An 'unholy' stench in Tg Bungah

An 'unholy' stench in Tg Bungah

An 'unholy' stench in Tg Bungah

Posted: 14 Feb 2014 08:01 AM PST

15 February 2014| last updated at 11:48PM
By PREDEEP NAMBIAR | predeep@nst.com.my

GEORGE TOWN: THE congregation leaving  Friday prayers at the Tanjung Bungah Floating Mosque   were shocked to see the waters surrounding it was  blackish-green in  colour and was emitting a foul smell.

They have been made to endure the stench over the past few months, a situation made worse during dry weather.

The place of worship is presently surrounded by a lagoon formed by sand banks from an eroded coast, and had "lasso-ed" all rubbish and dirty water from a nearby drain.

Some of the worshippers met were appalled the clean-up works were moving at a snail's pace.

Hotel worker Musa Yaacob, 58, said the local authorities were not doing enough to resolve the problem of rubbish floating in the water over the years.

"The Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) seems to have done nothing. Only after the Batu Ferringhi pollution came up in the papers did they come to visit."

First-time visitor Mouhamed Abdel Sattar, 30, said the mosque looked beautiful but the surrounding waters were shameful.

"They must do something immediately," said the Arabic language teacher from Egypt, based in Guar Chempedak, Kedah.

Also part of Friday's congregation was former USM vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Ishak Tambi Kechik, who called on the authorities to act immediately to solve the problem.

The mosque committee first sounded the alarm after its members noticed a blackish substance, similar to what was found in Batu Ferringhi recently, in a case that had dominated the front page of the New Straits Times for the past week.

Mosque qariah chairman Roslan Abu Bakar said the unpleasant smell has caused uneasiness among the congregation.

Checks by NST showed water below the mosque had turned greenish-black and was filled with polystyrene, rusted umbrellas and other objects, which have become an eyesore as it was visible from all around.

A resident of the nearby flats, Sopiah Bakar, 63, said she first realised the pollution about a year ago.

"At first, the smell was overwhelming. Now, we have gotten used to it," said the trader.

Qariah welfare and education bureau chief Ahmad Faziel Samsudin said the authorities should act quickly to check for pollutants.

Meanwhile, students of an adjacent ma'ahad tahfiz (religious school) were left to study in the most torrid conditions, as the polluted waters carried with it a foul stench.

Ma'ahad Tahfiz Al-Quran Kasyfu Al-Ulum assistant secretary Muhammad Zahiruddin Mat Nor said his 50-odd students were having a hard time concentrating in class due to the smell.

"The surrounding area smells like a sewer. However, by the Grace of God, we continue carrying on with classes despite the stench," he said.

MPPP councillor Mohd Hariszuan Jaharudin said it had alerted the Department of Environment and other relevant authorities on the matter.

"We feel that there has been a lot of dumping by irresponsible parties, coupled with the mysterious discharge," he said when contacted.

The polluted waters surrounding the Tanjung Bungah Floating Mosque. Pic by Ramdzan Masiam

Boy dies as Sabah floods worsen

Posted: 14 Feb 2014 08:01 AM PST

KOTA KINABALU: THE flood situation in Beaufort has taken a turn for the worse, with rising waters affecting more than 50,000 people and claiming another victim.

With more rainwater gushing into the low-lying district from the interior, which was inundated two days ago, the train service between Beaufort and Tenom has also been suspended since Thursday.

Many roads are still impassable to traffic in the district as well as in Sipitang, Papar, Tenom and Keningau.

Even though the rain had stopped yesterday, Sungai Padas still breached the 10m mark, its highest recorded level in more than 30 years.

Other districts that are as badly affected are Pitas, Kudat, Kota Marudu, Sandakan and Nabawan.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, who visited the flood-hit districts yesterday, issued an "all out alert", instructing the authorities to assist victims.

"My advice to those affected, especially those who are being evacuated, is to obey the instructions issued by the authorities," he said, adding that the state government would extend aid to flood victims.

Musa, who was accompanied by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, was briefed on the flood situation by district officer Mohd Shaid Othman.

Till press time, Shaid said 800 people from 64 villages had been evacuated to four relief centres, while 18 roads were rendered impassable to traffic and 18 schools had to be closed.

Meanwhile, the floods claimed a second victim when an 8-year-old boy drowned here yesterday. He was believed to have fallen from a bridge near his home in Kampung Lubak yesterday.

His body was later recovered by family members near the bridge and sent to the district hospital for post mortem.

Two days ago, a 2-year-old girl drowned after falling into floodwaters at a plantation in Kampung Mempikit in Keningau.

The girl, identified as Maisarah Bihar, was with her mother and seven others aboard a rescue boat when it overturned. All of the passengers, except for the victim, were later saved.

In Kampung Jempangah, villagers were forced to pile their belongings on a railroad track, which was built on higher ground.

Norzera Karmila Kamidi, 26, said the track was the only option available to the villagers if they wished to save their belongings, as it was higher than their homes.

The track also served as their rescue-point while waiting for help to arrive.

Kampung Tuhu resident Masnan Okrih said about 200 villagers were affected as their houses had been inundated since Thursday.

"Many of us own boats, which are used for emergencies. At the moment, many villagers have been evacuated, but some are still staying on to look after their belongings," said Masnan.

In Tenom, the floodwaters have receded, but 2,265 villagers are still being housed at 18 relief centres.

A Kota Kinabalu Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said 285 flood victims in the Keningau district had been evacuated, with 233 of them placed at the SK Pekan 2 relief centre, while the remainder took shelter with their relatives.

In Keningau, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) said it activated its flood operations rooms in Beaufort, Keningau, Tenom and Sipitang beginning Feb 13 following the floods.

Its senior general manager (asset management), Muhamad Nazri Pazil, said the operations rooms would be open 24 hours a day to monitor and report on the status of floods, as well as coordinate supply recovery works in the affected areas.

"For the safety of our consumers, we have to temporarily shut down the electricity supply when SESB substations were flooded in several areas in Beaufort and Tenom."

Nazri advised consumers to be careful when operating electrical equipment and not to go near any electrical installations during the floods. He said almost 2,500 registered SESB users had no access to electricity since last night because of the floods.

Nazri advised consumers to call the SESB hotline at 15454 or 088- 515000 to report disruptions in supply. Additional reporting by Avila Geraldine and Mohd Nazllie Zainul

Floods have disrupted transport and forced schools to close in Beaufort in Sabah. to be inundated by floodwaters, causing disruptions to transportation and forcing schools to close. Pic by Izhari Ariffin

Blame game over landfill fire

Posted: 14 Feb 2014 08:01 AM PST

15 February 2014| last updated at 12:12AM
By SHARANPAL SINGH RANDHAWA AND ZAHRATULHAYAT MAT ARIF | news@nst.com.my

ARAU: WHILE residents in Pauh are  fuming over the thick smoke that is shrouding the town following the fire at the Padang Siding landfill, those in charge are  pointing their fingers at each other.

Residents claimed that the 12-ha landfill owned by the Kangar Municipal Council (MPK) was poorly managed and had become a dump site instead of a landfill.

They said the landfill was a ticking time bomb that "exploded" following the fire four days ago that had left the town covered in thick smoke.

Two primary schools had to be closed for the past two days.

MPK president Ahmad Hussin, however, said the council was not at fault.

He said the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation and another company, Environment Idaman Sdn Bhd (E-Idaman) should be blamed.

"It is the responsibility of the corporation to monitor E-Idaman's operations, such as where it collects rubbish from, where it dumps it and what should be done next.

"We have stopped managing the landfill. Therefore, it is not our responsibility.

"Many people have got the wrong idea, that it is MPK's responsibility just because it has something to do with rubbish."

Ahmad, nevertheless, said MPK was cooperating with the other agencies to resolve the air pollution issue in Pauh.

In response, E-Idaman chief executive officer Mhd Saiful Anuar Zainal brushed off allegations that it had failed to manage the Padang Siding landfill.

He clarified that the company was only responsible for transporting domestic waste to the landfill, while the site itself was managed by a contractor appointed by MPK.

"If there is any allegation that solid waste is being dumped indiscriminately at the site, then it is beyond our control.

"MPK should review its own garbage disposal system to avoid similar incidents in the future," he said yesterday.

Saiful said E-Idaman only operated one landfill in Pendang, Kedah, while its core business in Kedah and Perlis was to transport domestic waste.

As of press time yesterday, there was still no sign of any party carrying out measures suggested by the Fire and Rescue Department on Thursday to manage the smoke originating from the landfill.

Meanwhile, state Education Department director Dun Kasa said there had been no decision yet as to whether SK Pauh and SJKC Chin Min would reopen on Monday.

He said the department had also ordered the schools to defer their plan to have a Chinese New Year holiday school replacement session today.

State Department of Environment director Marzuki Mokhtar said it would be able to get an accurate reading of the air pollution from E-Sample equipment installed at SK Pauh in the next 24 hours.

Titi Tinggi assemblyman Khaw Hock Kong (left) trying to calm angry Pauh residents, who were holding a protest, yesterday. Pic by Eizairi Shamsudin

250 couples marry on V-Day

Posted: 14 Feb 2014 08:01 AM PST

Among those who chose to wed on the auspicious day was newly-appointed Penang Chinese Town Hall youth chief Lim The Keat, who solemnised his marriage to Lee Pei Tee.

"I am happy as today marks our anniversary too. In 2005, we became a couple after we went on a date and yesterday we got married."

Lim and Lee were among 31 couples who got married at the Penang Chinese Town Hall here, with the ceremony solemnised by assistant registrars of marriage, Chong Kim Seong and Teoh Saw Ling.

At another mass wedding at the Che Hoon Khor Moral Uplifting Society here, 71 couples declared their love and devotion in front of three assistant registrars of marriage and the society's chairman Ng Tee Soo.

Liew Yoeng Foong, 33, who married Kang Ean Teng, 27, after a 10-year relationship said it would be a moment he will remember for a lifetime.

"I can feel the love in the room. It is wonderful to share this moment with so many people."

Khaw Hern Chwen, 29, who registered her marriage to Loh Hun Kheng, 29, at the same ceremony, said the 15th day of the first moon in the Chinese calendar was significant for lovers.

This year's Chap Goh Meh, which marks the 15th day of the lunar new year, coincides with Valentine's Day.

Many among the Chinese refer to Chap Goh Meh as the Chinese Valentine's Day.

Also known as the Lantern Festival or 'Yuan Xiao', Chap Goh Meh in Malaysia is marked by singles gathering at esplanades or lakesides to toss mandarin oranges into the sea.

This tradition is done by single women to wish for a good husband, with hopes that her true love will pick up the fruit.

Today, single women write their names and contact numbers on the oranges, as it is a fun way to meet suitors.

Some 5,000 revellers gathered at the Esplanade, here for the state-level Chap Goh Meh celebration.

Women clad in traditional costumes tossed mandarin oranges which were later scooped up by several men on board a boat.

Revellers tucked into local delicacies while watching a Baba and Nyonya show and a performance by the 'Baba Johnny Chee & Golden Girls'.

In Negri Sembilan, 73 couples registered their marriages in conjunction with Valentine's Day and Chap Goh Meh at the National Registration Department (NRD).

Due to the large number of couples who began arriving at the NRD office, the registration was conducted in four groups of seven in order to expedite the process.

Ryan Chin Poh Sin, 34, who married his partner Grace Lin Ling, 28, jokingly said that he could save on anniversary and Valentine's day gifts as their wedding was on the same day.

In Kuala Lumpur, Leslie Koh, 42 and Susan Anjen, 32, were lucky to book the last spot for a mass wedding ceremony.

"We wanted a special date for our wedding.

"We tried 11.11.11, 12.12.12, and 11.12.13 but it was unsuccessful. I am glad that we booked this date as it is more meaningful."

In Kelantan, eight couples tied the knot in two separate wedding ceremonies.

In Putrajaya, NRD media relations officer Jainisah Mohd Noor said 67 couples had registered their marriages at its offices in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Selangor.

In the Chinese culture, many refer to Chap Goh Meh as the Chinese Valentine's Day.

Penang govt warns developer

Posted: 14 Feb 2014 08:01 AM PST

15 February 2014| last updated at 11:50PM

State Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the developer had been warned to comply with the affordable home pricing set by the state government.

"I have ordered the developer to give me an explanation.

"No developer, big or small, is going to cow the state government," he said yesterday.

On Thursday, a group of 77 buyers held a demonstration against the state government that they alleged had not done anything to resolve their problems.

They claimed that they had been asked to pay two times more than the original price of RM72,500 per unit.

Jagdeep said he would look into their problems on a case-by-case basis.

He also said it was unfair for the buyers to say the state government was not doing anything as a few meetings had been held with the developer.

"We have met the developer three times -- on Jan 6, 13th and 24th.

"I urge the buyers to remain calm as we are doing our level best to resolve the matter. I am upset that I have been accused of not helping them.

"My office is open and I have not refused anyone from meeting me."

Jagdeep said the developer had no right to force the buyers to accept packages that came with the purchase of the unit.

The low-medium cost apartments in Bukit Gambier, George Town, originally cost RM72,500 per unit. Bernama pic

'Govt helps ease people's burden'

Posted: 14 Feb 2014 08:01 AM PST

15 February 2014| last updated at 12:18AM

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said government initiatives to ease the burden of the people began before the issues were played up recently.

"The prices of goods cannot be fixed by the government as they are determined by supply and demand.

"As a concerned government, however, we implemented laws to protect consumers from the burden of rising costs via price control mechanisms, like what is done a week before and after a major festival.

"Initially, it was not easy to get suppliers and traders to abide by the price control scheme. They said they would be at the losing end.

"But the government's appeal to them to help the people was successful and thus, the price control scheme has been implemented to this day."

Muhyiddin said this at a meet-the-people session at SMK Lundu here yesterday.

Present were Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Minister in the Chief Minister's Office (Special Functions) Tan Sri Adenan Satem.

Muhyiddin said that every month, the cabinet would receive price fluctuations reports from the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry.

"The price trend is obtained through the Consumer Price Index. From the report, we can see the prices of certain goods rising or falling. But the opposition never mentions the price drops."

He said it was inappropriate for the opposition to continue playing up the rising cost of living issue.

"They continue to question what the government has done. They even changed the Barisan Nasional (BN) name to 'Barang Naik', with various symbols thrown in.

"When I went to the ground to monitor the price of goods, they laughed about it and asked what could I do by just visiting business outlets.

"Clearly, they are only good at talking. But what have they done to help the rakyat?"said Muhyiddin, who is also BN deputy chairman.

On another note, Muhyiddin, who is also education minister, said some 600 of 10,200 schools nationwide, mostly in Sabah and Sarawak, needed to be undergo repairs.

"We will try our best to solve this problem but for now, the cabinet has agreed to allocate an additional RM1 billion for Sabah and Sarawak's education departments. The state education directors are empowered to distribute the allocation."

Muhyiddin also announced an additional RM1 million allocation for SK Bumiputera Lundu to be spent on maintenance works.

He said the government had never sidelined rural communities as its long-standing policy was for urban and rural people to benefit from development.

"The government appreciates the strong support of the rural people for the government."

In a speech, Adenan said Lundu, with a population of 35,000, was well known for its various eco-tourism products, such as islands, mountains and beaches.

Adenan was named the fifth Sarawak's chief minister, formally replacing Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud at the end of the month.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Minister in the Chief Minister's Office (special functions) Tan Sri Adenan Satem sharing a light moment at SMK Lundu in Lundu yesterday. Pic by Nadim Bokhari