29/03/2026

NATIONAL 6 theSun on Sunday MAR 29, 2026

Fire in Sarawak spreads to 10ha KUCHING: A bush fire in Kampung Penasu, Daro in Mukah has affected an area of about 10ha, the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department said in a statement yesterday. Hot and windy weather has contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. “The operations centre received an emergency call at 9.53pm on Friday and firefighters arrived at the scene at 1.11am yesterday after travelling about 100km. “As of noon, the fire had spread to 10ha. Firefighting is being carried out using a 365m hose line with a portable pump, drawing water from a nearby drain,” it said, adding that efforts are ongoing to contain the blaze. Meanwhile, a separate fire in Kuala Tatau-Serupai in Tatau, Bintulu affected about 400ha, with around 100ha extinguished on Friday. Tatau Fire and Rescue station chief senior operations commander senior fire officer Sim Mui Chai said the operation focused on extinguishing peatland fires and “mopping” work to prevent the fire from spreading. He said the operation began at 8.50am and aerial monitoring by the Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board estimated that the fire involved an area of 300ha. “The extinguishing was carried out using two transport pumps and the ‘fire break’ method. Two excavators were used for the construction of a five-kilometre fire break. “As of 4.52pm, about 0.81ha have been extinguished.” He said the operation was called off at 6.18pm due to strong winds, with the remaining fire estimated to involve 200ha. No casualties have been reported and 11 firefighters from the Tatau station were involved in the firefighting operation, assisted by the Miri Fire Department’s Air Unit and related agencies. In Sibu, a bush fire covering about 16ha was reported along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman on Friday morning. Firefighters are continuing efforts to contain the fires in all affected areas. Operation commander Andy Alie said the extinguishing was carried out using two pumps, with water sourced from Sungai Merah. “About one hectare was extinguished on the first day before operations were halted at 5pm.” – Bernama

More CCTVs to be installed around KLCC Yeoh said her office will hold further discussions with KLCC Property Holdings Bhd and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall to increase the number of CCTV cameras in areas that attract local and foreign tourists. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

Yeoh said she also wants police officers and City Hall enforcement officers to patrol more frequently to prevent the issue from continuing, Bernama reported. “We do not want to see tourists and Malaysians being bullied because it tarnishes the country’s name. Fights such as that should not happen and an investigation is being conducted by police. I urge police to take action.” On Friday, Dang Wangi district police chief ACP Sazalee Adam announced that 18 unlicensed photographers, aged between 17 and 45, were detained in the vicinity of KLCC for further investigation under Section 148 of the Penal Code.

Minister calls on police and city hall enforcement officers to patrol more frequently

KUALA LUMPUR: More CCTV cameras will be installed around the area of the Petronas Twin Towers (KLCC) in Jalan Ampang here in the near future to address the “photo touts” syndicate. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said her office will hold further discussions with KLCC Property Holdings Bhd and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall to increase the number of cameras in areas that attract local and foreign tourists.

“CCTVs are under the KLCC management. I will discuss with them, along with City Hall, to see how we can install more CCTVs outside so that we can identify the faces of those conducting such business activities without permission.” She was responding to the issue of 18 unlicensed photographers suspected of attacking a man who tried to break up a fight between their group and a foreign tourist at Persiaran KLCC last Sunday.

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