12/01/2026

MONDAY | JAN 12, 2026

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

ON TELEGRAM m RAM

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Five tonnes of aid sent to Aceh Tamiang flood-hit communities

Hospital sets record for most cardiology cases in 20 years KUALA LUMPUR: The Cardiology Department at the Sultan Idris Shah Hospital in Serdang set a new record by treating 76 patients in a single day, including 48 stent procedures, during a 17-hour period. Its Cardiology Department head Datuk Dr Asri Ranga Abdullah Ramaiah said the hospital usually manages between 50 and 70 cardiology cases daily, making the 76-patient figure one of the highest ever recorded. He attributed the hospital’s ability to handle such a high volume of cases to its seven angiogram machines, which are used to detect blockages in the heart. “We set a record for Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (PCI) at Serdang Hospital, with 48 PCI performed in a single day, the highest in the past 20 years. “Thankfully, no patients lost their lives, although a few emergency heart attack cases came close, including one patient who required CPR prior to stenting, but all patients survived,” he told Bernama. Asri highlighted the dedication of the team, which included nearly 100 doctors, nurses, medical assistants, radiographers and support staff, who worked tirelessly from 8am on Friday to 1am on Saturday to achieve the remarkable feat. Out of the 76 patients treated, 26 were emergency cases referred from seven hospitals, including Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Kuala Pilah Hospital, Seremban Hospital and Cyberjaya Hospital. In 2025, the Cardiology Department performed a total of 9,483 coronary angiograms and a record 6,486 PCI, or stent procedures. Asri added that the hospital serves as the primary heart centre for an estimated 12 to 13 million people across Selangor, the Federal Territory, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan, and handles complex cases from other states and hospitals. To keep up with the growing demand, the hospital plans to add two more angiogram machines within the next year, bringing the total to nine. said the student, who has used the service since Form One. A Bernama survey observed parents standing on the platform, watching their children with visible relief as KTMB staff assisted them board the train. Some took photos, while others waved until the train departed from the station. In areas such as Kuala Gris and Dabong, the train is more than mere transport, it is a vital lifeline that connects the village children with the world of education. – Bernama

o Malaysian team travels hours and uses boats to deliver food supplies, mattresses and essential items to impacted villages

cut off after access roads were destroyed by severe flooding. Persatuan Amal Tulus Misi Sukarelawan (ATMS) president Arashid Ramli said a team of 30 volunteers rendered aid to about 500 affected families during a four-day mission that began on Thursday. “We went with the spirit of kita serumpun (we are of one family) to help our brothers and sisters suffering after the floods.” He said the team departed Penang International Airport at 8pm and arrived in Medan at about 10pm the same day. “Upon arrival, we were welcomed by local representatives and immediately proceeded to our accommodation using eight vehicles and three lorries carrying food supplies, mattresses,

and time. I feel safe on the train,” she said during the KTMB Santuni Pelajar Wilayah Pantai Timur event, held yesterday in conjunction with the opening of the 2026 school term. Another student, Muhammad Mifzal Azfar Abdul Hafiz, 16, said although he must wake up earlier than before, the morning train journey offers a pleasant experience. “I have to catch the 6.15am train. But it’s enjoyable. The early morning atmosphere on the train is different,” for Disaster Management said 14 regencies in Aceh have entered the emergency transition phase, while four regencies – Central Aceh, Gayo Lues, Aceh Tamiang and Pidie Jaya – remain under emergency response status as recovery work continues, particularly to restore land access routes and distribute logistics to remote communities. At the provincial level, Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf has extended the province’s emergency response status until Jan 22 to allow search and rescue operations to continue, the agency reported. Arashid said conditions in several areas remain critical. “From our observations, many residents are still traumatised, with destruction reaching almost 100% in some areas, leaving them without regular food supplies,” he said. Villages that received assistance included Kampung Tanjung Belumpang, Kampung Sungai Liput, Kampung Pangkalan Belanda Langkat and Kampung Bandung Jaya. “Our arrival was met with tears of gratitude and residents told us they had not received any outside aid until now because of how remote and isolated their locations are.” Arashid said a medical team, led by Dr Noorul Redzuan Mahboob Ali from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health conducted mobile health screenings in each village. “We ensured basic medical check-ups were carried out to ensure the welfare and health of the villagers,” he said. The 5,000kg supplies delivered included daily necessities and ready-to-eat food, he added. “We also distributed 1,000 packets of bread specifically for children, provided cash assistance to affected families and made a contribution to the Tamiang Hulu Mosque,” he said. Arashid said the mission was funded by donations from Malaysians. “The success of this mission is the result of donations from Malaysians who continue to show deep concern for those in need. “We hope this assistance will help the residents slowly rebuild their lives,” he said.

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Malaysian corporations.” Arashid said the mission officially began the next day but access to the interior villages was severely hampered. “Our team had to travel for nearly four hours and we faced major difficulties entering the villages,” he said. “We were eventually forced to use boats to transport supplies through muddy oil palm plantations because the main land route had been cut off,” he added. The humanitarian effort comes as Indonesia continues post-disaster operations following widespread floods and landslides late last year. The Indonesian National Agency

Ű BY THE SUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Five tonnes of emergency supplies from Malaysia have been delivered to remote flood hit villages in Aceh Tamiang, Indonesia, providing the first outside assistance in weeks to communities

Volunteers distributing food to flood-hit residents at a remote village in Aceh Tamiang, Indonesia. – PIC COURTESY OF ATMS

‘Ghost Train’ service for students in remote areas KUALA KRAI: Shrouded in

complimentary annual train pass. Previously, many parents faced the burden of ferrying children by motorcycle or seeking lifts from neighbours, having to bear fuel costs, weather hazards and long travel times. For Form One student Nur Adriana Amani Mohd Zulkifli, 13, the train journey to school enriches her daily routine. “It’s my first time, and it’s very enjoyable. It really helps me, and also helps my family save on costs

their daily journey. The Ghost Train earned its spectral name due to its sudden appearance out of the thick fog, offering a fleeting glimpse before disappearing down the tracks. The KTMB service is an essential lifeline that has transformed commutes from remote areas, such as Kuala Gris, Bukit Abu and Ulu Temiang, making it organised, safe and reliable. It also provides crucial financial relief for families by providing a

pre-dawn darkness and mist, the morning Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) service at Kuala Gris Railway Station, known locally as the ‘Ghost Train’, yesterday ferried students from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Dabong to their first day of school for the new term. In the chilly, misty air, students from the interior gathered in small clusters, school bags in hand, chatting quietly as they awaited their ride, with the tranquil dawn a familiar start to