GEORGE TOWN, Oct 21 — Clean-up works at Parit Cina and Sungai Kereh in Tasek Gelugor are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027 to remove accumulated sediment, improve water flow and help reduce pollution in the area. 

State Local Government and Town & Country Planning Committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said the initiative was among the state government’s efforts to address the pollution of Sungai Kereh, an issue that has persisted for decades. 

He said 61 pig farms are currently operating in Kampung Selamat, Tasek Gelugor, but the source of the pollution has to be identified based on evidence and on-site inspection findings, rather than drawing conclusions based on a single activity. 

“The pollution issue in Kampung Selamat needs to be examined by taking into account various factors, including agricultural activities, waste management and discharge, drainage systems, and other environmental aspects that fall under the jurisdiction of various agencies. 

“The state government’s priority for now is to ensure that the source of pollution in Sungai Kereh is identified through comprehensive inspections and assessments. Enforcement action will be taken against parties that violate regulations, and corrective measures will be implemented effectively,” he said in a statement today. 

H’ng said the state government is also strengthening pig farm waste management through a short-term action plan involving the transportation of waste to biogas plants, and a long-term plan involving a proposal to construct a biogas plant facility in Kampung Selamat, as presented by the Penang Veterinary Services Department on May 11. 

Under the short-term plan, he said solid and liquid waste from pig farms in Kampung Selamat is being transported to the biogas plant in Ampang Jajar. 

For pig farms in Seberang Perai Tengah, the transportation of solid and liquid waste to the biogas plant in Kampung Valdor began in June 2026, while waste transportation from farms in Seberang Perai Selatan has commenced since 2023. 

“These measures are aimed at strengthening livestock waste management through appropriate processing facilities and reducing the risk of waste discharge that could harm the environment. 

“As for the long-term solution, a proposal to build a biogas plant facility in Kampung Selamat has also been put forward to enable livestock waste to be managed more systematically and sustainably,” he said. 

H’ng said the pig farming industry has the potential to contribute to the state’s economic growth and support related sectors. However, this has to be balanced with operators’ responsibility to comply with regulations and ensure that farming activities do not adversely affect the environment or the well-being of the community. 

Yesterday, Tasek Gelugor Member of Parliament Datuk Wan Saifulruddin Wan Jan proposed in the Dewan Rakyat that pig farming activities in Tasek Gelugor be halted following the pollution of Sungai Kereh, which has been linked to the discharge of untreated waste from nearby pig farms in Kampung Selamat. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 — Haze continued to blanket much of the peninsula this morning, with 22 of the country’s 68 monitoring stations in the unhealthy range, according to the Department of Environment (DOE).

As of 8am, the DOE dashboard showed 22 stations with Air Pollutant Index (API) readings of 101 to 200. Another 39 stations were in the moderate range and seven were in the good range. No station recorded very unhealthy or hazardous levels.

The unhealthy count is down from 25 at 4pm yesterday, when 35 stations were moderate and eight were good.

Bukit Rambai in Melaka recorded the highest reading at 174, up from 166 yesterday afternoon. It displaced Batu Muda in Kuala Lumpur, which topped yesterday’s list at 173 but has since eased to 159. Bandaraya Melaka rose to 162 from 156, and Alor Gajah to 158 from 156, so all three Melaka stations remain unhealthy.

Negeri Sembilan’s readings were broadly steady. Nilai recorded 161, down from 165, Seremban 158, down from 161, and Port Dickson 155, up slightly from 154.

In Selangor, Johan Setia, near a peat fire hotspot, recorded 160, down from 171 yesterday. Klang and Banting were both at 159, Shah Alam at 158 and Petaling Jaya at 157, all lower than yesterday afternoon. In Kuala Lumpur, Cheras eased to 159 from 169, while Putrajaya recorded 158, down from 164.

Johor had seven unhealthy stations. Batu Pahat recorded 157, up from 153, and Larkin 155, down from 159. Tangkak stood at 153, Pasir Gudang at 152 and Kluang at 151. Segamat recorded 123, and Kota Tinggi fell sharply to 111 from 155 yesterday, the lowest reading on this morning’s unhealthy list. Pengerang, which was at 155 yesterday afternoon, is no longer in the unhealthy range.

Paka in Terengganu was the only station outside the west coast and Johor still unhealthy, at 153. The three Perak stations unhealthy yesterday, Tasek Ipoh, Pegoh Ipoh and Tanjung Malim, have dropped off the list.

Haze has persisted despite recent rainfall, which offered only temporary relief while fresh smoke continued to drift in from forest fires in Indonesia. Veterinarians have also reported pets suffering respiratory problems, including asthma attacks in cats and dogs needing oxygen therapy.

Authorities have previously advised high-risk groups and people with respiratory conditions to wear masks outdoors and to monitor hourly API updates on official DOE channels.

JAKARTA: Kementerian Perhutanan Indonesia mengenakan tindakan pentadbiran terhadap 32 syarikat berhubung kebakaran hutan dan tanah yang memusnahkan kawasan seluas 12,926.74 hektar di tujuh wilayah, termasuk Kalimantan Barat.

Tindakan itu merangkumi penggantungan permit, kewajipan memulihkan ekosistem dan pembatalan permit, selain beberapa siasatan jenayah berasi­ngan yang menyasarkan syarikat serta individu.

“Daripada 32 syarikat itu, permit 19 daripadanya digantung dan mereka diwajibkan memulihkan ekosistem hutan di kawasan tanah terbakar seluas 9,546.42 hektar,” kata Ketua Pengarah Penguatkuasaan Undang-Undang Perhutanan kementerian itu, Dwi Januanto Nugroho dalam kenya­taan pada Isnin.

“Lapan lagi entiti diwajibkan melaksanakan pemulihan ekosistem meliputi kawasan terbakar seluas 2,211.19 hektar, manakala permit lima entiti selebihnya dibatalkan,” tambah Dwi.

Sementara itu, di Kalimantan Barat, sembilan syarikat dikenakan tindakan, iaitu PT MRU, PT WE, PT HKI, PT MPM, PT MPK, PT DAS, PT WSP, PT FI dan PT WLJ.

Syarikat lain yang dikenakan tindakan masing-masing terdiri daripada dua di Jambi, lima di Sumatera Selatan, lima di Kalimantan Selatan, tujuh di Kalimantan Tengah, tiga di Kalimantan Timur dan satu di Kalimantan Utara.

Selain tindakan pentadbiran, kementerian itu turut menangani kesalahan jenayah disyaki berkaitan kebakaran hutan dan tanah, melibatkan 125 entiti yang terdiri daripada individu serta syarikat.

Daripada jumlah itu, 44 kes masih dalam peringkat penyiasatan awal, manakala 79 lagi berada pada peringkat penyiasatan rasmi.

Bagi kes yang sedang disiasat secara rasmi, seramai 12 individu dan sebuah syarikat telah dinamakan secara rasmi sebagai suspek. 

Selain itu, dua entiti perundangan korporat telah mencapai peringkat P-22, iaitu proses penye­rahan rasmi suspek dan bahan bukti kepada pendakwa raya.

Sementara itu, aktivis pertubuhan Greenpeace Indonesia ber­gayut pada Patung Selamat Datang di Bulatan Hotel Indonesia memegang sepanduk bantahan di Jakarta semalam.

Demonstrasi sempena ulang tahun kedua pelantikan Presiden Prabowo Subianto itu mendesak kerajaan menangani krisis iklim yang semakin buruk dan  peningkatan kos sara hidup. – AGENSI

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 — The Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Health (JKPK) will submit a memorandum regarding the cross-border haze issue to the Indonesian Embassy today.

Its chairman, Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai), said that the haze issue poses problems for the country across various aspects, such as the environment, public health, citizen safety, the national economy, and diplomatic relations between neighbouring countries.

"God willing, tomorrow morning the JKPK and its members will submit a memorandum to the Indonesian Embassy regarding this haze issue," he said while taking part in the debate on the Supply Bill (Budget) 2027 at the policy stage in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Meanwhile, Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) urged the government to take firm action against local companies allegedly involved in forest fires in Indonesia that caused the cross-border haze.

He said this follows a recent Greenpeace report naming 20 companies believed to be involved, including a leading national plantation company through its subsidiary registered in the neighbouring country.

"KLCC has now become 'KL Cannot See' because of the haze. In previous Special Chamber debates, the ministry informed that there was no information regarding the involvement of local companies.

"However, through this Greenpeace report, it is proven that there are local subsidiaries involved. We hope the ministry will not sit idly by and will take serious follow-up steps," he said.

Therefore, Khoo suggested that Malaysia follow the firm action of the Singaporean government in issuing warning notices to 10 companies believed to have links to the forest fire incidents in Indonesia.

Vivian Wong Shir Yee (PH-Sandakan) urged the government to provide a specific allocation for the long-term implementation of the Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) method to address the stray animal issue nationwide, thereby breaking the cycle of conflict between the public, local authorities (PBT), and animal lovers following capture operations.

"When we lack a long-term system, every capture operation risks becoming a conflict, whether between animal lovers and the authorities or neighbour against neighbour. In the end, no one wins. Animals suffer, personnel are criticised, and public trust is eroded," she said.

According to Wong, a continuous TNR programme can gradually and ethically reduce the stray animal population without having to wait for tragedies to repeat.

The issue of the Flying Doctor Service (FDS) was also raised during the debate, with Rodiyah Sapiee (GPS-Batang Sadong) asking the government to provide comprehensive insurance protection, including death and permanent disability compensation, as well as the welfare of health personnel involved in the FDS.

"I welcome the increase in the FDS health service incentive from RM30 to RM100. However, taking into account the risks faced by health personnel in the interior as well as lessons learned from the recent FDS helicopter crash incident, the government must ensure comprehensive protection," she said.

Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy (BN-Kalabakan) raised the issue that 36 per cent, or 382 out of 1,055 medical officers offered permanent placements in Sabah and Sarawak this year, failed to report for duty, and suggested that the government review the Regional Incentive Payment (BIW) rate, which is currently set at RM360 per month. 

"The BIW should be reverted to a percentage-based calculation system of salary as before, or a reasonable minimum rate set for officers serving in the interior of Sabah and Sarawak.

"Additionally, a special quota of 30 percent for students from Sabah and Sarawak in medical fields at public universities should be established," he said.

The Dewan Rakyat sitting continues tomorrow. — Bernama