Brush land in Ukay Perdana catches fire |
- Brush land in Ukay Perdana catches fire
- Zahid: Rela vital to security of nation
- Flood victims urged not to go home
- Ex-BH journo bedridden with skin disease
- Call to conserve water
- 'PKR will pay for unethical polls'
| Brush land in Ukay Perdana catches fire Posted: 16 Feb 2014 08:03 AM PST 17 February 2014| last updated at 12:44AM The fire in Taman Sering Ukay, Ukay Perdana in Ampang began at 9.20pm and spread near a hilly area. The fire alarmed nearby residents, who were worried that it could spread to their houses. Fire and Rescue Department teams with 20 personnel from the Pandan, Ampang and Wangsa Maju fire stations arrived at the scene at 9.51pm, half an hour after receiving a distress call. Firemen tackled the blaze from four different areas with the help of residents. According to witnesses, the fire was believed to have been caused by firecrackers. Residents tried to extinguish the fire, but strong winds fanned the flames. The fire was further fuelled by dried leaves and branches. Department operations commander Mazlan Salleh said the cause of the fire had yet to be determined. "Bush fires are a usual occurrence during dry spells. So, we cannot confirm the cause of the fire yet." By 12.40am, the blaze was brought under control. In Putrajaya, a Petronas Mesra store caught fire yesterday morning. The blaze, which is believed to have started from the storeroom, occurred at 9am. Putrajaya Fire and Rescue Department chief Muhammad Hafidz Yaacob said they received a distress call at 9.34am. He said firemen took three minutes to reach the scene. "Twenty firemen took 45 minutes to put out the blaze. No one was harmed." About 80 per cent of the storeroom was damaged.  The hilly area ablaze near Taman Sering Ukay, Ukay Perdana in Ampang last night. Pic courtesy of NST reader  |
| Zahid: Rela vital to security of nation Posted: 16 Feb 2014 08:01 AM PST 17 February 2014| last updated at 12:20AM Apart from managing traffic flow when functions are held, members help security forces in ensuring the peace and harmony of the country and its people. As such, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it was appropriate that the corps' three million members celebrated "Hari Rela" annually. "I wish to congratulate Rela on its 42nd Rela Day on Jan 11 this year, with the theme 'Rela is the catalyst of transformation'." He said the objective of establishing Rela was to unite the people and for them to be the eyes and ears of the government in reporting information that could undermine security. He added that they had also played an important role in ensuring safety and prosperity when the nation faced the communist insurgency. Zahid said although there was no such threat now, the country's peace and harmony constantly faced risks in a borderless world. "If nothing is done to address the problem, the people will suffer from long-term consequences." Zahid said Malaysia's population comprised a myriad of people from different races and cultures, and they should continue to be inculcated with the spirit of patriotism. "At the same time, they should be inculcated with the spirit of volunteerism to ensure multiracial harmony in the nation is maintained in the midst of rapid modernisation." "As such, the Rela Community Service Centre could be established in every state assembly to provide effective and efficient service to local communities." He said the Home Ministry had transformed Rela, making it more focused on enhancing the spirit of volunteerism in line with the country's development.  Rela members demonstrating self-defence techniques during the 42nd Rela celebrations in Bagan Datoh, near Teluk Intan, Perak, recently. |
| Flood victims urged not to go home Posted: 16 Feb 2014 08:01 AM PST They were told to stay put at their respective relief centres and to take extra precaution to avoid untoward incidents. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the situation remained dangerous as many homes remained submerged in waters which hit more than 80 villages here. Beaufort and Tenom were badly hit since Thursday. "Once waters recede, we will ensure the situation is safe for villagers to return home, but at the moment, water levels are still at a dangerous level," he said yesterday at Dewan Baru Beaufort evacuation centre. He said the state government would continue to monitor the needs of flood evacuees and would provide the necessary help. Musa had earlier made rounds at the affected villages here yesterday. Present were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, Deputy Works Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid, and Barisan Nasional and Umno Welfare Bureau chairman Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim. As of 4pm yesterday, Sungai Padas level at Beaufort was at 9.11m and still within the danger level. District officer Mohd Shaid Othman said the number of evacuees stood at more than 2,000 people at the five relief centres, namely the town hall, Kampung Kukut hall, SMK Beaufort 3 hall, Gadong hall and Kampung Lumadan hall. "The weather was fair this morning which helped water levels to recede, but now it's started raining again. If this continues, the situation will not improve." In Tenom, its district officer, Madiyem Layapan, said 118 villagers were left in four relief centres. "It is cloudy but has not rained and the water level which reached the danger level has been reduced to alert level. "The Tenom-Kemabong road and the Binsilon road leading to Kampung mandalom and Kampung Paal Seberang, which were cut off by the floods before this, are now passable for vehicles." Abdul Azeez said the bureau would extend assistance to 900 families in five affected villages. "We will focus on helping those who did not evacuate their homes. Besides that, the bureau is working closely with the state government and other agencies. I have updated Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak about the situation here and he is monitoring it closely every 30 minutes." The armed forces have also been working around the clock to ensure victims of flood-hit areas were safely evacuated and their welfare taken care of. Since Thursday, more than 70 army personnel were dispatched to carry out rescue missions here and in Tenom. The mission also ensured flood evacuees at relief centres had sufficient meals and received the necessary medical treatment. Sabah's 5th Brigade commander Major General Datuk Ranjit Singh Ramday said his men were ready to assist the people in time of national disaster. "The armed forces provided vehicle assistance for evacuation and we are also sending food to the various relief centres. "Currently, the operation is going smoothly and we would increase manpower if there is a need." Meanwhile, the attention at the Dewan Baru evacuation centre was on Mohd Shukri Fendi. Unlike other boys his age who could easily command attention if they wanted, the 10-year-old could resort only to a loud squeak to grab the attention of his family members. Mohd Shukri suffered from stroke three years ago and it has not been easy for the family-of-eight to take care of him during this trying time. The boy's mother, Saimun Jainal said Mohd Shukri, was moody since they came to the relief centre and the family had to make sure he felt comfortable. "My husband and I haven't had enough sleep because he wakes up and makes noise. It's his way of getting our attention or telling us he doesn't like people staring at him." However, she is happy with the treatment and support at the centre. Jamal Alias, 45, from Kampung Luagan Saningan, hoped floodwaters would recede so he could return home to inspect the damage. "Our village was hit by a flood in January but no one was evacuated. This is the worst since the 1981 flood incident. "I also hope the government would consider setting up a civil defence post in villages prone to floods so information on possible occurrence could be channeled faster." Meanwhile, Sabah Welfare director Etong Terang said the department would continue to look into the welfare of evacuees during their stay at relief centres.  Electronic equipment that was destroyed in the floods in Beaufort. Pic by Erdiehazzuan Ab Wahid  Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman speaking to flood evacuees at Dewan Baru Beaufort yesterday. Pic by Izhari Ariffin |
| Ex-BH journo bedridden with skin disease Posted: 16 Feb 2014 08:01 AM PST 17 February 2014| last updated at 12:19AM The 2001 Kajai Award winner, who is suffering from a skin disease called Scleromyxedema, was forced to leave his job at Berita Harian after the illness restricted his movements and speech. His wife, Siti Hawa Mohd Ariff, 52 said Karim opted for sick leave since 2006 but his love for writing never faded. She said she noticed the changes on her husband's body since November 2000, when the skin on his nose became red and stretched. She said the disease had spread since its initial diagnosis and caused her husband's skin to stretch and harden until he could no longer move his joints. The 27-year veteran journalist won the Kajai award for his article "Masalah kepincangan pelaburan Tabung Haji". Former 'Berita Harian' journalist Karim Sulaiman with his wife, Siti Hawa Mohd Ariff, at Kuala Lumpur Hospital. Pic by Azhar Ramli |
| Posted: 16 Feb 2014 08:01 AM PST 17 February 2014| last updated at 12:14AM Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) corporate communications and public affairs assistant general manager Priscilla Alfred said 83,084 residents in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya, apart from here and Hulu Langat, had been affected by water disruption for the past week and more people were expected to be affected if the dry spell persisted. "Water tankers and static tanks have been deployed and installed to ease the burden faced by consumers. The water supply is limited and consumers who are taking water from the tankers and tanks are reminded to use it efficiently." Consumers can call the Puspel Syabas toll-free line at 1-800-88-5252 for assistance.  Syabas water tankers queuing up to be filled at the Sungai Manggis operations centre in Banting yesterday. Pic by Rosdan Wahid |
| 'PKR will pay for unethical polls' Posted: 16 Feb 2014 08:01 AM PST 17 February 2014| last updated at 12:11AM IN his first press conference since announcing his intention to contest the Kajang by-election, Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim came out fighting. He said he was confident that PKR's share of the votes would be slashed because of what he called the unethical move to force a by-election in Kajang. He said the unpopular decision had rattled the electorate, who were tired of all the politicking which had led to the engineering of the by-election. Zaid, a former minister and PKR member, believed that the "Kajang Move" was a gambit for PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to become Selangor menteri besar. PKR's Lee Chin Cheh won the Kajang state seat with a 6,824-vote majority in a six-cornered fight against candidates from Barisan Nasional, Berjasa and three independents during the 13th General Election. However, he stepped down on Jan 27, which forced a by-election and paved the way for Anwar to contest for a state seat. Many see this as the first step in the opposition leader's move to occupy the Selangor menteri besar's post. "The people of Kajang do not want to go for another election. Irrespective of what triggered the decision (to hold the by-election), it is an inappropriate political act," said Zaid. "The trust of the people earned by (Selangor Menteri Besar) Tan Sri (Abdul) Khalid (Ibrahim) and his state executive council cannot be simply erased by the political machinations of PKR." As of now, Anwar is expected to face three independents -- Zaid, former legal aide Yuktes Vijay and possibly 1980s singer Herman Tino. Malaysian Indian United Party president Datuk S. Nallakaruppan has offered to contest as the BN candidate but the seat is usually reserved for MCA and it is likely to be status quo. Should this happen, it is unclear whether Nallakaruppan will contest as an independent. Zaid, who has made Selangor his home for 35 years, also contended that the by-election would not solve any strife in PKR and by extension the opposition coalition. He said Pas would not provide the opportunity for Anwar to become menteri besar and that would plunge PKR into a deeper conundrum. "Holding a by-election is not the way to solve your internal issues. It will result in a bigger mess." Pas Youth had in the past stated that the by-election was a waste of public funds and was against the idea of Anwar replacing Khalid. To a question on the growing number of independent candidates challenging Anwar, Zaid said: "It shows that his leadership has failed." By Syed Umar Ariff  Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim says holding a by-election is not the way to solve PKR's disputes. Pic by Asyraf Hamzah |
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