Selangor water woes continue

Selangor water woes continue

Selangor water woes continue

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 08:01 AM PST

13 February 2014| last updated at 11:55PM
By KALAVAANI KARUPIAH AND MAZLINDA MAHMOOD | news@nstp.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: THOUSANDS of residents in Dengkil, Kuala Langat and Balakong in  Se- langor are hoping their water supply will  return  to normal soon.

For the last two days, they have been waiting in line outside their houses and apartments with pails and bottles to collect water from Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) water trucks.

The disruption followed the discovery of a large amount of ammonia in Sungai Langat, which forced the temporary closure of two treatment plants on Jan 28.

Syabas public relations and corporate communications assistant general manager Priscilla Alfred said operations at the affected treatment plants were slowly resuming, as the ammonia content was now at a safer level.

She said the delay in resuming water supply was because of low water reserve levels in Selangor.

Meanwhile, the Selangor Water Management Authority, together with agencies in the Selangor Water Resources Pollution Emergency Committee, are embarking on an immediate mitigation plan to resolve the water shortage faced by residents in Dengkil, Kuala Langat and Balakong for the past week.

State Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment Committee chairman Elizabeth Wong said the short-term plan was to raise the aeration rate to treat ammonia at 51 sewage treatment plants, costing RM350,000 a month, and to use chemicals to reduce the effluent levels.

S. Ganesh, 49, and family members carrying a container of water in Taman Bukit Anggerik, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday. Pic by Sairien Nafis

Getting BR1M aid to Sarawak

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 08:00 AM PST

13 February 2014| last updated at 12:01AM

State Welfare, Women and Family Development Ministry permanent secretary Rodziah Morsidi said there were about 320,000 BR1M recipients who were mostly from rural areas and they did not have bank accounts.

"We are trying to find a suitable way to distribute the aid to them.

"The state-level distribution will start from Feb 23, a day after the national launching, to March 15.

"We will most probably deploy our officers to rural areas to reach out to recipients.

"We have not decided on how we should go about it yet," she said, adding that such a task would not be easy.

Rodziah was speaking at a press conference at the state ministry's office at Bangunan Baitulmakmur here.

Earlier, a delegation led by Mayor Datuk James Chan paid a courtesy call on Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah to discuss a strategic partnership.

Fatimah said the partnership was aimed at reaching out to the needy and disabled groups that had not been identified by the Welfare Department.

"There are eligible recipients who have not registered with the Welfare Department.

"Because of this, they have not received any financial aid from us," Fatimah said.

She hoped more eligible recipients could be identified with the involvement of community leaders and non-governmental organisations working on the ground.

"They can provide us with information and our officers will help in the registration.

"The aid will reach them the following month.

"Besides financial aid, there are many training programmes available for single mothers and the low-income group."

Commando relates how armed men were shot dead

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 08:00 AM PST

13 February 2014| last updated at 11:57PM

Inspector Sahar Omar told the High Court that on March 6, he led a team of 12 VAT69 personnel in an operation near a surau in Tanjung Batu.

He said a gunfight took place in another area close to where they were at 3.30pm and lasted between 10 and 15 minutes.

Questioned by deputy public prosecutor Abdul Wahab Mohamed, Sahar said he was instructing his team members to take cover when he saw the three men approaching.

He was testifying as the prosecution's seventh witness before Judge Stephen Chung Hian Guan in the trial of 30 people charged with offences linked to the Kampung Tanduo incursion and Simunul attack in Semporna last year.

Wahab: What were they wearing?

Sahar: Two of them were in full military uniform while another was clad in white T-shirt and military pants.

Wahab: Were they armed?

Sahar: With parang.

Wahab: How did they move?

Sahar: They were walking.

He told the court he instructed his team to take position and open fire at the armed intruders who were 30m away.

When asked by Wahab why the team fired, Sahar said the men had entered their operation area. He added they did not inspect the bodies after the shooting as the situation in Tanjung Batu was dangerous at that time.

Sahar told the court he was assigned to Team A in a close recce operation at Kampung Tanduo and his team was under attack on March 1.

He said Team A entered their area of responsibility (Sector A) at 1 am and inspected two unoccupied houses at 4am before making a perimeter defence.

"At 10am, we heard continuous shooting and explosions from either Sector B or C, which was about 1km away. Sector leader, Deputy Superintendant Hakemal Hawari, instructed us to give support and we ran in a standard line position."

Sahar said they came under attack after arriving at a house, forcing Team A to retreat and take cover before retaliating. No VAT69 personnel was injured in the 10-minute shootout.

He added Team A was unable to provide assistance because of the distance.

Hearing continues today.

PSM to stay out

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 08:00 AM PST

13 February 2014| last updated at 12:02AM

Chairman Dr Nasir Hashim said the party would not contest or assist the opposition coalition, in particular PKR.

"We do not wish to be part of this by-election because we feel it is a total waste of the rakyat's money and also the voters' time.

"Beside that, looking back at the situation, where an assemblyman resigning without any reason, is so unethical."

Nasir said this at PSM's headquarters here yesterday.

He said they did not want to split votes that should go to PKR and, therefore, help Barisan Nasional in its effort to win the Kajang seat.

He said they made the decision at the central committee meeting last Thursday.

The seat fell vacant following the resignation of PKR assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh.

Police to record Kok's statement

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 08:00 AM PST

13 February 2014| last updated at 12:04AM

City acting Criminal Investigation chief Assistant Commissioner Khairi Ahrasa said police hoped to wrap up investigations into the case once Kok's statement was recorded.

"We have recorded more than a dozen statements, including from those who had lodged reports against Kok, and also those who had acted in the clip.

"Now, we will call Kok in to record her statement before wrapping up the investigations," he said at the city police contingent headquarters here yesterday.

On Tuesday, police had recorded statements from two male actors, aged 32 and 36, and a 32-year-old woman actress regarding the video clip.

On allegations that police were slow in their investigations, Khairi said: "One must realise we cannot simply act without investigating the claims thoroughly. Now that we are almost finished (with the investigation), let the Attorney-General decide on the next course of action."

On the report lodged by Kok over a reward for anyone who slaps her, he said police had identified two individuals believed to be responsible for the announcement.

"The two will be called up to give their statements by the end of the week."

The Chinese New Year video drew criticism from non-governmental organisations and political leaders, who deemed it insulting to the leadership of the country.

It was reported that last Thursday, a group had also protested against the video before offering a RM1,200 reward to anyone who dared to slap Kok as a symbolic gesture of anger.

Adenan's experience vital

Posted: 12 Feb 2014 08:00 AM PST

13 February 2014| last updated at 12:25AM

KUCHING: DEPUTY Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional deputy chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is confident that the party in Sarawak will  continue to be strong despite Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud's departure from the political scene, Bernama reports.

This was conveyed to reporters by Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) president Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom, who also shared Muhyiddin's optimism, when they met him after a two-hour closed-door meeting chaired by Muhyiddin with state BN component party representatives yesterday.

"In the meeting, Muhyiddin said Sarawak BN has been noted for its strong sense of camaraderie among component members and this must be maintained even though the chief minister, who is also state BN chief, is leaving.

"Muhyiddin is also confident the system in Sarawak BN, and Taib's choice for successor, would not be an issue as the latter was given full mandate in the decision," said Mawan.

Taib, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu president, was present at the meeting, as were Parti Rakyat Sarawak president Tan Sri James Jemut Masing, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak secretary-general Prof Dr Sim Kui Huin and Sarawak BN secretary Datuk Stephen Rundi Utom.

Meanwhile, the appointment of Tan Sri Adenan Satem as the fifth chief minister of Sarawak received widespread approval from ministers.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, who was touted as among the contenders to take over from Taib, said he would remain in the cabinet and continue serving the state under the new chief minister.

"Adenan is the right man for the job. With his experience and guidance from Taib, we will ensure victory in the coming state election. We expect this to be a tough battle for the state BN."

Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh said no one could deny Taib's contributions to the state and the nation.

"He did something for each and every one of us (in Sarawak), which should be remembered.

"Besides the socio-economic development, he also succeeded in uniting the multiracial society, creating a harmonious and comfortable living environment for all races here."

Land Development Minister Tan Sri James Jemut Masing said the two major challenges Adenan had to face were reuniting and strengthening the Sarawak United People's Party and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party, and prepare them for the state election in two years.

Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom said Adenan had been with Taib for more than 20 years and possessed exemplary qualities.

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman expressed confidence that Adenan would lead Sarawak to further development as its new chief minister. He said Sarawak would progress and prosper under Adenan with his experience.

"Under Adenan, the state BN leadership would remain strong, maintaining the prevailing political and economic stability here."

He commended Taib for being a visionary leader and for bringing about development to Sarawak during his tenure.

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he was confident that Adenan would use his vast experience in the state and federal governments to carry out his new duties well.

Barisan Nasional deputy chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Sarawak Chief Min ister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud with presidents of state BN component parties in Kuching yesterday. Pic by Azahan Rosli