Massive 60-hectare blaze rips through forest, oil palm estate in Sibu
SIBU, June 27 — A forest and oil palm estate spanning approximately 60 hectares in Batu 9, Jalan Oya, has been engulfed by fire in a large-scale blaze that can be seen from the air, prompting authorities to deploy drones for aerial monitoring.
Sibu Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Zone 4 chief Andy Alie confirmed that the fire, which began on June 24, continues to spread across an oil palm plantation, torching felled palm oil lots and encroaching into forested land within the estate.
'As of 4.40pm yesterday, approximately 60 hectares of land have already been destroyed by the flames.
'Our teams, along with the Department of Environment (NREB), are actively monitoring and documenting the situation,' said Andy when contacted today.
Drone surveillance is ongoing, with NREB personnel on-site using high-resolution imaging to track the fire's movement and determine its full impact.
Andy said fire fighters from Bomba Sungai Merah were dispatched earlier yesterday following a distress call at 1.56pm, reporting thick smoke billowing from a forested area near Jalan Rumah Bajai, Kampung Seduan.
However, the team was unable to reach the actual burn site due to inaccessible terrain.
'According to the operation commander, the fire is located about 2km from the nearest road, well beyond the reach of firefighting vehicles and equipment,' Andy explained.
'Given the challenging access and safety risks, no direct firefighting could be carried out. Our efforts are now focused on working with the NREB drone unit to survey and identify the exact coordinates, as well as potential entry routes or water sources.'
The operation ended at 2.39pm, with firefighters returning to base while aerial assessment continues. — The Borneo Post
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
7 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Pre-dawn blaze guts 21 houses, food stall and temple in Perak
KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 — Twenty-one houses, a temple and a food stall were destroyed in a fire that broke out in Bagan Pasir Laut, Hutan Melintang, early this morning. According to Utusan Malaysia, Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Assistant Operations Director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said the department received a distress call at 4.52am. A team from the Hutan Melintang Fire and Rescue Station was dispatched to the scene, assisted by personnel from the Teluk Intan station and the Sungai Tiang Volunteer Fire Brigade. 'The fire spread quickly due to the close proximity of the houses and low water pressure from the hydrants,' he reportedly said. The blaze was brought under control by 7.30am. No casualties or injuries were reported. 'As of now, operations are ongoing to ensure there are no remaining embers that could reignite the fire,' he added.
Free Malaysia Today
7 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Book preserves untold stories of PPN students' hostel
Ravindran Raghavan says his aim in writing 'The Legacy of PPN Students' Hostel' is to preserve the legacy of the hostel. (Fauzi Yunus @ FMT Lifestyle) SUBANG JAYA : Ravindran Raghavan's day usually started much earlier than his three roommates at the PP Narayanan (PPN) Students' Hostel in Petaling Jaya. As a chemical engineering student, his classes often began at 8am – and if he wasn't in class, he was likely buried in books at the campus library. 'Hostel life wasn't fun, sadly. But maybe I was a bit of a misfit,' the 60-year-old told FMT Lifestyle with a chuckle. 'There weren't many engineering guys around, so they called me 'Engine Ravi' as a light-hearted jab. 'Still, I really cherished the unbreakable friendships I made there – especially with my roommates. We all came from different estates, and that really bonded us,' he said. For children of estate workers like Ravindran – who grew up in Lambak Estate, Kluang – the hostel, supported by the National Union of Plantation Workers (NUPW), was a lifeline. It gave the children a chance to study at University Malaya or nearby colleges and build a better future. The book is a mixture of history and personal recollections by former hostelites. (Fauzi Yunus @ FMT Lifestyle) Though the hostel closed in 1996, Ravindran said its impact was deep and lasting. Fearing its legacy would fade with time, he set out to preserve it in 'The Legacy of PPN Students' Hostel' – a 264-page tribute packed with history and heartfelt memories, written as a labour of love. 'It was a great bridge,' the father of three said, when asked to sum up the hostel's legacy. 'It helped students from rural areas adjust to life in the city and reach that big dream … becoming a graduate. Without it, many of us would've had a much harder time finding our footing.' Initially meant as a memoir, the book grew into a deeper project as Ravindran began uncovering old union records, alumni stories, and the long-forgotten hostel magazine 'Cermin'. Photographs from yesteryears add a touch of nostalgia to the book's stories. (Fauzi Yunus @ FMT Lifestyle) The result is a thoughtfully curated book that blends the hostel's founding history with personal stories from former residents – who make up the heart of the narrative. The book also touches on past controversies, and highlights notable alumni like the late G Palanivel and S Subramaniam, both former deputy ministers and MIC leaders. Interestingly, Ravindran did not intentionally set out to write a book about his former hostel. After graduation, he got busy with family and work. But once retired, he reconnected with former hostelites. It was through these gatherings that Ravindran began hearing stories from those before him – stories of long walks to school, of struggling to find a Form 6 placement, of overcoming the odds most city kids never had to encounter. Ravindran spent 15 months working on 'The Legacy of PPN Students' Hostel'. (Fauzi Yunus @ FMT Lifestyle) 'Their journeys were extraordinary,' he said. 'One became an ACP, another worked at Bank Negara, some went on to lead in Felda. What they achieved, despite what they came from – it blew me away,' he said. That's when it hit him: if no one wrote this down, it would all disappear. The hostel was gone. The estates were changing. Fewer and fewer people even knew it had existed. 'So I decided to write it,' he said. With support from the senior hostelites and some careful planning, 'The Legacy of PPN Students' Hostel' came to life – not just as a book, but as a permanent archive of a place that shaped thousands of lives. Hostel life itself also revealed surprises. Ravindran recalled meeting Ramachandran, nicknamed 'Rama Tambah'. 'Back then, they had junior committees working alongside the management. If the chicken was too small, Rama would shout, 'tambah satu lagi!' That spirit of advocacy – even over dinner – was something I'd never experienced in my time.' No stones were left unturned in the book, with Ravindran writing about the controversies the hostel experienced. (Fauzi Yunus @ FMT Lifestyle) Stories like these reminded Ravindran how the hostel shaped its residents – not just in studies, but in resilience. He said he hoped that through his book, young Malaysians will realise that many before them had to overcome real hardship to succeed, something today's more comfortable generation often forgets. 'Most of these hostelites didn't have detailed plans or powerful prayers. They just started making an effort. And when they did, somehow, the universe helped them. The right people showed up. Opportunities came. 'All of this – in an era with no Google, no WhatsApp. And still, they made it,' Ravindran concluded. 'The Legacy of PPN Students' Hostel' is available in major bookstores.
Malay Mail
7 hours ago
- Malay Mail
MMEA links 80pc of 2024 sea deaths to lack of life jackets
KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 — Nearly 80 per cent of deaths at sea last year involved individuals who were not wearing life jackets, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said today. According to Berita Harian, MMEA Air Operations Division Director, First Admiral (Maritime) Mohd Tahir Khalid, said 226 sea-related incidents were recorded in 2024 involving 1,348 victims. Of these, 1,259 were rescued, 64 died and 25 remain missing. As of May 31, 108 incidents have occurred, involving 251 victims — with 203 rescued, 36 dead, and 12 still missing. 'Most victims in emergencies weren't wearing life jackets. If they had, they could have stayed afloat while awaiting rescue,' he said, noting that nearly 80 per cent of deaths or missing persons resulted from the absence of safety equipment, particularly when boats capsized or people fell overboard. He also said many avoided wearing safety gear due to discomfort, although compact and user-friendly devices are now widely available. Mohd Tahir was speaking at the 2025 Maritime Safety Awareness Day (HKKM), themed 'Float to Survive', at Persiaran Kapal Bugis in Tanjung Harapan. He warned that if current trends continue, fatalities could double by year-end and reach nearly 100, underscoring the need for greater awareness among both seafarers and the public. Referencing the campaign theme, he urged Malaysians to assess their readiness and learn basic floating techniques. 'It's a skill everyone should have, whether for work or leisure at sea,' he added. 'Floating is one of the most basic survival skills in an emergency. 'Many victims could have been saved if they had the knowledge and training to stay afloat until help arrived.'
