Day: June 2, 2024

SUNGAI PETANI, The decision to build an underground dam in Langkawi was made after an intensive study conducted by federal government agencies, said Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.

He said the construction of the underground dam was one of the initiatives proposed by the National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM) to address the domestic water supply issues faced by the island’s residents.

“NAHRIM’s study confirms that an underground dam can indeed be built in Langkawi because there are two hills, and only one section needs to be blocked to store water for use.

“An agency has already conducted this study, and it is now in the final stages of implementation,” he told reporters after launching the state-level World Environment Day at Dataran Tsunami, Kota Kuala Muda here today.

He added that if successful, the underground dam project, based on a similar project in Japan, will be the first of its kind to be built in the country.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Sanusi said that no new
approvals will be granted for logging or mining activities in the state.

‘This is a step towards preserving the sustainability and natural resources of the state.

“There are applications…but usually the recent applications, we do not approve, even if they are from state government subsidiaries,’ he said.

He added that previously approved logging activities found to be in sensitive areas will be reconsidered for relocation.

“If there are approved areas that subsequently raise environmental issues, cause pollution, disrupt water sources, or affect life, they need to be moved to less sensitive locations.

“Nearly 80,000 hectares of land have been approved previously, including for forest plantation projects and various others,’ he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

BAGAN DATUK, Despite the increasing efficiency of police operations, police need more advanced equipment to combat crimes, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid said criminal activities have evolved and police should be provided with better equipment to stay ahead of irresponsible individuals using sophisticated technology to commit crimes.

“Technology has changed rapidly and criminals are also using technology. In this regard, the police must have the upper hand to eliminate crime,” he said at a press conference after launching the operations of the Bagan Datuk district police headquarters (IPD) in Hutan Melintang near here today.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bagan Datuk, said that organised crimes, cross-border crimes and cyber crimes must be eradicated.

“In this regard, the use of AI (artificial intelligence) and IoT (Internet of Things) are among the important elements that should be provided to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM),” he said.

A
hmad Zahid said he believed that Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail will be looking into how China’s Ministry of Public Security can assist PDRM during his coming visit to China.

He said although Malaysia also cooperates with the police in other countries, China is among the countries with advanced equipment and technology in the field of security.

“The establishment of a single border agency is one of the solutions to combat various forms of border crime. It also involves various agencies, and such coordination is essential.

“God willing, a specific act will be made for this single border agency, and I hope that security issues will remain a priority for our country,” said the former Home Minister.

He also said that trials for face recognition CCTV have been implemented in a district in Johor, but it has not yet been extended to the whole country.

After the event, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, officially opened the Parit 23 Community Hall in Tanjung Ba
yan near here.

Meanwhile, Perak police chief Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri, in his welcoming speech, said that the Bagan Datuk IPD had unofficially started operations on March 16 with 267 positions.

He said the Hutan Melintang police station was chosen to be the temporary operational centre for the Bagan Datuk IPD because of the suitability of the police station complex, which was completed in 2012.

“A budget of RM2 million for the acquisition of 10 acres of land for the construction site of the new Bagan Datuk IPD Complex was approved under Rolling Plan 4 of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).

“PDRM has also submitted a request for the construction cost, estimated at RM200 million, under Rolling Plan 5 of 12MP,” he said.

Mohd Yusri said the Bagan Datuk IPD is the 16th district police headquarters in Perak.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

GEORGE TOWN, The family of the late Commander Muhammad Firdaus Ramli, who was killed in a crash involving two Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) helicopters in Lumut, Perak in April, has accepted the findings of the final report issued on Thursday (May 30) with an open heart.

Ramli Abd Hamid, 68, father of the deceased, said he and his family were satisfied with the investigation and accepted the ill-fated destiny of Muhammad Firdaus, more affectionately known as “Tuan Kecik”, who is the eldest of seven siblings.

“We as a family were invited by RMN to attend the announcement of the final report in Lumut last Friday and I, on behalf of the family, accept it (the findings).

“It (helicopter crash) has already happened, we can’t change that reality and Allah has destined the inevitable for us and my late son,” he said at his home in Persiaran Pantai Jerejak here today.

In the April 23 tragedy, 10 RMN personnel consisting of seven crew members of the Maritime Operations Helicopter (HOM-AW139) and three crew members o
f the TLDM Fennec were killed in the incident during a fly-past rehearsal for RMN’s 90th Anniversary celebration at its naval base in Lumut.

Muhammad Firdaus, 44, who left behind a wife and a four-year-old son, was buried at the Sungai Nibong Besar Jamek Mosque cemetery here.

Ramli said today marks 40 days since his son’s death and his family held a tahlil ceremony at home.

He said the most touching thing was that his son’s grave is frequently visited by people and fresh flowers are always been laid on the tombstone.

He said there is no denying the grief of a father’s loss but he cannot be desolate over destiny.

On Thursday, the RMN Board of Inquiry found that the tragic crash involving two RMN aircraft on April 23 was mainly caused by the Fennec helicopter deviating from its designated altitude and course and entering the flight path of the AW139 helicopter.

RMN chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Ayob said the board also concluded that the secondary factor of the crash was due to the channelised attent
ion of the AW139 helicopter crew, who were focused on changing course, thereby limiting their reaction to avoid the collision.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) will discuss with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) efforts to support local artists to export their works abroad.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz said this collaboration could be done through the Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (ASWARA).

“The concept of exporting art abroad has long existed, and we here need to focus more on how art can have an impact on trade and export. We can export the works of our local talents abroad not only for financial benefits but also to introduce Malaysian culture to the world,” he told reporters after officiating the contemporary art exhibition ARTCONOMICS, a collaborative project between the University of Malaya Economics Society and University of Malaya Art Gallery.

“With proper support, we can help our artists to expand their industry to the international level and this will help the national e
conomy.”

According to Tengku Zafrul, art is not only about culture, which is always difficult to measure, but how the arts industry can help drive the economy.

“For example, we can see other countries such as South Korea, where the arts industry has grown from K-pop to food and beverages, and we must understand how the economy supports the arts industry,” he said.

“I have long been in the art field and seen many talented Malaysian artists break into the international market. It is important for us to support local artists and bring them to the international stage and the government also helps in these efforts through various ministries and agencies,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUANTAN, The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) 66th anniversary open day at the air base here, recorded an impressive attendance of nearly 20,000 people to enliven the programme.

The occasion which was last held in 2019 in Kuantan, saw an extraordinary wave of visitors who took advantage of the school holidays to bring family members, came as early as 7 am.

Themed ‘Kuasa Udara, Perisai Kedaulatan Negara’ (Air Power, Shield of National Sovereignty) in conjunction with RMAF’s anniversary celebration this time, the open day gives the community the opportunity to get to know the role of the force at a closer range as various activities and demonstrations were held for visitors from 9 am to 5 pm.

The biggest attraction was the air show and static exhibition involving 23 RMAF aircraft including Sukhoi Su-30MKM, F/A-18D Hornet and BAE Hawk, C-130H transport aircraft and EC 725 helicopters.

Apart from that there is also a parachute show by 15 members of the Special Force (Paskau) as well as 29 exhibition tents,
six ground support assets for static exhibitions and hostage rescue demonstrations.

The Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah attended the open day accompanied by Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari and Air Force chief Gen Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan.

The open day is aimed at introducing the roles, duties and responsibilities of the air force besides displaying RMAF’s social service obligations to the community.

For senior citizen, Ahmad Marqom, 79, who lives in Felda Jengka 16, it was to support his youngest son who is a member of RMAF and despite being on a wheelchair, he was excited to see the air show and the response from the young people to the programme.

Izhar Azmi Abdul Basir, 20, came with 10 family members including his wheelchair-bound father Abdul Basir Kasiman, 64, due to kidney disease from Klang, Selangor did not feel their presence was in vain.

“A show like this is good because it is not easy to get int
o this air base and I feel it is the best way to raise the spirit of patriotism among young people,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency