Latest news with #Miri
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
In Miri, govt agency staff loses RM385,000 in EPF scam after ‘police' call
KUCHING, July 29 — An assistant executive of a government agency in his 50s lost RM385,000 to an online scam. Miri police chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said, based on the victim's report, he had received a phone call from an unknown person who introduced himself as a police officer from the Penang Police Contingent Headquarters. 'The suspect claimed that the victim was involved in money laundering activities and was wanted by the authorities. 'The victim was then instructed to withdraw money from his Employees Provident Fund (EPF) account and hand it over to the authorities purportedly to facilitate investigation,' he said in a statement here today. Mohd Farhan said the victim only realised he had been scammed after being asked to make an additional payment. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code. — Bernama
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Climate
- Malay Mail
Massive peat fire spreads across Miri-Marudi pineapple plantation, scorching area the size of 112 football fields, says Fire Dept
MIRI, July 29 — A peat fire affecting a privately-owned pineapple plantation on the Miri-Marudi road continues to spread rapidly, with an estimated 80.15 ha affected as of midday today. Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Zone 6 Miri head Senior Fire Supt I Ismaidi Ismail said firefighters from the Marudi fire station remain actively engaged in extinguishing the peat fire, which entered its fourth day today. 'According to the latest update I received from the Marudi station chief, strong winds have caused the fire to spread quickly within the plantation, which spans approximately 838 ha,' he said when contacted. He pointed out the ongoing hot and dry weather, combined with the strong winds, has posed a major challenge for firefighters attempting to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby areas. Ismaidi said the pineapple plantation fire is currently the most severe peat fire reported in Zone 6 and partly contributed to the haze affecting both Marudi and Miri over the weekend. Nevertheless, he said the situation remained under control. 'So far, the Marudi station chief has not requested additional manpower from other stations under Zone 6. 'However, if the need arises, we are ready to deploy our personnel to assist with firefighting operations,' he added. Meanwhile, Ismaidi said Zone 6 recorded 27 open burning cases between July 21 and July 27. 'Of these, 16 involved bush or grass fires, one was plantation-related, three involved forest areas, three were peat fires, and four involved rubbish,' he said. He urged the public to refrain from conducting open burning, which could further worsen the current hazy weather condition. — The Borneo Post
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Climate
- Malay Mail
Massive peat fire continues to spread at Miri-Marudi pineapple plantation, 80.15 ha affected as of midday, says Fire Dept
MIRI, July 29 — A peat fire affecting a privately-owned pineapple plantation on the Miri-Marudi road continues to spread rapidly, with an estimated 80.15 ha affected as of midday today. Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Zone 6 Miri head Senior Fire Supt I Ismaidi Ismail said firefighters from the Marudi fire station remain actively engaged in extinguishing the peat fire, which entered its fourth day today. 'According to the latest update I received from the Marudi station chief, strong winds have caused the fire to spread quickly within the plantation, which spans approximately 838 ha,' he said when contacted. He pointed out the ongoing hot and dry weather, combined with the strong winds, has posed a major challenge for firefighters attempting to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby areas. Ismaidi said the pineapple plantation fire is currently the most severe peat fire reported in Zone 6 and partly contributed to the haze affecting both Marudi and Miri over the weekend. Nevertheless, he said the situation remained under control. 'So far, the Marudi station chief has not requested additional manpower from other stations under Zone 6. 'However, if the need arises, we are ready to deploy our personnel to assist with firefighting operations,' he added. Meanwhile, Ismaidi said Zone 6 recorded 27 open burning cases between July 21 and July 27. 'Of these, 16 involved bush or grass fires, one was plantation-related, three involved forest areas, three were peat fires, and four involved rubbish,' he said. He urged the public to refrain from conducting open burning, which could further worsen the current hazy weather condition. — The Borneo Post
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
Parking e-compound system for Miri to be launched on August 18, says mayor
MIRI, July 29 — Miri City Council (MCC) will launch the parking e-compound system this Aug 18, at Marina Phase 1, as a pilot project before wider implementation across the city. According to Mayor Adam Yii, the system is a step towards digitalising parking enforcement and also supporting MCC's Smart City goals. 'With the system, it would allow compounds to be issued electronically via handheld devices and enables motorists to pay fines online — making the process faster, more transparent and more convenient. 'The key benefits of the digitalised system include real-time issuance, centralised tracking, the convenience of online payments and automated reminders for defaulters. 'Not only it is eco-friendly, but it also reduces operational costs, while enhancing transparency, enabling geo-tagged enforcement, and providing valuable data insights for better planning,' said Yii in a statement yesterday. The pilot project at Marina Phase 1, according to him, serves to test the system's effectiveness before the citywide rollout. 'Thus, MCC is inviting councillors and the public to witness this milestone in improving urban management and service delivery.' On the parking services, Yii said the MCC was deeply concerned about the frequent obstruction of parking spaces by unauthorised structures, objects or activities, that had been happening around the city. He said that recent site inspections by the council revealed a growing trend of obstructions. 'The scenarios such as installation of illegal ramps by commercial premises, workshops and car wash operators; abandoned vehicles; placement of rubbish bins and construction debris at public parking spaces; and deliberate blockage (of parking spaces) by the shop owners using various materials or vehicles, have been constantly seen. 'These practices reduce the availability of public parking and disrupt traffic flow, and also pose safety and hygiene concerns. 'Public parking bays are designated for shared use, and are not to be claimed, modified or used for private purposes. 'In this regard, MCC will step up enforcement efforts in dealing with repeat offenders.' Asked about the possibility of allowing business operators to pay rent to occupy parking spaces, Yii said the council is reluctant to permit such arrangements but will consider cases individually on a case-by-case basis. 'We are urging full cooperation from all parties to help preserve Miri's reputation as a well-managed and accessible city. 'We encourage the public to report any obstruction of parking areas through MCC's official complaint channels,' he added. — The Borneo Post
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Climate
- Malay Mail
Miri's air quality deteriorates, reaching unhealthy levels with API of 139
KUCHING, July 27 — Air quality at the Industrial Training Institute (ILP) in Miri has deteriorated, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) hitting an unhealthy level of 139 as of 4.30pm today. According to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), all other monitoring stations in Sarawak recorded moderate air quality, with API readings ranging from 51 to 100. Among the areas nearing the unhealthy threshold were Lundu (95), Kuching (79), Samarahan (77), Sri Aman (75), Samalaju (75), Serian (71), and Sarikei (70). Malaysia classifies an API reading between 51 and 100 as moderate while 101 to 200 as unhealthy. At 10.32am, the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre's (ASMC) overnight satellite pass reported to have observed isolated to scattered hotspots in Borneo and Sumatra. Dry weather persisted across much of the southern Asean region overnight, with isolated showers reported over central and southern Sumatra and parts of central and northeastern Borneo. ASMC said slight, localised smoke plumes were seen rising from a few hotspots in western Kalimantan and central Sumatra, although full visibility of the haze and hotspot situation was hindered by cloud cover. 'The full extent of the hotspot and haze situation over the southern Asean region could not be determined due to cloud cover. 'The northern Asean region experienced wet and cloudy conditions, keeping hotspot activity low,' the Centre added. ASMC forecasts continued dry conditions over much of southern Asean in the coming days, with occasional showers expected over parts of Sumatra, Java, and central and eastern Kalimantan. 'While these showers may offer some relief, hotspots and smoke haze may still occur in drier areas, with the possibility of transboundary haze,' ASMC warned. The prevailing winds over the southern Asean region are likely to blow from the southeast to south. 'The northern Asean is forecast to remain wet, which should keep the hotspot and smoke haze situation subdued. The prevailing winds over the northern Asean region are expected to blow mainly from the southwest,' said the Centre. — The Borneo Post
