Best of our wild blogs: 6 Nov 14

Haze: Know it. Stop it. Exhibition: 7-9 November
from Green Drinks Singapore

osprey & fish @ SBWR - Nov2014
from sgbeachbum

The day a fruit fell from above…
from Bird Ecology Study Group

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Preserve rustic charm of Ubin

Straits Times Forum 6 Nov 14;

THE idyllic Pulau Ubin has long been my place of solace when I need to unwind after a hectic week ("Wanted: More modern facilities for Ubin"; Monday).

Since the 1970s, I have made countless trips to Ubin to trek, camp, cycle and swim. Any future development should seek to preserve the natural flora and fauna of this precious island with its scenic, disused granite quarries.

The toilets at Chek Jawa are well maintained but not those at Noordin Beach and Mamam Beach. Chek Jawa has attractions such as the Nypa fruticans which gives us the "attap chee" in our ice kachang.

Noordin and Mamam should be open to the public for swimming and camping, as these are popular haunts for our students. The rugged terrain is ideal for cycling and the tracks are a far cry from our flat roads in Singapore.

It is a bugbear for me to use my mobile phone, as most of the time my line shows the word "Maxis" or "Digi". I hope SingTel, M1 and StarHub can improve their network coverage as Ubin is still part of Singapore.

Ubin has some rare flowers such as torch ginger and tiger claw which grow in the wild; when they bloom, the forests are transformed into a Garden of Eden.

Chek Jawa is replete with aquatic life even at low tide. I invariably see hordes of mud-creepers clinging on for dear life on the tree trunks at low tide.

I have met many foreign tourists who have visited Ubin as they are drawn there by its granite quarries, the rare bird species, the beaches, the temples, lotus ponds, rubber plantations, and even the quaint coffee shops near the pier.

They find Ubin an ideal place for cycling and swimming; even sipping a glass of beer at the coffee shop is an unforgettable experience on an island where time has stood still.

Let us keep Ubin for what it is and not transform it into another Kusu Island, Pulau Tekong or Sentosa.

Heng Cho Choon

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Malaysia: Heavy rains cause mud flood in Camerons, one dead

IVAN LOH, CHAN LI LEEN, AND TAN YI LIANG The Star 6 Nov 14;

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: At least one person has died, while four others were injured with another missing after heavy rain caused two landslides and a mudslide at several areas here.

The area is 4km away from Bertam Valley where a mudslide occurred on Oct 23 last year.

Cameron Highlands Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Morni Mamat said the missing person was a 13-year-old boy, who was swept away by floodwaters near a farm in Kuala Terla after Sungai Ringlet overflowed.

It is believed the boy had tried to climb onto a tractor in a bid to save himself, but failed.

Search and rescue efforts are ongoing.

Nearby in Ulu Merah, a Nepalese worker died while an Indonesian worker sustained slight injuries in a landslide at about 9.50pm, he said.

In yet another landslide at a factory area along Jalan Kuari, two Indian workers and a Malaysian were seriously injured after being crushed in a car workshop.

"It has been raining heavily since 5.30pm and the rain has not stopped," Morni said when contacted by The Star.

As at 10pm, some 150 people from 37 families have been evacuated from their homes, which were inundated with mud and floodwaters, and placed at the Ringlet community hall.

A police spokesman said the authorities were expecting the number of victims to increase due to continuous heavy rain.

He also said that as at 10.30pm, Tenaga Nasional Bhd had started slowly releasing water from the Sultan Abu Bakar Dam to avoid waters from reaching critical levels, failing which the dam gates will automatically open.

The flood prompted netizens such as Mohd Azham (@azhamvsvc) to take to Twitter to express their concern for the residents, saying; "Just saw the photos; that's a huge flood. Hope everyone in Ringlet, Cameron Highlands stay on higher ground".

"Flood in Cameron Highlands. Hope everyone is safe," tweeted Mohd Azham, who also posted photos of the incident showing the extent of the floodwaters as it flowed down streets.

On Oct 23 last year, four people died while over 100 houses and scores of vehicles were damaged when water and mud gushed through Bertam Valley after water was released from the Sultan Abu Bakar Hydroelectric Dam.

Three dead from Camerons mud flood
IVAN LOH The Star 6 Nov 14;

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: A total of three people were killed during the downpour that caused the mud flood and landslide at three areas here.

Cameron Highlands OCPD Deputy Supt Wan Mohd Zahari Wan Busu said one teenager was swept away by floodwater at Kuala Terla while two others were buried by landslide at Ringlet and Bertam Valley.

"The 13-year-old boy, R. Tunesh, was found about 5km from he was swept away at Batu 49, Kuala Terla.

"He was found by a riverbank by search and rescue personnel at about 8.45am,” he told journalists at the operations centre in Bertam Valley Thursday.

"His body has been sent to the hospital for post mortem," he added.

DSP Mohd Wan Zahari said a 48-year-old Indonesian, Anipan, was found buried at his rented house at Bertam Valley about 9.20am.

"He failed to escape from the house and was buried some one meter (three feet) under a pile of soil," he said.

"Another 66-year-old Nepalese, Md Yousuf Miya was also buried at his home at Ulu Merah in Ringlet" he added.

Bertam Valley in Cameron Highlands under water, again
SYLVIA LOOI New Straits Times 5 Nov 14;

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: The horror of the Bertam Valley mudflood which claimed four lives a year ago has returned to haunt residents on the highlands.

More than 20 houses in the Ringlet town, Ringlet New Village and Kampung Ulu Merah Ringlet were submerged in knee-deep muddy water after continuous heavy rain since evening caused Sungai Ringlet to overflow its banks.

A total of 150 people from 37 families staying at Ringlet New Village were evacuated to the Ringlet multipurpose hall at 10pm.

A fire and rescue department spokesman said one victim was trapped under the debris while a boy was swept away by flood waters.

“Six vehicles were also swept away,” he said.

A Tenaga Nasional Berhad spokesman said water from the nearby dam would be released if rain continued to pour.

“This may lead to mudfloods in the nearby Bertam Valley,” he said.

The affected villages are located barely 4km from Bertam Valley, which was hit by a deadly mudflood last October.

A Cameron Highlands fire and rescue station spokesman said they received a distress call about 7.04pm and dispatched its personnel to the scene.

Electricity to the affected villages had been cut off.

Cameron Highlands MCA division chief Datuk Yee Shan Kon said heavy rain lashed the area about 6pm.

"We are unsure of the extent of the damages for now as electricity to the areas have been cut off and the areas are in pitch darkness.

"I was made to understand that the banks of Sungai Ringlet gave way, leading muddy water and rubbish to overflow into nearby houses," he told the NST when contacted.

It was learnt that, should the heavy rain continue, water from the nearby dam would be released to ease pressure.

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Indonesia: Jokowi Green on Environmental, Forestry Policies

Forest Beyond Trees: The change of government leaves environmental policy in limbo, but that won’t stop Indonesia’s REDD+ administrators and legislators from working toward their targets
Adelia Anjani Putri and Abdul Khalik Jakarta Globe 4 Nov 14;

Yogyakarta. Indonesia, under President Joko Widodo and Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya, faces an uncertain path going toward sustainable development and striking a balance between economic progress and protection of its forest, land and sea, experts say.

While Joko’s predecessor, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, kicked off several environmental policies such as a moratorium on the issuing of new forest-clearing concessions and the establishment of a body to oversee programs under the Reducing Emissions From Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) mechanism, the incumbent has not yet made any promises on whether to continue with those initiatives.

He has, however, shown a high degree of awareness the ongoing destruction of the country’s forests and the need to protect them, says Nasir Jamil, a legislator from the opposition Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).

“He knows the importance of protecting the forests,” Nasir told the Jakarta Globe during a forest workshop in Yogyakarta last week.

“But we hope he also has a sense of urgency and crisis on the matter.”

Nasir said Joko should continue with Yudhoyono’s programs and put them into practice while pressing forward with his own programs, voicing support of a special task force.

“First of all, we must treat crimes relating to the destruction of forests, including slash-and-burn clearing, illegal logging and misuse of forest permits, as extraordinary crimes like corruption and drug offenses,” he said.

He said the proposed task force overseeing such crimes could be similar to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) or the National Narcotics Agency (BNN).

“But Joko should benefit from what Yudhoyono has established, especially the REDD+ executive board. They have the expertise and have done a good job in laying the foundation for further progress in protecting our forests,” he said.

He proposed the House of Representatives pass legislation strengthening REDD+ programs and providing a basis for the formation of the task force.

Reduction target

Four years after the signing of a $1 billion agreement between Indonesia and Norway on REDD+ projects, Indonesia is now ready to move into the second phase of the program, under the direction of its REDD+ Management Agency, or BP REDD+.

REDD+ is a mechanism for sustainable management of forests and the environment, conducted at the global level. Not only does it cover deforestation and forest degradation, REDD+ also pursues other targets such as conservation of forests and carbon stocks, sustainable forest management, and enhancement of forest conditions.

Indonesia is among the countries implementing pilot projects through the REDD+ mechanism. Based on the letter of intent with Norway, the latter will disburse the promised funds only when Indonesia has managed to decrease its carbon dioxide emissions level.

Yudhoyono in 2009 committed Indonesia to decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent by 2020, or 41 percent with international assistance.

The initial agreement with Norway stated that the program would last three year, from 2010-2013; but due to some developments the program will be continued until 2020.

The first phase of preparing the institutions and necessary tools ran from 2010 to 2012. Indonesia has also developed a one-map initiative, creating a database of licensed forest users, and a new law to protect indigenous lands.

Indonesia is now embarking on the second phase, lasting until 2016. The phase is set to further national engagement and reporting on the pilot projects and disburse additional funding.

In the 2017-2020 period, Indonesia plans to embark on the last phase, which is full implementation across the country.

Conflicting regulations

The initial meetings on the issue were difficult, BP REDD+ chief Heru Prasetyo recalls.

“There were no regulations on climate change or forest restoration,” he told the Globe on the sidelines of the workshop in Yogyakarta.

“The regulations from different ministries were conflicting with each other. That’s how we know what we should do first: set up a legal basis and fix the regulations.

“We also found the Forestry Ministry, the Environment Ministry and other institutions each had their own versions of forest definition and mapping. We needed to renew the knowledge, the institutions and the information system, so that went onto our to-do-list: making a single integrated map of forests and setting up a database of companies with forest-related licenses.”

With a high deforestation rate, environmental issues have become increasingly pressing for Indonesia.

Forest clearing has contributed 63 percent of Indonesia’s annual CO2 emissions, which are increasing every year.

In 2000, the country emitted 1,720 million tons of CO2, a gas that contributes to global warming. That figure increased to 2,120 million tons in 2005 and is projected to reach 2,950 million tons in 2020.

The problem stretches far beyond the clearing of forests, says William Sabandar, the deputy for operations at BP REDD+.

“Take Sumatra as an example,” he said.

“From 1985 to 2012, we lost 53 percent of the forest there. Deforestation is more than just forest or carbon issues, and to handle the problem we have to see the whole picture. In Sumatra, it involves development issues, poverty, indigenous land rights and social conflicts.

“Forest degradation and deforestation will affect biodiversity, water supply, and even marginalization,” William said.

“REDD+ is an opportunity for Indonesia to strive for a better condition to change the development trajectory to a sustainable one. Our development should be able to address all those issues.”

This year, BP REDD+ has been engaged in a 10-point imperative action plan to implement its operational strategy.

“We’ve been monitoring the permit issuance moratorium, handling of forest fires, mapping and increasing the capacity of indigenous forests, supervising forest area licenses, conducting the green village and green school programs, supporting spatial planning, supporting conflict resolution, and setting up a strategic plan to save national parks and protected forests,” William said.

Besides financial and guideline assistance, REDD+ also provides Indonesia with a louder and clearer voice.

“The international world will hear us better and pay more attention now that Indonesia is a part of REDD+, making our strategy a global concern,” William said.

“We’re now moving on REDD+’s guidelines and representing them as well, but we will do it on Indonesia’s own terms.”

Heru said he aimed to make REDD+ more than just a government program.

“It’s more than just a program and regulations. It’s a movement. It has to be a movement so we can include everyone and every sector — art, social, geophysics,” he said.

However, he said public awareness of REDD+ and of the agency administering projects under the mechanism remained poor.

“We admit that REDD+ hasn’t been really explained to the people. We need to transfer the information to a wider audience,” Heru said.

Private sector push

Questions have been raised about the ethics of putting money as the incentive for implementing carbon emissions mitigation programs, particularly at the community level.

REDD+ green economy advisor Ivo Mulder says the discussion of REDD+ should not just revolve around money.

“If we talk about opportunity cost in the short term, the income generated from REDD+ won’t pay as much as a fully operational [oil palm] plantation,” he said.

“Worldwide, our research showed that it takes up to $30 billion per year to decrease deforestation by 50 percent, and as Indonesia has up to 20 percent of the total forest, we can see that $1 billion [promised by Norway] would not cover the need. But we can’t just expect local governments to pay the $30 billion.

“The role of government is increasing, but to our delight, the effort coming from the private sector is increasing in a much bigger scale. Companies like Unilever and Nestle have started to chip in to the process by not ordering supplies from companies that are involved in deforestation.”

The pledged money, though not fully disbursed yet, is also bound to put the government in a bind on some matters.

“There are questions that should be answered by the government: Should REDD money be used for subsidies? Should it be used to stop illegal logging or to increase legal timber production instead?” Mulder said.

As a product of the previous administration, BP REDD+ and its REDD+ programs might face a new challenge — the new people in office and their stance on the issue.

“We’ll continue to hold events to inform them,” Heru promised.

He added he was also eager to see what the new government would do.

“In Brazil, when they first started their anti-deforestation movement, the president took a strong approach,” he said.

“He set up a federal police unit to handle illegal logging, conduct unannounced searches to catch the perpetrators red-handed, and set up supporting policies, including one that denied fund disbursement from the central government to local governments that were still engaged in deforestation.

“The question now is whether Indonesia can do the same. Does the Indonesian government have the guts to do that? Are legislators willing to support it? It’s going to be interesting if the government want to do this.”

Desmond Mahesa, a legislator from the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), said that REDD+ was a good initiative in general but criticized some points.

“BP REDD+ needs to come and inform us at the House of Representatives so that we can understand the approach and shape our decisions in accordance to it,” he said.

“It’s also important that the agency doesn’t impose policies arrogantly. It has to pay attention to each area’s local wisdom. We don’t want the policies to block people’s opportunity to develop. The public should be involved. The policies have to adjust to their condition.”

Riven House

Rahayu Saraswati, a fellow legislator from Gerindra, also threw her support behind the REDD+ plan and said she was willing to work despite other political priorities in the House.

“For the legislation, we would love to help as it’s also stated in Gerindra’s main visions that we promote environmentally friendly growth,” she said.

“But how are we supposed to function properly when half of the members of the House are not willing to collaborate?” she added, referring to a political squabble that has seen the five parties from the coalition backing Joko announce its own shadow House leadership.

“For us, now we’re already working on some issues even though we don’t have any staff yet,” Rahayu said.

Hermanto, a legislator who has served since 2010 on House Commission IV, which oversees forestry and environmental affairs, said the House would continue to advance efforts to protect the environment.

“In the last period [from 2009 to 2014], we came up with nine laws, including the amended forestry law, to protect forests and push forestry industry stakeholders to obtain optimal result with minimal damage to the environment,” he said.

“The House is still committed to protecting the environment by supervising the regulations issued by local governments. We’ll pursue a balance of forest protection and maintaining public welfare.”

However, Hermanto said he doubted Joko’s administration would make protecting the environment a priority.

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Philippines: How a forest of mangroves saved a village from ‘Yolanda’

Matikas Santos INQUIRER.net 6 Nov 14;
TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — The tale of two villages (barangay) in the municipality of Giporlos, Eastern Samar is a clear example of how mangroves can protect people from the wrath of a typhoon’s storm surge, even one as strong as Yolanda (international name: Haiyan).

Barangay Parina is nestled comfortably between two large mangrove forests approximately nine hectares in size which served as a protective cover for the storm surge that rushed inland nearly a year ago.

In contrast, Bacjao (local term for mangrove trees), is located outside of the mangrove area and was completely destroyed when the storm surge swamped the village.

Although both villages didn’t suffer casualties, it was Parina that got off lightly because the mangroves that surrounded the area absorbed the force of the storm surge as residents waited out “Yolanda’s” wrath inside the school and church, said Kagawad (councilor) Serafin Balais Jr., 26 in an interview with INQUIRER.net.

‎While Bacjao didn’t have mangroves, it’s residents survived because of their early evacuation knowing that their area was a danger zone.

“The rush of the water was not powerful, it just streamed in and also receded slowly for a duration of about five to 10 minutes,” Balais said in Filipino. “In Bacjao where they didn’t have any mangroves, all the houses were destroyed, even the foundations.”

“Most of the houses were made of light materials and were blown away by Yolanda’s winds, around 25 houses remained but were partially damaged,” he said.

The Mangrove forests however, paid the price for standing up to Yolanda. Balais said that only 30 percent of the forest remained intact after facing the world’s strongest typhoon to ever make landfall.

“We are now replanting the forest because it will serve as our protector when future typhoons come,” Balais said. “Mangroves are not uprooted easily, their roots are many and deep which make them really suitable as shield against waves.”

The mangrove replanting is part of Plan‎ International’s cash for work program where local residents are the beneficiaries.

“The Barangay Council already has plans to protect the mangroves because they are not just a good defense for us but also for the future generations. We hope to expand the forest and maintain it. We already have ordinances to outlaw the cutting of mangroves,” Balais said.

Balais told of stories from the older generations that the very ground where their barangay stood was once also part of the Mangrove forest.

Because they have personally experienced the protection of the Mangroves, Balais said that they did not hesitate to advocate to other local governments about their importance.

“Anybody who comes into our barangay, we always tell them what a big help the mangroves have been for us,” Balais said.‎

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A fraction of global military spending could save the planet’s biodiversity, say experts

IUCN 5 Nov 14;

Only one in four protected areas is well managed.

A fundamental step-change involving an increase in funding and political commitment is urgently needed to ensure that protected areas deliver their full conservation, social and economic potential, according to an article published today in Nature by experts from Wildlife Conservation Society, the University of Queensland, and the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA).

The paper, The performance and potential of protected areas, comes ahead of the IUCN World Parks Congress 2014 – a once-in-a-decade global forum on protected areas opening next week in Sydney, Australia.

According to the authors, allocating US$45 - $76 billion to protected areas annually – just 2.5% of the global annual military expenditure – could help adequately manage those areas, ensuring their potential contribution to the well-being of the planet is fully met.

Many threatened species, such as the Asian elephant, the tiger, and all rhinoceros species, as well as numerous plants, reptiles and amphibians, survive thanks to protected areas. Well-managed marine protected areas contain more than five times the total large fish biomass and 14 times the shark biomass compared with fished areas.

“Protected areas offer us solutions to some of today’s most pressing challenges” says Dr James Watson of the Wildlife Conservation Society and The University of Queensland and lead author of the study. “But by continuing with ‘business as usual’, we are setting them up for failure. A step-change in the way we value, fund, govern and manage those areas is neither impossible nor unrealistic and would only represent a fraction of what the world spends annually on defence.”

According to the latest data, protected areas cover around 15% of land and 3% of oceans. Experts warn, however, that despite the significant increase in their coverage over the past century, this is still short of the global 2020 targets to protect at least 17% of land and 10% of oceans. Many ecosystems remain poorly conserved because protected areas do not always encompass the most important areas for biodiversity.

In addition, the vast majority of existing protected areas that are well placed do not have sufficient resources to be effective, with some studies finding as few as one quarter of them are being effectively managed. Growing threats from climate change and the escalating poaching crisis place additional pressures on protected areas globally.

“Some of the most iconic protected areas, such as Ecuador’s Galapagos National Park, are undergoing significant degradation, partly due to an inability to manage them effectively,” says Professor Marc Hockings of The University of Queensland, co-author of the study and member of the IUCN WCPA. “But governments cannot be solely responsible for ensuring that protected areas fulfil their potential. We need to find new, innovative ways to fund and manage them, actively involving government, business and community groups.”

The paper also highlights an alarming increase in governments - in both developing and developed countries – backtracking on their commitments through funding cuts and changes in policy. A recent global analysis has documented 543 instances where protected areas saw their status downgraded or removed altogether.

For example, recent cuts to the Parks Canada budget have reduced conservation spending by 15%. In Uganda, active oil exploration and development is occurring inside many protected areas, including Murchison Falls National Park. In Indonesia, in 2010, mining permits were issued inside 481,000 hectares of protected areas and in the Virgin Komi Forests in Russia, significant boundary changes have been made to reserves such as the Yugyd Va National Park to allow mining. The Arabian Oryx Sanctuary in Oman was removed from the World Heritage List after the government reduced the size of the reserve by 90% to allow for oil and gas extraction.

“There is a fundamental need for an increase in support of global protected areas, including better recognition, funding, planning and enforcement” says Nigel Dudley, co-author of the paper, from Equilibrium Research and The University of Queensland, member of the IUCN WCPA. “It is governments’ responsibility to step up but there is also the need for the wider community to take collective responsibility for protected areas.”

Protected areas conserve biodiversity and sustain a large proportion of the world’s poorest people by providing them with food, water, shelter and medicine. They play a key part in climate change mitigation and adaptation and bolster national economies through tourism revenues. In Rwanda, for example, tourism revenue from visits to see mountain gorillas inside Volcanoes National Park is now the country’s largest source of foreign exchange, raising US$200 million annually. In Australia, the 2012–2013 budget for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority was approximately AUS$50 million, but tourism to the reef was worth more than AUS$5.2 billion annually to the Australian economy.

“The growth of the modern global protected area movement over the last 100 years is arguably the greatest conservation achievement,” says Julia Marton-Lefèvre, IUCN Director General. “It is also increasingly important for livelihoods and global security. The key now is for countries to recognize the return on investment that protected areas offer and realize that those places are fundamental to the future of life on earth. This is exactly what we hope to achieve at the upcoming IUCN World Parks Congress.”

Effective management of protected areas, the threats they face and the solutions they offer to today’s global challenges will be discussed at the IUCN World Parks Congress taking place in Sydney from 12 to 19 November 2014.

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Why is dolphin not in the pink of health?

DANIEL NG PENG KEAT Today Online 4 Nov 14;

It is sad that one of the pink Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins at Underwater World Singapore is suffering from skin cancer. (“UWS rebuts wildlife group’s report on health, treatment of dolphins”; Oct 28)

While the cancer is non-contagious, it is less clear how malignant it is and what the prognosis is. One may also ask if adequate care had been undertaken before venturing to have these marine mammals at UWS.

Online resources indicate that in their natural habitat, these dolphins typically swim in coastal waters at an average depth of 20m and feed close to the ocean floor. These natural conditions and practices are unlikely to be mimicked successfully in captivity. Coupled with shows and training sessions taking place under the sun, could the environment have increased their risk of developing skin cancer?

Biologically, pink dolphins already appear vulnerable to damaging ultraviolet rays from the sun since they have little to no pigmentation, in contrast to their grey counterparts.

This risk of skin cancer might have been mitigated if the dolphins swam in deeper water as in their natural habitat, since water acts as a natural block to harmful UV radiation.

The UWS and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority should learn from this unfortunate episode and take substantial steps towards greater stewardship over these endangered creatures by enhancing their work, living and after-care conditions.

See also
Dolphin Project Vet: Pink dolphin's skin cancer 'very advanced'

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Billion-dollar contract awarded as Changi starts expansion works

Karamjit Kaur The Straits Times AsiaOne 5 Nov 14;

It will cost more than a billion dollars to clear the land and strengthen the soil before Changi Airport's Terminal 5 (T5) and third runway can be built, underlining the scale and complexity of a project to boost Changi's competitiveness.

A $1.1 billion contract - believed to be the largest so far for the airport project - has been awarded to a team comprising Japanese construction firm Penta-Ocean, which specialises in marine works and land reclamation, and Singapore's Koon Construction and Transport.

A spokesman for the Transport Ministry told The Straits Times that the works to be carried out "are complex in nature and in more than 70 phases across more than 1,000ha" - just slightly smaller than the airport's current premises.

The works will be carried out over the next few years, she said.

T5, which will be built on reclaimed land, will be Changi's biggest. To be completed in the middle of the next decade, T5 will be able to process up to 50 million passengers a year - more than T2 and T3 put together.

The project - the biggest airport works since the move from Paya Lebar Airport to Changi in 1981 - aims to cement Changi Airport's position as the region's premier airport and hub.

From 66 million now, Changi will be able to handle up to 85 million passengers by 2018, when T4 is ready and T1 is expanded. By the time T5 starts operating, Changi's annual capacity will hit 135 million passengers.

Besides a new mega terminal, a third runway is also planned.

An existing landing strip at the site, currently used for military flights, will be strengthened and lengthened, after which it will be linked to the existing two runways via 40km of taxiways.

There are also plans to build aircraft maintenance and repair facilities, as well as hotels and offices, at the new site.

To integrate the operations of the existing airport and future terminal, work has already started on a new road to replace Changi Coast Road, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said.

In anticipation of higher traffic in the future, work is also being done to expand Tanah Merah Coast Road, a spokesman said.

This will also ensure smooth traffic flow during the construction phase, when trucks and other heavy vehicles travel to and from the site, he said.

The two road contracts - worth a total of about $81 million - were awarded in April, LTA said, and works are expected to be done by the middle of 2017.

So far, the works have not led to any complaints from members, said Mr Kok Min Yee, general manager of Tanah Merah Country Club in the area. If traffic is affected, he said the club would "certainly take it up" with LTA.

$1.1b to prep land for T5 and runway
Karamjit Kaur MyPaper AsiaOne 3 Nov 14;

It will cost more than a billion dollars to clear the land and strengthen the soil before Changi Airport's Terminal 5 and third runway can be built, underlining the scale and complexity of a project to boost Changi's competitiveness.

A $1.1 billion contract - believed to be the largest so far for the airport project - has been awarded to a team comprising Japanese construction firm Penta-Ocean, which specialises in marine works and land reclamation, and Singapore's Koon Construction and Transport.

A spokesman for the Transport Ministry told The Straits Times that the works to be carried out "are complex in nature and in more than 70 phases across more than 1,000ha" - just slightly smaller than the airport's current premises.

The works will be carried out over the next few years, she said.

T5, which will be built on reclaimed land, will be Changi's biggest. To be completed in the middle of the next decade, T5 will be able to process up to 50 million passengers a year - more than T2 and T3 put together.

The project - the biggest airport works since the move from Paya Lebar Airport to Changi in 1981 - aims to cement Changi Airport's position as the region's premier airport and hub.

From 66 million passengers now, Changi will be able to handle up to 85 million by 2018, when T4 is ready and T1 is expanded. By the time T5 starts operating, Changi's annual capacity will hit 135 million passengers.

Besides a new mega terminal, a third runway is also planned.

An existing landing strip at the site, currently used for military flights, will be strengthened and lengthened, after which it will be linked to the existing two runways via 40km of taxiways.

There are also plans to build aircraft maintenance and repair facilities, as well as hotels and offices, at the new site.

To integrate the operations of the existing airport and future terminal, work has already started on a new road to replace Changi Coast Road, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said.

In anticipation of higher traffic in the future, work is also being done to expand Tanah Merah Coast Road, a spokesman said.

This will also ensure smooth traffic flow during the construction phase, when trucks and other heavy vehicles travel to and from the site, he said.

The two road contracts - worth a total of about $81 million - were awarded in April, LTA said, and the works are expected to be done by the middle of 2017.

Kok Min Yee, general manager of Tanah Merah Country Club said: "So far, the works have not led to any complaints from members."

If traffic is affected, the club would "certainly take it up" with LTA, he said.

Read more!

Energy and chemicals sector to get productivity boost: Tharman

LEE YEN NEE Today Online 4 Nov 14;

SINGAPORE – The Government is working with Process Construction and Maintenance (PCM) players to improve productivity in this industry that supports the growth of the key energy and chemicals sector, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam said today (Nov 4).

Speaking at the opening of a new plant by German specialty chemicals company Evonik, the minister said six work groups have been set up to develop “practical and doable steps to take productivity forward”.

“The PCM sector has grown in random with our chemicals industry, and has developed a strong track record in building and delivering world-class plants, suck as Evonik’s methionine facility - on cost and safely,” Mr Tharman said.

“But this is a continuing journey for PCM players. We will continue to have tight limits on the supply of both land and labour. The PCM sector, like the rest of the economy, will have to upgrade management practices, mechanism and redesign processes, and invest in workers’ skills.”

Among the initiatives that will be undertaken is the launch of an aggregated data sharing portal to reduce overlaps in project scheduling among companies, which will help to smooth demand for manpower and allow companies to better plan their projects.

There are also plans to cater land for a PCM dormitory near Jurong Island to reduce traveling time for workers to get to their work sites.

S$807m chemical production complex opens on Jurong Island
Dylan Loh Channel NewsAsia 4 Nov 14;

SINGAPORE: Specialty chemicals firm Evonik on Tuesday (Nov 4) opened its €500 million (S$807 million) production complex on Singapore's Jurong Island - the German company's largest investment in a single chemical project.

The company's first methionine plant in Asia will make the amino acid used as an ingredient in animal feed. The complex has an annual capacity of 150,000 metric tonnes, bringing Evonik's methionine production ability worldwide to 580,000 metric tonnes. It will also boost supply security for the firm's customers in Asia, due to strong consumption patterns for meat, eggs and milk in Asia.

Before the launch of the Singapore plant, methionine was typically shipped from the west, which took about two to three weeks.

GROWING SINGAPORE'S SPECIALTY CHEMICALS SECTOR

Asia accounts for 20 per cent of Evonik's sales, which totalled S$48.4 billion in 2013. As a major specialty chemicals player, it wants to raise its sales to 30 per cent by 2020 - a target which complements Singapore's plans for the industry.

"We are focused on growing our specialty chemicals sector," said Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who officially opened the complex on Tuesday.

He added: "It is a sector that is going to do well, because Asia is transforming, and no matter how you look at this transformation in Asia, it involves almost invisibly, the use of specialty chemicals - the materials that are part and parcel of everyday living, particularly middle-class living."

JOBS FOR LOCALS

Two hundred jobs will be created for skilled workers at the new plant. Evonik Industries' chairman of the Executive Board, Klaus Engel, said that "80 to 90 per cent will be locals".

He noted: "We have started with more expatriates, and that is usual in such a project, but we will reduce the number of expats over time."

Singapore has attracted more than S$2 billion of fixed asset investments within the specialty chemicals sector in the past two years. Over this period, more than 1,000 skilled jobs were created, most of which were filled by Singaporeans.

BOOSTING THE PROCESS CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE SECTOR

Evonik said Singapore's business-friendly and stable environment, coupled with its excellent logistics infrastructure, were among the reasons why it chose to site the investment in the country.

The building of the Evonik plant is a boost to the Process Construction and Maintenance sector, which delivers infrastructure for energy and chemicals firms. The Process Construction and Maintenance sector has been collaborating with the Government to introduce initiatives to raise productivity, which include building a dormitory near Jurong Island to reduce travelling time for workers so that they can focus on productivity efforts.

A data sharing portal is also in the pipeline to reduce overlaps in project scheduling among companies.

- CNA/av/ek

Sembcorp opens new electricity and steam plant
Melissa Tan The Straits Times AsiaOne 5 Nov 14;
Sembcorp Industries opened a $635 million co-generation plant on Jurong Island on Friday, its second in Singapore.

The plant, which began operating at the start of last month, generates electricity for the national grid and produces steam for industrial companies on Jurong Island, Sembcorp said in a press release.

The company also opened a new technology and innovation centre near the plant, which it said was for Sembcorp researchers and engineers to develop and test new technologies.

Mr S. Iswaran, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, said at the opening ceremony on Jurong Island that Sembcorp's new plant "will further boost the capacity and reliability of Singapore's power and steam supply".

"It is important for the public and private sectors to continue to work together to ensure that the energy sector keeps pace with our growing needs," said Mr Iswaran, who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade and Industry.

Mr Tang Kin Fei, group president and chief executive of Sembcorp, said at the ceremony that the plant, called Sembcorp Cogen @ Banyan, is a gas-fired co-generation plant that can supply 400MW of power and 200 tonnes per hour of process steam.

This facility increases Sembcorp's installed power capacity in Singapore by 50 per cent to 1,215MW, he added.

Mr Tang said the new technology and innovation centre would have a system that allows the firm to manage its energy and water facilities in 50 locations around the world from Singapore.

"It will put Sembcorp at the forefront of using predictive analytics in the operation of utility plants."

Mr Iswaran said that Sembcorp and the local energy market regulator would launch a $10 million partnership to encourage the commercialisation of energy research.

More details of Sembcorp's partnership with the Energy Market Authority will be released later, he said.

Sembcorp shares gained seven cents to close at $4.87 yesterday.

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Proposed animal welfare Bill strikes balance between diverse views: Yeo Guat Kwang

Vimita Mohandas Channel NewsAsia 5 Nov 14;

SINGAPORE: The Animal and Birds (Amendment) Bill, which aims to strengthen animal welfare legislation in Singapore, was read for the second time in Parliament on Tuesday (Nov 4). Yeo Guat Kwang, who chairs the Animal Welfare Legislation Review Committee, spelt out details of the Private Member's Bill after consultations with various stakeholders.

He said that the recommendations put forth by the committee sought to strike a balance between diverse views on animal welfare, to ensure a harmonious living environment for animals, animal lovers and those who may not be comfortable with animals.

Mr Yeo said there is a need to strengthen the legislation as society becomes increasingly aware and concerned about animal welfare issues. The number of animal welfare cases has been rising, with a total of over 1,000 cases received annually.

The Bill also serves to strengthen existing legislation which makes it difficult to take action without strong evidence of cruelty and witnesses who are willing to come forward to testify in court.

A new Section 41C has also been proposed to place legal responsibility on owners and persons in charge of animals to provide proper care for them. The proposed definition of a person in charge will include a person who has the animal in that person's possession, custody or control, or under that person's care or supervision, whether permanently or on a temporary basis.

The definition of owners would include persons in charge. These include pet owners, as well as those working with animals and handling animals in the course of their work - for instance, pet industry workers.

The duty of care would also extend to include those who do not own the animals but care for them in a shelter or in their homes, such as those looking after the pets of family members or friends. The Bill also requires employees of animal-related businesses to be properly trained and not just staff in pet shops.

An increase in penalties was also proposed - with the maximum penalties of S$20,000 for non-cruelty offences and S$30,000 for cruelty offences and a possible jail term of up to two or three years. Another recommendation is giving enhanced powers to enforcement officers to conduct investigations and gather evidence.

Members of the House will debate the Bill on Wednesday.

- CNA/xy

More teeth for law to protect animals
Audrey Tan The Straits Times AsiaOne 6 Nov 14;

PET-RELATED businesses must ensure their staff are trained to handle animals, while pet owners have been put on notice that they cannot neglect their animals. Owners must ensure their pets are provided with enough suitable food and water, and are not treated or confined in a way that would cause them pain.

These are among the requirements spelt out in changes to the existing animal welfare law that Parliament approved yesterday.

The changes to the Animals and Birds Act, which won support from all six MPs who spoke on it, include enhanced penalties.

For instance, business owners who do not provide training for staff who handle animals can be fined up to $5,000, face a maximum jail term of six months, or both. They can also be banned from doing business for up to a year.

Mr Baey Yam Keng (Tampines GRC), who lent his support to the changes, said: "The amendments are timely and I am sure the updated legislation, backed by rigorous enforcement, will enable us to be better stewards and custodians of our fellow creatures."

Overall, the amendments make those in charge of animals - such as pet owners, shelters, fosterers and stores - more accountable for the welfare of animals.

As Mr Yeo Guat Kwang (Ang Mo Kio GRC) put it, a key idea has been to eventually move from a reactive regime reliant on penalties and punishment to a proactive system which focuses on getting people to do the right thing.
Mr Yeo, who chaired the Animal Welfare Legislative Review Committee that pushed for changes to the law, pointed to elements that have now been put in place: LThe National Development Minister will be empowered to make training mandatory for anyone in a business who handles animals for a living;

=The authorities can issue codes and set standards for the proper care of animals;

=The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) can direct a person to take corrective action if he is found to have taken inadequate care of animals under his charge;

=Courts can disqualify a person from owning an animal or from working with animals.

Just as Mr Yeo acknowledged that the law was not a "magic bullet", MPs who lauded the changes also suggested ways that it can continue to be strengthened.

Ms Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon GRC) said animal abusers should be given counselling and education to reduce the likelihood of their being repeat offenders. Ms Tin Pei Ling (Marine Parade GRC) had recommendations for improving the pet licensing process, to reduce cases of abandonment.

Speaking during the debate, Minister of State (National Development) Desmond Lee said the AVA will review rules on dog licensing to see if owners should inform the AVA when there is a change of ownership and provide details of the new owners.

He said a society's standards of animal welfare reflected its maturity and compassion, and also made the point that there were emotive and varied views on animal welfare which the Government has to balance in its management of animals, as well as when safeguarding public safety and health.

Mr Yeo indicated as much, saying when wrapping up the debate that animal welfare was a shared and collective responsibility among all parties.

Key changes

ANIMAL handlers, those who foster and care for pets temporarily, as well as owners are legally responsible for providing proper care for animals.

- New codes of animal welfare spell out what constitutes proper care. Failure to abide by them can be used as evidence to prosecute offenders.

- Both individuals and businesses that commit acts of cruelty or fail to provide duty of care will face tiered and higher penalties. Repeat offenders will face harsher punishments.

- Staff working with animals in relevant businesses must be trained in animal care and handling. A fine, jail term, or both will be meted out if this is not complied with. There will also be a temporary ban on the business.

- The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority will have more enforcement powers like issuing written directives to owners. Its officers can take pictures, audio and video recordings for evidence.

Pre-sale screenings for pet owners should not be conducted by pet sellers: Baey
Channel NewsAsia 5 Nov 14;

SINGAPORE: The Animals and Birds (Amendment) Bill was passed in Parliament on Wednesday (Nov 5), more than two years after a committee was set up to look into strengthening legislation on animal welfare.

The National Development Ministry said the recommendations aim to strike a balance between enhancing animal welfare and addressing the community's concerns.

Said Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee: "The law is just an enabler to set boundaries and strengthen powers. What is more important is for everyone to play his or her role. What we need is to cultivate a shared ethos of animal welfare, a sense of realism on the trade-offs involved, and a willingness to compromise and collaborate with one another despite our diverse perspectives."

While speaking in support of the Bill, several Members of Parliament (MPs) also raised various concerns ranging from pre-screenings of pet owners to granting dog licences.

Pre-sale screenings for pet owners should be conducted by a neutral party such the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) or an animal welfare group - rather than pet sellers who have vested interests in ensuring successful transactions, said MP for Tampines GRC Baey Yam Keng.

Pre-sale screenings began in January this year, and the process includes questions about the potential buyers’ pet ownership history and whether he or she has the time and resources to care for the new pet.

“This pre-sale screening is certainly a step in the right direction," said Mr Baey. "Potential owners are prompted to think more deeply and carefully before buying and this would help to reduce impulse buying or adoption.”

But the screenings could be made more stringent, he said. “Getting pet owner certifications from independent third parties sounds inconvenient. However, compared to putting down thousands of animals every year, especially highly-cognisant ones such as dogs and cats, additional red tape is definitely the lesser evil."

He also argued for stricter limits on the number of pets sold and the number of places that sell pets, as well more stringent requirements to ensure the health of animals being bred or imported for sale.

“Sellers should be required to be more transparent about the lineage of their animals and be required to offer animals suited to our warm and humid tropical climate and dense, built-up environment," he said. "In recent years, there have been a number of mass adoption exercises due to pet farms closing down or not being able to sell their ‘excess stock’. There have also been cases of poor breeding practices leading to genetic health problems."

He noted: "Many animals which cannot find homes or which suffer from health problems have to be put down. Such tragic outcomes could have been prevented if we have more stringent measures in place upstream.”

PETS AND PROPERTY SIZE

Also speaking on the Bill was MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC Gan Thiam Poh, who suggested that the size of a pet-owner’s house and the number of people living there are factors that should be taken into consideration by authorities when granting dog licences. Current regulations are based on whether the pet-owner lives in an HDB flat or on private property.

Mr Gan, who is also a member of the Animal Welfare Legislation Review Committee, pointed out that regulations now stipulate that those living in an HDB flat can only have one dog of an approved breed, while those who live in a private property can have three dogs.

However, he said that a couple “can live quite comfortably with a chihuahua and a toy poodle in a four-room flat”, while some private property units allowed to house three dogs can be smaller than certain HDB flats.

Mr Gan also asked for updates on a pilot project to assess the feasibility of keeping cats in HDB flats and more stringent measures to compel owners of noisy dogs to get their pets trained.

He also said those interested in keeping cats feel that the animals "can be confined without problems by fencing their windows and doors with netting", and "can also be toilet-trained and their caterwauling can be prevented by sterilisation".

TACKLING PET ABANDONMENT

MP for Marine Parade GRC Tin Pei Ling spoke about the issue of pet abandonment and how current practices make it difficult to apprehend the culprit.

"Abandonment is currently recognised as an offence only if the owner confesses - which I am highly doubtful of because whoever is guilty, I do not think the person will confess," she said. "Or if the act of abandoning the pet was caught on camera - which is challenging as well - because the guilty owner will usually do so very discreetly. And even if not so discreetly, who among the unsuspecting passers-by will stand by with a camera and is prescient enough to have a camera ready and film the act of abandonment?"

Ms Tin also said that currently, there is no obligation for the owner who wishes to give his pet away to ensure that the next owner registers himself with the AVA. She suggested that pet owners must ensure that the next owner is registered within a stipulated time-frame.

- CNA/xy

MPs want stricter rules for sale of animals
SIAU MING EN Today Online 6 nov 14;

SINGAPORE — While the proposed amendments to the laws governing animal welfare were passed in Parliament yesterday, lawmakers also raised issues that were not covered by the legislation, such as the sale of animals.

During the debate on the Animals and Birds (Amendment) Bill, Member of Parliament Baey Yam Keng (Tampines GRC) urged the Ministry of National Development to limit the number of pet farms and stores as well as the number of animals being sold, given the “mass adoption exercises” that have emerged in recent years when pet farms closed down or were unable to sell their “excess stock”.

Ms Tin Pei Ling (Marine Parade GRC) suggested improving the traceability of pets, such as requiring subsequent pet owners to register themselves with the authorities, while Dr Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon GRC) raised concerns about additional costs for smaller pet-related businesses under the new laws.

Responding to the issues raised, Minister of State (National Development) Desmond Lee noted the need to strike a balance amid the varied views on animal issues, with some advocating stricter laws to raise animal welfare standards, while others are concerned animals could be a public nuisance.

Echoing the views of Mr Yeo Guat Kwang (Ang Mo Kio GRC), who is also chairman of the Animal Welfare Legislation Review Committee, Mr Lee said the aim of the amended laws was to take a responsive and preventive approach to animal welfare and to nip problems in the bud.

First tabled as a Private Member’s Bill in Parliament last month, the amended laws will include tiered penalties for acts of cruelty and neglect to animals.

Repeat offenders of animal cruelty can be fined up to S$30,000 and/or sentenced to a three-year jail term, while animal-related businesses can be fined up to S$100,000 and/or sentenced to a three-year jail term.

Repeat offenders who fail to provide reasonable care can be fined up to S$20,000 and/or sentenced to a two-year jail term.

Animal-related businesses can be fined up to S$100,000 and/or sentenced to a three-year jail term.

Also, staff working with animals in animal-related businesses will now have to be trained and certified in animal care and handling.

The amended Act will also adopt a code to set the standards for animal welfare, while enforcement powers will be enhanced, where the authorities can issue directives to require an individual to improve the care of an animal.

Acknowledging Ms Tin’s concerns, Mr Lee said the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority will be reviewing its rules on dog licensing to explore whether owners must inform it of changes in ownership.

Responding to Mr Baey’s calls to limit the sale of animals, Mr Yeo said while many suggestions have been considered — such as introducing the concept of a Certificate of Entitlement for pet ownership — the setting of a threshold for the supply of pets is “not the right approach” and runs the risk of driving underground pet sales and breeding.

“The way to go is to increase public and pet ownership education, raise the standards in the industry and allow the market to sort it out by itself,” he added.

Parliament: protecting animals is 'a shared social duty'
Audrey Tan and Rachel Au-yong The Straits Times AsiaOne 7 Nov 14;

Protecting the welfare of animals must involve more than just the Government, Parliament has been told.

The pet industry, pet owners and animal welfare groups will also play a role in safeguarding this, if proposals to reinforce animal welfare are passed in Parliament today.

Opening the debate on the Animals and Birds (Amendment) Bill in Parliament yesterday was Mr Yeo Guat Kwang (Ang Mo Kio GRC), who chaired the Animal Welfare Legislative Review Committee pushing for the changes.

"Much emphasis is placed on the Government to be the sole protector of animal welfare, when it should really be a shared social responsibility," he said.

The proposed amendments to the Act will try to "instil responsible and appropriate behaviour in all stakeholders who play a part in an animal's life cycle", Mr Yeo added.

These stakeholders will include people who work with animals, such as pet groomers and trainers, and individuals who do not own animals but care for them, such as in a shelter or in their homes.

The proposed amendments will also include harsher penalties for animal abuse, especially for repeat offenders and animal-related businesses.

The stiffer penalties for offences committed by animal-related businesses will target the industry's profit motives, Mr Yeo said. The tougher penalties will also highlight these businesses' obligations to care and provide for the welfare of animals, he added.

Under the proposed changes, staff in animal-related businesses are required to be trained in animal care.

For animal welfare groups, Mr Yeo said that they will not be exempt from the committee's original recommendation for harsher penalties that was initially targeted at pet-related businesses.

He explained: "(It is not) our intent to cause animal welfare groups to be over-penalised, but rather to ensure that these groups have the proper processes and systems in place, similar to any other businesses which handle animals."

If the proposed amendments to the Act are passed in Parliament today, pet owners must also provide reasonable care for animals that are under their charge.

Those who neglect to do so will, for the first time, face a fine, a jail term, or both.

If passed, the changes will also let the authorities adopt a code that sets new standards on animal welfare.

The debate continues today.

New bill against animal cruelty: Got teeth or not? activists ask
Zul Othman The New Paper AsiaOne 8 Nov 14;
The Animals and Birds (Amendment) Bill is a "huge leap forward" and shows a commitment from the Government to protect animal welfare here, activists told The New Paper yesterday.

The Bill, which was passed in Parliament yesterday, will mean stiffer fines and longer jail terms for animal abusers.

Those who commit acts of animal cruelty face a maximum fine of $30,000 or three years' jail, or both.

Animal-related businesses face a maximum fine of $100,000 or three years' jail, or both.

Currently, those convicted of animal cruelty under the Animals and Birds Act can be fined up to $10,000, jailed for up to a year, or both.

Under the Bill, pet owners who neglect their pets will also, for the first time, face a fine and/or a jail term.

Individuals who fail to provide care for their animals face a maximum penalty of $20,000 or two years' jail, or both, while animal- related businesses face a fine of up to $100,000 or three years' jail, or both.

The changes will also require staff in animal-related businesses to be trained in animal care.

The enhanced penalties will send a strong message against animal cruelty, said Mr Louis Ng, chief executive of animal welfare group Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres).

"The Bill defines cruelty (against animals), which I think is good. I hope this Bill will be a deterrent, as it will send a message that cruelty to animals is morally wrong," he added.

GOOD STEP

Ms Eunice Nah, volunteer chief advocate at the Agency for Animal Welfare, also said the Bill is "a good first step".

"It remains to be seen how effective the Bill will be," she remarked. "But I will choose to remain hopeful that more can done in the future."

Ms Joanne Ng, chief executive of the Cat Welfare Society, said the Bill has been "long awaited" and is a sign of a changing climate.

"More people now have an interest in the welfare of animals.

"But what we would like to know is how the authorities are going to enforce these rules, because enforcement is a key issue," she added.

In Parliament, Minister of State for National Development Desmond Lee said the aim of the Bill "is to take a responsive and preventative approach to animal welfare and nip problems in the bud".

He pointed out that this is a better approach as compared to reacting only when it is too late, and pet owners have to be hauled up for animal cruelty amidst public outcry.

The amendments will also "instil responsible and appropriate behaviour in all stakeholders who play a part in an animal's life cycle".

The Bill was lauded as timely by all six backbenchers who spoke on it in an hour-long debate.

The Members of Parliament (MPs) also praised Mr Yeo Guat Kwang (Ang Mo Kio GRC) - who chaired the Animal Welfare Legislative Review Committee (AWLRC), which was set up in April 2012 to review the issue.

He also initiated the Private Member's Bill with fellow backbenchers Alex Yam, Gan Thiam Poh, Edwin Tong and Vikram Nair.

Private Member's Bills are introduced by MPs who are not Cabinet ministers.


However, Ms Tin Pei Ling (Marine Parade GRC) was concerned that if applied rigidly, the duty of care imposed on animal owners in the amendment may drive up pet abandonment.

In reply, Mr Lee said owners who take proper care of their pets need not fear running afoul of the law as the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) will enforce the law "sensibly, fairly and even-handedly".

In his closing speech, Mr Yeo acknowledged that there will be challenges ahead. Successful prosecution requires credible evidence, he said.

"In this regard, I urge members of the public to step forward and render assistance to the authorities," he said.

The last major review of animal welfare legislation was in 2002.

According to AWLRC's report last year, cases of animal abuse handled by AVA grew from 377 in 2008 to 484 in 2012.

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2,200 cases of high-rise littering reported in past year: MEWR

Channel NewsAsia 4 Nov 14;

SINGAPORE: The National Environment Agency (NEA) received feedback on 2,200 cases of high-rise littering from September 2013 to September 2014, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan said on Monday (Nov 3).

Responding to a query from MP Lee Bee Wah on high-rise littering, Dr Balakrishnan said that in most cases, the situation improved following outreach and education efforts by NEA, the Town Councils and grassroots organisations.

For persistent cases, surveillance cameras are deployed and, in the same period, 169 litterbugs were identified. Since 2012, NEA has deployed more than 1,500 cameras in Housing and Development Board (HDB) estates and apprehended 273 litterbugs, he said.

“High-rise littering is a safety hazard. We will investigate each case of high-rise littering rigorously to apprehend the culprits who carry out such irresponsible acts,” Dr Balakrishnan said.

- CNA/cy

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Malaysia: Agarwood’s value is also its curse

ROSLI ZAKARIA New Straits Times 4 Nov 14;

KUALA TERENGGANU: AGARWOOD, the green gold of the rainforest, is fast becoming rare due to illegal felling by poachers for its highly prized resin.

In Malaysia, two agarwood species are sought after, namely the Aquillaria malaccensis (gaharu) and Aquillaria hirta (chandan).

The depletion of the tree and high demand for quality resin meant that the price for agarwood would keep soaring.

Grade A agarwood resin, which can only be found in the wild, cost about RM25,000 per kg while Grade C resin could easily cost RM2,500 per kg. The price is usually doubled in the Middle East.

Sadly, the tree’s value is the reason that lead to its illegal felling by poachers. Poachers’ usual targets are the dying trees, followed by the next best option, which is to cut healthy trees and let them rot before the hardened resin can be harvested.

Whether it is the first or second option, the felling of agarwood trees is illegal. Since 2004, the wild resources of all Aquilaria species have been listed in Appendix II by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Fauna and Flora.

Senior state forestry ranger Salleh Endot said the hunt for good agarwood trees was an obsession for some as finding one was like discovering the mother lode of gold.

“But, the depletion of agarwood in the natural habitat has made finding the trees more difficult. As a result, the price keep rising.

“Alternative sources from monoculture plantation are not of high grade. Yet, they still fetch a high price,” he said.

It is not difficult to identify wild collected agarwood from those processed from a plantation. The resins collected from the wild are darker and almost black, while those from plantations are lighter and brownish.

Salleh said forestry rangers had found many agarwood trees felled by poachers, who had left them in the forest to rot, hoping that in six months they would be able to collect the resin.

“The poachers’ modus operandi is simple. Encroach into the protected forest undetected, log the tree and get out as quickly as they can. They know the noise from their chainsaws can be heard and easily detected by the rangers.”

He said poachers were willing to camp in the deep forest, risking attacks from wild animals.

“But, that risk is nothing compared to the rewards of finding a sizeable resin of high quality. Conservation is the least of their concerns. They just want to make quick cash.”

Salleh said to ensure the survival of the species, the Forestry Department had undertaken a monoculture project to plant gaharu trees on a 40ha land in Mercang, near here, in 2005.

More than 30,000 trees were planted and some of trees, inoculated five years ago, had produced resins but of low grade.

“ If the inoculated trees survived the process of inoculation and were left untouched for many years, it is possible that they can produce higher grade resins.

“If a tree produces 2kg of resins, we can get RM50,000 per tree. That is a generous estimate.

“Multiply that with 30,000 trees and we can get RM1.5 billion. That is a lot of revenue from a 40ha agarwood plantation,” he said.

“If the harvesting cycle is repeated every year, agarwood plantation could provide a sustainable revenue for the state.”

Salleh called on villagers to cultivate agarwood trees on their idle land. He, however, stressed on the need to register their smallholdings to avoid infringing CITES and also to make Malaysia’s agarwood trees more acceptable in the world market.

Research by the Forestry Department and the Malaysian Forestry Research Institute (FRIM) showed that the demand for agarwood trees would increase following the expansion of the perfumery industry and its use in the processing of incense.

Researchers also discovered that the trees’ leaves have medicinal values and could be used in the beverage industry. This further boosts the value of the agarwood tree, which is living up to its reputation as the green gold of the rainforest.

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