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NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY
‘We have the right to know’: Ipoh residents still demand answers on mysterious explosion
- Admin UKK
- Berita
IPOH – Three months have passed since an unexplained explosion rocked Ipoh, and now residents are up in arms over the silence of the authorities over the incident, demanding updates on the investigation to bring closure to the matter.
Alyaa, a local resident, insisted that the public has a right to be informed about the findings.
“By right, we should know the updates as we want to know what caused the blast. That is what the locals are demanding,” the retail worker told Scoop at Taman Canning.
Auxiliary policeman Nur Syed, 32, and barista Amzar Afkar echoed her concerns, expressing frustration over the lack of information.
“The authorities need to inform the public of the outcome of their investigation, as it would bring some relief to concerned residents,” Amzar told Scoop.
Syed, however, expressed doubt about receiving clear answers. “If they could not get the answer, how are they supposed to (provide updates)?” he asked.
Music teacher Kong, 52, shared a similar scepticism about the authorities’ willingness or ability to provide clarity.
“Unless they have something to tell us, then we are supposed to know what is happening. But I don’t think they will give us the answer. Perhaps they already knew or maybe they could not find the reason. Nevertheless, we still want to know what is happening,” she said.
Rajoo, 46 (not his real name), a resident from Tasek, said there should be no attempt to cover up the incident. He stressed that transparency was vital, whether the explosion was a natural occurrence or caused by human activity.
“What answer would be given to the residents, that is a different matter. But there should be no attempt to cover up this incident as we are living here. If we know the truth behind the blast, we could feel a sense of security,” he added.
On October 21, a loud explosion was reported across several parts of Ipoh, accompanied by tremors that shook buildings. Reports indicated that the noise was heard in areas such as Silibin, the city centre, Bercham, and Gunung Lang around 11.05 am.
The Star reported claims on Facebook that the noise was also heard in Kuala Kangsar, 47km from Ipoh. Former Perak police chief Datuk Azizi Mat Rais later stated that various agencies would investigate the incident from multiple perspectives to identify its cause.
‘Like a nuclear blast’
While explosions are not uncommon in Ipoh due to nearby limestone quarries, residents noted that this incident was unusual. Many speculated about its origin, with theories ranging from military exercises to quarry activities.
Amzar said the noise was so severe that it could be felt in Tambun, over 10km away, while Syed noted reports that the explosion was heard as far as the Meru-Menora Tunnel, approximately 12km from the city.
Rajoo recounted how a friend in Bercham told him of feeling a shockwave. “I live near the quarry site, so I thought it was yet another quarry blast. But this blast was different, and its impact was very strong. It was like a nuclear blast,” he said.
Kong, who was in her kitchen at the time, vividly remembered the loud noise but did not feel any tremors. She said the city had experienced a similar incident years ago but described this as particularly unusual.
Alyaa suggested the noise might have been caused by military exercises, although she suspected a quarry might have been the source.
Syed dismissed the possibility of it being a quarry blast.
“If it came from a quarry, we would know as there would be dust flying around the city. Also, even if it was caused by military training, there is no way it would have created such a noise that could be heard everywhere and far away,” he said.
For the record, Azizi confirmed that rock-blasting activities, earthquakes, military exercises, and sonic booms from supersonic jets had been ruled out as causes.
KOTA KINABALU – Pusat Kajian Bencana Alam (NDRC), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) mahu terus meneroka kerjasama pintar dengan pelbagai agensi bagi mengukuhkan lagi aspek pengurusan bencana alam.
Perkara ini dinyatakan Pengarah NDRC, Prof. Madya Ts. Gs. Dr. Carolyn M. Payus ketika mengalu-alukan lawatan kerja daripada delegasi Pejabat Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang (PSUKPP) yang diketuai Ketua Unit Pengurusan Bencana, Ambika Devi a/p Daran ke UMS baru-baru ini.
Menurut Carolyn, lawatan kerja PSUKPP itu antara lain bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti fungsi dan kajian yang dijalankan oleh NDRC dengan lebih mendalam serta meneroka peluang kolaborasi rentas sektor dalam pengurusan bencana.
“Kami amat mengalu-alukan kunjungan daripada agensi kerajaan serta NGO yang lain seperti pihak PSUKPP yang mampu membuka peluang kolaborasi dalam bidang penyelidikan serta perundingan yang berkaitan dengan pengurusan bencana negara di peringkat rentas sektoral.
“Kunjungan seumpama ini dilihat dapat menggalakkan kolaborasi pihak academia serta menerokai persefahaman pintar antara pihak NDRC UMS dengan pihak agensi kerajaan negeri seperti PSUKPP ke arah memperkasa agenda pengurangan risiko bencana negara,” katanya.
Beliau menambah, NDRC sememangnya berperanan sebagai pusat tumpuan untuk semua penyelidikan yang berkaitan dengan bencana alam di Sabah.
“Pusat ini juga aktif dalam aktiviti-aktiviti melibatkan pengurusan dan pengurangan risiko bencana melalui penyelidikan dan program kesedaran awam terutamanyadalam kesiapsiagaan komuniti terhadap bencana.
“Ini termasuk program memperkasakan perlaksanaan Community-based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM), iaitu pengurusan risiko bencana yang berasaskan komuniti di Sabah,” katanya.
Pada akhir lawatan tersebut, delegasi seramai 9 orang itu telah dibawa melawat Sistem Pemantauan Gempa Bumi, SEISCOMP3 di Makmal NDRC, Stesen Seismologi Kota Kinabalu (UMS) dan Stesen Tolok Pasang Surut (Tsunami), MetMalaysia di Jeti UMS. – MalaysiaGazette
IPOH: Orang ramai yang merancang bercuti ke Cameron Highlands diminta tidak bimbang dengan beberapa insiden tular, khususnya berkaitan bencana yang dikaitkan dengan kawasan tanah tinggi itu.
Ketua Polis Daerah Cameron Highlands, Superintendan Azri Ramli, berkata pemantauan berkala sering dilakukan pihak berkuasa dengan mendapati tiada sebarang halangan pada mana-mana laluan yang menghala ke Cameron Highlands sama ada dari Tapah, Simpang Pulai, Sungai Koyan dan Gua Musang.
Beliau juga menafikan dakwaan tiada sebaran luas secara efektif dibuat bagi memaklumkan laluan untuk ke Cameron Highlands kembali selamat untuk dikunjungi selepas beberapa laluan itu sebelum ini dilaporkan ditutup akibat kejadian tanah runtuh.
“Sebelum ini pihak berwajib sudah mengeluarkan notis pemberitahuan (laluan kembali dibuka). Pemantauan berkala yang dilakukan mendapati tiada sebarang halangan pada mana-mana laluan yang menghala ke Cameron Highlands.
“Oleh itu, pengunjung dan pelancong sama ada dari luar dan dalam negara tidak perlu khuatir sekiranya mempunyai perancangan melancong ke Cameron Highlands. Rancang perjalanan sebaik mungkin bagi mengelakkan sebarang perkara tidak diingini berlaku,” katanya dalam kenyataan hari ini.
Azri berkata, kenyataan itu dikeluarkan sebagai maklum balas laporan sebuah akhbar berbahasa Melayu mengenai isu tular peniaga makanan serta pasar malam di Cameron Highlands yang berdepan risiko gulung tikar.
Katanya, laporan akhbar itu dirujuk apabila sumber pemberitaannya mendakwa tiada sebaran luas secara efektif bagi memaklumkan laluan untuk ke Cameron Highlands kembali selamat untuk dikunjungi.
Ammonia gas leak: Four workers suffer burns, three others experience breathing difficulties in Klang factory, says Fire Dept
- Admin UKK
- Berita
SHAH ALAM, Jan 25 — Four men sustained burns and three women experienced breathing difficulties after exposure to an ammonia gas leak at a factory in the Pulau Indah industrial area, Klang, yesterday afternoon.
Assistant director of operations with the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), Ahmad Mukhlis Mokhtar, said the burn victims were taken to the hospital by factory management before the fire department arrived at the scene.
He did not explain how the four male workers sustained burns.
He stated that they received a call regarding the incident at 12.17 pm and dispatched 16 personnel along with a Fire Rescue Tender (FRT) vehicle, a Fire Response Vehicle (FRV), and an Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) unit to the scene.
“Initial investigations found that there was a valve leak in the ammonia gas line and three female workers were found to be experiencing breathing difficulties,” he said in a statement yesterday.
The leak was contained by the Hazmat (Hazardous Materials) Special Team at 3.10 pm. — Bernama
IPOH: The district of Larut Matang and Selama was hit by floods on Saturday (Jan 25) morning, forcing 42 victims from 15 families to seek shelter at the temporary relief centre (PPS) at Dewan Orang Ramai Simpang Halt.
The Perak State Disaster Management Committee Secretariat, in a statement, said the flooding was caused by continuous heavy rain for an hour, which led to several areas in Kampung Simpang Halt being inundated.
"Monitoring showed rising water levels, prompting the opening of a PPS and the evacuation of residents," it said.
Meanwhile, Sungai Bidor in Changkat Jong, Hilir Perak, has reached the alert level of 3.25m compared to the normal level of 2.00m.- Bernama