Latest news with #PenangConsumersAssociation
The Sun
16-07-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
Fishermen call for stone seawall to restore water quality at Teluk Nipah
SUNGAI PETANI: Fishermen in Kampung Teluk Nipah, Kota Kuala Muda, have urged authorities to build a stone seawall along 200 metres of coastline to curb erosion and restore seawater quality, which has turned reddish due to earlier soil dumping. Abdul Halim Hasan, 66, said the water was once clear and popular for beach recreation and shellfish gathering, but has been discoloured since the area was filled with hill soil during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period over four years ago. 'The soil contained red-coloured stones, locally known as 'batu kawi'. When waves crash into the area, the particles are stirred up, turning the water reddish,' he told Bernama. Although the reclamation was halted following intervention by the authorities, Abdul Halim said the damage continues as the exposed soil is still being eroded by waves. He added the pollution has also caused a significant decline in marine life, with shellfish nearly disappearing and fish catches dropping sharply. Zamri Shuib, 55, said daily catches have become barely enough to cover operating costs, with many species such as Korean shrimp and gelama fish now rare. 'Some days we make around RM100 and that's before deducting fuel, nets and labour. Sometimes we have to go 10 kilometres offshore just to get a modest catch, and even then, we're competing with large trawlers and drag nets. A stone barrier could help restore the area,' he said. Zamri acknowledged that a concrete seawall might be costly but suggested that at minimum, a rock cage or gabion wall could help stabilise the shoreline and reduce sediment pollution. Md Nazri Yahya, 57, added that erratic weather and the monsoon season from June to September further threaten the fishermen's livelihoods. 'Previously, we could fish close to shore. Now the sea near the coast is dead. Around 50 to 60 small-scale fishermen depend on this area, and our income is falling fast,' he said. He urged the government to act quickly, warning that prolonged inaction could permanently damage the local marine ecosystem. Yesterday, the Penang Consumers Association (CAP) also called on authorities to take urgent action to address erosion in Teluk Nipah, including building shoreline protection structures. CAP said the issue, stemming from uncontrolled hill clearing and soil dumping, has persisted for over four years without effective intervention.
Malay Mail
20-05-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
Vape addiction among students sparks calls in Penang state assembly for total sales ban across business premises
GEORGE TOWN, May 20 — Several assemblymen here today asked the state government to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes or vape at all business premises in Penang, as had been done in several states. A. Kumaresan (PH-Batu Uban) said the use of electronic cigarettes has now become a very serious phenomenon among teenagers and the elderly, therefore the state government should examine from a policy and legal perspective for progressive actions that can be taken in the state. 'Kedah, Johor and Terengganu have announced drastic measures by not renewing the licences for the sale of electronic cigarettes or vape in the states. 'I would like to urge the state government to state a clear stance on the sale of vape and electronic cigarettes, especially to teenagers because it involves public health and the future of our children,' he said when debating the address of Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here today. Meanwhile, Mohamad Shukor Zakariah (PN-Pulau Betong) hopes the state government will ban the sale of vapes in all premises in Penang as their use among school students is increasingly worrying and harmful to health. He said an increasing number of secondary school students in five states namely Penang, Perlis, Kedah, Selangor and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur were found to be addicted to vape. For example, a three-year survey by the Penang Consumers Association (CAP) from 2021 showed actions taken against 15,000 school students in the five states, he said, and it was found that 8,000 of them smoke vape, including 2,000 female students. 'In addition, 4,000 primary school students were also found smoking vape and it is worrying because vape is easy to obtain,' he said. Mohd Yusni Mat Piah (PN-Penaga) also said that the symptoms of vape use are a very critical problem because many young people are addicted and it is also more dangerous than cigarettes because 65 per cent of its content contains prohibited substances and is easy to manipulate with new drugs. 'There is a case in Penaga where a secondary school student smoked 'magic mushroom' vape and became 'depressed' and is now not going to school because his father had to monitor him,' he said. On April 29, Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said a meeting with relevant agencies was held to discuss the proposal to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes or vape at all business premises in Penang, before being presented in the State Executive Council. The State Assembly session continues tomorrow. — Bernama
