Latest news with #theSun
The Sun
11 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
Perhentian Island cleanup nets 70kg trash
BESUT: Driven by a shared commitment to protect marine ecosystems in Malaysia, employee volunteers from Yayasan Sime Darby's (YSD) donor companies took part in a conservation event at Perhentian Island. Organised by YSD as part of its annual environmental volunteerism programme, the initiative was aimed at encouraging active participation in conservation work. The programme led to the construction of five coral blocks, along with the removal of about 70kg of trash from Teluk Keke Beach and 14.5kg of litter from the reefs at D'Lagoon. In an exclusive interview with theSun, YSD CEO Dr Yatela Zainal Abidin said this year, a special initiative was organised in which employee volunteers from Sime Darby Berhad, SD Guthrie Berhad and Sime Darby Property Berhad took part in turtle, coral and seagrass conservation efforts. 'This programme is part of YSD's ongoing environmental volunteerism initiative, which allocates about RM300,000 annually to support employee volunteerism in conservation efforts.' Yatela said this was YSD's second marine conservation effort, with the first held at Tioman Island. She expressed hope that this type of initiative would continue yearly and inspire other organisations to support similar efforts. 'You can't change your lifestyle without understanding the impact. But once you do, you feel empowered to make better choices.' Yatela said YSD partnered with Fuze Ecoteer for two days of cleanups and marine conservation activities and many volunteers had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the urgency to protect oceans. Diver volunteer Rabiyatul Adawiyah Mohd Shamsuddin, 37, described the campaign site as beautiful. But like most dive sites today, it showed signs of stress. 'There were areas with damaged corals, and a diver who visited the site last year noted that it had visibly deteriorated since his last trip, which is quite concerning. 'Most of the waste we found were plastic, bottles, wrappers and straws. There were also fishing-related items such as buoys, as well as footwear, glass bottles, fabric and cigarette butts.' She said as a diver, she loves the underwater world and seeing the immediate impact of their efforts, including the process of separating and recording debris gives her a sense of purpose. 'It also makes us more aware of how our everyday actions could harm marine life, which in the end, comes back to affect us.' Rabiyatul said awareness of ocean pollution in Malaysia is still lacking, especially on issues such as littering and the harmful habit of feeding marine animals. 'I hope to see more initiatives in schools, tourist areas and local communities to shift mindsets and habits such as introducing marine-focused clubs and making Marine Week an annual event (in Malaysia). 'Even small efforts could make a difference. Our lives and even the national economy are tied to the health of our oceans, so it deserves far more attention.' Lai Yu Hung, 27, said the event was an eye-opening experience that changed his perception of beach pollution. 'The ocean produces a large portion of the oxygen we breathe, yet awareness remains low. If no one takes action, it would only get worse. So, I took the first step.' Lai said he was shocked by some of the items collected during the cleanup, including an old television and large plastic barrels buried in the sand. 'Our coral reefs are deteriorating. Even small actions such as feeding fish with bread could trigger a chain reaction. 'The fish can't digest the bread, so they stop feeding on the microorganisms that live on coral. When the coral dies, the ecosystem collapses and eventually, it affects all of us. The ocean takes care of us, we need to take care of it too.'
The Sun
11 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
Yayasan Sime Darby leads marine cleanup at Perhentian
BESUT: Driven by a shared commitment to protect marine ecosystems in Malaysia, employee volunteers from Yayasan Sime Darby's (YSD) donor companies took part in a conservation event at Perhentian Island. Organised by YSD as part of its annual environmental volunteerism programme, the initiative was aimed at encouraging active participation in conservation work. The programme led to the construction of five coral blocks, along with the removal of about 70kg of trash from Teluk Keke Beach and 14.5kg of litter from the reefs at D'Lagoon. In an exclusive interview with theSun, YSD CEO Dr Yatela Zainal Abidin said this year, a special initiative was organised in which employee volunteers from Sime Darby Berhad, SD Guthrie Berhad and Sime Darby Property Berhad took part in turtle, coral and seagrass conservation efforts. 'This programme is part of YSD's ongoing environmental volunteerism initiative, which allocates about RM300,000 annually to support employee volunteerism in conservation efforts.' Yatela said this was YSD's second marine conservation effort, with the first held at Tioman Island. She expressed hope that this type of initiative would continue yearly and inspire other organisations to support similar efforts. 'You can't change your lifestyle without understanding the impact. But once you do, you feel empowered to make better choices.' Yatela said YSD partnered with Fuze Ecoteer for two days of cleanups and marine conservation activities and many volunteers had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the urgency to protect oceans. Diver volunteer Rabiyatul Adawiyah Mohd Shamsuddin, 37, described the campaign site as beautiful. But like most dive sites today, it showed signs of stress. 'There were areas with damaged corals, and a diver who visited the site last year noted that it had visibly deteriorated since his last trip, which is quite concerning. 'Most of the waste we found were plastic, bottles, wrappers and straws. There were also fishing-related items such as buoys, as well as footwear, glass bottles, fabric and cigarette butts.' She said as a diver, she loves the underwater world and seeing the immediate impact of their efforts, including the process of separating and recording debris gives her a sense of purpose. 'It also makes us more aware of how our everyday actions could harm marine life, which in the end, comes back to affect us.' Rabiyatul said awareness of ocean pollution in Malaysia is still lacking, especially on issues such as littering and the harmful habit of feeding marine animals. 'I hope to see more initiatives in schools, tourist areas and local communities to shift mindsets and habits such as introducing marine-focused clubs and making Marine Week an annual event (in Malaysia). 'Even small efforts could make a difference. Our lives and even the national economy are tied to the health of our oceans, so it deserves far more attention.' Lai Yu Hung, 27, said the event was an eye-opening experience that changed his perception of beach pollution. 'The ocean produces a large portion of the oxygen we breathe, yet awareness remains low. If no one takes action, it would only get worse. So, I took the first step.' Lai said he was shocked by some of the items collected during the cleanup, including an old television and large plastic barrels buried in the sand. 'Our coral reefs are deteriorating. Even small actions such as feeding fish with bread could trigger a chain reaction. 'The fish can't digest the bread, so they stop feeding on the microorganisms that live on coral. When the coral dies, the ecosystem collapses and eventually, it affects all of us. The ocean takes care of us, we need to take care of it too.'
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
RM1.2 billion cyber-related losses recorded last year
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia recorded about RM1.2 billion in cyber-related losses last year, underscoring an urgent need for a more coordinated approach to national cybersecurity readiness, said National Tech Association of Malaysia secretary-general Anthony Raja Devadoss. He said the losses, which involved both commercial and consumer sectors, were driven by a surge in cyber scams and increasingly sophisticated attacks powered by artificial intelligence. He added that scam calls alone rose by 82%. Anthony said while Malaysia has made regulatory progress with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and the proposed National Cyber Security Bill, the country continues to struggle with uneven awareness and inconsistent implementation, particularly among SMEs. 'Framework-wise, Malaysia is moving in the right direction. But we tend to announce regulations first and expect compliance the next day. That's a major concern. 'We need scalable cybersecurity practices, not just firewalls. Small firms must have access to certified talent, and if they can't afford to hire directly, government-supported partnerships should be made available.' He suggested establishing a gov-tech alliance, a government-industry initiative focused on modernising public sector digital infrastructure, improving cybersecurity standards and ensuring that local councils and agencies adopt the latest technologies, in line with national security priorities. 'Cybersecurity is not exclusive. The impact cuts across every sector. Whether you're in finance, telco or healthcare, the consequences of a breach are widespread – reputational and financial.' He said cybersecurity must be treated as a cultural shift, not just a technical challenge. 'We're not just talking about software but also awareness, behaviour and trust. That starts at home, not just in the workplace.' He said Malaysians often underestimate personal responsibility in digital safety, and high levels of social trust have led to risky habits such as unsecured device use as well as sharing of sensitive information within households. 'The trust bank is so high here. We leave our devices unlocked, we give out our passwords,' he told theSun. 'So, when we talk about needing to enhance our tech, human errors and complacency need to be looked into as well.' BAC Education Group founder and managing director Raja Singham echoed similar concerns, particularly about the compliance burden placed on smaller businesses under current regulations. He said the 20,000 data-subject threshold for compliance under PDPA effectively pulls in almost every organisation, from supermarkets to educational institutions. 'Even a mid-sized college like BAC holds well over 20,000 data records. Everyone gets caught.' Raja said SMEs, which make up over 90% of Malaysian businesses, are often left scrambling to comply with new mandates without adequate time or support. 'We roll things out very quickly and then threaten penalties. However, most SMEs don't have the manpower, training or budget to respond immediately.' He added that the shortage of skilled professionals, such as privacy officers and cybersecurity leads, has left many firms unable to comply meaningfully. 'These are now mandatory roles. But for many businesses, they're seen as added expenses, and no one knows whom to hire or how to train them.' On recent leaks involving government websites, Raja attributed the problem to outdated infrastructure.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Factors driving escalating ‘quiet quitting' trend
PETALING JAYA : With more employees disengaging or 'quiet quitting', human resources professionals say several key factors are driving the trend, including burnout, lack of work-life balance, poor motivation and lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to Gallup's State of the Global Workplace survey, only 21% of employees worldwide are engaged while 59% are quietly disengaged or 'quiet quitting'. Licensed recruitment agency Talentvis Malaysia executive director Serene Koh said these underlying issues not only reduce individual productivity, but also lower team morale, strain mental and physical health, and on a broader scale, impact national economic performance. 'We are also seeing a clear shift among Gen Z professionals as they are no longer just looking for a job, but a workplace that aligns with their lifestyle and values. 'They prioritise work-life balance through flexible working arrangements, expect clear growth and development plans, and seek purpose in the work they do. They want to feel that their contributions matter. 'In today's competitive labour market, these changing dynamics are forcing employers to rethink how they engage, retain and grow their talent,' she told theSun. She added that given the shifts in the post-pandemic job market, effective employer branding hinges on authenticity and adaptability, and must reflect the real employee experience, not just curated messaging. She also said key elements include legitimacy, openness and the ability to evolve alongside changing workplace policies and expectations. 'Companies that succeed in employer branding are those that align their internal culture with their external promises, building trust with current and potential talent. 'When employees feel that their experiences match what was advertised, it fosters loyalty, engagement and a stronger sense of purpose, which are essential elements in today's competitive talent landscape.' Koh said enhancing employee experience through better communication and engagement is crucial, not only to retain current talent but also to attract new candidates. 'Looking ahead, the kind of workplace culture that would best support resilience and talent retention in Southeast Asia is one that embraces diversity and inclusion, fosters a high-trust environment with open communication, and prioritises employee well-being and growth opportunities.' She added that such a culture encourages people to bring their full selves to work, adapt to change more effectively and remain engaged for the long term. 'It is about creating a workplace in which people feel heard, supported and empowered to grow,' she said. Talentvis regional human resources lead Catherine Wee said companies today face growing challenges in retaining top talent, particularly among younger employees. In Southeast Asia, where millennial and Gen Z workers make up more than 50% of the workforce, expectations have changed. The Randstad Workmonitor 2025 report revealed that 57% of Malaysian workers, rising to 58% among Gen Z and millennials, would leave their jobs if they did not receive adequate career development support from their managers. 'Many also leave due to limited internal mobility and lack of clear development pathways, with younger professionals expecting opportunities for cross-functional exposure or project-based roles. 'Workplace culture and leadership style play a critical role as this generation values open communication, psychological safety and inclusive leadership,' she said. She also said younger talent places high importance on transparency in compensation and fairness in career advancement, and many are disengaged when companies fail to offer personalised career planning and recognition. 'The concept of employee engagement has significantly evolved in the post-pandemic era, shifting from physical presence to emotional connection. The focus is now on impact and involvement rather than just attendance. 'In retaining Gen Z and millennial talent, companies must balance flexibility with accountability. This means not just offering remote or hybrid options, but also doing so with clear goals and expectations,' she said. Wee said career growth should be embedded in the role itself, with managers empowered to act as career coaches, offering personalised guidance to help young employees grow according to their aspirations and learning styles.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Fighting spirit
K-DRAMA Good Boy directed by Shim Na-yeon delivers a knockout combination of action and emotion, fronted by a trio of talented stars Park Bo-gum, Kim So-hyun and Lee Sang-yi. With its unique plot rooted in the gritty world of Olympic-level boxing and the unconventional path of its central characters, the series offers more than the typical underdog sports tale. Set against the backdrop of a special police unit made up of former athletes, Good Boy follows Yoon Dong-joo (played by Park Bo-gum), an ex-boxer who once brought home gold for South Korea. After an incident threatens his career and future, he is recruited into this elite force alongside other medalists, turning gloves and gear into cuffs and combat boots. Characters with depth After winning hearts with emotional performances in When Life Gives You Tangerines, Park Bo-gum returns in a role that lets him breathe a little easier, literally and figuratively. Dong-joo is still cool and skilled, but what makes him stand out is his warmth. His sweet smile, easy-going charm and subtle humour add layers to a character that could have easily been reduced to a typical tough guy. It is a refreshing shift from the tear-streaked, brooding roles he tackled before. Of course, his boxing scenes are still impressive, thanks to the training he committed to. But it is the mix of action and personality that makes this performance one of his most likeable yet. While Kim So-hyun is no stranger to emotionally charged roles, Good Boy pushes her into new territory with physical action sequences and intense standoffs. Her portrayal balances strength and vulnerability, especially in scenes where Ji-hyun questions the system and fights for justice, not just with her fists but her values. As for Lee Sang-yi, known for bringing humour and depth to his supporting roles, Lee adds a vital comedic rhythm to Good Boy, often acting as the glue between Bo-gum's stoicism and So-hyun's intensity. His chemistry with the two leads is natural and adds a necessary lightness to the darker moments in the series. Series with substance One of the show's biggest strengths lies in its pacing. The pilot episode kicks off with an adrenaline-pumping fight scene, but the series' appeal lies in how it explores trauma and the unusual friendship among its leads. The combination of heartfelt backstories and dynamic fight choreography creates a gripping balance of substance. However, there are moments when the storyline risks falling into predictable K-drama territory, especially with its familiar setup of 'trauma-fuelled hero turned protector'. Some early side characters feel a bit underwritten, but given it is still early in the series, there is plenty of time for deeper development. Interview with cast theSun participated in a roundtable interview of Good Boy cast members Park and Kim to get insight on the making of the series and how they approached their characters. Park shared that preparing to play a national boxing champion was no easy feat. 'My role is a former boxer who is a gold medallist,' he said. 'To prepare for this role, I learned and trained in boxing for about six months.' He said he did strength and endurance training with Lee. Kim revealed that Good Boy allowed her to explore action for the first time on-screen. When asked if there was a particular scene she found especially memorable while filming, she said: 'In the first episode, there is a scene where bad guys break into my house. That was my first-ever action scene. Even though it was filmed quite a while ago, I still remember feeling nervous and excited. Even though it is lacking but I think I did quite well.' New episodes of Good Boy are released every Saturday and Sunday on Prime Video.
