Malaysia Floods: Illegal loggers to face music

BEN New Straits Times 13 Jan 15;

SEGAMAT: The government will consult with the Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Patail before taking illegal loggers responsible for the massive floods nationwide to court.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said: “Such measures such as bringing the perpetrators to book, was among one of the best available options in an effort to tackle the issue of illegal logging and land clearing

He was speaking to reporters after visiting the flood relief centre in Kampung Batu Badak here this afternoon.

Also present were Buloh Kasap assemblyman Norshida Ibrahim, Tenang assemblyman Mohd Azahar Ibrahim and Segamat district officer Ahmad Ma'in.

Shahidan, who is also the National Security Council (NSC) chairman, said the federal government took seriously the issue of logging and land clearing.

“Besides that, the government will also continue to go after illegal loggers as it is the locals that will suffer if there is no firm action taken,” he said.

Shahidan said the government will also propose that all state governments stop logging activities for the next 10 years in an effort to prevent flooding.

He said the federal government and the respective state governments should cooperate on this matter.

Third wave will not occur, says Met Dept
The Star 14 Jan 15;

KUALA LUMPUR: A third wave of floods expected to hit the East Coast states will not occur based on analysis of rain episodes by the Malaysian Meteorological Department.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (Weather and Climate) deputy director-general Alui Bahari said based on a one-week rainfall analysis there had been no episode of heavy monsoon rains which would normally lead to floods.

"Every day we monitored the weather and found only regular rainfall, not heavy monsoon rain. Should there be changes, we will inform two days before the heavy monsoon rain episode begins to appear," he told Bernama Tuesday.

He said heavy monsoon rains that last for two or three days could cause flooding as what had happened recently in several areas in the East Coast, Kedah, Johor and Perak.

Normal heavy rain that continues for two or three hours can sometimes cause flash floods, he said.

Alui said issuing warning on a wave of floods does not come under the purview of the department as the department only issues warnings related to the weather such as heavy rain and strong winds.

National Security Council (MKN) Secretary Datuk Mohamed Thajudeen Abdul Wahab however, said regardless, the agency would be geared to face the possibility of a third wave of floods in the country.

He said his teams were still busy working at all areas affected by floods to help and deliver all forms of assistance, including effective communication.

"Therefore, we maintain the position of our teams in flood-hit areas as in the first and second phase of the floods," he told Bernama.

Thajudeen said the agency, in collaboration with various government agencies and non-governmental organisations, including volunteer teams were now actively involved in rehabilitation work.

According to him, apart from food aid, medicine, clothing and shelter, flood victims were in dire need of moral support to build their confidence in moving forward. - Bernama

Floods: Increasing trend of leptospirosis, melioidosis: Health Ministry
ELVINA FERNANDEZ New Straits Times 14 Jan 15;

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry revealed that there was an increasing trend of leptospirosis and melioidosis disease in flood affected states.

Its director general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said a total of 146 suspected cases of leptospirosis have been reported in flood-hit states between Jan 11 and Jan 13, with five cases have been confirmed positive.

"As for meliodisis, on Jan 13, a total of seven cases have been confirmed positive in Pahang'"

"We are taking precautionary measures in facing leptospirosis and melioidosis in the affected states," he said in a statement.

Among the steps taken, he said were to ensure health facilities were able to accommodate the increasing number of patients and that there were sufficient drugs to treat patients.

"All hospitals have been instructed to be on a “prepared mode”, especially the Intensive Care Unit and High Dependency Ward, to treat and monitor patients if the need arises," he said.

He added that rapid test kits for leptospirosis will be provided at health clinics in addition to those already supplied to hospitals.

"Health Alert Cards for leptospirosis, meliodosis and typhoid will be provided to our health staff and medical NGOs,"

Dr Noor Hisham also pointed out that volunteers who are involved in post flood clearing activities in flood affected areas, were at risk of contracting leptospirosis and melioidosis.

"They are advised to seek immediate health treatment should there be any signs of or symptoms of the water or vector borne disease," he said.

He also urged medical practitioners in public and private health facilities are to be aware of the current situation and the risk of flood related diseases such as leptospirosis and melioidosis.

"Medical practitioners should check the travel history of patients when examining, to see if they have visited flood affected states and carry out the necessary test as well as treatment."

Among the symptoms of leptospirosis are fever, headache, muscle aches, cough, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, inflammation of the eyes and jaundice.

The incubation period of the disease is between two and 21 days.

While the symptoms of melioidosis are fever, headache, joint pain, cough, chest pain, breathing difficulties, abdominal discomfort, confusion and localised infections such as scabies.

The incubation period of the disease is between one and 21 days.