Rightways: Penang

Showing posts with label Penang. Show all posts

Friday, July 29, 2022

Rise and fall of Tedy's empire, King of money games dethroned

Entrepreneur, philanthropist, get-rich-quick ‘hero’ wanted in M’sia and China

He lorded over a mighty empire – hotels, restaurants, agro parks, housing estates with fancy theme parks, the sprawling M Mall – and even had his own digital currency Mcoin. But big man Tedy Teow has fallen hard. Caught in Thailand for money-laundering, the MBI boss now faces criminal action in three countries.

GEORGE TOWN: He once lorded over much of Penang as the “King of money games”. But how the mighty has fallen.

Tedy Teow, the founder of MBI – Mobility Beyond Imagination – can now start imagining himself being restricted in prison cells in three different countries, all of which want him for questioning over several money-laundering cases.

ALSO READ: Malaysian billionaire businessman held in Thailand

It’s a far cry from his glory days. Then, he ruled over an “Mpire” that had pretty much everything – housing development, malls, a chain of hotels, an ehailing service and even its own brand of smartphones.

Not bad for a kid who had started out selling pencils, exercise books and combs.

ALSO READ: Thailand to deport fugitive Tedy Teow

His MBI was also on top of the money game world.

It was during a time when there were plenty of get-rich-quick schemes in Penang which prom

It was during a time when there were plenty of get-rich-quick schemes in Penang which promised high returns – JJ Poor To Rich (JJPTR), Richway Global Venture, Mama Captain, and Change Your Life (CYL) – but MBI was the darling of them all.

Teow had a large following here particularly with the hawkers, self-employed professionals and ordinary folk who wanted to make a fast buck.

ALSO READ: Police apply to repatriate ex-fugitive Teow from Thai custody

“He was my hero. I made a few thousand ringgit monthly from my investment in MBI then. But eventually, I lost it all after I doubled my investment, only to see the company collapsing later on,” said hawker BK Khor, 58.

While many heaped praise on the big man, some also nearly lost their life savings when MBI was red-flagged by authorities in 2019.

A technician at a factory in Bayan Lepas free-trade zone, who wanted to be known only as James, said he learnt about the scheme through one of his friends.

“This was about four years ago. After earning a profit each month for about one year, I put in everything I had. I was lucky to break even in the end,” he said.

From glory to gloom: The M Mall, which was once bustling with activity (below), now stands practically abandoned along Jalan Datuk Keramat in Penang. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

From glory to gloom: The M Mall, which was once bustling with activity (below), now stands practically abandoned along Jalan Datuk Keramat in Penang. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

Fast-forward to today, Teow is now in custody in Thailand and awaiting deportation after he was arrested in Songkhla last Friday. And both Malaysia and China want him in their hands.

The Malaysian police are applying for a repatriation exercise for Teow to return to the country to assist in investigations under Section 420 for cheating.

Beijing police also reportedly want him for questioning. This is after a suit filed end of last year by about 400 investors from China to recover investments worth some RM100mil.

In 2019, about 100 Chinese nationals staged a peaceful protest outside the Chinese embassy in Kuala Lumpur to complain that they had been cheated by an online pyramid scheme operated by MBI.

Coincidentally, it was in China that Teow got his “second shot at life” according to a YouTube video released in 2013.

Titled The Story of MBI International’s Boss, the video was a biography of Teow as an enterprising schoolboy in the 1970s, bringing pencils, exercise books, combs and assorted items to sell in his school.

The video also described Teow’s view of great potential in the franchising industry, which led him to start his beverage company called “Island Red Cafe” in 2008.

The company boasted having the best and trendiest coffee culture in the country but it was actually little more than just a chain of coffee shops.

Anyone interested could invest in the company. A year later, many shareholders stopped getting their returns. And police reports were lodged.

In 2011, Teow and his son Chee Chow were sentenced to a day’s jail and fined RM160,000 after admitting to two counts of cheating and misleading investors of more than RM1mil in the Island Red Cafe scheme in 2010.

Not long after came MBI. It took Penang by storm with offers of “lucrative” returns and was big news in 2015.

Teow was then director of Mface International Bhd and MBI Marketing Sdn Bhd, two companies under the MBI group.

The company set up M Mall 020 in Jalan Datuk Keramat as its headquarters. The mall had several convenience stores which sold its own brand of body lotions, shampoo products and general trading.

Members could use digital currency called Mcoin to buy and redeem stuff from M Mall.

The company even launched its own line of MBI International smartphones then.

MBI also had a chain of hotels including one in Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah and a Chinese restaurant in Jelutong. It also operated an e-hailing service called MULA car.

MBI’s popularity skyrocketed and there was a huge development project next to the Penang International Airport called Mpire Residences being proposed. It never materialised.

The company spread its wings to Kedah with a housing project in Kulim called MBI Desaku.

Teow turned philanthropist when he set up MBI Charity 100, a social responsibility effort by MBI Group to help the poor and the needy. The objective was to hold 999 charity events each year.

But in 2017, Teow’s world came crashing down. M Mall was raided by police, while 91 bank accounts linked to MBI International were frozen. The accounts held RM177mil.

Teow would later face two charges of issuing unrecognised payment instruments. In 2018, he was fined RM2.5mil and RM3mil by Bank Negara for financial irregularities.

Last year, police said Teow and his two sons were also involved in a Macau scam totalling up to RM336mil.

Teow’s family has not been spared, too. His son was held at knifepoint after three Chinese nationals broke into the family’s house looking for him for a refund.

The intruders fled but not before dropping two fake bombs in the house.

But now, the real bombshell has fallen. Teow is under police custody. But his story has surely not ended yet.

Source link'

Malaysian businessman Tedy Teow expected to be deported to China on July 26

Related posts:

Two virtual coin get-rich schemes red-flagged by Malaysian Central Bank

Malaysian authorities crack down on virtual money operator, MBI Group International

Never-ending money games - from fixed return to split schemes

On Mcoin, Bitcoin and points of investment

More heartaches than happiness

Many investors get their fingers burned in dubious money-making schemes

Monday, April 18, 2022

Regaining momentum, property sector to recover despite challenges

WITH the country finally transitioning into endemicity, the Malaysian property market is expected to regain its momentum this year.

However, despite the better economic growth recovery projected for 2022, the National Property Information Centre (Napic) has cautioned that the environment still remains challenging.

“The health of the residential sector is paramount to the overall performance of the property market,” Napic says in its 2021 property market report.

“The transition to the endemic phase of Covid-19 starting April 1, 2022, will see the lifting of restrictions of business operating hours and the reopening of country borders, which is expected to further improve domestic economic activities and entail better prospects for the leisure sector,” it adds.

Napic emphasises that the transition phase is a much-needed boost for the local property market.

“This will translate into better occupancy of hotels apart from creating employment opportunities for the locals.

“Nevertheless, the environment will remain challenging for the retail and office sector as more new supply enters the market in the near future.”

As the industry normalises and adapts to the new norms of working from home and market digitalisation, Napic says the office and retail sectors may continue to face downward pressure in 2022.

“On the development front, major ongoing infrastructure projects are expected to spur economic activities and the property market in the long run.”

As the economy is set to be on the right trajectory, Napic says the property market’s performance is expected to be on a similar track.

Accommodative policies

“The accommodative policies, continuous government support and execution of all planned measures outlined in Budget 2022 and proper implementation of strategies and initiatives under the 12th Malaysia Plan are expected to support growth in the property sector,” it says.

According to Napic, the residential sub-sector led the overall property market activity in 2021 with a 66.2% contribution in volume.

There were 198,812 transactions worth Rm76.90bil recorded in the review period, which was an increase of 3.9% in volume and 16.7% in value year-on-year.

The improvement was supported by the uptrend recorded in Kuala Lumpur (4.9%), Selangor (10.7%), Pulau Pinang (16.3%) and Perak (3.2%). Conversely, Johor recorded a decline in market activity by 2.4%.

The primary market saw fewer releases of new launches. There were nearly 44,000 units launched in 2021, against 47,178 units in 2020.

Napic says the decline was expected as developers held back on the new launches due to the softening property market and increasing numbers of unsold inventories.

Sales performance was moderate at 39.3% in 2021.

A property analyst says the property market will, as always, continue to be driven by the residential sub-sector.

“Even without the Home Ownership Campaign (HOC), there is renewed enthusiasm among purchasers and buyers – something that was lost over the last two years as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

To help spur the property market, the government introduced the HOC in June 2020 under the Penjana initiative.

The campaign ended on Dec 31, 2021. Many industry observers and property players believed that the HOC was indeed a huge help to the market and urged the government to extend the campaign period into 2022.

Following the conclusion of the HOC, Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research says the “tables have turned” in favour of the affordable housing segment.

Comparative advantage

“Prior to the introduction of the HOC, the affordable housing segment enjoyed stamp duty exemption for property value up to RM500,000.

“With the introduction of the HOC, the affordable segment lost its comparative advantage as the stamp duty exemption was extended to property value up to Rm1mil,” it says in a recent report.

HLIB Research notes that in 2021, when the HOC was still in place, the percentage of residential transactions below RM500,000 had declined, likely due to home buyers rushing to take advantage of the HOC campaign before it ended on Dec 31.

“With the ending of the HOC, the tables have once again turned in favour of the affordable housing segment, as purchases in this category will continue to enjoy stamp duty exemptions.

“Even during the HOC campaign, the affordable housing segment was still the most demanded segment, comprising more than 75% of the number of residential transactions.”

Citing the Statistics Department, HLIB Research says as much as 20% or 580,000 households from the M40 households had shifted to the income limit of the B40 group in 2020.

“The broadening base of the lower-income group, coupled with the rising living cost from inflationary pressure, especially on the food cost, will bolster demand within the affordable home segment, as home buyers will likely opt for affordable housing due to income constraints.”

Meanwhile, RHB Investment Bank says inflationary pressures and the timing of the election could swing sentiment.

“On the macroeconomic front, we are also cautious on rising inflationary pressure, which may potentially dampen household disposable income.”

Apart from the expected increase in interest rates in the second half of this year, the research house points out that food and consumer product prices are also on the rise, which is in line with commodity prices.

“Given that the market has just recovered from last year’s lockdown, demand for property may be negatively affected if inflationary pressures worsen further, as property is deemed a big-ticket item that is considered non-discretionary.”

Given the conclusion of the state elections in Melaka, Sarawak and Johor over the last six months, RHB Investment Bank says some political parties are calling for the next general election to be held soon.

“Historically, the performance of most property stocks tend to be lacklustre six months prior to an election, possibly due to the uncertain outlook and potential policy changes after an election.

“As the next general election is due by July 2023, we think speculation will be rife in the coming months on the timing of the event.”

Rising building costs

HLIB Research notes that building materials costs have been rising persistently since 2021.

“From what we gathered, key raw materials such as steel and cement have risen more than 20% on a year-on-year basis.”

Under such a rising cost environment, the research house says property developers that will fare relatively better are those that outsource their construction work to third parties.

“This is as their construction cost will be locked in at a lower cost (amid the rising cost environment) when the job is outsourced.”

For new launches, HLIB Research says developers will likely be able to outsource the jobs at competitive prices.

Competitive job tenders

“This is because new job tenders among contractors will likely be very competitive (due to fewer job tenders available), as developers are more cautious in their launches due to the subdued property sentiment.”

In order to secure jobs to ensure positive cash flow, HLIB Research says contractors may be willing to sacrifice some margin to win job tenders from developers.

“Besides this, developers that enjoy high take-up rates in their launches are also those that are likely to have better pricing power, enabling them more flexibility to adjust selling prices to sustain their margins.”

RHB Investment Bank also acknowledged that major commodity prices, such as crude oil, steel bars, copper and aluminium saw significant price hikes.

“The resulting price increases in cement, sand, tiles and related products collectively added to the surge in total construction costs.”

Assuming the uptrend in commodity prices persists over the next six-to-nine months, RHB Investment Bank says developers will tend to be more prudent with their launches.

“Developers will likely resize or redesign, as well as maintain the selling prices and affordability of their products or look for alternative construction materials that are cheaper in an effort to mitigate cost pressure.”

Source link.

NAPIC: Property market expected to regain momentum in 2022

Property-cycle-malaysia-investment

Napic expects property market to regain momentum in 2022

Rahim & Co: Property market is recovering gradually

Real Estate: Transitioning but not without transmission issues ...

Sunday, March 6, 2022

On the recovery path

Penang property market to rebound amid lingering challenges

`
THE Penang property market, which had actually started seeing a rebound in transactions since last year, is expected to resume its recovery path into 2022.
`
CBRE|WTW director Peh Seng Yee says the Penang property market can expect a “rebound amid lingering challenges” this year.
`
“We do expect a recovery in market activity for 2022. Prices of landed properties will continue to remain resilient.
`
“For the high-rise sub-sector, it will continue to be a buyers market,” he says at the launch of CBRE|WTW’s 2022 Market Outlook Report, recently.
`
Peh adds that future launches will generally comprise self-sustained developments that will be on a smaller scale, while at the same time fulfilling the demand for affordable units.
`
Knight Frank Penang executive director Mark Saw also says the residential sub-sector in Penang has improved, posting higher volume and value of property transactions as of the third quarter of 2021.

`
Prop chtProp cht
`
“The Penang state government’s commitment to increase home ownership with plans for a range of affordable homes in various strategic locations, extension of the Penang Home Ownership Campaign until June 2022 and enforcement of mandatory installation of fibre optic telecommunication infrastructure for all new developments, will spur the state’s residential property market.”
`

EPF payout 6.1% for 2021, Look beyond EPF for retirement EPF posts stronger performance amid economic rebound, focuses on rebuilding members’ savings
`
In terms of challenges, Peh says scarcity of sizeable land in Penang will still continue to pose development constraints.
`
“Additionally, the prolonging effects of the pandemic, especially with the new Omicron variant, could result in cautious spending and a wait-and-see approach.
`
“Stringent lending guidelines and concerns over job security could also potentially derail the market,” says Peh.
`
On the outlook of the Penang office market, Peh says the segment is expected to remain healthy this year, with stable rentals and occupancy rates.
`
“The prospects of co-working spaces still remain encouraging,” he says.
`
As for Penang’s retail sub-sector, Peh says the removal of movement restrictions since last year has been a boost to this sector.
`
“We see normalisation amid ‘freedom euphoria’. However, we expect rentals to be flattish and a widening gap between the newer and older shopper complexes.”
`
As for Penang’s hotel sub-sector, Peh says this segment is set for a steady recovery if the pandemic is significantly contained.
`
“The segment can be spurred further by travel bubbles and other government initiatives.
`
“We also see pent-up demand for medical tourism and intensifying market competition for the hotel sub-sector.”
`
Meanwhile, Knight Frank Malaysia in its real Estate Highlights for the second half of 2021, says the Penang residential market is expected to pick up this year, supported by a series of measures announced under various stimulus packages and Budget 2022.
`
“This will encourage people from various income levels to purchase their dream homes. The overhang of high-rise residential properties, especially in the category of condominiums and apartments, has also been growing.”
`

With limited new supply of purpose-built offices in the state (existing and future), Knight Frank says the occupancies and rental rates for better grade purpose-built office buildings are expected to hold steady.
`
“Meanwhile, with the growing work-from-home trend, some business premises have been converted into co-working space.”
`
Knight Frank noted that the country’s vaccination rate has continued to improve and with further easing of restrictions, the retail segment is expected to slowly recover.
`
“Selected retailers are expected to embrace the rise of eCommerce as they head down the path of recovery.”
`
It adds that Penang’s industrial segment has continued to remain strong and steady throughout the pandemic.
`
“This is especially with the Penang state government’s commitment to expand another two industrial parks in Batu Kawan, with focus on the logistics industry and the remaining phases for mixed industries.
`
“This industrial park is set to continue its history of the successful Bayan Lepas Industrial Park.”
`
Meanwhile, CBRE|WTW in its 2022 Market Outlook Report says property transaction activities in Penang increased for the period of January to September 2021.

“A total of 11,981 properties valued at RM7.23bil were transacted, reflecting 13.9% and 33.9% increase in volume and value, respectively, year-on-year.
`
“As more businesses are allowed to operate, the Penang property market has generally rebounded.”
`
CBRE|WTW is optimistic that the rebound will extend into this year.
`
“However, the rebound would be gradual as the pandemic lingers on, along with a sluggish economy and higher cost of living.”
`
CBRE|WTW also expects to see more bargain hunting for residential units this year.
`
“The overhang remains a concern. Prospective purchasers can negotiate for more discounts in addition to the incentives offered,” it says.
`
According to the National Property Information Centre (Napic), there were 30,290 unsold completed residential units (overhang) worth RM19.75bil as at September 2021, compared with 30,926 units worth RM19.99bil in the previous corresponding period.
`
Of the 30,290 overhang units, 18,829 units (or 62.2%) comprised high-rise units, while 6,803 units (22.5%) consisted of terrace houses.
`
The bulk of the overhang units were focused mainly in Johor (6,441 units), Penang (4,638 units), Kuala Lumpur (3,863 units) and Selangor (3,376 units).
`
Napic says 33.7% of the overhang properties consisted of units ranging between RM500,000 and RM1mil, while 28.4% comprised units ranging between RM300,000 and RM500,000.
`
Units below RM300,000 comprised 25.5% of the total overhang, while units above RM1mil (12.4%) consisted of the remaining unsold units during the period under review.
`
Knight Frank concurs that the overall property overhang status continues to remain elevated, especially in the high-rise residential segment.
`
“The performance of the residential sub-sector is improving gradually, registering higher volume and value of property transactions as of the third quarter of 2021,” it says.

Source link

Related posts:

All steady on the home front in Penang residential properties

Penang's lively market

Many estate agents and developers generating interests in primary and secondary markets

Good time to invest in property now

Landed residential properties much sought after with resilent demand, Market insights

Penang property prices move sideways in Q1 2016

When will the property market pick up?

Penang Star Property Fair at Queensbay Mall 2016

Developers all smiles with results

China buyers eyeing Penang property in growing tourism

Young adults in developed countries rent, we buy houses for good

Singaporeans on buying sprees for Penang prewar houses; Residents see red

Better to buy a car or a house first?

Flat property market seen for Penang

Thursday, October 21, 2021

NCIA setting up new technology and innovation hub in Bayan Lepas by year 2023

New tech and innovation hub for northern region

An artist’s impression of the proposed NCER Technology Innovation Centre in Bayan Lepas, Penang.

IN an effort to build a strong and sustainable ecosystem in Penang’s industrial and economic landscape, Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) will be establishing a technology and innovation hub called the NCER (Northern Corridor Economic Region) Technology Innovation Centre (NTIC).

NCIA chief executive Datuk Seri Jebasingam Issace John said the centre, which will be built in Bayan Lepas and completed by 2023, will have a newly developed programme under the NCER Single Campus initiative that focuses on activities related to research, design, technology, innovation and commercialisation.

“The Single Campus initiative promotes collaboration and cooperation among key manufacturing areas in Penang, Kedah and Perak through the facilitation by NTIC while positioning Penang as the catalyst hub focused on technology and innovation.

“This hub will provide services and facilities for product innovation, linkages with local and international experts, local talent development, design and consultancy and a one-stop solution provider management system.

“NTIC will serve as a platform for small and medium enterprises, local large companies, multinational companies, technocrats and young entrepreneurs, as well as start-up companies to conduct high value-added activities in the northern corridor,” he said in an online event on Friday.

Issace John added that through NTIC, NCIA is collaborating with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology Centre (Crest) to develop high-skilled local talents to meet the demands of the industries within NCER.

“With the signing of a memo- randum of collaboration (MoC) between NCIA and USM, a programme has been launched to enhance talents’ marketability by developing their Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0)-related knowledge and skills that are highly sought after by the industry.

“The Professional Excellence Programme or PreX is developed by combining academic and industry inputs on industry needs and expectations, industry professional assessment and employability.

“The MoC with Crest, on the other hand, will see collaborations with world renowned multi- national companies such as Intel Microelectronics (M) Sdn Bhd and Motorola Solutions (M) Sdn Bhd, and local technology companies such as Orionplex Sdn Bhd, Exiatec Technology Sdn Bhd and Sensoft Technologies Sdn Bhd,” he said.

Issace John said NCER Talent Enhancement Programme (NTEP) will also support the Engineering Software Talent Programme (EnSofT) to address the engineering software talent gap in the fields of embedded system, android applications and embedded android operating system.

“EnSofT will be a catalyst to other types of high-end training programmes to generate industry- relevant talents that meet current and upcoming market demands.

“Such collaborations with academia and industry players will help Penang to further grow into a high-income and developed state as well as help it recover quickly from the pandemic as more job opportunities especially in software engineering are created,” he said.

He said NCIA helped attract a total of RM8.56bil of approved investments and created 5,155 approved job creations to date this year.“We have, in fact, already exceeded our target of RM7.2bil of 2021 approved investments. As for job creation, we are also on track to meet the 8,644 approved job creation targeted for this year.”

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who attended the online event, said the strategic partnership between NCIA and the state government had given birth to a high-value talent ecosystem that will further boost the state’s position as a world-class regional technology hub.

This will also reinforce the development of highly skilled local talent in various high end technology related areas, he added.

“In collaboration with Penang and federal governments, NCIA is continuously enhancing the state’s attractiveness to investors in the electronics and electrical, and manufacturing and engineering sectors.

“We are continuing to strengthen our position as a leader in the region for advanced technology and as a high-value talent and technology hub.

“With more than 300 multinational companies already having established operations in Penang, there is a need for more highly skilled talent to address the demand from the industry here.

“We are fortunate that Penang has an abundance of fresh graduates that industries can tap into, and our position as the ‘Silicon Valley of the East’ can be further strengthened by upskilling and enhancing the quality of our graduates through initiatives introduced by NCIA,” Chow said.

NCIA is a regional development authority responsible for establishing directions, devising policies and strategies related to the socio- economic development of NCER.

Incorporated in June 2008 under the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority Act 2008 (Act 687), NCER encompasses the four northern states of Kedah, Penang, Perak and Perlis in peninsular Malaysia.

NCIA drives the growth of NCER towards becoming an excellent economic region while catalysing and implementing high value-added development programmes in six economic clusters namely manufacturing, agribusiness, petrochemical, mining, green economy and services (including tourism, logistics and connectivity, and digital economy).

Source link

Related:

Northern Corridor targets RM3.8bil of investment for Perak this year

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Interstate rush: Penang expecting an influx of 50,000 tourists this weekend and MBPP freezes staff leave ...

Penang Mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang says the island welcomes both visitors and locals returning home to meet their families after a long travel hiatus. – The Vibes file pic, October 13, 2021

GEORGE TOWN – The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) is bracing for an expected influx of 50,000 tourists this weekend and has frozen leave for 78% of its staff.

Mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said the island welcomes both visitors and locals returning home to meet their families after a long travel hiatus.

Many will be taking the opportunity to travel as the Tuesday after the weekend is a public holiday to celebrate Prophet Muhammad’s birthday.

“We are not only expecting an influx of tourists. From what is reported by the Malaysian Meteorological Department, Penang will also be expecting a heavy downpour this weekend with 300-500mm of rain.

“When that happens, we will need to be on alert for possible landslides and flash floods,” he said at a press conference here today.

“We will be working closely with police to monitor hotspots such as the Esplanade and action will be taken if there are any breaches of SOPs.”

There has already been a significant increase in traffic and use of urban services since the interstate travel ban was lifted on Monday, Yew said.

Therefore, he said, it is necessary that city council staff remain working to ensure the island’s safety and cleanliness.

Out of 3,019 staff, 2,342 are expected to come back to work from October 15 to 19. Leaves that were approved beforehand for workers required for this period are being annulled.

https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/44427/interstate-rush-penang-freezes-mbpp-staff-leave-as-50000-tourists-expected-this-weekend

Many other workers are expected to be on standby as they may be called back to work if the need arises.

Yew also reminded the public that the city council’s Intelligent Operation Centre, which has almost 1,000 closed-circuit television cameras functioning as “eyes in the sky” will be in full swing as the authorities will be on the lookout for those who do not comply with SOPs.

He urged those coming back to see their loved ones to observe the “green bubble” precaution and self-test for Covid-19, entering the state only if the result is negative.

The MBPP hotline and WhatsApp numbers at 04-2637637 and 016-2004082 respectively will continue operating on a 24-hour basis to tend to any complaints or issues that may crop up. – The Vibes, October 13, 2021

Source link

Related posts:

Declining Covi-19 numbers as positive sign in Malaysia

So long: Volunteers and staff members leaving short notes on a board in the foyer on the last day of operation of the vaccination centre ...

Malaysia's Covid-19 Situation is improving

CLICK TO ENLARGE Experts: Situation is improving https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/10/01/experts-situation-is-improving#.YViCsd...

Singapore and Japan passports tied for most powerful in the world, Vaccination rates for Asean

Holders of Singapore and Japan passports can travel without a prior visa to 192 destinations. PHOTO: ST FILE SINGAPORE - Singapore and Ja...

Thursday, September 16, 2021

Doctor's orders: Take a hike, you'll feel better

Bukit Jambul, Penang

penang-traveltips.com

While more doctors are looking at using time outside as a medical strategy, park prescription programmes face issues of access. Photo: Unsplash/Jon Flobrant

When Annette Coen went for a health check-up last summer in Washington state, she and her doctor discussed concerns around her weight and asthma. Then her doctor offered a novel prescription: regular hikes in the woods.

He gave Coen a one-year pass to Washington's state park system and told her to "go for walks, go camping, do what you need to do," Coen, now 53, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

A year on, she said the park prescription was a "great experience" for her and her whole family. "I have lost 13.6 kg since April this year... just being out and about," she said.

With the Covid-19 pandemic highlighting the health benefits of spending more time outdoors, a growing faction of the US medical community is prescribing time outside the same way they would traditional medication.

The idea of writing out park or nature prescriptions has taken hold particularly among pediatricians.

"It all came together" during the pandemic, said Maya Moody, president-elect of the Missouri chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), pointing to spikes in childhood anxiety and pediatric obesity since the coronavirus outbreak started.

With lockdowns keeping children indoors, "we were seeing 30-, 50-, 60-pound weight gains," said Moody, who attends to around 3,000 low-income children in the St. Louis area.

This April, she became one of about a dozen pediatricians across the state who have started offering nature prescriptions.

"When I give a prescription, it's

specific, just like an antibiotic. They use it for this many days, and I say go to this park," she explained. Buy-in has differed with different age groups, Moody noted, with younger children and their parents being more open to the approach but teenagers expressing skepticism.

"Sixteen- and 17-year-olds look at me and say, 'You want me to get off TikTok and get an actual tick in the woods?'" she said.

But Moody said the fact that doctors and health experts are now seriously looking at how something as simple as a walk in the park can help patients is exciting.

A spokesperson for the AAP said the group is forming a committee on the issue of nature prescriptions but declined to offer additional details.

Take a walk

Nature prescriptions are still new, so there is little data on their effectiveness, but one 2018 analysis by researchers from Britain's University of East Anglia did find they "may have substantial benefits".

There has been much more research done on the general benefits of being outdoors - in one example, starting next month, a study supported by the Welsh government will look at the benefits of treating hospital patients outside.

In more than 500 scientific studies in recent years, researchers have linked time spent in nature with decreased anxiety, reduced risk of obesity and even reduced overall mortality, said Maryland-based pediatrician Stacy Beller Stryer.

Stryer is also associate medical director with Park Rx America, an online platform that helps medical professionals write nature prescriptions.

Using its database of thousands of parks and public lands, prescribers can filter by activity, distance from a patient's home and amenities such as playgrounds.

"Once (the patient) decides on where to go, the prescriber talks about what they should do - maybe walk a dog? And how often - maybe every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for 30 minutes?" she said.

Writing out an actual prescription for time in nature gives patients a useful extra push, said Brent A. Bauer, research director of integrative medicine and health at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

"More than half of my patients who receive a 'prescription' for time in nature go ahead and do so successfully," he said.

A census of park prescription programmes last year estimated that there were more than 100 nationwide.

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy began a pilot programme in collaboration with the UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh in 2016, after a pediatric resident was leading patients in a weight management clinic, said Kathryn Hunninen, a senior manager with the conservancy.

"He wanted to encourage patients to get outside but didn't know where to send them," she said.

"This started with an inquiry from him to the parks system and has blossomed from there."

In a 2018 survey, more than 80% of personnel at participating Pittsburgh clinics said they were frequently recommending that patients visit parks.

Last year, Salt Lake County in Utah offered park prescriptions to its employees "to improve or maintain physical and mental health while building sustainable health behaviors," Sarah Kinnison, who oversaw the programme, said in an email.

That first year, 335 employees participated, and the county is running the program again this fall.

Financial stability

While more doctors are looking at using time outside as a medical strategy, park prescription programmes face issues of access.

In low-income neighborhoods, parks are four times smaller and more crowded on average than parks in high-income areas, said a study released last year by the Trust for Public Land, a nonprofit that analysed government data from 14,000 US towns and cities.

It also remains unclear how to keep the programmes financially sustainable. Currently they have to rely on ad hoc funding, often cobbled together from grants, philanthropy or as publicly funded pilot projects.

The costs involved are not particularly high, but they do exist, said Bradford S. Gentry, co-director of the Center for Business and the Environment at Yale University.

They could include the costs of park passes, the salaries of community health workers and park workers to coordinate and lead programmes, and transportation to and from the green space, he said.

"If there are all of these (health) benefits, how do we move from grant funding or public funding to health systems funding?" asked Gentry, who focuses on the intersection of health and land conservation. "I haven't found an answer yet."

The US Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to a request for comment.

Gentry pointed to Oregon, where work is underway to try to address the funding issue by requesting that certain federal rules be waived involving Medicaid, the US government's health care programme for low-income people.

Every five years states have the opportunity to request such a waiver, if they can show it will result in better care and cost no extra money, said Lori Coyner, who was the state's Medicaid director until July and is now senior Medicaid policy adviser at the Oregon Health Authority.

The state's waiver request is due in December, when it plans to ask for more flexibility in how local organisations address health issues.

"We believe there is real opportunity to use some of these Medicaid dollars... to promote spending more time outdoors," Coyner said. - Thomson Reuters Foundation