Latest news with #LOWBOONTAT
The Star
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Home teams blaze the ice
Skaters performing during the opening ceremony at Sunway Pyramid. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star MALAYSIAN ice rinks clinched the top two spots in the Skate Malaysia 2025 championship. Sunway Pyramid Ice defended its first place, marking the fourth consecutive year it won the title. Blue Ice Skating Rink @ KL East Mall secured second place. Third place went to Sub Zero Sukhumvit from Thailand, while Oasis Centre Arena and BX Rink, both from Indonesia, finished fourth and fifth respectively. Skate Malaysia 2025 athletes performing in the opening ceremony and (left) athletes in a group photo during the championship at Sunway Pyramid Ice. Four of the five athletes named as the top five best performers were also Malaysians, according to a statement by Sunway Pyramid Ice, which hosted the competition. They were Cassius Leong and Jenelle Sia Ee Xuenn from Sunway Pyramid Ice, and Chanice Low Xin Yu and Elizabeth Kim Niang Huai from Blue Ice Skating Rink @ KL East Mall. The fifth athlete was Thailand's Maneejan Wilairat of Sub-Zero Ice Skate Club Mega Bangna. Jenelle, 14, performed alongside students from Sunway Pyramid Ice Academy to welcome guests and visiting countries during the competition's opening ceremony. Present at the opening ceremony were Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng, Skate Malaysia competition director and Ice Skating Institute Asia president Harry Janto Leo and Ice Skating Association of Malaysia president Billy Johan. Over 600 athletes from seven countries participated in the competition, which marks its 17th edition this year. A total of 20 ice rinks from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, the Philippines, Singapore and United States competed in 1,700 programmes throughout the five-day event. Athletes were evaluated on their knowledge and execution of manoeuvres, dance choreography, musical interpretation and more, depending on the criteria. The annual ice skating competition was also supported by the Youth and Sports Ministry. Sunway Malls Selangor senior general manager Jason Chin said that ice skating has grown exponentially and gained international recognition in recent years. 'Throughout the 28 years of Sunway Pyramid Ice, we have seen a steady growth of interest and participation in ice skating. 'We are optimistic that ice skating will gain more awareness and interest, as we are committed to making winter sports more accessible,' he said. Albert Cheok, assistant general manager of Sunway Pyramid Ice, Sunway Square Mall and Sunway Giza Mall, said Perak's first ice skating rink in Sunway Ipoh Mall is slated to be completed in the next two to three years. 'Ultimately, we endeavour to make ice skating more enjoyable as a leisure activity and competitive winter sport,' he said.
The Star
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Speed Selangor policy to kick off in October
Amirudin (second from left) checking out the Sepang Municipal Council Draft Local Plan 2035 (Amendment) display in Cyberjaya. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star BUSINESSES in Selangor can look forward to shorter approval times for planning permits when the Speed Selangor policy is implemented in October. Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the policy was expected to accelerate business and investment related approval time for planning permits in designated industrial areas to just one month or less. At present, such approvals can take up to three-and-a-half months. He said the policy was a combination of similar initiatives carried out at the local authority level. 'Now we are combining everything, placing it under one framework and we will adopt it across the board,' he said during a press conference after launching the Publicity and Public Participation Programme for Sepang Municipal Council Draft Local Plan 2035 (Amendment) at Semarak Hall in Cyberjaya. Amirudin said the state government had started internal training and trial sessions in preparation for the kick-off. 'Everything is ready. We could have implemented it on July 1 or even Aug 1, but I just wanted to test it out first. 'Our officers are undergoing training for its implementation.' He also said that the policy would have a platform for public complaints, as part of efforts to enhance the state's service delivery. Separately, Amirudin said the state would form a special task force to combat illegal dumping, a widespread problem in Selangor, with Dengkil, Kajang and Hulu Selangor among the badly affected areas. He said the problem of illegal dumping was connected to land and enforcement matters. As such, Amirudin said joint action was needed to address the issue. He said present enforcement efforts followed the National Land Code 1965, which limited the state's ability to act swiftly against offenders. 'We need to respond quickly to public complaints. 'Action needs to be taken not only against the illegal dumping ground operators; landowners should also be held accountable for illegal activities on their property,' he said, adding that the state had spent millions of ringgit to clean up sites after land was confiscated due to illegal dumping. However, procedural hurdles remained a challenge, Amirudin said. 'There was a case where the court overturned our action in confiscating the land, saying the notice period was insufficient. 'This shows we must restructure our legal framework to ensure stricter penalties, including higher fines and the ability to confiscate land more effectively,' he said.
The Star
16-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Sg Klang rehabilitation project showing results
The cutter suction dredger cleaning the riverbed in Sungai Klang. More than 900,000 cubic metres of materials have been cleared away so far. —LOW BOON TAT/ The Star SINCE November 2022, approximately 918,937 cubic metres of materials have been dredged from the Sungai Klang riverbed as part of Selangor's flood mitigation project. These efforts have significantly improved water quality and increased the river's capacity, said the company spearheading the Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG) project. Landasan Lumayan Sdn Bhd managing director Syaiful Azmen Nordin said the dredged materials comprised general waste, sedimentation and rocks. Landasan Lumayan is a subsidiary of Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated. The Maritime Gateway project, spanning 56km, aims to revitalise Sungai Klang and its surroundings. It is a state government initiative to overcome floods in Selangor. Speaking at a press conference at the project site in Kota Kemuning, Syaiful said SMG involved deepening and widening the river, alongside reinforcing the embankment and riverbank. These actions are expected to enhance water flow, preserve the river's ecosystem and improve water quality. Syaiful says Sungai Klang water quality is now at Class 3. 'The main objective is to increase the river's capacity to manage more water during heavy rain,' he said. He noted that clearing efforts had increased the river's capacity by 18%. The target is 40%. According to Landasan Lumayan, the project is divided into four blocks, with current focus on Block 3 – a 21km stretch in high-risk areas of Shah Alam, including Alam Impian (Zone 6), Section 24 (Zone 7) and Kota Kemuning (Zone 8). Work on Block 1, covering a 10km stretch in Klang (Zones 1 and 2), had been completed. Work on blocks 2 and 4 have yet to commence. Syaiful said the river would be widened from 50m or 60m to 80m or 100m, depending on location needs for smooth water flow. Dredging has been extended to depths of up to three metres, compared to previous depths of one to two metres. 'With increased capacity and reinforced riverbanks, rainwater can flow efficiently, reducing the risk of overflow or flash floods in Shah Alam and surrounding areas,' he added. Syaiful said the project was showing results as Sungai Klang's water quality had improved. 'At the beginning of the project, the water was classified as Class 5 (indicates heavily polluted water). 'Now, based on our sensors along the river, we are recording Class 3 water quality at about 69% of the time, which is a great improvement. 'There are 25 industrial areas, 13 tributaries and 10 million people having direct access to the river. 'We have to be realistic in our expectations, so our target is to make sure that the water quality is at least Class 3, which is suitable for general use,' he said. Syaiful said some of the challenges faced at the site included high amounts of waste besides deep mud, which complicated dredging works. However, he said the work was on schedule and was expected to be completed by 2026.
The Star
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
New Energy Asia to be sole Lotus EV charger distributor across Asean
DRB-HICOM group managing director and HESB chairman Tan Sri Syed Faisal Albar. —LOW BOON TAT/The Star. KUALA LUMPUR: New Energy Asia Sdn Bhd, a newly established joint venture (JV) between HICOM Engineering Sdn Bhd (HESB) and Hangzhou Flash Charging New Energy Co Ltd. (HFC) from China, will exclusively distribute Lotus electric vehicle (EV) chargers across ASEAN. HESB is a subsidiary of DRB-Hicom Bhd , while HFC is a subsidiary of Lotus Technology Inc., which is a company mainly engaged in the design, development, manufacturing and sales of luxury EVs. DRB-HICOM group managing director and HESB chairman Tan Sri Syed Faisal Albar said that starting today, New Energy Asia will begin the nationwide rollout of a full range of Lotus charging stations in Malaysia. "We are also keen to work with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and property developers, too, because modern condominiums deserve turbocharged EV units. "Big things are coming ahead. Our JV with HFC marks a significant milestone. Thank you for believing in us. We are excited to co-create something truly impactful in the future. "To the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, as well as the Energy Commission, your guidance and support have made this possible. We are deeply grateful,' he said in his speech at the JV collaboration here today. Syed Faisal said that DRB-HICOM is committed to answering the government's call, especially in the EV sector, contributing to net-zero emissions by 2050. "Our HICOM Engineering manufacturing facilities also assemble Mercedes-Benz EQS EV, and Pos Malaysia has already converted 2,000 vehicles into electric motorcycles and vans. "We are just not talking about change, but we are living it. Therefore, this new JV becomes a natural extension in our effort to slash the carbon footprint,' he added. Meanwhile, HESB chief operating officer Hazrin Fazail Haroon said that New Energy Asia aims to set up a manufacturing facility within the next two years, depending on market demand. The targeted location for the facility is Tanjung Malim, Perak. However, for now, New Energy Asia will focus on after-sales service and support for its charge point operators (CPOs), as well as strengthening the capabilities and expertise of its workforce in this area. "We have sent our team to Hangzhou Flash Charge in China for the first step training, they have been there and they have gained all the knowledge about the charging equipment, the direct current, and also alternating current. "For the second phase, we are doing online training focused on the calibration of charging equipment and compatibility with new cars available in the market. We will work with OEMs and our partners to do these calibrations and address any issues we face in Malaysia,' he said. - Bernama
The Star
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Batik mural brings colour, culture to KL
A family walking by the newly unveiled batik-inspired mural in Jalan Parlimen. — Photos: LOW BOON TAT/The Star New street art in Jalan Parlimen weaves Malaysian identity into cityscape VISUAL artist Arif Rafhan Othman, 48, better known by his moniker Superdoofus, is no stranger to incorporating batik into his creative work. His signature style, marked by vibrant splashes of colour and cultural motifs, has been featured in artistic projects across the country. However, his latest endeavour, a mural at 'Zon Jejak Pahlawan' in Jalan Parlimen in Kuala Lumpur, called for a deeper approach. Titled 'Mural Batik Madani', the artwork carries a message of inclusivity and shared identity, celebrating the common threads that unite all Malaysians. 'I want it to be a reflection of our common hopes and goals,' Arif told StarMetro at the event to unveil the installation. He hopes his design and personal outlook resonate with how many Malaysians feel; united by shared experiences and values. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa launched the event, along with Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif. Arif Rafhan says mural is meant to showcase the spirit of inclusivity. In her speech, Maimunah highlighted the role of public art in both beautifying the city and strengthening community ties. 'At Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), we believe the arts can foster a sense of pride and belonging among residents,' she said. 'This mural is more than just a visual landmark – it represents the rich cultural identity that defines Kuala Lumpur.' Spanning 183m in length and six metres in height, the mural is part of a joint corporate social responsibility initiative between Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and Berjaya Group Bhd. DBKL said in a media statement that work on the mural began on Feb 11 and was completed by March 24, nearly a month ahead of schedule. 'This mural is aimed at conveying a message of inclusivity and unity among Malaysia's diverse communities. 'It is also to highlight our heritage, including that of Sabah and Sarawak, using batik as an education and artistic medium,' said DBKL. Also present were Berjaya founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan and Federal Territories deputy director-general (Planning and Development) Datuk Ramlee Yatim.
