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Daily Express
11 hours ago
- Daily Express
Sun bear centre draws 79,362 visitors
Published on: Saturday, June 28, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 28, 2025 Text Size: Liew, accompanied by Dr Wong, viewing the sun bears from an observation platform. SANDAKAN: The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment has nurtured the growth and development of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) since its inception in 2008. Its Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said BSBCC, the only one of its kind in the world for protection of this endangered species, is a partnership project with the Sabah Wildlife Department (JHL), an agency under the Ministry, and Sabah Forestry Department. Sun bears are a Class 1 Protected Species under the state's Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997. 'Last year, we allocated RM228,420 for the construction of Phase 1 of the Entrance Foyer, which has since been completed. This year saw an additional allocation of RM250,000 for construction of Phase 2 of the Entrance Foyer. Work is expected to start this year,' Liew told reporters after a recent visit to the centre here. The Minister noted that this 17-year-old tourist attraction, which is home to 42 rescued sun bears, draws local and international visitors like a magnet. 'I was informed by its Founder and CEO Dr (Hon) Wong Siew Te that the Centre received 79,362 visitors in 2024, with an average of 6613 visitors per month. That year, there were international visitors from 115 countries with the United Kingdom, Australia and Italy being the top three international nationalities that visited the Centre. 'The peak season is from July to October generating the most number of visitors. In fact, we have more Malaysian visitors during the school holidays,' she said. Educationists, researchers, school children and teachers, wildlife conservationists, animal lovers, and the like make up the composition of visitors and tourists, the majority being nature lovers and nature-based tourists. Many may not be aware that the BSBCC is also the main implementing agency for the 10-Year State Sun Bear Action Plan, Liew said. The main attraction to visitors at BSBCC is watching the sun bears' natural behaviour in their natural habitat, the rainforest. 'Sometimes visitors can see the bears climbing and sleeping high on the trees. Random feedings enable the visitors to see them eating as well,' said Dr Wong. According to him, all the sun bears at the BSBCC have been rescued from illegal pet keeping after their mothers were brutally killed by poachers. Over the past 17 years, the Sabah Wildlife Department (JHL) has rescued 70 sun bear orphans and sent them to the conservation centre, he disclosed. Liew commended Dr Wong for his unwavering commitment, patience and perseverance in keeping the BSBCC afloat, despite the multiple challenges that came his way. In a guided tour, he drew the Minister's attention to sun bears kept in Pen B, C, and D, where visitors can view and learn about them. 'We regard them as ambassadors for their species to raise awareness among the general public, apart from being subjects of our research projects,' said the wildlife conservationist. Sharing his multitasking role as the founder and owner of BSBCC, Dr Wong said: 'Since founding the Centre 17 years ago, I have been running the place at all levels, from designing the facility, taking care of the bears, and conducting education and research programs to development of the Centre and fund-raising efforts. Everything that you can think of, even gardening and cleaning the toilets. 'We try our best to take good care of the bears and rehabilitate them. Thirteen rescued sun bears were successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild. In addition, the latest two rescued sun bear cubs have been sent to Tabin Wildlife Reserve to undergo the 'soft-release' program.' Acknowledging the Ministry's contribution, Dr Wong said KePKAS has helped BSBCC a lot for the past 17 years. 'The Ministry even helped us to raise funds for the Centre to get off the ground in 2008, and gave us a grant for our operational cost in 2013. I hope the Ministry will continue to support our work in the future.' He said the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), an agency under KePKAS, has assisted him in many ways to promote the Centre to the local tourism market and internationally, too. 'On our part, our promotional efforts are through social media platforms (FB, Tiktok, X, YouTube) and websites.' In retrospect, Dr Wong said in the infant years (from 2008 to 2013), BSBCC survived on public donations and grants from various funders across the world, adding 'Since opening to the public on January 16, 2014, we have been depending heavily on ticketing fees and souvenir purchase revenue to run the centre. ' Admittedly, his greatest challenge in operating the Centre is the need to seek sufficient funds, not only to maintain the facility but also to expand it wherever necessary. 'Yes, finding competent staff to help me manage the Centre is also a big challenge.' On his future plans, the farsighted Founder and CEO envisions a third observation platform, an interpretation centre and new office building, and a captive breeding enclosure. 'For BSBCC, these construction plans need financing. I have an undying passion and boundless energy to work for another 30 years. By that time, I am sure I have a lot of successors who can take over my life mission,' Dr Wong quipped. He added that he still needs to raise RM1,000,000 to build the Field Office and staff house for the Tabin Sun Bear Project. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Mismatch widens as housing supply overlooks majority demand
KUALA LUMPUR: The supply of residential properties in Malaysia continues to diverge from actual demand, with developers favouring mid- to high-end units while most Malaysians, particularly those in the B40 and M40 income groups, struggle to afford suitable housing. Dr Suraya Ismail, Director of Research at Khazanah Research Institute (KRI), said this supply-demand imbalance has led to a growing number of unsold units and limited options for lower-income buyers. "This raises a crucial question. Are Malaysians being presented with a clear and transparent view of the actual state of the property market?" Despite evident signs of oversupply, especially in the Klang Valley, developers are still launching new projects at a steady pace, she said. Current data shows a substantial volume of completed but unsold properties, mainly in the mid- to high-end segment, such as serviced apartments and condominiums in urban centres, she told Business Times. Suraya noted that developers, often backed by strong financing or public-private partnerships, remain confident in long-term market corrections or sustained demand. But she questioned whether such optimism is justified in light of persistent affordability issues. According to her, Malaysia's housing market is suffering from a mismatch between effective demand, defined as what households can afford, and the type of housing being supplied. While prices have risen steadily over the years, they've outpaced income growth, making homes unaffordable for a significant share of the population. The Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association Malaysia (Rehda) declined to respond to questions sent by Business Times. Meanwhile, Suraya said that despite an evident glut in the higher-end segment, housing supply continues to target the top income groups. For example, in 2022, Malaysia's affordable median house price was RM228,168, three times the median annual household income. Yet, only 10.7 per cent of new launches were priced below RM200,000. In contrast, units priced above RM500,000 made up 24.7 per cent of launches in 2022 and rose to 39 per cent in 2023. Between 2020 and 2023, most transactions, 709,283 units, were for homes priced below RM500,000. Properties under RM300,000 made up 56.2 per cent of total sales, highlighting strong demand in the affordable segment. Suraya noted that a closer look at 2023 sales and overhang data reveals the same pattern. Units priced below RM300,000 accounted for 53 per cent of total sales. Yet of the 25,816 overhang units recorded in the fourth quarter of 2024 (Q4 2023), 70.6 per cent were homes priced above RM300,000. "This suggests a strong demand for affordable housing following the population's income brackets, while higher-priced properties encounter challenges in finding buyers. The data highlights the struggle of higher-priced units to attract buyers, resulting in a higher share of overhang," she said. Suraya added that the market has consistently scored above 3.0 on the housing affordability index, signifying 'seriously unaffordable' conditions. Between 2012 and 2014, the median house price rose from RM170,000 to RM270,000 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23 per cent, while household income grew at less than half that rate, only 11.7 per cent. "In high-density areas like Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Johor, many developments are struggling to sell remaining units. This trend highlights a growing mismatch between supply and actual demand, especially in an environment of stagnant wage growth and tighter lending rules. As stated earlier, the supply is not catering for the realities on the ground. Why, then, are new project approvals continuing unabated? "Approvals are given at the state level and local municipal councils, but there is a gap in the information for the efficient coordination of house prices and the general affordability of the local populace. This could be assisted if developers could give an indication of the feasibility of sales for their plot of land, whether it caters to effective demand, that is, the pricing threshold that the local population could afford, or not exacerbating the glut of supply (overhang and unsold units) within the area, for the approval of development order (DO)." While official NAPIC figures highlight the growing property overhang, defined as units completed but unsold for more than nine months, Suraya cautioned that the problem may be larger than reported. "Are we only seeing the tip of the iceberg? Well, it can be an underestimation," she said. Rethinking property investment: Is it still worth it for Malaysians? With evolving market dynamics, rising rental risks, and slowing capital gains, many are questioning whether property remains a sound investment for the average Malaysian. Suraya pointed to a growing rental supply in areas like Mont Kiara, Bangsar South, KL Eco City, Subang, Shah Alam, and Cyberjaya. Tenants now hold the upper hand, while landlords often accept rental yields below their mortgage costs, a sign of deeper market weaknesses, she said. She cautioned against the practice of setting rental rates solely to cover mortgages, calling it a strategy used by speculative rather than professional landlords. "Rental yields should not be pegged to cover mortgage costs. This is normally practised by speculative landlords, not professional landlords. Speculative landlords artificially inflate the rental market by wanting to cover their mortgage payments, rather than deriving the price of rentals based on the liveable conditions of the homes supplied," she said. She noted that in any mature market, rental trends serve as a litmus test for real demand. Units that can't fetch viable rental rates often reflect oversupply, pricing mismatches, layout inefficiencies, or poor supporting infrastructure. "We must find a way to extract more information about rental prices for analysis. One method is to formalise the rental market with a Rental Tenancy Act. Then, we can access and monitor the rental market to protect the interests of landlords and tenants," she said. She also raised concerns over Joint Management Bodies (JMBs) enforcing "minimum rental rates" to preserve property values, a practice that, while legal, can distort real demand and limit affordability. While framed as a move to preserve property value, critics argue this amounts to cartel-like behaviour that artificially props up prices, hurting owners who need rental income and distorting market signals. "If such practices are indeed happening, they obscure the true softness in rental demand and delay the price corrections needed to make properties accessible to genuine end-users. What are the implications for prospective buyers, investors, and policymakers? "Unfortunately, the values or the opportunistic behaviour of people become institutionalised in the JMB's house rules. That is the democratic disadvantage of consensus, as stipulated in the Strata Act, because it calls for voting on any house rules, and the majority wins. "Currently, most collective actions are for profiteering and not catering to individual plights nor the common good of the less advantaged in the group. Such is the state of our value system. However, distressed individual unit holders could try to negotiate the house rules of the majority by invoking their claim on property rights to the COB." To address the oversupply of high-rise units that fail to match demand, she urged the Housing Ministry (KPKT) to monitor the market using robust housing indicators, such as rent-to-income and price-to-income ratios. "Housing is viewed as both an asset and a shelter. If housing is viewed as an asset-based income, then the CAGR of household wages will never be commensurate with the rapid price escalation of housing as an investment. Therefore, slower capital appreciation is good for the general affordability of all first-time home buyers. She highlighted the conflicting interests in the market, between homeowners, investors, professional landlords, and those seeking affordable shelter. Indicators like the rent-to-income ratio are vital for shaping targeted policies, such as when and how to transition people from public to private rentals. Suraya stressed the importance of promoting both renting and ownership as viable choices but warned that affordability must come first. Speculative activity, particularly in the mid-income housing segment, is damaging the market's long-term sustainability, she said. Suraya said tackling the growing imbalance in the property market requires inclusive dialogue among all key stakeholders, including KPKT, local councils, town planners, Rehda, the National House Buyers Association, the National Property Information Centre (Napic), auctioneers, secondary market specialists, economists, and urban policy researchers. "It is not about who leads and who adopts, but more about building a consensus for the overall 'collective or common good'. This might mean that we need to seriously discuss the housing sector's objectives for all types of diverse interests." Is the property glut worse than it seems? While NAPIC data reports tens of thousands of unsold completed units, the figures fall short of capturing the full extent of Malaysia's housing oversupply, according to Tan Wee Tiam, executive director of Olive Tree Property Consultants. Notably absent are under-construction units with little buyer interest, also known as "shadow inventory", and vacant purchased units that remain unoccupied, adding to supply without meeting real housing needs. Tan noted that the overhang is largely concentrated in the RM500,000 and above segment, far beyond the affordability of most Malaysians. Meanwhile, genuine demand persists in the sub-RM300,000 range, but these affordable units often lack adequate connectivity, infrastructure, and amenities. Aggressive sales tactics, such as rebates, furnishing packages, and deferred payments, may artificially boost take-up rates, masking the true health of the market and distorting price signals, he told Business Times. "Napic data merely gives macro data on the overhang figures and value. We believe it is more useful for Napic or another centralised data centre to collate data on all the sold units when a caveat is lodged, buyers nationalities and other essential information. "Prices, type of property, built-up area, etc., will be crucial for developers and the prospects to better understand the true picture of the property market in a timely manner. Identities of the vendors and purchasers should be provided so that we can know whether they are related party transactions," he said. Tan said that disclosing buyer nationalities can shed light on the real extent of foreign interest, helping distinguish genuine international demand from market hype. Furthermore, he said that understanding whether units are owner-occupied or investor-held (and possibly left vacant) is vital for assessing true occupancy trends. Such transparent, granular data would not only enhance market insights for developers and policymakers but also empower buyers and investors to make more informed decisions in an increasingly opaque landscape, he said. Tan believes that property is still a viable investment for the average Malaysian. He said that property has long been regarded as a cornerstone of wealth creation in Malaysia, but evolving market dynamics have raised critical questions about its viability for the average investor. He noted several factors reshaping the landscape. "Wages haven't kept pace with rising home prices. Malaysia's median house price is now about five times the median annual income, well above the affordability benchmark of 3.0. Persistent oversupply in the mid- to high-end segment has led to depressed rental yields, often in the range of just 2 per cent to 4 per cent, which may not even cover mortgage repayments and maintenance costs. "Tighter lending conditions and rising interest rates have further limited access to home financing, especially for younger and lower-income groups. As a result, many younger Malaysians are diversifying into alternative investment avenues such as Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and digital platforms offering robo-advisory services, which often promise better liquidity, lower entry costs, and less risk exposure." Still, he said property investment is not entirely off the table. It remains a viable long-term asset class for those who conduct careful due diligence, understand demand patterns and local market conditions, adopt a realistic investment horizon, and are prepared to start small and scale up gradually. Tan noted that timing also plays a critical role.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Borneo Post
Sun Bear Sanctuary thrives, welcomes 79,000 tourists last year
Dr Wong (left) taking Liew and her entourage on a guided tour of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. SANDAKAN (June 27): The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) has nurtured the growth and development of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) since its inception in 2008. Its minister, Datuk Seri Christina Liew, said BSBCC, the only one of its kind in the world for protection of this endangered species, is a partnership project with the Sabah Wildlife Department (JHL), an agency under the ministry, and Sabah Forestry Department. Sun bears are a Class 1 Protected Species under the state's Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997. 'Last year, we (KePKAS) allocated RM228,420 for the construction of phase one of the Entrance Foyer, which has since been completed. This year saw an additional allocation of RM250,000 for construction of phase two of the Entrance Foyer. Work is expected to start this year,' Liew told reporters after a recent visit to the centre here. The minister noted that this 17-year-old tourist attraction, which is home to 42 rescued sun bears, draws local and international visitors like a magnet. 'I was informed by its founder and CEO, Dr (Hon) Wong Siew Te, that the centre received 79,362 visitors in 2024, with an average of 6613 visitors per month. That year, there were international visitors from 115 countries with the nationalities from United Kingdom, Australia and Italy being the top three who visited the centre. 'The peak season is from July to October generating the most number of visitors. In fact, we have more Malaysian visitors during the school holidays,' she said. Educationists, researchers, school children and teachers, wildlife conservationists, animal lovers and the like make up the composition of visitors and tourists, the majority being nature lovers and nature-based tourists. Many may not be aware that the BSBCC is also the main implementing agency for the 10-Year State Sun Bear Action Plan, Liew said. The main attraction to visitors at BSBCC is watching the sun bears' natural behaviour in their natural habitat, the rainforest. 'Sometimes visitors can see the bears climbing and sleeping high on the trees. Random feedings enable the visitors to see them eating as well,' said Dr Wong. According to him, all the sun bears at the BSBCC have been rescued from illegal pet keeping after their mothers were brutally killed by poachers. Over the past 17 years, the Sabah Wildlife Department (JHL) has rescued 70 sun bear orphans and sent them to the conservation centre, he disclosed. Liew commended Dr Wong for his unwavering commitment, patience and perseverance in keeping the BSBCC afloat, despite the multiple challenges that came his way. In a guided tour, he drew the minister's attention to sun bears kept in Pen B, C and D where visitors can view and learn about them. 'We regard them as ambassadors for their species to raise awareness among the general public, apart from being subjects of our research projects,' said the wildlife conservationist. Sharing his multitasking role as the founder and owner of BSBCC, Dr Wong said: 'Since founding the centre 17 years ago, I have been running the place at all levels, from designing the facility, taking care of the bears, and conducting education and research programs to development of the centre and fund-raising efforts. Everything that you can think of, even gardening and cleaning the toilets. 'We try our best to take good care of the bears and rehabilitate them. Thirteen rescued sun bears were successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild. In addition, the latest two rescued sun bear cubs have been sent to Tabin Wildlife Reserve to undergo the 'soft-release' program.' Acknowledging the ministry's contribution, Dr Wong said KePKAS has helped BSBCC a lot for the past 17 years. 'The ministry even helped us to raise funds for the centre to get off the ground in 2008, and gave us a grant for our operational cost in 2013. I hope the ministry will continue to support our work in the future.' He said the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), an agency under KePKAS, has assisted him in many ways to promote the centre to the local tourism market and internationally, too. 'On our part, our promotional efforts are through social media platforms (FB, Tiktok, X, YouTube) and websites.' In retrospect, Dr Wong said in the infant years (from 2008 to 2013), BSBCC survived on public donations and grants from various funders across the world, adding 'Since opening to the public on January 16, 2014, we have been depending heavily on ticketing fees and souvenir purchase revenue to run the centre. ' Admittedly, his greatest challenge in operating the centre is the need to seek sufficient funds, not only to maintain the facility but also to expand it wherever necessary. 'Yes, finding competent staff to help me manage the centre is also a big challenge.' On his future plans, the farsighted founder and CEO envisions a third observation platform, an interpretation centre and new office building, and a captive breeding enclosure. 'For BSBCC, these construction plans need financing. I have an undying passion and boundless energy to work for another 30 years. By that time, I am sure I have a lot of successors who can take over my life mission,' Dr Wong quipped. He added that he still needs to raise RM1,000,000 to build the field office and staff house for the Tabin Sun Bear Project.
Focus Malaysia
06-06-2025
- General
- Focus Malaysia
From ironed uniforms to flexible work: Bridging Malaysia's generational gap
I GREW up watching the hardest-working people I've ever known—my parents—build their lives with discipline, thrift, and remarkable resilience. They didn't talk much about sacrifice. They lived it. One of my fondest memories from childhood is the scent of spray starch on my father's army uniform, particularly his No. 3 work dress, a light olive-green ensemble worn for daily duties. Every morning, he'd iron it with military precision: sharp creases and clean lines. The scent of starch filled the air. It was oddly soothing. It signalled structure (pun intended, as my father served in the Royal Signal Regiment), responsibility, and a quiet pride in serving something bigger than oneself. Back then, hard work meant stability. Stability meant progress. That equation, however, doesn't carry the same weight today. When we overlook how the economic and social landscape has shifted, we risk misreading a fundamental change in values. We all grew up in different Malaysias My parents never asked for much. When my father retired from the military after 21 years, in a career he often summed up with quiet conviction as 'Mati hidup balik sekalipun, aku tetap jadi askar', he did so without much fanfare. They simply packed up their belongings, left the army quarters and returned to their hometown where they bought their first home—a modest single-storey terrace house paid for with his equally modest pension. Raising six children, they supplemented their income through long hours and hard labour. At the time, government pensions, community support, and frugality were enough to support a family of eight. But the Malaysia they lived in is no longer the one young people face today. Despite holding degrees and full-time jobs, many young Malaysians (the writer included) continue to struggle with home ownership, job security, and the rising cost of living. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), the median household income in 2022 was RM6,338 per month, or roughly RM76,056 per year. Based on the global housing affordability benchmark, where a home should cost no more than three times the annual household income, a reasonably priced home in Malaysia should be around RM228,000. In contrast, data from the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC) shows that the Malaysian House Price Index for the first quarter of 2025 stood at 225.3 points, with the average house price at RM486,070—more than double the affordable range. Behind these figures are personal struggles and difficult choices. These are not just economic pressures, they are deeply human. This isn't entitlement. It's adaptation. Different priorities, same worth The generation that built Malaysia's early economy placed immense value on order, loyalty, and seniority. In their time, these values aligned with a world where playing by the rules led to security. Today, that promise may no longer holds. Even those who follow the 'rules', i.e., get a degree, secure a job, work hard, may still find themselves struggling. As a result, today's generation places greater emphasis on mental health, work-life balance, and meaningful engagement. They speak openly about burnout and push back against outdated norms that equate long hours with dedication. They seek dignity, not just stability. Purpose, not just pay checks. This isn't a moral failing, but a reflection of a changing world. In Islamic economic principles, fairness ('adl), compassion (ihsan), and balance is key to a just society. When times change, justice requires systems to adapt. What some may view as a lack of resilience is often structural strain, not individual weakness. Shifting values don't signal decline: they reflect reality. From blame to building Malaysia is ageing. By 2030, 15% of our population will be over the age of 60. At the same time, younger generations i.e., Gen Z and Gen Alpha will dominate the workforce. Without mutual understanding, our social cohesion and economic vitality are at risk. Different generations have different concerns. In the workplace, older Malaysians value punctuality and tenure. Meanwhile, the younger ones seek autonomy and flexibility. National planning must evolve with the times. Our education, employment, and welfare systems need to reflect current realities, not just inherited assumptions. For instance, Malaysia could introduce a centralised 'portable benefits wallet' for gig workers, where contributions to retirement savings, healthcare, and social protection follow the worker—not the employer. This model, already being piloted in the US and parts of Europe, ensures that contract and gig workers are not left behind in an economy where job security is no longer guaranteed. Similarly, a Housing Start-Up Account for youth under 35, where the government matches a portion of savings—such as RM1 for every RM2 saved annually—could help first-time homebuyers overcome affordability barriers. This approach, inspired by Singapore's CPF model, would encourage long-term financial planning while making home ownership more attainable. These kinds of forward-looking policies recognise that fairness looks different across generations. And, therefore, so does respect. – June 3, 2025 Dr Mohd Zaidi Md Zabri is the Interim Director at the Centre of Excellence for Research and Innovation for Islamic Economics (i-RISE), ISRA Institute, INCEIF University. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: The Borneo Post
The Star
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
In a troubled world, grown-ups find joy in doll's houses
A log burns in the hearth in the artfully lit drawing room. The armchairs look plush and inviting. Glasses and a bottle of wine stand ready as a grandfather clock keeps time. It is all straight out of a glossy magazine and yet every carefully crafted item in the room could fit into the palm of one hand. "I love Victorian (19th century) houses and always wanted to live in one but it never happened," laughed doll's house enthusiast Michele Simmons, admiring the cosy miniature scene by historical specialists Mulvany & Rogers. The 57-year-old corporate recruiter revived her childhood passion for doll's houses during the pandemic and has since "flipped" about 10, buying them, doing them up and selling them on. The annual festival has been gathering some of the world's finest miniature craftspeople, celebrating a hobby that has seen rising interest in recent years. She and her daughter thought nothing of flying all night from Boston in the United States to hunt for tiny curtains and a child's crib at the leading Kensington Dollshouse festival in London. "I love it! You don't think about anything else when you are doing this," she said, admitting she often had to be dragged out of her work shed to feed her children as she became so absorbed. Miniatures at the London Dollhouse Showcase. Exquisite miniatures The annual festival has been gathering some of the world's finest miniature craftspeople since 1985, celebrating a hobby that has seen rising interest recently and a mushrooming of online activity. It showcases tiny versions of anything needed to furnish a house, from chandeliers and paintings to mahogany dining tables and kitchen items, all with steep price tags. Doll's houses may be traditionally associated with children, but this high-end miniature collecting is very much an adult hobby. "This is craftspeople working on just exquisite things," said self-confessed "tiny-obsessed" Rachel Collings, who bought toys from renowned miniaturists Laurence & Angela St. Leger. A miniature home at the show. Every single one of her purchases, which cost at least £40 (RM228), fits easily into a small plastic container and will be added to her collection of equally small items. "I've got half a cut lemon. Just imagine the size of that. A lemon squeezer and a pastry brush and a hand whisk that actually works," said the 47-year-old editor. "It's an inner child thing. These things are just so beautiful." Doll's houses originated from Europe in the 1500s when they were used to display the miniature possessions of the wealthy. Just as at the London festival, these so-called "baby houses" were strictly for adults, not children. Retired midwife Susan Evans, 67, on her annual pilgrimage from Colwyn Bay in north Wales, does not just have one doll's house. "I have a whole village," she said. "It's got 18 Victorian shops, a school, a manor house, a pub and a now a church," she said, adding that the church had cost over £4,000 (RM228,664). Initially the hobby was just a stress-buster to help her unwind, but she has now raised thousands of pounds hosting groups to visit the display in her home. "It's my passion. It's escapism and it's about using your imagination, which I think is very good for your mental health," she said. Every year since 1985, Kensington Town Hall becomes a centre for all dolls house and miniatures enthusiasts and collectors. — Photos: BENJAMIN CREMEL/AFP In control Kensington Dollshouse organiser Charlotte Stokoe said there was currently huge interest in doll's houses and miniatures compared to before the pandemic. "When the world itself is going a bit crazy with so much stress in everyone's lives, it's quite relaxing. You are in control," she said, adding that many people had delighted in pulling out old doll's houses during the Covid lockdowns. And at a time of rising costs, she said, people had "discovered they can do interior design that maybe they can't do with their own homes – in small scale it's so much more doable". People attend the London Dollhouse Showcase in London. Medical anthropologist Dalia Iskander of University College London (UCL) has spent three years researching the subject for her forthcoming book Miniature Antidotes. "For many people it's a way of exploring their own experiences and memories and imagination and incorporating that into these miniature worlds," she said. A whole range of medical issues such as depression or anxiety could all be explored through miniatures in a "beneficial" way, she added. Miniatures enthusiast Collings said the hobby had become such a source of happiness that her 12-year-old daughter also got involved. She urged anyone to give it a try. "When everything is difficult, there are these tiny things," she said. "Sometimes I just go and sit and look at them and it just makes me happy." – By HELEN ROWE/AFP
