Latest news with #Pathmanathan
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Climate
- New Straits Times
Penang water supply stable despite heatwave, PBAPP urges prudent usage
GEORGE TOWN: Penang's water supply remains stable despite sweltering heat conditions affecting several northern states, including neighbouring Kedah and Perak, with dam levels in the state reported to be at satisfactory levels. Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer Datuk K. Pathmanathan told the 'New Straits Times' that that all three major dams in Penang — Air Itam, Teluk Bahang and Mengkuang — are operating within safe and sustainable limits. "To date, the Air Itam Dam stands at 62 per cent effective capacity, which can support water supply for around 60 days, while the Teluk Bahang Dam is at 51.7 per cent, sufficient for 157 days. "As for the Mengkuang Dam — our largest reservoir — it is at a strong 91.3 per cent capacity, which can last about 131 days," he said. Despite the reassuring figures, Pathmanathan stressed the importance of continued water conservation, particularly in light of rising temperatures and dry spells in nearby regions. "We are actively implementing the Air Itam Dam Action Plan 2025, and are closely monitoring rainfall and weather conditions at all catchment areas. "However, prudent water usage by all consumers is crucial to ensure sustainability," he added. Penang has so far avoided the Level 1 heatwave alert status triggered in districts such as Bandar Baharu (Kedah), Kuala Kangsar and Perak Tengah (Perak), and Machang (Kelantan), where maximum daily temperatures have reached up to 37°C for three consecutive days. Pathmanathan said PBAPP is working with relevant authorities to manage demand and ensure uninterrupted supply throughout the state. He said consumers are urged to report any water leakages or broken pipes to the PBAPP call centre at 04-255 8255. "Everyone has a role to play. Saving water today means securing supply for tomorrow."
The Star
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Shah Alam City overcomes top opponents to snatch the prized team crown at the prestigious Selangor Open Darts Championships
SHAH ALAM: The Selangor Open Darts Championships ended on high to the cheers of home fans when Shah Alam City Team A bagged the coveted team title as the championships tournament came to an end on Sunday. It was indeed a sweet ending to the tournament which featured many top darters from South-East Asia and Asia in an event held at Ballroom L2, Quayside Mall at Twentyfive 7 from Friday to Sunday. In an event, which had darters displaying superb skill throughout the three-days of competition, and had Japanese and Philippine darters scooping the main titles apart from the men's doubles title, locals had plenty to cheer when Malaysians were in fine form during the team event. And after more than 60 hours of competition, the tournament came to a satisfying end after a team from Malaysia (Shah Alam City A) entered the final displaying fine poise and style and take on Brunei's D Amazing Borneo team in the last stage. In the end, the team from Selangor, roared on by vociferous local supporters, won the final in fine style dispatching the Brunei team 3-0. The Shah Alam side led by team manager Ahmad Niezam Ahmad Noh comprised 2025 Sabah Open champion Tenooth Sivalingam, who had been on good form since day one of the competition, Mohd Faizal Mohamad, Muhammad Gerald Michael and Khamirul Noorbah. The tournament also turned out to be a satisfying end for Tenooth. In the first two days of competition, Tenooth had lost in the in the seimfinals stage of both the singles and doubles competitions. "I'm very proud pf the boys. All their hard work paid off. We started training for more than a month in preparation for the tournament and their dedication was well worth it as we won the top title," said Ahmad Niezam. "The best part of this victory is that all the team members are home-grown and also are staff of MBSA (Majlis Bandar Shah Alam). So this win is very, very sweet and also it is indeed a victory for Selangor." As for D Amazing Borneo, the quartet representing the Brunei team were Shamsuddin Zainuddin, Pg Mohamed Pg Matarsad, Abdul Qahar'ukail Shamsul Ariffin and AK Muhd Hamdi Pg Masshor. Meanwhile, a beaming Selangor Darts Association president C. Pathmanathan said the tournament came to a very satisfying end after seeing a local team and one from Selangor winning the team title. "Every match in all the competitions was an exciting tussle. It was a fantastic tournament. I believe it will continue to be just as exciting if not better next year," said Pathmanathan. "Selangor have big plans in store for darts. We are also starting our very team league where we can identify male players for the state side. Besides that, we are also identifying top women players for our state with a series of tournament specially for women darters. "I think it is also important that we have a good pool of players where we can groom them into international class performers in top tournaments." Pathmanathan also said the success of the tournament is also due to the dedication on association members and also much support from the Youth and Sports Ministry, Selangor State Government and the other main sponsors. He also gave special thanks to Quayside Mall for being the venue sponsors. "I take this opportunity to thank all our sponsors, the state government and also the sports ministry. The success here was due to their assistance. I thank all my friends and association members who sacrificed so much in order to make this success," said Pathmanathan. "Special thanks to Roger Ko (the General Manager - Quayside Mall) for his help in ensuring the success here. We also hope that the mall continue to support the tournament in future." For the record, the Selangor Open is the first WDF ranked event in Malaysia in 2025 which will be followed by Cosmo Malaysia Open 2025 (WDF silver ranked category) on 22-24th August. Besides the best bulls-eye specialists from Malaysia, top darters from Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Japan also took part in the tournament. The teams from Sabah and Sarawak were also big in numbers and their darters did well in all the competitions held in the tournament.
The Star
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Law to manage Penang raw water in the works
Chow (second from right) with Pathmanathan (left) and Water Watch Penang president Datuk Dr Chan Ngai Weng (second from left) at the World Water Day 2025 celebration at Air Itam Dam, George Town. The pail is to represent the campaign urging Penangites to reduce a pail of water usage per person per day. (Right) Children enjoying a painting competition during the celebration. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star Penang government will table a Bill to have a state enactment on raw water resource management. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Bill would work towards the establishment of a dedicated raw water management board with enforcement powers. 'It is aimed at strengthening governance and regulatory control over raw water resources in the state. 'Under the enactment, the board will be established and granted full authority including enforcement powers, issuing licences and permits and approving applications related to water abstraction activities according to set conditions.' He said the Penang Water Regulatory Division (BKSA) currently only performed limited functions related to raw water management, and did not have enforcement or prosecutorial powers. Speaking to reporters after launching the World Water Day 2025 celebrations at the Air Itam dam in George Town, Chow said the Bill would be tabled at the Penang state assembly sitting this month. Stating that it was time for Penang to have a dedicated enactment for raw water management, he said the planned board would take over BKSA's responsibilities and be granted legal authority to act against any violations under the proposed enactment. 'The board is expected to ensure a sustainable, efficient and legally grounded raw water management system for the future of Penang,' he said. Last year, state infrastructure, transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari announced that the Penang state executive council had, in principle, approved the proposal to upgrade BKSA. On a separate note, Chow said Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) aimed to lower water usage to 250 litres of domestic water per capita per day (LCD) compared to the 261 LCD achieved in 2024. 'It is a realistic aim to achieve if everyone works together and takes the necessary steps to use water sparingly in their respective premises daily. 'There was a time when the average domestic water consumption in Penang was 308 LCD, which is high, but thankfully through various efforts in recent years, it has been reduced to 261 LCD. 'The water consumption figure per capita of 261 LCD is a good decrease in comparison to the 308 a few years ago and now we want to lower it by 11. 'If we follow the advice and conserve water whenever possible, I believe the target can be achieved,' he said. PBAPP executive officer Datuk K. Pathmanathan said the target was a small step forward for Penang. 'Malaysia's national average was 237 LCD in 2023, while in Singapore an average of 141 LCD was recorded in the same year. 'Small progressive steps forward can mean water supply security in the future. 'The impact will be significant if 1.8 million Penangites save 11 LCD water at home as it will add up and save 19.8 million litres per day this year,' he said. Pathmanathan said domestic (households) water consumption in 2024 constituted about 54% of the total water consumption in Penang. 'This is why it goes a long way when Penangites use lesser water at home. 'If managed well this can ensure sufficient and stable water supply in all areas in the state even during peak periods of consumption such as major festivals and holidays. 'It will help stabilise water pressure and reduce intermittent water issues in the end-of-line and high ground areas in south Seberang Perai and the southwest districts on the island,' he said. Pathmanathan said by reducing water usage it will help the state weather through prolonged dry seasons and El Nino, lowering the risk of a water crisis.
Malay Mail
03-05-2025
- Climate
- Malay Mail
Penang targets cut in daily water use to 250 litres per person amid climate-driven supply concerns
GEORGE TOWN, May 3 — Penang is targeting a reduction in domestic water consumption to 250 litres per capita per day (LPCD) this year, an 11-litre decrease from the 261 litres recorded last year. Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer, Datuk K. Pathmanathan, said that while the target may appear modest, it could yield significant long-term benefits in terms of water supply sufficiency and security. 'If all 1.8 million Penang residents reduce their household water use by 11 LPCD, the cumulative savings could reach 19.8 million litres per day (MLD) this year,' he said during the World Water Day celebration at the Air Itam Dam today. The event was officiated by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and attended by Water Watch Penang president, Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Chan Ngai Weng. Pathmanathan added that the projected domestic savings are expected to contribute to an estimated 2.3 percent reduction in Penang's overall water consumption, from 870 MLD last year to approximately 850 MLD this year. Saying domestic water use accounted for approximately 54 percent of total water consumption last year, he encouraged Penangites to use water more efficiently to help stabilise supply and reduce service disruptions in end-of-line distribution areas and highland zones in Seberang Perai Selatan and the Barat Daya District. Meanwhile, Pathmanathan noted that climate change has also impacted operations, with the effective capacities of the Teluk Bahang and Air Itam dams decreasing by 13.1 percent and 22.6 percent, respectively, due to low rainfall since January. He explained that although both dams are designed to be replenished by rainwater within their catchment areas, the significant reduction in rainfall, coupled with prolonged El Niño conditions, has hampered their recovery in recent years. In contrast, he said the Expanded Mengkuang Dam was specifically designed to be replenished primarily through water pumped from Sungai Kulim. 'We are currently implementing projects worth over RM1 billion under the Water Contingency Plan 2030 to ensure sufficient capacity for Penang by 2030. 'We therefore urge domestic users to conserve water to help reduce the state's water supply risks up to 2030, ensuring fair and equitable distribution while supporting the Penang2030 vision,' he said. — Bernama
Borneo Post
28-04-2025
- Borneo Post
Govt urged to implement AI ‘firewall' to block unsafe apps
AI development must adhere to stringent safety regulations and should not rely solely on external controls. – Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR (April 28): The government has been urged to adopt a 'firewall' approach to filter artificial intelligence (AI)-based applications lacking robust security features, as a measure to prevent the misuse of the technology, including for the production and distribution of obscene content. Treasurer of the Internet of Things (IoT) Association of Malaysia, Pathmanathan Muniandy, said all AI systems should be developed with a Core Code, a basic security code embedded directly within the AI system to enable automatic filtering of immoral content. He stressed that AI development must adhere to stringent safety regulations and should not rely solely on external controls. 'AI systems must be programmed with the Core Code from the outset to ensure the technology is not misused, and it should be part of the AI's DNA itself,' he said in a statement today. Pathmanathan referred to a recent incident where a Form Four student was charged in the Kulai Magistrate's Court for allegedly possessing and editing obscene images using AI, raising concerns over the misuse of such technology, particularly among youths. While Malaysia cannot control international technological developments, he suggested that the country introduce stricter domestic regulations and collaborate with ASEAN nations to push for minimum security standards in AI development. In addition, he called for greater emphasis on AI literacy education to ensure that the younger generation better understands the risks associated with the technology. 'Education and punishment must go hand in hand. Awareness should be instilled early, but stern punishment must be imposed on those who misuse the technology,' he said. Pathmanathan stressed that AI should serve as a tool to build and ease life, not to harm individuals' reputations or safety. As such, he urged all parties including the government, technology developers, and users to take responsibility in ensuring the ethical and safe use of AI. – Bernama artificial intelligence cybersecurity firewall technology
