Latest news with #UniversitiTeknologiMara
The Sun
8 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
8 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.'
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Caterer tricked by AI deepfake of UiTM deputy rector
ALOR STAR: A young caterer avoided major losses after falling victim to an elaborate scam involving an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated video call impersonating a university official. The fraudster, posing as Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Penang deputy rector Dr Ahmad Asri Abd Samat, contacted 20-year-old Muhammad Danial Azim Mohd Yusof through text and a hyper-realistic AI video call to place a fictitious catering order last Tuesday. Danial said the scam began after he submitted a quotation for 100 meal packages worth RM4,500 for the university's programme at its Merbok branch. The impersonator then made an additional request to include door gifts and insisted that these be procured from a 'preferred vendor'. "I told him I already had a vendor, but he said the university only worked with their appointed supplier and that I needed to follow protocol," Danial told the New Straits Times after lodging a report at the Kota Setar police headquarters yesterday. He was then given the contact number of the so-called vendor, who demanded an upfront payment of RM14,400 and refused to accept a formal letter of order (LO), claiming they only dealt with private arrangements. "I told 'Dr Asri' about the vendor's demand. He said if there were no door gifts, there would be no programme. Later, the vendor offered to accept a 50 per cent payment of RM7,200 instead," he said. Growing suspicious, Danial refused to pay. However, having already prepared the food, he delivered it to UiTM Merbok on Saturday, only to learn he had been scammed. "The university's security guard looked at my LO and told me I'm the third person that day asking for Dr Asri — and the only one who actually brought food." Danial later found out that other vendors across Penang and Kedah had also been targeted in similar scams. The impersonation was so convincing that when the real Dr Ahmad Asri contacted Danial to clarify the matter, the resemblance stunned him. "He said, 'I'm the real one. Want to compare faces?' When I video called him, I was shocked — the AI scammer version looked exactly like him," he added. Danial said UiTM Merbok confirmed no such order had ever been made. The real Dr Asri has also lodged a police report after learning that his identity had been used in several impersonation scams. Meanwhile, Kota Setar police chief Assistant Commissioner Siti Nor Salawati Saad confirmed that a report had been received. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. The offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' jail, whipping, and a fine.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- New Straits Times
Caterer duped by AI video call impersonating UiTM deputy rector
ALOR STAR: A young caterer avoided major losses after falling victim to an elaborate scam involving an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated video call impersonating a university official. The fraudster, posing as Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Penang deputy rector Dr Ahmad Asri Abd Samat, contacted 20-year-old Muhammad Danial Azim Mohd Yusof through text and a hyper-realistic AI video call to place a fictitious catering order last Tuesday. Danial said the scam began after he submitted a quotation for 100 meal packages worth RM4,500 for the university's programme at its Merbok branch. The impersonator then made an additional request to include door gifts and insisted that these be procured from a 'preferred vendor'. "I told him I already had a vendor, but he said the university only worked with their appointed supplier and that I needed to follow protocol," Danial told the New Straits Times after lodging a report at the Kota Setar police headquarters yesterday. He was then given the contact number of the so-called vendor, who demanded an upfront payment of RM14,400 and refused to accept a formal letter of order (LO), claiming they only dealt with private arrangements. "I told 'Dr Asri' about the vendor's demand. He said if there were no door gifts, there would be no programme. Later, the vendor offered to accept a 50 per cent payment of RM7,200 instead," he said. Growing suspicious, Danial refused to pay. However, having already prepared the food, he delivered it to UiTM Merbok on Saturday, only to learn he had been scammed. "The university's security guard looked at my LO and told me I'm the third person that day asking for Dr Asri — and the only one who actually brought food." Danial later found out that other vendors across Penang and Kedah had also been targeted in similar scams. The impersonation was so convincing that when the real Dr Ahmad Asri contacted Danial to clarify the matter, the resemblance stunned him. "He said, 'I'm the real one. Want to compare faces?' When I video called him, I was shocked — the AI scammer version looked exactly like him," he added. Danial said UiTM Merbok confirmed no such order had ever been made. The real Dr Asri has also lodged a police report after learning that his identity had been used in several impersonation scams. Meanwhile, Kota Setar police chief Assistant Commissioner Siti Nor Salawati Saad confirmed that a report had been received. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. The offence carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' jail, whipping, and a fine.
New Straits Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Media experts, students converge at UiTM's NewsCamp journalism programme
KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Teknologi Mara's (UiTM) Faculty of Communications and Media Studies are bridging academia and the media industry through practical exposure and discussions on contemporary media issues with its Newscamp 4.0: News Champion Bootcamp. The programme, held at the sidelines of the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (KLIBF) was organised by final-year students of the faculty's journalism programme, conducted under the banner MediaCamp@PBAKL 2025. It saw the participation of experienced journalists, lecturers and journalism students from various news outlets and universities. One of the programme's highlights was the 51st edition of the Journalism Colloquium, which featured a panel discussion titled "Global Media: Problem Solver or Panic Amplifier?" The session explored the role of media in covering global issues and its responsibility in managing public perception. The panel featured New Straits Times associate editor Najmuddin Najib and independent media consultant Muzliza Mustafa, who shared their insights and experiences on the challenges faced by the media in today's fast-paced and complex information landscape. Another key session was the "Business News Bootcamp: The Smart Citizen's Guide to Business and Economics", led by Business Times news editor Muhammed Ahmad Hamdan, which focused on the fundamentals of economic and business reporting. The programme also saw an augmented reality (AR) demonstration from the faculty's publishing programme, under McLive 9.0 which explored the use of AR in the context of publishing and journalism.
