Royal launch for navy's second LCS
LUMUT: The Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, officiated the launching and naming ceremony of the second Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) owned by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) at the RMN Base here yesterday.
The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, also graced the ceremony.
The vessel was named Raja Muda Nala, and as a symbolic gesture, water kept in a jar and blessed with Surah Yasin recitations from nine mosques, representing Selangor's nine districts, was released onto the ship's bow.
The naming and launching of a ship is a naval tradition dating back to the founding of the UK's Royal Navy, serving as an identity before a new vessel is officially commissioned into service.
Also present were Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari, Chief of Defence Forces Jen Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar, Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Dr Zulhelmy Ithnain, Air Force Chief Jen Datuk Muhamad Norazlan Aris and Lumut Naval Shipyard (Lunas) chief executive officer Azhar Jumaat.
Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin officiates the ship's naming and launch ceremony. — Bernama
Meanwhile Adly, when delivering the speech on behalf of Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, said the name Raja Muda Nala was chosen in honour of a renowned national warrior who led the people of Selangor in resisting Dutch control.
He said the name symbolises the determination, courage and fighting spirit of the warrior in defending the sovereignty of Selangor.
'In this context, the valour, struggle and bravery of Raja Muda Nala are seen as highly fitting and aligned with the capabilities of the RMN's Littoral Combat Ship, which is designed to face a wide range of threats in modern warfare,' he said.
He also said the procurement of littoral combat ships is part of RMN's strategic plan to enhance fleet readiness through the acquisition of high-tech, combat-capable assets with multi-mission capabilities to safeguard the country's maritime sovereignty.
Adly added that LCS 2 is a symbol of national pride as it is the first frigate-class ship to be fully constructed by a local company, Lunas.
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Borneo Post
7 hours ago
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People residing in high-rise, low-cost flats and apartments - comprising residential units with total floor areas of below 900 sq ft - are feeling the effects of the heat wave more than others. This is because their buildings, usually designed with cost-effectiveness in mind, tend to be more compact and congested and lack good air circulation and ventilation systems. In short, their homes are heat traps. Malaysian Institute of Architects Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) chairman Axxu Hoi Jung Wai said poor ventilation and heat entrapment are common issues in Malaysia's low-cost housing sector, particularly in PPR and other affordable housing developments. Chairman of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Committee of the Malaysian Institute of Architects, Axxu Hoi Jung Wai, during a recent interview with Bernama. Photo by Bernama "Low-cost units are usually very compact… the rooms are small and in many cases, there isn't even space to fit a washing machine in the yard. These cramped designs lead to overcrowding and poor air circulation,' he told Bernama recently. He said many affordable housing projects today adopt monotonous, high-efficiency layouts like double corridors with minimal windows and no courtyards, reducing opportunities for natural ventilation and light. "You'll notice that when you visit most low-cost flats, there's often a lingering smell while the air is stuffy due to inadequate airflow,' he added. Hoi, who is also the managing partner and practicing architect at Axial Design Architects Sdn Bhd, said poor ventilation is not just a by-product of affordability but also a sign of unsustainable design practices. "In many units, air conditioning becomes a necessity, not a choice. That's not sustainable at all,' he said, referring to the heat build-up in these units, especially during the hot season. Citing older flats like Happy Mansion in Petaling Jaya, Hoi said older designs tend to perform better in terms of ventilation and sustainability. "Back then, buildings had features like louvered windows, cross-ventilation single-loaded corridors and functional yard spaces but today, such elements have been lost to faster and cheaper construction methods,' he said. CLIMATE-BASED APPROACH As the impacts of climate change become increasingly evident, more people are thinking about how well their homes can cope with intensifying flooding events, hotter weather and prolonged droughts. According to Hoi, the rising demand for affordable housing should compel the government to lead the way in building homes that are not only cost-efficient but also climate-responsive and comfortable for long-term living. He urged the government and developers to consider a climate-based approach, which integrates detailed environmental analysis into the early design phase to enhance the liveability of affordable homes without significantly increasing costs. He recommends that sun path and shadow analysis be conducted to ensure that the lower floors receive adequate daylight, as well as avoid the issue of having dark, stuffy interiors caused by densely packed buildings. "Such analysis can guide better placement of structures and identify optimal areas for playgrounds and green spaces that remain cool and usable throughout the day. "Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can also be used to study wind flow and improve natural ventilation between buildings to create tunnel effects that enhance airflow and reduce heat build-up,' he said. His other recommendations include conducting daylight analysis to identify dark zones in corridors or shared areas and reduce reliance on artificial lighting, improving both comfort and energy efficiency. Developers integrating these simple but impactful climate strategies could set new standards for affordable living, offering homes that are not just accessible but also sustainable, comfortable and future-ready, added Hoi. "While keeping costs low is important, we can still prioritise liveability and comfort. "Sustainable designs shouldn't be seen as a luxury - it can and should be integrated into affordable housing to improve residents' quality of life.' PRIORITISE CLIMATE RESILIENCE As climate threats such as extreme heat and flooding intensify across Malaysia, building affordable homes that are not only accessible but also liveable and climate resilient is becoming increasingly urgent, said Rose Afrina Mansor, climate resilience manager at Think City, an impact organisation focused on improving the liveability, sustainability and inclusivity of cities. She stressed that affordable housing must be designed to withstand environmental pressures without compromising comfort or dignity. Importantly, she noted, climate resilience does not have to come at a high cost. With the right planning, cost-effective strategies can be integrated into housing design to improve both sustainability and long-term affordability. She said while tools like the Green Building Index (GBI) promote green construction, they remain voluntary and are often seen as added costs in the context of low-income housing. To address this, the government has introduced measures such as a 50 percent reduction in registration fees for affordable housing projects, supporting its push for more liveable and sustainable public housing. To move beyond policy into practice, Rose Afrina said climate resilience can be effectively achieved through the integration of nature-based solutions (NbS) into housing design. Approaches such as rain gardens, rooftop and podium greening, pervious paving, and urban tree planting can help manage flood and heat risks while improving thermal comfort and reducing energy use. When embedded from the outset, these measures can make affordable homes more climate-ready and comfortable without compromising their accessibility or affordability. Rose Afrina pointed to Malaysia's first urban climate adaptation initiative, the Nature-based Climate Adaptation Programme for Urban Areas of Penang Island, as an example of cost-effective intervention. The programme focuses on strategic urban tree planting to lower urban temperatures, with species selected based on their resilience to future climate conditions. She said Think City's Climate-resilient Street Tree Species Study supports this effort by guiding the selection of trees that can withstand prolonged heat or drought. Urban greening, even with just a few well-placed climate-appropriate trees, is a cost-effective way to reduce the urban heat island effect, improve microclimates and lower energy consumption. "Nature-based solutions not only reduce environmental risks but also enhance comfort, improve amenity and the overall quality of life for residents,' she added. ENERGY EFFICIENCY As Malaysia continues to push for more inclusive and sustainable urban living, experts say affordable housing must go beyond just low prices, it must also be energy-efficient and climate-responsive. Malaysia Association of Energy Service Companies president Zulkifli Zahari said much of the discomforts experienced by low-cost housing residents stems from not incorporating passive design attributes which contribute to the energy-efficient design of the building at the very beginning. "Passive design elements are crucial. Things like building orientation, window shading, roof insulation, natural ventilation, and even building materials and colours all impact how much heat the building retains. "When you get these right, you reduce the need for active cooling like air-conditioning or reduce the energy consumption of air-conditioners," he told Bernama. Zulkifli suggested that the government introduce targeted incentives for developers that use sustainable materials or energy-efficient attributes in low-cost housing, whether in the form of rebates or subsidies if the project can justify its energy-saving components. "One of the good opportunities lies in solar energy which can reduce electricity costs in common areas like corridors or community spaces as well as reduce or minimise management fees. "If there's a government-backed programme to equip low-cost housing with solar panels, it could ease the burden on residents,' he said. Zulkifli said with the electricity tariffs expected to be adjusted on a monthly basis from July 2025 onwards and climate conditions becoming more extreme, it is time to reimagine affordable housing as climate-resilient, energy-conscious and future-ready. "It is possible… it's not about making things expensive but about designing consciously and providing support where it's needed,' he said. According to the Energy Commission (EC), electricity tariffs in Peninsular Malaysia will be adjusted on a monthly basis starting July, instead of twice a year, until December 2027. These revisions, driven by fluctuations in fuel and generation costs, will be implemented through an automatic fuel cost adjustment mechanism. The agency also confirmed that the base tariff per kilowatt-hour (kWh) will increase from 39.95 sen under the third regulatory period (RP3) to 45.4 sen under the fourth regulatory period (RP4). - BERNAMA
