Latest news with #Affendi
The Star
5 days ago
- Science
- The Star
Climate stress ravages Terengganu coral reefs
MERSING: Three coral reef zones in Terengganu have been identified as worst-hit by coral bleaching in Malaysia this year, according to the latest data on the country's marine ecosystem monitoring. Malaysian Marine Science Society (MSMS) president Affendi Yang Amri said due to rising sea surface temperatures, Pulau Redang recorded 100% bleaching with a coral mortality rate of 63.6%, making it the worst hit location so far. This was followed by marine park islands like Pasir Besar in Pulau Lang Tengah, which recorded a bleaching rate of 88.7% and a mortality rate of 56.8%, while Seringgih in Pulau Perhentian saw a bleaching rate of 54.9% and a mortality rate of 24.9%. "The three affected locations are located in Terengganu, which is one of the main states focused on marine-based tourism," he said at the Coral Reef Rehabilitation programme in Pulau Aur, Mersing recently. He said high sea surface temperature due to climate change is the main factor in the large-scale coral bleaching in several locations in the country this year. Affendi, who is also a coral reef expert, said the phenomenon was also recorded in several other locations, including Sabah and Johor, and described the current bleaching as one of the worst in the history of coral reef monitoring in the country. "Last year, 2024, was indeed a very bad year. Sea water temperatures rose too high for a long period of time, causing coral reefs to become stressed, bleach and eventually die. In some locations, the death rate reached 60%," he said. He said coral bleaching occurs when algae that live symbiotically with coral reefs are separated due to heat (thermal) stress, causing corals to lose their main food source and turn white, and that coral reefs are breeding grounds for one-third of marine species. "When temperatures rise by just one degree Celsius above normal, corals will be stressed. The microscopic algae (called zooxanthellae) that usually provide up to 90% of the coral's food will be expelled. When this algae is gone, the coral loses its colour (and turns white), the coral starves and eventually dies," he explained. Affendi, who is also a Universiti Malaya Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES) research officer, said coral bleaching not only affects the marine ecosystem, but also threatens the country's seafood resources, which depend on the coral reef ecosystem. "When corals die, the three-dimensional structures that are the habitats of various fish species are also destroyed. This reduces the population of fish such as Groupers and Rays (stingray) that depend on corals for shelter and reproduction. "We estimate that about 40% of the fish in the local market are directly related to the coral reef ecosystem. If this habitat continues to be damaged, our seafood supply will dwindle and prices will increase," he said. - Bernama
Barnama
5 days ago
- Science
- Barnama
Climate Stress Ravages Terengganu Coral Reefs
MERSING, July 25 (Bernama) — Three coral reef zones in Terengganu have been identified as worst-hit by coral bleaching in Malaysia this year, according to the latest data on the country's marine ecosystem monitoring. Malaysian Marine Science Society (MSMS) president Affendi Yang Amri said due to rising sea surface temperatures, Pulau Redang recorded 100 per cent bleaching with a coral mortality rate of 63.6 pct, making it the worst hit location so far. This was followed by marine park islands like Pasir Besar in Pulau Lang Tengah which recorded a bleaching rate of 88.7 per cent and a mortality rate of 56.8 per cent, while Seringgih in Pulau Perhentian saw a bleaching rate of 54.9 per cent and a mortality rate of 24.9 per cent. "The three affected locations are located in Terengganu, which is one of the main states focused on marine-based tourism," he told Bernama at the Coral Reef Rehabilitation programme in Pulau Aur, Mersing recently. He said high sea surface temperature due to climate change is the main factor in the large-scale coral bleaching in several locations in the country this year. Affendi, who is also a coral reef expert, said the phenomenon was also recorded in several other locations including Sabah and Johor, and described the current bleaching as one of the worst in the history of coral reef monitoring in the country. "Last year, 2024, was indeed a very bad year. Sea water temperatures rose too high for a long period of time, causing coral reefs to become stressed, bleach and eventually die. In some locations, the death rate reached 60 per cent," he told Bernama. He said coral bleaching occurs when algae that live symbiotically with coral reefs are separated due to heat (thermal) stress, causing corals to lose their main food source and turns white and that coral reefs are breeding grounds for one third of marine species. 'When temperatures rise by just one degree Celsius above normal, corals will be stressed. The microscopic algae (called zooxanthellae) that usually provides up to 90 per cent of the coral's food will be expelled. When this algae is gone, the coral loses its colour (and turns white), the coral starves and eventually dies,' he explained.
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Kangar council supports reopening of Wang Kelian border market
KANGAR: The Kangar Municipal Council (MPKangar) supports proposals to revitalise cross-border trade and tourism at Wang Kelian, nearly a decade after the discovery of mass graves that shocked the nation. The proposed initiatives follow sweeping security enhancements implemented after the 2015 discovery of mass graves in Wang Burma, believed to be victims of human trafficking. The incident prompted the discontinuation of the free-flow border mechanism in the area. MPKangar president Affendi Rajini Kanth said the council is optimistic that the Special Area Plan will clearly define jurisdictional boundaries between the Forest Department and MPKangar, allowing for better coordination in managing the area. "We are hoping the Special Area Plan will segregate responsibilities between the Forest Department and MPKangar, enabling the reactivation of the Wang Kelian-Wang Prachan border market (Nat)," he told the New Straits Times when contacted. Affendi said that the mass graves and remains found in the area have since been relocated and reburied in Kampung Tualang, Pokok Sena. "The case happened in 2015 and was the main reason for the discontinued free-flow arrangement at the Wang Kelian-Wang Prachan border," he said. He noted that, based on findings from the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI), the Wang Burma area is now free of any remnants related to the incident. Last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an allocation to upgrade the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex at Wang Kelian. The improvements include enhanced fencing, floodlights, high-definition CCTVs, and drone surveillance to prevent similar incidents from recurring. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail also voiced support for reviving the free-flow zone but added that security would not be compromised. He said stricter regulations would be enforced when the zone reopens. In 2023, Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli said Wang Kelian would be developed as a border town under the Special Area Plan framework led by the Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia). Meanwhile, Affendi said MPKangar remains focused on supporting efforts to revitalise the border town's economy while awaiting federal approval of the Special Area Plan. "We leave it to the authorities to approve the plan. Only then can we move forward," he said. The Wang Kelian border crossing was once a vibrant weekend marketplace. Thousands of visitors contributed significantly to the local economy before security concerns brought activity to a halt. In 2015, then Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed the discovery of 139 graves and camps linked to human trafficking along the Malaysia-Thailand border. In 2019, then Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate the Wang Kelian human trafficking case in depth.
The Star
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Labuan FSA announces appointment of Affendi Rashdi as DG
LABUAN: Labuan Financial Services Authority (Labuan FSA) has announced the appointment of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) chief services officer Affendi Rashdi as its Director General for a two-year term from May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2027. The appointment was made by the Ministry of Finance (MOF), Labuan FSA said in a statement on Thursday. Affendi brings over two decades of experience in financial sector development, policy, and institutional services. At BNM, he held senior roles including director of the finance department and was part of the Financial Sector Blueprint team. He also contributed to the corporatisation of Bank Pertanian Malaysia Bhd (Agrobank), establishment of Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Bhd, and review of the Development Financial Institutions Act 2012. Labuan FSA said Affendi holds degrees from Harvard University and Universiti Teknologi MARA, and is a member of several professional accounting bodies. The board thanked outgoing director general Nik Mohamed Din Nik Musa, whose term ended on April 30, 2025, for his contributions to the Labuan IBFC's growth. "With the appointment of Affendi Rashdi as the new Director-General, Labuan FSA is confident the centre will continue to innovate and grow, building on its success and further strengthening its position as a preferred financial centre in Asia," it said. - Bernama
The Sun
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Labuan FSA announces appointment of Director General
LABUAN: Labuan Financial Services Authority (Labuan FSA) has announced the appointment of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Chief Services Officer Affendi Rashdi as its Director General for a two-year term from May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2027. The appointment was made by the Ministry of Finance (MOF), Labuan FSA said in a statement on Thursday. Affendi brings over two decades of experience in financial sector development, policy, and institutional services. At BNM, he held senior roles including director of the finance department and was part of the Financial Sector Blueprint team. He also contributed to the corporatisation of Bank Pertanian Malaysia Bhd (Agrobank), establishment of Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Bhd, and review of the Development Financial Institutions Act 2012. Labuan FSA said Affendi holds degrees from Harvard University and Universiti Teknologi MARA, and is a member of several professional accounting bodies. The board thanked outgoing director general Nik Mohamed Din Nik Musa, whose term ended on April 30, 2025, for his contributions to the Labuan IBFC's growth. 'With the appointment of Affendi Rashdi as the new Director-General, Labuan FSA is confident the centre will continue to innovate and grow, building on its success and further strengthening its position as a preferred financial centre in Asia,' it said.
