BUKIT MERTAJAM: A recycling factory in Jalan Perindustrian Bukit Minyak was destroyed in a fire, but no casualties or injuries were reported.

Penang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director, Mohamad Shoki Hamzah said they received a distress call at 11.37am on Sunday (March 16), and firefighters were immediately dispatched to the scene.

"The fire department carried out containment and extinguishing efforts by dividing the operation into four sectors before the fire was brought under control at 2.02pm," he said when contacted by Bernama on Sunday.

Mohamad Shoki said the fire's cause and the damage's extent are still under investigation. Over 100 officers and firefighters from the Paya Terubong, Sungai Bakap, Batu Kawan, and Bukit Mertajam fire stations, assisted by the Padang Lalang, Permatang Tinggi, Kota Permai, Taman Merak Jaya, and Juru Volunteer Fire Brigade teams, were involved in the firefighting operation.

He said that as of 7pm, the fire had been fully extinguished, but fire department operations are still ongoing at the factory as they need to ensure that no embers or flames remain in the area – Bernama.

MIRI (March 16): Victims of the landslide which occurred here end of January are urging the authority to expedite the disbursement of the RM1,000 immediate relief from the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).

According to Kampung Lereng Bukit village chief KK Othman Ahmad, so far, they had only received items like rice cooker, blankets and towels from NADMA.

“We hope the financial assistance can be expedited because many have to repair their house that was damaged by the landslide.

“We do not know where to follow up on this matter because there is no NADMA office in Miri here. We really hope that the relevant authority can look into this matter and expedite the assistance,” he said.

One of the affected villagers, Awang Mohidi Awang Alam, also expressed his frustration over the slow disbursement of the promised aid.

He said all the affected villagers had filled up the necessary forms from NADMA but had yet to receive any updates on the status of the aid.

“It’s very frustrating because we really need the assistance to repair our homes. They said the assistance from NADMA was for ‘immediate relief’ but it’s almost two months now and still no news,” lamented Awang Mohidi.

He added that some of the villagers had even gone to the Welfare Department to make enquiries but only to be told that the assistance is not under the department’s responsibility.

According to Awang Mohidi, 13 houses in the village were affected by the landslide, and all the affected families have applied for the assistance.

Othman also urged the authority concerned to clear a section of drainage in the area that is filled with earth following the landslide.

“It’s been more than a month now and the drain is still not cleared. This will block water from flowing out during rainy season. We hope the authority can take immediate action to resolve this problem.”

Othman and Awang Mohidi were met by reporters during a fast-breaking ceremony hosted for Kampung Lereng Bukit landslide victims by Miri Technical College Saturday night.

College manager Inna Jerman was among those present.

PETALING JAYA – Jabatan Meteorologi (MetMalaysia) mengeluarkan amaran ribut petir, angin kencang dan hujan lebat di 13 negeri sehingga pukul 6 petang ini.

MetMalaysia dalam satu kenyataan berkata, cuaca buruk dijangka melibatkan kawasan seluruh Kuala Lumpur dan Melaka.

“Di Pahang kawasan yang dijangka hujan lebat adalah Tanah Tinggi Cameron, Lipis, Jerantut, Maran, Kuantan, Bera dan Rompin.

“Ribut petir turut melanda Negeri Sembilan melibatkan kawasan Jempol dan Tampin,” kata kenyataan itu.

Kawasan yang turut dijangka mengalami hujan lebat di Perak adalah Kerian, Larut, Matang Dan Selama, Hulu Perak, Batang Padang dan Muallim.

Sementara itu, MetMalaysia berkata hujan lebat melanda Selangor melibatkan kawasan Sabak Bernam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Klang, Gombak dan Petaling, manakala negeri Johor adalah Tangkak, Segamat, Muar, Batu Pahat, Kluang, Pontian, Kulai dan Johor Bahru.

Bagi Kedah pula, cuaca buruk dijangka di Baling, Kulim dan Bandar Baharu, manakala Pulau Pinang di Seberang Perai Utara, Seberang Perai Tengah dan Seberang Perai Selatan.

“Di Sarawak, antara kawasan yang terlibat dengan cuaca buruk pula adalah Kuching (Kuching), Sri Aman (Sri Aman), Sarikei (Pakan dan Julau), Sibu, Mukah (Daro, Matu, Dalat dan Mukah), Bintulu, Miri dan Limbang (Limbang).

“Amaran sama juga dikeluarkan bagi negeri Sabah melibatkan daerah Tawau (Lahad Datu),” ujarnya. – KOSMO! ONLINE

MELAKA – Pencemaran Sungai Lereh semakin tidak terkawal susulan 11 lagi aduan dibuat oleh penduduk setempat terutama nelayan sejak November lalu hingga awal bulan ini.

Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Klebang, Datuk Lim Ban Hong berkata, kekerapan pencemaran yang berlaku sebenarnya lebih tinggi, namun tidak dilaporkan kerana berskala kecil.

Beliau berkata, keadaan itu menyebabkan air sungai tersebut berbau busuk dan bewarna hitam serta dipercayai mampu memudaratkan nelayan.

“Para nelayan mendakwa mereka mengalami gatal dan penyakit kulit setelah bersentuhan dengan air sungai tercemar ini. Beberapa kawasan telah disyaki sebagai punca berlakunya masalah ini termasuk sebuah tapak pelupusan di Sungai Udang.

“Saya difahamkan Jabatan Alam Sekitar Melaka telah selesai menganalisa sampel air sungai tetapi butiran lanjut tidak boleh didedahkan. Tindakan undang-undang terhadap pihak terlibat dijangka dibuat dalam masa terdekat,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas meninjau keadaan Sungai Lereh di sini, hari ini.

Sementara itu, Setiausaha Persatuan Komuniti Nelayan Sungai Lereh, Zahnudin Aluwi berkata, pencemaran yang berlaku sejak 2023 sangat menjejaskan sumber pendapatan nelayan.

“Sebelum ini nak tangkap udang galah dan ikan belanak sangat mudah. Tetapi kini jumlahnya semakin berkurangan disebabkan keadaan air yang tidak lagi sesuai untuk ikan bertelur,” ujarnya. – KOSMO! ONLINE