10/03/2025

MONDAY | MAR 10, 2025

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

ON TELEGRAM m RAM

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Menstrual cups a game changer for sustainability

Illegal landfilling threatens Seberang Perai padi fields BUKIT MERTAJAM: The Seberang Perai City Council has identified 61 locations across Seberang Perai where unauthorised landfilling of padi fields has taken place since last year. Mayor Datuk Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid said padi fields were designated as granary zones and any unauthorised activity on agricultural land was prohibited to protect food security and the food chain. He said the council would not compromise on the issue and stressed that action would be taken under the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 against any party violating the law. “Based on our records, there are 28 cases in North Seberang Perai, 26 in Central Seberang Perai and seven in South Seberang Perai, involving multiple lots. All these areas are under the council’s monitoring. “However, we are facing difficulties in taking action because they seem to be tracking our movements and the machinery is never at the site when we carry out operations. Last year alone, we seized 28 lorries but despite extensive investigations and undercover operations, many more remain,” he said after inspecting two padi fields in Permatang Ara, Permatang Pauh, yesterday. Baderul Amin said the issue arose when the land was divided into smaller lots and sold to individuals who were unaware that building houses on padi fields was an offence. “We allow houses on padi fields, but only those related to agriculture. The issue arises when the land is divided and private homes are built. When the case is taken to court, the land broker’s name is nowhere to be found, and only the buyer’s name is there,” he said. – Bernama MM2H open to all nationalities, not just Chinese KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sin has stressed that the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme is not exclusively for Chinese nationals but is open to applicants from any country. He said the programme allows foreigners to apply for residency under different eligibility criteria, with successful applicants receiving a residence pass for a specified period. “Successful applicants will receive a residence pass for a certain period, allowing them to live and spend their currency in Malaysia, thereby contributing to economic growth and generating national income. “Even Malaysians can apply for residency in other countries under stipulated conditions,” he said in a statement posted on Facebook. He was replying to a statement by former information, communications and culture minister Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim, who claimed on Facebook on Friday that the MM2H programme had granted permanent residency to 22,000 Chinese nationals. Tiong stressed that there was no hidden agenda in the implementation of MM2H, adding that the programme aimed to attract foreign investments and strengthen Malaysia’s position as a preferred destination for investors and international residents. – Bernama

o Experts highlight eco-friendly, cost-effective benefits and call for greater awareness, support

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Plastic pollution is a global crisis that poses significant threats to both human health and the environment. Despite growing interest in sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics, their widespread adoption remains limited. Disposable products such as tampons and sanitary pads contribute heavily to landfill waste, while sustainable options such as menstrual cups (pic) are less common. Zero Waste Malaysia co-founder Khor Sue Yee said menstrual cups are a game-changer, providing a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative as the world moves towards greater sustainability. “Unlike single-use products, a menstrual cup can last between five and ten years, eliminating the need for thousands of disposable sanitary items over a woman’s lifetime. “This minimises landfill waste and reduces plastic pollution as most pads contain plastic components that take centuries to decompose,” she said. Beyond environmental benefits, menstrual cups also offer long-term financial savings. Khor said her RM120 menstrual cup has lasted over four years, saving her RM1,459. “The average woman uses more than 16,800 sanitary products in her lifetime, making reusable alternatives a more economical choice. “You only need one cup. It’s comfortable and you can wear it underwater, or during any outdoor activity without hassle,” she added. Khor urged the government, via the Health Ministry and relevant organisations, to raise awareness of menstrual cups by promoting education among local communities. “Providing subsidies or financial support for menstrual cups can make them more accessible, reducing reliance on disposable products. “Incorporating education on menstrual health and sustainability into school curricula and corporate wellness programmes intervention is crucial to ensuring a sufficient supply of bottled palm cooking oil for the public over the next three months. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said some companies have reduced cooking oil production by 50% in response to rising global crude palm oil (CPO) prices, leading to a supply shortage. He said the intervention was also essential to ensuring an adequate supply during Ramadan, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the Kaamatan Festival and Gawai over the three-month period. “This is an immediate short-term intervention, implemented through special incentives but we also need to think about a long-term solution. We will discuss with all parties involved how to address this issue in the long run,” he said after

Disposable products such as tampons and sanitary pads contribute heavily to landfill waste. – SYED AZAHAR SYED OSMAN/THESUN

were bound by the maximum price control order. Armizan said over the three-month period, Anwar had also instructed the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, Finance Ministry, Plantations and Commodities Ministry and all relevant parties to find a long-term solution. “The price of CPO has increased, but the government remains committed to subsidising packet cooking oil and capping the price of bottled cooking oil to assist the public. At the same time, we acknowledge the constraints faced by companies and are working on solutions to balance the needs of both the people and the industry,” he said. Armizan said his ministry had contacted the companies involved and would hold a meeting with them early next week to implement the intervention. – Bernama personal concept often linked to sexual intercourse, not the use of menstrual products. The hymen can also be affected by activities such as sports or cycling. “When inserted correctly, a menstrual cup fits inside the vagina without causing discomfort, so you won’t even feel it’s there,” she said. Recognising the need for greater awareness, Cherry Cup actively collaborates with universities, colleges and NGOs to support menstrual health education and period poverty initiatives. “We participate in and donate funds to Universiti Malaya’s projects and have been working with them since 2023. “We also distribute free menstrual cups to those who cannot afford them, encouraging them to make the switch,” she said. Lynn suggested menstrual health education should be integrated into science subjects from primary school. She also emphasised the importance of involving boys in menstrual health education by fostering open conversations and encouraging them to ask questions. She said this could help reduce bullying and eliminate the stigma and embarrassment surrounding menstruation. However, she noted that young girls should not be pressured into using menstrual cups. “They need time to learn and decide on their own so that they can make confident choices.”

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officiating the Servis Ihsan Madani@Petronas Autoexpert Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Ikhlas Ramadan Bersama Gas Petronas programme here on Saturday. On Friday, Armizan said the government would implement immediate intervention measures to stabilise the supply of bottled cooking oil. He said the decision followed a special briefing to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan on the ongoing supply disruption. According to him, in the first two months, the average CPO price stood at RM4,672.50 per tonne in January and RM4,759 in February. As a result of prolonged high CPO prices, he said bottled cooking oil packaging companies have reduced production to control costs as they she said. Scotland has set an example by becoming the first country to make period products, including menstrual cups, freely available under the Period Products (Free Provision) Act. New Zealand has also launched a nationwide programme to provide free period products in state and state-integrated schools, ensuring access to sustainable options. Meanwhile Lynn Tan Pei Ring, co-founder of Cherry Cup – a locally made menstrual cup brand – said a single pack of menstrual pads contains up to 90% plastic, about the same as five plastic bags, and takes at least 500 years to decompose. “Most menstrual cups are made from silicone, with medical-grade silicone being the safest and most durable choice as it is non-toxic and reduces the risk of allergies. “Unlike disposable pads and tampons, menstrual cups do not absorb blood but collect it, lowering the risk of bacterial growth and infections, including toxic shock syndrome,” she said. Lynn highlighted misconceptions and cultural taboos that prevent people from using menstrual cups. “Many believe that unmarried women should not use them because they might stretch the hymen and ‘cause loss of virginity’. “In reality, virginity is a cultural and

Govt to intervene in bottled cooking oil shortage PAPAR: The government’s immediate