Over the last 20 years or so, Southeast Asia and the larger Pacific region have become known for having some of the premier casino resort areas in the entire world. While Las Vegas in the United States may still be king in this regard, some of the most luxurious casino…
Tourists have enjoyed spotting the rare birds and migratory fowl of Penang’s mangrove forests and mud flats for some time, but most ecotourism in Penang has been focused on the island section of the state. Penang’s Chief Minister is now hoping to promote more tourism like this on Mainland Penang….
Buses emit 80% less carbon monoxide per passenger mile than a single-occupant auto. Bus related accidents have one-twentieth the passenger fatality rates of automobile accidents. Car accidents kill 40,000 people per year (and pollution kills just as many). And riding the bus relieves stress and improves health. These facts and…
Facilities and amenities at national parks in the Malaysian state of Sarawak are about to get an upgrade. The move continues a statewide push to attract more tourism in 2016, and will highlight the region’s natural beauty for visitors from around the world. The Malaysian state of Sarawak has long been…
The Maroon Langur, also known as the Maroon leaf monkey, is a threatened primate species endemic to the island of Borneo. Of medium size and rusty red color, they swing from tree to tree feeding on leaves, seeds and fruits. Their appetites are quite exploratory – they may sample more…
By She Mei Tan It is exciting and yet depressing when news headlines are splashed with the success of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)’s seizure of logs worth RM600,000, its raids of 48 log ponds, sawmills and business premises, and its freezing of 375 bank accounts belonging to individuals and…
A long list of sackings, arrests and detainments by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak and his UMNO party have cast doubt on the government’s willingness to honor freedom of speech. With government officials and outspoken citizens alike being fired or jailed for airing their opinions, the outlook for Malaysia’s democracy…
When people think of the Malaysian wilderness, they likely imagine dense jungles, picturesque islands, beautiful white sand beaches and colorful coral reefs. These are defining characteristics of the natural environment in Malaysia and should be celebrated and protected, but so should another vitally important and somewhat lesser-known landscape – wetlands….
In yet another example of Malaysia being caught between a rock and a hard place when it comes to sustainability, plans for the controversial Kaiduan Dam were just approved. The Kaiduan Dam is planned for construction on the Papar River in Sabah, a Malaysian state facing a looming water crisis. …
One might think first of jungles, oceans and islands when picturing Malaysia’s varied wilderness, but one of the most critical and widespread habitats in the country are actually its wetlands. Unique amongst other landscapes, wetlands act as filtration systems and provide stability for many different ecosystems – but just like…
Malaysia’s first-ever environmental magazine is here (has been for a few years) – and it’s available for free, around the world. EcoMalaysia is an online magazine focused on all things green in Malaysia. Wildlife conservation, Eco Education, sustainable shopping, environmental NGOs, Eco Transport – all these topics and more are…
After months of suffering from intense industrial pollution, the residents of Pahang – Malaysia’s unofficial bauxite mining capital – could be looking at some relief. The Malaysian Federal Government agreed on November 16 to suggest a temporary suspension of bauxite exports from Pahang. In order to carry on with the…
“Embattled” is almost putting it gently when it comes to what the Malaysian economy has been through lately. Front and center is the 1MDB scandal in which Prime Minister Najib Razak purportedly funneled $700 million into his personal accounts. The story continues to unravel, but international investigations, a dramatic drop…
The symptoms range from mild to incapacitating high fever, severe headache, rash, and muscle and joint pain that give the affliction its nickname of “break-bone fever.” There is no vaccine to make one immune to it, no medications to treat it once it’s contracted, and cases in Malaysia have been…
For the first time in 10 years, Malaysia is official chair of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). This honor rotates each year between member nations, and carries with it expectations of high achievement. As one of ASEAN’s five founding members, Malaysia especially has been expected to lead…
Indonesia’s second-largest pulp and paper producer Asia Pacific Resources International Limited (APRIL) introduced a new sustainability policy in June. The updated policy was greeted with guarded skepticism by environmental NGOs including Greenpeace, and it seems their doubt may have been well-founded. APRIL’s new policy stated that they had stopped all…