Selangor forest fires under control but peatlands still high risk, says MB
Amirudin said, however, the focus and attention on monitoring in peatland areas is still being carried out as the risk of fire is greater and difficult to control.
'There were three fire incidents, namely in Kuala Kubu Bharu, Kajang and Seri Gombak. But Alhamdulillah they were brought under control immediately.
'We are currently monitoring the situation in Kuala Kubu Bharu to ensure that it does not continue. What we are worried about is in the peatland area, because if (a fire) occurs, it will take a long time and involve a larger operation,' he said.
He told reporters after officiating the third Children's Book Festival at the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) Complex here today.
Meanwhile, Amirudin said the state government through the Public Health and Environment Exco Jamaliah Jamaluddin and the State Disaster Management Unit had been mobilised to monitor the haze situation on a daily basis.
He said the monitoring also included more frequent patrols in hotspots and high-risk areas so that fires, in particular, would not recur.
Meanwhile, commenting on the Selangor Children's Book Festival 2025, Amirudin said that the third edition proved the state government's commitment in strengthening the book industry ecosystem, especially in the children's segment.
He said that apart from organising the general book festival which is usually held every year, Selangor also focused on organising a special book fair for children to open up more space for local publishers to market their works.
He said more than 160 stalls were set up in this year's book fair, including book publishers as well as various agencies and organisations related to children, with an estimated 80,000 visitors expected to enliven the four-day fair starting yesterday at the PKNS Complex. — Bernama
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Malay Mail
25-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Selangor forest fires under control but peatlands still high risk, says MB
SHAH ALAM, July 25 — The forest fire in several areas in Selangor is now under control, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. Amirudin said, however, the focus and attention on monitoring in peatland areas is still being carried out as the risk of fire is greater and difficult to control. 'There were three fire incidents, namely in Kuala Kubu Bharu, Kajang and Seri Gombak. But Alhamdulillah they were brought under control immediately. 'We are currently monitoring the situation in Kuala Kubu Bharu to ensure that it does not continue. What we are worried about is in the peatland area, because if (a fire) occurs, it will take a long time and involve a larger operation,' he said. He told reporters after officiating the third Children's Book Festival at the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) Complex here today. Meanwhile, Amirudin said the state government through the Public Health and Environment Exco Jamaliah Jamaluddin and the State Disaster Management Unit had been mobilised to monitor the haze situation on a daily basis. He said the monitoring also included more frequent patrols in hotspots and high-risk areas so that fires, in particular, would not recur. Meanwhile, commenting on the Selangor Children's Book Festival 2025, Amirudin said that the third edition proved the state government's commitment in strengthening the book industry ecosystem, especially in the children's segment. He said that apart from organising the general book festival which is usually held every year, Selangor also focused on organising a special book fair for children to open up more space for local publishers to market their works. He said more than 160 stalls were set up in this year's book fair, including book publishers as well as various agencies and organisations related to children, with an estimated 80,000 visitors expected to enliven the four-day fair starting yesterday at the PKNS Complex. — Bernama
Sinar Daily
19-07-2025
- Sinar Daily
Eyesores and health hazards: Abandoned buildings threaten public safety and image
KUALA LUMPUR – Resembling haunted houses from horror films, abandoned buildings from stalled projects to neglected heritage sites are a familiar sight across Malaysia. Overrun by thick bushes, with some even sprouting trees from within, these abandoned buildings are more than just eyesores. They pose serious risks to nearby communities, serving as breeding grounds for diseases like dengue and attracting dangerous animals such as snakes. Additionally, such buildings may become hotspots for immoral activities or drug abuse. The PKNS public flats in Jalan Kuching, comprising 15 blocks and 600 units, stand in a state of neglect, caught between abandonment and decay. Photo by Bernama Describing the issue as long-standing, experts believe it is time to resolve the problem, especially as Malaysia actively prepares for the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign. EYE-SORE AND HAZARD Sharing her view, Associate Professor Dr Norwati Jamaluddin from the Department of Civil Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) said abandoned buildings, whether unfinished development projects or heritage sites, should not be left to deteriorate. She noted that these neglected structures pose safety risks to the community and spoil the visual appeal of their surroundings. The PKNS public flats in Jalan Kuching, comprising 15 blocks and 600 units, stand in a state of neglect, caught between abandonment and decay. Photo by Bernama "Besides their dilapidated appearance, abandoned premises often create hazardous environments, with risks such as collapsing structures due to lack of maintenance. "They also tend to attract irresponsible individuals who engage in immoral activities such as vandalism, drug use and other crimes, leading to public unrest in the area,' she told Bernama. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa was previously reported as saying that a total of 48 abandoned premises and buildings had been identified around the capital as of Feb 20 this year. According to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), 25 of them were residential buildings, while the remaining 23 were commercial premises. She added that abandoned buildings are not limited to suburban areas but are also found in high-value commercial areas in the city centre, such as Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Pudu, and Jalan Gombak. "On Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah (Jalan Ipoh), several commercial residential units have been abandoned, reflecting urban decline or stalled development. Similarly, on Lorong Tiong Nam, many old, rundown shop lots are in poor condition,' she said. According to the National Housing Department, as of May 31, there are 17 static-category abandoned private housing projects nationwide – some dating back to 1989. Another 45 projects are in the process of being revived. Even government-owned buildings contribute to the issue – including the heritage-status Federal Court building opposite Dataran Merdeka and the old state government office complex in Teluk Intan, Perak. ECONOMIC VALUE Norwati stressed that abandoned properties drag down surrounding property values and can become an economic burden for agencies, including local authorities. "Foreign journal reports show that such abandoned properties can reduce the value of surrounding real estate by 6.5 to 20 per cent. "They also burden local councils through lost tax revenue and increased maintenance, restoration and enforcement costs,' she said. She also cited the Broken Windows Theory, which suggests that visible neglect signals deeper, systemic problems if left unresolved. "For example, if a structure continues to deteriorate, it could lead to higher losses down the line, especially if it requires complete reconstruction. "Even if most of these buildings are privately owned, the government's image still suffers due to perceived poor management,' she added. GROWING CONCERN Meanwhile, senior lecturer at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), Ar Nasrudin Sharkawi, said the glut of abandoned buildings raises concerns over urban planning, property values and sustainability in the construction sector. He said such stalled projects reflect failures in coordination and implementation within Malaysia's construction industry. "There are several contributing factors – including impractical designs that ignore local context, resulting in projects failing to attract buyers or tenants even after completion." He said developers may also suffer from poor management, lack of transparency, labour shortages or failure to get approval from local authorities. Nasrudin added that delayed or cancelled funding, especially for government projects, can leave structures partially built and abandoned. If resumed later, costs often exceed original budgets due to theft, vandalism or damage at the site. "In a free market context, many luxury developments are planned without considering actual market demand. When investors fail to see returns, buildings are left empty and become derelict,' he added. Heritage buildings, he said, face a similar dilemma – caught between preservation and adapting for modern use. A COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION Nasrudin called for an integrated, holistic approach from relevant agencies to tackle the root causes of abandoned buildings. He urged the Housing Ministry (KPKT), state governments and local councils to create a centralised, regularly updated database of abandoned projects for better planning and redevelopment. "A full audit of each building should also be conducted – assessing damage, ownership status, and potential for adaptive reuse. Buildings should be categorised for repair, reuse or controlled demolition.' He also suggested reviewing strata ownership and inheritance laws, which often complicate redevelopment efforts. To encourage restoration, he proposed tax incentives, low-interest loans, and public-private partnerships. Vacant buildings could also be temporarily repurposed as storage areas, pop-up shops, or art spaces. This aligns with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's proposal to review and reuse government-owned vacant properties for community benefit – including as shelters for the homeless and hardcore poor. Nasrudin further recommended penalties for private owners who leave buildings in hazardous conditions. "Neglecting buildings too long affects property value, public safety, and the area's image. "In the meantime, interim use can help reduce urban decay,' he said. - BERNAMA
New Straits Times
01-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Temporary gas pipeline to begin supply in Putra Heights today
PUTRAJAYA: A temporary pipeline in Putra Heights will supply gas starting from today as repair works on the damaged line are being conducted. The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) said the works are part of a two-phase project to restore safe and stable gas supply to residents and businesses affected by the April 1 incident. "Phase 1 involved installing a 210-metre temporary pipeline to replace the damaged section. "To stabilise the ground at the site, a bridge foundation structure measuring approximately 8 metres by 100 metres was constructed to provide additional support for the pipe," it said in a statement issued by DOSH's director-general's office today. Comprehensive safety tests, including non-destructive testing (NDT) of welding joints and a 24-hour pressure test, were conducted, it said. It said the results, verified by DOSH and an independent third party, confirmed that there were no leaks or pressure drops. "With safety certified, the temporary pipeline will begin supplying gas on July 1 to restore consistent service to users. "Phase 2 will see the installation of three new gas pipelines, each around 200 metres in length, at the affected location." It said concrete slab structures will be used to house the new pipes, offering improved safety and durability. Engineering designs for this phase are currently being finalised, with operations expected to begin in the third quarter of 2026. "DOSH emphasised that safety remains the top priority in all repair efforts. "All work is being carried out in full compliance with recognised international technical codes and standards, including ASME B31.8 (Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers)." It said contractors involved in the works are registered with DOSH and meet its strict regulatory requirements. It said welding procedures and welder qualifications also adhere to prescribed technical standards. "Geotechnical assessments, including soil mapping, subsoil and rock layer studies, and ground movement monitoring, are being conducted to ensure the long-term stability and safety of the pipeline installation site." DOSH also gave its assurance that all works are being closely and impartially monitored to safeguard not only the construction workers, but also nearby residents and businesses. As an additional safety measure, Petronas has been instructed to provide real-time monitoring access to the pipeline's isolation valve system, ensuring immediate shutdown in the event of an emergency, it said. "DOSH acknowledged the urgency of restoring gas supply and reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring every stage of the project to ensure it is carried out responsibly, restoring public confidence in the safety of the gas pipeline system in the area." Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari in a statement yesterday said although the gas pipeline met the required technical specifications and standards, its failure was attributed to several environmental factors. They include unstable soil conditions, long-term groundwater accumulation which softened the soil in the area, monsoon drainage structures and culverts affected by the soil conditions, as well as climatic stress and population density. On April 1, a massive fire broke out at a Petronas gas pipeline in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya. The heat from the flames, visible for kilometres away, damaged houses and vehicles, among others.
