Latest news with #Sarawak
Malay Mail
27 minutes ago
- Climate
- Malay Mail
Uggah: 220 hotspots detected across Sarawak, fire mitigation and water supply efforts mobilised
KUCHING, July 31 — Sarawak has detected 220 hotspots across the state as of noon today amid intensifying hot and dry conditions, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. As such the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) has mobilised fire mitigation and water supply response efforts statewide. 'If you see, I think NREB (Natural Resources and Environment Board) has released the API — only Mukah is at 160, the rest are still at healthy levels. We hope it stays that way,' the SDMC chairman told a press conference after chairing a coordination meeting here today. Uggah said the meeting involved all relevant departments and agencies to assess the current situation. 'The main purpose was to receive updates on the current weather situation in Sarawak. Right now, the state is experiencing hot and dry conditions. When that happens, it results in fires and also water shortages,' he said. Agencies present at the briefing were the Malaysian Meteorological Department, Department of Irrigation and Drainage, NREB, Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), Rural Water Supply Department, and the Welfare Department. 'We are very happy to receive the reports, and we have directed all divisional disaster management committees to make preparations and convene meetings to form ready-response teams for any incidents,' Uggah said. He noted that recent fire incidents had been reported in Kuala Baram, Mukah, Marudi, and Kota Samarahan, with all cases now under control. 'In Mukah, heavy rain this morning helped and we hope it will fully extinguish the fire. 'However, everyone must be on standby to ensure the minimum impact from fires or lack of water,' he said. In Miri, where fire-prone areas like Kuala Baram are often affected, Uggah said response teams have been instructed to maintain firefighting infrastructure such as tube wells and fire control towers. NREB has also deployed drones to assist with early fire detection. 'From experience, if we can detect smoke early and act quickly, we can prevent the fire from spreading into the peat,' he said. He pointed out that most of the current fires are happening in peatland areas. 'When peat dries, it becomes highly combustible. Fires can spread across 10, 20, 30, or even 100 acres. In Mukah alone, 56 ha have already burned,' he said. A Bomba water-bombing helicopter has been deployed to Mukah to support fire suppression operations, he said. 'In Mukah, we managed to get a Bomba helicopter because it's a remote area and difficult to get water. 'Option one was to use an amphibious plane, but that's still grounded in Kuala Lumpur. The helicopter started operations yesterday,' he said. Uggah appealed to plantation operators, landowners, and the public to stop all open burning and to immediately report any signs of fire. 'Everyone must play their part. Companies, landowners, the public — if you see a hotspot, report it to NREB or the nearest Resident's office,' he said. — The Borneo Post
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Malaysia unveils RM20b infrastructure boost via flood mitigation and cross-border upgrades under 13MP
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — Infrastructure and public facility projects, particularly those involving flood mitigation plan (RTB) and improvements to cross-border facilities, are among key initiatives outlined under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) for the 2026–2030 period. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the 13MP in the Dewan Rakyat today, said RM20 billion has been allocated for the implementation of 103 flood mitigation plan (RTB) projects to reduce disaster risks and impacts. Among the RTB projects to be implemented are those in Sungai Langat and Sungai Buloh, Selangor; Sungai Golok, Kelantan; Sungai Gemencheh, Tampin, Negeri Sembilan; Sungai Baru, Melaka; Sungai Johor Basin and Sungai Muar Basin, Johor; Sungai Pahang Basin; and Kuching city in Sarawak. 'The early warning system will also be improved with the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based technology so that the people are better prepared and protected when facing disasters,' he said. The Prime Minister said that the implementation of several infrastructure projects that strengthen cross-border connectivity and economy will also continue. These projects include upgrading the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complexes in Bukit Kayu Hitam and Rantau Panjang, Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) facilities in Sabah and Sarawak, and the Rantau Panjang-Sungai Golok bridge linking Malaysia and Thailand. Other initiatives include upgrading the Perlis Land Port to enhance trade with Thailand, improving border road networks connecting Sabah and Sarawak with Kalimantan, Indonesia, and developing the RTS Link between Malaysia and Singapore growth. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Sabah, Sarawak placements now mandatory for contract medical officers
More than 13,552 contract medical officers have been absorbed into permanent roles over the past three years, according to health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad. (Freepik pic) KUALA LUMPUR : The health ministry has made it mandatory for contract medical officers appointed to permanent positions to select at least one placement option in Sabah or Sarawak through the e-Placement 2.0 system, to address the uneven distribution of healthcare personnel between Peninsular Malaysia and the Borneo states. Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said the approach, which had never been implemented before, reflected the government's commitment to narrowing the gap in the placement of specialists, doctors, and nurses across the country. 'It is mandatory that one of the three choices must be a placement in Sabah or Sarawak, which has never been done before,' he said during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. He was responding to Richard Rapu (GPS-Betong), who asked about the government's measures to reduce the imbalance in the distribution of healthcare human resources in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak, particularly the placement of specialists, doctors, and nurses. Dzulkefly said the ministry had also set placement quotas for permanent medical officers – 650 in Sarawak and 310 in Sabah – representing 42.7% of the 2,248 officers recently appointed nationwide. He said a total of 1,002 contract medical officers had been placed in Sabah and 937 in Sarawak as of March 31, to meet the growing workforce demands at public health facilities in the states. He said the ministry also supported the initiatives of state governments to offer scholarships for medical and health studies, and to provide additional merit points for those serving in Sabah and Sarawak, particularly in remote areas and the interior. 'This merit serves as a weightage – an added score in evaluating candidates for scholarship selection,' he said. To a supplementary question from Richard on strategies to retain medical officers in the public sector, Dzulkefly said one key measure was the absorption of contract officers into permanent positions. 'Over the past three years, we have successfully absorbed more than 13,552 contract medical officers into permanent roles,' he said. He said the effort was in line with recent amendments to the Medical Act, which now recognised the parallel pathway and local master's programmes – an initiative aimed at encouraging doctors to remain in public service.
Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Sabah and Sarawak named national sustainable energy hubs under 13MP, says PM
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — The federal government has placed special emphasis on elevating Sabah and Sarawak as Malaysia's competitive regional hubs for sustainable energy under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the five-year plan in the Dewan Rakyat today, said the initiative includes the development of the Sarawak Hydrogen Hub and the Sabah Energy Supply Guarantee — both aimed at strengthening the energy infrastructure in the two states. 'These efforts will attract high-impact investments and promote clean technology development, ultimately benefiting the people of Sabah and Sarawak,' he said. The government is also focusing on driving economic development in the east coast states of Kelantan, Pahang, and Terengganu by establishing a competitive, integrated national food production hub, expected to generate new economic opportunities, particularly for rural communities. Themed 'Melakar Semula Pembangunan' (Redesigning Development), the 13MP outlines the government's commitment to redesigning Malaysia's socio-economic development agenda for the 2026–2030 period. It aligns closely with the Malaysia Madani framework, a vision centred on human dignity, inclusivity, and sustainability. The plan sets out clear policies, strategies, and initiatives aimed at nation-building, improving public well-being, preserving environmental sustainability, enhancing governance, and positioning Malaysia for stronger regional and global economic growth. — Bernama
Malay Mail
5 hours ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Mukah forest fire tamed by aerial assault — 6,360 litres dropped before chopper glitch (VIDEO)
SIBU, July 31 — Aerial water bombing using a helicopter has successfully slowed the spread of a forest fire covering approximately 105ha in Mukah. Mukah Fire and Rescue Station chief Nicholas Belulin said the firefighting operation was carried out by the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) using an Mi-171 helicopter equipped with an underslung water bombing system. 'A total of four water bombings were carried out at 3.30pm, releasing 6,360 litres of water over the affected area,' he said in a statement early this morning. 'This prompt action managed to slow the fire's movement and helped prevent it from spreading to nearby areas.' However, the operation was halted after 42 minutes due to technical issues with the aircraft's system. 'Inspection found that several components need to be replaced, and the spare parts will be delivered by the maintenance team via road tonight (last night),' he said. Nicholas added that yesterday's operation was conducted in hazy conditions, with visibility at around 8km and winds blowing at speeds of 10 to 15 knots. According to him, the forest fire in Mukah was first detected on July 24 and firefighting efforts have been ongoing in stages since then. 'The Fire and Rescue Department has been conducting aerial monitoring and creating fire breaks to prevent the blaze from spreading further into oil palm plantations and nearby settlements.' He added that water bombing was introduced as an additional measure after the fire proved difficult to control through conventional ground-based methods due to the vast area and limited accessibility. Operations are expected to resume today, pending confirmation that the aircraft is safe and operational. — Bernama
