Encouraged by its successful sustainable organic farming project in Cambodia, which was trialled in early 2000s, as well as a growing movement towards farm-to-fork dining concepts, Shinta Mani Foundation has expanded the scope of its efforts.
A new 9.9-acre plot of land in Siem Reap’s Doun Ounn Village now joins the Foundation’s existing 4.9-acre farm in Takos Village, some 30 minutes from Shinta Mani hotels. Managed by a team of three locals, the farm grows a wide variety of crops, such as basil, eggplants, morning glory and sugar cane. Harvests are used in the Shinta Mani hotels and staff canteen as well as sold to other hotels and the community.
A rooftop herb garden has also been created at the Shinta Mani Angkor boutique hotel, growing herbs that are used in the restaurants and bars at the three Shinta Mani hotels.
Over at the Bensley Collection – Shinta Mani Wild within the Southern Cardamom National Park, a large organic farm and free-range chicken run to supply eggs have been created. The farm comprises vegetable and herb gardens, a cocktail and spa garden, and a plant nursery area. These plots support the camp’s commitment to sustainability and local sourcing efforts, with as much of their produce as possible coming from local and small farmers.
Once the farm is well established, surplus harvest will be used in the Siem Reap properties or packaged for sale. There will also be a dedicated composting barn for kitchen waste management.
Shinta Mani Foundation’s farming projects teach local communities to eat healthier, sustainable produce, and improve their farming techniques and new seed stock through research. The latter allows farmers to earn better returns on their crops and the hotels will have fresh, locally grown produce for their guests.
Domestic travel across Malaysia will be prohibited from January 13 to 26 in a bid to arrest the rising number of Covid-19 infections, with potential for extension subject to risk assessments before the ban expires.
Besides a ban on interstate travel, social activities involving mass gatherings will also not be allowed in all states except for Sarawak and Perlis – two states that have recorded fewer number of new infections. Social gatherings in the two states will be subjected to strict standard operating procedures.
Face-to-face business events will be temporarily impacted too.
Residents of Penang, Selangor, Melaka, Johor and Sabah as well as the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya will face further inter-district travel restrictions as these regions are regarded as “high risk states” and healthcare services are almost stretched to their limits.
The Movement Control Order (MCO) enforced on these states and the Federal Territories will be similar to the strict conditions imposed from March 18 to May 4, 2020, where residents were only allowed to move within 10km of their home and only two people were allowed to travel to purchase groceries.
In a televised address to the nation, Malaysia prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the government had decided to take these strict measures to break the chain of transmission of Covid-19 infection, thus reducing the number of daily positive cases to a more manageable level.
He said that the country’s healthcare system was “at breaking point”.
“In the Klang Valley, the rate of ICU bed use for Covid-19 patients at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital and the University of Malaya Medical Centre had reached 100 per cent while at the Sungai Buloh Hospital it has reached 83 per cent. The rate of use of ICU beds for Covid-19 patients in Perak, Selangor, Melaka, Terengganu and Sarawak has exceeded 70 per cent,” he elaborated.
Malaysia reported 2,232 new Covid-19 infections on January 11, 2021, and four fatalities, bringing the death toll nationwide to 555.
While travel and tourism leaders expressed understanding for the need to curb infections, they also urged the government to appreciate the resulting impact on an already distressed industry.
Malaysian Association of Hotels CEO, Yap Lip Seng, said: “We need to stress on the need for the government to make the right decision in balancing lives (and) livelihood. With the…MCO implementations, businesses are again expected to lose all revenue streams.
“The government must support the industry and its people. With little or no revenue, businesses will not be able to retain its people, will not be able to pay salaries, and will have no option but to let go of its employees.”
Yap underlined the urgent need for a wage subsidy structure of 50 per cent for employees within a pay structure of RM4,000 (US$988) and 30 per cent for those earning up to RM8,000.
Malaysia Budget Hotel Association national deputy president, Sri Ganesh Michiel, also urged government understanding and assistance.
Meanwhile, Uzaidi Udanis, president of the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association, advised members to adapt to the new situation, pivot their businesses towards digitalisation, and step up on hygiene procedures to rebuild customer confidence.