Thousands march worldwide to pressure governments to boost rhino, elephant protection |
- Thousands march worldwide to pressure governments to boost rhino, elephant protection
- A respite from the city… and it’s just 20 minutes from KL!
- Japan’s economy minister expresses ‘concern’ over country’s recovery strength
- Recent events signal the return of the old New Order in Indonesia
- Flemish and Catalans continue push for independence
- POKC: Hainanese restaurant + hipster coffee joint = A big win!
| Thousands march worldwide to pressure governments to boost rhino, elephant protection Posted: 04 Oct 2014 05:53 PM PDT
The protests, dubbed the Global March for Elephants and Rhinos, took place in 136 cities and towns across six continents, from Soweto to Nairobi, and Paris to New York and Tokyo. In South Africa, which is struggling to stem a rhino poaching crisis, demonstrators gathered across 17 cities. "We are protesting against the political leaders of the world, who do not have the guts and political will to make changes in their laws," Dex Kotze, one of the march organisers, told AFP. "We have to do this for our future generation," he said. "The youth today is making a statement globally in 136 cities that it's their heritage that is being killed." From 27 million elephants 350 years ago, Africa now has about 400,000 left, and roughly nine percent of those are being killed each year, Kotze said. South Africa, home to the world's largest rhino populations, has seen at least 700 killed so far this year. Poaching of the rare African animal is increasing to meet demand from Asian countries where the horn has long been used in traditional medicines for a variety of ailments, including fever and rheumatism. More than 35,000 elephants are also killed across Africa very year for their tusks, which are prized, especially in China, for use in making decorations and trinkets. 'Gang of 19' Kotze said the protests meant to highlight the so-called "gang of 19" countries listed by CITES — the international regulatory body for trade in wildlife — as not doing enough to curb trafficking. Among the countries under scrutiny are China, Vietnam, Laos, Mozambique, Angola and Kenya. "These countries need to change their laws," Kotze said, singling out China, which he said must shut its 37 ivory carving factories and 130 retail outlets, or "we will lose all the elephants". In the Kenyan capital Nairobi, several hundred people turned out to make their voices heard. "We don't want to wait until the day that there is one elephant standing in Kenya. We want to take action now," Nyokabi Gethaiga, founder of the Let Live Movement, said. Kotze said that wildlife crime is worth an estimated US$20 billion (RM65.2 million) a year and that "terrorist organisations like Al-Shebab are using ivory trafficking and exchange ivory for weapons." According to Paula Kahumbu, CEO of Wildlife Direct, a Kenyan NGO founded by famed conservationist Richard Leakey, the Kenyan Wildlife Service just isn't capable of taking on these powerful crime syndicates alone. And "the future we're looking at if we can't stop the poaching and trafficking of ivory and rhino horn is that... we'll have lost all of our elephants and our rhinos, and we just can't afford to do that," he said. But Jamey Ponte, co-organiser of the march in Kenya, said there are steps that governments could take to make an immediate difference. The Kenyan Port of Mombasa "is the number one exporter of ivory in the world — second is Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — and there's no reason for it," he said. "Obviously, the government says they're against poaching here, but it's one port. There's no reason why we can't clean that up and stop that export." Among the marchers at a demonstration in Iringa, Tanzania, was seven-year old Kendall Marillier, who carried a stuffed elephant. "I don't want to see them in museums," he said. "In the wild. That's where they belong." Small marches also took place in New York and Washington, with protesters demonstrating in the Big Apple despite the driving rain. Outside the White House, demonstrators held up placards with the words, "Say No Ivory" and "Save the Elephant," while one protester donned an elephant outfit. — AFP  |
| A respite from the city… and it’s just 20 minutes from KL! Posted: 04 Oct 2014 05:45 PM PDT
If you think Anak is majestic looking, its "mother" Bukit Takun is even more resplendent at about 20 times the height. This solitary outcrop that sits on a granite base dates back at least a million years and was one of the first rock climbing sites in Malaysia. Such limestone hills are what one would typically associate with Ipoh or Kedah but is hardly thought of when describing Selangor. Yet there they are in all their imposing glory, part of the view that greets you at Templer Park Rainforest Retreat, a family-owned and run holiday home set out over a four-acre piece of land that's open for rentals year round. Guests check into one of four rooms in a two-level house built of Merbau and teakwood, with solar panels to power the water heaters. There are two room types: The smaller one is meant for two and the other can sleep up to six.
Since receiving their first guests last year, Rainforest Retreat has drawn a steady stream of visitors looking for an escape from the pressures of the city that it is so close to (just 20 minutes by car from KL), yet is a world away from. Already, their weekends are booked out until the end of the year while advance reservations have been locked in for next March. Airbnb, the vacation rental site where Rainforest Retreat is listed, has named them as a superhost based on their hospitality style and quality of travellers' experience. The response surprised owners Saw Kim Hock and his wife Juliet Chew, a retired T-shirt manufacturer and chartered accountant, respectively. The couple and their three sons used to live in Taman Tun Dr Ismail and only moved here about 10 years ago, drawn by the crisp air, serenity and slow pace. Saw had owned the piece of land where the retreat now sits for a number of years prior to that but didn't have any specific plans for it. "We never thought of running a resort, we initially just built a fish pond with a barbecue deck next to it as a place for family and friends to gather," Saw explains. There are some 5,000 fish in the pond, including prized species such as soon hock (Marble Goby) and wang bu liao (Tor Tambroides). "Then we realised we needed shelter in case it rains, so we constructed a studio apartment-style room under the deck."
At the time, guests could either stay at the apartment by the pond or at the family's home next door. As their inbox began filling up with more enquiries, Saw realised the need to provide more accommodation options and so right after Chinese New Year this year, they built the guest house.
Turning in from Lebuhraya Rawang, you drive past rows of tall trees flanking a small road. Further in, the trees grow closer together, bending to meet in the middle and creating a tunnel-like path with their lush foliage. Once you reach the retreat, you'll notice the air is perceptibly cooler. "Since moving here, we have only used our air-conditioner about five times," says Saw while Juliet reveals how it can get so chilly in the early mornings that they have to rouse themselves from sleep to put socks on! Bring your car up a short driveway and park at the edge of the lawn fronting the retreat. The open field is an ideal playground for children, dogs (the retreat is pet friendly) and also corporate team-building groups. Juliet, who now runs a tuition centre with her second son, has taken care to provide some games that are suitable for all ages.
Next to the guest house is a small semi-open air kitchen where you can cook your own meals or prepare a barbecue. The retreat doesn't cater any food – except for bread and eggs for breakfast – but provides all the necessary utensils, including grills and tongs.
Enjoy your barbecue at the relaxation pavilion that's linked by stone paths to the kitchen, an airy space with high ceilings filled with a motley selection of furniture. Sporting organic shapes and materials, they complement the surroundings perfectly. The centrepiece is three boulders with their tops flattened and the surfaces coated in tiny pebbles. Cool to the touch and large enough to fit a person each, they make great spots for an afternoon lie down.
Tuck into breakfast at the large irregular-shaped dining table, sculpted from a stone slab, with stools to match. Nearby, a jagged white marble-like block with small craters coating its top is the most significant feature here: A chip off Bukit Takun that was unearthed during the construction of the fish pond. A staircase leads to the upper deck, where wooden swings and gazebos are well placed to offer more chill-out spots and lookout points. The retreat doesn't offer any other facilities but it doesn't need to. Most guests are content to simply lounge around, listening to the chirp of birds and making the most of the laidback environment. Juliet can arrange for a masseuse if you feel a need for further relaxation. In many ways, the retreat reflects the couple themselves, who are very much in tune with nature. Besides being animal lovers – they have five dogs of their own – they also keep their own chickens and Juliet enjoys making fruit enzymes. A variety of fruit trees grow on their land, including a Taiwanese species of pomelo that's about the size of a large orange with sweet, pale yellow flesh. Some species of wildlife call this place home as well, though they tend to shy away from people. The Saws have spotted, among others, otters from the stream that runs parallel to the guest house. At dusk, bats fly along the banks and towards Bukit Takun as they leave their roost to forage for food, returning before sunrise.
"The lizards are known for their huge appetites so we have lost a good number of our fish." And while it is obviously a source of heartache, they have decided to let it be. "It's the cycle of life, as nature intended. We take it as a good sign that these wild animals still roam in our land and are able to find food." Perhaps the same can be said of the urban dwellers who have found their way to this retreat. As much as we have adapted to the fast pace of modern living, every now and then everyone needs an escape. It's certainly an assuring sign that there are such beautiful, unspoiled green lungs within easy reach of the city where one can go to feed, nourish and rejuvenate the mind and soul. Nearby attractions Bukit Takun is located on the edge of Templer's Park, one of the country's first natural parks that was bequeathed in perpetuity by the late Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Hishamuddin Alam Shah Al Haj, who declared it open in 1954. The park was named after Sir Gerald Templer, the then-British High Commissioner, who first presented the idea of protecting this forested area of over 1,200 hectares. Other natural landmarks in the vicinity that are worth a visit are Kanching Falls, Batu Caves and Selayang Hot Springs. Rawang town is known for tilapia, a freshwater fish that can have an unpleasant muddy taste if not prepared correctly. You don't have to worry about that here; a number of well-patronised eateries in the town dish up this local specialty in a number of scrumptious ways. Ask the Saws to point you to some of the most popular restaurants where the fish is fresh and always cooked perfectly.
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| Japan’s economy minister expresses ‘concern’ over country’s recovery strength Posted: 04 Oct 2014 05:41 PM PDT
"The recovery trend is certain," Amari told a talk show on public broadcaster NHK. "The July-September numbers should show a robust recovery" from the sharp second-quarter drop in the wake of an April 1 sales-tax increase. "But I'm a little concerned that this robustness is a bit weak." Amari said it will take time for a positive economic cycle to take hold as companies cannot in a single year raise wages enough to compensate for the tax increase and the inflation generated by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's reflationary policies. ― Reuters |
| Recent events signal the return of the old New Order in Indonesia Posted: 04 Oct 2014 05:40 PM PDT OCTOBER 5 — It's hard to envision anything other than a bleak future for Indonesian democracy after the events that took place in the legislature this week. The proceeding in the House of Legislatives that handed over the new parliamentary leadership to the Red-White Coalition (KMP) practically dashed whatever hopes Indonesians had of having a more accountable political leadership. In fact it bears too much resemblance to the military's scorch-earth policy: If I don't get it, no one will. Failing to secure a win for presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, KMP, a coalition of six parties with nearly two-thirds of the 560-seat House, has proven to be an unstoppable political force bent on undermining president-elect Joko Widodo's leadership by eroding Indonesia's democratic system. Its two short-term goals were achieved the previous week with the endorsement of two legislations. One of these bills puts an end to direct elections of the governor, mayors and district heads; while the other scrapped articles that automatically grant the House's leadership to the legislative election victors — in this case Jokowi's Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle (PDI-P). In the contentious voting process for the powerful House Speaker and deputies that ensued on Wednesday night, the PDI-P-led coalition of four parties with a combined 36 per cent House seats lost to KMP.
Together the new opposition group will pose a serious threat to Jokowi's administration and become a major destabilising force in Indonesia's politics and economy. On Thursday, just hours after the voting took place in the wee hours of the morning, share prices plunged to their lowest in two months and the rupiah continued to slip, as the market doubted Jokowi's ability to implement his economic agenda with "blood-hungry" opposition circling him in Parliament. Crucial initiatives to improve the economy such as cutting fuel subsidies, already a politically sensitive move even with a friendly Parliament, will face even tougher resistance in the legislature. But even more worrying is that what KMP is fighting for hints at a darker undercurrent; the return to a New Order-style democracy is underway and the force is gaining strong momentum even among those who were part of the 1998 Reformasi. There is even a member of the Soeharto clan in the House: his daughter Titiek who was once married to Prabowo. Where the New Order revolved around the late strongman Soeharto, however, the current regime is controlled by a gang of politically promiscuous politicians, many tainted or tied to corruption, with no interests other than to safeguard their own political and economic interests. If a democratic system has a fire alarm, it would be going off loudly at this point signalling a critical time for Indonesia. As the political oligarchy in the opposition consolidates its power through legislative measures, they are far from being done in reversing the path of democracy in Indonesia. The regional election law that was passed meant returning the power to pick governors, district heads and mayors to the local legislatures. With the parties' strong presence in the region, KMP's obvious next agenda is putting their people to head the regional governments, ensuring a tighter grip across the archipelago. And having seized control of the House, they can do the same with the presidential election, reversing the direct election and returning to the New Order's system of having the Parliamentary upper chamber or People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) pick the president, a practice that allowed Soeharto to stay in power for 32 years. In fact some of their KMP members have already admitted this is part of their long-term agenda. And with some corruption suspect in parliament leadership, what can stop some of these lawmakers from realising their intention to curb the power of the anti-corruption committee? There had been initiatives in the past to make it harder for KPK to investigate elected officials including legislators, and this time it just might gain enough momentum. The failure of Jokowi's administration may be the KMP's mid-term goal. In 2001, Abdurrahman Wahid was impeached by Parliament, and although some legislative measures have been taken since then to make it harder to impeach a president, it is not too farfetched a scenario for those familiar with the intricacy and the unexpectability of Indonesian politics. Perhaps it's time for another people power movement. * This is the personal opinion of the columnist. |
| Flemish and Catalans continue push for independence Posted: 04 Oct 2014 05:40 PM PDT OCTOBER 5 — Although Scots recently voted to stay within the United Kingdom rather than creating an independent Scotland, the prospect of newly formed nations within Europe's borders still looms large. Specifically, Flemish and Catalan people are using the example of the Scottish referendum as an opportunity to push hard in their campaigns for a similar vote as they seek their respective freedom from Belgium and Spain. Belgium, of course, is already a very small country, consisting of just 11 million people over a landmass of 30,000 square kilometres — roughly the same size as the Italian Mediterranean island of Sicily. It is also already a divided nation in one key aspect: language. Just over half the population speak Dutch, while the vast majority of the remainder claim French as their native tongue (there is also a small German-speaking minority.) This reflects the country's complex past, which has seen its various component parts controlled by the Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain and Austria at different stages of history, with the modern-day notion of "Belgium" as a unified nation in existence for less than two centuries. Back when the country was founded in 1830, the southern, French-speaking parts of Belgium, known as Wallonia, were the more prosperous. Containing towns such as Charleroi and Liege, the area rapidly latched onto the Industrial Revolution and subsequently benefitted from trade links with France.
Since World War II, however, that situation has been turned on its head and the arrival of new industries means that the majority of the country's wealth is now generated in and around Flemish towns such as Ghent and Antwerp, which is also one of Europe's busiest ports, while the attractive tourist haven of Brugge is also enjoying a renaissance. Meanwhile, the collapse of heavy industries — in particular steelmaking — in the south has created an uneven society, with Flemish northerners increasingly reluctant to "subsidise" the struggling Walloons in the south and growing numbers pushing for the opportunity for Flanders to strike out on its own. Attempting to hold everything together in the centre of Belgium is the capital city, Brussels, which is also struggling with the burden of serving as the key administrative centre for the European Union, and it is heavily ironic that during a period of attempting to maintain European unity, Brussels is also tasked with keeping its own country in one piece. For now, the Flanders/Walloon situation remains a talking point rather than a breaking point, but the situation is even more serious in the north-east of Spain, where many Catalans are pushing hard for full independence and a major showdown with the Madrid central government is just around the corner. With the cosmopolitan charms of Barcelona as its capital, a thriving agricultural sector including production of the world-renowned Cava sparkling wine, and a highly advanced tourist industry (skiing in the Pyrenees in the winter; beaches on the Costa Brava in the summer), it is no surprise to learn that Catalonia is a thriving, prosperous region. It also boasts its own language, with most locals growing up bilingual in Catalan and Castilian Spanish, and a rich history including a brief period when Catalonia was the greatest empire in Europe. However, the region is also heavily indebted due to the high central tax rates annually handed over to Madrid, used to compensate poorer parts of the country, such as Andalusia in the south. As with the Flemish protesters in Belgium, economic concerns are a central part of the Catalan complaint. History, language and culture play their part too, but the desire to free themselves of their financial commitment to Madrid is the central motivating force for many Catalans, whose campaign is fast approaching a decisive moment. Catalan President Artur Mas has committed to holding a referendum on the question of independence on November 9, with an estimated two million people taking to the streets to show their support for the proposed vote during last month's Catalan public holiday. But the Spanish central government, desperate to avoid losing one of its most prosperous regions, has hit back, declaring that such an act is against the country's constitution and would therefore be illegal, and earlier this week Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy succeeded in having the referendum temporarily blocked by legal decree. There are, as always, two sides to the argument: referendum advocates insist that giving people the opportunity to decide their own futures is a fundamental part of democracy, while Rajoy counters that no government has the right to overturn a legally binding constitution whenever it feels like it. Whatever the result of the stand-off, time is running out. We are now just over a month away from the November 9 deadline day, and it's impossible to predict exactly how the pro-independence protesters will react if their wishes are denied — or, indeed, what the rest of Spain will do if the vote goes ahead and yields a "yes" result. With memories still fresh of the Spanish Civil War, which took place less than a century ago and claimed an estimated 500,000 lives, all sides can only hope that a peaceful solution is found. But that cannot be guaranteed. * This is the personal opinion of the columnist. |
| POKC: Hainanese restaurant + hipster coffee joint = A big win! Posted: 04 Oct 2014 05:38 PM PDT
The newly-opened People of Kheng Chew (POKC) located in Damansara Uptown looks kind of like the latter but is really the former. It looks like a trendy coffee place from the outside but once you step in, you are greeted with warm smiles and a beautifully designed space where you can spend hours eating and chatting with your family. Opened by former bar owner Sheena Ng, it's the perfect spot to tuck into authentic Hainanese fare or sip a cup of joe. Three key people handle different aspects of the restaurant operations. There is Karen Tan, who as People of Keen Creator, is the person who designed the layout of the restaurant and handles the operations of the eatery. Sima Manan, aptly named People of Kindred Coffee, is the one responsible for your caffeinated needs. Ng also has a title — People of Keystone Cash. No prizes for guessing what her role is!
According to Tan, who is of Hainanese descent, her inspiration for POKC is her grandfather who used to work in a Hainanese coffee shop. The term "people of Kheng Chew" refers to the Hainanese. "The design of the place is a reinterpretation of a Hainanese Association and kopitiam. As you can see, all the chairs are different because everybody is different but we can eat communally at one table. We encourage people to tap toi (share tables)" said Tan. Some of the chairs here are actually from an old Hainanese restaurant that closed down. Also, the story goes that Ng and Tan were looking to hire a chef for the new business venture. During that time, which was around April this year, there was a shortage of chefs and the only ones available were good at Hainanese dishes. Thus, it was then decided that they would start a Hainanese restaurant where authentic dishes like roti babi, Hainanese chicken curry and different versions of Hainanese chicken chop will be served.
"For every dish we had to make sure that it was the best version possible before we put it on our menu. I didn't want to just serve substandard food that is not authentic. "In the future, I do hope to serve Hainanese chicken rice as well but it has to be the best. If it isn't, we will keep trying until we can perfect the dish," explained Ng. The most important thing is to pass their own taste test. If the dish is not good enough for them, it would not even be considered.
POKC get their beans from Papa Palheta, a Singapore-based roastery. "We chose this roaster because you can roast on demand and that way, we can get fresh beans," said Sima. The head barista usually orders what is needed so that everything is still fresh. In the future, they hope to get their own coffee blends.
"We decided to open in Damansara Uptown because it is in the centre of Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur. During lunch time there is an abundance of office workers because there are many offices here. At night, it's easy to find parking so people from the residential areas can come," said Ng.
One day, a couple celebrated their first anniversary at POKC and asked Tan if they could have their love lock on the grill. Tan didn't mind so now customers are welcome to put theirs on. POKC's signature dishes are the roti babi, POKC Enchanted Lamb Stew, Kheng Chew Curry Koi, Kheng Chew Koi Burger and Cordon Bleu Koi.
The Kheng Chew Curry Koi is not for the faint-hearted. Super spicy just like the authentic version served in Hainanese homes, it is thick and very flavourful. You can accompany it with bread or rice.
POKC Enchanted Lamb Stew is hearty and it warms your tummy on a rainy day. Rich and satisfying, you can't stop drinking it because it is so delicious. For those who prefer something more Western, the Kheng Chew Koi Burger is the Hainanese Chicken Chop in a burger. Definitely a must-try for burger lovers! Go check it out now! People of Kheng Chew (POKC) * Karen Tan and Sima Manan have since left POKC |
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