Latest news with #MohdHafiz
The Sun
16 hours ago
- The Sun
Waste management issues at Batu Caves
PETALING JAYA: The waste management system at Batu Caves is under strain and unable to cope with the high volume of visitors, a situation that experts warned is jeopardising the site's cleanliness and long-term environmental sustainability. Experts said with tourist numbers projected to climb in the coming years, there is an urgent need for infrastructure upgrades and public awareness campaigns to safeguard the cultural and ecological integrity of the iconic attraction. The concerns follow recent findings from UK-based waste management firm Business Waste, which in a May report identified Batu Caves as the world's most littered tourist attraction. The study found that 1.67% of 13,950 online reviews mentioned rubbish, the highest proportion among global tourist sites. Egypt's Pyramids of Giza ranked second, with 0.39% of 9,058 reviews referencing waste, while Australia's Bondi Beach placed third, with 0.28% of 6,858 reviews citing cleanliness. Experts said without swift intervention, Batu Caves risks not only environmental degradation but also reputational damage that could deter visitors. Universiti Teknologi Mara tourism economics lecturer Prof Dr Mohd Hafiz Hanafiah said although Batu Caves is one of Malaysia's most iconic tourist destinations, the growing problem of overflowing bins and scattered litter, often worsened by the local monkey population, signals that the waste facilities are no longer sufficient. 'Tourism contributes to waste and litter issues at major attractions, such as Batu Caves, where large crowds put immense pressure on cleaning and waste management systems,' he said. 'During peak periods, it becomes difficult for cleaners to keep up, leading to overflowing bins and overwhelmed infrastructure. We need better crowd control, reduced plastic usage and strategies to distribute tourists more evenly across alternative sites,' he added. Mohd Hafiz emphasised that Malaysia's tourism policies often prioritise growth in visitor numbers, sometimes at the expense of environmental sustainability. 'While there has been progress towards responsible tourism, we need stronger, site-level action, such as eco-certification, tourist caps and sustainable transport solutions.' He highlighted the increasing influence of online reviews on tourist decisions, warning that negative perceptions on cleanliness could damage the appeal of a destination. 'Modern tourists rely heavily on online feedback before making travel choices. If a place is perceived as dirty, many would simply skip it. 'The recent study showed Batu Caves had the highest rate of litter mentions in reviews globally. News such as this could seriously harm its reputation over time.' He warned that continued neglect of litter management at popular sites could have consequences for Malaysia's international image. 'If we do not address the litter issue, Malaysia risks being considered an 'unhygienic' or 'dirty' destination, a perception that could deter tourists, especially those from countries that value cleanliness and environmental responsibility. 'This could affect tourism-related jobs, local businesses and Malaysia's overall reputation as a clean and welcoming country,' he cautioned. He said while campaigns such as 'Sayangi Malaysiaku' have made an impact, they remain too domestically focused and need greater visibility in tourist hotspots through friendly signage, influencer support and school-based education. Universiti Putra Malaysia Faculty of Forestry and Environment senior lecturer Dr Mohd Yusoff warned that unmanaged litter at Batu Caves poses serious environmental threats, especially to local wildlife. 'Long-tailed macaques' exposure to human generated waste may lead to disruptive behaviour and health problems,' he said. 'Litter not only degrades their natural habitat but could also disrupt the fragile cave ecosystem and wash into nearby rivers, endangering aquatic life.' He added that the site's unique limestone terrain and interconnected river system amplify the ecological impact of pollution. 'Visually, litter spoils the natural beauty of the area, diminishing the visitor experience. More importantly, as a sacred religious site, its desecration undermines its spiritual and cultural significance.' Mohd Yusoff said the monkeys at Batu Caves often rummage through overflowing bins and leftover food, spreading litter around the area, adding that tourists make the problem worse by feeding them, which encourages the monkeys to grab food and packaging that they later throw away. 'Their dependence on food from litter or tourists disrupts their natural behaviour. This makes the litter problem worse, especially with poor waste control and large crowds,' he said. He suggested adopting smart solutions, such as Internet of Things-enabled bins with real-time sensors to alert authorities when nearing capacity, ensuring timely collection and reducing overflow. 'Linking messages to religious values along with clear waste-sorting guides could improve impact. Involving students or NGOs in waste audits and showing visible results through data-driven campaigns could also increase public engagement.'
The Sun
16 hours ago
- The Sun
Batu Caves Tops Global List for Tourist Litter Complaints
PETALING JAYA: The waste management system at Batu Caves is under strain and unable to cope with the high volume of visitors, a situation that experts warned is jeopardising the site's cleanliness and long-term environmental sustainability. Experts said with tourist numbers projected to climb in the coming years, there is an urgent need for infrastructure upgrades and public awareness campaigns to safeguard the cultural and ecological integrity of the iconic attraction. The concerns follow recent findings from UK-based waste management firm Business Waste, which in a May report identified Batu Caves as the world's most littered tourist attraction. The study found that 1.67% of 13,950 online reviews mentioned rubbish, the highest proportion among global tourist sites. Egypt's Pyramids of Giza ranked second, with 0.39% of 9,058 reviews referencing waste, while Australia's Bondi Beach placed third, with 0.28% of 6,858 reviews citing cleanliness. Experts said without swift intervention, Batu Caves risks not only environmental degradation but also reputational damage that could deter visitors. Universiti Teknologi Mara tourism economics lecturer Prof Dr Mohd Hafiz Hanafiah said although Batu Caves is one of Malaysia's most iconic tourist destinations, the growing problem of overflowing bins and scattered litter, often worsened by the local monkey population, signals that the waste facilities are no longer sufficient. 'Tourism contributes to waste and litter issues at major attractions, such as Batu Caves, where large crowds put immense pressure on cleaning and waste management systems,' he said. 'During peak periods, it becomes difficult for cleaners to keep up, leading to overflowing bins and overwhelmed infrastructure. We need better crowd control, reduced plastic usage and strategies to distribute tourists more evenly across alternative sites,' he added. Mohd Hafiz emphasised that Malaysia's tourism policies often prioritise growth in visitor numbers, sometimes at the expense of environmental sustainability. 'While there has been progress towards responsible tourism, we need stronger, site-level action, such as eco-certification, tourist caps and sustainable transport solutions.' He highlighted the increasing influence of online reviews on tourist decisions, warning that negative perceptions on cleanliness could damage the appeal of a destination. 'Modern tourists rely heavily on online feedback before making travel choices. If a place is perceived as dirty, many would simply skip it. 'The recent study showed Batu Caves had the highest rate of litter mentions in reviews globally. News such as this could seriously harm its reputation over time.' He warned that continued neglect of litter management at popular sites could have consequences for Malaysia's international image. 'If we do not address the litter issue, Malaysia risks being considered an 'unhygienic' or 'dirty' destination, a perception that could deter tourists, especially those from countries that value cleanliness and environmental responsibility. 'This could affect tourism-related jobs, local businesses and Malaysia's overall reputation as a clean and welcoming country,' he cautioned. He said while campaigns such as 'Sayangi Malaysiaku' have made an impact, they remain too domestically focused and need greater visibility in tourist hotspots through friendly signage, influencer support and school-based education. Universiti Putra Malaysia Faculty of Forestry and Environment senior lecturer Dr Mohd Yusoff warned that unmanaged litter at Batu Caves poses serious environmental threats, especially to local wildlife. 'Long-tailed macaques' exposure to human generated waste may lead to disruptive behaviour and health problems,' he said. 'Litter not only degrades their natural habitat but could also disrupt the fragile cave ecosystem and wash into nearby rivers, endangering aquatic life.' He added that the site's unique limestone terrain and interconnected river system amplify the ecological impact of pollution. 'Visually, litter spoils the natural beauty of the area, diminishing the visitor experience. More importantly, as a sacred religious site, its desecration undermines its spiritual and cultural significance.' Mohd Yusoff said the monkeys at Batu Caves often rummage through overflowing bins and leftover food, spreading litter around the area, adding that tourists make the problem worse by feeding them, which encourages the monkeys to grab food and packaging that they later throw away. 'Their dependence on food from litter or tourists disrupts their natural behaviour. This makes the litter problem worse, especially with poor waste control and large crowds,' he said. He suggested adopting smart solutions, such as Internet of Things-enabled bins with real-time sensors to alert authorities when nearing capacity, ensuring timely collection and reducing overflow. 'Linking messages to religious values along with clear waste-sorting guides could improve impact. Involving students or NGOs in waste audits and showing visible results through data-driven campaigns could also increase public engagement.'
Time Business News
a day ago
- Business
- Time Business News
The Ultimate Guide to Dominating Johor's Digital Market: InspireN's Comprehensive Website Design Solutions
In Johor's explosive economic landscape, where Iskandar Malaysia attracts $5.3 billion in foreign investments annually, your website is the battleground for customer acquisition. With 82% of Johor consumers now researching businesses online before purchasing, a generic website actively damages your revenue potential. InspireN Network Sdn Bhd delivers enterprise-grade website design Johor solutions that outperform competitors, combining cutting-edge technology with hyper-localized strategies proven across 300+ southern Malaysian businesses. Johor's online economy is undergoing seismic shifts: E-commerce explosion: RM8.4B annual transactions (33% YoY growth) Mobile dominance: 91% smartphone penetration across JB-Pasir Gudang-Kulai corridor Singaporean crossover: 42% of JB retail revenue comes from SG shoppers Industrial digitization: 67% of Pasir Gudang manufacturers require supplier portals 'After InspireN rebuilt our site, our Johor Bahru factory saw 58% more qualified leads. Their understanding of industrial buyers was invaluable.' – Ir. Mohd Hafiz, TechPro Manufacturing (Tanjung Langsat) Tailored for Johor's manufacturing/logistics hubs (Gelang Patah, Tanjung Pelepas): Multilingual investor portals (BM/English/Mandarin/Japanese) Real-time inventory APIs integrated with SAP/Oracle systems Location-specific SEO for 'hydraulic parts supplier Johor' Safety certification showcases with interactive 3D facility tours Capturing Singaporean and domestic tourists: Featured case: A Batu Pahat heritage hotel increased direct bookings 210% with InspireN's 'cultural journey' booking engine. Beyond basic online stores: Cross-border logistics dashboards (SG-MY real-time shipping) Dynamic pricing engines adjusting to SG holiday demand AR product try-ons for Johor furniture exporters Lazada/Shopee synchronization with centralized inventory Optimized for Johor's unique needs: Feature Standard Site InspireN Advantage Load Speed 4.2s 0.8s (5G optimized) SG Roaming UX Broken forms Seamless transition Offline Function None Catalog browsing Physical offices in Johor Bahru and Iskandar Puteri enable: Face-to-face strategy sessions Local competitor UX audits Johor consumer behavior testing Beyond web design: Local SEO Dominance Johor neighborhood schema markup 'JB CIQ nearby services' optimization Performance Marketing Singapore-targeted Google Ads TikTok geofenced campaigns Conversion Rate Optimization Heat mapping Johor user behavior Multilingual chatbot integration MY-GCP hosted servers (ISO 27001 certified) DDoS protection against cross-border threats Automated daily backups to JB data center Transparent 8-phase methodology: Johor Market Deep Dive (2 weeks) Competitor UX analysis Local keyword mapping Conversion Architecture (3 weeks) Singaporean/Johor user journey mapping Cultural UI Design (4 weeks) Example: Incorporating Peranakan motifs for heritage businesses Technical Development (6-8 weeks) Multi-Location QA Testing JB device labs (50+ mobile models) SG roaming compatibility checks Launch & SEO Ramp-Up Monthly Growth Analytics 24/7 Malaysian Support For Pasir Gudang/Tanjung Langsat plants: Supplier portal with live capacity tracking Automated RFQ processing Compliance documentation hubs Result: 40% reduction in sales admin costs for marine parts exporter Winning Singaporean diners: SG payment-integrated reservation systems Dynamic menu engineering (pricing adjusts to MYR/SGD rates) GrabFood order synchronization Result: 75% more SG customers for Taman Mount Austin cafe 5-page responsive website JB/SG SEO foundation MY hosting + SSL (1 year) Basic training SG-specific schema markup Fast Singapore hosting nodes SG dollar pricing auto-conversion Yes! Our Johor Website Rescue Package includes: Platform transition without SEO loss Legacy database modernization Mobile speed optimization Service Investment Premium Hosting RM600/year SEO Growth Campaigns RM1,500/month Emergency Support RM300/incident (Full transparency: No hidden fees) Challenge: 0% online sales despite premium products SG buyers couldn't visualize custom orders InspireN Solution: AR wood grain visualizer Singaporean doorstep delivery calculator JB-SG bilingual product videos Results: 'As a Singaporean investing in Iskandar, InspireN bridged the cultural gap. Our property portal now converts 33% of SG visitors.' – Mr. Tan Wei Ling, Iskandar Property Group Why 300+ Johor Businesses Chose InspireN: Johor-Singapore cross-border expertise Industry-specific web frameworks Transparent fixed-price packages 24/7 Malaysian technical support Ready to become Johor's digital leader? ✅ Free Website Health Audit: TIME BUSINESS NEWS
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Penang FAMA roadshow helps Bumiputera entrepreneurs expand market reach
KOTA BHARU: The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) is offering Bumiputera entrepreneurs opportunities to participate in the Jelajah FAMA Pulau Pinang programme as a means to increase their income. Penang FAMA director Mohd Hafiz Nurulhuda said the roadshow, which introduces signature products from the state, will enable entrepreneurs to promote popular local dishes, agro-food items, handicrafts, as well as Agro MADANI products. 'This initiative is part of the government's strategic effort to strengthen the entrepreneurial network and expand market access for Penang-based entrepreneurs to other states, particularly the East Coast,' he told reporters after the Jelajah FAMA Pulau Pinang @ Kelantan event at the Rural Transformation Centre in Tunjong, here today. Mohd Hafiz said this is the second leg of the roadshow after Melaka, and it will run for four days from May 29 to June 1, featuring 28 entrepreneurs from Penang. 'As the agency tasked with expanding the agricultural market, FAMA is committed to helping boost producers' income while ensuring that agricultural products, especially floriculture, herbs, and agro-based industry goods, are more accessible, affordable and readily available to consumers,' he said.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Penang FAMA roadshow boosts Bumiputera market reach
KOTA BHARU: The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) is offering Bumiputera entrepreneurs opportunities to participate in the Jelajah FAMA Pulau Pinang programme as a means to increase their income. Penang FAMA director Mohd Hafiz Nurulhuda said the roadshow, which introduces signature products from the state, will enable entrepreneurs to promote popular local dishes, agro-food items, handicrafts, as well as Agro MADANI products. 'This initiative is part of the government's strategic effort to strengthen the entrepreneurial network and expand market access for Penang-based entrepreneurs to other states, particularly the East Coast,' he told reporters after the Jelajah FAMA Pulau Pinang @ Kelantan event at the Rural Transformation Centre in Tunjong, here today. Mohd Hafiz said this is the second leg of the roadshow after Melaka, and it will run for four days from May 29 to June 1, featuring 28 entrepreneurs from Penang. 'As the agency tasked with expanding the agricultural market, FAMA is committed to helping boost producers' income while ensuring that agricultural products, especially floriculture, herbs, and agro-based industry goods, are more accessible, affordable and readily available to consumers,' he said.
