Macaranga Media is collaborating with Universiti Malaya and Taylor’s University to run a 2-day journalism workshop and a competition for students at these universities.
Environmental Story Workshop and Competition (University)
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Centring Indigenous Wisdom in Malaysia’s Climate Leadership
The focus on ‘new green growth’ means Malaysia is missing the opportunity to draw on the ancient ecological knowledge of indigenous communities, writes human rights lawyer Loh Jing Rou.
FOR INDIGENOUS communities, the forests whisper stories older than the cities that now rise around them—stories of survival, stewardship, and sacred knowledge. In the rustling of leaves, the ebb and flow of rivers, and the dance of fireflies once guiding the harvest, a wisdom endures.
Yet, as Malaysia steps into the global climate arena—boasting green technologies and policy reforms—an ancient wisdom remains at the margins: Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK).
[Feature image: The Semai hill paddy planting season sees dibbling (making small holes in the ground for seeds) occur in August—September | Photo by Fikri Husin (Gerimis Art Project)]
Slow Adoption of Biotech Crops Could Cost Malaysia
With droughts and heavy rainfall disrupting agriculture, Malaysia’s slow uptake of biotech crops as a solution is worrying, writes science communicator Saarani Vengadesen.
AS ONE OF Southeast Asia’s agricultural powerhouses, Malaysia faces a growing challenge: how to sustain its agricultural output while protecting the environment.
With climate change affecting rainfall patterns, rising temperatures, and increasing pest resistance, traditional farming practices are struggling to meet the demands of both farmers and the planet.
(Feature image: Food security needs to be bolstered with all the means available | Photo by Lee Kwai Han)
2024 Wrap-Up: Carbon, Climate, Sharks
16 Dec 2024: We looked back at Macaranga’s stories in 2024 in this Annual Wrap-Up on the Earth Matters segment on BFM89.9FM Radio. We went from the local to global, linking our stories on deforestation of peat swamp forests, social media wildlife pet trade, and dumpsites to global dynamics of rising carbon emissions, illegal wildlife trade, and the climate crisis.
There were encouraging stories too, such as wins on mapping important areas for conservation of conservation of sharks and rays, and Sabah’s 10-year mangrove action plan.
Produced by Juliet Jacobs for Earth Matters.
Protecting Selangor’s Rivers and Water
11 Dec 2024: In this Earth Matters segment on BFM89.9FM Radio, we discuss the links between Selangor’s costly water cuts and the health of its rivers. The state government’s aims to protect all its river banks as reserves — could that work?
The show featured journalists Chen Yih Wen and Law Yao Hua, and Kennedy Michael, co-founder of Alliance of River Three (ART!). Produced by Juliet Jacobs on ‘Earth Matters’, 89.9FM Radio.
Based on our story Banking on River Reserves to Protect Water Supply.
[The story is supported by a grant from YELL.]
A Roadmap for Disaster Resilience in Malaysia
From infrastructure to community involvement and good governance, resilience in the face of disasters must be built, writes disaster management professional Dr Sheikh Kamran Abid.
THIS November-to-December monsoon has been vicious, racking up the largest victim displacement – at least 120,000 – since the large big flood of 2014.
But Malaysia is no stranger to natural disasters. The country faces various environmental risks, from devastating floods to landslides and droughts. In recent years, the impacts of climate change have intensified these natural hazards, making it more urgent than ever to build disaster resilience.
(Feature image: As landslides and other natural disasters increase due to the climate crisis, resilience at every level needs to be built. | Screenshot from JKR Daerah Kinta Facebook )
Macaranga Environmental Reporting Mentorship
Nine issues tackled in journalism supported by Macaranga's Environmental Reporting Mentorship
21 August 2025: From ikan bilis fisheries to light pollution and waste management, the Macaranga Environmental Reporting Mentorship 2025 saw the production of features by 5 journalists and 5 news pieces by university students.
This project was supported by a grant from the Youth Environment Living Labs (YELL) administered by Justice for Wildlife Malaysia.
Our objective was to promote environmental messaging that is based on facts, guided by science, driven by data, is balanced and aligned to global environmental aspirations. It also promotes the role of the media and youth as key civil society actors and drivers of change.
- Capacity building of journalists
We held a workshop for 12 reporters from different newsrooms to build their skills and up their knowledge on environmental issues. We then gave out 4 grants for 4 journalists to produce stories, and mentored them for 4 months.
Check out their indepth investigations:
- Malaysia’s growing light pollution threatens wildlife; Light Pollution Guideline in the works and a follow-up story quoting MPs (Luqman Hakim / New Straits Times)
- Coastal Crisis: What’s Eating Terengganu’s Shoreline? (Liew Yi Min / PocketTimes with Najmi Mamat)
- When fishermen are forced to relocate, do you still have seafood to eat? — The conflict behind Pangkor Island’s development; English version (Yap Si Err / KiniTV)
- Can Selangor Handle the Data Centre Boom? (Sakina Mohamed & Shaza Al Muzayen / Garasi Bernama)
2. Capacity building of university students
In collaboration with Universiti Malaya and Taylors University, we put students through a workshop and mentorship to produce news stories and related social media content. The students came from journalism and science disciplines.
Five groups received grants and were mentored to work on their chosen topics on respectively food and electronic waste, overconsumption, and biodiversity loss. Check out their stories on the YELL website (July 2025).
A forum was also held and a student in the audience, Dharyaasri Karthigesan, was applauded when she said that young people liked to have fun but also cared about the environment. However, youths needed adults to create spaces for them; at the same time, adults needed to take young people seriously.
With thanks to all the newsrooms and journalists as well as university students who participated! Much gratitude to our subject matter experts, as well as fellow trainers, mentors, and collaborators including Aidila Razak, Kuek Ser Kuang Keng, Dexter Chan, Lau Chak Onn, Muhamad Iqbal Fatkhi, Ian Yee, and Hilal Azmi.
Call for Applications ~ For Journalists: Reporting on the Environment
UPDATE: CLOSED – APPLICANTS HAVE BEEN SELECTED. CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR DETAILS OF THE WORKSHOP.
Are you itching to report on the Malaysian environment? Do you need help shaping your story idea and bringing it to fruition? Are you eager to apply data and mapping in your stories?
If you are nodding, then we have designed the perfect workshop for you!
Co-existing with the Wild in the Valley
The Klang Valley’s rapid development threatens not only our local biodiversity but also the delicate balance required for harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife, writes wildlife conservation advocate Ashwiini Paranjothi.
WILDLIFE IS NOT limited to distant forests; it is present in our cities, adapting to urban life as green spaces shrink. Urban forests like Bukit Kiara and Bukit Gasing in the Klang Valley are home to a variety of species that now share their habitat with humans. The increased proximity has led to more frequent interactions and, unfortunately, more conflicts.
(Feature pic: When monkeys create chaos in neighbourhoods, human patience can run thin. | photo by Animal Neighbours Project)
Monthly Wrap-Up: Aug 2024
27 August 2024: Last month’s news include an integrity study on the Tawai Forest Reserve conducted by the Sabah Forestry Department. It confirmed the uniqueness and importance of this forest reserve. Interestingly, the study was published 7 months after the Sabah state government announced that the Pan-Borneo Highway would dissect this forest.
In other news, orangutans will remain in the country after all, when the Plantations and Commodities Minister reversed an earlier decision to send them out to palm oil-supporting countries in Giant panda-type diplomacy.
Finally, the Bar Council warns that the proposed constitutional amendment to move Orang Asli matters from Federal to Concurrent list “can result in potential confusion, disputes and delays in efficient administration of these matters”, calls for ensuring informed consent on this from Orang Asli.
Monthly Wrap-Up: July 2024
29 July 2024: In the news a lot recently is carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS). For one, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli announced that the government has identified the petroleum states of Terengganu, Pahang, Sabah, and Sarawak as potential leaders in this technology to store carbon. Meanwhile, MIDF Amanah Investment Bank has put RM7.7 mil into CCUS R&D for the metal sector. What’s going on?
We also cover massive recent tiger loss due to roadkill and the devastating floods in Penampang, Sabah.