1999/2000 Report

PRESIDENT?S REPORT ON WWP ACTIVITIES 1999/2000

(1) LETTERS AND ARTICLES IN JOURNALS, MAGAZINES AND NEWSPAPERS WWP has from time to time published educational and awareness articles in local newspapers in line with its objective to educate the masses and to create a water saving society. Millions must have read the articles. WWP received many calls seeking advice and other matters relating to water saving. The following are the articles published: ? Ganesh Rasagam and Chan N W 1999 The Role Of Non-Governmental Organisations in Public Awareness and Environmental Education Towards Protection, Conservation and Rehabilitation of Rivers: Some Examples From The Work of Water Watch Penang. Book of Abstracts of the National Conference on Rivers ?99: Towards Sustainable Development, 14-17 October 1999, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, p 39. ? Chan N W 1999 Acid Rain. The Sustainable Penang Initiative: People?s Report of Penang 1999, p. 1. ? Chan N W 1999 Water Consumption and Production. The Sustainable Penang Initiative: People?s Report of Penang 1999, p. 8. ? Chan N W 1999 The Role of Women in Water Conservation in Penang. Suara Wanita, November 1999. ? Chan N W (1999) Cable car system will destroy water catchment areas. The Sun 19 July 1999, p. A18. ? Chan N W (1999) Penang Hill-Teluk Bahang Cable Car System: What Are The Hidden Costs? Malaysian Nature Society Penang Branch Newsletter, No. 12/99, December 1999 Issue, Pulau Pinang, pp 6-9. ? Chan N W (1999) Risky to tamper with Penang Hill. The Sun, November 8, 1999, p 18. ? Chan N W (1999) ?Sui Wo Yuen Yuen Pu Jue? (Translation: ?Never Ending Water Disasters?). Guang Ming Daily. 24 November 1999, Pulau Pinang, p C16. ? Chan N W (2000) Protect Cameron Highland Forests. The Sun, 12 January 2000, p. 16. ? Chan N W (2000) Downstream Effects on Water Sources. New Straits Times, 25 January 2000, p 5. ? Chan N W (2000) ?Ping Sui Yuen Jian Tu Ju Ji: Wei Sui Xin Ku Wei Sui Mang? (Translation: ?Water Watch Penang: Working Hard For Water?). Guang Ming Daily, 18 March 2000, Pulau Pinang, p C8. ? Chan N W (2000) ?Sui Kung Wen Ti? (Translation: ?Water Problems?). Guang Ming Daily, 20 March 2000, Pulau Pinang, p D8. ? Chan N W (2000) ?Er Tze Chien Sui Ta Xin Tial? (Translation: ?Twenty Great Ways to Reduce Water Usage?). Guang Ming Daily, 21 March 2000, Pulau Pinang, p C8. ? Chan N W (2000) Forget Not Our Dry Days. New Straits Times, Life & Times Section, 21 March 2000, 1. ? Chan N W (2000) The Three Rs to Conserving Water. New Straits Times, Life & Times Section, 21 March 2000, 5. ? Chan N W (2000) Conserving the country?s rivers must involve all. The Sun, Comment & Letters, 30 March 2000, 18. ? Chan N W (2000) Conduct Thorough Study Before Raising Water Rates. The Sun, Comment & Letters, 10 April 2000, 16. ? Chan N W (2000) Upkeep of rivers must be a shared responsibility. The Sun 9, May, 2000, p. 16. ? Chan N W (2000) Move to educate schoolchildren on water conservation laudable. The Sun 5 June, 2000, p. 16. (2) EDUCATING THE YOUNG TO LOVE AND MONITOR THE HEALTH OF OUR RIVERS - THE SUNGAI PINANG EXPERIENCE, 15th MAY 1999, 8.00 - 5.00 PM. This event is similar to the one held at the Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang on the 13th of March 1999. About 30 students from Tanjong Bungah School took part. The students assembled at the Botanical Gardens at 8.00 am. Once again, the president led the group with some help from WWP members. A short briefing about the importance of conserving the cleanliness of our rivers was given by the president, followed by a "River Walk" along the banks of the Sg Air Terjun inside the Botanical gardens. The Ag Air Terjun is a tributary of the Sg Pinang, hence it contributes the headwaters of the Sg Pinang. Students were briefed on the importance of water conservation and hence the need to keep our rivers clean. The group was then taught some basic water monitoring exercises in which they conducted the exercises themselves in the river (Photograph 2). WWP hopes that this school will adopt this section of the Sg Air Terjun so that the students will monitor its "Health" by testing simple indicators such as the physical characteristics (velocity and discharge, cross-section area of river channel, temperature, colour, turbidity, presence of rubbish, smell/odour, flowing or stagnant water), the biological characteristics (presence of aquatic weeds, fish, and other aquatic wildlife) and the chemical characteristics (pH, Dissolved Oxygen and Conductivity). When the students had finished their exercises at this location, they were then taken by bus to downstream Sg Pinang (at the Patani Road Bridge). Here, they conducted the same exercises and to their disgust, they found the huge contrast in river cleanliness between the two sites. Many refused to get into the river at the second site! The results of the exercises confirmed the vast difference in the quality of the river at the two different locations (Photograph 3). Students could hardly believe their eyes when they saw the amount of rubbish in the river (Photograph 4). The president then rounded up with a discussion as to the reasons for the change in water quality and cleanliness. Students were asked to recommend ways and means of cleaning up the second site. (3) PEOPLE?S FORUM AT THE CARING SOCIETY COMPLEX, 12 June 1999 WWP President Dr Chan Ngai Weng (assisted by Selvi Nagaswari) presented the Annual WWP Report on our activities to the Chief Minister and all the people of Penang. It was at this forum that the Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon announced the PBAPP Sdn Bhd?s funding of RM50,000.00 to WWP. (4) WWP ANNUAL AGM ? 12 JUNE 1999, CARING SOCIETY COMPLEX In conjunction with the People?s Forum, WWP held its Annual AGM at the same venue between 12.30 noon to 2.00 pm as most of our members were present at the forum. A total of 18 out of 24 members were present. The President Dr Chan Ngai Weng presented the Annual Activities and overall report of WWP. The Treasurer Mrs. Selvi Nagaswari presented the Annual Accounts. Both reports were unanimously accepted and passed. During the elections of office bearers, the following were elected into the various positions: President: Dr Chan Ngai Weng Secretary: Mrs. Selvi Nagaswari Treasurer: Miss Azrina Abdullah Committee Members: Miss Evelyn Teng Fong Lin Mr Lim Wei Seong Mr Khor Hung Teik Mr Lee Shok Mee (5) FUNDING FROM PERBADANAN BEKALAN AIR PULAU PINANG SDN BHD (PBAPP) DURING THE OFFICIAL LAUNCHING OF PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE PENANG WATER SUPPLY CORPORATION (PBAPP) AND WATER WATCH PENANG (WWP) IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PBAPP?s LAUNCHING OF THEIR NEW LOGO, 8 OCTOBER 1999, HOTEL SHANGRILA, PENANG WWP was represented by Miss Azrina Abdullah, Madam Selvi Nagaswari and Dr Chan Ngai Weng in this event organised by the PBAPP Sdn Bhd. A Mock Cheque of RM50,000.00 was presented to WWP. Dr Chan received the cheque on behalf of WWP from Ir Liew Chook San, PBAPP?s Managing Director witnessed by the Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon. During the launch, the PBAPP Sdn Bhd also handed out a crossed cheque of RM50,000.00 to WWP. The funding is for a series of comprehensive programmes that WWP will carry out on behalf of the PBAPP Sdn Bhd. Amongst the major programmes were the school education, public awareness and the launch on World Water Day. (6) APPLICATION FOR FUNDING FROM OTHER BODIES/ORGANISATIONS WWP has also written to a number of funding agencies for funding as follows: ? Indah Water Konsortium ? No reply. ? Gamuda Berhad on 29 July 1999 ? No Reply. ? Global Environment Centre on 3 November 1999 ? No reply ? The Alliance for a Responsible and United World, Paris in June 1999 ? Rejected. ? DANCED ? a river restoration project with SERI ? waiting for answer. (7) NETWORKING WWP is an ally of the Alliance for a responsible and united world, a French NGO. WWP is also networking with NGOs from Water Watch Australia, The Convention on Wetlands (RAMSAR), Global Rivers Environmental Education Network (GREEN), UNDP (Malaysia), and other NGOs. WWP is collaborating closely with SERI, the Malaysian Nature Society (Penang Branch), Wetlands International (WIAP), WWF and others. WWP also has connections with CAP, SAM, TWN, SILA and STEP). WWP is also active in the Friends of Penang Hill (FOPH) for the protection and conservation of water resources in Penang State. WWP is also collaborating with government agencies such as JPS, MPPP and MPSP, USM, and the news media in its water conservation programmes. (8) MAJLIS TAKLIMAT PENGURUSAN PERTUBUHAN, 11 SEPTEMBER 1999, AUDITORIUM A, KOMTAR LEVEL 5, PENANG WWP was represented by Miss Azrina Abdullah, Madam Selvi Nagaswari and Dr Chan Ngai Weng in this forum organised by the Registrar of Socities Penang. (9) WWP PRESENTATION AT THE INTERNATIONAL COURSE ON THE PROMOTION OF HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT IN URBAN AREAS, 25 SEPTEMBER 1999, SERI Dr Chan Ngai Weng gave a presentation titled ?Water Watch Penang: Vision, Role and Activities Towards Sustainable Development Of water Resources In Penang?. (10) NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RIVERS ?99: TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, 14-17 OCTOBER 1999, UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA, PENANG Ir Ganesh Rasagam and Dr Chan Ngai Weng presented a joint paper for WWP titled ?The Role Of Non-Governmental Organisations in Public Awareness and Environmental Education Towards Protection, Conservation and Rehabilitation of Rivers: Some Examples From The Work of Water Watch Penang (11) WORKSHOP ON LAND RECLAMATION POLICY, 26 OCTOBER 1999, CITITLE, PENANG Dr Chan Ngai Weng represented WWP in this workshop organised by the Danish Cooperation for Environment and Development (DANCED) and Unit Perancangan Ekonomi Negeri Pulau Pinang (UPEN) under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project. (12) WWP PRESENTATION FOR INSTITUTE OF GOVERNANCE, 4 NOVEMBER 1999, SERI Dr Chan Ngai Weng gave a presentation titled ?Water Watch Penang: Vision, Role and Activities Towards Sustainable Development Of water Resources In Penang?. (13) LEARNING FROM THE BAGUIO RIVER BASIN CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE, BAGUIO, PHILIPPINES, 6-10 DECEMBER 1999 WWP was invited to take part in a ?camp forum? by the Institute of Governance who sponsored three of our members for a 5 days trip to Baguio, the Philippines to learn from the successful Phillipino experience. WWP were represented by three members Mr Lee Shok Mee, Miss Yeoh Oon Bee and Madam The Kin Hong. Mr Lee Shok Mee, by virtue of being the most experienced member, will lead the group. The members were instructed to learn as much as they can from this trip and then return to Penang to try to implement some, if not all, of what they learnt. We are hoping that our three members can implement some of the activities, in relation to river conservation and water, in the schools. WWP thank the Institute of Governance for their funding and we are confident that this trip will help us in our programmes tremendously. WWP hopes that there would be more support of this kind in future. (14) STATE-WIDE INTER-SCHOOL WATER COMPETITIONS: (I) SAVE WATER COMPETITION BASED ON AMOUNT OF WATER SAVED OVER 1 6 MONTH PERIOD; (II) MOST INNOVATIVE AND PRACTICAL WATER CONSERVATION PROJECT; AND (III) BEST PAINTING ON ANY WATER TOPIC, DECEMBER 1999-JUNE 2000 WWP is organising a State-wide competition on the above three competitions for the 300 odd schools in the State. This is part of WWP?s education and awareness programme with the schools. The programme is funded by the PBAPP Sdn Bhd. Trophies, certificates and cash will be awarded to the winners of all the categories. In addition, as a form of encouragement, there will be plenty of consolation prizes. The prizes for the winners were given out on the 12th June 2000 at SERI?s office. The press was called. (15) NATIONAL SEMINAR ?ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN OF THE BERIS DAM PROJECT?, 28 Feb ? 1 March 2000, Sg Petani. Organised by JPS. WWP was invited to present its views on this dam project. WWP well represented by Dr Chan and Selvi at this event. A lot of questions were posted by WWP regarding the need, aim and possible effects of the dam, especially on the future of Penang?s water supply. (16) NATIONAL CELEBRATION ON WORLD DAY FOR WATER 2000 IN PENANG, 18 ? 22 MARCH 2000 World Water Day (WDW) 2000 fell on 22nd March 2000. This year, Penang was selected by the Federal Government as the host of WDW. The JPS was the chief organisor, and they duly invited WWP as a Committee Member in the organizing committee. A series of water activities were organized. Amongst them were: A water exhibition where WWP was allocated a booth in KOMTAR ? WWP members who gave their time to man our booth were Dr Chan & wife, Shok Mee & wife, Selvi, Khor and Dorothy; A Water Seminar at Cititel Hotel from 20-21 March organized by MANCID-YPF ? Dr Chan and Shok Mee presented papers; WWP Launch at Botanical Gardens on 22nd March 2000 ? this was a grand event in which the PBAPP also took part. Amongst the activities were painting competitions where 9 mountain bikes were given out as prizes, a water guessing competition, official opening by the Chief Mininister, speeches by the Chief Minister, the General Manager of PBAPP Ir Liew Chook San and WWP president Dr Chan. WWP also gave out ?water saving? mugs, T-shirts, stickers and other memorabilia. PBAPP also gave out souvenirs on water conservation. A total of about 500 people attended the launch. It was a great success. (17) RADIO SHOW BY RADIO PENANG ON 13 MARCH 2000 Radio Penang interviewed WWP president Dr Chan on various aspects of water conservation. This is part of the World Water Day (WDW) 2000 celebrations. This was a very good chance for WWP?s to send its message of ?water saving? across to the masses. During the show, there was a water quiz in which Dr Chan asked some fairly easy questions and callers called in with their answers. WWP gave away two prizes to the winners. The prizes were given out during WWP?s Launch on 22nd March. 18) Water Watch Committee Strategic Planning Retreat 6-9 April 2000 The Water Watch Committee went for a 3-day planning retreat at Trinkap, Cameron Highlands. They had a fruitful time in planning for the coming national conference on water and several other projects including the monitoring of water quality Sg. Pinang. Field visits were also organised for this trip to various places of interest like the forest reserve at Tanah Rata under the Forestry Department. (19) Local Seminar - ?Penang Association For Continuing Education (PACE) Seminar Series, 2000?, April 16, Caring Society Complex, Penang. Organised by PACE under the auspices of the Penang Educational Consultative Council (PECC). WWP president Dr Chan was invited to give a talk/seminar on Water: Issue of the New Millennium? The event was well attended by about 30 people from the public. This is part of WWP?s public education campaign. (20) TV SHOW INTERVIEW BY TV3 ON 5 MAY 2000 TV3 interviewed WWP president Dr Chan on the state of water resources in Penang and various other aspects of water conservation. This was another very good chance for WWP?s to send its message of ?water saving? across to the masses. During the half-hour interview, Dr Chan appealed to all Penangites to start saving water as Penang was a water-stressed state. TV3 promised to give WWP a copy of the taped video for WWP?s water education programmes. (21) International Forum ? ?Millennium Forum: We The People?, 22 ? 26 May, 2000 New York, United States of America. This international event was organized by The United Nations. WWP was the only NGO invited from Malaysia. Dr Chan represented WWP and funded himself on this trip. This was possible as he was in the USA at that time. Dr Chan presented a paper titled Saving Water in the 21st Century: The Responsibility of All. (22) National Forum ? ?Forum Air 2000?, 27 May, Swiss Garden Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. Organised by Malaysian Nature Society. WWP was invited to present a paper at this national event. Selvi Nagaswari a/p Murugiah presented the joint paper with Dr Chan titled The 3R Concept in Water Use. FUTURE PLANS WWP is constantly involved in updating and informing the public of relevant water issues. Future plans include: ? Water education in schools under WWP?s School?s Programme ? Catchment Walk cum tree planting programme for water catchments in Penang ? River restoration programme ? Sg Pinang ? DANCED project funding applied together with SERI. ? River restoration programme ? Sg Keluang. This project involves WWP, JPS and the resident association of a community living beside this river. ? Awareness and education through articles/reports in newspaper. ? Awareness and education through WWP bulletins/journals. ? Awareness and education for the public through WWP's "Love your river campaign". ? Awareness and education for school children through WWP's "Adopt a river campaign". ? Taking part in EIA panels for water related projects. ? Networking with other NGOs for information sharing and water conservation. ? Give talks/lectures on water issues. ? Advice the public and industries on water saving tips. ? Report water abuse, water thefts and other undesirable water related activities to the authorities. ? Taking part in the ?Green Production? campaign for Penang?s industries. ? Be a watch dog on all issues relating to water. ? WWP as an agent for Change in attitudes and lifestyle- WWP has observed some improvement amongst the general public in terms of water saving. People appear to be more concerned now. This is shown by the many calls and enquires received. WWP is also very encouraged by the response from schools and school children. WWP envisage that this is where most of our future work lies, i.e. amongst the younger generation. ? Working with the Government - WWP is convinced that it can do what no other NGO has ever done before, i.e. get the authorities to work with it. WWP is aware that no water authority wants to do water education, even though they may have a budget for it. WWP wants to help out and take over the water education part of for the water bodies. We need to be given the chance. WWP wants to start by being the educational and public awareness "expert"/advisor" to the PBAPP Sdn Bhd. WWP is hopeful that it?s the PBAPP Sdn Bhd will continue to fund us in our awareness and water education programmes in Penang in the future. WATER IS THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE. LEAKING PIPES MUST BE FIXED BUT INCREASE IN WATER RATES IS NECESSARY TO CURB "WATER WASTERS" This is in response to Datuk Keramat assemblyman Lim Boo Chang's lament on leaking pipes not attended to by the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBA) and his remarks about Water Watch Penang (WWP) saying that "Penangites deserve to pay more for water" (The STAR, 13 Dec 2000). WWP are very happy that we have a rep in Penang who genuinely cares about water problems and who is at the scene of water leaks. We want to assure Lim that WWP is just as eager for the PBA to repair pipe bursts and leakages in the shortest time possible. Hence, people who report to the PBA and do not get immediate response should contact WWP and we will then take it up with the PBA. While WWP is not trying to put up excuses for the PBA for not tending to the leaks fast enough, Penangites should realize that many pipes in Penang are old, and it takes time to replace them. I am sure the PBA is giving this a top priority as pipe bursts and leaks can result in a lot of lost water and revenue. It is not logical for the PBA not to tend to pipe bursts or leaks as they are the ones who will stand to lose. WWP would also like to remind Penangites that raising water rates is necessary to ensure minimal water wastage and to create a "Water Saving Society" WWP has nothing to gain by pushing for a hike in water rates. It is doing so because this is necessary for water conservation in Penang, a water-stressed State. WWP is not jealous of Penangites enjoying cheap water but alarmed at the rate we are wasting water. In fact, WWP would be very happy if Penangites get free water but we do not have the water resources! Penang State is extremely "poor" in water resources and at the rate we are wasting our water, we will soon have a "water crisis" on our hands! What the PWSC has proposed is fair as only those who use over 40,000 litres a month (the water wasters) will have to pay more. This will not affect 75 % of consumers. Our studies have shown categorically that the Penang public will make attempts (some more serious than others) to save electricity and telephone calls, but not water. Again, this is because water is too "dirt" cheap for people to bother on saving it. This is, ironically, in spite of the fact that humans can survive without electricity (albeit with some difficulty) and quite comfortably without telephones but absolutely not without water! The public has a moral responsibility to conserve water and not to waste it, and if they cannot or will not make attempts to save water, then it is appropriate for the PWSC to increase water rates to make it "worthwhile" for them to start saving water. WWP has this to say to the people in Penang: "The small increase in water rates proposed will be a blessing in disguise as years from now you and your children will be spared the agony of water rationing, periodic water cuts and worse of all - NO WATER! In the near future The few extra sen you pay for the "extra" water you use is an investment into Penang's future. It also controls over-usage of water. Be a responsible Penangite and save water." Dr Chan Ngai Weng President WWP