Latest news with #Mazlan
New Straits Times
15 hours ago
- Science
- New Straits Times
Authorities, organisers must better monitor release of fish
KUALA LUMPUR: Authorities and fishing competition organisers must better monitor the release and removal of fish in lakes, especially non-native species, to prevent ecological harm. Universiti Malaysia Terengganu senior research fellow at the Institute of Climate Adaptation and Marine Biotechnology, Professor Datuk Dr Mazlan Abd Ghaffar said organisers should also record the average size of fish released into lakes to identify whether recaptured fish are new or existing ones. He warned that even enclosed lakes could overflow during heavy rain, allowing invasive species like African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) to escape and disrupt native ecosystems. "The African catfish is a very hardy catfish species and very aggressive compared to local indigenous fish species, as they pose a greater ecological threat due to their behaviour and rapid growth," he told the New Straits Times. Once released into rivers, they can outcompete native species, disrupt food chains and take over natural habitats, he added. "For competitions, organisers must ensure that participants take the fish home and cook them - this would prevent further ecological harm… and ensure that these fish are not discarded back into the river after the competition. "The Fisheries Department, too, should also monitor the number of fish released and removed, tracking the inflow and outflow accurately," he said. Asked about the impact of the species entering rivers, Mazlan said these aggressive, fast-growing fish will compete for food and outcompete native species. He said the risk of them preying on indigenous species is high. The Fisheries Department has announced that it will draft new regulations to strengthen control activities of fish release into public waters, following complaints regarding the release of African catfish into Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (Maeps) Lake. The fish were released in conjunction with a fishing competition organised by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) for the Showtech 2025 programme. The department said the fishing competition's secretariat will install additional hapa nets, provide bins to collect African catfish caught during the competition, and disseminate awareness material while carrying out fishing activities throughout the programme. Earlier, on May 7, the Fisheries Department had also advised against the release of foreign fish species into public waters without proper consultation, following an incident on May 2 involving a non-governmental organisation releasing fish into a drain at Jalan Lee Sam. An inspection found that the fish released was also African catfish.
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
UN-Habitat presidency poised to boost global standing
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's election as president of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Assembly for the 2025-2027 term is a recognition of the country's achievements and will elevate its profile on the global stage. Senior lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Mara's Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies Dr Mazlan Che Soh, who disclosed this, said the prestigious role would enable Malaysia to showcase its sustainable development model and serve as an example to others. 'As UN-Habitat president, Malaysia will have the opportunity to influence the direction of global policies in urbanisation, affordable housing, disaster management and climate change. 'The role will also enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation with UN agencies, member states and NGOs in implementing sustainability-driven projects,' he said, Bernama reported. Mazlan said the appointment also enabled Malaysia to become a leading voice for developing countries in sustainable urbanisation, social equity and inclusive development. He said Malaysia could also leverage its presidency to spearhead regional cooperation in building resilient, inclusive and smart cities, as well as create a regional centre of excellence. Mazlan highlighted Malaysia's strong commitment to the sustainability agenda, including the introduction of the Second National Urbanisation Policy, which emphasises inclusivity, environmental responsibility, resilience and smart technologies. 'The Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 promotes inclusive economic growth, balanced regional development and environmental conservation while under the 12th Malaysia Plan, the Sustainable Development Goals have been integrated into national development planning,' he added. He pointed out that several policies had also been developed in line with global sustainability principles, including the National Environmental Policy and National Policy on Climate Change. On Friday, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming announced that Malaysia's presidency was unanimously approved by 193 member states at the UN-Habitat Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya. Set up in 1975 and elevated to a full programme by the UN General Assembly in 2001, the UN-Habitat Assembly is the highest global decision-making body when it comes to sustainable urbanisation and human settlements. It convenes every four years and plays a crucial role in shaping global policies on cities and communities. As president, Malaysia will work closely with the UN-Habitat Executive Board and global partners to strengthen multilateral cooperation, promoting inclusive, climate-resilient and sustainable cities worldwide.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Malaysia's election as UN-Habitat Assembly president boosts global standing
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's election as president of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Assembly for the 2025-2027 term is a recognition of the nation's achievements and offers a strategic platform to elevate its profile on the global stage. Senior lecturer at the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Dr Mazlan Che Soh, said the prestigious role would allow Malaysia to showcase its sustainable development model and serve as an example for other countries. 'As UN-Habitat president, Malaysia will have the opportunity to influence the direction of global policies in urbanisation, affordable housing, disaster management and climate change. 'The role will also enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation with UN agencies, member states and non-governmental organisations in implementing sustainability-driven projects,' he told Bernama. Mazlan added that the appointment enables Malaysia to become a leading voice for developing countries in sustainable urbanisation, social equity and inclusive development. He said Malaysia could also leverage its presidency to spearhead regional cooperation in building resilient, inclusive and smart cities, as well as establish a regional centre of excellence. Mazlan highlighted Malaysia's strong commitment to the sustainability agenda, including the introduction of the Second National Urbanisation Policy, which emphasises inclusivity, environmental responsibility, resilience and smart technologies. 'The Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 promotes inclusive economic growth, balanced regional development and environmental conservation, while under the 12th Malaysia Plan, the Sustainable Development Goals have been integrated into national development planning,' he said. He pointed out that several policies have also been developed in line with global sustainability principles, including the National Environmental Policy and the National Policy on Climate Change. On Friday, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming announced that Malaysia's presidency was unanimously approved by 193 member states at the UN-Habitat Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya. Established in 1975 and elevated to a full programme by the UN General Assembly in 2001, the UN-Habitat Assembly is the highest global decision-making body on sustainable urbanisation and human settlements. It convenes every four years and plays a crucial role in shaping global policies on cities and communities. As president, Malaysia will work closely with the UN-Habitat Executive Board and global partners to strengthen multilateral cooperation, promoting inclusive, climate-resilient, and sustainable cities worldwide.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Two bulldozer drivers killed after plunging into ravine, slope
KUALA KRAI: Two men were killed after the bulldozers they were driving plunged into a slope and ravine at two separate locations yesterday. Kuala Krai district police chief Superintendent Mazlan Mamat said the first incident involved a 49-year-old Thai national whose bulldozer slipped and fell down a slope at Ladang Dabong, Km27 of Jalan Sungai Sam-Dabong. He said the police received a call about the incident at 2.50pm. "Initial investigations found that the victim was driving the bulldozer to a hillside area to take a break when the machine slipped and fell down the slope. He was flung from the vehicle and subsequently crushed. "The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. "His body was retrieved from the bulldozer with the help of the Fire and Rescue Department," he said in a statement last night. In the second incident, Mazlan said a 59-year-old local man died after the bulldozer he was driving fell into a ravine over 100 metres deep at Ladang Bonanza, Laloh, Kuala Krai at around 3.30pm. "Preliminary investigations found that the victim had been working at the plantation to build terraces. "However, the bulldozer slipped off the path during the work and plunged into the ravine. "The victim was trapped in the machine and was confirmed dead at the scene," he said. He said both bodies were sent to the Forensic Unit of Sultan Ismail Petra Hospital (HSIP) for post-mortem examination. "The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987," he said.
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Separate accidents claim lives of two men in Kuala Krai
KUALA KRAI: Two men were killed in separate accidents involving heavy machinery here this evening, said Kuala Krai district police chief Supt Mazlan Mamat. Mazlan said in the first incident at about 2.50 pm, a Thai national, aged 49, was killed after the backhoe he was driving fell off a cliff in the Ladang Dabong area, near Kilometre 27 of Jalan Sungai Sam-Dabong. 'At the time of the accident, the victim was driving the backhoe to take a break and was passing through a hilly area. 'The backhoe skidded and fell off the cliff, causing the victim to be thrown out and subsequently crushed by the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene,' Mazlin said in a statement today. He said the accident is believed to have been caused by the driver's negligence, having failed to control the vehicle being driven, causing it to fall off the cliff. Meanwhile, in another accident at about 3.30 pm, a 59-year-old man was killed in Ladang Bonanza, Laloh after a bulldozer he was driving fell down a ravine. 'Initial investigations found that the victim was working in the plantation and operating the bulldozer to make terraces. 'While doing terrace work, the bulldozer slipped off its path and fell into a ravine about 100 metres deep,' he said. He also said the victim who was trapped in the machine was pronounced dead at the scene, and the accident is believed to have been caused after the victim lost control of the bulldozer. 'The bodies of both victims were sent to the Sultan Ismail Petra Hospital's forensics unit for post-mortems, and the cases are being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987,' he added. The police are urging anyone with information regarding the accidents to come forward and provide information to the Traffic Police Station at the Kuala Krai district police headquarters (IPD) or contact the Investigating Officer, Insp Mohamad Amirul Izham Azlan at 09-9666222.
