The Star Online: Metro: South & East
The Star Online: Metro: South & East |
- Reward to villages for cleaning efforts
- SESB tracking syndicate
- Ab Ghani: Basic fire safety knowledge crucial
| Reward to villages for cleaning efforts Posted: 28 Sep 2012 06:35 AM PDT KOTA KINABALU: Half a year after kick starting the Moyog river restoration programme, a grassroots movement will reward villages that kept their river banks clean as a sign of support for efforts to bring the waterway back to its former glory. At a celebration to mark World Rivers Day this Sunday, the winning settlement will take home RM1,500, while those that come in second and third will get RM1,000 and RM500 respectively. Community-Led Environmental Awareness for Our River, or CLEAR, is determined to keep the programme running, and will encourage villages along the Moyog to compete in a second round of the contest, this time stretching for a year. In the first edition of the contest, villages that took part were under the respective Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) of Kuai-Kandazon, Mahandoi, Terawi and SUKOD (Suok and Kodundungan). CLEAR chairperson Winnie Jimis said the Moyog river is today listed as polluted due to indiscriminate dumping of household waste, and can no longer be used as a source for drinking water the way it was in the past. "We are a group of concerned citizens who are worried that if we do not take action now, the condition of the Moyog river will deteriorate. This is why we launched a long-term river restoration programme in March, and today, although a lot more needs to be done, there are some positive outcomes from our effort," she said. The event on Sunday will also see CLEAR join hands with the Monsopiad Cultural Village to organise a bamboo rafting challenge, exhibition on river restoration, and a demonstration from SMK Datuk Peter Mojuntin on how to make mud balls and enzyme based cleaning liquid. "It will be a fun-filled day, and we hope to see villagers come in full force to support us. There will be a drawing contest for SK Puuntunoh pupils, and for RM2, you can also experience what it feels like to cruise on the river on a bamboo raft. "In the past, villagers used bamboo rafts to travel from one settlement to another. We hope the experience, along with all the other activities we have lined up, will encourage locals to restore the Moyog river, and reconnect people to the river," Winnie said in a statement issued today. For the first 50 people who show up at the celebration that starts at 9am, will receive free tickets for the cruise. During the celebration, the community of Kampung Terawi will release fish fry into the river. Tree planting on the river bank is another feature of the celebration. Winnie said once keeping the river clean becomes a way of life, the Moyog which is located close to Kota Kinabalu city, can become a tourist attraction. "Through this on-going effort, we also hope that restoration efforts here will become an example for other riverine communities," she said. Penampang Member of Parliament Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, who is also Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister, is scheduled to officiate the celebration at Kampung Kodundungan. |
| Posted: 28 Sep 2012 06:35 AM PDT KOTA KINABALU: Utility firm Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) is probing if a syndicate is involved in the rampant power theft through illegal connections at nearly 100 squatter settlements in the state. SESB senior general manager Ahmad Fuad Md Kasim said the company sustained losses totalling about RM1.7 mil between September 2011 and August this year due to such thefts. "We had carried out about 179 raids on squatter settlements throughout the state and more than 95% of these had been raided more than twice. "We believe that there may be a syndicate behind this illegal activity because each time we carry out such raids, there are no occupants in the houses or the illegally connected wires had been hastily removed," he said. Ahmad Fuad pointed out that among the squatter settlements that have been identified to carry illegal electricity connections were those in Kota Kinabalu, Semporna, Lahad Datu, Sandakan and Tawau. "Although such activities have been going on for some time, we will carry out a thorough investigation and if there is any staff of SESB involved in this illegal activity, we will not hesitate to take legal action," he said. Meanwhile, Ahmad Fuad said SESB had also incurred losses amounting to RM2.5 million through electric meter tampering by registered customers as well as companies. "During the same period, September 2011 to August 2012, SESB with cooperation from the Energy Commission (EC) have carried out 17 raids on factories and business premises throughout the state. "Among the action that will be taken against such offence is to reclaim back losses that SESB had incurred and to charge them in court," he said. He said any company caught tempering with the company's electric meter would be charged under Section 38 of the Electrical Supply Act 1990, while those caught for illegal electric connection would be charged under Section 37 of the same act. |
| Ab Ghani: Basic fire safety knowledge crucial Posted: 28 Sep 2012 06:35 AM PDT BATU PAHAT: Premise owners and occupants have been urged to brush up on their general fire safety knowledge to safeguard their possessions and save lives. Johor Fire and Rescue department director Datuk Ab Ghani Daud said more than 80% of the people do not know how to handle the fire safety equipment and fire fighting system. "It is worrying that many still do not have the basic safety knowledge. Sometimes we find that some fire incidents could be controlled if the people have knowledge of handling the fire safety equipment. "We hope members of public will take the initiative to learn more about fire safety equipment and fire fighting system as it will save lives and properties," he said after an official visit to all three fire stations in the district recently. Ab Ghani said majority of the premise owners owned the devices merely to qualify for fire safety permit and certification. He urged those who were not sure how to use fire safety equipment to contact the department. "We will provide trainings, everyone in the premises must know the basic knowledge on how to handle emergencies. "In a factory for example, everyone from the general worker to the general manager should be trained," he said. Ab Ghani stressed that no one should try to put out fire without contacting the department for help first. He added that some of people only called for help after the fire was out of control. Jalan Mohd Khalil fire station chief Sabri Roslan said the station had saved more than RM21.3mil worth of properties last year and RM6.1mil of properties saved between January and August this year. He said the station received a total of 122 distress calls between January and August this year and recorded RM2.8mil loss in properties. While in 2011, a total of 167 distress calls were received and RM2.9mil worth of properties destroyed during fire. |
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