Life & Arts

Pavilion Loves Sustainability 2026 combines waste technology, textile recovery initiatives, conscious retail experiences, upcycling workshops and brand-led showcases 

by AKMAR ANNUAR 

SUSTAINABILITY can sometimes feel overly polished when presented inside a shopping mall, but Pavilion Kuala Lumpur’s latest green campaign managed brought the idea down to earth by giving shoppers a chance to see, sort, touch, recycle and even stitch their way through it. 

Pavilion REIT board director Nor Rejina Abdul Rahim said Pavilion Loves Sustainability 2026 was not meant to frame sustainability as a distant corporate slogan, but as an ongoing effort involving the mall, its tenants, shoppers, partners and the wider community. 

“At Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, we see sustainability as an ongoing journey and an important area we hope to continue growing together with our community and partners,” she said. 

Now in its fourth year, the campaign marks a new phase for Pavilion Kuala Lumpur through a formal partnership with the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corp (SWCorp Malaysia) and the launch of what the mall describes as Malaysia’s first shopping centre EcoHub. 

Held from May 5-10 at Centre Court, the campaign combines waste technology, textile recovery initiatives, conscious retail experiences, upcycling workshops and brand-led showcases, transforming one of KL’s busiest shopping destinations into a temporary hub for sustainable living. 

EcoHub features practical recycling facilities including Reverse Vending Machines that allows users to redeem rewards through the RVMplus app ecosystem

EcoHub 

The launch was attended by SWCorp Malaysia CEO Khalid Mohamed, alongside Pavilion representatives, brand partners and sustainability collaborators. 

For a mall long associated with fashion, dining and premium retail experiences, the campaign’s significance lies in how it encourages shoppers to think more carefully about what happens after consumption. 

Located within the mall, the EcoHub features practical recycling facilities including Reverse Vending Machines for PET bottles and aluminium cans, smart recycling bins for paper, plastics and cartons, and a vending machine that allows users to redeem rewards through the RVMplus app ecosystem. 

The concept is simple enough for casual shoppers to understand: Users drop off recyclable items, earn cash-equivalent credits and later redeem merchandise or beverages through the same ecosystem. 

It is not a sweeping act of environmental rescue, but rather a practical reminder that behavioural change often begins with small, visible system that rewards participation instead of merely promoting awareness. 

Pavilion’s partnership with SWCorp also gives the campaign a stronger public policy dimension, particularly as Malaysia continues to advance discussions on circular economy practices and responsible waste management. 

Nor Rejina said the mall wanted its sustainability efforts to complement wider government initiatives rather than exist as a standalone corporate campaign. 

She added that while Pavilion had previously collaborated with public figures and personalities for its sustainability initiatives, this year’s partnership with SWCorp reflected a more institutional and long-term approach to the issue. 

“It is not just about making money or profit, but about enabling people to succeed,” she told The Malaysian Reserve (TMR). 

That distinction matters because sustainability in a mall setting can easily be dismissed as decorative if they fail to involve the people who work in, shop at and maintain the space. Nor Rejina said the campaign also reflects a necessary shift in mindset, particularly as businesses are increasingly expected to consider how their decisions affect communities, tenants, stakeholders and future generations.

She pointed to climate change, shifting weather patterns and the growing problem of discarded clothing as reminders that the issue is no longer abstract. 

Referring to SWCorp’s figure, she said around 40,000 tonnes of clothing end up in landfills, highlighting how quickly fashion waste can become an environmental burden when consumers treat clothes as disposable. 

The textile recovery component is among the campaign’s more relatable elements, as many people have old clothes sitting at home, kept out of guilt, procrastination or the belief that they may one day be useful again. 

Upcycle4Better clothing donation bins are available throughout the mall, providing shoppers with a proper channel to dispose unwanted clothing instead of sending it to landfill

Upcycle4Better 

Through the advocacy of Upcycle4Better, Life-Line Clothing Malaysia has been appointed as the textile recycling partner for Pavilion Loves Sustainability 2026. 

As part of the initiative, Upcycle4Better clothing donation bins have been placed throughout Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, providing shoppers with a proper channel to dispose unwanted clothing instead of sending it to landfill. 

The collected textiles will be sorted and repurposed where possible, extending the life of pre-loved fabrics and reducing textile waste. 

Nor Rejina said Pavilion also has operates textile recycling points at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and Pavilion Bukit Jalil, where old clothes and shoes can be disposed of responsibly. 

Certain materials, such as rubber from footwear, can be reused in other applications, including road-related infrastructure, demonstrating that waste can often be transformed into a reusable resource rather than discarded entirely. 

The mall has also continued with composting efforts, an less visible but highly practical aspect of its broader sustainability agenda. 

This writer was amused when Nor Rejina casually reminded attendees not to use too much compost because it can be “hot” and potentially damage plants if applied excessively, a small but human moment that made the campaign feel less like a polished corporate exercise and more like a lived, practical process. 

After the launch, this writer took part in an upcycling workshop organised by Upcycle4Better and LifeLine Clothing Malaysia, where an old pair of old jeans was gradually transformed into a water bottle bag. 

The session began with denim pieces that had already been cut into panels for the front, back, base and straps. Participants were then guided through joining the side seams using a 1.5cm seam allowance. 

The most delicate part came when the circular base had to be pinned evenly onto the bottom edge of the bag, a small test of patience for those more accustomed to buying finished products than making them by hand. 

Once the straps were folded upwards and secured along the hem seam, the bottle base was inserted to give the bag its structure, while the seams and edges were checked to ensure the finished piece was functional rather than simply decorative. 

It was a simple project, but the act of making it by hand gave the campaign a more personal significance, as the denim was no longer a discarded material but something capable of carrying a bottle, a memory and a reminder. 

A representative from Upcycle4Better told this writer that the organisation aims to reduce textile waste through a combination of collection points, public education, staff training, and practical workshops that help people better understand what happens to unwanted clothing after it leaves the wardrobe. 

The representative said its collaboration with Pavilion includes textile recycling infrastructure, awareness initiatives and upcycling workshops conducted with fashion design students from Taylor’s University. 

According to information displayed at the event, the effort includes seven textile recycling bins located across Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and Pavilion Bukit Jalil, as well as training for 54 staff members under a corporate textiles recovery programme covering textile waste, circular economy, environmental, social and governance (ESG) alignment and recovery systems. 

Shoppers could also discover a curated trail of sustainability-themed displays by participating brands at Spanish Steps

Talent-driven Sustainability 

The Taylor’s University fashion students guided participants through the workshop with patience, turning the session into a cross-generational exchange between students, shoppers and sustainability advocates. 

Their involvement also reflected Pavilion’s broader intention to make sustainability talent-driven, rather than placing the responsibility solely on management or tenants. 

Nor Rejina said training and awareness among workers are important because people cannot fully understand the impact of sustainability practices without being exposed to the issue. 

The mall is also exploring potential collaborations with universities and schools as part of its ongoing sustainability efforts. 

For retail spaces, this is important because sustainability cannot rely only on public-facing displays and campaigns. 

It must also involve the cleaners, security personnel, tenants, facilities teams, management staff and decision-makers who shape how a building operates on a daily basis. 

“ESG and sustainability are not just about the environment, but also about people and how we treat them,” Nor Rejina told TMR. 

This broader perspective helps shift the conversation away from the usual green checklist of recycling bins, reusable bottles and energy-saving lights. 

While those measures matter, they form only part of a widerer system that also encompasses labour practices, governance, public accountability and long-term business resilience. 

Nor Rejina said investors are increasingly expecting companies to demonstrate that they can generate sustainable returns over the long term, rather than relying on short-term gains that are difficult to maintain. 

From Pavilion’s perspective, this means balancing the realities of retail operations with lower energy consumption, more responsible practices and data-driven reporting. 

She said the group has explored the use of solar panels and participates in government programmes aimed at reducing electricity consumption. 

She also noted that Pavilion’s internal initiatives have contributed to reductions in electricity and water usage, although data collection remains one of the more challenging aspects of the journey. 

The issue is significant because sustainability claims are now being watched more closely by investors, regulators, consumers and the wider public.

Nor Rejina said Pavilion is in its first year of integrated reporting, following Bursa Malaysia’s shift towards more comprehensive reporting standards. 

This has made data collection more important as the group seeks to demonstrate the actual impact of its sustainability initiatives. 

“We are very mindful of greenwashing, so in terms of the data that we collect, we double-check everything.” 

The group is audited and must ensure its sustainability disclosures are accurate, as the board has a duty to shareholders, investors and other stakeholders. 

As chair of the board’s sustainability committee, Nor Rejina said the work is still evolving and requires continuous oversight. 

The board seek detailed visibility into sustainability performance, including electricity and water savings, new initiatives and the data that support these outcomes. 

Her comments added a more serious tone to the launch, which is important because green campaigns can easily become aesthetic exercises if they are not supported by measurable outcomes. 

At the same time, Pavilion Loves Sustainability 2026 does not rely only on quantitative metrics. 

It also understands that shoppers are more likely to engage when sustainability is presented in a visible, appealing and personal way. 

Lush is among the beauty brands participating in the event

Sustainability-theme Displays 

Across the campaign, participating brands are hosting displays, workshops and activations centred on sustainable beauty, conscious fashion, upcycling fashion and responsible consumption. 

At Centre Court, shoppers can explore activities by National Geographic, LUSH, The Body Shop and Dr Hauschka, alongside booths by Dome, Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) and Pavilion Hotel that showcase sustainability-focused initiatives. 

Natural beauty brand Dr Hauschka also drew attention at its booth, where representative Ruby told this writer that all of the brand’s products are “edible”, a term she used to describe the natural, plant-based quality of its ingredients. 

“Edible means the products are all natural and this attracts all insects and bugs!” 

It was an unusually memorable way to describe beauty products, but it also reflected how some brands are trying to make natural formulations more relatable and easier for consumers to understand. 

At the Spanish Steps, shoppers could also discover a curated trail of sustainability-themed displays by L’Occitane, GANNI under Club 21, Mulberry, Aveda, Kiehl’s, Lancôme, Royal Selangor, Bonia, Aēsop and VIVAIA. 

Taylor’s University, in collaboration with Upcycle4Better, also showcased student-led upcycled creations made from pre-owned Converse apparel, showing how discarded materials can be transformed into expressive designs rather than treated as waste to be hidden away. 

The campaign also stretched into the weekend with lifestyle events, including the Malaysia Singer 2026 Grand Launch Showcase on May 9 and a meet-and-greet with Fan Bingbing on May 10. 

Fan starred in Mother Bhumi, a nature-focused drama centred on the relationship between humans, land and rural life, making her appearance thematically aligned with the campaign’s message of environmental stewardship. 

National Geographic tote bag redemption is available for Pavilion retail rewards shoppers with single receipts of RM800 and above from May 5-31

Shoppers are also being drawn in through Pavilion’s retail rewards, including National Geographic tote bag redemptions for single receipts of RM800 or more from May 5-31. 

Pavilion Privileges members on the Lifestyle Tier and above could also receive a complimentary Montigo 32 oz Ace Bottle Mega for every RM1,500 spent in a single receipt at specialty stores from May 5-10. 

While these retail mechanics remains very much part of mall culture, they also highlight the practical tension that defines sustainability in a shopping centre. 

A mall depends on consumption, but it can also use its scale to make better habits easier, more visible and more rewarding. 

That tension is not something Pavilion Loves Sustainability 2026 completely resolves, but it does acknowledge it more openly than many campaigns of its kind. 

The event’s strongest moments were not the polished displays, but the small interactions around them, from shoppers learning how to recycle through a machine to workshop participants turning old denim into something they could take home. 

In those moments, sustainability felt less like a slogan on a backdrop and more like a habit that could be practised imperfectly, repeatedly and collectively. 

For Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, the challenge now is to sustain that momentum beyond the campaign week. 

For shoppers, perhaps the more immediate challenge is to look at the next bottle, old shirt or worn-out pair of jeans and pause before deciding it has no further use. 

• This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition

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PARIS – France said Monday that it had selected an international team of architects to transform the Louvre, which has been hit by a litany of problems including a $100 million jewellery robbery.

The “Louvre-New Renaissance” overhaul, President Emmanuel Macron’s signature project announced last year, will include a new space for the Mona Lisa and a new museum entrance.

The vast redevelopment project has been entrusted to STUDIOS Architecture Paris, the French branch of an international company, and Selldorf Architects, a firm founded by a German architect in New York.

A French landscape and urban planning agency is also part of the winning team, which was selected by a jury from among five shortlisted candidates.

The culture ministry said the winning proposal was selected for “the quality of its architectural approach and its integration in terms of heritage, urban, and landscape considerations”, as well as security concerns.

The Louvre said “The proposal establishes an elegant link between the city, the palace, and the museum.”

STUDIOS Architecture Paris contributed to the design of the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris and the LUMA Foundation in Arles.

Selldorf Architects is known for its work on the historic mansion that houses The Frick Collection in New York as well as the National Gallery in London.

Macron’s aides have said the project is expected to cost 700 million to 800 million euros ($730 to 830 million). But the French Court of Auditors has put the price tag at 1.15 billion euros.

Under the plan, Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece — which attracts around 20,000 visitors a day — will be independently accessible from the rest of the museum, with a separate ticket to see it.

The museum will also have a new entrance on its eastern facade to help ease congestion at its current glass-and-metal pyramid entry point.

That entrance was designed for just four million visitors a year when it was inaugurated in 1988.

The Louvre, the seat of French kings until Louis XIV abandoned it for Versailles in the late 1600s, now receives around nine million visitors a year.

The Paris landmark has become a subject of national concern following a months-long string of scandals.

Apart from the embarrassing theft of French crown jewels in October, the museum has struggled with strikes, a ticket fraud scheme that may have cost the museum 10 million euros ($11.7 million), a water leak and structural, maintenance and security issues. –AFP

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NEW YORK – Famed Italian fashion house Gucci took over New York’s iconic Times Square on Saturday for its second runway show led by creative director Demna.

Models walked down a wide runway set up in Manhattan, bordered by 7th Avenue and Broadway, while its famous billboards broadcast the images.

Guests were separated from the street by large black panels, while onlookers and tourists were able to enjoy the show live from the sidewalk as it was broadcast across screens in the famed neighborhood.

The Cruise collection show —  held outside the official fashion calendars — is the second show presented by Georgian designer Demna, who goes by one name.

The 45-year-old took over Gucci in July after a decade at Balenciaga, charged with helping reverse falling sales.

As with his first show in Milan last February, Demna emphasized the sexiness and glamour that have made Gucci a success: satiny, shiny fabrics, leather, leopard prints, fur, high heels for the women and cinched waists for everyone.

‘Make Gucci unmissable’

The nods to the 1970s and 1980s were pronounced, as were the references to Tom Ford, who helmed the collections between 1994 and 2004 — a period considered a golden age for the brand.

Model Cindy Crawford, former American football player Tom Brady, and media personality Paris Hilton walked the runway. Other guests included singer Mariah Carey, musician Shawn Mendes, rapper Stormzy and reality TV star Kim Kardashian.

French luxury group Kering, which owns Gucci, saw sales slide by six percent in the first quarter of this year, with the Italian fashion house still dragging down its performance.

“Our priority is to make Gucci unmissable again… In one second you must know it’s Gucci — and it doesn’t mean covering the world with GG,” the group’s CEO Luca de Meo said in April. –AFP

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MORIOKA (Japan) — Picky eating in cats may have less to do with finicky personalities and more to do with their sense of smell, Kyodo News reported, citing a new study by a team at Iwate University in northeastern Japan.

The researchers found that when cats are repeatedly given the same food, the amount they eat gradually declines. However, their appetite can rebound when the smell changes — even if the food itself remains the same.

The findings, published in the April 1 issue of the international scientific journal Physiology and Behaviour, highlight the role of olfactory cues in shaping feline eating habits. The study may also help improve care for older or sick cats with reduced appetites and aid in the development of new pet foods.

Cats tend to eat small amounts several times a day, often leaving food behind. This behaviour has long been attributed to mood or instinct, but the underlying mechanism has remained unclear.

“Our research provides an answer to a question many cat owners have,” said Masao Miyazaki, a professor of molecular and cellular biology who led the study.

In the experiment, 12 cats were fed six times at regular intervals, with 10-minute breaks between feedings. When the same food was provided each time, the amount consumed steadily decreased.

However, when a different food was introduced at the sixth feeding, the cats’ intake increased. A similar recovery was observed when a new scent was added to the same food at the final feeding.

The team also found that continued exposure to the same smell between meals reduced how much the cats ate, while introducing a different scent helped maintain a higher intake.

The researchers concluded that cats’ eating patterns are influenced not only by satiety but also by “olfactory habituation,” in which sensitivity to a repeated smell fades, and “dishabituation,” where a new stimulus restores interest.

“Simply rotating foods with different smells could help encourage cats to eat,” Miyazaki said. “We hope this will contribute to building a better relationship between cats and their owners.” — BERNAMA-KYODO

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VIENNA — Dara has won the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Austria for Bulgaria with the song “Bangaranga”.

Political tensions over Israel’s participation cast a shadow over the 70th edition of the competition, however, reported German news agency dpa.

Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia and Iceland boycotted in protest against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which was launched after the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023.

Hours before the final was to get under way, several thousand people took to the streets in Vienna to protest Israel taking part. A pro-Palestinian protest just before the final began led to a large police operation in the Austrian capital. Fourteen people were arrested.

According to Eurovision tradition, the competition next year will now be held in Bulgaria. –BERNAMA-dpa

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AFTER queuing for days to get their hands on the new Audemars Piguet-Swatch collaboration, fans on Saturday finally got their chance to buy the eye-catching pop-art timepiece, but heaving crowds stopped some stores from opening their doors and prompted pleas for calm. 

Such was the frenzy for the timepiece at the Dubai Mall and the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai that the launch was canceled over crowd safety concerns, Swatch said on its Instagram account. Similar scenes played out in the UK, France, US and Singapore.

“In view of public safety considerations, we have decided not to proceed with the sale of the product at Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates, and the event has been canceled,” the Swiss company said. It sent similar messages for stores in London, as well as cities in northern England and Scotland and outlets in Lyon, Lille, Deauville and Rennes in France.

The company also announced it shut nearly 20 stores throughout the US including New York, Los Angeles and Orlando, citing public safety considerations. Footage and photos circulating on social media showed long queues outside several locations, as well as reports of a person getting arrested outside a Swatch location at New York City’s Times Square. 

“To ensure the safety of both our customers and our staff in Swatch stores, we kindly ask you not to rush to our stores in large numbers to acquire this product,” the company said in a statement on its Instagram account, adding that the new timepieces will be available for several months. 

In recent days, customers and collectors lined up outside selected Swatch boutiques around the world in anticipation of the novelty release, despite widespread disappointment that it was a pocket watch and not a wristwatch.  

Featuring eight colorful pop-art pocket watch versions of the famous Royal Oak design, the piece can also be worn as a pendant, bag charm or desk clock. The watches, priced at $400 to $420 apiece, stem from a rare collaboration between rival watchmakers Swatch and Audemars Piguet. And businesses are gearing up for production of straps, as demand to wear them on the wrist surges.

Anticipation that the collaboration would result in a plastic version of the Royal Oak helped fuel a 15% rally in Swatch shares in the run-up to the release, but those expectations were dashed when the official announcement on May 12 revealed a pocket watch instead. Since then, the stock has pared some of those gains.

Companies such as Helvetus and Delugs — not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by either brand — have stepped in with promises to make straps available. At the same time, a flood of fake, AI-generated social media accounts has emerged claiming to offer straps as well. 

The frenzy underscores how playful, gimmicky products have become a key strategy for luxury companies battling for visibility and growth in a challenging environment for the sector. 

“We are making a move that is clearly bold and brings attention and conversation about mechanical watches,” said Ilaria Resta, chief executive officer at Audemars Piguet, in an interview Thursday. “We need to go over the constraints of a category that can become irrelevant and disrupted by teaching, explaining and creating the love and passion.”

Not everyone lining up is planning to keep the watches. Some buyers are seeking to make a quick profit on the resale market, with listings for well over €1,000 ($1,163) appearing on Chrono24 GmbH, the world’s largest dedicated online marketplace for luxury watches, and eBay.

The pairing of a high-end luxury watch with an entry-level, accessible brand has prompted reactions ranging from admiration to ridicule. Either way, engagement surged. 

Chrono24 said traffic spiked following the announcement, with co-founder Tim Stracke calling it “the PR stunt of the decade” in a LinkedIn post.

Swatch has previously collaborated with brands within its own stable, most notably with the hugely popular MoonSwatch, a bioceramic take on Omega’s iconic Speedmaster Moonwatch chronograph. Since debuting in 2022, the $285 MoonSwatch has been a major commercial success for Swatch, selling a million units in its first year, while limited-edition variations continue to draw crowds today.

Google Trends data also suggests interest in the Royal Pop collaboration eclipsed even the initial MoonSwatch launch. –BLOOMBERG

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KUALA LUMPUR — What was originally planned for Dubai eventually became one of Malaysia’s biggest entertainment spectacles last year, when Bukit Jalil here was chosen to host popular Indian actor-turned-politician Vijay’s final cinematic celebration before he fully embarks on his political journey.

The Thalapathy Thiruvizha: Jana Nayagan audio launch for Vijay’s 69th film, held at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Dec 27, evolved far beyond a movie promotional event into a grand showcase of Malaysia’s hospitality, event management expertise and rising appeal as a cine-tourism destination.

The event has since been recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records as one of the world’s largest audio launch events, drawing about 85,000 fans.

Founder of Malik Streams Group of Companies, Datuk Abdul Malik Dasthigeer, said Malaysia secured the prestigious event after he personally requested that the audio launch be moved from Dubai to Kuala Lumpur.

“The event was originally supposed to happen in Dubai, but I personally requested for it to be organised in Malaysia. Vijay sir agreed, and that became a proud moment not just for us, but for Malaysia,” he told Bernama, reflecting on his journey in bringing the 51-year-old superstar to Malaysian shores.

For fans, the occasion carried deep emotional significance as it marked what many viewed as one of Vijay’s final major public appearances in his iconic hero persona before fully transitioning into politics.

 “It was truly a privilege to make it happen for all the Vijay fans in Malaysia. Watching him live on stage, dancing, singing and speaking as a hero, knowing it could possibly be one of his final appearances in that role, became a once in a lifetime memory for everyone who witnessed it,” he said.

 Abdul Malik said hosting the mega event gave Malaysia a rare opportunity to showcase its hospitality, professionalism and capability in delivering a world-class international entertainment production, despite the immense logistical challenge.

He said nearly 4,000 personnel were involved in planning and executing the event, with crowd control, security, transportation and hospitality requiring extensive coordination due to Vijay’s immense popularity and massive fan following.

The event attracted fans not only from Malaysia, but also from neighbouring countries and other parts of the world, creating a ripple effect across tourism-related sectors including hotels, airlines, food and beverage outlets, transportation services and local businesses.

“Many travelled here solely for the opportunity to see him live, which is a very rare experience. Their arrival naturally boosted multiple sectors linked to tourism and hospitality,” he said.

Abdul Malik said the event’s impact extended far beyond Bukit Jalil, with its digital exposure significantly elevating Malaysia’s visibility among global Tamil cinema audiences.

Footage from Bukit Jalil, including FPV drone visuals featured in the Jana Nayagan ‘Raavana Mavandaa’ song video, has surpassed 41 million views, while event clips, fan-generated content and media coverage collectively amassed hundreds of millions of views globally.

Abdul Malik, who was also instrumental in bringing superstar Rajinikanth to Malaysia for the filming of Kabali about a decade ago, said such large-scale productions demonstrate the country’s appeal as a destination for international film and entertainment projects, describing the Bukit Jalil event as one of Malaysia’s most significant cine tourism moments in recent years.

Having interacted personally with Vijay, Abdul Malik said the actor’s rise in Tamil Nadu politics came as no surprise, describing him as calm, grounded and naturally influential.

He said Malaysia has always held a special place in Vijay’s global fan journey, particularly due to the unwavering support of the Malaysian Tamil community, adding that Malik Streams, as the Malaysian distributor for Jana Nayagan, is preparing yet another memorable celebration for fans when the film is released.

Over the past decade, Malik Streams has organised 11 major concerts featuring artistes from Tamil Nadu and distributed more than 100 Indian films in Malaysia, underscoring the company’s strong footprint in the Indian entertainment industry.

Vijay was sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10 after his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), emerged as the single largest force in the recently concluded and intensely contested state election. — BERNAMA

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Solar panels and lithium batteries are beginning to transform the region, supplementing or replacing diesel altogether 

by FABIANO MAISONNAVE 

BRAZIL’S Amazon teems with plant and animal life and is critical to the health of the planet as a storehouse of carbon dioxide (CO2). The nation also has the cleanest national grid among G20 countries, thanks to abundant hydropower, much of it originating in the Amazon. 

But many Amazonian communities aren’t connected to the grid. In remote areas with no roads, transmission lines are difficult to build and maintain. Instead, they depend on polluting diesel fuel for electricity. 

Diesel, transported by boat, is burned by about 160 local thermal plants and thousands of generators scattered around the rainforest. Brazil’s government spends roughly US$2.4 billion (RM9.5 billion) in subsidies per year to support this system, according to the National Electric Energy Agency. 

Now, solar panels and lithium batteries are beginning to transform the region, supplementing or replacing diesel altogether. 

“We used to depend on diesel and lamps,” said Waldemir da Silva, a leader in the Três Unidos Indigenous community of about 40 families at the mouth of the Cuieiras River, located about 72 kilometers (km) from Manaus, the capital of Amazonas state and accessible only by boat. “Today we have electricity 24 hours a day, without noise or smoke.” 

The shift is being driven by a mix of federal policy, falling technology costs and philanthropic initiatives to build microgrids. 

Waldemir da Silva

Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy plans to add solar and batteries to diesel plants around the Amazon. Last year it approved an initial set of 29 projects, which together will serve 650,000 people and avoid 800,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by 2036, according to official estimates. Subsidy savings are projected to reach about US$171 million. 

The emissions gap between Brazil’s main grid and its isolated systems highlights how polluting electricity generation remains in the Amazon. While the country’s national grid emitted an average of about 0.04 tonnes of CO2 per megawatt-hour (MWh) in 2025, emissions in isolated systems reached 0.67 tonnes per MWh — nearly 17 times higher, according to Vinicius Nunes, a São Paulo-based associate at BloombergNEF. 

In Tefé, home to 74,000 people, energy technology company Aggreko is deploying one of the largest hybrid systems in the programme, integrating solar generation and battery storage into an existing diesel plant. China’s Huawei is supplying the technology, including about 122 MWh of batteries. The project is expected to be operational within the next two years. 

Brazilian battery manufacturer UCB Power in November installed a smaller hybrid system in Maués, a city of about 61,000 people. “When you combine solar with storage in a thermal plant, you can generate competitiveness, create value and deliver returns in line with what any investor would expect,” said Antonio Maldonado, the company’s chief operating officer. 

Outside of the Amazon’s cities and towns, about 1.2 million people live in Indigenous and riverine communities deep in the rainforest. They turn to generators but run them only a few hours a day to save fuel, which has only gotten pricier amid global supply disruptions from the Iran war. 

Until recently, this was the case in Três Unidos, a community of the Kambeba people that supports itself through eco-cultural tourism.

Valcléia Lima, of the Foundation for Amazon Sustainability, shows where the batteries for the Três Unidos power plant are stored

Its electricity came from a diesel generator that ran intermittently. A federal programme called Luz Para Todos (Light for All) had supplied residents with solar kits and batteries, but these provided enough energy only for minimal lighting and not enough for refrigeration. 

Without the ability to store food, residents depended on costly ice. “All our profit went to buy ice,” said Neurilene Kambeba, who runs a restaurant and a guesthouse. 

The solar kits met “social needs, but not productive ones,” said Valcléia Lima, deputy superintendent at the nonprofit Foundation for Amazon Sustainability, known as FAS. “Without adequate energ y, communities are left without water, without food preservation and without the ability to generate income,” she said. 

In December, Três Unidos got a new solar-battery microgrid system. Around-the-clock power enables refrigeration, and the community has cut back dramatically on diesel, burning roughly 475 gallons or 1,800 liters less per month. Occupancy at Neurilene Kambeba’s guesthouse has increased by 70%, now that tourists can use fans for the whole night. Visitors can also pay for handicrafts with credit cards, a consequence of both reliable energy and omnipresent Starlink dishes. 

The Três Unidos microgrid was financed by Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment, in partnership with the German Society for International Cooperation, a federal development agency and FAS. The system includes 320 solar panels and 120 batteries and is community-managed, with residents trained to operate and maintain the equipment. Households make monthly contributions to a shared fund to cover upkeep. 

The microgrid in Santa Helena do Inglês, in Amazonas state

Três Unidos is the fifth community to benefit from FAS’s microgrid program. Nearby Santa Helena do Inglês has had a microgrid since 2021 and recently implemented a new system to power an ice production facility. That’s expected to reduce costs for local fishermen, who will no longer need to travel all the way to Manaus to buy ice, only to see half of the cargo melt on the way back. 

The microgrid in Tumbira powers village infrastructure, including the school, health center and water system. Like Santa Helena’s system, it was donated by and gets technical support from UCB Power. UCB, which has a plant in Manaus’ free trade zone, is testing sodium batteries alongside lithium ones in Tumbira to evaluate their performance in the Amazon’s hot and humid weather. 

Nelson Brito de Mendonça, president of the Santa Helena do Inglês community, monitors the solar power plant that supplies electricity

Markus Vlasits, head of the Brazilian Association of Energy Storage Solutions, said the expansion of solar-battery microgrids is constrained by a lack of viable financing models. Large hybrid power systems in cities can attract public funding and private investment, while Luz Para Todos supplies small household solar kits. Microgrids fall in between, so depend on grants and pilot programmes. 

“We need to find ways to make this technolog y more accessible to smaller communities, as they typically lack the financial capacity to invest on their own,” said Vlasits, who is also MD at NewCharge Energy, which participated in Tumbira’s microgrid system. 

Roberto de Mendonça, a former logger who is now a lodge owner in Tumbira, said the next step there should be extending solar power beyond public infrastructure to the community’s households, so residents don’t have to depend on an unstable grid or diesel as a backup. That would help the local economy, particularly tourism, grow, he said. 

“If all communities had solar energy, it would be a clean solution that strengthens sustainability,” he said. “Energy brings quality of life, progress, income and education — it brings everything.” — Bloomberg

• This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition

The post Solar panels, batteries are changing life in Amazon appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

Plus viral udon and a sensational new ‘kappo’ spot in Ginza 

by TOMOKO HATAKEYAMA & LILY NONOMIYA 

THERE’S no bad time to visit Tokyo, but early summer is ideal. The temperatures are mild, the rain mostly holds off and, in early May, residents switch to holiday mode as Japan celebrates Golden Week. 

If you go to Tokyo, you won’t be alone. Prolonged yen weakness and the government’s push to boost tourism have helped drive a surge in visitors. (In 2025, a record-breaking 42.7 million tourists descended on Japan.) In the city’s most high-profile districts — Shibuya, Roppongi and Ginza — it’s now odd if you don’t hear multiple languages as you walk down the street. 

No surprise, food is a central draw. There are almost too many great restaurants in Tokyo. Beyond the iconic sushi and ramen, Tokyo boasts food from around the world, expertly made and at relatively accessible prices.

As tourism has exploded, so has an infusion of new dining spots, from exclusive, reservation-only establishments to casual standing bars. (As an added convenience for foreign diners, more venues offer menus in English.) 

Still, it’s not easy to navigate a city with thousands upon thousands of good options. We’ve picked five top spots from a sophisticated take on izakaya fare in Ginza to a modestly priced French place, conveniently located alongside Tokyo Station and great for business meetings, as well as one of the city’s more controversial ramen places. 

New: Ginza Shiraishi Bettei, Ginza

But step through the discreet door that leads underground to Ginza Shiraishi Bettei, and the atmosphere shifts to a quiet, practically hidden retreat. 

The star of the show is seasonal seafood and vegetables, sourced daily by the chefs and displayed along the counter. The choices are a visual introduction to your meal. It also signals that this is a “kappo” dining spot, a casual kind of cooking, where the food is prepared in front of you, based on what you want or what the chef recommends you eat. 

On a recent visit, the chefs recommended tuna, flounder and Spanish mackerel sashimi, followed by seasonal mountain-vegetable tempura. The deceptively simple preparations showcased the pristine freshness of the fish and the delectable light crispy coating on the vegetables. Most of the seasonal items are market-priced; if it’s hard to choose, opt for the daily set offering such as a tempura assortment (¥3,300 [RM66]) or the sashimi platter (¥5,500).  

8-4-27 Ginza Chuo-ward; shirai-shi-bettei.j-silver.co.jp/ 

Kagawa Ippuku’s ‘kamatama udon’, with fishcake tempura

Value: Kagawa Ippuku, Uchikanda

In Japan, soba and udon are as popular as ramen. Kagawa Ippuku features “sanuki udon” from Japan’s Kagawa prefecture — a place famed for the dish because of its quality wheat — at relatively affordable prices. Its main shop in Kanda, a busy business district in Tokyo, gets crowds of office workers at lunchtime. 

Once inside, customers choose their udon style and tempura toppings from a ticket machine near the door. Options range from the simplest “kake udon” (¥530-¥680), served in a light, dashi-based broth, to curry udon (¥880-¥990) topped with a rich curry sauce. The tempura selection is extensive, including vegetables, chicken, shrimp and even eggs. 

One of the most popular menu items is “kamatama” (¥630-¥780), featuring just-boiled udon topped with a raw egg and soy sauce; mix thoroughly as soon as it’s served, so the noodles’ heat gently cooks and coats the egg, creating a Japanese-style carbonara. To make it even richer, there’s an optional butter addition. The noodles here are slightly thinner than typical “sanuki udon” — pleasantly slippery with a firm, springy bite. 

1-18-11Uchikanda Chiyoda-ward; kagawa-ippuku.jp 

Business Meal: Arcana Tokyo, Marunouchi

It’s almost as easy to find top-quality French food in Tokyo as it is in Paris. What’s not so ubiquitous is a place that adds distinctive and appealing Japanese twists and does it for incredible value. ¥7,300 at lunch gets you five dishes including the chef’s signature risotto. 

As a starter, classic French leek soup has creamy “uni” flan tucked inside, while the risotto is subtly flavoured with wasabi and garnished with bamboo shoots and nori. Good luck choosing among the desserts (the pastry chef trained at the nearby Palace Hotel). On a spring afternoon, selections included a picture-perfect crêpe Suzette; “moelleux au chocolat” (creamy-in-the-centre cake) embellished with pistachio sauce and mascarpone ice cream; and strawberry parfait made with seasonal fruit. 

The food alone is worth a visit, but the location is also a major draw. Nestled at the back of the sixth floor of the KITTE building next to Tokyo Station in Marunouchi — the capital’s main business district and home to Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc, Japan’s largest bank, and only walking distance from Mizuho Financial Group Inc and other financial firms — it’s easy to miss arcana’s low-key entrance. 

But inside the serene dining room, seats overlook the bullet trains rolling into the station below, and the restaurant’s terrace has plenty of green space. Service is attentive and friendly. The shopping complex is also a great way to walk off your meal afterward — there’s several boutique home-goods stores, a handy outpost of the 

Japanese fashion brand Onitsuka Tiger, and Saza Coffee, a small, up-and-coming roastery on the first floor. 

KITTE 6F, 2-7-2 Marunouchi Chiyoda-ward.; arcana.co.jp/ 

Tsujihan’s signature rice bowl, ‘zeitaku-don’

No Reservation: Tsujihan, Nihonbashi 

For a non-wallet-busting sushi experience — the kind of casual lunch favoured by Japanese diners — Tsujihan is remarkable. The Nihonbashi flagship anchors the chain, and there are also locations in Kagurazaka and Roppongi if those neighbourhoods are more convenient when you’re hungry. It’s popular enough to have expanded to Taipei and Hong Kong. As its reputation has grown, so have the lines to eat, especially midday. 

The signature “zeitaku-don”, or luxurious rice bowl, is prepared in front of diners, invariably starting with chopped seafood, including tuna, shrimp and squid, piled high over rice and topped with the house egg yolk soy sauce. It’s a generous dish, fully loaded with flavours and textures and nearly impossible to stop eating. 

When diners are about halfway through their bowl, they’re encouraged to arrange slices of sashimi on top. They then call over the chef, who pours a special, umami-rich broth over the dish, transforming it into a rich “ochazuke” (a dish of hot liquid and rice). The “zeit-aku-don” comes in several tiers — Ume (¥1,350), Take (¥1,850), Matsu (¥2,500) and Tokujō (¥3,900) — with higher-priced options adding toppings such as sea urchin, “ikura” and crab. 

3-1-15 Nihonbashi Chuo-ward; tsujihan-jp.com/ 

Bloomberg Index / DINE: Ramen Jiro, Mita

One of Tokyo’s most famous noodle purveyors, and the one with the most intensely devoted following, is Ramen Jiro. Across dozens of outlets, mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan area, passionate fans known as “Jirolians” form long lines outside the shops. 

What makes Jiro distinctive is its notably thick noodles, paired with a rich, heavy broth and topped with mounds of vegetables and soy sauce-braised “chashu” pork belly, plentiful enough to overflow the bowl. 

First-time visitors would be wise to expect portions at least twice the size of a typical serving — even the smallest option, “sho (small) ramen” (¥700), is generous. Diners can also tailor their bowls, adjusting the amount of garlic, vegetables and oil to their liking when ordering. 

Ramen Jiro is known for its strict policy of avoiding media coverage, and many of its outlets — including the flagship Mita branch — do not even maintain official websites. Yet a dedicated community of fans keeps the conversation alive online, constantly sharing information and updates. That fan base extends to DINE <GO> on the Bloomberg Terminal. As one reviewer on DINE put it, “The mix of rich fat and extra-thick noodles is incredible. Once you try it, you’ll want to come back. That’s the kind of place it is.” 

2-16-4 Mita, Minato-ward

• This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition

The post The best restaurants in Tokyo, from value sushi to viral ramen appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.