25/04/2026

SATURDAY | APR 25, 2026

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RM430 million hybrid solar farm for Malacca

City council staff to face action over littering video IPOH: The Shah Alam City Council staff member seen throwing a cigarette butt from a council vehicle in a widely shared social media video will face disciplinary action and be subjected to a Community Service Order, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. He stressed that no one was above the law and action would be taken against those caught littering in public places. “Not only will a Community Service Order be imposed, but disciplinary action must also be taken. As local authority staff, they are required to set a good example and serve as role models. “I have made it clear many times that, whether you are a Tan Sri, Datuk Seri, employee or any other staff member, the law is equal and fair to all,”he said after presenting appointment letters to 160 chairmen of Village Development and Security Committee of Chinese new villages in Perak yesterday. The media previously reported that the council said in a statement the case had been referred to its Integrity Division in accordance with the Shah Alam City Council Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Rules 2023. A video showing an individual throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle bearing the council logo while stopped at a traffic light junction was widely shared online. The video sparked criticism, with questions raised over whether agency personnel could also face enforcement action, as the public does for similar offences. Meanwhile, Nga said 3,000 individuals have been subjected to community services penalties for littering offences. – Bernama Schools suspend outdoor activities amid hot spell KUALA TERENGGANU: All schools in Terengganu have been instructed to suspend outdoor activities due to the current hot and dry weather. Terengganu Education Department director Kamsah@Kamal Mohamed said notice on the matter had been issued to all schools in the state and took effect on April 20. “All outdoor activities have been cancelled, including water-based activities, but indoor activities are permitted. All other activities, such as the 1 Student 1 Sport programme, uniformed units, clubs and associations, sports and games, are also suspended. “This decision was made due to the current situation and to ensure safety. The safety of students is a priority that cannot be compromised. “So, starting from April 20, the department has enforced the suspension of all outdoor activities. Likewise, assemblies and similar activities are only allowed in the early morning. If there are other programmes in the afternoon, they must be postponed,” he said when contacted yesterday. On another matter, he said fires that occurred, especially in Kuala Nerus, as well as haze caused by the incidents, were being closely monitored by the department. “I have contacted the state health deputy director and the district health office to seek advice on the current situation. “Posters related to preventive measures have also been distributed to all schools. For now, there is no need to implement home-based learning as the Environment Department and district health office have informed us that the situation is under control,”he said. – Bernama

MALACCA: Malacca’s first hybrid solar project, valued at RM437 million, is set to be developed on a 122.08ha site at Jus Dam in Jasin by the end of this year. State senior executive councillor for Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change and Disaster Management Datuk Rais Yasin said the floating solar farm project, with a capacity of 90 megawatts (MW) alternating current, would involve the installation of 190,000 solar panels across land o First dam-based project in state to support renewable energy targets with 90MW capacity and cleaner power generation

implemented at a dam area in Malacca and if it achieved its targets over the 21-year operational period, it could be expanded to two other dams in the state, namely the Durian Tunggal Dam in Alor Gajah and Asahan Dam in Jasin. He added that the project is also expected to strengthen the clean energy transition and green development agenda in Malacca. “The development of this project is in line with the National Energy Transition Roadmap to achieve 70% renewable energy by 2050. “For Malacca, under the Melakaku Maju Jaya 2035 Strategic Plan, the state government is targeting renewable energy capacity of 300MW and so far, we have achieved around 200MW, which is nearly 70% of the target,” he said. Earlier solar farm developments in Ayer Keroh, Rembia, Bemban and Masjid Tanah had generated about 102GWh of energy annually, capable of supplying electricity to more than 28,000 homes.

and water surfaces. He said the project, a strategic collaboration between the state government through Melaka Green Technology Corporation and Jus Power Sdn Bhd, is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2027. “The energy generated will be channelled to the Tenaga Nasional Berhad grid for use across Peninsular Malaysia over a 21-year operational period. “The project is expected to generate about 206 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of energy annually, sufficient for approximately 35,000 homes, while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 125,000 tonnes a year.” Rais was speaking after witnessing the exchange of documents on the project between the Malacca government, represented by State Secretary Datuk Azhar Arshad and Jus Power Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Seri Ong Ah Hwa, Bernama reported. He said the project was the first to be

CRISIS PREPAREDNESS ... Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team personnel conducting an evacuation demonstration during the Resilient Asia Expo 2026 organised by the National Disaster Management Agency at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

Subsidised diesel vital lifeline in rural Sarawak KUCHING: The vast and challenging geography of rural Sarawak has made four-wheel drive vehicles an essential mode of transport, with diesel subsidies serving as a lifeline for interior communities. to enjoy subsidised diesel at RM2.15 per litre despite rising global prices.

because it is still far behind in terms of road infrastructure. Additionally, the 88 longhouses are scattered, not located along a single road, as settlements were historically built along rivers.” Dennis said while he understood the government’s concern over diesel leakage and cross-border smuggling, the current 50-litre restriction for light vehicles should be reviewed. He said 50 litres was only enough for a one way trip to certain locations, creating risks for those travelling into rural or interior areas with no petrol stations nearby. “Normally, we need to fill a full tank of around 75 litres and also carry additional fuel in containers as backup because there are no petrol stations in rural areas. This is very different from cities like Miri, where petrol stations are easily accessible. “Therefore, we hope the government can reconsider the 50-litre limit and at least allow full tank refuelling, especially for rural areas such as Telang Usan and Belaga.” – Bernama

He also announced fuel purchase limits to ensure fair distribution and sufficient supply. Light vehicles for public transport, goods and private use are capped at 50 litres per transaction, vehicles under three tonnes at 100 litres and those exceeding three tonnes at 150 litres. Dennis said the Telang Usan constituency covers about 9,000sq km and includes 88 longhouses and villages populated by Kayan , Kenyah and Penan communities, as well as the town of Long Lama, which has a predominantly Chinese population. The constituency also has about 1,000km of dirt or logging roads originally built by logging companies to connect villages in the area. “Out of the 1,000km logging roads, we managed to build about 200km of concrete roads, but more than 800km remain. Given the challenging geography, it takes a long time. “This area can be considered the last frontier

Telang Usan assemblyman Datuk Dennis Ngau said residents in his constituency, located in northern Sarawak, depend on 4WD vehicles for mobility due to poor road conditions. He stressed that owning such vehicles should not be seen as a luxury, but a necessity. “Saloon cars or small vehicles such as the Kancil or Myvi simply cannot make it here. We need 4WD vehicles because our roads consist of logging tracks and muddy terrain, and the situation gets worse when it rains. “We appreciate the government’s decision to maintain the diesel price at RM2.15 per litre because we really need it and we have no alternative,” he told Bernama. On March 26, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Sabah and Sarawak would continue