Latest news with #HousingandLocalGovernmentMinistry
The Star
6 hours ago
- Health
- The Star
Ipoh SPCA protests govt circular rejecting long-standing TNRM initiatives to manage strays
IPOH: The Ipoh branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) urges the government to reconsider its decision to reject the long-standing Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) programme to curb the population of stray dogs. 'Without more proactive government involvement, it will be difficult to resolve the stray animal issue,' said ISPCA president Ricky Soong, calling on the government to work more collaboratively with civil society stakeholders. Soong said the letter issued early this month by the Housing and Local Government Ministry labels stray animals as sources of environmental pollution and disease transmission vectors, as well as dismissing TNRM as ineffective. Soong said the directive has sparked concern among non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that have worked for years to manage the stray animal population through the neutering and tracking system. 'This single letter puts a decade of hard work at risk. 'In the letter it clearly states that the government rejects TNRM, and upholds the 'No Stray Policy' by hoping to improve the 'Trap-Reclaim-Adopt-Dispose' approach in order to balance animal welfare and public safety,' he said, adding that ISPCA has been at the forefront of TNRM initiatives. Soong said between 2017 and 2023, ISPCA collaborated with 20 veterinarians to neuter over 10,000 stray dogs in Ipoh, a move that significantly curbed population growth in key urban areas. 'TNRM works by stabilising the stray population in specific territories. 'Once neutered, these dogs stop reproducing, and our volunteers can continue monitoring them. It creates a sustainable cycle. 'Malaysia's model is similar to efforts taken in countries such as Turkey and Thailand, where TNRM is internationally recognised as a humane and effective method of stray animal control. 'The programme often includes microchipping, allowing for better tracking of both animals and owners,' he added. Soong said the real problem is abandonment, and if microchipping were made mandatory, owners could be traced and held accountable. 'That's how you solve the root cause. Soong said that with shelters facing overcrowding and dwindling resources, they fear that removing TNRM from the equation could lead to a rise in culling. He questioned the government's so-called 'No Stray Policy,' asking whether it meant genuine humane solutions or simply mass culling and forced displacement. 'Do these animals not deserve a second chance. The least we can do is allow them the dignity to live,' he said.
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia, Russia to begin talks on AI integration in firefighting operations MOU
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Russia have agreed to begin talks on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into firefighting operations, flight simulation technology and firefighter training. The Housing and Local Government Ministry said the decision was reached during a bilateral meeting between its minister Nga Kor Ming and Russian Minister of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters, Colonel General Alexander Kurenkov, on Thursday (June 19). The ministry, in a statement on Friday (June 20), said the meeting marked a significant step towards strengthening diplomatic ties and fostering strategic collaboration between Malaysia and Russia. Nga, in the same statement, confirmed that both the government and the Russian Ministry of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters had agreed to initiate talks on the MOU. "I believe we can enhance the nation's emergency response capabilities through strategic cooperation and the sharing of expertise in firefighting and disaster management,' he said. The Housing and Local Government ministry also expressed interest in exploring and assessing the potential use of firefighting technology from Russia, including the EXA aerosol extinguishing system and IPEX extinguishing powder produced by Pyrogen. – Bernama
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Malakoff wins WTE deal in Melaka
The company said the agreement was entered into with the Housing and Local Government Ministry and Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corp. PETALING JAYA: Malakoff Corp Bhd has entered into a concession agreement on a public-private partnership basis with the government for the design, construction, finance, operation, maintenance and closure of a waste-to-energy (WTE) facility in Sungai Udang, Melaka. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the independent water and power producer said the agreement was entered into with the Housing and Local Government Ministry and Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corp. The WTE facility will process up to 1,056 tonnes of municipal solid waste per day and generate 22MW of gross renewable energy under a power purchase agreement to be entered into by Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Malakoff's subsidiary Sungai Udang WTE Sdn Bhd. The concession period to undertake the project would be for a period of 34 years, Malakoff said in the filing.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Second WTE plant costing RM660mil to be built in Sungai Udang
PUTRAJAYA: The country's second Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plant costing RM660 million will be built in Sungai Udang, Melaka, and is expected to be fully operational by 2029. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the Sungai Udang WTE project had undergone an open tender process and would be implemented through a Public-Private Partnership approach between the Housing and Local Government Ministry and a consortium comprising Malakoff Corporation Bhd and Alam Flora Environmental Solutions Sdn Bhd (AFES), based on the Build, Operate and Own (BOO) model. "This plant will utilise stoker grate incineration technology that complies with all current technical requirements and environmental standards. "The concessionaire has also shown commitment to constructing a second incineration line in the future to ensure uninterrupted operations, subject to new agreement negotiations," he said at the Sungai Udang WtE Concession Agreement Signing Ceremony here today. The agreement was signed by ministry secretary-general Datuk M. Noor Azman Taib, Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) chairman Hee Loy Sian and Sungai Udang WtE Sdn Bhd director Anwar Syahrin Abdul Ajib, and witnessed by Nga. Nga said the Sungai Udang WtE plant is expected to process up to 1,000 tonnes of solid waste per day, generate 22 megawatts (MW) of electricity, and reduce over 259,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually, equivalent to the environmental benefit of planting more than four million trees. He said the plant would also be equipped with a leachate treatment system with a capacity of 96 cubic metres and would be built on 9.8 acres of land at the existing Sungai Udang landfill site. In terms of implementation, Nga said the construction of the plant would begin next year and take three years to complete, after fulfilling various preconditions that have been set. These include key approvals such as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Social Impact Assessment (SIA), Environmental Management Plan (EMP), Solid Waste Management Plan (PSS), and several other technical documents required to ensure the safety and sustainability of the project. "The concession period for this project is set at 34 years, including a three-year construction period. He said the plant is targeted to be fully operational by 2029, with the end of the concession and demolition of the plant scheduled for 2061. He said the amount of solid waste generated by Malaysians is projected to increase to 17.03 million metric tonnes by the year 2035. This increase, he said, clearly signals that relying solely on landfill sites is not only unsustainable but also insufficient to accommodate the continuous rise in waste. "It is time for us to re-evaluate our current approach and shift towards more sustainable solutions. WtE technology is emerging as one of the key drivers in transforming the national solid waste management system. "This initiative is expected to contribute up to 600MW of renewable energy (RE) as part of the strategy to achieve 70 per cent renewable energy capacity by 2050," he said. The first WtE plant was completed in 2023 at Ladang Tanah Merah, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, with a processing capacity of 800 tonnes of waste per day and energy generation of 15MW. WtE is a technology that converts non-recyclable waste materials into usable forms of energy, such as heat, electricity, or fuel. – Bernama
The Star
3 days ago
- General
- The Star
Ampang Jaya pocket park to benefit six neighbourhoods
The new recreational park in Taman Cahaya features a children's playset and jogging track. A NEW recreational park in Taman Cahaya, Ampang Jaya in Selangor, has received approval from its surrounding community. The park on Jalan Cahaya 12 was constructed by Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) with a RM500,000 Housing and Local Government Ministry allocation. A resident of the nearby Bella Vista apartments, KC Tan, said it was a good decision to have a park just next to the property. 'There aren't many open spaces where people can gather and relax in this area, so this park is a welcomed addition,' said Tan who has lived in Bella Vista for over a decade. The new park features a children's playset and jogging track. A Taman Cahaya resident, who only wanted to be known as Sabariah, said while she welcomed the park, more seating was needed. 'There is plenty of open space and walking paths, but not enough places to sit, especially for senior citizens like me.' Sabariah, who has been visiting the park daily with her grandchildren since it opened, said benches and shaded seating would make it more comfortable and accessible to all age groups. MPAJ Zone 8 councillor Datuk Yap Wee Seng said residents from at least six neighbourhoods could enjoy the park facilities. They include Taman Cahaya, Taman Dagang, Taman Cahaya Indah, Taman Cempaka, Taman Nirwana and Kampung Baru Ampang. 'There is a lack of public parks in these mature areas. 'Finding spaces where a new green space could be built was difficult,' said Yap. 'This site used to be idle land as it was also near high-tension cables,' he said, recalling that residents had suggested it be turned into a park. He said MPAJ managed to complete construction of the almost 1ha park in six months. 'Hopefully, we will be able to identify more spaces that can be turned into pocket parks,' he added. In a media statement, MPAJ said the construction of the park was part of its ongoing efforts to enhance community infrastructure and improve access to recreational and leisure facilities within its jurisdiction. It also reaffirmed its commitment to providing comfortable, community friendly public spaces that promoted a healthy lifestyle for all. Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman Mohd Kamri Kamaruddin, who is also Selangor Deputy Speaker, MPAJ deputy president Hasrolnizam Shaari and Youth, Community and Landscape Department director Mohamad Yusuf Sulaiman visited the park.
