Dire warning for Great Barrier Reef

Caitriona Murtagh, The Cairns Post 3 Jun 08;

THE Great Barrier Reef could become a slime-filled dead zone brimming with algae and jellyfish unless commercial fishing is stopped, a Canberra academic claims.

Australian National University’s Professor Roger Bradbury has warned that fishing of large marine species removes an important ecological check on jellyfish and algae, which could then take over oceans and reefs.

As stocks of larger fish are depleted, smaller species thrive and the ocean may "flip" into a state where coral is replaced by slime, Professor Bradbury told The Cairns Post.

"You get an ocean that’s like swarms of jellyfish, blooms of algae," he said. "It’s really desperate. You’re recreating a prehistoric ocean. It’s like the ocean before fish.

"And by taking large fish out of the Great Barrier Reef, you’re risking this."

The Adriatic and Black Seas had already experienced flips where slime dominated the ocean, Professor Bradbury said.

And unless commercial sea fishing was stopped, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park could face the same fate, he warned.

Dugong, turtle, dolphin, whale, tuna and mackerel numbers on the reef had been "so reduced they can’t do their job any more," he said.

Although protection mechanisms meant the Great Barrier Reef was better preserved than other coral systems, Professor Bradbury warned: "It’s still hammered by over fishing."

An immediate move to phase out commercial sea fishing could help brace the Reef against the coming impacts of climate change and ocean acidification, he said.

"By and large, you’ve got to start thinking about closing down commercial fishing on the Great Barrier Reef."

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority chairman Professor Russell Reichelt said Professor Bradbury’s scenario described "the extreme case and the end point of extreme
over fishing".

"There are very tight controls and we’re nowhere near the limits Roger is warning us about," he said. "But I agree, we can’t be complacent."

Queensland Seafood Industry Association President Neil Green said Queensland waters could not be compared to Third World fisheries with unsustainable fishing practices.

"In other parts of the world we’ve got people using arsenic and dynamite to harvest, of course they’re going to get slime and jelly fish.

"I’m very confident that we’re not going to have these sorts of problems in Queensland."

Read more!

Abu Dhabi: Save our coral reefs and beaches

The National 2 Jun 08;

It was an unfortunate coincidence yesterday that while the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was announcing in Abu Dhabi the results of its three-year coral reef mapping project in Qatar and Abu Dhabi that a large oil spill off the coast of Fujairah was blackening beaches and killing fish and crabs.

Fujairah Municipality officials say they are investigating who is responsible for the spill, which has affected three kilometres of coastline. The latest oil slick has alarmed local hotels and resorts, which are concerned that their businesses will suffer when guests recoil at the black mess coating everything on the beach. It is expected that it will take two to three days for a specially hired clean-up company to complete its operations.

The results of the WWF study were equally alarming, estimating that 65 per cent of the coral reefs off of Abu Dhabi and Qatar have already been killed. The positive news is that there are signs of rejuvenation.

Financed by a $500,000 grant from Dolphin Energy, the study was conducted to determine the extent of the damage to the coral and identify ways of reversing it. One of the methods under consideration is the creation of artificial reefs in strategic positions where coral can grow.

The latest oil spill is the fourth this year, and apart from the obvious environmental damage it is causing, it is also severely affecting the east coast businesses that depend on tourism.

With Fujairah already the second busiest bunkering port in the world, it is unlikely that spills will decrease without Government action. Most spills are deliberate, the result of crews cleaning out tanks at sea rather than using expensive port facilities. This must be stopped. Constant surveillance of the shipping lanes off Fujairah using satellite technology, small aircraft and boats would identify the culprits.

The imposition of the heavy fines that are already on the statute books would help pay the cost of the surveillance, but more importantly deter the tanker captains and shipowners. A few well-publicised fines – or jail sentences – would quickly instil respect for these anti-pollution laws.

The Gulf Cooperation Council should also get involved, since oil spills have affected the coastlines of all six members at one time or another. If the GCC came up with a unified policy on dealing with spills in Gulf it could share the costs and manpower burdens of the enforcement laws.

As for the coral, Abu Dhabi needs to continue to regulate carefully the development of its coastline to ensure as little damage as possible to the reefs. These beautiful but fragile structures are the most biologically diverse marine ecosystems in the world, and they protect coastal areas from storm surges and erosion. Just as important, they play host to a rich variety of marine life that is essential for sustaining commercial fishing. Protecting them should continue to be one of our most urgent priorities.

Read more!

Police, military deny involvement in North Sumatra wildlife trade

Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post 2 Jun 08;

The police and the military in North Sumatra denied on Saturday accusations that officers had been systematically involved in the rampant wildlife trade in the province.

An alliance of nongovernmental organizations advocating for wildlife conservation in northern Sumatra have accused security personnel of trafficking protected and endangered species from their habitats in the region.

Spokesman for the North Sumatra Provincial Police Adj. Sr. Comr. Baharudin Djafar said he had never heard about the alleged involvement of police in the wildlife trade, because as a state institution dealing with security matters, the police would never provide protection for any personnel involved in such crimes.

"Wildlife trade is classified as a serious crime and therefore, police personnel found guilty of any involvement in such a crime will certainly be punished harshly," he told The Jakarta Post.

He said the police handled two wildlife trade cases in the province this year but both had allegedly involved civilians. Three civilians were brought to justice after they were caught red-handed trading black crows in Pematang Siantar and trying to smuggle scaly anteaters at the Belawan Port in two separate cases, he said.

The smuggling of protected animals from Southeast Aceh often took place on the North Sumatra and Aceh border area, while the ports of Belawan and Tanjung Balai were transit points for smugglers on their way to neighboring Malaysia and Singapore, Baharudin said.

"Security authorities and the public should enhance communication in supervising the conservation areas in the two provinces, to minimize the rampant poaching of protected species and the wildlife trade," he said.

Security supervision along the two provinces' border areas needed to be enhanced, as traders had been able to traffic endangered species out of the region, he added.

Two weeks ago, the police in Tiga Binanga, Karo regency, arrested three civilians and a middle-ranking Army soldier engaging in a deal over Sumatran tigers' leathers and parts worth Rp 13 million per piece. The tiger leathers were believed be brought from Southeast Aceh.

Spokesman for the Bukit Barisan Military Command overseeing security in the region, Capt. Ari S., also denied military servicemen's involvement in the wildlife business, saying the military court would have arrested any servicemen involved.

"We have never given any legal protection to servicemen committing such serious violations and those involved will be punished as harshly as possible. But we have never recorded any military servicemen being involved in such crimes," he said.

The UN conference on biodiversity in Germany in which 191 countries took part concluded on Friday, with a package to protect wildlife and financial incentives for developing nations, including Indonesia.

The World Wild Fund for Nature has often advocated against the rampant poaching which has left only 150 tigers in the Leuser National Park, fueled by increasing demand for their parts in Southeast Asia. It also reported at least 66 Sumatran tigers and tens of elephants were killed and thousands of protected anteaters and birds were smuggled from the province to other countries.

Read more!

Best of our wild blogs: 2 Jun 08

Naked on the airwaves
Vyna and Ivan will be on will be on "The Living Room", 938LIVE today from 10.30 to 11 a.m., on the lazy lizard tales blog

Master Plan 2008: comments in the media
our Southern Islands and Ubin left out? on the wildfilms blog

Happy Ardour Day
share your loving thoughts too, on the flying fish friends blog

Two new butterflies for Singapore!
Which makes 284 species on the butterflies of singapore blog

Comment on CNA's Saving Gaia
Instead of "I have a nightmare" it should be "I have a dream" on the AsiaIsGreen blog

Online reef seminars
highlighted by peizee on the blooooooooooo blog

Dollarbird feeding nestling
on the bird ecology blog

Team building at Ubin
on the pulau ubin tour with justin blog

Conjuring Heaven
on the lekowala! blog

Read more!

Hawker gives free shark's fin with each order

Shree Ann Mathavan, The New Paper 2 Jun 08;

WITH the recent spike in food prices, you would be lucky if your favourite hawkers do not raise their prices.

But one hawker is making an unconventional move.

He has not only slashed his prices, but is also giving away a delicacy for free.

Two months ago, Mr Alan Ng, 32, owner of Huang Pu Jiang chicken rice stall at Block 82, Whampoa Drive, cut his prices from $2.50 a plate to $2, in a bid to draw more customers.

And just a month ago, he started giving away one bowl of shark's fin soup for every $2 plate of chicken rice, roasted pork rice or roasted duck rice bought.

It's a move that does not seem to make economic sense, especially in the face of rising food prices and since Mr Ng said his profits have dropped.

Mr Ng said he used to make about $2,000 a month before he cut prices, but now, he makes only about $1,600 a month.

PROFITS DROPPED

His profits dropped because he has to spend more on ingredients such as rice, and also because of the price cut.

On top of that, he now has to fork out more money on shark's fin.

Mr Ng said a 1kg packet of shark's fin, which can make about 60 bowls of soup, sets him back by $21.

It takes him close to two hours to make the soup, compared to the 30 minutes he takes to brew chicken soup.

But Mr Ng said he is not going to stop the offer anytime soon, even though fellow hawkers have called him nuts.

Mr Ng said: 'This area isn't so popular, and with prices increasing everywhere, I needed to think of something to attract more customers.

'The customers who come here, 70 per cent are senior citizens and they don't have much money to spend.

'Times are hard, so I hope to help them by doing this.'

He also said he was able to slash prices and offer free shark's fin because he does not have to pay for a part-time helper and runs the stall by himself.

So far, his strategy seems to have worked.

From selling about 70 plates of rice a day previously, he said he now moves 110 to 130 plates a day.

And his customers are taking to his lower prices and freebie offer.

Madam Alice Tan, 65, a retiree, patronises Mr Ng's stall about three times a week.

She said: 'Nowadays, where can you find hawker food at $2?'

Another customer, Madam Zheng Ah Shui, 65, a part-time cleaner, agreed.

'Prices are very important to us, especially if we don't earn so much. Some hawkers charge more and their food isn't even nice. Here, the food is not bad and the shark's fin soup is tasty.'

But others such as Mr K L Tan, 35, who is self-employed, questioned the sustainability of Mr Ng's offer.

He said: 'I don't think he can earn much. I'm not sure how long he can maintain this for.

'But I will support him, of course - it's value for money.'

While Mr Ng said he won't raise his prices, he added that $2 is the lowest he would go.

But if people get sick of the shark's fin soup, he may change it to another food item.

He said with a grin: 'I like being different from others.'

Read more!

Youth lead the pack in animal welfare drive

Yen Feng, Straits Times 2 Jun 08;

PET lovers cheered when Singapore's first animal welfare symposium took place recently to advance the rights of their furry friends here.

Several pet peeves were put up for discussion throughout the day.

Among them: Existing laws on cruelty to animals, product testing and the illegal trade of wildlife.

Most wanted tougher legislation to minimise the suffering of pets and animals used in research and farming. A few outspoken participants reiterated the need for more education on animal welfare for children.

Leading the pack was 25-year-old Jaipal Gill, an inspector with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

A vegetarian since he was 14, the National University of Singapore (NUS) alumnus said he began preparations for the symposium while he was still a student in 2006.

In the same year, he founded the school's animal welfare club.

'I've always been passionate about animals. I want to spend the rest of my life fighting for their welfare,' he said.

Mr Gill said he is now working with the authorities to stop the import of tattooed fish, which gained popularity with 4-D punters earlier this year.

His dedication has motivated other youth to further improve the lives of animals.

The day-long symposium was organised by students from NUS, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU).

Onboard too was the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres), which helped pull in 14 other animal-interest groups, including Action for Singapore Dogs, Cat Welfare Society and the SPCA.

Altogether, about 250 activists attended the event on May 24.

Although the symposium united many of Singapore's animal lovers, not everyone saw eye to eye.

A lively discussion about stray animals, for example, threw up more questions than answers as officers from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) and SPCA traded views on who should take more responsibility - the authorities or animal welfare groups - for the culling and sterilisation of stray cats and dogs.

A few argued it was the domain of individual pet owners.

'Irresponsible people should not buy pets,' said MsSatveer Kaur, 22, a communications student at NUS.

'They treat animals like commodities, like teddy bears - good to toy with for a while before dumping them out in the trash.'

To encourage more citizen involvement, Mr Gill announced a $1,500 grant for groups that want to start pet-friendly campaigns, funded by the Lee Foundation.

Six grants will be available this year.

While most participants heralded the symposium as a great leap forward for Singapore's animal rights movement, there were some who wished for more converts to their cause.

'Mindsets need to be changed,' said activist Lau Wen Jin, 21.

'Otherwise, even with great enthusiasm, we will always be in the minority.'

Read more!

What good is a leisure island if we have no time to enjoy it?

YouthInk writers share their thoughts on the URA Master Plan unveiled recently
Straits Times 2 Jun 08;

Go natural

LEISURE parks here need not necessarily have to be man-made.

We can embrace what we already have, Singapore's surrounding islands - Kusu, St John's, Sisters and Pulau Ubin.

Getting away from the concrete jungle is one of the most refreshing things one can do.

These islands are full of history and serenity. Singaporeans get the chance to enjoy the boat ride, clean air and, of course, fresh seafood.

The authorities should keep Singaporeans abreast of current developments on some of these islands.

In addition, they could enhance existing attractions on the islands by including hiking and walking trails, or offering ranger services.

These add value to time away from the city and also encourage a healthy lifestyle and an appreciation for Singapore's history.

Heighten the awareness of these islands to provide Singaporeans with more options to relax and enjoy life away from the fast lane.

Tabitha Mok, 21, is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Western Australia

Too busy for leisure

THE proposed plan to turn the nation into a 'leisure island' is a laudable effort by the Government to encourage Singaporeans to spend more time with their family.

However, its aims seem unrealistic in work-obsessed Singapore.

Consider an average family of two parents and two children: The rising costs of living make it necessary for both parents to work and family time is at a premium.

While the five-day work week has gone some way to create more family time, 49per cent of Singaporeans still feel that their work hours are too long, according to a 2006 AC Nielsen survey.

Children are similarly faced with stressful and long school timetables - and this is before factoring in co-curricular activities and homework. Even during the holidays, they have to go back to school for extra lessons.

Leisure has a decreasing place in the lives of an average Singaporean family. What is the use of new leisure facilities if people are too busy to enjoy them?

Instead of simply adding to infrastructure, the Government should look into practical ways to ease its citizens' costs and burdens of living so that the 'leisure island' can be enjoyed by its citizens and not simply by tourists.

Practical gestures, such as subsidies on food or public transport, may prove more welcome to the masses than a new park.

Ng Yi Xun, 19, is a third-year student at the Millennia Institute

Cycle in the city

GIVEN the scale and high cost of implementing the Urban Redevelopment Authority Master Plan, it should go beyond just providing more leisure options.

For example, rather than limiting cycling lanes to the parks, why not extend them into the city? This will provide a more comprehensive land-usage plan and allow more destinations to be accessible by bicycle.

Currently, such cycling lanes do not exist and cyclists have to either travel on pedestrian paths or brave heavy traffic on the roads, often at great personal risk.

Cities such as Amsterdam, Paris and London have such lanes in place, which allow cyclists to navigate the roads safely and also enjoy scenic trips through parks.

The authorities in these cities see cycling as a cheap and practical way to travel around the city. It is also in line with their efforts to reduce traffic congestion in city centres and introduce more eco-friendly modes of transportation.

As we seek to improve our quality of life, perhaps building cycling lanes in select districts here as a trial will be a good start.

Kenny Tan, 22, is a second-year economics student at the Singapore Management University (SMU)

Green step forward

WITH temperatures hitting a scorching 34 deg C two weeks ago, I doubt many would venture outdoors. Health considerations are another concern - an example being the recurring haze.

Nonetheless, credit has to be given to the urban planners for creating more recreational options for citizens. They could have taken the easy way out and just built another mall, reinforcing our nation's favourite pastime - shopping.

This leisure plan could be part of a larger green movement to promote environmentalism.

Our very own Central Park will counter the urban city sprawl and reduce the nation's carbon footprint, providing both aesthetic and functional appeal.

More parks will improve air quality, serve as buffers against sweltering temperatures and provide an avenue for people to lead more active and healthier lives.

In the quest for environmental protection, however, global and regional efforts are just as important as individual efforts.

Take the haze, for example. No amount of greenery created here can fully counter its negative effects without regional cooperation.

This is the inconvenient truth many choose not to face.

Chew Zhi Wen, 21, has a place to read law and economics at the National University of Singapore

Something for all

A SUCCESSFUL 'leisure plan' should ideally have activities that would appeal to a spectrum of personalities, from the quiet nature lover to the extroverted clubber.

This way, people may think twice about spending too much time chasing material comforts and consider slowing down their pace of living.

A slower pace allows citizens to note and appreciate the intangibles in life and this improves their non-material quality of life.

Happy employees put more effort into work, happier families provide moral support and motivation for tired workers.

A slower pace could also prolong one's stamina to work and retire later.

Arguably, a higher non-material quality of life could boost economic productivity.

I hope we won't be so caught up in the rat race to not realise that.

Owen Yeo, 20, has a place to read social sciences at SMU

Read more!

Is the URA's Leisure Plan a good idea?

Work hard, play hard
Is the Urban Redevelopment Authority's Leisure Plan a good idea? What do you like most about it and what would you change or add
Business Times 2 Jun 08;


Tan Tiong Cheng
Managing Director
Knight Frank

URA has cleverly crafted the Leisure Plan by turning our weaknesses into strengths. We are a small island limited by physical size. Yet when fully developed, we will have a 150km route for joggers and cyclists, 4,200ha of parks connected by a web of 300km tracks, and 24/7 urban entertainment and lifestyle hotspots.

We are a city - yet the countryside of farms and marshes is at the door-step. I am impressed that every square centimetre of land is fully utilised.

Perhaps the only area left out of the Leisure Plan is the Southern Islands of Kusu, Lazarus, Seringat, Sisters and St John.

The Leisure Plan will meet the needs of citizens, residents and visitors. It is a strategic piece of the jigsaw puzzle to make Singapore a unique place to live, work and play. The vision and objectives are bold and I look forward to its implementation.

CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE

Pauline Goh
Managing Director
CB Richard Ellis

THE tripling of the existing park connector network is timely as Singapore matures as a cosmopolitan city with the influx of a diverse range of expatriates, a large number of whom hail from cities with a love of the great outdoors.

The round-the-island path incorporating Marina Bay will inject a breath of fresh air to the dense concrete landscape of the Central Business District. This green network will offer convenient venue options for corporate sporting events, which have increasingly become popular. Outdoor activities will now be immediately accessible to office workers, who need not spend additional time commuting to recreational activities.

Glenn Tan
CEO
Motor Image Enterprises

THIS Leisure Plan is an ambitious move to extend URA's Live, Work and Play concept beyond the city centre into neighbourhoods. With this decentralisation, people can truly live, work and play in closer proximity, reducing travel time to allow for more productive time, be it at work or play. This uniform distribution of commercial, residential and leisure facilities to outlying areas will provide much-needed relief from city centre congestion woes and ease the pressure on our transport system, as well as property prices in prime areas. This plan shows tremendous foresight in terms of enhancing the quality of life, with something for everyone - land or marine activities, serious sportsmen, the young and the elderly. I am delighted that it takes a holistic approach to leisure and recreation, rather than just exercise or fitness.

However, we must ensure that we retain the original charm and characteristics of each of these neighbourhood areas. Be it Orchard Road or Kallang Riverside, I am keen to see how URA intends to 'carve out destinations with distinctive character'. This plan signals a new era for Singapore. I am excited that we are finally getting serious about having fun.

T Chandroo
Chairman/CEO
Modern Montessori International (MMI) Group

KUDOS to URA for putting forth a propitious proposal - especially in tandem with the IR developments - that will potentially shape our image as a world-class home for work and play. The Leisure Plan could not have been conceptualised at a more opportune time. In the foreseeable future, Singaporeans from all walks of life will be able to partake in accessible recreational activities that promise plenty of interaction with nature. Bearing in mind our ageing population, though, these state-of-the-art amenities should ideally be retrofitted to cater for the elderly, as well as the physically handicapped, so everyone can enjoy them.

FUN GLOBAL CITY

Derek Goh
Executive Chairman/Group CEO
Serial System

THE Leisure Plan is another hallmark of Singapore as a First World country. It is very timely - with the completion of the two IRs in 2010 and the hosting of the Inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010 - for Singapore to turn into a fun global city state to work and live in. It's uniquely Singapore indeed.

The Leisure Plan like the Land Transport Master Plan are long-term projects capable of generating growth and development for the next 10 to 15 years. More emphasis should be placed on nightlife and night attractions. More late-night recreation, shopping and eateries should be established to cater to tourists and shift workers. Late-night pricing can be more attractive to retain the shoppers, diners and movie goers. Even places of worship can be open at night to ease the congestion during the weekends.

I am confident that Singapore can be the City that never Sleeps.

R Theyvendran
Chairman/Managing Director
Stamford Media International Group of Companies

URA's first Leisure Plan should be applauded - and encouraged. Just as economic success and growth does not come about without planning and sustained effort, so too the creation of a liveable, loveable and fun city.

As URA and other agencies have pointed out, there should be more varied and quality leisure options round-the-clock for everyone.

The aim is to create a healthy lifestyle - a balanced combination of 'work and play'. Bringing parks closer to homes and the 150-km round-the-island route for joggers and cyclists are marvellous ideas. Creating must-see, crowd-pulling destinations, including unique waterways and sports facilities, are well thought-out projects.

Such recreational facilities will reduce the level of stress and enable greater interaction and understanding between the vast majority of Singaporeans. Greater family and communal bonding can be nurtured.

On the practical side, the opportunity cost of the nation's limited land will be an issue - since there will be less land for housing, offices and other purposes.

Berthold Trenkel
Chief Operating Officer, Asia Pacific
Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT)

URA's Leisure Plan is a great initiative that recognises the war for talent is not just happening at company level but at country level. Enhancing Singapore's lifestyle value is vital if we are to attract and retain talent, which in turn will help businesses stay competitive. As a Singapore PR, I am thrilled by the prospects and ideas the new plan offers - and cannot wait to see the results.

HOTFOOT IT

Lim Soon Hock
Managing Director
PLAN-B ICAG Pte Ltd

IT is a brilliant idea. It marks a milestone in the government's efforts to reshape and re-invent Singapore. I wish the Leisure Plan had been announced earlier, at the turn of the millennium. I hope the government can accelerate the implementation of the Leisure Plan, given its merits and benefits.

I like the plan for its holistic approach and the careful thought given to have the proposed developments distributed throughout the island. Some could have been developed earlier - for example, the 150-km round-the-island route for cyclists and joggers. As Singapore is an island, I would have thought it is an obvious thing for our planners to exploit the kaleidoscopic play of land and sea along the coastline to create a scenic and breathtaking circuit. I drove along the near round-the-island coastal road in Hawaii in the 1980s, and until this day I still remember the exhilarating experience. Perhaps our 150-km track can be expanded or redesigned to cater to driving as well?

The multi-billion-dollar budget set aside for the Leisure Plan shows the government is serious about creating an enjoyable and rejuvenating playground for the benefit of all Singaporeans. The plan appears to be wholesome both in quantity and quality, unlike other half-hearted attempts related to previous developments. In contemporary Singapore, where many of us work longer hours than before, I like the plan most for the myriad opportunities offered to families to spend quality time together for bonding and to enjoy one another at their own time and pace. Hence my earlier call to bring forward the implementation of the plan.

If there is one difficulty, it is our hot and humid weather. If only we could air-condition our entire island, Singapore would be paradise.

Liu Chunlin
CEO
K&C Protective Technologies Pte Ltd

WE like the Leisure Plan with its greater choices and balance between city entertainment and outdoor leisure. It was not too long ago that Singapore was criticised as a successful but boring place, attested by people from overseas coming here to work. But things have changed and are changing, through the likes of the F1, Youth Olympics and now the Leisure Plan. I believe we can be cosmopolitan like New York, Paris and London, even if we are not as big.

I have a few suggestions. One is a quicker pace of implementation. Just as the transport system is under pressure, leisure infrastructure will be too. We see overcrowded shopping centres at weekends. We can also create greater 'space' by having free wireless access along leisure networks, to compensate for scarce land.

While the government can lay the leisure infrastructure, it should allow greater spontaneity in the 'software' part. I know that in a small place like Singapore, rules are often needed to regulate public space, but let us be prepared for a loosening up. The software part will allow operators and users greater leeway in leisure activities as long as they do not use this at the expense of others.

New towns are potentially a great asset in terms of leisure activities. But I think our new towns are too homogeneous though they are most accessible. The same type of facilities and shops can be found in every estate. Why not create towns with unique character so they are interesting to visit. We need to break out of the idea that public housing estates need to be standardised from an administration point of view.

BOOST FOR LIFESTYLE

Charles Reed
CEO
DoCoMo interTouch

SINGAPORE has done an excellent job of providing all age groups with a wide range of leisure options. From the main shopping districts to the heartlands, there is no lack of entertainment malls, parks and community centres.

The Leisure Plan is an excellent initiative to provide individuals with another way of taking time off their busy schedules and achieve an even better work-life balance.

With the launch of the new 9-km scenic walk on the Henderson Wave and the Alexandra Arch, Singapore is strengthening its position as a world-class city with a high standard of living and a strong focus on the population's health and wellbeing. Such initiatives not only benefit residents but also attract talent and foreign investment.

Moving forward, URA could look into hosting more international events, like the annual Carnevale di Venezia in Italy, to enhance the success of the Leisure Plan and provide Singaporeans with more entertainment options.

David Hope
VP and Regional MD, Asia & Japan
Lawson Software

I AM very excited by the Leisure Plan. It will help improve the overall quality of life, promote healthy living and provide options and choices for residents and visitors. I am particularly pleased by the planned 150km round-the-island route for cyclists and joggers, more green spaces and more water and sports facilities. I have been advocating the need to extend cycling tracks in Singapore for some time to offer a safer, more healthy and non-polluting mode of transport. The key is to do this properly and make it a world-class facility. By that, I mean building a fully inter-connected cycling track with connecting paths and no dead-ends, steps, barriers or other obstacles that sometimes exist on cycling tracks (such as bridges that start and end with steps). Hopefully, we will eventually see a track that is connected with underpass or overpass options at all roads, and not just the sharing of narrow footpaths. I am confident that with proper planning this could be world-class in every respect and would be very well used. The safety aspects of having extensive dedicated cycling tracks will encourage more families to take up cycling, which benefits everybody.

Dhirendra Shantilal
Senior Vice-President, Asia Pacific
Kelly Services

SINGAPORE is recognised as a country with an excellent quality of life, efficient world-class infrastructure, public safety and a multi-faceted effectively bilingual talent pool - all major selling points for attracting and retaining valuable talent and foreign investment.

The continued development of Singapore's attractiveness as a city to work, play and live is impressive and commendable. In URA's Leisure Plan, there are now more recreational avenues available all over Singapore for all demographic groups.

Organisations in Singapore can support various initiatives to enhance the quality of life for our people through sponsorships, setting up leisure and sports-related enterprises and partnerships and supporting environmental projects and programmes as part of corporate social responsibility.

It is also critical to continue to invest in our people, as our future economic growth and quality of life are closely tied to this investment.

While education and training are important to equip our people with the necessary knowledge and skills, organisations and employers must also foster a culture that supports work-life balance - to improve employee health and well-being, improve productivity and enhance overall quality of life.

OTHERS

Lars Ronning
President, Asia Pacific (excluding China and Japan)
Tandberg

THE Leisure Plan tackles the pressing issues of protecting the environment while making sure growth is sustainable.

It is commendable that the plan takes into consideration agri-tainment, arts entertainment spaces, as well as where to house industrial development. But URA needs also to keep in mind the preservation of cultural icons and spaces. Preservation of The Arts House (former parliament house) is a great example, which should be replicated insofar as preserving old-world charm in metropolitan Singapore.

On a different note, this new plan needs to be coupled with accurate data and transparent administration - factors for which Singapore has become renowned. That way, good governance and economic growth might prove a solution in achieving sustainable growth and at the same time protecting the environment.

Dora Hoan
Group CEO
Best World International Ltd

URBAN planning is never more needed than in Singapore due to scarce land and dense population. It becomes critical to maximise the use of land efficiently while equitably serving the greatest number of people. The URA Leisure Plan is a most welcome development as we try to make Singapore a modern yet liveable place. Adding leisure elements will increase the value of residential and commercial properties and develop centres that provide for increased social interaction and thereby give rise to the development of new businesses and more services due to higher potential returns.

We must pause to examine how liveability can be defined. And in doing so, we must see to it that it is analysed through a framework of indicators such as economic, environmental, cultural, democratic and social considerations. The plan must uplift the quality of life for our people and be fun and exciting in a manner that will also not detract or encroach on a community's historical charm. As for businesses, we ought to be conscious of notions of corporate citizenship and corporate social responsibility relevant to enhancing liveability. A Leisure Plan will be good in so far as it encourages harmony in diversity - providing a range of cultural, community and educational services as well as business and retail activities to complete it.

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Park 'dis-connectors' not for jogging or cycling

Liang Wern Kang, Straits Times Forum 2 Jun 08;

I READ with interest about the recent Leisure Plan by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). Under the plan, 260km of park connectors will be added in the next 10 to 15 years.

I have always wondered what a park connector is. Let me recount what I encountered the other day. I was cycling along the Ulu Pandan Park Connector from beneath Commonwealth Avenue West towards the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE).

When I was about 50m from the AYE, the path tapered into a patch of wild grass. A sign read: 'This is the end of park connector. For your own safety, please do not go beyond this point.'

From the NParks website, the Ulu Pandan Park Connector is T-shaped and has three end points: Bukit Batok East Avenue 2 near Bukit Batok Nature Park, the AYE near Pandan Reservoir, and Commonwealth Avenue West near Buona Vista MRT station.

I can see the last stretch of path next to Pandan Gardens that goes towards Pandan Reservoir, and another stretch of path next to the International Business Park that goes towards Bukit Batok. However, they are not 'connected' to the path I was on, separated by the AYE and Pandan River.

So was I cycling in a park or a connector? If it was a park, where is the connector that connects the other two 'parks'? If it was a connector, which parks is it supposed to connect? Pandan Reservoir and Bukit Batok Nature Park?

Park connectors have been around for some time, but jogging and cycling paths remain isolated. My neighbour who works in the International Business Park told me it would take him five minutes to cycle to work if the paths were connected. Instead, he has to drive or take public transport, which takes him 15 to 30 minutes and adds to traffic congestion.

I look forward to when park connectors truly connect, even if it means underground tunnels or wheelchair-friendly bridges, as this will help the environment, our health, traffic and economy in the long run.

If there are no plans to connect all these paths, call them what they really are: jogging or cycling paths.

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Malaysia not giving up on Pedra Branca

Search for letter to prove sovereignty will continue, says Foreign Minister
Today Online 2 Jun 08;

The court did not make a definitive ruling on an outcrop, South Ledge, which is visible only at low tide, saying it belonged to whoever owns the territorial waters it sits in. Dr Rais said he would propose to Singapore that the waters be opened to fishermen from both countries and also Indonesia.

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia has renewed its search for evidence to stake its claim on Pedra Branca, which Singapore has jurisdiction over, according to a recent ruling by the International Court ofJustice (ICJ).

Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim said the ruling by the ICJ on May 23, which ended a 28-year territorial dispute, was final and not subject to appeal. However, he said there was a specific provision in the court’s rules that allowed for a judicial review of a case within 10 years if new evidence was adduced, The Star reported on Sunday.

Mr Rais said he had directed the authorities to try to trace a letter written by British Governor William T Butterworth to the Temenggong and Sultan of Johor, seeking permission to build the Horsburgh Lighthouse on Pedra Branca, which Malaysians call Batu Puteh.

During the hearing at The Hague, Malaysia had contended that it was on the basis of the consent of the Temenggong and Johor Sultan, reportedly seen in a reply to the missing letter, that Great Britain built and then operated the lighthouse on the island. This reply, a letter datedNov 25, 1844, was produced at the ICJ, The Star reported.

“If we can gain sight of that letter, the gate can be opened again. There is a maximum 10-year period but preferably it should be done within six years,” Dr Rais told The Star in an interview.

“The letter could be in London, as the British are good at archiving. We have searched with them but it has not been conclusively proven that they don’t have it.

“Probably it is in Singapore. That would be a double jeopardy,” Dr Rais said.

The newspaper said that the initial search for the letter covered 40 institutions in 11 locations — Britain, India, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, the Netherlands, Portugal, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia.

Malaysia not giving up hope on Pedra Branca yet
Straits Times 2 Jun 08;

KL seeking letter by British governor to Johor sultan to back up claim to island
KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA has renewed its search for evidence to stake its claim to Pedra Branca, just over a week after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded the island to Singapore.

Foreign Minister Rais Yatim said he has directed his officials to try again to trace a letter written by British governor William Butterworth to the temenggong and sultan of Johor seeking permission to build Horsburgh Lighthouse on the island, The Star daily reported yesterday.

Dr Rais said in an interview with the paper that although the ICJ's ruling on May 23 was final and not subject to appeal, there was a specific provision in the court's rules that allowed for a judicial review of a case within 10 years if new evidence was found. He did not cite the exact provision.

'If we can gain sight of that letter, the gate can be opened again. There is a maximum 10-year period but preferably it should be done within six years,' he said.

During the hearing, Malaysia had contended that Britain had built and operated the lighthouse after getting consent from the Johor rulers.

In its argument before the ICJ, Malaysia had cited governor Butterworth's letters as one of the grounds for its claim to Pedra Branca.

The Star reported that a search for the 19th-century letter had covered 40 institutions in 11 countries, including Britain, India, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, the Netherlands, Portugal, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

'The letter could be in London...We have searched with them but it has not been conclusively proven that they don't have it,' said Dr Rais.

'Probably it is in Singapore. That would be a double jeopardy,' he added.

During the hearing, Malaysia had insinuated that Singapore might have hidden two 1844 letters from governor Butterworth to the rulers of Johor seeking permission to build a lighthouse near Point Romania on the Johor coast.

But Singapore Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar countered that Singapore did not have copies of the letters, and had also searched in vain for them in various archives. He also pointed out that since the letters were sent to Johor's rulers, they were more likely to be in Johor than in Singapore.

Both countries also disputed the area referred to in the letters for which permission was sought. Malaysia said it included Pedra Branca, while Singapore maintained it referred to another group of islands.

Dr Rais said Malaysia could introduce a separate motion to the ICJ if the letter was found.

The ICJ ruling has raised much unhappiness among Malaysian MPs.

Earlier last week, an Umno MP lambasted the government for not archiving its historical documents properly, and thus failing to locate the Butterworth letter.

Following the ICJ's ruling - which awarded Pedra Branca to Singapore and Middle Rocks to Malaysia - the two countries now have to work out how to delimit the territorial waters in the area.

The court did not make a definitive ruling on an outcrop, South Ledge, which is visible only at low tide, saying it belonged to whoever owns the territorial waters it sits in.

Dr Rais said he would propose to Singapore that the waters be opened to fishermen from both countries and also Indonesia.

Singapore will wait to see what new evidence Malaysia can produce over Pedra Branca
Channel NewsAsia 4 Jun 08;

SINGAPORE : Singapore Law Minister K Shanmugam said Singapore will wait and see if the Malaysian government can come up with any new evidence to renew Malaysia's claim on Pedra Branca.

The International Court of Justice awarded Singapore sovereignty over the island on May 23, ending a nearly three-decade long territorial dispute between the two countries. Decisions by the Court are final and cannot be appealed.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim has been quoted in newspaper reports saying that Malaysia has renewed its search for evidence to stake its claim on Pedra Branca, or what Malaysians call Pulau Batu Puteh.

"I'm not quite sure what the legal basis of such suggestions are. My own view is that the international court has ruled, and both countries have said that they accept the ruling... As to what this new evidence is, we'll wait and see," said the Singapore law minister. - CNA /ls

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MediaCorp kickstarts 'Saving Gaia' green campaign with provocative advertisement

Channel NewsAsia 1 Jun 08;

SINGAPORE: MediaCorp's environmental conservation campaign, 'Saving Gaia', is back for a second year. The green initiative will be launched on World Environment Day on June 5.

This time, MediaCorp aims to get even more people involved and challenge viewers with a graphic advertisement.

A doll representing our Earth which is in trouble is the message behind the advertisement to promote MediaCorp's 'Saving Gaia' campaign.

Shaun Seow, Deputy CEO (News, Radio, Print), MediaCorp, said: "We're trying to deliver a message that's cut through. We think that if it's a very pretty ad on saving the environment, touchy-feely, it might not achieve the same results.

"And that's why we've resorted to something a bit more thought-provoking, and hopefully it'll register the impact of what we're doing to the environment."

Also making an impact is Channel NewsAsia's 'Saving Gaia' documentary series, which will run from June 16. This year, the programmes will look at how some Asians are solving their most pressing environmental problems.

And online, the 'Saving Gaia' website, which will be launched on June 2, invites you to send in your green ideas. You can even submit a video.

There will also be a competition to find an eco-hero, who will stand to win S$10,000. Details will be out on June 2.

This June, MediaCorp will be going all out to show its support for the environment - from wearing green on-air to having more environment-related programmes on television and radio. Even its publications are going green. - CNA/vm

MediaCorp set to launchits second Green Month campaign on Thursday
Mayo Martin, Today Online 2 Jun 08;

IF YOU switch on the TV or pick up a copy of Today on Thursday and notice something different in the colour scheme of things, don’t panic.

It’s because your favourite newspaper and TV channels are going green this month.

MediaCorp launches its “Green Month” campaign on Thursday. During the campaign, Today will change its masthead from red to green, and will regularly feature environmentally-themed stories.

All MediaCorp TV logos will also get a green makeover, and even Channel NewsAsia’s presenters will wear shades of green on Thursday.

:Channel NewsAsia will also broadcast :environmentally-themed programmes beginning with the second season of Saving Gaia this month. “Gaia” is the Greek word for earth.

Last season saw issues including the global oil supply, the plight of the Ganges and Yangtze rivers, in India and China, respectively, and the extinction of animals tackled.

The TV series is the centrepiece of :Channel News-Asia’s Saving Gaia campaign, which starts today.

It includes an online-pledge website (www.savinggaia.sg) and the search for Singapore’s most earth-friendly person in the :Gaia Life Challenge.

MediaCorp’s first “Green Month” campaign — a joint effort among its TV, radio and print platforms — was held last July.

Among the highlights of the campaign was the telecast of Live Earth on Channels 5 and U.

The 24-hour concert featured performances by artistes on all seven continents and included performances by Madonna and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Aside from the “green” TV programmes and news stories in print, radio station listeners were also given daily tips on how to help save the environment.

“What we want to do this year is to translate the little ideas into big ideals,” :said Mr Shaun Seow, MediaCorp’s Deputy CEO, News.Radio.Print.

“We’re trying to make people understand that they can do their part to protect the environment.”

“Saving Gaia certainly gives people a peek into the kind of initiatives that people have embarked on in various parts of Asia to help save the environment.

“And these are things that are do-able, that are within our reach, that we can all contribute towards.”

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NUS scientist helps create 'super oil absorber'

New material shows promise in sopping up oil and toxic spills
Shobana Kesava, Straits Times 2 Jun 08;

COASTLINES around the world could be spared the devastating effects of oil leaks and toxic spills in five years, thanks to a new material showing promise.

The super-absorbing, paper-like substance - made up of a mesh of fine wires - is being hailed by its creators as a breakthrough in sopping up spills.

Oxides of silicon and manganese go into the wires, which are each a tiny fraction of the width of a human hair.

The material was developed by an international team of scientists, including National University of Singapore (NUS) Assistant Professor Liu Xiao Gang, 34, who won the NUS Young Investigator Award in 2006.

The unique make-up of the strands, known as nanowires, allows them to separate water from oil or other poisonous chemicals containing carbon. Joined into fabric-like layers, they could be floated on the surface of the sea in tanks, where oil could be absorbed, leaving clean water behind.

'We used the same principle as the lotus leaf. Its texture allows water to roll off like marbles, without ever getting wet,' Dr Liu said.

He began research two years ago with Dr Yuan Ji Kang, and Professors Jing Kong and Francesco Stellacci at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The work was inspired by Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the southern United States in 2005. The storm swamped thousands of cars, leaving oil slicks that complicated the natural disaster relief effort.

The new material is expected to cost slightly more than conventional solutions but, being recyclable and more absorbent, it is expected to save money in the long run.

Conventional fabrics used to mop up oil spills are normally not recyclable, Dr Liu said, and a lot more material is needed because water tends to be absorbed along with oil.

The new nanowires absorb up to 20 times the material's weight purely of oil and no water, he said.

On a smaller scale, the new material could also be used to absorb oil leaks in car engines and modified to heal wounds.

The team's research paper on these super-absorbent nanowires was published over the weekend in international scientific journal Nature Nanotechnology.

Nano-design specialist at the Nanyang Technological University, Associate Professor Yeo Kiat Seng, said the team behind the material has made a significant find.

'They will be considered pioneers in this field. This paper shows that the development will benefit mankind. It is better than existing technology, but it has to be demonstrated in real scenarios, not just in the lab,' Dr Yeo said.

Dr Liu said the team plans to do just that.

Already, at least two local defence organisations have expressed interest in finding applications for the technology.

Related article

Nanowire 'Paper Towel' Designed to Clean Up Oil Spills
LiveScience.com Yahoo News 30 May 08;

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