Coconut shortage fuels price surge in Malaysia; suppliers at a loss as yields fall sharply

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Great WEATHER CAUSED BY LOWER YIELDS

Manufacturers in Perak began reporting lower provides in May of last year, according to Subbarow, as their branches started producing fewer fruits. Severe weather is believed to be the cause, he said.

One of north coast Malaysia’s biggest palm manufacturers, Anba Coconut Trading, said produces at its leased crops have dropped by 80 to 90 per cent.

From 10, 000 to 15, 000 produce every two days earlier, the company then gets 2, 000 to 2, 500 produce, Anba’s user P Sarasvathy told media agency Bernama. There are about 420, 000 branches at her crops.

” The branches appear good, yet the supply has considerably decreased. I’m at a loss as it has not occurred before”, Sarasvathy told Bernama.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Malaysia announced last month that it would increase goods from Indonesia to 500 tonnes per month starting in February.

Exports from Indonesia had now increased to 320 kilograms in December 2024, away from 180 tonnes recently, the Malay Mail reported.

However, Indonesia’s individual palm processing industry is in decline as a result of the increased demand for them.

The Indonesian Coconut Processing Industry Association demanded in December that the government adopt policies like export restrictions, restrictions, or grants for the sector, according to reports website The Jakarta Globe.

The association said Indonesia’s coconut processors were operating at 30 per cent capacity due to the high cost of raw materials, and that prices of coconuts at local markets had increased to about 15, 000 rupiah ( US$ 0.92 ) each, up from about 6, 000 rupiah previously.

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Man arrested in Tak with 1500 phones, SIM cards ‘used for scams’

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PUBLISHED: 2 Feb 2025 at 14: 32

Military and police officers in the border western province of Tak display some of the 1,251 mobile phones confiscated from a call centre gang based in Myawaddy, Myanmar on Sunday.(Photo: Assawin Pinitwong)
On Sunday, military and police in the frontier eastern county of Tak display some of the 1, 251 cellular telephones that were sewn from a call center group in Myawaddy, Myanmar. ( Photo: Assawin Pinitwong )

TAK: Safety forces have detained a man and seize a sizable number of computers, mobile devices, and SIM cards belonging to call-center con artists in the northern province of Mae Ramat.

On Saturday, a combined crew of Ratchamanu Task Force men, border police officers, and operational authorities patrolled and set up checkpoints in the Thai-Myanmar borders areas in tambon Mae Ramat to look for illegal activity.

They stopped a Toyota pickup truck for a research and found 1, 251 mobile devices, 274 SIM cards and 19 servers inside the vehicle. &nbsp,

The driver, who was only identified by officials as Tid, 45, claimed to be paid 5, 000 ringgit to pick up the products from a location by the Moei River near Bann Nam Dib Bon Warn community in Mae Ramat area. He was instructed to deliver them via a personal parcel delivery service to a person in the Sa Kaeo, a frontier province with Cambodia, named just Pawalee in the Watthana Nakhon area. &nbsp,

Col Natthakorn Ruantip, the head of the Ratchamanu Task Force overseeing five of Tak’s nine towns, stated on Sunday that a following investigation revealed that the seized electronics belonged to a call-center system based in Myawaddy, Myanmar, in the same Mae Sot area. &nbsp,

According to Col Natthakorn,” They wanted to move their function to Sa Kaeo’s side.” &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp,

Other people who are being investigated are still being looked into. Mr. Tid was taken to the Mar Ramat officers place for further investigation and legal action. &nbsp,

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The profundity of DeepSeek’s challenge to America – Asia Times

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The DeepSeek artificial intelligence ( AI ) system from China poses a significant challenge for America, which raises questions about the US’s overall strategy in dealing with China. DeepSeek offers creative alternatives that begin from a strong point of origin.

America believed that by monopolizing the use and development of complex computers, it would always ruin China’s technological progress. In fact, it did not happen. The creative and resourceful Chinese discovered engineering solutions to cross British restrictions.

It set a law and something to consider. We will see why it may happen with any upcoming American technologies. That said, American tech remains the opener, the force that opens fresh borders and perspectives. &nbsp,

Difficult straight competitions

The issue is rooted in the modern “race.” If the contest is purely a straight game of modern catch-up between the US and China, the Chinese—with their brilliance and vast resources — may maintain an almost overwhelming benefit.

For instance, China produces nearly four million engineering graduates annually, which is nearly twice as many as the rest of the world combined, and has a large, semi-planned economy that you concentrate resources on pressing needs in a way that America can’t even compare. &nbsp,

Beijing has thousands of engineers and billions of dollars to spend without the need for quick financial results (unlike US businesses that have market-driven responsibilities and expectations ). Therefore, China will probably always catch up to and overtake the latest National improvements. It does near the technology gap that the US creates. &nbsp,

Beijing is not required to look for advances anywhere in the world or use resources to promote development. In America, all the empirical work and economic spend have already been completed.

The Chinese you see what works in the US and invest money and top talent in specific projects while putting a rational bet on minor improvements. Even without taking into account potential industrial espionage, Chinese innovation will take care of the rest. &nbsp,

China will always have to get up, though America may continue to be the inventor of new discoveries. The US might complain,” Our technology is superior” ( for whatever reason ), but the price-performance ratio of Chinese products could keep winning market share. This could lead to a push on US businesses ‘ markets, and America could find itself struggling to compete as a whole, even to the point of losing. &nbsp,

It is not a comfortable situation, one that might just change drastically on either side. In horizontal terms, there is already a “more smash for the buck” active, similar to what caused the USSR to fail in the 1980s. Nowadays, however, the US dangers being cornered into the same hard place the USSR when faced. &nbsp,

In this framework, easy modern “delinking” does not suffice. It does not suggest that the US should abandon its delinking guidelines, but something more detailed might be required. &nbsp,

Tried technology detachment&nbsp,

In other words, the concept of natural and straightforward scientific detachment may not work. America and the West are more in need of China. There must be a 360-degree, defined strategy by the US and its friends toward the world—one that incorporates China under certain circumstances. &nbsp,

If America succeeds in crafting such a technique, we may see a medium-to-long-term platform to avoid the risk of another world battle. &nbsp,

China has perfected the Japanese&nbsp, kaizen&nbsp, type of progressive, marginal changes to existing systems. Through&nbsp, kaizen&nbsp, in the 1980s, Japan hoped to beat America. Due to poor business choices and Japan’s firm development model, it failed. But with China, the story may vary.

China is no Japan. It is larger ( with a population four times that of the US, whereas Japan’s was one-third of America’s ) and more closed. The Japanese yen was fully convertible ( though kept artificially low by Tokyo’s central bank’s intervention ) while China’s present RMB is not.

But the historical parallels are impressive: both Japan in the 1980s and China now have Earnings about two-thirds of America’s. Also, Japan was a US military alliance and an open society, while nowadays China is both.

For the US, a distinct effort is then required. To expand world markets and proper spaces, which are the focus of US-China conflict, it may create integrated alliances. China now recognizes the value of bilateral and international space, in contrast to Japan’s 40 years ago. Beijing is attempting to establish its own ally with the BRICS.

While it struggles with it for many causes and having an alternative to the US dollar global position is farfetched, Beijing’s new global focus—compared to its history and Japan’s experience—cannot get ignored. &nbsp,

A new, included growth model that expands the population and workforce are in line with the United States may be proposed by the US. It may strengthen connectivity with allied nations to create a area “outside” China—not obviously angry but distinct, porous to China only if it adheres to clear, clear rules. &nbsp,

This wider scope would help counteract America’s socioeconomic and human resource imbalances, increase British power in general, and foster international cohesion.

It may change the individual and financial resources used to support the current technological race, influencing its outcome in the end. &nbsp,

Bismarck inspiration&nbsp,

For China, there is another traditional law —Wilhelmine Germany, devised by Bismarck, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Back then, Germany imitated Britain, surpassed it, and turned” Made in Germany” from a mark of shame into a symbol of value.

Germany became more educated, free, forgiving, democratic—and even more intense than Britain. Without the anger that precipitated the demise of Wilhelmine Germany, China had the freedom to choose this course. &nbsp,

Does it? Is Beijing prepared to be more accepting and open-minded than the US? In theory, this could allow China to beat America as a modern greeting. However, for a design clashes with China’s traditional legacy. The Chinese empire has a tradition of” conformity” that it struggles to escape. &nbsp,

Is the US bring friends closer together without alienating them, in the US’s case? In principle, this way aligns with America’s advantages, but concealed problems exist. The American dynasty now feels betrayed by the globe, particularly Europe, and reopening relationships under new guidelines is complicated. A revolution president like Donald Trump might want to try it. Did he? &nbsp,

The US, China, or both must change in this manner for the sake of peace. If the US unites the world around itself, China may be isolated, dried up and turn inside, ceasing to be a danger without damaging battle. If China opens up and democratizes, a core reason for the US-China conflict dissolves.

If both reform, a new global order could emerge through negotiation. &nbsp,

This article was originally published on Appia Institute, and it is now licensed for resale. Read the original here.

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Poll: Thai state officials ‘inefficient’ in tackling PM2.5 dust

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PUBLISHED: 2 Feb 2025 at 11: 32

A BTS skytrain with air pollution in the background on Jan 24, a day before the launch of the week-long offer of free public transport in Bangkok (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)
A BTS skytrain was a background noise on January 24, one day before Bangkok’s week-long free public transportation promotion ( Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut ).

According to a study conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration, the majority of Bangkok residents said state organizations that were working on the PM2.5 problems were somewhat ineffective in their job and the government’s week-long present of free public transportation would have little to do to help the issue. &nbsp,

Asked for their input on the efficiency of government agencies tasked with addressing the air pollution in the capital, 41.15 % of respondents said they were somewhat inefficient, 35.34 % completely inefficient, 20.38 % somewhat efficient and only 3.13 % very efficient. &nbsp,

Asked how much the free public transport campaign helped address the city’s PM2.5 crisis, 34.89 % said very little, 33.89 % not at all, 24.50 % helped somewhat and only 6.72 % helped significantly. &nbsp,

On both initiatives to co-operate with personal and public sector companies to help staff members to work from home, and City Hall’s order to close educational institutions, the opinions were dissented. The poll showed that 34.89 % of respondents said the measures somewhat helped address the problem, 33.21 % very little, 24.50 % not at all and 8.47 % significantly helped.

Finally, when asked which state company they thought was best tackle the fine dust pollution in Bangkok, the answers various as follows: &nbsp,

41.15 % &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, Pollution Control Department

34.27 %&nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration &nbsp,

27.02 % &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation&nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp,

20.23 % &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, Department of Land Transport

17.56 % &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, no agency at all

16.34 % &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, Ministry of Industry&nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp,

13.89 % &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives

12.67 %&nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, Office of the Prime Minister

12.44 % &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, Ministry of Interior

10.46 % &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, Royal Thai Police

9.39 % &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

8.70 % &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, Ministry of Defence

8.47 %&nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, Ministry of Commerce

7.79 % &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, Ministry of Finance

The Nida Poll was conducted by phone conversations on Jan 27-28 with 1, 310 individuals aged 18 and over of several levels of education, wages and activities in Bangkok.

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Seeking light in dark times four years after Myanmar coup

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Aung San Suu Kyi, the country’s democracy leader, was ousted by the military four years ago on Saturday ( Feb 1 ), causing a civil war in Myanmar that has already left thousands of people dead.

The Southeast Asian nation has oil, gas and coal deposits as well as powerful hydraulic and solar possible, but is crippled by political instability, investment journey, poor plan and a lack of infrastructure.

According to a report from the Ministry of Electric Power from January, the power system could typically distribute around 4, 000 MW of the 7, 000 megawatts ( MW) of daily installed capacity.

Regular daily power generation has plummeted to 2, 200 MW, it said, with just half of that being distributed.

The junta has attributed the worsening disruptions to rising oil prices and anti-coup soldiers ‘ strikes on system.

In April of last year, the World Bank polled a third of companies, with 12 percent of those companies reporting energy interruptions as their main issue.

Only 48 % of the people, the lowest rate in Asia, had access to electricity in soon 2024, according to the UN.

And the market and the well-being of the populace are both being negatively impacted by the problems.

” We didn’t cook with coal or wood in Yangon’s small rooms. So we only rely on gas for cooking but… we likewise face oil shortfalls”, Yin Kay Thwe said.

” We are struggling with cooking everyday”.

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Ruling Pheu Thai wins most provincial elections, followed by Bhumjaithai

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PUBLISHED: 2 Feb 2025 at 11: 00

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra greets supporters while campaigning in Bueng Kan province on Jan 19. (Photo: Pheu Thai Party)
On January 19, when fighting in Bueng Kan county begins, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra greets followers. ( Photo: Pheu Thai Party )

In 18 provincial administrative organizations ( PAO ), the ruling Pheu Thai Party won the presidency, and Bhumjaithai, its coalition partner, won 12 seats. The primary opposition party, the People’s Party, won only one in Sunday’s PAO vote.

The PAO election took place in 47 of 77 Thai regions on Sunday.

Illegal findings show that independent candidates won six Hua political votes, the Democrat Party four seats, Chartthaipattana and Prachachat two seats each, and Palang Pracharath and the United Thai Nation one chair each.

Amazingly, the People’s Party only managed to win one PAO political seat in Lamphun, in the province’s northern province.

According to social observers, powerful political parties that are supported by democratic parties seized significant portions of the PAO national seats.

Prior to the elections, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra supported prospects for Pheu Thai, led by his girl, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, in some regions.

They included Chiang Rai, which Thaksin visited on many occasions.

Pheu Thai won just in Chiang Mai, Thaksin’s local state.

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Experts urge action as declining birth rate set to hit Thai workforce

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PUBLISHED: 2 Feb 2025 at 09: 12

The state must take immediate action to change Thailand’s declining beginning level, an analyst warned, saying that if the pattern continues, the nation’s workforce will reduce.

The producer of Mahidol University’s Institute for Population and Social Research, Chalermpol Chamchan, expressed his concern at a new media presentation. As of December 31st, the Bureau of Registration Administration, which is under the control of the Provincial Administration, reported that Thailand’s community was 65, 951, 210 as of December 31.

However, just 462, 240 babies were reported last month, making 2024 the first time the number has dropped below 500, 000 since 1949, Mr Chalermpol said, before adding 2024 was also the fifth consecutive year in which incidents exceed new babies. Between 1963 and 1983, the nation had over one million babies each month.

The state needs to review its efforts, such as the” Provide Birth, Great World” battle, to see why they have failed to improve the delivery rate, he said. The Public Health Ministry’s ( PHM) initiative, which was launched in 2023, aims to invert the birth rate by promoting the benefits of marriage for young people, many of whom are deciding to delay having babies or to not have one at all.

He claimed that Thailand is the only Southeast Asian nation with a declining birth level and that immediate action is required. Most states experiencing a similar pattern are high-income, developed countries. The country’s total fertility rate ( TFR ) fell to 1.0 last year, lower than Japan’s 1.2, placing Thailand among countries with ultra-low fertility rates, which include South Korea and Singapore.

As a result, Thailand’s people may stretch to as low as 40 million over the next five decades– similar to losing about one million people every two years, based on the current people figure of somewhat over 65 million, said Mr Chalermpol. The decline may alter the country’s workforce. If current trends continue unabated, there will only be 22.8 million employees in 50 years, he said.

According to a survey conducted by the Institute for Population and Social Research among 1, 000 Thais between the ages of 28 and older, the majority of Thais, or 71 %, view the country’s declining birth rate as a crisis. However, just 35.8 % said they were planning to have kids. About 30 % said they were on the border. ” With the right type of aid, those who are undecided may choose to include children”, Mr Chalermpol said.

Chalermpol: Help needed

Chalermpol: Help needed

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More green spaces, walkways and shelters in five-year plan to revitalise Tanjong Pagar

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SINGAPORE: Tanjong Pagar GRC and Radin Mas SMC are set for a makeover under a five-year rejuvenation program that will create more green spots, sheltered roads and pedestrian-friendly roads. &nbsp,

The program was unveiled on February 2 at Redhill Market, where Radin Mas MP Melvin Yong and Tanjong Pagar Town Council president Melvin Yong inaugurated an exhibition showcasing the future enhancements.

The five-year program is part of the Changing Our Heartland Programme. Under this program, all six groups of Tanjong Pagar city – Buona Vista, Tanjong Pagar-Tiong Bahru, Moulmein-Cairnhill, Queenstown, Henderson-Dawson and Radin Mas – may get updates.

According to a media release from the city council, the revival plan was developed through times of community input and will guide changes until 2030. &nbsp,

KEY UPGRADES

More efficient corridors and pedestrian-friendly roads may be introduced, creating a more walking and green atmosphere for residents. More protected walkways and ramps may increase accessibility throughout the town.

Additionally, improved streets and improved public transportation networks did increase connection to other components of Singapore. Increased electric vehicle charging channels and more bicycle racks will benefit those who choose to use green transportation.

By the end of this year, all 156 Housing and Development Board ( HDB) parking lots in Tanjong Pagar town will have EV charging points. &nbsp,

The town will also reduce energy consumption by installing Elevator Energy Regeneration Systems that reduce elevator energy consumption by about 20 %, using data to optimize the estates ‘ electricity usage, and gradually switching to LED smart lights that use up to 60 % less energy. &nbsp,

By 2030, 58, 000 solar panel may be installed on HDB buildings in Tanjong Pagar village, with income power being fed back into the power grid.

In the city, additional specialized disposal facilities may be constructed, including ones for used cooking oil and e-waste. The Redhill Market and Tanjong Pagar Plaza have already tried the food digester device, which turns food waste into soil, with plans to expand the program to different hawker centers.

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Behind-the-scenes tour of Mediacorp’s props storehouse: An emperor’s throne, a dog and even severed limbs

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We rarely notice the head the main character is sitting in, the smartphone he’s holding, or the fruits dish on the table when we watch TV. We don’t recognize because it shows that a team of professionals working in the background to produce on-screen authenticity have done a good job.

Every television drama set or variety show relies on accessories to entice viewers. How these accessories are sourced, crafted, stored, managed, cared for, used and reused – also, that could be a line in itself.

Our neighborhood TV productions have used everything from the classic backdrops from The Sheng Siong Show to the classic Golden Pillow from the 1995 Zoe Tay starring of the same title to a papier-mache type of Desmond Tan’s head for a surreal scene in 2009’s The Ultimatum in which his character is decapitated by baddies who then send the head to his father in a box. Pretty things.

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Unsafe levels of smog in 64 of 77 Thai provinces

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PUBLISHED: 2 Feb 2025 at 08: 11

According to the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency ( Gistda ), 64 out of the 77 provinces in Thailand were covered in risky ultrafine dust pollution on Sunday morning.

Gistda reported at 7am on Sunday that 19 provinces had red levels ( hazardous to health ) of particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and less in diameter ( PM2.5 ).

Over the past 24 hrs, Sing Buri was exposed to the highest dark stage of PM2.5, which was 95. 5 microgrammes per cubic meter of air.

It was followed by Si Sa Ket (91.2µg/m³ ), Yasothon ( 85.3 ), Ubon Ratchathani ( 84.6), Trat ( 84.2 ), Lop Buri (83.9 ), Saraburi ( 82.1 ), Ang Thong ( 80.4), Kalasin ( 80.1 ), Roi Et (79.6), Surin ( 78.1 ), Chai Nat ( 78 ), Chachoengsao ( 75.7 ), Nong Khai ( 75.6), Samut Songkhram ( 75.4), Nakhon Phanom, ( 75.3 ) and Nong Bua Lam Phu ( 75.2 ).

The healthy level is 37.5µg/m³.

Thirteen regions had protected air quality. Nine regions had mild air quality, with PM2.5 amounts ranging from 25.2 to 36.6. In descending attempt, they were Phangnga, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ranong, Surat Thani, Chumphon, Phrae, Phayao, Krabi and Chiang Rai.

Only Lampang ( 24 ) and Mae Hong Son ( 18.4 ) found good air quality.

Very good air was in Chiang Mai ( 14.9 ) and Lamphun ( 13.7 ).

Forty-seven other provinces faced orange levels ( starting to affect health ) of PM2.5 ranging from 41.5 to 74.7. They included Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Nan, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phuket and Samut Prakan.

The map from Gistda shows thick smog in the Central Plain, the Northeast and the East on Sunday morning.

The image from Gistda shows heavy dust, represented with red and orange colors, in the Central Plain, the Northeast and the East on Sunday night.

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