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Malay Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Cooling crisis: Why Malaysia's urban trees are critical in the heatwave battle
KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 — You're enjoying a bowl of cendol under a large angsana tree. The sun is at its peak, with temperatures reaching 33°Celsius. Yet, in the shade, the air feels cooler, and you feel at ease despite the blazing rays. As the planet warms, especially in countries of the Global South, the presence of trees in dense urban areas can mean the difference between life and death. Heatwaves have killed scores of people in the last five years and hospitalised hundreds as temperatures reached record highs. Between 2023 and 2024 alone, heat caused by the El Niño cycle claimed five lives, according to the Khazanah Research Institute. Its researchers have predicted a rise in heat-related illnesses in the coming years. How cities are built exacerbates the crisis. Urban centres, constructed with heat-trapping materials, create a phenomenon called the urban heat island (UHI) effect, where cities experience significantly warmer temperatures than surrounding rural areas, especially at night. Evapotranspiration: How trees act as natural air conditioners Trees are the most cost-effective solution to counter heatwaves, although more public education is needed, said Associate Professor Ts Dr Sreetheran Maruthaveeran, a Certified Arborist and Senior Lecturer in Landscape Architecture at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). 'Trees enhance the microclimate of an area through the process of transpiration. During this process, trees release water in the form of vapour primarily through their leaves' stomata, as well as via evaporation from surfaces like leaves, flowers, and stems,' he explained. 'As water evaporates during transpiration, it absorbs heat from the surrounding environment, leading to a cooling effect. This is particularly noticeable under tree canopies, where transpiration significantly reduces air temperature.' In cities, this transpiration helps mitigate the UHI effect by cooling the air and increasing humidity, making urban environments more liveable and comfortable. If it's shady, it's cooler The UHI effect is caused by several factors, including urban construction materials that trap heat and reflect less light than natural ground cover. Hard surfaces like concrete and asphalt contribute to higher temperatures by reflecting less radiation back into the atmosphere. Tree canopies provide shade that blocks direct sunlight from heating these surfaces, effectively preventing heat gain, said Dr Ruzana Adibah Mohd Sanusi, laboratory head at UPM's Institute of Tropical Forestry and Agroforestry. 'Tree cover in cities can lower air temperatures by up to 8°C and land temperatures by up to 12°C,' she said. 'Trees help keep cities cool by blocking direct sunlight, reducing surface temperatures.' A field of dried grass reflects the ongoing hot and dry weather. — Picture by Raymond Manuel So why are more trees being cut down? Concerns are growing about trees being felled as local authorities respond hastily to incidents of fallen trees damaging roads or vehicles. Experts say balancing preservation and harm reduction is challenging. Increasing public awareness about the critical role of trees in urban climate mitigation has sparked calls for greater protection, particularly of older trees. However, this often clashes with city councils' safety-first policies, which sometimes result in excessive tree removal. Sreetheran noted that city councils are actively involved in tree preservation and public education, but improvements are needed. One major issue is the shortage of arborists, which hampers effective tree management. 'It's timely for city or town councils to train more officers in arboriculture or urban forestry,' he said, adding that courses by the Malaysian Society of Arborists (PArM) could help. 'These courses cover tree biology, maintenance, pest and disease management, pruning, and other relevant topics.' Public awareness is also key. Ruzana said city dwellers can act as safeguards against indiscriminate or illegal tree felling, but public understanding of trees' importance to urban ecosystems remains low. 'The public must understand the importance of trees and act as oversight to help preserve them,' she said. Are there regulations governing the cutting down of trees? Local governments often enforce rules for tree cutting under the Tree Preservation Order (TPO), enacted through the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172). The TPO is meant to protect trees from being felled, damaged, or uprooted without permission from local planning authorities. Sreetheran explained that the TPO prohibits cutting trees with a girth exceeding 0.8 metres, as well as those with significant aesthetic, historical, or ecological value, regardless of size. Violations can result in fines of up to RM100,000 or imprisonment of up to six months. However, activists and residents argue that enforcement of the TPO is lacking, with inadequate mechanisms to audit local governments' actions on trees. This has led to allegations of indiscriminate tree cutting, even in cases where trees provide critical shade and cooling for urban areas. 'To date, Selangor, Perak, and Melaka are the only states in Peninsular Malaysia to have successfully adopted the TPO Rules in 2001, 2011, and 2017, respectively,' Sreetheran said. He added that poor awareness and rapid development hurdles have hindered wider adoption of the TPO in Malaysia.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Science
- Malay Mail
From Angsana to Mempari: Trees that can transform Malaysia's urban landscape
KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 — Trees in cities are more than just decorative elements. They play a critical role in mitigating heat gain from hard surfaces by providing shade and releasing cool air through evapotranspiration, natural processes that make urban centres more liveable. However, the wrong tree species can pose challenges. Some can be invasive, prone to diseases, or have roots that damage pavements or roads. Trees suitable for a city like Chiang Mai, Thailand, may not be ideal for Johor Baru or Putrajaya, even if both countries share a similar climate. 'When planners began conceptualising how cities and towns in Malaysia would look, trees were seen mostly for their aesthetic value,' said Dr Sreetheran Maruthaveeran, a certified arborist and senior lecturer in Landscape Architecture at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). The realisation that trees are vital buffers against climate warming and essential for urban survivability came later. Sreetheran said planners must now consider factors such as carbon storage and sequestration when selecting tree species, alongside low maintenance requirements. Malay Mail spoke to two tree experts to identify species they believe are ideal for cities like Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru. Tees are vital buffers against climate warming and essential for urban survivability — Picture by Raymond Manuel Angsana or Sena (Pterocarpus indicus) The Angsana's distinctive dome-shaped crown offers excellent shade and is visually appealing, making it a popular choice for urban landscaping. Known for its hard, durable, and termite-resistant wood, the tree also has nitrogen-fixing capabilities. 'Angsana trees have shown the ability to sequester significant amounts of carbon annually,' Sreetheran said. Pulai Pipit, Pulai Penipu Paya or Akar Lumut (Alstonia angustifolia) Commonly known as Pulai in Malaysia, this tree can grow up to 40 metres tall with a trunk diameter of up to 60 centimetres, making it excellent for shading and cooling urban areas. Pulai trees also produce white, yellow, or cream-coloured flowers that attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds, enriching urban biodiversity. Additionally, its leaves and roots have antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, making the tree cost-effective to maintain. Dr Ruzana Adibah Mohd Sanusi, laboratory head at UPM's Institute of Tropical Forestry and Agroforestry, said tree selection should consider how species interact with other plants and fit into the ecosystem. 'The tree we choose should be suitable for the site, particularly how they interact (with other organisms) at the site,' she said. A worker waters a tree under the scorching sun to ease the effects of a heatwave. — Picture by Raymond Manuel Jambu Laut or Jambu Air Laut (Syzygium grande) Known as the Sea Apple Tree in English, the Jambu Laut is prized for its attractive foliage and fragrant flowers. It also bears edible, plum-sized fruits that attract birds, butterflies, and other wildlife, providing food and shelter and enhancing the ecosystem. Mature Jambu Laut trees, which can grow up to 45 metres tall, are fire-tolerant and have been used in firebreaks. These trees are fast-growing and thrive in humid, coastal areas, making them well-suited for city forestry. Mempari (Pongamia pinnata) Native to South-east Asia, including Malaysia, the Mempari tree thrives in diverse habitats, from riverbanks and tidal estuaries to lowland forests. The tree is highly tolerant of various climates, soils, and even some shade, making it ideal for urban areas. Its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil helps restore degraded or contaminated land and mitigates soil erosion, protecting infrastructure. However, pongamia trees can grow quite large, requiring proper spacing and regular maintenance to prevent overcrowding and ensure their health.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
UPM Bintulu rebranding to boost Sarawak's higher education autonomy, says Dr Rundi
Dr Rundi speaks to the media during the doorstop interview while flanked by his deputies Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail (right) and Datuk Martin Ben. KUCHING (June 18): Sarawak will be able to chart the course of its own higher education direction and priorities, particularly in key fields such as agriculture, veterinary science and renewable energy, following the upcoming rebranding of Universiti Putra Malaysia Sarawak Bintulu Campus (UPMKB) to UPM Sarawak (UPMS), said Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom. The State Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Minister said the transformation, set to be formalised in a proclamation ceremony at the Istana Alam Shah in Selangor this June 30, marked a significant milestone in Sarawak's long-term vision of developing its own education ecosystem that is tailored to the state's development needs and aspirations. 'When the university is declared as UPM Sarawak, Sarawak would be in a better position to plan and implement academic programmes that respond directly to the needs of the state. 'We can plan for our very own school of veterinary medicine, and other specialised programmes such as those related to agriculture, green energy, hydrogen and other fields that are important to us,' he told reporters when met after officiating the Sarawak Department of Agriculture Appreciation Ceremony here today. Dr Rundi, who will be accompanying Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to the proclamation ceremony, described the upcoming declaration as a 'dream come true' for Sarawak. He said Abang Johari had expressed readiness to assist UPM in managing the Bintulu campus, given its distance from the university's main campus in Peninsular Malaysia. 'Previously, His Majesty the Sultan of Selangor had mentioned in a conversation that UPM Bintulu Campus sits on a large piece of land and has produced many graduates over the years and whether it would be possible for Sarawak to look after the campus. 'So, the Premier said it should not be a problem, and the state would try to assist UPM because it (Bintulu campus) is quite far from Peninsular Malaysia,' he said. He said further details on matters such as fees and governance would be worked out in due course, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that UPM Sarawak is fully integrated into Sarawak's vision for education and talent development. 'Maybe we are going to develop it the same way we have done so with our state-owned universities. 'Right now, we already have Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Curtin University Malaysia and so on. So, we will have more universities belonging to Sarawak,' he said. Last month, a delegation from UPM paid a courtesy call to Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi to formally invite them to attend the proclamation ceremony of UPMS on June 30. According to the Head of State's official Facebook page, the ceremony to mark the rebranding of the university is in recognition of Sarawak's significant role in the development of national higher education. dr stephen rundi higher education autonomy UPM Bintulu
Daily Express
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Express
Petronas, Mercedes collab on carbon capture and storage within mangrove ecosystems
Published on: Saturday, June 14, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 14, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Kuala Lumpur: Petronas and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team will be collaborating to launch the Blue Carbon Collective, a South-South research initiative that aims to advance research and knowledge exchange on carbon capture and storage in mangrove ecosystems. The Collective will build upon the ongoing cooperation between the University of São Paulo (USP) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), fostering collaboration and resource sharing between two countries in the southern hemisphere – Malaysia and Brazil. Advertisement The announcement took place at the inaugural Energy and Nature Forum, hosted by Petronas in Kuala Lumpur, which aims to put a spotlight on the intersection of energy and nature by bringing together global leaders from both fields. Petronas also unveiled its first ever nature and resource efficiency targets at the Forum which, together with the Blue Carbon Collective, reinforces the company's commitment to use natural resources responsibly and to engage in practices that restore, protect and conserve ecosystems in countries where it operates. The five-year collaboration is expected to generate vital research data to advance carbon emissions reduction strategies, help conserve mangroves, and create local job and business opportunities. The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team will support the research activities, reflecting their commitment to raising environmental awareness. 'Together with our partners, we believe that the Blue Carbon Collective is an important research initiative that enables the global community to further unlock the potential of mangroves in mitigating risks of climate change. As Petronas launches its new nature targets, this initiative will also help enhance our collective understanding of efforts related to biodiversity even as we work towards creating a net positive impact in our projects and undertakings,' said Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik, the President and Group CEO of Petronas during the launch. The Blue Carbon Collective also supports Yayasan Petronas' One Million Trees Programme – an ecosystem restoration and community development initiative that will see 100,000 mangrove trees planted in the Sungai Santi Forest Reserve in Johor, Malaysia, to rehabilitate degraded areas. To date, 20,000 mangrove seedlings have been planted by the local communities. The ongoing cooperation between USP and UPM will support UPM to conduct research in the Sungai Santi Forest Reserve and apply established methodologies from Brazil. These include carbon stock assessment and monitoring of soil quality and ecosystem health in Malaysia, enabling comparative analysis between the two countries. The Blue Carbon Collective aims to deliver several research objectives including identifying the impact of land use changes, understanding carbon stabilisation mechanisms, and developing and applying a soil quality index. The initiative aligns with Petronas' Sustainability Approach, particularly the pillars of Thriving with Nature, which promotes ecosystem restoration and conservation, and Fostering a Just Transition, which supports equitable opportunities for local communities. This initiative also reinforces and strengthens the sustainability intent of the partnership between Petronas and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, not only on the racetrack but also off the track towards achieving our shared net zero ambitions. Petronas also announced its first targets for nature and resource efficiency at the Energy and Nature Forum, marking a landmark moment for the company in streamlining its efforts biodiversity conservation and even more responsible use of natural resources in Malaysia and in communities where Petronas conducts operations. These targets for nature include, no net loss of biodiversity for existing operations and net positive impact on biodiversity for new projects. Petronas will aim to reduce its freshwater withdrawal for its domestic operations at existing water-stressed areas by 14pc by 2030 using 2021 as baseline, and aim to achieve a circularity rate of 82pc for hazardous waste at its domestic operations by 2030. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Media, bulwark of facts, bridge between people and govt
PUTRAJAYA: The explosion of information without borders has made the media not just a news provider, but a bulwark to ward off false information that can threaten stability, as well as functioning as a check and balance mechanism on government policies. Highlighting the role of the media as the fourth pillar or fourth estate in democracy, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Institute of Social Science Studies researcher Dr Mastura Mahamed said the media is like a "watchdog" and a bridge with institutions to ensure integrity, accountability and that the people's voices continue to be heard. "Journalists need to be given space, trust and protection to carry out their duties freely, safely and with dignity. "Only in this way can we build a media ecosystem that is functional, ethical and contributes to the building of civilization," she told Bernama. Mastura, who is also a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication, UPM, said many people who do not have a journalism background still tend to blame the media when an issue arises, without fully understanding the true function of the media in democracy. In this regard, she proposed a collaborative approach involving higher education institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the media industry and the community to educate the public on the important role of the media. "This is not about giving praise to the media, but building an understanding that the media plays an important role as a check and balance in the national system in conveying the voice of the people, explaining government policies and clarifying communication between the people and the national leadership including the royal institution," she said. Mastura also celebrated the public's participation in the information ecosystem through the use of technology, but there are concerns about the risk of misuse by a few members of the social media who used fake identities and interacted unethically. "Therefore, efforts to strengthen media and digital literacy are important so that society can use technology prudently, responsibly and factually," she said. Besides, she added that the media also needs to involve the community as contributors of information, not just as passive viewers, to assist in the verification process, broaden perspectives and enhance trust in the reports presented. Mastura also called for the welfare of media practitioners to be given serious attention, given that every year thousands of journalists in Malaysia work under time pressure, safety risks with high social responsibilities, but are rarely given public recognition. In this regard, she suggested that Malaysia as the 2025 Asean Chairman examines the models of other Asean countries that provide space for media practitioners to voice their welfare. "This is where the important role of the Malaysian Media Council is to formulate a comprehensive welfare framework including guidelines, minimum benefits and recognition of the role of independent and organised journalists," she said, suggesting that the journalism community be built in a spirit of support and not just competition. Therefore, retraining and skill enhancement such as data journalism, the use of technology and reporting ethics should be provided to ensure that the field of journalism continues to develop competitively and professionally, said Mastura. She said that although the method of media delivery has changed from print to digital, radio broadcasts to podcasts, the basic function of the media will not fade with time, but will remain the backbone of national development, a catalyst for community progress and a guardian of the integrity of the democratic system. In conjunction with National Journalists' Day (Hawana) 2025, Mastura hopes that it will become a stage to reshape the future of journalism in Malaysia beyond content and technology aspects by encompassing its values, ethics and social role. Themed "Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics", this year's celebration begins tomorrow with the Hawana 2025 Carnival from 10am to 10pm and it will be officiated by the deputy secretary-general (Telecommunication Infrastructure) of the Ministry of Communications Mano Verabathran at 3pm at Sunway Putra Mall foyer.
