KULAI: More than 50 buildings have been inspected by the Fire and Rescue Department as part of its preparations to ensure fire safety during the Chinese New Year.

Its director Siti Rohani Nadir said the inspection was conducted under Ops Tahun Baru Cina which runs from Jan 13 to Feb 6.

"These include fire hazard inspections with a focus on places frequently visited by the public, especially shopping malls.

"As of Friday (Jan 24), we have inspected a total of 53 premises," she told the press during a fire safety awareness campaign at the Kulaijaya rest stop on the North-South Expressway (NSE) on Monday (Jan 27).

She added that the department has also deployed personnel and fire engines to two locations along the NSE.

"We are also part of the Emergency Response Team (ERT) under Ops Selamat, which is coordinated by the police.

"As such, we have identified two accident and congestion-prone areas and have deployed eight firemen and one supervisor, along with one fire engine each, to these two places.

"They will be on standby at the PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) Yong Peng office and its Sedenak office," she said, adding that the team will be stationed there until Sunday (Feb 2).

She added that throughout the festive season, only a maximum of 30% of the department's workforce is allowed to take leave at any one time.

"I hope that the public will also do their part to ensure fire safety, including when handling fireworks.

"Since Chinese New Year coincides with the school holidays, many may also use this opportunity to go on vacation.

"My advice to the public is to avoid taking part in water-related activities owing to the ongoing monsoon season and unpredictable weather conditions," she said.

HULU SELANGOR: Sebuah ladang penternakan ayam pedaging di Batang Kali di sini, diarah tutup serta-merta Jumaat lalu, selepas gagal mengatasi kacau ganggu pencemaran bau tinja.

Majlis Perbandaran Hulu Selangor (MPHS) berkata, pihaknya sebelum ini menerima aduan berhubung perkara terbabit daripada orang awam.

"Hasil siasatan menemukan longgokan tinja ayam yang banyak.

"Tinja ayam terbabit dikeluarkan daripada enam reban yang dikosongkan baru-baru ini apabila pengeluaran ayam pedaging dibuat," katanya dalam satu kenyataan, hari ini.

Untuk rekod sebelum arahan penutupan dilakukan, MPHS berkata, pihaknya sudah mengeluarkan notis arahan kepada pemilik ladang supaya menghapuskan kacau ganggu pencemaran bau, pada 10 Januari lalu.

Menurutnya, pemilik juga dinasihatkan agar menguruskan longgokan tinja ayam dengan betul selaras dengan peraturan yang berkuatkuasa.

"Semasa pemantauan pada Sabtu lalu, didapati pemilik ladang masih gagal menghapuskan pencemaran bau selain melanggar arahan penutupan iaitu membawa masuk kira-kira 80 ribu anak-anak ayam baru ke dalam reban.

"Susulan kegagalan berterusan mematuhi arahan, maka MPHS mengeluarkan kompaun kerana kegagalan pemilik yang tidak mematuhi arahan," katanya.

Sehubungan itu, MPHS memanjangkan perkara itu kepada Jabatan yang bertanggungjawab memberi lesen unggas kepada ladang penternakan ayam pedaging.

"Semua pemilik diingatkan supaya mematuhi garis panduan pengurusan ladang ayam yang lestari khususnya berkaitan pengurusan tinja.

"Hal ini penting bagi mengelakkan berlakunya pencemaran bau yang boleh menyebabkan kacau ganggu kepada penduduk sekitar serta bagi mengelakkan pencemaran alam sekitar khususnya sumber air," katanya.

BINTULU (Jan 27): About 8,000 residents in Penyarai, Kakus, Nanga Tau, Muput, and Ulu Anap are currently affected by flooding, said Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai.

Speaking during his visit to Rumah Steven Jeli temporary evacuation centre (PPS) yesterday, Sikie, who is Kakus assemblyman, said that the access roads to these isolated areas have been cut off.

To ensure residents receive necessary supplies, he said the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Air Unit helicopters will deliver food today, covering around 100 settlements.

He added the food supply delivery operation, which began on Jan 25, is coordinated by the Tatau District Disaster Management Committee (JKPD).

This operation is carried out in collaboration with agencies such as the Welfare Department, Civil Defence Force, and Tatau/Sebauh District Education Office.

“To date, 572 packets of food supplies have been delivered to the affected areas.

“For those still awaiting assistance, patience is requested as logistical challenges are being addressed.

“Food supplies that cannot be delivered by road or river will be airlifted by Bomba, weather permitting,” he said.

In the meantime, Sikie  also hoped that each longhouse designated as a PPS will have a hall constructed for the comfort of relocated residents.

He said this proposal will be submitted to the State Disaster Management Committee for consideration.

Regarding frequently flooded schools such as SK Muput, SK Kuala Muput, SK Rumah Keseng, SK Rumah Tayai, SK Nanga Penyarai, and SK Nanga Tau, Sikie urged the Education Department and the Ministry of Education, both state and federal, to consider relocating these schools to higher, flood-free locations.

He also suggested that school Parents Teacher Associations propose suitable locations for new school buildings.

“The state and federal governments’ attention to this matter is crucial, as frequent flooding disrupts students’ learning and causes property damage. Relocating schools to suitable areas is essential,” he said.

For the record, the PPS at Rumah Steven Jeli was officially opened by Tatau District officer Calvin Ligong at 9pm on Jan 23, following the unsafe conditions at SK Kuala Muput.

As of today, 34 people from 13 families from SK Kuala Muput remain at the PPS.

Heavy rain on Jan 22 and 23 caused flooding in several areas, including Penyarai, Ulu Anap, Kakus, Muput, and Nanga Tau.

Several schools in Tatau, including SK Kuala Muput, SK Nanga Penyarai, SK Rumah Tayai, and SK Rumah Keseng, were also affected.

Earlier, Calvin, who is also Tatau District Disaster Management Committee chairman expressed gratitude to all government agencies involved for their cooperation in managing the flood situation in Tatau.

PETALING JAYA – Jabatan Meteorologi (MetMalaysia) menjangkakan hujan lebat dan angin kencang di lima negeri sehingga pukul 1 tengah hari ini.

MetMalaysia menerusi kenyataan memaklumkan, negeri yang terjejas adalah Kelantan, Pahang, Johor dan Sabah.