JOHOR BARU, June 22 — The Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) has identified 10 premises operated by different companies within the site of a fire at a lorry and engine oil storage facility in Jalan Cenderai, Taman Kota Puteri, Masai, covering an estimated area of 64,664 square metres.

Johor Baru Mayor Datuk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad said investigations found that only one of the premises, a palm oil storage facility, had been licensed by the council and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB).

He said the remaining businesses, including a car wash, vehicle parking, a used items dealer, and workshops, were found to be operating without valid licences, and the council would take further action against those involved.

“The land was leased to these premises, but we found only the palm oil storage facility to be licensed. Therefore, MBJB will take further action, including requesting the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) to act, especially since one of the tenants deals in scrap materials,” he told reporters after visiting the scene today.

Earlier, Bernama’s check at the scene found that the road leading to the fire site had been cordoned off by authorities. Members of the public were seen gathering in the area since early this morning to view the aftermath of the blaze.

The Fire and Rescue Department’s Operations Centre (JBPM) received an emergency call about the incident at 12.54 pm yesterday, and 34 personnel with assets from multiple fire stations, including auxiliary units, were deployed to the location.

Five premises were affected in the fire, which destroyed an area of about 1,000 square metres and 15 vehicles. — Bernama

GUERRERO, 20 Jun- Taufan Erick terus melanda pantai negeri Guerrero, Mexico pada Khamis dengan hujan lebat dan banjir, meskipun ribut itu semakin lemah selepas membadai pesisir selatan Pasifik negara berkenaan.

Ribut itu meninggalkan kesan kerosakan terhadap premis perniagaan dan jalan raya yang dibanjiri di seluruh negeri Guerrero.

Penduduk tempatan dilihat meninjau kerosakan, manakala pihak berkuasa memberi amaran bahawa hujan lebat akibat Taufan Erick masih berisiko dan berbahaya.

Di kawasan pantai La Bocana, kenderaan dilihat meredah jalan yang dinaiki air susulan hujan berterusan meningkatkan risiko banjir di seluruh kawasan terbabit.

Nelayan di pantai La Bocana Gustavo Hernandez, berkata, kawasan rumah paling terjejas berikutan taufan yang melanda kawasan itu.

"Kami berada di sini di pantai La Bocana. Rumah-rumah paling terjejas, dengan beberapa bumbung yang diperbuat daripada timah rosak. Di sinilah kami melihat kerosakan yang paling banyak.

"Sesetengah perniagaan mempunyai bumbung yang diperbuat daripada kayu diterbangkan angin kuat hingga menyebabkan struktur bangunan runtuh," katanya.

Restoran dan premis perniagaan di tepi pantai antara yang paling terjejas, dengan serpihan kayu dan ranting bertaburan di sepanjang pantai.

Sementara itu pemilik hotel Martha Bustos, berkata, hotel miliknya hanya mengalami kerosakan kecil dan masih b eroperasi seperti biasa.

"Saya datang untuk melihat apa yang berlaku kepada perniagaan saya dan saya melihat bahawa kami baik-baik saja. Saya bersyukur ia hanya kerosakan kecil.

"Di sini, tidak terjejas seperti di kebanyakan lokasi tetapi keadaan hujan masih berterusan. Buat masa ini semuanya baik-baik saja. Beberapa hari lalu terdapat sedikit gangguan yang menjejaskan kami, tetapi sekarang, semuanya baik-baik saja," katanya.

Dalam pada itu Agensi Perlindungan Awam Mexico mengesahkan tiada kematian dilaporkan setakat ini.

Namun, pihak berkuasa terus mengingatkan orang ramai agar berwaspada terhadap risiko hujan lebat yang masih berterusan ketika ribut bergerak ke kawasan pedalaman.- REUTERS

MIRI (June 19): Nearly six months after severe floods and a deadly landslide struck Miri, MP Chiew Choon Man is calling for sustained recovery efforts and long-term mitigation planning to protect the city from future disasters.

In a statement today, Chiew stressed that post-disaster work must continue beyond initial aid, highlighting the need for consistent follow-up nearly half a year after heavy rains triggered widespread flooding across Miri and surrounding divisions.

The same weather event also caused a deadly landslide at the foot of Canada Hill in Kampung Lereng Bukit, claiming lives and destroying homes.

“This tragedy has tested the resilience of our community. It must serve as a powerful lesson for all of us in building a safer, more prepared Miri,” he said.

Chiew thanked government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the thousands of volunteers who responded during the emergency.

He also acknowledged the federal and Sarawak governments for their early support, including the RM1,000 Bantuan Wang Ihsan (BWI) cash aid and initial allocations for repairs and recovery.

However, he cautioned that meaningful recovery cannot end with first-response measures.

“It is our collective responsibility to ensure follow-up actions continue and are not just reactive measures when issues go viral,” Chiew said.

Chiew urged authorities to ensure that BWI payments are completed fairly and promptly, regardless of whether victims stayed in official Temporary Relief Centres (PPS) or elsewhere.

“No one should be left behind in the recovery process.”

He also called for the repair and restoration of flood-damaged homes and infrastructure to be expedited.

He emphasised the need for these efforts to follow a clear implementation schedule, with consistent oversight to ensure timely completion.

On mitigation, Chiew pressed for the urgent finalisation of a slope safety study for Canada Hill, especially in the affected Kampung Lereng Bukit area, and the immediate implementation of a long-term landslide prevention plan to safeguard surrounding communities.

Equally pressing, he said, is the need to accelerate Miri’s flood mitigation strategy.

This includes drainage upgrades, construction of retention ponds, riverbank reinforcements, and sustainable urban development to reduce the city’s exposure to future weather-related disasters.

To push for concrete progress, Chiew said he will convene meetings with relevant agencies to obtain updates and intends to raise the matter in Parliament, including requesting additional allocations if current funds fall short.

“Recovery is not just about rebuilding; it’s about preventing future disasters. Let this serve as a turning point for Miri to become a safer, more resilient, and inclusive city,” he said.

In a statement, the ministry said the patient was a diabetic and suffered from heart disease.

The victim also did not take the second booster shot, the ministry said.

“It is the first Covid-19 death to be recorded this year.”

“This shows a significant drop from the number of Covid-19 related deaths in 2024 which totalled 57,” the ministry said in a statement.

The last Covid-related death was recorded on May 26, 2024.

The ministry also said that six of the 3,379 Covid-19 patients in the 24th epidemiological week were initially warded in the intensive care unit. All six suffered from comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes and heart diseases.

Four were later allowed to return home and the remaining two transferred to regular wards.

The ministry said that some 2,011 cases were recorded in the 23rd epidemiological week.

The ministry said a total of 21,738 cases had been reported so far this year.