KUALA LUMPUR - Pihak berkuasa telah melakukan pemeriksaan susulan kejadian tanah runtuh di Jalan Belaga Menjawah, Sarawak, yang dilaporkan berlaku pada jam 10.31 pagi Ahad, kata Menteri Kerja Raya, Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

Nanta menerusi hantaran di Facebook pada Ahad memaklumkan pihak berkuasa akan cuba membuat laluan alternatif secepat mungkin setelah melakukan beberapa penilaian terhadap keadaan tanah runtuh itu.

Bagaimanapun, beliau berkata, lencongan telah dilakukan dan kerja-kerja membaik pulih bakal dijalankan bagi memastikan jalan berkenaan selamat digunakan.

Menurut Nanta, pasukan bomba dari Balai Bomba dan Penyelamat (BBP) Belaga turut bertindak melakukan pemantauan di kawasan runtuhan.

"Saya menasihatkan penduduk di kawasan sekitar supaya berhati-hati ketika menggunakan jalan berkenaan buat masa ini yang hanya boleh dilalui satu kenderaan sahaja dalam satu masa. Patuhi semua arahan pihak berkuasa demi keselamatan bersama,” katanya.

Beliau berharap kerja-kerja membaiki jalan yang rosak itu dapat dilakukan segera bagi memudahkan urusan penduduk membuat sebarang urusan di bandar Bintulu. - Bernama

KUCHING (Jan 26): Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the state Civil Defence Force (APM) through financial assistance and equipment upgrades.

The Sarawak DAP chairman, who was accompanied by Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii, symbolically handed over a 60 horsepower outboard engine to APM Kuching District officer Major (PA) Wan Khairul Zakwan Wan Tajudden.

According to Chong, who is also Padungan assemblyman, the outboard motor was funded under his service centre’s allocation, meant to enhance APM’s rescue capabilities.

In this regard, he highlighted the critical role of adequate and reliable equipment in enabling Kuching APM to carry out their operations efficiently.

“Beyond the dedication and commitment of the team, the tools they use such as boats, outboard engines and other equipment, are equally important in ensuring effective rescue operations.

“As the Chinese proverb says, to carry out one’s job effectively, the tools must be of good quality,” he said in a statement.

He added that this initiative aims to support Kuching APM, whose team is on 24-hour standby, particularly during the current Northeast Monsoon season which is expected to last until March.

“They are constantly monitoring the situation and are prepared for any rescue operations that may arise, especially during the Lunar New Year festivities, when king tides are expected,” Chong explained.

Following an appreciation lunch with the APM team, held in connection with the Lunar New Year, Chong took a boat ride along the Sarawak River to visit flood-prone villages, which included Kampung Tupong, Kampung Sungai Maong, Kampung Kudei, Kampung Paroh Sejijak, Kampung Segedup, Sinar Budi Lama and Kampung Rantau Panjang.

“This visit provided valuable insight into their operations and the challenges faced by flood-affected communities,” he said.

To this end, Chong praised the Kuching APM team for their dedication, and expressed his gratitude for their sacrifices.

KUCHING (Jan 26): The flood detention ponds being built in the Batu Kawah area here are hailed as critical facilities not only in terms of flood management, but also their function as valuable spaces for the local communities.

This dual functionality was highlighted by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian when met by reporters after having officiating at the launch of the ‘Harmonious Spring Singing Competition’, hosted by Kuching Bersatu Welfare Association at Boulevard Shopping Mall here today .

“When the rivers are at high tide and the water cannot flow fast enough, these ponds act as a buffer to prevent flooding.

“But for most of the year, these ponds stay dry and can be repurposed for other activities, such as football fields or futsal courts.

“These flood detention ponds are not just for holding water,” said the state Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government.

Elaborating, Dr Sim said he drew inspiration from Japan’s advanced flood management systems, noting how they incorporated flood detention ponds, underground reservoirs and pumps to handle extreme water volumes.

The Batu Kawah assemblyman also said that the size of the ponds could range from five to ten acres, allowing them to store significant volumes of water.

“In Japan, 361 days a year, these areas are dry, but for the few days they are needed, they can hold millions of gallons of water.

“A typical five-acre flood detention pond can hold the equivalent of 40,000 water trucks.

“These ponds can help protect residential areas.”

In this aspect, Dr Sim encouraged the communities to maximise the use of these flood-detention pond areas during the dry days.

“The rest of the year, these areas can be used for sports or recreational purposes. Unless, of course, floods strike; then it’s not a good idea to play water polo,” he quipped.

In November last year, the Sarawak government kicked off the construction of the third flood detention pond at Desa Wira in Batu Kawah, at a cost of RM14.5 million.

Dr Sim himself witnessed the handing-over of the project’s letter of award by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sarawak to the contractor.

Covering approximately five acres, the Desa Wira pond is designed to hold over 30,000 cubic metres of water – equivalent to 12,000 water tankers, or the size of 60 detached housing units.

The works commenced on Nov 25 last year, and should reach completion by this July 24.

“This project is a critical step toward addressing the long-standing flood issues in Batu Kawah,” said Dr Sim at the time.

The other flood detention ponds areas are in Batu Kawah New Township and Pines Square.

KUCHING (Jan 26): Human activities have undeniably caused global warming, fuelling record-setting wildfires, historic floods, prolonged droughts and scorching heatwaves.

Indeed, 2025 has started off with a bevy of bad news, like the deadly wildfires across Los Angeles, erratic weather patterns causing plane crashes and storms and floodings impacting parts of Malaysia.

Recognised as a global risk for several decades, climate change is projected to dominate the list of top threats in the coming decade.

But how prepared are corporate sector to battle against climate change, especially in terms of finance and accounting?

According to the Association of Certified Accountants (ACCA) in its report, ‘Weathering the Storm: Building Resilience Against Climate Disruptions’, companies are far from ready to deal with climate change.

ACCA Asia Pacific senior policy consultant, Sharath Martin said the report reveals a troubling disparity between the growing threats of climate-related disruptions and the preparedness of organisations to handle them.

“Only 20 per cent of the survey respondents recognise climate-related risks in their operations, and an even smaller percentage—17 per cent—actively practice their responses to such disruptions.

“Disturbingly, a quarter of the organisations surveyed lack any resilience mechanisms.

“The findings underscore that the accountancy and finance profession holds a pivotal role in closing this gap.”

The report also highlights the importance of addressing the challenges posed by a distributed workforce in the face of climate crises.

“These insights are particularly relevant for Malaysian businesses, given the country’s susceptibility to climate impacts like flooding, extreme weather events and overall higher temperatures.

“The report calls for immediate action to mitigate risks and adapt to inevitable changes.”

Within the Malaysian context, climate risks uniquely impact key sectors with great exposure to the great outdoors, such as agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.

Sharath explained that the agriculture sector is highly vulnerable to changing rainfall patterns, flooding, and heat stress, which can disrupt crop yields and threaten food security.

“For manufacturing, extreme weather events can disrupt supply chains, halt production, and damage infrastructure, leading to operational and financial losses.

“In tourism, environmental degradation and extreme weather conditions can deter visitors, affecting revenues and local economies reliant on tourism.

“These impacts highlight the need for tailored resilience strategies to safeguard each sector against the adverse effects of climate change.”

All these serves as a wake-up call for businesses worldwide.

The onus is on Corporate Malaysia to acknowledge and adapt risk-based planning and climate adaptation strategies.

Furthermore, collaboration between government and businesses is essential to establish robust policies on climate adaptation and attract private investment for sustainable development.

Governments’ vital role against climate change

Governments play an indispensable role in tackling climate change, from policy and legislation to international collaboration as well as public awareness, education and adaptation.

Within the Malaysian context, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is playing his part to build said bridges. As part of his trip in Bruges, Belgium, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged the European Union (EU) to deepen its support for Southeast Asia through increased climate financing, green investments, technical assistance, and capacity-building initiatives.

Like the EU, Malaysia recognises that the climate crisis is a defining challenge of our time.

“Partnerships are key to keeping the hopes of the Paris Agreement alive, and Malaysia appreciates the EU’s ongoing support for Southeast Asia’s climate ambitions.

“Transitioning away from fossil fuels, developing a regional power grid, implementing carbon taxes, building community resilience to extreme weather events, and conserving our rich biodiversity and natural carbon sinks.

“These are just some of Southeast Asia’s aspirations as we seek to punch above our weight for a cleaner future while ensuring that the benefits of development are available to all and protecting the most vulnerable segments of society,” Anwar said in his call to action.

The Prime Minister arrived in Brussels, Belgium’s capital last Sunday for a two-day working visit to Belgium, as well as meeting leaders of the EU.

As the country prepares to assume the Asean chairmanship in 2025, Anwar said Putrajaya has made sustainability as a core pillar of its role in 2025, reaffirming the country’s commitment to galvanising the region towards bold, collective action that safeguards our future without compromising our right to development and economic prosperity.

Acknowledging the disparities between developed and developing nations, the Prime Minister emphasised that equitable partnerships are essential for advancing the goals of the Paris Agreement and ensuring that vulnerable nations receive the necessary support for climate adaptation and mitigation measures.

Within the corporate sphere, advancements have been made in respect of the framework for sustainable reporting.

In an interview with BizHive, Bursa Malaysia explained that Malaysia’s sustainability reporting framework is evolving in line with  global changes to standards for sustainability and climate reporting.

“Cognisant that standards for sustainability and climate reporting continue to evolve globally, our sustainability reporting framework is also evolving in tandem, to ensure our pubic listed companies (PLCs) continue to remain relevant and competitive,” the bourse said in the interview.

“The sustainability reporting framework, which came into effect on 1 January 2025, adopts and implements the National Sustainability Reporting Framework (NSRF) that was launched on 24 September 2024.

“The NSRF positions Malaysia as well as Malaysian PLCs to be globally competitive, as the NSRF adopts the IFRS S1 and S2 reporting standards.”

The NSRF addresses the use of the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards issued by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) as the baseline for companies in Malaysia.

The aim is to enhance transparency and accountability of how businesses manage sustainability risks and opportunities, improve business resilience and contribute to the nation’s broader sustainability agenda.

The NSRF also addresses the needs of stakeholders especially investors for consistent, comparable and reliable disclosures.

Following the launch of the NSRF by Finance Minister II  Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan in September last year, Malaysia joins more than 20 jurisdictions, which have decided or are taking steps to use the standards.

Developed through extensive public consultations with various stakeholders, including local and foreign investors, various industry and professional associations, the NSRF meets the growing demand for sustainability information.

During the launch, SC Chairman Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi emphasised that the NSRF aligns with both investor expectations and the need to act on the climate crisis.

“As a major trading country and an open economy that has an important role in the global supply chain, it is important we adopt these requirements in an open way to reap the benefit of being an adopter”.

Listed issuers on Bursa Malaysia’s Main and ACE Markets, as well as large non-listed companies (NLCos) with annual revenue of RM2 billion and above will have to comply with the new reporting requirements in a phased approach.

In relation to climate disclosures, the recommendations of the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) which are incorporated in the Bursa Malaysia Listing Requirements are fully embedded in the ISSB’s standards for climate-disclosures.

The ISSB standards builds on the same pillars of the TCFD: governance, strategy, risk management, as well as metrics and targets. Thus, listed issuers have a degree of familiarity with the disclosure requirements under the standards.

Subject to further consultations and engagements, the ACSR aims to mandate reasonable assurance of sustainability information commencing in 2027.

To support implementation of the NSRF, the ACSR’s PACE (Policy, Assumptions, Calculators and Education) initiative will offer capacity building programmes, resources and toolkits to help preparers, including those which are focused on addressing the needs of medium and smaller companies.

ACCA: Call to action towards climate resilience

Why are companies not paying much attention to climate-related risks, let alone identify them in their operations?

ACCA’s Sharath pegged the blame to widespread underestimation of the immediacy and magnitude of climate risks.

“Many organisations perceive these challenges as distant, long-term issues rather than immediate threats requiring urgent action,” he explained.

“Competing priorities, resource constraints, the unrelenting drive or desire for more and more growth and a lack of technical expertise further exacerbate this inertia.

“Additionally, businesses often struggle with limited access to reliable climate-related data, which impedes effective risk assessment.”

ACCA believes that raising awareness and building capacity within organisations is critical.

“The finance function, in particular, can bridge this gap by integrating climate considerations into risk management and strategy development,” Sharath continued.

“Doing so not only safeguards operations but also aligns with growing stakeholder expectations for sustainability.”

The senor policy consultant went on to suggest that chief finance officers (CFOs) and finance teams play a critical role in championing climate risk assessment within organisations by integrating these considerations into business strategy and operational decision-making.

They can advocate for increased investment in resilience-building measures, he added, ensuring the organisation is better equipped to manage and mitigate the impacts of climate-related disruptions.

“By implementing scenario analysis, they can evaluate both the financial and non-financial impacts of potential climate risks, providing valuable insights that guide strategic planning and resource allocation,” he said.

“Additionally, CFOs and finance teams can lead efforts to develop transparent emissions reporting and comprehensive transition plans, ensuring that sustainability objectives are both measurable and achievable.

“Collaboration with cross-functional teams is also essential, as it ensures that sustainability goals are seamlessly aligned with broader business strategies.

“This holistic approach positions CFOs and finance professionals as pivotal drivers of resilience and sustainability within their organisations.”

Summary of findings from ‘Weathering the Storm’ report:

• The accountancy and finance profession can drive the transformation toward a climate-resilient organisation through comprehensive risk-based planning.
• Organisations are not prepared for climate-related disasters – with outdated business continuity plans (BCPs) not reflecting the frequency of disruption caused by these events.
• Resilience is not a priority in many organisations’ agenda – with two-thirds of respondents in our survey not investing in climate adaptation.
• Organisations need to consider the impact of climate related disasters on their distributed workforce, and on the societies and places in which they live.
• An organisation with a digital first approach must consider the effect of working from home in relation to climate-related disasters – from installing power generators to monitoring employee wellbeing.
• Government and business collaboration is crucial for balancing climate adaptation and decarbonisation, with clear policies, data access, and private investment needed to build resilient economies and ensure organisations can adapt to future climate risks.

Critical players on the path to net-zero

Finance professionals are critical enablers in the journey toward sustainability and achieving net-zero goals in Malaysia.

ACCA’s Sharanth explained that financial professionals possess the expertise to integrate environmental considerations into financial strategies, thereby linking organisational goals with broader sustainability objectives.

These professionals can design and implement frameworks to track and reduce emissions, challenge their business colleagues to do more and faster while also acting as a check and balance against greenwashing and overly optimistic plans.

“Working together with relevant experts, they can play a critical role in ensuring that their organisations comply with sustainability-linked laws, rules and policies; take advantage of sustainability-linked financial instruments such as green bonds and sukuks, and allocate budgets to sustainability-focused initiatives,” he said.

“By aligning business strategies and operational measures with Malaysia’s national sustainability agenda, finance and accountancy professionals can not only facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy but also help businesses remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

“Their ability to balance economic growth with environmental responsibility positions them as leaders in driving sustainable transformation.”

In terms of knowledge, Sharath said accountants should prioritise the development of specific skills and expertise to effectively support climate resilience efforts.

These include:

1. Scenario testing: Mastering the ability to simulate and evaluate the implications of various climate-related scenarios enables organisations to plan effectively for potential disruptions.
2. Sustainability reporting: Proficiency in creating transparent, comprehensive reports on emissions and other sustainability metrics is essential to meet stakeholder expectations and regulatory requirements.
3. Risk management: Understanding and mitigating the impacts of climate disruptions ensures organisations can remain operational during crises.
4. Stakeholder engagement: Building strong relationships with regulators, investors, and local communities fosters collaboration and alignment on sustainability initiatives.

By acquiring these skills, accountants can drive resilience planning and execution and ensure that their organisations are well-prepared for a climate-challenged future.

From a tools perspective, Sharath said tools like scenario testing and crisis management planning are invaluable for organisations preparing for climate-related events.

Scenario testing, he said, enables businesses to simulate potential disruptions, assess their operational and financial impacts, and devise appropriate mitigation strategies.

“This proactive approach allows organisations to anticipate risks and make informed decisions to safeguard their assets and operations.

“Crisis management planning equips organisations with predefined response protocols, ensuring that they can respond swiftly and effectively during emergencies.”

And regularly rehearsing these plans reduces downtime, minimises losses, and promotes continuity of operations, he added.

“Together, these tools create a robust framework for organisations to weather climate-related disruptions with greater confidence.”

As for business continuity strategies, he asserted the need for effective business continuity strategies for ensuring organisational resilience in the face of climate disruptions.

Key strategies include establishing redundancies in supply chains by way of diversifying suppliers and securing alternative logistics channels to reduce dependency on single points of failure.

He also suggested to invest in digital transformation for technologies that enable remote operations which ensures businesses can continue functioning during physical disruptions.

Also, building relationships with local communities in a strong manner can expedite recovery efforts and provide support during crises.

Meanwhile, regularly updating business continuity plans ously refining and testing these plans ensures they remain relevant in an evolving risk landscape.