Latest news with #Poh
NZ Herald
7 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Agribusiness and Trade: Sustainable food innovator seeks inspiration from NZ
Ray Poh of Artisan Green, Singapore. In land-scarce Singapore, space is precious. But so is food security. Singapore imports more than 90% of what it eats, however, as part of its '30 by 30″ goal to produce 30% of its nutritional needs locally by 2030, the Government tenders parcels of land for agriculture. Artisan Green won its plot by demonstrating the commercial viability and technical sophistication of its operation. From its original 300 square metre facility, the company is preparing to move into a new two-hectare site in Singapore's designated agriculture zone. The expansion includes a 5500sq m vertical farm, along with significant outdoor greenhouse space and a 4000sq m facility to support post-harvest operations. This will lift production from one tonne a month to 30 tonnes per month in the initial phase. The second phase will see this increase to 90 tonnes per month. Poh says the larger scale will allow Artisan Green to bring prices down and make the locally grown produce more competitive. 'Our aim is to price between overseas imports and imported organic produce,' he says. 'People support us even though we're more expensive than imports because we're local, and our customers – especially younger families – want to avoid exposing their children to pesticides.' In partnership with Siemens, Artisan Green has digitised its crop recipes: water and nutrient profiles, lighting cycles and temperature settings, allowing consistent yields without relying on a large team of plant scientists. 'We encapsulate the entire growing cycle into our recipes,' he says, 'which means that anyone using this platform in the future will not have to be a plant scientist to operate it.' Poh explains that the intellectual property developed will help make future expansion easier. With the science centralised and scalable, Artisan Green can replicate its model overseas using local workers, without having to bring in expensive technical talent. He likens it to McDonald's. 'You don't have chefs in McDonald's. You just need operators, while all the R&D is done in the central kitchen.' Poh was in New Zealand last month as part of the Asia New Zealand Foundation's ASEAN Young Business Leaders Initiative programme. The delegation of 11 agribusiness entrepreneurs visited businesses around the country and attended Fieldays to learn about New Zealand's agricultural sector, build local connections, and explore future business opportunities. Poh says that for a city-based grower like him, seeing how New Zealand brings together science, industry and government in the agribusiness sector has been eye-opening. 'Agriculture is in New Zealand's blood,' he says. 'It's not just individual farmers doing their own thing, you can see how industry and government work together to advance the sector.' He points to New Zealand's plant science research and downstream operations, including packhouses, marketing, and distribution networks, as areas that Singapore still needs to develop. Too often, he says, small farms in Singapore fail not because they can't grow food, but because they can't get it to customers efficiently. It's one reason why Poh started his own distribution company, which now handles produce from other local farms as well. There are lessons New Zealand might take from Singapore too, particularly the value of investing in science to develop high-value crops that can command a premium. 'We can't grow things like baby spinach outdoors in Singapore. It's too hot. So we grow it indoors. But to make that work, you need margins, and you need to grow something premium,' Poh says. And you need to know your science. 'A lot of people think AI or automation is going to revolutionise agriculture. But you can't eat software,' he says. 'So you need to know your basics in plant science first, then automate from there.' Poh sees both countries as coming at the same problem from different angles. New Zealand has deep-rooted farming knowledge and strong science institutions. Singapore brings innovation in urban food production. If the future of food is global, then the best ideas will likely grow in both places.
Bangkok Post
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Group seeks legal work for refugees
A civil society network on Thursday urged a parliamentary committee to allow Myanmar refugees housed in temporary shelters here to work legally, as international humanitarian aid for them threatens to dry up soon. Poh Toh Ki, the network's representative, submitted a petition to opposition People's Party (PP) MP Rangsiman Rome, who also serves as chairman of the House Committee on National Security. Ms Poh said while many refugees have been able to settle elsewhere, at least 100,000 are now residing in nine shelters along the Thailand-Myanmar border. Continuing to operate those shelters will be challenging, she noted, as United States President Donald Trump has suspended funding for the International Rescue Committee (IRC), as well as humanitarian aid for refugees at every level. Since most of the remaining refugees were born and raised in Thailand, the network demanded Parliament recognise them as legal workers before humanitarian aid stops. According to news website Transborder News, two major humanitarian organisations — the Border Consortium (TBC) and the IRC — will halt key aid services by the end of this month due to a lack of donor support. The network's proposals noted that refugees should be allowed to travel to work within a short distance of their shelters without having to go through a complicated process. It recommended that Thai language courses be offered immediately in the camps and outlined a process by which refugees could apply for jobs. 'Refugees can become valuable human resources for the economy if they are granted access to basic rights,' said Ms Poh. The House committee met on Thursday to discuss the potential impact of the halted aid on refugees along the Thailand-Myanmar border. The meeting was attended by representatives from the National Security Council (NSC) and permanent secretaries of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Labour. Representatives from the NSC said the office would ask other ministries to allocate budgets for necessities like food, drinking water and gas, starting from the end of this month.
The Star
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Immersive display of culture in George Town
THE 17th edition of George Town Heritage Celebrations (GTHC) in Penang brought to life the city's heritage. Themed 'Doors and Doorways' and held over three days from July 5 to 7, the events took visitors back in time to hear stories of bygone days and gain a better appreciation of Penang's living heritage. A crowd of 20,000 thronged its opening event, the Cultural Workshop, held in the heritage enclave last Saturday. It featured 23 interactive activities and six dance performances that highlighted different communities' traditions, practices, art forms, handicrafts, foodways, rituals and games. Visitors giving 'sepak takraw' a go at Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongsi. Cultural associations, heritage custodians, religious bodies and community members played the role of facilitators and storytellers. It allowed event-goers to live George Town as it was in days gone by and treasure the cultural tapestry that led to its Unesco World Heritage listing. Among those enjoying the occasion was Frenchwoman Laura Bertal, who was spotted learning joget from State Chinese (Penang) Association members. Bertal made the hop over from Singapore where she is studying and was randomly exploring the city when she heard music and decided to find out what it was. 'I love cultural events as it allows me to learn about a country's traditions and history. Visitors learning Hakka with the Penang Hakka Association. 'The women look beautiful in their traditional costumes and I was surprised how easy it is to get a hang of the steps,' she said. Spanish couple Nuria Ayala and Manuel Fernandez, also chose an opportune time to stop by Penang during their three-week-long vacation around Malaysia. They tried the Chinese rubbing art craft workshop hosted by Thai Pak Koong (Ng Suk) Temple. Ayala said she enjoyed the interactive activities as it allowed them to take home hand-made craft as souvenirs. 'It made learning about tradition fun and engaging. We were really impressed by Penang's mix of cultures.' Penang residents Yeoh Han Lim and Poh Boon Yen brought their children Yubum and Yuying to the event so they could learn more about Malaysia's diverse communities. The family tried making pottery at a station run by Penang Hindu Association. Poh, who runs an e-commerce business, said such events were also a good opportunity to get children away from their screens and to make things with their hands. 'My son enjoyed it so much that he didn't want to stop until he completed sculpting his pot. 'At this event, we found unique aspects of different cultures all in one location,' Poh said. GTHC was first held in 2009 to mark the anniversary of the city's joint inscription with Melaka as a Unesco World Heritage site a year earlier. The annual event is organised by George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI). The Penang Eurasian Association group, including Geraldine (in purple) teaching attendees steps of the Portuguese Dance at the Cheah Kongsi -- courtesy pic. Proud to share their culture Most of the Cultural Workshop stations were at Armenian Park, Armenian Street, Acheh Street and Cannon Street. Others were found in the compounds of Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongsi, Hock Teik Cheng Sin Temple and Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh. Members of the participating communities relished the opportunity to share elements of their culture with the masses. Penang Hindu Association vice-president Dr S. Balasubramaniam said they wanted to revive the popularity of time-honoured crafts like pottery that went back millennia. 'Clay pots have long been a part of family kitchens. 'Before the advent of refrigeration or modern metal containers, these were what people stored water or ingredients in. 'The pots keep things cool naturally, have no lead content and are safe to use,' he said. 'They are just as versatile and relevant for modern life.' Pottery was also celebrated at Gujarati Samaj Penang's booth, which allowed visitors to decorate their own earthen pots – known as matli – while delving into its cultural significance. Association president Daksha Shashikant said despite being a household item, the matli was often used as a decorative element during festivals. 'Women used to spend a lot of time decorating the matli. 'It was a communal activity that brought people together and it remains a cherished part of Gujarati culture,' Daksha said. Persatuan Warisan Dato Koyah secretary-general Adam Malik Shahul Hamid reminisced about the time when kite-flying used to be a favourite pastime among teenagers. 'It was an activity that united all races. Children from different neighbourhoods, without seeing each other, would send their kites up to meet in the skies. 'Some even engaged in 'kite fighting' where they would try to cut down each other's kites using the strings. 'Once one side succeeded, the race was on to claim the fallen kite as a prize. 'We hope modern generations will enjoy such outdoor activities again,' he said while overseeing a kite-making workshop. Many visitors took turns colouring 3m-long sheets of batik under the guidance of Warisan Balik Pulau volunteers. The sheets had wax outlines done by individuals with disabilities from the area, according to Air Putih Community-Based Rehabilitation Centre (PPDK) supervisor Nadirah Darus. 'Batik is deeply intertwined with the nation's cultural and artistic heritage. Its appeal is timeless. 'We've had visitors of various backgrounds adding their touches to pieces here. 'Finished sheets will be exhibited at next year's event, a testament to the handiwork of a whole community,' Nadirah said. At the Penang Hokkien Association youth section booth, crowds had fun learning the phonetics of Hokkien with the help of flash cards. Section chairman Yew Yung Shen said they wanted to make Hokkien appealing to younger generations of the Chinese community who were increasingly speaking Mandarin only. 'Some parties fear that Penang Hokkien will die out within several decades if usage continues to decline. 'It is important to revitalise the language because it has been part of Penang's history,' added Yew. Spectators turn dancers At Cheah Kongsi, a giant stage allowed spectators to join in the line-up of dances put on by various groups. This included the Portuguese dance by Penang Eurasian Association, whose president Peter Pedley said members were touched by the warm reception they received. Youngest among the eight-member group was Charlotte Eliza de Almeida who stole spectators' hearts with her graceful moves. 'I enjoyed dancing but was a little nervous,' she said. Also in the entourage was Peter's sister, Geraldine, who lives in Manchester, England, but was roped in to join the performance during her visit. 'The atmosphere was joyful and I'm delighted to have been a part of it,' said Geraldine. There was also a mahnora dance performance by Persatuan Masyarakat Siam Pulau Pinang and Bon Giri Renka: Bon Festival Love Song showcased by Malaysian-Japanese Society, while Penang Telugu Bidalu organisation performed the daathubhajana chirathalaata folk dance. Tualang, ronggeng and joget were rendered by a troupe from the Penang branch of the National Department for Culture and Arts, while bhangra numbers were put on by Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia. Visitors also had the opportunity to try Nanyang Childhood Games like congkak, seven stones, sepak takraw and shuttlecock kicking. Community roots Among the other workshops were a Chingay parade by the Penang Chingay Association, a trishaw-themed giant board game by Luma and paper-cutting by Lum Yeong Tong Yap Temple. Pertubuhan Kebajikan Ayyappan Batu Uban Pulau Pinang highlighted the Sabarimala pilgrimage while Central Muslim Society celebrated the Kadayanallur Tenkasi community's roots in George Town through spice grinding. At the Malaysian-German Society booth, visitors made paper models of German-influenced buildings. Over at Badan Warisan Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh, there was a heritage writing workshop. Tourists trying their hand at making pottery during an activity at the 17th edition of George Town Heritage Celebrations. The Penang Hakka Association acquainted visitors with basic words and phrases, while The Pink Hibiscus Club taught the visitors to make origami and floral decorations. Persatuan Wadda Gurdwara Sahib Penang spotlighted traditional clothing, with North Malaysia Malayali Samajam doing the same while sweetening the deal with delicacies. Penang Hidden Gems hosted a Nanyang coffee workshop, alongside Spice and Curry Production House which delved into the art of making briyani. Gabungan Persatuan India Muslim Pulau Pinang emphasised the significance of the community's cuisine, as did the Nattukottai Nagarathar Heritage Society.
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
MasterChef judging panel set for major shakeup - amid rumours fan favourite won't be returning to series
MasterChef Australia will look very different next year. Fan favourite Andy Allen's future on the cooking competition is up in the air amid reports that producers are preparing to rejig the judging panel with an all-female line-up. According to Woman's Day, a major shake-up is underway and things aren't looking too good for Andy. 'There's no official announcement until the current season wraps but everyone at MasterChef knows cost-cutting is in full swing,' says the source. 'Four judges may no longer be financially viable - especially as other major shows like I'm A Celeb are taking budget hits too.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Andy is said to be 'preparing for a career pivot', confiding in friends that he's incredibly grateful for his time on the show - but he knows the end might be near. 'Andy is a smart guy and he will have more opportunities. He's also been wary about Melissa Leong making a return,' the source adds. 'If they can mend their differences and she comes back, it's likely she won't be working with Andy.' It comes just weeks after Poh confirmed that she will be returning to the series next year, despite reports that she was going to be replaced by Julie Goodwin. Daily Mail Australia can reveal the 51-year-old has signed on to return for the 2026 season, putting an end to recent speculation that she was preparing to bow out. A spokesperson for the popular chef flatly denied the claims, revealing: 'There's no truth to the speculation. Poh is loving her time on MasterChef and feels like she's found her place.' It follows a report by New Idea earlier this week suggesting Poh was considering leaving the series, prompting executives to quietly begin scouting a new judge to join Andy Allen, Sofia Levin and Jean-Christophe Novelli at the judging table. Among the names floated as a potential replacement? None other than fan favourite Julie Goodwin - the very contestant who beat Poh to win the first season of MasterChef back in 2009. 'Julie would be a fantastic judge. Fans love her,' a source told the magazine. 'While no one wants to see Poh leave, everyone would welcome Julie back with open arms.' Julie, 54, made a triumphant return to the franchise in 2022 and delighted fans when she appeared as a guest judge last year. Insiders told the magazine she 'absolutely loved' the experience and would be open to returning in a more permanent capacity if the opportunity arose. Poh, meanwhile, joined the judging panel in 2022 following the shock death of Jock Zonfrillo and the departure of Melissa Leong. While she's embraced the role, the artist-turned-chef has admitted the transition hasn't always been seamless. Speaking on the From The Newsroom podcast earlier this year, Poh revealed she often finds herself mentally back in the contestant's apron. 'I constantly run through the challenges that I have just delivered and think about what I would do in that situation,' she said. 'That's how much I miss and love it.'
Borneo Post
28-06-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
St Peter's Church Padungan launches book chronicling legacy, architecture
Archbishop Poh (right) launches the 'Anchoring Tradition, Embracing Changes' coffee table book as Fr Chin (second right), along with editorial team members Donald and Marina, look on. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (June 28): A coffee table book titled 'Anchoring Tradition, Embracing Changes', chronicling the rich history and architectural evolution of St Peter's Church Padungan, was launched today during a ceremony that also marked the official opening of the parish's new church building. The book was unveiled by Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuching Dato Dr Simon Poh, witnessed by St Peter's Church Rector Rev Fr Vincent Chin and editorial team members Donald Tan and Marina Tan. A cloth was lifted from the display copy to reveal the cover, symbolising the culmination of years of collective effort to preserve the parish's legacy in print. Described as both a visual and written testament to the church's journey, the book captures decades of faith, transformation, and architectural craftsmanship. In his 'Introduction & Feature Brief' of the new church, Fr Chin reflected on the design philosophy behind the building. 'Today marks a significant milestone for our parish as we officially open this new St Peter's Church – a house of God built with love, faith, and purpose. 'In designing this sacred space, we were guided by the principle of anchoring traditions, embracing change. It was Archbishop Emeritus John Ha who suggested we adopt a classic Neo-Gothic style – to root this church in timeless tradition. In contrast, our Cathedral of St Joseph speaks boldly of modernity. 'Together, they reflect the balance our Church seeks – grounded in the past, open to the future,' said Fr Chin. The book documents the history of St Peter's Church, Padungan, and highlights the building's architectural features and unique design elements. It stands as a product of the parish community's collective efforts — guided by the Parish Council and supported by the faithful — and as a living testament to God's grace at work in both Padungan and Bintawa. Copies were presented to Deputy Sarawak Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who officiated the ceremony on behalf of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. The grand opening began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by key dignitaries including Uggah; Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian; Archbishop Poh; Bishop of Penang, His Eminence Cardinal Dato Sri Sebastian Francis; Melaka-Johor Diocese's Right Reverend Bishop Bernard Paul; and Perbena Emas Sdn Bhd director James Ling, the project's main contractor. Fr Chin then led the symbolic opening of the church doors, welcoming parishioners and guests into the new sacred space. In a show of support, Uggah also presented a RM1 million cheque from the Sarawak government through the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) to support the St Peter's Church Development Fund. The cheque was received by Archbishop Poh and Fr Chin, witnessed by Dr Sim and Unifor director Datuk Georgina Apphia Ngau. A musical highlight of the event featured 11-year-old organist Kai Laird performing a digital organ showcase, introduced with a technical explanation by Stephen Chin. The historic celebration concluded with lunch for invited guests, marking the beginning of a new chapter for one of Kuching's most cherished parishes. coffee table book Kuching simon poh St Peter's Church Padungan
