SINGAPORE: Conservationist groups called on the Singapore Government to improve transparency and conduct “more robust monitoring” to tackle the global shark fin trade, after the country was found to be one of the world’s largest shark fin trader by value.  

According to the latest report released by wildlife-trade monitor Traffic and conservation group WWF on Friday (May 26), Singapore was ranked the world’s second-largest shark fin trader by value after Hong Kong, according to trade figures in 2012-2013.  

The recorded export and import values of shark fin in Singapore was S$50.4 million and S$65 million, respectively, during that period, second only to Hong Kong’s S$57.2 million for export and S$215.4 million for import trade, the report said. 

Traffic and WWF added that in-depth analysis into the shark fin trade was hampered by a lack of detail in Singapore Custom’s import and export data. They recommended that Singapore Customs begin recording shark data using detailed Harmonised System Codes (HS Codes), developed by the World Customs Organisation for the classification of goods.  

The system allows for better distinction between dried and frozen shark products, which is critical for accurately determining actual trade volumes and provide further insight into the species in trade, WWF and Traffic said. 

Accurate, openly available information would also enable individuals and businesses to make responsible choices about which products they ​consume, they added. 

“Any country that dominates a particular trade has an extra responsibility to ensure it is transparent and traceable,” Ms Kanitha Krishnasamy, senior programme manager for Traffic in Southeast Asia, added. “Key to any effort aimed at enabling legal and sustainable sourcing, and long-term viability of shark populations, is the open availability of product-specific trade data.”

According to a survey by WWF released in February 2016, three out of four consumers in Singapore think the government is not doing enough to protect sharks and would support legislation against shark fin consumption.

Commenting on the latest report, Ms Elaine Tan, CEO of WWF-Singapore, said: “Support to reduce the consumption of shark fin has grown as more people and businesses now believe in keeping sharks off our plates and in the oceans.” 

“The fact that Singapore is a significant trader means that the solution to the global shark crisis lies right here on our shores. More robust monitoring of volumes and protected species will set a positive precedent for other countries and contribute to healthier shark populations and oceans,” she added. 

PRAGUE: Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam on Thursday (May 25) received a symbolic key to the city of Prague, the highest honour in the Czech Republic.

Prague mayor Adriana Krnacova presented the key to President Tan in the Old Town City Hall in Prague during his four day State Visit to the Czech Republic.

The Old Town City Hall was built in the 14th Century as an administration centre for the Old Town of Prague. Most prominent visitors are given copies of the key to the City Hall as a symbolic key to the city of Prague.

The last time a Singapore head of state made a state visit to the Czech Republic was when then-President Ong Teng Cheong visited Prague in 1998. He was also presented with the symbolic key.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Tan described Prague as “rich in culture and history”, with architecture that is “truly breathtaking”.

He said apart from being a holiday destination, Prague is a bustling centre for trade and entrepreneurial activity, as well as a hub for knowledge, research and technology. He added that there is a lot that Singapore and Prague can learn from each other and that he looks forward to both cities enhancing cooperation in areas like urban planning and education.

Making reference to Singapore’s “Lion City” nickname, Ms Krnacova said attributes of the lion – “strength, perseverance, persistence and fearlessness” – are typical of Singaporeans.

“How else could one explain incredible development that Singapore has seen in recent decades in numerous areas?” she said.

She said the “true strength” of lions also lie in their prudence. “It is also in this respect that I see certain similarity with our mentality.” 

Earlier on Thursday, Dr Tan met with Czech Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Jan Hamacek and was hosted to lunch by Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka.

During the meetings, both leaders reaffirmed the warm and friendly relations between Singapore and the Czech Republic, said a statement from the Office of the President of Singapore.

Both sides agreed that there was potential to step up investment, trade and tourism ties and welcomed the early entry into force of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA) which will bolster ties between both countries.

The leaders also discussed regional and international developments.

SINGAPORE: Primary school students can now read about the life and times of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister thanks to a new children’s manga about the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

Titled The Story of LKY, the two-volume biographical series was launched on Thursday (May 25) at the National Library by Shogakukan Asia, which publishes titles such as Detective Conan, Pokemon and Doraemon.

Written by Japanese author Yoshio Nabeta and illustrated by manga artist Toshiki Takii, the comic is the second manga title on Mr Lee from the publisher.

Last year, it released The LKY Story – Lee Kuan Yew: The Man Who Shaped A Nation, a single-volume graphic novel targeted at young adults, which was also written by Mr Nabeta.

The comic book had garnered relative success, earning a nomination for Book of the Year at the recent Singapore Book Awards.

To date, it has sold over 5,000 copies. There is also a digital version for the Japanese market and publishers also announced a licensing deal for the Vietnamese market.

With the strong public interest in The LKY Story, it was only logical that a children’s version was made, said Mr Bunsho Kajiya, managing director of Shogakukan Asia.

“Singaporeans know about Mr Lee, but there were still comments about how interesting the book was,” he said.

In crafting the children’s version, its creators simplified the story and made the illustration style more similar to other children’s manga.

Divided into two parts, the first volume, Growing Up, looks at Mr Lee’s early years, college life and experiences during World War II. The second, Road To Independence, chronicles his life upon returning home, and features key events such as the formation of the People’s Action Party and Singapore’s merger and separation from Malaya.

Mr Nabeta had worked on both the young adult and children’s version simultaneously, reading up books on Mr Lee and Singapore history in both Japanese and English, while also scouring the Internet. He also watched The LKY Musical in 2015 and even visited Mr Lee’s Oxley Road bungalow.

“The young adult version is more straightforward, but for the children’s version, there had to be some exciting scenes,” he said.

For instance, while older readers would be familiar with the history of the Japanese invasion during the war, children would have a hard time understand the historical background, he said.

“My editor advised us to put the map of Malaya to show how the Japanese army invaded Singapore, what route they took, so it’s easier for children to understand,” said Mr Nabeta, who together with Mr Takii, was in town for the launch as well as to give talks at Boon Lay Garden Primary School and Fuhua Primary School earlier that day.

For the series’ illustrator, the mission was to make Mr Lee look like a manga character.

“I made his eyes as attractive as possible – he is the main character (and these) reflect his passion as a hero,” said Mr Takii, who also referred to a photography book on Singapore history as reference material.

He added that he would like to work on another story on Mr Lee if given the chance.

“ I would like to make another one that’s something more towards the manga style and more fictional. I would draw him as a Doraemon kind of hero, someone who has the powers to make the impossible possible!”

As for Mr Nabeta, when asked what description would best fit Mr Lee, he said: “Since I’m Japanese, I would describe Mr Lee Kuan Yew as a samurai. His spirit is very similar to one.”