Latest news with #Isham
The Star
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
July 31 deadline for Agro Biz Awards with cash prizes of RM70,000 up for grabs
Isham (left) launching the Agro Biz Awards 2025, with Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah next to him. Agrobank is welcoming entries for the Agro Biz Awards 2025. In a statement, the bank said the awards are aimed at recognising excellence and outstanding contributions by industry players in the agriculture community, who play a key role in strengthening the nation's food security agenda. The awards were launched by Agriculture and Food Security Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak. Also present at the event was Agrobank group president and chief executive officer Datuk Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin. Agro Biz Awards 2025 targets businesses and entrepreneurs across various agriculture community sectors, and features five main categories. They are Agrobank SME of the Year, which recognises small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that demonstrate excellence in their business operations. The Agrobank Biz Women Award recognises female entrepreneurs who pioneer and mentor other women involved in business activities across the entire food supply chain. The Agrobank Biz Youth Award recognises young entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 40 years who are pioneers and mentors in efforts to increase the involvement of young people in the agricultural and agri-food sectors. The Agrobank Biz Innovation Award recognises individuals, companies or organisations that have demonstrated outstanding innovation in enhancing productivity in the agricultural and agri-food sectors. The fifth category is the Agrobank Biz Disability Empowerment Award which recognises entrepreneurs with disabilities (PWD) in appreciation for their contributions and achievements in the agricultural and agri-food sectors, the bank said. Agrobank is offering cash prizes totalling up to RM70,000 for all award categories. Interested participants can download the entry form via Alternatively, application forms are also available at Agrobank branches nationwide. Completed application forms must be submitted to the nearest Agrobank branch along with the required supporting documents. Participants are required to submit a comprehensive achievement report demonstrating the positive impact of their businesses in the agricultural and agri-food sectors. As supporting material, a participation video not exceeding three minutes must also be provided, the statement said. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to attend interview sessions and presentations to strengthen their applications. All eligibility criteria and nomination procedures are subject to established terms and conditions. The application deadline is July 31. For more information, call 1-300-88-2476, visit or the nearest Agrobank branch.
Hypebeast
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Dr. Martens Taps NÒMARHYTHM TEXTILE for Floral Footwear Collaboration
Name:Dr. Martens x NOMARHYTHM TEXTILE 1461 & IshamColorway:TBCSKU:TBCMSRP:TBCRelease Date:July 3Where to Buy:Dr. Martens Dr. Martensis set to launch a new collaboration with Tokyo-basedNOMARHYTHM TEXTILE, bringing together the iconic footwear brand's heritage with the textile studio's distinctive artistic vision. The collaboration focuses on two of Dr. Martens' beloved silhouettes: the classic 1461 shoe and the versatile Isham slip-on. A key highlight of this collaboration is NOMARHYTHM TEXTILE's signature 'Draw Your Garden' print. This intricate design will adorn both the 1461 and Isham shoes, transforming the footwear into wearable canvases. The 1461 arrives with a patchwork-style application of red, black, blue and white hues, contrasted by white satin zigzag stitching and grounded by Dr. Martens' iconic yellow welt and smoke-colored outsole. Meanwhile, the Isham mule offers a more relaxed silhouette, featuring the same vivid print in a slip-on style with a single buckle strap and Shore outsole.
The Sun
24-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Malaysia faces critical vet shortage with only 2,553 registered practitioners
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is grappling with a serious shortage of veterinarians, with only 2,553 registered practitioners nationwide, far short of what is needed to support the country's expanding veterinary, livestock and pet care sectors. Veterinary Services Department (DVS) director-general Dr Akma Ngah Hamid said the latest figures from the Malaysian Veterinary Council (MVC) show that 2,455 veterinarians are registered under Part 1, while just 98 fall under Part 2 of the registry. Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1974, the MVC classifies veterinarians into two categories. Part 1 comprises fully qualified practitioners whose degrees are recognised by the council, while Part 2 includes individuals who have yet to qualify for full registration – typically foreign graduates whose credentials are not recognised in Malaysia or those still undergoing assessment. 'This number is simply not enough to meet the increasing demand,' she said. 'The rapid growth of the livestock industry, the surge in pet clinics, the rise in veterinary research and the expansion of veterinary academic programmes clearly show the urgent need for more qualified professionals in the field,' she said during the World Veterinary Day 2025 celebration at the Multipurpose Hall, Wisma Tani, Putrajaya. The event, officiated by Agriculture and Food Security Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak, not only honoured the contributions of veterinarians but also underscored the pressing challenges facing the profession. 'Veterinarians are more than just animal doctors – they are guardians of public health and food security,' Isham said. 'From farm to table, they ensure our food is safe, clean and of high quality.' He emphasised the need to strengthen Malaysia's veterinary and agro-food systems to enhance national food self-sufficiency. 'However, the limited supply of new veterinary professionals remains a significant bottleneck. 'Only two public universities – Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan – offer veterinary programmes. Combined, they produce 200 to 300 graduates each year,' Isham added. When asked why only two universities offer veterinary programmes, Isham said the field demands significant investment in specialised infrastructure, including veterinary hospitals, and must meet rigorous professional standards, making it both costly and resource-heavy. This limited training pipeline has led to a brain drain, with many graduates opting for higher-paying jobs in the private sector instead of joining government service. As a result, the public sector continues to face a shortage of veterinarians, affecting the nation's ability to manage disease control, food safety and animal welfare effectively. 'To solve food security challenges, we must embrace technology and innovation,' Isham said. 'We need young talents from universities, not just to become farmers, but to work as service providers, researchers and innovators who can bring value-added solutions to our communities.' He also stressed the importance of research and development, urging greater investment in veterinary science to enhance livestock production and improve disease diagnostics. 'Malaysia must ensure our veterinary research is on par with international standards.' Meanwhile, Malaysia's pet care industry continues to flourish and plays a growing role in the national economy. Isham added that the sector has become a key economic driver, generating jobs and business opportunities through veterinary clinics and related services. 'In some households, pet medical bills are now higher than those for humans,' he said.
The Sun
24-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
‘Malaysia grapples with serious shortage of veterinarians'
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is grappling with a serious shortage of veterinarians, with only 2,553 registered practitioners nationwide, far short of what is needed to support the country's expanding veterinary, livestock and pet care sectors. Veterinary Services Department (DVS) director-general Dr Akma Ngah Hamid said the latest figures from the Malaysian Veterinary Council (MVC) show that 2,455 veterinarians are registered under Part 1, while just 98 fall under Part 2 of the registry. Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1974, the MVC classifies veterinarians into two categories. Part 1 comprises fully qualified practitioners whose degrees are recognised by the council, while Part 2 includes individuals who have yet to qualify for full registration – typically foreign graduates whose credentials are not recognised in Malaysia or those still undergoing assessment. 'This number is simply not enough to meet the increasing demand,' she said. 'The rapid growth of the livestock industry, the surge in pet clinics, the rise in veterinary research and the expansion of veterinary academic programmes clearly show the urgent need for more qualified professionals in the field,' she said during the World Veterinary Day 2025 celebration at the Multipurpose Hall, Wisma Tani, Putrajaya. The event, officiated by Agriculture and Food Security Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak, not only honoured the contributions of veterinarians but also underscored the pressing challenges facing the profession. 'Veterinarians are more than just animal doctors – they are guardians of public health and food security,' Isham said. 'From farm to table, they ensure our food is safe, clean and of high quality.' He emphasised the need to strengthen Malaysia's veterinary and agro-food systems to enhance national food self-sufficiency. 'However, the limited supply of new veterinary professionals remains a significant bottleneck. 'Only two public universities – Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan – offer veterinary programmes. Combined, they produce 200 to 300 graduates each year,' Isham added. When asked why only two universities offer veterinary programmes, Isham said the field demands significant investment in specialised infrastructure, including veterinary hospitals, and must meet rigorous professional standards, making it both costly and resource-heavy. This limited training pipeline has led to a brain drain, with many graduates opting for higher-paying jobs in the private sector instead of joining government service. As a result, the public sector continues to face a shortage of veterinarians, affecting the nation's ability to manage disease control, food safety and animal welfare effectively. 'To solve food security challenges, we must embrace technology and innovation,' Isham said. 'We need young talents from universities, not just to become farmers, but to work as service providers, researchers and innovators who can bring value-added solutions to our communities.' He also stressed the importance of research and development, urging greater investment in veterinary science to enhance livestock production and improve disease diagnostics. 'Malaysia must ensure our veterinary research is on par with international standards.' Meanwhile, Malaysia's pet care industry continues to flourish and plays a growing role in the national economy. Isham added that the sector has become a key economic driver, generating jobs and business opportunities through veterinary clinics and related services. 'In some households, pet medical bills are now higher than those for humans,' he said.
Barnama
24-06-2025
- Climate
- Barnama
Sustainable, Comfortable, Future-Ready: The Way Forward For Affordable Homes
A s 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 10 am 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. 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 and Siti Nuraisyah, are 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. '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). (This story was produced as part of the PANAS! Climate Change Stories in Malaysia initiative by Science Media Centre Malaysia with the support of the International Science Council Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific and funded by the Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources, and led by the Australian Academy of Science. (It is also supported by the International Network for Governmental Science Advice Asia [INGSA-Asia], funded by the Québec government and the Fonds de Recherche du Québec).
