King, Queen Wish All Fathers 'Happy Father's Day'
In a post on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar's Facebook, His Majesty emphasised the great role of a father in the lives of his family and children.
"A father is not only the backbone of the family, but also a source of strength and guidance in the lives of his children," said His Majesty.
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Sinar Daily
9 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Heatwave highlights need for sustainable, climate-ready design in affordable housing
PETALING JAYA - As night falls, Isham Romli opens the windows of her ninth-floor flat to cool down the interior of her home. Residing in Block A of the Lembah Subang 1 People's Housing Project (PPR), Selangor, Isham is forced to close all the windows at 10am due to the extreme heat in the Klang Valley, where daily temperatures have been reaching 35 to 40 degrees Celsius. "Sometimes, if it's not too hot, I leave the windows open during the day, especially when there's a strong wind blowing. But I can't open them too wide, otherwise light items in the living room will get blown around. "I'd like to leave my front door open as well to let more air in, but since my unit faces the staircase and a lot of people pass by, I prefer to keep it shut,' she told Bernama. A resident of Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) Lembah Subang 1, Isham Romli, 62, chooses to keep her home's door closed during the day to prevent stray cats from entering his home. Photo by Bernama To avoid being stuck indoors in her 650-square-foot (sq ft) unit all day, Isham, 62, participates in various community activities at the PPR, including running sewing workshops for residents, especially housewives. "Rather than being cooped up at home in the sweltering heat, the women are encouraged to join our sewing workshops, which also help them generate extra income,' she said. The situation is somewhat different for private sector employee Siti Nuraisyah Abdul Hamid, 35, who rents a unit on the top floor of a six-storey apartment block in Section 2, Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur. "The flat I live in is over 30 years old, so its design includes a spacious balcony and plenty of windows, which help with air circulation even when the weather is hot. "So if I'm home all day, especially while working from home, I don't feel too warm because, in addition to opening the windows, I've decorated my living room and balcony with greenery to provide a cooler and more comfortable environment for everyone in the house,' she said. POOR VENTILATION Isham is among thousands of flat and apartment dwellers affected by the heat wave that has gripped the country since May 10 - the reason for this being the lack of proper ventilation shafts to facilitate air circulation in many newer low-cost strata housing developments. On June 17, the Malaysian Meteorological Department said the influence of the Southwest Monsoon, which began on May 10, has led to dry and hot weather conditions in the country, with the increase in number of dry days expected to continue until September. 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
Herald Malaysia
14 hours ago
- Herald Malaysia
A grace-filled journey to the East-Coast
The Chapel of St Anthony in Slim River came alive with prayer, praise, and profound joy on June 21 as the Catholic community marked a unique triple celebration: the chapel's feast day, the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, and Father's Day. Jul 04, 2025 The pilgrims with Frs Christopher Loh, OCD and Simon Agbo at the Church of St Thomas the Apostle, Kuantan. SLIM RIVER, Perak: The Chapel of St Anthony in Slim River came alive with prayer, praise, and profound joy on June 21 as the Catholic community marked a unique triple celebration: the chapel's feast day, the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, and Father's day began with a Novena to St Anthony, the Rosary, and the Angelus at 4.30pm, drawing pilgrims and parishioners from near and far. The evening Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Fr Vincent Paul, Chapel Administrator and parish priest of the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, Tanjung his homily, Fr Vincent reflected on the deep spiritual significance of Corpus Christi, linking it to the Gospel account of the multiplication of the loaves and fish. 'Jesus did not just satisfy physical hunger—He stirred hearts,' said Fr Vincent. 'He invited the people to share. That's what the Eucharist is about—sacrifice, generosity, and self-giving.'Fr Vincent highlighted how Jesus' gift of the Eucharist is a call to imitate His total self-giving. 'God never keeps things for Himself,' he said. 'We're often tempted to only look after ourselves and our families. But the feast of Corpus Christi challenges that. It's about giving without holding back—just like Jesus did.'He also emphasised the unique belief of the Catholic Church in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. 'To receive the Body and Blood of Christ requires faith and reverence. Jesus gave us this sacrament so we can remain united with Him and bring His presence to others.'Turning to the chapel's patronal feast, Fr Vincent spoke about the life of St Anthony of Padua, one of the most beloved saints in the Catholic world. 'What made him such a powerful preacher and miracle worker was his deep closeness to Jesus,' he said. 'He invites us to stay close to Christ in all things.' Following Mass, a 35-minute solemn Eucharistic procession made its way through the streets of Slim River. Fr Vincent carried the monstrance bearing the Blessed Sacrament.
Herald Malaysia
a day ago
- Herald Malaysia
A feast of prayer, reflection and hope
The Church of St Anthony came alive from June 6 to 15, as more than a thousand faithful gathered to commemorate its 131st parish feast with the theme Pilgrims of Hope as a Community. Jul 04, 2025 Fr Victor Louis incensing the statue of St Anthony. Bernard Anthony The Church of St Anthony came alive from June 6 to 15, as more than a thousand faithful gathered to commemorate its 131st parish feast with the theme Pilgrims of Hope as a 10-day celebration was marked by novenas, Masses, preaching, a candlelight procession, and fellowship drawing parishioners and pilgrims from across the country to honour one of Malaysia's most beloved first six days of the novena were held at the Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC) level, fostering prayer and reflection within the neighbourhoods. On Day 7, parish priest Fr David Lourdes presided over the Mass, reflecting on the theme Caring for God's Gift of the June 13 to 15, guest preacher Fr Victor Louis, from the Church of Christ the King, Sungai Petani, delivered a series of stirring homilies. His Day 8 message, With St Anthony: Listening Deeply, Walking Boldly, Living the Gospel, urged the faithful to align their lives with the teachings of Christ and the example of St Day 10, Fr Victor reflected on the feast's anchor theme, calling on all present to be 'pilgrims of hope in God, as a community for others.'The feast reached its pinnacle on Day 9, where an estimated 1,400 devotees took part in the evening celebration that included the novena, feast Mass, candlelight procession and Victor, who was the main celebrant, was joined by Fr David Lourdes as concelebrant and Deacon Richard Wilson assisting. Preaching on the theme 'Becoming the Light of Christ,' Fr Victor drew inspiration from Scripture, highlighting that 'light' is mentioned over 250 times in the Bible — from God's first command in Genesis to the final vision in Revelation.'Jesus said, 'I am the light of the world.' Today, He calls us to be the light and salt of the earth,' he said, referencing Matthew 5:13– Victor also tied in the celebration of Father's Day, praying that all fathers may be a guiding light to their traditional candlelight procession featured the statue of St Anthony placed on a decorated hand-pulled carriage, accompanied by Rosary recitations in various vernacular languages. The 45-minute procession moved smoothly through the surrounding streets before returning to the church for Victor invited those carrying candles to proclaim, 'Christ, the Light,' and to commit to being a light to celebration concluded with a sumptuous dinner at 9.00pm, attended by parishioners and guests in a festive atmosphere marked by decorations, music and fellowship. The faithful gave thanks to God for the fine weather and the opportunity to celebrate together. 'This feast has strengthened our bonds as a community of faith,' said one parishioner. 'It reminded us to live as pilgrims of hope — not just during the feast, but in our daily lives.
