OFFICIAL PORTAL
PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY
PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTMENT
NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY
SINGAPORE, Sept 27 — Residents in Singapore woke up to unhealthy air quality again with three regions in the unhealthy range today morning.
The 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) turned unhealthy in central Singapore at 8pm yesterday, with the western and eastern regions also entering the range at 12am and 1am respectively.
Meanwhile, one-hour PM2.5 reached as high as 131 in central Singapore at 9pm yesterday before gradually easing back to the lower-end of the elevated band.
At 9am, PSI ranged from 90 to 130 — in the moderate to unhealthy range — with central Singapore recording the highest reading of 130.
One-hour PM2.5 is the normal band for the northern, western and southern regions, while central (68) and eastern (58) Singapore have an elevated concentration reading.
PSI forecast
In its daily haze situation update yesterday evening, the National Environment Agency (NEA) had said the country’s 24-hour PSI forecast is expected to be in the moderate to low-unhealthy range.
Along with the prevailing south-easterly or south-westerly winds, there could be a risk of smoke haze affecting Singapore, the agency explained.
It also noted that dry conditions are expected to continue over southern Sumatra and the southern and eastern parts of Kalimantan.
What to do when PM2.5 is elevated
Members of the public should note that the health impact of haze is dependent on one’s health status, the PSI level, and the length and intensity of outdoor activity.
When PM2.5 readings are in the elevated band, members of the public should reduce strenuous outdoor activity for the next hour.
Vulnerable persons such as the elderly, pregnant women, children, and persons with chronic lung or heart disease should avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
However, if readings hit the high-band, all healthy persons should avoid strenuous outdoor activity for the next hour, while vulnerable persons should avoid all outdoor activity. — AsiaOne
Storm clouds gather: MetMalaysia issues urgent alert for Kuala Lumpur and 12 states
- Admin UKK
- Berita
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 — The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds in Kuala Lumpur and 12 states until 8pm today.
It said in a statement that the adverse weather is forecast to affect Perlis, Terengganu, Kedah (Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, Yan, Kuala Muda, Pendang, Padang Terap and Sik), as well as Penang (Seberang Perai Utara, Barat Daya and Timur Laut).
Similar weather conditions are also forecast in Hilir Perak, Bagan Datuk, Muallim, Batang Padang, Perak Tengah, Kinta, Kampar and Manjung in Perak; Pasir Puteh, Bachok, Kota Bharu, Pasir Mas, Tumpat, Machang, Tanah Merah and Jeli in Kelantan.
Cameron Highlands, Lipis, Raub, Bentong, Pulau Tioman, Temerloh, Jerantut and Kuantan in Pahang; Sabak Bernam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Gombak, Petaling and Klang in Selangor; Kuala Pilah, Tampin, Rembau and Jempol in Negeri Sembilan; and Mersing in Johor.
In Sabah and Sarawak, the affected areas are Sandakan, West Coast (Ranau, Kota Belud and Tuaran), Kudat (Kota Marudu), Tawau (Lahad Datu, Kalabakan and Kunak) and the Interior (Sipitang, Tenom, Sook, Keningau, Tambunan, Membakut and Beaufort); and Limbang, Miri (Bario and Telang Usan), Kapit (Song, Belaga and Bukit Mabong), Sibu (Kanowit), Sarikei, Kuching, Serian (Tebedu), Betong (Saratok), Samarahan, and Sri Aman (Lubok Antu). — Bernama
Malaysia says pandemic prevention and preparedness must be shared global responsibility, Tok Mat tells UN
- Admin UKK
- Berita
NEW YORK, Sept 26 — Malaysia has stressed that pandemic prevention, preparedness and response must be treated as both a national imperative and a shared global responsibility, drawing on lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Covid-19 exposed a fundamental truth. No nation can secure its health in isolation,” said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan in Malaysia’s statement at the High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response here yesterday.
Mohamad is in New York from September 23 to 27 to lead Malaysia’s delegation to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
Malaysia has translated this lesson into action, Mohamad shared at the meeting.
“Through the Malaysia National Action Plan for Health Security 2025–2030, we are strengthening health-system readiness, integrated surveillance and early warning, laboratory capacity, emergency coordination, and a prepared health workforce,” he said.
Taking public health seriously, Mohamad said Malaysia is implementing the ‘One Health’ approach to mitigate microbiological threats in food, water and the environment.
“We believe that only through a whole-of-society approach would public health be assured nationwide,” he said.
Malaysia, he said, welcomes the WHO Pandemic Agreement and “we call for a robust and equitable Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing Annex that places pathogen sharing and benefit-sharing on an equal footing, while respecting national legislation and State sovereignty.”
Mohamad said equity must also be supported by the capacity to research, develop and produce essential health products.
Through its National Vaccine Development Roadmap 2021–2030, Malaysia is strengthening these capabilities.
Looking ahead, Mohamad said Malaysia’s collective ambition must be matched by sustainable means.
“Financing should be adequate, predictable and responsive to public health risks, equity and country needs.
“International mechanisms must complement domestic investment, strengthen national capacities, and reinforce universal health coverage,” he said.
The true test of this meeting, Mohamad said, will not be the commitments we announce, but whether the next threat is detected earlier, contained faster and met with fairer access to life-saving tools.
“Let us make solidarity not an improvised response to crisis, but a standing commitment secured before the next emergency, for every nation and every generation,” he said.
The meeting was held under the theme “Fostering a Multilateral and Intergenerational Approach to Prevent, Prepare for and Respond to Pandemics and Public Health Emergencies, Through the Principles of Equity and Solidarity” at the UN Headquarters. — Bernama
BANGKOK, Sept 27 — Flooding in Bangkok is showing signs of easing as rainfall subsides after a monsoon trough and low-pressure system moved away from the Thai capital.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said rainfall had eased compared with the past two to three days, with most areas now experiencing light to moderate rain.
The low-pressure system had moved towards western Thailand and Myanmar, while heavy rain had shifted to western parts of the country, he said.
“Rainfall conditions in Bangkok and the eastern region are showing an easing trend, becoming less severe compared with the past two to three days,” he said after visiting the Flood Prevention Centre of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) today.
Chadchart said water levels in canals near the Chao Phraya River had begun to recede, although several major canals, including Khlong Prem Prachakon, Khlong Lat Phrao, Khlong Saen Saep and Khlong Prawet Buri Rom, remained at critical levels.
“Pumping operations are continuing as water continues to flow into the canals from surrounding areas,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploythalay Laksameesaengchan said supplies of consumer goods and daily essentials remained sufficient and urged people not to panic.
She said the government was closely monitoring the flood situation and had instructed relevant agencies to coordinate efforts to assist affected communities.
“Inspections by the Department of Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce, confirm that supplies of consumer goods remain adequate, with no underlying factors warranting price increases,” she said.
The department had coordinated with manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and convenience stores to monitor inventories, increase restocking and expedite distribution to areas experiencing high demand, noting that flooding had affected transportation and access to some outlets, she said. — Bernama
BANGKOK, 27 Sept: Kedutaan Besar Malaysia di Bangkok menyalurkan bantuan makanan kering kepada 10 rakyat Malaysia dan Kakitangan Ambilan Tempatan yang terjejas secara langsung akibat banjir di ibu negara Thailand.
Duta Besar Malaysia ke Thailand Datuk Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah berkata bekalan makanan kering yang tahan lama dan mudah disimpan diagihkan kepada mangsa pada Ahad.
“Sumbangan telah diserahkan kepada 10 penerima yang dikenal pasti terjejas secara langsung dalam banjir yang terdiri daripada Kakitangan Ambilan Tempatan kedutaan serta warganegara Malaysia di kawasan sekitarnya,” katanya kepada Bernama.
Beliau berkata bantuan itu merupakan langkah intervensi dan bantuan kecemasan awal bagi meringankan beban mereka yang berdepan gangguan bekalan makanan dan keperluan asas harian akibat banjir.
Beliau berkata inisiatif itu juga mencerminkan keprihatinan Kedutaan Besar Malaysia terhadap kebajikan rakyat Malaysia dan kakitangannya yang terjejas.
Misi penyerahan bantuan makanan itu diterajui Wan Zaidi selaku ketua perwakilan, manakala proses pengagihan dan penyelarasan di lapangan diketuai Atase Pertahanan Malaysia ke Thailand Brig Jen Datuk Samsul Rizal Musa.
Misi penyerahan bantuan berkenaan dilaksanakan bermula 10 pagi hingga 7 malam pada Ahad.
Sementara itu, Wan Zaidi berkata pihak kedutaan akan terus memantau perkembangan situasi banjir di Bangkok dan menyalurkan bantuan sewajarnya kepada rakyat Malaysia serta kakitangan kedutaan yang terjejas.
Beliau turut menasihatkan rakyat Malaysia di kawasan terjejas supaya sentiasa berwaspada susulan jangkaan hujan berterusan sehingga 30 Sept dan merujuk nasihat perjalanan rasmi yang dikeluarkan kedutaan dari semasa ke semasa. -TVS