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Authority says stakeholders consulted during design and construction stages
VALERIE KOH Today Online 16 Sep 17;
SINGAPORE – Likening the authorities’ new housing facility for animals at Sungei Tengah to “concentration camps”, an online petition urging the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) to review the design of the facility for animal shelters and pet farms has garnered over 1,400 signatures since Wednesday (Sep 13).
The authority, however, said stakeholders were consulted during the design and construction stages and changes were made after feedback, such as the redesign of the initial individual kennel layout for communal kennels.
Ms Josephine Lim, a regular volunteer with various shelters, started the petition after coming across photographs of the Sungei Tengah facility. Taken during a site visit by Lily Low Shelter, these photographs depicted rows of double-storey buildings, with windows sited close to the ceiling, under construction.
“The new structures look just like concentration camps with small windows built at 1.8m from the ground,” said Ms Lim, a 50-year-old sales director. “How depressing will the shelters be without a well-ventilated environment?”
She added that sheltering animals or breeding animals “in such cramped quarters” was undignified and inhumane.
Last November, the AVA announced that it would be building a new facility for animal shelters and pet farms at Sungei Tengah by the end of this year. The space would be rented out to operators at Loyang and Seletar, whose leases are expiring in the coming months.
At that time, the AVA said that there would be sufficient room for the animals – estimated to be around 6,000 to 7,000 - owned by the nine animal welfare groups, 29 pet farms and several independent shelters there.
Following a site visit to Sungei Tengah last month, Ms Lily Low, who runs a shelter for cats at Pasir Ris, voiced concerns about the poor ventilation on Facebook.
“Ventilation of our new shelter is terrible. I had difficulty breathing. I felt faint,” she said. Her current shelter, which has been home to 160 cats and three dogs rescued from the streets for the past decade, has a wire mesh design, with sunlight streaming in and air circulating freely.
Speaking to TODAY earlier this week, Ms Low, 48, said: “Over at the new facilities, it’s all covered up. The windows are so small. Can you imagine the stench?”
The lack of space around the compound and inside each unit was also an issue for her. By siting the buildings close to each other, a virus outbreak could be difficult to contain, she said.
Furthermore, the 104 sq m space – roughly the size of a five-room flat - offered by the AVA was too small to accommodate all her animals. She said: “They’re making me a hoarder.”
Animal Lovers League co-founder Mohan Div, 52, had similar concerns. The 15-year-old shelter for nearly 500 cats, dogs, tortoises and rabbits will also be moving from Pasir Ris to Sungei Tengah.
“Our building hasn’t been constructed yet. But from what we see, there’s poor ventilation (at the other buildings). Presently, we have open concept farms. The new space given is very small, so there’s a real compromise (of) the animals’ well-being.There’s a claustrophobic feeling,” he said.
For one dog shelter, the move will mean downsizing to a 450 sq m space – one-tenth of their current site at Pasir Ris. But in land scarce Singapore, this is “as good as it gets”, said Save Our Street Dogs (SOSD).
In a Facebook post on Friday (Sep 15), SOSD said: “The Ministry of National Development (MND) is building the premises, with space allocated for animal welfare - and we move in and pay rent. This is much better than the original plan, where animal shelters had to bid for land, and build our own premises - an undertaking which would have cost millions.”
Referring to the petition, SOSD felt that rather than rapping the authorities for poor design, operators should work with them to make the best of limited resources.
“On this point, AVA and MND have reassured us that we are free to conduct renovation works to make the place better after we take over the units. For example, the problem of poor ventilation can be improved, by creating larger windows,” said the group.
Being close to other shelters had its perks, the group noted. For instance, animal welfare initiatives can be more easily implemented and groups will have more synergy.
In response to media queries, the AVA said that a census had been conducted in November last year to ensure that there would be sufficient space at the new facility to house the affected animals, and the allocation of units at the new facility was based on those population numbers.
The authorities tried to adjust the design and layout “as much as possible” given constraints such as land availability. Dog runs and a pavilion will also be built.
“During the engagement sessions, we received requests for lower walls to allow for better ventilation. We have designed the units to facilitate natural ventilation and comply with the building code of practice,” said the AVA.
As for the design of the facility, the AVA said that the floor to ceiling height is 2.5m, and most walls are 1.5m high, with the remaining 1m covered by wire mesh.
Only the fire escape-facing wall on the first floor will be 1.8m high to comply with the fire safety code. The remaining 0.7m for this wall will be covered by wire mesh.
Some stakeholders wanted air-conditioning, while others requested exhaust fans, noted the AVA. Power points have been provided so that fans or other ventilation can be added to each unit.
Stakeholders had also highlighted that the initial individual kennel layout was not suitable. “In response to this feedback, we redesigned the space for communal kennels instead. We also provided a fenced-up kennel in non-commercial units to address concerns about animals jumping out of the kennels,” said the AVA, adding that units kennel partitions will also be allowed for some operators.
In terms of rental fees, animal welfare groups and independent shelters will pay rental based on “cost recovery” while commercial pet establishments will bid for units based on a reserve price.
While the facility was initially slated for completion end this year, the timeline will be pushed back due to additional earthworks and and will only be ready in stages from the end of this year till the middle of next year. Operators will be given short-term lease extensions till then.
Upcoming animal shelter in Sungei Tengah to have flexible layout configuration: AVA
Audrey Tan Straits Times 16 Sep 17;
SINGAPORE - The upcoming government-built animal shelter in Sungei Tengah will have a variety of layout configurations, to cater to the needs of different animal welfare groups that will have to move there when the facility is ready by mid-2018.
The two-storey facility is expected to house some 7,000 animals from the cat and dog shelters in Pasir Ris, Loyang, Seletar and Lim Chu Kang.
The animals have to move as land leases of their present, single-storey shelters are due to expire in the coming months.
Some units in the new facility will have kennel partitions, while others will be developed without partition walls, grilles and gates for the communal kennels, said the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) on Saturday (Sept 16).
"Some stakeholders have requested air-conditioning, while others have asked for exhaust fans. Power points have been provided so that fans or other ventilation can be provided within each unit. AVA has tried to make provisions to allow tenants the flexibility to retrofit units to suit their individual needs," said the spokesman.
It has also made provisions for better natural ventilation in the facility.
"We have designed the units to facilitate natural ventilation and comply with the building code of practice. The floor to ceiling is 2.5m in height. Most walls are 1.5m high, with the remaining 1m covered by wire mesh. Only the fire escape-facing wall on the first floor will be 1.8m high to comply with the fire safety code. The remaining 0.7m for this wall will be covered by wire mesh," said the AVA spokesman.
AVA's update on the facility comes after a petition calling on the agency to review the design of the shelter started circulating on social media on Wednesday (Sept 13).
The petition, started by one Josephine Lim, said that based on photographs circulating online, "the shelter looks just like a concentration camp... which does not have any outdoor space for animals to get natural sunlight and is totally boxed in".
However, it is not clear where the photographs she is referring to are from, as the facility is not yet fully built.
Construction of the new shelter has been slightly delayed due to the need for additional earthworks, AVA said, and the facility is now scheduled to be progressively ready from the end of this year to mid-next year.
Animal welfare groups were expected to move to the Sungei Tengah shelter by the end of this year.
But AVA said it has worked with the relevant agencies to provide short-term extensions for tenants whose leases are expiring this year.
Mr Derrick Tan, founder of animal welfare group Voices for Animals (VFA), which has a shelter at Pasir Ris, said it is not clear who Josephine Lim is, and if she had been part of the engagement sessions that animal welfare groups have been having with AVA.
"The facility is a shelter for the animals to stay temporarily, while we find them their forever home. It is not a permanent place we want the animals to stay in forever. And whatever space we get, we can make good use of it to allow the animals to be comfortable. AVA has been very flexible with the layout that different groups want," said Mr Tan.
VFA has been allocated three units for its 150 dogs, Mr Tan told The Straits Times.
Of this, he had negotiated with AVA to have two of the three units built without any partitions, allowing the dogs to roam free as they do in the current shelter. The third unit is kept for less socialised dogs, he said.
Animal welfare group Voices for Animals' proposed changes to configuration of units in upcoming government-built animal shelter in Sungei Tengah. PHOTO: VOICES FOR ANIMALS
AVA agreed to make changes according to VFA's requirements. PHOTO: VOICES FOR ANIMALS
"AVA has been very flexible, and we need to be fair to them," he said.
Taking on board the suggestions at the design phase would help animal welfare groups, which are often already cash-strapped, save costs, Mr Tan added.
His views were echoed by a number of other animal welfare groups, including dog rescue group SOSD Singapore.
The group said in a Facebook post on Friday (Sept 15): "Can the situation be better? Yes - if we were in New Zealand or Australia, where there is ample land. In land-scarce Singapore, this is as good as it gets, for now. The National Development Ministry (MND) is building the premises, with space allocated for animal welfare - and we move in and pay rent; This is much better than the original plan, where animal shelters had to bid for land, and build our own premises - an undertaking which would have cost millions."
MND is the parent ministry which AVA falls under.
The new two-storey facility will also provide different services, such as pest control, waste disposal, cleaning services, which can be shared, AVA said.
"The facility is custom-built for housing animals and meets AVA's animal welfare standards. There will also be common facilities, such as dog runs and a pavilion for events. The facility's Managing Agent will carry out routine pest control and provide security services," said AVA.
Sue-Ann Tan Straits Times 17 Sep 17;
Diners at Grand Hyatt Singapore's restaurants have been unknowingly helping the hotel maintain its in-house herb garden every time they have a meal there.
Since mid-2016, the hotel in Scotts Road has been using a food waste management system. Instead of getting thrown away, food waste goes into a machine known as the Biomax Thermophilic Digester.
Food waste such as vegetables, poultry, bones, egg shells, fruit peel - and even tissue paper - from nine in-house restaurants and kitchens are converted into pathogen-free organic fertilisers used in the hotel's rooftop herb garden.
The machine was highlighted as part of a professional sharing session yesterday by Waste Management and Recycling Association of Singapore (WMRAS) and Green Infiniti, the Singapore distributor of Biomax products such as the food waste digester.
About 90 guests attended the session, including Dr Amy Khor, adviser to WMRAS and Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources and Health.
Said Mr Edwin Pang, executive director of WMRAS: "Only 14 per cent of food waste is recycled, so WMRAS supports efforts to convert food waste into either compost or water for discharge.
"This makes our living environment more sustainable because even if we incinerate food waste, it will produce ash for the Semakau landfill, which will run out of space by 2035 to 2040."
The amount of food waste generated in Singapore has increased by about 40 per cent over the past decade, according to the National Environment Agency.
Recycling food waste has helped Grand Hyatt Singapore to save on food waste haulage fees, operational and manpower expenses, and the cost of trash bags and bins - all of which come up to about $100,000 a year.
Over 24 hours, the hotel can recycle 500kg of food waste.
Mr Chester Chiew, assistant business development manager of slaughterhouse Sinmah Poultry, said he is considering implementing a food waste recycling system.
"We produce a lot of waste because of the chicken parts we throw away, so this waste management technology will generate lots of savings for us.
"Industries with large amounts of animal waste should definitely consider this technology," he said.
Sue-Ann Tan
Hotel recycles 500kg of food waste into fertiliser within 24 hours using food-waste digester
Sue-Ann Tan Straits Times 16 Sep 17;
SINGAPORE - Grand Hyatt, a hotel near Orchard Road, has saved $100,000 a year, just by managing its waste.
Instead of throwing food waste into the bin, the hotel staff transfer them into a machine known as the Biomax Thermophilic Digester.
This technology recycles food waste such as vegetable, poultry, bones, egg shell, tissue paper and fruit peel from nine in-house restaurants and kitchens.
The food waste is then converted into pathogen-free organic fertilisers which are used for the hotel's landscaping purposes.
In a 24-hour cycle, the hotel can recycle 500kg of food waste.
This technology was highlighted as part of a professional sharing session on Saturday (Sept 16) by Waste Management and Recycling Association of Singapore (WMRAS) and the Singapore agent of Biomax, Green Infiniti.
About 90 guests attended the session, including Dr Amy Khor, advisor to WMRAS and Senior Minister of State of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and Ministry of Health.
Participants discussed how food waste could be better recycled as well as how new technology such as the Biomax Digester could competently process different compositions of food waste.
"Only 14 per cent of food waste is recycled so WMRAS supports efforts to convert food waste to either compost or water for discharge. This is to make our living environment more sustainable because even if we incinerate food waste, it will produce ash for the Semakau landfill which will run out of space by 2035 to 2040," said Mr Edwin Pang, executive director of WMRAS
Food waste recycling systems were tested out at Grand Hyatt and Meridian Primary School.
Biomax also worked with other schools such as Sengkang Secondary and Punggol Secondary School.
The recycling helps Grand Hyatt to save on food waste haulage fees, operational and manpower expenses and cost of trash bags and bins.
The initiative also helps to indirectly reduce the hotel's carbon footprint as none of the food waste goes to the incineration plants.
At Meridian Primary, selected students known as "green champions" lead the others in recycling.
They set the example of emptying food waste into buckets in the canteen and separating it from inorganic materials like plastic.
After the machine converts the canteen food waste into fertiliser, the students are also involved in using the fertiliser to grow plants such as chilli and beans.
Felicia Choo Straits Times 16 Sep 17;
SINGAPORE - A tender for consultancy services for the new Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) campus and sea operations centre on Coney Island opened two days ago (Sept 14), and will close on Oct 9.
The tender for shortlisted vendors is for the study and design of development works including architecture, landscape design, as well as mechanics and engineering.
It was announced in April last year (2016) that the campus will be where a five-day expedition-based camp will held from 2020. The camp will be made compulsory for all Secondary 3 students.
OBS' executive director Nicholas Conceicao said that the evaluation will be quite "thorough" in assessing a good design concept and will look at "which consultancy firm will give us the best value for money".
On Saturday (Sept 16), more than 500 OBS alumni gathered on Pulau Ubin for the first OBS Homecoming event. Held in conjunction with OBS' 50th Anniversary, they tried out outdoor adventure activities like the jetty jump, triyaking, abseiling and flying fox.
Since OBS started in 1967, more than 500,000 Singaporeans have tried their hand at overcoming different outdoor challenges.
Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat, who helped to unearth a OBS time capsule from 1997 at the event, went for the 21-day programme as an officer cadet in 1980.
"OBS not only teaches young people to push past their limits, to challenge themselves to be the best that they can be; OBS teaches them to do so together, as one," he said.
"Even though I may not remember the technical steps of each challenge, I will never forget the cheers of my teammates when I needed encouragement, or the real sense of triumph we all felt when one teammate pushed past his limits."
Mr Heng added that OBS is also considering new equipment, such as outrigger kayaks and whaler pulling boats, to provide new experiences for participants.
Going back to Pulau Ubin for the first time since their last OBS experience triggered fond memories for some participants like Madam Tong Chong Chiu, 67.
Then a primary school teacher, attending the 21-day programme more than 40 years ago (in 1974) helped her to overcome her fear of heights. She recalled jumping between platforms secured to trees, despite worrying that she might get injured a week before her wedding.
"I think it's very good for young people. It's a way to get them together, to build confidence and camaraderie," she said.
Another ex-participant Monica Heng, 64, said that students today are lucky because everyone gets a chance to go for OBS.
"During school days, there were limited slots and normally the school would award these slots to the best students (academically), so we never get to go," said the housewife.
zazali musa The Star 16 Sep 17;
JOHOR BARU: All agencies and departments in Johor are well prepared for floods which normally hit the state at the end of the year.
Johor health, environment, information and education committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said there were regular meetings on preparations made in anticipation of the floods.
He said the meetings involved various groups including the state Civil Defence Department, Fire and Rescue Department, local authorities, district officers and non-governmental organisations.
Ayub said it was important to reach out to the people, especially those living in flood-prone areas, and ensure they were ready to face the floods.
He said residents living in flood-prone areas should not take things for granted as floods were yearly occurrences in several parts of Johor during monsoon season.
“However, the flood patterns might change from year to year, depending on the amount of rainfall and how long it rains,” Ayub said.
He said continuous heavy rain for hours or days would normally raise the water levels at rivers and pose a risk to those living along the riverbanks.
Among the factors that contributed to the floods were changes in weather including global warming and the rising water levels at oceans worldwide because of melting ice, he said.
Johor was badly hit by floods early this year as eight out of 10 districts in the state were affected.
Some 8,204 people from 2,428 families were placed in 70 flood relief centres statewide.
Ayub advised residents to refrain from dumping rubbish in waterways including drains and rivers to prevent flash floods.
“Look at the drains around you.
“You can see all sorts or rubbish dumped indiscriminately by people.
“But when flash floods occur in their areas, they blame the authorities,” he said.
He said ongoing property development projects, especially in urban and suburban areas, that did not take into account the capacity of their drainage system also contributed to flash floods.
“Developers must ensure their drainage system is able to handle large volume of rainwater and they must be more responsible to ensure the area is not prone to flash floods,” added Ayub.
Antara 16 Sep 17;
Pekalongan, C Java, Sept 15 (Antara) - Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo stated that his region had been categorized in the drought disaster zone during this years dry season.
"Almost 22 districts are now experiencing drought," said Ganjar, after opening the exhibition Creativity and Innovation of Central Java, which is being held in the city of Pekalongan, Friday.
He noted that since June 2017, to overcome the problem of water shortage for the community, the provincial government had conducted coordination meetings with several related elements to discuss the drought.
At the coordination meeting, it has been decided in the short term to prepare the distribution of water by channeling it through the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the company and the local government, he revealed.
"Therefore, we have asked the public to report to the local government when the region is hit by drought," he said.
As for areas where it is difficult to do clean water distribution, Ganjar stressed that it would be done by digging deep wells and pumps piping engineering.
He hoped that the regional head would participate, whether the village head or sub-district head monitor, so that the drought can be reported immediately.
"Currently, many companies, both state-owned and local enterprises, and private companies are coming forward to help the Central Java Provincial Government through corporate social responsibility in overcoming drought in some areas," he remarked.
(A014/INE/B003)
EDITED BY INE
(T.A014/B/KR-BSR/B003)
Drought hits villages in Pasuruan, East Java
The Jakarta Post 16 Sep 17;
Dozens of villages in Pasuruan regency, East Java, continue to suffer from severe drought, a local disaster mitigation official announced on Friday.
Pasuruan Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) head Bakti Jati Permana said drought has affected at least three districts in the regency.
BPBD Pasuruan is currently conducting various mitigation efforts, including providing clean water to the affected villages.
“Since last month, residents have been supplied with clean water, with a delivery of five or six times a week,” Bakti said as quoted by Antara.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has recorded as of last Sunday more than 2,726 villages across Java, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) and East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) struggling with drought, putting around 3.9 million residents in a dire need of clean water.
On Tuesday, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo gathered his Cabinet ministers to discuss drought tackling measures and to ensure that the mitigation efforts were in place.
Jokowi said that ensuring a clean water supply and maintaining the operation of irrigation channels in drought-affected regions were the main priority in the short term. (mos/ebf)
Straits Times 16 Sep 17;
JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network) - Anyone who wants to live a healthy life may have to consider moving out of Jakarta, as the city continues to climb up the rankings for the world's worst air quality.
Based on a real-time air quality index uploaded to the Airvisual application at midday on Friday (Sept 15), Jakarta ranked third as the most polluted city in the world, after Beijing and Dhaka, among 70 cities measured across the globe.
In mid-August, the application showed that Jakarta was at the top of the list, followed by Ankara, Turkey and Lahore, Pakistan.
Residents in the Indonesian capital may have experienced the worsening air quality due to hazy air and the sharp smell of exhaust fumes from vehicles.
Filani Olyvia, 25, a resident of Mampang Prapatan, in South Jakarta, said she was worried about her health because she rides an ojek (motorcycle taxi) to work every day.
"I'm afraid of catching respiratory diseases, because every day I have to deal with pollution from motorcycles and cars. In Mampang, where traffic congestion is really bad, I can spend a lot of time on the street," she said.
Currently, Filani said she has two motorcyclist friends who suffer from respiratory problems. So, she said, she always uses a health mask while riding an ojek.
Greenpeace Indonesia revealed that air pollution in Greater Jakarta, with its high exposure to a carcinogenic pollutant called PM 2.5, was three times higher than the maximum "safe" level recommended by the World Health Organisation of 25 micrograms per cubic metre.
According to research conducted by Greenpeace from January to June, the air in Greater Jakarta was considered "unhealthy" and hazardous for residents, especially children, pregnant women and the elderly.
"In general, there has been a significant increase in premature deaths resulting from strokes, heart disease, respiratory infections (or what the local authorities call ISPA) in children, lung cancer and chronic lung diseases," said Bondan Andriyanu, Greenpeace campaign spokesman for climate and energy.
Using the risk analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Project conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Greenpeace found that the great increase of people who suffered from pollution-related diseases occurred in areas that were highly exposed to the pollutant.
For example, in Cibubur, East Jakarta, the area with the worst air pollution with PM 2.5 levels reaching 106 micrograms per cubic meter, children have 105 per cent more chance of suffering from ISPA, while the risk of stroke sky rocketed by 150 per cent.
Greenpeace's findings are supported by data from the Jakarta Health Agency that shows that respiratory diseases rank first among the 10 most common diseases suffered by Jakartans.
Jakarta Smart City has also uploaded data showing that thousands of Jakartans, especially those who live near busy streets such as in Cilandak, Setiabudi, Pancoran and Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, suffer from respiratory problems.
In 2016, the number of children in Jakarta who suffered pneumonia, which can be triggered by air pollution, was 41,053, almost double the previous year's total of 24,193 affected children.
The secretary-general of the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI), Moh. Adib Khumaidi, said pneumonia could be triggered by exposure to PM 2.5.
In general, poor air quality could cause respiratory problems, he said.
Despite the increased number of cases of respiratory illnesses in the city, the Jakarta Health Agency said it had not conducted research on the impacts of air pollution on residents' health.
However, Dicky Alsadik, head of environmental health at the Jakarta Health Agency, said air pollution could cause respiratory problems as the toxins might disturb the function of the body's organs and negatively affect one's immunity.
To protect themselves against emissions of PM2.5, residents have been advised by Greenpeace to wear N95 surgical masks, instead of regular disposable masks.
"We also urge the government to establish a proper, publicly-accessible air quality monitoring system for residents," he said.
Technical unit head of the environment laboratory at the Jakarta Environment Agency, Diah Ratna Ambarwati, said that next year the agency would procure equipment to analyse PM 2.5, as it currently only has devices to monitor PM 10.
Lydia Lam Straits Times 15 sep 17;
SINGAPORE - Otters have been spotted in Bukit Panjang, with the OtterWatch Facebook page requesting for information from the public to help in its study of the mammals.
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Friday (Sept 15) shared a video on Facebook of the creatures frolicking in Bukit Panjang's Pang Sua pond, which was revitalised as a wetland park in March this year.
The clip he shared shows two otters feasting on orange fish - which they are often photographed making a meal of.
The OtterWatch page said little is known about the newly sighted family.
It called for residents and visitors to share photos and videos of the otters if they are spotted.
Otter watcher Jeffery Teo told The Straits Times that the otters were likely from the Kranji area.
He added that otters have been previously spotted in Bukit Panjang, and a carcass was discovered there last year.
"They are always exploring," he said. "Last year, one or two otters were killed at Junction 10 shopping centre nearby. They got lost and tried to cross roads."
Mr Teo is also a member of the Otter Working Group, which is a volunteer group set up with several government agencies including the National Parks Board, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority and PUB last year.
He said the group is aware of otter activities in Bukit Panjang but it receives "very few reports of them".
Otters can be found in several areas in Singapore, with the Bishan family the most well-known. There are also otters sighted in the Marina Bay area, Changi, Kallang and Pasir Ris.
Tens of thousands of Penangites woke up to massive flash floods, triggered by overnight downpour, which crippled many parts of Penang today.
AUDREY DERMAWAN and MOHAMED BASYIR New Straits Times 15 Sep 17;
GEORGE TOWN: Tens of thousands of Penangites woke up to massive flash floods, triggered by overnight downpour, which crippled many parts of Penang today.
Traffic on most of the main roads were paralysed when vehicles were submerged in floodwaters between 0.3m and 0.6m in depth. More than 20 vehicles were trapped in the floods.
Houses in over 100 locations throughout the state were inundated in floodwaters, with some rising chest-high. Rescuers evacuated 17 people, including eight children who were trapped in their houses as a result of the floods as a downpour continued to pummel the state.
Schools, markets and an old folks home were also not spared. Thirteen senior citizens, four of whom bedridden, were carried by volunteers to the Caunter Hall Tua Peh Kong temple.
A funeral wake at a house in Taman Lumba Kuda, Batu Gantung, was complicated by floodwaters, which almost came up to the casket.
According to a villager, known only as Tan, in his 60s, this was the worst flood to hit the state since 1995.
"Everything happened so fast. The skies were clear when I woke up at 6am today. In less than an hour, the floodwater had risen up to hip-level.
"There was not much we could do," he told the New Straits Times.
Among the worst hit areas on the island were Jalan Kebun Lama, Jalan Masjid Negeri, Parit Lumba Kuda, Jalan Langkawi, Jalan P. Ramlee, Kampung Masjid, Kampung Makam, Jalan Kampung Jawa, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Kampung Paya, Kampung Nelayan, Kampung Sulup, Persiaran Relau, Taman Iping, Jalan Tengah Pondok Upeh and Taman Seri Indah.
Areas affected on the mainland included Mak Mandin, Jalan Bagan Jermal, Jalan Permatang Pauh, Taman Cantek, Jalan Bukit Tengah, Jalan Jelawat, Taman Senangin, Bertam Indah, Jalan Ong Yi How, Taman Bunga Raya , Kampung Bagan Jaya, Kampung Simpah , Lorong Perusahaan, Jalan Thamby Kechik, Bagan dalam and Kampung Sethu.
Power was also cut in Bandar Baru Air Itam after a substation was seen up in smoke.
Nearby the Taman Thean Teik substation, a couple was spotted perched on a rooftop when their house was almost completely submerged in water.
Forty people from 19 families in Teluk Kumbar, and a senior citizen from Mak Mandin were evacuated to a temporary shelter. They have since returned home.
Penang Civil Defence Department director Pang Ah Leh said they placed members on alert and several vehicles, including lorries and boats, were deployed to affected areas.
Trees were also uprooted while four landslips were reported on the island. At the Kayangan Puri Mutiara Apartment parking lot in Medan Fettes here, six cars were buried in an avalanche of mud.
Several flights to and from the Penang International Airport here were also reportedly delayed.
A Rapid Penang bus was also caught in the floodwaters, with most of its commuters soaked.
As of press time, a 29-year-old woman was reported missing after she was swept away by strong currents.
A Paya Terubong Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said the victim is believed to have fallen off her motorcycle into a 1m-deep drain.
"A search operation has been activated to look for the victim. We believe she may have been swept into the nearby river," he added.
State Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow blamed the flash floods on the inter-monsoon phenomenon experienced by the northern states.
Penang recorded the highest amount of rainfall ever in the state's history, which contributed to the floods in several areas.
State Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the highest amount of rain was 270mm, measured earlier today at the Air Itam dam.
"A month’s worth of came down within four hours, resulting in the flood we saw today.
“The dam was also filled up to 91.1 per cent by 12.15pm today compared to 74.6 per cent yesterday.
"The Teluk Bahang dam received 180mm of rainfall today, which is really high," he told a press conference.
Citizens Awareness Chant Group (Chant) adviser Yan Lee urged the Penang Island City Council's hillslope special team to inspect and hold a public consultation to inform the people that all development projects approved by the council are safe.
Meanwhile, numerous photos and video footages of the devastation caused by the flash floods spread throughout social media. Netizens also shared images of ‘teh tarik’-coloured water which inundated various parts of the island.
Amid the flash floods, netizens also took to social media to vent their frustration at the Penang government. They also poked fun at Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's now-famous saying "Tak hujan tak banjir" (No rain, no floods).
Heavy rains trigger massive floods in Penang
lo tern chern The Star 15 Sep 17;
BUTTERWORTH: Heavy rains lashed Penang, resulting in flash floods on Friday.
State Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said as of 7.30am, floods were reported in Mak Mandin and Taman Cantik on the mainland.
In his Facebook post, he said areas in the island that were affected were Ayer Itam, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Datuk Keramat, Jalan Thean Teik, Relau, Jalan Masjid Negeri, Jalan Lumba Kuda, Kampung Kubur, Teluk Bahang, Jalan Perak and Bayan Baru.
A minor landslide was also reported in Tanjung Bungah. Several cars were damaged, but no casualties were reported.
The sea tide is expected to continue rising due to the heavy rains.
Over 100 homes flooded, cars seen floating in Penang
lo tern chern, arnold loh, and crystal chiam The Star 15 Sep 17;
BUTTERWORTH: More than 100 homes in Penang were flooded after Friday's downpour.
According to the Fire and Rescue Department, the affected areas were 60 houses in Kampung Malaysia and Mak Mandin, Taman Cantek (12), Kampung Sethu (20) and Kampung Permatang Rawa (20).
Floods were also reported in 32 locations which include Jalan Bagan Jermal, Jalan Ong Yi How, Jalan Thamby Kechik, Tingkap Siakap 11, Taman Senangin, Kampung Bagan Jaya, Kampung Simpah, Kampung Perlis, Taman Segemal and the Jalan Nangka flat.
Department spokesman Mohd Azman Hussin said so far, no evacuations were necessary, but firemen were on standby.
The highway exit road from the North-South Expressway leading into Jalan Permatang Pauh in Seberang Jaya have also been closed due to floods.
The morning rush hour has been brought to a standstill by massive floods after a downpour that lasted all night.
All main routes to Penang's central business district are cut off by knee-deep to chest-high flood waters from 6am Friday.
In George Town, cars were seen floating at Bandar Baru Air Itam and Paya Terubong.
Firemen were spotted trying to secure several floating cars in Lebuhraya Thean Teik as thousands of residents dare not leave their high-rise homes for work.
A video of pupils at a private school sitting in a classroom with knee-deep muddy water has also begun circulating on social media.
In Tanjung Bungah, six cars were damaged in a landslide at the Kayangan Puri Mutiara Apartment in Medan Fettes.
Mohd Azman said firemen arrived at the scene at 7.30am.
"We conducted checks on the vehicles and removed fallen trees. No one was trapped," he said.
The work of removing the vehicles is being carried out by the Public Works Department and Penang Island City Council workers.
Flood warning sounds in Batu Ferringhi
arnold loh The Star 15 Sep 17;
GEORGE TOWN: A flood warning siren has been heard in Batu Ferringhi, cautioning residents that Sungai Satu's water level is rising again.
Batu Ferringhi Village Security and Development Committee secretary A. Sugumaran said the siren went off at about 7.30pm on Friday.
He said that this was a flood warning and not for an impending storm.
He added that the high tide in Batu Ferringhi is expected at around 10.30pm and could cause the river to swell again.
A flood warning was sounded earlier at 3pm as well. However, no alert was sounded for Friday morning's flood as waters began to rise at 5am when no one was manning the system.
Sugumaran said that the river broke its banks at 7am and flooded Kampung Kubur in 1.5m of swift-moving water.
"It was the first time in the living memory of Batu Ferringhi folk that floodwaters were almost at neck level," he said, adding that the committee had distributed 120 packs of meals as flood relief for the villagers.
Many parts of Penang island were struck by massive flash floods following heavy rain on Friday morning.
About 20 flights delayed in Penang due to bad weather
cavina lim The Star 15 Sep 17;
GEORGE TOWN: Almost 20 flights were delayed at the Penang International Airport here due to bad weather conditions.
The airport's senior manager Ramzi Ahmad said there were a total of eight delayed arrivals and 10 delayed departures Friday, comprising both domestic and international flights.
"This was due to bad weather conditions and not caused by the airport facilities," he said.
Ramzi said the longest estimated delayed time was not more than an hour for each flight.
"The delay is for the passengers' safety and it is always good to take precautions," he said.
Ramzi added that he had not received any reports from airlines regarding passenger complaints over the delayed flights.
104 Penang folks remain at flood relief centres
AUDREY DERMAWAN Straits Times 17 Sep 17;
GEORGE TOWN: Some 104 people affected by Friday's massive flash floods are still staying in four flood relief centres currently operating the state.
According to the Fire and Rescue Department, 31 people are being housed in the southwest district, Seberang Prai Utara (17 people) and Seberang Prai Tengah (56 people) as of 11pm yesterday.
The flood relief centres in the northeast district and Seberang Prai Selatan have since closed.
Earlier yesterday, the department said there were 559 people placed in seven flood relief centres in all five districts in the state
Tens of thousands of people woke up to a wet Friday which crippled many parts of Penang.
The flash floods also claimed the life of 30-year-old factory worker Noor Afidah Yahunas, who was reported missing after she fell from her motorcycle into a culvert in Paya Terubong, while on her way back from work.
Intense heavy downfall has contributed to the flash floods according the state government.
Bernama New Straits Times 15 Sep 17;
LANGKAWI: A powerful storm is wreaking havoc in Langkawi, with continuous heavy rain and strong winds hampering activity on the island and causing widespread damage.
More than 10 vehicles were damaged after being hit by uprooted trees along Jalan Pantai Kok here, while the roofs of several houses were torn off by strong winds at several locations.
In spite of numerous pictures of damage and destruction making their rounds on social media, Langkawi OCPD Supt Dr Che Ghazali Che Awang said no one has yet come forward to report losses.
“They are probably still assessing the damage, but we have deployed our personnel to the ground to check the situation and to offer assistance where required,” he said.
Langkawi Disaster Management Committee Chairman Isahak Murat said three families at Kampung Belak at Mukim Kedawang were evacuated after water levels reached the floor of their homes.
“They are currently being sheltered at the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Kedawang while waiting for the weather situation to improve,” said Isahak, who is also the Langkawi District Officer.
Earlier, he said that tour operators on the island have been advised to cease their seaside activities for the time being as a precautionary measure.
He also advised the fishing community to continue monitoring weather reports and to seek advice from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) before deciding to go out to sea.
“The committee’s operation room has been activated at the Langkawi District Office to enable the public to channel or obtain any information regarding flooding or storm disasters that have occurred in their areas,” he added.
The operation room can be contacted at 04-9666963. -- BERNAMA
Storm wreaks havoc in Langkawi, triggers flash floods in Sg Petani, Yan
ADIE SURI ZULKEFLI New Straits Times 15 Sep 17;
ALOR STAR: One hundred people in Kedah had been evacuated to relief centres after their homes were flooded following a continuous rainfall since yesterday evening.
Langkawi was the worst affected area with 59 people from 18 families forced to seek temporary shelter at the SMK Kedawang, while another 41 people from 10 families in Kampung Dakwah, Kuala Muda had to be relocated to Surau Kampung Tengah.
A powerful southwest wind pressure triggered the storm which wreaked havoc in Langkawi, damaging at least 10 vehicles after they were hit by uprooted trees along Jalan Pantai Kok.
Roofs of several houses in the area were also blown off.
The storm also forced the authorities to order tour operators on the island to temporarily cease their seaside activities as a precautionary measure.
Kedah Natural Disaster Management Secretariat coordinator Captain (Civil Defence Force) Saifuddin Abdullah as at 6pm today, the number of floods evacuees remained at 100 people.
He said the several hours of heavy rainfall also led to a landslide incident at Taman Permai Utama in Gurun but there was no report of injury.
Kedah Fire and Rescue Department public relations officer Mohamad Mustakim Mukhtar said eight families in Taman Permai Utama had been ordered to evacuate their homes following the landslide incident.
He said the order was issued after firefighters from Guar Cempedak station, who rushed to the scene upon receiving a distress call at about 3pm, inspected the area.
"Upon inspection, it was confirmed that there was a landslide involving a 30m slope behind the terrace houses.
"The eight families have been ordered to evacuate their houses for safety reasons," he said.
It was learnt that the heavy rainfall which lasted for several hours also triggered flash floods in Sungai Petani and Yan, affecting nearly 500 people.
Flood evacuees in Kedah rise to over 415
ADIE SURI ZULKEFLI New Straits Times 16 Sep 17;
ALOR STAR: The number of floods evacuees in Kedah jumped from 100 to 415 people as of 10pm Friday, with Bandar Baharu in Kulim being the latest area hit following continuous rainfall since Thursday evening.
In the Kuala Muda district, 214 people from 47 families have been evacuated to flood relief centres. They were forced to seek temporary shelter at the Kampung Tengah public hall and surau after their homes were inundated by waist-level floodwaters.
Langkawi was another badly-affected area, with 117 people from 18 families now being temporarily housed at the SMK Kedawang and Kampung Raja public halls.
A powerful southwest wind pressure triggered the storm which wreaked havoc in Langkawi, damaging at least 10 vehicles after they were hit by uprooted trees along Jalan Pantai Kok.
The roofs of several houses in the area were also blown off.
The storm also forced the authorities to order the island’s tour operators to temporarily cease all seaside activities as a precautionary measure.
Kedah Natural Disaster Management Secretariat coordinator Captain (Civil Defence Force) Saifuddin Abdullah said as at 10pm, 84 people from 25 families in Bandar Baharu, Kulim are seeking shelter at the relief centres in SK Bandar Baharu and Dewan Kampung Majidee.
It was reported that the continuous heavy rainfall also led to a landslide at Taman Permai Utama in Gurun but there was no report of injury.
Kedah Fire and Rescue Department public relations officer Mohamad Mustakim Mukhtar said eight families in Taman Permai Utama had been ordered to evacuate their homes following the landslide incident.
He said the order was issued after firefighters from the Guar Cempedak station, who rushed to the scene upon receiving a distress call about 3pm, inspected the area.
"Upon inspection, it was confirmed that there was a landslide involving a 30m slope behind the terrace houses.
"The eight families were ordered to evacuate their houses for safety reasons," he said.
It was learnt that the heavy rain, which lasted several hours, also triggered flash floods in Sungai Petani and Yan, affecting nearly 500 people.
Langkawi still floundering in flood waters; 285 residents evacuated
Bernama 17 Sep 17;
LANGKAWI: Flood waters in Langkawi have yet to recede, with the level at Sungai Kuala Melaka still at danger point.
According to the Langkawi District Disaster Management Operations Room, the river’s latest recorded level reading is 3.58 metres – above the danger level of 3.40 metres.
Continuous rain yesterday resulted in many residential areas and roads on the island to be inundated with water of up to 1.5 metres.
Meanwhile, 112 more flood victims have registered at two evacuation centres here, bringing the total number of evacuees to 285.
Of these, 175 have been placed at the evacuation centre in Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Kedawang, while 110 have taken shelter at the Kampung Raja community hall in Padang Matsirat.
Besides the Welfare Department, various other organisations and private companies here have sent donations in the form of food and essential items to the evacuation centres. -- BERNAMA
Octogenarian among those relocated due to floods in Langkawi
Hamzah Osman New Straits Times 16 Sep 17;
LANGKAWI: An 87-year-old woman was among the flood victims seeking refuge at flood relief centre at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Kedawang here.
Siti Awan Ahmad and her five family members from Kampung Bohor Masjid were temporarily relocated at the centre at 5pm yesterday.
The victim, who is also a popular yeast trader said her house was inundated by knee-deep water due to continuous heavy downpour since 8am.
"I am old and weak. Thanks to the Malaysia Civil Defence Force personnel who helped carry me out of the house before they transported me here," she said.
Kuah state assemblyman Nor Saidi Nanyan and Langkawi district officer Isahak Murat went to visit the 87 victims from 25 families who were relocated at the centre while waiting for flood waters to recede.
The evacuees, aged between seven and 87 are from Kampung Gelam, Belak, Bohor Masjid, Padang Wahid, Tanjung and Bohor Tempoyak.
geryl ogilvy The Star 15 Sep 17;
KUCHING: The Malaysian army foiled an attempt by four Indonesian nationals to smuggle 672 live magpies into West Kalimantan, Indonesia, at the border near Tebedu.
During the 4.40am incident on Friday, a border patrol stopped four men, aged between 29 and 32, who were carrying 56 enclosures and cages filled with the birds along a jungle track near the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security complex at Tebedu, some 100km from here.
"Initial investigations reveal that the suspects were paid RM50 each to smuggle the birds out of the country.
"They used a jungle track in the wee hours of the morning in an attempt to avoid detection," a spokesman from the First Malaysian Infantry Division said in a statement.
The four suspects were reported to have entered Sarawak illegally.
Earlier at around 2am, the army detained two other Indonesians attempting to smuggle poisons across the Malaysian border.
The army has since lodged a report at the Tebedu police station and surrendered the six individuals to the Immigration detention depot at Simunjan, Serian.
Borneo Post 16 Sep 17;
KOTA KINABALU: Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Pang Yuk Ming has called on the relevant enforcement agencies to share their intelligence on fish bombing and join forces with his ministry to eradicate the illegal fishing activity.
Pang, who is chairman of the Anti-Fish Bombing Committee, said the professional non-governmental organization (NGO) Reef Check has conducted a long-term investigation and study on fish bombing activities in Sabah waters.
In the Reef Check’s report which was presented during the second Maritime Environmental Security Workshop 2017 recently, Pang said the NGO had identified at least three foreign vessels that have been resorting to large-scale fish bombing activities in Sabah waters.
He said the bombed fish was later processed into products such as salted fish.
“Any enforcement agencies who wish to have a copy of the detailed report can approach the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment.
“We are happy to share the information on fish bombing in order to curb this illegal activity,” he said yesterday.
Under Sabah’s Blue Ocean Strategy, Pang said the State was aiming to comply with the United Nation’s recommendation of having at least 10 per cent of its sea as protected area.
“I believe Sabah will be the first state that achieves this goal in the region.”
He went on to say that tourist arrivals from China, Taiwan and Korea were expected to increase significantly from 600,000 visitors last year to 750,000 this year.
“Next year, the tourist arrivals from China, Taiwan and Korea are expected to exceed 1 million visitors.”
He said these tourists loved the seafood in Sabah.
“Therefore, we must strive to protect our marine resources to ensure sufficient supply to cater for the demand.”
He said illegal fishing methods would continue to spread if Sabah did not have proper and systematic maritime environmental protection measures.
“Ultimately, Sabah will run out of seafood as we are only left with smaller fish.”
Pang said the government took the issue of fish bombing seriously and his ministry has implemented various measures to eradicate this activity.
At the moment, he said the government should focus on stopping fish bombing activities carried out by foreign vessels in the deep sea.
Pang said the government was also guiding small fishermen living along the coastline and those involved in fish bombing to earn a better living through fish farming and tourism instead.
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