Lai Cheng – Page 4 – Consumers Association Penang

5 Foods to Eat to Beat the Heat

Lai Cheng July 17, 2026 0 Comments

During a heat wave, dehydration can sneak up on you faster than you think. Keep an eye out for these signs of low hydration: fatigue, wooziness, headaches, cramps, and darker urine. If you’re tired of plain water, don’t worry. You can load up on hydrating fruits and veggies, too. Source: Consumer Reports

RESPECT & PROTECT SNAKES – They are Nature’s Silent Guardians

Lai Cheng July 16, 2026 0 Comments

As the world marks World Snake Day on July 16, Consumers Association of Penang calls on Malaysians to rethink long-held misconceptions about snakes and recognise their indispensable role in sustaining healthy ecosystems and biodiversity. This year's theme, "Respect, Don't Fear: Protecting Nature's Silent Guardians", carries a powerful message that challenges deeply rooted prejudices and...

Norway Restricts AI Use in Schools

Lai Cheng July 16, 2026 0 Comments

Norway is drawing a hard line in the classroom. Starting in the 2026 school year, Norway implemented a strict, age-based restriction on generative AI in schools. The policy completely bans AI for children aged 6 to 13, limits usage for 14-to-16-year-olds to direct teacher supervision, and allows independent AI use only for students aged 17 and older. The new standards will be imposed from the...

Protecting Malaysia’s Sharks and Rays is Protecting Our Oceans

Lai Cheng July 14, 2026 0 Comments

As the world observes Shark Awareness Day on 14 July 2026, the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) draws attention to the plight of sharks and rays. They are among the ocean’s oldest and most ecologically vital species, as they face an increasingly uncertain future. In Malaysian waters, many species continue to experience intense pressure from overfishing, bycatch, habitat degradation,...

The Dangers of a Passive Society

Lai Cheng July 13, 2026 0 Comments

Famous linguist, philosopher, historian and social critic Noam Chomsky once said, "As long as the general population is passive, apathetic, diverted to consumerism or hatred of the vulnerable, then the powerful can do as they please, and those who survive will be left to contemplate the outcome." Chomsky warns that power grows strongest when people stop paying attention. When society is...

Air Conditioners May Be Making Heatwaves Worse

Lai Cheng July 10, 2026 0 Comments

Your air conditioner might be quietly making heatwaves worse. Air conditioners (AC) have become essential during extreme heat, but new research suggests they may also contribute to the rising temperatures they are helping people escape. Studies have found that during extreme heat events, widespread air conditioning use can increase local outdoor temperatures by 1-2°C (up to 3-4°F), with even...

Preventing Dengue is a Collective Effort

Lai Cheng July 9, 2026 0 Comments

The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) is deeply concerned over the continuing dengue threat in Penang despite an overall decline in reported cases. According to Penang State Youth, Sports and Health Committee Chairman, Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, Penang recorded 60 dengue outbreak localities as of 24 June 2026, with the Northeast District accounting for the highest number of outbreaks (27)....

How Many Clothes Is Too Many?

Lai Cheng July 9, 2026 0 Comments

Guidelines from the EU recommend dresses should be worn at least 70 times to offset the carbon emissions involved in their production. Multiply the number of a type of garment you own by the EU’s recommended minimum number of wears. For example: 23 dresses X 70 recommended wears = 1,610 total wears. Divide that total by the number of times you wear the item each year: 1,610 ÷ 52 wears per...

Restaurant of Mistaken Orders

Lai Cheng July 9, 2026 0 Comments

In Tokyo, there is a restaurant where customers are happy to get bad service. You ask for dumplings, and you get miso soup. You order grilled fish, and maybe you get sushi. It’s a regular thing here for the waiters and waitresses to mix things up, bring the wrong meal, misunderstand what a customer requests, or actually drink the glass of water they were meant to deliver to some table. Called...

Saving Frogs, Safeguarding Our Ecosystems

Lai Cheng July 6, 2026 0 Comments

The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) is concerned that frogs remain among the most overlooked creatures in Malaysia's rich natural heritage. While conservation efforts often focus on larger and more charismatic wildlife, the indispensable role of frogs in maintaining healthy ecosystems receives far too little attention. Frogs are among nature's most valuable animals. Their declining...

Author: Lai Cheng