The Star Online: Metro: Central
The Star Online: Metro: Central |
| Rep: Retain contractors with good track record Posted: 20 Sep 2011 04:49 AM PDT CLEANING contractors with a good track record should be retained by the Selangor government as it will be unfair to terminate their services. Ampang cleaning contractors' representative Norazmi Baharuddin said contractors who had fulfilled their duties should be retained. "Most contractors follow the fixed schedules and many of the workers rely on this job to feed their families. Those who have been doing a good job should not be penalised," he said. He added that all 37 cleaning contractors in Ampang were retained by the state government after the takeover of public cleaning responsibilities from Alam Flora beginning Aug 1. "We went for a briefing by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council a week before the takeover date and were given three-month contracts to sign. "We were advised by Alam Flora to take the offer," he said, adding that their biggest worry was what would happen after the end of the contract on Oct 31. Norazmi said their contracts was supposed to end in March next year before the takeover by the state government. He said new contractors hired might be inexperienced and incapable of doing a good job. "The local councils should monitor each contractor for a few months before deciding who should go or stay," he said. One cleaning contractor, who wished to remain anonymous, said since the takeover, the number of complaints had increased. He also said enforcement against litterbugs was important in keeping the environment clean. Related Stories: |
| Putting out underground coal fire takes time Posted: 20 Sep 2011 04:46 AM PDT THE underground coal fire incident at Bukit Nanas in Batu Arang, Selangor will be referred to the Gombak District Natural Disaster Committee for the next course of action. Selayang municipal councillor Zaidy Abu Talib, who visited the site yesterday, said the attempt by the Fire and Rescue Department crew in digging the ground to locate the point of fire and dousing it with water was just a temporary solution. "We have suggested to two other families living nearby to move out of their homes as the smoke is hazardous to their health. The victim whose house is most affected by the underground fire has moved out," said Zaidy, adding that the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) had already requested the state's Environment Department to determine the danger level. On Sunday, S. Robert, 42, and his family had to vacate their home as the ground behind their house started emitting smoke. "Two weeks ago, we sensed the temperature rising from the site behind our house. Days later, the ground also started emitting black smoke. "I was worried for my family's health and security because I have four young children. The temperature inside the house was 40 degrees Celsius due to the rising temperature. "I immediately alerted the village security and development committee (JKKK) that helped to report it to the relevant authorities," he said, adding that councillor G. Gunaraj and Batu Arang Indian Community head Shanmugam Nathan had also been helping them out in the crisis. Six firemen from the Batu Arang fire department has been working at the site since 4pm on Sunday. Work to put out fire included excavating the ground to locate the underground smouldering coal deposit and dousing it with water. Operation head Salehtul Azmir said the work would take time as the fire could be located between 10m and 15m deep. "We are excavating the ground behind the house, but if the need arises, we might break up the back portion of Robert's house for more excavation work," said Salehtul, adding that the cause of fire was most probably due to direct sunlight to gashes on the ground or even open burning, which was apparent in the area. He said the temperature on the affected ground was between 45 and 60 degrees Celsius, but in the worst-case scenario it could rise to 100 degrees Celsius. "The current rainy weather is worsening the situation — it is like pouring water into a heated wok," he said. He said the coal-fire smoke was particularly hazardous for those with breathing problems. |
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