Captive Animals

To be free, we can see
For man, animals a birthright just as for me
The roaming tiger, elephants foraging
The seagull gliding, deer running.


Sadly these only in the wilderness
For urban folk without access
So we set up zoos
For us, something to do.


In captivity, pacing to and fro
Eyes blank, spirits low
People come to stand and stare
At them in their new lair.


Rare animals to see
Even if no longer free
Wonder and curiosity
To experience such rarity.


Two sides to a coin
Where does one draw the line?
Many reasons for captivity
Curiosity and. to preserve species in rarity.

Animal rights advocates think otherwise
Zoos for any purpose are unwise
No wild animal should be kept captive
With persuasion and slogans active.

Restless in captivity, listless and with rage
In the confines of a cage
Rage, listlessness, fear also in humans
In similar conditions amply proven.

Let animals be wild and free
As they would like to be
With visual technology we can see
Animals as they should be.

People in distant parts
Now no longer apart
On to our screen
Everything can be seen.

The Golden Fruit

In a blissful state, walking in a Malaysian palm oil estate
Fronded leaves a leafy tunnel make
Moss, ferns in the morning rays, lush deep green
If this one has seen, so much all this mean.


Once with rubber, this way the land made to cover
Rubber trees tower, arousing wonder
But things change, in ways strange
Turning a new page, with a new image.


A long story, no cause to be sorry
Oil palm replacing rubber, rising to glory
Batang Berjuntai, Tennamaram Estate
Oil palm changed rubbers state.


Frenchman, Henri Fanconnier, an oil palm pioneer
With vision and mission, the palm made to steer
The world`s second largest producer, with a high turnover
2017, marking its 100th year.

From cooking oil to ingredients
In almost any foodstuff for nourishment
Seen in supermarkets the world over
Oil palm ingredients improving flavours.

Feeds billions of people world wide
A very popular vegetable oil
Natures` gift to Malaysia all told
Malaysia`s gift to the world.

Crop quality improved
With research quality proved
A climate compatible, much was possible
With water and sunlight, growing crops affordable.

Sabah, Sarawak went under oil palm
Planters welcomed the palm, with a warm welcome
With this boom, anxiety also loom
The Anti Palm Oil campaign threatening doom.

Embarked on scientific study
With facts and figures ready
To counter adverse publicity
With full accountability.

Research in genetics, palm and oil quality
With an eye on affordability
Mechanization helped to reduce
Plantation costs for higher produce.


Every part of the oil palm has a use
This way, costs could reduce
Biofuel from palm oil produced
As hydrocarbon substitute introduced.


In a competitive environment
Creditable certification important
First country to produce a certification
With global experts made a declaration.


From 50% poverty reduced
To 5% this venture produced
An agricultural revolution
Through firm guided resolution.


Pioneers of the industry
Tell a capturing story
Tan Sri Dr Augustine Ong, Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik
Tan Sri Borge Bek-Nielson and many others working tirelessly

MPP
3.5.2017