TENOM (Feb 2): The Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) will expedite the compensation process and price negotiations involving Calvary Charismatic Church Tenom.

The church is affected by a flood mitigation project in the Tenom area.

Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar said the matter needs serious attention to ensure that the welfare of the church and its congregation continue to be safeguarded.

“I have visited the Calvary Charismatic Church Tenom site, which is located along the alignment of the flood mitigation embankment currently being constructed and to be constructed by contractors,” said the Melalap assemblyman.

“The church management has requested that the compensation process and price negotiations be expedited and that the offer be made at a more reasonable rate in line with current market value.”

Jamawi said based on information received, government valuers have already assessed the affected area, but the church is of the view that the value offered remains insufficient.

“In this regard, the church has appointed a private valuer, and I hope that the valuation report can be submitted promptly so that the price negotiations can be finalised in the best possible manner,” he said.

He explained that the finalisation of compensation negotiations is crucial to enable the church to plan its relocation and to secure a new site.

Jamawi also thanked the Calvary Charismatic Church Tenom management for their cooperation throughout the implementation of the project.

On the possibility of retaining the existing site, he said the land in question had been gazetted in 2022 for the flood mitigation project.

“I have been informed by the DID as well as by the church itself that this land has been gazetted.

“Should there be an intention to revoke or amend the gazettement, the process would be lengthy and would need to be brought before the State Legislative Assembly, in addition to involving several other procedures,” he said.

As such, he said the church is also unwilling to bear prolonged uncertainty.

“Therefore, their main request is that the compensation rate offered be reasonable and in line with current values to enable them to acquire a new building,” he said.

Jamawi stressed that the state government is committed to ensuring the implementation of public development projects does not disrupt social harmony or infringe upon the rights of any party.

“We want development to proceed smoothly, while at the same time ensuring that the welfare of the people and religious institutions continues to be protected,” he said.

KOTA TINGGI – Kira-kira 70 ekar (28.329 hektar) ladang nanas di kawasan hutan Bio Desaru dilaporkan terbakar sejak kelmarin.

Ketua Balai Bomba Penyelamat Penawar, Pegawai Kanan Penguasa Bomba Kanan (PKPgB) Soleh Nasir berkata, setakat ini pihak bomba telah berjaya memadamkan 57 peratus daripada keseluruhan kawasan kebakaran menggunakan kawalan ‘fire break’.

“Kawasan terlibat kebakaran bagaimanapun hanya tanah kosong dan belum ada tanaman nanas dan kawasan yang telah ditanam buah tersebut berkeluasan kira-kira 110 ekar selamat serta tidak terlibat dengan kebakaran itu,” katanya ketika dihubungi hari ini.

Katanya, operasi hari kedua semalam diteruskan dan kebakaran terus berlaku didalam kawasan Bio Desaru sahaja dianggarkan 50 ekar.

Menurutnya, bantuan backhoe mendalamkan parit dilakukan agar takungan air menjadi banyak dan tidak menggangu operasi.

“Pemadaman berjaya ditingkatkan dari 40 ekar ke 60 ekar, Namun, pemantauan udara menggunakan drone mendapati asap masih banyak berikutan terdapat kawasan mempunyai kayu tunggul dan tanah gambut sekitar 10 ekar,” ujarnya.

KANGAR – Kerajaan negeri memberi jaminan bahawa bekalan air di Perlis masih berada pada tahap terkawal walaupun cuaca panas berterusan sejak kebelakangan ini.

Menteri Besar Perlis, Abu Bakar Hamzah berkata, ketika ini, paras air empangan masih berada dalam keadaan selamat dan belum sampai ke tahap membimbangkan.

“Walaupun sekiranya tiada hujan dalam tempoh sebulan, bekalan air masih mampu ditampung,” katanya dalam sidang akhbar selepas merasmikan pelancaran aplikasi mudah alih dan lori tangki air SAP sebuah hotel di sini hari ini.

Abu Bakar berkata, kerajaan negeri bersama agensi berkaitan sentiasa memantau trend paras air empangan bagi memastikan bekalan kepada pengguna tidak terjejas, khususnya ketika musim panas yang panjang.

Menutnya, kerjasama turut dijalankan dengan Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran Malaysia, Lembaga Kemajuan Pertanian Muda dan Jabatan Pertanian Perlis bagi memastikan penyaluran air kepada sektor pertanian berjalan lancar tanpa menjejaskan bekalan domestik.

“Keperluan air ketika ini meningkat terutama untuk sektor pertanian, khususnya tanaman padi yang memerlukan bekalan air berterusan bagi fasa pembesaran.

“Dalam masa sama, terdapat tanaman tertentu seperti Harumanis yang tidak memerlukan air berlebihan dan memerlukan cuaca kering semasa tempoh pembungaan. Oleh itu, pengurusan air perlu diselaraskan mengikut keperluan semasa,” katanya. – KOSMO! ONLINE

KOTA TINGGI: Kebakaran hutan berlaku di Bio Desaru di sini melibatkan kawasan berkeluasan 28.3 hektar, sejak semalam.

Komander Operasi, Penolong Kanan Penguasa Bomba Soleh Nasir berkata, kebakaran dipercayai bermula kira-kira pukul 9.16 pagi.