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Leadership, learning empower youth with disabilities in Brunei

Leadership, learning empower youth with disabilities in Brunei

The Star2 days ago
Advisor to the Council for Welfare of Persons with Different Abilities Datuk Paduka Alimin Abdul Wahab delivers a speech. - Photo: Borneo Bulletin/ANN
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Council for Welfare of Persons with Different Abilities (MKOKU) hosted the Youth Disability Camp 2025 which included Nadi Asy-Syura workshops covering curriculum vitae (CV) writing, interview preparation, financial literacy, public speaking and leadership skills.
It also included policy and education discussions on the Persons with Disabilities Order, disability allowances, caregiver allowances, and inclusive education and team-building challenges comprising interactive exercises linking the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The three-day camp at Bilik Hijau and Bilik Simpur at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium on Thursday (Aug 14), saw the participation of 38 individuals.
The participants engaged in activities themed around awareness, resilience, skills and knowledge, inclusivity, and sustainability.
Key sessions included 'Understanding the UNCRPD' led by MKOKU leaders to familiarise participants with the convention and its local relevance, as well as presentations by member associations outlining their roles and focus areas in advancing disability inclusion.
Advisor to MKOKU Datuk Paduka Alimin Abdul Wahab officiating the camp, highlighted the importance of submitting periodic reports as required by the UNCRPD.
The programme aims to provide experience-based learning opportunities that enhance access to education, employment, and inclusive infrastructure – ensuring that persons with disabilities (PWD) are not left behind in national development.
The camp aims are to increase awareness and understanding of the UNCRPD among Brunei's youth with disabilities; strengthen leadership, confidence, and community engagement; foster cooperation between PWD organisations, the government, private sector, and civil society; and align disability empowerment efforts with Brunei Vision 2035 and the SDGs. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
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Leadership, learning empower youth with disabilities in Brunei
Leadership, learning empower youth with disabilities in Brunei

The Star

time2 days ago

  • The Star

Leadership, learning empower youth with disabilities in Brunei

Advisor to the Council for Welfare of Persons with Different Abilities Datuk Paduka Alimin Abdul Wahab delivers a speech. - Photo: Borneo Bulletin/ANN BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Council for Welfare of Persons with Different Abilities (MKOKU) hosted the Youth Disability Camp 2025 which included Nadi Asy-Syura workshops covering curriculum vitae (CV) writing, interview preparation, financial literacy, public speaking and leadership skills. It also included policy and education discussions on the Persons with Disabilities Order, disability allowances, caregiver allowances, and inclusive education and team-building challenges comprising interactive exercises linking the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The three-day camp at Bilik Hijau and Bilik Simpur at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium on Thursday (Aug 14), saw the participation of 38 individuals. The participants engaged in activities themed around awareness, resilience, skills and knowledge, inclusivity, and sustainability. Key sessions included 'Understanding the UNCRPD' led by MKOKU leaders to familiarise participants with the convention and its local relevance, as well as presentations by member associations outlining their roles and focus areas in advancing disability inclusion. Advisor to MKOKU Datuk Paduka Alimin Abdul Wahab officiating the camp, highlighted the importance of submitting periodic reports as required by the UNCRPD. The programme aims to provide experience-based learning opportunities that enhance access to education, employment, and inclusive infrastructure – ensuring that persons with disabilities (PWD) are not left behind in national development. The camp aims are to increase awareness and understanding of the UNCRPD among Brunei's youth with disabilities; strengthen leadership, confidence, and community engagement; foster cooperation between PWD organisations, the government, private sector, and civil society; and align disability empowerment efforts with Brunei Vision 2035 and the SDGs. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN

Building coastal resilience with nature-based solutions
Building coastal resilience with nature-based solutions

The Star

time31-07-2025

  • The Star

Building coastal resilience with nature-based solutions

THE marine and coastal areas of Malaysia, which are home to diverse ecosystems — from coral reefs to mangrove forests — are currently under threat due to climate change. Rising sea levels, changing temperatures and increased storm intensity reinforce the importance of building coastal resilience to ensure that coastal ecosystems, particularly mangrove wetlands and the communities they support continue to thrive. 'Coastal resilience is the ability of coastal systems, encompassing the environment, infrastructures and communities, to participate, absorb, recover from and adapt to adverse events such as coastal erosion, storm surges and sea level rises. 'It's not just about withstanding disasters, but also about bouncing back stronger,' says Dr Teh Hee Min, senior lecturer at the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department of Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP). 'From a community's perspective, coastal resilience is vital because it safeguards lives, homes and heritage. 'Many of these communities depend on coastal resources for their daily survival, cultural identity and economic resilience,' he says, adding that a robust coastline is also key to protecting critical infrastructures like ports, fisheries and tourism assets. He points out that floods and erosion on coastal areas especially can have a long-term ripple effect on local and even national economies. 'These ecosystems are natural buffers against extreme events and contribute to carbon sequestration and biodiversity. 'So, in essence, coastal resilience is about securing a future where human development and natural systems coexist and support one another,' he emphasises. At UTP, coastal resilience projects led by Teh focus on integrating innovative engineering technologies with ecological awareness and community empowerment. The Tanjung Kepah Mangrove Action Project in Perak, for example, exemplifies UTP's research and consultancy ethos of leveraging the university's cutting-edge research and multidisciplinary expertise to address pressing sustainability challenges. The project solutions directly support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely SDG 13 (climate action), SDG 14 (life below water) and SDG 15 (life on land), aiding in the country achieving its sustainability targets. The project, led by UTP and Wetlands International, is a collaboration with the Irrigation and Drainage Department, Manjung, National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (Nahrim), Parak Forestry Department, Solmax and Pertubuhan Sahabat Hutan Bakau Lekir. The project site at Tanjung Kepah, as its name suggests, was once a prolific mud clam (kepah) production site, but over the years, yields have dropped because of the loss of mangrove forests, which served as barriers against storm surges. Furthermore, replanting efforts over the years also failed because the tender saplings did not stand a chance against the strong sea waves. At its heart, the project is a coastal defence system composed of an offshore 25-metre bamboo wave screen, the first of its kind in Malaysia. Completed in November 2024, the screen has received thumbs-up from various stakeholders. Recently planted mangrove saplings – now sheltered from waves – are seeing a survivability rate of 70%, a remarkable feat as mangrove planting in the open sea garnering a 30% survivability rate is usually considered marvellous, says Teh. He points out that because this is a nature-based solution, the lifespan of the bamboo screen is about three years, by which time the mangrove forest should have grown enough to play its role as a natural defence against storms and strong waves. A 25-meter bamboo wave screen was constructed at Tanjung Kepah to protect newly planted mangrove saplings and reduce wave impact on the hinterland. What's more, the remains of the bamboo structure will also serve as nurseries or dwellings for marine life. Buoyed by the success of the first phase of this project, the plan is to construct another screen, this time further afield in the open sea. Installation of the 30-metre screen is expected to commence in August. Apart from the sites in Perak, UTP's project partner Wetlands International also plans to deploy this technology at a site in Sungai Haji Dorani in Selangor. 'This project at Tanjung Kepah is built around three key pillars, namely, nature-based coastal restoration, multi-stakeholder partnership and community engagement and empowerment,' says Teh, adding that the bamboo used is sourced via a collaboration with SEAD Build, a proponent of sustainable bamboo agroforestry in Malaysia. Apart from the project at Tanjung Kepah, UTP previously undertook another coastal resilience project at Teluk Nipah in Pulau Pangkor, which stemmed from a UTP study revealing that the sandy beach was eroding at a rate of up to three metres a year due to continuous degradation of the shoreline by waves. To gauge the awareness level of the coastal problems in Teluk Nipah among the local community, UTP organised two community engagement sessions in August 2019 and January 2022. The town hall sessions enabled communities in Teluk Nipah and Pulau Pangkor to share their concerns and pain points on coastal problems with local authorities and the need for erosion control measures. Teh, who led the project, explains that UTP designed a 50-metre rock revetment at the beach in Teluk Nipah, which was constructed at the end of 2020. The university also proposed to the authorities a soft approach to mitigate erosion and replenish the existing shoreline through beach nourishment. Final year UTP Civil Engineering students enrolled in the elective course Design of Coastal Structures conducting field measurements of alongshore sediment transport along the shoreline of Teluk Nipah. Nurturing innovation For Teh, being part of the UTP ecosystem has been instrumental in the success of the projects at Tanjung Kepah and Teluk Nipah. 'Here, interdisciplinary knowledge sharing, access to cutting-edge research facilities and institutional support come together to nurture innovation,' he says. He adds that the research also benefited greatly from being part of UTP's Water-Energy-Environment Nexus, which brings together experts in hydrology, botany, environmental engineering and social sciences. 'This allowed for more holistic project planning. UTP's strong emphasis on industry and community engagement also opened doors for funding and collaborations, which enabled us to involve the local communities in Tanjung Kepah and train them in the monitoring and maintenance of the bamboo wave screen.' Beyond research projects, these were real-world initiatives that empowered communities directly impacted by coastal erosion, he adds. 'Building coastal resilience isn't just an engineering challenge, it's a human one. The shoreline is where science meets society. 'The greatest success comes from when we design with the people and nature in mind. Interventions when rooted in local knowledge supported by research and powered by collaborations, can create meaningful, lasting impact. 'More than stopping erosion, it's about restoring dignity to coastal communities and preserving the ecosystem for future generations,' Teh concludes. For more information and enquiries on coastal resilience, email programmeoffice@

New recycling hub in KK to empower community, reduce waste
New recycling hub in KK to empower community, reduce waste

Borneo Post

time18-07-2025

  • Borneo Post

New recycling hub in KK to empower community, reduce waste

Jannie (standing, fourth right) at the launch of RIPPLE Circle, a community-based recycling centre located next to the Luyang Multipurpose Hall. KOTA KINABALU (July 18): RIPPLE, the Sabah Recycling Association, has launched its latest initiative: RIPPLE Circle, a community-based recycling centre located next to the Luyang Multipurpose Hall. The RIPPLE Circle, which stands for Community Initiative for Recycling, Circular Learning and Education, was officially launched today. Kapayan assemblywoman Jannie Lasimbang officiated at the event on behalf of the Minister of Industrial Development, Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe. The ceremony also saw the attendance of key sponsors and representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, APPGM-SDG and Kota Kinabalu City Hall. Other sponsors supporting the initiative include LCP Roller Shutter, Nippon Paint, City Top, Brickform Sdn Bhd and PC Construction. RIPPLE chairlady Michelle De La Harpe said she was pleased with the new location, which will serve as a dedicated site for collecting used glass and selected plastic bottles (HDPE, LDPE, PP). 'This centre gives the public a better option to recycle rather than send their waste to the landfill,' she said. Starting August 2025, the RIPPLE Circle will operate fully on volunteer efforts. The public can drop off their clean glass and plastic bottles every Sunday from 9am to noon. Volunteers will then handle the sorting, cleaning, shredding and crushing of materials. With support from APPGM-SDG, RIPPLE aims to transform the centre into a hub for community learning, focusing on recycling, household waste management, and environmental sustainability. The programme also plans to equip 15 participants with the skills to manage local recycling initiatives, creating opportunities for eco-entrepreneurship, especially for women and youth. Among the activities lined up are repairing and expanding the Community Learning Centre, preparing mobile collection bins, setting up community drop-off points and conducting workshops on recycling, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and waste segregation. According to Michelle, the initiative addresses gaps in recycling infrastructure and public awareness. 'This is not just about recycling. It's about building a structured system to reduce waste going to the landfill, tackle pollution, and encourage community-led action. It also creates micro-livelihoods and new income opportunities,' she said. RIPPLE also plans to embed long-term recycling habits in the community by empowering locals to manage logistics and drop-off points even after the current grant from APPGM-SDG ends. The association will continue to support product upcycling, market linkages and explore ways to integrate the programme into municipal waste policies for future expansion. Since its inception in 2019, RIPPLE has recorded notable achievements. Through one of its glass recycling projects up to September 2024, the association collected 41,284.80 kilos of glass bottles, diverting 208,509 bottles from the landfill and preventing 6,880.80 kilos of carbon dioxide emissions. The project also engaged 707 volunteers, welcomed 1,707 visitors to its site and held 588 workshops. Between April 2023 and July 2024, RIPPLE's Plastic Recycling Project managed to prevent 22.06 tonnes of plastic from ending up in the landfill. As part of this project, RIPPLE distributed RM28,654.45 worth of incentives to the public — paying RM2 per kilo for properly cleaned plastics. Revenue generated from sales of recycled products reached RM30,056.60, which helped cover some of the centre's operational costs. 'This is proof that when the community comes together, we can create real impact,' said Michelle.

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