Day: December 28, 2021

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 — The Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a yellow alert of continuous rain forecast for the states of Sabah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor following the current monsoon surge which is expected to continue until Jan 3 next year.

In the latest statement today, it said the continuous rain is expected to occur over Tawau, Sandakan and Kudat in Sabah starting today until Jan 2.

Continuous rain is also expected to occur all over Terengganu and several areas in Kelantan namely Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Kota Bharu, Jeli, Tanah Merah, Bachok, Machang, Pasir Puteh and Kuala Krai from Dec 30 until Jan 1, 2022.

In Pahang, among the areas to experience continuous rain are Jerantut, Maran, Kuantan, Pekan and Rompin; while in Johor, the district of Mersing.

According to MetMalaysia, the monsoon surge is expected to bring continuous rain strong winds that can cause floods in low-lying areas.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 — The numbers of flood victims in four states, namely Pahang, Selangor, Kelantan and Negeri Sembilan, have declined this evening, while there has been no change in Melaka.

According to the Social Welfare Department’s (JKM) Disaster Info application, there were 16,281 individuals from 5,207 families housed at 107 relief centres in the five states as of this evening.

The number has decreased from the 19,099 people from 5,882 families involving 120 relief centres recorded this afternoon.

In PAHANG, a total of 10,735 victims were still housed in 76 relief centres this evening, compared to 11,776 in 83 centres this afternoon, with areas in Bentong, Temerloh, Bera, Maran, Kuantan and Pekan still affected by floods.

Meanwhile, Pahang Health director Datuk Dr Nor Azimi Yunus informed that 42 mental health and psychosocial support teams comprising doctors, counselors and nurses were set up to deal with emotional disorders among flood victims.

In SELANGOR, the number of flood victims decreased to 5,399 in 27 relief centres this evening, compared to 7,503 victims in 36 centres in the afternoon.

However, according to the Department of Irrigation and Drainage’s (JPS) official flood information portal, the water level at Sungai Bernam in Rimba KDR, Sabak Bernam, which was at the alert level this afternoon, had reached the warning level as of 5.15 this afternoon.

In KELANTAN, the number of flood victims decreased to 68 people from 21 families as of 5 pm today, compared to 78 people from 23 families this afternoon, involving one relief centre, namely SK Tok Deh.

In NEGERI SEMBILAN, the number of victims reduced slightly this evening to 53 people from 17 families, who were still housed in two relief centres in Jelebu.

In MELAKA, Melaka Civil Defence Force director Lt Col (PA) Cuthbert John Martin Quadra said the number of flood victims remained unchanged at 26 people from eight families as of 4 pm today, with all of them housed at SK Penghulu Benteng in Jasin.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

IPOH, Dec 28 — Perak has detected the second case of the Omicron COVID-19 variant in the state, involving an individual who returned home after performing the umrah pilgrimage.

State Health, Science, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman Mohd Akmal Kamarudin said the individual tested positive while undergoing quarantine at home.

“The case is under control. The screening test on close contacts turned out to be negative. However, further observation and monitoring will still be done,” he told reporters after closing the state-level National Environment Day celebration today.

On Dec 3, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced the first case of the Omicron variant involving a female student who arrived from South Africa. She was confirmed positive for the variant of concern on Dec 2.

Meanwhile, Mohd Akmal urged umrah pilgrims to comply with the seven-day quarantine order to prevent the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

“The government allows them to undergo quarantine at home to save cost. So, please comply (with the requirement). However, there were reports that some of them were receiving guests at home and some even spend time with their families.

“Please isolate yourself at home, we are worried that it (COVID-19) will spread,” he said, adding that umrah pilgrims who tested positive for the Omicron variant will be given a digital tracking wristband.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

SHAH ALAM, Dec 28 – The Selangor Zakat Board (LZS) has given out the Diamond Muzakki IKTIRAF Award to 34 companies for paying over RM1 million in business zakat this year.

LZS chief executive officer, Saipolyazan M. Yusop, said the IKTIRAF award was given as a gesture of appreciation to the zakat givers (muzakki) for helping out with the asnaf (poverty-stricken).

“For starters, 34 companies were given recognition for ensuring the smooth distribution of zakat in Selangor,” he told reporters today at the presentation ceremony.

He said there were four types of IKTIRAF awards: Diamond, for paying more than RM1 million in zakat; Gold, for paying RM500,000 – RM999,999 in zakat; Silver, for paying RM100,000 – RM499,999 in zakat; and Bronze, for paying RM50,000 – RM99,999 in zakat.

Among those who received the award were Lembaga Tabung Haji for a RM27,712,316 payment; UMW Holdings Bhd for a RM4,293,859 payment; Tenaga Nasional Bhd for a RM3,933,133 payment; Central Sugar Refinery Sdn Bhd for a RM3,910,489 payment; and the Sewerage Capital Contribution Fund (KWSMP) for a RM1,794,401 payment.

At the ceremony, three companies provided RM314,000 from their zakat payment to the ‘Kasihku Zakat Selangor’ programme.

Central Sugar Refinery gave RM279,000 to build three homes for the poor, CGS-CIMB Securities Sdn Bhd contributed RM24,000 to the ‘Back to School’ programme and CELCOM Axiata Bhd furnished RM11,000 to purchase tablets and Internet data.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency