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CETDEMisOrganisation Not-for-Profit witha tax-exempt status. (Our Story continues /...) continues Story (Our HHIIKKAAYYAATT 22001133--22 CCHHRROONNIICCLLEE 17 Jalan SS2/53 47300 Petaling Jaya MALAYSIA T: +603 – 7875 7767 F: +603 – 7875 4039 http://www.cetdem.org.my facebook.com/cetdem.org.my From the Chairman's Desk ... WELCOME to this third issue of our Hikayat which is an attempt to go beyond our usually dry Annual Report and reach to our many friends and supporters. We hope that you will find it worth reading while getting a better understanding on how CETDEM has performed in the seond half of 2013. Our regret is that it is coming out a bit late. May I draw your attention to a few highlights – the sustained organizing of Organic Days [Hari Organik] by the Organic Farming Project team and its volunteers as well as the Farmers’ Corner. SUDI's 2nd study on ECOTRANSFORMATION is still facing funding and data-collection problems, but will be completed soon. The Fit & Save Roadshow has continued in different Malaysian towns. As you would notice we have managed all these activities with very few full-time staff [including those engaged in projects] as well as volunteers [including foreigners] who were with us for short periods. Secure funding for basic allowances and overheads has still eluded us and fund-raising efforts have not been too successful. Despite all these, I think that CETDEM has performed reasonably well and wish to thank all Board members, the ED, OF Project Coordinator, staff, and volunteers for their efforts during the half year. I trust that you will continue to support CETDEM in whatever way possible and get your friends/colleagues to chip in as well. Gurmit Singh, CETDEM Chairman, [email protected] The ED writes ... 'Always Promoting Sustainable Development', because it isn't a part time job! The work done by CETDEM in the second 6 months of 2013 is highlighted in this edition of Hikayat / Chronicle. These include the FiT & SAVE Roadshow which is being managed on behalf of SEDA Malaysia, CETDEM's signature Hari Organik events and the monthly CETDEM Farmer's Corner. CETDEM's views and comments continue to be much sought after by the Media – be it a flood, landslide, the Haze – for a quick reaction from the Chairman of the Board or, Executive Director. Incidentally, the Haze was the most prominent environmental concern carried by the Media in June. The Executive Director, in consultation with the Chairman, handles all the administrative and financial matters. Each of the projects has personnel for its specific duration. However, the long-term survival of CETDEM necessitates adequate funding of about RM100,000 per annum for general operating expenses (and non-project staff). CETDEM welcomes contributions and pledges of financial support from the Malaysian Public & Private sectors and individuals. I wish to thank General Environmental Solution Sdn Bhd for their quarterly donation of RM5,000 which began in Q4 of 2014 Anthony Tan Kee Huat, CETDEM Executive Director, [email protected] Page 1 ALWAYS PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT & PROVIDING PRATICAL & SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS SINCE 1985 CONTENTS Item Page From the Chairman's Desk … 1 The ED writes … 1 Sustainable Development Initiatives (SUDI) 3 Organic Farming Project CETDEM Hari Organik 4 Farmer's Corner & Other Organic Farming Activities 5 FIT & SAVE Roadshow 6 Climate Action Network Southeast Asia (CANSEA) / Malaysian Climate Change Group (MCCG) 7 Other Activities: Talks / Relationship Building / Training 7 CETDEM – In the News 7 Participation in Overseas Events 8 Recognition 8 CETDEM Board of Directors 9 CETDEM Membership 9 CETDEM Staff 10 Appreciation 11 Linkages 11 Page 2 Sustainable Development Initiatives (SUDI) - 2 nd Study SUDI is CETDEM's Think Tank launched in August 2011. SUDI’s second study is on “Eco Transformation: Challenges in Entrenching Sustainability within existing Malaysian towns”. This study [in the spirit of eco-transformation] aims to define appropriate sustainability criteria for existing Malaysian towns, assess how these can be entrenched within the town administration and community, examine the challenges faced in doing so in 3 Malaysian towns, and recommend actions to overcome these challenges. The three towns (George Town, Petaling Jaya and Malacca) were chosen because they are similar in size and population, and located within Peninsular Malaysia, making them accessible to the study team with a small budget available. While the first two are under Pakatan State governments, the other is under the Barisan Nasional Coalition. SUDI Director, Engr. Gurmit Singh heads the Study Team comprising of 1 principal researcher, Dr. Hezri who is charged with evaluating Petaling Jaya, while Mr. Sathis a/l Venkitasamy is the study Research Assistant. Engr. Gurmit Singh has taken charge of both George Town and Malacca. Sustainability in the 3 towns is measured via: Globally accepted indicators of sustainability; Ecological footprint is now widely used and accepted internationally but it needs data which is often not available at the regional and local level. Hence, they are only used where possible; Comparison of other indicators at town level and choose the common ones. The first chapter has been compiled spell out the benchmarks. 14 major indicators and 23 sub- indicators for town level evaluation have been identified. Members of the study team have examined each of the 3 towns through site visits, interviews and published documents [including Structure Plans]. They will assess how well sustainability has been entrenched and identify the challenges to be overcome. The study team will then assess the common challenges and make recommendations on how these can be overcome. Sathis has assisted with collecting general data, which is still in the progress. He has conducted field sampling involving smokey vehicles count, drain and river monitoring covering flats and coffee shops in all 3 town. Sathis has indicated that he will leave the project at end Dec. 2013. This study was scheduled for completion in November 2013. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, the completion date has been delayed to February 2014. A workshop will be held in late February or late March. The Advisory Panel consists of: Dato' Dr Leong Yueh Kwong, an environmental scientist and conservationist; Datuk Dr Goh Ban Lee, SUN columnist and former Penang Island Municipal Councilor, Dr Lee Lit Meng, a Registered Town Planner with interests in sustainability issues and planning law. CETDEM welcomes contributions and pledges from the Private Sector for remaining funding of RM30,000. The study is self-funded and donations are solicited. Donations were received from CETDEM Organic Farming Project and Ultra Elektif Sdn Bhd. during the period covered. Page 3 CETDEM Hari Organik CETDEM Hari Organik is essentially a blend of an Organic Marketplace incorporating Talks and Demonstations. The visitors (customers) and exhibitors (providers) are encouraged to interact beyond the usual buyer-seller framework. It fulfills the need to further spread the awareness of Organic and Healthy Living and Sustainable Lifestyle while creating a platform for organic farmers, retailers and all those involved in the organic industry to promote their services, produce and products. The 13th CETDEM Hari Organik event was held at Padang Pusat Bandar SS2 on 5 October. We wish to acknowledge the support of the Selangor State Government, MBPJ and the Local Agenda 21 Office. CETDEM Hari Organik is an event that synergises the positive attributes of NGO, Corporation, Local Government, and the State Government. CETDEM believes that this unique model can be made an example and can be assimilated into likewise activities in the effort to promote Sustainable Lifestyle while conserving the Environment and Bio-diversity in Malaysia. This event can be duplicated in other towns/cities in other States, with the support of the respective State Governments. The 1st CETDEM Hari Organik was held on 1st August 2009. The 14th Hari Organik will be held on Sunday, 27 April 2014 for the first time in Klang! CETDEM reserves the sole discretionary right to accept or reject potential exhibitors based on their ability to provide proof to authenticate their claim of being organic (or on the way to being organic). We only accept produce from farmers who farm organically. Page 4 Farmer's Corner & Other Organic Farming Activities Farmer's Corner This is a small scale market with a few farmers invited to take part. Objectives of this “Corner”: to provide a platform for the SMALL farmers who are either ‘fresh’ or in need of another outlet to market their produce; to build solidarity among these small farmers; to mobilize and foster the community spirit among the small farmers. 6 Farmer's Corner events were held at the CETDEM Organic Farming Community Centre (OFCC) in Section 19, Petaling Jaya. Each event was held on a Sunday – 22 July, 18 Aug., 22 Sept., 20 Oct., 17 Nov. and 22 Dec.. Come, give your support … and drop by for a simple & affordable breakfast! Other Organic Farming Activities OFCC hosted a CSR activity sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank Berhad. in late Nov.. CETDEM organised a 2 Day 1 Night Observation Trip to Green Wish Vegi Garden on 30 Nov. & 1 Dec. Children’s Activities were held on Dec. 11 to coincide with the year-end school holidays and the day’s focus was solely on young children at the Organic Farming Community Centre in Sect. 19. A parent hosted a nice, little birthday party for her son at our centre. Amongst other things, the children learned how to – identify vegetable names that they usually consume; – mulch a vegetable bed using citronella leaves. The Organic Farming Project continues to evolve, finding innovative ways that cater to the needs of the farmers, consumers and public at large. Page 5 FIT & SAVE Roadshow Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA Malaysia) appointed CETDEM to manage the RE & EE Roadshow (1 day exhibition followed by ½ day workshop) to promote Feed-in- Tariff for solar PV and SAVE Program voucher for 5-star EE refrigerators and air-conditioners.