Latest news with #Izham
The Star
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Cattle imports confirmed safe
PETALING JAYA: Local cattle importers assure the public that the supply of livestock for Hari Raya Aidiladha, especially from Thailand, is not affected despite the recent concerns following an anthrax-related death in Thailand. Izham Mohd Johar, the executive manager of Erti Jaya Mega Sdn Bhd, said that cattle brought in from Thailand for korban (sacrifice) are safe, disease-free and fully certified. 'The cattle go through strict veterinary procedures and quarantine protocols in both Thailand and Malaysia. 'Every cow is vaccinated four times, quarantined for 28 days in Thailand, and again for 14 days in Padang Besar. 'So far, there have been no health issues. Each animal comes with proper documentation and a valid veterinary health certificate.' Izham said the company imported about 155 head of cattle for korban this year and plans to bring an additional 200, with total imports projected to reach 1,000 cattle in 2025. Izham said that these efforts are not limited to festive demand but are part of year-round supply strategy for fresh meat in the local market. Ahmad Sabri Md Saad, who is also a livestock importer, also gave assurance that cattle imported from Thailand for Hari Raya Aidiladha are safe. 'Most of the cattle were imported as early as January and February. Others were imported one or two months before, depending on demand. These animals were brought in before the recent anthrax case was reported. 'The cattle are closely monitored throughout the quarantine period, during which they are properly fed and administered necessary medications and vaccinations. 'We are confident that the imported cattle are disease-free, and the supply for korban is sufficient.' His company has imported over 1,000 cattle and buffalo for this year's korban season. Ahmad Sabri also added that some local cattle breeders purchase calves from Thailand a year in advance and rear them locally before selling them for korban, further reinforcing the safety and reliability of the local supply. Both importers urge buyers to purchase from verified sources. 'Ensure the animals have valid import permits, veterinary health certificates, and complete documentation. 'This is to guarantee safety and to reduce health risk to consumers,' Izham said. Thailand's Department of Disease Control reported a fatal human anthrax case on May 1 in Mukdahan province, linked to the slaughter and consumption of raw beef. In response, Malaysia's Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) requested assurance from Thai authorities that no animals or animal products from high-risk anthrax areas are exported to Malaysia. According to official data from the Malaysia External Trade Statistics portal, Malaysia imported RM89.79mil worth of live cattle in 2024, with Thailand accounting for RM49.65mil of the total.
The Star
07-05-2025
- General
- The Star
S'gor in a fix over unowned ponds
Flood mitigation works along Sungai Kandis in Klang is one of the 32 projects under DID. — KK SHAM/The Star The status of over 300 flood retention ponds in Selangor are unknown as the developers who sold off all units in their projects decades ago, are either no longer in business or bankrupt. State infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim said over 300 retention ponds in Selangor were 'absent of an owner' hence putting the state government in a fix. 'Absent ownership of these retention ponds creates challenges in maintenance. 'Ensuring the ponds effectively store and release surface runoff is crucial,' he told reporters after chairing the infrastructure development meeting at Klang Royal City Council (MBDK). Izham said the over 300 ponds still served their flood prevention purpose despite ownership issues. 'We have carried out a census on flood retention ponds. Out of 600 ponds, more than 100 are under the purview of Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID). Izham: Selangor taking over 55 retention ponds in Klang. 'Not many are under local councils; most of the ponds are under third parties – developers who have not surrendered the ponds to the authorities for decades,' he said. Izham said Selangor government was working out a method to tackle the issue as it involved private land and the state did not want to be drawn into a legal dispute. 'Selangor is in the midst of taking over 55 retention ponds in Bandar Puteri and Bandar Botanic in Klang. 'For new developments, we have made it compulsory for developers to hand over the ponds before the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) is issued,' he added. (The CCC certifies building safety and regulatory standards.) Izham said regular maintenance of those ponds was critical to ensure effective function. 'Important aspects of maintenance work include removing accumulated sediment, controlling wild vegetation and ensuring effective operations. 'Ponds are desilted twice annually but at times once a year, depending on the area,' he said. On a similar matter, Izham said 17 projects aimed at addressing flood issues in Klang were scheduled for completion before October 2025 as part of short-term measures carried out by the state. 'The projects costing RM3.35mil are being implemented at 13 flood hotspots in Klang.' Among them are Kampung Johan Setia, Taman Teluk Pulai and Kampung Bukit Kapar. 'For the medium-term, 10 projects have been planned costing RM8.2mil while in long-term, there are five projects costing RM36mil in the pipeline.' He added that 32 flood mitigation projects in Klang, costing RM47.55mil, were being managed by DID. Izham said a working paper on the decision by the MBDK infrastructure development meeting would be tabled at the Selangor Economic Action Council meeting, in the next two weeks, for state government approval.
New Straits Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Flash floods: Selangor govt to expedite 17 mitigation projects
KLANG: The Selangor government has identified 17 urgent projects that need to be implemented in the administrative area of the Royal Klang City Council (MBDK) in an effort to overcome the problem of continuous flooding in the area. State Infrastructure and Agriculture Exco Datuk Izham Hashim said the projects would be implemented in 13 identified hotspots, including Meru and Pandamaran. He said the projects to be implemented include drain widening works, installation of culverts for waterways, upgrading bridges involving village areas as well as pocket development. "Some of these projects will be started as early as this week and are expected to be completed by October, with an estimated RM3 million allocated for the implementation of these 17 immediate projects. "The implementation of these 17 projects will be brought to the Selangor Economic Action Meeting (MTES) within two weeks from now there are several projects involving the implementation of state government policies," he told reporters after chairing a Meeting to Discuss Infrastructure Progress for MBDK's supervised areas at the MBDK Headquarters here today. Izham said all the projects would be coordinated by the Selangor Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) in collaboration with several other agencies including MBDK and the Public Works Department (PWD). He said the projects were an effort by the state government to reduce flood incidents, especially flash floods which frequently occur while waiting for the Flood Mitigation Plan in the Klang area to be fully completed. Apart from the immediate measures project, a total of 15 medium-and long-term flood mitigation projects involving the federal government were also implemented with funds of nearly RM45 million, he said. Meanwhile, Izham said DID also identified more than 300 unmanned catchment ponds and was one of the factors that caused floods to occur due to improper maintenance. He said following this, DID was in the process of taking over the ponds in stages and currently, about 55 ponds have been taken over.
The Sun
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Selangor govt to expedite 17 projects to overcome continuous flash floods
KLANG: The Selangor government has identified 17 urgent projects that need to be implemented in the administrative area of the Royal Klang City Council (MBDK) in an effort to overcome the problem of continuous flooding in the area. State Infrastructure and Agriculture Exco Datuk Izham Hashim said the projects would be implemented in 13 identified hotspots, including Meru and Pandamaran. He said the projects to be implemented include drain widening works, installation of culverts for waterways, upgrading bridges involving village areas as well as pocket development. 'Some of these projects will be started as early as this week and are expected to be completed by October with an estimated RM3 million allocated for the implementation of these 17 immediate projects. 'The implementation of these 17 projects will be brought to the Selangor Economic Action Meeting (MTES) within two weeks from now there are several projects involving the implementation of state government policies,' he said. He said this to reporters after chairing a Meeting to Discuss Infrastructure Progress for MBDK's supervised areas at the MBDK Headquarters here today. Izham said all the projects would be coordinated by the Selangor Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) in collaboration with several other agencies including MBDK and the Public Works Department (PWD). He said all the projects were an effort by the state government to reduce flood incidents, especially flash floods which frequently occur while waiting for the Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB) in the Klang area to be fully completed. Apart from the immediate measures project, a total of 15 medium-and long-term flood mitigation projects involving the federal government were also implemented with funds of nearly RM45 million, he said. Meanwhile, Izham said DID also identified more than 300 unmanned catchment ponds and was one of the factors that caused floods to occur due to improper maintenance. Izham said following this, DID was in the process of taking over the ponds in stages and currently, about 55 ponds have been taken over.
The Sun
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Selangor govt to speed up 17 projects to tackle flash floods
KLANG: The Selangor government has identified 17 urgent projects that need to be implemented in the administrative area of the Royal Klang City Council (MBDK) in an effort to overcome the problem of continuous flooding in the area. State Infrastructure and Agriculture Exco Datuk Izham Hashim said the projects would be implemented in 13 identified hotspots, including Meru and Pandamaran. He said the projects to be implemented include drain widening works, installation of culverts for waterways, upgrading bridges involving village areas as well as pocket development. 'Some of these projects will be started as early as this week and are expected to be completed by October with an estimated RM3 million allocated for the implementation of these 17 immediate projects. 'The implementation of these 17 projects will be brought to the Selangor Economic Action Meeting (MTES) within two weeks from now there are several projects involving the implementation of state government policies,' he said. He said this to reporters after chairing a Meeting to Discuss Infrastructure Progress for MBDK's supervised areas at the MBDK Headquarters here today. Izham said all the projects would be coordinated by the Selangor Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) in collaboration with several other agencies including MBDK and the Public Works Department (PWD). He said all the projects were an effort by the state government to reduce flood incidents, especially flash floods which frequently occur while waiting for the Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB) in the Klang area to be fully completed. Apart from the immediate measures project, a total of 15 medium-and long-term flood mitigation projects involving the federal government were also implemented with funds of nearly RM45 million, he said. Meanwhile, Izham said DID also identified more than 300 unmanned catchment ponds and was one of the factors that caused floods to occur due to improper maintenance. Izham said following this, DID was in the process of taking over the ponds in stages and currently, about 55 ponds have been taken over.
