ONE ARBORIST IN EVERY LOCAL AUTHORITY BY 2030 – KPKT
KUALA LUMPUR — The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) has urged each local authority (PBT) nationwide to have at least one certified arborist by 2030.
Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said that, to date, only 89 out of 156 local authorities have a landscape department or unit responsible for managing landscape development to ensure the continuous care and maintenance of trees.
“Of these 89 PBTs, only 18 officers in 11 PBTs are currently certified as arborists and actively serving. For local authorities without a dedicated landscape department or unit, these functions are carried out by relevant technical units within the PBT,” she said.
She was replying to a question from Datuk Shamshulkahar Mohd Deli (BN-Jempol) regarding the ministry’s actions to improve landscape management in urban areas to reduce accidents related to fallen trees.
FOUR OPERATING THEATRES AT HSIS HEART CENTRE FULLY OPERATIONAL
KUALA LUMPUR — All four operating theatres in the new building of the Heart Centre at Sultan Idris Shah Hospital (HSIS), Serdang, have been fully operational since Aug 15.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni said that issues involving wiring, electrical systems, and air conditioning malfunctions in July had disrupted services in the four operating theatres.
“The Public Works Department (JKR) was notified, and immediate action was taken to identify and resolve the causes of these issues. Urgent maintenance and repair works, including upgrades to the main wiring, backup power supply system, and air conditioning system, were carried out,” he said when replying to a question from Yeo Bee Yin (PH-Puchong).
Lukanisman said that JKR and the hospital’s support services maintenance company will continue to monitor the situation regularly to prevent a recurrence of such issues.
2,536 BENEFIT FROM IPR SO FAR
KUALA LUMPUR — A total of 2,536 individuals from the hardcore poor, poor, and B40 groups have been approved to participate in three initiatives under the People’s Income Initiative (IPR), namely the Agricultural Entrepreneurs Initiative (INTAN), the Food Entrepreneurs Initiative (INSAN), and the Service Operators Initiative (IKHSAN).
Deputy Minister of Economy Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib said that of this total, 79.9 per cent are Malays, 16.2 per cent Sabah and Sarawak ethnicities, 2.2 per cent Indian, one per cent Chinese, one per cent Orang Asli, and 0.4 per cent Siamese.
“The Ministry of Economy is taking appropriate steps to increase multi-ethnic participation in the IPR programme,” she said when replying to a question from S. Kesavan (PH-Sungai Siput).
KBS AIMS TO FOCUS ON DEVELOPING MOTOCROSS FACILITIES NATIONWIDE
KUALA LUMPUR — The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) aims to focus on the development of motocross facilities across the country through collaboration with state governments.
Deputy Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim said that as a start, KBS has allocated RM400,000 to the Perlis State Sports Council to upgrade the Sungai Batu Pahat Motocross Track in Kangar.
He was replying to a question from Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN-Alor Setar).
— BERNAMA