Antara Sayang dan Takut

Assalamualaikum dan salam sejahtera.

Amacam dengan tajuk entri harini? Ada unsur jiwang x? Actually entri kali ini berkisarkan situasi yang biasa berlaku di sekeliling kita. Cuma sedar atau tak sahaja. 

Pernahkan korang tengok situasi di mana seorang pakcik, makcik, kakak atau sesiapa sahaja (dewasa) sedang membonceng motosikal bersama anak/anak buah/anak saudara ke sekolah. 

Tak pelik pun situasi dia atas...

Ya betul. Biasalah, orang hantar anak/adik/anak buah ke sekolah. 

Situasi akan menjadi pelik apabila si penunggang motosikal memakai helmet dan si anak kecil yang comel tidak memakai sebarang alat perlindungan diri iaitu helmet. Walaubagaimanapun, masih ramai yang menyediakan helmet untuk si anak kecil. Situasi ini cuma kes minoriti sahaja.

Di sini ada sedikit persolan.

Persoalan pertama: Kenapa si penunggang pakai helmet? Namun tidak untuk si pembonceng? Bukan kah kedua-duanya menaiki motor yang sama? 

Hypothesis saya:

• Si penunggang memakai helmet sebab takut kena saman kalau terjumpa polis atau JPJ. 
• Si penunggang tidak menyediakan helmet untuk pembonceng sebab belum mampu beli lagi (walaupun sudah 5 tahun hantar anak ke sekolah menaiki motosikal) berikutan tanggungan yang ramai.
• Si penunggang motosikal berfikiran sebegini "sekolah dekat je, tak mengapa".  
• Si ayah tak kisah hilang anak, tapi takut kena saman.

Kalau lah..berlakunya kemalangan seperti, haiwai melintas secara tiba-tiba, untuk mengelak, maka kedua-duanya terbabas dan terjatuh, si penunggang masih mempunyai helmet, manakala si anak tidak. Mau nya terhantuk atas jalan, atau terhantuk di pembahu jalan, tak ke parah. Tubuh badan kanak-kanak ni tak sekeras tubuh badan orang dewasa.

Di akhir insiden itu, hanya kedengaran suara "anak aku!! anak aku!!"

Kita mampu merubahnya

* Hypothesis hanyalah anggapan penulis, tak semestinya betul dan bukan nak kata benar.  

Tips Simple Tinggal Rumah-Balik Kampung

Jom kita berkongsi persediaan nak balik kampung. Al-maklumlah, kan dah nak raya minggu depan. Kepada yang dah pulang beraya, selamat hari raya, yang belum lagi atau yang masih kena kerja, selamat juga aku ucapkan. Sabor ye. Tak lama dah lagi nak cuti raya. So sebelum nak balik kampung atau tinggalkan rumah, pastikan perkara yang perlu amik perhatian.

1. Matikan suis mana yang patut.
2. Bagi tau jiran brape lama korang balik kampung.
3. Cabut kepala gas

Nampak simple kan? Tapi sangat penting untuk mengalakkan dari berlakunya sebarang kejadian yang tak di ingini.

Al-kisah Tukar Tayar Gugu

Ini lah semangat nak balik kampung..hoho tak lah. Al-kisahnya persediaan nak balik kampung. Dok sibuk la mencari kedai tayar. Tayar Gugu pun dah hampir botak (actually dah botak pun). Tanya En.Google, aku jumpa beberapa kedai tayar yang populer di Selangor.

Ohh sebelum tu aku pilih Continental ComfortContact-5 175/65R14. Kenapa aku pilih tayar brand ni? Sebab aku baca kat forum, otai-otai kete suggest Continental CC5 nih senyap and smooth. Lagipun masih dalam budget aku. Aku shortlist kan kepada 2 kedai je.

1. QS Tyres & Auto Service Address: 

No. 32, Lorong Bendahara 37,
Taman Sri Indah Off Jalan Sungai Jati, 41200 Klang
Phone No: 03-51611537
Fax No: 03-51611537
Mobile No: 012-2788177 (Mr. Ong)
Email: tyres.qs@gmail.com
Business Hours: Mon – Sat (8.30am-7.00pm) /Sun (8.30am-5.00pm)

Aku jumpa QS Tyres ni kat laman web Lelong.com. Dia buat stock clearance. Dia offer RM155/tayar+free balancing.

2. Hin Leong Tyre Services S/B (a.k.a Kedai Papan)

134&136, Jalan Kapar, 41400 Klang,
41400 Klang Selangor
03-3343 9100

Yang ni aku jumpa dalam kebanyakan forum. Depa kata memang affordable dan murah. Namun ade gak forum-forum yang kata kedai ni tak berapa best and problematic. Aku pun tak tau. Kedai papan offer RM??? Kenapa tak ada harga? Aku dok call banyak kali tak pernah di angkat. So frust kat situ. hehehe

3. Kedai EN. Calvin (kawan aku suggest)

Kedai ni dekat pekan Meru, sebelah kedai Brothers.
5km dari simpang 4 Meru.
Calvin hp: 019-2828399

Kedai ni dia offer RM158+Free alignment. Lagipun si Calvin ni agak peramah orangnya, kerja pun cepat siap+dekat dengan rumah. So aku pilih la tukar tayar di kedai si Calvin nih.

Alhamdulillah...segala urusan di permudahkan. Terima kasih kepada kawan aku a.k.a TD kerana memperkenalkan kedai nih. Lepas pakai tayar continental CC5 ni, serius terasa perbezaan dia. Jalan memang senyap. Semoga Allah permudahkan perjalanan pergi balik aku dan famili ke kampung nanti. Amin.

Seksyen 144A Akta Keterangan 1950- Hebat

 Gambar kredit to: roketkini.com

p/s: menarik bukan seksyen nih?

Cerita Kedai Gunting

Assalamualaikum & selamat sejahtera.

Selama ni dok pi gunting rambut kat kedai gunting. Tak pernah pulak terfikir tentang isu nih. Bila di pikir2 balik, benda ni bukan baru. Rasanya dari zaman aku kecik lagi. Aku rasa semua manusia pun perasan benda ni.

Kalau cakap kedai gunting rambut, mesti kat luar kedai tu ada bar bulat, ada line2 berjalur2 biasanya berwarna merah, biru dan putih. Dan kadang2 ada juga warna kuning. Kenapa ek? Dari dulu pun macam tu. Apa significant antara kedai gunting rambut dengan benda2 yang berpusing2 tuh? Kepada sesiapa kat luar sana yang tahu, kongsi2lah dengan aku. Aku teringin nak tahu.



Isu lain berkenaan kedai gunting rambut.

• Kompetensi penggunting rambut. Kekadang risau juga kalau2 tukang gunting rambut tu ada masalah keluarga. Mana tahu dia mengalamai masalah depression, gunting ada, pisau belit ada....adoi mak aiii...seriau dibuatnya. Nauzubillah
• Rambut beterbangan di ruang angkasanya. Bagi parent yang bawak anak2 kecik, tak payah la bagi budak2 tu dok lama2 kt dalam tuh. Tak elok untuk kesihatan anak2 korang. Bagi yang ada masalah sistem pernafasan tu, sila lah berjaga2 ok.
• Penggunting ni mesti ada masalah CTS kan? takpun masalah pernafasan akut/kronik. (Hypothesis)
• Bar berpusing2 berwarna warni di luar kedai. Masih menjadi misteri.

p/s: selalu terpikir untuk point yang pertama tuh. aduii....

Employees safety must be taken seriously

MUADZAM SHAH: There are more than 4,000 officers who have the authority to check on the safety and health of employees in working premises and there is a need for more of them.

Human Resources Deputy Minister Datuk Maznah Mazlan said the Ministry is aggresively looking recruit more of these workers to attend safety and health courses held by the National Institute of Occupational of Safety and Health (Niosh) from time to time.

Maznah said they are the authorised person to check and monitor on the quality of safety and health in working premises and the demand for their authorisation is increasing.

She said they could either be part-timers or working as authorised officers on a full time basis.

“Existing officers who posses Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia(SPM) ceritificates and above are encouraged to attend the courses with Niosh and with the certs they will be able to be authorised officers to monitor and conduct checks on working premises.

“The intention is to ensure that the working premises and its environment are condusive, safe and according to the saefty and health standards.

This is to avoid any unneccesaries accidents during working hours, or at the working places and other related matters concerning the safety and health of the employees,’’ Maznah said after she officiated the safety and health awarenes programme held in Dewan Mini Stadium recently.

Maznah said the importance of safety and health among employees will not be compromised as all employers have to provide a condusive, safe and healthy working environment to their employees, either in factories, offices, and other type of working places.

“It has to be beared in our mind that accidents that occur during working hours will jeorpadise the employers’ daily operations and affect its activities,” she said.

Maznah said in any organisation, the most important asset for them is their staff.

She said the awareness on the importance of the workers’s safety and health is currently increasing and there are companies which have been cooperative in sending their staff to attend safety courses.

By NIK NAIZI HUSIN
metro@thestar.com.my

Bus operators not satisfy?

PETALING JAYA: Bus operators have criticised the authorities for deeming double-decker buses unsafe, saying that they had encouraged the use of these vehicles in the first place.

The Pan-Malaysian Bus Operators Association said the now defunct Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board had encouraged the use of double-deckers as a way to reduce operating costs.

“Now, they are saying these buses are unsafe and cannot be used on certain roads, which means the operators will have to bear losses,” association president Datuk Mohamad Ashfar Ali said yesterday.

It was reported that a study by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) had found double-deckers to be unsafe and unsuitable for long journeys, especially on winding roads.

Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri had said that the build of the buses and their high centre of gravity made them suitable only for use in towns or on highways and not on winding roads and hilly areas.

He asked the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) to review the routes for such buses to prevent accidents.

“When they introduced double-deckers, they did not impose any restrictions on routes and told us that the buses were safe,” Mohamad Ashfar said, adding that the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and inspection body Puspakom had also approved the vehicles as safe.

SPAD chief operating officer Azhar Ahmad said the commission would liaise with JPJ and Miros to resolve the issue.

“While considering the interests of bus operators, we have to also look at the safety of passengers,” he said.

He added that SPAD would not rush to review the routes for double-deckers as they were already on the road and had been approved by the JPJ.

Miros director-general Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon clarified that the buses found on Malaysian roads were not “double-deckers” but “high-deckers”.

“We do not have double-decker buses in the country,” he said, explaining that double-deckers were much higher than high-deckers.

“Not all buses are suitable. Certain roads, in hilly areas for example, should not be used by any kind of bus,” Dr Wong said.

He added that Miros would publish the findings of the study on its website soon.

Meanwhile, SPAD will meet agencies such as the JPJ, Miros, the Transport Ministry and bus operators on the issue.

“We will look into the technical and safety aspects such as the Safety Health and Environment Code of Practice (SHE-COP) and international standard practices like the United Nations Economic Commission of Europe's (UNECE) R66 regulations before reaching a decision,” SPAD chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said in a statement yesterday

Source: P. ARUNA
aruna@thestar.com.my

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

Fewer accidents at workplace

PUTRAJAYA: The rate of accidents at workplaces has halved over the past decade.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the rate had fallen from 10.3 cases for every 1,000 workers to 5.72 last year.

“This shows the success of joint efforts by the Government, employers and employees to reduce workplace accidents,” said Dr Subramaniam at the opening of the National Occupational Health and Safety Awards dinner here.

“We need to look at alternatives that can help improve the levels of occupational health and safety to further reduce workplace accidents,” he said.

One of the government initiatives to achieve the reduction includes the Occupational Safety and Health Master Plan 2010-2015, launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in 2009.

“For instance, in the plan's third strategy, organisations that have expertise in occupational issues at the construction site was given the mandate to develop, implement and monitor training modules for site safety supervisors next year,” said Dr Subramaniam.

He hoped that the awards would motivate companies to continue their efforts in reducing workplace accidents.

Of the 144 participating organisations, 21 received awards for their exemplary efforts.

Source: The Star Online 23 Dec 2011

Badan tauke telefon jadi hitam

GEORGE TOWN - Seorang wanita yang baru pulang ke rumah terkejut selepas mendapati suaminya menemui ajal dalam keadaan menyayat hati apabila badan lelaki itu bertukar kehitaman disyaki terkena renjatan elektrik dari alat pemanas air kelmarin.

Mayat tauke kedai telefon, Tye Chuan Sin, 40, ditemui melecur lebih 50 peratus pada pukul 3 petang oleh isterinya di dalam bilik air rumah mereka di Taman Changkat, Bukit Gambir di sini.

Difahamkan, kejadian berlaku ketika mangsa sedang mandi sebelum menjemput anak perempuannya pulang dari kelas tambahan pada pukul 12 tengah hari. Isteri mangsa ketika itu keluar bersama anak lelaki mereka.

Bagaimanapun, anak mangsa yang penat menunggu kemudian menghubungi ibunya untuk mengambilnya.

Kakak mangsa, Tye Chuan See, 45, memberitahu, kakak iparnya yang hairan apabila mendapati suaminya tidak menjemput anak perempuan mereka, bergegas ke kelas tambahan yang terletak berdekatan rumah mereka sebelum tiga beranak itu pulang ke rumah.

Oleh NOOR HASLIZA NUSI
hasliza.nusi@kosmo.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

Review procedures to prevent gas leak fires

The palm-sized device was made of brass and simple to operate. It looked like the common gas regulator, except that it had a small meter which shows the amount of gas left in the tank.

The metered regulator cost RM90, almost eight times more than the regular ones. I bought one for two reasons -- it had an automatic shutdown feature which cuts off supply from the tank if there were a leak and lets me know how much gas is left so that I know when to order a new tank.

I hated having to keep a spare tank at home all the time. My fear of a gas leak was as great as running out of gas halfway through cooking my favourite bak kut teh.

But it was a necessary nightmare, before I stumbled upon the metered regulator.

I was even more impressed when the salesman told me that the metered regulator came with a RM1 million liability-insurance and was guaranteed to last five years.

Mine lasted me nine years but, when I went looking for a new one, I was told that it was no longer produced. Apparently, the price was too high for its time and the company had folded.

Last week, when I read that a blast had damaged a restaurant on the ground floor at Maju Junction, my thoughts went back to the metered regulator and gas safety. The blast is the second, involving a food outlet, which is believed to be due to a gas leak.

On Sept 28, the Empire Shopping Gallery in Subang Jaya made the headlines when a gas explosion destroyed a restaurant and injured four people.

The complex has since reopened and, according to reports, eateries there have been fitted with a brand new gas line, backed up by a state-of-the-art gas sensor that runs round-the-clock.

Although no one was hurt in the latest blast, I think the authorities should review current procedures for ensuring the safety of the eateries operating in enclosed premises, especially those that see high pedestrian traffic.

Are regular safety inspections, not just health checks, carried out at such eateries before their business licenses are renewed annually?

In case of a fire, especially at eateries in the older shopping complexes, are the kitchen areas shielded to protect people -- at least for the duration needed to evacuate everyone?

Apart from regular smoke detectors and sprinklers, should all eateries in old shopping complexes be equipped with gas leak detection systems?

It also gives me the jitters when I see fast-food outlets operating within a shouting distance of petrol stations.

There is no telling what can happen if an eatery near an underground petrol bunker catches fire, as a result of human carelessness or a faulty stove.

Source: Estung, 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

5-year-old falls off S’pore flyer platform

A five-year-old boy veered off a platform and fell into a safety net at the Singapore Flyer last Sunday evening, after his father lost grip of the stroller the boy was seated in.

The New Paper (TNP) reported that the boy’s father, known as Mr Tan, had just disembarked from a capsule after the 30-minute ferris wheel ride when he accidentally let go of his son’s stroller.

According to Singapore Flyer centre manager Thiru Ramayah, who spoke to the same paper, the stroller rolled down the disembarkation platform, which is sloped, and slipped off it, falling about half a metre into a safety net below.

After hearing a shout for “code red”, Ramayah saw what had happened in his closed-circuit television monitor from the Flyer’s command centre, and rushed out to ensure that the five-year-old was unharmed.

“The boy appeared to have been tipped out of his stroller and trapped under it,” said Ramayah to TNP, adding that three technicians lowered a rescue ladder to the safety net to help the boy up.

Senior technician Glenn Villaflores told the paper that the boy was “crying non-stop” and seemed very afraid.

“Everything happened very quickly,” said the 28-year-old. “We were very focused on getting the child to safety.”

Ramayah added that Mr and Mrs Tan seemed equally traumatised by what had happened, saying that Mrs Tan was also sobbing. The family was led to a quiet area to calm down after the crew had rescued the five-year-old.

“We offered them water, and one of my staff members even bought stuffed animals from the gift shop for the boy and his younger sister to try to calm them down,” he said.

The Flyer was halted for four minutes as the rescue effort took place, and Ramayah said there was no need for an announcement to be made because it was over so quickly.

A spokesperson for the Flyer told Yahoo! Singapore that the safety net installed below the wheel can support loads of up to 300kg.

She also said that members of staff are stationed along the boarding and disembarkation decks, as well as in a control room, to ensure that guests are looked after at all times.

“This ensures that staff members on ground are able to react quickly to any emergency,” she said.

Railings are also installed along the boarding and disembarkation decks, and staff members stationed right beside the capsule entry and exit points to usher guests safely, added the spokesperson.

“The Singapore Flyer takes the safety of our guests very seriously and we hope that our guests will also exercise caution and responsibility to ensure their safety,” she said.

Source: Jeanette Tan (Yahoo News)

Safer option with ‘Taxis for Women’

PUBLIC transport is now safer for women with the launch of "Taxis for Women" by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development yesterday.

Deputy Minister Datuk Heng Seai Kei said the project was in line with their aim of providing safe public transportation for women.

"These taxis are to cater to women, especially those who are used to travelling alone or with their children.

"We hope it will reduce the number of rape and robbery cases involving taxi drivers and female victims," she said.

According to Heng, the idea was to have taxis that were "driven by women, for women".

"Some 400 taxis will be on-call to ensure the safety and comfort of female passengers."

The service, which will be expanded in stages, currently has 50 taxis operating around the Klang Valley.

She said the service would also help create job opportunities for women, especially single mothers, housewives and pensioners, who were looking for another source of income for their family.

"It is an alternative for women, and those who are interested to pursue this career can also work in shifts to accommodate their schedule," she said.

The ministry and Abex Manufacturing Sdn Bhd are providing training and courses for those who were interested to become female taxi drivers, said Heng.

One of the taxi drivers Faridah Idris, 38, said the service provided female commuters a safer option to travel in.

"Women passengers are normally more comfortable with us.

"For female drivers, there are always risks when picking up passengers, especially at night.

"With this project, both female drivers and passengers can feel safer," she said.

The launch was held in conjunction with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2011 at the Bandar Tasik Selatan bus terminal.

Also present were Land Public Transport Commission chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar and Singapore High Commissioner, Ong Keng Yong.

Source: AISYAH SULAIMAN
aisyahs@nst.com.my

Derelict project a health risk

JOHOR BARU: Residents of the Larkin flats here and those living in the surrounding areas want the authorities to deal with the health risks posed by an abandoned housing project.

The project for the relocation of residents of Kampung Setulang Baru was started in 2003, but was stalled several times before being completely abandoned in 2009.

The site is now an eyesore and residents living in the vicinity are worried that it has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Kampung Melayu Zone committee member Azman Dawam said the residents are fearful of the dengue threat as puddles of water could be found at the site of the abandoned project every time it rains.

Johor Baru Umno Youth chief Khaled Mohamad recently visited the area and promised to take up the matter to the authorities.

"We (Umno Youth) are equally frustrated over this project which should have been completed in 2007. "It was for the benefit of the poor," he said.

A resident of the Larkin flats, Romzi Abdul Razak, said he hoped the authorities will revive the project, so that the site would be cleaned up.

"The drains at the site are mostly clogged, causing them to be ideal places for the aedes mosquito to breed," he said.

Source: Mahani Ishak

Driving home road safety habits

IN an effort to promote good road behaviours and reduce the number of accidents, B. Braun Medical Industries (BMI) Sdn Bhd launched a month-long road safety campaign at its plant in Bayan Lepas recently.

Targeted at BMI's 5,000 staff as well as those from neighbouring factories, the campaign featured programmes such as roadshows and talks. The inaugural campaign will be held for four weeks.

BMI operations and CoE IVA vice-president Dr Juergen Schloesser said it was the first time BMI was organising a campaign focusing on road safety.

Schloesser said road accidents killed more people than malaria.

"Last year, BMI recorded 32 commuting accidents involving our own employees. This year, until October, there were 17 accidents with four fatalities," he said.

"We must know how to keep ourselves and others safe when we are on the road."

BMI has also reaffirmed its commitment towards road safety and was aiming at cutting its commuting accidents by half by next year.

State Road Safety Department director S. Jegan lauded BMI for its commitment in promoting road safety to the industrial zone community.

Campaign organising chairman and BMI environmental, health, safety and security senior manager V. Ramachandran said the campaign was well received by representatives of B. Braun's neighbours.

Source: LOOI SUE-CHERN

Stress of living with accidents

KERETAPI Tanah Melayu Locomotive Drivers' Association (PPL) president Rahman Zakaria said he had seen more than 10 accidents involving people on the tracks throughout his 21 years of working for KTM Berhad.

"One incident which haunts me until now, was when the train hit a Chinese woman, who was crossing the tracks at night.

"It was Chinese New Year and she was heading home."

She did not survive.

Rahman said drivers often suffered trauma and psychological stress after these accidents.

He added that many drivers took time off and even switched to desk jobs after accidents on the tracks.

Mohd Ariza Yahya, a locomotive driver of 15 years, said the accidents would involve not just human victims but animals as well.

"I remember during one trip in Labok, Kelantan, where two elephants died after being hit, while crossing the tracks. It is dangerous not just to animals, but to people onboard because hitting huge objects will damage the train."

Nor Amran Hamid, who has been driving trains since 1995, said he was once injured when the train he was driving was pelted with rocks by children.

"Although small, the stones managed to crack the windshield of the train and shards of the glass hit my eyes. Luckily, it did not damage my eyesight."

Mohd Khairi Ariffin said an accident in Bukit Berapit, Perak, left him with a broken rib when a boulder rolled down the hill and stopped the train in its tracks.

"We crashed into the boulder and I was lucky the whole train did not topple into the gorge by the side."

Source: NST

Lynas installs RM1.5mil air quality monitoring system

KUANTAN: Lynas Malaysia Sdn Bhd has installed an Airborne Monitoring System (AMS) at its site in Gebeng while a second unit will be placed in Kuantan town next month.

Its managing director Datuk Mashal Ahmad said the units, which would provide updates on air quality every 10 minutes, cost RM1.5mil and were operated by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB).

“With the AMS, people will know that whatever radiation emitted is very low, negligible and harmless to humans and the environment.

“The readings are also accessible online,” he said during a briefing on the rare earth plant's progress here yesterday.

Also present were general manager (plant) Khairul Salleh Jais, engineering services senior manager Wee Tait Eng and Lynas Malaysia's radiological safety adviser Prof Dr Ismail Bahari.

Mashal also commented on the 11 recommendations imposed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) review team, including three that need to be fulfilled before the pre-operation licence, which is for a two-year period before actual production could begin.

“We have given all the facts and data, and a permit to operate will make it possible to prove that the statistics are right,” he said, adding that the plant would be completed in January.

Mashal also denied that Lynas would start shipping rare earth from Australia.

He added that an empty container was brought in to map out the logistics involved.

On the ongoing protests against the plant, Mashal said Lynas welcomed any form of dialogue.

“They need to understand the processes involved and listen to the right people with the right expertise.

“Also, they must not impose conditions such as bringing along their lawyers or wanting to take photos and video recordings in the plant,” he added.

Source: ROSLINA MOHAMAD
roslina@thestar.com.my

Fire drill turns into kids' fun activity

GEORGE TOWN Recently, there was a brief panic among the residents of the apartments in densely-populated Halaman Damai, Kampung Rawa, here, when a fire-engine showed up for a fire drill.

Firemen, from the Fire and Rescue Department unit in Jalan Perak, used a ladder to rescue a "victim" who was on the fifth floor of block nine.

The neighbourhood was abuzz with activities when children packed into the fire engine to check out the fire fighting equipment.

Some children took the opportunity to learn about basic fire evacuation techniques from the firemen.

The drill was part of "Program Mesra" organised by the Umno Jelutong division. Ahmad Azhari Hamzah, 51, an Umno branch leader and a member of the organising committee, said the drill was held to raise public safety awareness.

"We have to be prepared for any emergency. Our aim is to expose the children to ways to disperse during a fire," he said. The children were treated to lunch.

Source: Phuah Ken Lin
streets@nstp.com.my