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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Accused of driving Malays from cities under guise of urban renewal, Nga Kor Ming says it's about rescuing the poor
KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 — Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming denies claims that the Urban Renewal Bill will push urban Malays out of the cities. The minister has been on the receiving end of a firing squad that has taken aim against the proposed law to redevelop ageing buildings and improve living conditions – especially for low-income urban communities – and which has at times, turned into a personal attack. 'These are all slanderers with nothing better to do. 'They say the original residents will be kicked out — this is all falsehood,' Nga told Malay newspaper Mingguan Malaysia in an interview published today. He was also asked, point black, if the proposal was a subtle eviction of Malays. 'No. What do I gain by evicting people? Developers prefer buying their own land – it's faster and cheaper than negotiating endlessly with residents. 'Buildings, like people, have a lifespan. Wiring doesn't last forever. We're not obligated to help, but as part of the Madani Government, we sincerely want to help,' he replied. He highlighted that just as the country will mark 70 years of independence in 2027, buildings, like people, age. Some buildings, Nga said, are so unsafe that people sleep outside in dangerous conditions. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the proposed Urban Renewal Act is not an attempt at evicting the Malays but rescuing urban poor communities. — Bernama pic 'I did an expedition with MPs and the media. Some people sleep beside their houses, with pythons. Can you accept this?' he asked in the interview. The minister emphasised that redevelopment under the proposed Urban Renewal Act is designed to help, not displace residents. 'I already asked DBKL to give them PPR application forms for free. But why are Opposition parties blocking them from getting help?' he asked. DBKL refers to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall while PPR refers to the People's Housing Programme in Malay. Nga said the government plans to reduce the requirement for redevelopment consent from 100 per cent to 80 per cent — a move aligned with global best practices. 'In Tokyo it's 66 per cent. In Shanghai, two-thirds. Even in Singapore it's 80 per cent,' he pointed out. He added that land ownership and legal statuses will remain untouched. 'If your house is on Malay reserve land, then it remains Malay reserve. If it's a 99-year leasehold, it remains a 99-year leasehold.' Compensation, he said, will always be higher than current property values, based on official assessment by the Valuation and Property Services Department. 'We are not taking homes. We are offering compensation, and it must be more than the existing value,' he was quoted as saying Nga cited Kampung Kerinchi in Kuala Lumpur as an example of successful renewal. He noted that the old PPR flats had measured about 400 square feet and was worth about RM70,000. But after renewal, each flat unit more than doubled their size to 850 square feet, could accommodate three rooms and could be priced more than six-fold, about RM450,000. Nga urged Malaysians not to fall for racial rhetoric surrounding the Bill. 'If there are Opposition parties playing the race card, this is the biggest lie in the history of human civilisation. 'Usually, only bankrupt political parties with no ideas will resort to racial sentiments,' he told the weekend edition of Utusan Malaysia.
Belfast Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
Department of Health criticised over delays in publishing updated suicide prevention action plan over funding shortfalls
A rapid review of Northern Ireland's suicide prevention strategy, Protect Life 2, was announced in December 2023. A report was due by March and an updated action plan was expected by June 2024. The review report was eventually published in September, but the revised action plan has yet to be published. In response to an Assembly question from west Belfast MLA Gerry Carroll in March, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt confirmed that an updated plan and implementation strategy would be approved on April 3. It has since emerged that despite being approved, the department will not publish the updated action plan due to funding shortfalls. Pat McGreevy, chair of the Suicide Down To Zero charity and former mental health nurse, said the delay is 'symbolic of a government that doesn't consider suicide prevention a priority.' 'In 2023, there were 221 reported suicides in Northern Ireland. Research from the United States indicates that 135 people are affected by each suicide death,' he added. "There seems no sense of urgency in relation to suicide in Northern Ireland, despite the fact that every week in Northern Ireland we lose four people to suicide leaving 540 people bereft.' Mr McGreevy criticised the decision to withhold publication of the plan due to funding shortfalls. 'The public have a right to see the intention or even ambition of the action plan which in part can be caveated by subject to funds becoming available,' he said. Sara Boyce, campaign organiser for Mental Health Rights: New Script — an initiative by the human rights NGO Participation and the Practice of Rights (PPR) — said the department had 'serious questions to answer about its commitment to suicide prevention.' "What should have taken months has dragged on without explanation, sending a clear message that suicide prevention is not a priority,' said Ms Boyce. 'Now we're told there's no funding for a revised plan. Meanwhile, there is no suicide prevention target, no strategic allocation of resources, and no progress on proven interventions — such as raising bridge parapets or ensuring GPs receive suicide prevention training. "Community and voluntary organisations are left to shoulder the burden, working tirelessly to save lives and support grieving families.' Ms Boyce added that PPR are calling for the action plan to be published immediately with clear targets and sufficient funding. They are also urging the Health Committee and Public Accounts Committee to 'investigate the unacceptable delays and ensure accountability." Mr Carroll said it was 'not good enough' that plans had been approved without prioritising the necessary funding. 'A suicide epidemic is destroying the fabric of working-class communities, with rates over twice as high in the most deprived areas,' he added. "Without adequate resources, these plans aren't worth the paper they're written on. "Between 2019 (when the Protect Life 2 Strategy was first published) and 2023, over 1,000 people in the north have died by suicide. The Executive must resolve funding shortfall issues immediately; people's lives depend on it." A spokesperson for the Department of Health said that Protect Life 2 has been extended until 2027. They added that the action plan and implementation strategy were approved by Ministers at the Executive Working Group on Mental Wellbeing, Resilience and Suicide Prevention on April 3, subject to funding. "Work on the plans has been completed and they will be published shortly once funding shortfall issues have been resolved,' added the spokesperson. "The new Action Plan will contain a wide range of actions aiming to reduce the rate of suicide in Northern Ireland.' Responding to claims that suicide prevention is not a priority for the department, the spokesperson said the Health Minister 'has made clear that he is fully committed to working towards a sustained reduction in suicide' They added that this 'will only be possible with full implementation and delivery of all Protect Life 2 actions.'
Daily Express
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Shareda unable to build PPR units due to squatters
Published on: Monday, May 26, 2025 Published on: Mon, May 26, 2025 By: Hayati Dzulkifli Text Size: Chua said squatter issues are not confined to Sepanggar. - Pic (right) for illustration only. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Shareda) is unable to proceed with plans to build thousands of People's Housing Programme (PPR) units in Sepanggar due to unresolved squatter issues on the allocated 70-acre site. Immediate Past President Datuk Sr Chua Soon Ping said under the agreement with the State Government last year, Shareda is supposed to provide basic housing for B40 people in the State. However, the site is occupied by thousands of squatters who need to be evicted first. He said only political can solve the problem for the B40. 'We still want to do this project. But the huge presence of squatters is the biggest problem in some of the areas. 'The site is occupied by squatters where some are locals but mostly illegals. Shareda cannot evict them. Support from DBKK, civil authorities and the state government is needed to move out the squatters. Advertisement 'Eviction isn't something the private sector can carry out. It must be a coordinated, humane process and have to find alternative accommodation, which is beyond us (Shareda),' he said. Chua said this at a press conference after Shareda's 32nd annual meeting which saw the election of new President Datuk Johnny Wong Chen Yee, Saturday. He was commenting on the status of the project to build affordable housing including PPR units in Sabah to complement noble efforts of national government to build 500,000 PPR units of houses for B40 people in the country by year 2025. Chua said a government task force meant to address the situation but had yet to be formed. 'The Chief Minister and the State Secretary (SKN) have to initiate it. 'The site is State land currently under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry and must be rezoned to be used for building affordable housing before building the PPR units can begin,' he said. Despite these setbacks, Chua reaffirmed Shareda's commitment to seeing the project through. 'We are eager to start, but political will is essential. We're working behind the scenes to assist where we can,' he said. Chua also disclosed a recent federal government decision to raise the ceiling price for affordable homes (PPR units) from RM300,000 to RM380,000. 'It's due to escalating building material costs. The unit size remains at 850 square feet, but construction feasibility required the price revision. 'It's not just in Sabah, its whole Malaysia,' he said, adding that the new limit applies to urban (bandar) areas with definitions still pending clarification. Chua said squatter issues are not confined to Sepanggar. 'Even in Tuaran and foreshore reserves, squatter settlements have become a recurring problem. They often return after eviction 'While some of the squatters are local, the majority are not, which adds to the complexity. This is a bottleneck problem that cannot be solved overnight,' he said.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
20 goats die in Uttarkashi from unknown disease
Dehradun: The Uttarakhand animal husbandry department has launched an investigation after villagers in Dhara reported the deaths of around 20 animals due to an unidentified disease over the past week. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Three veterinary teams from Uttarkashi have been deployed to scan nearly six nearby villages to contain the spread of the illness. Samples collected from the affected animals are scheduled to be sent for testing on Monday. Veterinary doctors said that the sick animals are exhibiting a range of symptoms. Goats, in particular, may be suffering from contagious caprine pleuropneumonia, peste des petits ruminants (PPR), gastroenteritis, or a bacterial infection. Signs include coughing, fever, and apparent transmission of the disease among the herd. The situation in Dhara, located in the Mori block, is reportedly under control. However, another two villages, Kansal and Rala, have been placed under close monitoring since Sunday. "I will be visiting Mori on Monday to assess the situation directly from all our field teams, including the 1962 mobile unit and Netwar-based medical teams. Livestock rearers are advised to isolate sick animals from healthy ones, as the pattern suggests a contagious disease, as medication is being administered on similar lines," said Dr HC Bisht, chief veterinary officer of Uttarkashi. So far, around 350 goats and sheep have been administered vaccines and provided medication by the medical teams dispatched there. Randev Pawar, village head of Dhara, said that the animals began showing symptoms after routine grazing in the fringe forest areas. Initially, villagers relied on traditional home remedies, which proved ineffective. "We thought it was a seasonal issue, but the situation worsened quickly, so we had to follow up with the veterinary department," he said.
Hans India
24-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Infectious animal diseases migrating to new species, about half raise threat to humans: Report
Infectious animal diseases are affecting new areas and species, with half (47 per cent) having zoonotic -- or animal-to-human – potential, raising the risk of newer pandemics, according to a global report. The new annual assessment, published by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), provides the first comprehensive review of animal disease trends, risks, and challenges, from the uptake and availability of vaccines to the use of antibiotics in animals. It showed that the reported number of avian influenza outbreaks in mammals more than doubled last year compared to 2023 with 1,022 outbreaks across 55 countries compared to 459 outbreaks in 2023. While its risk to humans remains low, the more mammalian species such as cattle, cats, or dogs are infected, the greater the possibility of the virus adapting to mammal-to-mammal, and potentially human, transmission, the authors said. 'The spread, prevalence, and impact of infectious animal diseases are changing, bringing new challenges for agriculture and food security, human health and development, and natural ecosystems,' said Dr. Emmanuelle Soubeyran, Director General of WOAH. The report also mentioned the increasing distribution and intensity of diseases such as African Swine Fever (ASF), avian influenza, foot and mouth disease (FMD), and peste des petits ruminants (PPR). It warned that their proliferation was destabilising agrifood systems, which can undermine global food security and biodiversity, in addition to human health. The report cited climate change and increased trade as factors influencing the spread and prevalence of animal diseases, majorly recorded across several regions in 2024 and early 2025. Although many are preventable through a combination of vaccination, improved hygiene, and biosecurity measures, the report noted that access to animal vaccines remains uneven around the world. 'Alongside other measures, vaccination remains one of the most powerful disease prevention tools available, saving countless lives, preventing economic losses, and reducing the need for antimicrobial treatments,' Soubeyran added. The report also emphasised the importance of disease prevention for reducing the need for antibiotic treatment and limiting the development of drug-resistant diseases.
