Empangan Sungai Selangor Hanya Berbaki 29 Hari

Ini kisah catuan air.

Menurut sumber berita, kerajaan Selangor akan meneruskan catuan air berikutan paras air di Empangan Sungai Selangor berada pada tahap kritikal dan bekalan air yang ada hanya mampu bertahan 29 hari lagi.

Berikutan itu, Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (LUAS) dengan kerjasama Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd (KKSB) sedang giat meneroka kolam-kolam bekas lombong terutama di kawasan lembangan Sungai Selangor bagi tujuan mengepam air mentah dari kolam takungan bekas lombong ke Sungai Selangor.

Pada masa yang sama, LUAS dan Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS) turut menjalankan aktiviti mengepam air sungai hasil hujan lebat di hilir untuk ditakungkan ke kolam-kolam sekitar Empangan Sungai Selangor untuk digunakan pada musim kering nanti.

Selain itu, kaedah pembenihan awan dikenali sebagai 'royal rain making technology' juga akan digunakan untuk mendapatkan hujan sekurang-kurangnya tiga kali seminggu di negeri ini.

Kerajaan menjangka usaha-usaha ini akan dapat menghasilkan kira-kira 1,000 JLH (juta liter sehari) air mentah dan jika petunjuk pelaksanaan positif dalam tempoh seminggu, kerajaan negeri bersedia mengkaji semula keputusan catuan air ini.

Sumber: AstroAwani

Time macam ni lah baru sedar betapa pentingnya air dan time ni jugak lah harga tong-tong air, baldi dan seangkatan dengannya mencanak naik. Nasib-nasib. Setiap hari dok tadah air...Boleh terkena musculosketal disorder pasni. Apa-apa pun, sediakan lah besen sebelum hujan.

Dengue ohh Dengue

Assalamualaikum dan samat tengah hari

KUALA LUMPUR: According to statistics by the Health Ministry, there has been a 400% increase in dengue cases in the first two months of this year, compared with the same period last year. There were 18,047 dengue cases with 36 deaths in January and last month, compared with 4,250 cases with eight deaths in the same period last year.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr. S Subramaniam said the public were advised to take the spike in cases seriously. They should take necessary measures to wipe out breeding grounds of the Aedes mosquito. "With the present water woes, the public should make sure stored water does not become breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitos. It is important that water containers are closed and added with abate to kill any larvae." Dr Subramaniam said the public could get their supply of chemical to kill Aedes mosquito larvae from health offices nationwide.

 http://www.homeoz.com/Dengue.html

Source: '400pc spike in dengue cases' - General - New Straits Times

Caution! Kawasan TAK SIHAT

Assalamualaikum dan samat pagi.

Berikut merupakan status kasawasan "TIDAK SIHAT" dengan nilai IPU (100-200) pada julat masa 6 pagi hingga 11 pagi.

                                                                 (Click gambar untuk lebih jelas)

Langkah pencegahan/kawalan kesihatan

• Golongan berisiko tinggi dinasihatkan supaya menghadkan aktiviti di luar rumah.
• Golongan berisiko tinggi dinasihatkan memakai alat pelindung pernafasan (mask) ketika berada di luar rumah
• Orang ramai dinasihatkan mengurangkan aktiviti-aktiviti yang LASAK di luar rumah. 
• Untuk muat turun langkah pencegahan--> Pencegahan Jerebu (KKM, 2013)

*Nota

Tempoh Kemaskini / Updating Duration

IPU setiap jam dikira berdasarkan cerapan data dari stesen pengawasan kualiti udara automatik yang dikawal secara jarak jauh (remote). Proses cerapan memerlukan kitaran masa selama 1 jam yang lengkap sebelum bacaan IPU dipaparkan.

Sumber: Department of Environment, Malaysia.

Jerebu...Ape kena buat?

Assalamualaikum dan samat pagi


1. Vulnerable people (golongan berisiko tinggi)

• kanak-kanak, orang tua, wanita mengandung , pesakit jantung dan respiratori juga mereka yang sensitive kepada habuk, orang yang merokok termasuk mereka yang sentiasa bekerja di luar pejabat atau rumah

2. Langkah pencegahan penyakit bawaan jerebu

• Kurangkan aktiviti lasak di luar rumah.
• Kerap membasuh muka dan bahagian-bahagian yang terdedah kepada jerebu.
• Minum air banyak-banyak.
• Mereka yang menggunakan kenderaan yang berhawa dingin hendaklah menghidupkan alat penghawa dingin (mod : kitaran dalam) dan menutup semua tingkap.
• Penutup hidung dan mulut (face mask) hendaklah digunakan oleh mereka yang melakukan aktiviti di luar terutamanya mereka yang berisiko tinggi.
• Mereka yang mengalami penyakit-penyakit seperti batuk, selsema, asma, sakit mata, jangkitan paru-paru yang kronik (berlanjutan) hendaklah datang ke klinik dengan seberapa segera.
• Perokok dinasihatkan supaya berhenti merokok.
• Sentiasa mendapatkan maklumat terkini dari sumber yang dipercayai (DOE, MOH etc).

Sumber: MOH, Malaysia

Tips Eco-Friendly

Disini aku ingin berkongsi tips-tips yang mungkin berguna untuk mereka yang mencintai alam sekitar.

1. Bawa bekas makanan sendiri apabila ke kelas, pejabat atau ke mana sahaja korang pergi. Bekas makanan yang mempunyai tanda "BPA Free" adalah digalakkan.

2. Guna semula bungkusan-bungkusan McD (yang dalam bentuk kertas tu) ke mana sahaja anda pergi. Kalau pandai jaga, mungkin boleh guna berulang-ulang kali.

3. Bagi penggemar nasi lemak, digalakkan membeli nasi lemak yang dibungkus dengan daun pisang. Ini kerana daun pisang adalah bahan semulajadi dan mudah terurai dengan sendirinya.

4. Beli shopping trolly. Korang boleh bawak pergi pasar, tesco, giant dan sebagainya tanpa sakit tangan dan boleh meminimakan penggunaan plastik.

5. Bawa botol air sendiri dari rumah.

 p/s: minum air 8 gelas sehari dapat mengurangkan dehydration.

Jom Baling Handphone

Assalamualaikum & selamat sejahtera.

Adakah korang pernah terasa nak baling atau lempar jauh2 handphone korang? Kalau pernah, ada satu sukan yang amat bersesuaian dengan aktiviti tersebut. Kejohanan Melampar Telefon Bimbit merupakan sukan internasional dan sukan ni start di Finland pada tahun 2000.

Untuk upacara sukan ini, hanya telefon bimbit yang beratnya melebihi 220 gram sahaja yang diterima bertanding. Jenis telefon bimbit adalah bergantung kepada provider.

Acara ini dijalankan setiap tahun pada bulan ogos di Savonlinna, Findland. Dalam pertandingan tersebut, ia dinilai berdasarkan jarak dan jugak teknik balingan. So sesiapa yang mempunyai lengan yang best boleh try praktis dulu ;P

Mungkin ini satu kebetulan. Untuk pengetahuan korang semua, Finland merupakan negera pengeluar telefon bimbit jenama NOKIA dan upacara sukan membaling telefon bimbit ni biasanya guna jenama Nokia. Adakah ini satu strategi bagi menggalakkan warga Finland untuk menukar telefon bimbit baru? Korang rasa? ;P

Selepas selesai je pertandingan, kesemua telefon bimbit ni akan dikitar semula. Usaha yang amat bagus apabila terdapat 'moral value' di akhir pertandingan. Tak lah dikatakan upacara sukan pelik yang tiada apa-apa makna kan? Masyarakat pun terdedah dengan aktiviti kitar semula. Rekod terkini acara sukan tersebut:

• Men's world record - 102.68 meters (336.87 ft) Chris Hughff (Jul 2012) which was set at the Belgium Championships.
• Women's world record - 53.52 meters (175.6 ft) Jan Singleton (Aug 2006) which was set at the UK Championships

Lepas ni rasanya kerajaan Malaysia boleh anjur 'Kejohanan Baling Botol Plastik' pulak sebab plastik merupakan komponen ke-2 terbanyak selepas sisa makanan yang di hasilkan di Malaysia (KPKT, 2008). So boleh la membantu PPSPPA mengurus sisa pepejal di negara dengan lebih efficient.

Sumber: Mr. Wikipedia & About.com

1st time landing di Marikh

Assalamualaikum & Slamat sejahtre.

Berikut merupakah 'foot step' pertama dalam sejarah oleh kenderaan ekspidisi NASA ke Planet Marikh pada 5th Ogos 2012 yang lalu.

NASA memang dari dulu teringin sangat nak jadikan marikh sebagai penempatan manusia jika bumi dah tak selamat. So macam2 kajian yang mereka buat. Dan kita pun dah sedia maklum yang sangat banyak kontroversi berkaitan planet merah ni. Salah satunya pasal isu permukaan planet marikh ada macam muka orang. National Geographic News pula mengatakan kebarangkalian wujudnya kehidupan di marikh ada namun kajian sainstific perlu dipergiatkan lagi.

Allah dah tentukan bumi sebagai tempat untuk manusia jadikan tempat tinggal bukan marikh. Kenapa? Wallahualam. Hanya Allah sahaja yang lebih mengetahui. Walaubagaimanapun, tak mustahil juga wujudnya kehidupan di galaksi lain. Kalau nak di ceritakan bertapa luasnya cakerawala ni, sukar nak di bayangkan. Mungkin ada dan mungkin tiada. Anyway, keep explore and you will find the answer ;)


p/s: Teringat cerita flashman...

Punish litter bugs

FROM Bandar Sri Damansara and Kepong to Bukit Bintang and Ampang, the indications are clear that Kuala Lumpur is a dirty city.

It is an unhealthy situation that needs prompt and stern action by the authorities, including the municipal councils and Ministries of Health and Tourism.

Wherever you go -- shopping malls, train station, schools, car parks or back alleys -- you see rubbish dumped on pavements, floors and roads. The state of affairs is equally bad at bus stops, taxi stands, pavements and five-foot ways.

It is commonly known that street sweepers and rubbish collectors are not instructed or employed to clean many of these places which are glaring eyesores to passers-by, commuters, shoppers and tourists. There seems to be a "Who cares?" attitude.

There is a shortage of dustbins in Kuala Lumpur and other cities, which should be provided for by the authorities.

Building contractors and decorators have to share the blame for this deplorable situation which is also evident in Petaling Jaya and the city's outskirts. Contractors discard debris, bricks, stones and wood on roadsides near construction sites.

In Singapore and Hong Kong, the authorities are firmly against littering. Plain-clothes inspectors go out on the beat to catch offenders red-handed.

The authorities must act swiftly and seriously before mountains of trash build up and turn cities into slums.

Warning notices should be put up at construction sites and strategic locations to warn potential offenders. Inspections should also be made to ensure that residents, pedestrians, shopkeepers, builders and motorists abide by the law.

There ought to be a stern crackdown on the offenders. We have the regulations but no one is enforcing them. It is because of this lack of enforcement that they get away scot-free.

By Roselina Hajjar Taman Sri Batu Caves, Batu Caves, Selangor.

Shah Alam landfill for PJ waste

TO enable better waste management in the city, all home and garden waste will soon be disposed of at Section 21 Shah Alam's landfill.

Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman said the current arrangement to dispose of city waste at Jeram, Kuala Selangor, was time consuming and inconvenient for the contractors.

The council hopes more frequent trips to a closer landfill in Shah Alam will ensure all waste in the city is collected on time.

During public holidays and weekends, the landfill at Jeram closes at 4pm.

The long journey slows the contractors from gathering more waste and disposing it of in time.

"We are waiting for approval from the authorities and once the matter is finalised, we can dispose of all waste at the Section 21, Shah Alam landfill instead of the one at Jeram,

"If this plan takes place, the contractors will also be able to save travel time. Jeram is too far for the contractors and they can't make more trips.

"The contractors also encounter difficulties getting rid of their garbage if they do not reach the landfill in Jeram in time.

"We can't blame the contractors for not clearing all the rubbish in the city, because they are faced with several problems.

"They can't take home the rubbish which they have collected if the landfill is closed when they arrive," said the mayor.

He hope by shifting to a closer landfill, the city's waste management will improve greatly.

Recently it was highlighted in the media that the mayor goes on his bike in the evenings to check on waste management in the city.

He observed that monitoring of waste collection by those in charge was found lacking.

By SHEILA SRI PRIYA
PETALING JAYA
streets@nstp.com.my

Miri hit by water contamination

MIRI: Water supply to the city’s 300,000 residents was cut yesterday when a major diesel contamination was discovered at its main water treatment plant.

The plant was shut down at 8.30pm on Saturday immediately after the discovery.

The contamination was traced to a leaking skid tank at the fuel depot of a road construction company.

The Northern Sarawak Water Board (Laku) sent an emergency alert to oil companies to help clean up the spill in Sungai Liku in Lambir, feeding the water treatment plant.

More than 14,000 litres of diesel were believed to have leaked into the river from the skid tank, located 2km from the plant.

Laku general manager Lo Sun Onn said water supply was reduced to a trickle in the city and resulted in dry taps in Piasau, the Tudan resettlement area, Permyjaya and Kuala Baram.

Lo reassured residents that Laku had to draw water from its emergency storage but this was only good for five hours. “However, the clean-up of the river went faster than expected and we have started to treat the water again. Supply should be back to normal by tomorrow (today),” he said last night.

However, residential areas further away from Lambir, like Kuala Baram, its surrounding areas, including Tudan and Permyjaya, and those on high ground, like Taman Tuanku and Taman Jelita, will only have their water supply restored later in the day.

Sarawak Shell Berhad (SSB) and Petronas responded to Laku’s request to send men and equipment to Lambir to help in the clean-up.

An SSB spokesman said a thorough clean-up could take several days and would be difficult as much of the spilled diesel had seeped into the river bed.

The water disruption triggered a rush to buy bottled mineral water.

A resident, Joshua J, said he was among hundreds who rushed to stores to stock up on bottled mineral water. The rush prompted some store owners to hike up the price of mineral water.

“I bought a carton of 1.5-litre bottles for RM9 although the normal price is between RM7 and RM8. Friends now tell me they had to pay RM12, RM13 and RM14 per carton.”

Critical areas, like hospitals, have been assured of water supply but some small hotels have reportedly refused to take in guests.

By DESMOND DAVIDSON

Kanak-kanak Orang Asli dikhuatiri dijangkiti virus air kencing tikus

JERANTUT: Tiga kanak-kanak Orang Asli dari Kampung Sungai Lintah di sini, dimasukkan ke Hospital Jerantut semalam selepas dikhuatiri dijangkiti virus air kencing tikus atau leptospirosis.

Menurut sumber hospital tersebut, kanak-kanak Orang Asli berkenaan, Arini Mary a/p Yusof, 4, Muliana a/p Yusof, 5, dan sepupu mereka, Jun a/p Man, 11, kini ditempatkan di bilik berasingan di wad kanak-kanak hospital itu.

"Ketiga-tiga mereka didapati mengalami komplikasi demam kuning, sakit kepala dan lesu," katanya ketika dihubungi, di sini hari ini. Menurut sumber berkenaan, pihak hospital mengambil sampel darah mereka dan keputusan dijangka diketahui dalam tempoh dua minggu ini.

"Kanak-kanak ini sudah ditempatkan di bilik berasingan untuk memudahkan pegawai perubatan memantau rawatan dan perkembangan kesihatannya," katanya.

Menurut sumber itu lagi, jika keadaan ketiga-tiga kanak-kanak itu semakin teruk, mereka akan dipindahkan ke Hospital Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah (Hoshas) di Temerloh bagi mendapatkan rawatan lanjut.

Sementara itu, ibu kepada Arini Mary dan Muliana, Musliza a/p Batin Bakar, 30, ketika ditemui di sini, berkata anaknya dan sepupu mereka sebelum itu dipercayai minum dan makan di satu majlis kenduri di kampung Orang Asli Sungai Petai, dekat sini baru-baru ini.

Musliza berkata, selepas pulang dari kenduri itu, anaknya dan sepupunya itu mengalami demam dan tidak berselera makan.

"Melihat keadaan mereka semakin teruk, mereka kemudiannya di bawa ke hospital dan kini ditahan di wad," katanya. - BERNAMA

Love for the environment

It has been an eventful 12 months in the Klang Valley. StarMetro Yearender series continues with spotlights on Shah Alam, Subang Jaya and Selayang.

One of the notable initiatives this year was the Shah Alam Rivers and Trees For Life programme by the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) together with government agencies and several non-governmental organisations.

NGOs such as Eco Warriors, Trees for Life, Sathya Sai Baba centre, Leo Club and public and private institutions of learning planted about 40,000 fruit trees in the city.

The project, which began in April, involved about 1,500 volunteers and covered areas along the Damansara River, Renggam River and the Jelutong Industrial area.

Mayor Datuk Mohd Jaafar Mohd Atan will also be upgrading the 51.7ha Shah Alam Lake Gardens in the next three years to attract more visitors not only from Shah Alam but also those living in the Klang Valley.

Environmentalists and non-governmental organisations gave brownie points to the mayor when he decided to plant fruit tress like guava, soursop, mangosteen as well as ornamental ones like the weeping willows instead of raintrees in parks and the city.

“When we have fruits trees, birds and insects will make the park their home,” Mohd Jaafar said.

With a well planned city-within-a park concept in mind, Mohd Jaafar should now look into his other promise of making the city a cleaner one.

Certain areas which were far from towns and those highly populated housing areas like Taman Sri Muda which was once listed as a clean zone is now a far cry from its previous state.

Roads and other public amenities such as food courts, football fields, markets and the public halls should also be given the same attention as these areas are common meeting areas for residents.

The indiscriminate dumping of rubbish by factories in the Klang river has caused much anger among Taman Sri Muda residents.

This ongoing problem was apparent especially during high tide and rainy weather when the rubbish from Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur is washed up in Shah Alam and Klang.

The dumping of rubbish in upstream areas is affecting residents living downstream.

One can see the huge amount of rubbish including styrofoam boxes and bags of unwanted material floating in the river near Taman Sri Muda.

MBSA public relations officer Shahrin Ahmad said the council had been monitoring the river’s condition on behalf of the Drainage and Irrigation Department which was responsible for the cleaning up process.

“Such incidents only happen during a downpour. So far we have not received any complaints from the public since the one that took place early this year,” said Shahrin.

In December, Mohd Jaafar introduced yet another green initiative with a landscape design competition for its 28 roundabouts in the city.

The contest, which is open to public, was aimed at drawing a new image and identity for Shah Alam.

Among the popular roundabouts were Bulatan Kayangan, Bulatan Megawati, JVC roundabout and UiTM roundabout.

‘The mayor had said that the roundabouts should be the identity of Shah Alam so that they would leave a lasting impression on visitors and tourists.

“The designs could also reflect the city’s culture and tradition,” he said, adding that people often related Shah Alam to roundabouts.

The council also bought iPads for all its heads of department and council’s branch offices to reduce the use of paper.

“We have meetings every other day and these officers have to print a stack of documents,

“By enforcing that they have to bring the iPads for meetings, we hope to reduce the usage of paper,” he said, adding that councillors who attend the monthly full board meeting had also been going digital this year.

Senior citizens and the disabled had a pleasant surprise when the council launched its community vehicle to cater to their needs.

The van provides free transport from their homes to health clinics in Section 7, Section 19 and Bukit Kuda in Klang as well as the Sungai Buloh Hospital, Universiti Malaya Medical Centre and the Univesiti Kebangsaan Hospital in Cheras.

The daily service available from 8am to 5pm was an initiative by the council to help the old folk and the disabled to seek medical assistance.

There is no hospital nearby and the nearest government hospital is either in Klang or in Petaling Jaya,

Travelling in a taxi can cost a lot and the free service was to help them save money.

Five months after being appointed mayor in May, Datuk Mohd Jaafar Mohd Atan faced a boycott against him.

Several councillors protested in the usually quiet council meeting after they failed to secure contracts for themselves and their cronies.

The councillors were apparently unhappy that Mohd jaafar did not entertain their request for contracts.

The councillors had approached Mohd Jaafar for favours by asking for on-the-spot maintenance jobs that were below RM20,000. The mayor stuck to his decision in ensuring that good governance was upheld within the council.

By CHRISTINA LOW
christinalow@thestar.com.my

1,000 mangrove saplings planted to mark tsunami anniversary

STAFF of Honeywell Aerospace Avionics Malaysia joined Penang Inshore Fishermen Welfare Association (Pifwa) members to plant 1,000 mangrove plant saplings at Sungai Chenaam in conjunction with the seventh anniversary of the tsunami tragedy.

The United States-based company’s senior health and safety manager K.G. Bathmanathan said the company took part in the event under its corporate social responsibility and Go Green programme.

“This is a very meaningful programme as it reminds us to take care of our environment in an effort to reduce the impact of any natural disaster,” he said after taking part in the planting ceremony.

He also said the company hoped to make the event an annual affair.

Pifwa president Ilias Shafie said the association had planted 200,000 mangrove plant saplings in the coastal areas of Penang since 1997 to protect the environment.

“Pifwa planted the saplings following massive erosion along the coastline and this effort was intensified after the 2004 tsunami that hit several Asian countries in 2004.

“We will carry out similar programmes from time to time to create public awareness on the importance of saving mangrove swamps.

“People have to realise that these swamps could act as a buffer should a tidal wave hit the shoreline,” he said during the Boxing Day event.

Ilias also said in several parts of the world, mangrove trees had played a major role in saving lives during the 2004 tsunami.

Source: The Star Online 28 Dec 2011

Setting a record in recycling

JOHOR BARU: It took more than 4,000 recycled egg trays and 100 cans of paint for Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) students to enter the Malaysia Book of Records.

The 60m by 6m project was a first to enter the record books for the biggest painted logo on recycled egg trays in the country and all for the sake of environmental awareness.

A team of 107 people from UTM led by the project’s organising chairperson Chong Wei Hoong, spent 12 days hand painting each tray with environmentally friendly paint during their free time.

He added that it took them about three weeks to collect all the egg trays, which they gathered from various shops on and off campus.

“The masterpiece will be exhibited at the campus’s football field for a few weeks to bring awareness to UTM’s student and staff to lead a greener lifestyle,” he said during the opening ceremony of the university’s Green Generation programme here yesterday.

Chong added that other than the university and sponsors’ logos, they also painted bicycles and a picture of the Earth to remind students to love nature.

Meanwhile, in his speech read out by the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry deputy secretary-general Nor’aini Abdul Wahab, minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin said that green transformation would not be successful without the cooperation from all parties.

“Green transformation will not only help us secure a clean environment for our next generation, it will also benefit our economy because there are unlimited opportunities to venture into green business,” he said.

By YEE XIANG YUN
xiangyun@thestar.com.my

Do your part for the environs

KUALA LUMPUR: The people have been urged to do their part for the environment and not just leave it to the authorities.

Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said protection of the environment depended on initiatives by the Government and private bodies.

“Everybody must be committed and have a greater awareness of their responsibility in protecting the environment,” said the MCA president after launching the GoGreen Winter Solstice Celebration 2011.

“It is the individual's action that matters most. For example, if you buy a loaf of bread, (you will find that) it is already inside plastic. Some still want another bag to put the bread inside, which is unnecessary.

Dr Chua said the “traditional teaching” of “reduce, reuse and recycle” is still relevant.

“Another example is household waste which, until today, we do not take efforts to separate. We just dump everything into the dustbin.

“Kitchen waste can be dangerous because it releases methane gas. But if methane is properly treated, it can produce energy. Kitchen waste can also be recycled as fertiliser. But we are not doing it,” said Dr Chua, a former health minister.

The GoGreen Winter Solstice Celebration was organised by the Malaysia Youth 4 EcoGreen Coalition (MY4Eco).

MY4Eco founder Lim Teck Hoe said festive occasions, like the Winter Solstice celebration, was one of the best avenues to promote environmental awareness.

“For example, for the Winter Solstice celebration, we could play our role by not wasting food.”

Besides a tang yuan (glutinous rice ball dessert) making session, the event also featured a catwalk with models wearing clothing made out of organic material.

There were performances by Malaysian Idol winner Daniel Lee and Jeffry “Beatboxer Tuxy” Goh.

Source: The Star Online 23 Dec 2011

Know how to create awareness on the environment?

KUALA LUMPUR: If you have an out-of-the-box idea on how to raise environmental awareness effectively, let us know, said Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fa Kui.

“Many are still unaware of environmental issues, so we want to send the message out more aggressively,” he said.

“However, the ministry cannot do it alone, so we need the public to come forward,” he added at the launch of the Green Kids television programme at Angkasapuri here yesterday.

Green Kids focuses on environmental preservation and use of green technology, and is targeted at children aged from six to 12. The pilot episode will air over TV2 at 5.30pm on Jan 28.

The programme is a collaboration be- tween the ministry and the Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (GreenTech Malaysia).

The first season has 13 episodes with five different segments. Each episode will run for 30 minutes.

Chin hoped that the programme would inspire the younger generation to contribute towards developing green technology and conserving the environment.

Source: The Star Online 23 Dec 2011

Dapur tempat paling kotor

Benarkah dapur adalah tempat paling kotor jika dibandingkan dengan tandas?

Menurut Ketua dan Perunding Pakar Perubatan Kanan, Penyakit Berjangkit, Jabatan Perubatan, Hospital Sungai Buloh, Dr. Christopher Lee, setiap orang akan membersihkan tandas berulang kali tetapi kurang melakukannya di dapur.

Persepsi ini bakal berubah andainya anda didedahkan dengan realiti bahawa barangan
terkotor di rumah rupa-rupanya bukan di tandas tetapi dapur anda.

Satu kaji selidik Kebersihan Global Dettol baru-baru ini mendedahkan, kain pengelap di dapur merupakan antara barangan universal paling tercemar dalam sesebuah isi rumah.

Di Malaysia pula, 100 peratus kain pengelap di dapur didapati sangat tercemar. Cuba bayangkan apa akan berlaku apabila kain pengelap yang sama digunakan untuk kerja-kerja membersih? Alamatnya, risiko tempat-tempat yang dibersihkan itu terkena sebaran bakteria turut bertambah.

Si ibu atau suri rumah pula tidak mengendahkan perkara tersebut sehingga meningkatkan risiko jangkitan pada kanak-kanak.

Penyakit berjangkit

Menurut laporan Dana Kanak-kanak Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (UNICEF), lebih kurang 1.1 juta kematian kanak-kanak di seluruh dunia adalah akibat penyakit berjangkit yang menyebabkan cirit-birit. Tidak hairanlah penyakit berjangkit dan parasitik berada di tempat keempat dalam senarai penyebab utama kemasukan ke hospital di Malaysia pada tahun 2010 .

Selain itu, kes-kes keracunan makanan, tuberkulosis dan HFMD (penyakit tangan, kaki dan mulut) adalah antara penyakit berjangkit tertinggi di negara ini. Penyebaran penyakit berjangkit di Malaysia memerlukan pemahaman yang lebih mendalam mengenai sifat bakteria, dekontaminasi yang berkesan dan pencetus bagi mengekalkan amalan kebersihan yang betul.

Pakar kebersihan Dettol berkerjasama dengan Majlis Kebersihan Global bagi mengumpul maklumat mendalam daripada kajian dan memberi cadangan praktikal untuk meningkatkan taraf kebersihan dan kesihatan. Kajian Bakteria Hidup Dettol menunjukkan bahawa kuman seperti E. coli dan Salmonella, yang mengakibatkan keracunan makanan serius boleh hidup di atas permukaan di rumah bagi tempoh yang lama, di mana S. aureus berupaya untuk hidup selama 48 jam.

Tambahan pula, bakteria akan kekal hidup dua atau tiga kali lebih lama dalam kain yang lembap berbanding dengan kain yang kering, sekali gus meningkatkan risiko jangkitan.

"Hasil kajian daripada Kajian Bakteria Hidup Dettol menekankan bahawa permukaan yang kelihatan bersih mungkin masih mengandungi kuman-kuman merbahaya. Bakteria boleh meningkatkan risiko jangkitan di antara lokasi-lokasi utama kebersihan seperti permukaan di dapur, tombol pintu dan span cucian di mana jangkitan berlaku melalui tangan atau kain lap.

Secara khususnya, adalah terbukti bahawa membasuh tangan selepas menggunakan tandas atau sebelum mengendalikan makanan boleh mengurangkan insiden cirit-birit di kalangan kanak-kanak sebanyak hampir 50 peratus.

Maka, adalah penting bahawa kita mengamalkan tabiat kebersihan baik seperti, menyah kuman dan membasuh tangan dengan kerap bagi memutuskan rantai jangkitan," kata Pengarah Pemasaran, Malaysia, Nikhilesh Kalra.

Oleh RABIATUL ADAWIYAH KOH ABDULLAH
adawiyah.koh@utusan.com.my

Kuala Lumpur’s SMART Tunnel not looking so smart anymore

THE SMART Tunnel is the pride and joy of the authorities who have always touted it as the ultimate solution to the flood problems in Kuala Lumpur. When the project was rushed to be opened in January 2007, we were all told that the floods that hit the city a few months earlier would be the last as the tunnel was the longest and biggest storm drain project in South-East Asia.

True enough, for several years our capital city seemed to have been spared from any deluge despite some heavy downpour. Motorists were irritated when the tunnel had to be closed to accommodate the draining of rainwater to the retention ponds but, generally, city folk were impressed with the workings of the RM1.9bil Storm Water Management and Road Tunnel project - until last Tuesday.

That was the day Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Semarak and Kampung Baru were flooded just like how it was in 2006, when the worst flood ever hit the city centre. It was as if we were like Bangkok a few weeks ago. What happened to the SMART Tunnel?

A spokesman for SMART had said that had it not been for the SMART Tunnel, KL would have experienced much worse flooding last week.

It also seems that the river that burst its bank was Sungai Bunus. It flows though the Kampung Baru-Jalan Tun Razak-Jalan Semarak area and this waterway was not covered under the SMART Tunnel scope.

So, there is now a need to come up with a flood mitigation project to resolve this “new problem”.

At Monday's Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) budget meeting, KL Mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail announced an allocation of RM85mil for flood mitigation works, including RM20mil for the Federal Territory Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) to divert water from Sg Bunus to Lake Titiwangsa. This, he said, was to help mitigate the recent flooding along Jalan Tun Razak.

Why was this not thought of earlier when billions were being spent on the SMART Tunnel and the other flood mitigation projects implemented over the years? Why is it after a few hours of downpour in 2011 that Sg Bunus has suddenly become a problem?

In fact in 2007 seven projects costing millions were carried out in various flood hot spots in the city.

Some of these “long-term” measures include building floodwater retention ponds, upgrading drainage and diverting water from one river to another. All of these projects were completed and yes, many of them are effective.

Sg Bunus seems like a new problem, one caused by rapid unplanned development.

There have been new projects built along and even over Sg Bunus. Could it be that these developments are the cause of the floods? Instead of just spending millions of ringgit only on flood mitigation projects, the authorities should also carry out studies of how rivers or even storm drains in Kuala Lumpur are impacted by nearby development.

Source: The Star 21.12.2011

Recycling pewter to help conserve nature

The collection, which is made of recycled pewter, consists of three pendants and three sculptures designed by sculptors Zainal Abidin Musa and Tengku Sabri Tengku Ibrahim.

Royal Selangor international general manager Yong Yoon Li said a third of the sales proceeds would go towards MNS's efforts to conserve forests and wildlife.

"The launch of this collection highlights not only our efforts in recycling natural resources but also MNS's efforts to conserve the 130 million-year-old Belum rainforest.

"We are honoured to have Tengku Sabri and Zainal lend their artistic touch to create such a beautiful and unique collection," said Yong.

Tengku Sabri's Beragas, Bakbon and Kerong sculptures were inspired by tales from his childhood.

Zainal designed three pendants called Fern, Pinang and Lover's Pod.

"My collection was inspired by animals, plants and insects that live in the forest," he said.

Royal Selangor launched its pewter donation campaign in June. Up to September, Yong said, about 200 unwanted pewter items had been collected.

"We are grateful to those who contributed unwanted pewter items for recycling," he said.

Yong added that companies such as Petronas had donated pewter items to support the cause.

Petronas senior general manager (group corporate affairs) Datuk Mohammad Medan Abdullah was at the launch.

Source: Nor Ain Mohamed Radhi, NST

Beware of bogus recycling centres

Pertubuhan Amal Seri Sinar founder and president Datuk Eadon Ching said some organisations claimed to be non-governmental organisations (NGOs) but were actually companies running businesses.

"Most people will respond positively when approached or after finding out about a recycling campaign, without checking the organisation's background.

"We have come across a few supposedly non-profit organisations that are actually commercial enterprises. We came to know about them as the organisations were registered as companies with Sdn Bhd or Bhd in their names.

"The easiest way to find out about an organisation is through the Registrar of Societies (ROS). If the organisations are not registered with ROS, then they are illegal," he said during a recent visit to a recycling centre in Hulu Langat, Cheras.

He said the authorities should monitor activities and programmes of organisations which claimed to be non-profit-making to make sure that the public would not fall prey to unscrupulous individuals.

"This may seem petty to some, but if you think carefully, it is not only morally wrong to deceive people by having a charity front.

"Before this happens, we have to give a clear message to those taking advantage of people's good intentions to do charity work. In Singapore, such immoral acts would incur a jail term and fine."

He said he had informed the authorities about it, but it seemed that there was no specific law to stop individuals from collecting recyclable items from others.

"Charitable organisations like ours have to depend on public donations to maintain our daily operations including collecting items from the 272 recycle bins we placed at various places.

"The money we get from the recycling process would be used for our programmes and community events.

"However, some irresponsible people would simply exploit people's generosity to generate income for themselves," he said, adding that the most common items received were books, bottles, clothes and newspapers.

"We provide free pick-up services for bulky items such as old furniture and electrical appliances.

"We hire staff and technicians to make sure that the items are fixed before donating them or sending them to countries like Myanmar and Laos."

He advised the public to at least check the organisations' websites before contributing to them.

"If the website has not been updated for a long time, then you know that the organisation is not active."

Ching, who is a businessman, got the idea to set up the society in 2003 after receiving encouragement from friends.

Apart from recycling and environmental campaigns including tree-planting, Pertubuhan Seri Sinar also goes to schools and residential areas to increase awareness on the importance to practice 3R (reduce, reuse and recycle) in one's daily life.

The association collects 60 tonnes of items daily, of which 60 per cent comprised clothes.

Source: NURADZIMMAH DAIM
KUALA LUMPUR
streets@nstp.com.my