KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 — Flood mitigation projects and cross-agency coordination mechanisms to ensure a continuous supply of clean water will be among the main issues to be raised in today’s Dewan Rakyat session.

According to the Order Paper on the Parliament’s website, Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PN-Kubang Kerian) will ask the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation to outline the strategic measures being implemented to integrate green infrastructure and nature-based solutions into flood mitigation projects, ensuring they are cost-effective, resilient, and provide direct benefits to the public, during the question-and-answer session.

In the same session, Riduan Rubin (Independent-Tenom) will ask the ministry for an explanation of the established cross-agency coordination mechanisms to ensure an uninterrupted clean water supply during floods and natural disasters, including the logistical equipment’s capability to efficiently deliver water to rural and remote communities.

Meanwhile, Syerleena Abdul Rashid (PH-Bukit Bendera) will raise a question to the Digital Minister on the ministry’s plans to carry forward initiatives under the 2021-2025 National Blockchain Roadmap, which is set to expire at the end of this year.

She will also inquire about plans to introduce a regulatory framework or dedicated legislation governing asset tokenisation (the process of converting ownership rights of real-world or digital assets into digital tokens on a blockchain).

Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar) will ask the Education Minister regarding the government’s spending on preschool education compared to other levels of education and how much of that allocation is devoted to developing teacher talent, particularly in relation to the updated Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) curriculum, to better prepare educators for nurturing the next generation.

Following the question-and-answer session, the Dewan Rakyat is set to resume proceedings with the debate on the 2026 Supply Bill (Budget) at the policy stage, led by the relevant ministries.

The Third Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament will run for 35 days, ending on December 4. — Bernama

SHAH ALAM: Hutan Simpan Kekal Bukit Cherakah (HSKBC) disahkan tidak terjejas susulan kejadian kebakaran hutan di Jalan Pulau Angsa yang merebak seluas kira-kira 2.4 hektar di sini, kelmarin.

Pengarah Jabatan Perhutanan Selangor, Azhar Ahmad berkata, hasil semakan Pejabat Hutan Daerah Selangor Tengah mendapati lokasi kebakaran berada sekurang-kurangnya satu kilometer (km) dari sempadan HSKBC.

“Lokasi kebakaran adalah di luar kawasan Hutan Simpanan Kekal dengan jarak kira-kira satu kilometer dari HSKBC dan kira-kira 2.4 km dari Hutan Simpan Bukit Cherakah Tambahan.

“Bagaimanapun, punca kebakaran masih belum dapat dikenal pasti,” katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

Menurutnya, kawasan yang terbakar merupakan tanah persendirian yang masih berhutan dan belum dibangunkan.

“Kejadian kebakaran yang berlaku semalam (kelmarin) berada di luar kawasan hutan simpan dan dipercayai di tanah milik persendirian. Ia bukan di bawah seliaan Jabatan Perhutanan Selangor,” katanya.

HOI AN: Sekurang-kurangnya 10 orang maut akibat banjir yang melanda Vietnam minggu ini.

Paras air di sungai utama berhampiran kawasan pelancongan terkenal dilapor meningkat ke tahap tertinggi dalam tempoh 60 tahun.

Wilayah pantai Vietnam, yang menempatkan tapak warisan dunia UNESCO iaitu bandar purba Hoi An, dilanda hujan lebat sejak hujung minggu, dengan rekod tinggi sehingga 1.7 meter dalam tempoh 24 jam.

Menurut Kementerian Alam Sekitar, sekurang-kurangnya 10 maut, manakala lapan yang lain masih hilang.

Jalan raya turut mengalami kerosakan dan tanah runtuh, dengan lebih 5,000 hektar tanaman musnah dan lebih 16,000 lembu mati.

Lebih 128,000 kediaman di lima wilayah tengah turut ditenggelami air dengan sesetengah kawasan merekodkan paras air setinggi tiga meter.

Sementara itu, biro cuaca Vietnam memaklumkan, paras air di stesen pengukur sungai Thu Bon melepasi paras tertinggi dalam sejarah pada 1964, iaitu peningkatan empat sentimeter kepada 5.62 meter, semalam.

Biro cuaca meramalkan paras air mula surut secara perlahan di bandar Danang dan Hue tetapi akan kekal pada paras 'membimbangkan' hari ini.

Bencana alam, kebanyakannya ribut, banjir dan tanah runtuh, menyebabkan 187 orang maut atau hilang di Vietnam dalam tempoh Januari hingga September tahun ini.

Jumlah kerugian ekonomi dianggarkan lebih daripada AS$610 juta (RM2.5 bilion) menurut angka kerajaan.

PUCHONG: As Malaysia braces for the northeast monsoon, 29 specialised rapid response teams are on standby nationwide to strengthen flood rescues, says Fire and Rescue Department director general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad.

He said these teams will focus solely on floods to minimise disruption to daily station operations.

He spoke after the National Disaster Management Agency briefing on preparations for the northeast monsoon on Thursday (October 30).

Nor Hisham said two rapid response teams from different districts were deployed during the recent floods in Kamunting, Perak.

“Although the teams are not regularly deployed interstate, it will still be done if there is a need,” he said.

He added that each team comprises about 18 personnel, adding that several operating bases are established nationwide to store flood rescue assets.

“Only the assets are stored at the bases,” he said. “If there is a forecast, the team can obtain the assets directly,” he added.

The northeast monsoon is expected to begin in November and last until March next year. The Malaysian Meteorological Department expects five to seven episodes of heavy continuous downpour.

A weak La Niña is also forecast during this period.