Singapore Raptor Report – October 2017
Singapore Bird Group
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Malaysia: Saving the banteng, the most endangered large mammal in Sabah
Kristy New Straits Times 29 Nov 17;
KOTA KINABALU: A workshop starting tomorrow will kickstart efforts to draft a Bornean Banteng Action Plan for Sabah to be submitted to the state government.
International and local scientists, governmental agencies and industry players are convening to save another iconic species endemic to the State. The banteng is also known as tembadau.
In a joint statement here, the Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) and Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) that are organising the two-day workshop said recommendations will be given on protecting the Bornean banteng based on findings of a five-year state-wide survey conducted by them.
"Then Action Plan will be drafted based on the proposed recommendations from the workshop.
"It will be validated by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group before being submitted to the State Government for approval," said DGFC director Dr Benoit Goossens.
The species is threatened by heavy poaching, habitat loss and forest fragmentation in Sabah where only last month, three banteng were poached by hunters in three protected areas in Sabah in the space of three days.
"At this rate, the species will not survive another 20 years and we will lose it like we lost our Sumatran rhinoceros," he stressed.
According to a survey using camera traps in several protected and unprotected areas statewide, it is estimated there are four or five isolated populations of banteng.
"One is on the west coast, one or two in central Sabah, one in the south-east and one in the north-east of Sabah.
"The total population is estimated to be around 400 to 500 individuals, making the Bornean banteng the most endangered large mammal in Sabah,” added Goossens.
Earlier this year, stakeholders have also convened two separate events to come up with plans for the conservation of the proboscis monkey and Sunda clouded leopard, respectively.
He added that DGFC has also been supported by
Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) since April 2011 with a commitment of RM3.96 million over a period of six years, to conduct research on the three species.
The action plans for the three species are expected to be ready by early 2018.
YSD chairman Tun Musa Hitam has stated that the Foundation will be waiting in anticipation for the submission of the three action plans to the Sabah state government.
The Foundation has also sponsored one Malaysian student, Lim Hong Ye who pursued his Master’s degree at Universiti Malaysia Sabah and graduated this year.
He will present his work on banteng at the workshop tomorrow.
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Malaysia: Something fishy in Semporna - surge in crown-of-thorns population
The Star 29 Nov 17;
KOTA KINABALU: A population surge in crown-of-thorns starfish (pic), which consume corals, is worrying the diving community in Semporna.
Divers noticed the sharp increase at some coral reefs near Semporna, the gateway to the renowned diving haven of Pulau Sipadan and the Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
Local divemaster Pius Angelo Mak said the divers were unsure what they should do to tackle the problem.
“A group of us started picking up these crown-of-thorns starfish about two weeks ago and drying them under the sun to kill them before casting the carcasses into the sea,” Pius said. “We’re not sure if this is right approach but it seemed the right thing to do.”
Sabah Parks watching out for starfish invasion
The Star 30 Nov 17;
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Parks is hoping the crown-of-thorns starfish boom in waters off Semporna will not spread to the islands that it manages.
Its director Dr Jamili Nais said it is aware of the surge in numbers of the starfish, which consumes coral.
Divers have found that the areas affected so far are not within waters protected by Sabah Parks.
“We are keeping our fingers crossed that the creatures will not spread to our areas,” Dr Jamili said yesterday.
The state parks contain important marine ecosystems and are big draws for divers and tourists.
“This is like an illness and we have these starfish affecting our islands once in a while but we have always taken immediate steps to stop their spread,” said Dr Jamili.
Coral reefs are one of the main attractions Sabah has to offer divers.
Dr Jamili said Sabah Parks would also help manage the problem in affected areas if it gets an official request.
Earlier this week, some divers noticed a sharp increase in starfish numbers at several coral reefs near Semporna, the gateway to the renowned diving haven of Pulau Sipadan and Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
Local divemaster Pius Angelo Mak said the divers are unsure of what they should do to tackle the problem.
He said a group of them started picking up the starfish about two weeks ago and drying them under the sun to kill them before casting the carcasses into the sea.
They are not sure if that is the right approach but “it seemed like the right thing to do”.
Researchers from Australia’s James Cook University found in 2015 that a single injection of white vinegar kills a crown-of-thorns starfish within 48 hours without harming surrounding marine life.
It is a much cheaper alternative to the previous lethal injection of bile salts and the researchers noted that starfish-eating animals appeared to savour these “pickled” carcasses.
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Malaysia: Floods getting worse in Kelantan and Terengganu
The Star 29 Nov 17;
KUALA LUMPUR: The floods which hit the east coast states of Kelantan and Terengganu have worsened, sending more people to relief centres as heavy rain continued in several areas and the levels of some rivers breached the danger point.
According to the National Disaster Management Agency’s Disaster Portal, as of 8pm yesterday, a total of 5,492 victims had been evacuated: 3,726 in Kelantan, 1,750 in Terengganu and 16 in Perlis, which was also affected by floods on Monday night.
On a related matter, Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Wan Mohd Nor Ibrahim said 47 relief centres have been opened in Kelantan and 41 in Terengganu, as well as one in Perlis to accommodate evacuees.
Bernama reported that evacuees in Kelantan were being put up at relief centres in the districts of Kota Baru, Pasir Mas, Tanah Merah, Pasir Puteh, Kuala Krai, Machang and Bachok.
Kelantan and Terengganu river water levels have now reached danger point, a check on the Drainage and Irrigation Department website Info Banjir showed.
In Kelantan, the Sungai Golok stations at Jenob, Tanah Merah, and Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas, exceeded the danger level, with water levels of 23.5m and 10.44m respectively at 6pm yesterday.
The Sungai Nerus station at Kampung Langkap in Setiu, Terengganu, recorded a water level of 21.73m at 6.30pm yesterday, exceeding the danger level of 21.5m.
More than 6,700 people evacuated due to Kelantan floods
Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah New Straits Times 29 Nov 17;
KOTA BARU: Twenty-eight people from Tumpat were evacuated last night after their homes in Kebakat were hit by floods.
The evacuees, from six families, were moved to the Sekolah Kebangsaan Kebakat, which had been converted into a flood relief centre.
According to the state government's flood portal, the number of flood evacuees in Kelantan stands at 6,719 people as of 7.30am today.
The victims, from 2,052 families, are now seeking shelter at 97 relief centres in nine districts.
Pasir Mas recorded the highest number of victims of 2,237, followed by Kota Baru (1301) and Tanah Merah (970).
The other affected districts are Bachok, Jeli, Kuala Krai, Machang and Pasir Putih.
As of 7.30am, the water level at Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang was measured at 10.66m, which is 1.66m beyond its danger level of 9m.
The water level at Sungai Golok in Jenob meanwhile was recorded at 23.52m (danger mark 23.50m).
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Indonesia: Eleven dead as floods and landslide hit East Java
Agence France-Presse Jakarta Post 28 Nov 17;
At least 11 people have died in severe floods and landslides in Pacitan, East Java, an official said Tuesday.
A landslide killed nine people at Pacitan and two people died in floods triggered by heavy rain in the same area.
Thousands of homes were flooded and 4,000 people forced to evacuate them, said a spokesman for the national disaster mitigation agency.
The extreme weather will continue to hit the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali, the spokesman added, warning people to be prepared for floods, landslides and tornados.
The agency said it urgently needs blankets, clothes and inflatable boats for affected areas.
The country is often hit by landslides and floods.
Twelve people including three children died in a landslide on the holiday island of Bali in February.
In September last year almost 30 people died in devastating floods and landslides in Garut, West Java.
Flood hits Central Java, forces thousands to evacuate
Ganug Nugroho Adi The Jakarta Post 29 Nov 17;
Thousands of residents in Surakarta, Central Java, are being forced to evacuate after floodwater engulfed hundreds of homes following heavy rains that have been falling since Tuesday morning.
In Sukoharjo, homes in Karangwuni and Tegalsari villages in Weru district were flooded after the Siluwur River burst its banks.
“More than a 100 homes, several schools and hundreds of hectares of farming land are flooded,” Weru district head Samino said Wednesday.
He added that the Sukoharjo administration and the Klaten Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) were still trying to evacuate residents from their homes as the water level was still high.
Bayat, Klaten, also faced a similar situation where the Dengkeng River overflowed and flooded the surrounding area.
In Wonogiri, floods and landslides have hit 14 subdistricts since Tuesday morning.
“This is the worst flooding in the last 10 years. There are no casualties but 2,000 residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters,” Wonogiri Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) head Bambang Haryanto said on Wednesday. He said in December 2007, floods killed 17 residents of Tirtomoyo subdistrict.
This year, the flood blocked roads that connected Wonogiri-Pacitan and Wonogiri-Tirtomoyo, he added.
At least 11 people died after the Cyclone Cempaka hit Java Island. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued a warning on Monday that the cyclone had formed off the southern coast of Java and was ready to hit Java and Bali islands. (hol/ebf)
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Thai police arrest 16 protesting against coal-fired power plant
Reuters 28 Nov 17;
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai authorities have arrested 16 people who were protesting against the construction of a coal-fired power plant, drawing criticism of the military government from rights activists and environmentalists.
The planned power plant in the southern province of Songkhla will consist of two 1,000-megawatt units, and is part of a power development plan to 2036, but activists object to its expected environmental and health impact on communities in the area.
The 16 protesters were arrested on Monday as they traveled from Thepa district, the site of the plant, to the provincial capital to present a petition to Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who was due in the city on Tuesday for a meeting.
“This incident shows the true face of Thailand’s military dictators, who have committed a long list of abuses and repressions since the May 2014 coup,” Sunai Phasuk, Thailand researcher for U.S.-based group Human Rights Watch, told Reuters.
Six protesters were injured in a scuffle with police, said anti-coal activist Supat Hasuwannakit.
“The use of force was uncalled for,” Supat told Reuters.
A few police officers were injured, police said, adding that the 16 had been charged with blocking traffic, assaulting authorities, and resisting arrest. Police have requested that a court detains them.
Tara Buakamsri, country director for Greenpeace Southeast Asia, said in a statement the action against the protesters reflected a “complete failure” by the government to promote a peaceful and inclusive society.
“The Thepa power plant has no legitimacy to be built,” the group said.
The first unit of the power plant is due to begin operating in 2021.
Its environmental health impact assessment was completed in August and is pending approval by the National Environment Board.
Reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat, Panarat Thepgumpanat and Pracha Hariraksapitak; Writing by Patpicha Tanakasempipat
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Shell doubles up on green spending and vows to halve carbon footprint
Anglo-Dutch giant to spend $2bn on wind power, biofuels and electric cars as it bows to shareholder pressure by setting new company climate change target
Adam Vaughan The Guardian 28 Nov 17;
Shell has doubled its spending on clean power and bowed to shareholder pressure by promising to halve the carbon footprint of the energy it sells by 2050, as the oil giant said it was stepping up its ambitions on green energy.
The Anglo Dutch firm is increasing capital expenditure for its new energies division, to $1bn-$2bn (£750m to £1.5bn) a year for 2018-2020, up from a previous plan of up to $1bn a year by 2020.
But the spending on wind power, biofuels and electric car infrastructure will still account for a small fraction of the giant’s planned $25-30bn annual investment. Shell has $5bn-$6bn a year pegged for deepwater drilling and $2-3bn a year allocated for shale oil and gas.
The company’s new climate change target aims to cut the net carbon footprint of its products in half by 2050, and around one-fifth by 2035.
“It is making sure that the products within society have an overall lower carbon footprint. That is the longterm way of making sure our business remains a relevant business in the face of the energy transition,” said Ben van Beurden, Shell’s chief executive.
The carbon target is similar to one put forward by shareholder activists at the company’s AGM earlier this year, which the board opposed and defeated.
Shell said the goal addressed the spirit of the shareholders’ proposal but the company’s chosen methodology meant it did not have “negative side-effects” of the resolution. “We could see a kernel of truth and relevance in there,” said Van Beurden.
The Dutch activist shareholder group behind the proposal, Follow This, welcomed the new target.
“We applaud Shell’s ambitious decision to take leadership in achieving the goals of the Paris climate agreement to limit global warming to well below 2C,” said the group’s founder, Mark van Baal.
Shell said it would grow its new energies division through its existing businesses and by acquiring companies, as it has done recently by buying electric car charging firms Ionity and New Motion.
Van Beurden defended the level of spending on green energy. “Is the investment we are going to put in new energies enough? Let’s see, we have to start somewhere,” he said.
Wind and biofuels would have a key role, he said. “We will systematically improve, we will grow this business up to be a very significant part of the future of the company, otherwise you can’t even get to a 20% reduction of a carbon footprint.
“But we have to do it in a disciplined way. If we destroy value in this process, no one is going to be served.”
However, the company said hydrocarbons would still be at the heart of its business and the global energy landscape over the next two decades.
“Oil and gas will remain an important part of the energy system [up to 2030], no credible forecast says otherwise,” said Van Beurden.
On the idea that some of its assets would be stranded by governments taking action on carbon emissions as part of the Paris climate deal, he said: “I think we will have very limited, if any, stranded assets [in the 2020s].”
The chief executive said that the firm sees underlying reasons that the oil price could go even higher than where it stands now, at just over $60 per barrel, but in the meantime the price could be unpredictable.
“I think we will see an era of volatility,” he said, adding: “You may argue the fundamentals point to a slightly higher oil price than we see at the moment.”
As expected, Shell also announced it was would begin rewarding shareholders in cash rather than issuing more shares.
“Ben van Beurden has delivered an early Christmas present for Shell shareholders,” said Nicholas Hyett, analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, of the scrapping of the scrip dividend which was introduced after Shell bought gas behemoth BG Group for £35bn in 2016.
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We are all responsible for our planet
Arnoud De Meyer For The Straits Times 28 Nov 17;
Singapore can improve on its approach to use of plastic bags, recycling waste and sustainability.
Two rather alarming reports were published earlier this month about the state of our planet.
The United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that the average temperature on earth is rising faster than expected, and that the consequences are unpredictable, given the non-linear nature of the effects of warming. Separately, a group of United States agencies released a report saying that global warming is real and the consequence of human activities.
The concerned citizen and scientist in me wondered what we can do about it. The first reaction is, of course, to look at the government and wait for its actions. But the point I want to make today is that we all can take action.
I was reminded of a conversation I had a few months ago with a group of European exchange students at the Singapore Management University (SMU). I asked them about their experiences at the university and here in Singapore.
As usual, I received quite a few positive comments about the country. I thus challenged them to name one thing that Singapore could do better in. I was surprised when one of them blurted: "This country still lives in the 20th century when it comes to selective waste collection and sustainability". To prove his point, he added: "You know, they still use styrofoam here; and you get plastic bags in the supermarkets!"
It is true that in most European countries, styrofoam packaging is being phased out and plastic bags are hardly available in supermarkets. If you want to get such bags, you have to pay a rather hefty sum. Most of his friends voiced support for his observation.
I was heartened to some extent when they said that at least at SMU, there was a possibility for selective waste collection and composting of food waste for use in SMU's garden.
I countered their assertion by pointing out that the National Environment Agency organises quite a number of campaigns, such as Keep Singapore Clean, Clean and Green Singapore, and Energy Efficient Singapore.
However, the exchange students felt that although the government agencies are taking action, citizens here are not very engaged when it comes to sustainability.
I do agree with them that we cannot leave the responsibility for sustainability to governments alone.
The issue is so overwhelming that all of us need to work together. Citizens and businesses need to take on more responsibility and be more proactive. We cannot have a short-term egocentric view, but have to take it upon ourselves to ensure the long-term viability of our planet for the coming generations.
We all need to decide together how we want to live together tomorrow, and that will require action today. We cannot keep kicking the can forward when it comes to actions to preserve our environment!
It sounds like an impossible task, but well-known development economist Jeffrey Sachs, who recently delivered a lecture at SMU, pointed out that it is still possible to reverse the global warming trend.
He argued that we have to make a few very challenging transitions: a demographic transition to limit the growth of the world population, an energy transition away from carbon-based fuels, an ecological transition so that we grow our food without exhausting our natural environment, and a governance transition so that long-term objectives take priority over short-term purely financial objectives. He also pointed out the key word is collaboration: between governments, but also between the government, business and civic society.
In September, we had also welcomed the former prime minister of the Netherlands, Mr Jan Balkenende, as a speaker at SMU. He was here in his role as chairman of the Dutch Sustainable Growth Coalition. This is a group comprising well-known Dutch companies such as AkzoNobel, DSM, Heineken, KLM, Philips, Shell and Unilever.
These multinationals share the conviction that long-term financial and economic value and success are inextricably linked to minimised environmental impact, social progress and inclusiveness. They go beyond this conviction and carry out studies, report on their actions and initiatives, and take the lead to provide governments with advice on how to push the sustainability agenda.
COMPANIES CAN TAKE THE LEAD
They realise that they cannot act alone, because doing so would put them in a very unfavourable competitive position; but by acting together, they can engage in pre-competitive collaboration and undertake effective dialogue with stakeholders.
Why should companies take such a proactive role? Perhaps because sustainability is a good business driver: It helps them to build their reputation and it may create new profitable business models. But there is more.
Governments have a limited geographical reach. We may work hard on preserving our environment here in Singapore, but that will have little effect if similar actions are not taken by our neighbouring countries. Multilateral governmental initiatives are of course the solution, but agreeing on these initiatives takes much time and effort, and the implementation is always a big challenge.
Companies, on the other hand, are in a very different position. Their supply chains stretch over many countries, and they often have a deep understanding of all the externalities that our consumption here in Singapore creates.
The products in our supermarkets may look sustainable, but how much water had to be used to raise the shrimp or fish in Vietnam or Indonesia? How much carbon dioxide was produced to transport the fruits and vegetables from South Africa or New Zealand to Singapore?
Companies have much better insights into how much the real cost of producing such goods has been shifted to others or to future generations. They are certainly well-placed to take action to reduce the unwanted externalities.
But will they do so? The evidence suggests that it is not impossible. Under public pressure and scrutiny, they have for example, limited child labour in the textile industry and reduced slash-and-burn practices to create oil palm plantations.
Companies such as Heineken that produce a lot of beer in Africa have invested in ensuring that more than 60 per cent of the agricultural materials that go into their beer are locally sourced.
Companies could also create a circular economy where materials are re-used as much as possible. This stands in contrast to the linear production and consumption model that is about "take resources, make products and dispose the used product".
We in Singapore can be rightly satisfied that we recycle more than 50 per cent of our waste, but we mainly burn it for energy production and dump the non-incinerable waste and incineration ash into the Semakau Landfill. It is a good step in the right direction, but we could do so much more, by re-using products and components.
This can be achieved only through long-lasting design for reuse, maintenance, repair, remanufacturing, refurbishing and recycling. These are tasks which companies need to assume leadership in, and they excel in that role.
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS MATTER
Can we leave it all to the Government and companies? I am convinced individuals can also make a real contribution as citizens and consumers. There are at least three areas where each of us can make a difference: education for awareness, consumption choices and waste handling.
Let me return to my interaction with SMU's exchange students mentioned earlier. When they expressed their surprise about the continued use of styrofoam packaging and plastic bags in the supermarkets, one should not assume that they have a natural inclination for sustainability. It is just that they are used to it. They were raised in an environment where selective waste collection is widely practised.
In northern European cities, families often have up to 11 containers for different types of waste. These students know they have to bring bags to the supermarket or have to pay for them. And they have been made aware of the impact of plastic on the environment.
Many of them know the mantra: It takes one second to produce a plastic bag, about 20 minutes to use it, and perhaps decades if not centuries to get it out of the environment. It is all about education. Not the type of education in universities or schools, but the one at home, in the family where they can see and emulate role models of sustainability in action.
As consumers, we also have a very important role to play. Through our choices, we provide a signal to the suppliers of what we want. Do we really need that fruit or vegetable that has travelled thousands of kilometres, when similar food is available from our neighbours? Do we make careful use of all that we buy? Sometimes we don't have all the information but there are certain kinds of certification by independent organisations that can help. Let's be open to such information.
Finally, what do we do with products when they have been used? Do we simply throw them away, or do we ask ourselves whether they can be recycled or be used by others?
The selective collection of waste in Europe has resulted in a reduction of the total amount of waste per family per year. Many families have used food waste to produce compost, either individually per house, but often collectively with neighbours in the building. Clothes or small electronic products are now far more often sold through second-hand shops.
Let's not rely on governments alone to take action. We should all take charge of our planet, and to paraphrase President Emmanuel Macron of France, let's all work together to make this planet great again. All of us can contribute to that goal!
The writer is president of Singapore Management University.
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Wilmar becomes first palm oil company to link bank loan to sustainability performance
TAN WEIZHEN Today Online 27 Nov 17;
SINGAPORE — Wilmar International has become the first company in Asia as well as in the palm oil industry to take a loan with interest rate pegged to its sustainability efforts.
If the performance milestones are met, ING bank will reduce its interest rate for part of the loan in the following year, a joint press statement by Wilmar and ING said on Monday (Nov 27). When contacted, a Wilmar spokesman declined to disclose how much this amounts to.
The statement said that Wilmar has partnered with ING to convert a portion of its revolving credit facility of US$150 million into the “sustainability performance-linked loan”.
Wilmar’s performance will be tracked by Sustainalytics - a company that does sustainability and governance rankings and research - based on environmental, social and governance indicators.
Mr Ho Kiam Kong, Chief Financial Officer at Wilmar, said: “We believe that incorporating sustainability metrics into every aspect of our business, from daily operations to corporate financing, is key to creating value for our stakeholders.”
The statement said “the concept for this sustainability loan heralds a new approach for the green loans industry by encompassing not just environmental, but also social and governance aspects”.
Since March, ING has offered eight clients such loans. These include businesses in health technology, food and beverage, as well as the gas and electricity industries.
While loans linked to sustainability performance are relatively new, other forms of sustainability-related financing have been around for a while. For example, banks have issued green bonds which finance eligible businesses that contribute to a low-carbon and sustainable economy. According to the International Chamber of Commerce, green bond issuance nearly doubled to US$95.6 billion last year
Earlier this year, the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said it was looking at developing a set of recommendations for banks and financial institutions to adopt sustainable financing. This includes getting lenders to conduct more thorough screening of firms and their sustainable practices before issuing loans. Some of the recommendations could include better financing companies which are engaged in sustainable practices through green bonds or other incentives.
The Association of Banks in Singapore has also begun reaching out to banks to help them understand the issue, such as how they can screen companies before issuing loans.
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Malaysia: AG report - Land encroachment polluted dams
The Star 28 Nov 17;
MELAKA: Raw water supply in Melaka dams, especially in the Durian Tunggal Dam in Alor Gajah and Jus Dam in Jasin, were found to have been polluted as a result of land encroachment activities.
The Auditor-General’s Report 2016 (Series 2) said there were 721 violations of raw water quality regulations reported at nine water treatment plants between 2014 and 2016.
Chemical fertiliser, sand mining, catfish farming and rubber and oil palm plantation activities were identified as the main contributors of the pollution.
“If those activities were left uncontrolled, the functions of raw water in catchment areas will be jeopardised, causing deterioration in the environment,” said the report, which was released yesterday.
The report proposed that the state Water Regulatory Body does a detailed study on the quantity, quality and alternative sources of raw water to ensure optimum and sufficient supply, and also carries out monitoring and enforcement activities in dam areas to prevent further pollution. — Bernama
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Malaysia: Floods force almost 1,000 people in Terengganu from their homes
Bernama New Straits Times 28 Nov 17;
KUALA TERENGGANU: Floods which hit Terengganu following three days of heavy rain have sent 936 people from 308 families to 32 evacuation centres in five districts.
According to the State Disaster Management Committee secretariat, the Hulu Terengganu district is the worst-affected, with 515 people at 20 relief centres.
Setiu has 185 people at five relief centres; Dungun has 138 people at four centres; Marang has 59 people at two centres; and Besut has 39 people at one centre, it said.
The publicinfobanjir.water.gov.my website stated that as of 8am, several rivers in the state have breached their danger levels.
Sungai Telemong in Kuala Ping, Hulu Terengganu is at 20 metres; Sungai Nerus in Langkap, Setiu is at 22.12 metres; and Sungai Marang at the Pengkalan Berangan Bridge, Marang is at 3 metres.
The situation is expected to worsen as downpours are forecasted in several areas today. -- Bernama
Kelantan floods worsen; 1,563 people evacuated to relief shelters
Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah New Straits Times 28 Nov 17;
KOTA BARU: The flooding situation in Kelantan which began on Saturday has worsened, with evacuees recorded at 1,563 as of this morning.
According to the state’s flood portal, the victims, from 436 families, are taking shelter at 28 relief centres in the districts of Pasir Mas, Pasir Putih, Bachok, Tanah Merah, Machang, Kuala Krai and Kota Baru.
Meanwhile, four rivers in the state have risen to their warning level, while another has breached its danger mark as of 7am.
Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang is continuing to rise, having breached its danger level following non-stop rain since Saturday.
It was recorded at 10.06m as of 7am, which is 1.06m above its danger level.
Other rivers which are above their warning marks are Sungai Galas in Dabong, which is at 35.05m (its warning level is 35m); Sungai Lebir in Tualang at 32.36m (warning level: 31m); Krai Steps at 23.05m (warning level: 22.50m) and Jenob at 22.57m (warning level: 22.50m).
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Greenpeace slams Indonesia palm oil industry on deforestation
AFP 27 Nov 17;
`Greenpeace slammed Indonesia's palm oil industry Monday for failing to live up to a pledge to halt deforestation, as the lucrative sector faces possible restrictions in Europe over environmental concerns.
Palm oil is used in everything from soap to frozen pizza, but a consumer backlash has forced dozens of the world’s largest food and drink manufacturers to address its ecological impact.
Vast swathes of rainforest are destroyed to make way for palm oil plantations, threatening endangered species and pushing indigenous people off their lands.
International corporations, including Unilever, Kellogg and Mondelez, have pledged to adopt environmentally friendly supply chains by 2020.
But Greenpeace said in a report published on Monday that large palm oil traders are failing on that commitment.
The environmental group found that most of the 11 major traders operating in Indonesia did not have strict systems to monitor the origin of their goods and were not calling out non-compliant producers.
"Broadly, the palm oil industry has agreed to end deforestation. The issue -- and it is a critical one -- is only two of the 11 (traders) we looked at was actually able to say when they are going to end deforestation," Richard George, a UK-based forest campaigner at Greenpeace, told AFP.
None of the firms contacted by AFP replied to requests for comment on the report.
The Greenpeace report comes against the backdrop of mounting concerns about palm oil's environmental impact.
The European Union, the world's second largest consumer after India, passed a resolution in April calling for tougher environmental standards for palm oil linked to deforestation.
Indonesia and Malaysia -- the world’s two largest producers -- have been lobbying against the resolution.
Both countries have slammed possible EU import restrictions as unfair, and a move that would harm millions of mostly small-scale farmers.
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