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INTERACTIVE: 2024 was Malaysia’s fourth hottest year on record

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By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: The year 2024 marked Malaysia’s fourth hottest year in over four decades, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia). The department said over the 43-year observation period (1981–2024), six of the ten hottest years were recorded since 2015, all occurring within the past decade. Last year’s national average temperature stood at 27.55 degrees Celcius, ranking it fourth behind 2016, 1998, and 2019. Malaysia recorded its highest national average temperature in 2016 at 27.84 degrees Celcius, followed by 1998 (27.70 degrees Celcius) and 2019 (27.63 degrees Celcius). The highest temperature of 2024 was logged in Chuping, Perlis, which saw the mercury climb to 39.0 degrees Celcius on March 23, 2024. The same location endured 52 consecutive days without rain, making it the most prolonged dry stretch recorded nationwide last year. In 2024, for lowland areas, the monthly average temperature...
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INTERACTIVE: Climate woes brew higher coffee bean prices

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By DIVYA THERESA RAVI and SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI PETALING JAYA: Malaysian coffee roasters may soon feel the pinch as rising prices in major coffee-producing countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Indonesia push up the cost of imported beans. Some seasoned coffee operators come forth to say coffee bean prices have risen, but are still managing despite the climate crisis.  Previously, The Star reported climate change in the top coffee-growing countries has caused stress to the plants, making them more susceptible to disease, reducing yields and leading to poorer beans.  With that, this could reduce the supply and quality of coffee and contribute to price increases worldwide. For specialty roaster Mohamed Helmi Ahmad Darki, who runs a cafe in Cheras, the impact is clear. “Last year, normal processed beans cost around RM35 per kilo, special processing around RM40,” said the 37-year-old.  “This year, normal coffee increased to RM45 to RM50, an...
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INTERACTIVE: A once-in-33-year Raya phenomenon

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI   PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will experience a rare convergence of three major festivals eight years from now. In 2033, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year and Christmas will fall close to each other, creating a joyful overlap of celebrations. This phenomenon occurs because Hari Raya Aidilfitri will be celebrated twice in 2033 – first in early January and again in December. The first Aidilfitri of 2033 will coincidentally fall in the same month as Chinese New Year (Jan 31). The second Aidilfitri of that year will occur close to Christmas (Dec 25). Aidilfitri will happen twice in 2033 due to the Islamic lunar-based calendar being approximately 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar-based Gregorian calendar. Over time, this difference results in Islamic celebrations shifting earlier each year. Once every 33 years, this shift aligns in such a way that Muslims observe two Aidilfitri celebrations within the same Gregoria...
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