Month: December 2021

JELI, Dec 31 — The people of Kelantan have been reminded to always remain alert, as the COVID-19 pandemic is still a threat to the country despite entering the new year, said Menteri Besar, Datuk Ahmad Yakob.

He said that the Kelantanese must adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the National Security Council (MKN) to curb the spread of the epidemic.

“We are still in the COVID-19 pandemic and the flood disaster. We need to do some self-reflection as we are entering a new year by performing solat hajat, doa munajat instead of holding other celebrations.

He said this after presenting basic food donations to flood victims at the Kampung Lakota Mosque, here today.

Meanwhile, when asked to comment on the state of Kelantan entering Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan (PPN) on Jan 3, Ahmad was grateful for the transition but asked the people in the state not to be complacent and too comfortable with the announcement.

“We should not be complacent as we are still in the COVID-19 pandemic, plus the new Omicron variant, is a test for us, apart from having to be patient and follow all the rules set,” he said.

Senior Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, today announced that the government has agreed for Sarawak and Kelantan to transition to Phase Four of the PPN on Monday (Jan 3).

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

GEORGE TOWN, Dec 31 — Deputy state secretary (Development) Datuk Azhar Arshad has been appointed as the new mayor of the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP).

Azhar, 55, takes over from Datuk Rozali Mohamud whose contract ends today.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the State Executive Council Meeting on Dec 21 had approved Azhar’s appointment for a two-year period with an option to extend for another year, effective Jan 1, 2022.

“The appointment process is being managed by the Public Service Department and the Public Services Commission,” he said in a statement.

Chow also thanked Rozali for his excellent service as MBSP mayor and other posts he held since he joined the local authority service in 1990.

Meanwhile, Azhar had served in the Information Ministry and several District and Land Offices in Pahang before joining the Penang State Secretary Office in November 2018.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics, a postgraduate diploma in education and a diploma in public administration.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31 — Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah have extended their 2022 New Year’s Day greetings and prayers for the wellbeing of the people and the country.

“May we be protected from all forms of calamities and be blessed with prosperity and everlasting unity and harmony,” Their Majesties said in a posting on the Istana Negara’s official Facebook page.

Unlike before, the eve of the New Year was filled with solat hajat and doa selamat programmes as a sign of respect and sympathy for the people affected by the recent massive floods.

It also followed the announcement made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to cancel the 2022 New Year celebration.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31 — The number of flood evacuees in Terengganu continued to increase while Kelantan, Pahang and Selangor recorded a decline as of noon today.

In TERENGGANU, a total of 390 people from 115 families are currently taking shelter at two relief centres (PPS) in the Dungun district, compared to 388 people this morning.

State Disaster Management Secretariat chief Lieutenant Colonel (PA) Rosman Abdullah said 225 victims from 60 families were still at the PPS in Kampung Shukur Multipurpose Hall while 165 people from 55 families were placed at the Kampung Pasir Raja Community Hall.

“The rescue team is still monitoring the situation. There is a possibility that the residents in Kampung Minda and Kampung Kuala Jengai need to be evacuated due to the continuous heavy rain,” he said.

According to the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) official Info Banjir portal, three stations namely Sungai Besut at Keruak Bridge; Sungai Dungun in Kampung Pasir Raja, Dungun; and Sungai Nerus in Kampung Langkap, Setiu were reported to be above the warning level.

In KELANTAN, the number of flood victims dropped to 1,172 people from 367 families at mid-day today, compared to 1,399 people from 412 families this morning.

According to the Social Welfare Department (JKM) Info Bencana application, the number of PPS also rose to 18 from 14 this morning, namely 10 in Kuala Krai; Jeli (seven); and Tanah Merah (one).

Only one major river was reported to be at the danger level, namely Sungai Kelantan in Kampung Temangan, Machang with a reading of 19.92 metres.

In addition, the Public Works Department (JKR) disaster management portal reported that Jalan Kuala Balah, Jeli connecting the district with Dabong has been closed to all vehicles.

In PAHANG, JKM Info Bencana application reported that a total of 2,366 evacuees were still at 32 PPS compared to 2,704 people this morning.

The relief centres with the most number of evacuees were in Pekan followed by Temerloh, Kuantan, Bentong and Maran.

Meanwhile, DID official portal reported that two rivers were at the warning level and increasing, namely Sungai Tembeling in Kampung Merting, Jerantut; and Sungai Luit in Kampung Subuh, Maran.

Four other rivers were at the alert level, namely Sungai Tembeling in Kuala Tahan, Jerantut; Sungai Kundang (Maran); Sungai Dong (Raub) and Sungai Triang in Chemomoi (Bentong).

In SELANGOR, a total of 408 people from 125 families were still at four PPS as of noon today, a slight decrease from 466 people from 132 families this morning.

The four PPS are Sekolah Rendah Agama Dusun Nanding (20 people) and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Abdul Jalil (77) in Hulu Langat; Kuala Selangor Indoor Stadium (201) and SMK Kuala Selangor (110).

Selangor police informed that three roads were still closed to traffic as of 10 am today, namely FT 31 Dengkil-Banting bridge and Jalan Genting Peras-Kuala Klawang due to flood water apart from the damaged bridge heading to Subang Shooting Range.

Meanwhile, in NEGERI SEMBILAN, 29 individuals from nine families are still being sheltered at Balai Raya Kampung Puom, Jelebu.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

JELI, Dec 31 — A couple had to wade through almost two metres of floodwaters with their four children to save themselves after their home in Kampung Sungai Satan, here, was flooded yesterday.

Mohd Jakari Suaman, 30, said he and his wife Noor Mazilah Che Abdullah, 30, carried their four children aged between two months and 10 years old from their house to higher ground at about 9 am, after the floodwaters in the area rose swiftly.

“The floodwaters rose thigh-high in the kitchen, we were worried that the incessant rain would cause the floodwaters to continue to rise.

“We immediately decided to move, my wife and I carried our children and waded through floodwaters for 200 metres to higher ground. After that, I asked for a friend’s help to send us to this relief centre,” he told Bernama when met at the Sungai Satan Kesedar hall here today.

Mohd Jakari said they had moved much of their belongings to higher ground earlier.

Meanwhile, in KUALA KRAI, most residents living near the Sungai Kelantan here are staying alert following the forecast of floods in Kelantan by the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (PRABN).

Grocery shop owner, Rosnah Mat Zin, 60, from Kampung Tanjung Jalan Geale said the continuous heavy rains would cause the level of Sungai Kelantan, which is located about 500 metres from her house, to rise rapidly.

Nur Izzatul Balqis, 26, from Kampung Batu Lada said she did not take lightly all the warnings issued by the authorities, even though her house had never been hit by floods.

“I would remain vigilant, especially at night because the floodwaters could rise and enter the house so quickly,” she said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Dec 31 — Consumers will be able to purchase four basic food items – chicken, eggs, sawi (choy sum) and kacang panjang (long beans) – at a lower price starting tomorrow until Feb 4.

Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) enforcement director, Azman Adam said these four basic food items were involved in the calibration of the prices as a measure to stabilise the price of goods under the Malaysian Family Maximum Price Scheme (SHMKM).

“The new prices of these four items are involved in the price adjustment under the SHMKM, by taking into account the situation and locality.

“For example, the chicken price will be reduced from RM9.30 to RM9.10. Similarly, the other three food items, including two types of vegetables, the prices will drop between five and 10 per cent,” he said when met after Ops Back to School (BTS) and Festive Season Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMMP) walkabout at Mydin Supermarket here, today.

Azman said a total of 25,897 business premises nationwide were inspected under SHMKM and of that number, actions taken against 85 cases, involved a compound worth RM20,000, as of yesterday.

“Meanwhile, under the SHMMP in conjunction with the Christmas celebration, from Dec 23 until today, we inspected 7,178 premises and no action was recorded,” he said.

He said under the BTS, inspections and monitoring were focused on ensuring that traders did not increase the price of school supplies arbitrarily and complied with the price control rules set.

“The ongoing operation, from Dec 13 until March 20 next year, involves nine types of school necessities consisting of school uniforms, school bags, school shoes and learning equipment. Thus far, we have inspected 437 premises involving 1,858 items,” he said.

In the meantime, based on KPDNHEP’s monitoring, the price of goods in the flood-hit states is stable and no complaints of price increase received thus far. However, there was a temporary shortage in supply due to logistics issues, he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31 — Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) will give a waiver on the January 2022 water bill for domestic account users (tariff code 10) in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur who were affected by the recent floods.

Air Selangor, in a statement today, said the payment exemption was part of the Program Bantuan Selangor Bangkit (BSB) announced by the Selangor state government.

It said the waiver would be given automatically and eligible consumers need not fill up or send any forms to Air Selangor.

The water bill for that month would still be issued but those eligible need not have to pay.

“Air Selangor understands the difficulties faced by consumers affected by the floods and hopes that this aid will somewhat ease their burden,” the statement said.

For further information, consumers can contact Air Selangor’s Communication Centre at 15300, refer to its applications, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or Help Centre at www.airselangor.com.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency