Latest news with #StateDisasterManagementCommittee
The Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Malaysia upgrades Borneo-Indonesia border roads under 13MP
KUCHING: The proposed upgrade of road networks along the Sabah-Sarawak-Kalimantan border under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) marks a continuation of efforts to strengthen cross-border infrastructure between Malaysian Borneo and Indonesia. Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas stated that the state government had long advocated for this initiative and praised the federal government's commitment. 'The Premier, Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, has already announced related projects like the Sarawak-Sabah Link Road Phases 1 and 2. We are now finalising a new alignment,' said Uggah, who also serves as Sarawak's Infrastructure and Port Development Minister. He confirmed that the state Public Works Department is preparing to execute approved projects, with discussions ongoing in Kuala Lumpur. The RM1 billion project will link strategic border areas to major highways, including the Pan Borneo Highway. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim highlighted the initiative during the 13MP tabling, emphasising its role in boosting economic integration. Separately, Uggah addressed air quality concerns, noting that API readings in Sarawak remain good to moderate. As chairman of the State Disaster Management Committee, he confirmed open burning permits were suspended for two weeks, with local response teams on standby. - Bernama
Borneo Post
31-07-2025
- Climate
- Borneo Post
Sarawak mulls cloud seeding as dry spell triggers fires, water issues
Uggah (right) addresses the media at the press conference while Buckland looks on. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 31): The Sarawak government is considering cloud seeding among several measures to mitigate the prolonged dry and hot weather, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. Uggah, who also chairs the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), said the committee had been briefed by relevant agencies on the state's weather conditions and disaster preparedness. 'We are looking at all possible options to reduce the impact. Cloud seeding is not a simple process – it requires the presence of cloud moisture. 'Without that, we are just releasing salt into dry air, and that will not produce rain,' he told a press conference after chairing the SDMC meeting at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today. Asked whether cloud seeding could begin if the hot spell continues another week, Uggah said timing alone was not the key factor. 'It's not just about how hot or how long the dry spell lasts – there must be clouds to seed. On days like today, if there are no clouds, then cloud seeding simply cannot happen,' he added. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Malaysian Meteorological Department, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Sarawak, the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) Sarawak, and the Social Welfare Department. Uggah said several agencies had shared updates on the state's preparedness, especially in handling fire incidents and water supply issues triggered by the dry spell. 'Right now, Sarawak is experiencing hot and dry conditions. The consequences include fires and water shortages,' he said. He noted that several areas had recently experienced fires, including Kuala Baram, Mukah, Marudi and Kota Samarahan. 'Fortunately, the fire in Mukah, which affected 56 hectares of land, was followed by heavy rainfall this morning. 'We hope that it helped in extinguishing it,' he said, adding most of the fires occurred in peat areas, which are highly flammable when dry. To enhance early detection, NREB has been instructed to deploy drones for fire surveillance. 'We have also told the committee in Kuala Baram to maintain the tube wells and water towers built for fire prevention purposes,' he added. The government, he said, has also enforced a total ban on open burning, including in plantation areas. 'NREB had previously issued permits, but those were revoked two weeks ago. Now, all open burning is prohibited,' he stressed. He urged members of the public and landowners to remain vigilant and report any signs of fire or hotspots immediately to the NREB or the respective resident offices. As of today, Sarawak has recorded 220 hotspots, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) only registering Mukah at an unhealthy level of 160. Other parts of the state remain within healthy levels. Also present at the press conference was Deputy State Secretary Datu Buckland Bangik. coud seeding Douglas Uggah dry spell
Barnama
21-07-2025
- Climate
- Barnama
Haze: Melaka Gov't Activates District Disaster Management Committees With Immediate Effect
MELAKA, July 21 (Bernama) -- The Melaka government, through the State Disaster Management Committee, has instructed that all District Disaster Management Committees be activated with immediate effect after several states in the country were affected by haze recently. The Melaka Chief Minister's Department's corporate communications division also said that the committees were required to take proactive measures according to guidelines set by the National Haze Action Plan. 'The Melaka government takes note of the haze that has hit several areas in the state, which is believed to be cross-border haze carried by south-westerly winds. 'Continuous monitoring of the Air Pollution Index (API) is being conducted by the Melaka Diaster Operations Control Centre with the help of the Melaka Environment Department (DOE) and the National Disaster Control Centre under the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA),' the department said in a statement today. The highest API readings recorded in Melaka as of 2 am were Alor Gajah (Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 with a reading of 157), Bukit Rambai (PM2.5 with a reading of 94) and Bandaraya Melaka (PM2.5 with a reading of 86), indicating that Alor Gajah API was at unhealthy level, while Bukit Rambai and Bandaraya Melaka were at medium levels. The state government also advised the public to take precautionary measures in ensuring their general health. 'High risk groups like children, the elderly and individuals suffering from respiratory problems are advised to reduce outdoor activities for the time being. The public is also advised not to carry out any open burning,' it said in a statement today. In PEKAN, the Pahang government said it is prepared to implement school closures in the state if the API readings exceed the very unhealthy threshold. State Local Government, Housing, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman Datuk Mohammad Fakhruddin Mohd Ariff said this in response to reports of haze affecting two areas —Temerloh and Balok Baru in Kuantan — which recorded unhealthy API readings today.
The Sun
21-07-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
Melaka activates disaster committees as haze hits unhealthy levels
MELAKA: The Melaka government has directed all District Disaster Management Committees to activate immediately in response to worsening haze conditions. The move follows reports of unhealthy air pollution levels in parts of the state, attributed to cross-border haze carried by south-westerly winds. The State Disaster Management Committee confirmed that proactive measures are being taken under the National Haze Action Plan. Continuous monitoring of the Air Pollution Index (API) is being conducted by the Melaka Disaster Operations Control Centre, with support from the Melaka Environment Department (DOE) and the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA). As of 2 am, API readings showed Alor Gajah at an unhealthy level (PM2.5 reading of 157), while Bukit Rambai (94) and Bandaraya Melaka (86) recorded moderate air quality. The state government has urged residents to take precautions, particularly high-risk groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. 'The public is advised to reduce outdoor activities and avoid open burning to prevent further deterioration of air quality,' the statement read. Authorities will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed. – Bernama
Daily Express
06-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Express
Flood victims in Sabah drop to 695
Published on: Tuesday, May 06, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 06, 2025 Text Size: The flood situation in Beaufort. Kota Kinabalu: The number of people displaced by floods in Sabah dropped by more than half. As of 4pm, 695 individuals from 217 families were still affected, down from 1,627 reported at 8am Monday. In a statement, the State Disaster Management Committee said that 325 people from 103 families are sheltering at two temporary relief centres (PPS) in Sook. Dewan Sekolah Kebangsaan Pekan Keningau 2 is housing 208 evacuees, while 117 are at Dewan Masyarakat Sook. Two other centres, Dewan Datuk Ellron Agin and another Dewan Masyarakat Sook, were closed at 2pm. In Beaufort, 370 people from 114 families have been moved to the Selagon permanent evacuation centre (PPK). Flooding continues to affect 19 villages, with 10 in Beaufort and nine in Sook reported at press time. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
