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The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Sunway Lagoon unveils Malaysia's first hybrid water coaster
Ng flags off the first ride of the Wild Chase Water Coaster, marking the official opening of the attraction to the public. PETALING JAYA: Sunway Lagoon has expanded its lineup of iconic attractions with the launch of the Wild Chase Water Coaster, Malaysia's first hybrid water coaster that fuses the heart-racing excitement of a roller coaster with the splashing fun of a water slide. Located within Sunway Lost Lagoon, one of Sunway Lagoon's seven unique experiences, the Wild Chase Water Coaster is set to redefine family-friendly thrills. Guests will speed through over 280m of winding track, navigating high-banked curves, sudden drops and exhilarating water sprays, all set against a lush, tropical backdrop. The ride is now open daily from 10am to 6pm (closed every Tuesday, except during Malaysian school and public holidays). Developed with an investment of RM30mil, the Wild Chase Water Coaster reflects Sunway Lagoon's commitment to delivering world-class attractions that combine innovation, entertainment and safety. The launch was officiated by Selangor local government, tourism and new village development committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim, together with Tourism Selangor chief executive officer Chua Yee Ling and Occupational Safety and Health Department senior assistant director Mohd Nizam Teh Kamaruddin. 'At Sunway Lagoon, we are committed to continuously elevating guest experiences through innovation and world-class attractions. The Wild Chase Water Coaster is a testament to this vision, offering coaster-style thrills with splashing fun the whole family can enjoy,' said Sunway Theme Parks executive director Calvin Ho. Ng emphasised the importance of ride safety and regulatory compliance. 'As we continue to promote tourism and develop vibrant attractions like the Wild Chase Water Coaster, safety and immersive guest experience remains a top priority. 'We commend Sunway Lagoon for its proactive collaboration with the relevant safety and health authorities to ensure the Wild Chase Water Coaster meets stringent safety standards. Attractions like this not only boost international tourism but also set a benchmark for safe, family-friendly entertainment in Malaysia.'. With the launch of the Wild Chase Water Coaster, Sunway Lagoon continues to expand its offerings as Malaysia's premier multi-park destination, where guests can enjoy a diverse mix of thrilling rides, wildlife encounters, world class attractions, and splash filled adventures all in one location. Visit the Sunway Lagoon website or follow Sunway Lagoon Studios on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and RedNote to stay updated on upcoming initiatives, exclusive collaborations and immersive experiences.
The Star
02-08-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Open by default
WHEN the explosion and fire shook a residential area in Putra Heights, Selangor, in early April this year, residents were left not just with anxiety and trauma but also with lingering doubts. Even after the investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Department – which was made public in June – revealed that ground instability was what led to the gas pipeline explosion, and the police subsequently classified the case as 'No Further Action', residents continue to grapple with unresolved questions, calling on the government to provide them with answers. Why did the explosion happen only there? What about the construction of shop lots near the pipeline's location? And why is it so difficult to access such information? Incidents like this reveal a deeper truth that access to information is not just a tool for journalists or watchdogs – it can affect the lives of everyday Malaysians too. This is one reason why advocates say it is important the government keeps its promise to table a Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill in Parliament soon. FOI supporters say the law could empower citizens in ways that extend far beyond politics and media; from holding the government accountable for safety and land use decisions, to improving services through smarter, more transparent data sharing. Changing the mindset Lawyer and former Selangor Bar chairman Kokila Vaani Vadiveloo says a federal FOI law would benefit ordinary citizens seeking information about government activities that directly affect them, including issues of environmental hazards, land use, and healthcare policies. She cites the example of a notable judgment in 2023 involving a High Court order that required the government to release an accident investigation report about a plane crash that killed 11 people almost half a century ago in 1976. 'This case illustrated how families struggled to access information without FOI provisions,' she says. But beyond that, she says it could also help so many segments of society, such as students and researchers wanting to carry out evidence-based analysis, small business owners who may need to investigate regulations and obtain contract information, or legal professionals looking to gain evidence or background for court cases. Kokila says in South Africa, for example, environmental groups and minority shareholders have used FOI laws to obtain critical information on corporate projects affecting their interests. 'FOI is recognised as a consumer right to enable informed choices,' Kokila says. State and culture The Malaysian public has a right to know how the government conducts activities that shape daily lives, stresses senior manager (research) for the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas), Alissa Rode. Because of the lack of an FOI law, she says only seven out of the 13 states and territories published their annual budget estimates online as of 2024. 'Expenditure information should be considered critical information that is proactively disclosed, but failing that, a minimal right to information would enable citizens to obtain this information,' she says. This also shows that it is important for an FOI law to be adopted by all states, not just at the federal level, she adds, as state governments also possess data that is important to the average citizen. Sinar Project coordinator Khairil Yusof points out that two states – Penang and Selangor – already have FOI laws at the state level. From their interactions with the two state governments, he says the implementation of an FOI law creates not only a legal change, but also a change in culture within the government from being the gatekeeper of information to an 'open by default' approach. 'The cultural change is the under-standing that government information and knowledge resources are publicly funded and that they should be freely available and accessible to the public. 'It also creates an enabling environment for government agencies to proactively share public information and data, not just with the public but also between government agencies,' says Khairil. In practice, existing laws and bureau-cracy often hinder this as government officials are prevented from sharing information with the public. There is a provision in the Penal Code, Section 203A, which Khairil describes as being 'very vague', that discourages civil servants from sharing information. Section 203A states that it is a crime for civil servants to disclose any information obtained by them in the performance of their duties under any written law. 'So often, even if the information requested is not secret, it requires a lot of additional work for both parties to share that information. 'For example, the cleanliness of rivers that the officer already had on their computer.' Indirect beneficiary Another main obstacle to information access in Malaysia is the Official Secrets Act (OSA), as Rode points out. The OSA makes all information confidential by default. 'Without an FOI law, a citizen seeking information would commonly get shunted around the bureaucracy looking for a sympathetic and empowered officer, as there is no obligation on the part of public officials to meet the request or even reveal who is responsible for that data. 'Even if the department in question is willing to provide the data, requests are often deprioritised,' she says. Kokila adds that without FOI protections, any whistleblower disclosing public interest information becomes at risk of prosecution and their disclosures often end up being suppressed by secrecy laws. Thus, Rode says, although an FOI law should at minimum mandate passive disclosure – that is, information is provided upon request – countries with the highest standards of transparency would go one step further and embrace active disclosure and an 'open by default' approach to information. 'Ideally, the upcoming FOI law should set up the expectation that critical information is made available online by default. Exceptions can still be made for security and privacy purposes, but such exceptions should be narrowly defined,' she says. Is there hope? Khairil says there are already examples in Malaysia of a more 'open by default' approach to data collected by the government, such as the Health Ministry's Covid-Now dashboard, the Department of Statistics's OpenDOSM portal, and the Public Sector Open Data initiatives. The results of such initiatives have shown that beyond governance and rights issues, an FOI law also immediately paves the way for an open government and unlocks the full value of the work done by the civil service by making public information open by default. 'It enables rapid digital transformation innovations not only for the governments, but for everyone,' says Khairil. But usually, the general public is an indirect beneficiary of access to information, mostly without realising it, he says, providing what he calls a relatable example: Local councils like the Petaling Jaya City Council and the Subang Jaya City Council do spot checks and grade restaurant cleanliness; the rating is displayed on the inspected premises. 'If this dataset were publicly available, then companies like Google, FoodPanda, or Grab could incorporate these grades in their apps.' To drive home the point of how much the people take the indirect benefits of open data for granted, Khairil points to a global example; the GPS system used worldwide is only possible because the United States government made it public. 'Imagine a world where only limited people could have access to GPS navigation.'
Straits Times
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Malaysia gas pipeline fire not caused by excavation, says minister
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Malaysia's Deputy Human Resources Minister Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the pipeline was located at least 6m underground. KUALA LUMPUR – Localised development work near the site of the Putra Heights pipeline fire in Selangor did not cause the disaster, Malaysia's parliament has been told. Deputy Human Resources Minister Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the pipeline was located at least 6m underground. 'There is no chance for excavation works to reach it,' he added. 'The explosion was caused by underground soil movement and a later collapse, which generated friction and then the explosion. 'Moving forward, we will take more precautions. Replacement works are also underway and the contractor involved is complying with international standards,' he said on July 28. He noted that a joint on the affected pipe experienced mechanical fatigue, resulting in cyclic loading from repeated strain or loading on a component. 'The pipe experienced substantial underground movement, which was also caused by prolonged and concentrated water accumulation in one spot. 'This caused the ground supporting the pipe to give way,' he said. He also assured that all Petronas-owned pipelines comply with internationally recognised standards, adding that the ministry's Occupational Safety and Health Department findings revealed that all gas pipelines nationwide are still in safe condition. Abdul Rahman was responding to Dr Ah mad Yunus Hairi, MP for Kuala Langat, who asked about the cause of the pipeline fire in Putra Heights. He also asked about the government's assurance towards ensuring safety for those living along the pipelines. To this, Mr Abdul Rahman said measures taken include technical assessments on gas pipelines, increasing patrols along pipelines close to high-density communities, updating geotechnical risk assessments, and improving emergency preparedness, among others.
Qatar Tribune
20-07-2025
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
MoL, MoPH jointly organise workshop on heat stress risk prevention steps
Tribune News Network Doha The Ministry of Labour (MoL), represented by the Occupational Safety and Health Department, in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and Trading and Agency Services Company, organised on Sunday an awareness workshop for workers to educate them on the risks of heat stress and methods of prevention. The workshop is part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to protect workers at worksites and accommodations during the summer season, encourage the adoption of safe practices to prevent heat stress, promote a culture of occupational safety and health, and provide a safe and healthy working environment across all sectors. The sessions highlighted key preventive measures to be followed while working in high temperatures, including the importance of regular hydration, taking adequate rest breaks in cool areas, wearing appropriate clothing, avoiding strenuous work during peak heat hours, recognizing the symptoms of heat stress, and the importance of early reporting. Representatives from the Ministry's Occupational Safety and Health Department and the Ministry of Public Health shared essential health guidance to educate workers and train them on safety procedures at worksites. They explained the symptoms of heat stress, associated health risks, prevention strategies, and basic first aid for suspected cases, along with practical tips to help workers protect themselves. The Ministry of Labour is intensifying its field awareness campaigns for workers and employers during the summer, in partnership with stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for all. The Ministry also reaffirms its commitment to upholding the highest occupational safety and health standards at worksites across the country, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030.
The Sun
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
PGB restores gas supply after bypass pipeline completion in key areas
KUALA LUMPUR: PETRONAS Gas Bhd (PGB) has successfully restored natural gas supply to Batu Tiga, Shah Alam, and Connaught Bridge after completing its new bypass pipeline on July 1, 2025. The restoration follows strict safety compliance, including approval from the Occupational Safety and Health Department (DOSH). PGB emphasised its commitment to public safety, noting that natural gas powers 40 to 50 per cent of Malaysia's electricity. The company has reinforced the bypass section in Putra Heights with advanced sensors to detect soil and pipe movement, exceeding standard safety measures. Additional structural supports, including sheet piling, were installed to ensure long-term pipeline stability. A new permanent pipeline is in development, featuring deeper foundations and improved safety mechanisms to withstand ground shifts. The design includes additional shut-off valves for quicker emergency response. Beyond infrastructure repairs, PGB has provided over RM2 million in aid, including RM1.38 million directly to affected families and RM25 million for home reconstruction through the Housing and Local Government Ministry. The company also conducted inspections along the 2,680-kilometre Peninsular Gas Utilisation pipeline using Geopig and Magnetic Flux Leakage technology. No other high-risk areas have been identified.
