More Malaysians to get cancer

More Malaysians to get cancer

More Malaysians to get cancer

Posted: 03 Feb 2014 08:01 AM PST

So, the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) is advocating  the need  for prevention and early detection of the disease as it is more cost effective than dealing with the consequences.

NCSM medical director and president Dr Saunthari Somasudaram said based on statistical data, it is predicted  that the years ahead would see an increasing number of Malaysians diagnosed with cancer.

She said  about 37,000 new cancer cases and 22,000 cancer deaths were  reported annually nationwide.

By 2030, developing countries will bear the brunt of an estimated 21.4 million new cancer cases annually.

"Screening is strongly advised and is the most sustainable way to reduce global cancer burden in the long term," she said in a message for World Cancer Day 2014, which falls today. World Cancer Day is celebrated on Feb 4 annually.

Dr Saunthari said cancer screening and early diagnosis had  a major impact on the survival of patients of many cancers, including the more prevalent cancers such as breast, cervical, colorectal and lung.

"Early screening reduces incidence and deaths by detecting early pre-clinical disease when treatment may be easier and more effective than for advanced cancer diagnosed after the symptoms occur."

"With the knowledge that more than a third of cancers are preventable and a third of cancers are curable if detected early and treated correctly, public education and screening will  continue to be our key areas of focus in the coming years ahead."

She added that NCSM  would continue to innovate with new campaigns, websites, social media and information dissemination aimed at the  public to reinforce the importance of cancer screening and early detection.

She added that myths and misconceptions about cancer diagnosis and treatment, as well as stigma, gender and social inequities, could lead individuals to seek alternative care in place of standard treatment or to avoid care altogether.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer,  the specialised cancer agency of the World Health Organisation in its online database GLOBOCAN 2012, reports that there were 14.1 million new cases and 8.2 million related deaths in 2012 compared with 12.7 million and 7.6 million respectively in 2008.

In 2012, it was estimated that there were 32.6 million people over the age of 15 years who had cancer diagnosed in the previous five years. It also revealed that the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide were lung (1.8 million), breast (1.7 million) and colorectum (1.4 million) while the  most common causes of cancer deaths were of the lung (1.6 million), liver (0.8 million) and stomach (0.7 million).

It  stated  that breast cancer was the most common cause of cancer death among women with 522,000 deaths in 2012.

Breast cancer was also said to be the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in 140 of 184 countries  and  represents one in four of all cancers in women.

In 2012, 1.7 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer and there were 6.3 million women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the previous five years.

Since the 2008 estimates, breast cancer incidences have increased by more than 20 per cent, while mortality was up  by 14 per cent.

GLOBOCAN 2012  estimates that there would be a substantive increase to 19.3 million new cancer cases per year by 2025, due to growth and ageing of the global population.

It also said that more than half of all cancers (56.8 per cent) and cancer deaths (64.9 per cent) in 2012 occurred in less developed regions in the world, and these proportions would increase further by 2025.

In conjunction with World Cancer Day 2014, NCSM would organise a cancer symposium for medical practitioners and the public on Feb 22 at the Seri Pacific Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

  For more information, visit wcd2014.cancer.gov.my or call 03-26987300.

 

DPM: Enforce all consumer laws

Posted: 03 Feb 2014 08:01 AM PST

04 February 2014| last updated at 11:27PM

He said in this effort, the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry must play an important role in ensuring that consumer-protection laws were enforced.

Muhyiddin said he was displeased with traders who had not adhered to rules and regulations requiring them to label and display the price tags of goods, which had inconvenienced consumers who wanted to buy goods at reasonable prices.

"The laws have been implemented but not fully enforced. I think that in line with our move of monitoring prices to prevent customers from being cheated by the traders, these laws must be fully enforced.

"We hope for this, but perhaps time must be given to traders who have requested for more leeway through their associations and chambers of commerce. But after that, the laws must be fully enforced."

He said this after making a surprise check on prices of goods at Section 16, Bandar Baru Bangi, here, yesterday.

Also present was Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister, Datuk Hasan Malek.

Muhyiddin also suggested that the ministry re-launch the labelling and price tagging campaign, besides giving traders a grace period of two months to label and put price tags on their goods.

"Perhaps, previously, we had taken action but not comprehensively. This time, after we have given the traders the grace period, they won't be able to find any more excuses not to follow the regulations.

"I leave this effort to the ministry."

He said measures had been and were being taken by the government to tackle price increases and to reduce the people's burden, including preparing a detailed report on the rising cost of living by Pemandu (Performance Management and Delivery Unit).

"This report will be tabled at a meeting on Wednesday (tomorrow). Some areas have been focused on, including energy and fuel, food and beverage, services, transportation and toll.

"We will look at these and other areas holistically."

Muhyiddin said the government always looked at and implemented measures that would benefit consumers, besides ensuring that the economy remained strong. Bernama

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin looking at the price of red chillies displayed by Rahimah Ishak at her stall during a surprise visit to the wet market in Section 16, Bandar Baru Bangi, yesterday. Bernama pic

2 men held over 17 fake firearms

Posted: 03 Feb 2014 08:01 AM PST

04 February 2014| last updated at 11:14PM

The suspects, aged 27 and 35, were picked up by a task force from Sungai Buloh police station at a house in Jalan Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Plong, Batu 16, Sungai Buloh, here on Jan 11.

Their interrogation led police to a store, located beside the suspects' home, where a bigger cache of fake weapons, military and police gear, was found.

Weapons seized included a Sig Sauer pistol, an M4 and a Crossman Sniper.

Sungai Buloh police chief Superintendent Junaidi Bujang said the suspects, who were former technicians at a private company, bought the imitation firearms from online dealers in the United States, Taiwan and China.

"Both men claimed it was their hobby to collect weapons used by the armed forces. The imitation firearms are illegal and could cause problems, especially when used in robberies and criminal activities."

Both men had no previous criminal record.

"We believe that they had been operating for the last six months. The firearms are being sold for between RM500 and RM30,000 each," he said, adding that at least four of the guns had been purchased and police are tracing the buyers.

Police also seized bullets, magazines, military-style camouflage suits, SWAT vests, black helmets, weapons cases, binoculars, fake ammunition and knives.

"Their modus operandi was to sell directly to people they knew or groups interested in such firearms to play 'war games'," he said.

Junaidi said it was an offence to import, possess and maintain imitation weapons under the Firearms Act 1960.

"Those guilty of the offence can be imprisoned for up to a year or fined not more than RM5,000."

The cache of fake weapons seized in a raid in Sungai Buloh recently. The weapons were bought from online dealers in the United States, Taiwan and China. Bernama pic

'E. coli likely cause of black seawater'

Posted: 03 Feb 2014 08:01 AM PST

GEORGE TOWN: THE latest in a series of calamities to befall the Batu Ferringhi tourist belt could leave the popular beachfront deserted, with Escherichia coli (E. coli) possibly tainting the waters.

Right after beach erosion left a 50m stretch with no more than a sandy patch, Department of Environment (DoE) officers are discouraging people from swimming in the waters, following suspicion that the contamination could be caused by the bacteria.

A Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) officer said this could have been caused by a broken sewerage pipe, causing black effluence to flow downstream Sungai Batu Ferringhi and out to sea.

Yesterday, DoE officers took water samples from the area and said the tests results would be ready in two weeks.

In the wake of this incident, Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) called for the stretch of beach to be cordoned off. Its president, S.M. Mohd Idris, said the move should be carried out in the interest of the safety of beach-goers.

"If they suspect, for some reason, that it should be closed, please do not hesitate. The agency concerned must take it upon themselves to close the beach. If you know it, please do not just say it, please do it," he told the New Straits Times.

He said the water in Sungai Batu Ferringhi also stank, and noted that the polluted water appeared to be coming from a source about 300m from the sea.

"SAM is disappointed that such polluting activities still occur because it conflicts with the state's slogan of 'Cleaner and Greener Penang'.

"We call on the relevant authorities to probe the cause and source of the pollution. The findings should be made public to allay public concerns."

He added that the pollution could affect marine life and the health of swimmers in nearby areas because the pollution might have spread.

Checks near the river revealed the presence of a DID automatic water quality monitoring system, which looked abandoned as the equipment was rusty and overgrown.

Yesterday, the NST front-paged a report on the beach pollution, which stemmed from pungent black effluence from the river that spread to the Batu Ferringhi beachfront.

Erosion has also defaced a 50m stretch of beach, rendering it unsuitable for use.

Attempts to contact the authorities, including the Penang Island Municipal Council and the DID, to state the source of the erosion and the cause of the river pollution were unsuccessful.

Malaysian Nature Society Penang chapter adviser D. Kanda Kumar said putting red-and-white striped tape around the area was not adequate as beach-goers would ignore it.

"They need to put up notices around the area warning tourists about the danger.

"They can also post guards to make sure tourists stay off the beach," he said, adding that water sports operators should also be advised to avoid the waters for now.

Penang Environment Working Group chairman Datuk Dr Ong Hean Tee, while commending DoE's quick response, lamented that the matter was being taken lightly by the authorities.

"This is a serious problem. The authorities must act swiftly and work together to find a solution and not play the blame game."

He said that if there were dangerous substances in the water, the authorities must cordon off the beach until remedial works were carried out.

"For that, we need data on the sea (water quality) as soon as possible."

Tanjung Bungah assemblyman and environmental activist Teh Yee Cheu said pending the results of DoE's tests on the water samples, the public should refrain from swimming in the stretch.

"Hotels in the area must also alert their guests, as the public cannot be exposed to the area."

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel said DoE would expedite the analysis of the water samples taken out from the area.

"Usually, it takes about two weeks for a thorough report, but since it concerns tourism and health, we are expediting it." Additional reporting by Muhamad Syakir Abdul Wahab

The black water off the Batu Ferringhi beach. It is believed the pollution is caused by a broken sewerage pipe. Pic by Danial Saad

Jail, rotan for raping minor

Posted: 03 Feb 2014 08:01 AM PST

04 February 2014| last updated at 12:11AM
By KRISTY INUS | kristy@nst.com.my

KOTA KINABALU: FORMER restaurant manager Riduan Masmud, who was thrust into the limelight and public scrutiny for marrying an underage girl he had raped, was sentenced  to 12 years' jail and two strokes of the rotan at the Sessions Court here yesterday.

Judge Ummu Kalthom Abdul Samad ordered him to undergo a year's police supervision after serving his sentence.

She, however, granted a stay of execution pending appeal following an application by counsel, Ram Singh. Bail was set at RM15,000 in two sureties.

The 41-year-old father of four was found guilty on Jan 24 of raping the girl aged 12 years and 6 months, inside a car parked by the roadside near Kionsom Waterfall, Inanam, between 9am and 10am on Feb 18 last year. He married her on May 7.

Riduan, who was absent on Jan 27, the date set for sentencing, arrived in court yesterday with his first wife and 18-year-old daughter.

He claimed to have been unwell on the night of Jan 26 and had obtained a medical certificate from a hospital.

He claimed to have fainted at home and said he had to go to his hometown to seek traditional treatment from a bomoh.

In sentencing Riduan, Ummu Kalthom said while there was a need to strike a balance between public interest and that of the accused, a deterrent sentence was necessary due to the seriousness of the offence to serve as a warning to other offenders.

"We want to send a message to the public that one simply cannot escape punishment for raping a minor and then marrying her to cover the offence.

"The accused should have known better. He was overcome by desire and lust on seeing a young girl. Mature adults having sex with a minor should not expect a lenient sentence."

Riduan was seen crying while hugging his wife and daughter outside the court.

He is also facing three other charges of corruption for allegedly offering and paying the father of the victim to get him to retract the rape report in April last year.

Riduan Masmud was sentenced to 12 years' jail and two strokes of the rotan at the Sessions Court in Kota Kinabalu yesterday. Pic by Malai Rosmah Tuah

Arsonists cause fire at I-City wax museum

Posted: 03 Feb 2014 08:01 AM PST

04 February 2014| last updated at 11:20PM

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) recordings showed three people breaking into the museum on Wednesday and starting the fire.

I-Berhad information manager Tang Soke Cheng said 10 exhibits were destroyed in the fire.

She said the CCTV footage showing the three culprits setting fire to the exhibits had been passed to police.

"As I-City is one of the recommended destinations to visit during Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014, this act of sabotage is of upmost concern to the country."

Tang said such an irresponsible act would not only jeopardise the country's image but also deter tourists from visiting.

She said I-City's auxiliary police team would help Selangor police to prevent a recurrence of the incident.

The museum will remain open, though the main exhibition area will be closed to the public for repairs.

District police Criminal Investigation Department chief Deputy Superintendent Muhammad Idzam Jaafar said police had classified the case as arson.

CCTV footage showing three people starting a fire at the wax museum, Red Carpet in I-City, Shah Alam, on Jan 3.