Carolyn Khor's blog

  New advancements in the study of the ‘Penang Woman,’ a prehistoric human female whose remains were discovered at the Guar Kepah archaeological site, continue to captivate scientists and historians worldwide. The remains, initially discovered in 2017, are now the focus of DNA analysis and radiocarbon dating using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) to provide fresh insights into early human life in Southeast Asia and possibly rewrite history. "The DNA analysis of the ‘Penang Woman’ is a groundbreaking development," said Professor Dr Stephen Chia, Director of Universiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) Centre for Global Archaeological Research (CGAR). “The primary objective of this collaboration is to uncover the genetics and chronometric age of the ‘Penang Woman’ through these advanced methods.” Earlier, the ‘Penang Woman’ had been estimated to be around 5,700 years old based on the shell sample obtained next to the skeletal remains. However, Dr Chia questioned the accurac...

A pre-launch sale event for the Jesselton Courtyard at Jesselton Selatan, graced by eminent persons from the Berjaya Group, was held at the Berjaya Property Gallery on Jalan Masjid Negeri on Tuesday, 16 July. Berjaya Land’s Group Chief Executive Officer Syed Ali Shahul Hameed inaugurated the event amidst the celebratory bangs and clangs of the lion dance troupe and the crackles of firecrackers. With him were Group Executive Director Dato Abdul Rahim Mohd Zin and Executive Director Tan Tee Ming. Also present was Berjaya Sports Toto’s Non-Independent Non-Executive Director Dato’ Oon Weng Boon. Berjaya Land Development Sdn Bhd is wholly owned by Berjaya Hartanah Berhad and a subsidiary of Berjaya Land Berhad. “This new premium residential development redefines living with an exclusive and luxurious lifestyle set amidst the affluent surroundings of Penang Island,” said Syed Ali, emphasising the prestigious neighbourhood of Jesselton and Pulau Tikus. The new luxury development a...

  Datuk Chan Foong Hin (left) handing over a wood carving souvenir representing the six major agri-commodities under the ministry to Mr Zhao Yingmin, Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment of China. Picture Credit: Ministry of Plantation and Commodities.   Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Chan Foong Hin reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to supplying China with Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certified palm oil and related products.  This strengthening of the bilateral relationship comes on the heels of a Malaysian delegation to China, led by Chan, for a five-day working visit to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China. During the delegation’s visit from 8 to 12 July, he met with several Chinese leaders, among which, the Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment (MEE) of China Mr Zhao Yingmin in Beijing. At the G2G meeting last Friday, 12 July, Chan expressed Malaysia’s intention to cooperate with China, particularly...

The Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy , an independent public policy research and advocacy organisation based in Kuala Lumpur, is strongly concerned over the amendments proposed by the Government for the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act (PCIDA) 1988 (Act 342), also known as RUU 342. “These punitive measures may potentially create double standards, victimise vulnerable groups, and lead to poor public health outcomes,” said Chief Executive Azrul Mohd Khalib.  The proposed amendments currently include increasing the maximum compound from RM1,000 to RM 5,000 currently on individuals violating this law. It also empowers an officer to order an individual infected or believed to be infected with a disease or any close contact to wear or use a tracking device, while significantly increasing the powers and authority of the Director General of Health during a public health emergency. "Punitive measures would disproportionately hit the most vulnerable m...

GEORGE TOWN: Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang (PBAPP) is drawing down reserves from the Expanded Mengkuang Dam (EMD) in Seberang Perai to sustain water supply across Penang, following a significant drop in Sungai Muda’s water level. For four consecutive days, the level of the PBAPP intake in Lahar Tiang, Seberang Perai, fell below the 2.0m "safe level". The situation prompted PBAPP to commence drawing an average of 41 MLD from the EMD since 13 July 2024. “The maximum drawdown capacity of the EMB is 600 million litres per day (MLD),” said PBAPP CEO Ir. Pathmanathan K. He added that raw water, abstracted from the EMD and Sungai Muda is channelled to the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant (WTP), the largest and most important WTP in Penang. This combined effort ensures sufficient water supply to serve approximately 465,000 consumers in Seberang Perai, Daerah Timur Laut (DTL), and Daerah Barat Daya (DBD) on Penang Island. "The daily EMD drawdowns ensure that the Sun...

A scenic view of the Pahang River from onboard floating raft houses is not only what Rumah Rakit Maraie offers locals and tourists at Kampung Padang Rumbia in Pekan.  The “back-to-nature” hotspot also boasts a floating restaurant and a shark catfish farm, known locally as “ikan patin”. Despite its name, the shark catfish is not a shark and is a species of catfish native to the rivers in Southeast Asia. Mohammad Haniff Mohd Rasli, 38, quit his job as a civil servant in Penang to help grow his family business in his village at Kampung Padang Rumbia in Pekan three years ago.  He decided to grow his father’s business and at the same time, help the small businesses in his village grow their income.  Haniff was formally a radiographer at the Advance Medical Dental Institute (USM) at Bertam, Kepala Batas, Penang, from 2007 until 2021.  “I went back to Pekan during Covid-19 to help my father with his business which he started in 2017. After that, I quit my job an...