KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 ― The Terengganu government has denied a report alleging that Brazilian silk floss tree that cost RM180,000 to be transplanted in Bandar Baru Kuala Nerus in Terengganu has died.
According to NST Online, the state government is now considering legal action against those who had made the claims.
“Firstly, the tree is not dead. This species actually ‘hibernates’ and the leaves may have fallen off owing to the hot tropical weather and soil conditions.
“Secondly, we (the state government) did not purchase the tree and are not accountable for its upkeep,” Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman was quoted saying.
“So please do not drag us into the controversy. The matter had been explained at length before and is considered closed,” he added, saying that would refer the matter to the state legal advisor for further action.
Firstly, government departments cannot sue the public unless the slander has been of a very personal nature affecting an individual. Even then, the person suing whoever has to do it on his or her own expense.
Secondly, why is the MB so sensitive about a matter of public curiosity and interests, especially when he asserted his state government has nothing to do with it? It's not as if questions on the status quo of a mere tree affects national security.
Thirdly, the Ceiba Chodatii tree is a deciduous tree, implying it is probably native to slightly cooler regions, like in the Cameron Highlights, Gentings wakakaka) or the highlands of Mount Kinabalu, so there is some truth (though not much) that the tree "‘hibernates’ and the leaves may have fallen off owing to the hot tropical weather and soil conditions."
Yes, the Ceiba Chodatii, being a deciduous tree and attuned to cooler or even colder climes can possibly 'hibernate', but whether it is NOW hibernating in Terengganu is another matter and if there is a need to know, requires more investigation.
But the argument its leaves have fallen off due to the hot tropical weather is questionable as deciduous trees drop their leaves in cooler or cold weather, not during hot weather.
But it could, that is 'drop its leaves', if the tree is 'stressed' by the change in environmental conditions, namely, from Brazil to Peninsula Malaysia.
Fourthly and MOST IMPORTANTLY, why has a tree from Brazil been imported, and permitted to be imported, when there is a dire drastic danger of inadvertently importing also the South American leaf blight fungus (Microcyclus ulei, a pathogen or bacterium, affecting rubber trees and prevalent in Brazil) which will wipe out our rubber plantations and even those of neighbouring Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam?
The pathogen is notorious as a leaf disease which is very difficult to control.
The pathogen is notorious as a leaf disease which is very difficult to control.
I don't care about the rest other than for trivial interests but we need answers on the last, regarding its importation from Brazil.
1st question on my mind too...
ReplyDelete1) "the Ceiba Chodatii tree is a deciduous tree, implying it is probably native to slightly cooler regions."
ReplyDeleteThe importer didn't check! Impot lah, pokok tu candek!
2) "deciduous trees drop their leaves in cooler or cold weather, not during hot weather."
The speech writer DIDN'T know & didn't care.
The speaker just read what's been written.
So typical of this vvip.
3) "the South American leaf blight fungus (Microcyclus ulei, a pathogen or bacterium, affecting rubber trees and prevalent in Brazil)"
Didn't our quarantine officers check?
Or could it be the 1st time they EVER heard of such plant pest that could destroy the rubber plantation!
Common behaviour amongs these 'public' servants of bolihland lah!
One thing IS sure. When disaster happened, fingers would point everywhere except themselves. Then, after banyak 'kopi' sections, no body gets punished & the isuue dies as NFA, preferably quietly!
The march of failed state?
Or is it the state of failed state?
It appears that the shedding of leaves by Brazillian Silk Floss tree was due to too much heavy rainfall and high humidity. Its shooting buds indicate that it will regain normal growth soon.
ReplyDeleteBy the way mass pathogen does not occur in Malaysia as thermal fogging and fungicide treatments have managed to reduce the disease severity and leaf fall of rubber trees. It is effective in Malaysia but NOT in Brazil though.