CHEK JAWA - A GIFT FROM HEAVEN

By Sharlene Wong & Lee Lip Tong

READ (a publication of NUS High Journalism Club, 2005)

In December 2000, one of the most amazing natural beauties Singapore had ever seen was discovered – “Tanjong Chek Jawa”. Described as a “gift from heaven” by many, Chek Jawa is not an ordinary beach, but also one of new hope.

In an interview he gave after the talk, Dr Chua Ee Kiam said of Chek Jawa, : “The extensive sand and mudflats, the sea grass lagoon, the mangrove, coastal hill forest and coral rubble are not found anywhere else in the region.”

“Singaporeans are apathetic towards the conservation of our natural heritage. Only shen Singaporeans are exposed to nature, can they then begin to appreciate, for only can they appreciate can they then to conserve.”

Interview with Dr Chua Ee Kiam

Q: You have compiled a few nature-related publications and contributed content to various books and magazines. Which of these would you consider the most influential in terms of changing the public's mindset towards nature?

Each book tells of my focus point in nature appreciation and its conservation. The first book, Nature in Singapore -Ours To Protect was more of a photo essay and was a milestone in doing something I have not done before. Strangely my 2 nd book, Pulau Ubin -Ours To Treasure was about reminiscing my childhood days of self–discovery. Many people have been to Pulau Ubin but it seemed very few people saw the island beyond its simplicity and importance in modern Singapore . Chek Jawa – Discovering Singapore's Biodiversity was particularly evocative in terms of the visuals and text. My 4 th book, Borneo's Tropical Eden – Sabah was the most difficult and I believe, my most important work towards changing the public's mindset. Only if people would buy the book and read it.

Q: Most of your photos seem to have an uncanny ability to capture the interests of people. What would you consider best or most satisfying about photographing nature?

I believe I have the uncanny ability to excite readers with my visuals. If I am excited with my images, I know the readers will be overwhelmed. Most satisfying is when I am able to show the intricacies of life in the form of texture, colour and behaviour through my lens. And there is so much to learn when you observe nature. You also begin to appreciate the miracle of life.

Q: How do you balance the workload of being a dentist and a nature photographer at Chek Jawa?

Time is something you have to balance in your life. I think if it is your ultimate desire to prove your point, make a difference or do something satisfying, you will find the time to do it. “No time” belongs to the disinterested or non-believers. I must admit that I prefer to conceptualize more than looking at details but dentistry enhances my ability to look at details and in photography, you have to keep looking at details.

Q: What makes Chek Jawa differ from other established nature reserves around the Malay Archipelago and how would it benefit Singaporeans who have interests in nature-related studies?

The different eco-systems in Chek Jawa makes it unique. The extensive sand and mudflats, the sea grass lagoon, the mangrove and coastal hill forest and coral rubble – are not found anywhere else in the region. Many creatures are trapped during the low spring tides and that opens a new vista in nature appreciation – for there is so much to see in such a short time and each visit can be quite different. It is sad that many Singaporeans are apathetic towards the conservation of our natural heritage. Only when Singaporeans are exposed, can they then begin to appreciate, for only when they can appreciate, can they then learn to conserve. So the appreciation of our natural heritage through nature-related studies augurs well for the future.

Q: Which part of the effort of convincing the authorities not to reclaim land, at the Chek Jawa area in Pulua Ubin, do you consider the hardest?

The serendipitous discovery of Chek Jawa was a milestone in 2001. The hardest part was the authorities had already made up their minds and the tenders to reclaim the land were already approved. To rescind that would take a miracle but miracles do happen! So they pushed back development plans for another ten years. What's going to happen after that, will depend on how Singaporeans value their natural heritage.


Q: What do you think would be the best way of making young Singaporeans believe in the preservation of areas like Chek Jawa? What advice do you have to give to young aspiring photographers to pick up nature photography?

Introduce and expose Singaporeans to such sites and cultivate the study of nature among students as well as teachers. Encourage them to discuss about the benefits of retaining such sites and involve them in projects that highlight its importance and what can be done to improve its appreciation.

There are different mediums of expression and photography is just one medium. Yet photography consists of different forms. Nature photography is much more difficult (more challenging) and the main requirement is the appreciation of the wilderness. So go out and start photographing at our nature reserves for a start.

Most of the time, photographing nature can be very unpredictable and there is a lot of planning. And the adrenaline gush comes in waves so much so that the photographic expeditions can be very tiring. However the most important part of my work is not only about the photographic ability but also how to piece the concepts together to form the story.

Q: Of all the nature expeditions you have been on, which did you enjoy the most and what part of it was the most memorable?

There had been many memorable moments like aerial photography from the helicopter, sitting in the cockpit of a small aircraft with the pilots (before the 9/11), watching numerous fireflies (unfortunately we were unable to photograph them), watching fishes spawning in the shallows at night, chasing after a slow loris (that was moving way too fast) and photographing a flying Rhinoceros hornbill with a manual lens (yet luckily, the image was superbly sharp). But most memorable was, photographing two rare porcupines (not one!) and they suddenly mated in front of me (in darkness, only to view it weeks later in slides that the image was sharp). Most frustrating was watching the Green turtles mating but was not allowed to photograph by the rangers.

Q: What message would you like to pass onto Singaporeans to increase their awareness of nature?

That we share the earth with many other creatures but we have the greatest means to control the fate of the earth. That we are responsible for our actions or inaction and it is important that we do not leave the planet in tatters for future generations.