes at 11.30pm yesterday.
"They are being placed at Dewan Orang Ramai Kampung Piandang in Batu Gajah," he said.
Pulau Ubin (31122014)
by Psychedelic Nature
Night Walk At Venus Drive (02 Jan 2015)
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Life History of the Three Spot Grass Yellow
from Butterflies of Singapore
Hornbill, caterpillars and mangrove tree at Pulau Ubin
from wild shores of singapore
CHRISTINA CHIN AND AMANDA YEAP The Star 4 Jan 15;
PETALING JAYA: The East Coast flood crisis has sent vegetable prices soaring, while chicken farmers are scrambling to prevent a glut as delivery to affected states has been cut off.
The prices of fish and seafood are also rising as fishermen are unable to go out to sea due to unfavourable weather and choppy seas.
Federation of Malaysian Vegetables Wholesalers Association treasurer Chong Tek Keong said the prices of vegetables have risen by between 40% and 50%.
He said the prolonged rainy season had caused a drop in local supply by between 30% and 40%.
Denying that the profits of wholesalers’ had increased because of the higher demand, he said it was farmers who were charging more for their produce.
“Supply was already low because of the recent crackdown on illegal immigrants in Cameron Highlands and mud floods there and the East Coast floods have pushed prices even higher.
“Wholesalers only resumed their delivery to certain areas in Kelantan and Pahang on Monday,” he said.
Chong said prices of locally grown vegetable were only expected to drop after the Chinese New Year next month.
Cameron Highlands Vegetable Growers Association secretary Chay Ee Mong said the rainy weather and floods affected the produce of vegetables throughout the country and not only in the highlands.
“The weather is too wet for any harvest progress.
“Hopefully, the weather will return to normal soon so that leafy vegetables can be harvested in time to meet the higher demand during Chinese New Year,” he said.
According to the Meteorological Department, the weather was gradually improving in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang but heavy rains were likely to continue in Johor, Sabah and Sarawak.
Chicken farmers said they were being forced to sell poultry below the controlled price of RM4.60 per kilo due to a drastic drop in demand.
Federation of Livestock Farmers Association of Malaysia secretary general Jeffrey Ng said about 3,000 poultry farms nationwide were struggling to clear their “excessive stock” of birds.
“Restaurants and eateries are essential markets for our members and since the floods, many kitchens cannot operate and the demand for poultry is very low,” he said.
Selangor and Federal Territory Chicken and Duck Traders Association vice-president Yap Chau Hen said some traders were selling birds for as low as RM3.50 per kilo.
National Fisherman’s Association general manager Norizaman Ghazali said fish prices were usually higher in January because there is less fish in the sea.
“This is a seasonal trend,” he said.
Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) director-general Abdul Rahman Ellis said with fishermen landing up to 15% less in catches, prices have risen by between 5% and 10%.
Citing an example, he said ikan cencaru (torpedo scad) now cost between RM1 and RM2 more at the farmer’s market.
“Many fishermen in the East Coast are flood victims so they cannot go out to sea,” he said.
Abdul Rahman said LKIM was prepared for the drop in supply and had implemented a freeze on the export of common fishes like the cencaru, selar (yellowtail scad), kembong (short mackerel), pelaling (Indian mackerel) and selayang (round scad) since middle of November.
Camerons greens up by 20% to 40%
The Star 4 Jan 15;
IPOH: Prices of vegetables from Cameron Highlands have increased by an estimated 20% to 40%, according to vegetable sellers here.
Most sellers said the increases started with the mud floods tragedy there in early November.
Mior Jala, 54, said vegetables such as cabbage, sawi (mustard leaves), spring onions and celery were being sold to him at a higher prices.
“My regular customers are complaining to me, but what else can I do? Times are tough for all sellers and there is no extra income for us. Sometimes, we even selling at a loss,” he said.
Mior said the shelf life of greens was another problem, adding that he had been throwing away a lot of rotten vegetables.
“I have to buy less stock and adjust the prices accordingly. Otherwise, it will be difficult to support my family,” said the father of three, aged between eight and 24.
Another seller Salasiah Nawi, 58, said business had not been good with the higher prices.
“I am forced to sell limited vegetable stocks from the highland such as cabbages, tomatoes and brinjals at RM4 or RM5 per kg,” she said.
Many lament over expensive food items
The Star 4 Jan 15;
PETALING JAYA: Fresh greens are not only getting costlier but also scarce as vegetables are quickly snapped up after arriving at the markets.
Canteen operator Janaki Chiew (pic)lamented that prices of many vegetables had been rising steadily since early last month.
She said long beans, sawi (mustard leaves), kangkung (water convolvulus), cabbage and brinjal had become expensive.
“Everything has gone up by 40% to 50%. Long beans which used to cost RM6 are now RM10 per kilo.
“Traders claim their profit is only between 15% and 20% because if the prices are too high, they will lose customers,” she said.
Housewife Pat Boey said her regular vegetable seller in Kepong had been charging RM1 for a few stalks of spring onion.
“I used get a bunch for 50 sen, but now I am paying double.”
In George Town, chef Alex Heng Song Ling of the You Yen Vegetarian Centre said he had no choice but to pay more.
“What can I do? I run a vegetarian restaurant and greens are my main ingredients.
“I now pay between 30% and 50% more for chillies. I have to absorb the costs because I can’t simply change my prices with vegetable costs rising so often.”
Leaf Healthy House manager Candy Lee said she paid between 20% and 40% more for greens last week and found that some vegetables were not available.
She said she paid between 20% and 40% more for cauliflower and broccoli last week.
Federation of Malaysian Consumer Association secretary-general Datuk Paul Selvaraj urged the Government to implement strong agricultural policies to ensure food security and sustainability.
He said food prices skyrocketed each time there was a crisis.
“We need a long-term approach so that we are not dependent on just a few farms,” he said.
Floods: Vegetable, fish prices expected to stabilise in three months
The Star 3 Jan 15;
BERA: The rise in prices of vegetable and fish in several areas especially in flood-hit states is expected to be resolved in less than three months.
Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the ministry had imported supplies of vegetables and fish from neighbouring countries to overcome shortage and to stabilise food prices.
"Things are still under control as many people do not need to buy vegetables as they are at relief centres, but I am concerned when they return home.
"That is why we have directed the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) to import food and vegetables," he told reporters after visiting flood victims at SMK Kerayong relief centre, here Saturday.
The items include round cabbage, tomato, red pepper, potato, ginger, onion and big onion from India and Holland, coconut and garlic imported from Indonesia, China, Vietnam, India and Holland.
He did not refute the price of vegetables in flood hit states had increased by 70%.
However, there was no problem with supply of fish as frozen fish had been stocked since November.
Fama and the National Fishermen Association (Nekmat) would be sellling goods at low prices after the floods, in an effort to stabilise prices.
Ismail said flood victims must register with the district agriculture department to receive compensation under the Disaster Relief Fund established last year. – Bernama
New Straits Times 3 Jun 15;
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) anticipates monsoon surge to begin on Jan 7 or 8, with possible continuous heavy rainfall up to three days over certain states, especially Johor, Sabah and Sarawak.
Its director-general, Datuk Che Gayah Ismail, however, said that the exact date could only be determined two or three days before it began.
“Normally, monsoon surge occur four or five times during the monsoon season. This year, it began in November 2014 and is expected to end by March 2015,” she told Bernama today.
Che Gayah also said the department had stationed a meteorologist at the National Security Council to provide the officials with latest information on current weather phenomenon, including the monsoon surges.
“We will also update from time to time the information on our official website www.met.gov.my or on our page on Facebook and Twitter,” she said.
The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry has cautioned the public living in flood-prone areas to keep themselves updated on weather reports, in view of a monsoon rain predicted to hit the country on Wednesday and Thursday.
Its minister Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin in a statement today said his ministry, through the Meteorological Department, would continue to monitor weather conditions nationwide, including in Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territory of Labuan.
"Any updates and information regarding the latest weather will be informed to the authorities and this will then be disseminated to the masses," he said.
Ebin also advised the public not to proceed with recreational activities or water sports, after the department had issued a category two strong winds and rough seas warning that would continue until tomorrow.
The affected areas include Pahang, east Johor, Sarawak, Sabah (inlands, west coast and Kudat) and Labuan.
Floods: Johor evacuees drop to 86, all roads fully accessible
BEN TAN New Straits Times 3 Jan 15;
JOHOR BARU: The latest number of flood victims in Johor has dropped to 86 from an earlier figure of 116 today.
As of 4pm, Segamat district registered the most number of evacuees with 58 victims reported from 13 families in four temporary flood relief centres.
The Johor National Security Council (NSC) reported that the centres in Segamat are located mainly in the Buloh Kasap and Gemereh areas.
Those still operating are: SK Kg Spang Loi, Balairaya Kg Batu Badak, Balairaya Kg Tandung and Balairaya Kg Sanglang.
Batu Pahat registered a total of 28 flood victims from five families in only one centre at SK Kota Dalam in Ayer Hitam. The district has maintained the number of flood victims since this afternoon.
Besides the two affected districts, a Johor NSC spokesperson said there were no other temporary flood relief centres open in other areas in the state as the weather had continues to improve.
"At present, there are no road closures or detours as all roads in the state are fully accessible to motorists," said the spokesperson.
Many stunned by floodwaters
BEH YUEN HUI, FARIK ZOLKEPLI, P. ARUNA, AUSTIN CAMOENS, ONG HAN SEAN, D. KANYA KUMARI, NICHOLAS CHENG, NATA SHA JOIBI, CHRISTINE CHEAH, AND ADRIAN CHAN
The Star 4 Jan 15;
TEMERLOH: Those who were born and bred here say that they have never seen anything like last month’s flood that hit their area.
G. Naganesan, 35, described Taman Bahagia and Taman Bahagia Baru, along with the rest of Temerloh, as “turning into an island” due to the swollen Sungai Pahang.
He was among those who braved neck-deep waters to deliver food to victims stranded in their homes.
He has also been coordinating with 4x4 groups and other volunteers since the floods inundated much of Temerloh after Christmas.
“The entire residential area became like a river, with water carrying with it furniture and even motorcycles,” he said.
“I was born here and I grew up here. We have never seen anything like this before,” said Naganesan, who works in a Mentakab bank.
With the help of his friends from other towns, he managed to gather enough supplies to distribute to the residents.
“Temerloh town has been without electricity since Dec 26,” he said.
“Some residents did not receive any supply during the first few days. Some had to travel all the way to Lanchang – about 30km away – just to buy milk for their babies,” said Naganesan.
Looking back, he said he learnt a lot from the tragedy.
“When we first received aid, we just gave it away.
“However, some residents got something, while others did not,” he said.
“Quarrels broke out among the affected residents as they jostled to grab for the essential items.”
It was then that Naganesan and his friends decided that these items needed to be repacked before being handed out.
“It ensured that no family was left out,” he added.
The ugly side of the people surfaced when aid workers delivered relief supplies.
“We sent rice, eggs, instant noodles and sardines but they asked for soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and even cigarettes!
“We did go back with soap and candles but we did not buy shampoo and cigarettes,” he said, adding that other than greed, some only shared excess supplies with people of their own race.
Others were picky, taking only clothing which were “nice” and rejecting others, said Naganesan.
He said those living in bungalows fled to higher grounds.
“Some left their maids and pets behind,” he added.
Areas around Mentakab are already accessible, except for Batu Kapur, which is near Sungai Semantan.
“Water level in Sungai Pahang is still high, affecting areas from Temerloh to Teriang,” said Naganesan.
“Usually, it is only areas like Lanchang and Karak that get flooded, but this time, these areas were not affected.”
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