From diving while seven months pregnant, to pioneering sustainable aquaculture projects that support coastal communities, Prof. Dato' Dr. Aileen Tan has dedicated her life to the ocean. That dedication has now earned her global recognition, as she’s the first Malaysian to win the Anton Bruun Medal, one of marine science’s highest honours. Dr Aileen, a Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Director of the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS) at USM, joins us to reflect on her journey, her research, and her hopes for the future of our seas.



Image credit: Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies 

From diving while seven months pregnant, to pioneering sustainable aquaculture projects that support coastal communities, Prof. Dato' Dr. Aileen Tan has dedicated her life to the ocean. That dedication has now earned her global recognition, as she’s the first Malaysian to win the Anton Bruun Medal, one of marine science’s highest honours. Dr Aileen, a Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Director of the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://cemacs.usm.my/">Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies</a> (CEMACS) at USM, joins us to reflect on her journey, her research, and her hopes for the future of our seas.Image credit: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://cemacs.usm.my/">Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies </a>

Climate change, ferocious weather and ‘the haze’ are now part our everyday lives. How are our lifestyles connected to them, and what can we do about it? What does the economy have to do with it? Earth Matters engages with activists and experts to explore our changing relationship with the planet that we only borrow from our children.

Earth Matters

Malaysia’s Marine Conservation Challenges 

Penang has long been celebrated for its heritage and natural beauty. But in recent years, concerns about overdevelopment, rising heat, flooding risks and large-scale reclamation have sparked difficult conversations about the island’s future. The Silicon Island project, formerly part of the Penang South Islands plan, is now moving ahead. Supporters call it essential for economic growth. Critics warn of irreversible ecological damage and serious consequences for thousands of fisherfolk. We take a closer look at what’s at stake with Andrew Han, a filmmaker and Programme Coordinator at Jaringan Ekologi dan Iklim (JEDI) Malaysia, who has spent years working alongside coastal communities affected by these changes.


Image Credit: Shutterstock

Penang has long been celebrated for its heritage and natural beauty. But in recent years, concerns about overdevelopment, rising heat, flooding risks and large-scale reclamation have sparked difficult conversations about the island’s future. The Silicon Island project, formerly part of the Penang South Islands plan, is now moving ahead. Supporters call it essential for economic growth. Critics warn of irreversible ecological damage and serious consequences for thousands of fisherfolk. We take a closer look at what’s at stake with Andrew Han, a filmmaker and Programme Coordinator at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.jedinetwork.org/">Jaringan Ekologi dan Iklim</a> (JEDI) Malaysia, who has spent years working alongside coastal communities affected by these changes. Image Credit: Shutterstock

Development vs Environment in Penang

Between 2002 and 2023, Malaysia lost millions of hectares of humid primary forest. In places like Gua Musang in Kelantan, the impact of forest loss is being felt directly by Orang Asli communities. Villages in Pos Pasik, Pos Simpor, and Pos Bihai are reporting polluted rivers, damaged crops, conflicts with wildlife, and increasing pressure on customary lands. Some residents are now facing possible legal consequences for defending those lands through peaceful blockades. We speak to Heng Kiah Chun, Campaign Manager at Greenpeace Malaysia, to examine what is happening on the ground and the policy changes that are being called for through the #HutanKitaHakKita campaign.


Image credit: Greenpeace Malaysia

Between 2002 and 2023, Malaysia lost millions of hectares of humid primary forest. In places like Gua Musang in Kelantan, the impact of forest loss is being felt directly by Orang Asli communities. Villages in Pos Pasik, Pos Simpor, and Pos Bihai are reporting polluted rivers, damaged crops, conflicts with wildlife, and increasing pressure on customary lands. Some residents are now facing possible legal consequences for defending those lands through peaceful blockades. We speak to Heng Kiah Chun, Campaign Manager at Greenpeace Malaysia, to examine what is happening on the ground and the policy changes that are being called for through the<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.greenpeace.org/malaysia/petitions/our-forests-our-future/"> #HutanKitaHakKita</a> campaign. Image credit: Greenpeace Malaysia

Inside Gua Musang’s Orang Asli Struggles

In just one month, Orang Asli communities across Peninsular Malaysia have faced eviction, arrests, logging activity, and developments moving ahead without their consent. Civil society groups say these are not isolated incidents, but signs of deeper systemic marginalisation tied to land, power and profit, and are calling for the Prime Minister to honour his reform commitments and uphold Orang Asli customary land rights. We speak to Koong Hui Yein, Programme Manager at RimbaWatch, about what is happening on the ground, what is at stake for Orang Asli communities, and why this moment is a critical test of the government’s reform promises. 

In just one month, Orang Asli communities across Peninsular Malaysia have faced eviction, arrests, logging activity, and developments moving ahead without their consent. Civil society groups say these are not isolated incidents, but signs of deeper systemic marginalisation tied to land, power and profit, and are calling for the Prime Minister to honour his reform commitments and uphold Orang Asli customary land rights. We speak to Koong Hui Yein, Programme Manager at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://rimbawatchmy.com/">RimbaWatch</a>, about what is happening on the ground, what is at stake for Orang Asli communities, and why this moment is a critical test of the government’s reform promises.&nbsp;

Malaysia’s Marine Conservation Challenges

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