
Sabo dam in Baling to finish early, boosting flood safety
Contractors have assured the dam will be ready two months ahead of schedule by late next year. 'It's rare for such projects to progress this swiftly,' Saifuddin said during a site visit as Kedah state development action council joint chairman.
He also shared updates on Baling's flood mitigation plan. Phase 1, costing RM9.6 million, is 12% complete and set for November 2025, while Phase 2 (RM118 million) is at 3.68% progress, with a 2029 deadline. 'Baling recorded 17 floods in 2024 alone, up from 10 in 2023,' he noted, citing Irrigation and Drainage Department data.
Additionally, Saifuddin inspected 17 replacement homes for Kampung Iboi's 2022 debris flow victims. The RM3 million project is 95% done, with utility works pending before handover by mid-July.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
11 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Puncak Niaga subsidiary to dispose of three loss-making units for RM3
KUALA LUMPUR: Puncak Niaga Holdings Bhd's wholly-owned subsidiary, TRIplc Bhd, is disposing of 100 per cent stake each in three dormant and loss-making units for a total cash consideration of RM3 as part of efforts to streamline its corporate structure and reduce costs. The three companies involved in the proposed disposal are Layar Kekal (M) Sdn Bhd, Samasys Sdn Bhd and Tirai Gemilang Sdn Bhd, each to be sold for RM1, Puncak Niaga said in a filing to Bursa Malaysia today. Puncak Niaga said the three entities have been inactive and have incurred losses since its acquisition of TRIplc Bhd on May 31, 2018, for RM210 million, while the total cost of investment in the three companies was RM150 million. "The board is of the opinion that the cash consideration of RM1 on each company is reasonable, as it enables the group to streamline its structure and achieve cost savings on annual statutory fees," it said. According to the latest audited financial statements for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2024, Layar Kekal, Samasys and Tirai Gemilang recorded net losses of RM5.38 million, RM5.11 million and RM5.30 million respectively and all three companies had net liabilities of RM3,400 each. Puncak Niaga also clarified that the announcement of the disposal was delayed because the company only received the duly stamped share sale agreements in the late evening of July 30, 2025. "As the stamping of the agreements is essential to formalise the transaction, the company proceeded to make the announcement on the next market day -- July 31, 2025. "The short delay also required to complete internal verification and ensure compliance with Bursa Malaysia's disclosure requirements under the Main Market Listing Requirements," it added. Puncak Niaga also disclosed that all three companies share the same set of directors, namely Tan Sri Rozali Ismail, Taufik Afendy Othman, Azlan Shah Rozali, Faridatulzakiah Mohd Bakhry, and Mohammad Shahree Shamsuddin. Copies of the audited financial statements for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2024, and May 31, 2018, are available for inspection at Puncak Niaga's registered office in Shah Alam for a period of three months from the date of this announcement.

The Star
17 hours ago
- The Star
Corporate Smart Internship programme helped 7,051 parolees find jobs, says Saifuddin
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 7,051 parolees undergoing rehabilitation through the Corporate Smart Internship (CSI) programme have secured job offers across five key sectors, according to Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. He highlighted that 789 companies are collaborating with the Prisons Department to support the initiative, which aims to reintegrate inmates, referred to as 'prospects', into the workforce via parole, licensed release schemes, or Henry Gurney rehabilitation programmes. "Whether released through parole or other supervised schemes, we call them 'prospects', not convicts. They are now outside the prison walls, employed and contributing," he stated in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Aug 4). The job opportunities span the services, plantation, manufacturing, agriculture, and construction sectors. Saifuddin is confident that the number of prospects placed in jobs could soon rise to 8,500, with Guthrie (SD Guthrie Bhd) agreeing to accommodate an additional 644 candidates. "Guthrie not only hires them but also trains them, issues harvesting certificates, and pays them a proper wage," he mentioned, adding that Shopee is expected to take on up to 350 prospects. Addressing concerns about public and employer perceptions, Saifuddin stressed the importance of ongoing engagement to change mindsets and reduce stigma. "The prison is no longer merely a place of punishment. It's a teaching factory for work-based learning. We provide TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) in 35 institutions within our prison system," he explained. Saifuddin was responding to V. Sivakumar (PH–Batu Gajah) regarding the effectiveness of the parole programme from 2024 to June 2025. The training encompasses six core fields: food preparation, services, manufacturing, textiles, agriculture/plantation, and animal husbandry. According to Saifuddin, 19,361 inmates have completed TVET programmes and obtained certifications recognised by the Department of Skills Development (JPK) and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) as of 2024.


The Star
18 hours ago
- The Star
Pixelvest fined RM3mil, director jailed for unlicensed capital market activities
KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court has fined Pixelvest Sdn Bhd RM3 million and sentenced its director Dexter Ang Jen Chuen to three years imprisonment for offences relating to unlicensed capital market activities. In a statement today, Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) said Pixelvest, represented by Ang, pleaded guilty to one charge under section 58(1) of the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007 (CMSA) for carrying out a business in fund management without a licence. Ang also pleaded guilty to one charge under section 58(1) of the CMSA in his capacity as Pixelvest director, with the sentence to run from the date of his Jan 10 2024 arrest. On July 28, 2025, Ang pleaded guilty to eight charges of receiving proceeds from unlawful activity under section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA) in the Sessions Court. He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for each offence from the date of arrest with jail terms for all eight charges running concurrently. The offences took place in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor between December 2020 and January 2023. Ang was arrested and charged by the SC on Jan 10, 2024 for the offences under the AMLATFPUAA, and thereafter on Feb 26, 2024 for the CMSA offence. Pixelvest was charged on May 10, 2024. Both had claimed trial to all the charges initially. Fund management is a regulated activity. Any person carrying on a fund management business requires a licence from the SC under the CMSA. The SC views unlicensed activities seriously and remains committed to investor protection by taking enforcement actions against those who contravene the law. - Bernama