Latest news with #Teh
The Sun
7 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Perak boosts Malayan tiger conservation efforts at Zoo Taiping
TAIPING: The Perak government has reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding endangered species, with a focus on the critically endangered Malayan tiger. State Science, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman Teh Kok Lim emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in conservation efforts during Zoo Taiping & Night Safari's (ZTNS) 64th anniversary celebration. Teh highlighted ZTNS's dual role as a tourist attraction and conservation hub, stating, 'The Malayan tiger is a symbol of our national pride. However, the reality today is that it is on the brink of extinction.' He praised the zoo's high-impact educational and sustainability programmes, which align with broader wildlife protection goals. Taiping Municipal Council president Khairul Amir Mohamad Zubir noted ZTNS's active involvement in ex-situ breeding and rehabilitation initiatives for species like the Malayan tiger, Asian elephant, and tapir. 'As the oldest zoo in Malaysia, ZTNS continues to lead in conservation partnerships and research,' he said. The anniversary event also introduced a Hop-On Hop-Off bus service for visitors and unveiled a new logo and slogan for ZTNS. Upcoming programmes include World Orangutan Day on August 30, Zoorama 2025 from September 13 to 21, and Taiping Bird Week in October. – Bernama
The Sun
01-08-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Education push praised, execution crucial
PETALING JAYA: The government's RM67 billion education allocation under the 13th Malaysia Plan has been widely welcomed as a bold move to fix long-standing weaknesses in Malaysia's school system, but experts say money alone won't be enough. National Association of Private Educational Institutions deputy president Dr Teh Choon Jin said the funding signals strong political will to tackle critical issues like dilapidated infrastructure and overcrowded classrooms. Still, he stressed that effective execution is what will determine success. 'While the RM67 billion allocation is impressive, real impact depends on how well these plans are carried out on the ground. Without strong implementation, consistent monitoring and real support for teachers and schools, especially in rural and underserved areas, there's a risk the reforms may fall short of their potential.' Among the plan's major targets is boosting enrolment to 98% for both preschool and secondary school. Teh called this goal 'ambitious but not impossible,' noting that Malaysia is already close to the mark for secondary education. 'With sustained outreach, improved retention efforts and support for at-risk students, it's within reach.' However, he warned that preschool enrolment remains a tougher nut to crack, especially in lower-income and remote areas. 'It is more challenging, particularly in rural and lower-income areas where access, affordability and awareness are barriers. Making preschool compulsory from age five is a positive step, but its success will depend on sufficient qualified teachers, accessible centres and inclusive outreach efforts.' Teh also welcomed the government's plan to strengthen STEM (Science, Technology and Mathematics), digital literacy and artificial intelligence (AI) education in schools, saying it's a timely step toward preparing students for the future workforce. 'Students today will face a job market that is expected to be vastly different in the future. But to truly prepare students for the future, reforms must go beyond updated syllabuses. 'Teachers need proper training, schools require adequate facilities and all students – regardless of where they live – must have equal access to quality education. It is a promising step, but the real challenge is ensuring that no student is left behind as these changes take shape.' Teh also urged the government to empower the proposed National Education Council with more than just an administrative role. 'Its main job shouldn't be limited to coordination. It must actively monitor outcomes, hold institutions accountable and provide evidence-based guidance to adapt reforms as needed. 'The council needs diverse, non-political representation, transparency in decision-making and the authority to intervene when implementation falls short. Without safeguards, there's a risk it could become just another bureaucratic layer rather than a driver of meaningful change.' Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) chairperson Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said the budget reflects the government's prioritisation of education – but urged that focus shift from allocation to impact. 'The RM67 billion reflects that education is a national priority, but how the money is spent matters far more than the amount itself.' She said investments in teacher training, curriculum reform, digital infrastructure, inclusive education and early childhood development will pay off only if outcomes are tracked and gaps addressed. 'Malaysia must prioritise rural and underserved areas for compulsory preschool from age five by expanding infrastructure, sending qualified teachers, giving financial aid, engaging communities and using flexible teaching models to ensure all children have access. 'Effective implementation will require collaboration between federal, state and local governments, alongside civil society and the private sector.'
The Star
31-07-2025
- General
- 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@
Straits Times
28-07-2025
- Climate
- Straits Times
Forum: Red coating on cycling path surfaces meets skid resistance standard: LTA
We refer to Mr Teh Choon Yen's letter ' Painted cycling paths pose a safety hazard when wet ' (July 7) and thank him for his suggestions on improving cycling path safety in wet conditions. The red coating used on our cycling paths serves as a visual cue to help cyclists and pedestrians identify their designated paths and supports safe sharing of space. While we acknowledge Mr Teh's concerns that the red coating may reduce the skid resistance compared with the uncoated surface, we would like to assure him and members of the public that LTA requires the coating to meet the skid resistance index specified in our standards, so that any reduction in grip is minimal, and the cycling paths remain safe for use. We will continue to study ways to improve the safety of our paths for all users, particularly in wet conditions. Wet weather can affect traction on any surface. We encourage all path users to exercise caution when paths are wet. In particular, cyclists should slow down and ensure their bicycles are properly maintained with good tyre tread. Pedestrians should also ensure their footwear provides sufficient grip. Members of the public who encounter specific locations with safety concerns may report them through LTA's online feedback form at Alvin Chia Senior Group Director, Traffic and Road Operations Land Transport Authority Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Cambodia, Thailand agree to 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire' to de-escalate border row Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole: Road recovery works progressing steadily, tests under way Singapore ST Explains: What we know about the Tanjong Katong sinkhole so far Singapore Foreign workers who rescued woman from sinkhole given tokens of appreciation Sport Gan Ching Hwee breaks 2 national records, qualifies for World Aquatics C'ships 1,500m final Asia Gunman kills 5 near Bangkok's Chatuchak market before taking own life Business SIA Q1 profit falls 59%; airline group sees volatile times ahead Singapore Man exposed daughter's identity despite court order after she was removed from his care
Nylon
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Nylon
UNIQLO teams up with Ya Kun Kaya Toast for a unique SG60 local UTme! Collection
Nothing captures the essence of Singapore's well-loved breakfast staples than household name Ya Kun Kaya Toast, and to celebrate SG60, UNIQLO has teamed up with the SG icon to launch a collection of six UTme! T-shirts that is inspired by the simple and delicious traditional breakfasts that have been part of our mornings for over 80 years. Image courtesy of UNIQLO. Image courtesy of UNIQLO. Image courtesy of UNIQLO. Image courtesy of UNIQLO. Image courtesy of UNIQLO. Image courtesy of UNIQLO. From 1 August, you can choose from six UTme! designs, available at all UNIQLO stores for the first time, featuring designs that highlight Ya Kun Kaya Toast's rich heritage with scenes depicting its journey since the original Far East Square store to designs that spotlight Singapore's beloved 'Kopi' and 'Teh' culture, showcasing milk types and sweetness preferences inspired by Ya Kun's Order Coffee Like a Pro concept. Image courtesy of UNIQLO. Plus, you can get to redeem a set of UNIQLO x Ya Kun Kaya toast keychains when you make a minimum spend of $100 from 1 to 10 August at any UNIQLO stores. UNIQLO x Ya Kun Kaya Toast UTme! Collection is available at all UNIQLO stores from 1 August.
