22/05/2025

LYFE THURSDAY | MAY 22, 2025

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Fertiliser boost for city centre veg garden o Composting machine solution for urban community farmers

F OR the past nine years, tending a small vegetable garden in the heart of the capital has brought meaningful benefits to this B40 community, while also helping to change the negative perception often linked to low-cost public housing. Spread over a 0.2ha plot behind the Seri Sabah flats in Cheras, the community-run urban farm has revitalised an abandoned area, turning it into a thriving green space that provides residents with free, homegrown vegetables. However, the rising cost of fertilisers and pesticides in recent years affected the sustainability of this project and in turn, impacted its harvests. Furthermore, the community’s previous efforts to produce compost from food waste often failed as the process took too long, eventually forcing the residents to rely on store-bought fertiliser. The residents, however, can now breathe a sigh of relief as the MunchBot composting technology has helped them speed up compost production from food waste, allowing their urban garden to thrive sustainably without dependence on chemical fertilisers. MunchBot is a portable composter that turns food scraps into nutrient-rich compost for gardens. Seri Sabah 3A Residents Association chairman Raja Rahim Raja Muhaiddin said the technology also supports the cultivation of safer organic vegetables, aligning with the community’s efforts to obtain the Malaysian Good Agricultural Practices certification from the Agriculture Department. “To get a good harvest, the plants need to be fertilised properly. Normally, we buy fertiliser every week, and a 25kg bag costs about RM300. We also do receive some aid from the Agriculture Department. “We have tried making our own fertiliser but the process took months. Then, we were introduced to MunchBot. Using this (composting machine) is very cost-effective – it also helps reduce (the amount of) food waste going to landfills,” he said. Taking only 24 hours to turn food waste into compost – compared with the usual two months

awareness and encourage active community involvement in environmental care,” she said in a statement. Nora said three MunchBot composting machines, each with a capacity of 5kg, were supplied to the participating communities, who also received 12 months of comprehensive training in sustainable food waste management. She added that through the use of the composting technology, the participating residents may also earn additional income by selling compost and crops, with the potential to make up to RM450 per month. “For every 450kg of food waste processed, up to 90kg of high-quality compost can be produced,” she said, adding that their community outreach programme aligns with the National Biotechnology Policy 2.0 and the aspirations of the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry. – Bernama The Munchbot machine offers a fast and compact composting solution. – PIC FROM FACEBOOK @MAEKO

The composting technology has been a major boost for the B40 community operating the urban vegetable garden. – PROGRAM KEMBARA KOMUNITI BIOECONOMY CORPORATIONPIC

food waste management expert Maeko Sdn Bhd. Bioeconomy Corporation Industry Support Division senior vice president Nora Mohamed said the initiative not only ensures crops are free from synthetic chemical residues but also enhances soil fertility. “This effort also guarantees the continuity of local food sources. Manual composting is encouraged as a daily practice at home to raise

– the MunchBot technology was made available to the Seri Sabah community under the Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation’s (Bioeconomy Corporation) community outreach programme. A total of 45 participants of the community gardens at Seri Sabah flats and PPR Desa Rejang in Setapak are involved in the programme, which is a collaboration between the Bioeconomy Corporation and composting and

New national counselling helpline

NON-PROFIT organisation Life Line Association Malaysia has introduced its new national counselling helpline 15995. Designed to be easy to remember, the five-digit number carries a deeper meaning – “Love me, save me” – reflecting the core mission of Life Line Association Malaysia to provide timely support and care for individuals experiencing emotional distress, especially during their most critical moments. As public awareness of mental health continues to grow, Life Line Association Malaysia has observed that long or complicated phone numbers can often discourage people from reaching out for help. To address this, it has introduced a short and easy-to-remember five-digit helpline (15995) so individuals can more easily access mental health support when they need it most. According to data from Life Line Association Malaysia, a total of 4,655 calls were received in 2024, marking a record high. Callers included teenagers, working adults, family caregivers and individuals from various walks of life. This reflects a growing demand for mental health support in our society and highlights the urgent need for a more accessible and efficient support system. “Since February this year, our helpline service hours have been extended from 18 hours per week to 96 hours per week. The public can now call the helpline from Monday to Saturday, between 9.30am and 1.30am, to receive timely mental

Enriching children’s lives with home appliance donations Hisense Malaysia extends aid to children, providing essential supplies and a refrigerator.

(From left) Life Line Association Malaysia society affairs adviser See Soon Eng, Redtone Digital group CEO Lau Bik Soon, Choon and Life Line Association Malaysia deputy president Chua Chee Heng launching the new helpline.

CONSUMER and home appliances brand Hisense Malaysia recently donated Hisense home appliances, essential goods and contributions to orphanages worth RM24,000. Eight local children homes were included in the corporate social responsibility initiative, namely Trinity Community Children Home, Shelter Home for Children, Suriana Welfare Society, Rumah Hope, Lighthouse Children Welfare Home Association, Praise Emmanuel Children’s Home, Rumah Aman Children’s Home and Pertubuhan Kebajikan Kanak Kanak. Through the initiative in collaboration with the children’s electronics

Line Association Malaysia to advancing mental health awareness and supporting the long-term development of accessible counselling services through meaningful action. Since its establishment in 1993, Life Line Association Malaysia has provided emotional support to over 44,000 individuals. It continues to urge the public to prioritise their mental well-being. If facing emotional distress, individuals are encouraged to speak to trusted family members or friends, or contact the helpline at 15995. All calls are strictly confidential, providing a safe space for callers to express their thoughts and feelings freely.

health support,” president Choon Lee Meng said. She further explained Life Line Association Malaysia is actively working towards providing a 24-hour helpline service. As part of this effort, the “SmartCounsel” data system has already been introduced. This system integrates call handling and case management functions, using technology to enhance overall efficiency and professionalism, paving the way for a more comprehensive and accessible support service in the future. As one of the key partners supporting the helpline system upgrade, Redtone Digital Bhd has extended preferential telecommunications services to Life

homes, the company donated a range of home appliances, including air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, televisions and electric pressure cookers, to enhance the daily living conditions of these children. “By providing essential appliances and financial aid, we hope to create an environment where these children can grow and thrive. Hisense products are designed to enhance everyday living with innovative features and through this initiative, we aim not only to improve their immediate living conditions but also to inspire hope and encourage their dreams,” said Hisense Malaysia managing director Derek Jin.