Latest news with #BaganDatuk
Malay Mail
14 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Too early to tell: Perak forensics narrow probe into Hutan Melintang fire that gutted 23 homes, shops, and house of worship
BAGAN DATUK, June 28 — The Perak Social Welfare Department (JKM) and the village chief's office have conducted an immediate census to provide aid to the victims of the Hutan Melintang fire. District Disaster Management Committee chairman Nazrul Fazami Mohamad said that relevant departments and agencies have been mobilised to conduct a quick census of the affected victims. 'JKM and the village chief's office have begun the census to complete the documentation procedures in a timely manner. 'We have also requested all victims to lodge police reports so that state-level disaster aid can be channelled through the Bagan Datuk District and Land Office,' he said when visiting the victims and the incident site today. In the 4.30 am incident, 23 properties in Bagan Pasir Laut near here were razed. This included 19 Class B and C houses, each approximately 92.9 square metres in size, a non-Muslim house of worship, two eateries, and a sundry shop. No casualties were reported. Nazrul Fazami said that no relief centre (PPS) has been opened, as all victims are reportedly staying with their relatives nearby. 'A meeting with representatives of the residents found that all victims currently have temporary shelter, so there is no need to open a PPS at this time. 'However, further discussions will be held from time to time to assess the need to open a PPS should the situation arise,' he said. Meanwhile, Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) assistant director of operations Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said it was still too early to determine the cause of the fire. He said JBPM's forensic team is still investigating to determine the actual cause of the incident. 'Based on initial information from witnesses at the scene, the fire is believed to have originated in one of the houses at the back row of the affected premises. 'As a result, the scope of the investigation has been narrowed, and focus will be placed on that house to identify the exact cause of the fire,' he said. — Bernama
Malay Mail
15 hours ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Chaos at 4.30am as fire guts 19 homes, a house of worship and eateries in Hutan Melintang
BAGAN DATUK, June 28 — A victim of the Hutan Melintang fire near here early this morning recalled that the blaze spread quickly, preventing them from saving their belongings. The speed of the 4.30 am fire was such that it ripped through 23 premises at Bagan Pasir Laut, including 19 houses, one non-Muslim house of worship, two eateries, and a sundry shop. 'The fire spread too fast, and we didn't have time to save any valuable belongings,' said Chan Huan Peng. The 56-year-old said most of the residents involved were asleep at the time of the incident, and some homeowners were away on holiday. Chan said his brother-in-law woke him after he smelled smoke and was told that their neighbour's house was on fire. 'When I looked out the window, I saw the house behind ours was already burning. The fire spread quite fast. My brother-in-law and I managed to splash water on the rear of our home. 'Then I helped douse water on the wall of another neighbour's house, as the family was away in Kuala Lumpur at the time. The situation was chaotic until the fire department arrived,' he told Bernama today. Chan said that although the blaze destroyed many homes, he was relieved that there were no casualties. Another victim, Chan Huan Han, 40, said he was sleeping with his wife and child when he received a phone call from his mother in Melaka informing him of the fire. 'I woke my wife so we could get our child out of the house. When we stepped outside, people were trying to stop the fire from spreading further. 'The flames spread so quickly that we panicked and didn't have time to do anything except save ourselves and wait for the firefighters to arrive,' he said. He added that after ensuring his family's safety, he joined other residents in assisting the fire department to put out the fire. — Bernama
Malay Mail
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Zahid urges Higher Education Ministry to review rejected applications from top SPM students
BAGAN DATUK, June 17 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged the Ministry of Higher Education to review applications from outstanding Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) students who were unsuccessful in securing a place at institutions of higher learning. He said that compassion and fairness must be shown to these students regardless of race, as they not only excelled in their examinations but are also the hope of their parents. 'For any student who did not gain admission into matriculation colleges, foundation programmes, or first-year degree courses, I hope they will be assisted in securing a place. Although I understand places are limited, they should be treated fairly, and efforts must be made to ensure they are given a place,' he said. Ahmad Zahid, who is also chairman of the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council, told reporters this after launching the 'Kembara Kesedaran Pendidikan Anak Desa (KeDESA) Didik MADANI 2025' programme at Politeknik Bagan Datuk today. Yesterday, it was announced that 150,557 SPM 2024 holders had received offers to continue their studies at public institutions of higher education, with 86,589 placed in public universities, 42,058 in polytechnics, 20,427 in community colleges and 1,483 in institutions under MARA's Higher Education Division. Ahmad Zahid also said he had requested the TVET Council Secretariat and the Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN) to consider admitting outstanding students with Malaysian Skills Certificates (SKM) Level 3 to 5 into MTUN institutions. 'For MTUN, in my view, each institution provides around 2,500 places. With six universities, that gives us 15,000 places. I hope SKM graduates who did not gain admission into public universities can submit an appeal to enter MTUN,' he said. Meanwhile, KeDESA Didik Madanu 2025 Main Committee chairman and adviser to the Bumiputera Education Movement of Malaysia, Datuk Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid, said the programme aims to raise awareness and provide access to higher education for students from rural and remote areas. In her speech, she said the GPBM-organised programme applies the 4M concept – identifying qualified and needy students, understanding their socio-economic background and potential, raising awareness of the importance of education, and guiding students to the right channels to further their studies. She said that in 2024, a total of 10 programmes were held across three states – Perak, Kelantan and Terengganu – with a total attendance of nearly 10,000 participants. At the same event, Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bagan Datuk, presented awards and aid to outstanding SPM 2024 students from the Bagan Datuk constituency. — Bernama
Malay Mail
17-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
From ‘cowboy town' to tourist draw: Zahid touts Bagan Datuk's hectic weekends after waterfront revamp as sign of economic revival
BAGAN DATUK, June 17 — The Bagan Datuk Waterfront Square has transformed the town, once dubbed a 'cowboy town', into an attractive tourist destination, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He said the development of the square has made the town one of the popular spots among domestic tourists, especially on weekends. 'It has been a game changer. This town used to be called a cowboy town, even described as a backwater, but now I get complaints about traffic congestion every weekend; that's a good 'problem' for this town,' said Ahmad Zahid, who is also Bagan Datuk MP. He said this when speaking at the official opening of the Bagan Datuk Waterfront Square here today, which was attended by over 500 guests and local residents. The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, officially opened the square, which was developed in 2019. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the square consists of several project components, including the construction of the Bagan Datuk Tourist Jetty Terminal, recreational and leisure facilities, as well as the conservation of shoplot façades and road upgrades in the Bagan Datuk town area. 'In addition, the Waterfront Square landscape is enhanced by a coconut shell replica with a fountain, the BD Walk building and a replica of a 'jong' (ancient trading vessel), which features children's playsets and historical exhibits inside and on top of the vessel,' he said. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (second from right) tours the revamped Bagan Datuk waterfront on its official launch day June 17, 2025. — Picture from Facebook/Zahid Hamidi He added that with the development of the square, both locals and visitors can now spend leisure time with their families while enjoying the sunset against the scenic backdrop of the Sungai Perak estuary. 'Other attractions such as children's ride-on car rentals, local busking groups and stalls have further enlivened the weekend night atmosphere at the square, helping boost the local community's socio-economic vibrancy,' he said. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Umno won't back Malay unity efforts with ‘hidden political motives', says Zahid
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Umno will remain part of the unity government 'we helped establish'. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Umno will not support any movement that claims to unite the Malays but is actually rooted in personal political ambition, says party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Zahid said any genuine effort to unite the Malay community must be built on shared ideals, not disguised attempts to revive political careers. 'We in Umno will never accept any form of secretariat that claims to unite the Malays under the guise of politics. 'We remain in Umno, and we will continue to be part of the unity government we helped establish,' he was quoted as saying at the Bagan Datuk Umno division meeting today. Zahid is believed to be referring to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's proposal for a 'Malay secretariat committee' to unite the Malays and restore their political power. Announcing the formation of a loose Malay unity alliance on June 4, Mahathir said he would invite Umno members to join it in an effort to 'restore Malay power' in the government. He stressed, however, that he was not inviting Umno as a party to join the alliance. Zahid described the secretariat's formation as 'a political move driven by the failure of a former prime minister who lost public support'. 'When someone finds that none of their party's candidates won in the last election, and all lost their deposits, only then do they suddenly want to find a way to 'unite the Malays'. 'And yet, it was that very person who previously divided the Malays,' he said. He outlined Mahathir's political journey – from leading Umno and becoming prime minister, to forming new parties after being ousted, only to lose his deposit in a recent general election -and said his attempt to form a secretariat was merely an effort to compensate for his political shortcomings.
