26/04/2025

SATURDAY | APR 26, 2025

COMMUNITY 7

Australian army chief joins Anzac Day memorials

F&B carton recycling project takes off at Ipoh mall Ű BY P. CHANDRA SAGARAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com IPOH: A new concept in recycling that focuses on food and beverage outlets at shopping malls was launched at Aeon Mall Station 18 here recently. The project known as ‘Sort & Drop - Recycle the Cartons’ is an initiative to separate and recycle used beverage cartons at malls. It is developed by Tetra Pak in collaboration with collection partner KPT Recycle. The launch was officiated Ipoh City Council secretary Ahmad Munir Ishak. The project is supported by the Housing and Local Government Ministry’s Urban Sustainability Division, the management of Aeon Mall and the city council. It introduces a digital collection mechanism that encompasses a collection kiosk for used beverage cartons and is connected to the RE: Connect app by KPT Recycle. With this system, the 32 food and beverage outlets in the mall now have access to a user- friendly facility to recycle their cartons. The system can track and monitor, collecting data for record purposes. In his address, Ahmad Munir said the pilot project will be introduced to other malls in Ipoh, and is also expected to be implemented nationwide in phases. “The project is to protect the environment and reduce disposal of waste at landfill sites,“ he said. It will contribute to the nation’s circular economy in line with the Circular Economy Roadmap for Solid Waste (2025-2030). He added that the “CAREton” project to recycle drinks at events has collected 260kg of packets with the cooperation of Perak State Education Department and the North Kinta Education office. The council has since 2023 signed MoUs with five companies on recycling of waste to convert to trash for cash. It is also targeting to reduce carbon emission by 45 percent through circular economy activities by 2030.

KOTA KINABALU: Australia’s Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart participated in a series of deeply meaningful commemorative events to mark Anzac Day in Malaysia this week. Stuart, who is on a visit to Malaysia till today, was accompanied by Australian high commissioner Danielle Heinecke to Labuan and Sabah to officiate at the ceremonies. He first honoured the fallen at the Labuan War Cemetery where over 3,900 Australian, allied and local forces who died fighting for the recovery of Sabah and Sarawak between 1942 and 1945 are buried. More than half of the

o Service held for fallen Aussie, British soldiers, and locals who aided, died with them

and on the death marches to Ranau. The event is remembered as one of the worst atrocities ever inflicted on Australians in war. Of the more than 2,400 prisoners alive at the beginning of 1945, only six, who escaped into the jungle and were sheltered by local communities, survived. Earlier, Stuart had attended a roundtable with strategic thinkers at Universit i Malaya on Wednesday. He outlined how Australia is navigating its security and defence as an active middle power, and discussed non-traditional security threats and responses.

veterans and their families in 1969. Stuart also officiated at a dawn service at the Sandakan Memorial Park located on the site of the Second World War Sandakan prisoner of war (POW) camp yesterday. The service remembered not only Australian and British soldiers held as POWs by imperial Japanese forces, but also the local communities who aided and died with them both in the war camp

headstones are unnamed. The Labuan memorial honours those who have no known grave. On Thursday, Stuart joined senior government and Malaysian Armed Forces representatives at the Kota Kinabalu Anzac Day Service at the North Borneo War Monument in the city. This was followed by a visit to the nearby Sabah, Australia, New Zealand Army Corps (Sanzac) School which was established by

Stuart (5th left) and Heinecke (6th right) with dignitaries and officials at the North Borneo War Monument. Pic courtesy of Australian High Commission in Malaysia.

First internationally branded hotel in Seremban by year-end PUTRAJAYA: Seremban will soon have its first internationally branded hotel as the Aloft Seremban, under Marriott International Inc., is expected to open in the city by the end of 2025. This was announced at a ceremony to sign an agreement between Marriott International and Citta Worldwide Sdn Bhd to introduce Aloft Hotels to Seremban. The event was held at Marriott Putrajaya on Wednesday. Dr Chai Kee Kan, chairman of Citta Worldwide. “We are proud to collaborate with Marriott International to introduce a brand that embodies an upbeat and vibrant energy, reflecting the character of Seremban itself,” added Chai, who is also the founder and CEO of KK Super Mart. He said this after signing the agreement with Andree Susilo, Marriott International’s vice-president (development) for Asia Pacific.

Chai (3rd left) holding the signed agreement with Susilo, witnessed by Loke (centre). With them are Pardip (2nd left) and Goh (3rd right).

Strategically located in the heart of the Negri Sembilan state capital, Aloft Seremban will be part of an integrated commercial development comprising retail and office spaces. Ranked as a 4-star hotel, it will be directly linked to Terminal 1 Shopping Centre, one of the city’s key retail destinations, and will offer connectivity to major transportation hubs, including the upcoming Seremban Sentral railway station. “Aloft Seremban will redefine the hospitality landscape in Seremban, offering a dynamic and stylish stay experience that aligns with the city’s evolving urban profile,”said Datuk Seri

Witnessing them was Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who is also the MP for Seremban. Also present were Citta Worldwide managing director Datuk Pardip Kumar Kukreja, and Marriott International vice-president and senior legal counsel Huilin Goh. With its modern design and strategic location, Aloft Seremban is aimed as a hospitality landmark in Negri Sembilan, further strengthening Marriott’s presence in Malaysia. “Aloft Seremban represents a milestone in Marriott International’s

growth in Malaysia, and we are delighted to be working with Citta Worldwide to bring this vibrant and design-forward brand to Seremban,” said Susilo. “This hotel will introduce a fresh hospitality experience to the city, catering to modern travellers who seek style, innovation, and convenience.”

Aloft Seremban is expected to feature 173 contemporary rooms and suites, designed with signature amenities. Plans for dining and social venues include an all-day dining restaurant with a semi-open kitchen, Re:Fuel - a Grab & Go concept, and the brand’s signature W XYZ Bar. The hotel’s meeting and event

spaces are anticipated to span 300 sqm, featuring a function room that can be divided into three sections and two dedicated meeting rooms. Design plans also call for the hotel to feature a 25m outdoor swimming pool with a sun deck and a 75sq m Re:Charge fitness centre, providing guests with leisure and wellness facilities.