KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Public Works Department (JKR) is urging all political parties contesting in the 17th Sabah Election not to install campaign materials in areas that may jeapordise road safety.
In a notice on Monday (Nov 17) night, Sabah JKR said the restriction covers roundabouts, road median openings, junctions, pedestrian crossings and traffic light poles.
It said installing campaign materials such as flags, banners, posters or any related items at these locations could obstruct drivers' visibility and increase the risk of accidents.
"This is important to ensure road users' safety throughout the campaign period. Campaign materials already installed in these prohibited areas must be removed immediately to prevent any unwanted incidents," the notice said.
The Election Commission has set Nov 29 as polling day, with early voting on Nov 25. – Bernama
Those travelling by car or motorcycle to Woodlands or Tuas checkpoints are encouraged to use QR codes, instead of passports, for faster and more convenient immigration clearance. -- PHOTO: ST PHOTO
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): Singapore travellers headed to Malaysia can expect heavy traffic at both Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints during the year-end school holidays, said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
From Nov 21 to Jan 1, 2026, travellers using the land crossings need to factor in extra waiting times, it said.
Over the Deepavali long weekend from Oct 17 to 20, travellers in cars had to wait up to three hours to clear immigration due to traffic tailbacks from Malaysia. Nearly two million people crossed the two checkpoints during that period.
On Oct 17 alone, there was a peak of more than 550,000 people crossing the land checkpoints.
With the upcoming school holidays, intensified checks against the smuggling of e-vaporisers will be conducted, said ICA, leading to longer waiting times.
Travellers should check the traffic situation at the land checkpoints beforehand, it said, adding that they can consider using cross-border bus services to avoid congestion.
Those travelling by car or motorcycle are also encouraged to use QR codes, instead of passports, for faster and more convenient immigration clearance. However, they will still need to take along their passports as the documents may be required overseas.
Drivers of foreign-registered vehicles must ensure that their vehicle entry permits (VEPs) are valid, ICA added. Those who do not have a valid Autopass card, the VEP approval e-mail from the Land Transport Authority or valid insurance will be turned back.
ICA said it seeks travellers’ understanding in cooperating with its officers, observing traffic rules and maintaining lane discipline.
“ICA will not hesitate to take stern action against travellers who do not comply with officers’ instructions and commit offences at the checkpoints,” it added. - The Straits Times/Asia News Network
A coalition of residents and civil society groups protesting the proposed Batu Arang waste-to-energy (WTE) incinerator has criticised Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari for refusing to address their concerns for the past two years.
Speaking outside the Selangor State Secretariat building in Shah Alam, Rawang Tolak Incinerator Network (RTI) spokesperson Abdul Hanan Abd Mokti said residents had exhausted all formal avenues to voice their objections.
“This gathering is being held because residents’ voices on the risks of the incinerator project have been sidelined, their health and environmental concerns ignored.
“Residents have expressed their objections through various official channels, yet the feedback and evidence they submitted were still not given due consideration,” he said, addressing the media outside the building in Shah Alam.
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The protest, joined by RTI, Hand-In-Hand Batu Arang, Greenpeace Malaysia, and affected residents, was held to submit a memorandum to key stakeholders, including Amirudin, Rawang assemblyperson Chua Wei Kiat, and Kuang assemblyperson Rafiq Abdullah.
Both assemblypersons attended in person, but Amirudin only sent a representative, a gesture that angered protesters who insisted on meeting the menteri besar directly.
Selangor MB Amirudin Shari
“We have been waiting two years for him to respond,” Hanan said, calling the move “deeply disappointing”.
The memorandum calls for an immediate halt to all project-related actions, an official meeting between Amirudin and residents, and greater transparency and meaningful public participation in all processes concerning health, safety, and environmental risks.
Leaders under fire for lack of transparency
Adding to residents’ frustration, Hanan claimed they learned about the rejection of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) only through online searches.
“We have received information that this EIA report has not been approved. We don’t know why it was rejected.
“Were the grounds critical or not? If they were critical, then good. But if they weren’t, the report will surely be revised and resubmitted,” he said.
RTI had earlier urged the Environment Department (DOE) to extend the public comment period for the EIA, citing insufficient consultation time, limited access to documents, and the technical complexity of the report.
The group also criticised the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) for failing to publicly display the EIA as required.
Separately, Batu Arang Heritage and Nature Conservation group chairperson Ahmad Fais Azmir questioned Selangor exco Ng Suee Lim’s role in the project, arguing it contradicts the latter’s portfolio in tourism.
Batu Arang Heritage and Nature Conservation group chairperson Ahmad Fais Azmir
“How can he (Ng) build the Batu Arang Heritage Gallery, promote products from Gombak and Hulu Langat, but also bring in rubbish into Batu Arang?
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“Where is the logic? He developed the tourism sector, but is now taking in trash into a tourist destination,” he said.
RTI had previously highlighted Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd (KDEB) Waste Management’s 22,017 outstanding summonses as evidence that the GLC, chaired by Ng, is not capable of managing an incinerator.
Heritage town under threat
The WTE plant, once completed, is expected to generate up to 48 megawatts of electricity. But to do so, it will process waste from six local councils, which consists of nearly half of Selangor's waste.
Hanan jabbed that this effectively promotes Batu Arang to a “prestigious position as the state’s waste hub”.
He estimated that at least 400,000 residents across Batu Arang, Bandar Tasik Puteri, Kota Puteri, Bandar Seri Coalfields, Kuang, and Bandar Country Homes may be affected, making the plant a pressing health and public safety issue to the community.
A local resident, Rosnah Ibrahim, said that she has lived in the area for 40 years, and laments the possibility of its serene nature being lost to the incinerator project.
“In the mornings, you can hear the birds chirping. It’s really lovely.
Anti-incinerator protesters at a rally outside the Selangor State Secretariat building in Shah Alam
“We already have a home, and we’ve lived there for so long. Suddenly, things become like this, where are we supposed to run?” she asked.
The 61-year-old, who admits that she suffers from bouts of asthma, also worries about her health if the incinerator is built
Residents also warn that Batu Arang’s geological structure, formed by old open-cast coal mines, makes the land particularly unsuitable for a large incinerator.
RTI said coal seams stretching nearly 50km beneath the town increase the risk of underground fires or explosions, especially with the heat generated by a WTE facility.
They argue that the site’s unstable ground and history of mining operations pose unacceptable long-term risks to the community. - Mkini
The candidate for Api-Api hits back at claims he struggles to communicate with the constituency’s Chinese community.
Thonny Chee said he understands the meaning of words spoken in Mandarin but does not dare to respond in the language for fear of being misunderstood. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: Thonny Chee, PKR’s candidate for Api-Api in the Sabah election, has hit back at claims he struggles to communicate with the Chinese community due to a lack of Mandarin proficiency, being only fluent in Malay and English.
Chee said language should not be an obstacle to serving the community as residents there are also fluent in Malay and English.
“I know the Chinese community in Api-Api is fluent in both Malay and English. Those trying to play up this issue are not being smart. I see no issue at all,” Bernama reported him as saying in Api-Api today.
Chee said he understands the meaning of words spoken in Mandarin but does not dare to respond in the language for fear of being misunderstood.
“Mandarin has many different intonations. Sometimes the pronunciation is the same but a slight change in tone can alter the meaning.
“So instead of ‘hanging myself’ by speaking Mandarin, it’s better for me to speak in Malay or English, which the people also understand.
“At the same time, I am also learning and improving my Mandarin with my teacher here,” he said, referring to PKR vice-president Chang Lih Kang, who was with him.
Chee is running in Api-Api against Ng Chun Sua (PIS), Ting Shu Kiong (STAR), Soh Kee Suat @ So Chee Say (PBK) and Loi Kok Liang (Warisan).
The Election Commission has set Nov 29 as polling day, while Nov 25 is for early voting. - FMT
The club denies its supporters were responsible for crowd violence at the Oct 29 match at MBPJ Stadium.
Selangor FC was fined RM100,000 and ordered to play behind closed doors on Saturday after the FAM disciplinary committee ruled that their supporters were involved in violent behaviour during the Oct 29 match against Negeri Sembilan FC. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: Selangor FC will appeal the Football Association of Malaysia’s disciplinary ruling over the behaviour of their fans at last month’s FA Cup quarter-final match against Negeri Sembilan FC.
The club said while it had taken note of the disciplinary committee’s decision, it sought to clarify to all its stakeholders what had transpired at the Oct 29 match at MBPJ Stadium.
“We would like to clarify that Selangor FC supporters were not involved in igniting or throwing firecrackers inside the stadium,” it said.
Selangor FC also said its supporters were not involved in damaging or throwing stadium seats and refuted claims that one of its VVIP guests had also thrown an object at the visiting supporters.
“The club’s investigation confirmed that the missing seats were only in the visiting supporters’ area.
“No Selangor FC VVIP guest was involved in throwing a plastic drink container at the visiting team’s family seating area,” it said.
Selangor FC said its supporters did not start the altercation inside the venue either, and that it was triggered when one of the visiting supporters threw a firecracker at the Selangor FC supporters’ seating area.
The club said a total of 170 security and police personnel were deployed during the game and confirmed it would be taking its case to the FAM appeal committee.
It expressed hope that a decision would be made before the FA Cup’s semi-final second leg on Nov 30.
On Saturday, Selangor FC was fined RM100,000 and ordered to play behind closed doors after the FAM disciplinary committee ruled that its supporters were involved in violent behaviour during the Oct 29 match.
The committee said firecrackers, benches and water bottles were thrown at Negeri Sembilan supporters, injuring two of them, and that a Selangor VVIP guest had also thrown a water-filled container at the visiting team’s family section.
Selangor were found guilty of five charges and issued a stern warning that heavier punishment could follow for repeat offences.
In the match on Oct 29, the second leg of the FA Cup quarter-finals, Selangor FC were defeated 3-2 by Negeri Sembilan FC but qualified for the semi-finals on a 6-3 aggregate. - FMT
