28/09/2025

NATIONAL 5 theSun on Sunday SEPT 28, 2025 Batu Pahat hit by

3.5-magnitude quake, no damage reported PETALING JAYA: A weak earthquake recording a magnitude of 3.5 struck off Batu Pahat at 9.04am yesterday. In a Facebook post, the Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) confirmed that the epicentre was located at 1.7°N, 103.1°E, about 25km southeast of Batu Pahat at a depth of 10km. “Tremors may have been felt in the Batu Pahat area and MetMalaysia will continue to monitor the situation.” The latest quake follows a series of tremors reported in Johor over the past week. On Aug 24 a 4.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded in Segamat at 6.13am, followed by a 2.8 magnitude tremor at 9am in Yong Peng, about 28km northwest of Kluang. On Aug 28, a 2.5 magnitude tremor was detected in Segamat at 7.56pm. The following day, Segamat was struck again at 4.24am by a 3.4 magnitude quake, with tremors felt in surrounding areas. MetMalaysia said it would continue to monitor the situation closely. Preliminary analysis indicated that the Segamat earthquake was caused by movement along an old fault line known as the Mersing Fault. The Minerals and Geoscience Department previously explained that the quake occurred when the northern block of the earth’s crust shifted west while the southern block moved east. It added that the shallow depth of 10km confirmed it was due to crustal movement rather than volcanic activity or deep-sea subduction. The department also noted that tremors were felt in Johor in 2021 and 2023, although their epicentres were offshore near Sumatra. Historical records show that moderate earthquakes struck the state in 1922, causing minor damage in Muar. The Segamat incident adds to past fault reactivations documented in Pahang, Terengganu, Negeri Sembilan and Perak. Boy dies after falling into sewage pit NILAI: A nine-year-old boy died yesterday after falling into an uncovered sewage pit at a school. Negeri Sembilan police chief Datuk Alzafny Ahmad reported that the Nilai district police headquarters received a report on the incident at about 11am. “Preliminary investigations found that at about 9.20am, the victim was seen by a passerby falling into an uncovered sewage pit while a sports meet was taking place at the school,” he said in a statement. Firefighters at the scene retrieved the boy, who was rushed to the Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital in Seremban, but he was pronounced dead while receiving treatment. An autopsy will be carried out at the Rembau Hospital to determine the cause of death. Alzafny added that early findings indicate the incident was an accident, with no criminal elements involved. He also advised the public not to speculate on the case as it could disrupt investigations. – Bernama Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Nga said the initiative aims to educate the public and raise awareness about environmental cleanliness. – BERNAMAPIC

Community service for litterbugs starting Jan 1

Offenders to wear vests, carry out clean-up for up to 12 hours as part of environmental awareness push

nationwide clean-up activities yesterday, aiming to collect at least 3,000kg of used cooking oil daily in an effort to set two new records in the Malaysia Book of Records . He said the objectives of the programme include increasing public awareness on cleanliness, recycling and environmental stewardship, while encouraging participation from the government, private sector, NGOs, communities, educational institutions and individuals. “MCD is not just a clean-up initiative, it represents the core values of Malaysia Madani, emphasising sustainability, public well-being and social unity.” He added that the event is an annual initiative by the Housing and Local Government Ministry, designating the last Saturday of September each year as Malaysia Clean-up Day, making it a permanent national agenda. Nga also revealed that the ministry had been chosen by the United Nations as the winner of the Global Zero Waste Foundation award, a recognition of Malaysia’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

PORT DICKSON: From Jan 1, community service orders of up to 12 hours within a six-month period will be imposed on offenders involved in minor littering, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. He explained that the initiative aims to educate the public and raise awareness about environmental cleanliness, while preventing repeat offences and reducing the risk of vector-borne diseases caused by rats, flies and mosquitoes. Implementation of the order will depend on the Magistrate’s Court and can be carried out in a single day or divided into several sessions according to the total hours. “Anyone who litters from their vehicle, throws cigarette butts, tissues, plastics, drink cans or food wrappers in public areas will be required to wear a special vest and pick up small litter in public spaces, clean drains and wash public toilets during the stipulated

period. This approach is not merely corrective, it carries significant humanistic value by exposing offenders directly to the consequences of their actions on the environment,” he said during the launch of Malaysia Clean-up Day (MCD), held in conjunction with World Clean-up Day. Nga pointed out that countries such as South Korea, Sweden, Singapore and Japan have successfully implemented similar approaches, proving their effectiveness in educating the public, and stressed that Malaysians are equally capable of practising it responsibly. On Sept 8, the Dewan Negara approved amendments to the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Bill 2025, allowing courts to impose community service orders in addition to fines for littering offences in public places, Bernama reported. Meanwhile, Nga highlighted that over 100,000 participants took part in

No kidnap-for-ransom cases in Sabah waters since 2020 SANDAKAN: No incidents of kidnap-for ransom have been reported in Eastern Sabah waters since January 2020, thanks to strict security measures under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. “It is the result of deployment, monitoring, readiness and the capability of assets led by police under Esscom,” he said after inspecting the Budi Madani RON95 programme involving police personnel at the Petronas station in Jalan Bokara yesterday. advisories due to past incidents now have the opportunity to revise their decisions and indeed, some nations have already done so. “This success allows us to propose to these countries to reassess their travel restrictions.”

He pointed out that the impact of improved security can already be seen, particularly in the increase in international flight traffic at Tawau Airport. “We have nine immigration counters there, but international flights from China alone have reached four to five daily. “So, we can no longer cope with the situation as it is. That is one example. The kidnap-for-ransom incidents that once frightened tourists away are no more. “This reflects Esscom’s high level of preparedness and effectiveness.” – Bernama

He said the government will continue to strengthen Esscom’s role to ensure that Sabah’s east coast remains safe and conducive for economic development and tourism, adding that guaranteed security was a key factor in driving local growth, particularly in the tourism sector. Saifuddin also said peace achieved in the region has allowed the government to once again promote the tourism potential of the east coast by inviting diplomats and foreign representatives to visit the area, including its islands. “Countries that previously issued travel

He stressed that the achievement was not coincidental but the result of thorough planning and coordinated implementation involving police, Armed Forces and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, all operating under a central command system. Saifuddin explained that reports on enforcement, inspections, arrests and incidents are presented regularly. “Previously, kidnap-for-ransom crimes were rampant. Zero cases have been reported since January 2020. This did not happen by default but by design.