Latest news with #RM213mil
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
‘Flood prevention rules to be updated'
Continuous rainfall from March 19 to 20 this year caused floods in parts of Taman Tampoi Indah 2, Johor Baru. — Filepic Johor government will hold workshops to enable all 16 local authorities to better tackle floods, said state executive councillor Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor. The housing and local government committee chairman said they would start with local councils in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone as these faced the most flood-related issues. 'Our workshops since 2023 focused on getting higher allocations for flood mitigation efforts, and improving enforcement. 'This year, we will focus on improving regulations, especially for retention ponds, irrigation and drainage systems. 'This also includes standard operating procedures (SOP) that developers must follow before starting work on a site,' he said in an interview. He added that the workshops would begin in the third quarter of this year. Under the SOP, developers must build retention ponds before starting a project. Mohd Jafni also said outdated regulations must be reviewed. 'The regulations had been in use for more than 10 years and can no longer cope with the current volume of rainfall which is four to six times more than before,' he said. Mohd Jafni said earlier workshops had yielded some results. 'Just this year we received more than RM100mil, which is likely one of the highest allocation amounts from the Housing and Local Government Ministry for flood-related issues,' he disclosed. He said that some RM213mil had been allocated to carry out over 350 flood-related projects since 2023. This includes RM106mil for flood mitigation efforts involving all local authorities this year. 'Of the 123 projects for this year, 16 are under Johor Baru City Council, which has been allocated about RM42mil. 'Another 16 are under Pasir Gudang City Council with RM9.1mil, while 13 are under Iskandar Puteri City Council with some RM36mil' said Mohd Jafni. 'Through the projects, we hope to resolve at least half of the flood issues,' he added.
The Star
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Johor allocates RM213mil for 353 flood management projects
ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor government will have spent RM213mil to implement 353 flood management projects in hotspots involving 16 local government authorities since 2023. State housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said that for 2025 alone, the state has allocated RM106.2mil to implement 104 projects in flood hotspots involving 16 local authorities. He said the Johor Baru City Council received the highest allocation of RM42.4mil to implement 16 flood management projects, followed by the Iskandar Puteri City Council (RM36.1mil; 13 projects), Pasir Gudang City Council (RM9.1mil; 16 projects) and the Kulai Municipal Council (RM5.7mil; 15 projects). The projects involve, among others, upgrading reservoirs, building small dams along drains and raising the drain walls to avoid flooding in the low-lying areas, he said, adding that the methods for solving the flood issue vary from area to area. Apart from that, he said development must also be kept under control. "We have found over the past three years that areas that used to be flood-free have become flooded due to uncontrolled development," he told a press conference here on Wednesday (May 21). Mohd Jafni said there was also a need to improve the conditions and specifications for drainage and flood management in planning permission in line with the rapid pace of development and changing rainfall patterns. "The specifications given to these developers are specifications that are 10, 15 years old and are not relevant to the amount of rainfall that falls now, which has increased five or six times. "If we control the development part, and we solve these flood hotspot areas, the flood problems can be resolved," he said. - Bernama
The Star
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Eye on Sabah's progress amid poor utility service
KOTA KINABALU: Libaran MP Datuk Suhaimi Nasir has raised concerns about the true progress in Sabah, highlighting that residents continue to experience disruptions in electricity and water supply, as well as inadequate road networks. In raising this concern, he pointed out that Sabah has generated timber revenue amounting to RM5.3bil since 1999, averaging RM213mil annually. However, many residents of Sabah still lack reliable access to essential services. 'From Libaran to Likas, from Tawau to Tuaran, the people are asking a simple question: where has all of Sabah's wealth gone?' he said in a statement yesterday. He observed that these issues are no longer confined to rural communities; even in the heart of the state capital, Kota Kinabalu, power and water disruptions have become a common occurrence. 'Water tanks are no longer optional; they are a necessity. Electricity generators, once reserved for factories, are now being used in regular homes. This is the daily reality faced by ordinary Sabahans,' he added. Suhaimi highlighted the deteriorating condition of the road infrastructure, noting that many roads are riddled with potholes and pose safety hazards. He noted that numerous rural areas in Libaran are still waiting for basic development. He emphasised that the state government should prioritise this responsibility. 'While we continue to hear announcements about forest certifications, carbon plans and ecological allocations, people are still lighting candles, storing water and dodging potholes,' he said. Suhaimi questioned whether the progress being celebrated is genuine, alleging that the people of Sabah have been patient for far too long. 'They are not against development. They are simply asking for their rights... the right to live comfortably with consistent and reliable basic amenities. These concerns should not be dismissed as scepticism or political rhetoric. 'If the state has earned billions, why are we still dealing with unresolved water, electricity and road issues? 'This question is not about pointing fingers; it is about demanding responsibility,' he stressed, adding that the people of Sabah deserve better.
The Star
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sabah MP questions lack of basic amenities despite billions in timber revenue
KOTA KINABALU: There is a glaring disconnect between Sabah's reported billions in timber revenue and the state's ongoing failure to provide basic amenities such as clean water, consistent electricity, and proper road networks, says Libaran MP Datuk Suhaimi Nasir ( pic ). Suhaimi raised concerns over Sabah recording timber revenue of RM5.3bil since 1999, averaging RM213mil annually, while many Sabahans continue to lack reliable access to essential services. "From Libaran to Likas, from Tawau to Tuaran, the people are asking a simple question, where has all of Sabah's wealth gone?" he asked in a statement on Tuesday (May 13). He noted that it is no longer just rural communities facing these issues; even in Kota Kinabalu, the state capital, power and water disruptions have become commonplace. "Water tanks are no longer optional; they are a necessity. Electricity generators, once reserved for factories, are now being used in regular homes. This is the daily reality faced by ordinary Sabahans," he added. Suhaimi also pointed out the poor state of road infrastructure, adding that many roads remain potholed and unsafe, with numerous rural areas in Libaran still waiting for basic development. He stressed that this is a responsibility that should be prioritised by the state government. "While we continue to hear announcements about forest certification, carbon plans, and ecological allocations, people are still lighting candles, storing water, and dodging potholes," he said. Suhaimi questioned whether this is truly the progress being celebrated, alleging that the people of Sabah have long been patient. "They are not against development. They are simply asking for their rights … the right to live comfortably with consistent and reliable basic amenities. "These concerns should not be dismissed as scepticism or political rhetoric. "If the state has earned billions, why are we still dealing with unresolved water, electricity, and road issues? "This question is not about pointing fingers; it is about demanding responsibility," he stressed, adding that the people of Sabah deserve better.
The Star
28-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Nestle Malaysia posts encouraging 1Q results
Nestlé (M) Bhd chief executive officer Juan Aranols. —ONG SOON HIN /The Star PETALING JAYA: Nestle (M) Bhd kicked off 2025 with encouraging results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2025 (1Q25). The company recorded a turnover of RM1.77bil for the quarter under review, matching the robust sales figures in 1Q24 and reflecting a 20.1% growth compared to 4Q24. 'The strong sales momentum was broad-based across brands, which reflects the successful planning and execution of Chinese New Year and Ramadan Hari Raya activities,' the food and beverage company said in a statement. Alongside domestic sales, the company's export business recorded a 2.6% growth. 'Nestle Malaysia continues to build on the international competitiveness of its industrial infrastructure, which is further enabled by the company's role as the largest Halal manufacturing hub for the Nestle group worldwide.' For the quarter under review, Nestle Malaysia delivered a profit before tax of RM213mil and profit after tax of RM161.3mil, more than tripling the preceding 4Q24 profits and confirming the path to profit normalisation after a challenging 2024. 'This performance reflects the company's ability to navigate through a still complex operating environment with sustained pressure on commodity prices through focused efficiency measures and cost optimisation initiatives, as well as solid brand investments to further strengthen its market shares. 'While 1Q25 profit was solid, it moderately contracted against the strong baseline of 1Q24, reflecting an earlier phasing of marketing investments versus 2024, as well as the prudent approach to pricing amidst soaring prices of key commodities, as the company remains mindful of mitigating as much as possible the impact on the purchasing power of the Rakyat.' Nestle Malaysia chief executive officer Juan Aranols said the first quarter results were encouraging and represented an important step in the group's journey back to healthy growth levels and profit normalisation after some challenges in the previous quarters. 'Amidst market volatility and intense competition, we continue to drive solid brand plans with effective execution across all channels online and offline. 'We have seen solid performance throughout the Chinese New Year and Ramadhan / Raya seasons across business segments.' As the company navigates through 2025, Aranols said Nestle Malaysia remains vigilant of the multiple factors of volatility in the global market that may impact business conditions, while staying committed to its promise of providing nutritious, great-tasting Halal products that meet Malaysians' needs across all life stages. 'Additionally, we are driving automation and digitalisation within our organisation as key enablers of agile decision-making and savings, which in turn fund brand investments and innovations to strengthen market leadership. 'This is what we call the virtuous circle of profitable, sustainable growth, always anchored on a strong understanding of Malaysians' value expectations.' While the operating environment continues to present challenges, Aranols said the signs the company is observing in terms of improved consumer sentiments are encouraging. 'As guided earlier, we are confident in returning to healthy growth levels by the first half of 2025, and consolidate the normalisation of our profitable and sustainable growth path. 'We will continue to invest in product innovation and in enhancing our capabilities at all levels - manufacturing, logistics, commercial, etc.' As the group has done throughout its 113 years in Malaysia, Aranols said Nestle Malaysia will continue to be a positive force contributing to the wellbeing of the Rakyat. 'Building on our strong foundation in the nation, we are confident on this outlook, while we carefully monitor global geopolitical and market developments that may affect broader economic conditions.'
