27/01/2026

TUESDAY | JAN 27, 2026

5

Pig farming project on hold o State to take more cautious, structured approach in handling issue, including social impact assessments: MB

Dept aims to shorten disaster warning times PETALING JAYA: The Meteorological Department is aiming to reduce the time it takes to issue earthquake information and tsunami warnings from eight minutes to six minutes after detection, starting this year. Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said weather forecast accuracy would also improve from 82% to 85%, reflecting the ministry’s commitment to strengthening disaster preparedness. “As part of preparedness and response efforts, the department operates the Early Warning System (EWS) 24 hours a day, ensuring timely alerts and ongoing coordination with disaster management agencies at national and state levels.” He said these initiatives show that the department is not only reinforcing its detection and forecasting networks for weather-related disasters, earthquakes and tsunamis, but also enhancing the EWS to deliver faster, more accurate and comprehensive alerts to the public. Arthur Kurup was speaking during the Dewan Rakyat question-and-answer session yesterday, responding to Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias (BN-Jelebu) on the EWS’s effectiveness in providing rapid disaster alerts, especially in rural areas. The government has allocated RM242 million for projects to upgrade forecasting systems and construct new weather radar facilities, as well as RM18 million for the National Tsunami EWS under the 13th Malaysian Plan. The department is also strengthening its weather capabilities through the Radar Integrated Nowcasting System, which combines radar networks and numerical forecast models to produce near real-time projections of rainfall movement and intensity. “The Numerical Weather Prediction system is being upgraded with the latest high-performance computing technology.” He added that these upgrades would enable forecasts of up to 14 days ahead with higher resolution—300m compared with the current one kilometre—providing more precise guidance for planning and disaster response. – By Faiz Ruzman Court grants stay on damages to family of abducted pastor KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here yesterday granted the government’s application for a stay of execution on the damages award exceeding RM37 million to the family of pastor Raymond Koh. Judge Mahazan Mat Taib held that special circumstances warranted the stay, pending the disposal of the government’s appeal at the appellate court. “On the balance of justice, I am satisfied that no material prejudice has been demonstrated on the part of the plaintiffs if a stay is granted.” She said the disbursement of such funds, even if approved, would not align with the financial rules and procedures governing public funds. She explained that government disbursements involve multiple layers of accounting and audit oversight, which cannot be processed in the same manner as private transactions. As such, the court recognised, as a matter of practicality, that payments of this nature are extraordinary and administratively complex. She added that these considerations justified maintaining the status quo in assessing the balance of justice pending the outcome of the appeal. On Nov 5 last year, High Court judge Datuk Su Tiang Joo ruled in favour of Koh and his wife Susanna Liew Sow Yoke, holding police and the government liable for Koh’s disappearance and ordering the payment of more than RM37 million in damages. Liew had filed the suit against police and the government concerning the disappearance of her husband and the authorities’ handling of the probe. – Bernama

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: The Selangor government has put the controversial Bukit Tagar pig farming project on hold following strong public opposition and criticism from the Sultan of Selangor. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the decision was made after the issue was debated at the state executive council, at which widespread concerns over the project were raised. “No alternative sites or proposals will be disclosed yet as no final decision has been made,” he said. “Before Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) suggested cancelling the project, the state executive council had instructed that other locations be explored due to the strong objections in Bukit Tagar. “Anwar’s suggestion reinforced this course of action, which I fully welcomed.” Amirudin was speaking to reporters after delivering the Selangor New Year’s address at Dewan Raja Muda Musa, Selangor Youth and Cultural Complex in Section 7 yesterday. He said the state government would take a more cautious and structured approach in handling the issue, including engagement with stakeholders and social impact assessments. “This issue has grown beyond its original scope, which is why we have decided to postpone and cancel it for now while providing clearer explanations to all parties.”

the requirements. Claims of a ‘mega’ project are exaggerated,” he said, adding that the main objective was to reorganise scattered pig farms to better manage hygiene and environmental issues. On Jan 10, the Sultan of Selangor expressed disappointment over plans to allow temporary pig farming in Tanjong Sepat, Kuala Langat, before relocating it to Bukit Tagar by 2030. His statement, issued via the Selangor Royal Office, cited concerns over large-scale operations oriented towards export markets, which the palace did not support. On Saturday, Anwar recommended that the project be cancelled or moved to a more suitable site, amid growing unease from local communities.

He also said discussions with operators would continue, adding that any solution would be “fair, reasonable and preserve social harmony”. The Bukit Tagar proposal, which involved plans for pig farming development in Hulu Selangor, faced objections from residents after details emerged earlier this month. He dismissed sarcastic claims that the Bukit Tagar project would resemble a “pig hotel”, stressing that the state government’s priority is to safeguard the interests of all parties fairly. Amirudin said the government had no intention of developing a large-scale pig farming project as portrayed by some. “It is not mega, not large scale. It may cover only about between 20% and 30% of

Ex-army chief files police reports against activist In Kuala Terengganu yesterday, Salwani was charged with receiving RM5,000 in unlawful proceeds last year. – BERNAMAPIC

Ű BY THE SUN TEAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

In Kuala Terengganu yesterday, his wife Salwani Anuar@Kamaruddin, 27, was charged with receiving RM5,000 in unlawful proceeds last year. She pleaded not guilty, with her charge carrying the same penalties. The offence allegedly occurred at a Kerteh bank branch on Jan 16, 2025. DPP Maziah Mohaide said the prosecution would seek to transfer Salwani’s case to the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court for a joint trial with her husband’s cases. She offered the same bail terms previously granted, namely RM30,000 in two sureties, reporting monthly to MACC and surrendering her passport. “As the cases will be tried together, there is no objection to applying for the same bail.”

Muhammad Hafizuddeain recorded his statement at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters yesterday. Aizul said his client is considering civil action against Chegubard, Bank Negara Malaysia and the two banks, pending police investigations. Last week, the 58-year-old was charged at the Sessions Court with two counts of receiving RM145,000 allegedly from unlawful activities. Pleading not guilty, Hafizuddeain is the first former army chief charged in a money laundering case linked to army procurement tenders. He faces up to 15 years’ jail and fines under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

PETALING JAYA: Former army chief Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan has filed two police reports against Pembela Tanah Air activist Badrul Hisham Shaharin, or Chegubard, alleging the unlawful disclosure of his banking details and baseless accusations. Muhammad Hafizuddeain’s lawyer Aizul Rohan Anuar said Chegubard allegedly posted his client’s banking records on Facebook on Dec 19, revealing transactions that Muhammad Hafizuddeain denies. He said the disclosure may have involved personnel from Bank Negara Malaysia and two other banks, raising concerns over potential breaches of confidentiality.