La Nina Phenomenon Next Month Expected To See Increase In Dengue Cases

By Nur Nadzmi Nasirah Mohamad Nasir

KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 (Bernama) -- The La Nina phenomenon that brings excessive rain and expected to occur in the country from next month until October is likely to see an increase in dengue cases.

Health director general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said, however, the health authorities were ready with preventive measures and had taken steps to destroy Aedes mosquitoes in hotspots nationwide, particularly in the Klang Valley since April.   Read more .....  

Ministry studies papaya leaves to treat dengue

A popular home remedy for dengue fever has received partial government endorsement, with the Health Ministry conducting research into the effect of papaya leaves to treat dengue fever.

Deputy Health Minister Dr Hilmi Yahaya said initial research showed that papaya leaf extract could raise the level of platelets in dengue fever victims faster.

“Taking a juice drink of the product based on papaya leaves as an alternative treatment for dengue fever is believed to be able to expedite recovery for dengue patients.

The ministry was now conducting a study to produce the extract in capsule form to widen alternative treatment methods for dengue patients, he told reporters.

He said the ministry would also cooperate with the Federal Land Development Authority to plant papaya trees for a regular supply of papaya leaves.

“The papaya crop will be used to produce juice or capsules from the extract for the treatment of dengue patients,” he said.

- BERNAMA

Storms and flash floods ahead

City dwellers advised to take precautions with inter-monsoon weather this month.

KUALA LUMPUR: City dwellers are advised to take precautionary measures to face possible flash floods, thunderstorm, fallen trees and even landslides during the current weather uncertainties.

Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department director Khiruddin Drahman said the department, together with the National Security Council and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall, were fully prepared to respond to any untoward incidents.

He said City Hall had also taken the initiative to cut down trees with high probability of falling onto roads during thunderstorm.

“I would also like to advise city dwellers to take caution and avoid being in a field or under a tree during thunderstorm or heavy rain,” he said. “Apart from that, please avoid using the mobile phone during heavy rain and thunderstorm.”

The Meteorological Department has previously issued warnings to curtail outdoor activities in the afternoons, with the prospect of thunderstorms and strong winds occurring in several states on the west coast.

Met director-general Che Gayah Ismail said the current weather phenomenon was caused by the transition of the monsoon winds that triggered hot weather during the day as well as heavy rains, strong winds and thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. The inter-monsoon period lasts until the end of May.

– BERNAMA

Only Restaurants, Hotels With Collective Agreements Can Impose Service Charges

PUTRAJAYA, April 6 (Bernama) -- Effective today restaurants and hotels without a collective agreement between employers and employees are not allowed to impose service charges.

Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism (KPDNKK) secretary-general, Datuk Seri Alias Ahmad, said restaurants are required to display a notice if they want to impose service charges.

The service provider must explain the reason for imposing a service charge to the customer because the charge, which is an international practice, is beyond any control and bound between the customer and service provider, he said.

"It is the right of customers to decide not to pay service charges and there is no prescribed service charge rates," he said in a press conference with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department concerning the Goods and Services Tax (GST) here, today.

Alias said a working group had been formed comprising KPDNKK, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Human Resources and was working with the unions and associations of hotels to examine and review the issue.

"To date, there is no regulatory body or special ruling governing the collection of service charges thus the government is facing constraints in resolving the issue. Hence, I issued this directive today," he said.

In the event of any breach of the directive, consumers are required to report to the KPDNKK and the complaint will be investigated, he said.

Haze (7pm update): Six areas with unhealthy API

Air quality was at unhealthy levels in nine areas as of 8am, Tuesday - Bernama pic

PETALING JAYA: The air in six areas in the country continues to remain unhealthy as at 7pm Tuesday with the worst-hit being Sibu in Sarawak.

According to the Department of Environment (DOE), Sibu recorded an Air Pollutant Index (API) of 136.

The other affected areas were Port Klang (121) and Petaling Jaya (102) in Selangor; Batu Muda (125) and Cheras (113) in Kuala Lumpur; and Samarahan (104) in Sarawak.

Other areas in the Klang Valley with close to unhealthy API reading are Banting (91), Kuala Selangor (75), Petaling Jaya (99), Shah Alam (89) and Putrajaya (91). ... Read more

'Lucky draw' conman on the prowl in Klang Valley

KLANG: Police are on the trail of a man who cheating people through a fictitious lucky draw at several supermarkets in the Klang Valley.

North Klang police chief ACP Mohd Shukor Sulong said in the past 10 months, eight victims have reported losses amounting to RM103,250 after being deceived by the man, who posed as a supermarket manager. 

"The man allegedly offered the victims a range of cars as prizes by convincing them that their receipt numbers matched the engine numbers of the vehicles they had won, he told reporters here on Tuesday.

"He then persuades them to pay for the purported road tax and insurance, and disappears once he gets the money," ACP Mohd Shukor said, adding that the targeted victims were men in their 40s or retired. - Bernama

Police seek help to tackle crime with CCTV

DCP Mazlan Lazim showing the ‘Safe Cam’ sign to be posted at premises during a briefing at the police headquarters in Kota Baru. — Bernama

KOTA BARU: Police have sought the cooperation of 20 government and private agencies in the state to tackle crime via closed circuit television (CCTV).

Kelantan deputy police chief Datuk Mazlan Lazim said under the Safe Camprogramme launched last year by the Home Ministry, owners of premises with CCTVs could assist the police by letting them have the recording of crime incidents in their area.

“We called them today for a briefing on the Safe Cam programme before initiating a memorandum of understanding with them on crime prevention.

“Among the advantages of being in the programme is that police will be patrolling their area more frequently,” he said in conjunction with the briefing at the state police contingent headquarters here yesterday.

The Safe Cam programme is an initiative under the 1Aman-United Against Crime campaign listed in the government’s transformation programme to reduce crime. — Bernama

Use energy prudently for Earth Hour: TNB

KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Bernama) -- Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has urged the public the reduce their electricity usage during the Earth Hour celebrations here tomorrow.

Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Communication Adelina Iskandar said since 2009, about 306 megawatts (MW) have been saved during the one-hour campaign, with 203 MW in 2010, 130 MW in 2011 and 105 MW last year.

"We have noticed a drop in electricity saved during the one-hour celebrations, and we hope the public will continue to play their role in supporting the campaign," she said after launching the TNB-WWF Malaysia Earth Hour 2013 awareness campaign here today.

Themed "I will if you will," the Earth Hour invites individuals, businesses, governments and communities to switch off their lights for one hour tomorrow (March 23) from 8.30pm to show their support for environmentally sustainable action.

"We are encouraging the public to plan their daily usage and try to do their house chores using electrical appliances during off-peak hours," Adelina added.