The Star Online: Metro: South & East
The Star Online: Metro: South & East |
- Haze situation in Muar and Ledang improves drastically
- New English village to be constructed to attract more tourists
- Motorcycle thieves taken down
| Haze situation in Muar and Ledang improves drastically Posted: 27 Jun 2013 04:27 PM PDT MUAR: Folks in Muar and Ledang are relieved as they are able to breathe a lot easier after the haze situation improved drastically. The state of emergency in the two districts was lifted on Monday after the Air Pollutant Index (API) readings dropped to a much better level. According to Muar natural disaster operation centre, the reading dropped to 121 as of 2pm on Monday from 746 on Sunday. All government offices and schools in Muar and Ledang reopened on Tuesday after the state of emergency was lifted on Monday. Muar district officer Abdul Rahman Mohammed Dewam said his office was informed of the lift by the National Security Council on Monday evening. All are back to work as usual and all schools have resumed classes in the morning, he said. Rohaizat Othman, 30, said he felt relieved to see clearer skies. "It is very inconvenient when the haze comes, the children cannot go to school and it is uncomfortable to leave our home for work, market or any outdoor activities. "Hopefully, I can bring my kids and siblings out to town in the next few days," said the hotel worker. Housewife Nurjannah Abdullah, 31, said she was glad that the schools were reopened. "I am happy that all my children can go back to school," said the mother of six. Nurjannah said she prepared more drinking water and fruits for her children and family since the haze started last week. A sundry shop owner, who only wanted to be known as New, said it was a good news for the folks as the state of emergency was lifted. "It means the air quality is better now and I hope it will continue to improve to a healthy level. "Very few customers came in the past few days especially last Saturday," he said, adding that he received more customers today. Drinks seller Tan Chap Hwee said haze came every year and he hoped the government and the neighbouring countries could find a long-term solution to control burning and haze. "It is good to see that the air is much better compared to the last few days and I hope it will continue to be better," he said, adding that fewer people stopped by to buy drinks last week. I hope the businesses will pick up soon," he added. Abdul Rahman, who is also Muar natural disaster operations centre committee chairman, said the operations centre would remain open until further notice from the National Security Council. He urged members of public to continue wearing masks and drinking plenty of water although the API readings showed improvement. "We also advise members of public not to go outdoors as the haze is still present in the air. Open burning is totally prohibited," he added. |
| New English village to be constructed to attract more tourists Posted: 27 Jun 2013 04:27 PM PDT RAUB: The "Little England" of Frasers Hill will have its twin village in the area as another attraction for tourists. Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said the British concept of picturesque surroundings with its beautiful highland flowers and landscape together with the colonial bungalows left behind by the English administrators on Bukit Fraser are among the present attractions to tourists. Mohamed Nazri said as a place to crave peace of mind and temperatures between 17 and 24 degrees Celsius and filled with flower gardens and beautiful scenery, Bukit Fraser had been known as one of the resort's most popular highlands in the peninsular apart from Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands. He said there would be no further excessive developments in the area including the construction for additional accommodations despite the hill which is most visited and experiencing traffic congestion at times. "The Little England concept and atmosphere with its colonial buildings, including post offices, bungalows, police stations and hotels built by British are the attractions. "Tourists visiting this place are not for entertainment or extreme night life. However, they are on top of Bukit Fraser to seek nature, cool atmosphere and listen to the chirpings of the wild birds and other species of migratory birds. "However, if there is a small English village to be constructed here with the similar Little England concept portrayed, it will further attract visitors and their stays will be extended," Mohamed Nazri said after closing the 26th International Bird Race competition recently. Also present were Pahang Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin, state exco Datuk Shahiruddin Ab Moin, Bukit Fraser Development Corporation general manager Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Abdul Mutalib and his deputy Ishak Mokhtar. Mohamed Nazri said the ministry too would study the suggestion to have a cable car service for easier access to the hills to reduce the traffic flow and congestion. He said like some parts of the hillside tourists destinations in the country, travelling in cable cars would give more opportunities to the tourists to have a beautiful view of the lush green surroundings compared to travel via land vehicles. "There will also be the impact of the economic spillover to the locals and reduce the needs of additional rooms on top of the hills because the tourists can spend their night in Raub town and during the day time, they can visit Bukit Fraser via the cable cars. "Because we want to limit the accommodation facilities on the hills, Raub town will be the most appropriate place for accommodation," he said, adding that locals including hotel operators and other entrepreneurs would benefit from the economic spin. Mohamed Nazri said however, the cable car plan would only be realised after all aspect of studies including the environmental impact was conducted and agreed upon. He said Bukit Fraser, which was at 1,524m above sea level, had innumerable plants, birds and animal species and any excessive developments would affect its rich flora and fauna. |
| Posted: 27 Jun 2013 04:27 PM PDT TEMERLOH: Numerous surveillance and operations carried out by police here against motorcycle thieves brought success with the crippling of a teenage gang. Five members of the gang, including three students, aged 12, 13 and 14, were nabbed in a series of operations over six days. OCPD Asst Comm Abdul Aziz Salleh said the five suspects were detained in four locations in Taman Bukit Bendera and Taman Sri Layang, Mentakab. "Upon questioning, they led us to the recovery of two stolen motorcycles, two chassis and one engine dumped in some bushes in Taman Bukit Bendera. "Most of the stolen motorcycles were cannibalised and its parts sold off to ready buyers and some kept for own use," he said at a press conference here. Also present was district CID chief Deputy Supt Makhetar Yaacob. ACP Abdul Aziz said initial investigations showed that the gang, active since early this year, would commit the acts at night around Mentakab. He said two other gang members, aged 17 and 18, were jobless and could have recruited the three students, who stayed in the same neighbourhood, as partners in crime. "With the arrests, at least 13 motorcycle theft cases had been solved. "We are targeting such groups as motorcycle thefts have contributed to a rise in crime index for the district," he said. ACP Abdul Aziz said the suspects would be investigated under Section 379A of the Penal Code for motorcycle thefts. The offence carries a jail term of up to seven years and a fine, upon conviction. |
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