LIPIS, May 4 — The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) is conducting a study on the development of tube wells as a preparatory measure to address potential water crisis in the future.

PETRA deputy minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad said the study, carried out by the National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM), aims to identify new water sources as a support plan in the event of supply disruptions.

“We are currently facing uncertain weather conditions such as drought and low rainfall. Based on forecasts, the hot weather is expected to continue until August, which could affect water resources.

“Nevertheless, through the efforts of all relevant agencies, water supply nationwide remains under control. However, consumers must play an important role in reducing wastage,” he said.

He said this to reporters after officiating the Selamat Air Raya programme at Dewan Jubli Perak Sultan Ahmad Shah here today.

On March 21, it was reported that the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) had warned that the world is entering an era of ‘global water bankruptcy’.

Abdul Rahman said water consumption in Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan is higher at around 223 litres per capita per day compared with the 165 litres per capita per day recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“This high level of water usage must be reduced. If the public does not play its part, we risk facing a water crisis. All parties must take responsibility to ensure this can be avoided,” he said.

He added that the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) is also implementing the Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) Programme, targeting to reach at least one million users nationwide throughout 2026.

“This initiative aims to raise public awareness on efficient water usage and the importance of avoiding wastage to ensure the sustainability of the nation’s water supply,” he said.

At the programme, SPAN also distributed zakat wakalah totalling RM104,000 to 200 students from primary, secondary schools and higher education institutions. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, 4 Mei: Kerajaan kini di fasa akhir memuktamadkan Rang Undang-Undang Perubahan Iklim Negara (RUU PIN) dan RUU Pihak Berkuasa Perubahan Iklim Negara (IKLIM) yang dijangka dibentangkan di Parlimen pada Julai ini.

Menteri Sumber Asli dan Kelestarian Alam Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup berkata kedua-dua RUU itu sebagai langkah memperkukuh kerangka perundangan negara dalam mendepani krisis iklim global.

“Ini merupakan langkah kritikal bagi memastikan negara mempunyai kerangka perundangan yang kukuh dalam mendepani krisis iklim global.

“Kita mahu memastikan generasi akan datang mewarisi sebuah negara yang mampan dan berdaya tahan,” katanya ketika menyampaikan amanat pada perhimpunan bulanan Kementerian Sumber Asli dan Kelestarian Alam (NRES) di sini hari ini.

RUU PIN akan memperkenalkan sistem pemantauan, pelaporan dan verifikasi (MRV) sebagai asas utama pelaksanaan mekanisme harga karbon dan peralihan Malaysia ke arah ekonomi rendah karbon.

Sistem MRV itu mempunyai metodologi pengiraan pelepasan gas rumah kaca (GHG) yang seragam merentas sektor ekonomi bagi memastikan ketelusan serta keabsahan data serta pembentukan registri karbon kebangsaan yang berintegriti.

Penggubalan RUU PIN juga membolehkan pelaksanaan harga karbon secara berfasa dan berstruktur sebelum instrumen lain seperti cukai karbon dan mekanisme pasaran karbon diperkenalkan.

Sementara itu, Arthur berkata NRES turut komited menunaikan amanah Perjanjian Malaysia 1963 (MA63) dengan memperkukuh hak Sabah dan Sarawak, termasuk memuktamadkan pindaan akta bagi membolehkan kedua-dua negeri mengurus sendiri sisa buangan terjadual.

“Proses pemulangan tanah Persekutuan kepada kerajaan Sabah dan Sarawak turut dimuktamadkan untuk dimanfaatkan bagi projek komuniti setempat,” katanya, sambil menegaskan langkah itu mencerminkan komitmen terhadap pembangunan inklusif serta penghormatan hak wilayah.

Mengulas mengenai keutamaan NRES, beliau berkata pengukuhan Jabatan Alam Sekitar adalah antara yang akan diberi perhatian memandangkan kapasiti semasa hanya melibatkan 1,041 anggota penguatkuasaan di seluruh negara.

Katanya cadangan penubuhan cawangan tetap di Pelabuhan Klang sedang diteliti sebagai langkah strategik memperkukuh keselamatan sempadan dan kesihatan awam.

Selain itu, beliau berkata kerajaan akan menambah baik sistem penyampaian maklumat cuaca dan kualiti udara melalui pembangunan inisiatif Community Multi-Scale Air Quality (CIMEQ) bagi meningkatkan keupayaan analisis serta ramalan pencemaran dan jerebu rentas sempadan.

“Pada masa sama, penglibatan Malaysia dalam inisiatif Early Warnings for All menyasarkan perlindungan menyeluruh kepada rakyat daripada risiko bencana menjelang 2027,” katanya.-TVS

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — Thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds are expected to hit most states until 5pm today, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department.

In an alert issued at 2.30pm, MetMalaysia said the affected areas include Perlis, as well as Kedah (Kubang Pasu, Padang Terap, Kuala Muda, Sik, Baling, Kulim and Bandar Baharu) and Penang (Seberang Perai Utara, Seberang Perai Tengah and Seberang Perai Selatan).

The same warning also covers Perak (Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Kinta, Kampar, Batang Padang and Mualim), Pahang (Cameron Highlands, Lipis, Raub, Jerantut, Bentong, Kuantan, Pekan and Rompin) and Selangor (Hulu Selangor and Hulu Langat).

In addition, similar weather conditions are expected in Negeri Sembilan (Seremban, Port Dickson and Rembau), Melaka (Alor Gajah and Melaka Tengah), and Johor (Segamat, Kluang, Mersing, Pontian, Kulai, Kota Tinggi and Johor Bahru).

In Sarawak, the affected areas include Sri Aman, Betong (Betong), Sarikei (Pakan), Sibu (Sibu and Selangau), Mukah (Daro, Matu, Dalat and Mukah), Bintulu (Tatau and Bintulu), Miri (Subis, Miri and Marudi), as well as Limbang.

In Sabah, the warning covers the interior (Sipitang, Tenom, Kuala Penyu, Beaufort and Nabawan), west coast, Tawau and Kudat. — Bernama

The Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru residents’ welfare association said it was informed that the independent committee investigating the incident held a technical meeting with Petronas on Jan 12 to complete its final report.

It said the panel then met at the state secretariat building on April 10 to “refine” the report, Harian Metro reported.

“Our questions are simple: is the final report ready? Has it been presented to the Selangor government? When will the report be released to the victims and residents involved?

“The victims deserve to know the findings of the independent committee. We urge the Selangor government to issue an official explanation and publicise the report for the sake of transparency and justice for the victims,” the group said.

The gas pipeline explosion on April 1 last year sent flames soaring over 30m high, with temperatures reaching 1,000°C. Although no fatalities were reported, about 150 people sought hospital treatment.

The fire left a 10m-deep crater, measuring 21m by 24m. Eighty-one houses were destroyed, 81 others partially damaged, and another 57 affected by heat and debris.

The authorities found no criminal elements, with the occupational safety and health department saying the pipe failure was caused by cyclic loading and insufficient support from the ground underneath.

The Selangor government later formed an independent committee to review reports from government agencies such as the occupational safety and health department, the fire and rescue department, and others.

Thirty-six residents have since filed a suit against Petronas Gas, Hong & Hong Homes Sdn Bhd, Pinterest Ventures Sdn Bhd, the Subang Jaya City Council and the government over the blaze.