Latest news with #UniversitiSainsIslamMalaysia
The Star
7 days ago
- General
- The Star
Idle buildings, active threats
PETALING JAYA: Abandoned housing projects across Malaysia are raising alarm over health, safety and environmental risks, as experts urge stronger policies and community action to prevent urban decay. Despite government efforts to revive stalled developments, public health specialists and urban planners say more needs to be done to secure and repurpose idle sites, which are increasingly becoming structural hazards and hotspots for crime and pollution. Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia senior lecturer Ar Nasrudin Sharkawi has called for basic safeguards, such as fencing, warning signage and surveillance, to deter trespassing and prevent accidents on abandoned buildings. Proper drainage, vegetation control and rubbish removal are also essential to minimise pest infestations. Where feasible, he suggested temporarily repurposing abandoned sites into community gardens, markets or public spaces. 'Active use and proper lighting can deter criminal activity,' he said when contacted. Authorities, he added, must assess each site's condition and potential. 'Demolition should be considered only when a structure is beyond repair. If restoration is viable and meets housing needs, it should be supported by a willing developer.' To prevent future project failures, he urged stronger enforcement measures – such as legal action against errant developers, blacklisting repeat offenders, and setting legal deadlines to declare a project abandoned. Nasrudin called for mandatory Environmental Risk Assessments for stalled projects near sensitive areas, covering runoff control, pest management and waste disposal – even during suspension. He also urged local authorities to enable public reporting of safety or environmental concerns via mobile apps or online portals, noting that awareness remains low despite existing platforms. Local councils, he said, should establish resident monitoring groups, modelled on Rukun Tetangga, and offer grants or training for clean-up initiatives. Publishing maps of abandoned sites would further promote transparency and civic oversight. Public health expert Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar echoed these concerns, warning that dilapidated structures pose serious physical, biological, and chemical hazards. 'These buildings can harbour disease vectors, pests and even dangerous animals. Structural decay also increases the risk of exposure to harmful substances like mould, asbestos, lead and solvents,' he said. Dr Zainal urged authorities to step up monitoring through regular inspections, the demolition of unsafe buildings and stricter enforcement that requires owners to carry out proper maintenance. In the first two months of this year, the Task Force for Sick and Abandoned Private Housing Projects monitored 230 delayed, 347 sick, and 116 abandoned housing projects nationwide, representing a gross development value of RM107.04bil. Meanwhile, Piarapakaran Subramaniam, president of the Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia, warned that prolonged exposure to the elements accelerates structural decay and increases the risk of chemical leaching from building materials. 'Abandoned sites inevitably deteriorate. Different materials react in different ways, but where metals are exposed, the leaching can be severe, especially near environmentally sensitive areas.' He also flagged illegal dumping and other unregulated activities at these sites, noting that some individuals burn wires and components to extract valuable metals. 'The fumes are toxic and pose serious risks to air quality. If hazardous waste is left exposed to rain, chemicals may leach into groundwater or surface water,' he cautioned. Despite these risks, Piarapakaran said structurally sound buildings could be salvaged and repurposed. 'In other countries, disused buildings have been successfully transformed into vertical farms. Similar initiatives could be introduced here to enhance local food production and support national food security.' He suggested that the Housing and Local Government Ministry work with the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to pilot such projects, especially in areas near urban centres where viability is stronger. Employing sustainable, off-grid methods, he added, would further improve environmental and economic outcomes.
Malaysian Reserve
10-07-2025
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
Fresh approach needed to reignite interest in medicine
Long hours, unstable jobs and changing priorities push students away from medicine THERE was a time when becoming a doctor was seen as one of the most prestigious career paths, sparking public debate when local universities could no longer cope with the surge in applications for medical studies. Many parents were once willing to spend significant sums to send their children abroad for medical studies after failing to secure places in local universities. However, times have changed and the field is now increasingly being overlooked. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad recently urged straight-A Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) students to consider pursuing medicine at the university level. He also expressed concern over the declining interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields among students, warning that it could have long-term implications for the country's medical sector. Losing Appeal The declining interest in pursuing medicine among younger generations is acknowledged by Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences physiology lecturer associate professor Dr Norsham Juliana Nordin. She noted that today's youth are more informed and career-conscious, having grown up in a vastly different environment from previous generations. 'They are more critical when evaluating career choices, often prioritising work-life balance. While medicine was once regarded as the pinnacle of academic achievement, it is now seen as a long, demanding and rigid path — especially when compared to emerging fields like technology, entrepreneurship, data science, or artificial intelligence (AI),' she said. In addition, social media narratives highlighting the hardships, long working hours and perceived lack of fair compensation have further discouraged many high-achieving students from pursuing a career in medicine. 'This trend also reflects society's growing tendency to prioritise income over impact. Today, students who aspire to become doctors are often discouraged by the perceived academic burden and the significant personal sacrifices involved,' she said. Dr Norsham Juliana believes the way forward is to ʼheal the young healersʼ by restoring their mental health, motivation and work environment (Source: USIM's website) She noted that ongoing issues within the national healthcare system — such as unstable contract positions, excessive workloads and toxic work cultures including bullying or high-pressure environments with minimal support — have become red flags for young people weighing a future in medicine. At the same time, social media glamorises other careers as being more flexible, expressive and less stressful, she added. Dr Norsham Juliana also pointed out the declining appeal of medicine is partly due to how the profession is treated as 'guilty until proven innocent' when it comes to patient care. Quoting the famous Spider-Man phrase, 'With great power comes great responsibility,' she said every medical decision carries inherent risk. 'Every action taken to save a patient, no matter how small, invites scrutiny and accountability. But I believe existing doctors remain resilient,' she said, noting this as another reason why youth shy away from the field. Restoring True Purpose To reignite interest in the profession, Dr Norsham Juliana suggested regularly reminding both practitioners and medical students of the profession's true value: The nobility of saving lives. She believes that to bring back the golden age of medicine, a more holistic approach is needed — starting with restoring joy to the learning process. 'I believe the younger generation is not afraid of sacrifice — they just want that sacrifice to be valued and supported by a fair system. Now is the time for all stakeholders, especially experts and influential medical figures, to step forward and lead the change. 'Let's restore the core strength of this profession — the healing spirit. Today, we must first 'heal the young healers' by restoring their mental health, motivation and work environment. Change isn't impossible… it begins with awareness, courage and collaboration,' she said. She said the medical curricula today can be both fun and innovative without compromising the integrity of the field. 'Creative learning methods like simulations, virtual reality, gamification and story or visual-based teaching not only strengthen comprehension but also foster positive emotions — vital for sustaining student interest,' she said. She added that studies show positive emotional experiences improve memory, problem-solving and empathy — all essential qualities of a great doctor. Even top SPM scorers are turning away from medicine as values and priorities shift (pic: MEDIA MULIA) Reshaping the Approach Citing an initiative developed through collaboration among several public university medical faculties, Dr Norsham Juliana highlighted the upcoming Physiology Drama & Art Challenge 2025, which is scheduled to take place in October. This programme gives medical and health science students the opportunity to showcase their creativity through comic design, digital posters, videos, or theatre performances. 'Using the theme of bodily functions, students can express their creativity while integrating science — showing how the two can coexist. We aim to nurture doctors who excel not only in theory but are also artistic, open-minded and empathetic,' she said. The programme, involving USIM, Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), will take place on October 11 at USIM's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. 'Being a good doctor is not measured by exam scores alone, but by the sincere execution of responsibilities, nurtured through creativity,' she added. She also stressed the importance of nurturing interest in medicine from secondary school, giving students early exposure to the profession. 'If they see that being a doctor isn't just a burden, but a meaningful life path, they'll choose it willingly. 'However, this effort requires collective readiness to shape a more appealing and competitive career path in medicine so we can present a more convincing narrative to students,' she said. Other Fields Seen as Easier Meanwhile, Malaysian Society of Neurosciences president Dr Ahmad Shahir Mawardi believes that the declining interest in medicine among youth is largely due to the rise of alternative career paths that appear easier and more 'glamorous' than becoming a doctor. He noted that fields such as technology, engineering, the gig economy and even social media influencing offer attractive earnings without the intense challenges faced by medical students — on top of the financial burden of repaying loans from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN). 'Medical students must complete five to seven years of challenging studies with high costs. On top of that, the gruelling housemanship or medical graduate training require high physical and mental endurance. 'In addition, trainee doctors who have completed their training must compete for permanent medical officer positions,' said Dr Ahmad Shahir, who has served the medical field for the past 21 years. He emphasised that unless contract positions, workloads and other related issues are thoroughly resolved, the medical profession will continue to lose appeal among younger generations. He also warned that if unresolved issues persist, the national healthcare system may lose more specialists and experienced medical personnel. 'Many doctors are leaving the public sector due to better incentives and job security elsewhere. For instance, working in Singapore offers more attractive incentives, better work hours and lighter workloads,' he said, while noting that workplace bullying in hospitals is likely an isolated issue. Dr Ahmad Shahir stresses that as Malaysia's population ages, the demand for medical expertise will only grow, making early intervention vital (Source: To cultivate interest in medicine from a young age, Dr Ahmad Shahir said it must be nurtured with the right intentions and a genuine passion for the field. He proposed introducing early education initiatives that expose students to the medical profession through hospital visits and short-term attachments, which could inspire them to consider a career in medicine. Dr Ahmad Shahir also emphasised the importance of passing the torch to future generations, particularly in light of Malaysia's ageing population and rising life expectancy — currently 73.4 years for men and 78 years for women. 'As more Malaysians become senior citizens, the incidence of disease and demand for healthcare, including medical expertise, will rise. If this isn't addressed early, we may face a serious shortage in healthcare services. 'My hope is that the authorities recognise healthcare as the backbone of a nation. Medical issues like staffing and excessive workloads, which have been widely reported in the media, must be brought to the Parliament and addressed through both short-and long-term strategies — for the future of our beloved Malaysia,' he said. — Bernama This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition
The Sun
26-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Smart electricity use and time management cut utility bills in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians can significantly reduce their electricity bills by adopting smarter usage habits and leveraging off-peak hours under the newly announced tariff restructuring. The changes, set to take effect from July 1, 2025, aim to promote efficient energy consumption while benefiting over 23.6 million domestic users in Peninsular Malaysia. Private sector worker Rozita Ibrahim, 38, shared her strategy for cutting costs. 'If you want to save, you have to follow the 'timing'. For example, we do all household chores like washing and ironing clothes during off-peak hours,' she said. The Time of Use (TOU) scheme now extends off-peak periods to weekends and weekdays from 10 pm to 2 pm, encouraging users to shift high-consumption activities to these times. The Energy Commission (ST) stated that 85% of domestic consumers will see no increase or even lower bills if their monthly usage stays below 1,000 kilowatt hours. An Energy Efficiency Incentive will also reward those who practice prudent electricity use. For larger families, managing consumption becomes crucial. Joe, a private institution lecturer with eight children, explained his approach. 'I need to teach them about saving money. We complete most chores on weekends when rates are lower and reduce usage on weekdays,' he said. He also plans to install a timer system to automate appliance usage. Professor Dr Nuradli Ridzwan Shah Mohd Dali from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia suggested solar energy as a long-term solution. 'Expanding solar access for the B40 group could cut consumption by 50 to 100%,' he said. The new tariff, effective until December 2027, aligns with Malaysia's push for a sustainable energy system under the Incentive-Based Regulation framework.
Free Malaysia Today
23-06-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Fresh approaches needed to reignite interest in medicine, says expert
Once regarded the pinnacle of academic achievement, pursuing a career in medicine is now seen as a long, demanding and rigid path. KUALA LUMPUR : There was a time when becoming a doctor was seen as one of the most prestigious career paths; when local universities could no longer cope with the surge in applications for medical studies. Many parents were once willing to spend large sums to send their children abroad to study medicine after failing to secure places in local universities. Times, however, have changed, and the field is now increasingly being overlooked. Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad recently urged straight-A SPM students to consider pursuing medicine at the university level. He also expressed concern over students' declining interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, warning that it could have long-term implications for the country's medical sector. This decline in interest is acknowledged by Dr Norsham Juliana Nordin from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, who notes that today's youths are more informed and career-conscious, having grown up in a vastly different environment from that of previous generations. 'They are more critical when evaluating career choices, often prioritising work-life balance. While medicine was once regarded as the pinnacle of academic achievement, it is now seen as a long, demanding and rigid path,' she told Bernama. 'This especially when compared to emerging fields like technology, entrepreneurship, data science, or artificial intelligence.' Further discouraging high-achieving students from a career in medicine are the social media narratives that highlight hardships, long working hours, and perceived lack of fair compensation. Dr Norsham Juliana Nordin. 'This trend reflects society's growing tendency to prioritise income over impact. Today, students who aspire to become doctors are often discouraged by the perceived academic burden and the significant personal sacrifices involved,' Norsham added. She pointed out that ongoing issues within the national healthcare system – such as unstable contract positions, excessive workloads, and toxic work cultures, including bullying or high-pressure environments with minimal support – have become red flags for young people. At the same time, social media glamourises other careers as being more flexible, expressive, and less stressful. Norsham also believes the declining appeal of medicine is partly due to how the profession is treated as 'guilty until proven innocent' when it comes to patient care. Every medical decision carries inherent risk, and as such, 'every action taken to save a patient, no matter how small, invites scrutiny and accountability', she said. Restoring true purpose To reignite interest in the profession, Norsham suggests regularly reminding both practitioners and medical students of its true value: the nobility of saving lives. She believes a more holistic approach is needed, starting with restoring joy to the learning process. 'The younger generation is not afraid of sacrifice – they just want that sacrifice to be valued and supported by a fair system. Now is the time for all stakeholders, especially experts and influential medical figures, to step forward and lead the change.' Norsham believes young people need to be reminded of the true purpose of taking up medicine: saving lives. Norsham also stressed the importance of nurturing interest in medicine from secondary school, giving students early exposure to the profession. 'If they see that being a doctor isn't a burden but a meaningful life path, they'll choose it willingly. But this requires collective readiness to shape a more appealing and competitive career path in medicine, so we can present a more convincing narrative to students.' Relatedly, she believes medical curriculums today can be both fun and innovative without compromising the integrity of the field. 'Creative learning methods like simulations, virtual reality, gamification, and story- or visual-based teaching not only strengthen comprehension but also foster positive emotion, which is vital for sustaining student interest,' she said. 'Let's restore the core strength of this profession: the healing spirit. Today, we must first 'heal the young healers' by restoring their mental health, motivation, and work environment.'
Daily Express
20-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
Fresh approaches needed to reignite interest in medicine, says expert
Published on: Friday, June 20, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 20, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Once regarded the pinnacle of academic achievement, pursuing a career in medicine is now seen as a long, demanding and rigid path. Kuala Lumpur: There was a time when becoming a doctor was seen as one of the most prestigious career paths; when local universities could no longer cope with the surge in applications for medical studies. Many parents were once willing to spend large sums to send their children abroad to study medicine after failing to secure places in local universities. Times, however, have changed, and the field is now increasingly being overlooked. Advertisement Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad recently urged straight-A SPM students to consider pursuing medicine at the university level. He also expressed concern over students' declining interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, warning that it could have long-term implications for the country's medical sector. This decline in interest is acknowledged by Dr Norsham Juliana Nordin from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, who notes that today's youths are more informed and career-conscious, having grown up in a vastly different environment from that of previous generations. 'They are more critical when evaluating career choices, often prioritising work-life balance. While medicine was once regarded as the pinnacle of academic achievement, it is now seen as a long, demanding and rigid path,' she told Bernama. 'This especially when compared to emerging fields like technology, entrepreneurship, data science, or artificial intelligence.' Advertisement Further discouraging high-achieving students from a career in medicine are the social media narratives that highlight hardships, long working hours, and perceived lack of fair compensation. 'This trend reflects society's growing tendency to prioritise income over impact. Today, students who aspire to become doctors are often discouraged by the perceived academic burden and the significant personal sacrifices involved,' Norsham added. She pointed out that ongoing issues within the national healthcare system – such as unstable contract positions, excessive workloads, and toxic work cultures, including bullying or high-pressure environments with minimal support – have become red flags for young people. At the same time, social media glamourises other careers as being more flexible, expressive, and less stressful. Norsham also believes the declining appeal of medicine is partly due to how the profession is treated as 'guilty until proven innocent' when it comes to patient care. Every medical decision carries inherent risk, and as such, 'every action taken to save a patient, no matter how small, invites scrutiny and accountability', she said. Restoring true purpose To reignite interest in the profession, Norsham suggests regularly reminding both practitioners and medical students of its true value: the nobility of saving lives. She believes a more holistic approach is needed, starting with restoring joy to the learning process. 'The younger generation is not afraid of sacrifice – they just want that sacrifice to be valued and supported by a fair system. Now is the time for all stakeholders, especially experts and influential medical figures, to step forward and lead the change.' Norsham also stressed the importance of nurturing interest in medicine from secondary school, giving students early exposure to the profession. 'If they see that being a doctor isn't a burden but a meaningful life path, they'll choose it willingly. But this requires collective readiness to shape a more appealing and competitive career path in medicine, so we can present a more convincing narrative to students.' Relatedly, she believes medical curriculums today can be both fun and innovative without compromising the integrity of the field. 'Creative learning methods like simulations, virtual reality, gamification, and story- or visual-based teaching not only strengthen comprehension but also foster positive emotion, which is vital for sustaining student interest,' she said. 'Let's restore the core strength of this profession: the healing spirit. Today, we must first 'heal the young healers' by restoring their mental health, motivation, and work environment.'
