Pakatan Using The Flood As The New Weapon To Attack The Govt Now That Covid-19 No Longer An Issue

 

(MMO) – The Opposition Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition today called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to give a full explanation in Parliament on his government’s delayed response to the recent catastrophic floods nationwide.

The PH presidential council pointed to widespread public criticism against the government on social media and said this must be addressed in a special parliamentary session soon.

“The impact of the massive floods in terms of property damage and loss of life of almost 50 people this time is very significant and heartbreaking.

“In fact this phenomenon has opened our eyes to the reality that climate change and human activities especially rampant logging and unsustainable development are ultimately having a very negative impact on the people,” the council said in a statement.

The statement was jointly signed by the leaders of PH’s four component parties, PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, and United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau.

They also urged the government to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to conduct a post-mortem examination of the floods, and include an assessment of Sabah and Sarawak.

The Opposition noted that Borneo Malaysia was not spared from floods in recent times even though most of the disaster this time around was mostly reported in the peninsula.

“This is to ensure that all planning weaknesses and delay in implementation can be overcome, including those stated in the Auditor-General’s Report concerning the six retention ponds in Kuala Lumpur that had been approved for development as disclosed recently by the Segambut MP,” the PH presidential council said.

Ismail Sabri’s administration has come under heavy public criticism over its flood relief measures following the floods across the peninsula starting from December 17, notable in the highly-populated Klang Valley.

Tens of thousands of people were displaced when their homes were submerged overnight while 47 lives were lost; five people have been reported still missing.

The floodwaters reached a height of over two metres in some areas and took over a week to subside in some areas.

The severity of the floods caught both federal and state authorities flat-footed and delayed official response to the disaster, prompting ordinary Malaysians to mobilise themselves to aid those most affected.

Public anger over the government’s slow response was exacerbated by some ministers’ attempts to play up their role in the relief efforts, such as by posting photos and videos of them ostensibly mopping floors and power-washing lizard droppings from drains.

The juxtaposition has since created a public relations nightmare for the government, forcing Ismail Sabri to order all his ministers holidaying abroad to immediately return to the country and assist in relief efforts.

Kesihatan mental ‘dipertikai’ anak, bekas Setiausaha Agung MCA mohon batal saman

 

Bekas Setiausaha Agung MCA Kam Woon Wah mendakwa anaknya tiada hak untuk memfailkan saman pemula itu.

PETALING JAYA: Bekas Setiausaha Agung MCA Kam Woon Wah memohon untuk membatalkan saman pemula yang difailkan anak lelakinya Andrew Kam Tai Yeow bagi menentukan kesihatan mentalnya.

Jutawan berusia 92 tahun itu memfailkan permohonan tersebut di Pejabat Pendaftar Mahkamah Tinggi di sini menerusi Tetuan Y C Wong pada 27 Dis lepas.

Menurut laporan Bernama, Kam memohon membatalkan saman difailkan Tai Yeow, 59, atas alasan saman itu tidak mendedahkan sebarang kausa tindakan yang munasabah, mengaibkan, remeh dan menyusahkan serta suatu penyalahgunaan proses mahkamah.

Kam mendakwa beliau pada masa material, dapat menguasai minda dengan sepenuhnya dan berkemampuan penuh untuk menguruskan hal ehwal diri dan syarikat-syarikat di bawah tanggungjawabnya seperti yang disahkan dalam laporan oleh pakar psikiatri perunding bertarikh 16 Dis 2021.

Sehubungan itu, defendan mendakwa anaknya tiada hak untuk memfailkan saman pemula itu.

Pada 20 Dis lepas, Tai Yeow memfailkan saman pemula bagi menentukan kesihatan mental bapanya yang didakwa berubah secara mendadak sejak beberapa tahun ini termasuk mempunyai masalah kesukaran untuk berkomunikasi dan kelihatan seperti seorang yang hilang ingatan.

Beliau memohon mahkamah memutuskan sama ada bapanya berupaya memberikan arahan kepada peguam supaya bertindak bagi pihaknya dalam tempoh defendan telah bercelaru mental.

Tai Yeow juga memohon perintah mahkamah untuk mendapatkan suatu senarai tentang kesemua aset dan harta yang dimiliki oleh defendan.

Plaintif turut memohon perintah supaya defendan hadir ke di mahkamah bagi tujuan siasatan di bawah Seksyen 52 Akta Kesihatan Mental 2001 bagi membolehkan pakar kesihatan mental yang difikirkan sesuai oleh mahkamah untuk akses penuh dan tanpa had ke atas defendan bagi tujuan pemeriksaan sendiri.

Tai Yeow memohon perintah mahkamah untuk melantik jawatankuasa bagi menguruskan hal ehwal defendan dan estetnya, jika defendan didapati sebagai seorang kecelaruan mental dan tidak mampu menguruskan dirinya serta hal ehwalnya sendiri.

Mahkamah menetapkan 3 Jan untuk pengurusan kes. - FMT

Covid-19: Kes di Sabah meningkat sedikit hari ini, kata Masidi

 

Menteri Kerajaan Tempatan dan Perumahan Masidi Manjun berkata faktor penyebab berlakunya peningkatan kes mendadak di Kota Kinabalu adalah disebabkan 25 kes baharu yang membabitkan Kluster Bahtera Kinabalu. (Gambar Bernama)

KOTA KINABALU: Menteri Kerajaan Tempatan dan Perumahan Masidi Manjun berkata, kes baharu Covid-19 di Sabah meningkat sedikit pada hari ini iaitu sebanyak 231 kes dicatatkan berbanding 226 kes, semalam.

Katanya, Kota Kinabalu mencatatkan kes tertinggi sebanyak 60 kes iaitu meningkat 14 kes berbanding semalam.

“Faktor penyebab kepada berlakunya peningkatan kes mendadak di Kota Kinabalu adalah disebabkan terdapat 25 kes baharu yang membabitkan Kluster Bahtera Kinabalu.

“Selain kes daripada kluster, sebanyak 18 kes berpunca daripada kes bergejala, 11 kes daripada saringan kontak rapat dan enam kes lagi daripada lain-lain saringan,” katanya ketika dihubungi, hari ini.

Masidi yang juga jurucakap negeri berkaitan Covid-19 berkata, sebanyak 27 daerah merekodkan penambahan jumlah kes harian.

Katanya, tujuh daerah mencatat kes dua angka, 14 daerah mencatatkan kes satu angka manakala enam daerah lagi tidak mencatat sebarang kes baharu.

“Kesemua daerah mencatatkan perubahan angka yang tidak statik kecuali daerah-daerah yang konsisten dengan catatan sifar kes seperti Kunak, Kalabakan dan Nabawan.

“Selain itu, seramai 226 orang daripada 231 pesakit baharu hari ini berada dalam kategori 1 dan 2, seorang dalam kategori 3, dua orang dalam kategori 4 dan tiada pesakit dalam kategori 5 manakala dua kes lagi masih dalam penilaian JKNS (Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri Sabah),” katanya. - FMT

28 GRO berhimpit di ruang rahsia elak dicekup

 

GRO itu terdiri warga China, Thailand dan Vietnam dengan semua ditahan dalam operasi yang dijalankan pada 13 Dis lalu. (Gambar Jabatan Imigresen Perak)

PETALING JAYA: Seramai 28 pelayan pelanggan (GRO) berhimpit di ruang rahsia sebuah pusat hiburan untuk mengelak dicekup pihak berkuasa dalam serbuan di Jalan Canning Estate, Ipoh.

Tindakan itu bagaimanapun gagal apabila semuanya yang berusia antara 26 hingga 45 tahun itu ditahan dalam serbuan berkenaan.

Mereka yang terdiri daripada 15 wanita warga China, tiga warga Thailand dan 10 warga Vietnam ditahan dalam operasi pada 13 Dis lalu.

Pengarah Jabatan Imigresen Perak, Hapdzan Husaini berkata, serbuan disertai 28 pegawai Bahagian Penguat Kuasa itu turut menahan tujuh lelaki tempatan dipercayai penjaga dan pekerja premis berkenaan.

“Dalam operasi tersebut, wanita itu melarikan diri dengan bersembunyi di sebalik ruang rahsia yang sempit di tingkat tiga pusat hiburan berkenaan namun taktik itu berjaya dikesan pegawai operasi yang menjumpai tempat persembunyian mereka,” katanya menurut laporan Kosmo.

Menurut beliau, berdasarkan maklumat, pusat hiburan yang diserbu itu disyaki menggaji warga asing tanpa pas yang sah dan bekerja sebagai GRO serta beroperasi bermula jam 5 petang sehingga 5 pagi.

“Kesemua mereka ditahan dan disiasat mengikut Akta Imigresen 1959/63 iaitu tinggal lebih masa, tidak memiliki pas yang sah, melindungi warga asing tanpa pas yang sah dan melanggar syarat pas lawatan,” katanya. - FMT

Alerts 2 days before floods by 2023, says ministry

 

Two weeks ago, Nadma was notified of the floods six-hours beforehand but with the new system, it will be alerted two days earlier.

KUALA LUMPUR: After the worst flood in half a century hit the country causing almost 50 deaths and billions in losses, the government now says Malaysians will get two days warning prior to floods by 2023.

A warning system called the flood forecast and warning system (PRABN) is currently being tried out in Kedah, Penang and Perak and is being developed in other states, the environment and water ministry said.

The ministry’s chief secretary Zaini Ujang said they would be installing the system in other states, including in the Klang Valley.Currently, the Water Level Trend Forecast alert system in the Klang Valley can only alert the public six hours prior to the floods.

Speaking at a press conference at the Flood Forecast and Warning Centre here, Zaini said that even when the water level rises to moderate level, the system would automatically inform the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).

When the major floods hit two weeks ago on Dec 17 and 18, he said the six-hour alert system in the Klang Valley automatically notified Nadma. Real-time data was also updated on a website called My Info Banjir.

With the improved alert system, he said his ministry could inform the relevant agencies two days ahead of the floods.

The ministry was also planning to enhance the existing warning system using sirens, by incorporating real-time data from CCTVs and text messaging at river basins in the states.

“With the improved system, PRABN will be able to forecast floods seven days prior and give warnings to the people and agencies affected two days beforehand,” he added.

This would include giving real-time photos of the water levels and warnings through mobile phones.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob visited the centre and was briefed on the operations and the SOPs during a disaster.

PRABN has been in round-the-clock operation since 2018 following the massive floods in 2014 that hit eight states including Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Johor and Sarawak. - FMT

‘Unconstitutional’ to charge 5th man in Nhaveen’s murder, says defence

 

The accused being led out of the High Court in George Town today.

GEORGE TOWN: A lawyer for the accused in the T Nhaveen murder trial today objected against a new person being charged with the 18-year-old’s murder in 2017, saying it was unconstitutional.

Ranjit Singh Dhillon told the High Court that S Gopinaath, a brother of one of the four initial suspects, was charged with murder after his remand application had expired.

He said Gopinaath, 30, was released from remand at noon yesterday, but was then charged with murder on the same day at 2.30pm.

Ranjit said such a move smacked of “prosecutorial arrogance” and one that was against the Federal Constitution concerning liberties and freedom of a person.

“Gopinaath was free (by then). He should not have been in shackles after. He should be released forthwith.

Arun Ganesh Boopalan (left), who is holding a watching brief for T Nhaveen’s family, with activist Arun Dorasamy at court.

“We seek a ruling by the court that all proceedings (related to Gopinaath) must fall as the new charge took place after his remand expired. We also seek that bail be offered to my client,” he said.

‘Murder charge well within remand period’

Deputy public prosecutor Khairul Anuar Abdul Halim said Gopinaath was arrested on Wednesday (Dec 29) at 8.10pm and later remanded for a day.

He said the remand did not have an exact expiry time but was a day-long one. Hence, the remand would end on Thursday at midnight (Dec 30).

“The prosecution’s charge against the accused was way before midnight Thursday. Therefore, it was well within the remand application and was not charged before its expiry,” he said.

In response, Ranjit said the prosecution had missed his point, as Gopinaath was released before the remand expired. He said a dangerous precedent was being set if the court allowed it.

After a recess, judicial commissioner Mohd Radzi Abdul Hamid said the court management system data showed Gopinaath was given a one-day remand at 11.19am yesterday.

Radzi said Gopinaath was charged well within the remand period and ruled the claim that the prosecution had erred did not hold water.

Murder charge merged with that for grievous assault

The court then charged Gopinaath with Nhaveen’s murder. The prosecution had earlier applied for the case to be transferred from the magistrates’ court to the High Court.

Gopinaath then pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The court also allowed the murder charge to be merged with the charge of grievous assault. The assault charge concerns T Previin, 23, who suffered severe injuries to his face after being bashed with helmets.

Radzi then adjourned the proceedings, setting March 8 and 9 to hear the murder and assault case.

Gopinaath, J Ragesuthan, 22, S Gokulan, 22, and two others have been charged with Nhaveen’s murder. The other two unnamed persons were juveniles when the offence took place.

They are accused of committing the offence under Section 302 of the Penal Code at the Jalan Bunga Raya park on June 9, 2017 between 11pm and midnight.

The four are also accused of committing grievous assault against Previin near the Karpal Singh Learning Centre, Jalan Kaki Bukit, Bukit Gelugor, between 11pm and midnight under Section 326 of the Penal Code.

Mohd Amril Johari, Noor Azura Zulkiflee and Yazid Mustaqim Roslan also prosecuted.

Maanveer Singh Dhillon also appeared for the defence.

Arun Ganesh Boopalan held a watching brief for Nhaveen’s family. Mardhiyyah Johari appeared for the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam). - FMT

Hadi: Umno should listen to their leaders, grassroots 'different story'

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang believes that most Umno Supreme Council members are in favour of cooperating with the Islamist party through Muafakat Nasional and Perikatan Nasional during future elections.

"Not all leaders in Umno want this cooperation. I understand that the majority in the supreme council wants cooperation. Umno should listen to its leaders, not the divisions.

"Divisions represent the grassroots. Itu lain cerita (that is a different story). We cannot follow western democracy. We must follow the leadership.

"The majority in Umno's leadership wants us (Malay parties) to unite," he told reporters after delivering his sermon at Masjid Rusila in Terengganu today.

Hadi (above) said PAS' position was that there shouldn't be three-cornered fights during future elections.

He said PAS wants Malays and "non-extreme non-Malays" to work together through PN.

"We are inviting Umno to come along. That is why we must strengthen Mufakat Nasional. It is a big roof... We believe we can win if we are united," he said.

In an immediate reaction, Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan urged Hadi to neither speak on behalf of nor speculate on the decisions made by Umno's leadership.

"Whether or not the majority of supreme council members support a position, it is a secret and should not be publicised. What is important is the position taken by the party," he said in a statement.

The official records show, according to Shahril, that Umno has never rejected Muafakat Nasional and that its official position is that the party cannot work with Bersatu, which is the lynchpin of PN.

"Therefore, when PAS insisted on going into the Malacca elections with PN, it placed Umno in a difficult position with regards to Muafakat Nasional. It forced multi-corner contests.

"This matter has been explained many times and the public is aware of the dilemma caused by PAS' position," said Shahril.

Shahril said Umno respected PAS' position and will not force the latter to do anything unwilling.

"Therefore, as a sign of good faith, we hope PAS will respect Umno's position and not force us or spread speculation with the hope that we should do what we do not want - especially with regards to a third party," said Shahril, in an obvious reference to Bersatu.

This form of mutual respect, he said, may help save Muafakat Nasional.

Muafakat Nasional was formed in 2019 between Umno and PAS as a pact aimed at taking on Pakatan Harapan.

The Harapan administration collapsed in February 2020 following Bersatu's decision to withdraw and form a new government. Following this, Bersatu formed the PN coalition, of which PAS is a member.

Since the formation of the PN coalition, ties between Umno and PAS had begun to fray. During the Malacca elections in November, PAS and Umno clashed over seven seats. Umno emerged victorious in those seven contests. - Mkini