Johor next in reforestation effort
The initiative, announced by Aeon during a ceremony at Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), will see 30,000 trees planted across 36ha over three years from 2025 to 2027.
This announcement also marked the completion of the programme's first phase in Bidor, Perak, where 30,000 rainforest trees were planted between 2014 and 2023 on a 22.75ha former tin mining site.
A symbolic tree planting session with species including meranti temak nipis, meranti tembaga and sesenduk at Padang 44 in FRIM Kepong marked the start of the Segamat phase.
At the ceremony, Aeon managing director Naoya Okada and FRIM director-general Datuk Ismail Parlan exchanged a letter of intent (LOI) to formalise the collaboration.
Okada (right) and Ismail (second right) planting a tree at the ceremony.
The exchange was witnessed by FRIM deputy director-general (Research) Norwati Muhammad, and Aeon deputy managing director Tsugutoshi Seko.
'The Bidor project is a testament to what can be achieved when corporate responsibility combined with scientific expertise,' said Okada.
'We are proud to carry this legacy forward in Segamat.'
He added that since 1991, Aeon had planted over 557,000 trees nationwide as part of its environmental initiatives.
The initiative in Bidor also contributed to the 100 million tree planting campaign by Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry.
Ismail said the Bidor site would be maintained as a research and seed production plot, adding that the reforestation efforts have successfully attracted various species of fauna, including migratory birds.
'FRIM welcomes the collaboration with Aeon in conserving and protecting the environment.
'We are also open and ready to explore other areas of collaboration in the future,' said Ismail.
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Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Little Bro Noodles brings pork noodles, claypot dry ‘lou shu fun' and Hakka mee to the busy SS2 neighbourhood
PETALING JAYA, July 28 — In thriving neighbourhoods, there's always something for everyone, whether it's value meals below RM6 on a weekday morning, specialty matcha drinks, Nyonya food, Thai style chicken rice or even fiery Bentong ginger noodles. Along the busy Jalan SS2/24, there's a double row of shophouses that everyone knows for the iconic electrical shop, ESH Electrical or what long timers probably know it better as Eng Seng Hing, at one corner. For many years, these shophouses housed only a few eateries, long standing ones like Nyonya Restaurant and Village Chicken Restaurant but now it's a different scene as you need only to walk a few steps to find another eatery or even bakery here. A highlight of the pork noodles is the multi-layered intestine (left) and one can wait and snack on their Signature Fried Pork Balls (right). One of the latest is Little Bro Noodles, a family run shop, previously from PJ Old Town's Ming Yang Kopitiam, serving steaming bowls of pork noodles. With so many pork noodles available now, choosing where to eat it is more about your preference and in some cases, convenience too. This pork noodle aces with its ingredients, from the minced pork, pork loin, liver, intestine and kidney (an add-on for RM5), all fresh and perfectly cooked with care. Claypot Dry Lou Shu Fun is not too saucy and filled with goodies similar to what's served with their pork noodles. A big treat is the pork intestine where the cut reveals tight layers inside, requiring lots of work that many stalls don't bother with, preferring to serve pitifully thin, hollow intestines. With those ingredients, the broth takes a step back to become the supporting player instead. It has a lighter profile but still tastes homey without any artificial additives even though it's a tad darker in colour. The basic bowl for a small portion is RM12.50, while a big portion is RM13.50. Fervent fans of pork noodles know the can take some time to get your piping hot bowl of goodness. Minced Meat Hakka Mee is like a comforting hug from a loved one. Even the Claypot Dry Lou Shu Fan (RM13.90 for small, RM14.90 for big) also takes time to cook, where you get a less saucier version but more like a dry pork noodles with the same toppings, mixed with an egg to give it a slight caramelisation for the noodles. With a young team in place, managing expectations and fiery tempers arising from impatient diners is important, hence they will forewarn you with the estimated waiting time during peak hours. This can go up to 45 minutes or even 1 hour. It's a pain indeed but that's what you have to put up with for a freshly cooked bowl of pork noodles or piping hot claypot noodles. For a tangy, spicy sauce, try combining the pickled green chillies, chilli sauce and the green sauce probably similar to what is served with 'pan mee'. Rather than leave you hanging, they helpfully suggest ordering a quicker turnaround time food item—their Minced Meat Hakka Mee (RM10.50 for small, RM11.50 for big), a special version with kuey teow rather than the usual egg noodles, paired with a combination of chilli sauces, pickled green chillies and spring onions. The Hakka Mee has a simple flavour with that sweet minced pork, accentuated by that tangy combined sauce, reminiscent of what's served at pan mee stalls. With the flat. slightly broader rice noodles, it's a smoother texture versus the springy egg noodles, making it pretty special on its own. Enjoy the Lurpak Butter Kaya Hainan Toast (left) with creamy half boiled eggs and Homemade Crispy Fried Wontons (right) is a light bite as you wait for your noodles. Another way to make the wait tolerable is to order various tidbits to keep you happy. Nibble on Little Bro's Signature Fried Pork Balls (five pieces for RM9) essentially juicy pops of minced pork with a savoury hint of nam yue, or have a crunchy time with the Homemade Crispy Fried Wontons (five pieces for RM5 with a juicy pork filling. Even a Lurpak Butter Kaya Hainan Toast (RM4.20) dipped in bright orange Kampung Half Boiled Eggs (RM3.90) is the ideal appetiser before the main event arrives. The shop is decorated simply with various handwritten Chinese signs (left) and one can find the family-run restaurant in busy SS2 (right). For a less decadent butter, there's also the conventional Kaya Hainan Toast for RM3. Dining here with so many other eateries a few steps away is also fun, as one can grab a matcha drink from Ono Specialty Coffee & Matcha or indulge in a matcha tiramisu, pick up a loaf of bread from Kona Bakehouse and even buy fresh kampung eggs from one of the sundry shops there. Little Bro Noodles, 9, Jalan SS2/30, SS2, Petaling Jaya. Open:7am to 3.30pm. Closed on Thursday. Tel: 03-33813576. Instagram: • This is an independent review where the writer paid for the meal. • Follow us on Instagram @eatdrinkmm for more food gems.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
Better late than never — Daniswaran Seenivasan
JULY 27 — If someone had asked me during my first year at Universiti Malaya what my greatest ambition was, I would have said 'getting a good CGPA'. That was it. That was my entire world. Every decision, every thought, every effort, all anchored on the pursuit of academic excellence. And don't get me wrong, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. But looking back, I realise how narrow my perspective was. I only realised that studies are not everything when I was at the end of my third year, and for someone in a four-year programme like mine, that was already very late. Three years, six semesters had already gone by, just like that. I had only one year left. By then, I had spent enough time watching others grow beyond lecture halls, winning competitions, leading organisations, and travelling the world, while I was still buried in books. It hit me hard, and I asked myself, 'Is this all that university is meant to be?' That was my wake-up call. 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It brought us all the way to represent Malaysia in the international finals in Paris, where we stood proudly as the Top 6 team out of nearly 80,000+ teams from 42 different countries. When I was coordinating food distributions during Ramadan, I learned the humility of service. When I stood before global leaders speaking on sustainability, I understood the power of voice and representation. When we launched JIIVI & CO, a smart compost bin startup, I faced failure, doubt, and rejection, but also learned resilience and hard work. And when I competed in sports, danced on stage, or led logistics for major events, I discovered teamwork, discipline, and the beauty of diverse talents. What I didn't expect to find in all these experiences was purpose. A purpose that goes beyond personal success. A purpose to empower others, to be a bridge between communities, and to always ask: how can I contribute? To those of you reading this, especially if you feel like you've 'missed the boat' or that it's 'too late to start', I want you to know, it's not. I was in my third year when I decided to truly live my university life. And look where it brought me. It's never too late to start, but you do need to start. You just need to take that very first step. And me? My journey doesn't end here. It continues, with every step forward, every challenge embraced, and every person inspired along the way. Because, as I've come to believe, we are all just one decision away from changing our lives. * Daniswaran Seenivasan is a final year student of BSc Statistics from the Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
Malay Mail
a day ago
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On your next trip to Ipoh, head to the 56-year-old Cheong Kee Wan Tan Mee in Buntong for ‘wantan mee' and outstanding ‘wantan' made fresh from scratch
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