Malaysia: Federal govt to spend RM17.5 million to restore Kelantan beaches ravaged by erosions

Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah New Straits Times 18 Oct 17;

KOTA BARU: The government will carry out recovery projects of two beaches in Kelantan which have been seriously affected by erosion over the decades.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the projects covering 3km of beaches were expected to cost RM17.5 million and would start early next year.

"Following the success of the Pantai Cahaya Bulan (PCB)'s project which cost about RM20 million, the government will use the same method for Pantai Mek Mas and Pantai Pulau Kundur here.

"With the same patterns of waves, weather and sea in PCB, the projects will likely be carried out smoothly at Pantai Mek Mas and Pantai Pulau Kundur," he told reporters after visiting the beaches here today.

Wan Junaidi said the PCB's project proved to be a success in two years time by using the “beach nourishment and rock revetment” systems.

"The new projects in Pantai Mek Mas and Pantai Pulau Kundur are expected to complete between 12 and 18 months.

"Once completed, the government hopes that the problems faced by the villagers there can be solved.

"It can also bring back tourists to the sites as well as the local traders can resume their business along the beaches," he said.

Wan Junaidi said the government started to trace erosion in the three main beaches in Kelantan in 2013 and the problem had persisted.

"The changes in weather as well as high tides and strong waves have contributed to this," he said.

Earlier, Wan Junaidi attended a briefing on beach erosion at a resort.

Also present at the one-hour meeting were Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) deputy director-general (business sector) Datuk Dr Md Nasir Md Noh and state DID director Kamal Mustapha.

It is learnt that more than 400 villages at the beaches have been affected and houses in the areas are at risks of being destroyed by erosions.


Powerful winds wreaking havoc on Sabah's west coast
ruben sario The Star 18 Oct 17;

KOTA KINABALU: Winds packing speeds of up to 50km per hour uprooted trees and snapped off branches making driving hazardous amid driving rains along Sabah’s west coast, northern and interior districts.

Firemen were kept busy responding to 110 calls of trees and branches falling on houses, roads and vehicles since Oct 16.

Sabah Fire and Rescue Services Department operations room chief Khatizah Rahaban said there were however no casualties reported in those incidents.

She said there were 72 reports of trees or branches falling on roads while there were also 23 calls of houses being damaged in similar incident.

There were also another four reports of vehicles hit by the falling trees.

Fallen trees also damaged chalets on Manukan island near here while roofs of vegetable stalls popular among visitors in Kundasang were blown off by the strong winds.

Also blown off were sections of roofing at the Kian Kok secondary school here.


Strong winds, rough seas warning
Bernama New Straits Times 18 Oct 17;

KUALA LUMPUR: Strong winds and rough seas are expected to occur over waters off Sulu until Saturday, Oct 21.

According to a statement by the Malaysian Meteorological Department today, the southwesterly winds at 50-60 km per hour with waves of up to 4.5 meters would be dangerous to small boats.

Meanwhile, strong wind warnings and rough seas (first category) are also expected in the waters off Reef North, Layang-Layang and Palawan until Saturday, Oct. 21.

The southwesterly winds of 40-50 km per hour and waves of up to 3.5 meters high are expected to occur over the period.

The conditions were dangerous to small boats, sea recreation and sea sports.–BERNAMA