MALAYSIANA: Stories of Spectacular Malaysians

Dr Loo Yen Yi
Research Fellow, Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, Sunway University

We need to stop looking at nature as something to be tamed, conquered and to extract from.

Bioacoustics can show how healthy and resilient a habitat is. A healthy forest has a layered, complex soundscape, while a degraded one is noticeably quieter. For example, birdsongs come in many variations representing different purposes, including love, warning, grief and the anticipation of a migration.

The planet is undergoing a “triple planetary crisis” of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution. Seven of the nine planetary boundaries have now been crossed, with ocean acidification being the latest.

We should listen to nature and reconnect with it, rather than only speaking for it. People have the power to be “planetary frontliners.” Dr Loo challenges the view that nature is something to conquer and extract from, arguing that it is most valuable when it is alive.

Kiren Kaur
Founder & CEO, Infinite Minds Academy

Neurodiverse youth have a lot of potential when given the right tools and opportunities, however the conventional system constrains them.

Traditional hiring practices often prioritise rigid social and executive conformity over actual technical capability. This leads to the sidelining of neurodiverse communities, including those with Autism and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Kiren showcased how Infinite Minds Academy utilises in-house software tailored to develop the digital skills of such youths to achieve financial independence and to live with dignity.

Another channel to support neurodiverse communities is by bringing the work to them rather than forcing them into corporate settings. Kiren stresses that it is not the lack of talent, but the mismatch between the person and the environment, which results in these youths ending up being sidelined outside the workforce. She promotes how Beamworks, a creative studio run entirely by neurodivergent youth, facilitates the delivery of client projects in a safe space for these communities.

Societies should support neurodiverse initiatives through more sustainable channels such as supporting their businesses rather than just donating funds. For example, commissioning an event or the design and production of festive materials from neurodivergent studios are a much more impactful way to support these communities.

Prof Dr Mohd Hazwan Hussin
Director of the Centre for Innovation and Consultation, and Professor of Industrial Chemistry, School of Chemical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Oil palm biomass can be transformed into sustainable industrial solutions.

Malaysia’s large volumes of oil palm biomass present an opportunity for higher-value uses. Oil palm processing generates substantial amounts of empty fruit bunches, palm fronds, trunks, and other biomass, much of which is currently burned or left on the ground. A biorefinery approach can instead convert these materials into chemicals, energy, and other useful products.

Lignin from oil palm biomass can provide a greener approach to corrosion protection. Prof. Hazwan’s research explores how lignin can be structurally modified to improve its solubility and antioxidant properties, enabling its use as a corrosion inhibitor and reducing reliance on conventional inhibitors that can be toxic.

Translating research into products can demonstrate the commercial potential of biomass waste. His work progressed from fundamental research into formulations including a coolant and rust converter, with the latter applied in collaboration with ThinkCity and the National Heritage Department to help preserve historical artefacts.

Prof Dr Jillian Ooi
Seagrass Ecologist, Universiti Malaya; and Artistic Director, Rhythm in Bronze Gamelan Ensemble

Making Malaysia’s overlooked seagrass ecosystems visible can drive greater awareness and better conservation decisions.

Seagrass provides critical ecological, economic, and public health benefits despite being largely overlooked. Malaysia’s seagrass meadows support juvenile fish, provide food for coastal communities, and can contribute to public health, yet their importance remains poorly understood – a problem Prof. Jillian describes as “seagrass blindness.”

Creative storytelling can bring scientific issues to audiences that research alone may not reach. After finding that scientific publications were not enough to build wider awareness, Prof. Jillian used gamelan music, dance, animation, and storytelling to communicate seagrass science, describing the gamelan as her “Trojan horse.”

Better data can turn awareness into action and improve conservation planning. Funding from Petronas enabled Malaysia’s seagrass mapping for the first time, providing information that can support future planning and conservation decisions.

Quotes

“The most memorable moments in my research were not found in the terabytes of data I collected, but in moments where I could sit down and be still enough to listen and connect.”
– Dr Loo Yen Yi

“Who’s got the power? We all do have the power. We can be the reason to change another person’s life. One act of kindness changes lives. Let’s open the doors for the neurodivergent to start learning.”
– Kiren Kaur

“We have to think of the term “Circular Economy” whereby we can actually use this biomass, extract whatever is useful from it and then after that make something beneficial so that in the end of the day we can actually treat waste into wealth.”
– Prof Dr Mohd Hazwan Hussin

“Before you approve the next project to fill in the sea, ask what’s underneath.”
– Prof Dr Jillian Ooi