Macro Photography Outings – December 2015
Bugs & Insects of Singapore
An Afternoon in a Global Big Year
Con Foley Photography
Noah Strycker’s Global Big Year stop in Singapore
Singapore Bird Group
Reduce and reuse for good: Singapore's first EcoBank launched
eco-business.com
Researchers identify mangroves’ worst enemies
Mongabay Environmental News
biotechin.asia: Meet the L’Oréal Singapore Women in Science 2015 fellows (Part I) – Dr Neo Mei Lin
Neo Mei Lin
Audrey Tan, Straits Times AsiaOne 29 Dec 15;
Clearer guidelines and a simplified process for reporting cases of infectious diseases are among the measures being considered by a task force set up to boost Singapore's ability to tackle infectious disease outbreaks.
The task force was set up earlier this month by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in the wake of lapses revealed by the hepatitis C infections at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) earlier this year.
"What we want is to encourage and enable medical professionals to report cases which they come across by providing clearer guidelines and simplifying the reporting process where possible, for example, by having a direct link from the laboratory to MOH on positive cases," said Minister of State for Health Chee Hong Tat, who chairs the task force.
He said the task force will look at the "modes of notification, timelines and escalation process" of infectious diseases, but be mindful about not adding to the workload.
"The task force will be careful about the downsides of adding more reporting and administrative burden for our healthcare institutions and medical professionals," he said, citing a need to keep standard operating procedures simple and help medical professionals "focus on their core responsibilities and to comply with existing infection-control protocols".
The task force will also relook the list of notifiable diseases under the Infectious Diseases Act, and have a national-level "Swat team" of infectious disease experts who can be mobilised at short notice.
It also plans to make better use of data analytics and information technology systems to boost the detection of potential outbreaks.
"Our current system depends too heavily on human judgment to process large amounts of information and decide whether the risks are significant enough for escalation and further investigation," said Mr Chee, who is also Minister of State for Communications and Information, at the launch of an SG50 book and video about Singapore's experience in overcoming infectious diseases.
Currently, most measures to prevent and control infectious diseases here come under the Infectious Diseases Act, which includes provisions for the director of medical services of MOH to get patient information from doctors to investigate an outbreak, for instance.
To date, 25 patients who were warded at SGH have been diagnosed with the same family of hepatitis C virus. Eight patients have died, with the hepatitis C virus infection "a likely contributory factor" in seven of the deaths.
Professor Paul Tambyah, secretary-general of the Asia Pacific Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infection, said the measures identified were a good starting point.
But he said Singapore could also look at adopting a "one health" approach, which looks at human and animal health together.
This could be an area of interest, especially with the recent outbreak of Group B Streptococcus infections linked to raw freshwater fish.
Professor Leo Yee Sin, director of the Institute of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, said the measures were critical areas for the task force to follow up on.
One area of interest is how to improve the notification system, she said, adding that she thought Singapore was in a good position to do this, as a lot of the recording is done electronically.
"The trick is how to take the electronic information and make sense of it using electronic and big data analysis," she said.
"But recognising the amount of data is not enough. Step Two would be to identify and analyse the data, and (take) response action."
Outbreak response unit 'a good idea'
Audrey Tan, The Straits Times Asia One 31 Dec 15;
The idea to have a quick-response "Swat team" to tackle outbreaks of infectious diseases in Singapore is a good one, experts have said.
The idea had come from a Ministry of Health (MOH) task force set up in the aftermath of the outbreak of hepatitis C at the Singapore General Hospital, which was linked to several deaths earlier this year.
The experts said that such a team would provide healthcare institutions with the expertise needed to deal with complex and unusual outbreaks.
The "Swat team" would also be able to provide an "unbiased assessment" of the situation, said Dr Leong Hoe Nam, an infectious diseases specialist from Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital.
"Doctors within the hospital... may be under inappropriate pressure to report findings that are less truthful but better for the hospital's reputation," he said.
On Monday, Minister of State for Health Chee Hong Tat said that the MOH task force was considering setting up a national-level "Swat team". It would comprise infectious disease experts who can be mobilised quickly to respond to outbreaks in any healthcare institution here.
The "Swat team" is one of four measures being considered by the task force, which was set up earlier this month.
Other measures include reviewing standard operating procedures, making better use of technology and reviewing the list of notifiable diseases under the Infectious Diseases Act.
Associate Professor David Lye, senior consultant at Tan Tock Seng Hospital's Infectious Diseases Department and Institute of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, said that similar response units have been implemented overseas.
He said: "An example of this would be the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), part of the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
"The US has a lot of small hospitals and there are outbreaks every year, everywhere. The EIS attends to some of these outbreaks in smaller hospitals, as well as overseas. That is definitely a great idea and should be developed further."
For instance, the CDC last year sent EIS officers to West Africa in response to an Ebola outbreak there, in the largest international outbreak response in the CDC's history.
Professor Paul Tambyah, secretary-general of the Asia-Pacific Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infection, said that while it is not yet clear what form the Singapore "Swat team" will take, the EIS was "very effective". He said: "They get sent anywhere, and investigate anything - community outbreaks, hospital outbreaks."
But Dr Leong pointed out that for the "Swat team" to be effective, it must be given access to cutting-edge laboratory research.
"Science has changed over the last five years, and we can now get genetic signatures of the viruses concerned ," he said.
"This is often a research tool not available to hospitals. Yet, it is crucial and should be considered a country resource."
AsiaOne 29 Dec 15;
SINGAPORE - Following the recent Group B Streptococcus (GBS) bacteria outbreak here, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) has strengthened checks on imported frozen deep sea fish, subjecting the fish to GBS checks too.
AVA has also stepped up the inspections of fish-processing companies and plants, Lianhe Zaobao reported today (Dec 29).
The Straits Times reported earlier this month that there have been about 360 cases of GBS infections this year with about 150 cases linked to the consumption of Chinese-style raw fish dishes. The National Environment Agency (NEA) banned the use of freshwater fish in raw fish dishes on Dec 5.
AVA told Zaobao that, on top of the newly added check for GBS, imported frozen deep sea fish are checked for disease-causing micro-organism, parasytes and heavy metals.
Tests for GBS on frozen freshwater, saltwater fish
Tan Weizhen, The Straits Times AsiaOne 4 Jan 16;
SINGAPORE - Bacteria such as GBS can survive indefinitely while frozen, and reactivate and multiply again when the fish or meat is thawed.
Both freshwater and saltwater frozen fish are now being tested for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) bacteria, with experts saying the bacteria can survive freezing.
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) started testing last month.
A spokesman said in response to queries: "Following the ban on the use of freshwater fish in ready-to-eat raw fish dishes on 5 Dec, 2015, AVA stepped up the testing on frozen saltwater fish, with a focus on saltwater fish intended for raw consumption."
He elaborated: "We have broadened our tests for established food safety parameters to include the testing for GBS and such tests are performed on both frozen saltwater and freshwater fish."
The tests, so far, have been for various other disease-causing bacteria, parasites and heavy metals.
The spokesman said: "To date, we have not detected Type III GBS (ST283) in our tests on frozen saltwater fish."
Last year, about 150 people became sick after they ate freshwater fish prepared to be eaten raw, said the Ministry of Health (MOH).
It took the total to 355 cases of GBS infections for the year, compared with 150 or so annually from 2011 to 2014.
Last month, MOH confirmed the link between eating such dishes and what appears to be an aggressive strain of GBS bacteria.
Infectious diseases experts say that GBS can survive in frozen fish and revive - and even proliferate - when thawed.
Infectious diseases physician Leong Hoe Nam said: "Freezing doesn't kill the bacteria. It just prevents proliferation."
The bacteria will continue to multiply when thawed.
Dr Leong said: " Fish kept on the table will allow GBS to proliferate. And, with time, a sufficiently large quantity can be found on the fish (and) overcome the body's immune system."
Freezing for a certain duration will kill most of the types of parasites that are present in certain fish, hence the practice for sushi-grade fish. However, bacteria, such as GBS, can survive indefinitely while frozen, and reactivate and multiply again when the fish or meat is thawed.
Infectious diseases specialist Hsu Li Yang said that cooking is the only guaranteed solution to GBS.
Dr Leong suggested flash freezing, in which the whole piece of meat is frozen very quickly, as opposed to slow kitchen freezing, which allows the bacteria to grow inside the meat even as it cools down from the outside.
Lee Wai Leong was charged with Animal cruelty under s42(1)(d) of the Animals and Birds Act in the State Courts on Tuesday. Lee will be remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for assessment.
Melissa Zhu Channel NewsAsia 29 Dec 15;
SINGAPORE: An alleged cat abuser was charged in court on Tuesday (Dec 29) for his suspected involvement in a series of abuse cases in Yishun.
Lee Wai Leong was accused of throwing a male cat from the 13th floor of Block 115B, Yishun Ring Road, at about 10.29am on Oct 30. The cat died.
Lee was charged with animal cruelty under s42(1)(d) of the Animals and Birds Act in the State Courts on Tuesday. Deputy Public Prosecutor Lee Zu Zhao applied for Lee, who was not represented by a lawyer in court, to be remanded at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for assessment.
The suspect, dressed in red, did not speak in the courtroom. His case will be next mentioned on Jan 12, and he will be remanded in IMH till then.
In a joint news release on Monday, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) and police said they received several reports of cats found injured or dead in the Yishun neighbourhood between September and December this year. At least 19 cats have been found dead or injured since September.
Police officers from the Ang Mo Kio Division assisted AVA in their investigations and established the suspect's identity. Lee was arrested by the police along Yishun Ring Road on Sunday.
Under the Animals and Birds Act, he could be fined up to S$15,000, jailed for up to 18 months, or both for the first offence if convicted. For second and subsequent offences, the maximum penalty is $30,000 or a jail term of up to 3 years, or both.
- CNA/es
Man, 40, arrested in connection with Yishun cat abuse cases
AVA says he was identified after enquiries on the ground, follow-up investigations
TOH EE MING Today Online 28 Dec 15;
SINGAPORE — The series of cat abuse cases in Yishun since September has seen a breakthrough, with a 40-year-old man due to be charged in court tomorrow for animal cruelty.
The suspect, believed to be a resident of Block 115B, Yishun Ring Road, was arrested on Sunday, said the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) and the police in a joint statement today (Dec 28).
Pinning down a suspect in the case has hitherto proven elusive despite animal welfare groups and volunteers chipping in to help with the authorities’ investigations.
Since Sept 24, there have been 17 reported incidents of cat abuse, ranging from strangulation, poisoning and severed limbs.
The AVA said today the suspect was identified after extensive on-ground enquiries and follow-up investigations with the police’s assistance.
TODAY understands surveillance camera footage was one of the leads in the case, while a volunteer with the Cat Welfare Society (CWS) had helped in identifying the man after he was arrested along Yishun Ring Road — an area where carcasses of several cats that were thrown from height had been found. Animal welfare groups had indicated the possibility of multiple culprits for the spate of cases. It is unclear if the authorities are looking for other suspects.
Under the Animals and Birds Act, anyone found guilty of animal cruelty can be fined up to S$15,000 and/or jailed up to 18 months for the first offence. For second and subsequent offences, the maximum penalty is S$30,000 or a jail term of up to three years, or both.
The news of a suspect being identified was met with relief by the Yishun residents interviewed.
Before the authorities’ joint statement today, many residents of Yishun Ring Road who were interviewed were on edge. While some issued pleas to stop the cat killings or took in strays out of fear, others speculated as to who the perpetrators could be.
Reacting to the news of the arrest, Ms Sabreena Nazim, 28, a writer, said: “I can finally sleep in peace now. When I saw photos of the cats killed, I almost cried because I thought it was the cat I was taking care of… It’s a sickening feeling, you get so frightened.” She had been taking walks in her neighbourhood at night to keep a lookout for the cats in the area, as well as sheltering some of them in her home.
While Ms Veron Lau, a CWS committee member, said the arrest has made “all our efforts worthwhile”, she said the group will continue with patrols in the town. “We’re trying our best to be as cautious as possible ... investigations are ongoing,” she added.
Agreeing, Mdm Janet Sum, who founded cat interest group Yishun 326 Tabby Cat, said that while she was “overjoyed” at the breakthrough, “we will continue to stay vigilant as we believe the killings are not the job of one man”. She also praised the efforts by the various parties so far. “The (volunteer) patrol team has worked hard, the community has been forthcoming, and AVA and the police have been very cooperative,” she added.
The CWS similarly praised the efforts by the authorities in this case, describing it as “a landmark protocol of cooperation between AVA and the police in handling animal cruelty cases” in a post in the comments section of this newspaper’s online article.
Member of Parliament (Nee Soon GRC) Louis Ng wrote on his Facebook page today that he is “delighted” there has been progress in the investigations, but urged those who have any more information on the episode to contact the AVA.
“I hope this sends out a strong message (of deterrence that) we will investigate and prosecute when it comes to animal cruelty… I don’t think we should close the case and think it’s over, but we should keep the work going,” the founder and executive director of Animal Concerns Research and Education Society told TODAY.
Yishun cat abuse cases: 40-year-old man arrested
Channel NewsAsia 28 Dec 15;
SINGAPORE: A 40-year-old man was arrested on Sunday (Dec 27) for suspected involvement in a series of cat abuse cases in Yishun.
In a joint news release on Monday, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) and police said they received several reports of cats found injured or dead in the Yishun neighbourhood between September and December this year. At least 19 cats have been found dead or injured since September.
Police officers from the Ang Mo Kio Division assisted AVA in their investigations and established the suspect's identity. He was arrested by the police along Yishun Ring Road on Sunday.
The man will be charged in court on Tuesday. If convicted, he could be fined up to S$15,000, jailed for up to 18 months, or both of the first offence. For second and subsequent offences, he could be fined up to S$30,000, jailed for up to three years, or both.
'WE HOPE PROTOCOL WILL CONTINUE'
The Cat Welfare Society (CWS) welcomed the news.
"We do hope that with new laws in place, they will map out a reasonable fine, and will not let (perpetrators of) a crime like this get off too easily," said CWS spokesperson Veron Lau.
Ms Lau added that CWS was heartened to see AVA and police working together to solve the case.
"This is a protocol that we hope will continue - that for animal cruelty cases, they will put in such resources and cooperation among agencies to crack the case," she said, adding that awareness has helped with placing pressure on agencies to get to the bottom of this case.
'COMMUNITY REALLY STEPPED FORWARD'
Nee Soon GRC MP Louis Ng also said he was "delighted" that there was progress in the investigation into the case.
"The important part is that we are sending a strong message that we are taking animal cruelty seriously. We're putting in resources to investigate, arrest and prosecute, and hope to send a deterrent message out to the public," Mr Ng told Channel NewsAsia.
Mr Ng added that the community played an important role in helping to patrol the area and create awareness of the issue.
"The police and AVA updated me regularly, and the community really stepped forward. I had people from Potong Pasir texting me (about the situation)," he said. "I always like to see the positive in the negative - the positive part was that the community got together to put an end to the killings."
Suspected cat killer charged in court; to be remanded at IMH
VALERIE KOH Today Online 29 Dec 15;
SINGAPORE — A 40-year-old man was charged in court today (Dec 29) for flinging a cat off a Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat.
According to court documents, Lee Wai Leong threw an adult male Mackerel Tabby domestic shorthair cat over the parapet of the 13th floor of 115B Yishun Ring Road, killing it. The incident allegedly took place at around 10.30am on Oct 30.
The small-built man, who was arrested along Yishun Ring Road on Sunday, faces one charge under the Animals and Birds Act. He will be remanded in the Institute of Mental Health for assessment and will return to court on Jan 12.
Since September, there have been 19 cases of cat abuse in Yishun, sparking fears among residents of a violent criminal on the loose. Carcasses have been found thrown from heights, strangled, and with blunt trauma to the head and back.
Under the Animals and Birds Act, anyone found guilty of animal cruelty can be fined up to S$15,000 and/or jailed up to 18 months, or both for the first offence. For second and subsequent offences, the maximum penalty is S$30,000 or a jail term of up to 3 years, or both.
Another cat found dead in Yishun
Today Online 30 Dec 15;
SINGAPORE — Yet another cat has been found dead in Yishun.
The body of a female cat was found at 3pm today (Dec 30) along Yishun Avenue 5, with blood visible on its ears and mouth, the Yishun 326 Tabby cat community said on Facebook, appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
The incident comes after a 40-year-old man believed to be involved in a series of cat abuse cases in Yishun between September and December this year was arrested and charged in Court earlier this week.
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) is currently doing a post mortem to confirm whether the latest case is also one of abuse, said animal activist and Nee Soon GRC Member of Parliament Louis Ng on Facebook. "It is worrying if it is (another case of abuse)," Mr Ng said.
Cat Welfare Society committee member Veron Lau said today's case validated the group’s suspicions that more than one perpetrator was behind the cases. “It only goes to show that the police, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority and volunteers have a lot more to do,” she added.
On Facebook, Mr Ng also said he believed there was more than one cat killer. "I urge anyone with any further information about the cat killings to step forward (Contact AVA at: 1800-476-1600)," he posted. – ASHUTOSH RAVIKRISHNAN
Another dead cat found in Yishun: Volunteer group
The female cat was found dead at Block 734 Yishun Avenue 5, with "blood on the ears and mouth", says volunteer group Yishun 326 Tabby Cat.
Channel NewsAsia 30 Dec 15;
SINGAPORE: Another cat has been found dead in Yishun, said a group of volunteers who look after strays on Wednesday (Dec 30).
The dead animal was found at Block 734, Yishun Avenue 5, near the hard court grass verge at 3pm on Wednesday, said the Yishun 326 Tabby Cat group in a Facebook post.
"The cat had blood on the ears and mouth," the group said, adding that the female feline was a "big-sized tabby about 7kg in weight".
Since September, at least 19 other cats have been found dead or injured in Yishun.
A 40-year-old man was charged in court on Tuesday with animal cruelty, after he allegedly threw a cat from the 13th floor of Block 115B, Yishun Ring Road. The cat died.
"I understand that AVA is currently doing a post mortem to confirm whether this is a case of abuse," MP for Nee Soon GRC Louis Ng told Channel NewsAsia on Wednesday. "It is worrying that another cat has been found dead. I previously shared that it is good news that a suspect has been arrested but we should not let our guard down and remain vigilant."
Mr Ng added that the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) and the police are continuing their investigations into the deaths, and that the community is continuing to keep a look out.
The Cat Welfare Society (CWS) said the incident confirmed its suspicions that there is more than one culprit. Ms Veron Lau from CWS added that even after the arrest of the alleged cat abuser, CWS knew "the work is not done".
"People will still need to be vigilant, patrols will still carry on. We hope more people will want to join in to put an end to this," Ms Lau said.
- CNA/dl
SHARANPAL SINGH RANDHAWA The Star 29 Dec 15;
KUALA TERENGGANU: Fifteen relief centres have been opened to house the increasing number of flood evacuees in Terengganu.
The number of flood victims had increased from 255 on Monday to 1,451 from 406 families Tuesday.
The centres are located in Kemaman (991 evacuees), six in Hulu Terengganu (279), four in Dungun (184) and one in Marang (eight).
The flood situation, however, has improved in Hulu Terengganu.
The Seri Puteh hall in Tok Lawit as well as four other relief centres have closed.
More rainfall expected in east coast states until today
The Star 29 Dec 15;
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Meteorological Department has predicted rains to continue in the east coast states until today.
It issued an orange alert yesterday, indicating continuous rain averaging 0.4mm to 4mm per hour, lasting over a day and above.
Above orange is red, the highest alert given out by the department indicating heavy continuous downpour, with at least 100mm of rain per day lasting for a day or more.
Its director-general Datuk Che Gayah Ismail said a mild monsoon surge was also expected between tomorrow and Saturday, bringing with it sporadic rain.
Pahang braces for floods following non-stop rain
T.N.ALAGESH New Straits Times 28 Dec 15;
KUANTAN: All district-level natural disaster relief committees have been put on alert for floods following non-stop rain over the past 24 hours.
State Civil Defence Department (JPAM) director Zainal Yusoff said rescue agencies, including the police and fire department have been placed on standby especially after floods hit certain parts of neighbouring districts, Kemaman and Hulu Terengganu on Sunday.
He said JPAM was working closely with the Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS) to monitor the river water levels. As of 4pm today, the water level at several main rivers have yet to surpass dangerous levels.
"It has been raining since Sunday afternoon and JPAM is closely monitoring the situation especially at low-lying areas.
We hope there will be no floods," he said. State Natural Disaster Relief Committee chairman Datuk Seri Muhammad Safian Ismail said food items have been delivered to all 105 forward bases and 657 relief centres are prepared to cater to 140,000 flood victims.
"Around 10,000 civil servants, comprising police, firemen, civil defence and paramedics involved in evacuation and rescue operations, are prepared to assist in the event of floods," he said, adding those living in low-lying areas need to adhere to instructions to evacuate if required.
Khoirul Amin, The Jakarta Post 28 Dec 15;
The government will have to revoke a freeze on operating permits for more than 900,000 hectares of industrial forest or the local pulp and paper industry will lose its competitiveness due to a disruption in the suply of raw materials, business groups and analysts have said.
Executive director of the Indonesian Forest Concessionaries Association (APHI), Purwadi Suprihanto, recently demanded that the government lift its ban, arguing that it would hamper the supply of raw materials to the local pulp and paper industry.
“We’re very much concerned about the government’s actions. The pulp and paper industry is one of the country’s most prominent industries and instead of supporting it the government has created an obstacle,” he said.
According to Purwadi, the Environment and Forestry Ministry has suspended the operating permits of 23 companies alleged to have had a hand in causing recent forest fires. The total area of forest with frozen permits has reached 901,189 hectares despite the fact that not all of the area had been burnt, he said.
Purwadi said that, of the total area prohibited for operation, some 550,000 hectares had supplied raw materials for local pulp and industry. The suspension of operating licenses in the area would potentially reduce the raw material supply next year by 3 million tons, he went on.
Voicing a similar view, the Indonesian Pulp and Paper Industry Association (APKI) executive director Liana Bratasida said that the uncertainty surrounding the timeline for the freeze on the operating permits had created an unfavorable business climate for the country’s pulp and paper industry.
“It will also harm the country’s reputation in the eyes of investors,” she said.
A new trade minister regulation requiring that foreign exporters of long fibers — raw materials for paper — bobtain environmental certificates and approval documents from both central and local administration every time such products are exported to Indonesia is yet another obstacle that has been created by the government, according to Liana.
The new regulation was due to be implemented at the beginning of next year, she added.
Liana argued that while the new import regulation was aimed at protecting both the environment and local industry, due to the suspension of operating permits in some concession areas, it would lengthen the time-period for imports amid a surging need for raw materials.
Such counterproductive measures will, according to Liana, hinder the growth of the local pulp and paper industry.
With pulp and paper exports reaching US$4.01 billion in the January-September period of this year, with Malaysia, China and Taiwan having become the largest markets, the country’s pulp and paper industry currently holds the top industry position within the ASEAN region, according to data from the Trade Ministry.
Meanwhile, the pulp and paper industry remains very competitive in comparison to Scandinavian countries due to tropical climate and better access to international markets, Liana said.
The pulp and paper industry has been included as one of the government’s priority industries for the period between 2015 to 2035, along with the food, pharmaceutical and textile industries.
The Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) executive director Enny Sri Hartati said that the country’s pulp and paper industry could provide a competitive advantage for the country within the ASEAN single market.
The Industry Ministry agriculture and plantation products director, Pranata, said that his ministry would coordinate with the Forestry and Environment Ministry to discuss the matter and find a solution that is supportive of the industry.
Forestry and Environment Minsitry, meanwhile, have yet to comment.
P Oppili The Times of India 29 Dec 15;
Considered among the oldest living organisms on earth, seagrasses are vital to the ef fort to find a solution to cli mate change. Also known as blue carbon, a meadow of seagrass per unit area can store twice as much carbon as the world's temperate and tropical forests -an acre can sequester 3,350 kg of carbon per year.
Now, the first-ever nationwide research is being conducted to study carbon sequestration by seagrass in Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay , Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chilika lagoon, Gulf of Kutch and Lakshadweep. Funded by the Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change, the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management is studying how these organisms can help mitigate or defer global warming.
"Seagrass meadows are unsung underwater heroes that absorb carbon dioxide directly from the water and store them on plant matters, roots and soil.They aerate the environment by supplying oxygen," said R Ramesh, director of National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management.
The country possesses an abundant seagrass cover stretching over 360 sqkm. Of this, 172.5sqkm is in Palk Bay and 85.5 sqkm in Gulf of Mannar. In Chilika lagoon, it is spread over 80sqkm. Study has been completed in four of the six areas and researchers have mapped all the areas where seagrass is found. Study is yet to begin in Lakshadweep and Gulf of Kutch. Of the 58 species recognised so far across the world, India has 14 species and all of them are found in Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay . Lakshadweep sea bed is home to eight species, nine are found in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Researchers say the main aim of this study, which began last year, is to guide policy makers and give them the required information to help protect this effective and endangered ecosystem.Stabilising the sea bottom, providing food and habitat for marine organisms, maintaining water quality and supporting local communities are the important ecological services provided by seagrass.They also provide protection to the coast from erosion and tidal waves. This dynamic ecosystem for carbon transformation is also home to marine fish groups, crustaceans and echinoderms and sea turtles. The endangered dugong mainly feeds on seagrass.
However, this seagrass ecosystem, which can store carbon for thousands of years, are threatened by human activities like oil spills and through boat propellers and cargo that can rake through seagrass meadows and cut through roots.
Not a commodity that can be cultivated directly, its economic value can be measured through commercial fishing and wildlife tourism. Moreover, most of the fish species spend at least part of their life cycle inside the sea grass community, which reveals that sea grass is vital to fishing industry, say experts.
Climate change fund: NSCCC approves 4 projects
Zee News India 28 Dec 15;
New Delhi: The National Steering Committee on Climate Change (NSCCC) under the Environment Ministry today approved four projects including management and rehabilitation of coastal habitats for climate change adaptation in the Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu. The NSCCC approved four projects from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Punjab and considered one project submitted by Madhya Pradesh at its eighth meeting held here, an official statement said.
The meeting was held to consider Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) submitted by Tamil Nadu and Kerala for funding under the National Adaptation Fund on Climate Change (NAFCC). The meeting was also convened for demonstration projects submitted by Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Tamil Nadu under the Climate Change Action Programme (CCAP).
The statement said that the project, titled 'Management and Rehabilitation of Coastal Habitats and Biodiversity for Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainable Livelihood in the Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu', was submitted by the Tamil Nadu government. The total cost of the project will be Rs 24.74 crore and will cover 23 coastal villages of Tuticorin district.
The four-year project has five broad objectives - conduct baseline vulnerability studies, coral rehabilitation, sea grass rehabilitation, deployment of 6,000 Artificial Reef (AR) modules, and eco-development activities in the project villages. "The project will help in developing the much needed comprehensive plan or scheme for coral and sea grass restoration.
It will augment the database on coral ecosystem, species diversity, fish catch and effort, anthropogenic pressure and migration and survival rate. The project activities will lead to economic empowerment of 15 SHGs per village and benefit about 6,900 women," the statement said. The Environment Ministry said that the project will create a platform for knowledge development through regular meeting amongst departments like fisheries, forest and others and facilitate planning of roadmap for future conservation efforts.
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Food waste is expected to increase during the festive season, and food outlets are looking to tackle the problem.
Olivia Siong, Channel NewsAsia 27 Dec 15;
SINGAPORE: During the festive season, food waste is expected to go up by about 10 to 20 per cent, according to the non-governmental organisation Zero Waste. Some organisations have been looking tackle the problem.
The increased waste comes from preparing more food during the festive season.
"I think if you organise a party during the festive season you might cook too much or order too much food,” explained Mr Eugene Tay, executive director of Zero Waste. “For F&B companies during the festive season, they might anticipate more crowd or customers, so they might prepare or cook more food.”
However, some food establishments have been trying to tackle the problem. For example, while Grand Hyatt hotel sees a 10 per cent increase in customers during the festive period it said its food waste has only gone up marginally. About 900 to 1,000 kg of food waste is generated daily.
"We collect a lot of data on what gets consumed at the hotel and we listen a lot and talk to the guests about what they like or dislike. In a buffet, sometimes people’s eyes are bigger than their bellies so to speak, so people may put more onto the plate. We manage that through portion control, having chefs at the buffets to talk to our guests,” said Mr Lucas Glanville, executive chef at Grand Hyatt Singapore.
“We don’t want to go down the path of having smaller plates, or smaller glassware or somewhere where it’s going to create an awkward situation or discomfort to the guest. We want to be generous, we want to be authentic, we want to give the guests a great experience, so by having a chef there to explain what’s on the menu and how the food is produced, it gives the guests an option then of how much they want to consume."
Food left over on the buffet line, which is still edible but cannot be reused at the hotel, also gets packed away after each meal service. It would then be sealed, frozen and eventually passed on to Kerbside Gourmet, a social enterprise which picks up the food once a week to deliver to needy families. The programme has been going on for about a year.
A vacuum waste system and food digester is also being installed at the hotel, and that is expected to eventually keep all the hotel's food waste out of the landfill. “We’ll save 55,00 rubbish bags a year, we’ll save a lot of time and manual labour of moving this food around and also ultimately moving food out of the hotel,” said Mr Glanville.
RECYCLING FOOD WASTE
One establishment that has already seen benefits from food recycling is Mandarin Orchard hotel. It has seen 30 per cent more diners during the festive period but its food waste has not gone up.
It has had a food waste recycling machine known as the Eco-Digestor for about a year, and it recycles an average of 20 tonnes of food waste each month. Microbes in the machine break down the food, producing reusable water that gets pumped back to the system, and a small amount of residue.
"We have the recognition from NEA (National Environment Agency) to share our best practices, we also see a substantial savings of about S$2,000 per month, which is about 20 tonnes per month,” said Mr Freddy Tang, assistant F&B director at Mandarin Orchard. “Annually, it's more than S$20,000 of savings. We have to identify the source of where the food comes from. We use the prominent colours with a label with locations by kitchens, and that allows us to track where the food source come from."
The hotel said the greater awareness among staff has also resulted in a 10 per cent cut in food waste.
According to the NEA, food waste accounts for about 10 per cent of the total waste generated in Singapore. Last year, about 789 million kilogrammes of food waste was generated - equivalent to each person in Singapore throwing away two bowls of food every day. Statistics also showed that only 13 per cent of food waste was recycled last year. The rest gets disposed at incineration plants and sent to the landfill.
But food waste management company Eco-Wiz, which has Mandarin Orchard among its clients, said there have been some positive signs, as there has been a growing interest among companies looking to recycle their food waste.
"Last year we have about 30 installation sites, and this year we are actually receiving orders of about two times of what we already have at the moment. We feel that the increase in numbers is because of the awareness that the government is creating,” said Mr Michael Lee, senior sales manager at Eco-Wiz.
“The clients that we face right now are more knowledgeable and receptive to food waste recycling. Years back, when we were dealing with clients, when we talk to them about food waste recycling, most of them are more sceptical. They had to do food waste segregation, then they have to prepare the waste and put it into our digester system instead of doing it the traditional way and sending it to the incineration plants. But over time, they have more understanding on how the system works and what they can do to contribute to the environment.”
Another study by NEA showed that 80 per cent of Singaporeans prepare food at home, but about 40 per cent of them had leftovers after a meal.
About 30 per cent also bought more than enough food for consumption, and about 70 per cent of them said that was because they wanted to ensure household members had more than enough to eat.
Zero Waste said it is exploring how it can collaborate with culinary schools to develop recipes for leftovers that Singaporeans can use easily.
"We probably have not started that in Singapore yet. In the UK, there’s a website that develops recipes for leftovers. So even for this Christmas period, they have recipes for Christmas leftovers, what to do with your leftover turkey and ham and things like that,” said Mr Tay. “So that’s something we could also do. We shouldn't be wasting our leftovers because I think we spend about 15 to 20 per cent of our monthly expenditure on food, so if we're wasting food at home it means we're wasting money as well."
USING TECHNOLOGY TO CUT WASTE
The group is also hoping to work with undergraduates from National University of Singapore, who have developed a mobile app after noticing a large amount of food waste at school events with catered food.
"It's an app that collates all the available places where there are leftover food and then it will reach out to the users and notify them within a certain proximity, telling them that there’s a certain amount of food available within a certain time frame and they are free to come down to enjoy the food and help finish it up,” said NUS undergraduate Yu Gao Fei.
"We’re thinking of expanding to other schools - I know NTU and SMU also have the same issue. The population is about the same,” said undergraduate Tracy Leong. “We’re also thinking of extending it to government organisations, especially during the festive period because there are a lot of Christmas parties, and during Chinese New Year there are a lot of events and during those events there are a lot of catered food."
- CNA/xq
Modelling tools help the Housing and Development Board to simulate environmental conditions such as wind flow, sun and shade for better estate planning.
Channel NewsAsia 27 Dec 15;
SINGAPORE: Modelling tools to visualise heat, shade and wind flow were used to plan and design new precincts and building forms within Singapore's first "eco-precinct" Punggol town. These resulted in smart Housing and Development Board (HDB) homes in districts such as the waterfront Punggol Northshore.
On Sunday (Dec 27), the HDB announced in a news release that it will explore applying such smart planning tools beyond Punggol and to existing and upcoming towns and estates.
SMART PLANNING TOOLS FOR NEW GENERATION HOUSING
There are two types of smart planning tools used to improve the planning and design of HDB towns under the Smart HDB Town Framework, the housing board said.
The first, Urban Environmental Modelling (UEM) simulates environmental conditions such as wind flow and solar irradiance, which is the amount of energy generated by the sun per unit area.
This was put to use at the Treelodge @ Punggol precinct, where simulations allowed town planners to orient blocks to maximise wind flow, thereby optimising natural ventilation and minimising the need for electrical cooling, HDB said. UEM also helps planners identify areas within the town that would receive large amounts of heat from the sun throughout the day, so they can introduce more greenery in such areas to reduce heat build-up.
The modelling tool highlights shaded areas within the town as well, enabling planners to site community facilities like playgrounds and childcare centres in places which get more shade.
"This allows us to identify better placement of facilities, such as children's playgrounds," explained Mr Leroy Tan, senior engineer at HDB's Building Research Institute.
"Because normally we know children usually come out during the evenings or late afternoons to spend their time in the playgrounds, so this is one example where we can use it to identify placement of facilities so we can encourage the community to come out and have activities at these places."
The second, Complex Systems Modelling (CSM), is a decision-making tool that simulates the impact of green initiatives.
This helps town planners, architects and engineers more accurately assess the trade-offs involved when introducing new sustainable features in HDB towns and choose the most effective combination of solutions to achieve the desired sustainability targets, HDB stated. For instance, the tool can be used to study the most effective way to place rooftop solar panels, which in turn could influence the orientation and design of buildings.
"This is particularly useful for our town planners because they cannot afford experimentation with actual developments in land-scarce Singapore," HDB said.
CSM has been tested in the Yuhua precinct in Jurong. Planners for the neighbourhood used it to weigh the energy savings of "smart lighting", which adjusts the intensity of lighting based on the footfall throughout the day, against the higher cost of installing such lighting compared to LED lights for corridors.
After Yuhua, CSM was also used in the urban planning for Punggol Northshore. In future, the tool could also be applied to existing towns to help assess the feasibility of rolling out the HDB Greenprint programme, the housing board said.
A simulation model of Yuhua neighbourhood created by the prototype of the Complex System Modelling Tool (Image: HDB)
HDB added that it will progressively leverage such modelling tools to complement town planning efforts to provide well-designed homes in green, sustainable and self-sufficient towns.
Under the Smart HDB Town Framework introduced in Sep 2014, data collected by a network of sensors will help build more accurate simulations for planning and can offer real-time feedback on an estate to optimise maintenance cycles and to pre-empt problems.
- CNA/mz
The model approach to HDB's smart planning
Janice Heng, The Straits Times AsiaOne 28 Dec 15;
Sensor-controlled smart lighting saves energy but costs more to install than normal lighting. Greenery lowers a building's temperature and hence the need for cooling - but also requires water. To help weigh such trade-offs, the Housing Board (HDB) has a new computer modelling tool.
It is part of the HDB's smart planning efforts, which include designing towns for optimal wind flow and shade.
The Complex Systems Modelling (CSM) tool helps the HDB simulate the effects of a given feature - like solar panels or rainwater harvesting - on variables such as energy consumption, costs or greenhouse gas emissions.
It can therefore be used to decide between different options.
"This is particularly useful for our town planners because they cannot afford experimentation with actual developments in land- scarce Singapore," said the HDB in a factsheet released to the media.
For instance, at Yuhua estate in Jurong, the CSM tool was used to investigate sensor-controlled smart lighting versus low-energy LED lighting. Such simulations help planners find the best solutions without physically testing the options.
The CSM tool was developed by the HDB, Electricite de France and Veolia Environnement Recherche et Innovation. The first prototype was unveiled at last year's World Cities Summit in Singapore.
It has since been tested in the planning stages of the Punggol Northshore district, and will eventually be tested at the town level.
Besides new towns, CSM may also be used to study the feasibility of the HDB Greenprint programme, which brings green initiatives to older towns.
Another of the HDB's smart planning tools allows planners to test how blocks of flats affect the wind flow and shade in an estate.
With the Urban Environmental Modelling (UEM) tool, planners can tweak the shape and position of flats, and see the results in a computer simulation.
It can also be used to identify hot or shady spots within a town.
Greenery can be planted in hot areas to lower the temperature; amenities such as playgrounds can be located in areas with more shade, and housing units can be angled to reduce heat gain from sunlight.
Treelodge @ Punggol, completed in 2010, was the first HDB project planned with the help of wind flow simulation.
The UEM tool was later used to help plan new precincts in Punggol town, and will be applied to new housing areas such as Bidadari and Tampines North.
The tool helps planners "determine how best our new flats can be designed and sited to provide maximum thermal comfort and a more conducive living environment for our residents", said the HDB.
Melissa Lin and Jasmine Osada, The Straits Times AsiaOne 27 Dec 15;
Demand for fish at supermarkets has fallen, following a nationwide ban on the sale of raw freshwater fish earlier this month.
As well as freshwater types like song and toman - linked to a recent outbreak of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infections this year - sales of saltwater fish and ready-to-eat sushi and sashimi have also taken a hit.
On Dec 5, the National Environment Agency (NEA) banned food establishments from using freshwater fish for ready-to-eat raw fish dishes.
Food stalls, which include hawker centres, coffee shops, canteens and food courts, as well as caterers were also ordered to stop the sale of all raw saltwater fish until they can show they know how to properly handle the meat.
Restaurants can continue to sell raw saltwater fish, such as salmon.
At Cold Storage, sales of saltwater fish have fallen by 10 per cent since the ban came into effect. Takings for freshwater fish, sushi and sashimi have dropped 20 per cent.
At FairPrice, sales of freshwater fish have decreased by 10 per cent, while demand for sashimi and sushi is down by about 15 per cent.
A FairPrice spokesman assured consumers that seafood sold at its ready-to-eat counters is "sashimi-grade" seafood, sourced from reputable suppliers licensed by Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore.
Meanwhile, sales of toman and song fish at Sheng Siong is down by about 5 per cent from this time last year. For the song fish, the main reason for the drop was a less consistent supply this year, according to a spokesman.
Mr Lee Boon Cheow, president of the Singapore Fish Merchants' General Association, estimates that less than 1 per cent of fish sold at the fishery ports here are song and toman.
The ban came after the Health Ministry was notified of about 360 GBS infections this year, with two fatalities. About 150 were linked to the consumption of raw freshwater fish and involved an aggressive strain known as Type III GBS Sequence Type 283 (ST283).
Dr Hsu Li Yang, the director of the Singapore Infectious Diseases Initiative, supports the NEA's indefinite ban on freshwater fish.
"From a public health perspective, the ban should last until scientific advances can easily detect and/or eliminate the pathogens present in raw freshwater fish, or until some entrepreneur figures out how to farm freshwater fish that are consistently safe for raw consumption," he said.
While the source of the ST283 GBS strain is still unknown, Dr Hsu said that the strain of bacteria could have been infecting freshwater fish in Asia for a number of years. "We can speculate that environmental conditions at the fish farms changed, or something else caused the strain to spread more rapidly," he said, highlighting the need for a more thorough investigation.
While he believes it is unlikely that the strain can be completely eradicated, the ban is likely the best way to prevent future cases of ST283 GBS infections, he said.
"Hong Kong had banned the consumption of freshwater fish for more than 30 years, yet they still have sporadic human ST283 GBS infections," he said. "But we don't really need to eradicate the bacteria. We just need to eliminate or at least minimise the risk of human infection. "
Consumers like admin executive Mary Peh have stopped buying freshwater fish altogether.
"I used to buy toman fish for cooking quite often but since the ban I have switched to purchasing saltwater fish like snapper," said Mrs Peh, 63. "I also asked my children to avoid eating sashimi, just in case."
The Star 28 Dec 15;
JOHOR BARU: Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has a vision to transform the state capital into a boutique city and financial hub.
He said he wants to personally attract investors to the state, not only from China but the Middle East to start projects in Johor.
"My strategy now will be to market and get investors to build. I also want to bring investors to the islands off Johor. I have a vision for Johor," he said in an exclusive interview with The Star.
Q: On the subject of development in the state, what are your hopes and what should be focused on?
A: The government must give incentives to developers to spur development. My advice to the state and federal governments is, be consistent to attract long-term investors. You should not have a policy during good times and another during the bad. Do not make policies without engaging the public or developer associations.
I know there is a slowdown now. Banks should be more relaxed towards developers and banks should also grant loans to people to buy homes. Unfortunately, banks are not doing much to help developers.
Whatever you say about a slowdown in Johor, there is still a market and the huge Forest City project, which was launched recently, for example, has started selling.
I also just launched Coronation Square and the Ibrahim International Business District (IIBD). These are exciting projects, as the IIBD will enable Johor Baru to achieve world city status and metropolis status soon.
These projects, spearheaded by the Johor Corporation, cover about 100ha of prime real estate in the city.
Of this zone, about 2.53ha will be turned into Coronation Square, which will comprise medical suites, blocks of serviced apartments, an office tower and a hotel.
I expect this strategic development to change the face of Johor, including a major increase in population.
I am sure there will be huge multiplier effects as ordinary Johoreans will be able to enjoy the spillover effects, especially for small businesses in the retail and food and beverage sectors. Surely, hundreds of thousands of new jobs will also be created.
I want Johor Baru to emerge as a boutique city and financial hub in the future.
I will be travelling soon after my mourning period and will start bringing in investors directly into Johor – not just the Chinese but also investors from the Middle East.
During my next Kembara Mahkota, I will bring investors to all my other districts, including Muar. My strategy now will be to market and get investors to build. I also want to bring investors to the islands off Johor.
That is why incentives are important to lure investors. I have a vision for Johor.
Q: Tuanku, recently the name of the state administration capital Nusajaya was changed to Iskandar Puteri, while Kulaijaya was changed back to Kulai and Ledang to Tangkak. Any reasons for the sudden name changes?
A: What was Kulai’s original name? Why add Jaya to the back of these names (Kulaijaya and Nusajaya)? I discussed with my Mentri Besar and my Council of Royal Court and there is no such thing as Nusajaya.
The first name given to Johor Baru in those days was Iskandar Puteri, but the late Sultan Abu Bakar replaced it with Johor Baru in 1866. Iskandar Puteri is full of history and suitable to replace Nusajaya. That is why I want the original names back, including Tangkak.
Also, the changes in name were made without consulting my late father or me. Why were we not consulted? Even when they wanted to house the government buildings in Iskandar Puteri (Nusajaya), we were not consulted.
I remember my late father asking the previous Mentri Besar about the area and he only said they were constructing additional buildings because Johor Baru was too congested. Now, government buildings are housed in a noisy area opposite a firing range in Singapore.
A home for every Johorean
The Star 28 Dec 15;
The Star: Finally, Your Royal Highness, what are your wishes for 2016?
Sultan Ibrahim: I hope my state government’s finances do not go back into the red. I congratulate my Mentri Besar (Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin) for ensuring that Johor was able to amass a huge surplus during my rule in the last five years. He is a fast learner.
I always tell him to run the state like he is running a company. He must not only be a good businessman but also have the discipline of a soldier when administering Johor.
But during an economic slowdown, we have to be fighters. That is why we need more attractive incentives and stimuli to lure investors.
We must also concentrate on building more affordable homes to bring back all the communities, including the Malays, Chinese and Indians, into our town.
I also want all civil servants to own homes in our town areas.
I also want to remind developers not to set their selling prices too high, which will result in people not being able to buy homes.
With the Ibrahim International Business District (IIBD), we will become a financial hub and there will be no need to open hazardous factories.
My wish is for the government to have a relook at all the heavy industries in Pasir Gudang. Find out which industries consume too much water resulting in my rakyat facing water shortages in some areas.
We also need to look at our dangerous industries as I have been told that if a certain factory leaks, it will pose a threat to people living within a 25km radius.
So, it is time to look for the government to reconsider these dangers as Johor is not a dumping ground.
My people’s safety and health is my paramount priority.
I do not want a chemical disaster like the one in Bhopal, India, which claimed thousands of lives in the past.
I also want to start the Sultan Ibrahim Foundation to construct affordable houses for my people. A working paper is being drawn up and our main aim is not to make money.
That means whatever the cost we use to build, that is the same price we will sell it at to the people.
This foundation is aimed at looking after Bangsa Johor as I want each Johorean to own a home. I am very concerned about the problems faced by the people due to rising costs of living.
I hope our politicians will devote their time and energy to deal with the bread and butter issues.
The rakyat is having a difficult time coping with the increasing cost of food, transport and other essential items.
My advice to the politicians, especially those from Johor, is to be sensitive to the needs of the people. Please do not waste time creating news headlines for the wrong reasons. Stop racist and religious rhetoric and work for the people.
For sure, I hope the politicians will not sow distrust and suspicions among the people by using such sensitive issues to fan uneasiness and tension. We must remain united to face the economic and political challenges.
I do not want politicians to use race or religion to exploit the sentiments of the people to cover their incompetence.
Let me warn them that if any of these politicians are from Johor, whether in government or opposition, I will personally summon them to give a piece of my mind.
I want the people of Johor to remain united and not to let anyone split them. The people of Johor must place priority on stability and unity.
Johor Ruler: I’m above politics
WONG CHUN WAI and NELSON BENJAMIN The Star 27 Dec 15;
Also in the Straits Times
JOHOR BARU: Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has made it clear that he is above politics and does not favour any politician.
He also feels that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak should be given a chance as every Malaysian prime minister had also made mistakes in the past.
During an hour-long exclusive interview to wrap up the year, the Johor Ruler spoke emotionally on an array of issues, including his late son Tunku Laksamana Tunku Abdul Jalil, as well as his relations with the Prime Minister and former deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He also spoke on the dangers of vaping and why it had to be banned immediately, describing it as a “technology drug” which was threatening the society.
The Sultan also touched on religious issues, including the huge budget for the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).
The Star: Tuanku, we wish to express our condolences on the recent demise of His Highness Tunku Laksamana Tunku Abdul Jalil. How has the family coped with the event of the past weeks, if we may ask?
Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar: This has been a roller-coaster year for the family and me. The high points have been the coronation in March this year when I became the state’s fifth Sultan in the history of modern Johor. The last time a coronation ceremony took place was 55 years ago.
I also conferred the new title of Permaisuri Johor on my consort Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah at the coronation ceremony, which was another historic occasion.
In October last year, my eldest son, the Tunku Mahkota of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim ended his bachelorhood when he married Che’ Puan Khaleeda Bustamam.
But all these events took place against the backdrop of the difficulties the family was going through as we joined Tunku Jalil in his fight against his illness.
He was diagnosed while he was on a holiday with us in the United Kingdom in August last year. He was truly a fighter and a man of steel. While it was painful for him during the medical treatment, it was equally painful for us.
We are, after all, ordinary human beings too. I am a father like other parents in Johor. It crushed my heart each time I saw my son suffer, especially when I knew that he was dying. I had to be strong for him until the end.
But as my wife penned in a heartfelt letter which she has shared with Malaysians, sometimes things don’t go as we plan. No matter how painful, one needs to accept reality with an open heart.
(Tunku Abdul Jalil passed away on Dec 5. He had been diagnosed with stage-four liver cancer.)
I have kept all the text messages that he had sent to me. These are precious memories, which are very important to my family and me.
But we must accept fate and destiny. Allah has His reasons. I wish to take this opportunity to thank Malaysians, especially Johoreans, from all walks of life, races and religions who opened up their hearts in pouring out their support for my son.
I truly wish to thank them from the bottom of my heart. I am deeply touched.
Even until this day, there are people still visiting the royal mausoleum to pay their last respects.
On the ban of vaping
Q: Tuanku, on the subject of health, Your Royal Highness has ordered the ban on the sale of all vaping products in the state. What prompted Your Royal Highness to be so decisive?
A: I did my research and this is not our custom. Neither is shisha. I was shocked and disgusted when I saw women in headscarves and even children puffing away.
I realised that this was the beginning of a disaster and had to put my foot down as soon as possible. To me, this is a technology drug that will be harmful. Unlike drugs, this is difficult to detect.
I was fed up of the various authorities at both the state and federal levels, which could not decide on what to do. They were dragging their feet and some politicians were making silly remarks such as vaping should not be banned because a million votes would be lost and bumiputra interest would be affected.
I know what is good and I am firm that all this has to stop beginning Jan 1 next year. So far, all those opposing are doing it from a business stand. Do you not care about people’s health?
There are also those who oppose, including a “comedian in red” who has jumped into the issue to give their comments.
(Right-wing activist Abdul Rani Kulup Abdullah or Kipidap is a quirky character who is often seen wearing a red beret, and has made headlines for lodging more than 1,000 police reports against opposition politicians and NGO leaders.
He recently joined other Malay-based NGOs to say that Barisan Nasional risks losing a million votes in the next general election if the authorities continue the crackdown on e-cigarettes and vaporisers.)
It is purely a health issue and some mindless politicians are talking about politics and race, it’s incredible.
The media, including The Star, has been highlighting how even primary schoolchildren were spending their pocket money on vape products.
What I feared has taken place. The police have now arrested people who sold “ganja vape”. What is more worrying is that the syndicate has been in operation since August and has catered to its clientele via the Internet and sent their products via courier.
This is underground business. What would be the effects if Johor allows open sales in shopping malls, shoplots and pasar malam?
I can show the many e-mails and letters I have received from all over Malaysia, especially from parents, expressing their support for Johor’s decision to lead.
Now other states are also following suit and even the National Fatwa Council has declared vaping as haram.
To me, education and health should not be politicised.
Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar
The Ruler dining at a restaurant in Muar, Johor. He later paid for his own food and also paid for all customers who ate at the restaurant that day.
On the strong remarks by Tunku Mahkota of Johor on social media
Q: Tuanku, this has also been a year when Johor found itself in the spotlight. The Tunku Mahkota of Johor has made strong statements on issues affecting the leadership and the country.
A: Yes, the TMJ has spoken up on the need to be transparent, accountable and credible but it was never directed at anyone.
He has his points. Whoever consumes chilli will surely rasa pedas (feel the heat). I do not argue with the TMJ about his comments as I do ask him about them and once he explains, I am fine with it.
But I always advise him not to hurt anyone. Based on his success in football, I think he has changed the face of football in the country. Not many people are happy with his success. His comments and hints seem to get support from the people. I go through Facebook and see the comments.
On the role of a Ruler and his authority
Q: Would that lead to the perception by some politicians that Tuanku has gone beyond your authority?
A: I am not a puppet in Johor. I have the right to call my mentri besar to tegur (advise) him at any time and others in my government as well. I am the one who appoints the state government. I have always put my rakyat’s interest first.
Let me give a history lesson here as it was my great-grandfather, the late Sultan Ibrahim, who gave money to start Umno and the first meeting was actually held at the palace in Johor.
Subsequently, his son, the late Sultan Ismail, as the regent of Johor at the time, inaugurated the Malay Congress on May 11, 1946 at Istana Besar in Johor Baru that led to the setting up of Umno.
Let me remind politicians who do not know history or are too lazy to read history books – Umno was born in the Johor palace grounds.
Where Umno is today began at the very palace grounds we are sitting on now. That’s the party history.
Sultan Ismail’s role was also recognised during a large parade held on June 8, 1946 to celebrate Britain’s success in regaining Malaya after Japan’s surrender.
That’s how the palace has taken up its responsibilities at crucial points of the nation’s history.
On Rulers as the custodians of Islam and Jakim
Q: Can Tuanku talk about the role of the Rulers as the custodians of Islam, given recent debate that some federal religious agencies appear to exert influence and authority onto this religious space?
A: We are the heads of religion in our own states. The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) can give advice or propose guidelines but it is up to us (Sultans) whether we want to accept it.
I have appointed a panel in the Johor Islamic Council. They come up with fatwas (decrees) for me to approve it. The fatwa cannot be effective without my approval. Sometimes I do question a fatwa and I want them to explain it, but Jakim has no right to interfere in the state.
Do you know that Islamic schools started in Johor before they were introduced to other states? We never had sekolah pondok but instead organised religious schools. Others are actually using our syllabus too.
Jakim reports to the Conference of Rulers and they usually advise the Federal Government.
I am curious to know – if it is true – why do they need a RM1bil budget? Does it include allocations to all the states? During my next Conference of Rulers, I want them to show me their breakdown for expenses. I want to know if they are financing our religious schools here.
On the Johor palace, the Prime Minister and ex-deputy prime minister
Q: Your Royal Highness, forgive us for asking this sensitive and delicate question, given the fact that Johor is now a political hotbed. The Johor palace statement, whether official or casually made on social media, has given the impression that you are critical of the Prime Minister or even not in favour of him.
A: No, I do not favour anyone. I never said I do not favour the Prime Minister. He is the Prime Minister whether you like it or not.
I must say that every prime minister has made his mistakes. To me, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is my former mentri besar and former deputy prime minister. He comes to see me via appointments. I allow this but I try to avoid talking about politics. He came to see me twice.
He does express his unhappiness. I listen and keep it to myself. I have also met up with the Prime Minister and avoid speaking to him about politics. Let the politician handle politics. I am above politics. If he (Prime Minister) needs advice, I am here as a friend.
The issue of whether you are from Johor does not arise.
Yes, I am outspoken. I speak my mind and I am happy that the message gets across.
The palace grants audiences to many leaders but it does not mean that after these visits, we are meant to endorse their leadership.
They are politicians but please do not abuse or misuse the good name of the palace. I am very proud of being a Johorean but that does not mean I must blindly support anyone from Johor. The people should also not make such deductions.
The Prime Minister is from Pahang, but he has also regularly updated me on development issues affecting the state. There are official visits by him which are widely reported in the press, but we also have quiet, informal meetings.
He is deeply concerned about issues affecting Johor because of our proximity to Singapore, which is a strategic partner to Johor. Both of us believe that Johor and Malaysia will benefit from the ongoing development and when the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore fast train is built, the benefits will be enormous.
I do not want to dig up the past nor do I wish to take a swipe at any politician, active or retired, but the Prime Minister understands and appreciates the need to work closely and not to repeat the past.
I find it hard to understand the rationale or irrationality of any Malaysian leader who wants Malaysia to quarrel with Singapore. It’s what I called crooked thinking.
There is so much we can learn from Singapore. They have done well, let’s be honest here. We don’t have to go on expensive study trips to Europe or the United States – just go across the Causeway to Singapore, they have done so many things that are correct and efficient.
I know the Prime Minister has come under much criticism but I say give him a chance. The year has come to an end, we must move on. It has been a challenging year for everyone, including myself. There are issues that still need to be tackled, that need to convince the people, that need answers, but I must say that they also need closure.
Every one of us makes mistakes but we must be prepared to learn from them, make amends and do what is right. Right what is wrong.
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visitors since Nov 07