Latest news with #RM3.3mil
The Star
04-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Green light for RM450mil Melaka flood mitigation project
THE Federal Government has approved RM450mil in funds for the Sungai Baru Flood Mitigation Plan in Masjid Tanah, Melaka, to address recurring floods in the area. Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the project would span a 15km-stretch from Sungai Durian Daun to the mouth of Sungai Kuala Baru. He said it would also include the construction of four flood retention ponds in Kampung Londang, Kampung Jeram, Kampung Lubuk Redan and Taman Gamelan. 'This is a long-term initiative to tackle the flood problems affecting Masjid Tanah,' he told Bernama after visiting a Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) pump house as part of the Wakil Rakyat Untuk Rakyat engagement programme for the Lendu constituency at Taman Masjid Tanah Ria. Also present at the event were State Secretary Datuk Azhar Arshad, state science, technology, innovation and digital communications committee chairman Datuk Fairul Nizam Roslan and Lendu assemblyman Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali. For short-term flood prevention, Ab Rauf said DID was implementing RM3.3mil worth of state-funded projects, including the installation of pumps, construction of pump houses and compact substations as well as carrying out river maintenance works. Two existing flood retention ponds at Durian Daun and Solok Duku were also undergoing rehabilitation at a combined cost of RM1.85mil, which is expected to be completed by December. Separately, Ab Rauf urged the state's stage bus operator to take greater responsibility for safety standards, calling for improved driver training following a series of fatal public transport accidents. He noted that several incidents were linked to negligent driving, resulting in loss of life.
The Star
31-05-2025
- The Star
MMEA overcomes aggressive foreign vessel in Miri waters
KUCHING: A Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) patrol faced tense moments when they subdued an aggressive attempt by a Vietnamese fishing boat to trespass into Malaysian waters, near Miri, in northern Sarawak on Friday (May 30). Its director Miri Zone director, Maritime Captain Mohd Khairol Anuar Saad said the standoff occurred when the crew of a vessel from Vietnam, one of the foreign national vessels (VNA) involved, refused to cooperate when they were confronted at around 31 nautical miles (nm) northwest of Kuala Niah, Miri. "They carried out dangerous manoeuvres, throwing hard and sharp objects at the MMEA enforcement personnel in rough seas, threatening the safety and lives of the security forces,' he said in a statement on Saturday (May 31). However, the situation was successfully controlled and the foreign vessel, with three Vietnamese on board, was detained without any injuries to maritime personnel on duty. Earlier, the MMEA had detained another foreign vessel and five Indonesians on board at a position 38 nm northwest of Kuala Suai, Miri. Khairol said the two vessels and crew, aged between 25 and 53, were then taken to the Miri Maritime Zone Complex in a journey which took nearly 18 hours due to rough weather over the long distance. According to him, the two boats with fishing and navigation equipment, worth a total of about RM3.3mil, were seized, while the crew members are being investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985.- Bernama
The Star
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
RM3.311mil official car purchases under fire
GEORGE TOWN: Penang's state executive councillors and ex-officio members have been going around in the latest Toyota Camry over the past two months. The purchase of the new cars was revealed yesterday, only to come under criticism from political parties. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow told reporters at the state assembly that the new fleet of 15 vehicles, costing RM3.311mil in total, was delivered in March. 'The cars were delivered to 10 executive councillors and three ex-officio members, namely the state secretary, the deputy chief minister and the state legal adviser, as well as the state assembly speaker and deputy speaker. 'On average, each car cost RM220,783,' he told reporters. The new ninth-generation Toyota Camry features a completely redesigned interior, refreshed exterior styling and comes exclusively with hybrid powertrains. The previous 2018–2024 models, bought in 2019, offered both petrol and hybrid options. Chow said the previous vehicles had been in service for over five years but he did not specify why they had to be replaced. Penang MCA chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng questioned the rationale behind the decision to spend RM3.3mil on new vehicles at a time of economic challenges, when people are struggling with the cost of living. 'We've heard of government announcements to raise taxes, fees and charges, including liquor licence fees, quit rent enforcement, and even veterinary service charges. 'There was even a report that the state is considering reviewing the financial aid to Penangites under the i-Sejahtera welfare programme. 'This (car purchase) is unacceptable. The money should be used more wisely,' he said.
The Star
30-04-2025
- The Star
No safe haven for drug pushers
JOHOR BARU: Drug syndicates have been found renting vehicles, as well as homes at gated and guarded premises in Johor to avoid detection, say police. This comes after police carried out a five-day anti-narcotics operation from April 20 across four districts, which led to the arrest of four locals and a Singaporean. The special operation, launched by the Johor police, targeted syndicates operating in Johor Baru, Batu Pahat, Kota Tinggi and Kluang. The raids resulted in the confiscation of various drugs including syabu, ecstasy, ketamine, Erimin 5 pills, heroin, ganja and yaba pills with a total street value of RM8.97mil. Johor police chief Comm Datuk M. Kumar said in one of the operations, police arrested a 36-year-old local man at Jalan Kulai-Kota Tinggi at 8.55pm on April 23. Checks inside the vehicle showed that it contained more than 20kg of powder believed to be ecstasy and 50 Erimin 5 pills. 'The drugs were valued at more than RM3.3mil. Further checks on the vehicle found the suspect had been renting the car, paying a rental of RM180 per day. 'The suspect had been renting cars for a couple of months to sell the drugs to addicts,' he said in a press conference held at the state police headquarters here yesterday. Crime doesn't pay: Comm Kumar (centre) showing US currency money packets used by a Singaporean suspect to traffic drugs, at the state police headquarters in Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star Comm Kumar said that in the second operation, police launched two raids between 1.30pm and 7.30pm on April 20 at Jalan Dato Abdullah Tahir here, leading to the arrest of a 22-year-old local man. He said the first raid was conducted on a car parked by the roadside, followed by a second raid at an apartment rented by the suspect, which is near the first location. Police found 9.3kg of ecstasy and 62g of ketamine. 'The total seizure for this operation, which also included the vehicle and RM900 in cash, amounted to RM1.57mil. The suspect had no criminal record, but his urine test came back positive for methamphetamine,' he said. He said the third operation took place between 7pm and 11.30pm on April 21 at a jetty in Batu Pahat, where a 36-year-old local man was arrested. Police seized 20.7kg of syabu along with a four-wheel drive vehicle, which was registered under the name of another person. Comm Kumar said the drugs, valued at more than RM662,000, were believed to have been intended for distribution to a neighbouring country via the jetty. He also said in the fourth operation carried out at 1.30pm on April 23 in Kluang, police arrested a 33-year-old local man after raiding a terraced house belonging to the suspect's wife in Taman Mengkibol. He said police then inspected a car, which belonged to another person, and seized 9.9kg of ecstasy, 0.18kg of ketamine and 78.30g of Erimin 5 pills. The total value of the drugs and assets seized was RM1.8mil. Comm Kumar said in the fifth operation, police raided an apartment at Danga Bay here on April 23 at 10pm where a 47-year-old Singaporean man was arrested. He added that during inspection inside the apartment, police found a variety of drugs, including more than 10kg of ecstasy, 31.3g of ketamine, 44g of cannabis, 9g of heroin, 6g of ecstasy pills and 1.2g of yaba pills, with the drugs valued at more than RM1.6mil. 'Checks with our Singapore counterparts found the suspect has a criminal record in the island republic. Further inspection also found he possessed a fake identification document.' He said the success reflects the police's continued commitment to battling drug distribution networks. 'We have struck a significant blow to drug syndicates with the arrest of the five suspects. 'These operations busted well-organised distribution channels that used gated and guarded premises and vehicles to store and move drugs,' Comm Kumar said.
