Latest news with #RM450mil
The Star
6 days ago
- 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
23-05-2025
- The Star
Perak aims to reduce human-wildlife conflicts
IPOH: Perak looks forward to resolving the increasing number of human-wildlife conflicts in the state with the help of the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. The Mentri Besar said several incidents, particularly those involving elephants crossing the East-West Highway, have been reported, with recent observations suggesting changes in elephant behaviour. 'We have seen elephants crossing, especially in large groups, so something must be prompting this. 'We need to study their behaviour more closely to understand what is going on,' he told reporters after attending the Northern Corridor Economic Region Ramah Mesra event, here yesterday. Saarani said Perhilitan, with its expertise in wildlife management, will take the lead in investigating the cause and proposing appropriate measures. He cited a past incident during the development of the Agropolitan Gandah project, where elephants frequently disturbed newly planted rubber trees. 'Eventually, we allocated a specific area just for the elephants to feed and roam. Once they had that space, they no longer came into conflict with the plantation. 'That experience taught us the importance of understanding and adapting to wildlife behaviour,' he said. Saarani said it is important to investigate whether elephants were crossing the Gerik-Jeli stretch more often after the recent accident involving a baby elephant. 'I want to remind road users, especially in known wildlife corridors, to be extra cautious. These are traditional elephant routes. 'I have tasked state executive councillor Teh Kok Lim to initiate talks with Perhilitan to identify the cause and effective solutions. 'We are looking into the matter, especially now that the elephants are crossing roads in larger groups,' he added. On May 11, a five-year-old elephant was killed after it was struck by a lorry along KM80 of the highway. An adult elephant, believed to be the mother, then attacked the lorry, damaging the front of the vehicle, in its attempt to free the calf pinned by the vehicle. On May 20, a herd of wild elephants damaged a car that had a 39-year-old man inside at KM11 on the same highway. On another matter, Saarani said Perak has secured RM450mil in confirmed foreign investments, following a recent working trip to Europe. He said the delegation visited France, Belgium and Britain, engaging with industry players in construction, chemicals, aquaculture and automotive testing. In France, the team visited Saint-Gobain, which plans to invest an additional RM2mil in its Kanthan plant here, and in Belgium, Lhoist committed RM250mil to expand its quarry operations in Tapah. Three potential investors were also identified for the Lumut Maritime Industrial City (LuMIC), including firms in ship recycling and logistics, expected to visit in June. The state also plans to collaborate on a shrimp farming project using artemia feed, through the Perak State Agriculture Development Corporation. 'In Britain, the team studied the National Automotive Testing Centre in Leicester, with plans to establish a similar research and development driven track in Sungkai,' he added.
The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Perak secures RM450mil in foreign investments from Europe trip, says Saarani
IPOH: Perak has secured RM450mil in foreign investments following a recent working visit to Europe, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. The Perak Mentri Besar said more investors are expected to follow suit. He said the state delegation visited France, Belgium and Britain, meeting with key industry players in sectors ranging from construction, chemicals to aquaculture and automotive testing. 'In France, we visited Solvay, a company established since 1945 that has been active in rare earth reprocessing and extraction. 'We were introduced to their latest separation technology, which could have significant implications for future industrial partnerships,' he told reporters after attending the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) 'Ramah Mesra' event at a hotel here on Thursday (May 22). Saarani said the delegation also held talks with Saint-Gobain, a construction materials manufacturer in France, with existing operations in Kanthan, Ipoh. 'The company is set to increase its Malaysian investment by RM2mil. 'Lhoist in Belgium, a multinational lime and minerals company with a quarry in Ayer Kuning in Tapah, has committed to an additional RM250mil investment in Perak,' he added. Saarani also said three potential investors fro Belgium have been identified for the Lumut Maritime Industrial City (LuMIC) project. He said among them is a ship-breaking and recycling company, as well as firms involved in logistics and related infrastructure. 'These three companies have expressed serious interest and are expected to visit Lumut this June to inspect proposed sites and begin discussions with local authorities,' Saarani said. Saarani added that while in Belgium, the Perak team also met with a professor on aquaculture nutrition. He said the discussion focused on Artemia, a live shrimp feed that plays a crucial role in shrimp farming. 'We are planning a collaboration with the professor through the state's subsidiary Perak state Agriculture Development Corporation (SADC). 'We aim to develop a shrimp farming project,' he added. Saarani said the confirmed investment is RM450mil not including the shrimp collaboration, or the three potential investors for LuMIC. Saarani added that the delegation to Britain visited the National Automotive Testing Centre in Leicester, as part of the state's plan to develop a similar automotive track in Sungkai. 'We reviewed the site layout and studied the advanced technologies in use. 'It is more than just a test track, it includes research and development facilities as well. 'We are exploring the possibility of transferring this technology to Perak so we can establish a comparable centre in Sungkai,' he added.
The Star
05-05-2025
- The Star
Datuk re-arrested over submission of false claims worth RM450mil
KUALA LUMPUR: A man with the title of Datuk who was released from remand on Saturday (May 3) was rearrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in connection with an ongoing case of submitting false claims worth RM450mil. An MACC source said that the man in his 60s was arrested with another suspect, in his 50s, when they showed up at the MACC Headquarters in Putrajaya at 7pm on Sunday to provide their statements. Both men have been remanded this morning, with the Datuk being remanded for two days until Tuesday, and the other man for five days until Friday. "Preliminary investigations found both suspects were believed to have submitted false claims worth about RM450mil using sukuk funds and obtained facility from a regional office in a highway construction project in Klang Valley worth about RM1.3bil. "The arrests follow previous arrests involving false claims worth about RM360mil, with a total of RM800mil," they said, adding that five individuals were remanded over the case, with four being released on MACC bail last week. Meanwhile, MACC investigation division senior director Datuk Zainul Darus confirmed the arrests when contacted, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 18 of the MACC Act 2009. - Bernama
