Wild dolphin sightings in March 2016
wild shores of singapore
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Rainforest in the city: Cross Island Line impacts
Edgar Su Reuters 25 Mar 16;
A plan to build a subway tunnel under Singapore's largest patch of primary rainforest has drawn sharp protests from environmental groups and activists who say it could irreversibly damage the habitats of hundreds of plant and animal species.
The Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR) is the largest of Singapore’s natural reserves with over 2,000 hectares of forest cover.
The CCNR includes the MacRitchie Reservoir, the oldest in Singapore and a popular destination for walkers and naturalists.
A network of freshwater streams in the reserve supports a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including more than 1,000 species of flowering plants and over 500 species of animals.
The plan to build a 2-km tunnel under the CCNR has not gone down well with nature-lovers, who have organised guided walks around the reserve, exhibitions and talks, and produced music videos to lobby for the route to be changed.
An online petition asking the government’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) to re-route the line away from the nature reserve has received over 11,000 signatures since February.
One of the organisers, David Tan, said they are worried about issues like noise pollution and waste water leaking into the soil, which could prove fatal for some animals in the reserve.
“One of the things we highlight is the vulnerability of the forest, the fact that it is a complex ecosystem (...) and a lot of the impact that may result from the site investigation works will have downstream effects," he said.
The LTA is also studying an alternative route that would skirt around the reserve area and build the subway tunnel under private homes and businesses. It would cost an extra S$2 billion ($1.5 billion) and add 6 minutes to commuting time.
The government has not said when it will make a decision.
Kok Oi Yee, 74, who works at a university's natural history museum and as a volunteer nature tour guide on weekends, said:
"This is something we ought to learn to treasure, we don't want to see it being lost," she said. "Once it's lost it will take hundreds of years before the forest regenerates."
Related links
Love our MacRitchie Forest: walks, talks and petition. Also on facebook.
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Singapore plans to develop local pool of nuclear experts: National Research Foundation
The experts could increase Singapore's capabilities in nuclear safety and help authorities roll out precautionary measures in the event of a nuclear incident, the National Research Foundation said.
Leong Wai Kit, News 5 Channel NewsAsia 25 Mar 16;
SINGAPORE: There are no current plans to build nuclear power plants in Singapore, but the country intends to develop its own pool of local nuclear experts in the next five years, the National Research Foundation (NRF) said.
One of the roles of the nuclear experts is to protect Singaporeans from radiation, NRF said, adding that its scientists are undergoing training to manage nuclear safety in the country.
For example, if there is a nuclear incident in the region, the experts will be able to tell if or when radiation will hit Singapore by studying the wind directions, wind speeds, and calculating the amount of radiation in the air. This would help authorities roll out precautionary measures.
Another key area of focus for NRF is nuclear forensics, where experts detect and trace radioactive materials that could be used to make bombs, it said. The Foundation added that experts would also be able to look out for radiation contamination in the nation's waters and in food imports.
DIFFICULTIES ATTRACTING EXPERTS TO "NICHE" AREA
Despite the crucial nature of the work of nuclear experts, NRF Director of the Energy and Environment Research Directorate Dr Yeoh Lean Weng said there were difficulties in attracting talent to the very "niche" area.
"Students may think that the career path is still very limited," he said.
The Foundation started a programme two years ago to train 100 nuclear experts in the next decade, or 10 experts a year. However, it has fallen short of this target so far, with only nine experts selected in the last two years.
"The fact is that we only have one research institute to build capabilities. There's no nuclear power plant, there's no nuclear industry," said Dr Yeoh.
To attract more talent, the NRF plans to broaden career paths for nuclear scientists and boost scholarships, it said.
REGIONAL PUSH TOWARDS NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY
Associate Chair of Research at Nanyang Technological University's School of Materials Science and Engineering Professor Timothy White said ASEAN will be gradually increasing its involvement in nuclear technology - countries like Indonesia and Vietnam have said they are planning to build nuclear power plants.
"We are in a neighbourhood where this is going to happen so we need to understand what nuclear (technology) is all about, if we are going to develop the correct responses and appreciation of what is happening with our neighbours."
Prof White said it was not likely for Singapore to follow in its neighbours' footsteps in developing nuclear power facilities in the near future.
"The nuclear plant requires such a high level of capability to run. We are such a small country," he explained.
However, experts told Channel NewsAsia it was possible that ASEAN nations would come together to pool resources, in order to build a power plant in the region. This would mean the expertise, costs and benefits of a nuclear power plant could be shared among member countries.
The plant could be situated in a country with large land areas located away from residential zones, with the power generated supplied to member nations through an electrical grid.
Dr Yeoh said the biggest challenge to this was in member countries having the political will to carry out the project.
In addition, countries like Singapore will be concerned about security and supply, he said.
"We are concerned about security and supply from pipe gas, so we will have the same issues in getting nuclear energy from another country because it's beyond our sovereign borders."
- CNA/mz
PM Lee to discuss international action to strengthen nuclear security
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is set to outline possible collective action for the international community to strengthen the global nuclear security architecture at the Nuclear Security Summit.
Leong Wai Kit, News 5 Channel NewsAsia 26 Mar 16;
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will be speaking at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC in the United States on Singapore's efforts on nuclear security.
The Summit, proposed by US President Barack Obama in 2009, focuses on global efforts to deter nuclear terrorism and strengthen the international non-proliferation regime. Mr Lee, who is attending the summit on Mr Obama's invitation, is among leaders from more than 50 countries who will be participating.
The Prime Minister is set to outline possible collective action for the international community to strengthen the global nuclear security architecture at the Summit.
He had attended the last three Summits in 2010, held in Washington; 2012 in Seoul and 2014 in The Hague, Netherlands.
The upcoming summit is expected to be the last, and will be a follow up on discussions held at the last three summits.
Mr Lee will be in the United States from Mar 26 to Apr 1 on a working visit, and will meet Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen while in Washington DC. In New York City, he will meet with industry and financial sector leaders and attend a reception with Singaporeans residing in the city.
IMPORTANT TO HAVE APPROPRIATE RESPONSE: EXPERT
Although Singapore does not have significant nuclear material or facilities, it is a global trade hub and recognises that its economy and security can be affected by nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism.
Commenting on why it is important for Singapore to be involved in this Summit, Professor Tim White, Nanyang Technological University's Associate Chair (Research) at the School of Materials Science & Engineering, said Singapore needs to keep abreast of nuclear security developments in the world.
"It's not just about nuclear bombs. It's well beyond that," Prof White said. "There are problems with terrorism; we have to understand if somebody just found some radioactive material they can do something with it, which may not be particularly hazardous in its own right but would create alarm.
"For example if somebody got hold of strontium or caesium, which is highly radioactive material, and they simply dropped it in water, the dilution effect would minimise the hazard.
"But you can imagine the effect on the population knowing that the water had been contaminated, so there are a lot of permutations on what constitutes nuclear security and how to mitigate those risks."
Professor White added that it is very important for Singapore to be able to track and monitor nuclear material, and have the appropriate responses should anything happen.
- CNA/kk
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Malaysia: Johor govt hopes for undersea tunnel
ZAZALI MUSA The Star 16 Mar 16;
JOHOR BARU: The state government hopes the Federal Government would consider the suggestion made by Johor Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar to replace the Johor Causeway.
Johor State Secretary Datuk Ismail Karim said replacing the Johor Causeway with the undersea tunnel linking Johor Baru and Singapore would help to improve water flow along the Strait of Johor.
He said the undersea tunnel was the best option for the Rapid Transit System (RTS) linking Johor Baru and Singapore as it would improve connectivity and accessibility between the two countries.
“Hopefully, the matter can be discussed between the two prime ministers when they meet in Putrajaya in May,” Ismail said after opening the new Lexus Johor 3S centre managed and operated by Mutiara Motorsports Sdn Bhd in Larkin near here yesterday.
Sultan Ibrahim, in an exclusive interview with The Star on March 23, had urged the various stakeholders to consider replacing the Johor Causeway with a bridge.
Sultan Ibrahim was quoted as saying that he felt sorry for the thousands of Malaysians and Singaporeans who were stuck in traffic jams at the Causeway daily due to the congestion.
The Johor Causeway, which is 1.06km long, was completed in 1932 and links Johor Baru to Woodlands.
About 100,000 vehicles use it daily.
Johor and Singapore are also connected via the Second Link, a 1.9km dual three-lane carriageway linking Tanjung Kupang in Gelang Patah to Tuas in Singapore.
By ZAZALI MUSA
zaza@thestar.com.my
JOHOR BARU: The state government hopes the Federal Government would consider the suggestion made by Johor Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar to replace the Johor Causeway.
Johor State Secretary Datuk Ismail Karim said replacing the Johor Causeway with the undersea tunnel linking Johor Baru and Singapore would help to improve water flow along the Strait of Johor.
He said the undersea tunnel was the best option for the Rapid Transit System (RTS) linking Johor Baru and Singapore as it would improve connectivity and accessibility between the two countries.
“Hopefully, the matter can be discussed between the two prime ministers when they meet in Putrajaya in May,” Ismail said after opening the new Lexus Johor 3S centre managed and operated by Mutiara Motorsports Sdn Bhd at Larkin near here yesterday.
Sultan Ibrahim, in an exclusive interview with The Star on March 23, had urged the various stakeholders to consider replacing the Johor Causeway with a bridge.
Sultan Ibrahim was quoted that he felt sorry for the thousands of Malaysians and Singaporeans who were stuck in traffic jams at the Causeway daily due to the congestion.
The Johor Causeway, which is 1.06km long, was completed in 1932 and links Johor Baru to Woodlands.
About 100,000 vehicles use it daily.
Johor and Singapore are also connected via the Second Link, a 1.9km dual three-lane carriageway linking Tanjung Kupang in Gelang Patah to Tuas in Singapore.
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Malaysia: Aid for agricultural sub-sectors
KOI KYE LEE New Straits Times 25 Mar 16;
KUALA LUMPUR: An emergency action plan to mitigate the impact of the heatwave brought about by the El Nino phenomenon has been activated to help those in the agricultural sector.
Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said under the plan, three sub-sectors would be prioritised. They were plantations, livestock and fisheries.
He told the New Straits Times yesterday that the ministry had put in place an aid scheme to assist those affected by the heatwave.
“For those in the plantation sector, 281 tube wells, meant for irrigation purposes, would be built across the peninsula and would take no longer than a month to complete.”
Tajuddin said the development of the irrigation wells would be focused on states that were badly affected by the heatwave: Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, Negri Sembilan, Malacca and Johor.
Asked on the allocation provided to build the tube wells, he said it would cost about RM4 million as this was meant for irrigation and water supply for agro-food activities.
Tajuddin said for this year, the ministry had allocated RM20 million, plus an additional RM4 million for irrigation and water supply, to help those in the agricultural sector.
It is learned that the allocation was in addition to the Integrated Agricultural Development Area in Kerian, which would include an advanced screw-pump system costing RM43 million.
Aside from the wells, Tajuddin said, 1,718 mobile high-capacity pumps would be provided to affected farms.
“This is an alternative solution. The ministry will provide them to water the farms and it depends on the needs of each location and state.”
These pumps can pump between 85 litres per second and 140 litres per second of water and are used in farming sectors.
Tajuddin said the ministry had halted the exports of fish like kembong, selayang selar, cencaru and pelaling, so there would be a sufficient stockpile for Malaysians.
“Because of the high temperatures, trawlers from the east coast states to Sarawak are permitted to follow the pelagic fish migration (route) as this will increase their catch.”
On aqua culture and fish farming, Tajuddin said the ministry had recommended recycling water to minimise the strain on water pumps, and an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture programme to upkeep fish stock more efficiently.
He said the ministry had distributed aid packs, containing vitamins and energy supplements, to its field officers to be handed to poultry farmers to ensure sufficient water supply for those raising free-range livestock.
“Livestock needs adequate drinking water.
“We will provide water troughs in grazing lands in the peninsula,” said Tajuddin.
Asked if the ministry would provide additional aid to those in the agriculture sector, he said it would depend on the situation.
“For the disbursement of wang ehsan (compassionate fund), we will need to see how serious the situation is before making a decision.”
Rantau Panjang farmers in dire need of rain
SYED AZHAR The Star 26 Mar 16;
RANTAU PANJANG: Farmers here may face a possible water crisis if it fails to rain within the next few weeks as the water level at the Bukit Kwong dam here is depleting by the day.
The dam’s management said the water level had dropped below 30% of its capacity since Thursday.
“This means that by the end of April, unless it rains heavily, the dam will be bone dry.
“The farmers around the area will suffer as they have to find alternative water sources to irrigate their plots,” said a spokesman.
The dam, which supplies water for irrigation within the Rantau Panjang area, is the main source of water for the farmers.
It does not supply water for domestic consumption.
A report on Wednesday stated that water capacity at four out of 20 dams monitored by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) nationwide were at a critical level as of Monday.
The four are Bukit Kwong in Kelantan at 27.9% capacity, Padang Saga in Langkawi (38%), Labong in Johor (14.3%) and Timah Tasoh in Kangar (38.8%).
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the other dams recorded water levels at between 53% and 100%.
He added that the ministry, along with other relevant agencies, had been enhancing prevention efforts against open burning, which could potentially cause haze.
The efforts include banning open burning throughout the country since Jan 12.
Between early this year and March 19, a total of 703 open burning cases were detected nationwide involving forest, agriculture, industry and landfill areas, as well as construction sites.
Paddy farmers, rubber tappers feel the heat in northern Malaysia
Malaysia's Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry says it is studying how best to help farmers affected by this hot and dry spell, which it says has been brought on by El Nino.
Sumisha Naidu, Malaysia Correspondent, Channel NewsAsia 26 Mar 16;
KEDAH: At a rubber estate in the northern Malaysian state of Kedah, a man has slumped to the ground, exhausted.
79-year-old Ibrahim Ismail has been tapping rubber trees at his small family estate in Jitra for 38 years - but the heat of the past few weeks has been the worst he's ever experienced.
"It's so hot, I can't do it anymore," he complains, before moving on to tap the next tree.
But in this heat, the trees aren't producing as much of the milky latex as usual either.
A few kilometres away, paddy farmers are worrying about the weather's impact on yields too.
Paddy is the third most planted crop in Malaysia, fulfilling some 70 per cent of the domestic demand for rice.
Kedah and neighbouring Perlis are known as the nation's "ricebowl states", producing more than half of the country's homegrown supply.
But these rice bowls have been brown and dry lately - and farmers like Mat Adam Hanapiah worry their output will suffer if there's not more rainfall by planting season in April.
"Sowing during the dry season is possible but the risk to the paddy is too high," he tells Channel NewsAsia.
"When it's too dry, the saplings can't come up...they become really dry."
Malaysia's Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry says it is studying how best to help farmers affected by this hot and dry spell, which it says has been brought on by El Nino.
The ministry has already taken emergency measures including ordering more than 1,700 mobile water pumps to be sent across the country to help with irrigation of crops.
- CNA/sk
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Malaysia: Malacca River turns black due to dry spell
The Star 26 Mar 16;
MALACCA: The current dry spell is the main reason why Malacca River has turned black.
State Housing, Local Government and Environment committee chairman Datuk Ar Ismail Othman said the wastewater from Malim River, a tributary of Malacca River is not sufficient to dilute the water of Malacca River.
“The colour of the river has changed as there was less rainfall and the contaminated water could not be washed away,” he said yesterday.
He said the river has been classified as Class Three due to the pollution and the State Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) would immediately start work to rehabilitate it.
Ar Ismail said the state Department of Environment was still tracing the source of the pollution and probing the claims of residents that hazardous materials from industries have been indiscriminately discharged into the river.
“Let an in-depth test be conducted first before we ascertain the source of the pollution,” he said.
Earlier, Klebang Besar Residential Security and Development Committee secretary Khalid Jaafar said that factories nearby could be the main culprits discharging hazardous waste into the river although action was taken against them previously for similar offences.
“I was told that the culprits have been placed under the watchful eyes of the authorities but they are still releasing their untreated waste into the river without any qualms.
“Something is wrong here. The authorities must carry out a study to determine why the factories are still blatantly going against the law,” he added.
Khalid said residents living along the riverbank were affected by the stench from the polluted waters and many had complained of feeling dizzy due to the strong smell coming from the river.
“We are worried that the pollution which caused the water to turn black, will kill the fish. We hope the authorities will act fast to resolve the problem,” he said.
Flight pattern of birds in disarray
R.S.N. MURALI The Star 26 Mar 16;
MALACCA: The current hot weather and strong winds are believed to be affecting the arrival of migratory birds at their traditional spots here.
While the number of raptors arriving at the Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve has swelled, fewer birds are flying into the Pengkalan bird sanctuary.
In Tanjung Tuan, some 43,000 raptors, mostly oriental honey buzzards, were recorded during a three-week counting period that ended yesterday.
Malaysian Nature Society bird conservative council chairman Mark Ng Meng Yong said it registered 48,000 raptors during a six-week counting period last year.
“This time around, the number is overwhelming in just 21 days of observation,” he said.
“The figure should easily surpass that of 2015 in the next few days,” Ng added during an interview here yesterday.
The count, Ng said, was focused on a tiny green lung along the Negri Sembilan and Malacca border.
Raptors converge at Tanjung Tuan during their crossing to and from Sumatra and other Indonesian islands before continuing on the rest of their journey.
The distance between Tanjung Tuan and Sumatra is only 10 nautical miles, making it the narrowest point for the birds to cross the Straits of Malacca.
However, Ng said strong winds could be the reason for the decline in other migratory birds to the Pengkalan bird sanctuary in Alor Gajah.
“The heatwave could also be another factor but from our analysis, we strongly believe that this is due to the current strong winds, making it hard for birds to fly to their traditional destinations,” he said, adding that these were mostly from the heron family such as the black crowned night heron and the purple heron.
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Malaysia: It rained in Sabah but not enough to beat drought
MUGUNTAN VANAR The Star 25 Mar 16;
KOTA KINABALU: Rain in parts of Sabah early Friday brought some relief to residents affected by water rationing but not to those in areas severely hit by the drought in Pulau Banggi and Pitas peninsular.
Moderate rains lasting three to five hours fell in the state capital as well as other areas in the west coast and east coast Tawau and interior areas of Sandakan.
However, no rain fell in Pulau Banggi and Pitas where state relief agencies are supplying water as the rivers and wells have dried up.
Sabah Meteorological Department acting director Lim Ze Hui said the rains were not yet a sign of the end of the prolonged El Nino effect which had induced the dry spell across the state over the last two months.
Lim said the rains were temporary although more rain were forecasted during the inter-monsoon season towards the end of March and beginning of April.
"We would expect more rains than what was experienced in February and March but it will not be that much,’’ he said in explaining that though the El Nino effect was weakening but could still be felt in April and May.
The dry spell has triggered bush, orchard and jungle fires in many areas and damaged crops apart from creating water shortages to hundreds of villages relying on rivers and wells.
Efforts are underway to send water by barges to assist villagers in Pulau Banggi and Pulau Sebatik off Tawau while water tankers were being deployed to kampungs that have run out of water.
Water woes persist in Sabah’s Pulau Banggi and Pitas despite rainfall
MUGUNTAN VANAR The Star 25 Mar 16;
KOTA KINABALU: Rains in parts of Sabah early Friday brought some relief to some areas though no rainfall was recorded in the severely hit northern areas of Pulau Banggi and Pitas peninsula.
Moderate rains lasting nearly three to five hours during the wee hours were experienced in the state capital as well as other areas in the west coast and well as east coast Tawau and interior areas of Sandakan.
Meteorologists said that within the west coast, rains occurred between 2am and 7.30am while showers were experienced between Thursday midnight and 3am, bringing relief to Tawau residents who were subjected to severe water rationing for over a month.
However, there were no signs of relief for northern Sabah folks in Pitas and Pulau Banggi where state relief agencies are beginning to send in water supplies as river sources, gravity water feeds and wells have all dried up.
Sabah Meteorological Department acting director Lim Ze Hui, however, said that the rain was not yet a sign of the end of the prolonged El Nino induced dry spell that has hit the state over the last two months.
Lim said that the relief was just temporary though they forecasted more rain as they head into the inter-monsoon season towards the end of March and beginning of April.
"We would expect more rains then what was experienced in February and March but it will not be that much,’’ he said, adding that though the El Nino effect was weakening, its impact would still be felt in April and May.
"There will be less then the normal rains," he added.
The dry spell has triggered bush, orchard and jungle fires in many areas as well as damaging crops and creating water shortages to hundreds of villages which rely on traditional water sources from rivers and wells.
Efforts are underway to send water by barges to assist severely hit villagers in Pulau Banggi and Pulau Sebatik off Tawau while water tankers were being deployed to kampungs that have run out of water.
Sabah finally gets some rain
KRISTY INUS AND ROY GOH New Straits Times 25 Mar 16;
KOTA KINABALU: Some parts of Sabah finally experienced light rainfall since last night till early hours today, after nearly two months of dry spell due to the El Nino season.
The drizzle was reported to occur around areas in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Putatan at the west coast between 1am and 6am.
Kunak, Tawau, Ranau and Keningau districts were also reported to experience some wet weather starting 7pm last night.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman has directed the State Disaster Relief Committee to monitor and implement measures to overcome water shortage.
The committee is headed by State Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman.
He also reminded district level Disaster Relief Committees to be alert and monitor the water supply situation in their respective districts.
"The current drought has caused water shortages throughout the state especially in areas like Pekan Nabalu, Pulau Banggi, Pulau Sebatik and Pitas," he said after chairing the State cabinet meeting here today.
He said the relevant authorities such as the Water Department were doing all they can to alleviate the situation including delivering water to severely affected areas.
He also urged the public to conserve water in light of the dry spell that is expected to last till June.
"There is also a high incidence of bush and forest fires that has deteriorated our air quality.
Therefore I would also like to remind people to be responsible and not to resort to open burning that would worsen the haze," he said.
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Malaysia: Clear goal for haze-free products
JADE CHAN The Star 25 Mar 16;
CERAH, a civil society movement formed to address the haze problem in the region, launched its website in conjunction with Earth Hour last weekend.
They also launched their pledge to call for consumers to buy haze-free products.
“We hope to collect 100,000 signatures to influence brands to adopt haze-free labelling on their products and encourage manufacturers to adhere to international standards for sustainable production,” said Cerah founder Animah Kosai, adding that the signatories could be Malaysians or those from other countries.
Cerah, which means “bright” in Malay, was formed by a group of concerned citizens from all walks of life who wanted to take a multi-pronged strategy to address the haze problem.
Similar to how Earth Hour serves as a global movement towards action on climate change, Cerah hopes to affect real change across Asia by finding people-driven solutions on the haze.
“Cerah was formed in October last year, after we grew tired of the noxious fumes and grey skies that enveloped the country,” said Animah.
“The name and logo were chosen to reflect our hope for clear skies. Rather than finger-pointing, such as at small-time farmers in Indonesia who resort to open burning out of sheer poverty, we want to commit to real action and find solutions for the problem.”
On the pledge to buy haze-free products, she explained: “We want plantations, manufacturers, retailers and supermarkets to be aware that we as consumers can speak with our wallet.
“We want them to adopt proper labelling for consumer products. These certifications, such as those by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), would ensure the companies are upholding proper environmental and sustainable practices.
“As a start, the labelling would include palm oil, pulp and wood products. Not many are aware that palm oil is present in about half the products in a supermarket, such as chocolates, toothpaste and cosmetics.”
RSPO and FSC labelling is practised in countries such as Australia and the UK.
Some examples of FSC- or RSPO-certified products include cups and paper-based packaging, stationery, cookies, candy and sauces.
Members of Cerah include scientists and academicians who are able to identify and offer solutions to stop the haze problem at the basic level, as well as lawyers who work on the legal aspects of the issue.
“Our next step is lobbying on the legal and business aspects and pressuring the Government. For example, we want to get banks and investors to truly commit themselves to more environmentally-friendly and sustainable practices, as such a framework already exists.
“We hope to work with members of the Bar Council’s Environmental and Climate Change Committee to draw up a Trans-Boundary Pollution Act, similar to what Singapore has, to allow us to take cross-border action,” said Animah, adding that Cerah hoped to hook up with Singaporean groups who are well versed on haze matters.
The website and pledge launch, which took place at the Kota Damansara Community Forest Park, saw Cerah members and supporters having a picnic by candlelight while being out in nature.
Activities were also held for children from the nearby PPR Kota Damansara flats to spread awareness on Earth Hour and environmental conservation.
To sign the pledge and to find out more about Cerah, visit www.cerah.asia, follow them @cerahasia on Twitter and Instagram, or look for “Cerah – Clear Skies and Beyond” on Facebook.
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Doctor: Even cooking mussels may not remove biotoxins
Doctors: Contaminated mussels from Australia can cause diarrhoea and vomiting
ZACHARY SOH The New Paper 24 Mar 16;
Squeezing lime juice on your shellfish may make it tastier, but don't count on it to kill the bacteria in your food.
Its acidity does not make your seafood any more hygienic to eat, said Dr Leong Hoe Nam, 45, an infectious diseases specialist at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital.
He was dispelling some myths about shellfish, following the recall of some batches of mussels from Australia.
The Food Standards Australia and New Zealand had warned that some batches of Spring Bay Australian mussels had been contaminated with a biotoxin which causes diarrhoeic shellfish poisoning.
Yesterday, The New Paper spoke to Dr Leong Hoe Nam and Dr Leong Choon Kit, 49, a general practitioner at Mission Medical Clinic, to better understand the dangers of consuming such shellfish.
Apart from the lime juice myth, another myth, said Dr Leong, the specialist, is that cooking the shellfish will make it safe.
He said: "Cooking may reduce some of the biotoxins in the shellfish, but not all of them, as some are heat stable. Even if you cook them a thousand times, it will not work.
"A biotoxin is a poisonous substance produced by a living organism. In this case, it is a toxin from the algae the mussels feed on.
"However, mussels in particular have more biotoxins than other kinds of shellfish as the toxins from the algae remain in them."
There is always a small amount of biotoxins in mussels, he added.
"A person (who eats them) will be fine as long as the amount does not cross his threshold," he said.
The contamination may be due to an increased amount of algae that produces more biotoxins.
"The mussels are at the mercy of the surrounding ecology," he said.
"The algae they eat may produce more biotoxins than other strains of algae. It is an uncontrolled situation with many environmental factors."
He added that these toxins can affect the intestines and even the central nervous system.
"In most cases, it can cause diarrhoea and vomiting, which leads to dehydration. In more severe cases, the toxins can affect the brain and lead to paralysis," he said.
"In extremely rare cases, it may even cause death."
He added that for mild cases, drinking water to replenish the fluids lost from diarrhoea and vomiting is essential.
However, for severe cases, one might need to be admitted to the hospital for intravenous rehydration for one or two days.
His advice? "Everything in moderation. If you are older or have a poorer immunity, eat less shellfish.
"The person who eats 20 mussels in one day may feel sicker than the person who just ate two."
OVERSEAS
Dr Leong, the GP, said most of the patients he sees for shellfish food poisoning are people who have just come back from overseas trips.
"They may have eaten seafood that was not freshly cooked. Some of them even have fever and blood in their stools."
He advised those who suspect they have shellfish toxin poisoning not to self-medicate, but to see their nearest GP.
"For most cases, it can be easily treated with proper hydration and antibiotics. But make sure to inform your doctor of any travel history."
The GP said that exercising universal precaution is important for frequent travellers.
He said: "I always tell my patients, 'When you are overseas, and your seafood is not freshly cooked in front of you, do not eat it.'"
AVA RECALLS AUSSIE MUSSELS
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) announced on Monday that selected batches of mussels from Australia have been recalled.
They had been contaminated with a biotoxin that may cause illness if consumed.
The affected products are the 1kg blue packets and 2kg yellow packets with use-by dates of March 24, 25, 26 and 27.
Also affected are the 1kg net bags with use-by dates of March 22, 23 and 25.
AVA advises those who have consumed the affected products to seek medical advice if they have concerns.
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New S$250m Outward Bound Singapore campus to be built on Coney Island
The new campus will be part of a new National Outdoor Adventure Education Masterplan, and is expected to be ready around 2020, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat says.
Channel NewsAsia 24 Mar 16;
SINGAPORE: In recognition that for the country’s youths to thrive, they need a sense of adventure, resilience and to challenge themselves to be their best, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat announced a new National Outdoor Adventure Education Masterplan.
In his Budget statement in Parliament on Thursday (Mar 24), Mr Heng said that to help students develop these attributes, the Government will expand outdoor adventure education for all students through the Masterplan.
As part of the Masterplan, he announced a new Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) campus to be built on Coney Island. It will cost about S$250 million and is expected to be ready around 2020, he added.
“Many more youths will have the chance to go for an expedition with OBS. These activities will help them build confidence, and develop camaraderie with students across different schools,” Mr Heng said.
Like the OBS campus on Pulau Ubin, the campus on Coney Island will be “rustic and blend in with the rest of the island”, he added.
The island will also remain open for everyone to enjoy, and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Ministry of Education will provide more details later, the Minister said.
- CNA/kk
Second OBS campus to be built on Coney Island by 2020
KELLY NG AND AMANDA LEE Today Online 24 Mar 16;
SINGAPORE — A second Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) campus will be built on Coney Island by 2020, as part of a new National Outdoor Adventure Education Masterplan to expand outdoor adventure education to all students.
Expected to cost about S$250 million, the campus will give more young people a chance to go for outdoor expeditions with OBS.
Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat told Parliament on Thursday (March 24): “To thrive, our young people need a sense of adventure, resilience, and to be ready to challenge themselves to be their best … Activities (on the new campus) will help them build confidence, and develop camaraderie among students from different schools.”
The rest of Coney Island, previously known as Pulau Serangoon, will remain open to the public. More details will be shared by the Education Ministry and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth at a later date.
Right now, OBS operates a 9ha campus on Pulau Ubin.
Coney Island, one of the remaining undeveloped islands in Singapore, is located between the north-eastern coast and Pulau Ubin.
Development plans for the island include reclamation and a link to the Punggol housing estate. Last October, the rustic Coney Island Park, managed by the National Parks Board, was opened to the public.
Educators and parents TODAY spoke to welcomed the move.
Homemaker Adrienne Li felt such outdoor programmes will help her Primary 5 son, who attended a two-night leadership camp recently.
“He learnt to be more responsible like taking care of his belongings and learning how to pack things by himself,” said Mdm Li, 38.
Finance executive Karen Wong, 47, who has a Secondary 4 child, added: “Nowadays, our children are quite protected by their parents and family, but with more outdoor programmes, it can teach them teamwork.”
Clerk Madeline Ang, 43, who has two children aged nine and 13, hopes the outdoor programme on Coney Island will not only teach children life skills but also enable them to learn more about nature.
Punggol View Primary School principal Kelvin Tay said the outdoor education will provide students with a “richer experience”.
“It helps to build their character through various activities (hosted on Coney Island)… students can (also) be close to nature,” he added.
For example, at his school, under the Programme for Active Learning for Primary 2 students, trash is scattered around the school garden to allow students to identify and collect the litter. This can help students learn how to keep the environment clean and green, Mr Tay said.
A teacher who declined to be named said the new OBS campus will provide more opportunities for students to “develop holistically in the non-academic areas, while schools continue to provide a strong ground for academic excellence”.
“The new OBS campus would provide the students with the much-needed breath of fresh air, with challenges that can safely nudge them beyond their comfort zone, in a safe and controlled manner,” said the 28-year-old.
CLARIFICATION: In an earlier version of this story, it was reported that Outward Bound Singapore currently operates a 240-ha campus on Pulau Ubin. OBS has clarified that the campus is 9-ha.
CORRECTION: We previously referred to Outward Bound Singapore as Outward Bound School. We are sorry for the error.
Keep Outward Bound Singapore campus out of Coney Island
Straits Times Forum 29 Mar 16;
The news that there is going to be a new Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) campus built on Coney Island ("$250m Outward Bound campus for Coney Island"; last Friday) is extremely disappointing.
I believe that I speak for many a resident in the area in describing the elation we felt when Coney Island was opened to the public last year.
The island is rustic, untouched by development and, simply, nature at its best.
This is something that is rare in Singapore - understandably so, given our constant need for more space for man-made endeavours.
Most of our parks already have numerous man-made touches which may make them more comfortable, but ironically, nature by itself does not always have comfortable and modern amenities.
OBS already has two campuses in Pulau Ubin, just across from Coney Island.
Unlike Pulau Ubin, the latter is not big enough for one part to be built up into a campus and the other to remain truly untouched.
So, perhaps expansion within Pulau Ubin could be considered instead.
Yes, students, and indeed all Singaporeans, need to experience and learn through the outdoor experience.
But often, the crux of that lies in experiencing the true reality of untouched nature rather than through a built-up campus.
I truly hope that the authorities will leave Coney Island true to its natural self and not turn it into yet another "developed" nature spot.
Alternative possibilities for the expansion of OBS should be considered.
Aishworiya Ramkumar (Dr)
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Malaysia: Cloud seeding may not work to diminish heatwave
The Star 25 Mar 16;
KUALA LUMPUR: The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for cloud seeding to curb hot and dry weather conditions caused by El Nino has yet to be finalised, says Science Innovation and Technology Minister Datuk Seri Madius Tangau.
As of now, the SOP on cloud seeding says that such operations would only be done when there is haze and the air quality reaches unhealthy levels.
“We have received many requests and recommendations to carry out cloud seeding.
“But, we have to consider El Nino as a whole.
“If we do cloud seeding today, the weather will still be hot and dry tomorrow, and the same problem will recur,” he said at Menara Matrade here yesterday.
Tangau also said the SOP required that cloud seeding be approved by a special committee chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim.
However, the worry of more hotter days are now diminishing because the heatwave has weakened and El Nino will slow down by June.
Tangau added that six places in the country had recorded temperature levels of between 37ºC and 39ºC as at 4pm yesterday.
The highest was Batu Embun, Pahang (37.8ºC); followed by Chuping, Perlis and Temerloh, Pahang (37.7ºC); Alor Setar (37.6ºC); Lubok Merbau, Kedah (37.4ºC); and Seberang Prai (37ºC).
Tangau was at Menara Matrade to present prizes to the winners of the 2015 Malaysia Design Competition and the 2015 MRM-IBag Design Competition.
The competition by Malaysia Design Council and organised by the ministry serves as a platform for young local designers to display their creativity in generating new ideas and concepts.
Dengue dips in dry spell
VEENA BABULAL New Straits Times 24 Mar 16;
KUALA LUMPUR: Despite the intensifying heat, the prolonged dry spell has brought about a positive effect — a dip in number of dengue cases.
Deputy director-general of Health Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman, who confirmed the decline in cases to the New Straits Times, said “outdoor breeding places were drying up”.
Dr Lokman said dengue cases had dropped for the three weeks running up to March 19.
He said 2,247 cases were recorded in the 11th week of the year, while 2,556 and 2,719 cases were recorded in the 10th and ninth week of the year, respectively.
The eighth week recorded 2,885 cases from 2,785 the week before, based on data on the Health Ministry’s National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre’s Facebook page.
“This (trend) is expected to continue until the end of next month or early May, coinciding with the pattern of rainfall.
But we are preparing a strategy to prevent a rise in cases expected in June,” he said.
In its latest statement, the ministry said 32,925 dengue cases had been recorded up to the 11th week of this year, an increase of 2,035 cases (6.6 per cent) compared with the same period last year.
“There have been 82 deaths this year compared with 98 for the same period last year,” the statement read.
Seven deaths were recorded nationwide last week, with two in Selangor, Federal Territories and Putrajaya (2), Johor (2) and Perak (1), compared with 16 deaths the week before. The outbreak peaked in the fourth week of the year, with 3,750 cases.
The ministry also noted 202 hotspots, with Selangor topping the list with 151 hotspots, followed by Johor (37), Perak (6), Federal Territories and Putrajaya (4), Terengganu (2) and Penang (1).
The ministry said it was monitoring and conducting prevention and control activities to reduce the number of cases.
“We hope communities keep their surroundings free of Aedes breeding sites.
Fogging will be done in areas where dengue patients reside.
This is important so that adult mosquitoes that carry the virus can be killed and prevented from spreading the disease.”
Depressing yields for farmers
New Straits Times 24 Mar 16;
CHUPING: The hot and dry weather brought about by the El Nino phenomenon since early this year has caused losses for small-scale fruit and vegetable growers in Perlis and Kedah.
Among those affected by the extreme weather were farmers growing corn, cucumber, mango, pomelo and watermelon.
Farmer Muhd Solihin Mat, 22, said half of the corn plants in his 0.863ha field had failed to produce fruits. “Usually, we would harvest the corn after 70 days.
This time however, even after more than 70 days, half the plants have yet to produce any fruit. “The stalks and leaves are thin and small.
I have been growing corn for about five years and have never encountered such a situation before.
“I think the corn plants’ growth was stunted by the dry spell.”
Solihin said that despite the depressing yield, wholesale prices for grade A corn remained at 50 sen per crop, grade B (30 sen) and grade C (RM20 per 30kg sack). “There is little demand for corn.
Hence, the prices have remained the same despite the situation.”
Azman Zakaria, 44, who grows pomelo and has a stall in Changlun, Kedah, said he was forced to import the fruit from Thailand as his trees had failed to produce enough fruits.
“If I do not import the pomelo fruit from Thailand, I would not have enough fruits to sell at my stall.
“The problem is that, since the value of the ringgit has weakened, the cost to import the fruit has increased, and I am forced to sell the fruits at between RM12 and RM15 each compared with local pomelo, which is priced at between RM8 and RM10 each.
“Apart from that, each pomelo, which usually lasts up to 10 days in normal weather, spoils after only five days now.”
Cucumber farmer Mokhtar Ismail, 53, said he also experienced a decrease in production since February.
“I used to be able to collect about 300kg of cucumber per day from my farm, but in the last two weeks, I could only get about 250kg.
“The growth of the cucumber plants seems to be stunted while their lifespan has been reduced to less than two months.”
Mokhtar said due to the limited supply of cucumber, wholesale prices had increased to RM1.50 per kg from 50 sen and 80 sen per kg previously.
Mokhtar, who also owns a harumanis mango farm, said the production of the aromatic fruit may also be affected this season as many of his plants were experiencing premature falling of its fruits, especially in the past three weeks.
“Some of the harumanis fruits only last for up to two or three weeks.
“I fear that if this situation continues, we may suffer great losses as I do not think the retail price of harumanis can go much higher than the existing RM35 to RM45 per kg.”
As for Mohammad Ridzuan Yusof, 34, who manages a watermelon farm, he said the quality of his watermelons was affected while some of his plants had died earlier this month.
The dry spell has led to a reduction in the production of grade A watermelons by about 60 per cent.”
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