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By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: Almost 15,000 hotspots were detected in Indonesia's Kalimantan and Sumatra between January and August this year, according to data from the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC). As of Aug 28, of 14,964 hotspots detected across the two regions, 11,697 were in Kalimantan, accounting for 78.1% of the combined total. Meanwhile, Sumatra recorded 3,267 hotspots.  Most of Kalimantan’s hotspot activity occurred in July and August, rising from 1,339 detections in July to 9,334 in August. Together, the two months accounted for 10,673 hotspots, or 91.2% of Kalimantan’s January-to-August total. The 9,334 hotspots recorded in August alone were 72.7% higher than the 5,406 detected in Kalimantan in the whole of 2025. Sumatra also recorded its highest monthly hotspot count of the year in August, with 1,596 detections. However, the increase in Sumatra was less pronounced, with August accounting for 48.9% of...

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: Malaysians are increasingly turning to hybrid cars, with registrations surging nearly 30,000 units in the first seven months of the year. According to figures from data.gov.my, a total of 29,769 hybrid cars were registered between January and July, up by 78.9% from 16,643 during the same period last year. The growth outpaced the overall car market, which grew 3.6% from 472,492 registrations to 489,340. Fully electric vehicle (EV) registrations also surged 94.1% year-on-year to 38,675 from 19,935 during January to July last year. As a result, hybrids accounted for 6.1% of all car registrations this year, up from 3.5% share last year. The increase also accelerated as the year progressed. Hybrid registrations rose 47.7% year-on-year in March, 117.8% in April, 89.4% in May, 172.8% in June and 127% in July. In July alone, 5,622 hybrid cars were registered, more than double the 2,476 hybrid registrations re...

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: Releasing an unwanted exotic pet into a river, lake or natural area may seem like an easy solution, but it could create a new environmental threat by allowing invasive species to spread. The Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS) unit under the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES) said members of the public should never release unwanted exotic pets or non-native species into the environment.  MyBIS said some released species may survive, reproduce and spread beyond their original locations, potentially competing with native wildlife for food and habitat, and disrupting local ecosystems. Instead, owners who are no longer able to care for exotic pets should seek guidance from the relevant authorities or responsible agencies on proper surrender or disposal options. For terrestrial wildlife and exotic animals, members of the public can contact the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (P...

  By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: At least 12 invasive alien species identified by Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS) are believed to have entered the country through human activities, including the ornamental pet trade, aquarium hobby and recreational fishing, say experts. However, experts said the actual number could be higher as invasive fish may also enter through activities such as aquaculture, fisheries and intentional releases. Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) fish ecology and diseases expert Prof Dr Mohammad Noor Amal Azmai said invasive fish species were able to establish themselves because of their biological characteristics, which gave them an advantage over native species. He said carnivorous species such as Asian redtail catfish, Amazon redtail catfish, peacock bass, and African catfish could threaten native fish populations by preying on them. “These species can occupy the top of the food chain in areas where they are rel...

  By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: A fish bought to clean an aquarium or a turtle kept as a childhood pet may seem harmless, but some species introduced through the pet or hobby trade have ended up threatening Malaysia’s natural ecosystems. The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry (NRES), through its Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS) unit, said the pet and hobby trade is among the most common pathways for invasive alien species (IAS) to enter the country. MyBIS said species are often imported because they are popular among enthusiasts and easily available through physical pet shops or online platforms. However, some may escape captivity, be released into the wild or establish populations beyond their intended environments, creating ecological problems. “Such activities can sometimes lead to unintended consequences when the introduced species become established in the environment and spread beyond their intended...

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: The Star readers correctly predicted that Spain would win the FIFA World Cup 2026, with nearly six in 10 backing La Roja to lift football's biggest prize in a reader poll conducted ahead of the final. The poll, launched on July 17 after the semi-finals, asked readers to choose between Spain and defending champion Argentina. Of the 1,867 votes cast, Spain emerged as the clear favourite with 1,082 votes, or 58%, while Argentina received 785 votes (42%). The poll drew responses from readers in Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, and Australia. Spain went on to justify readers’ confidence by defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final to claim their second FIFA World Cup title. La Roja's triumph capped a remarkable knockout run in which they eliminated Portugal in the Round of 16, Belgium in the quarter-finals and France in the semi-finals before overcoming Argentina on football's biggest stage. Arg...