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Daily Express
a day ago
- General
- Daily Express
Telco woes in Ulu Kimanis village
Published on: Friday, June 27, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 27, 2025 By: Sidney Skinner Text Size: Subscribers in this Ulu Kimanis village were unable to use their service almost two weeks recently. A Papar handphone user has expressed her displeasure about poor coverage in one part of the district, while a Penampang employee is hoping that more care will be taken to look after the telecommunications installations near her office. The former shared her frustrations about the service outage at her village in the Ulu Kimanis area. The office-worker, on the other hand, was perturbed by a phone pole which was leaning over at a 45 degree angle off a section of Jalan Penampang. Both individuals provided Hotline with the pertinent details regarding their grievances. This information was forwarded to CelcomDigi and Telekom Malaysia (TM) Bhd. A CelcomDigi spokesperson said a preliminary check was made of the installation in the vicinity of the subscriber's village shortly after the company was contacted by the media. 'Our technical team was immediately deployed to assess the network signal in the customer's area,' the spokesperson said. 'The issue was resolved on the spot and the signal coverage was subsequently restored.' She said its personnel later confirmed that subscriber's handphone service was functioning as it should. 'Nevertheless, we will continue to monitor the network quality in the area to ensure consistent coverage.' GANESH of Papar said he was unable to use his handphone to make calls or access the Internet in Kg Toboon Minansar for days at a time. He said this had been going on for 'the past fortnight'. 'I can receive messages via whatsapp. However, I have noticed that there is a substantial delay between when they are first sent to me and when they appear on my phone,' he said. 'A friend who lives in Penampang sent me a request around 8.10pm on a recent Friday night. Her message only registered in my whatsapp about 45 minutes later.' He said his telecommunications services only functioned like normal when he reached the nearest main road. 'I have to make a two to three-minute drive from my house just to be able to use my handphone, which I feel is a ridiculous inconvenience.' Ganesh said he shared his handphone woes with several of his neighbours. Those among them, who also used CelcomDigi, expressed similar frustrations about the poor coverage, according to him. 'It is especially disappointing that the company's lines should malfunction like this. I fear that I will not be able to call for help if there is an emergency at home.' Meanwhile, TM staff have been asked to make periodic checks of the condition of its assets in Penampang, including those on the vegre along the main road leading to Donggongon. The firm recently dealt with a problem involving a pole which was bending towards the compound for a commercial premises dealing in hardware, plumbing and heating equipment at Mile 6 Jalan Penampang. A TM spokesman said the relevant section was alerted to what was happening in this part of the district. 'Our technicians confirmed that the pole was no longer upright a few days later,' he said. 'They set about repositioning the structure on the spot. A stay-wire was put in place to provide the pole with additional support.' He said the team also attended to any low-hanging cables in the area. 'We wanted to ensure that these lines did not droop down over the road shoulder or parking area for the commercial building in question.' EVAN, who works at the Penampang company, said his employers were worried about the potential property damage which they could incur if the pole were to fall. 'Several of our customers have already remarked that the pole seems to be edging closer and closer towards our compound,' he said. 'When the pole topples, there will be less space for the staff and shoppers to park their vehicles, let alone for us to store our bigger items.' * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Express
New Papar sub-station, meters for Inanam: SE
Published on: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 25, 2025 By: Sidney Skinner Text Size: A new substation is coming up along this section of the access road to Kg Kawakahan. SABAH Electricity (SE) has begun building a new substation near a Papar village and is in the midst of processing applications for meters at some low-cost flats in Inanam. This action was prompted by feedback about the power irregularities in Kg Kawakahan, as well as the delay which some occupants of the 'Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR, People's Housing Project)' Kionsom had experienced in having a supply extended to their units. A Papar consumer was under the impression that her village might not be receiving enough electricity as her household appliances had not been operating at their maximum capacity for some time. An Inanam senior citizen, on the other hand, was dismayed to find that there was still no electricity in her flat, more than 10 days after she had applied for a supply. Both individuals provided Hotline with the pertinent details regarding their grievances, which were forwarded to the company. A SE spokesman said about 20 per cent of the substation had been completed so far, since construction got underway on May 19. Advertisement 'Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we tentatively hope to finish the remaining 80 per cent of the work by October 16,' he said. 'The nominal level of the voltage to our customers in Kg Kawakahan should increase to around 230volts, once the substation becomes operational.' He explained that a voltage drop was to blame for the electricity woes in this part of the district. 'The existing substation is located about 2.5 kilometres away from the village. It generates between 210V and 215V during the peak period of electricity usage He said the problems in Kg Kawakahan stemmed from the increasing development taking place around Papar. The spokesman said SE had been aware about the irregularities in the village since last year. 'We refurbished the existing transformer and, for a time, the situation seemed to stabilise. 'Later, we carried out a load-shedding exercise and even tried having new overhead lines put in place to service the village.' 'In January, our technicians changed the tapping points for some of these premises to a different phase.' He said each of these strategies did not provide its consumers with lasting improvements. Meanwhile, SE's effort to provide PPR Kionsom occupants with power was partly held up due to the management company's (MC's) failure to complete the 'tagging' at the cabinets prepared for the meters. A SE spokeswoman said the MC was informed that the 'tagging' was still outstanding a whole fortnight before the keys were handed out to the first group of tenants in the middle of June. 'Tagging involves applying labels, tags or seals to the cabinets for identification, security and proper management of the meters,' she said. 'The tags help prevent tampering, ensure accurate billing and facilitate meter maintenance.' She said the oversight involving the tagging was only addressed after some of those who received their keys began grousing about their failure to receive an electricity supply, let alone have meters installed for their units. 'Once the tagging was done, our technicians immediately went in to have meters put in place for those whose applications had been approved. 'In some cases, the processing of these applications was delayed because of incomplete documentation, including the failure to provide signed copies of the tenancy agreements.' A spokesman for DBKK Holdings Sdn Bhd, the MC for the flats, said a miscommunication between the firm and its appointed contractor was to blame for the hold up with the tagging. 'A check of our records shows that, as of June 18, keys had been given out for 43 units whose tenants had paid their deposits,' he said. 'To date, occupational certificates have been issued for about 400 units.' He said PPR Kionsom comprised 1000 units overall, with DBKK Holdings tentatively targeting completion of the remaining flats by August. DBKK Holdings Sdn Bhd is the corporate arm of City Hall. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Express
City Hall nets 193 pigeons in these areas
Published on: Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 24, 2025 By: Sidney Skinner Text Size: City Hall netting the pigeons in this public space at Inanam town. CITY Hall has netted a total of 193 pigeons from public places at locations ranging from Telipok to Tanjung Aru so far this year, as part of an effort to control the population of these birds within its rating-area. A spokeswoman for the agency's Environmental Health Department said 11 staff with its Animal Control Unit (ACU) were involved in the operation to nab the pigeons at Tanjung Aru, Inanam and Telipok towns, as well as at the Double Six Monument in Sembulan and Lintasan Deasoka area in the City. She said this exercise was partly carried out in response to seven separate public complaints which it received about these birds. 'Thirty pigeons were caught in January, 15 in February, 55 in March, 58 in April, 30 in May and five in June,' she said. 'The most number of these birds were trapped in the Lintasan Deasoka area of the City (75), while the least were snared at the Double Six Monument (five).' She said two separate checks were made at the former. Advertisement 'The additional effort at Lintasan Deasoka was made during the launch of City Hall's 'Bandaraya Sihat, Komuniti Sejahtera (A Healthy City, A Better Community)' campaign on April 26. 'Some 500 flyers, prohibiting the feeding of pigeons, were handed out to members of the public on that day, including those who happened to be dining at the food and eating premises in the vicinity of Lintasan Deasoka.' She said a signboard on the same subject was also put up in this public space as part of the campaign which ends on Wednesday. She said the signboard highlighted the negative impact of throwing pieces of bread and other food remnants to the birds. 'The size of the pigeon population which gathered at Lintasan Deasoka would surely witness a sharp increase because of the feeders 'The presence of the bird droppings would mar the cleanliness of the area and give rise to the public health concerns.' 'The signboard makes mention of several transmissible diseases involving pigeons including Histoplasmosis, Candidiasis, Cryptococcosis, Salmonellosis and E Coli,' she explained. According to Medical News Today, Histoplasmosis was a respiratory disease that could be fatal and resulted from a fungus growing in dried bird droppings. 'Candidiasis is a yeast or fungus infection spread by pigeons,' the website stated. 'The disease affects the skin, the mouth, the respiratory system, the intestines and the urogenital tract, especially the vagina. It is a growing problem for women, causing itching, pain and discharge. 'Cryptococcosis is caused by yeast found in the intestinal tract of pigeons. The illness often begins as a pulmonary disease and may later affect the central nervous system. Since attics, cupolas, ledges, schools, offices, warehouses, mills, barns, park buildings, signs, etc. are typical roosting and nesting sites, the fungus is apt to found in these areas. 'Salmonellosis often occurs as 'food poisoning' and can be traced to pigeons and sparrows. The disease bacteria are found in bird droppings; dust from droppings can be sucked through ventilators and air conditioners, contaminating food and cooking surfaces in restaurants, homes and food processing plants.' In the case of E Coli, the website pointed out that Cows carried E Coli 0157:H7. 'When birds peck on cow manure, the E Coli go right through the birds and their droppings can land on or in a food or water supply.' The spokeswoman said ACU staff had personally had a word with some pigeon feeders around the State Capital, including two at Lintasan Deasoka, after identifying the parties which were doing this regularly. 'They were briefed on the negative consequences of their actions and warned that they could be penalised if they persisted throwing food to the birds.' She said a compound of up to RM500 could be imposed on them under City Hall's Anti-Litter By-Laws 1984 (Amendment 2005) for contributing to circumstances where the public areas were soiled by the bird droppings. Besides cracking down on feeders, the authority also frowns on eatery-owners who allow pigeons to gather in front or to hop into their premises. 'Two proprietors in Jalan Gaya were notified about this last year,' she said. One was apparently found to be throwing the crumbs and remnants from his/ her 'kuih (homemade treats)' onto the five-foot way outside his/ her shop, according to her. 'This was attracting flocks of pigeons to the pavement. The other was leaving breadcrumbs on the floor of his/ her eatery which drew in the birds inside.' Besides being served with a notice, copies of this document were also pasted to one part of the wall and the table-tops inside the second food-operator's shop. 'We wanted to discourage his/ her customers from following the owner's example and feeding the pigeons. 'The first owner was asked to get his/ her staff to clean up the pavement and chase away any pigeons which gathered in the common area in front of his/ her premises.' Both proprietors were given a grace-period to make good on these instructions. 'ACU staff noted that both individuals complied with our requirements during the follow-up inspection. No pigeons were observed to be flocking to these areas and no bird droppings were spotted in the public spaces nearby.' * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
20-06-2025
- Climate
- Daily Express
Jalan Kolam, Jalan Sang Kancil streetlight outages
Published on: Friday, June 20, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 20, 2025 By: Sidney Skinner Text Size: A skymaster was deployed to help restore the affected lights in this part of Karamunsing. CITY Hall is trying to determine the reason for the recurring outage of the streetlights on a 512 metre-section of Jalan Kolam, in Luyang. The agency is also keeping tabs on Jalan Sang Kancil, which extends for some 384 metres from end to end, to ensure that this Karamunsing stretch is properly illuminated at night. Advertisement This action was prompted by feedback from two road-users about the safety hazards which drivers faced at night due to the failure of the public lighting at both locations. Both motorists provided Hotline with the pertinent details which were forwarded to the agency. A spokesman for City Hall's Engineering Department said its electrical contractor checked on what was transpiring on both roads, shortly after being contacted by the media. 'His workers found that the power to the lights had tripped,' he said. 'The ELCB [Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker] was reset, before the lights came on again. Advertisement 'This has happened on and off several times this year, especially when there is a downpour.' He explained that an ELCB was a safety device that detected and interrupted electrical faults, specifically earth leakage or ground faults, to prevent electric shocks and potential fire hazards. The spokesman said the agency was in the process of trying to isolate the fault in the underground line in this area. He said the agency would consider enlisting the assistance of Sabah Electricity (SE) to stabilise the electricity channelled to the lights. 'Our engineers made a joint inspection SE technicians some time back.' He said a fuse for one of the latter's installations here kept blowing during that check. 'We were made to understand that this might stem from rain-water seepage. 'The run off was likely finding its way into part of the electricity cable between the installation and the lights.' He estimated that there were more than 10 lights on the median between the junction Lorong Zirafah 8 and the Foh Sang intersection. When asked how often maintenance was carried out on City Hall's streetlights, the spokesman said there was no fixed-schedule for this work. 'These amenities are attended to as and when it becomes necessary to do so.' In the case of Jalan Sang Kancil, the spokesman said a problem with the power being channelled to a control panel along the road temporarily rendered the lights on the slope inoperable. 'We alerted SE about this occurrence and the company promptly despatched a team to resolve the problem,' he said. 'The contractor's staff later checked on the lights and related fixture and confirmed that everything was in order. A sky-master was deployed to facilitate this effort.' He said the individual had been asked to keep an eye on the public lighting on Jalan Kolam, as well as Jalan Sang Kancil, from time to time. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Express
Swimming pool closed for basic training
Published on: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 18, 2025 By: Sidney Skinner Text Size: Some of the 200 staff who attended the basic training at the International pool. THE management of the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex (KKSC) has refuted a claim that it failed to inform the public in advance about the recent closure of its International swimming pool. A KKSC spokesman said the pool was closed for three days to allow a government department to conduct some basic training. Advertisement He said about 200 personnel participated in the event which was carried out between 8.30am-4pm from Tuesday and Thursday in the second week of June. 'The agency's administration made us aware of their intention to rent the pool for this purpose some time ago,' he said. 'Information about the closure was posted online at the complex's official social media page a full seven days before the scheduled training.' A physical announcement was pinned up on the KKSC's notice-board around the same time, according to him. The spokesman explained that this pool was an Olympic-sized one which divided into 10 lanes. 'It is 50 meters long and 25 meters wide. The depth varies between two meters at the shallow end to three meters at the deep end.' He said a fee of RM10 was levied to use the pool, which was open to the public between 8am-11.30pm and 2pm-7pm daily. 'Aside from those instances when it may be rented out, the International pool is generally closed on the first Monday of each month so that it can be maintained.' He said there were two other pools sited at the Complex: A diving pool which was meant for athletes and had a depth of 10 metres, as well as a recreation and kiddie pool which was open to the public. ONG, an avid swimmer, drove all the way from his home in Putatan to the KKSC on Thursday just make use of the International swimming pool, only to find that it was closed. 'I didn't see a notice anywhere to explain why the pool was off-limits to the public,' he alleged. 'I go to the pool, on and off, to get some exercise and was upset that I couldn't do so on this occasion after coming from so far away.' The spokesman said the management regretted any disappointment caused to those who couldn't go for a swim during the closure of the pool. 'However, we would like to point out that we did perform our due diligence to alert users beforehand that they would temporarily be unable to access the International pool,' he said. As an alternative, he advised Ong to consider going for a swim at the Penampang Sports Complex (PSC) pool, if he ever found himself unable to access the International pool at the KKSC again in future. 'The PSC pool may be a bit smaller but, at least, it has the benefit of being closer to where he lives in Putatan. 'The one at the Penampang Complex is a standard 50m competition pool. It is 25m wide and has a depth of 2m.' * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
