Lack of water supply leads to death by crocodile, says Sebatik rep

 

Two villagers in Sabah died of crocodile attacks this year, the Sabah state assembly was told. (Bernama pic)

KOTA KINABALU: A shortage of water supply in Sebatik puts residents there at risk of crocodile attacks, according to state assemblyman Hassan A Gani Pg Amir.

He said two people had died in crocodile attacks at Kampung Brantian and Kampung Serudung Laut respectively.

“The issue of water shortages is not just a failure on our part, but for the residents at the Sebatik area, it leads to a loss of lives.

“Due to there being no water, they are forced to bathe in the river, which brings about risks of drowning, flooding and even death from crocodile attacks,” he said during the debate on Sabah’s 2022 budget at the state assembly today.

Hassan who is with Perikatan Nasional said such incidents may recur if the water supply issue continues. “These incidents may haunt us if we fail to provide clean water to the people.” - FMT

Rising number of clusters at educational institutes

 

Covid-19 clusters involving educational institutions in the country recorded a rise in the last two weeks. - NSTP/SYAFEEQ AHMAD

KUALA LUMPUR: Covid-19 clusters involving educational institutions in the country recorded a rise in the last two weeks.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said education clusters climbed from 13 to 16 clusters between the 47th epidemiological week and 48th epidemiological week.

Of the 16 educational clusters, he said, 12 emerged in secondary schools and higher learning institutions.

"Although most adolescents and adults in the country are fully vaccinated, the Health Ministry wants to reiterate that getting vaccinated does not imply that we no longer have to adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOP)," he said.

Dr Noor Hisham said the ministry identified 41 clusters last week, which included 21 workplace clusters, 16 educational clusters, two religious clusters, one community cluster and one high-risk group cluster.

As of Dec 4, he said, there were only 227 active Covid-19 clusters in the country - a three per cent drop compared to the 47th epidemiological week.

The number of new daily cases, he said, also declined by 7.8 per cent from 37,830 cases in the 47th epidemiological week to 34,897 cases in the 48th epidemiological week.

The country, he said, had recorded a downward trend in new daily cases since the 46th epidemiological week.

Likewise, the number of fatalities have also dropped by 3.3 per cent from 302 deaths in 47th epidemiological week to 294 deaths in 48th epidemiological week.

Covid-19 cases requiring Intensive Care Unit (ICU) treatment dropped by 11 per cent last week and the number of patients requiring ventilator support also declined by 3.5 per cent.

Dr Noor Hisham said the bed occupancy rate in hospitals and low-risk quarantine centres had also declined last week.

"The non-ICU bed utilisation rate reduced by two per cent in hospitals and by five per cent in low-risk quarantine centres last week compared to the 47th epidemiological week.

"The usage of ICU beds also dropped by one per cent on the 48th epidemiological week," he said.

However, Dr Noor Hisham said the infectivity rate (Rt) has climbed by 0.3 per cent to 0.97 since Dec 1.

He also urged individuals who have received their appointments for booster shots to get their jabs. - NST

Malaysian hijab brand founder buys gold necklace worth RM25,980 for pet cat’s birthday, goes viral on social media (VIDEO)

 

Loving and affectionate Money got a gold necklace purchased from Ampang’s Habib Jewels. — Pictures via Fahim Nazaini

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PETALING JAYA, Dec 6 — Malaysian company Bawal Exclusive’s founder, who made headlines last year for designing the RM100,000 tudung, has now spent a fortune on her cat.

Haliza Maysuri’s recent video on TikTok has gone viral after purchasing a gold necklace worth RM25,980 for her pet cat’s fourth birthday.

The necklace was purchased from the Habib Jewel store in Ampang.

Speaking to Malay Mail, Haliza said that her husband has always been attached to the Persian cat Money since they bought her four years ago from a pet shop.

“My husband adores her very much and will take her for all his work trips or our vacations.

“And while Money’s birthday is on May 9, we only got the gold necklace much later because during that time, the country was still under lockdown.

“We wanted a custom-made gold necklace for her and gold is always a good investment.”

She added that whenever Haliza and her husband have had a hectic day at work, Money is always ever ready to play with them and entertain them.

For Money’s previous birthdays, the couple bought expensive cakes and the feline even has a new outfit to wear every day.

Haliza said that while she has two other pet cats, Money is the closest to them adding that the cat was good-natured and not as fierce as the rest.

“Money also goes for her monthly grooming and spa session and is treated as one of the most valuable ‘family members’.

“She has always been a good cat and we look forward to spending more precious time together with her,” she said.

The video on TikTok has been watched more than 495,000 times at the time of writing with many jokingly saying that they wished they were the cat to receive such luxury items. - malaymail

Civil servants in Pahang to receive RM1,200 next month, says MB

 

KUANTAN: Civil servants in Pahang will receive a financial incentive of RM1,200 involving an allocation of RM9.6mil, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.

He said the incentive would be credited into the accounts of 8,000 civil servants of all grades in the third week of January.

"This is an appreciation to all civil servants in Pahang, and the state government has never forgotten their contributions and commitment in ensuring the implementation of the state development and social agenda,” he said while tabling the surplus state budget at the state Legislative Assembly sitting at Wisma Sri Pahang here.

The Pahang government tabled a surplus Budget of RM5.97mil, which is its 19th surplus Budget since 1992.

The state Budget provides an allocation of RM1.031bil for operating expenditure, RM323.26mil for development expenditure while revenue collection for next year is targeted at RM1.036bil.

Dismissing allegations that the state is in a weak financial position, Wan Rosdy said as of Dec 6, Pahang collected RM812.41mil in revenue, exceeding the RM800.80mil target.

According to Wan Rosdy, after being severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the state’s economy is projected to be revived in stages through tourism, agriculture, farming, mining and industrial activities.

"The state government is looking at uses of utilities that can provide extra revenue such as the implementation of the Ulu Jelai hydroelectric project, line and tower fees involving Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) as well as communication infrastructures,” he said.

In addition, he said unfavourable old enactments and agreements would be reviewed such as the Taman Negara (Pahang) Enactment 1939 that charges only RM1 entrance fee to Taman Negara.

"Sustainability tax will be imposed on hotel guests in Pahang at RM3 per night as the state’s new revenue where the state government is expected to receive RM21mil next year,” he said.

Meanwhile, to address the water supply issue, the state government allocated RM151.28mil for water supply infrastructure development projects next year, and RM10.35mil for corridor rehabilitation plans to tackle floods.

A total of RM34.48mil is allotted to manage forest resources with priority given to rehabilitating and protecting forest biology, water and soil, as well as RM1.05mil to build the Pahang Forestry Department war room to conduct real-time satellite monitoring.

"The state government is also committed to ensure that 1.6 million hectares of the state forest become a permanent forest reserve, which is 57% of the total existing forest area, and hopes that the Federal Government will compensate for the initiative,” he said.

He said the Pahang Pride Kid programme would be implemented with a total allocation of RM5mil for babies born in 2022, who would receive RM200 with RM100 in bank savings, while the rest in the form of baby items.

"The state government has also introduced the Pahang national student card to all B40 household heads, who have schooling children, to enjoy a 20% discount on school items apart from RM100 given to each B40 student," he said, adding that the initiative was expected to benefit 48,711 students.

Wan Rosdy said the Cakna Suri free health screening, which previously involved mammograms to detect breast cancer, would be extended to cervical cancer screening to benefit 6,000 women from the B40 category.

He also said a total of RM2.7mil was allocated to develop information technology as well as to implement the Pahang Digital Plan 2021-2025, adding that the 5G network pilot project would be initiated in Kuantan, Indera Mahkota and KotaSAS.

The state government would also continue the Pahang Prihatin Aid with an allocation of RM30mil while RM40mil would be channelled to strengthen efforts towards preparing the state in facing the Covid-19 endemic phase, he added.

Wan Rosdy said in efforts to empower the Orang Asli, the state government had set up the Orang Asli Corporation (ORACO) with a RM1mil grant to identify land that could be developed to support their economy, among others.

The assembly sitting resumes tomorrow. - Bernama

Peng Soon, Liu Ying disbanding partnership

 

Mixed doubles pair Peng Soon and Liu Ying have decided to end their 13-year partnershp. - SS KANESAN/The Star

PETALING JAYA: Rio Olympics mixed doubles silver medallists Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying have decided to part ways after a glorious 13-year partnership.

Peng Soon, 33, took to social media to announce their decision on Monday (Dec 6).

"Last week's World Tour Finals (which they made the semi-finals) was my last match with Liu Ying," he wrote.

"I felt heavy-hearted, it wasn't an easy decision. After all, we have been playing together for 13 years.

"We fail together, we succeed together, we grow together," he said.

The announcement came just after Liu Ying said the pair would not play in the World Championships in Huelva, Spain, citing fatigue as the reason.

Peng Soon and Liu Ying first paired up in 2009 and are considered as the country's first-ever full-fledged mixed doubles combination.

The duo won 12 titles together and were once ranked as high as world No. 3 in 2013. - Star

Pampasan terlalu rendah, mana nak cari rumah di KL, keluh penduduk Kampung Baru

 

Penduduk Kampung Baru mendakwa pampasan diberikan tidak mengikut nilaian semasa dan menyukarkan mereka mencari rumah ganti yang sesuai.

KUALA LUMPUR: Penduduk sekitar Kampung Sungai Baru, Kampung Baru di sini sekali lagi menyuarakan bantahan dan rasa tidak puas hati terhadap projek pembangunan semula kawasan itu yang dianggap berat sebelah termasuk tawaran pampasan didakwa tidak masuk akal dan terlalu rendah.

Penduduk, Mohd Saiful Azhar mendakwa mereka yang tinggal di Flat Sungai Baru hanya ditawarkan antara RM200,000 sehingga RM250,000 sebagai balasan.

“Jika dengan nilai pampasan sedemikian, mana nak cari rumah baharu di kawasan Kuala Lumpur ini? Rumah kami memang lama tapi nilai kawasan perlu diambil kira.

“Kerisauan kami terutama penduduk rumah teres adalah berapa nilai pampasan yang bakal kami terima? Ada kemungkinan pampasan kami dinilai dengan rendah juga.

“Walhal berdasarkan penilai hartanah swasta yang menilai tanah dan rumah saya yang sudah diubah suai menjadi tiga unit rumah itu dianggarkan sekitar RM3.1 juta,” katanya yang tinggal di rumah teres di kawasan yang bakal dibangunkan itu.

Sementara itu Pengerusi Persatuan Komuniti Sungai Baru, Syed Salehuddin Syed Abdullah berkata, terdapat kira-kira 30% penduduk yang masih belum menurunkan tandatangan dan menolak tawaran yang dirasakan tidak setimpal dengan nilai semasa hartanah.

“Pemaju telah datang lima tahun yang lepas dan tawarkan penduduk berpindah ke tempat lain dengan menyediakan rumah tetapi perjanjian mereka berat sebelah. Kalau pemaju bankrap kami tidak boleh berbuat apa-apa jadi kami takut.

“Kami masih belum tandatangan dan mereka (pemaju) menggunakan Seksyen 8 Akta Pengambilan Tanah 1960 untuk buat pengambilan, sehari selepas Seksyen 4 dikeluarkan,” katanya kepada FMT.

Beliau turut meminta Ahli Parlimen Titiwangsa, Rina Mohd Harun mengadakan pertemuan dengan Menteri Wilayah Persekutuan Shahidan Kassim bagi membantu mereka dalam hal itu.

Perancangan pembangunan di Kampung Sungai Baru melibatkan penduduk yang menetap di dua jenis kediaman iaitu Flat Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor (PKNS) dan rumah di tanah persendirian termasuk rumah teres.

Kumpulan itu turun mengadakan bantahan pada Sabtu lalu apabila tidak berpuas hati dengan nilai pampasan yang diberikan dan notis warta kerajaan yang diterima dalam tempoh yang singkat ketika perintah kawalan pergerakan (PKP) dikuat kuasa sebelum ini.

Sementara itu Johari Zakaria yang juga pemilik rumah teres berkata, pihaknya difahamkan nilai pampasan yang diterima bagi kategori rumah teres hanya kira-kira RM400 sekaki persegi sedangkan penilaian oleh jurunilai dilantik sebelum ini menganggarkan nilai semasa adalah RM1,500 sekaki persegi untuk tanah sahaja, tidak termasuk bangunan.

“Masa bicara pertama ada pihak Perbadanan Pembangunan Kampung Baru (PKN) mengatakan transaksi jual beli dibuat untuk rumah yang telah dijual sebelum ini adalah RM450 sekaki persegi tapi bila minta buktikan transaksi, ia tidak diberikan.

“Jadi jumlah RM1,500 sekaki persegi yang kami tuntut itu munasabah dengan nilai semasa ketika ini,” katanya.

Difahamkan, kira-kira 70% pemilik di kawasan berkenaan bersetuju dengan pembangunan semula kawasan itu dan telah menurunkan tanda tangan manakala selebihnya membantah. - FMT

Geng pecah kedai ‘Man Muncung’ dicekup polis

 

Tiga suspek berumur antara 20 hingga 33 tahun yang menganggur bergilir-gilir menyewa kereta bagi melakukan jenayah, malah pernah menggunakan Mykad ibu remaja terlibat untuk tujuan itu, kata Ketua Polis Daerah Kubang Pasu Rodzi Abu Hassan.

JITRA: Polis berjaya menumpaskan ‘Geng Man Muncung’ yang disyaki terlibat dengan 10 kes pecah kedai di sekitar daerah Kubang Pasu, selepas empat lelaki termasuk pelajar sekolah berusia 14 tahun ditahan secara berasingan, Khamis lepas.

Ketua Polis Daerah Kubang Pasu Rodzi Abu Hassan berkata kesemua suspek ditahan tidak sampai 24 jam selepas dipercayai memecah masuk kedai runcit dan melarikan wang tunai RM4,250 serta barangan lain di Pekan Ayer Hitam dekat sini, kira-kira pukul 2 pagi.

“Pemilik premis hanya menyedari kejadian itu pada pukul 8 pagi sebelum membuat laporan polis. Hasil siasatan, kita berjaya menahan keempat-empat lelaki tersebut masing-masing di Taman Pulasan di sini dan di hadapan Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Setar antara pukul 8.45 malam dan 10.30 malam hari yang sama,” katanya pada sidang media di sini, hari ini.

Rodzi berkata polis percaya 10 kes pecah kedai di daerah ini berjaya diselesaikan berikutan tangkapan itu.

Katanya tiga daripada suspek berumur antara 20 dan 33 tahun yang menganggur, turut memiliki rekod kesalahan lampau berkaitan dadah, pecah rumah dan curi kenderaan, dengan suspek utama berusia 33 tahun pernah direman berkaitan kes pecah pejabat syarikat kurier di Alor Setar pada Jun lepas, yang melibatkan kerugian hampir ratusan ribu ringgit.

“Mereka bergilir-gilir menyewa kereta bagi melakukan jenayah, malah Mykad ibu kepada pelajar 14 tahun itu pernah digunakan bagi melakukan kegiatan tersebut,” katanya yang turut memaklumkan ujian saringan air kencing kesemua suspek negatif.

Rodzi berkata selain wang tunai, barangan lain turut dirampas termasuk lima telefon bimbit pelbagai jenama dan sebuah kereta Perodua Myvi yang disewa kumpulan berkenaan.

Kesemua mereka kini direman lima hari bermula semalam dan kes disiasat di bawah Seksyen 457 Kanun Keseksaan, melibatkan hukuman penjara hingga lima tahun atau denda atau kedua-duanya sekali jika sabit kesalahan. - FMT