Malaysia: ‘Emergency’ plan has docs hot and bothered

The Star 19 Mar 16;

PETALING JAYA: The Government’s decision to declare a “heatwave emergency” only when temperatures hit 40°C for seven consecutive days has medical practitioners hot under the collar.

Medical Practitioners Coalition Association of Malaysia (MPCAM) vice-president Dr Raj Kumar Maharajah said he was puzzled.

“Our country’s average temperature is 31°C to 33°C. When there is a 5°C increase, the Government should already be declaring a heatwave emergency. They don’t need to wait till it hits 40°C,” he said.

Dr Raj believes schools should be closed if the temperature remains at the current temperatures of 37°C-38°C.

“It is better to close schools because most Malaysian schools are not air-conditioned,” he said, adding that students might suffer from heat exhaustion and cramps.

However, he was pleased that the Cabinet had approved a plan to set up a special committee to monitor this phenomenon.

Malaysian Medical Association president Dr Ashok Zachariah Phi­lip was unsure of the move.

“The Government should provide specific measures on what they will do instead of just declaring such a statement,” he said.

However, he did not see a need for schools to be closed because of the heatwave.

Dr Ashok advises Malaysians to stay indoors, drink enough water, wear protective clothing and use sunblock.

It may get too hot for school
The Star 19 Mar 16;

PUTRAJAYA: Schools in the country will be closed if the temperature in their area hits 37°C for more than 72 hours and a heatwave emergency declared if any area sees tempe­ratures at 40°C for seven days or more.

With temperatures expected to hit its peak tomorrow, Natural Resources and Environment Minis­ter Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said a first warning would be issued if temperatures reach or exceed 37°C for 72 hours.

“When the first warning is issued, we will order the postponement of outdoor activities at schools, such as extra-curricular activities, cross-country events or camping.

“The Ministry of Youth and Sports will order outdoor sports activities and athletics training sessions to be postponed, held indoors or held at night.

“If it stays at above 37°C for more than 72 hours, a second warning will be issued.

“Schools in these areas will be ordered closed,” he said.

These are among the measures in a new heatwave “action plan” that was approved by the Cabinet yesterday.

Dr Wan Junaidi said the Cabinet had approved the setting up of a special committee on the heatwave, which he will chair.

“The committee will be tasked with monitoring the heatwave situa­tion and with executing the action plan.

“The National Disaster Manage­ment Agency (Nadma) will convene a special meeting to discuss an emergency response plan.

“If temperatures go beyond 40°C for seven days or more, then Nadma will declare a ‘heatwave emergency’ and will announce the emergency measures to be taken,” Dr Wan Junaidi told a press conference here yesterday.

The committee, he added, comprised Nadma, the Meteorological Department, the Department of Environment, the National Security Council, the Fire and Rescue Department, the Health Ministry and the Education Ministry, among others.

In 1998, the district of Chuping in Perlis recorded the highest reading in Malaysia’s history at 40.1°C.

The same district recorded a reading of 39°C on Monday and yesterday.

Heat wave: Edu Ministry denies issuing statement for schools to be closed in 6 states
FAZLEENA AZIZ New Straits Times 19 Mar 16;

PUTRAJAYA: The Education Ministry refuted claims that schools in Johor, Malacca, Selangor, Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu will remain closed until March 22 due to heat wave.

Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said via his Facebook that the announcement made viral over social media was untrue.

“We did not issue any statement that schools will remain closed after the March school holiday period,” he said.

Mahdzir also attached a screen grab of the viral statement.

In the viral statement, parents were advised not to bring their children out from 12pm to 3pm as a result of the sun situated in line with the equator.

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Malaysia: Rains will come in May: Mosti

AVILA GERALDINE New Straits Times 19 Mar 16;

KOTA KINABALU: The hot and dry weather is expected to last until June, said Science, Technology, and Innovation (Mosti) Minister Datuk Madius Tangau.

Advising the people to reduce their outdoor activity, Madius said the current high temperature would slowly reduce and rainfall would start to increase in May.

At the moment, Alor Setar (Kedah) and Chuping (Perlis) recorded the highest temperature reading at 39.1 and 38.9 degree celcius.

“Due to this, we advise schools in these areas to be closed down however the school closure is up to the Education Ministry.

“We have provided the Ministry with the current data for their attention,” he said at a press conference at the Sabah Meteorology Department here.

This was among the measures taken by the special committee on the extreme hot weather if the heat wave continued.

The moves were part of the new heat wave action plan involving ministries and agencies including Mosti, Education Ministry, Health Ministry, Communication and Multimedia Ministry and the Meteorology Department, On Friday, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junai Tuanku Jaafar had said the National Disaster Management Agency would declare a heat wave emergency if temperatures went beyond 40 degree Celcius.

According to Mosti, temperature readings in Keningau, Sabah and Batu Embun as well as Temerloh in Pahang have exceeded 35 degree Celsius for more than 10 days.


Double whammy tomorrow – equinox and heatwave
The Star 19 Mar 16;

PETALING JAYA: Be prepared for a double whammy tomorrow and steaming hot afternoons for the rest of the month.

The situation will be made all the more unbearable with the equinox tomorrow, when the sun shines directly over the Equator, and the heatwave caused by the El Nino phenomenon.

Malaysian Meteorological De­­part­­­ment director-general Datuk Che Gayah Ismail said the heatwave was expected to continue until the end of the month.

“We are expecting maximum tem­­­­peratures to be recorded between 2pm and 4pm,” she said.

For Chuping, Perlis, which recorded the highest temperature in the country this month at 39°C on Monday and yesterday, she said it would range between 38°C and 39°C.

According to the Meteorological Department website, the temperature in Petaling Jaya at 5pm yesterday was 33°C while Alor Setar recorded 36°C; Ipoh and Seberang Perai 35°C; Kuala Pilah, Negri Sembilan, 34°C; Senai, Johor, 34°C; and Malacca, 33°C.

On weather.com, Nakhon Sawan, Thailand, is forecasted to be the hottest place in the region ranging between 38°C and 42°C.

It is the highest in comparison to Chuping which will range between 36°C and 38°C; Yangon, Myanmar, 37°C-39°C; Singapore 33°C-34°C; Manila, Philippines, 33°C-36°C; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 33°C-36°C and Pekanbaru, Indonesia, 32°C-34°C.

On Monday Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau said in a statement that the El Nino pheno­menon was the main reason for the current hot and dry weather being experienced in the country.

Tangau said the last time Malaysia experienced similar wea­ther conditions was 1997-1998, also due to a strong El Nino.

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Malaysia: Scorching heat affecting rice, fruits and vegetable yields

Scorching heat can affect rice yield
NURBAITI HAMDAN The Star 19 Mar 16;

PETALING JAYA: Extreme high temperatures can irreversibly damage rice yield and grain quality, causing a shortage in production, said Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi).

Its Climate Change, Adaptation and Mitigation Programme, Agrobiodiversity and Environment Research Centre deputy director Norlida Mohamed Hamim said rice thrived in hot and dry to humid climates.

However, she said extreme heat episodes could cause damage to the yield and quality as well as plant processes such as germination and fertilisation.

“Rice is highly susceptible to heat stress, particularly during the reproductive and ripening stages.

“Extremely high temperatures – even for a few hours – during flowering can cause complete sterility while during ripening, this can lead to reduced grain filling and poor milling quality, resulting in more broken grains.

“In combination with other constraints, such as lack of water, canopy temperatures can increase even further. Unfortunately, hot days and warmer nights have increased recently,” she told The Star.

A 2°C rise in temperature could lead to a 13% reduction in padi yield while drought – or a 15% decrease in seasonal rainfall – could lead to a drop in yield of up to 80%.

The hot and dry weather could also increase the population of rice pest, which could contribute to the decline in rice yields.

“Lack of water, irregular rainfall patterns and water pressures will increase the intensity of some diseases of rice such as ‘brown spot and blast’ (rice leaf blast),” added Norlida.

On Thursday, The Star reported that the Government was ready to import more rice in case of shortage due to the persisting El Nino phenomenon.

Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman had said that Malaysia imported 30% of rice for the nation’s consumption while the other 70% came from local growers.

“If production falls, we will increase the import to offset the drop in local supply. Of course, that will be a temporary measure,” he said.

This came as padi farmers in the rice bowl states of Kedah and Perlis complained that they had yet to start their replanting season despite having gotten their soil ready as there was no water.

According to Mardi, one of the ways to tackle the weather issue was by breeding for new rice cultivars or varieties, which were more tolerant to higher temperatures, more efficient in water use and with a longer ripening phases to ensure enough grain filling to cope with the changed climatic scenario.

This, she said, could possibly be done through genetic engineering.

Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada), however, advised farmers not to panic just yet as there is still enough water supply for this year’s first farming season.

Mada is an agency under the Agriculture and Agro-based Ministry responsible for the development and management of the padi industry in Kawasan Muda.

Its general manager Fouzi Ali said water levels at three dams in the area was at 81.77% capacity.

“The reservoir level is comfortable compared to the minimum of 202,342ha (550,000 acres) or 679mil cubic metres of water needed to start a farming season.

“This reservoir is sufficient for the first farming season,” he said in a statement yesterday.

The current reservoir level is at 404,455ha (999,432 acres) with 1,233mil cubic metres of water.

Mada has also issued an irrigation and planting schedule for farmers in Kawasan Muda, a 100,685ha area in Kedah and Perlis dedicated to padi farming.

The schedule, which takes effect starting March 30, is placed at strategic locations in Kawasan Muda.

“With high levels of water at the dams, there shouldn’t be any critical problems. It is important for all farmers to follow the schedule to avoid water wastage,” said Fouzi.

There are two padi farming seasons a year – from March until August and from September until February.


Prices of vegetables up due to El Nino
The Star 20 Mar 16;

JOHOR BARU: The El Nino phenomena has not only contributed to a rise in temperatures but to vegetable prices as well.

Many sellers claim that the dry spell has hit their supply as the heat has affected output at farms.

A check at four wet markets in Kipmart, Larkin, Taman Johor Jaya and Tebrau showed the prices of cucumber, beans and spinach had increased while others remained the same.

A trader at Larkin market, Tai Men Ling, said the price of cucumber had gone up by 50%, from RM1 to RM1.50 per kilo.

“The rise in prices began on Tuesday. My suppliers told me the hot weather was to blame and the prices may continue to rise,” said Tai, 44.

Another seller, M. Thiruna­vuka­rasu, 50, said he had no choice but to raise the prices of ladies fingers by 6% from RM6.50 to RM6.90 per kilo.

“The increase started after the last festive season and it continued to rise due to hot weather,” he said.

The dry weather, however, has seen more people buying water­melons.

However, Ahmad Tarmizi Ahmad, 29, a fruit seller in the Tebrau market, said the price of watermelon was still RM1.80 per kilo.

“For this week, I have already sold 240 watermelons and the hot weather has become a great opportunity for fruit sellers to earn some profits,” he said, adding that he would normally sell between 150 and 180 watermelons.


Mangoes going bananas
ARNOLD LOH The Star 20 Mar 16;

KANGAR: The heatwave is causing weird happenings in orchards in Perlis that grow one of the most expensive mangoes in the world.

The trees of the Harumanis mango, which are sold at RM80 to RM100 per kg in Taiwan and Japan, are fruiting sporadically and threatening to make its price soar even higher this year.

“Trees of the same species are supposed to flower as one, but this year, my trees are flowering months apart,” said Harumanis orchardist Zaitun Yahaya, 61.

To prove her point, Zaitun showed her trees to a team from The Star visiting the state to see how the people there were coping with the heat that shot up to 38°C on Friday.

While maturing mangoes wrapped in paper dangled from some of her trees, many others bore only wilted flowers or were just beginning to bloom.

“I have been growing these mangoes for 30 years, and never before have my trees done this.

“By now, I should have large clumps of fruits on every tree but now the trees seem to be flowering only when they feel like it.”

Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development (Mardi) Perlis director Bookheri Md Ludin said the messed-up fruiting season meant farmers would have to work harder and the yield would be smaller this year.

“The delayed harvesting is going to cause a spike in the price. We have to be fair to the farmers,” he said.

Mardi’s Arau station manager Othman Ismail said Perlis was the best place in Malaysia to grow Harumanis, which is an Indonesian clone famed for its unrivalled sweetness and fine texture.

“But when the heat is too much, the flowers wilt before they can be pollinated. In some old orchards we are helping to rejuvenate, there are no fruits at all.”

The Harumanis mango retails in Malaysia at between RM30 and RM40 per kg.

Othman said the price would go up this year when the fruits were harvested next month but could not hazard a guess for now.

Read more!

Algal bloom plaguing Chilean salmon begins receding: government

An algal bloom in Chile that has killed up to 20 percent of the country's farmed salmon, causing higher prices globally, has started to recede along with fish deaths, the government said on Friday.
Channel NewsAsia 19 Mar 16;

SANTIAGO: An algal bloom in Chile that has killed up to 20 percent of the country's farmed salmon, causing higher prices globally, has started to recede along with fish deaths, the government said on Friday.

"What the scientists have told us is that the algae has diminished, and what we also have detected is that fish deaths have ceased," said Jose Miguel Burgos, head of the government's fisheries body.

"Today we hope that we are within view of this declining and definitively ending."

Chile is the world's second largest producer of salmon and trout after Norway. The government has said that salmon farmers have had production losses of around 100,000 tonnes, worth about US$800,000 million.

Abnormally warm weather and a lack of rain, partially due to the El Niño weather phenomenon, have been identified as contributing factors.

Late summer rains have begun in southern Chile, cooling ocean temperatures and reducing the bloom.

The decline in Chilean salmon has caused prices to rise, as reflected in an increase of 25 percent to US$5 per pound last week in Miami, a reference market for the industry.

Shares in a number of salmon producers operating in Chile have risen in tandem with prices over the past two of weeks.

Chilean companies AquaChile, Blumar, Camanchaca, Australis Seafoods, Multiexport Foods, Invermar, and the local unit of Norway's Marine Harvest have Chilean salmon farming operations.

(Reporting by Antonio de la Jara; Writing by Gram Slattery; Editing by Toni Reinhold)

- Reuters

Read more!

Best of our wild blogs: 19 Mar 16

Being Responsible Stewards of the Environment in Singapore
IPS Commons

Earth Film Festival: Singapore’s first crowd-based sustainability film festival
Green Drinks Singapore

Nesting of a pair of Rufous Woodpeckers
Singapore Bird Group

Indonesia hustles to preempt new round of haze-causing fires
Mongabay Environmental News

Read more!

Record 10.1m plastic bags saved last year due to NTUC FairPrice initiative

In conjunction with Earth Hour on Saturday, NTUC FairPrice will also be donating part of its proceeds, saved from its bring-your-own-bag initiative, to World Wildlife Fund.
Channel NewsAsia 18 Mar 16;

SINGAPORE: NTUC FairPrice saw a record 10.1 million plastic bags saved in 2015 through its bring-your-own-bag initiative.

According to a press release on Friday (Mar 18), this is a 10 per cent increase from the previous year. The scheme offers customers a S$0.10 rebate when they bring their own bags, with a minimum spending of S$10.

In conjunction with Earth Hour on Saturday, NTUC FairPrice will be donating S$12,500 to World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the organisation behind the Earth Hour initiative. The donation will come from the sales proceeds of reusable shopping bags from Mar 12 to 19.

In addition, NTUC FairPrice will be switching off all non-essential lights, such as signage and refrigerator lightings in its stores, offices and distribution centres on the day.

"We invite more customers to join us in our green efforts to help create a sustainable environment as we commemorate Earth Hour, by switching off their lights and using reusable bags to shop," said Mr Koh Kok Sin, Chairman of FairPrice Green Committee.

- CNA/ek

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Difficult for Indonesia to take over flight information region

Antara 17 Mar 16;

Tanjungpinang, Riu Islands (ANTARA News) - Indonesia is likely to encounter difficulties if it intends to take over the control of the flight information region (FIR) over the Riau Islands Province from Singapore, Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore Ngurah Swajaya stated.

In a dialog with Riau Islands Governor HM Sani here on Thursday, the ambassador noted that Singapore controls the FIR over the Riau Islands based on a decision by the Regional Air Navigation of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1993.

"In order to take over the FIR, Indonesia should become a member of the ICAO Council. With the ICAO, Indonesia must be able to lobby to take over the FIR," the ambassador emphasized.

He expressed hope that Indonesia would become a member of the ICAO Council in October 2016. After all, Singapore has no intention to control the airspace over Indonesian sovereign territory.

However, the Singapore government has no authority to hand over the FIR to Indonesia.

"The decision has to be made by the ICAO and will be implemented by Singapore," he pointed out.

Currently, Singapore is taking advantage of the FIR for security interests such as security matters in the Riau Islands region, which concerns its interests.

Singapore uses the FIR over the Riau Islands as it faces a problem in obtaining a permit to overcome problems in the Indonesian waters.

Based on President Joko Widodos directives regarding the FIR issue, the relevant ministries must cooperate in preparing infrastructure and human resources. The readiness of infrastructure and human resources is very important for operating the FIR.

"Bilateral talks with Singapore are still ongoing. We have a clear target, which is based on the message of the Constitution," he affirmed.

Ngurah explained that the FIR is linked to Indonesian sovereignty. The country has two FIR regions in Makassar and Jakarta, which also exceed the Indonesian sovereign territory.

"We have to be careful and wise in tackling this issue. We should not become emotional," the ambassador emphasized.

Governor Sani expressed hope that Indonesia would be able to take over the FIR over the Riau Islands, an Indonesian province sharing its maritime borders with Singapore.

"This is an old issue that should be settled soon as it concerns the Indonesian sovereignty," he added.(*)

Read more!

Malaysia: Heat wave emergency if temperature exceeds 40 degrees celcius for more than 7 days

FAIRUZ MOHD SHAHAR New Straits Times 18 Mar 16;

PUTRAJAYA : The government will announce a heat wave emergency if the temperature of an area in the country exceeds 40 degrees celsius for more than seven days.

Schools will also be ordered to shut down temporarily if the temperature exceeds 37 degrees celsius for more than three days.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said this was based on the action plan to deal with the heat wave, which took effect today.

"This action plan involves various ministries and agencies including the Education Ministry, Health Ministry, Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, Communication and Multimedia Ministry and Meteorology Department, among others.

"Each ministry and agency has been given a task to do when an area reaches the heat wave threshold.

"If the temperature of an area exceeds 37 degrees Celsius for 72 hours, the Meteorology Department will monitor the temperature reading from time to time at the monitoring stations nationwide.

"The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry will also issue heat wave warnings through media statements."

"The schools have been ordered to postpone all co-curriculum, outdoor and sports activities following the dry spell season." he said at a press conference, today.

He said the cabinet today also gave its approval to set up a special committee to tackle the El Nino phenomenon.

He also advised the public to minimise outdoor activities as the heat wave is expected to end only in May.


Action plan to be based on haze strategy
BEATRICE NITA JAY New Straits Times 18 Mar 16;

KUALA LUMPUR: New guidelines and the standard operating procedure for the heatwave action plan will be modelled after the National Haze Action Plan.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the ministry was moving ahead with the action plan, with agencies, such as the Wildlife and National Parks Department and Marine Department, also involved.

He said the action plan would contain guidelines for government departments, agencies and schools regarding activities that could be affected by the hot weather.

“There will be a committee formed to tackle the heatwave issue, but I cannot disclose further information as it will be discussed in the cabinet tomorrow (today),” he said, adding that the action plan involved the same group of people who had created the National Haze Action Plan.

Wan Junaidi said seven agencies would be included in the action plan, among them being the Department of Environment, Fire Department and police.

Countries that have a National Heat Action Plan include Australia, the United States (for California), Britain and India. In these countries, school ends early if temperatures hit 38ºC.

The Perlis Health Department has issued an advisory to the public to limit outdoor activities and drink plenty of water and isotonic drinks to rehydrate as the temperature soared to 39ºC. Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau announced that six areas in the country had recorded temperatures that hit or exceeded the heatwave threshold.

They are Chuping in Perlis, Alor Star in Kedah, Ipoh and Lubuk Merbau in Perak, and Batu Embun and Temerloh in Pahang. On Monday, Chuping recorded a reading of 39ºC.

The heatwave indicator is triggered when the highest daily temperature in a certain area reaches 35ºC for five consecutive days.


14 cases of heat exhaustion and heat stroke recorded so far: Health Ministry
FAIRUZ MOHD SHAHAR New Straits Times 18 Mar 16;

PUTRAJAYA : The Health Ministry recorded 14 heat-related illnesses from March 1 until today due to the recent heat wave phenomenon. H

ealth Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the cases comprised 11 heat exhaustion and 3 heat stroke cases.

"This includes one death where a trainee policeman died of heat stroke on Wednesday after undergoing physical training at the Segamat Police Training Centre. "Today, two heat stroke cases were reported in Banting.

"All government agencies, especially uniformed bodies, are advised to reduce or cancel physical training sessions to ensure that trainees are not exposed to the heat, which can affect their health. "he said at a press conference, today.

He said he had presented the heat-related statistics to the cabinet.

He advised the public to keep hydrated and reduce outdoor activities.

40°C threshold for ‘heatwave emergency’
JOSEPH KAOS JR. The Star 18 Mar 16;

PUTRAJAYA: The Government will declare a “heatwave emergency” if the temperature in an area exceeds 40°C for seven days or more.

The move is tops in a list of measures in the new heatwave “action plan” that was approved by the Cabinet on Friday.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who made the announcement, also said that schools in areas where the temperature hits 37°C and above for more than three days will be ordered to close.

He also said the Cabinet had approved the setting up of a special committee on the heatwave, which he will chair.

“The committee will be tasked to monitor the heatwave situation and execute the action plan.

“A first warning will be issued if temperatures reach or exceed 37 degrees Celcius for 72 hours. When the first warning is issued, we will order the postponement of outdoor activities at schools and outdoor sports activities,” said Dr Wan Junaidi, at a press conference here Friday.

“If the temperature hits 37 degrees Celsius for more than 72 hours, that is when we issue the second warning. Schools in affected areas will be ordered to close.

“The National Disaster Management Agency will be convened for a special meeting to discuss an emergency response plan.

“If temperatures go beyond 40 degrees Celsius for seven days or more, then the agency will declare a ‘heatwave emergency’ and announce the emergency measures to be taken,” he said.


Refrain from outdoor activities, says Subra
JOSEPH KAOS JR The Star 19 Mar 16;

PUTRAJAYA: As Malaysia recorded the first death caused by the current heatwave, the Health Ministry has urged the public to refrain from outdoor activities.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam (pic) said there were 14 cases of heat-related illnesses reported nationwide since March 1, including the one in Segamat where a 23-year-old police cadet died of heatstroke during a training exercise.

“Agencies such as the police and the army are advised to reduce outdoor training sessions that expose their trainees to the heat.

“The Youth and Sports Ministry should also take the heatwave into consideration and issue directives to reduce or postpone outdoor physical activities for this period.

“This includes marathon races, where participants face risks of being exposed to the heat and being dehydrated,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.

Dr Subramaniam said that of the 14 cases, 11 were for heat exhaustion and the rest heatstroke, including the Segamat case.

“Heat exhaustion is an early stage of heat-related injury while heatstroke is the more serious stage.

“It is caused by exposure to high temperatures, combined with dehydration, which causes failure of organs, as in the case of the police cadet,” he said.

Police trainee Azizan Ayob died of heatstroke on Wednesday during orientation at the Segamat Police Training Centre.

He was one of 467 trainees who reported at the centre on March 13.


Trainee was medically and physically fit, say cops
The Star 19 Mar 16;

PETALING JAYA: Trainee constable Azizan Ayob was medically and physically fit to undergo police training as shown by his clean bill of health.

Bukit Aman deputy director of management (Training) DCP Datuk Mohd Fuad Abdul Latiff said medical authorities had determined that Azizan was physically and medically fit to join the programme.

He said only medically and physically fit applicants were offered a place in the rigorous six-month training programme.

“It is compulsory for applicants to undergo a thorough medical check-up at government hospitals to ensure that they are fit for the programme.

“The check-up comprises an assessment of eyesight, whether they are colour-blind, and examines their hearing as well as their heart condition,” he told The Star.

Azizan was admitted to the Segamat hospital after suffering fainting spells at the end of the orientation at the Segamat Police Training Centre (Pulapol) field on Tuesday. He died at 10.26pm the next day.

DCP Mohd Fuad said applicants also had to produce evidence before the Commissioner for Oaths to verify that they were physically and medically fit to join the police force, in addition to not being involved in any crime.

He said when he found out what had happened to Azizan, he contacted the commandant of the training centre.

“I told him to study Azizan’s medical report, which was clean. Azizan’s situation is rare and it is an isolated incident.

“We’ve seen thousands of trainees, men and women alike, going through the same training.

“But different people have different meta­bolism and capacities to withstand the heat.

“I was made to understand that Azizan was only a few days into the orientation when he fainted during a light jogging session in the field.

“The weather was cloudy at the time,” he said, adding that the other trainees were unaffected.

When asked if Pulapol would revise its training regimen, DCP Mohd Fuad said the matter would be “seriously looked into” to prevent a repeat.

“It is necessary for trainees to undergo a rigorous regimen to prepare them for the demands that come with being a police officer.

“The training is mentally and phy­­sically tough as police officers engage in life-and-death situations.

“They are always on the go and work long hours,” he added.


Temperatures in Malaysia could reach highest since 1998: Officials
Temperatures across the country have soared into the 30°C range over the past week, and officials say it could reach up to 40°C in the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia.
Sumisha Naidu, Malaysia Correspondent, Channel NewsAsia 18 Mar 16;

KUALA LUMPUR: The average temperature in Malaysia is typically 27°C, but in the past few weeks, temperatures have soared into the 30s.

It has been even hotter up in the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia, with officials saying temperatures there could reach up to 40°C, just 0.1°C short of the highest temperature ever recorded in Malaysia. In 1998, the mercury soared to 40.1°C in Perlis.

The authorities announced on Friday (Mar 18) that the Education Ministry can order schools to close if temperatures exceed 37°C for more than three days. Friday was the last day of the school holidays.

For seven-year-old Mukmin Mohd Qaiwum, he spent the day playing at a park in Kuala Lumpur. “I’m tired,” he said. “I’m sweating now.”

"If the students are at home, at least we can keep an eye on them ... if they have fever or nosebleeds,” said Mr Mohd Qaiwum, Mukmin’s father. "My eldest gets nosebleeds often, especially when it's hot."

"What's bringing on the effects and impact of heat and dryness right now is actually the El Nino phenomenon which is affecting our country as a whole, just like how it's affecting many other countries near the equator," explained Minister for Natural Resources and Environment Wan Junaidi Wan Jaafar.

The hot and dry weather has led to fears of water shortages across the country. In Peninsular Malaysia, at least five dams reported water levels below 50 per cent of their full capacity.

In the northern states of Perlis and Kedah, padi farmers have complained that the heat and lack of rain fall are delaying planting season too. All states, however, have not decided on water rationing yet.

Officials expect the worst of the dry spell to be over by April and the amount of rainfall to return to normal by June.

- CNA/yt


40°C threshold for ‘heatwave emergency’
JOSEPH KAOS JR. The Star 18 Mar 16;

PUTRAJAYA: The Government will declare a “heatwave emergency” if the temperature in an area exceeds 40°C for seven days or more.

The move is tops in a list of measures in the new heatwave “action plan” that was approved by the Cabinet on Friday.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who made the announcement, also said that schools in areas where the temperature hits 37°C and above for more than three days will be ordered to close.

He also said the Cabinet had approved the setting up of a special committee on the heatwave, which he will chair.

“The committee will be tasked to monitor the heatwave situation and execute the action plan.

“A first warning will be issued if temperatures reach or exceed 37 degrees Celcius for 72 hours. When the first warning is issued, we will order the postponement of outdoor activities at schools and outdoor sports activities,” said Dr Wan Junaidi, at a press conference here Friday.

“If the temperature hits 37 degrees Celsius for more than 72 hours, that is when we issue the second warning. Schools in affected areas will be ordered to close.

“The National Disaster Management Agency will be convened for a special meeting to discuss an emergency response plan.

“If temperatures go beyond 40 degrees Celsius for seven days or more, then the agency will declare a ‘heatwave emergency’ and announce the emergency measures to be taken,” he said.

Read more!

Vietnam calls for sustainable use of Mekong River water amid crippling drought

Thanh Nien News 18 Mar 16;

Drought-ridden Vietnam is urging its neighbors to use water resources from the Mekong River in a sustainable manner as the country is waiting for discharge from a Chinese hydropower dam to reach its southern farming region.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry’s spokesperson Le Hai Binh on Thursday said regional countries should work together and ensure that upstream hydropower dams on the Mekong do not affect the environment in other countries, especially those in the lowest reaches of the river.

The river begins in the Tibetan plateau and flows through China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam before emptying into the East Sea, internationally known as the South China Sea. Stretching 4,900 kilometers (3,045 miles), it is second only to the Amazon in terms of biodiversity.

Via diplomatic channels, Vietnam has reached an agreement with China to have water released from the latter's Jinghong hydropower reservoir into the lower Mekong River to tackle drought and saltwater intrusion.

Binh said Chinese authorities have confirmed that water discharge from the dam is being nearly doubled compared to the mid of March, to about 2,000 cubic meters per second.

Downstream problem

Experts said farmers in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta should not be too hopeful because the water discharged by China will first flow through thirsty areas in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.

A strong El Nino has caused rainfall in the region to drop by up to 30 percent and the Mekong's water level to recede by half.

In Vietnam's Mekong Delta, the severe combination of drought and saltwater intrusion has damaged 160,000 hectares of rice fields and more than half a million of people now lack fresh water.

Tran Duc Cuong, spokesperson of the Mekong River Commission’s Vietnam Council, estimated that between 27-54 percent of the water discharged from China’s dam will reach Vietnam.

“It will take two to three weeks before the water reaches Vietnam,” Cuong said.

At the 43rd meeting of the Mekong River Commission from March 15-17 in Can Tho, the Vietnamese delegation said drought and saltwater intrusion have caused negative impacts on many people in the Mekong Delta.

Vietnam also proposed Thailand provide specific information about a project to retain water from Huay Luang, a branch of the Mekong River, for agricultural purposes.

The Thai delegates said that a new project is being studied and information will be announced soon.

The Mekong River Commission Secretariat issued a diplomatic note to call upon Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand to use common water resources effectively and sustainably.

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More pre-emptive action needed to solve transboundary haze issue: WWF Singapore

The green group hopes that the upcoming Budget will allocate funds for Singapore to fulfil its commitments inked at the climate change conference in Paris last year.
Liyana Othman Channel NewsAsia 17 Mar 16;

SINGAPORE: One green group in the Republic is calling for more pre-emptive action to tackle the issue of transboundary haze. WWF Singapore said steps also need to be taken to increase awareness among the public, to teach them what they can do to cause minimal impact on the environment.

According to the chairperson of the Government Parliamentary Committee for the Environment and Water Resources, Lee Bee Wah, concrete steps are being taken to combat issues such as transboundary haze.

The Environment and Water Resources Ministry said it is working with industries to adopt sustainable land clearing practices, as well as clamping down on errant businesses.

Last year, the National Environment Agency (NEA) issued preventive notices to six companies in Indonesia, suspected of causing forest fires. The Government has also said it will do more to promote green procurement.

WWF Singapore is already calling for a campaign to encourage Singaporeans to be more responsible consumers.

"The Government wants us all to make the right, sustainable choices,” said Mr Kim Stengert, director of communications at WWF Singapore. “I hope from our end that there would be some place in the Budget to run a great consumer campaign to drive some more awareness around that topic."

"Moving forward, perhaps is to do more education, share with Singaporeans why they have to move in certain directions,” added Ms Lee. “Enforcement is just one aspect. I think if we can get everyone's buy-in, that would be more effective."

FACING HAZE 40-50 PER CENT OF THE YEAR

However, as the region approaches the traditional dry season, which typically occurs in the second half of the year, Mr Stengert said more pre-emptive action needs to be taken to tackle possible forest fires which can result in transboundary haze, like year-round efforts in engaging with counterparts in Indonesia.

He said: "You need to do that because with three, four months of haze now in Singapore, it actually seems to become a problem that we're facing 40 to 50 per cent of the year."

He also expressed his hope that the upcoming Budget will allocate funds for Singapore to fulfil its commitments inked at the climate change conference (COP21) in Paris last year.

This includes increasing the use of solar energy, promoting the use of public transport and encouraging energy-saving behaviour. This would all be aimed at reducing the country's emissions intensity by 36 per cent from the 2005 levels by 2030.

Ms Lee said: "Building the best home, high-quality living environment, has always been very high on our agenda. We would like to have clean air, we would like to have clean and healthy living environment, and of course, endearing social spaces."

Besides tackling transboundary haze, the ministry said it is also looking at reviewing the Water Master Plan to secure a reliable and sustainable water supply, as well as get Singaporeans to reduce, reuse and recycle as the country works towards becoming a Zero Waste Nation.

- CNA/ek

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Burning smell 'unlikely' due to haze

Carolyn Khew, The Straits Times AsiaOne 17 Mar 16;

Scientists say it is unlikely that a return of the haze is to blame for a burning smell noticed by residents across Singapore over the past few days.

Even though there have been land fires in peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia, Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) readings show that these hot spots are unlikely to be the cause of the acrid stench.

As of 7pm yesterday, the 24-hour PSI reading stood in the good to moderate range of 49 to 58.

"During the last two weeks, the PSI has been around the low moderate range, which reflects the typical air pollution conditions of Singapore," said Dr Erik Velasco, a research scientist from the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology.

"When haze from wildfires in neighbouring islands starts affecting Singapore, the PSI moves to the high levels of the moderate range, reaching unhealthy levels on some occasions."

Dr Santo Salinas, a senior research scientist at the Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing at the National University of Singapore, added: "The smell could be due to local burning. So far, the hot spots are very few in Malaysia and Riau, Indonesia."

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it has responded to four small bushfires here since last Saturday, the largest of which was only 1.5m by 1.5m in dimension.

All were extinguished with either a hose reel or buckets of water and they are thought to have been too small to be behind the burning smell.

Banker Berlina Lim, 47, noticed the smell at her Hougang home last Saturday and on Tuesday night.

"It was bad enough that both my mum and I thought someone was burning incense downstairs at my block," she said.

"Subsequently, I read on a friend's Facebook account that the haze is back. I would be concerned if it worsens or continues."

The north-east monsoon conditions are expected to weaken over the next two weeks, giving way to the inter-monsoon period.

A spokesman for the Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) said the period between April and May is typically characterised by prevailing winds that are light and variable in direction.

"During this period, the winds could occasionally blow from the west or south-west, bringing in any haze from Sumatra," he said.

"Whether Singapore is affected by transboundary smoke haze would also depend on other factors, including the location and extent of the fires in Sumatra, and the occurrence of rain."

Singapore suffered from one of its worst bouts of haze last year with the extended El Nino season - a weather phenomenon which causes temperatures in the Pacific Ocean to rise, affecting weather patterns in the region.

The rising temperatures and drier weather in turn make fires harder to put out.

The MSS said it is unlikely that the haze has returned, with the spokesman adding: "Over the past few days, the prevailing winds over our surrounding region were blowing from the north-east and fewer hot spots were detected in Sumatra."

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