Melaka allocates land in Merlimau for stray animal shelter
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh granted approval after local animal lovers raised concerns about the growing stray population and lack of proper care facilities.
Melaka housing, local government, and disaster management committee chairman Datuk Rais Yasin said the 0.8ha land allocation was a significant breakthrough for animal advocates.
"It took many attempts by these passionate individuals and finally their efforts have paid off," Rais said in a recorded video message at a dinner organised by Pertubuhan Pencinta Hidupan Melaka (PPHM) on Sunday (Aug 3).
Rais added that the Chief Minister was personally concerned about stray animals' welfare and responded positively to the proposal.
Supporters attended the dinner at a Chinese restaurant in Kota Laksamana, including Melaka entrepreneur, cooperative development and consumer affairs committee chairman Allex Seah Shoo Chin and PPHM chairman Louis Yeo.
In his speech, Seah said the state was committed to ensuring that stray animals are treated with compassion and dignity.
"This decision reflects our sense of responsibility and care for animals in need," he said.
Representatives from various local councils were also present, signalling coordinated support for improved stray management efforts across the state.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
China, Zimbabwe ink cooperation deal, food assistance package
HARARE, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- China and Zimbabwe on Wednesday signed an agreement on economic and technical cooperation and exchange of letters for a new batch of food assistance to boost Zimbabwe's socio-economic development and food security. Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa presided over the signing ceremony at the State House, where Zimbabwean Minister of Finance and Economic Development Mthuli Ncube thanked China for its continued support to various economic sectors in Zimbabwe. He said that the previous economic and technical cooperation agreement signed between the two countries in 2020 has supported, among other projects, the drilling of boreholes across the country and the implementation of the Juncao technology assistance project that helps Zimbabwean farmers to cultivate hybrid grass rich in protein. "The government of Zimbabwe sincerely appreciates and acknowledges the emergency food assistance continuously received from China," Ncube said. "Indeed, China has demonstrated that they are our all-weather friend through the invaluable support they have consistently rendered to the people of Zimbabwe." For his part, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding said the agreements were a testimony of the resilient ties between the two countries and the affirmation of China's unwavering solidarity with Zimbabwe. He said the economic and technical cooperation agreement, as well as the food assistance, were part of the 17 cooperation agreements signed between China and Zimbabwe during Mnangagwa's state visit to China last year. "Time and again, we have proven that we are bound by a shared future, standing side by side through every trial. We cherish this profound and enduring friendship, and will continue to stand together in the face of all challenges," Zhou said. The Chinese ambassador noted that the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between the two countries has flourished across all Zimbabwean sectors, bringing tangible benefits to both nations and setting a shining example for South-South cooperation. China remains firmly committed to supporting Zimbabwe in realizing its Vision 2030 and advancing its socio-economic transformation, Zhou added.
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
EU may have just deepened its reliance on the US, former Chinese envoy says
The latest trade deal between Brussels and Washington may deepen the European Union's economic and security dependence on the US and increase the risks to the bloc's pursuit of strategic autonomy, according to a senior Chinese diplomat. Shi Mingde, who served as China's ambassador to Germany from 2012 to 2019, gave his assessment of Sunday's transatlantic agreement to academics and reporters at an event in Beijing on Tuesday to mark 50 years of China-EU relations. The deal came hard on the heels of last Thursday's one-day EU-China summit in the Chinese capital, which also marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the 27-member bloc. While Beijing has supported Europe's push for strategic autonomy, it has firmly rejected its de-risking policy – to reduce the EU's reliance on China – as a veiled attempt to contain Chinese growth, particularly in technology and the economy. 'The Europeans have proposed to reduce reliance to mitigate risk, but this reasoning is flawed,' Shi said. 'They claim that greater reliance leads to greater risk, yet their dependence on the United States remains even stronger – both in terms of security and economics – and the recent deal ... further reinforces the EU's dependence on the US in terms of security and the economy. 'So, will this agreement ultimately lead to greater strategic autonomy for Europe? Not yet.' Touted by US President Donald Trump as 'the biggest deal ever made', the agreement puts a 15 per cent tariff on most European imports to the United States, while the average rate on goods in the other direction will drop below one per cent, according to the White House. The EU has also agreed to buy US$750 billion in American energy and make US$600 billion in new investment in the United States – all by 2028. There have been concerns that a transatlantic agreement may increase Trump's leverage in the continuing trade talks with Beijing while allowing the US and the EU to refocus on their alignment in the competition with China. On Monday, EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said that as part of the deal, Washington and Brussels would develop a metals alliance to mitigate the impact of subsidised Chinese products – notably 'steel, aluminium, copper and the derivatives' – on global markets. Without going into the agreement's details, Shi said that while Beijing's policy with the bloc had been 'consistent' and 'cooperative', it was the EU's own job to shape its future with major powers like the US, China and Russia. How Sino-EU relations develop would depend on how the bloc definef China, 'but the premise is how the EU defines itself in a turbulent world', he said. '[Would Brussels really] want a full-scale confrontation with Russia, comprehensive suppression by the US ... and an increasingly fractious relationship with China?' Despite the frictions in the relationship, China has positioned itself as a partner to Europe and has been encouraging the European Union to do more to assert its strategic autonomy. At last week's summit, expected to set the tone for China-EU relations, President Xi Jinping urged his visitors – European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and the president of the European Council Antonio Costa – to make 'the right strategic choice'. Speaking before Shi at the same event, Di Dongsheng, professor and associate dean of the Renmin University of China's school of international studies, observed that the EU's policy on China had been largely influenced by Washington rather than Beijing. The results of a 2023 study by his team at Renmin University suggested there was a risk that the EU might use China as leverage if Brussels was pressed hard by the US, he said. The researchers analysed more than 200 million recorded events – including diplomatic engagement and conflicts – related to relations between China, the US and Washington's allies since 2009, when former president Barack Obama took office. 'Our research shows Europe's China policy isn't shaped by Beijing's actions at all – whether we're positive or negative makes no difference in the EU's attitude on China,' Di said. 'The real decider is America's stance towards China and, to a lesser extent, the United States' attitude towards the EU. 'In this sense, when the Europeans talk about cutting dependence on China, in the economy and supply chains, I think they should also be pursuing real political and strategic autonomy.' - South China Morning Post
The Star
10 hours ago
- The Star
Hit by US tariffs, Indonesia plans to sell shrimp to China instead
A worker showing live shrimps at Ujung Kulon Sukses Makmur Abadi, a shrimp farm's company in Pandeglang, Banten province, Indonesia. - Reuters PANDEGLANG, Indonesia: At a shrimp farm in Indonesia, more than 16,000km (9,942 miles) from Washington DC, US President Donald Trump's import tariffs have left Denny Leonardo's expansion plans in disarray. Leonardo had aimed to add about 100 new ponds this year to his 150-pond farm on the southwestern tip of Java island, but was forced to reconsider when US orders dried up in the wake of Trump's initial tariff threats in April. And while the latest 19% tariff, agreed with Washington in July and due to take effect this week, is less than the initial 32%, Leonardo is counting the cost to his business. "With the US pressuring Indonesia's exports, everyone is eagerly looking for new opportunities to diversify, to reduce their dependence on the US," the 30-year-old prawn farmer said after July's announcement. The United States is the biggest market for Indonesian prawns, buying 60% of the country's US$1.68 billion in shrimp exports last year. Andi Tamsil, the head of Indonesia's shrimp farmers' association, estimates the 19% tariffs could see total exports plunge by 30% this year compared to 2024, putting the livelihoods of one million workers at risk. Even with July's agreement, most US customers are still putting their shrimp purchases on hold, said Budhi Wibowo, who heads an association of seafood businesses. He notes the new rates put Indonesia at a disadvantage against Ecuador, the world's top producer of farmed shrimp, whose import tariff was set at 15%. China is the world's biggest importer of shrimp by volume, but Indonesians have preferred to sell to the US where they could get better prices, Budhi said. Before the tariffs, China typically bought only 2% of Indonesia's exports of the seafood. Now the industry is having to work hard to promote its products to Chinese buyers. In June, Tamsil, of the shrimp farmers' association, travelled with a delegation of industry representatives to the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou to meet importers, restaurant owners and agri-commerce platforms. More trips are planned. "We have a very big opportunity in China that imported around one million tonnes of shrimps," Tamsil said. "Imagine if we could take just 20% of China's import market." Budhi, of the seafood association, said Indonesia could also diversify exports to the Middle East, South Korea, Taiwan, and the European Union, especially as Jakarta is close to signing a free trade agreement with Brussels. Back on his farm, Leonardo is confident his business, which he inherited from his father, can weather the US tariff storm. But it might not expand as quickly as he once hoped. "I am optimistic that my company could survive because there will still be supply and demand. But for growth, I am not that optimistic," Leonardo said. - Reuters
