04/05/2026

MONDAY | MAY 4, 2026

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Staying hydrated during heatwave A S Malaysia faces an ongoing heatwave, health authorities are urging the public to stay hydrated. But from a food COMMENT by Dr Sri Puvanesvari Gannasin and Dr Naranizan Mohd Adzahan

Thirst is a late indicator of dehydration. By the time a person feels thirsty, the body has already begun to lose significant fluids. Instead, individuals should drink small amounts regularly throughout the day and monitor simple signs; pale yellow urine generally indicates adequate hydration. Smarter approach to hydration In the face of rising temperatures, Malaysians are encouraged to adopt a comprehensive hydration strategy: 0 Drink water consistently throughout the day. 0 Include electrolyte-rich beverages when needed. 0 Consume water-dense fruits and foods. 0 Avoid overly sugary drinks. 0 Consider green juices made from ingredients like spinach, celery, green apple and cucumber. 0 Ensure water safety, particularly in affected regions. Parents can encourage children to stay hydrated by using a fun chart to track their water intake, turning healthy habits into an engaging and rewarding activity. As the heatwave continues, staying hydrated is not just about quantity but quality. A balanced approach can help Malaysians stay resilient and healthy during extreme heat. Dr Sri Puvanesvari Gannasin is a senior Lecturer (Food Science) at Universiti Teknologi Mara, Dungun, Terengganu and Dr Noranizan Mohd Adzahan is an associate professor (Food Technology) at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com and traffic control. But as we move forward, it is important to balance innovation with responsibility. Technology should serve people, not control them. As artificial intelligence and image processing continue to grow, we must ask not just what they can do but also what they should do. With the right safeguards, these tools can improve lives without compromising our privacy or freedom. So, the next time your phone edits your photo or a camera helps keep a building secure, remember it is not just smart tech; it is a reminder that we are living in a world where machines can see, learn and decide. And it is up to us to make sure they do so wisely. Aqilah Baseri Huddin is a senior lecturer at the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Signals Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

option. Their high-water content and soft texture make them suitable for children, older adults and those with reduced appetite during hot weather. From a food science standpoint, their gel structure allows for a slower, more sustained release of fluids in the body. Another key consideration is the sugar concentration in beverages. Drinks that are too sweet, known as hypertonic solutions, can slow fluid absorption and may even worsen dehydration by drawing water into the digestive tract. For optimal hydration, beverages should be balanced in sugar and electrolytes. East coast concerns: Salinity and water safety In parts of East Coast Malaysia, particularly during extended dry spells, an additional challenge emerges. Reduced river flow and increased evaporation lead to seawater intrusion into freshwater sources, resulting in tap or even filtered water tasting slightly salty. From a food safety perspective, this raises two important concerns. First, higher salinity may make water less palatable, leading individuals to drink less and increasing the risk of dehydration. Second, compromised water quality may elevate the risk of microbial contamination. Residents in affected areas are advised to boil water before consumption to reduce the risk of waterborne illnesses such as diarrhoea. Boiling remains one of the most effective household- level interventions to ensure microbiological safety, especially when water quality is uncertain.

science perspective, effective hydration is not just about drinking more water; it is about ensuring the body can properly absorb and utilise fluids, especially under extreme heat. Water is fundamental to regulating body temperature, transporting nutrients and maintaining metabolic functions. However, during prolonged heat exposure, the body loses not only water through sweat but also essential electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. Replacing fluids without these minerals may not fully restore hydration balance. Electrolyte-rich beverages can play an important role. Natural options like coconut water provide potassium and a small amount of sugar that support fluid absorption in the intestine. Isotonic drinks, formulated to match the body’s fluid balance, may also help in situations of heavy sweating or outdoor activity. Hydration can also come from food. Fruits and vegetables with high water content are practical and nutritious choices. Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, orange and cucumber contain over 85% water, making them excellent for hydration while also supplying essential vitamins and minerals. Including these foods in daily meals can help maintain fluid balance throughout the day. Semi-solid foods such as jelly or agar-based desserts are another useful

Hydration can also come from food. Fruits and vegetables with high water content are practical and nutritious choices.

COMMENT by Aqilah Baseri Huddin

Smart cameras and AI: Are we being watched? EVERY time you take a selfie and your phone magically enhances the lighting or when you walk past a security camera that seems to follow your movement, you are witnessing the quiet power of digital image processing combined with artificial intelligence. identify a speeding car in seconds. All of this is possible because of the way computers process images and learn from them. In Malaysia, these technologies are already being used in many sectors. Hospitals use AI to help doctors read X-rays more accurately. As artificial intelligence and image-

criminals but it can also be used to track innocent people without their knowledge. If the AI is trained on biased data, it may misidentify someone or treat certain groups unfairly. Privacy is another concern. Many people do not know when or where their image is being captured. In some cases, images are stored for long periods or shared without consent. That is why experts are calling for clearer rules and better transparency. People should have the right to know how their data is being used and to say no if they are uncomfortable. Despite these concerns, the future of AI and image processing is full of promise. There are already cars that drive themselves using cameras and sensors. Schools may use smart systems to understand how students are feeling. Cities could become safer and more efficient with intelligent surveillance

processing continue to grow, we must ask not just what they can

These technologies are no longer just part of science fiction; they are part of our everyday lives, often working behind the scenes without us even noticing. Digital image-processing is a way for computers to “see” and “understand” pictures. It helps machines clean up blurry images, recognise faces and even detect objects. When paired with artificial intelligence, which allows computers to learn and make decisions, the results are impressive. Your phone knows where your face is in a photo. A hospital scanner can highlight signs of illness and a traffic camera can

Security systems in shopping malls and offices use smart cameras to detect suspicious behaviour. Even agriculture is benefiting, with drones flying over fields to check crop health using image analysis. It is clear that AI and image processing are helping us live safer, healthier, and more efficient lives. But as these systems become smarter, they also raise important questions. Who controls the data collected by these cameras? How is your face being stored and used? Can these systems make mistakes? These are not just technical issues; they are ethical ones. For example, facial recognition can help catch

do but also what they should do.