App to boost safety of Mt Kinabalu climbers
KOTA KINABALU (July 12): The Malaysian Foundation for Innovation (YIM) is currently collaborating with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) to develop a smart application aimed at enhancing the safety and experience of mountain climbers.
YIM chief executive officer Dr Sharmila Mohamed Salleh said the project, initiated last year, is expected to be completed in 2026 and will result in a first-of-its-kind product in the Malaysian market.
'This application will create a new experience for climbing enthusiasts, especially those lacking formal training or stamina,' she said when met here yesterday.
She said the innovation is designed to address common challenges faced by climbers, such as health issues or getting lost due to lack of internet connectivity.
'This equipment will ensure accurate tracking of the climber's location, provide real-time health updates, record the route taken, and offer many other features,' she added.
Sharmila also revealed that the technology has helped identify a new 40-kilometre climbing route that passes through several villages, providing economic opportunities to local communities.
'The route doesn't lead up to Mount Kinabalu itself, but offers breathtaking views of the mountain and has the potential to become Sabah's next tourism gem,' she said, adding that the location is currently not open to the public, although some climbers have already explored it.
YIM, an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, has been actively supporting local innovation through various programmes and funding initiatives.
According to Sharmila, the foundation has helped numerous innovators nationwide develop market-ready products with high value-added potential, some of which have entered both local and international markets.
'We currently have 11 participants under this programme, including several from Sabah,' she said, noting that each participant receives a grant of RM80,000 to grow their business.
She highlighted the success of one participant, Anne Antah, founder of Chanteek Borneo Sdn Bhd, who has made a name for herself through the design of textiles featuring ethnic Sabah motifs and other handcrafted items.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
16 minutes ago
- Barnama
Malaysia Hosts Largest Ever Higher Education Fair In Indonesia
By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar JAKARTA, July 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is holding the largest-ever higher education fair in Indonesia, aiming to attract more Indonesian students and boost regional academic cooperation under its 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship. The Mega Ayo Kuliah di Malaysia 2025 fair organised by Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) is taking place in Central Jakarta from July 12 to 13 and in Bekasi, West Java on July 15. bootstrap slideshow The fair features 21 Malaysian universities and showcases the country's close geographical proximity, affordable tuition fees, and globally recognised institutions. The fair is expected to attract some 2,000 visitors. Prospective students have the opportunity to get advice and conditional offer letters. Established in 2012, EMGS operates under Malaysia's Higher Education Ministry to promote the country as a global education hub. A total of seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between Malaysian and Indonesian universities, including Universiti Utara Malaysia with Universitas Airlangga, Asia e University with Universitas Hasanuddin, and Lincoln University College with Universitas Borneo Lestari. 'Malaysia continues to strengthen regional academic mobility through initiatives such as the Graduate Pass, which offers a one-year post-study visa for graduates from 32 countries, including Indonesia,' said Higher Education Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Anesee Ibrahim at the fair. He also highlighted the ASEAN Global Exchange Mobility and Scholarship (ASEAN GEMS) platform, which connects students with over 300 scholarship providers across ASEAN, offering total commitments of more than RM19 million.
The Sun
24 minutes ago
- The Sun
ECRL Genting Tunnel breakthrough marks key milestone in Malaysia rail project
KUALA LUMPUR: The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project in Malaysia has achieved a major milestone with the breakthrough of the 16.39-kilometre Genting Tunnel, the longest and most technically challenging tunnel along its 665-km alignment. Built by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), the tunnel's completion marks the end of excavation works for all 41 tunnels in the rail network. Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook hailed the achievement as a testament to strong bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and China in railway engineering. 'The ECRL will be a game changer for passenger and freight movement, linking urban centres, ports, and industrial hubs while integrating with existing rail lines,' he said. Situated beneath 750 metres of mountainous terrain in the Titiwangsa range, the Genting Tunnel posed significant geological challenges, including water ingress, rock bursts, and six fault zones. Advanced tunnel boring machines (TBMs) and drill-and-blast techniques were deployed to ensure safety and efficiency. Chen Jianfeng, deputy general manager of CCCC Second Highway Engineering, highlighted the role of China's cutting-edge TBM technology in overcoming these obstacles. 'The method ensured stability in complex conditions while prioritising local talent development and knowledge transfer,' he said. Over 1,000 Malaysian workers were trained, with many sent to China for advanced technical instruction. With tunnelling completed, the project now advances to track laying, electrification, and station construction, maintaining its 2027 operational target. The ECRL will connect Port Klang to Kelantan, boosting economic growth in Malaysia's less-developed east coast. - Bernama
The Star
39 minutes ago
- The Star
Too early to say if US tariffs will impact JS-SEZ, says Johor exco man
JOHOR BARU: Johor is watching the negotiations between Putrajaya and Washington closely before the 25% reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States on Malaysia take effect on Aug 1. State investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman Lee Ting Han said it was too early to say if the new tariff rate would have an impact on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). 'Initially, the Federal Government projected that Malaysia would get a good deal, but the United States decided to increase the tariff. 'So now, we have been told that the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry is negotiating with its American counterparts,' he added. Lee, who is also the Paloh assemblyman, was speaking on the sidelines of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia's (ACCCIM) 79th annual general meeting at a hotel here on Sunday (July 13). He added that the state government hoped the talks between Malaysia and the United States would yield some good news. 'Johor is among the biggest exporters of petrochemicals, semiconductors, electrical and electronic goods, and furniture to the world, including to the United States, but we are still uncertain about the impact of the new tariff rate,' he said. On Monday (July 7), the United States announced it would impose a higher 25% tariff on all Malaysian products exported to the United States effective Aug 1, an increase from the 24% announced in April. International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Zafrul Abdul Aziz said Malaysia is optimistic that further negotiations will bring a positive outcome. He said the Aug 1 deadline provides Malaysia several weeks to negotiate for a 'win-win' trade deal for both countries. 'Of course, we will continue the engagement. 'If we are not optimistic, why should we continue the engagement? 'The important thing is that the US still wants to negotiate,' he added.
