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A screenshot of the video shared by Awang, showing the Chinese rocket debris streaking across the night sky.
SIBU (Aug 1): Several people spoke about being spooked by the bright streaks of light in the midnight sky from the Chinese rocket debris, which was followed by a thunderous rumble yesterday.
Tengku Awang
An eye-witness from Matu, who wished to be known as Tengku Awang, 33, said he was on the road with a friend travelling from Matu to Daro when he spotted what he initially thought was a meteor shower.
“It lasted for about six seconds. At first I thought it is a meteor, but it looked completely different. A meteor moves in a line and quickly disappears, but the one I saw moved slowly and had more formations.
“As soon as we reached Daro, I went online and saw many videos and pictures of the object on social media, shared by those who had witnessed the incident elsewhere,” he said when contacted by Utusan Borneo.
Awang said that his friend managed to record the incident and shared the video on his Facebook page.
“When I first saw the object in the sky, I was worried and prayed that nothing bad would happen,” he added.
Another eyewitness, Mohd Ariff, 43, said he was caught by surprise by the sudden loud noise in the sky, followed by a light tremor that shook his house.
“It was around 12.40am and I was just about to go to bed when suddenly the house shook, with a loud thunderous noise in the background.
“When I looked out through the window, I saw bright streaks of light in the night sky which lasted for a few seconds. I thought it was just a bolt of lightning,” said Mohd Ariff, who lives in Sibu Jaya.
A Facebook user, Aki Yen, said it was his first time witnessing such a rare occurrence.
“I was travelling by car from Kuching to Sri Aman when the sky suddenly turned bright, followed by a loud bang. It was a once in a lifetime experience,” he said.
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TECHNOLOGICAL advancements over the past decades have given people unprecedented access to information.
A wealth of information and entertainment is easily accessible these days whether you are catching up on news by reading the newspaper, watching the television, scrolling through websites on your mobile phones or computers, or listening to the radio.
Radio broadcasting has imprinted a profound impact on society since its conception in the early 20th century and despite the emergence of digital platforms, it remains one of the most powerful communication tools up to this day.
According to Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) Sarawak Radio Section chief assistant director Marrill Chunggat, radio services in Sarawak continue to play an important role in reaching out to the masses.
“This is especially in the rural areas that have yet to have digital accessibility, but can be reached through receptions of bands, waves or radio frequency transmissions either via shortwave (SW) or frequency modulation (FM),” he told The Borneo Post.
He said there are some areas in Sarawak, Miri, in particular, which still use SW-receiving facilities with transmissions being carried out via RTM Kajang branch transmitter, which is still in operation.
He observed that after digitisation, there are more areas that have gained access to free digital terrestrial television (DTT) such as myFreeview.
“However, the SW band is still needed, especially in the interiors, for the delivery of information and to keep listeners up-to-date about what’s going on.
“Due to Sarawak’s geographical and population factors, the role of radio is still significant in channeling news, messages, requests and announcements of local activities,” he said.
‘Diversity is strength’
Under RTM Sarawak Radio Section, there are six radio stations: RTM Kuching, RTM Sri Aman (SRI AMANfm), RTM Sibu (SIBUfm), RTM Bintulu (BINTULUfm) and RTM Miri (MIRIfm), and RTM Limbang (LIMBANGfm).
Parked under RTM Kuching are five radio services: SARAWAKfm, which broadcasts in Bahasa Melayu Sarawak 24 hours – with the exception of the one-hour Bahasa Melanau broadcast, starting from 2pm every Sunday; REDfm Chinese and REDfm English; WAIfm Iban; and WAIfm Bidayuh, which features three major Bidayuh dialects, namely Bau Jagoi, Bukar Sadong, and Biatah.
SRI AMANfm and SIBUfm broadcast in three languages: Bahasa Malaysia, Iban and Chinese; RTM Bintulu air in Bahasa Malaysia and Iban; MIRIfm in Bahasa Malaysia, Iban, Chinese, Kayan and Kenyah; while LIMBANGfm covers four languages, namely Bahasa Malaysia, Lun Bawang, Bisaya and Iban.
Marrill, standing next to REDfm (English) DJ Azrani Azmi @ DJ Zack at RTM Sarawak Radio studio.
Marrill said the strength of RTM Sarawak could definitely be attributed to the diversity of its multilingual programmes such as Bahasa Melayu Sarawak, Iban, Bidayuh, Kayan, Kenyah, Bisaya and Lun Bawang, as well as some slots aired in Salako, Melanau and Kedayan languages.
“The use of ethnic languages in the service allows for more effective delivery and at the same time, they reach out to listeners not only in terms of the delivery of information but also entertainment and local culture,” he said.
In compliance with guidelines
Marrill also said the Radio Broadcasting Guidelines had set out certain standard procedures in ensuring that the content and presentations would always be in accordance with standards of high quality and also meet the taste of the listeners.
“The content of the programmes must also be delivered responsibly in ensuring that the radio programme of each station is trusted by all levels of society, while maintaining the image in the delivery of information quickly and authentically.
“These constantly-updated guidelines are what differentiate RTM Radio’s performances to remain relevant in line with technological developments to reach out to more listeners so that every government policy can be delivered, as well as to offer entertainment that covers the preference of all ages, especially in terms of staying relevant to the needs of the target groups,” he said.
WAIfm Bidayuh DJ George Martin Howell
Marrill also pointed out that radio broadcasts had continued to evolve in line with technological development in the digital era to meet the needs of listeners.
“RTM is constantly improving its capabilities not only in terms of equipment, but also the expertise and skills in the implementation of delivery tasks and services.
“Through the ‘RTMKlik’ app, our radio services can be heard online in addition to being accessible via myFreeview.
“The use of facilities such as podcasts has also been developed and so far, (it) offers main services such as NASIONALfm, TRAXXfm, AIfm and MINNALfm before we expand to other services, to suit the preference of our listeners,” he said.
Never stop reaching out
WAIfm Iban DJ Harold Ken Micheal @ Bunyau
While not having the number of listeners tuning in to stations at RTM, Marrill estimated that the number of those following the livestreams of certain events on Facebook was about 50,000 to almost 600,000 viewers.
“For instance, 596,000 viewers tuned in for the ‘Anugerah Carta Sapa Juara 2019 WAIfm Iban’, while another show called ‘Juh Bermukun SARAWAKfm’ had 45,000 viewers.”
He said unlike RTM headquarters in Angkasapuri, Kuala Lumpur and the radio stations in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah neither had the facilities nor expertise that would enable them to obtain the statistics on the number of radio listeners.
“This may be influenced by geographical factors, population distribution, logistics and facilities as well as Internet access.
“However, earlier this year, there was a proposal for collaboration with strategic partners Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to obtain the statistics on the number of listeners,” he said, adding that the proposal was still under discussion.
He said RTM Sarawak would continue to reach out to its radio listeners by striving for faster news delivery, as well as the channelling of information through family news slots with agencies to be disseminated more widely so that they could be heard in every corner of Sarawak, especially in the rural and interior areas.
SARAWAKfm DJ Mohd Azree Haidir
“The loyalty of our listeners is much appreciated through the establishment of radio partners who are not only a source for various activities, but to participate in on-the-ground programmes as well.
“The continuous feedback from the public, including constructive criticisms, shows that radio is always close to the hearts of listeners and remains relevant using conventional and the latest facilities,” said Marrill.
Major catalyst in creative industry
Marrill said radio had continued to play its role during the Covid-19 pandemic, and would continue on post-pandemic.
“Broadcast radio has provided opportunities and space, particularly through the Malaysian Creative Industry Stimulus Package (Prisma) initiative by the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia, in ensuring that the creative industry players affected by the pandemic are able to continue their work and contributions in the industry with new rates.
“Various programmes are also run through radio programmes that provide space and opportunities to entrepreneurs and traders related to the industry, especially those involving support services such as the audio field.
“For instance, they are given the opportunity to participate in field programmes, radio on location, competitions and so on.”
DJ Azrani Azmi, otherwise known as DJ Zack
Marrill added that programmes and publication slots related to government policies such as government assistance and initiatives to help those who had been affected by the pandemic, were also broadcast.
On RTM Sarawak’s plans to continue reaching out to its radio listeners, Marrill said under the RTM Strategic Plan 2021-2025, this would take into account the setting up of long-term plans, especially on strengthening the management and human capital development; policy framework and governance enhancement including work processes; strengthening broadcasting services and operations; strengthening the quality of content and broadcast channels; and strengthening the promotion, marketing and revenue generation so as to become a major catalyst in the creative industry particularly in creative show content with high quality and high commercial value.
“The use of new platforms, especially social media and its trends, to stay fresh and relevant in turn, would attract more viewers or listeners continuously,” he said.
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Figure 1. Location of Kayan Hydropower Stations (created by the author based on data from rainfoerstjournalismfund.org, with the base map from Nusantara Atlas)
THE relocation of Indonesia’s capital to the coal hinterland in East Kalimantan has raised concerns over its energy sources. As discussed in the previous article, relying on coal is convenient but highly risky in the face of strong global commitments to shift away from coal.
In this regard, the authorities also set their sights on another abundant resource in Borneo, i.e. water, for powering the new capital. The Kayan River, located 400 km north, is deemed an ideal site to realise the hydropower vision.
The river originates in Mount Ukeng in the heart of Borneo, flowing from west to east across the entire province and eventually discharging into the Celebes Sea. It is the sixth-longest river in Borneo, stretching for about 576km, slightly longer than the Rajang River in Sarawak. The provincial capital, Tanjung Selor, sits right at the river mouth.
With a mean discharge of more than 2,200 cubic meters per second over 2016-2020, the Kayan River technically has a great potential for hydroelectric power generation. In 2018, PT Kayan Hydro-Energy and Power Construction Corporation of China signed an agreement to jointly develop the Kayan Hydropower Project with a total investment of 17.8 billion US dollars.
According to the disclosed plans, the project has a staggering target of 9,000MW for its total installed capacity. This target is nearly 4 times larger than the capacity of the largest hydropower project in Malaysia, i.e. the 2,400 MW Bakun Dam in Sarawak.
The Kayan Hydropower Project will adopt a cascading model which consists of five hydropower stations located along the river in the Bulungan District (see Figure 1). At present, the construction of the Kayan I hydropower station with a capacity of 900MW has begun. According to the plan, the capacities of the Kayan II to V hydropower stations will be 1,200, 1,800, 1,800, and 3,300MW, respectively.
Many deem hydropower a relatively ‘cleaner’ energy source that helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and thus could play an important role in low-carbon development. Hydropower can effectively and substantially replace coal power with proper grid management. However, distribution may become a costly challenge for large-scale hydroelectric power plants located in vast and sparsely populated areas like Kalimantan.
The Yunnan Province is a prominent case. It ranks 24th among the 31 Chinese provinces in population density but dominates the country’s hydropower boom. By 2018, the province’s total hydropower capacity exceeded 66,000 MW. The key idea was to make Yunnan a regional ‘battery’, exporting electricity to the surrounding industrial hubs, including those in the Guangdong province, through a 2,000km, long-distance transmission. Meanwhile, the provincial government also locally developed electricity-intensive industries, such as aluminium smelters, to digest the excess power as much as possible.
For North Kalimantan, the 9,000MW capacity of the planned Kayan Hydropower Project is astounding, given the relatively small population in the Kalimantan provinces. While one of the project goals is to power the new capital and thereby reduce its reliance on coal power, the electricity generated at such a capacity will be easily more than enough to fulfil the demand of more than 30 million Indonesians.
At present, the combined population of North and East Kalimantan is less than 5 million, of which about 2 million are concentrated in the proposed Nusantara metropolitan area.
In fact, another main goal of the project is to accelerate the industrialisation process in North Kalimantan by supplying electricity to the planned ‘Green Industrial Park’ in Tanah Kuning, which is about 100km to the south of Tanjung Selor.
The 30,000-hectare industrial park, the largest of its kind in Indonesia, will be essential to achieving the country’s ambition to move up the global value chain. In addition to industrial silicon and aluminium, it will focus on producing solar panels and batteries for electric vehicles, using nickel and cobalt from Sulawesi and the Maluku Islands as key ingredients and powered by the Kayan Hydropower Project.
The Indonesian government brands the park as a ‘green’ industrial zone that will create tens of thousands of jobs and the main engine of growth in North Kalimantan.
However, like other hydropower projects, the Kayan Hydropower Project also carries serious environmental risks. The project occupies a total area of about 12,000 hectares, with the sites designated for Kayan II to Kayan V currently covered with large tracts of dense rainforest (see Figure 1).
Flooding the forests to create reservoirs will cause serious environmental impacts. It not only destroys wildlife habitats on site but also affects the surrounding ecosystems by altering the hydrological systems, such as water temperature, chemistry, and flow characteristics.
Moreover, the Kayan Hydropower Project also involves the displacement of local people and villages to make way for reservoirs. Relocation and resettlement will be a challenge that needs to be handled with care, as notorious cases in which indigenous people were treated badly were reported worldwide. So far, two villages in Kecamatan Peso, Desa Long Lejuh and Desa Long Peleban were reportedly forced to leave their homes and make way for the project. It seems that the communities were not involved in the planning of the projects, and the resettlement plan remained unclear to the villagers until early this year. Neither there were plans to compensate these people nor provide them access to cheap electricity.
President Joko Widodo seems determined to materialise his vision of turning North Kalimantan into an industrial powerhouse, hoping to leave a legacy before 2024, i.e. his last year in office. Under his leadership, the country’s extreme desire to escape material poverty comes thundering down just like the rushing water of Kayan.
Kayan’s plan is just a microcosm of the country’s ambition. If industrialisation is the way to go, critical questions are how the country finds a balance between replacing coal for emission reduction and protecting nature in sensitive areas like the Kayan river, and to what extent the government is willing to do to mitigate the negative impacts.
Dr Goh Chun Sheng is a researcher at Sunway University and Harvard University. His research interests lie within the intersection of bio-economy development and environmental restoration, with a special focus on both Malaysian and Indonesian Borneo.
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SHAH ALAM (July 31): Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz was announced as the new Selangor Barisan Nasional (BN) treasurer, replacing Umno Sungai Besar division chief Datuk Seri Jamal Md Yunos.
Jamal, meanwhile, has been appointed Selangor BN communications chief.
The announcement was made by State BN chairman Tan Sri Noh Omar during his speech at the Selangor BN convention closing ceremony and dinner here tonight in the presence of BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Noh, in his speech, said the appointment of Tengku Zafrul, who was also present, was part of the coalition’s efforts to wrest back Selangor.
“As part of the empowerment (process), I had to do some reshuffling, firstly by appointing Tengku Zafrul as the new treasurer.
“With the reshuffle, it will be a motivation for us in the fight to ensure Selangor BN rises again in the general election,” he added. — Bernama
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This file photo taken on November 22, 1996 shows Philippine President Fidel Ramos addressing the opening of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers’ Meeting in Manila. — AFP photo
MANILA (July 31): Former Philippine president Fidel Ramos, who oversaw a rare period of steady growth and peace that won him the reputation as one of the country’s most effective leaders ever, has died aged 94, his family said Sunday.
Known as “Steady Eddie” for his unflappable demeanour during the country’s regular moments of upheaval, he was frequently pictured chewing unlit cigars as he guided the Philippines with a sure hand from 1992-1998.
A career military man who never previously held elected office, his professorial conduct was unlike the bombastic image of many Filipino politicians.
He was also the first Protestant to win the top office in the overwhelmingly Catholic nation, despite opposition from some in the Church. He later made an aggressive push for family planning to rein in rapid population growth.
But like other top officials of his generation, Ramos played a role in the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, which saw thousands killed and thousands more arbitrarily imprisoned.
In a brief statement, the Ramos family said it was “profoundly saddened” to announce the patriarch’s death. The cause was not released.
Lawmakers, diplomats, ex-politicians and the new administration posted tributes to Ramos on social media.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the family of former President Fidel Valdez Ramos who passed away today having lived a full life as a military officer and public servant,” said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the son and namesake of the late dictator, who took office last month.
“The legacy of his presidency will always be cherished and will be forever enshrined in the hearts of our grateful nation.”
The European Union delegation in the Philippines expressed its condolences, describing Ramos as a “dedicated statesman” and “pillar of democracy”.
A graduate of the prestigious West Point military academy in the United States, Ramos had a lengthy career in the armed forces, including combat against communist guerrillas, and was deployed in the Korean War as part of the Philippine contingent.
He was later commander of the paramilitary Philippine Constabulary — the key institution that enforced the brutal repression of dissent after Marcos declared martial law in 1972.
Ramos’s moment of truth came in February 1986, when popular outrage was hitting its peak over the murder of opposition leader Benigno Aquino and massive regime cheating in a snap election.
Sensing Marcos’s weakness, a group of young military officers and their leader, defence secretary Juan Ponce Enrile, plotted to seize power but were found out.
Facing arrest, Enrile and his allies holed up in the military headquarters in Manila and appealed to the public to protect them from an imminent government attack.
Ramos joined their rebellion, withdrawing his support from Marcos and inspiring many others to rise up as well.
Soon, millions were massing in the streets for the peaceful “People Power” revolt that sent the dictator into exile and ushered in Corazon Aquino as president.
‘My atonement was revolt’
Aquino promptly appointed Ramos as military chief and then defence secretary in gratitude.
When elections came in 1992, Aquino gave her endorsement to Ramos, which was crucial to him winning the presidency despite the opposition of influential Catholic Church figures.
As president, Ramos solved a crippling power crisis caused by years of under-investment in energy, and broke up cartels in telecommunications, aviation and shipping — boosting a moribund economy that reaped a period of renewed growth.
He also made peace overtures to communist guerrillas, Muslim separatists and military coup-plotters.
In the end, only the communists refused to sign agreements with his government.
Ramos was also a key, early supporter of Rodrigo Duterte as he waded into national politics with his run at the presidency in 2016. Post-election, Ramos served as the special envoy to Beijing to ease tensions over the disputed South China Sea.
But the relationship swiftly soured — he has publicly criticised Duterte’s expletive-laden speeches, his moves away from the US alliance and his anti-drug campaign that claimed thousands of lives.
Ramos was also aghast at Duterte’s decision to allow Marcos to be buried in the national Heroes’ Cemetery despite the damage his dictatorship caused to the Philippines’ economy and social order.
When a Marcos daughter tried to link Ramos to the abuses of her father’s rule, Ramos said he had already apologised and made amends for his role.
“My atonement was leading the military and the police” in the revolt that toppled Marcos, he said. — AFP
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Selangor Barisan Nasional (BN) coordination committee chairman Tan Sri Noh Omar delivers his speech during the Selangor BN Convention opening ceremony at the Setia City Convention Centre in Shah Alam July 31, 2022. — Malay Mail photo
SHAH ALAM (July 31): Selangor Barisan Nasional (BN) needs to recapture the state after experiencing the pain of being in the Opposition for three terms, said State BN chairman Tan Sri Noh Omar.
He said the situation became more difficult especially after BN failed to form the Federal government following the 14th general election (GE14) when no provisions were channelled to Opposition state assemblymen to help the people.
“Previously, even though we were the Opposition in the state government, at the federal level we were in power. Our assemblymen did not get state allocation but the central government gave us. So we didn’t really feel it.
“But when we lost at both the central and state levels, it was really a bitter experience. So we are here today with the hope to rise up again to win back Selangor in GE15,” he said in his speech at the Selangor BN Convention 2022 here today.
Noh said BN component party members must be sincere in continuing the struggle because it is not easy to win.
“If we are sincere in our struggle, remain united and stick to the motto, stability for prosperity, God willing we will continue to rise and we will have a chance to win in the upcoming general election,” he said.
Noh also called on party members to get rid of all bad notions and allegations of the existence of some clusters in the component and to work together for the sake of the party. — Bernama
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PKR communications chief Fahmi Fadzil speaks during the PKR Congress at the Ideal Convention Centre (IDCC) in Shah Alam July 17, 2022. — Malay Mail photo
KUALA LUMPUR (July 31): PKR’s Fahmi Fadzil today questioned Johor Umno deputy chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed’s interpretation in regards to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the government of Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and the opposition Pakatan Harapan coalition.
This comes after Nur Jazlan said earlier today that MoU between the government and opposition had ended.
The PKR communications chief asked in a Facebook post which MoU the Umno leader read when it was clearly stated that the MoU will not end on July 31, 2022.
“How is Nur Jazlan supposed to be a leader when he can’t even understand something so basic? Did he read the whole thing or did he purposely omit certain aspects of it for a specific reason? “Let me say unequivocally, my dear Nur Jazlan, the MoU is still in effect and the role of the Opposition is stated clearly in Article 9.1. So which document did you read when it’s in the public domain? Embarrassing,” said the Lembah Pantai MP.
Article 9.1 of MoU states that the Opposition is not barred from fulfilling its check-and-balance role.
Earlier today in a lengthy Facebook post, Nur Jazlan declared the MoU had ended today and that PH leaders were manipulating it with Ismail Sabri for their own political benefit.
The former Pulai MP accused PH of only wanting to extend the MoU to prolong the coalition’s own political life.
He described PH leaders as cunning in their ability to manipulate issues to their advantage and created negative perceptions of the government, Umno and BN.
On September 13 last year, the federal government and PH signed the MoU to ink their bipartisan cooperation for the sake of political stability which comprises a Covid-19 plan, administrative transformation, parliamentary reform, judiciary independence, Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the establishment of a steering committee.
Ismail Sabri, a vice-president in Umno, was the third person to become prime minister in short succession following Election 2018.
PH’s pick for prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, was forced out of office after some PKR and Bersatu MPs switched sides, leading to PH’s ouster and the installation of Muhyiddin in 2020.
As part of the deal, Ismail Sabri offered a list of parliamentary and government administration reforms in exchange for support.
He said the government would table an anti-party hopping Bill, which if passed, would prevent politicians elected on one party’s platform from defecting to another party.
Other proposals included ensuring equal membership in parliamentary special committees for both government and opposition lawmakers and granting the Opposition leader the same remuneration and amenities as a minister.
Umno lawmakers have been calling for an early GE15 following what they claim is the “expiry” of the MoU, which is supposed to happen today.
But clarifications from both sides of the political divide have insisted that the MoU will only expire when Parliament is dissolved, with July 31 being the agreed upon date by its signatories before which a general election would not be called. — Malay Mail
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A general view of the Dewan Rakyat chamber on July 13, 2022. — Bernama photo
THE days of the political nomad are over. No more will he be able to leave the paddock in search of opportunities where influence, power, and fortune flourish. He doesn’t have any other option. He will lose his position, financial rewards, and other advantages. Such an error could cost him his entire political career.
The law is now looking down its nose at those with such nefarious ambitions and will be unforgiving on those who breach it.
The wheel of Malaysian democracy is being reinvented, with all eyes on the Anti-Hopping Bill, which opens up a new narrative for Malaysian electoral politics.
Political resetting has arrived, providing a resurgence to the definitive meaning of representative democracy ala Westminster.
As the drum beats louder, with the hopes and optimism of a reformed democracy ringing loud in parliament and resonating across the country’s democratic landscape, the Anti-Hopping law is set to restore the dignity and integrity of political parties and the sanctity of the power of the voting masses which are essentially the fundamental source and force behind the mandated powers in the democratic system. Take away the two key components and the democratic process would be rendered hollow and dysfunctional.
Morality and integrity
Of significance to the spirit and letter of the legislation is the centrality of concern over social morality and integrity, the lack or absence of which would give space and breeding ground for politicians to turn frogs and hop out of their pond to a new and prospective territory.
Brand loyalty and love for the party were pushed out of their vocabulary, only to be replaced by phrases of praise for the party they sought refuge in – a party that had once been a bitter adversary but had since risen to power and control. The political frog’s story is one of vanity and short-term gain. It is a hollow and fleeting pursuit of personal acclaim at the expense of the masses and the party that raised him. The ‘frog’ is almost certain to end up in self-defeat.
The Anti-Hopping Bill is a landmark piece of legislation, and its passage in parliament by an overwhelming two-thirds majority is widely regarded as a watershed moment for Malaysian politics, especially after it was negotiated and discussed by both the Opposition and the Government. It also serves us well to be reminded that the Anti-Hopping legislation was a key component in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and Pakatan Rakyat-led opposition side.
Growing political maturity
Ismail Sabri in the Dewan Rakyat on July 27, 2022. – Bernama photo
The passage of the legislation at the MoU discussion table demonstrates the growing maturity of the party leaders involved, despite their political differences, and the unity of purpose achieved when they set their minds on initiating the Bill until it was passed in parliament. Above all, the Bill’s passage is a success story of meaningful collaboration between the ruling party’s leadership and the opposition’s leadership, with the interests of the people and the democratic process taking precedence over partisan politics.
It is a noble act that crosses political lines and resonates with millions of people across the country. It is reasonable for the people to expect more collaborative initiatives from leaders and politicians on both sides of the political divide in the aftermath of the anti-hopping law.
The tabling of the Constitution (Amendment)(No.3) Bill 2022 on Anti-Hopping by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is as historically significant as the previous Amendment pertaining to Malaysia Agreement 1963. It is a historic milestone that bodes well for the country’s political stability, and the legislation should send a ‘clear message’ to all lawmakers to uphold the principles of the political parties they represent, as well as the mandate and confidence bestowed upon them by voters. Anything less is a betrayal of the party and the voters’ mandate.
Restoring parliamentary democracy
‘Parliamentary democracy has been restored,’ cries the media, joined by countless numbers of netizens echoing the celebratory message in a similar euphoric tone.
The nation came together and was united in celebrating the beginning of a new era in the interplay of politics and democracy a day after the Anti-Hopping Bill was passed on July 28.
It may well be the beginning of a new learning curve for political parties and politicians alike. Many lessons of the past that did not augur well for healthy democracy have to be unlearned and new lessons derived from the Anti-Hopping law have to be learned and incorporated into the party operating framework.
The party’s constitution must be reviewed to ensure that there is an anti-hopping provision that is consistent with the recently passed Bill, and that the constitutional amendment that follows satisfies the requirement of the Registrar of Society.
Political resetting
The Bill has wide-ranging implications on behavioural politics as much as it encourages holistic approach to dealing with the social and psychological dynamics across the vast expanse of Malaysian politics. In light of this, political parties would do themselves justice by engaging in political resetting, which could begin with a review of the existing matrix and operating framework.
Political resetting would involve addressing and mitigating key issues and subjects such as the responsibility or accountability of elected representatives (MPs and ADUNs) to the party and electorate, the temptation of corrupt practices to gain power and wealth, morality, honour and dignity, integrity, evil of betrayal, trust deficit and democratic openness.
At the end of the day, the morality and integrity of the elected representatives must not be compromised. They, too, must be bold enough to say no to it. If you just set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything, and you would achieve nothing!
As former British PM Margaret Thatcher succinctly put it, “Where there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope.”
That should read as a mantra for MPs and Assemblymen who are now called upon to uphold their integrity and morality and be exemplary in their conduct to the people.
Institutionalised approach
In the long run, the approach must be institutionalised in order to be sustainable and credible, as well as to ensure that the party is impervious to compromise and corrupt practises, and that potential loopholes are closed.
Will the Anti-Hopping Law be able to completely prevent politicians from defecting to another party due to dissatisfaction or external temptation and promises?
Legally, the Anti-Hopping law should be sufficient deterrent to prevent any potential defector from leaving his party. In the event there is a minor loophole that can be exploited by the culprit, the burden of guilt should not rest completely on him. The receiving end should be held equally responsible and guilty of the offence and be punished accordingly.
However, the legislation is silent on this, thus far.
The Anti-Hopping legislation creates an enabling environment for the implementation of policy and legal reforms aimed at strengthening democratic processes and practises. As the parliamentary election approaches, the country will be keeping a close eye on potential political nomadic movements either before or after the polls, though this is unlikely.
Politics is created in the domain of mortals and shrewd contrivers, not in the company of heavenly angels, and mankind will never be completely free of the temptations of earthly power and wealth. Even if the law is staring him down, he will find a way to get what he wants. History has a way to reveal the ugly truth.
Call it political frogging, defection, or nomadism; it is a heinous act of self-aggrandisement that leaves the politician without a bus stop.
* Toman Mamora (PhD Nottingham, UK) is a communication and research consultant. He comments on contemporary social and political issues and seeks to raise public opinion on subjects of societal value.
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HDC said the survey aims to measure the level of local demand for RSP Lundu II, which will be implemented under the 12th Malaysia Plan Extension Project provisions of the Sarawak government.
KUCHING (July 31): The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) will be conducting a survey on the requests for Rumah Spektra Permata (RSP) Lundu II from Aug 2-5 at Lundu District Office.
In a statement dated July 27, HDC said the survey aims to measure the level of local demand for RSP Lundu II, which will be implemented under the 12th Malaysia Plan Extension Project provisions of the Sarawak government.
It added the survey is also conducted to determine the number of local residents’ able to afford the houses, to be developed by HDC based on the set selling price.
“This survey is necessary to reduce the risk of houses not being sold for the RSP Lundu II project.
“At the same time, it is important to plan and determine the total allocation of housing loan requirements by Mutiara Mortgage & Credit Sdn Bhd,” it said.
The survey will be conducted from 9:30am to 4pm.
HDC welcomes local residents to go to Lundu District Office to provide survey feedback.
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Abdul Karim (second left) accompanied by Willie (left) beats the gong to launch the dance competition.
KUCHING (July 31): Development projects to make Borneo Highland Resort into an attractive tourism and modern agricultural centre are in the pipeline, said Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister said the state government has “a very interesting plan” to turn it into a place which will boost the tourism sector and the locals’ economy.
“The state government has a detailed plan to develop the place into an interesting holiday destination. Aside from that, we also want to turn the area into a modern agriculture spot so the local residents living near Borneo Highlands can benefit from the activity.
“The Borneo Highland covers a huge area — about 5,000 acres — so we can turn the place into a tourist destination as well as a modern agriculture area where the agriculture activities can lift up the local people’s economy,” he told reporters after launching a Bidayuh traditional dance competition.
He said this when asked by reporters to elaborate on the matter, which he raised in his speech earlier.
Meanwhile, Abdul Karim said the state government had terminated the Borneo Highland Resort development joint venture (JV) with a public-listed company in 2020 over claims the property developer had failed to address contract breaches.
He pointed out the state government had 30 per cent equity through the Land Custody Development Authority (LCDA) but as the agreement was not fully fulfilled, the state government terminated the agreement.
As to whether it would go to court or not, he said the state government is waiting.
“But the state government is ready. I cannot say more than that because it can be sub judice,” he said.
Abdul Karim said for now, as the agreement was terminated, the maintenance of Borneo Highlands is being undertaken by the Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) — a matter which was decided in the last cabinet meeting.
When asked which agency was likely to develop the area, he said this sort of development can fall under any agency under the Tourism Ministry.
He said if the cabinet and the Premier of Sarawak asked his ministry to oversee its development, he would be “very happy” to look after it.
To a question of why it took over 10 years to take over the resort, he said: “Well, if we were to rebuke them then, it may affect some Chief Minister. We have got this Premier who is able to look into, who asked what is happening to Borneo Highlands… It has been there for so long but nobody is going there — even locals find it difficult to go there.”
He said this was what had happened then, which was not how the arrangement should be.
He added the developer was supposed to have developed it into a resort where tourists and the public could come over.
“Unfortunately, it is not happening. So that is the reason why the state is frustrated. The state government cannot wait any longer, so it just terminated it (agreement),” he said.
Meanwhile, the dance competition was organised by Persatuan Segu Bunuk Penrissen in conjunction with the Bidayuh Mystique Culture Festival at St Paul’s Bunuk Parish Hall here.
Also present was Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Willie Mongin.
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ROSE had earlier said that the existing anti-hopping provision in the state constitution was weak and ineffective and hence should be strengthened.
KUCHING (July 31): Rise of Social Efforts (ROSE) calls on the Sarawak government to expeditiously enact similar anti-hopping provisions in Sarawak after the federal constitutional amendments are gazetted and consented to by the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri.
In a statement yesterday, it said this would involve amendments to the state constitution with regards to disqualification of assemblypersons.
It said the Bill, which was just passed by the Dewan Rakyat, also amended the provisions in the Eighth Schedule of the Federal Constitution, which is a schedule containing what states must have in their constitution.
“Essential amendment is the one pertaining to disqualification of state assemblymen. So it’s one thing to amend the Federal Constitution, that is, federal law and for the TYT to consent to its application to Sarawak.
“It is another for the state government to move for these provisions to be incorporated into our state constitution to streamline the changes so that state assemblypersons will also have to give up their seats if they party hop,” it said.
ROSE had earlier said that the existing anti-hopping provision in the state constitution was weak and ineffective and hence should be strengthened.
“We also note that members of parliament (MPs) belonging to the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) did not raise any objections to the amendments to the Eighth Schedule.
“We therefore conclude that the state government will in due course without delay amend our constitution accordingly,” it said.
ROSE views the latest constitutional amendment passed by Dewan Rakyat on July 28 as a great success in the country’s parliamentary history and democracy.
It said the move was a testament also to the way law-making can be a bi-partisan effort and consultative in nature by the setting up and working of a Parliamentary Select Committee, in this case a special one set up by the Dewan itself.
“Hence we congratulate Minister of Law Dato Sri Wan Junaidi and 54 MPs who have debated and those who gave a resounding vote to the Bill (209).
“From the debates we observe that each and every one of the MPs who debated the bill tacitly acknowledged that the voters or citizens have become sick and tired of politics and are losing confidence in politicians and governance in general and that it was time for this piece of legislation to bring semblance of hope to the people in the voting process or outcome and to parliamentary democracy,” it said.
However, ROSE noted from the debates and issues brought up by the MPs when debating the Bill that there are weaknesses in it, which will need other solutions via other reforms or mechanisms.
These include recall elections, making Parliament a fixed term Parliament, reforms in political financing and allocating equal or equitable constituency development funds to all MPs and state assemblypersons.
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SFWI’s diamond jubilee signifies indomitable spirit of its members and also women’s contributions to state development
Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah (front, left) gracing the ‘Sarawak Traditional Food Cooking Demonstration’ organised by the SFWI during Her Majesty’s visit to Kuching in 2019. Seen on Tunku Azizah’s left is Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, while at centre is Norhyati.
THE Sarawak Federation of Women’s Institutes (SFWI), one of the largest women’s organisations in the state, is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.
Established in October 1962, the non-governmental organisation (NGO) is a non-racial, non-sectarian and non-political movement comprising caring, committed, dynamic and enterprising women from all across Sarawak.
Not many civic organisations are able to last this long and be successful in fulfilling their avowed mission.
SFWI’s success and longevity as a NGO is a testament to the indomitable spirit of its members and the role that the women of Sarawak play in the development of the state.
Over the past six decades, the organisation has continuously evolved to keep up with the needs and demands of the times.
Today, SFWI can boldly lay claim to being an entity that has played a crucial role as a catalyst in empowering women and transforming Sarawak’s dynamic communities.
Mission: To empower women of Sarawak
SFWI was originally set up to teach women the right method of farming, as most of the womenfolk in the rural areas of the state then were the ones working on the fields.
Federation’s founder Elizabeth O’Kelly was invited to Sarawak to set up the Women Institute (WI) with a grant from the Asia Foundation.
O’Kelly needed to reach out to rural women of Sarawak and naturally, she needed to recruit someone who could help her undertake such a task.
Dato Rugayah Abdul Majid, who has a Degree in Community Development with a minor in Rural Economics, ended up being the most qualified person to assist in establishing the WI and subsequently, she was appointed as the assistant national organiser for the institute, which was under the Department of Agriculture Sarawak back then.
Dato Rugayah Abdul Majid is among the SFWI’s pioneers.
Rugayah recounted how certain decisions were made in relation to the organisation, with them started talking to women and getting to know their needs and interests.
It was then when they realised the main thing that they needed to do for the women of Sarawak was to make them see what they themselves could do to improve their living conditions.
“During those initial months of establishing SFWI and talking to as many women as we could, it became very clear to us that it should be an organisation that would work for women’s empowerment.
“The idea was for SFWI to play a major role in improving the living conditions of Sarawak women. At the outset, we worked hard in instilling that common understanding among us all that if we worked together, we would be able to change our situations for the better.
“We want them to see their latent potential to be an effective catalyst in changing their communities for the better,” said Rugayah.
As the women interacted with one another and took part in the planning process for the organisation’s activities and projects, they realised that all of them shared the same needs and aspirations for their families and communities. Amongst the common wishes shared by the women of SFWI was for their families to be safe and healthy, and for their children to fulfil their potential.
This shared purpose helped bolster the multicultural building blocks of the SFWI.
While the NGO has evolved in its methods and projects, it has never deviated from the one overriding mission of women empowerment for the good of their families and communities throughout all these years.
The organisation has afforded the women of Sarawak, regardless of their ethnicities and different backgrounds, the avenue to apply their own skills, abilities and contributions, as well as to work together towards fulfilling their aspirations for their families to be healthy, happy, successful and living in harmony together within their homes and with others in their communities.
Nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit
Photo taken during Pesta Cucur in Limbang in 2017, shows SFWI members frying some ‘cucur’ (fritters) at their stall.
SFWI members have remained strong in their internal culture of boosting each other’s confidence and supporting each other’s endeavours.
It comes integral to the culture of the organisation to have a strong faith in the creative and enterprising abilities of their members.
Members would proudly say ‘yes’ if anyone asked them if their organisation was all about cooking, as their answer meant that they stayed true to their mission of empowering women by making them realise that they could change their children and their communities’ destiny – starting in the kitchen.
SFWI’s cooking activities have not only helped address the major issues affecting Sarawak’s children — malnutrition and underperformance in school; moreover, the learning experiences shared while working in their kitchens have also birthed the desire among the women to educate themselves in other areas that would help improve the lives of their families.
As well, these activities have instilled the entrepreneurial spirit in many Sarawak’s rural-based women.
Smart partnerships
Norhyati (fourth right) together with ACWW Area President for Southeast Asia and the Far East, Norjanah Razali (centre) and other SFWI members in a group photo during the ACWW Conference 2019 in Melbourne.
In much the same way that SFWI has made its members realise that it is only by working together that they can accomplish anything they set their hearts and minds to do, it also applies the same principle as an organisation.
SFWI recognises that it can only be effective in working for its avowed mission when it builds and nurtures fruitful collaborations and smart partnerships with other entities, be they at state, national or international level.
Barely two years in existence, the SFWI hosted the Third Asian Regional Conference of the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) in August 1964, in which they welcomed delegates and observers from Malaysia, lndia, Sikkim, Singapore, Australia and Brunei to the event.
Since then, SFWI leaders have been actively participating in all ACWW activities and conferences held in different countries, for knowledge-sharing and networking.
By doing so, they have put the dynamism of Sarawak women onto the world arena of dynamic and enterprising women.
Since then, Sarawak has hosted ACWW international conferences five times.
SFWI has strong linkages with women’s organisations as well as government entities involved in promoting women’s role in development at state and federal levels.
It is also an active member of the National Advisory Council for the Integration of Women in Development (NACIWID) – a machinery set up by the federal government to act as an advisory body to the government as well as the NGOs on matters pertaining to women’s issues and their roles in development.
The council was also tasked with coordinating activities and projects by the government and NGOs related to women’s roles in development.
In keeping with this culture of collaboration, SFWI has a reputation for being the ‘go-to’ entity when other agencies seek to start programmes or projects aimed at tapping, developing and upgrading Sarawak women’s potentials and capabilities in various areas.
As more and more agencies and institutions seek the assistance of the organisation to implement their respective programmes and projects relevant to women’s roles and contributions in development, SFWI begins to realise that there is a need for a government body in Sarawak to oversee and coordinate programmes and projects targeting women.
It then proposed the setting up of the Women’s Bureau, which was the precursor of the present-day Women’s Department within the Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development.
Good governance, practices in digital age
In keeping with the digital age, SFWI is making efforts to strengthen its organisational capacity to keep up with the demands of a technology-driven era.
Primarily, it is making use of digital technology in strengthening its good governance and practices by enhancing its transparency and accountability.
A comprehensive strategic planning exercise was completed in 2018 under the leadership of SFWI’s present chairperson Dato Norhyati Ismail.
In the digital age, we cannot afford any slip up in governing our organisations. — Dato Norhyati Ismail
This exercise yielded a ‘comprehensive strategic plan’ detailing the processes, procedures and practices that SFWI must follow to ensure integrity and good governance in the way it undertakes projects and activities.
Moreover, in keeping with the demands of the global digital economy, the plan also incorporated the measures that would have the organisation be ready and able to take advantage of the opportunities that the digital economy would afford the women of Sarawak.
“In the digital age, we cannot afford any slip up in governing our organisations.
“All organisations are now subject to the glare of social media and as such, we must ensure that our processes, procedures and practices are above-board, following good, but strict principles of governance.
“We must continue to implement our projects and activities with accountability and integrity,” said Norhyati.
Moving forward, she said SFWI had begun to gear itself up to actively contribute towards empowering women to take advantage of the opportunities presented by Sarawak’s digital economy transformation.
“We are grateful for the confidence given to Sarawak women by our Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg when he recently declared that women had the capacity to involve themselves in economic activities based on technology,” she said.
According to Norhyati, SFWI’s primary task now is to help equip its members to take full advantage of the opportunities available to them in Sarawak’s digital economy thrust.
“We are going to do this by strengthening our partnerships and collaborations with other institutions, providing capacity building on digital skills, knowledge and technological resources that our members can avail of,” she pointed out.
Keeping spirit of volunteerism alive
SFWI headquarters at Green Road in Kuching.
Throughout the years, it has become imprinted in the organisational DNA of SFWI to be in the thick of the action when a community needs ‘caring hearts, creative minds and hardworking hands’.
SFWI has grown and keeps on growing because its members do their acts of making a difference in others’ lives without any fanfare.
One needs to only look around the communities in Sarawak where there is an SFWI branch to see evidence of the impact of the collective strength and dynamism of the women of Sarawak.
In these communities, there would no doubt be individuals or families or even whole villages or neighbourhoods that can point to an example of changed scenarios for the better as a result of SFWI’s programmes and activities being run over the last 60 years.
For the daughters, granddaughters, nieces, and grandnieces of these women, they can stand tall and proud because they have in their family one or several women having actively contributed to the changed landscape of Sarawak’s development.
The women who have learned that nutrition, sanitation, clean water, literacy, applying their creativity, sharing their knowledge and cherishing their enduring bonds of friendships can make a vast difference in the quality of life of their families and in the economic growth of their communities.
The pioneers of SFWI and those who came after them have played a crucial role in paving the way for the succeeding generations of women in Sarawak. The women of today are now enjoying the fruit of their labour, sacrifices and dedication.
SFWI is, without a doubt, an organisation that because of its proven culture of ‘Care, Compassion, Commitment’ for the common good, had been and would be able to keep the torch of women’s empowerment burning bright throughout all the changes and challenges of the times.
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DID you know that only five days ago, on July 26, was the International Day for the Celebration of Mangrove Forests? I doubt it, for we have tended to use the derogatory word ‘swamp’ in association with mangroves and wrongly believed that these swamps are there to be drained and reclaimed.
I doubt whether 50 per cent of my readers realise that Kuching and other estuarine-located cities and towns, not only in Sarawak and Sabah, but worldwide are now concrete structures built on former swampland.
Thousands of hectares of land in Kuching and Miri were once tidal estuaries of large rivers with mangrove trees hosting the silt supplied by the rivers.
Indiscriminate removal of these trees in the name of human progress now threatens our settlements as sea level rises owing to climate change.
It was gratifying to read in thesundaypost (June 12, 2022) a refreshing article by Antonia Chiam entitled: ‘Premier moots Borneo-wide mangrove conservation,’ quoting Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg as stating: ‘Maybe we can have a collaboration with Indonesia within Borneo for the conservation of mangroves and storage of carbon in mangroves.’
He was referring to the Wetlands Nature Park Ramsar.
Three cheers for the Premier’s intuition in recognising the physical and social importance of mangroves.
SAGO and the Nipah Development Board will, it is intended, manage and control mangrove areas. The organisers of the Borneo Rainforest Music Festival deserve great praise for declaring that 40 per cent of the online charge per ticket would go to the purchase of mangrove saplings.
Distribution of mangroves worldwide
Generally, mangroves may be found in sheltered tropical and subtropical coastal waters lying between the latitudes of 25 degrees north and 25 degrees south of the Equator.
These limits are very variable and depend much on local climates.
In Eastern Australia, one species may be found as far south as 38 degrees and another species as far north as 32 degrees on the Atlantic seaboard. Depending upon high temperatures to stimulate their growth, climate change is slowly stretching the limits of mangroves further north and south.
Covering an area of almost 200,000 square kilometres globally, some 54 true species of mangrove tree may be found. All species are halophytes with a tolerance of salty water.
How do mangroves manage to live in saline waters?
Santubong – vertical asparagus-like rootlets emerging from the Sonneratia species, coming up for air.
In the genera Rhizophora and Bruguiera, these mangrove plants can almost exclude 90 per cent of all salt from entering their vascular system; thus creating a barrier against osmosis.
Other species deal with salt as it enters the plants and these are known as ‘secretors’, exuding saltwater through special pores in their leaves. As the saltwater evaporates, salt crystals form on the leaf surfaces.
Another handicap mangroves have overcome is the lack of oxygen in the soils in which they grow. They need their roots to trap oxygen in order to stimulate plant growth so they have evolved special root structures.
The genera Sonneratia has developed cable roots with vertical roots (pneumatophores) springing up from the ground to heights of 20 centimetres to 50 centimetres. These vertical roots act like snorkels and contain special pores to absorb oxygen and at high tide, these close so that saltwater cannot enter the root.
Other genera such as Rhizophora have developed stilt roots to lift the plant’s trunk above high tide level.
How do these types of tree reproduce?
Surprisingly, this is with the help of the waves and tides. The mangrove tree’s flowers are pollinated by insects, before producing seeds which immediately germinate into seedlings.
These little seedlings, known as ‘propagules’, fall off the tree and are swept away by the tides and ocean currents before becoming waterlogged and sinking to the silty seafloor often far away from their parent tree.
The mangrove ecosystem
Mangroves provide a habitat for many species of bird, animals, crustaceans, fish, insects, birds, reptiles, other plants and even microbes and fungi feeding directly off the leaves or living off the decaying matter. Crabs, fish and shrimps spend their early lives within the shelter of the mangrove roots before embarking into deeper waters.
Thus, these plants act as nursery for fish species such as the grouper before it will venture into the open ocean as an adult fish.
In fact, mangrove roots act as filters in trapping riverine silt and mud, binding these constituents together. They act as cleansers or purifiers, absorbing nutrients from riverine waters some of which may, otherwise, harm coral reefs and seagrass beds. Absorbing and storing three times more carbon than most tree species, when the leaves fall off the tree or the tree dies, the stored carbon is buried in the silt for posterity.
This type of carbon storage is referred to as ‘blue carbon’.
Whilst mangrove coverage worldwide is less than two per cent of marine environments, it accounts for none less than 12.5 per cent of carbon burial, in fact twice as much as seagrass.
Specific inhabitants of the mangroves
Photo taken by Mark Tan of macaques searching for crabs in the silt of Bako. Note the pneumatophores.
If fully documented with every species that occupy the mangroves, the coverage of this newspaper would not suffice!
Here is but a snapshot of some of the prominent species found.
In Borneo, the saltwater crocodile is the apex predator of the food chain and is considered to be the most aggressive of all reptilian species.
Recently, on a visit to Buntal, I observed a young saltwater crocodile, about 1.5 metres long, emerging from an estuarine creek and clambering into nearby mangrove forest quite fearless of human presence!
Proboscis monkeys and macaques may be seen at Bako National Park in its mangrove fringing shores. Macaques love scavenging for crabs amongst the silt and mud beds there at ebb tide. Mudskipper fish abound and can even be seen to climb trees with the aid of their pectoral fins. Fiddler crabs and mud lobsters may also be found.
One of the most amazing mammals is the bat, which feasts on the Sonneratia variety of mangrove. As this plant opens its flowers at dusk, the scent of the nectar entices bats for a drink! Some species of bat will fly three times a night, covering a distance of 50 kilometres for nectarial delights.
Fireflies with their bioluminescence at night are attracted to the brackish waters where they prey on mangrove snails entering the snails’ shells as larvae and then, injecting a paralysing toxin and enzyme into the bodies before eating them. Their night-time displays as fully grown flies appear as flashing Christmas tree lights.
Perhaps the most threatened species of animal life in the mangroves is the Royal Bengal Tiger referred to as ‘the man-eater’ of the Sundarbans of the Ganges delta.
These felines feed not only on land animals but also on fish, frogs and lizards. It is estimated that there are only 500 of these cats left as they are threatened by human encroachment into their habitats and more recently, by rising sea levels and coastal erosion with an average loss of 700 metres of coast per annum.
Mangroves are like gold dust to humans
Not only do they act most significantly as wave force breakers against storms and tsunamis thus protecting coastal properties and as coastal stabilisers in trapping of river silt, but they provide a very useful source of fuel for coastal communities.
As great carbon dioxide absorbers, they are currently reducing the greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. They also filter polluted water, improving water quality to communities.
More than 50 per cent of mangrove forests in Peninsular Malaysia currently face destruction today. The area of mangrove forests has fallen from 409,290 hectares in 1992, to 467,760 hectares in 2022, a fall of 14.3 per cent in three decades!
What is the answer?
It is simply through the creation of mangrove planting projects sponsored by governmental and NGO funding to provide saplings to plant in intertidal zones.
Vast sections of our Malaysian coastline are vulnerable to the forces of nature and protection, as they say, is better than cure!
We have already seen a worldwide distribution of Covid-19 vaccines; let us now focus on longer term projects of the coastal protection of people’s lives and the wildlife that mangrove forests provide.
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THE relocation of Indonesia’s capital to the coal hinterland in East Kalimantan has raised concerns over its energy sources. As discussed in the previous article, relying on coal is convenient but highly risky in the face of strong global commitments to shift away from coal.
