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New Straits Times
6 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
572 fire hotspots identified nationwide, over 3,200 cases recorded
SHAH ALAM: The Fire and Rescue Department has identified 572 open fire hotspots nationwide based on incidents recorded over the past three years. Its director Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said these locations in Selangor, Johor, Perak, Kedah and Sabah have been frequently affected by open fires. "We have directed all fire stations to remain on high alert, particularly in these hotspot areas. "All logistics are being prepared to ensure swift action, especially in the early stages of any outbreak. "At the same time, we are working closely with the District and Land Office, the Irrigation and Drainage Department, and other relevant agencies to coordinate firefighting efforts and asset deployment," he said after the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department Medal Award Ceremony. At the event, 277 officers and personnel from Selangor received certificates of appreciation, comprising 102 recipients of the Fire and Rescue Service Medal, 116 recipients of the Excellent Service Medal, 29 recipients of the 30 Years of Service Award, and 12 recipients of the Commendable Service Award. Nor Hisham said open burning incidents involved fires affecting rubbish, shrubs, forests and peatland. "As of May 15, there have been 3,261 open burning cases nationwide, comprising 2,917 cases of bush and grass fires, 229 forest fires, and 115 orchard and plantation fires." Meanwhile, commenting on the latest developments regarding the gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, Nor Hisham said the authorities are still awaiting the results of the hardness test on specimens sent to the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia. "Officially, we have not yet received information from the Occupational Safety and Health Department. "Once we have the results, we will combine them with findings from their department and ours to determine the next course of action," he said. A total of 130 units of fire department quarters will be built in Kota Kemuning and Shah Alam, with the tender process by the Public Works Department scheduled for March 2026, he said. "The construction of these quarters is expected to resolve the housing issues faced by officers and personnel in the Sepang and Petaling districts. "As of now, there are 430 existing fire department quarters in Selangor, with 66 applications on the waiting list since 2023," he said.
The Sun
28-04-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
A storm is coming, act now
IN 2006, former US Vice President Al Gore released An Inconvenient Truth, a gripping visual and literary presentation that opened millions of eyes to the growing threat of global warming. It was more than just a book; it was a wake-up call. For me, it held a personal weight. My late father owned a copy, its pages worn and corners folded from repeated readings. He used to say: 'The planet speaks – we just need to listen.' Once upon a time, the world was worried about the thinning ozone layer. Schoolchildren were taught about the dangers of CFCs or chlorofluoro-carbons and how they punched holes in our atmospheric shield. The world banded together, signed the Montreal Protocol, and slowly, we began to heal the ozone. That success gave us a sense of triumph; a belief that we had solved the big environmental problem of our time. However, as years passed, a new threat emerged – climate change. Unlike the ozone issue, it did not come with a single chemical to ban. It was complex, inconvenient to our modern lives and easy to ignore. We dismissed the warnings, called it seasonal heat and built bigger drains. But the weather has changed. It is no longer something we can plan around. It is something we are forced to react to. Unpredictable weather patterns Malaysia is no stranger to rain and heat but recent years have seen more erratic shifts. According to the Meteorological Department, average temperatures have steadily increased across the country. What used to be predictable seasons are now punctuated by long droughts and intense downpours. Even experienced forecasters struggle with the increasing volatility. Monsoon extremes and flooding Once dependable, the monsoon now brings destruction. Between November 2024 and January 2025, over 122,000 people were displaced by floods in Kelantan, Terengganu and Sarawak. Homes disappeared, roads collapsed and shelters overflowed. These disasters now recur annually, bringing with them massive economic losses and social disruptions. The Irrigation and Drainage Department has stepped up mitigation efforts but infrastructure alone cannot stop climate extremes without addressing root causes. Emergence of tornado-like phenomena Malaysia is not known for tornadoes, yet in March 2025, Sekinchan, Selangor, experienced two twisters within a week. The second incident damaged over 30 homes. Experts said this may become more common due to warmer temperatures and shifting wind patterns. These events show that climate disruptions are no longer limited to familiar patterns – they are evolving fast. Health and economic impacts Rising heat brings more than discomfort – it brings health risks. Heat-related illnesses are increasing. Agriculture and fisheries, critical to rural economies, suffer from unpredictable yields. Food prices are climbing. Jobs are lost. Livelihoods are destabilised. National policy and international commitments Malaysia has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 45% by 2030. The national climate change policy emphasises green technology and urban resilience. Under the 12th Malaysia Plan, steps are being taken towards low-carbon initiatives and disaster risk reduction. Yet, implementation faces hurdles like bureaucratic delays and lack of public awareness that often slows progress. Small actions, big impact As Al Gore emphasised, change begins with individuals. Here is how we can help: Use energy wisely: Switch to energy-efficient appliances and unplug devices. Travel smarter: By walking, biking or taking public transport. Waste less: Refuse single-use plastics. Compost and recycle where possible. Support renewables: Encourage solar energy adoption at homes and in our community. Conserve water: Fix leaks. Use water-saving taps. Promote awareness: Engage in conversations about climate issues and support environmental NGOs. Listening to the Earth My father treasured An Inconvenient Truth not just for its facts but its heart. 'The science is there', he said, 'but what matters is whether we care enough to act'. Malaysia is already seeing the effects of climate change – in our skies, on our land and in our communities. The Sekinchan twister, the floods, the sweltering heat – these are no longer warnings. They are consequences. Let this serve as a reminder and a call to action – a pledge that we did not stay silent when the storm arrived. Because it is already here. Dr Jehana Ermy Jamaluddin is a senior lecturer at the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, College of Engineering and director of the Centre for Academic Advancement and Flexible Learning, Universiti Tenaga Nasional. This article is written in loving memory of Allahyarham Datuk Dr Jamaluddin Md Jahi, the beloved father of the writer, in honour of the legacy he so passionately lived and left behind.
The Star
27-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Civil servants must enhance efficiency, governance, Sultan Mizan decrees
KUALA TERENGGANU: Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin says the state's civil servants must enhance their efficiency and strengthen administration and governance to ensure sustainable progress and increased state revenue. Sultan Mizan said that competent, knowledgeable, and highly skilled officers would be able to perform their duties effectively, including devising revenue collection strategies, managing state resources optimally, and ensuring strict and fair enforcement of the law. "In line with current developments, I observe that mastery in strategic management, corporate governance, international finance, effective communication, and a deep understanding of fiscal policies and the current economy is vital in strengthening the capability of government officers. "Officers of calibre are not only able to carry out their responsibilities efficiently but are also capable of identifying new opportunities to generate revenue for the state. "At the same time, they can also reduce leakages, curb wastage, and ensure that the management of public resources is conducted prudently, transparently, and with integrity," he said in his royal address at the Investiture Ceremony held in conjunction with the 63rd Birthday Celebration of the Sultan of Terengganu at Istana Syarqiyyah here on Sunday (April 27). Also present were the Sultanah of Terengganu, Sultanah Nur Zahirah; the Yang Di-Pertuan Muda of Terengganu, Tengku Muhammad Ismail Sultan Mizan; the Tengku Setia Mahkota Raja, Tengku Muhammad Mua'az; and the Tengku Puteri Daulath Raja, Tengku Fatimatuz Zahra'. Meanwhile, Sultan Mizan also expressed concern over Terengganu's coastal erosion, which alters the landscape and affects the country's sovereign boundaries, including the Exclusive Economic Zone that extends 200 nautical miles from the shoreline. He said if the issue was left unchecked, the changing coastline due to erosion could have significant implications for calculating maritime boundaries. The area up to three nautical miles from the coastline under state jurisdiction could be affected, including the waters around islands and maritime resources. "More worryingly, the fishing grounds' boundaries are also impacted by coastal erosion. Marine resources that were once within Terengganu's waters are now at risk of falling outside the state's boundaries. "This situation could have a profound impact on the local fishermen's economy and undermine the state's rights to valuable and potential marine resources. Therefore, efforts to mitigate and conserve the coastline must be given serious attention to ensure the sustainability of natural resources, the well-being of coastal communities, and the state's sovereignty," he said. He expressed hope that all erosion control measures currently being undertaken by the Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID), which began in 2023, would help to overcome the worsening erosion problem. In another development, Sultan Mizan urged the state government to take more proactive and comprehensive measures to ensure greater participation of people from Terengganu in the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project in the state, which had reached 91% completion. - Bernama
