Rightways

Bill Gates: We are not really for AI

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 09:27:20 +0000

Gates, the Microsoft co-founder, said he saw three main risks arising from the fast deployment of AI. — AFP

WASHINGTON: Bill Gates warned on Aug 26 that the world is dangerously unprepared for the upheaval brought by artificial intelligence (AI), with the technology destroying jobs and threatening human connection, especially for young people.

In a nearly 6,000-word essay published on his blog, the Microsoft co-founder said the shift into the AI era will rank among the most turbulent periods in human history and that no one has produced a credible plan for managing it.

His stance will draw significant pushback from many in Silicon Valley and the Trump administration who blame "doomer" attitudes among some tech leaders for giving the AI revolution a bad reputation.

"AI will either be the greatest equaliser ever invented, or the worst source of injustice," wrote Gates, 70, who now chairs the philanthropic foundation that bears his name.

"There is no plan to ease the entry into the AI era," Gates said, adding that he would likely support one if it existed.

"However, I don't think that's going to happen. The geopolitical and economic incentives are pushing too hard to go full speed ahead," he warned.

Gates said he saw three main risks arising from the fast deployment of AI.

The first is permanent job destruction. Gates insisted comparisons to the shift from farm work to office work were misleading, as that transition unfolded over generations and created roles that still required human thinking.

AI can substitute for thinking itself, he warned, hitting law, medicine, customer service, software and manufacturing within roughly a decade.

Entry- and mid-level positions are the most exposed, Gates said, leaving young people entering a labour market with far fewer openings.

Blue-collar work will follow as robots become cheaper, with the construction and hospitality sectors feeling pressure by the end of the decade.

Gates suggested that some jobs should be set aside for humans, even if AI can do them better and more cheaply.

The second risk is that AI hands new capabilities to bad actors.

Gates said cybersecurity specialists he knows are alarmed that attackers are gaining ground faster than defenders can patch weaknesses.

Hospitals, banks, water systems and power grids are all exposed, he said.

The third area of risk concerns children and human relationships.

Citing research, Gates said AI chatbots that never challenge or frustrate users risk becoming addictive and denying people the chance to build social skills.

AI bots "rob us of the lessons we learn from connecting with other people," he wrote.

Gates acknowledged he retains deep financial ties to the technology industry, saying investment profits will flow to his foundation, which plans to spend its remaining US$200bil (RM805.4bil) over the next two decades.

The essay comes months after Gates was interviewed by the House Oversight Committee over his ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, telling lawmakers in June that the association was "a grave error in judgment."

Furnished Rooms for rent RM350 / month

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 10:27:05 +0000

https://www.sheryna.my/furnished-rooms-for-rent-bukit-jambul-839909#google_vignette

Description

Located in quiet environment, amidst rolling hills, surrounded by lush greenery, cool mountain breezes. Address : Desa Daya, Persiaran Bukit Jambul, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang. Google map : https ://goo. gl/maps/NuvY98s9dy5ss8KC7 Walking distance to Hotel Equatorial, USM Research Centre, INUKubator Universiti i2U, Inti International University College, Penang Golf Club, Bukit Jambul Millionaires Row, Bukit Jambul Complex, etc. Minutes drive to Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone (FIZ), Relau Town, Golden Business Trinangle, Setia sPICE (Sub-terranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition) Multimedia Hubs : The OneWorld, Suntech, Sunshine Square, Giant Supermarkets, USM (The Science University Malaysia), International Schools, Community Colleges, Bayan Baru, Penang Bridges, Airport, etc. Contact owner : Richard : mobile no. +6 012-4860539, Whatsapp user

Free AI skills for 100,000 youths - AI COURSES

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 03:38:16 +0000

Ai Untuk rakyat programme offers training, three months’ access to premium tools

CLICK TO ENLARGE

PETALING JAYA: Some 100,000 Malaysian youths will have the opportunity to strengthen their digital skills and gain hands-on artificial intelligence (AI) experience under the government’s AI Untuk Rakyat programme.

Upon completing six self-paced modules, participants can access premium AI tools for academic work, creative projects and professional tasks, including Google’s Gemini, YTL’s ILMUChat, Alibaba Cloud’s MuleRun and WonderClip.

The modules have no time limit, but participants must complete each subsection before progressing.

Explanations are in simple English and Bahasa Malaysia.

To begin, applicants must log into the Rakyat Digital portal by scanning a QR code with their MyDigital ID, then access the six courses through the dashboard.

The first module outlines Malaysia’s AI goals, linking the programme to the government’s economic framework to “raise the ceiling” by growing national wealth and “raise the floor” by improving living standards.

It also explains how AI should benefit Malaysians while strengthening the country’s AI capabilities.

The module outlines six government core values – sustainability, prosperity, compassion, trust, respect and innovation – and how they apply to AI.

Participants are reminded that AI should be used responsibly, shared fairly and developed to benefit people and the environment.

The second module introduces youths to agentic AI systems that can take initiative instead of waiting for user prompts.

Learners explore its history, mechanics and applications through exercises using Copilot and ChatGPT.

The portal said the course demonstrates how agentic AI can handle everyday tasks, helping users direct technology to work for them.

The third module focuses on building trustworthy AI, stressing fairness, transparency, accountability, privacy and human- centric design.

Learners explore positive and negative applications of deepfakes and why the challenge lies not in the technology itself, but in how it is used.

Local case studies show how the lessons can be applied.

The fourth module introduces cloud computing, allowing users to store data, run applications and access computing resources without expensive hardware.

“There are three common core cloud services which are Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS).

“Each offers unique benefits tailored to different organisational needs,” the portal said.

The fifth module – CyberSAFE untuk Rakyat – covers cybersecurity and personal data protection, explaining threats such as malware, phishing and ransomware.

It highlights antivirus software, strong passwords, multi- factor authentication as well as regular updates.

It also explains the regulatory framework under personal data protection laws, including children’s online safety, open communication, parental controls and active supervision.

The final module traces AI’s evolution from systems that analyse data to generative AI that creates text, images and music.

“Learners are introduced to prompting techniques, the advantages and challenges of generative AI and key buzzwords such as natural language processing (NLP) and large language models (LLMs).

“The aim is to give participants both conceptual understanding and practical skills to engage confidently with modern AI tools,” the portal said.

After completing the modules, participants can redeem one of the four AI tools free for three months.

In a statement on Aug 30, the Digital Ministry said the initiative would give youths opportunities to explore advanced technology, enhance creativity, productivity and digital skills, and build confidence in using emerging technologies responsibly.

“This is in line with Malaysia’s aspiration to develop an inclusive AI Nation by 2030, aligned with the Malaysia Digital 2030 aspirations,” it said.

The programme was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the 2026 National Day Premier Address at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre on Aug 30.

NOTES:

To log in to the Rakyat Digital portal and access your courses, follow these sequential steps:

Open the Rakyat Digital portal on your computer or tablet web browser.

Select the MyDigital ID login option on the main sign-in page to display the unique QR code.

Open the MyDigital ID app on your smartphone.

Tap the QR scanner icon within the app interface.

Scan the QR code displayed on your computer screen using your phone's camera.

Authenticate the request on your phone by entering your PIN or using biometrics (fingerprint/face recognition).

Navigate the dashboard on your computer screen once the portal redirects you.

Click on the courses section to view and start your six enrolled courses.

Are you experiencing any specific error messages while scanning, or do you need help navigating the dashboard once you are logged in?

Portal Rakyat Digital

https://portal.rakyatdigital.gov.my

A modern, accessible learning platform for digital skills.

Missing: ~~.open~~

Free AI skills for 100000 youths

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Professor who said Malays could fly sacked by Malaysian university

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 12:53:54 +0000

Solehah Yaacob went viral with her pseudo-history claims. She is fighting against her dismissal

Malaysian

Ushar Daniele

Published: 2:44pm, 24 Aug 2026Updated: 2:13pm, 25 Aug 2026

A Islamic university has formally distanced itself from an academic whose viral claims about ancient Malay civilisation – including that Malays could fly and taught the Chinese “flying kung fu” – have drawn ridicule from historians.

In a statement on Sunday, the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) said Solehah Yaacob, a former linguistics professor, had been terminated from academic service on April 27 and was no longer entitled to claim any affiliation with the institution.

The university’s Office for Communication, Advocacy and Promotion said Solehah was now barred from using any official title, position or association with IIUM.

Professor Solehah Yaacob who claimed ancient Malays ...

New York Post

https://nypost.com › 2026/08/27 › world-news › profes...

6 days ago — Professor Solehah Yaacob who claimed ancient Malays taught flying kung-fu to Chinese fired by her university

Professor who claimed ancient Malays could fly loses ...

Reddit · r/nottheonion

260+ comments · 1 week ago

Malaysian academic Dr Solehah Yaacob, who drew public scrutiny over claims that ancient Malays could fly and had taught the Chinese flying kung ...Read more

Professor who claimed ancient Malays could fly loses university post

asiaone.com

Malaysian academic Dr Solehah Yaacob, who drew public scrutiny over claims that ancient Malays could fly and had taught the Chinese flying kung fu, is no longer associated with the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).Dr Solehah is challenging her termination and plans to take IIUM to the Industrial Court, accusing the university of acting unprofessionally in its decision, Free Malaysia...

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John Ternus to lead Apple into the age of AI

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 11:07:32 +0000

FILE - John Ternus, Apple's V.P. of Hardware Engineering, discuss the latest development for the iPad Pro during an event to announce new products Tuesday Oct. 30, 2018, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

Hardware chief inherits iphone empire, faces China test

SAN FRANCISCO: John Ternus takes over as Apple’s chief executive officer (CEO) effective today, inheriting a company that towers over the smartphone market but trails its rivals in artificial intelligence (AI).

One of his biggest challenges will be balancing the company’s dependence on China while parrying acute political pressure from the White House.

The handover ends Tim Cook’s 15-year run, replacing the operations specialist who built Apple’s supply chain with the engineer who built its hardware.

Ternus, 51, joined Apple’s design team in 2001 and worked his way up to senior vice president of hardware engineering, reporting to Cook.

He leads the engineering teams behind Apple’s entire product lineup, including the iPhones that generate most of the company’s revenue.

He gets barely a week to settle in, with Apple holding its annual iPhone event on Sept 9, where it is expected to unveil its first foldable handset.

“Tim Cook left the house in phenomenal order,” said Dan Ives, partner and senior managing director at investment firm Yorkville Ives & Co. “But now it’s about Ternus defining the AI chapter.”

Ives expects the new CEO to lean into what he knows.

“There’s no reason to fix what’s already working,” he said, predicting Ternus will concentrate on hardware innovation while leaving Cook’s supply chain intact.

Some analysts had argued software chief Craig Federighi was the more logical pick for a company scrambling to catch up on AI.

Carolina Milanesi, an analyst at Creative Strategies, said that misreads how consumers actually adopt technology.

“Consumers are still buying hardware first, and it’s going to be like that for a long time,” she said.

“You’re not going to discover the value of AI if you’re not interested in the hardware.”

Ternus earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and worked as an engineer at Virtual Research Systems before joining Apple.

Inside the company he is credited with driving a push to make products more durable, reliable and resilient, and with design work that cut carbon footprint.

The harder question is what kind of leader he becomes.

“Even people that know him now don’t know him as a CEO,” Milanesi said.

“You might know him as the head of engineering, but once you’re CEO, things change. Your responsibility is bigger, your power is bigger. You’re dancing a different kind of dance.”

Nowhere is that gap wider than in the geopolitical role Cook excelled at, courting both Beijing and Donald Trump’s White House to protect a supply chain that runs largely through China.

Apple’s manufacturing operation is among the most complex in corporate history, a web of hundreds of suppliers and assembly lines that Cook painstakingly built over decades.

Cook in recent years began shifting some of the work elsewhere – iPhone assembly to India, other production to Vietnam – but the diversification has been gradual with China, one of Apple’s biggest consumer markets, still anchoring the system.

Complicating matters, Trump has repeatedly demanded Apple build iPhones on American soil, threatening tariffs on those made overseas. Cook avoided the heaviest blows of Trump’s trade war by cultivating the president directly, making US investment commitments and political donations – all while also keeping Beijing onside.

The tricky political terrain will be new for Ternus. — AFP

From a stroke survivor to offering others hope after stroke

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 10:21:28 +0000

A group therapy session at Nasam’s first centre in Petaling Jaya, where stroke survivors exercise together in groups based on their functional levels, encouraging one another throughout their recovery.

Starting from a stroke survivor support group, Yeo founded Nasam to help provide physiotherapy, as well as mental and emotional support, to these survivors.

Nearly four decades ago, Janet Yeo woke up and got ready for work as usual.

At 44, she was running two advertising businesses.

“I woke up one morning and then I had an evolving stroke.

“One of my hands couldn’t take commands.

“But at that moment, I could still walk and talk,” she shares.

Unaware that she was having a stroke, Yeo continued with her plans for the day, including an interview and a visit to the hairdresser before returning to her office.

“I didn’t realise that I was having a stroke because I didn’t know the signs and symptoms of a stroke,” she says.

But as the day progressed, her condition worsened.

Her right hand became immobile, and she eventually sought medical attention at a private hospital in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

ALSO READ: Rush the stroke victim to the hospital, not the clinic!

There, doctors told her she had suffered an ischaemic stroke.

This type of stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow to part of the brain.

Yeo spent the next month and a half in the hospital, eventually becoming completely paralysed on her right side and losing the ability to speak normally.

The will to recover

During that time, she fell into a deep depression.

“When I was in the hospital, I wanted to die; I was very depressed,” Yeo recalls.

ALSO READ: Watch out for depression after a stroke

Prayer, along with her family, gave her a reason to keep going.

“I decided that I want to live because I have my children and my parents,” she shares.

Paralysed on one side, Yeo struggled with everyday tasks.

She could not read the newspaper nor speak normally, while her affected leg felt so heavy that she had to drag it along.

“At one point, I felt like chopping off this leg because it was so heavy,” she says, adding that it was also painful.

A visit from her staff gave her another reason to keep going.

They came to the hospital and whispered: “Boss, you come back to work because we are like orphans without you.”

She broke down in tears.

“That was the motivation I got from my office, from my staff – that I have to get well.”

The experience taught Yeo that stroke survivors need more than medical treatment.

“They need people to inspire, motivate and show them there is hope,” she says.

ALSO READ: This doctor helped patients recover from stroke, then had one himself

Seeking treatment abroad

In 1989, stroke rehabilitation in Malaysia was still relatively unfamiliar.

There was little information available to stroke survivors, and Yeo knew little about the condition herself.

“That year, there was no literature on stroke,” she says.

“There was no awareness of stroke – I didn’t know anything about stroke.”

Determined to learn more, she travelled to Singapore, where Mount Elizabeth Hospital had just established a stroke-specific rehabilitation unit.

What she saw there changed her understanding of stroke rehabilitation.

Rather than focusing solely on physical therapy, the programme taught stroke survivors how to manage everyday activities and regain their independence.

“They show you how to go to the bathroom.

“They teach you how to use two hands to brush your teeth,” she recalls.

Even mealtimes became part of rehabilitation, with simple adaptations such as wrapping a sponge around a spoon handle to make it easier to grip.

Yeo also learnt how early rehabilitation could help prevent complications such as foot drop.

At the hospital, staff would prop up the affected foot with a pillow.

“If the hospital doesn’t do that for you on the first day, you’ll have a drop foot, which I have,” she says.

Today, Yeo cannot lift her affected foot and has to wear a brace to help raise it.

Her rehabilitation journey continued beyond Singapore.

She spent another two months undergoing rehabilitation in the United States before travelling to Beijing to explore traditional Chinese medicine.

Despite still having difficulty speaking and walking, Yeo returned to work about a year after her stroke.

She went on to build four more businesses, while raising two children and caring for her mother, who had cancer.

“I lived my life,” she says.

But she knew she had been fortunate.

Her company provided health coverage, while insurance helped cover her rehabilitation.

She had access to physiotherapy, acupuncture, gym training and rehabilitation overseas – opportunities many stroke survivors do not have.

“Then I thought to myself, for someone without this access, how do they survive from a stroke?” she says.

That question became a mission.

ALSO READ: Stroke: Timing and rehabilitation critical to regain lost function

Treating the person

The idea of starting her own stroke support group was first voiced in a newspaper article.

A year after Yeo’s stroke, a journalist who had initially interviewed her contacted her again to see how far she had progressed.

That was when she expressed her desire to start a stroke support group.

A few years later, she began bringing stroke teams and survivors together at her office.

As the group grew, survivors asked her to provide physiotherapy.

The first rehabilitation space was not a hospital or a clinic; it was Yeo’s garage.

“We would take all the cars out and have the physio,” she recalls.

She hired a Malaysian physiotherapist, and the initiative operated from her office and home for four years.

It later moved next door, when her sister-in-law bought a house that was custom-built as a centre for the fledging organisation now officially registered as the National Stroke Association of Malaysia (Nasam).

It has now been operating there for 30 years.

But Yeo wanted Nasam to offer more than conventional rehabilitation.

She developed what she called a “holistic programme”, focusing not only on physical recovery, but also on the emotional and social needs of stroke survivors.

“If you go to a hospital, they treat you just like an arm and a leg.

“One hour, finish, bye-bye. See you next week,” she says.

“But here, we look at it from head to toe, because you are still the same person.

“You are still a mother, a father. You still have children. You’re still holistic.”

For Yeo, stroke recovery was also a mental journey.

She says survivors can experience shock and denial before potentially falling into depression.

Without adequate support, some survivors can become withdrawn or depressed.

“Once they are in depression, it’s very hard to get them out.”

Yeo also saw how financial circumstances could affect access to rehabilitation.

“A lot of poorer people don’t have insurance and can’t get physiotherapy.

“They go into depression and just accept it.”

At Nasam, the approach extends beyond therapy, with walks, outings, games and karaoke sessions designed to keep survivors engaged.

“If they don’t come to us, they stay in their room – four walls, TV screen – they give up.”

At the heart of it was a belief she wants every stroke survivor to hold on to: “There is life after stroke.”

ALSO READ: Learning to walk again after a stroke... at 41

Keeping the mission alive

Keeping Nasam going has brought its own challenges

One of Yeo’s biggest struggles has been finding and retaining qualified physiotherapists.

When she started the non-governmental organisation, many physiotherapists in Malaysia were foreign-trained and too expensive for her to hire.

Unable to compete with private sector salaries, Janet travelled to Mumbai, India, to recruit five physiotherapists.

“There were 30 people lined up to be interviewed, so I selected five,” she says.

As more hospitals established stroke rehabilitation units, competition for experienced physiotherapists increased.

“My biggest problem is to get good-quality physios who will stay and work for the small pay that I get, because I cannot compete with hospitals,” she says.

Some physiotherapists eventually leave to provide private home-based treatment, taking some stroke survivors with them.

“So we lose our physios, we lose some of our ‘strokees’, but we have to carry on.

“We’re very lucky that people who stay today, they are with us because they have love and passion,” she says.

For Yeo, the reward is seeing stroke survivors regain their independence.

“Satisfaction is when you see someone come in with a wheelchair or using a stick, but after a few months, they can walk out by themselves.”

Expanding the reach

Nasam was Malaysia’s first stroke-specific organisation, and today, operates six centres in Petaling Jaya, Ampang, Ipoh, Johor Bahru, Kuantan and Kota Kinabalu.

Yeo hopes to expand Nasam’s reach to more areas, as stroke survivors have requested centres closer to their homes.

As the organisation marks its 30th anniversary on Sept 5 (2026), it will bring stroke survivors together for an evening of singing, dancing and celebration.

Yeo, who is scheduled to undergo leg surgery before the anniversary, is looking forward to joining them.

“I want to dance during the anniversary and enjoy with the ‘strokees’,” she says with a laugh.

For more information on how to support Nasam, click here.

By EMALIN ZALANI

Photos By KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star

US debt breaches US$40 trillion mark

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:18:43 +0000

Policy choices: People cross Pennsylvania avenue in Washington. the federal government’s iou has now more than doubled in less than a decade, from us$19.95 trillion when trump was sworn in for the first time in January 2017.

Rising borrowing sparks fresh fiscal crisis warnings

WASHINGTON: Total US debt has topped US$40 trillion for the first time, the Treasury Department says on Wednesday, drawing fresh warnings that a fiscal crisis is brewing as ballooning costs for social safety-net programmes and interest payments far outstrip revenues held back by tax cuts.

The Treasury’s latest daily cash and debt balances statement showed total public debt outstanding at US$40.047 trillion on Tuesday, a total that includes Treasury securities held by the public of US$32.266 trillion and intra-governmental debt holdings of US$7.782 trillion.

The federal government’s IOU has now more than doubled in less than a decade, from US$19.95 trillion when President Donald Trump was sworn in for the first time in January 2017.

Roughly one-third of that increase occurred during two years of frantic government borrowing to fund the Covid-19 pandemic responses undertaken by Trump and former President Joe Biden, while the fiscal policy choices of both presidents combined with long-running tax-andspending imbalances to account for the rest.

Budget watchdog groups have been anticipating the crossing of the threshold for weeks and have issued stark warnings that a full-blown debt crisis could erupt unless lawmakers confront an unsustainable fiscal outlook and raise taxes, cut spending or both.

“Forty trillion dollars of debt doesn’t exist solely on the government’s ledgers, it is felt throughout the economy and finds its way to the pocketbooks of people one way or another,” said Maya Macguineas, president of the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

“The more we borrow, the more we exacerbate inflation, squeeze out other priorities in the budget, and leave ourselves vulnerable to emergencies at home and turmoil abroad,” Macguineas said in a statement just after the Treasury data was released.

She noted that the US$40 trillion figure was reached less than five months after debt reached US$39 trillion, and has quadrupled in less than 20 years after taking until 1981 to reach US$1 trillion for the first time.

“It is staggering how predictable the fiscal decline of a global power can become,” Macguineas added.

Global US creditors may already be growing wary. Days after a Us$25bil auction of 30-year Treasury bonds went off at the highest yield since 2021, yields on so-called long bonds on Tuesday hit their highest levels in nearly two decades as investors demanded greater compensation in the face of hefty US government bond issuance.

On Wednesday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent took a bold step to push long bond yields back, announcing a doubling of buyback sizes for 10 to 30-year treasuries to at least Us$4bil per operation.

The term premium for 10-year treasuries – a measure of how much of the security’s overall yield is accounted for by the perceived isk of holding them over a decade – rose this week to its highest in more than a dozen years.

Against all that, demand for US debt by foreign investors, who hold nearly onethird of all treasuries, has been declining over the past year, leaving more bonds to fall to more price-sensitive buyers, which can exacerbate market volatility, John Canavan, lead financial market analyst in Oxford Economics’ Macroeconomic and Investor Services group, wrote on Tuesday.

The Treasury last week reported the fourth-highest monthly deficit in US history, Us$432bil for July, as tariff refunds turned customs receipts negative for the third month in a row and outlays for Social Security and Medicare benefits for seniors continued to grow.

The deficit for the first 10 months of fiscal 2026 has already exceeded the total gap for all of fiscal 2025 with two months to go in the current fiscal year.

Trump has largely ignored the dwindling number of fiscal hawks in his Republican Party, championing heavy spending across his two terms.

Public debt rose by US$7.8 trillion during Trump’s first term, with more than half of it accumulating during the pandemic response over his last nine months in office.

Since Trump took office a second time in January 2025, the US debt load has increased by US$3.8 trillion, for total growth of US$11.6 trillion across his two terms so far.

Public debt increased by US$8.4 trillion during Biden’s term, also marked by heavy Covid-19 recovery spending, but driven as well by big-ticket outlays for infrastructure investment, clean energy subsidies and other priorities championed by his Democratic Party.

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimated that the policy choices of Trump and Biden have increased the federal debt trajectory beyond what would have accumulated under the existing spending statutes when each took office.

For instance, Trump’s landmark second-term legislative package, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, will add another US$4.7 trillion in debt, according to the Congressional Budget Office, the nonpartisan bookkeeper for federal lawmakers.

Trump has branded his second presidency as one focused on cost-cutting, marked by early federal agency job cuts ordered by the non-governmental Department of Government Efficiency. — Reuters

Understanding blood test numbers

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:12:14 +0000

Screening tests are an important indicator of not only current disease, but also your future risk of developing certain chronic diseases. — Filepic

TURNING 40 is often when many people begin paying closer attention to their health.

Energy levels, exercise recovery time and metabolism may start to change, and many Malaysians undergo their first comprehensive health screening.

However, interpreting a multi-page laboratory report can be confusing.

The first thing to understand is that a laboratory “normal range” does not always mean optimal health.

These ranges are based on population averages and are designed mainly to detect disease.

Preventive health focuses on identifying risks early and understanding the overall pattern of results.

HEART DISEASE RISK

One of the most important sections is the lipid profile, which measures LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol, HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol and triglycerides.

LDL cholesterol plays a major role in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular (heart) disease.

The ideal LDL level depends on an individual’s overall risk profile.

People with diabetes, kidney disease, a strong family history of early heart disease, or existing cardiovascular disease often require lower LDL levels.

HDL cholesterol is best considered a risk marker rather than a treatment target, while triglycerides should ideally remain below 1.7 mmol/l.

Raised triglycerides combined with low HDL cholesterol may indicate insulin resistance and increased metabolic risk.

Beyond standard cholesterol testing, additional markers can provide further insight.

Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is an inherited cholesterol particle that independently increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and aortic valve disease.

Elevated Lp(a) is common, affecting approximately 20-30% of the population when defined as levels above 50mg/dl (about 125 nmol/l).

As Lp(a) is largely determined by genetics and remains stable throughout life, measuring it once in adulthood can help identify hidden cardiovascular risk.

Apolipoprotein B (Apob) reflects the number of cholesterol particles that can contribute to plaque formation and may provide additional risk information, especially in individuals with diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome or elevated triglycerides.

DIAGNOSING DIABETES

Another useful metabolic marker is HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance), which is calculated using fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels.

It may identify insulin resistance before blood sugar becomes abnormal, allowing earlier lifestyle intervention in selected individuals at higher metabolic risk.

Hba1c reflects average blood glucose over the previous two to three months, and is an important screening test for diabetes.

In Malaysia, diabetes affects almost one in five adults.

An Hba1c below 5.7% is considered normal, 5.7-6.4% suggests prediabetes, and 6.5% or above is consistent with diabetes when appropriately confirmed.

Identifying prediabetes provides an opportunity to reduce future risk through exercise, weight management and dietary changes.

LIVER AND BLOOD

Your liver enzymes, particularly ALT (alanine transaminase) and AST (aspartate aminotransferase), provide clues about liver health.

Mild abnormalities may be associated with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

These results should be interpreted alongside body weight, waist circumference, alcohol intake, medications and other risk factors.

The Full Blood Count (FBC) evaluates red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

Low haemoglobin may indicate anaemia, while abnormal white cell or platelet counts may require further evaluation depending on any other signs or symptoms the person may have.

OPTIMINSING HEALTH

The most important lesson from health screening is that individual numbers rarely tell the whole story.

Doctors look for patterns – a combination of raised blood pressure, increased waist circumference, abnormal cholesterol and rising blood sugar may indicate metabolic syndrome and increased future cardiovascular risk.

Your annual health screening should not be viewed as a passor-fail test.

It is a roadmap that helps identify risks early and guides better decisions.

The goal is not simply to be within the laboratory reference range, but to optimise your health so that you can remain active and well for years to come.

Dr Kishen Sivakumar is a general practitioner (GP). For more information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and should not be considered as medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this article. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.

Pulau Jerejak to be financial, lifestyle hub

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 08:17:41 +0000

Sim showing plans for the bridge linking Penang island to Pulau Jerejak as part of a development on the latter island with financial centre, resort and apartments. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

Project will see rm500million bridge link tp Penang island

A FINANCIAL centre, resort, serviced apartments and hotels are among development plans for Pulau Jerejak, which will be linked to Penang island by a RM500mil bridge.

Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin said the project on a 32ha site by developer Tropical Island Resort was intended as an ecosystem attracting investment players to support Penang’s technology and semiconductor industries.

Sim told reporters in Sungai Nibong that the proposed financial centre could complement nearby Bayan Lepas industrial area by bringing investors closer to engineers and young entrepreneurs.

“Penang needs venture capitalists, private equity funds, bankers and technology investors to set up offices in one location so that they can interact with technology companies and potentially channel funding into new ventures.

“We have about 20,000 integrated circuit design engineers.

“Many are now working for salaries because they do not have funders to help them start their own companies.

“Investors can set up offices anywhere, but we want them to be together,” he said, likening the concept to the clustering of financial and technology companies in Silicon Valley in the US.

Sim, who lived in Silicon Valley for six years, believed a similar ecosystem could help Penang’s technology sector grow.

“The industrial area will have a lot of engineers and young entrepreneurs.

“They must create that kind of symbiosis. They must be able to meet each other every day, talk to each other and exchange new ideas.”

Sim said the development would also be subject to restrictions on building height and density.

He said construction of the 1km elevated bridge, with two lanes in each direction as well as pedestrian and cycling lanes, would kick off with road widening works next month.

Works will involve widening Persiaran Bayan Indah near Queens Waterfront, and building a connecting road from the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway to the bridge.

“Construction will take three years, with completion expected by March 2029.”

The bridge will connect the area beside Jambatan Harapan near Queensbay Mall to Pulau Jerejak, providing direct road access to the island which currently relies on boat services.

Sim said he had urged the developer to make the bridge an iconic structure.

“They have accepted my ideas and will hire one local and two international architects to design it.”

He said the bridge would improve access to Pulau Jerejak, making the island a more attractive destination for tourists.

Sim said the state government had requested the developer restore several heritage sites on the island.

He stressed that as 85% of Pulau Jerejak was gazetted as forest reserve, those would remain untouched.

Pulau Jerejak, which encompasses about 360ha, has a long history as a quarantine and medical site and later as a detention centre.- By LO TERN CHERN

Overdue connection: An aerial view near Queensbay Mall in Bayan Lepas, looking out towards Pulau Jerejak across the water. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

Bridge to Pulau Jerejak to be finished in 2029

The Star

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1 Aug 2026 — Located off Bayan Lepas, Pulau Jerejak is best known for its history as a quarantine station and leprosy settlement dating back to the 19th ...Read more

Tabung Haji:A story of mismanagement

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 07:08:06 +0000

For generations of Malaysian Muslims, Tabung Haji has been more than a financial institution. It is a trusted place to save for one of the most important journeys in their life – the pilgrimage to Mecca. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star

However, this disturbing scandal is a story of mismanagement and apparent abuses, a failure of fiduciary duties, poor investments, weak governance and more.

It would not be wrong to suggest that even many members of Parliament who read the report would not understand it fully.

The reality, unfortunately, is that the cost of the alleged financial mismanagement of Tabung Haji has to be borne by all Malaysians as a whole – not just Muslims.

The government reportedly executed a financial rescue package exceeding RM10bil for Tabung Haji to restore its financial standing following several controversial issues.

The findings from the recent Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) highlighted several malfeasances – intentional and unlawful acts of wrongdoing – from 2014 to 2017, prompting the ongoing anti-corruption investigations and plans to amend the Tabung Haji Act.

To put it simply, a government bail-out had to be carried out to address impaired assets – the drop in the value of a business asset below its recorded book value – and structural deficits.

A structural deficit is a budget shortfall when ongoing spending is higher than regular income.

If the rescue had not been done, Tabung Haji would likely have been forced to adopt a mass sell-off of fund assets, which would have had severe implications.

The key RCI findings exposed alleged severe governance failures, dubious hotel leases abroad, and misleading investment strategies under the previous management.

For generations of Malaysian Muslims, Tabung Haji has been more than a financial institution. It was a trusted place to save for one of the most important journeys in their life: the pilgrimage to Mecca.

This makes the controversies surrounding Tabung Haji more painful and a huge letdown.

The most disturbing part is that the money involved was the savings of ordinary Malaysian Muslims who put aside their hard-earned money, ringgit by ringgit, believing that their savings would be managed responsibly.

Tabung Haji was created on Sept 30, 1973, as the Malayan Muslim Pilgrims Savings Corpo-ration. Founded by the late economist Royal Prof Ungku Abdul Aziz, it was created with the noble purpose of helping Malaysian Muslims to save money for the haj.

It gave Muslims a safe and syariah-compliant way to save for the haj. It also helped make the pilgrimage possible for gene-rations who might otherwise have struggled to afford it.

But an institution built on trust can be badly damaged when those entrusted with managing it forget who the money belongs to.

The lessons from the Tabung Haji saga are therefore much bigger than just accounts and balance sheets.

They are about governance, accountability, and above all, they are about what happens when political influence, poor management, and questionable decisions are allowed to weaken an institution meant to serve the people.

The horror is not simply that money can be lost. Money can be recovered, institutions can be restructured, policies can be changed – but trust is much harder to rebuild.

Ordinary depositors who now read about questionable investments, inflated valuations, transactions involving connected parties, or decisions that appear to benefit others, must ask one simple question: Who was looking after our money?

That question deserves a straight answer. Not political statements meant to divert from the main issue. Not another spin on race and religion to get out of a tight spot.

Tabung Haji cannot be treated as a political cash cow or a convenient source of influence.

Its board and management must be chosen for competence, integrity, and independence. There must be proper checks and balances, professional investment decisions, and transparent reporting.

When will we ever learn that politicians – many of whom do not even have corporate and financial competence – have no business running a savings corporation involving billions of ringgit?

A look at the board of directors of the past management will reveal that some of its members were picked based merely on their political party standing.

There is also a wider lesson here for Malaysia.

We have too often allowed institutions to become vulnerable because we assume that those in charge will always do the right thing.

That is not good enough and certainly not true. Good governance requires building systems that prevent abuse, detect wrongdoing early, and ensure that no one is too powerful to be questioned.

Tabung Haji’s experience should therefore be remembered not merely as another financial scandal or political controversy. It should be remembered as a warning.

When an institution holds the life savings of ordinary people, there can be no room for complacency, cronyism, or political interference.

The depositors of Tabung Haji deserve nothing less than the highest standards of stewardship.

The money of Malaysian Muslim depositors was entrusted to Tabung Haji. So was their trust, and that trust should never again be treated so callously.

Let’s not forget that the money of other Malaysians, regardless of race and faith, had to be used to bail out Tabung Haji.

We have politicians who claim that the word “sakau”, which means to steal, to rob, to pilfer or to embezzle, was never used in the RCI report. Of course not.

Sakau is Malay slang or street language for stealing or embezzling, but in another connotation, is also used for drug craving and addiction.

Certainly, we do not expect the esteemed members of the RCI to use that word in their report.

Ahead of National Day, the actions of the culprits can best be described as a most traitorous act to the country and Malaysians.

Google’s Malaysian play

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 17:24:28 +0000

KUALA LUMPUR: A single job created directly inside Google’s upcoming US$2bil (RM9.4bil) data centre (DC) in Selangor will generate nine additional jobs across the local economy.

That powerful one-to-nine employment multiplier lies at the heart of the tech giant’s first Malaysian facility and cloud region in Elmina Business Park.

The facility, Google’s second in South-East Asia after Singapore, aims to debunk the widespread industry myth that hyperscale DCs are empty, low-employment “ghost boxes” once construction wraps up.

Beyond the thousands of short-term construction roles, Google aims to hire hundreds of high-value, permanent engineers, technicians, and specialists directly inside the facility, said Ken Siah, principal for global infrastructure market development at Google Asia Pacific, in an exclusive interview with StarBiz.

Google’s DCs, he explained, drive extensive local contracts, from server rack supply chains and specialised engineering consultancies to on-site dining services and green energy projects.

Siah also sought to dispel the misconception that operational DCs require minimal human oversight, noting that managing Google’s proprietary “all-product area” hyperscale infrastructure requires round-the-clock, highly specialised technical talent.

These jobs go beyond information technology maintenance, Siah said, and include DC technicians comprising highly skilled engineers managing server operations, hardware deployments, software coding and live troubleshooting; network engineers responsible for connectivity, ensuring global ultra-low latency and network reliability for millions of users; mechanical and electrical engineers as operational leads maintaining continuous 24/7 power distribution, backup systems and complex thermal cooling loops; and environmental and compliance leads specialising in water management, energy strategy, community affairs and safety compliance.

“It’s not just about the hardware. Engineering inside a hyperscale facility is an entire organisation, so these are jobs that are created specifically because of the contracts that the Google DC is driving,” he said.

Ken Siah, Principal, Global Infrastructure, Asia Pacific, Google. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star

Enggineering inside a hhperscale facilities is an entire organisation, so thre are jobs that are created spicifically because of the constracts that the Google DC is driving.

As Google sources hardware components and maintenance services locally wherever possible, Malaysia’s mature semiconductor and electronics manufacturing ecosystem stands to capture significant commercial value, he pointed out.

While Malaysia’s unemployment rate remained low at 2.9% for the first five months of 2026, high-skilled workers accounted for the largest share of those affected during this period, making up more than half of retrenchments from 2021 to 2025.

“There is a very educated and talented workforce here. We’ve really had no issue finding and hiring local talent,” Siah said.

To ensure local talent fills these high- value positions, he said Google is investing across three human capital tracks: on-the-job upskilling, comprising mandatory operational and safety training for all employees and contractors; tertiary skilling programmes comprising industry-aligned courses in artificial intelligence (AI) and DC operations; and early science, technology, engineering and mathematics partnerships, providing foundational training through initiatives such as Arus Academy KL focused on future skills development.

Rapid DC expansion has also sparked public debate over energy grid stability and municipal water consumption.

Siah outlined Google’s self-funded operational model built on 20 years of global infrastructure development.

For example, rather than driving up electricity costs for local households, Google finances its own infrastructure expansion.

“Think of a power grid like a toll highway with fixed maintenance costs,” Siah explained.

“If very few cars drive on it, the toll per car is high. But when a major logistics fleet commits to using that highway, the overall cost burden per user drops.

“If there is insufficient power in an area, or if we are going to be taking power away from a community, we will either find ways to develop more power, or we will not go there,” Siah said.

In other words, Google would not pass any infrastructure costs on to local ratepayers.

He added that Google is one of the few hyperscalers that publicly reports its operational power usage effectiveness (PUE) on a quarterly basis across all its campuses. PUE is the primary industry metric used to measure the energy efficiency of a DC.

While the global industry average hovers around 1.52 to 1.56, Google’s global fleet operates at 1.08 to 1.09. Even in hot, humid tropical climates like Singapore, Google maintains a PUE of 1.13.

“So, it’s precisely because we have efficient design, good chips and good operational culture that allows us to achieve this, and we are very confident we can do the same in Malaysia,” he said.

As of early 2026, DCs in Malaysia consume an actual average of 28.68 million litres of water per day, according to the National Water Services Commission.

Estimates project total nationwide water consumption by tech hubs to surge past 37 billion litres annually, climbing steeply through 2030.

The question is how Google assesses the risk of water scarcity at a particular location.

“If a community faces water scarcity, we simply will not use water cooling methods. We will rely on other methods, whether that is air cooling or newer chips with more advanced liquid-cooling methods,” Siah said.

DCs use water and liquid-cooling systems to manage intense heat loads from high-density servers and AI workloads. Traditional facility-level systems use chilled-water loops and evaporative cooling towers, while modern rack-level designs deploy direct-to-chip or immersion cooling to boost thermal-transfer efficiency

Where water is used, closed-loop systems continually recycle it. On top of that, Google has committed to a global goal of replenishing 120% of the freshwater its DCs consume.

In an industry where tech multinationals routinely demand tax holidays before entering a market, Google’s approach in Malaysia breaks from the norm: the company says it is not seeking local tax breaks.

“We believe in being a good corporate citizen,” said Siah. “We pay all relevant taxes, which go straight to the Malaysian government to support public services.”

By AIDA AHMAD

RCI revealsTabung Haji billions lost through illegal creative accounting

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 03:42:28 +0000

Revelations: Zulkifli speaking during the special sitting on the RCI into TH, in Parliament. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) entered into high-risk investments, which resulted in billions in losses, because it faced pressure to declare high dividends.

Also identified were breaches of accounting standards and financial reporting that did not reflect the actual position of the board.

These were among the issues flagged by the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the institution, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan said.

He said the RCI report identified 14 problematic investments.

Among them were Putrajaya Perdana, Al-Rawda, PT TH Indo Plantations, Trurich and FGV, which involved the interests of certain parties.

“For example, in 2015, 2016 and 2017, TH leased four hotels in Mecca and Madinah and paid approximately RM1.55bil upfront to Al-Rawda for leases ranging from 10 to 18 years. This was an unusual and highly ‘abnormal’ transaction,” he said.

Al-Rawda was appointed as the operator of all four hotels and in exchange, TH was given promissory notes personally guaranteed by the owner of Al-Rawda.

“Since March 2019, Al-Rawda has failed to pay the rental income, and TH initiated enforcement proceedings in Saudi Arabia.

“Arbitration proceedings commenced by Al-Rawda against TH were ultimately resolved through a final award dated April 16, 2023 in favour of TH. Al-Rawda was ordered to pay SAR899mil (RM982mil)

The RCI flagged the listing of FGV Holdings, which although raised RM10bil during its initial public offering (IPO), had resulted in loses amounting to more than RM1bil for TH when its share prices plunged.

Investments related to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), including its link to Putrajaya Perdana and the purchase of land in TRX when the CEO of Tabung Haji was also sitting on the board of 1MDB, were also flagged.

Zulkifli said the RCI found that profit distributions made before 2018 did not reflect TH’s actual financial position and were inconsistent with the requirements of the Tabung Haji Act, which requires assets to exceed liabilities.

He added the RCI found that financial statements were manipulated through creative accounting, breaches of Malaysian Financial Reporting Standards (MFRS), and repeated changes to impairment policies.

He said the impairment was only recognised when the market value of the assets fell by 70% from the original investment cost.

“This was subsequently changed to 85% and then to 90% within a single day during the 2017 financial year.

“For example, for an original share investment of RM1,000, impairment would only be recognised when the market value of the shares fell to RM100.

“In reality, if the investment had been sold in the market at that point, TH would have recovered only RM100 rather than RM1,000 as stated in the financial statements,” he said.

This, he said, allowed TH to show a profit for that year when it should have shown a loss, adding that this was also approved by the minister in charge at the time.

Asset values were also presented using the Realisable Asset Value method outside the audited financial statements, despite the method not complying with accounting standards, so that it would appear that TH’s assets exceeded their liabilities. All of which was confirmed in an audit report in 2018.

The RCI also highlighted financial reporting practices, whereby certain losses were not properly recognised in the income statement and balance sheet, resulting in “falsified profits”.

He said that had TH applied the MFRS standards, it would have recorded a net loss of RM1.4bil instead of a profit of RM3.4bil for 2017.

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Don’t install apps under pressure, ‘I watched them take control of my phone remotely’

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 14:54:42 +0000

Compromised: Scammers are finding more sophisticated ways to bypass safeguards, such as malicious apps disguised as legitimate services. — Pic from magnific.com

PETALING JAYA: As smartphones become central to banking and daily life, scammers are finding increasingly sophisticated ways to seize control of the devices and the accounts within.

Universiti Sains Malaysia Cybersecurity Research Centre director Prof Dr Selvakumar Manickam said criminals were now turning to remote-access tools and malicious applications to bypass conventional scam safeguards.

He said victims could be persuaded to install apps such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer or malicious Android Package Kit (APK) files disguised as legitimate banking, delivery or other services.

Once installed and given permissions such as accessibility access, scammers could potentially view and operate the victim’s phone, including banking applications.

“An unsolicited caller asking the victim to download an app to ‘resolve’ an issue, a request to enable accessibility, SMS or ‘install unknown apps’ permissions, or being asked to remain on a call while installing something, should raise alarm bells,” he said when contacted.

Unexpected battery drain or unusual phone behaviour after installing an application, particularly one downloaded outside authorised sources, are also warning signs.

Selvakumar said scammers were increasingly exploiting psychology rather than simply trying to defeat technical security measures.

“They may create a sense of urgency by claiming a bank account has been frozen, a police matter needs to be resolved or an unpaid bill requires immediate action.

“Generative AI is also making scams more convincing with criminals able to produce polished phishing messages in local languages and clone voices to impersonate family members, bank officers or government officials,” he said.

Beyond screen control, malware can quietly intercept SMS messages and push notifications, including one-time passwords and two-factor authentication codes, before forwarding them to scammers.

Some newer malware could also identify a victim’s SIM card and mobile carrier before subscribing them to premium services through mobile billing systems.

“Fake cellular base stations have also been detected locally, allowing criminals to send fraudulent SMS messages while bypassing some telco-level filtering,” he added.

Selvakumar said the affected phone should subsequently be reset after important data has been backed up or checked by a trusted technician.

“The lesson is simple – never allow urgency or fear to override basic security precautions,” he said.

Cybersecurity expert Fong Choong Fook said social engineering remained one of the biggest threats despite growing public awareness.

“Don’t install any unknown or suspicious software. Have good practices such as not clicking on links from strangers or SMS,” he said.

Fong added that scammers impersonating bank employees, law enforcement officers and government officials could now use AI-generated voice and video to make their identities appear more convincing.

“Users should avoid public WiFi where possible as compromised networks could expose devices to additional risks.”

‘I watched them take control of my phone remotely’

PETALING JAYA: A routine phone call can quickly turn into a financial nightmare when unsuspecting victims lose control of their smartphones to scammers.

Confidential information and other personal details will then be manipulated by these fraudsters, causing financial and emotional distress to the victims.

For a Shah Alam resident who wished to be known only as Lim, the scam started with a phone call from a “bank officer”, warning him about suspicious transactions.

The caller instructed him to download an application, purportedly to verify his identity and secure his account.

Thinking he was following a security procedure, Lim installed the application and granted the requested authorisation.

“After installing it, it seemed that someone had taken control of my phone.

“I could see apps opening by themselves, but I could not control what was happening,” said the 42-year-old.

Within minutes, the scammers had gained access to his banking application and made several transactions.

Lim claimed that he lost about RM7,800 from his account before he managed to disconnect the phone from the Internet and contacted the bank.

“I always thought scams happened because people clicked suspicious links.

“I never expected that scammers could take over my phone while I was still holding it.

“By the time you realise it is the work of a scammer, it is too late, as you have probably already suffered financial losses,” he said.

Another victim, who wished to be known as Tan, 56, from Ipoh, said she was contacted through WhatsApp on July 1.

The caller informed her that she had won a RM3,000 prize and was offered a choice between shopping vouchers or cash credited to her e-wallet.

Tan said she opted for a cash reward, and the call was subsequently transferred to a “manager”, who sounded like a foreigner.

“I just followed his instruction to claim the reward.

“He then took control of my phone screen and kept directing me from one site to another without giving me time to think,” she said.

Tan said she then contacted the platform’s customer service through the app, activated the kill switch and lodged a police report within an hour.

She also said the official complaint submitted through the app, together with screenshots and supporting documents, later disappeared from her phone.

Tan claimed that RM4,500 was charged to her pay-later account while another RM6,000 was withdrawn through the platform’s loan facility, bringing her total losses to RM10,500.

“The RM6,000 purported loan was converted into a 24-month repayment plan, requiring a monthly instalment of over RM300.

“The sum of RM4,500 was transferred to an entity listed as ‘Lucky Boy Trading’, although I had not purchased any items,” she said.

A victim from Subang, who identified himself as Ravi, 35, said scammers posing as delivery company employees convinced him to install an application to reschedule a parcel.

After granting the application access to his phone, he noticed that messages and notifications were appearing and disappearing without his involvement.

“I thought I was only following instructions to receive a parcel. I never expected them to be able to take control of my phone.”

When ‘be careful’ is not enough

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 09:20:42 +0000

PETALING JAYA: “Be careful.” These are caring words often told to older persons to watch their step.

But fall prevention requires more than simply telling the senior citizen to “be careful”, said Prof Dr Tan Maw Pin, a professor in geriatric medicine at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre.

But fall prevention requires more than simply telling the senior citizen to “be

Malaysia, she said, has yet to implement a coordinated national falls prevention strategy despite the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2025 report stating that about 15% of Malaysians aged 60 and above fall at least once a year.

“Getting the statistics is important but it must lead to policy, investment, implementation and evaluation,” she said.

According to the World Health Organization, falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide, with adults older than 60 suffering the highest number of fatal falls.

ASLO READ: Easing big fears of small falls with home modifications

Dr Tan said a fall should never be dismissed as a normal part of ageing.

ASLO READ: Easing big fears of small falls with home modifications

Dr Tan said a fall should never be dismissed as a normal part of ageing.

“The likelihood of falling – and of sustaining a serious injury – rises with age, frailty, muscle weakness, osteoporosis and chronic illness.

“A fall may cause a hip fracture, head injury, bleeding or other fractures,” she added.

Dr Tan cautioned that its consequences frequently extend beyond the immediate injury.

“An older person may become afraid of falling again, reduce their activity, lose muscle strength and become increasingly dependent.

“Some never regain their previous mobility or independence,” she explained.

A first fall should be regarded as a warning sign warranting assessment, particularly if it is unexplained or results in injury, Dr Tan noted.

'CLICK TO ENLARGE'

“Anyone who develops loss of consciousness, confusion, severe headache, vomiting, weakness of an arm or leg, inability to stand, severe pain or a suspected fracture after a fall should receive urgent medical attention.

“People taking blood-thinning medication should also be assessed promptly following a head injury, even if they initially appear well,” she added.

Dr Tan also said medication such as sedatives, some antidepressants and certain blood-pressure medicines might cause drowsiness or a sudden drop in blood pressure.

“Eyesight, hearing, foot problems and footwear should also be assessed.”

Dehydration and medication side effects might also precipitate a fall, she said.

“Some falls result from heart rhythm abnormalities or fainting and should not automatically be blamed on ageing or clumsiness,” Dr Tan added.

ASLO READ: Never too late for stronger muscles and safer steps

“Mental and neurological factors are equally relevant. Dementia may affect judgement, attention and awareness of hazards.”

She said older folk should exercise regularly to improve muscle strength and balance, adding that this could include supervised strength training, balance exercises or tai chi.

“At home, carers can improve lighting, remove loose rugs and clutter, secure electrical cables, install grab rails in bathrooms, provide non-slip flooring and ensure frequently needed items are within easy reach,” Dr Tan advised.

“Walking aids must be correctly fitted and used consistently. Older people should not feel embarrassed about using a walking stick or frame.”

While Malaysia has made progress in public spaces, Dr Tan said it is not yet consistently age-friendly.

“Newer facilities may provide ramps, lifts and accessible toilets, but the routes leading to them may still contain broken or uneven pavements, poorly placed drains, slippery surfaces, inadequate lighting or missing handrails,” she said.

Association for Residential Aged Care Operators of Malaysia president Delren Terrence Douglas said many towns and cities are still not designed with the needs of senior citizens in mind, making everyday activities such as walking, shopping or visiting public parks unnecessarily difficult.

He said in some malls and parks, elderly people often have to keep walking despite feeling tired because there are few places to sit and rest.

“A shortage of benches, handrails and accessible ramps leaves many seniors struggling to complete even short journeys,” he added.

AI ecosystem to get new legal framework, a proposed solution for global AI governance

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 06:17:07 +0000

Governance Bill will not apply to personal use

PETALING JAYA: Artificial intelligence (AI) systems, the AI lifecycle, as well as AI developers and deployers, are set to be regulated under the proposed Artificial Intelligence Governance Bill.

However, the Bill will not apply to the personal use of AI or on matters of national security.

Intended to serve as a national legal framework for the safe, responsible and innovation-enabling use of AI, the law will apply to systems placed on the Malaysian market or put into service in Malaysia.

ALSO READ: Evolving AI could outpace regulation, warn experts

It will also apply to AI systems designed, developed or used here, as well as those used by deployers set up in Malaysia, regardless of where the systems are physically hosted.

The proposed AI Governance Act is guided by five key principles: protecting human dignity and rights, transparency and explainability, accountability, safety and security, and responsible data governance.

Together, these principles provide the foundation for the responsible development, deployment and use of AI systems, while promoting trustworthy AI, innovation and public confidence.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

According to the public consultation document released by the National AI Office (NAIO), the Bill will adopt a principle-based approach by setting out national AI Governance Principles to guide the responsible development, deployment and use of AI, with implementation supported through standards, guidelines and other instruments.

It also adopts a risk-based approach, with regulatory obligations proportionate to an AI system's level of risk, categorised into three levels: unacceptable, high and low.

This means that higher-risk systems will face stricter governance requirements while lower-risk applications will be subject to lighter obligations.

The risk framework is anchored on “harm”, which includes death, bodily injury, unlawful deprivation of fundamental liberty anchored to the Federal Constitution, and the contravention of any written law.

The Bill also categorise AI incidents to include failures, weaknesses, misuse, unexpected effects and near misses.

It will also require incidents to be reported, including the nature of the incident, its foreseeable harm, the containment measures taken, the root cause (where applicable), and the remediation actions implemented.

The Bill also proposes a central AI authority as the principal national body for AI governance, whose role will be to oversee and operate the national “baseline” principles and standards to strengthen the overall AI ecosystem by addressing gaps in capacity across sectors.

The authority will oversee AI safety by maintaining a risk framework, supervising assessments, supporting testing, developing incident reporting mechanisms and engaging in international technical cooperation.

It will also be responsible for investigations and enforcement, including technical fact-finding when AI incidents occur, determining what happened, identifying the systems and actors involved, as well as producing findings to support corrective actions.

In addition, it will carry out capacity-building functions for the public sector by developing guidance, templates, training and practical support for public authorities, regulators, AI sandbox operators or overseers, and regulated organisations to help them comply with the framework.

The authority may also appoint "Sectoral Leads", who will be delegated specific powers under the Bill to support the implementation of the framework, where they have the legal authority, technical expertise and governance capacity.

The proposed amendments in the document are not final and remain subject to further review and amendment.

Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said in June that the government will adopt a two-pronged approach by using existing laws to prosecute those who misuse content, while also drafting the AI Governance Bill to further strengthen prevention and accountability throughout the technology’s lifecycle.

He said the move is aimed at ensuring that risks posed by high-capability technologies such as deepfakes, synthetic content and identity manipulation can be addressed at an early stage.

Ultimately, according to the public consultation document, the Bill aims to set up a central oversight framework that works alongside existing sectoral regulators to enable coordinated governance while addressing industry-specific risks and operational needs.

“This will allow public bodies, including existing regulators, to collaborate within a common governance framework, while retaining the flexibility to address sector-specific risks and operational needs,” it said.

The NAIO will be launched tomorrow.

The dollar system and global economic imbalances, Crumbling dollar hegemony

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:00:30 +0000

Crumbling dollar hegemony.Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

By IF Watcher, International Financial NewsPublished: Jul 29, 2026 03:38 PMA narrative has gained traction in recent years that attributes global supply-demand mismatches, trade frictions and growing competitive pressures to expanding industrial supply in emerging markets, particularly what it describes as "China's industrial overcapacity". This argument reverses cause and effect and obscures the deeper issue: the structural flaws of an international monetary system built around the U.S. dollar's dominance.

At the most fundamental macroeconomic level, global imbalances are not primarily an industrial issue, but one rooted in monetary arrangements and balance-of-payments structures. Under the savings-investment identity, a country's current-account balance essentially mirrors the gap between domestic savings and investment. The long-standing global pattern in which deficit countries consume while surplus countries produce is not determined by differences in industrial capacity. It is built into the structure of the dollar-based system.

As the world's dominant reserve and settlement currency, the dollar is subject to the inescapable Triffin dilemma. The U.S. must run persistent current-account deficits to provide the dollar liquidity needed to support international trade, capital flows and foreign-exchange reserves. Much of the dollar-denominated assets accumulated by other countries then flows back into U.S. financial markets, particularly into U.S. Treasury securities. This continually lowers America's overall financing costs and supports persistent fiscal deficits and consumption beyond current means.

This cycle of exporting dollars, importing goods and recycling capital back into the U.S. lies at the heart of global imbalances. It has existed for decades and is not fundamentally linked to the rise of Chinese industry.

Claims that so-called "overcapacity" is disrupting global markets also reveal a clear double standard. The large and persistent trade surpluses generated by Germany's advanced manufacturing sector, Japan's auto industry and U.S. high-tech products are widely viewed as a reflection of international specialization. Yet China's export competitiveness, built on integrated industrial supply chains, cost advantages and technological advances, is characterized as a "market distortion". In reality, the ample supply seen in some Chinese industries stems from persistently weak global demand, shifts in global supply chains and industrialization efforts across countries. It is a consequence of global imbalances, not their cause.

Blaming systemic global imbalances on the industrial capacity of a single country is neither objective nor does it do much to address the problem. Suppressing supply, erecting trade barriers and forcing surplus countries to scale back industrial capacity would only accelerate the fragmentation of global supply chains and further weaken effective global demand.

Addressing the root causes of global economic imbalances requires far-reaching reform of the international financial order.

First, the international monetary system should be further diversified. The global economy should reduce its excessive reliance on a single sovereign currency by expanding the use of the euro, the renminbi and other currencies in cross-border settlement, investment, financing and reserve holdings. Broader use of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) should also be encouraged to support a more multipolar and balanced monetary system with greater risk diversification.

Second, mechanisms should be established to impose greater discipline on reserve-currency issuers. Global macroeconomic policy coordination should be strengthened to constrain unilateral and aggressive monetary and fiscal policies by major reserve-currency countries and reduce volatility in global capital flows and asset prices resulting from their spillover effects.

Third, the global financial governance architecture should be reformed. Voting shares and governance structures at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank should be reformed to give emerging markets and developing countries a greater voice. A fairer and more transparent framework for global debt governance and crisis response should also be established.

Fourth, cross-border payment and settlement systems should be diversified. A broader range of cross-border clearing arrangements should be developed to reduce the path dependence of global trade and investment on a single payment system and bolster the resilience of the global financial system.

Global economic imbalances reflect tensions accumulated over a century of globalization and the evolution of the international monetary system. Only by moving beyond the short-sighted approach of blaming supply and shifting responsibility, and by reforming the international financial system toward greater diversity, equality, stability and shared governance, can the world address the underlying pressures behind these imbalances and achieve more balanced and sustainable global economic growth.

Why digital asset fraud victims won’t sue

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:04:13 +0000

Photo by DUYET LE on Unsplash

A GUY placed an order for supplies on a foreign website and paid for them in bitcoins.

The shipment never came, he got locked out from his account, and the admin is uncontactable. He wants to sue but worries it’s a lot more hassle than it’s worth.

Disclaimer: What you’re about to read is not legal opinion. If you’re facing a similar transaction, get advice beforehand not after. Had he done this, he wouldn’t be here.

First, he was asked by a lawyer to choose the jurisdiction for his case to be heard, each with its own private laws and civil procedure, as he needs to establish geographic connections like where the goods are based, where the loss occurred, and where the parties are located.

Bitcoins live on the public blockchain that is operated by nearly 20,000 computer nodes scattered worldwide.

Unlike cloud storage where one can pinpoint specific physical server locations where data is kept, each node has a duplicate copy of the bitcoin ledger.

All of this is virtual, hence the paradox: ‘nowhere and everywhere’. Lawyers have a word for it: “omni-territorial”.

The bitcoin wallet he used to make the payment is a browser extension, which could be accessed wherever he’s at with an internet connection.

Same goes for the website domain, hosting service, and InterPlanetary File System gateway, which are foreign. How then is his location of loss determined?

He’s also unsure whether the interface is actually a decentralised application (dApp) that runs by itself. He could have been interacting with a bot all along i.e. there’s no one for him to sue.

Some dApps are set up as decentralised autonomous organisations (DAO); but most jurisdictions don’t recognise DAO as a legal person, which means it cannot enter contracts, own property, and sue or be sued.

So, he’s back to square one: ‘Random Victim vs Persons Unknown’.

Naturally he’d filed a police report. He heard about the recent Cybercrimes Bill which addresses extra-territorial concerns, but for now, time is his biggest enemy.

At this junction, he’d hired an expert to trace the movement of bitcoins in the recipient’s wallet address with a ‘blockchain explorer’ (search engine for crypto activity).

He was told they are parked at a digital asset exchange (DAX) registered to an island somewhere on the Indian Ocean.

He wants to seek urgent interim relief from the court to freeze the funds before they’re dissipated, like how it’s done for bank accounts.

But he only has a lead. He can’t even bring a fully pleaded claim since there’s no information about the name or address of the other party!

He has no choice but to compel the DAX to disclose the name of its customers, even though the DAX is probably just a transit point and an innocent third party who got mixed up in this.

To assist him with such discovery, the court may grant free-standing information orders but they are highly discretionary and rarely used in foreign proceedings; and this is assuming there’s a strong cause of action for the court to assert jurisdiction on his claim.

Then there are service issues, i.e. proper delivery of court documents to the unknown defendant. Some judges allow serving directly to the wallet address with a non-fungible token ( T) that contains hyperlinks to the lawsuit.

But this isn’t always reliable, as the address is anonymous and can only be accurately linked to a human owner if the DAX has verified updated records.

To paraphrase an analogy from Lord Sumption (former Justice of UK Supreme Court): a hit-and-run driver who cannot be identified does not subsequently become identified simply because an T has been nailed to a tree near the scene of crime!

Let’s say he finally gets his way in court, he could still face obstacles with the judgment – will the foreign court recognise it, how to enforce it, are the funds already gone?

Truth be told, there’s a ‘silent majority’ crisis: studies show that 78% of crypto crimes are never escalated to the authorities. Of those that do, just US$1 is recovered for every US$65 lost, though it depends on fraud type and response time (93% don’t even report within 24 hours!).

Less than 6% consult a lawyer, and even far less would end up with civil litigation.

Most victims don’t seek recourse unless the amount of loss is huge because they feel that the legal process is expensive, slow and complex; and is largely designed for prosecution rather than compensation or refund.

But this perpetuates a vicious cycle: there’d be insufficient data points for investigators to develop typologies and for public interest groups to push reform, and courts won’t have the right cases to rule on for precedent – while fraudsters out there continue to get bolder without reprisal.

In the end he decides not to sue. Sorry, there are no heroes in this story.

By Edmund Yong is a director of the Generative AI Association of Malaysia and ambassador of the Global Blockchain Business Council founded in Davos.

TCM making global moves from clinic counters into everyday life, No longer just an exotic alternative

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:29:08 +0000

Right dose: A pharmacist preparing Chinese herbal medicine for a patient in Qianmen, Beijing. — Xinhua

In the heart of Germany, a traditional Chinese herbal product has secured a lasting place on the shelves of the renowned Bahnhof-Apotheke pharmacy chain for over six years, with nearly 200,000 bottles of Shufeng Jiedu granules sold to date.

Priced at €39.90 (RM186) per bottle, this respiratory relief formula is among more than a dozen products from Anhui Jiren Pharmaceutical Co Ltd in eastern China, exemplifying the global journey of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

This journey is no longer limited to classic remedies stored behind pharmacy counters.

Since last year, a “Four Seasons Tea” based on TCM principles has been offered not only in German pharmacies but also on the menu of a tea house in Hamburg, serving as a daily wellness supplement.

Behind the scenes: A staff member working at a plant of the Tianjin Pharmaceutical Da Ren Tang Group Co Ltd in Tianjin. — Xinhua

“From treatment to wellness, we seek to integrate TCM’s health-preserving culture into the daily lives of Europeans,” said Zhu Qiang, deputy general manager of Anhui Jiren Pharmaceutical.

Once regarded as an exotic alternative, TCM is now expanding its global presence and joining the worldwide conversation on health and lifestyle.

To progress from cultural curiosity to global acceptance, TCM first had to tackle a fundamental challenge: making the “inexplicable” explicable.

The empirical nature of TCM, coupled with the complexity of herbal formulas, has long puzzled international regulators and scientists.

For instance, the same herb may either promote or stanch blood flow, depending on its combination with other ingredients.

The response has been a systematic drive towards standardisation.

China has facilitated the establishment of a technical committee under the International Organization for Standardization, which has so far issued over 100 international standards for TCM.

Pioneering institutions have also played a key role.

For example, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine has led the creation of the world’s first international educational standard for TCM undergraduate programmes.

On the corporate front, major Chinese pharmaceutical companies have diligently pursued international certifications.

Tianjin Pharmaceutical Da Ren Tang Group Co Ltd has obtained certifications recognised in Australia and Japan.

As early as 1997, its product Suxiao Jiuxin Pills, a compound emergency medicine for heart attacks, was successfully registered as a prescription drug in Russia.

Anhui Jiren Pharmaceutical entered the European market in 2018, and 193 of its TCM granule varieties have passed official German quality inspections and are available in the EU market.

“We are exploring new approaches to bring more products to the global market, including strengthening ties with overseas research institutions to prove TCM’s efficacy with scientific evidence,” Zhu Qiang said.

Data from China’s National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine showed that TCM is now practised in 196 countries and regions.

China has also signed TCM cooperation agreements with over 40 foreign governments and international organisations.

Beyond documentation, transformation is underway on factory floors and in research labs, where intelligent technology is decoding herbal wisdom and demonstrating its mechanisms through data.

At the digitalised workshop in a Tianjin Pharmaceutical Da Ren Tang plant, Suxiao Jiuxin Pills roll off automated production lines. Each bottle carries a QR code that allows consumers to trace the medicine’s journey – from the specific herb plantation to every step of processing, storage and quality control.

“We use digital control to tackle the pain point of batch-to-batch variation in herbal products, ensuring both efficacy and stability,” explained Li Hongjiang, the plant’s production deputy general manager.

The upcoming new generation intelligent workshop, with an investment exceeding 300 million yuan (RM181mil), will use near-infrared spectroscopy and visual inspection systems to further enhance precision, Li added.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is also scaling up TCM production.

Remedy for all: People visiting a museum on traditional Chinese medicine in Tianjin. — Xinhua

In 2024, Tianjin-headquartered Tasly Pharma, in collaboration with Huawei Cloud, launched a TCM large language model.

Trained on a massive corpus of classical texts and clinical data, it assists in formula optimisation, mechanism explanation and the discovery of new clinical applications.

Similarly, a large model was jointly developed last year by organisations including the National SuperComputer Center in Tianjin and Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, encompassing knowledge from over 20 TCM clinical disciplines.

“AI can synthesise the vast empirical knowledge recorded in ancient TCM texts, thereby supporting the standardisation of TCM practice,” said Guo Yi, vice-president of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The ultimate test of TCM’s global integration lies not only in clinics but also in its seamless adoption into daily life.

This is evident in the growing trend among young Chinese who are embracing TCM-inspired beverages, foods and physical exercises.

Meanwhile, Chinese companies are also actively introducing TCM as a modern lifestyle choice worldwide.

Anhui Jiren Pharmaceutical’s Four Seasons Tea in Germany is a prime example. Each product in the series adapts its herbal composition to a specific season. Marketed as a food supplement, it lets consumers embrace TCM’s concept of seasonal wellness through a simple and enjoyable daily ritual.

Educational and experiential platforms amplify this soft power.

Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine has been promoting TCM culture overseas through platforms such as Confucius Institutes.

Meanwhile, Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine Co Ltd operates museums both in China and abroad to showcase the history, culture, products and services of TCM.

TCM is also merging with tourism to boost its global appeal.

In the southern island province of Hainan, the Sanya Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine has designed customised treatment plans for foreign clients, offering services such as acupuncture, massage, herbal baths, medicinal cuisine and weight management services.

Konstantin, a Russian engineer, brought his parents to the hospital for therapies such as acupuncture.

“The techniques combined with Sanya’s warm climate greatly alleviate neck and lumbar pain,” he said.

Some community-based institutions in Hainan have also created one-stop “wellness communities” for international tourists by integrating residential environments, health services and healing therapies.

“With a history spanning thousands of years, TCM embodies profound wisdom and unique insights,” said Zhang Boli, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering and an expert in TCM.

“As TCM continues to evolve and innovate while actively engaging with the global community, its value will be recognised by more people worldwide, contributing Chinese wisdom to the advancement of human health.” — Xinhua

Push to strengthen Mandarin skills amid China’s growing influence

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:57:39 +0000

For a good cause: (Eighth from left) Chong, Liow, Chan and Liew cutting a cake together alongside event committee members during the fundraising dinner and 10th anniversary celebration of SJK(C) Bukit Serdang at Wisma Huazong in Seri Kembangan. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star

Chan: Proficiency key amid China’s growing influence

SERI KEMBANGAN: Mastering Mandarin is important as China is already leading the world in various sectors while leveraging the language’s global influence, says Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology board of governors chairman Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy.

The former transport minister urged Malaysian leaders to have the foresight to continue supporting Chinese education in the country.

“There are already about 80 countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia and South Korea, that have incorporated Mandarin into their education systems.

“Researchers have also predicted that Mandarin may one day replace English as the world’s most important language.

“Hence, I hope Malaysian leaders will have the vision and be open-minded in upholding Chinese education.

“It should no longer be viewed as a racial issue, but a national issue,” Chan said during the fundraising dinner and 10th anniversary celebration of SJK(C) Bukit Serdang at Wisma Huazong on Saturday.

The dinner, attended by about 1,500 guests, raised RM3,066,888 for the construction of a new four-storey block that will house 12 additional classrooms.

Also present was the school’s board of governors chairman Datuk Liew Yuen Keong, who said the new school block was needed to accommodate the more than 3,500 students expected to enrol in the school next year.

“SJK(C) Bukit Serdang has come a long way since its establishment in 2015. We started with 197 students and now have 1,265, making us one of the fastest-growing schools in Selangor,” he said.

Liew added that the Subang Jaya City Council approved the building plans for the new block on July 16.

“I hope construction can begin by the end of this year or early next year so that the new block will be ready for use in 2028,” he said.

Also present were MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon and former MCA president Tan Sri Liow Tiong Lai.

M’sia-made vaccine for humans throughh technology transfer from China

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:15:30 +0000

PCV13 may be produced locally as early as 2028

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is set to produce its first locally made human vaccine as early as 2028, marking a major step towards reducing reliance on imported vaccines and strengthening the country’s health security.

The 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, or PCV13, is an injection that protects against 13 types of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria which cause serious illnesses like pneumonia and meningitis.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Chang Lih Kang told The Star that the vaccine is being produced through technology transfer, marking a step towards reducing Malaysia’s dependence on imported vaccines.

The local company involved in the manufacturing of the vaccine is Pharmaniaga Bhd, with technology transfer from a company in China.

At present, Malaysia imports all its vaccines which are sourced from countries such as the United States, France, Belgium, Japan, South Korea, India, Thailand and Indonesia.

In the interview with The Star, Chang said local production of PCV13 would help strengthen Malaysia’s preparedness for future health crises and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers in the long run.

Chang: The vaccine is being produced through technology transfer from a company in China.

He said the Covid-19 pandemic had shown the risks of not having domestic capability in critical technologies such as vaccines.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic, vaccine was something very important. But we didn’t have the capability to develop human vaccine, so we had to rely on other countries,” he said.

“When you rely on other countries, they will decide when to deliver the vaccine to us and they will decide what price they want to sell to us. So it becomes an issue, especially when a crisis happens,” he added.

Chang said this was why Malaysia must strengthen its technology sovereignty, particularly in areas that are critical during emergencies.

“Our target is to possess the capability to develop human vaccine by 2030. But we might achieve it earlier, in 2028,” he said.

He added that Malaysia is currently working on two vaccine-related developments, including a hexavalent vaccine for children.

'CLICK TO ENLARGE'

Eight actions to take for a healthy heart

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 14:09:42 +0000

This visual is human-created, AI-aided

I recently heard about this term “Life’s Essential Eight”. What is it and how does it matter in our lives?

Life’s Essential Eight was coined by the American Heart Association (AHA).

They comprise eight key measures to improve and maintain your heart and general cardiovascular health.

This means these eight practices will help lower your risk for heart disease, stroke and other major health issues.

Really? Then what are these eight factors? I would like to see if it is possible for me to do all of them.

Spoken like most of us!

You don’t need to eat “special” foods like what so many companies and labels are trying to sell you.

The first essential factor is eating better.

The key to eating is the balance of ordinary foods you consume.

You don’t need to eat “special” foods like what so many companies and labels are trying to sell you.

Vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes and whole grains should be at the top of your list to eat every day.

You should also eat plenty of lean animal proteins like chicken (without the skin), fish and seafood, and plant-based proteins like beans, lentils and tofu.

You should drink plenty of water throughout the day, and not only when you are thirsty.

If you like coffee or tea, try to drink it without sugar.

For cardiovascular health, you should avoid anything processed, fatty foods and salty food.

Fat because it can lead to atherosclerosis, i.e. plaques in your blood vessels that can grow large enough to block the blood vessel.

Salt because it can worsen your high blood pressure.

The AHA also suggests that we cook more at home rather than eating out, so that we can control what we eat.

We should also watch our portion size so that we don’t overeat.

I knew my eating was going to be a major factor. Sigh. OK, let me guess, exercise is the second?

Yes.

The AHA recommends either 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week.

Moderate activity includes brisk walking, dancing, breast stroke in swimming and Zumba.

Vigorous activity includes running, hiking, swimming styles other than breast stroke, and vigorous dancing.

Strength training is not aerobic activity and should be done twice a week for at least 1.5 hours separately.

The idea is movement more than exercise.

Modern people spend too much time sitting still at the work desk or at home watching TV.

If we aim to get up and move every 20 minutes, even if it is a walk to the kitchen to drink water, it is far better than being still for hours straight.

Note that you don’t feel very energised if you don’t move anyway.

I get that diet and exercise are going to be part of any heart health advice. What are the other six?

You definitely have to quit smoking or any other form of tobacco.

Another big lifestyle factor is to get adequate sleep.

Sleep is an essential component of cardiovascular health because sleep gives you better brain function (alertness, focus, decision-making, memory, problem-solving), and improved mood and energy.

Sleep also boosts your immune system and allows your body to heal and repair its damaged cells and tissues.

You, as an adult, need about seven to nine hours of sleep a night.

If you don’t get enough sleep, after a while, you will be more at risk for all kinds of diseases like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.

To get good sleep, it is important to go to bed at the same time every night so that you can wake up the same time every morning.

This regulates your body’s circadian rhythm.

In this modern age, avoid all sorts of stimulating activity (like video games) and blue light from your phone and computer before you sleep.

Use a filter if you have to.

What are the last four essential things?

So far, we have talked about lifestyle factors, meaning things completely – more or less – within your control.

Another lifestyle factor is not getting obese.

This is also mostly within your control, especially if you control what you eat and exercise regularly.

You can calculate your body mass index (BMI) with this formula: BMI = Your weight (in kilogrammes)/Your height x your height (in metres)

Your BMI should not be over 25 or less than 18.5.

So the eight essential factors are all within my control?

Not all.

The sixth, seventh and eighth factors are controlling your blood cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.

High blood cholesterol is only partially within your control as genetic factors play a lot into whether or not you develop this condition.

So are diabetes and high blood pressure.

You can eat smart and exercise right all your life and still develop these diseases simply because of the combination of your genes and body type.

However, if you do essential items number one to five, you would be able to lower the risk of number six to eight to some degree at least.

For the rest of it, you will have to see a doctor and be prescribed pills to manage them.

by Dr YLM graduated as a medical doctor, and has been writing for many years on various subjects such as medicine, health, computers and entertainment. For further information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Neither The Star nor the author gives any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star and the author disclaim all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.

A proposed solution for global AI governance

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 08:03:35 +0000

Photo: Filepic/Reuters

AT the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance (July 17 to 20 in China), international participants across sectors widely applauded the keynote address delivered by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The speech focused on China’s governance philosophy of prioritising AI risk prevention and control while advancing secure, controllable, and well-ordered development.

The advent of AI has been followed by mounting challenges such as ethical disputes, security vulnerabilities, regulatory disparities, and geopolitical contention that are shared concerns for all nations.

The current global AI ecosystem remains complex and uncertain as industrial and regulatory policies evolve, and some countries erect exclusive technological barriers, even suspending domestic R&D of cutting-edge AI models at will.

Against the backdrop of rapid technological competition and proliferating risks, the world urgently requires an inclusive, actionable, and universally accessible governance framework that strikes a balance between AI development and risk control. China’s governance concepts and practical solutions precisely respond to these core global demands.

China’s AI governance propositions have earned extensive recognition and positive feedback from global public opinion and international communities.

Reuters highlighted key governance principles such as human-centric oversight, proactive risk early warning and sound emergency response mechanisms, while Nature magazine has called on global stakeholders to engage actively in the multilateral governance framework championed by China.

StarPUN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has publicly endorsed China’s propositions, affirming its core vision of advancing benevolent, inclusive, secure and accountable AI development.

In addition, multiple heads of state and government have expressed approval of a cooperation model that breaks away from zero-sum mentalities and geopolitical confrontation – AI should serve as a bridge for global connectivity and collaboration, rather than a technological divide splitting the world into blocs.

Leading global industry practitioners have also remarked that China’s governance practices clear obstacles to the healthy growth of the global AI industry, enabling all countries and humanity as a whole to reap the benefits of the intelligent era.

At its core, China’s model is offering the world not merely standalone governance concepts and security commitments but a systematic, actionable and equitable global public goods package for AI governance that balances efficiency and fairness.

In rule-setting, China spearheaded the release of the Global AI Governance Initiative and facilitated the consensus adoption of relevant AI governance resolutions at the UN General Assembly, establishing a foundational framework for global AI governance.

In inclusive development, China has pledged to provide 5,000 specialised AI training opportunities for developing countries over the next five years, helping emerging economies bridge their technological and talent gaps.

In risk governance practice, the Mazu intelligent early warning system developed by China has been deployed in 30 countries, providing a replicable model for global AI risk prevention and control.

Hosted by the conference, the World Organisation for AI Governance – the world’s first intergovernmental AI body – was officially inaugurated in Shanghai with 29 founding members, marking the initial establishment of a multilateral collaborative governance mechanism.

It is important to consistently uphold the principles of open source, transparency, joint development and shared benefits. In this regard, the large-scale, open-source AI model released by Chinese enterprises during the conference embodies a rejection of technological monopolies and a dedication to open cooperation.

This is an example of the core logic of China’s governance approach: advancing development alongside security and standardisation alongside inclusiveness.

“AI development should not be a solo performance by any single country, but a symphony of global cooperation.”

Global AI governance is currently at a pivotal stage of rule- reshaping and institutional restructuring, where competing governance models, development paths and value systems coexist, creating an urgent need for a stable, fair and inclusive global governance regime.

China’s sustained, pragmatic and open governance practices have proven that high-quality AI development hinges on secure and controllable progress. Only by integrating risk governance into the entire process of technological R&D, industrial application and international cooperation can intelligent technologies transcend national boundaries, mitigate geopolitical disruptions, and deliver shared prosperity for all humanity.

For Global South countries in particular, China’s governance solutions and cooperation models offer a more viable, stable and inclusive development alternative, supporting all nations in participating equally in the intelligent era and sharing in technological progress.

DING JIE

Director

International Relations Center

Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies

Xi Jinping: We must shape the values of AI with humanity's ... YouTube · CGTN 570+ views 0:46 Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday stressed that AI development and its application should not erode or undermine the diversity of world ...

YouTube · DWS News 1.1K+ views · 19:16 Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered the keynote address … called for stronger international AI governance

Seven healthy foods for your brain

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 13:05:54 +0000

Photo: Magnific

These different foods have different properties and compounds that can enhance brain health in different ways.

New research suggests that a structured programme that combines regular exercise with a brain-friendly diet may help improve memory and thinking skills in older adults who are at a higher risk of dementia.

The two-year study followed more than 1,000 adults aged between 60-77 across 11 Latin American countries who had risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or smoking.

Half the participants completed supervised exercise four times a week, received personalised brain-healthy nutrition advice and took part in cognitive training, social activities and regular health monitoring.

The comparison group, meanwhile, received general health advice and attended four one-hour meetings over the two years.

Researchers found that those following the structured programme performed better in cognition, episodic memory, executive function and procession speed tests, suggesting that lifestyle changes may help protect cognitive health.

Here are their top seven recommendations:

1. Brazil nuts

Make nuts your new go-to brain-boosting snack.

“Healthy fats give brain cells structure and function, so I would recommend adding nuts to your shopping list,” suggests British dietitian Lesley Reid.

She recommends Brazil nuts in particular, because as well as containing all the healthy fats, they are also rich in selenium, which is a powerful antioxidant that is great for the brain.

“Have no more than three Brazil nuts per day because they’re pretty powerful,” she advises.

“Have them raw as a snack, or chop them up and mix them through a yoghurt.”

2. Chickpeas

Getting enough protein is also vital for brain health.

“We want to make sure we eat enough good protein sources because proteins are broken down into amino acids, and amino acids are the building blocks of all our cells,” explains Reid.

She adds that amino acids play a particularly important role in neurotransmitters, which make connections in the brain.

Many people think of protein shakes, meat and eggs when it comes to protein, but chickpeas are a great underrated source.

“Tins of chickpeas are a really good source of protein which are pretty cheap,” she says.

“You could roast them, add them to a salad, or blend them up and make them into a hummus to have with bread or as a dip with vegetables.”

3. Blueberries

“One colour of the rainbow that we are often missing from our diet is dark purple, and purple foods like blueberries are another great thing to add to your shopping list,” says Reid.

Blueberries are bursting full with brain-boosting properties, including flavonoids such as anthocyanins and quercetin.

“Research suggests that anthocyanins reduce brain inflammation, stimulate the growth of new brain cells and improve blood flow to the areas responsible for memory and focus,” says British nutritionist Priya Kannath.

“In addition, quercetin is a natural anti-inflammatory compound that helps protect brain cells from damage caused by everyday oxidative stress.”

Frozen blueberries are great because they last much longer than fresh ones.

“You can add them into smoothies, have them with porridge or blitz them with some yoghurt,” she recommends.

4. Green leafy vegetables

“Green leafy vegetables, such as kale and spinach, are rich in magnesium, high in B vitamins and are really good at supporting your energy production and nervous system function,” says Reid.

“They are also very high in vitamin C and offer that antioxidant protection, so are really good for brain function.”

Leafy greens are incredibly versatile and can be incorporated into your diet in many different ways.

“You could steam them, add them into curries, soups and casserole dishes.

“You could also add them into a quiche or into a green smoothie,” suggests Kannath.

5. Oily fish

“Research suggests that higher omega-3 intake has been linked to lower levels of beta amyloid proteins that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease,” says Kannath.

She notes that oily fish, such as sardines and salmon, are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids.

“I would recommend aiming for at least two portions of oily fish a week to get that omega-3 support,” she suggests.

“Canned fish is particularly great because it contains the softened bones of the fish, which will give an extra boost of vitamin D and calcium.

“However, if you prefer buying fresh or frozen fish, you could bake it, make a curry or grill it.”

6. Dark chocolate

“The more cocoa dark chocolate contains, the better it is,” says Kannath.

“Dark chocolate contains flavonoids – such as epicatechin, catechins and procyanidins – that can support cognitive function and also improve the blood flow to the brain.”

She recommends choosing a dark chocolate that is at least 70% cocoa.

“l would recommend eating a square of dark chocolate a day after your evening meal,” she says.

7. Extra virgin olive oil

“Extra virgin olive oil contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help support vascular health which is central to brain health,” says Kannath.

“I would recommend drizzling a little bit of extra virgin olive oil over a salad.” – PA Media/dpa

Human judgment still matters in real estate

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 07:37:25 +0000

AI speeds and eases workload but not infallible

Contributed by Sulaiman Saheh

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the way professionals across various industries access information, analyse data and make decisions. In Malaysia, the government is entering a new phase of its AI agenda by shifting its focus from building digital infrastructure to accelerating AI adoption across businesses, public services and everyday professional practice. This national push is aimed at strengthening productivity, enhancing economic competitiveness and increasing the digital economy's contribution to gross domestic product (GDP).

With the National AI Office set to be institutionalised as the central body coordinating AI strategy and governance in July 2026, AI is expected to become increasingly embedded across industries, including real estate. From property valuation and investment analysis to customer engagement and management of buildings, AI is offering new levels of speed, efficiency and analytical capability. While these technological advancements present significant opportunities, it is also important to appreciate the intrinsic workings of AI-generated solutions and the different contexts where it flourishes and where caution is due, especially with the early stages of AI adoption in uncharted territories. This is where one has to closely examine the continuing role of human expertise, professional judgment and critical thinking, particularly when it comes to deriving decisions for implementation in the reality of real estate investments and developments.

Why the excitement?

One of the reasons AI has generated so much excitement is its ability to process vast amounts of information in a fraction of the time required by humans. The real estate sector produces enormous volumes of data every day. Transaction records, rental rates, occupancy levels, demographic trends, economic indicators and development pipelines all contribute to a complex and constantly evolving market environment. AI systems can rapidly analyse these datasets, identify patterns and generate insights that would otherwise require considerable time and effort. For real estate professionals, this translates into greater efficiency, faster decision-making and improved productivity.

AI can also help reduce human errors in repetitive administrative tasks. Data entry, report generation, document review and customer enquiries can be streamlined through AI-powered tools. In a market where speed often matters, such efficiency gains can enhance service quality and allow practitioners to focus on higher-value activities. Property agencies can use AI-driven chatbots to respond to customer enquiries around the clock while researchers and analysts can leverage AI to identify emerging market trends and produce preliminary assessments more quickly than before.

AI's greatest weakness

Despite its impressive capabilities, AI is far from infallible. One of its greatest weaknesses lies in its dependence on data quality, programming transparency and user instructions or prompters. An AI system can only produce results based on the information it is given. If the data is incomplete, outdated, inaccurate or biased, the resulting analysis may also be flawed. This is particularly relevant in the real estate industry where data quality varies significantly across locations and market segments. In Malaysia, while transparency has improved over the years, certain market information remains fragmented or unavailable. Not all property transactions, buyer motivations or local market dynamics can be fully captured in databases. As a result, AI-generated conclusions may not always reflect the realities on the ground.

Furthermore, real estate is not solely a numbers-driven industry. Property decisions are influenced by factors that are often difficult to quantify. Human emotions, cultural preferences, community perceptions, lifestyle considerations and personal circumstances frequently shape purchasing decisions. A neighbourhood's reputation, the quality of nearby schools, accessibility to places of worship, future infrastructure developments and local community characteristics may significantly affect property values and buyer behaviour. While AI can identify statistical correlations, it may struggle to understand the nuances that experienced practitioners recognise through years of market exposure and local knowledge.

Challenges in diversity

This limitation is particularly relevant in Malaysia's diverse property landscape. Market behaviour in central Kuala Lumpur may differ substantially from Johor Bahru, Chemor or other cities and towns across the nation. Even within the same city, two seemingly similar developments may perform differently due to factors that are not immediately visible in historical datasets. Local market sentiment, developer reputation, community demographics and buyer confidence often play a larger role than many analytical models can adequately capture. Though there had been increased efforts for data gathering and quantification of sociological parameters, human professionals are often needed to interpret these subtleties and place data within its proper context.

Another concern that deserves attention is the growing tendency to place excessive trust in AI-generated outputs. Modern AI systems are capable of producing reports, analyses and recommendations that appear highly convincing. However, confidence should not be mistaken for accuracy. AI can generate information that sounds plausible but is factually inaccurate, incomplete or unsupported by reliable evidence. In recent years, this phenomenon has become widely recognised as one of the major limitations of generative AI technologies. If users fail to verify the information provided, there is a risk that inaccurate assumptions may be incorporated into important business decisions.

Perhaps the more subtle and potentially dangerous consequence of heavy AI reliance is its impact on human critical thinking. Professional competence is built not only on knowledge but also on the ability to question, evaluate and challenge information. In the practice of real estate professional advisory services, practitioners are expected to assess the reliability of data, identify anomalies and consider alternative interpretations before arriving at conclusions. When AI becomes the primary source of analysis, there is a risk that practitioners may gradually become less inclined to exercise independent judgments.

Over time, excessive dependence on AI may encourage a culture of passive acceptance rather than active inquiry. Instead of asking whether the data is complete, whether assumptions are reasonable or whether alternative explanations exist, individuals may simply accept AI-generated outputs at face value. This phenomenon can lead to what may be described as automation bias or even an epistemic complacency where users consciously or unconsciously choose not to scrutinise information because doing so requires additional effort. In such situations, errors may go undetected not because the technology failed but because humans failed to critically evaluate the technology's conclusions.

The human touch

The human element remains one of the most valuable aspects of professional real estate practice. Property transactions are among the most significant financial decisions many individuals will make during their lifetime. Buyers, sellers, investors and occupiers often seek more than just information; they seek reassurance, guidance and professional judgment. Trust is built through relationships, communication and credibility. These qualities cannot be replicated by algorithms alone.

A professional – be it in real estate or any other industry - does more than analyse data. They interpret market conditions, assess risks, consider broader economic implications and provide recommendations that account for unique circumstances. Experience enables professionals to recognise emerging patterns before they become visible in historical datasets. Judgment allows them to balance quantitative analysis with qualitative considerations. Ethics guide them in acting responsibly when data alone may not provide clear answers. These are inherently human capabilities that remain essential and relevant while being complemented by the technological advancements seen in AI and other technologies.

There is little doubt that AI will continue to evolve and become more sophisticated in the years ahead. But as the real estate industry embraces digital transformation, we must remain mindful that technology is a tool, not a substitute for expertise and the responsibility for making informed decisions must continue to rest with qualified and trained professionals who must continue to learn, unlearn and relearn as technology evolves, rather than blindly relying solely on artificial intelligence programmes.

Sulaiman Saheh is the senior director of research and consultancy services at Rahim & Co Chestertons, a global real estate agency.

Here's how to dine on durian wisely

noreply@blogger.com (righways) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 07:33:34 +0000

It’s hard to stop at just a few pieces of durian, but if you keep going, it can easily add up to another entire meal’s worth of calories. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

Two durian pieces fine, 15 equal to a meal, says dietitian

When durian season arrives, many Malaysians do not eat durian like fruit, they consume it like a feast.

If six apples were placed on the table, most people would not finish all six at one sitting.

The same goes for eight oranges or 10 bananas, for example.

But when it comes to durian, “just one more piece” can easily become 10, 15, or even 20 pieces (or seeds), before anyone realises it.

The issue is not that durian is “bad”. The real issue is portion size.

After 15 pieces

A recent personal observation using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) showed how much portion size can matter.

A CGM is a small sensor that tracks glucose levels throughout the day.

Before eating the durian, the glucose reading was 4.9 mmol/L.

After consuming 15 pieces of durian, the reading rose to 8.0 mmol/L within an hour.

It peaked at 9.1 mmol/L after about 90 minutes before gradually coming down over the next few hours.

If blood glucose had only been checked before eating and two hours after eating, the result may not have looked alarming.

But the CGM showed the full journey: how high the glucose climbed, how long it stayed elevated, and how much work the body had to do to bring it back down.

This was only an individual observation, not a clinical study, and glucose response can differ from person to person.

However, it is a useful reminder that blood glucose response is not only about the type of food we eat, but also about the total portion we consume.

The glucose did not rise because of one piece; every extra piece contributed to the total glucose load the body had to manage.

Each piece of durian adds more carbohydrate for the body to process.

The body then releases insulin to help move glucose from the bloodstream into the muscles and liver to be used or stored as energy.

When calorie intake repeatedly exceeds what the body needs, the excess energy may contribute to weight gain over time.

Every additional piece means more glucose to manage, more insulin to release and more calories to handle.

Durian nutrients

An average piece of durian, weighing about 27g, contains approximately 45 kcal and 8g of carbohydrate.

At the same time, durian also provides dietary fibre, potassium, vitamins B and C, and beneficial antioxidants.

In other words, durian is still a fruit that provides good nutrients.

Like every other fruit, it has a recommended serving size.

Malaysians are generally encouraged to consume two servings of fruit daily, and durian can fit into this recommendation when eaten in the right portion.

For example, one serving of fruit looks like this:

One medium apple
One small banana
One medium orange
One slice of papaya
Two average-sized pieces of durian.

Two average-sized pieces of durian provide about 90 kcal and 16g of carbohydrates.

This can still be considered a moderate-sized snack portion.

That is why two average-sized pieces of durian can be considered one serving of fruit.

‘Just one more piece’

The current cheaper prices of durian makes it even harder to limit consumption for durian lovers. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

The problem is not consuming the two pieces of durian; the problem is that durian is rarely limited to just two pieces.

Below are the amount of calories and carbohydrates for different amounts of durian:

One piece: 45 kcal and 8g
Five pieces: 225 kcal and 40g
10 pieces: 450 kcal and 80g
15 pieces: 675 kcal and 120g.

For comparison, a typical Malaysian lunch or dinner may provide around 500 kcal and 60g of carbohydrate, depending on food choices and portion size.

Now, imagine enjoying 10, or even 15, pieces of durian.

Without realising it, those “just one more piece” moments can quietly add another entire meal’s worth of calories and carbohydrates to your daily food intake.

Durian is generally considered a low to medium glycaemic index (GI) fruit.

Because of this, some people may assume it can be eaten freely.

ALSO READ: Understanding the glycaemic index

However, the glycaemic index of a food is only one part of the picture.

The bigger concern during durian season is glycaemic load, which refers to the total amount of carbohydrates consumed.

One or two pieces may be manageable for many people.

But 10 or 15 pieces create a much higher glucose load for the body to manage.

This is especially important for people living with diabetes, prediabetes, insulin resistance, weight concerns or a family history of diabetes.

Eat wisely

Still, Malaysians do not need to avoid durian completely.

Food should not be about fear; durian can still be enjoyed.

The key is to enjoy it with better awareness and a more mindful portion, especially when it is eaten after a full meal:

Keep to about two average- sized pieces as one fruit serving.
Avoid eating a large amount of durian immediately after a heavy rice-based meal.
Share with family or friends instead of finishing one box or fruit alone.
Eat slowly and enjoy the taste, instead of turning it into a challenge.

For people with diabetes, prediabetes or other health concerns, monitoring your blood glucose response and seeking personalised advice from a dietitian or healthcare professional can help support better food choices.

Durian season is something many Malaysians look forward to.

The goal is not to stop people from enjoying durian, but to help everyone enjoy it with better awareness.

Khoo Wei Jin is a dietitian at Alpro Pharmacy. For more information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and should not be considered as medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this article. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.

Rightways

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