Author: web Desk

KUALA TERENGGANU, Dec 24 (Bernama) — A total of 15 fire incidents that occurred in the state during the five days of severe flooding from Dec 19 were caused by short circuits, said Terengganu Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director, Md Hilman Abd Rashidu.

He said the short circuits were due to faulty electrical appliances and wiring that had been exposed to the floods.

As such, he advised flood victims to ensure that the wiring are always safe and electrical appliances are completely dry before using them after the flood.

“It is common for flood victims to immediately use the electrical appliances when they get home, without checking the condition of the wiring or if they are damaged.

“Electrical items that have not been completely dried, could cause a short circuit and lead to a fire,” he said after presenting donations to flood victims in Kampung Tanjung Saturday here, last night.

Meanwhile, Md Hilman said  22 drowning cases were recorded from Jan 1 to Dec 23 this year, and five of the incidents occurred during the northeast monsoon period which began in mid November.

“We have always reminded the public to avoid water activities during the monsoon because they could be risky, but if they still wish to pursue the activities such as fishing, they must take safety measures,” he said.

In addition, he also advised flood victims to look out for dangerous or poisonous insects and animals  when cleaning up their houses after the flood.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 24 (Bernama) — The number of flood victims at relief centres in Sarawak, Sabah and Perak rose this morning, but there is no change in Johor, and a drop in Kelantan and Terengganu.

In SARAWAK, the State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) secretariat informed that the number of evacuees increased to 1,136 people from 294 families from 363 victims from 93 families last night.

Eighteen relief centres had been opened as of this morning, up from seven last night, involving the districts of Kuching, Bau, Sebuyau, Samarahan, Betong, Serian, Gedong dan Simunjan.

One centre, namely at Dewan Kampung Koran Mawang, Serian was opened to house 57 people from seven families who were the victims of a landslide.

In SABAH, the number of evacuees at Dewan Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (C) Chung Hwa, Kota Belud rose to 78 victims from 23 families compared to 68 victims from 21 families last night.

Meanwhile, following the high tide phenomena, evacuation of residents especially those living in stilt houses continued this morning, with the number increased to 573 victims from 137 families this morning compared to 276 from 61 families last night.

A total of 528 victims from 123 families were transferred to six relief centres in Pitas while 45 victims from 14 families were taken to a centre in Kota Kinabalu.

In PERAK, the JPBN Secretariat informed that the number of flood victims has increased slightly to 69 victims from 17 families as of 8 am today compared to 65 victims from 16 families last night and all are at two relief centres in Hilir Perak and Bagan Datuk.

In TERENGGANU, the JPBN Secretariat reported that the number of people taking shelter in 112 relief centres in eight districts namely in Kuala Terengganu, Kemaman, Besut, Dungun, Marang, Hulu Terengganu, Setiu and Kuala Nerus, has decreased to 15,243 victims compared to 20,552 victims last night.

In KELANTAN, the number of flood victims in 48 relief centres in Pasir Mas, Tanah Merah, Pasir Puteh, Tumpat and Bachok dropped to 17,298 from 17,398 last night.

In JOHOR, the flood situation remained unchanged with 32 victims still at the Kampung Batu Badak Community Hall, in Segamat as of 8 am.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 24 (Bernama) — Minister of Communications and Digital Fahmi Fadzil has extended his Christmas greetings to all Christians who will be celebrating the occasion throughout Malaysia tomorrow.

The Lembah Pantai MP also conveyed his 2023 New Year’s Day greetings.

“Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,” he said in a Facebook posting today.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 24 (Bernama) — The Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) is fully focused on efforts to address climate change and its impact as the flood crisis has now become an annual occurrence.

Its minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad in a statement today said the NRECC would strive to take the lead to seek solutions to climate change issues as this is crucial to the future of the country.

He said Pakatan Harapan (PH) had always prioritised the need to address climate change issues as evident not only through the PH manifesto but also from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s proposal for the set up of a Parliamentary Special Committee on Climate Change and Biodiversity on Aug 4 last year when he was then the Opposition leader.

In fact, he said the setting up of a Ministry dedicated to address Climate Change shows the government has already taken immediate and positive steps to move towards a more sustainable future.

“NRECC had on Dec 19, proposed to the Dewan Rakyat speaker on the formation of a Parliamentary Select Committee on the Environment and Climate Change to assist the government in drafting clear policies and identify mitigation efforts in regards to climate change.

“A ‘business-as-usual’ approach will no longer suffice. Rest assured thorough preparation and deliberation will be given to precisely plan out national commitments to combat climate change and its devastating impacts,” he said.

In dealing with the current crises, he said NRECC would continue to assist in flood preparedness and response such as issuing early warnings via the Meteorological Department as well as Drainage and Irrigation Department.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUCHING, Dec 24 (Bernama) — The government will announce several matters that have been agreed regarding the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) on January 4, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would make the announcement after chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting.

Currently, he said the MA63 technical committee is examining and finalising a number of matters including the delegation of authority to agencies such as the Public Works Department (JKR) and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage.

There are also some matters outside of MA63 that have been requested by Sabah and Sarawak to be considered by the federal government, he added.

“Apart from that,  there are several matters related to MA63 that need to involve amendments to the Federal Constitution and will take time to be resolved.

“They need to be tabled and approved in the Parliament,” he told reporters after distributing Christmas cookies here today.

On Dec 5, Anwar said that Fadillah, would focus on Sabah and Sarawak affairs, especially on matters related to MA63.

He will also play a role in ensuring that the economic gap between the people in the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak, will be reduced through various measures to be taken to address the issue.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency