Met Department: Colder days ahead

Met Department: Colder days ahead

Met Department: Colder days ahead

Posted: 23 Jan 2014 08:02 AM PST

THE country is experiencing record low temperatures in several areas, with meteorological experts forecasting colder days ahead. Kuala Krai in  Kelantan broke the  record yesterday with its temperature dropping significantly from the 32oC  recorded on Jan 7, to 17.2oC  on Wednesday. It was 17.5oC yesterday.

Several countries in the region are also getting increasingly colder, with northern Vietnam snowing last month and Thailand's capital, Bangkok, hitting 15oC. The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MMD) is expecting this drastic weather change, attributed to cold dry winds from China which is currently experiencing winter, to gradually pass on sometime next month.

Its central forecast division director, Muhammad Helmi Abdullah, poured cold water on speculations that it could snow in Malaysia, a nation that sits on the equator.

"The months of January and February will usually record the lowest temperatures in the country every year because of the cold and dry air from the Northeast monsoon.

"However, over the last few days the temperatures recorded were below the average minimum temperature we had recorded in the past," he told the New Straits Times yesterday, adding that the huge drop in temperature was especially significant in some areas of the east coast and the north.

The department has also attributed the dip in temperature to the cloudless nights in recent days, which, otherwise, would serve to trap heat on the ground.

In Perlis, MMD's weather station in Chuping recorded the temperature in the district at 32oC on Wednesday. It recorded a 10oC drop yesterday.

The state, known as the hottest spot in the country where temperature can soar to 40oC, is expected to get colder in the next few days.

Earlier this month, the state recorded a temperature of 19.8oC. However, its record of 17.8oC was on Feb 26, 1994.

Drastic plunges in temperature within several hours were also recorded in Alor Star, Kedah and Besut in Terengganu.

Just on Wednesday, the temperature in Alor Star was 32oC. Yesterday, it dipped to 22oC.

Besut's temperature two days ago was 22oC. It was 30oC on Jan 7.

The department has cautioned those staying in areas, which are experiencing sudden dips in temperatures, to take precautionary measures to keep their health in check.

From observation, those staying in the affected areas were mostly wrapped in thicker clothing.

In Kuala Krai, locals wore socks at home and extra layers of clothing to stave off the cold.

Their blankets were also stored away as they had to rely on duvets to keep themselves warm at night.

Villager Rosmanita Zainal Abidin, 42, from Kampung Sungai Dala in Jalan Tualang here, said she had been boiling large pots of water every morning to bathe her children.

"Water from the tap has become too cold for bathing.

"Even during mid-day, water from the pipes feels like it is coming from the fridge."

Mohamed Mustapha Baharum, 62, said he had stopped his regular morning walk as it was too cold.

"Now, I prefer to snuggle under the blanket as it is too cold outside, not only in the morning but also in the late afternoon and night."

In Arau, food stall operators Mohd Suhail Safini, 18, and Sharul Azuan Kamarol, 28, said as the state experienced low temperatures especially at night, it would be too chilly to wear just a T-shirt.

The hawkers, who were wearing jackets while attending to customers, were not complaining as their income had spiked in recent days.

"People tend to get hungry faster and eat more during cold weather."

Meanwhile, Perlis Menteri Besar Azlan Man, when contacted yesterday, said the change in weather would not effect the state's signature export -- the Harumanis mangoes.

"The change in weather has not affected the Harumanis industry.

"We are lucky that this is happening after the flowering period and that there is no heavy and consistent rain, as that would have affected it.

"Right now, 90 per cent of the mangoes are ready for harvest and this should augur well for the impending Harumanis Festival, which is a tourist attraction," he said, adding that Perlis would be able to sustain its 10-tonne export of the fruit to Japan and Singapore.

Across the South China Sea in Kota Kinabalu, a temperature of 22.1oC was recorded yesterday.

The temperature here is expected to be between 20oC and 27oC until next week.

Keningau had recorded 17oC, even lower than Kundasang's highland temperature of 20oC.

It has been 19oC for Ranau since last week.

"The highlands will be colder and it is not impossible for Mount Kinabalu to reach 15oC," said state MMD director Abdul Malik Tussin.

The department also said the video of snow falling in Indonesia was fake.

"Snow only happens in places with moderate climate and regions with four seasons."

(From left) Muhd Amer Haikal Razali, Nur Aisyah Umairah dan Nur Shafiqah Muhammad of Kampung Tualang, Kuala Krai, wearing sweaters and jackets yesterday. Pic by Rohaida Omar

A handphone grab of the weather reading in Kuala Krai, Kelantan, yesterday.

UTM ups eco-car research

Posted: 23 Jan 2014 08:01 AM PST

24 January 2014| last updated at 12:21AM
By Chok Suat Ling | sling@nst.com.my

LONDON: UNIVERSITI Teknologi Malaysia and Imperial College  London will be working together to develop low emission vehicles that are lighter and use less fuel under a collaborative effort launched by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin here.

Muhyiddin, who is also education minister, visited Imperial College to witness the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the two educational institutions, as well as to launch a low carbon transport research centre on the last day of his three-day working visit here.

The UTM Centre for Low Carbon Transport will bring together UTM and Imperial College's researchers to develop a new generation of low carbon transport technologies.

The researchers will work on a range of areas to make cars more efficient.

This will include reducing the size of engines to improve efficiency without sacrificing performance.

They will look into ways to optimise technologies for advanced hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as develop new concepts for energy storage and waste energy recovery to make cars lighter so they use less fuel and are more sustainable.

The new centre will also enable Malaysia's PhD and post-doctoral students to undertake research at Imperial College.

The college, which was founded in 1907, is a world top 10 university which pioneered penicillin, holography and fibre optics.

There are about 500 Malaysian students there.

Imperial College Provost Prof James Stirling said both the United Kingdom and Malaysia were committed to use science and innovation to help build low carbon economies, and the new centre would bolster such efforts.

"This agreement will bring together some of the world's finest researchers in the field of low carbon transport as they seek to develop potentially transformational technologies and improve the research base in the area."

Prof Ricardo Martinez-Botas, from the college's Department of Mechanical Engineering, said vehicles were a major contributor to global warming and energy consumption.

"Significant carbon dioxide reductions of around 30 per cent of the current average could be achieved at low cost with technologies such as engine downsizing, light-weighting and selection of smaller vehicles.

"The establishment of this new centre with our partners in Malaysia will help advance our research in this field.

"It will also enable the training of researchers who will make a difference to the landscape of low carbon transport technologies," Martinez-Botas, who championed the establishment of the centre, said.

UTM vice-chancellor Prof Dr Wahid Omar said UTM has carried out various efforts to boost its credentials and enhance its visibility in the international arena.

This includes enhancing networking and creating partnerships with renowned universities, research centres and professional bodies.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (second from right) witnessing the exchange of documents on the collaboration between Imperial College Provost Prof James Stirling (left) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia vice-chancellor Prof Dr Wahid Omar (right) in London on Wednesday. Present is Malaysian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Datuk Ahmad Rasidi Hazizi. Bernama pic

Bus, train tickets sold out

Posted: 23 Jan 2014 08:01 AM PST

24 January 2014| last updated at 12:16AM
By KALAVAANI KARUPIAH | news@nst.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: CITY folk  have begun travelling plans to celebrate Chinese New Year with their loved ones. Bus tickets to Penang, Ipoh, Johor and  Singapore have been sold out.

Checks by the New Straits Times at Pudu Central and the Putra bus terminal here yesterday revealed many counters had sold out their tickets for north and south-bound trips.

Many were also hoping to buy last-minute tickets.

Tickets to the east coast like Kota Baru and Terengganu were selling like hot cakes.

A Plusliner ticket counter staff, who declined to be named, said people had been booking the tickets since the second week of this month.

"There were no complaints about the hike in bus fare.

"Most were happy that they were able to buy their tickets," he said, adding that most passengers did not have other choices but to buy the tickets.

He said many passengers opted to travel at night.

Passenger Andy Lim, 26, was excited that he was able to buy a ticket.

He would travel back to his hometown next Tuesday.

"I want nothing more than to spend this Chinese New Year with my parents and my siblings in Penang.

"It will be a memorable moment as it is the first Chinese New Year celebration with my family members after five years abroad," said Andy, who had been studying and working in Australia.

As for Lai Yee Weng, 30, his odd- working hours meant he had to get a bus ticket for a midnight journey home to Johor.

"I don't have any other choice than travelling at midnight.

"At least, I will make it in time for the reunion dinner."

A similar scenario happened at KTMB ticket counters.

Tickets to north- and south- bound destinations had been sold off.

Those who failed to buy tickets had opted to drive back to their hometown.

One of them, Kenny Liew said there was still time to do some last-minute shopping before going back to Malacca.

Express bus counters are doing a roaring business as Chinese New Year is around the corner. Some have sold out their tickets.

Help out, Rosmah tells reps' wives

Posted: 23 Jan 2014 08:01 AM PST

24 January 2014| last updated at 12:12AM
By JASSMINE SHADIQE | jashadiqe@nst.com.my

NUSAJAYA:  The wives of  Barisan Nasional assemblymen should play their role in supporting their husbands to fulfil the needs and ensure the wellbeing of the people, said the prime minister's wife.

Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, who is also the Welfare Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti) president, said it was vital for the wives to do their part for the betterment of the people.

"Your husbands are the people's representatives. As wives, we can play an important role in assisting them. We must walk the extra mile and equip ourselves with additional basic skills, including knowledge on social media," Rosmah said in her address at the launch of the All-Malaysia Wives of Barisan Nasional Elected Representatives annual gathering at the Educity Sports Complex here yesterday.

Also present were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin who launched the event, deputy prime minister's wife and Bakti deputy president Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman and Khaled's wife Datin Seri Rosni Omar who is also Johor Elected Representatives' Wives Association (Juita) president.

She also urged MCA and Gerakan members' wives to work hard to regain the Chinese community's trust and confidence in BN.

"Let us put our grudges away and stop pointing fingers as this opens the door for the opposition to disrupt our bond," she said.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (left) with Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Datin Seri Rosni Omar (third from left) at the launch of the All-Malaysia Wives of BN Elected Representatives annual gathering in Nusajaya yesterday. Pic by Hairul Anuar Abd Rahim


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Monorail firm gets new train

Posted: 23 Jan 2014 08:01 AM PST

24 January 2014| last updated at 12:06AM

KUALA LUMPUR:  THE Kuala Lumpur Monorail is set to transform its service and operations with the delivery of its first set of 12 four-car trains today.  

Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd (Prasarana) yesterday indicated that the new sets of trains would increase peak hour passenger capacity from 214 to 430 per train.

It would also address the current problem of overcrowding on the line, which had an average daily ridership of 72,000 passengers. The new trains were also fitted with better safety features, including open-door windows, cameras and the "run-flat" feature.

"With this 'run-flat' feature, the trains can at least move to the nearest station and passengers will no longer be stranded to wait for rescue," said Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Khairani Mohamed.

Rapid Rail is the operator of the KL Monorail service.

The new trains would be delivered in stages to the monorail depot in Brickfields from the manufacturing plant in Rawang, with the final sets scheduled for February next year.

The new trains are expected to be operational by the third-quarter of this year. Bernama

The first set of monorail train delivered to the Brickfields depot from the manufacturing plant in Rawang. Pic courtesy of Prasavana Negara


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Paying a bit more for Mandarin oranges

Posted: 23 Jan 2014 08:01 AM PST

24 January 2014| last updated at 12:17AM

With the recent price hikes in electricity and fuel and the enforcement of the minimum wage, certain shops selling mandarin oranges have increased their prices.

Kevin Koh, who runs a stall selling mandarin oranges in front of the TMC supermarket in Bangsar here, said suppliers were charging heftier prices and it translated to an average increase of RM3 for the price of each of box of the fruit.

"We used to sell a box containing 20 wrapped medium-sized mandarin oranges for RM 13.80. But now, we have to charge customers RM16.80 as our supplier had raised their prices between RM1 to RM2 per box," said Koh yesterday.

Despite the increase in prices, he said customers had not complained as the response had been good.

Koh said some of his customers would opt for smaller mandarin oranges if prices were out of their budget.

A check on supermarkets here revealed the prices of small- and medium-sized mandarin orange remained unchanged since last year.

"The price is still RM10.88 and RM14.88 for a box of medium and large mandarin oranges, respectively," said Azawati Salleh, who is a store attendant at a supermarket here.

She said many buyers opted to buy mandarin oranges at supermarkets as large stores usually absorbed the cost.

A stall owner writing down selling prices on boxes of Mandarin oranges according to their grade at his stall in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Pic by Effendy Rashid