Universiti Putra Malaysia Institutional Repository

Abd Malik, Mahaizura

Projelc pembangunan berimpak tinggi tawar penyelesaian 
sebenar terhadap cabaran semasa bersifat inklusi.f dan lestari 
,Qleb Mahaizura Abd 
Malik 
mahaizur @mediapri-
ma.om.my 
S langor tid k me-merlukan ratu an 
bangunan p ncakar 
Jangit untuk m · njadi ne-
g_ ri bertaraf 1dunia s ba-
liknya p~ojek pembangu-
a n berimpak inggi -ang 
m _ nawarkan p -nyele a-
ian ebenar t hadap a-
bar - ma a ber ifat ink-
lusif dru-1 l - tari. 
im-balan Dekan • _ nye-
lidikan, lno a i dan 
Siswazah Falrulti Reka-
bentuk dan enibina Un:i-
ers·ti Putra Malaysia 
P'rof or - ady . 1 s D Mo-
hd Zairul Mohd • oar ber-
ka a, ~ ejayaan pembangu-
nan bandar bukan terletak 
pada saiz atau rupa ba-
ngunan te api kepada ke 
mampu.an men; el saikan 
isu sebenar ma araka 
seperti diperkatakan atld-
tek iko, ik No . ma Fos-
rer. 
M-_ nurut Dr Mohd Zai-
ru , uatu p-oje diang 
gap, berjaya apablla dapat 
l 
Pembangu,nan 
berimpok tinggi dan, 
inklusif akan 
membuka lembaran 
baharu dalam usaho 
men1ad1kan Selangor 
sebuah bandar global 
- . - , mampan, 
Dr Mohd ZairuJ 
mencipta kesan b rganda 
kepada pers,ekitaran ko 
muniti dan juga ekono-
• 
L 
'Contohnya p· mbangu-
n ber·mp 1 'nggi dan 
inklusif akan m ·mbuka 
lem aran baharu dalam 
usaha menjadikan Selang-
o ebuah bar1dar global 
mampan be daya samg 
dan kalis ma a depan. 
Projek s umpama ini 
perlu dirangka s bagaa pu-
at embangu,nan pelba-
gai guna · ang menginteg~ 
rasikan elemen sukan. e-
kT a 1,, p nguru an benca-
n I clan p njanaan .. kono-
mi s,etempat. 
-Keunikan pend katan 
ini akan meletakkan e-
langor di landa an epat 
dalam menyele aikan peill-
bagai i. u band e· ara 
• -erentak p rti elemen 
mitigasi ban'ir, penggu-
naan l ndskap er pan a1 
serta r ka benuik me:sra 
komuniti yang m mbuka 
uang un I k in er k • o-
sial dan aktiviti riadah se-
lain int gra i hab p -
ng ngku an ,ebagai nta-
ra solusi kesesakan traf~ 1 
katan a. 
• rnenurutnya lar1 
dengan prin, ip pemba-
ngnnan berorientasikan 
m nusia sep rti yang se-
ring d • t ga k pakar 
bandai t rkienal Jan G ,h] 
ia"tu bandar ang baik 
ialah bandar yang direka 
untuk n1anu 1a t rl -b,ih 
dahulu. 
•• - aha p rti ini bukan 
asing dalam dunia peran-
cangan bandar. 
B c _ lon (Sepanyol) 
mi alnya - rjaya menukar 
projek Sukan Olimpik 1992 
menjadi p mangkin k -
pada pembangunan semu-
la kawa an bandar lama-
menjadikannya d ·• tinasi 
·pelancongan dan ekonomi 
kreatif dikenali di eluruh 
duni . 
'Jika Bar elona boleh 
m njadikan ukan ebagai 
p, macu pen1bahan ban-
d Selango,~ juga mampu 
dengan syarat projek 
pembangunan herimpak 
t· nggi eu.mp -m -· ini d1-
laksanakan dengan visi 
yangjela pro ,e ional dan 
be ·foku kepada , akya , 
katanya., 
Di ampin ittt,. katanya 
lango e rlukan 
p ·ojek pembangunan ber-
impak tinggi -umpama 
ini sebagai pusat tarlkan 
baharu yang mampu m 1 -
nyumbang kep da ekono-
mi pelancongan d.an -u 
kan yang menarik pela-
buran n1elalui p nganJu-
ran acara bertaraf anta-
1abangsa. 
'I menjadi emp t 
pembangtman sosial ke-
rana menyediak n ruang 
awam yang inklu if clan 
berkuiliti untuk s mua la-
p~ -a masya akat' k ta-
nya. 
PEMB _ GUN • • p ojek impak tinggi dilihat mampu m mb ri rangsangan jangka. panjan kepada ktor hartanah dan 
pelanconc,an ren1tama di bah Alam .. 


Fokus bina bandar selesai isu rakyat

Speed limit cut can lower deaths

Shakil Hameed, Noor Mohamad

Cabaran guru memacu 
reformasi pendidil<an 
NOOR 
MOHAMAD 
SHAJ<IL HAMEED 
EMA Hari Guru yang 
akan disambut pada 
Jumaat ini, 'Guru 
Pemacu Reformasi 
Pendidikan' bukan 
sahaja meaterjemahkan 
harapan yang tinggi 
tetapi turut meletakkan 
tanggungjawab berat di 
bahu guru dan pentadbir 
untuk memastikan semua 
perancangan berkaitan 
pendidikan benar-benar 
memberi kesan juga impak 
kepada keseluruhan 
ekosistem pendidikan negara. 
Tuntasnya reformasi 
pendidikan perlu diterajui 
guru selaku pemain 
utama dengan menangani 
segala cabaran sekali gus 
menggembleng tenaga, usaha, 
idea dan iltizarn bagi memacu 
reformasi untuk melahirkan 
generasi berilmu, berakhJak 
serta mampu berdaya saing 
pada peringkat global. 
Dalam konteks ini, kita 
perlu perhalusi pelbagai 
cabaran kompleks yang 
sedang dihadapi guru selain 
meneliti kesediaan mereka 
memikul amanah berat ini. 
Dalam Majlis Amanat 
Ketua Pengarah eendldikan 
sempena pembukaan sesi 
persekolahan 2025/2026, 
Datuk Azman Adnan 
membentangkan Japan 
keutarnaan Kementerian 
Pendidikan (KPM) yang akan 
diberikan tumpuan dalam 
pelaksanaan reformasi 
pendidikan mulai sesi 
persekolahan 2025/2026. 
Lapan keutamaan itu 
terrnasuk menangani 
isu keciciran murid, 
mengukuhkan 
kepimpinan pendidikan 
madani, meningkatkan 
profesionalisme guru serta 
memperkasakan penguasaan 
literasi dan numerasi 
murid. Selain itu, KPM turut 
menggariskan lima prinsip 
utarna sebagai panduan 
pelaksanaan reformasi iaitu 
berasaskan data, daya tahan, 
berorientasikan keberhasilan, 
pandu arah dan kecekapan 
sumber. 
Sebelum itu, KPM turut 
mengumurnkan enam 
agenda dalam menyokong 
hala tuju negara termasuk 
memartabatkan bahasa 
Melayu, memperkukuhkan 
bahasa lnggeris, pendidikan 
digital, pemerkasaan 
kurikulum Sains, Teknologi, 
Kejuruteraan dan Matematik 
(STEM) serta program 
Pendidikan dan Latihan 
Teknikal dan Vokasional 
(TVET), peluasan selain 
pengukuhan prasekolah, 
pelan pendidikan selain 
kurikulum prasekolah. 
Secara umumnya KPM 
sudah ada penetapan 
agenda, hala tuju dan 
keutamaan yang jelas 
untuk memacu reformasi 
pendidikan negara ini. 
Justeru perkara penting 
perlu untuk memastikan 
guru dan pentadbir bersedia 
merealisasikan agenda islah 
tersebut secara bijak tanpa 
sebarang tekanan mahupun 
kekangan. 
Hakikatnya tugas 
guru semak:in kompleks 
serta mencabar dalam 
membentuk acuan bakat 
generasi masa hadapan 
negara khususnya dalam 
era pascanormal, ledakan 
teknologi maklumat dan 
komunikasi selain cabaran 
dunia ketidakstabilan, 
ketidakpastian, kerumitan 
dan kekaburan (VUCA). 
Ini ditambah pula dengan 
pelbagai tuntutan ekspektasi 
daripada ibu bapa yang 
mahu melihat anak mereka 
cemerlang serba serbi baik 
dari segi akademik mahupun 
kokurikulum. 
Sedar atau tidak pelbagai 
cabaran yang muncul pada 
ketika ini dalam menjalankan 
tugas sebagai guru selain 
kesukaran untuk beradaptasi 
dengan perubahan baharu 
menyebabkan sebilangan dari 
golongan pendidik memilih 
untuk bersara awal. 
Justeru reformasi 
pendidikan mesti 
mengutamakan inisiatif 
memperkasa profesionalisme 
serta membantu guru 
mendepani segala cabaran 
yang ada selain terns menjaga 
dan meningkatkan kebajikan. 
Anggota masyarakat 
meletakan harapan yang 
tinggi terhadap institusi 
pendidikan negara khususnya 
kepada guru di peringkat 
sekolah agar dapat mendidik, 
membimbing dan membentuk 
anak-anak mengikut acuan 
diperlukan bagi mendepani 
pelbagai cabaran yang 
mendatang. 
Misalnya ibu bapa mahu 
guru menerapkan pelbagai 
kemahiran seperti pemikiran 
EKOSISTEM 
yangmesra 
guruperlu 
dtwujudkan 
supaya 
golongan 
pendldlk 
boleh 
memberi 
perhatian 
sepenuhny;i 
kepada 
agenda 
pemerl:ra• 
pnetasltnaa 
hadapan 
nepn. 
'' Harus diingat 
kecemerlangan 
akademik semata-
mata belum cukup 
untuk menjamin 
masa hadapan 
pelajar yang 
bail< sebaliknya 
perlu melahirkan 
generasi muda 
holistik melalui 
pendidikan 
inklusif:• 
kritis, penyelesaian masalah, 
kreativiti dan komunikasi 
berkesan agar pelajar mampu 
menyesuaikan diri dalam 
situasi yang tidak menentu 
yakni mendepani era VUCA. 
Harus diingat 
kecemerlangaa akademik 
semata-mata belum cukup 
untuk menjamin masa 
hadapan pelajar yang baik 
sebaliknya perlu lahirkan 
generasi muda holistik 
melalui pendidikan inklusif. 
Gabungan kecemerlangan 
akademik, kemahiran 
insaniah serta nilai-
nilai mumi yang 
membentuk sahsiah 
terpuji diyakini mampu 
melahirkan warganegara 
bertanggungjawab yang boleh 
memberikan sumbangan 
bermakna kepada keluarga, 
agama, bangsa dan negara. 
Maka, guru perlu 
dipersiapkan dengan 
sewajamya supaya 
mampu menzahirkan dan 
• merealisasikan hasrat murni 
ini. Generasi guru yang ada 
pada hari ini perlu terus 
dibimbing melalui program 
pembangunan profesional 
berterusan seperti latihan 
dalam perkhidmatan. 
Guru juga perlu disediakan 
ruang secukupnya untuk 
mengikuti program 
peningkatan kompetensi yang 
sewajamya termasuk peluang 
memperkasa penguasaan 
kemahiran pedagogi 
khususnya bagi memenuhi 
tuntutan semasa dengan 
mengintegrasikan teknologi 
digital dalam pengajaran. 
Malah guru juga perlu terus 
dibantu untuk menguasai 
kaedah pengajaran yang lebih 
kreatif dan inovatif. 
TERUS BERi PERHATIAN 
TERHADAP ISU LAPUK-
Selain itu isu lapuk 
yang masih diperdebatkan 
seperti beban tugas bukan 
pengajaran wajar terus 
diberi perhatian supaya guru 
boleh memberikan sepenuh 
tumpuan dalam proses 
pengajaran, pembelajaran 
serta pembangunan karakter 
murid. 
Jadi, jika kita mahu guru 
benar-benar memainkan 
peranan untuk membentuk 
serta melahirkan generasi 
madani yang cemerlang 
akademik dan sahsiah maka 
perlu mewujudkan ekosistem 
yang lebih mesra guru supaya 
mereka boleh memberikan 
perhatian sepenuhnya kepada 
agenda pemerkasaan generasi 
masa hadapan negara. 
Kekurangan infrastruktur, 
ketidakseimbangan akses serta 
kemudahan terutamanya di 
kawasan luar bandar yang 
masih menjejaskan proses 
pengajaran dan pembelajaran 
turut memberikan cabaran 
besar kepada guru. 
Diharap usaha untuk 
menambah bail< segala 
kemudahan di sekolah dapat 
diteruskan secara agresif dan 
konsisten bagi memboleh.kan 
guru serta murid menikmati 
sesi pengajaran mahupun 
pembelajaran yang lebih 
kondusif. 
Keperluan kebajikan 
guru terutamanya dalam 
aspek kesejahteraan dan 
kesihatan mental juga wajar 
dititikberatkan. Budaya 
kerja yang mengutamakan 
keseimbangan antara 
kerjaya dan kehidupan perlu 
diberi penekanan serius 
kerana secara prinsipn'ya 
guru berhadapan dengan 
pelbagai cabaran emosi. la 
menyumbang kepada tekanan 
dan keletihan. Kita tidak 
mahu guru terus dihantui 
masalah kelesuan fizil<al, 
emosi dan mental. 
Hakikatnya tugas guru 
semakin kompleks sekali gus 
memberikan cabaran yang 
besar dalam merealisasikan 
konsep karamah insaniah 
dalam usaha n1elahirkan Anak 
yang baik lagi cerdik (ABC) 
melalui pembentukan adab, 
akhlak dan integriti seperti 
yang digariskan KPM. 
Semoga inisiatif berterusan 
pihak kementerian 
dalam menambah bail< 
profesionalisme perguruan 
dan meningkatkan kebajikan 
warga pendidik dapat 
menyuntik semangat guru 
untuk memacu reformasi 
pendidikan demi melah.irkan 
generasi madani yang 
diidamkan. 
Selamat menyambut Hari 
Guru kepada seluruh warga 
pendidik. 
PENULIS 1alah Yang Otpertua 
Persatuan lbu Bapa dan Guru (PIBG) 
Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan 
(SMK) Sen Serdang & T1mbalan 
Pengarah (Komun,kasi Korporat) 
Pusat Strateg, dan Perhubungan 
Korporat (PSPK). Universltl Putra 
Malaysia (UPM) 


Cabaran guru memacu reformasi pendidikan

The Sun, .

Police consider safety upgrades after fatal FRU truck crash 
KUALA WMPUR: Police have identified several 
safety enhancement measures for personnel 
travelling in trucks, following the tragic crash 
that daimed the lives of nine Federal Reserve 
Unit (FRU} members in Perak last Tuesday. 
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri 
Razarudin Husain said discussions would be 
held with the Internal Security and Public 
Order Department as it also utilises trucks to 
transport General Operations Force personnel. 
Among the proposed improvements is the 
implementation of a better safety system to 
protect passengers in these trucks. 
However, Razarudin noted that the current 
design of long bench seating in the vehicles 
may not be compatible with such systems. 
Another measure under consideration is 
the use of buses and police patrol vehicles to 
escort convoys transporting personnel. 
The move comes as renewed scrutiny falls 
on outdated transport practices across 
enforcement agencies. 
The recent incident has sparked 
widespread calls for a comprehensive review 
of how government personnel are 
transported. 
Road safety experts have pointed to flaws 
in vehicle design and operational procedures. 
Universiti Putra Malaysia's Road Safety 
Research Centre head Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik 
Hua was quoted as saying that a full audit of 
transport safety procedures is long overdue. 
He suggested that zoning operations, 
assigning certain vehicles only to short 
distances or controlled areas, could reduce 
risk. 
He also voiced concern over reports that 
some FRU trucks are not equipped with 
seatbelts or proper restraints in the rear 
compartments, describing the omission as a 
major safety lapse that leaves personnel highly 
vulnerable in the event of a crash or rollover. 
The fatal crash occurred at 8.50am along 
Jalan Chikus-Sungai Lampam, when a truck 
carrying FRU Unit 5 personnel from Sungai 
Senam, lpoh, collided with a lorry loaded with 
gravel. 
The lorry's steering system is believed to 
have failed, leading to the collision. 
The intense impact killed nine FRU 
personnel, eight from Perak and one from 
Kedah. 
Their identities were released by police and 
confirrned by Perak police chief Datuk Noor 
Hisam Nordin. 
Meanwhile, the lorry driver involved in the 
crash has been remanded for four days 
beginning Wednesday. 
He is being investigated under Section 41 
of the Road Transport Act 1987 for causing 
death by reckless or dangerous driving. 
If convicted, he faces between two and 1 O 
years' imprisonment, a fine of up to RMS0,000, 
and disqualification from holding or obtaining 
a driving licence for no less than five years. 
- Bernama 


Police consider safety upgrades after fatal FRU truck crash

Abdul Rahman, Haliza

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Fokus strategi elak kemalangan lori

UPM develops cost-effective animal feed option 
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's heavy reliance on 
imported animal feed is among the biggest 
challenges faced by its livestock industry in 
supplying affordably-priced meat to the public. 
The rising prices of major grains such as corn 
and soybeans - the main components of 
monogastric animal and ruminant feeds -which 
are entirely imported from countries like 
Argentina, Brazil and the United States, have 
increased livestock farming operational costs as 
feed make up more than 60% of expenditures. 
The dependence on imported feed is no 
longer sustainable for the country, especially as 
the global market becomes increasingly 
uncertain due to factors such as supply chain 
disruptions caused by climate change and 
global political instability. 
The urgent need for a cheaper and more 
sustainable local alternative has led researchers 
to conduct multiple studies, and one that has 
gained attention is sorghum, a hardy cereal grain 
crop capable of withstanding extremely hot and 
dry weather. 
According to studies conducted by Universiti 
Putra Malaysia (UPM), the use of sorghum as 
animal feed has shown very positive results as its 
protein and energy content is comparable to 
that of corn. 
Sorghum can be used in two forms - as grain 
or fodder. However, its grain contains tannins, 
which are astringent compounds that can impair 
digestion, making it less suitable for 
monogastric livestock such as poultry. 
However, UPM has successfully developed 
the Putra SB2 sorghum variety, which has 
abundant leaves and high levels of 
carbohydrates and sugars, making it suitable for 
use as fodder for ruminant livestock such as 
cattle and goats and as a replacement for Napier 
grass. 
Fodder refers to animal feed such as corn, 
grasses and plant-based proteins that are 
specially formulated to meet the nutritional 
needs of animals, whether in dry, fresh or 
pellet form. 
In a recent interview with Bernama, UPM 
sorghum fodder lead researcher Dr Nazatul 
Shima Naharudin said the variety developed by 
her team offers several advantages over corn 
and Napier grass, one of which is its low water 
requirement. 
"Unlike corn, Putra SB2 can regrow up to 
three times without needing the soil to be 
ploughed again after each harvest This directly 
reduces farm management costs and saves time. 
"So, Putra SB2 can be seen as a sustainable 
local solution. It is also more stable in terms of 
Nazatul said Putra S82 can be harvested as early as 60 days after planting, compared with the 90 days required for corn. - BERNAMAPIC 
costs;· said Nazatul, who is also an associate 
researcher at the UPM Institute of Tropical 
Agriculture and Food Security (ITAFoS). 
She added that Putra SB2 can be harvested as 
early as 60 days after planting, compared with 
the 90 days required for corn. 
"This allows for faster crop rotation and more 
efficient land use. From an agronomic 
standpoint, the Putra SB2 sorghum variety can 
also thrive with minimal fertiliser input. In terms 
of yield per hectare, Putra SB2 can produce 
nearly 70 tonnes per hectare;' she said. 
ITAFoS director Prof Dr Anjas Asmara 
Samsudin pointed out the need for farmers to be 
given knowledge and training in sorghum 
cultivation and management. 
"Our innovation also aligns with government 
pol icy to strengthen national food security 
through increased local production. We cannot 
be overly dependent on imported animal feeds 
as it makes our industry vulnerable to external 
crises like wars or pandemics;' he said. 
Anjas added that although the benefits of 
sorghum are clear, there are sti ll some 
challenges in adopting it as a primary fodder 
crop in the country. 
"One of the challenges is the attitude of 
farmers, who are reluctant to switch to another 
fodder crop. They are more comfortable using 
corn because they are already famil iar w ith it. 
"Sorghum requires a slightly different 
management technique, which can be a barrier 
for farmers who are less exposed to the new 
technology;' he said. 
Another issue is the availability of sorghum 
seeds in the local market. 
He said to overcome this, the government 
and agricultural agencies need to provide more 
support, such as supplying quality seeds to 
farmers, offering them training and providing 
financia l incentives to expand the use of 
sorghum. - Bernama 


UPM develops cost- effective animal feed option

Muharam, Redzuan

Oleh Redzuan 
Muharam 
redzuan.muharam@hrne-
tro.com.my 
Kuala Lumpur 
P 
unca yang mencetus-
kan gajah menjadi 
agresif atau 'naik mi-
nyak' tidak sama mengikut 
jantina haiwan berkenaan. 
Pensyarah Kanan Pengu-
rusan Hidupan Liar, Fakulti 
Perubatan Veterinar Uni-
versiti Putra Malaysia 
(UPM), Dr Tengku Rinalfi 
Putra Tengku Azizan ber-
kata, daripada sudut fisio-
logi semula jadi gajah jan-
tan, terdapat peningkatan 
perembesan hormon tes-
tosteron secara berkala iai-
tu setahun sekali antara sa-
tu hingga dua bulan teru-
tama apabila mencapai 
umur 15 tahun ke atas. 
"Jadi perembesan hor-
mon itu berkemungkinan 
GAJAH AGRESIF, 'NAU{ MINYAI{' 
Tidak sama ikut ja11tina 
akan meningkatkan perla-
kuan agresif yang boleh 
berlaku antara haiwan de-
ngan haiwan atau haiwan 
dengan manusia. 
"Kcadaan ini dipanggil 
musth apabila akan keliha-
tan perembesan cecair dari 
kelenjar temporal (di sisi 
kedua-dua belah kening), 
pcningkatan saiz badan, 
perlakuan menderam dan 
peningkatan kekerapan 
urinasi. 
"Ia adalah keadaan semu-
la jadi dalam perlakuan 
pembiakan gajah manakala 
bagi gajah betina, kebanya-
kan perlakuan agresif pula 
bersifat melindungi kum-
pulan dan anak apabila ter-
dapat ancaman," katanya 
ketika dihubungi Harian 
Metro. 
Dr Tengku Rinalfi Putra 
berkata, ancaman itu ada 
ketikanya dalam bentuk 
yang tidak difahami ma-
nusia, sekali gus menim-
bulkan anggapan gajah 
'naik minyak'. 
Katanya, gajah jantan 
muda rnisalnya memang 
sering bertindak agresif 
dan sesiapa saja boleh 
menjadi mangsa jika ber-
ada di tempat dan masa 
yang salah. 
Menurutnya, kadar kon-
flik gajah dengan manusia 
juga menunjukkan trend 
meningkat dan ia disebab-
DR Tengku Rinalti 
kan beberapa perkara. 
"Ia termasuk penerokaan 
kawasan habitat (termasuk 
hutan sekunder yang ham-
pir matang), adaptasi pe-
makanan gajah kepada 
su1nber daripada aktiviti 
manusia dan peluasan ta-
pak ckologi manusia (eco-
logical footprint) yang me-
langkaui batas sedia ada 
akibat urbanisasi dan pe-
ningkatan populasi manu-
sia. 
"Konflik berlaku akibat 
perebutan sumber, ruang 
dan masa antara manusia 
dan haiwan. 
"Perebutan itu berpunca 
daripada peningkatan ta-
pak ekologi manusia yang 
semak:in melangkaui batas 
tradisional dan ia memba-
wa kesan mudarat dari segi 
pertindihankawasan, sum-
ber serta masa,~ katanya. 
Beliau berkata, perlakuan 
gajah ketika bertindak ag-
resif masih belum difa-
hami dan sclalunya t idak 
dapat dijangka. 
Justeru, Dr Tengku Ri-
nalfi Putra menasihatkan 
orang ramai untuk berha-
ti-hati dengan n1engelak 
daripada bertembung de-
ngan gajah terutama di ka-
wasan sumber makanan 
dan perlindungannya. 
"Elakkan juga daripada 
mencerobohi habitat gajah 
dan beredar sekiranya ber-
temu haiwan itu ketika 
mencari sumber maka-
nan," katanva. 


Tidak sama ikut jantina

Tong, Geraldine

With youth loneliness on the rise, many 
are turning to chatbots for connection 
and social support. While these 'Al 
friends' can provide short-term relief, 
experts warn they may end up deepening 
the isolation in the long run. 
Here are some ways to cope 
with loneliness: 
Connect with purpose: 
.-- Join new clubs, creative 
wor1<shops, volunteer 
activities or reach out to 
extended family 
members or old fr iends. 
Be kind to yourself: 
-- Spend time doing 
activities you enjoy. 
or write down some 
things you like about 
• yourself. 
.. '' ..... .• 
7
. · · · L Talk about it: Don't 
be afraid to talk 
about your 
Think about what's 
making you feel lonely: 
feelings of 
Spend time loneliness and 
with animals: isolation with 
Identifying the issue will 
not magically solve 
loneliness, but it will make 
it a bit more manageable 
moving forward. 
Hanging out friends or family or 
with pets is a someone else you 
great way to trust. 
feel less lonely. 
For parents looking to spot when their child feels lonely, 
here are some changes to look out for: 
-
A 
Social 
withdrawal: It is 
okay for your 
child to spend 
time alone but if 
they begin to do 
so in a way that 
is out·of-
character, this 
can be a s ign of 
social 
withdrawal. 
Trouble 
sleeping: 
Children or 
young people 
experiencing 
loneliness are 
likely to have 
increased 
levels of 
stress and 
difficulty 
sleeping. 
• '9· :' , • • • • i 
Low ....... i Feeling 
self-esteem 
or a loss of 
confidence: 
When 
experiencing 
loneliness, 
young 
people may 
experience 
low 
self-esteem. 
frustrated: If a 
child or young 
i person is 
getting 
frustrated 
easily, this 
i may indicate 
that they are 
dealing with 
other inner 
struggles. 
You can also reach out to these helplines for further support: 
The Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) 
Psychological Therapy and Support Services 
Phone: +03 2780 6803 (Mon-Fri. 9am-5pm, except public holidays) 
Talian Kasih 15999 
24-hour Nationwide Helpline & Counselling 
Phone: 15999 or WhatsApp: +60192615999 
The Befrienders \. Phone 
Emotional Support & Suicide Prevention Helpline (9 \'lhatsApp 
■ Klang Valley 
\. +603-7627 2929 
(24hours) 
■ Penang 
\. +604-2910 100 
(9 +6011-56 706261 
(3pm-12am 
midnight) 
■ lpoh 
\. +605-5477 933 
\. +605-5477 955 
(1pm-10pm) 
i 
i ■ Seremban 
\ 1... +606-6321 n2 
: \. +606-6321 773 
' (9+6018-9691772 
i (7pm-10pm) 
! ■ Melaka 
\. +606-2250 791 
(7pm-12am 
midnight) 
! ■ Muar 
, \.+606-9520 313 
: \.+606-9540 313 
• (8pm - 11pm) 
Sources: Mental Health America, Relate Malaysia 
■ Johor Bahru 
\. +607-331 2300 
\. +607-331 2300 
(4pm-10pm) 
■ Kola Kinabalu 
\. +608-8255 788 
\. +608-8259 788 
(9+6016-803 6945 
(7pm-10pm) 
i ■ Kuching 
\. +6082 242 800 
(6.30pm - 9pm) 
Jt;Stargraphics 
Do you know who your kids are talking to online? Meta owner Mark Zuckerberg has pitched a future where we 
all have 'Al friends' to help with loneliness - and this future is already unfolding in Malaysia. - 123rf 
Stories by GERALDINE TONG 
sunday@thestar.com.my 
YOUNG people are always con-
nected 24(7 nowadays - sharing 
their opinions, posting details of 
their lives, jumping into group 
chalS, scrolling through social 
media feeds, liking posts, rum-
bling in multiplayer games, and 
even making new friends online. 
You might think this would 
provide social fulfilment, but the 
truth is all these digital 
interactions hide a deeper sense 
of isolation among the youth. 
In a survey conducted by 
Gallup and Meta between 2022 
and 2023 in 142 countries, they 
found that approximately one in 
four young people below the age 
of 30 reported feeling fairly lonely 
or very lonely. 
Perhaps surprisingly, that same 
survey found older adults aged 65 
and above reported feeling lonely 
at a much lower rate - 10% lower. 
This is despite all age groups 
reporting feeling high social con-
nectedness above 70%. 
Within Malaysia, the Health 
Ministry's National Health and 
Morbidity Survey 2022 also point-
ed to a rising trend in loneliness 
among secondary school students, 
rising sharply from 8.1% to 16.2% 
within 10 years. 
This is a worrying trend says 
founder of mental health portal 
Relate Malaysia and clinical psy-
chologist Dr Chua Sook Ning 
because loneliness often goes 
unrecognised as a serious issue, 
as it is overshadowed by more 
commonly discussed mental 
health concerns. 
But amid this growing emotion-
al void, a new kind of support is 
emerging: chatbots driven by arti-
ficial intelligence. 
Meta owner Mark Zuckerberg 
has even pitched a future where 
we all have "Al friends" to help 
with loneliness - and this future is 
already unfolding in Malaysia. 
In recent research, Universiti 
Malaysia Sarawak senior lecturer 
Dr Chuah Kee Man says his team 
fow1d that nearly 90% of their 
respondents, particularly those 
from Gen z. regularly used N 
tools such as ChatGPT and 
Google's Gemini N to share their 
personal challenges. 
However, while experts say 
such tools may provide short-
tem1 relief for t11ose seeking to 
ease loneliness, they may risk 
deeperuni: isolation by replacing 
genuine human connection and 
delaying help from professionals. 
Al mates versus 
human buddies 
Dr Azree Nazri, head of 
laboratory at the Institute of 
Mathematical Research at 
Universiti Putra Malaysia, says 
several studies have indicated 
that Al chatbots are providing 
some sense of emotional relief in 
users. 
For example, he says, a 2023 
study in South Korea involving 
college students found users of 
Al-based wellness apps reported 
reductions in loneliness and 
depression over a four-month 
period with qualitative feedback 
revealing a high level of user sat-
isfaction and emotional support. 
Even more intriguing, he adds, 
are studies from last year that 
have found users consistently 
underestimated how emotionally 
impactful their interactions with 
Al companions would be. 
''The data suggested that these 
digital interactions provided 
emotional relief comparable in 
some cases to real human 
support, particularly in moments 
of vulnerability," he says. 
Chuah, who specialises in edu-
cational technology, instructional 
design, and computational lin-
)lllistics, says N has already 
shown its value as a companion 
for someone who is anxious or 
simply seeking a listening ear. 
"I personally think AI friends 
may be effective for alleviating 
short-term loneliness or providing 
a safe space for social rehearsal• 
However, he says while AI 
can simulate certain aspects of 
companionship like offering 
empathy or personalised 
responses, it's still a long way 
from truly replicating the richness 
of human relationships. 
"Real friendships are built on 
shared experiences and an ever-
evolving cycle of emotion 
and trust. So AI can play a 
supportive role but it cannot yet 
replace the fundamental need 
for genuine human connection," 
he says. 
Pointing to results from his 
recent research, he says while 
90% of respondents said they 
regularly used AI tools for emo-
tional support, all of them said 
no when asked if Al could 
replace human friends. 
The issue, he says, is 
authenticity because while AI 
can mimic empathy, it lacks true 
self-awareness and lived 
experience. 
Users can sense this "emotion-
al gap" over time, which could 
paradoxically lead to deeper 
feelings of isolation, he says. 
This is backed by a recent 
studies from the Massachusetts 
Institute of Technology, says 
Chua, who explains the studies 
found that higher daily engage-
ment with Al, whether for per-
sonal or non-personal conversa-
tions, was associated with 
increased loneliness, greater 
dependence on the technology, 
more problematic usage pat-
terns, and reduced social inter-
action in real life. 
"\Alhile N might provide 
short-term comfort or conveni-
ence, it risks deepening the very 
isolation proponents claim it 
eases by pulling people further 
away from meaningful hwnan 
connection," she says. 
Speaking about the same 
studies, Azree says this suggests 
that when overused, Al can 
discourage deeper engagement 
in human relationships. 
He says the four-week 
longitudinal study in valving 
nearly 1,000 participants 
revealed a direct correlation 
between daily AI chatbot usage 
and reduced real-world social 
interaction, alongside rising 
emotional dependence. 
"These findings underline a 
critical point: Al companions 
can act as emotional buffers, 
especially for those lacking 
human support, but they should 
be regarded as supplemental, 
not substitutive, tool~ for mental 
and emotional well-being." 
Build better communities, 
not better chatbots 
Chuah also expresses concern 
that those who spend more time 
chatting with N chatbots rather 
than real humans may end up 
not knowing how to interact 
with people in real life or end 
up blurring the line between 
reality and simulation. 
"Afso, while Al can offer 
support, it is not a substitute 
for professional help. Users 
experiencing severe depression 
or other mental health issues 
might delay seeking real 
assistance, relying on AI 
instead," Chuah says. 
For computer science expert 
Emeritus Prof Datuk Tengku 
Mohd Tengku Sembok, the ques-
tion of AI friends isn't simply 
about whether they can effec-
tively address loneliness - it also 
opens the door to serious ethlcal 
and spiritual questions. 
"Lonelines_~ is not merely a 
psychological void; it is a 
spiritual ailment rooted in dis-
connection from both communi-
ty and the Creator," he says. 
Reliiious teachin!(S consider 
caring for the lonely a collective 
obligation, he explains. and thus 
outsourcing thls duty to 
machines may dehumanise soci-
ety and shift moral responsibili-
ty from people to machines. 
"Are we allowing Al to replace 
what should be human acts of 
duty?" he questions. 
More practically, he says, 
there are also significant risks of 
data exploitation as these "AI 
friends" inevitably collect 
emotiona l and behavioural data. 
"If commercial interests drive 
such platforms, the vulnerable 
may become commodities. 
"Any system that pretends to 
be your friend while mining 
your feelings must be 
scrutinised," he says. 
That is not to say he 
completely rejects AI; instead, 
Prof Tengku Mohd says it is a 
call to humanise the use of AI by 
using it as a guide towards real 
help rather than replacing 
genuine community-building. 
"In tl1e end, addressing 
loneliness is not about building 
better chatbots. It is about 
building better communities. 
And that is something no 
machine can do better than us." 


Automating empathy

A ways connected, yet still alone 
HY all appearan,ces today s 
youth are more C ocially con--
nected than ,ever before, what 
with the prolifi ratio-n of di i-
tal technologies and ri e of 
online 1culture. So why is it 
that desp ·te constantly bein 
con ected • o many young peo-
ple repo - feeling lonely?' 
Founder of mental health 
po · al Relate alaysia and 
clinical psychologist Dr Chua 
Sook Ning ay these f eelin,gs 
of lo • elines a on youn, 
people arett7t con i . tentl 
linked to the number of hours 
spent on , ocial media. 
What matters mo e is the 
nature of tho e online connec 
tlo s, he explain , as being 
ac ive on ocial m dia doe 
not always translate into 
meaningful socia connections. 
Many young people end 
up with numerou online 
intera • tions that on,·t lead to 
deeper relatio:nships or offline 
support which can ]eave them 
fe,eling emotionally unfulfilled 
despite be g con . tantly 
connected Chua , ay 
'Re earch how that p1eople 
who feel lonely often have 
more anline frie:ndships t at 
don t carry over into their 
oftline lives. 
'This lack of offline 
connection 1s linked to lower 
relation hip quality and 
satisfaction .. 
So while they may be 
intera ting online 1i doe not 
neces ·ily ea e the~ 
loneliness. • she says 
he points, to a 2024 study ,of 
university stud@ .t - in China 
• ch also found a b • dlrec 
tional link betwee.n problem-
atic s.ocial media use and lone-
liness .. 
Problematic social media 
use, s defined as excess··ve use 
that ne at1vely affec . func-
tioning and psychological 
we ... be· g 
,rE · entlally tho e who are 
lonely end to u ,,e social media 
in more pro,blematic ways, 
which in tum worsens their 
loneliness ,' she says . 
Dr Azree Na.zri of Univer iti 
Putra Malay 1a -iBY the dan-
ers of loneline 1S tha U 
burden both the body and 
mind 
• euroscience has . hown 
that the b ain proce ie ocial 
rejection in the ame way as 
physical pain_. activating the 
same neural c-' c ·ts he says. 
''Chronic loneliness elevates 
cortisol, the body's .Pr·, a.ry 
_tress hormone which in •_urn 
weake,n immunity. dis -·· upts 
leep raise • r · k of 
card· o · as ttl di •eas and 
accelerates mental h,ealth 
decline' · ay Azree. who is 
also a re e rch fellow with 
Harvard Medical School. 
om studies have even 
equated the long-term health 
effects of lonelin,ess to 
smoking 15 cigarettes a ,day, 
he . ay 
sycholo • ca y, -ac al con-
nection is also fundamentalJ 
he· says pointing to theorie. 
lik.e Ma low': Hierarchy of 
Need· which place love and 
belo I ging direc. ly above phys-
ical _ afety, while attachment 
theory explains how early 
childhood bonds , hap·•e emo 
Loneliness across age groups 
25% 27% 25% 22% 17'% 
1 5-18 19-29 30-44 45- 64 
years old 
65+ 
years old yeairs •Old years old years old 
Source: Gallup and Meta 20'22~202:3 Global Survey 
Prevalence of l,onerness am1ong 
secondary schoo1I students 
20112 
20117 
2022 
8.1% 
9.3% 
Source: National Health ,and M'orbidity Surv~ey (NHMS)i 7h-S: 
tional regulation and ocial 
behaviour fo life. 
This1 1 why Chua ays "' t is 
important to help young peo-
p e recognise the difference 
between surface-level interac-- - - - -
tion and genume connection. 
• t the a.me time, · e also 
need to create more acces ible 
and appealing opportunitie,s 
for soci ·l engageme,nt espe-
cially for those who fmd it dif-
fic . 'It to onn1ect with others. ' 
s,he saysL 
For youn people espec·a y 
when they're still haping 
their id 1entity and figuring out 
their place1 in the world, a y 
en e of emotional trug le 
can be seen a a flaw so 
such inte nal struggles like, 
oneline s are frequently kept 
hidden. 
Chua .ays this silence ,can 
compound the problem,. mak-
ing young people eel not only 
alone but ashamed for ·eelin · 
tha way in th:e first place. 
• Talkin . about our inner 
·world isn ta sig: ofweakne 
1t' ,a 1 n of ,coura., -e and 
he beginning of greater 
emotional understandin 
both of ourselves and others,.-" 


Always connected, yet still alone

Despite having a demographic dividend, the unemployment rate is soaring in Bangladesh, posing a great challenge for the nation. This perplexing situation demands knowledge of socio-demographic factors that may affect the employment status among graduates. Thus, this study aims to examine the impact of socio-demographic factors, such as gender, age, marital status, field of study, and family financial support on employment status. To achieve this objective, a questionnaire survey was conducted. Through the survey, data were collected from 415 respondents and analyzed using a Forward Likelihood Ratio binary logistic regression. The findings revealed that age, marital status, field of study, and financial support are crucial predictors that affect the probability of employment among graduates, whereas gender does not influence the probability of getting employed. The insights of the current study will assist policymakers in reaping the demographic dividend to reduce graduate unemployment by incorporating sociodemographic characteristics in Bangladesh’s policymaking for graduates. This study will help the government meet its commitment to development goals by identifying the basic socio-demographic elements that influence graduates’ employment status

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