Best of our wild blogs: 30-31 Jan 16

Night Walk At Dairy Farm Nature Park (29 Jan 2016)
Beetles@SG BLOG

Red for Prosperity
Butterflies of Singapore

Build cities that work with nature not against it
eco-business.com

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No data on long-term impact of transboundary haze: MOH

Any research on this would be “highly challenging” as results would be based on observational studies, says Minister of State for Health Lam Pin Min.
Channel NewsAsia 29 Jan 16;

SINGAPORE: There is currently no data – both locally or internationally – that looks into the long-term health impact of transboundary haze, Minister of State for Health Lam Pin Min said in Parliament on Friday (Jan 29).

Any research on this would be “highly challenging” as results would be based on observational studies, which would not be able to show a definite cause-and-effect relationship, Dr Lam said in response to a question by Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Leon Perera.

“For example, it would be difficult to determine that intermittent exposure to haze 20 years ago caused the chronic obstructive airways disease in a person, since it could also have been caused by other factors such as smoking, previous lung infection, or existing lung diseases,” Dr Lam said.

However, there have been overseas studies based on long-term exposure to haze – different from the short-term, episodic haze that Singapore experiences, he said.

“These studies show that continuous, long-term exposure to air pollutants over several years may result in lung function abnormalities in children and subsequently, in adulthood. This could lead to greater susceptibility to the effects of ageing, infection and other pollutants, such as tobacco smoke, in adults.”

Short-term exposure to haze may cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, although such irritation usually resolves on its own, Dr Lam noted. In individuals with pre-existing chronic heart or lung diseases, short term exposure may trigger an episode or exacerbate the underlying diseases, such as an asthma attack, he added.

Several measures have been put in place to help Singaporeans in times of haze, such as distributing care packs and masks to the needy and implementing the Haze Subsidy Scheme, which provided subsidies of S$3.3 million last year with more than 77,000 haze-related attendances. Air purifiers will also be installed in classrooms of schools by July, Dr Lam said.

- CNA/cy

Over S$3.3 million disbursed under haze scheme last year
STACEY LIM Today Online 29 Jan 16;

SINGAPORE — More than S$3.3 million were paid out under the haze subsidy scheme last year – helping over 77,000 haze-related attendances GP clinics and polyclinics - due to the trans-boundary haze.

This was revealed by Minister of State (Health) Lam Pin Min in Parliament today in response to a question filed by Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Leon Perera, who asked the ministry whether it can provide data on the long-term impact of children’s exposure to haze in terms of the likelihood of developing respiratory illnesses, and the estimated healthcare cost of this impact.

In 2013 - the previous time the scheme kicked in – almost S$500,000 was provided for more than 17,000 haze-related attendances.

Dr Lam said that it would be difficult to ascertain the direct long-term health effects due to the episodic exposure to haze, as there could be many contributing factors to the long-term health outcome. Nevertheless, the short-term effects of haze on school-going children include irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. Short term exposure for individuals with pre-existing chronic heart or lung diseases may also trigger an episode or exacerbate the underlying diseases, such as an asthma attack.

Apart from widely-publicised health advisories, the Ministry of Health have put in place several measures to protect and enhance the health and well-being of Singaporeans. For example, the ministry has worked with community partners to distribute care packs and masks to the needy, ensure there are adequate supplies of protective masks in the market, educate the public and raise awareness of the health effects of the haze.

Dr Lam said the ministry has also welcomed the efforts by ST Dynamics to develop N95-equivalent masks that can fit children’s face, and has school continuity plans in place to take appropriate haze management measures. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Education also outlined its plan to provide air purifiers to all primary and secondary schools.

“Most importantly, we want to prevent haze from occurring in the first place. To this end, Singapore is working closely with neighbouring countries to tackle the haze issue, which is largely caused by irresponsible business practices,” Dr Lam added.

More than S$3.3m disbursed under Haze Subsidy Scheme last year: Lam Pin Min
The funds helped subsidise the cost of more than 77,000 visits to clinics and polyclinics to seek treatment for haze-related conditions, says the Minister of State for Health.
Channel NewsAsia 29 Jan 16;

SINGAPORE: More than S$3.3 million was disbursed under the Haze Subsidy Scheme last year, revealed Minister of State for Health Lam Pin Min in Parliament on Friday (Jan 29). The funds helped subsidise the cost of more than 77,000 visits to clinics and polyclinics to seek treatment for haze-related conditions.

He was responding to Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Leon Perera, who asked for data on the long-term effects of children's exposure to haze and the estimated healthcare cost of this impact.

The scheme was first introduced in 2013 and close to S$500,000 in Government subsidies was provided for more than 17,000 haze-related visits to clinics.

According to Dr Lam, it is difficult to ascertain the direct long-term health effects caused by episodic exposure to haze, as there could be other factors involved. He noted that there is currently no local or international data on this, and conducting research will be highly challenging, as it will be based on observational studies alone and will not be able to show a definite cause-and-effect relationship.

However, Mr Lam said the short-term impact of haze is well-documented, such as the irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. Those with chronic heart or lung diseases may also suffer an asthma attack.

Said Dr Lam: “Most importantly, we want to prevent haze from occurring in the first place. To this end, Singapore is working closely with neighbouring countries to tackle the haze issue, which is largely caused by irresponsible business practices.”

- CNA/xk

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Former Singapore Environment Council head joins Indonesian firm allegedly linked to forest fires

LOUISA TANG Today Online 29 Jan 16;

SINGAPORE — Former chief executive of the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) Jose Raymond has been appointed vice president of corporate affairs (Singapore) at Asia Pulp & Paper, a company that produces pulp, paper and packaging.

The company stirred up controversy last year, when the SEC temporarily restricted the use of the paper producer’s Singapore Green Label certification, after it emerged that there were alleged links to the Indonesian forest fires causing the transboundary haze.

Following that, as well as investigations by the council and the National Environment Agency, supermarkets such as NTUC FairPrice, Prime and Sheng Shiong pulled the company’s products such as toilet rolls and tissue papers off their shelves.

Ms Aida Greenbury, managing director of sustainability at Asia Pulp & Paper, said of her firm’s new hire: “Mr Raymond will manage the company’s relationships with its stakeholders, key customers and Singaporean consumers. He brings a wealth of experience over his 20-year career as a journalist, business manager and administrator, as well as expertise in issues pertaining to sustainability.”

Mr Raymond told TODAY this was an “amazing opportunity” and he was “thankful that the company has chosen a Singaporean as one of its senior executives”.

“APP has been on a transformation journey on the road to being a leader in sustainability,” he added.

Mr Raymond headed the SEC from late 2011 to January 2015.

Before this new appointment, he was the senior director of communications and stakeholder management at the Singapore Sports Hub.

The current vice-president (finance) of the Singapore Swimming Association, Mr Raymond had posted on Facebook an advisory from the association during the haze period last October, talking about how the haze “destroys the months of hard work put into preparing for programmes and events” when they have to be cancelled, and the time and effort put into the events are “wasted beyond measurement”. 
He added in the advisory: “On our part, the SSA (Singapore Swimming Association) will seek legal advice and may consider joining other parties and individuals in any class action suit which is brought against any Singapore-listed company which is linked to the burning of forests in Indonesia which is now causing one of the worst haze episodes to affect the region and in particular Singapore.”

Asia Pulp and Paper, which is not listed on the Singapore Exchange, is owned by the Widjaja family’s Sinar Mas Group, an Indonesian conglomerate, which also runs Singapore-listed firms.

Ms Greenbury had said in a letter to TODAY last October that Asia Pulp and Paper has a “zero-burn” policy since 1996, so its suppliers do not use fire to clear land. “Though there are fires in our suppliers’ concessions that were not started by APP or our suppliers, we are doing all we can to suppress them.”

When contacted to comment on Mr Raymond’s move, the SEC declined to do so.

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Two food establishments at Pulau Ubin now have safe treated water

NG JING YNG Today Online 31 Jan 16;

SINGAPORE — With the installation of water treatment systems at food establishments at Pulau Ubin, two food operators now have safe treated water that they will be able to use for the preparation of retail food and drinks.

Last month, the National Environment Agency (NEA) had required that water from the wells of Pulau Ubin be boiled for at least a minute before being used for the preparation of retail food and drinks. This is because tests of samples of tap water at the island showed traces of E.coli bacteria and total coliform bacteria that could result in symptoms like nausea, diarrhoea and fever.

But after the installation of water treatment systems at three of the seven licensed retail food establishments at Pulau Ubin earlier this month, two of the three operations now have treated water that can be used to prepare food and drinks. The operators have also told authorities that they will ensure the regular maintenance of the water treatment system.

This initiative to install water treatment systems at retail food establishments at Pulau Ubin was mooted by the Siglap Citizens’ Consultative Committee and non-governmental organisation, Corporate Citizen Foundation. National water agency PUB provided technical advice on the installation of the water treatment systems at these retail food establishments.

The seven-step water treatment system, costing about S$7,000, starts with a strainer that removes large particles and ends with a UV light steriliser to inactivate viruses and other micro organisms.


For now, these retail food establishments with safe treated water will be able to use this option instead of boiling raw well water while the NEA will continue to track the usability of this treated water.

Maintenance includes daily flushing every evening and cleaning the filters every week. The cartridges used in the water treatment system have also to be changed once around six months to a year. Maintenance cost is estimated to be about S$500 to S$600 every year which will be borne by the food operators.

Authorities also said that they are currently exploring installing water treatment units on Pulau Ubin to provide potable water for residents and the public.

Senior Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs Maliki Osman, member of Parliament for East Coast GRC, said that this initiative was made possible with the cooperation of different stakeholders, both from the public and private sector.

Water treatment systems installed at Ubin food stalls
The systems were installed as an interim measure to address concerns about the quality of raw well water on the island.
Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid, Channel NewsAsia 31 Jan 16;

SINGAPORE: Three of the seven licensed food stalls at Pulau Ubin will no longer have to boil well water before using it to cook, after water treatment systems were installed at their premises.

The systems, which costs about S$7,000 each and were sponsored by construction firm HSL Constructor, were installed at the three stalls – Cheong Lian Yuen, Sim Lim Huat and Season Live Seafood – as an interim measure to address concerns about the quality of raw well water on the island.

In December last year, NEA issued a notice to all licensed retail food establishments on Pulau Ubin to boil well water for at least a minute before using it to prepare food and drinks for sale. Alternatively, they are required to use bottled water or water from the mainland.

The move came about after testing of samples of tap water drawn from wells showed the presence E. Coli bacteria and total coliform bacteria.

Since the systems were installed, the treated water have been found to be free of the contaminants, NEA said.

The initiative to install the water treatment systems was coordinated by the Siglap Citizens' Consultative Committee and the NGO- Corporate Citizen Foundation, with support from government agencies.

Senior Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs Dr Maliki Osman said there are plans to install a fourth water treatment system at another food stall in the coming weeks.

He said the food stalls have seen business dropping by about 20 to 30 per cent, and he hopes the measure will restore public confidence.

The stalls have agreed to maintain the system regularly to ensure it continues to perform as designed. Taps will also be set up to allow other residents on the island to have access to the treated water. The treated water however, will not be accessible from taps in public restrooms.

- CNA/cy

Water treatment systems installed at Ubin food stalls
The systems were installed as an interim measure to address concerns about the quality of raw well water on the island.
Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid, Channel NewsAsia 31 Jan 16;

SINGAPORE: Three of the seven licensed food stalls at Pulau Ubin will no longer have to boil well water before using it to cook, after water treatment systems were installed at their premises.

The systems, which costs about S$7,000 each and were sponsored by construction firm HSL Constructor, were installed at the three stalls – Cheong Lian Yuen, Sim Lim Huat and Season Live Seafood – as an interim measure to address concerns about the quality of raw well water on the island.

In December last year, NEA issued a notice to all licensed retail food establishments on Pulau Ubin to boil well water for at least a minute before using it to prepare food and drinks for sale. Alternatively, they are required to use bottled water or water from the mainland.

The move came about after testing of samples of tap water drawn from wells showed the presence E. Coli bacteria and total coliform bacteria.

Since the systems were installed, the treated water have been found to be free of the contaminants, NEA said.

The initiative to install the water treatment systems was coordinated by the Siglap Citizens' Consultative Committee and the NGO - Corporate Citizen Foundation, with support from government agencies.

The aim is to install it in four out of seven food establishments on the island and allow residents to tap on it eventually. Senior Minister of State for Defence and Foreign Affairs Dr Maliki Osman said there are plans to install a fourth water treatment system at another food stall in the coming weeks.

"We pay attention to the first four, because they are the major providers of food and water," he said. "For the moment, we have already installed three and we are intending to install one more at another food establishment.

So we will have finally four systems. And for each of the system we will provide one additional tap for the others in the neighbourhood to be able to tap on. What we are saying here is that we have provided an interim solution to the food establishments - so that the visitors who come to Pulau Ubin, whether they want to consume food or drinks at the establishment that we have provided this facility, will feel more confident."

He said the food stalls have seen business dropping by about 20 to 30 per cent, and he hopes the measure will restore public confidence.

The water treatment systems are being sponsored by a construction company - HSL Constructor. Each system costs about S$7,000. The stalls have agreed to maintain the system regularly to ensure it continues to perform as designed. This includes changing the filters every six months. Maintenance costs are expected to range between S$500 and S$600 annually.

Retailers say they don't mind bearing the costs.

"This system will help restore our business,” said Koh Siew Hong, who runs a seafood restaurant on the island. “I find it okay to pay S$500 or S$600 a year because residents here will benefit. I have confidence in this system."

Dr Maliki added that the Government is looking at longer-term solutions to provide residents with better access to potable water. Taps will also be set up to allow other residents on the island to have access to the treated water. The treated water however, will not be accessible from taps in public restrooms.

- CNA/cy

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Singapore needs cultural shift to become a city for people, not a city for cars: Lawrence Wong

Yeo Sam Jo, The Straits Times AsiaOne 31 Jan 16;

SINGAPORE - Singapore needs a "cultural shift" towards a car-lite future so as to be more sustainable in the long run, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said on Saturday.

Referring to the ongoing SGfuture dialogue sessions, in which the public are invited to share their ideas for Singapore's development, Mr Wong said: "One of the ideas that resonated tremendously with the participants young and old was a vision for a car-lite Singapore. And I think that's a very important national shift that we must strive to achieve."

Mr Wong, who was on a visit to car-free zones in Kampong Glam and Liang Seah street, cautioned against being over-reliant on cars.

He said: "If you look at what we have done over the last 50 years of development, we have built more roads, we have designed our city to accommodate more cars. And if you were to just project that trend for the next 50 years, I don't think it's going to be sustainable.

"We would literally have a city for cars than a city for people, and I think that would be a terrible outcome.

"It's not just about becoming a more environmentally-friendly environment. More fundamentally, it is about becoming a more attractive, a more liveable and a more people-friendly city."

Mr Wong said that Keong Saik Street and Armenian Street could be the next to become car-free zones. There are currently 11 such streets, including Haji Lane, Bali Lane and Club Street, which are closed to cars during certain hours on weekends.

Starting Feb 28, parts of the Civic and Central Business district, including the Padang, Robinson Road and Shenton Way, will also become a pedestrianised zone on the last Sunday of each month. The trial will last for six months.

Mr Wong said he hopes such an idea will catch on in the heartlands.

"We want this to be not just about the city centre. We want potentially car-free weekends or more pedestrianised streets also in the neighbourhoods, in the HDB heartlands," he said. "But as I said, this can only work with ownership and participation by the community."

Make S'pore a city for people, not cars: Minister
Yeo Sam Jo, The Straits Times AsiaOne 31 Jan 16;

Singapore needs a "cultural shift" towards a "car-lite" future that will make it more sustainable in the long run, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said yesterday.

If Singapore keeps building more roads and making way for more cars in the next half-century, he predicted: "We would literally have a city for cars rather than a city for people... That would be a terrible outcome."

Referring to the ongoing SGfuture dialogues, in which the public is invited to share its ideas for Singapore's development, Mr Wong said: "One of the ideas that resonated tremendously with the participants, young and old, was a vision for a car-lite Singapore. And I think that's a very important national shift that we must strive to achieve."

Mr Wong, who was on a visit to car-free zones in Kampong Glam and Liang Seah Street, cautioned against being over-reliant on cars.

He said: "Over the last 50 years of development, we have built more roads; we have designed our city to accommodate more cars. And if you were to just project that trend for the next 50 years, I don't think it's going to be sustainable.

"It's not just about becoming a more environmentally friendly environment... It is about becoming a more attractive, a more liveable and a more people-friendly city."

Mr Wong said that Keong Saik Street and Armenian Street could become the next car-free zones.

There are currently 11 such streets here, including Haji Lane, Bali Lane and Club Street. These close to traffic during certain hours on weekends. From Feb 28, parts of the Civic and Central Business districts will also become pedestrianised zones on the last Sunday of each month, in a six-month trial.

Car-lite planning has even extended to new roads. The upcoming North-South Expressway will have lanes reserved for buses, as well as a cycling path and pedestrian walkway along the entire route.

Mr Wong hopes such a car-lite mentality will catch on in the heartland. "We want this to be not just about the city centre," he said. "We want potentially car-free weekends or more pedestrianised streets also in the neighbourhoods. But this can work only with ownership and participation by the community."

Architect Cai Bingyu, 32, who attended a dialogue yesterday, does not plan to own a car.

"We have a convenient public transport system, and car COEs (certificates of entitlement) are so expensive," he said. "A city should be more for people than vehicles. I'm glad we're moving in that direction."

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Swiss company opens hazardous chemicals facility on Jurong Island

The Singapore facility is Bertschi’s most advanced in Asia, with its safety certification said to surpass industry ISO standards.
Channel NewsAsia 29 Jan 16;

SINGAPORE: Switzerland's Bertschi AG opened a S$45 million facility on Jurong Island on Friday (Jan 29), adding specialised logistics capabilities to support the island's chemicals industry.

Occupying 30,610 square metres of land, Bertschi's new facility will handle and store specialty and hazardous chemicals produced by other companies on the island.

The Singapore facility is Bertschi’s most advanced in Asia, with its safety certification said to surpass industry ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) standards. It is also its first facility in South-East Asia.

“While better known for its refineries and petrochemical complexes, Jurong Island has in recent years welcomed more manufacturing activities in specialty chemicals," said Mr Damian Chan, Executive Director of Energy and Chemicals in the Singapore Economic Development Board.

"Such manufacturing activities require specialised logistics capabilities, and the addition of Bertschi is an example of how we continually ensure Jurong Island remains competitive. As such, companies here can continue to find Singapore an ideal location to grow their business,” he added.

The Swiss company says a phase two expansion is underway to add a dangerous good warehouse to the facility by the second half of 2017.

- CNA/ek

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Malaysia: Wildlife smuggling syndicates busted in raid

SIMON KHOO The Star 30 Jan 16;

KUALA LUMPUR: Two animal smuggling syndicates were crippled by the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) which saw the arrests of six smugglers, including the mastermind and several brokers.

Two mousedeer and 468 live burung murai batu (magpies) were seized from the suspects, aged between 30 and 50, in separate raids in Selangor and Johor on Thursday night.

The mousedeer were to be sold for RM1,000 while the magpies were to be shipped to a neighbouring country.

Each magpie could fetch RM200 to thousands of ringgit, depending on the tail and its chirp.

Perhilitan enforcement division director Hasnan Yusop said that acting on a tip-off and surveillance, his officers intercepted a car near a petrol station in Kampung Jawa, Klang, at about 9pm.

“We found two mousedeer kept in a storage box on the back passenger seat of the car. Upon questioning, the two men in the car admitted they were waiting for a buyer to conclude an illegal deal,” he told The Star.

The men, who were suspected to be wildlife brokers, were detained to assist in investigations under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.

Hasnan said checks showed that the suspects did not have documents to keep the protected species.

He said his officers had trailed the suspects from the Shah Alam bus station before they made the arrest.

“We believe they had engaged the services of a transport company based in Kuantan before collecting the box with the mousedeer,” he said.

Both suspects face a fine of up to RM50,000 or up to two years’ jail or both, if convicted.

In Bandar Penawar, Kota Tinggi, four men, including the mastermind who specialised in smuggling and trading magpies via the sea, was detained in a major bust at about 9.30pm.

Hasnan said the syndicate had been active over the past two months, smuggling various species of exotic birds to Batam, Indonesia.

“Two of the suspects were Indonesians and we are tracking down several accomplices.

“We seized a boat with an engine and two four-wheel-drive vehicles, all worth about RM400,000,” he said, adding that the illegal activity was conducted in big scale along the Tanjung Lompat shoreline.

The suspects were loading the magpies which were kept in dozens of cages into the boat when they were caught.

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Malaysia, Sabah: Jellyfish invasion at Tanjung Aru

MUGUNTAN VANAR The Star 31 Jan 16;

KOTA KINABALU: The jellyfish invasion at the popular Tanjung Aru beach is showing no sign of abating.

A nine-year-old girl became the latest victim to be stung by jellyfish, bringing the total known cases to 22 this month.

Marshada Shirlin was stung on her right hand and leg by what is believed to be the more poisonous box jellyfish.

She was immediately taken out of the water by lifeguards from the Department of Civil Defence who were alerted by the young girl’s screams for help at about 10.30am yesterday.

One of the lifeguards, Thomas Oman, said after treating her with vinegar, her family then took her to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where she was given outpatient treatment.

Sabah Fisheries Department has discovered two species so far after sending a team of experts from the Likas Fisheries Centre on Jan 20 to investigate reports.

One of the species was identified as the chironomid box jellyfish (chorpsalmus quadrigatus) locally known as obor-obor api, which is highly venomous, neurotoxic and cardiotoxic.

The other is locally known as obor-obor pasir, a black spotted jellyfish similar to the Catostylus townsendi species.

Stings from their tentacles can cause itch and/or allergic reactions upon contact with skin, leading to inflammation and swelling on the affected part of the victim.

The jellyfish season is expected to persist at least until March due to the El Nino.

It is believed that many people could have been stung but did not go to the authorities after self-treatment by applying vinegar or lime on the affected part.

Girl stung by poisonous jellyfish at Tanjung Aru beach
MUGUNTAN VANAR The Star 30 Jan 16;

KOTA KINABALU: A nine-year-old girl became the latest victim of a jellyfish sting at the popular Tanjung Aru beach here Saturday, bringing the total reported cases to 22 so far this month.

Marshada Shirlin was heard screaming for help at about 10.30am after being stung on the right hand and leg by what is believed to be a poisonous type of box jellyfish, which was immediately removed by Department of Civil Defence lifeguards.

One of the lifeguards Thomas Oman said they treated Marshada with vinegar before the family took her to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and was given outpatient treatment.

On Jan 20, the Sabah Fisheries Department sent a team of experts from the Likas Fisheries Centre to investigate reports of jellyfish sting incidents and found two species.

One of the species was identified as the chironomid box jellyfish (Chorpsalmus quadrigatus) locally known as “obor-obor api” known to be highly venomous and are neurotoxic, cardiotoxic and dermatonecrotic.

The other species locally known as “obor-obor pasir” is a black spotted jellyfish similar to the Catostylus townsendi species.

Stings from their tentacles can cause itchiness and/or allergic reactions upon contact, inflammation in the skin and swelling.

The jellyfish season is expected to persist throughout January to March this year due to the current El Nino season.


Stinging threat for beachgoers
MUGUNTAN VANAR The Star 2 Feb 16;

KOTA KINABALU: Many are staying away from the waters of the popular Tanjung Aru beach here following reports of a jellyfish infestation due to the current dry spell triggered by El Nino.

The beach, which usually draws large crowds on the weekends, has seen few people heading into the water recently. Most of those who turn up only have picnics by the shore.

Groups of picnickers can be observed along the beach, although only a few people wade in the shallow waters and even fewer swim in the sea.

Local picnicker Emanuel, who turned up with his two children, aged three and five, said he wanted his children to enjoy themselves at the beach but would not allow them into the water.

As of Jan 29, some 22 people have suffered jellyfish stings, according to Civil Defence lifeguards who gave immediate treatment to the victims. Some of them were sent to the hospital.

There have been no reports of any fatalities.

Following these incidents, the Sabah Fisheries Department’s experts from the Likas Fisheries Research Centre found two types of species – the chironomid box jellyfish (chorpsalmus quadrigatus), locally known as obor-obor api, and the catostylus townsendi species or obor-obor pasir – in the waters off Tanjung Aru beach.

Obor-obor api is known to be highly venomous and can cause severe skin irritation and affect the nervous sytem, among others, while obor-obor pasir can cause skin inflammation and swelling.

The department said the jellyfish season could persist till next month due to El Nino, which will likely end by late next month or early April.

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Malaysia: Penang studying plan to build cable car across Middle Bank

ARNOLD LOH The Star 29 Jan 16;

GEORGE TOWN: A major realignment to the island-mainland cable car plan – Penang Sky Cab – could see passengers travelling 90m directly over Middle Bank.

This change will also see the cable car station built as part of the future development of Jelutong landfill.

A source revealed that the cables could stretch from Penang Sentral, where the ferry terminal is on the mainland, to the future development of Jelutong landfill.

It will cut across Middle Bank and be about 5km long instead of the previous 3.6km.

“At low tide and with a pair of binoculars, passengers might clearly see the large sea anemones and crabs that live on this 50ha carpet of green grass,” the source said.

He said an environmental impact assessment (EIA) would begin on the project soon.

Change on the horizon: The planned cable car station is part of the future development of Jelutong landfill (foreground) and it will be along Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway near the landfill’s entrance (circled) next to a petrol station. This aerial photo was taken 175m above sea level with a drone camera.

The planned cable car station, the source said, will be by the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway near the entrance to the landfill.

Previously, the cable car station on the island side was to be at Nordin Street Ghaut, but he said consultants had calculated that the area’s roads might not cope with the potential swell of traffic.

The 21.44ha landfill is 21 years old and would be rehabilitated.

But while the tourism value of Penang Sky Cab could go up a notch with this plan, the source is worried about Middle Bank.

“The cable pylons are 50m apart and the towers are 500m from each other. Middle Bank is 1km from the island, so how close will the pylons be to the seagrass bed?”

He said although the structures would have a small footprint, the construction would still kick up tonnes of seabed sediment that could hurt the seagrass.

He said there was an optional plan to turn one of the towers into a restaurant and observatory.

“If they choose to build one for passengers to stop and look at Middle Bank at low tide, the construction might be major enough to affect the seagrass environment.”

When contacted, a senior state government official who declined to be identified confirmed that the plan was being studied.

“There shouldn’t be any pylons or towers built on or near the bed. This change is not to capitalise on the seagrass but to manage the traffic and wind channelling effects on the cable cars as they cross the sea,” the official said.

Seeing red over dying greens
ARNOLD LOH The Star 29 Jan 16;

BEING too close to the ground can make it hard for people to see the forest for the trees. But step back 500m above sea level, and the situation can become clearer.

A drone camera pilot who is compiling a book filled with aerial photographs of Penang was disheartened when he sent his drone camera 2km out to sea to capture images of Middle Bank.

“It is not as green as previous photographs. If you are walking on the seagrass bed, things might look fine. But seen from the sky, the grass looks like it’s thinning.

“There is much more sand than grass in the pictures,” said Warren Tan from Se Vena Networks Sdn Bhd, who launched his drone camera from Karpal Singh Drive yesterday at 10am when the tide was lowest.

Based on his images, he said the thinning pattern seemed more pronounced near the Sungai Pinang river mouth and pointed to the possibility that human pollution flowing out was hurting the seagrass.

Tan gave The Star his photographs and video footages, taken at heights of between 2m and 500m above sea level, and hoped environmentalists would be able to use the images to identify the problem.

Penangites had a scare last year because there was talk that this area would be reclaimed, though the plans are shelved for now.

Environmentalist and Tanjung Bungah assemblyman Teh Yee Cheu brought several reporters by boat to the spot in April 2015 to document the abundant marine life living there.

But more challenges for this second largest seagrass bed in peninsular Malaysia may be on the way.

A source has revealed that Penang Sky Cab, the proposed island-mainland cable car ride, may cut across Middle Bank.

While the gondolas coasting overhead will not harm the seagrass, the construction of pylons and cable towers are another matter.

“Imagine hovering above at 90m during low tide. With binoculars, you might be able to spot the large sea anemones and crabs living on it.

“But if the pylons are built too close, the construction might cause pollution till the seagrass bed disappears,” the source said.

Middle Bank is about the same age as Penang Bridge — 31 years old.

It was created with undersea material dredged during the bridge’s construction in 1985.

The grass is obviously much thinner compared to its condition in April last year.

The bank is visible from the shore for about four to six hours a day when the tide is lowest.

At high tide, it is between 1m and 2m underwater.

Sunlight can still penetrate this depth and thus create an ideal environment for a seagrass bed to form and support a wealth of marine life.

Even dugongs were reported to feed on the seagrass.

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Malaysia, Penang: Massive sea reclamation project under PTMP to begin as early as 2018

PHUAH KEN LIN New Straits Times 29 Jan 16;

GEORGE TOWN: A massive sea reclamation to form two man-made islands is slated to start as early as 2018 under the proposed RM27 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP), said a state executive councillor.

State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the oddly-shaped islands with an area of 1,320 hectares would be built at the same time, subject to approval by the federal authorities.

He shed light about the mechanism of the upcoming massive reclamation off the southern tip of the island in Permatang Damar Laut in a public dialogue last evening here.

"The formation of the island through reclamation will be used to fund the construction of public infrastructure as a feature of PTMP such as light railway transit (LRT) and monorail.

"Both islands will take up to seven years to complete," Chow said.

He likened the reclamation move to fund infrastructure as "killing two birds with one stone", as the subsequent land allotment process would be necessary in a land swap deal with developers by the state government in lieu of payment.

Chow was addressing to a question from the floor by a member of Village And Security Development Committee (JKKK) to raise his concern about the environmental impact from the two islands in joint dialogue session with councilors.

He elaborated the islands would feature housing projects, administrative centres as well as public amenities, adding that plans would be underway to expand the land for industrial use to complement the saturated Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone.

"There is even a possibility that a new local council, a third of its kind will be set up to oversee a new administration on both islands," the state DAP chairman said.

Also present in the dialogue were Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, state Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Malek Abul Kassim and PTMP project delivery partner SRS Consortium represented by Azmi Mohamad.

Another JKKK member also raised his concern about the reclamation against the fishermen's livelihood and a possibility of relocation.

Malek allayed his concerns and said the state and SRS Consortium would build new fisherman wharf and to provide boat services at the man-made islands.

The public dialogue yesterday evening was its 10th edition since the state government and SRS Consortium started its engagement with stakeholders since last year.

Chow said the state government had expected PTMP to receive its final nod from the federal government agency such the Land Transport Commission (SPAD) by June next year.

A detailed environmental impact assessment is expected to be approved by Department of Environment in June this year.

PTMP is an ambitious state-initiated project which features an undersea tunnel linking the island to the mainland, highways, LRT, monorail as well as extensive bus connectivity on both the island and the mainland.

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Malaysia: 'Mosquitoes born with dengue virus'

SIM BAK HENG New Straits Times 30 Jan 16;

KUALA TERENGGANU: Transovarial transmission of dengue virus is most likely to have triggered the dengue outbreak in Terengganu, said the Institute for Medical Research (IMR).

This is in view that the transovarial dengue virus was present in the country, according to a research carried out by IMR.

Although the number of mosquito larvae having dengue virus in the research was small (6.3 per cent), it was evident that transovarial transmission for dengue virus could be the cause.

IMR medical entomology unit research officer Dr Rohani Ahmad said Terengganu was one of the states where transovarial dengue virus was present.

“We have conducted dengue virus screening in Aedes mosquitoes in the state.

Our studies showed the presence of dengue virus in mosquito larvae. “This means that a mosquito is born with the virus naturally.

The state Health Department declared a dengue outbreak in the state on Jan 13.

Dengue claimed its sixth victim, a 33-year-old man from Dungun, on Thursday, while an 11-year-old pupil of SK Seri Budiman is in critical condition.

As transovarial dengue virus was transmitted through birth, Dr Rohani said, the danger was such that the vector could transmit dengue virus once it emerged from the immature stage, such as pupa.

“If more transovarial mosquitoes mature, more people will become victims. “The mosquito can trigger a transmission without having to sting any persons infected with the virus.

“Imagine an area with 1,000 mosquitoes carrying transovarial dengue virus.

The chances of getting bitten and infected are high and an outbreak is possible.”

Dr Rohani said plastic containers were the most conducive breeding sites, followed by aluminium containers and tyres.

The dominant mosquito larvae collected during the IMR study were Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti.

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Malaysia vulnerable to spread of Zika virus -- Health Ministry

P. DIVAKARAN The Star 29 Jan 16;

PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry has cautioned that Malaysia is vulnerable to the spread of the Zika virus.

Deputy Health Director-General Datuk Dr Lokman Halim Sulaiman said in a statement on Friday that the Ministry was monitoring the spread of the virus and believed that the disease could spread to Malaysia because of the high presence of Aedes mosquitoes in the country.

He said that based on inspections and the high number of dengue cases around the country suggest that the density of Aedes mosquitoes was still high.

Dr Lokman added that the risks brought by the disease were also high as Malaysians had yet to develop an immunity to the virus, making it likely that the disease could spread very quickly among Malaysians.

Earlier Friday, The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that it would convene a special emergency meeting on Feb 1 to deal with the Zika virus which was "spreading explosively".

Dr Lokman stressed that although the virus only caused slight fever, rashes on the body and joint pains, the Ministry viewed the matter seriously because the virus had been associated with microcephaly, a birth defect where infants are born with underdeveloped heads.

He also said that it was impractical and difficult to stop the spread of the virus to Malaysia due to its mild symptoms, difficulty in tracing infected people and also because there was also no quick "point of care test" available.

Dr Lokman urged all visitors – especially those from South and Central America and Malaysians returning from infected areas – who exhibit fever and spots to reports themselves to the Quarantine Health Centre or the nearest Health Department as soon as they arrive in Malaysia.

He also advised pregnant women to refrain from visiting infected countries and said that a health alert would be issued to all Government and private health facilities.

There are currently 22 countries that have reported incidences of the Zika virus, mainly located in South America and even in some developed nations like the United States.

Earlier in the week, Taiwan's Health Ministry said that a 24-year-old man was suffering from the disease, probably contracted when he was in northern Thailand.

There is currently no vaccine available for the virus and only the symptoms of the virus can be treated.

Although the virus has not been associated with deaths in adults it has been linked to severe birth defects in thousands of babies in Brazil.

According to the WHO, it could infect as many as four million people in the Americas.

Pregnant women urged to avoid Zika-affected countries
The Star 30 Jan 16;

PETALING JAYA: Pregnant women should not visit Latin American countries for the time being because of the threat of the Zika virus.

The Healthy Ministry issued an advisory against visiting 22 countries and territories: Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin, Suriname, US Virgin Islands and Venezuela.

Also included in the list was the Pacific Ocean nation of Samoa.

Health deputy director-general (public health) Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman said Central and South America visitors, as well as Malaysians who return from that region, should report to the health quarantine centre or nearby health offices should they develop symptoms of infection.

“An alert has been issued to all government and private health facilities.

“Malaysians travelling to other countries must also take precautionary measures, such as avoiding outdoor activities in the early morning and late evening when Aedes mosquitoes are lurking, wear clothes covering the body and use mosquito repellent,” he said in a statement.

Dr Lokman said so far, there were no Zika-related cases in Malaysia.

“Malaysians do not have immunity against the virus. Therefore, if the virus is brought into the country by affected citizens or visitors, it will spread fast.

“Just like dengue, there is no vaccine or specific medication that can kill the virus. An affected person can be the source of infection to others,” he said.

Dr Lokman noted that Malaysia had a high number of Aedes mosquitoes and it was also burdened with dengue cases.

Reports said that an estimated 80% did not show any symptoms of the disease and the “healthy carriers” ended up spreading the virus without their knowledge.

“Although the disease would only result in mild fever, body rashes and joints pain and does not cause death, we are looking at it seriously because it is associated with microcephaly (a neurological condition in which babies are born with an abnormally small brain and skull).

“It is also linked to the ‘Guillain-Barre’ syndrome,” he said, adding that microcephaly would result in permanent head and brain injuries and affect the baby’s quality of life.

Dr Lokman urged Malaysians to pay serious attention and cooperate with the authorities to destroy mosquito breeding grounds.

“Efforts by all parties must be enhanced to stop the spread of dengue and other health threats caused by mosquitoes,” he said.


Zika, the brand new virus
D DIVAKARAN The Star 30 Jan 16;

PETALING JAYA: Described as a “brand new” virus, researchers are scrambling to understand the very basics, including how to prevent, treat and diagnose the emerging mosquito-borne threat of Zika virus.

Pregnant women are being urged to think twice before travelling to Latin American and Caribbean countries battling a rise in cases of microcephaly - a rare but brutal condition that shrinks the brains of unborn babies.

The virus has expanded swiftly in recent years and been linked to brain damage in babies.

AFP reports Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), as saying that "this is a brand-new virus so we, prior to this time, have really not spent anything on Zika."

Nor is there any vaccine on the market yet against dengue virus, which comes from the same family of flaviviruses.
The Malaysian Health Ministry has issued a warning that Malaysia is vulnerable to the disease.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said the virus could infect as many as four million people in the Americas.

The increase has coincided with an outbreak of the usually benign Zika virus. But the virus and the birth defects have not been scientifically linked, leaving many questions about what is happening to these children in the womb.

Here are some questions you need to know of the Zika virus:

WHAT IS MICROCEPHALY?

Babies with microcephaly have an abnormally small brain and skull for their age, in the womb or at birth, with varying degrees of brain damage as a result. It has many potential causes: infections, viruses, toxins or unknown genetic factors.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES FOR THE CHILD?

In serious cases, early death. If the brain is under-developed, the body cannot function properly. In French Polynesia (one of the regions affected), these deformities have caused most of the babies to be stillborn, as the unborn infants simply cannot survive.

For children who survive pregnancy and are born with microcephaly, the future is bleak. In the worst cases, children will be severely intellectually and physically handicapped. But even those less severely affected will likely struggle with psychomotor impairment - characterised by slow thought, speech and physical movements.

HOW DOES A VIRUS AFFECT AN UNBORN CHILD?

Many types of viral infections, such as rubella or cytomegalovirus, can cause physical deformities and intellectual deficiencies, especially during the first three months of pregnancy, when the vital organs are being formed. Viruses can travel through the placenta and infect the foetus directly, sometimes in the brain.

WHY IS MICROCEPHALY THOUGHT TO BE LINKED TO ZIKA VIRUS?

Microcephaly cases seem to have increased in the zone of the Zika outbreak. But also, the virus has been detected in stillborn children with microcephaly, as well as in the amniotic fluid. The link between Zika and microcephaly is highly likely, but has not yet been proven scientifically. The evidence for the link is relatively strong, and considered strong enough to warrant public health measures.

WHAT ARE WE DOING TO LEARN MORE?

Studies are underway in French Polynesia, where a Zika outbreak ocurred around the end of 2013 to beginning of 2014, to better understand how the virus may affect foetuses. In Martinique, where there is an outbreak right now, a trial group of pregnant women is being put together for study.

The difficulty is that people infected with the virus usually have no symptoms. A pregnant woman can thus be infected without knowing it. On the other hand, cases have been observed of pregnant women infected with Zika whose children did not develop microcephaly.

IS ZIKA CONTAGIOUS BETWEEN PEOPLE?

There has been a case of sexual transmission, and theoretically transmission by transplantation or transfusion cannot be ruled out. The main route of infection is through mosquitoes. - AFP/Reuters

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