28/03/2026

SATURDAY | MAR 28, 2026

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Forest edges serve as ecological corridors: Study

Floating mosque set to boost tourism YAN: A floating mosque in Kampung Ruat here, scheduled for completion next month, is set to become one of the district’s main attractions. Works Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan said the project, taken over by a new contractor in July 2023, involves a total construction cost of more than RM12.95 million. “The Public Works Department has been appointed as the implementing agency for this project. The construction of this mosque is part of the government’s initiative to provide safe and comfortable worship facilities for the local community. “The mosque has the potential to emerge as a new tourism attraction for the state,” he said after inspecting the progress of the project yesterday. Ahmad said the main scope of work includes the construction of the mosque building and supporting structures, such as an arch, water tank tower, azan tower, a compact Tenaga Nasional Berhad substation and a Small Sewage Treatment System. He said the handover of the project from the department to the Kedah Islamic Religious Council is expected to take place at the end of next month, after which the mosque will be opened fully to the public. “The Works Ministry hopes that, upon completion, the floating mosque will serve not only as a house of worship, but also as a symbol of development and community wellbeing in the Yan district.” – Bernama School closure permitted if heatwave persists IPOH: School administrators may temporarily close schools if temperatures exceed 37°C for three consecutive days. Education Deputy Minister Wong Kah Woh said the measure is part of guidelines set by the Education Ministry since 2023 and can be implemented if conditions worsen. “State Education Departments and schools have sufficient experience in managing the current situation. “We recognise that this remains a challenge for the ministry in ensuring the comfort and health of students,” he said after a working visit to Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) Gopeng here yesterday. Also present were Perak Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Committee chairman A. Sivanesan and state Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching. “Outdoor school activities must be suspended if temperatures range between 35°C and 37°C for three consecutive days, including cross-country runs, camping, drills and other outdoor activities,” said Wong. The ministry has instructed all administrators, including principals, headmasters and district education offices, to monitor daily temperature levels at schools and within their respective districts. In another development, Wong said SJKT Gopeng will undergo redevelopment under a RM14.5 million project to replace dilapidated buildings. He said the project is expected to begin at the end of this year and will take 22 months to complete. It involves demolishing existing structures and constructing a new three-storey block comprising six classrooms, administrative offices, a staff room and a sports store. “The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2028, allowing students to move into the new building.” – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Forest edges within oil palm plantations are not just transitional zones, but also function as important ecological corridors that enable wildlife to move safely between forest reserves and surrounding landscapes, according to a recent study. The Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF) said findings from a study conducted by experts from the Global Environment Centre near the Binsulok and Klias Forest Reserves in Beaufort, Sabah indicated that these forest edges play a significant role in supporting the movement of various fauna species. “Wildlife recorded using these corridors include large mammals such as sambar deer, bearded pigs, leopard cats and proboscis monkeys, as well as smaller mammals, reptiles, resident birds and migratory bird species. “Over 12 months, 13 camera traps were strategically installed along the boundaries of oil palm plantations adjacent to forest reserves to monitor wildlife movement patterns. “The data collection project involved several privately owned oil palm plantations and independent smallholders in the Beaufort district, located in southwestern Sabah. “The study, funded by MPOGCF, was carried out in collaboration with various Sabah government agencies, including the Forestry Department, Wildlife Department, Biodiversity Centre, as well as plantation companies and smallholders.” o Project aims to identify wildlife species in oil palm plantations, examine biodiversity presence to support conservation management According to the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation, food waste increased by 21% to about 3,000 tonnes per day during Ramadan in 2024 while during Ramadan last year, daily food waste disposal rose by 11.6% to 4,561.61 tonnes. While the issue may appear overwhelming, one Malaysian entrepreneur believes meaningful change can begin at home, even from something as small as a kitchen scrap bin. For Kompostri founder Ellyna Merican Zulzurin Merican, 35, what started as a simple attempt to deal with food scraps during the Covid-19 lockdown has grown into a social enterprise encouraging households to rethink how they handle food waste. “I did not actually plan to start Kompostri, but during the lockdown we were cooking more at home and generated a lot of food scraps, and I felt guilty throwing them away. “I discovered that food waste in landfills produces methane, which is one of the biggest contributors to climate change.” Ellyna, who holds a Master of Business Administration from Cardiff Metropolitan

The leopard cat is among the wildlife found at forest edges within oil palm plantations which serve as important ecological corridors. – AI-GENERATED IMAGE BY SYED AZAHAR SYED OSMAN/THESUN

In addition to biodiversity research, MPOGCF said the project implemented awareness campaigns on peatland fire prevention and promoted responsible land use practices, Bernama reported. “The project strengthened biodiversity conservation efforts by engaging local communities, including oil palm smallholders and school students. “The project also supports the role of smallholders through the establishment of community patrol teams aimed at preventing peatland fires, as well as initiatives to form Community Fire Brigades under the supervision of the Beaufort Fire and Rescue Department.”

University, Wales, previously worked in human resources and marketing, including at event management company Marcus Evans Sdn Bhd and her family-owned business Oh Apong Cafe. These experiences shape how she develops and promotes Kompostri, using her marketing background to create educational videos that raise awareness on food waste and composting for social media. Central to Kompostri’s solution is Bokashi composting, an innovative food waste recycling method that originated in Japan, with the term “bokashi” roughly translating to “fermented organic matter”. Ellyna said one of the advantages of the Bokashi method is its ability to process a wider variety of food scraps compared with conventional composting methods. Odour from the composting process remains one of the biggest concerns surrounding the method despite its suitability for urban homes and high-rise living. However, she said this is a common misconception as the smell produced is more like a pickled or fermented scent rather than a foul odour. She said operating as a solo founder, funding and supply sourcing were among the biggest hurdles in establishing the venture. At present, Kompostri products are sold on a MPOGCF said the primary objective was to identify wildlife species in oil palm plantations adjacent to forest reserves and examine biodiversity presence to support conservation management within peatland ecosystems. The findings from the assessment served as a reference to support wildlife conservation management within the Klias Peninsula Peatland Landscape (KPPL). “KPPL is a highly important peatland area comprising intact peat swamp forests and mangrove ecosystems that serve as a vital habitat for diverse wildlife, while playing a key role in climate change mitigation and flood management in Beaufort, Sabah.”

Composting business seeks to reduce food waste KUALA LUMPUR: Tonnes of food waste end up in Malaysian landfills every day and the problem becomes even more pronounced during festive seasons when large volumes of food are prepared but not always consumed. smaller scale as the business continues to refine its operations and manage supply, with its flagship Kompostri Full Kit priced at RM159 as an accessible entry point for households looking to start composting at home.

Looking ahead, Ellyna believes addressing Malaysia’s food waste problem requires not only solutions, but also greater public awareness. She expressed hope to expand Kompostri’s outreach by growing its community, educating more households and collaborating with schools as well as food and beverage industry players on managing food waste. She is also working on developing environmental, social and governance impact tracking capabilities while planning to scale up bin production alongside a digital monitoring system to enhance Kompostri’s operations. A participant in social entrepreneurship programme SEEd.Lab, Ellyna said the experience has helped strengthen Kompostri’s potential to grow its impact through mentorship, validation frameworks and a supportive community of purpose-driven founders, enabling her to refine the business model and test assumptions with real beneficiaries. Ellyna expressed hope that small actions taken at home could eventually grow into a wider movement in how Malaysians manage food waste. – Bernama