Chai Rata

Tanah Rata is getting a new flavr it seems. Joining these hills of tea estates and Chinese greens will be shots of skinnylatte and frothy frappuccinos to shoot the highland breeze and accompany the nitrous fumes of passing lorries laden with fairpriced cabbages and tomatoes. Much of this montane region's arable plots serve the appetites of Singaporeans some ten hours away.

Few realise though that the true cost of cruciferous consumption includes the wastes wrecked by fertile effluents as highland streams choke on the nutrients and noxious substances used to ensure that each crop appears both plump and pest-free to picky buyers. But should we blame the farmer? Or his master who does not care where his stir-fry came from or how it was grown, sprayed and harvested as long as it is cheap and good(-looking)?