08/07/2025

TUESDAY | JULY 8, 2025

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Call to explore potential of temperate fruit farming

‘Over 1,000 school students at high risk of depression’ SHAH ALAM: A total of 1,020 out of 36,428 secondary school students in Selangor have shown early signs of being at high risk for depression, the Selangor State Legislative Assembly was told yesterday. State Public Health and Environment Committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the students were identified through the Patient Health Questionnaire, making up 2.8% of those screened. She said the findings, based on the Minda Sihat (Healthy Mind) Mental Health Screening Analysis for the 2024/2025 school session, indicated that overall psychosocial behaviour among students remains under control. “To address mental health concerns, intervention programmes have been implemented and expanded to primary schools, especially for Year 5 and Year 6 pupils. The goal is to raise early awareness about mental health and build emotional resilience,” she said. The interventions focus on emotional and behavioral development, early prevention activities and capacity-building for school guidance and counselling teachers. These include workshops on mental health strategies such as relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, physical activities as well as shoulder and neck massages. Jamaliah was responding to a question from Azmizam Zaman Huri (PH–Port Klang) who wanted to know the immediate measures being taken by the Selangor Education Department to address depression and anxiety among students in the 2024/2025 session. She added that in addition to general interventions, the department is also running the Healthy Mind programme along with specialised modules. These cover counseling sessions, emotional awareness, coping skills, 10B stress management, breathing techniques, mindfulness, anger management, problem-solving, positive thinking and effective communication. “These initiatives serve as early preventive measures and aim to strengthen the school children’s mental well-being from the primary level,” she said. – Bernama has risen in stages – from 48 to 56 in 1985, 62 in 1995, 71 in 2005 and 82 in 2014.“ He added that the Election Commission will be responsible for determining the new electoral boundaries once the Bill is passed. The redelineation exercise and establishment of the new constituencies are expected to be completed in time for the upcoming Sarawak state election, which is due in June next year.

o Govt needs to study possibilities of growing such produce locally in response to SST on imports and for food

self-sufficiency, say agri experts

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: As the government moves to impose the Sales and Service Tax (SST) on most imported fruits, questions are being raised about Malaysia’s heavy reliance on foreign produce and whether the country should ramp up efforts to grow popular fruits like apples and oranges locally. While going fully self-sufficient may be unrealistic in the near term, agricultural experts believe Malaysia can make meaningful strides through technology-driven farming, particularly by cultivating select temperate fruits under controlled environments. Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak Studies for Plantation and Agrotechnology head Prof Dr Abdul Rahman Salli said the SST move is a timely wake-up call for Malaysia to rethink its food security strategy by exploring the potential of growing more of what it imports. “Yes, Malaysia should explore local cultivation of temperate fruits, especially in response to the SST on imports and the need for food self sufficiency,” he said. “Technological advances like indoor and controlled-environment farming make this feasible. However, rising temperatures in highland areas and the high resource demands of such systems pose challenges.” He cautioned that efforts to cultivate temperate fruits must not compromise the country’s core food priorities. “Malaysia must prioritise basic food production first. Temperate fruit farming should be pursued as a complementary niche effort, not at

Shamsiah said innovations such as greenhouses, hydroponics and plant breeding could help Malaysia gradually build capacity to grow temperate crops. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Sarawak was in 2015, and since then, we have seen a significant increase in population and number of voters, especially after the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18,” he added. Abdul Karim said the proposed amendment would repeal the current Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Ordinance 2014 (Cap. 70), which fixed the number of seats at 82. “Since 1969, the number of elected representatives in the state assembly breeding programmes for apples are not yet in place, interest in this area is growing among research institutions. “Several approaches can support this adaptation, including rootstock selection, grafting, marker-assisted breeding, mutation breeding and tissue culture,” she said. “These are actively discussed in research stations and universities focused on crop diversification.” However, she acknowledged that significant scientific and technical hurdles remain. “Key challenges include climate suitability, pest and disease pressures, soil and water management and the high costs of controlled-environment systems.” Shamsiah stressed that to reduce its reliance on imported fruits, Malaysia must invest more in plant biotechnology research and the commercialisation of homegrown solutions. “Food security isn’t just about rice or basic staples. It also includes fruits and other horticultural crops. Investing in local R&D will help Malaysia become more resilient to global supply chain disruptions, price shocks and climate change.”

and concerns of the rakyat are more efficiently and more effectively addressed and improve service delivery through leadership that is more responsive to the rakyat.” Abdul Karim said the move aligns with provisions under the Federal Constitution. “Article 113(2) of the Federal Constitution allows for a review of electoral boundaries in a state every eight years. “The last delineation exercise in From a sustainability standpoint, Abdul Rahman said any future expansion must include energy efficient systems, water-saving technologies and emission-reducing practices to ensure alignment with climate-smart agriculture principles. Sharing similar views, UiTM Jasin Faculty of Plantation and Agrotechnology dean Assoc Prof Dr Shamsiah Abdullah said innovations such as greenhouses, hydroponics and plant breeding could help Malaysia gradually build capacity to grow temperate crops. “To introduce new fruit crops, methods such as controlled environments and plant breeding can help make this feasible,” she said. “Of course, it depends on cost, market demand and sustainability. We may not replace all imports but we can aim to boost local production in certain areas. It’s worth exploring, especially with the new SST.” On the scientific front, Shamsiah said breeding techniques and biotechnology are increasingly being explored to adapt fruits like grapes and strawberries to Malaysia’s tropical conditions. She added that while large-scale

2025, said the proposed increase is both timely and necessary in light of Sarawak’s demographic changes, urban expansion and the growing need for equitable representation in the state. “In view of the growing number of voters and the geographically complex nature of Sarawak, we need more elected representatives to better serve the rakyat . “It will enhance accessibility to governance. It will ensure the needs the expense of core food security goals.” Abdul Rahman said various pilot projects over the years have proven it is technically possible to grow non-native fruits such as strawberries, apples and berries in highland areas including Cameron Highlands, Kundasang and Ba’Kelalan. “Research by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, universities and private farms supports this potential,” he said. “But climate change is real – rising temperatures in these areas make controlled-environment farming more necessary, but also more costly.” To overcome Malaysia’s tropical climate and soil conditions, he said farmers can turn to agrotechnology such as greenhouses, soilless systems, smart sensors and heat-tolerant rootstocks. “These technologies help simulate temperate conditions and optimise resource use, but they require significant investment, technical know-how and ongoing support.”

Sarawak set to increase state constituencies from 82 to 99

Ű BY JOSEPH PETER newsdesk@thesundaily.com

SARAWAK: Sarawak is set to increase its state constituencies from 82 to 99 following the tabling of a new Bill during a special sitting of the State Legislative Assembly yesterday. State Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who tabled the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill