Author: web Desk

 

PETALING JAYA, Dec 19 (Bernama) – It must have been an unforgettable day for M. Neranjan who despite his learning disability took just two weeks to memorise the choreography for his solo Bharatanatyam performance which wowed the audience at the ILHAM 2022 concert today.

 

The 17-year-old started learning the Indian classical dance four years ago from his mum and by watching videos on YouTube. He also knows traditional Malay and Balinese dances.

 

“I was interested in dancing for a long time but was shy to perform in front of people because I was afraid of being teased and laughed at.

 

 

 

“But my teacher and mum gave me a lot of encouragement and I performed during a Deepavali celebration last year. Now I’ve stopped caring what people think of me,” said the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Desa Perdana student enrolled in its Integrated Special Education Programme (PPKI) who dreams of becoming a professional dancer one day.

 

Organised by OKU Sentral [a non-governmental organisation representing the interests of people with disabilities (PwD)] to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022, ILHAM 2022 showcased the talent of the community, including its president and Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman, Senator Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi, who sang.

 

The concert, which was held at Stage 1, Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC) in 1 Utama Shopping Centre was divided into two sessions and featured performances by Khai & Dinie, Umar Hasfizal, Shahril of Muniros, Eyelitz and many more from the PwD community.

 

 

 

It was supported by Yayasan Hasanah, CIMB, Yayasan CIMB, Yayasan Sime Darby, Yayasan Telekom Malaysia, Celmonzee Wellness and Glenreagh Sdn Bhd.

 

 

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 (Bernama) — As of 10 pm today, over 45,000 flood victims have been evacuated to flood relief centres in five states in the peninsula, with the East Coast states of Kelantan and Terengganu the hardest hit.

 

The number of evacuees rose slightly in Pahang, and decreased in Johor, while it remained unchanged in Perak from this evening.

 

In TERENGGANU, the number of flood victims rose sharply to 29,717 people from 8,214 families compared to 19,601 from 5,699 families in the evening.

 

 

 

There are currently 273 relief centres operating in all eight districts in the state.

 

Kemaman was the worst affected district involving 8,375 victims (2,109 families), followed by Hulu Terengganu (5,996 victims from 1,837 families); Besut (5,492 victims from 1,506 families); and Setiu (3,172 victims from 1,015 families).

 

Apart from that, Dungun recorded 1,963 victims (527 families); Kuala Nerus 575 victims (129 families); Kuala Terengganu 542 victims (129 families); and Marang 379 victims (81 families).

 

 

 

Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department fire safety department director Datuk Ahmad Izram Osman said his team was conducting aerial monitoring to get an accurate account of the flood situation in Terengganu, and would do similar monitoring in Kelantan tomorrow.

 

Meanwhile, in KELANTAN, according to the state’s official flood portal, the number of flood victims increased to 14,359 people from 3,942 families tonight, compared to 12,104 people from 3,295 families in the evening.

 

A total of 104 relief centres were opened involving nine districts, namely Kota Bharu, Pasir Mas, Tumpat, Bachok, Tanah Merah, Pasir Puteh, Kuala Krai, Machang and Jeli.

 

The ‘PublicInfo Banjir’ portal reported that river water in nine areas had exceeded the danger level including Sungai Lebir in Kampung Tualang, Kuala Krai with a reading of 40.71 m; Sungai Golok in Kampung Jenob, Tanah Merah (24.84 m) and Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas (10.78 m).

 

In PAHANG, the number of flood victims rose slightly to 865 victims from 218 families, compared to 647 victims from 159 families at 4 pm.

 

Eight relief centres were opened in Kuantan to accommodate 803 individuals from 198 families, while another 62 flood victims from 20 families were evacuated to three relief centres in Raub.

 

The water level of Sungai Keratong in Rompin has been receding but was still recorded above the danger level tonight.

 

In JOHOR, the number of flood victims in the Segamat district reduced to 53 people as of 8 pm, compared to 75 in the evening.

 

The affected locations in the district are Kampung Seberang Batu Badak, Kampung Batu 5 and Kampung Kuala Paya.

 

The victims have been placed at the Kampung Batu Badak Community Hall, Kuala Paya Community Hall and Kampung Tasek Community Hall.

 

In PERAK, 54 people from 17 families remain in two relief centres, namely SM Abdul Rahman Talib Batu 4 and SK Sungai Tiang Darat.

 

 

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

JERTIH, Dec 18 (Bernama) – Floods in Terengganu have claimed its first victim, a two-year-old girl, in an incident in Kampung Apal, here.

 

Terengganu police chief Datuk Rohaimi Md Isa said Nur Hilwa Idris Mohd Haris Zaifan was found floating in a ditch about 20 metres from her house where she was believed to have fallen at 3.40pm.

 

“The incident is said to have happened when the victim’s aunt who was at home was getting ready to evacuate to the temporary relief centre (PPS) as floodwaters were rising before she discovered that the girl had left by herself through the kitchen door.

 

 

 

 

“The victim is believed to have been swept away by floodwaters in the incident,” he said in a statement, adding that her body had been brought to Besut Hospital for further action.

 

Rohaimi reminded the public to be more alert and cautious during this northeast monsoon period, adding that parents and guardians should ensure their children’s safety during the flood season.

 

 

 

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 18 (Bernama) —  Social Welfare Department (JKM) officers have been mobilised in the six states affected by floods, namely in Kelantan, Terengganu, Johor, Perak, Pahang and Sarawak to manage victims with other agencies.

 

The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) in a statement said that a total of 6,307 victims from 1,833 families were involved in the disaster and they were provided with food, drink and basic necessities.

 

A total of 86 temporary evacuation centres (PPS) have also been opened for flood victims across the country with 39 PPS in Kelantan, Terengganu (40), Johor (three), Perak (two) and one PPS each in Pahang and Sarawak as of 5 pm today.

 

 

 

“The situation in all PPS is currently under control. JKM is monitoring the development in all states and orders have been issued for all JKM officers to be ready at all times including those in non-affected areas to help manage flood victims according to current needs and circumstances.

 

“All victims and personnel at PPS are reminded to comply with the standard operating procedures (SOP) that have been set by the National Security Council (MKN) and the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA),” according to the statement.

 

According to KPWKM, continuous rain and warnings on the East Coast have been issued by the Meteorological Department until Dec 19 (tomorrow) and the number of PPS is expected to increase in the late afternoon.

 

 

 

Therefore, the ministry advises the public involved in the flood disaster to obey the instructions of  the authorities to move to a safe place and those who are in a place at risk are asked to be vigilant.

 

The Kelantan JKM Operations Room can be contacted via 09-7416925 and in Terengganu at

 

09-6301193 while the JKM Operations Rooms in other states will be activated according to the needs and current flood conditions.

 

The public can also contact Talian Kasih 15999 which operates 24 hours if necessary and get the latest information about PPS nationwide through the JKM InfoBencana 2.0 Application which can be downloaded through the Apple Store and Google Play Store.

 

 

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

BATANG KALI, Dec 18 (Bernama) — The recovery of the body of a mother embracing her three-year-old daughter buried under a pile of mud in the Batang Kali landslide area here on Friday was a painful memory for Senior Fire Officer Shahari Shamsuddin.

 

Shahari, 47, who was among the first rescuers to find the bodies of the mother and child, said it was one of the most unforgettable experiences during his 23 years of service in the fire and rescue department (JBPM).

 

“When I found them hugging each other, I thought about my daughter. Subhanallah, I cannot imagine if this heartbreaking incident happened to my family.

 

 

 

“When it came to extricating the bodies, I had to hold back my tears. As rescue personnel, I have to control my emotions, but as a normal human being, it’s hard to deal with this feeling,” he said.

 

Recounting the moment, Shaari said he arrived at the scene at 10 am and was deployed along with 30 other personnel to locate the victims’ bodies in the red zone.

 

Shahari said the rescuers had to battle thick mud that made their movement difficult.

 

 

 

He said the main challenge also concerned land stability at the disaster area because of underground water flow.

 

The team had to take utmost care in using heavy machinery at the landslide location to prevent damaging bodies still under the earth, he added.

 

Meanwhile, Senior Fire Officer Mohd Shaiful Nizam Mohd Rosdy, 39, who was on duty at the scene in Sector C, also admitted that the operation was very difficult because of the soil structure.

 

“Uncertain weather is among the biggest challenges and sometimes we do not even realise that we are standing on the buried victims,” said Mohd Shaiful Nizam, who has been with the fire and rescue department for 17 years.

 

The landslide tragedy, which occurred at the Father’s Organic Farm campsite in Gohtong Jaya, Batang Kali, at 2.42 am last Friday, has claimed 24 lives, with nine still missing.

 

 

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 18 (Bernama) — The following is a notice issued by the Communications and Digital Ministry’s (KKD) Rapid Response Team (RRT) today to debunk fake news that has spread on social media.

 

KKD through the  RRT, detected a viral message alleging that RM900 will be credited to Bantuan Warganegara Malaysia (BWM) recipients would be credited via their Touch ‘n Go eWallet beginning today.

 

The contents of message has been identified as being similar to other previous fake viral messages.

 

 

 

 

“The public is advised to not be deceived into providing personal information via the link provided,” KKD said in a statement today.

 

The ministry also urged Malaysians to be cautious and not spread dubious messages, and to always refer to official sources for verified information.

 

 

Source: BERNAMA News Agency