Merdeka 2016

SEHATI SEJIWA 

SELAMAT HARI MERDEKA

Let's Fly the Jalur Gemilang

Worse than an epidemic

According to the latest dengue situation update from the World Health Organisation for the Western Pacific region, Malaysia is the only country that registered a substantial increase in dengue cases in the region over the last year. It needs to buck up to combat the dengue virus.

KUALA LUMPUR: NEW methods to stop the spread of dengue, such as genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes and vaccines, are still a long way from being effective, said World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus Research and Reference director at Universiti Malaya Prof Dr Sazaly Abu Bakar.

Instead, simple tried and tested methods, such as using mosquito netting and wearing light clothing, could lower cases of dengue.

Read: Simple ways work best against dengue

Mass escape after Indonesian prison riot

Police officers stand guard outside Tanjung Gusta prison, which was set ablaze by inmates after a riot broke out, in Medan in North Sumatra. Photo: Reuters

JAKARTA: Five people were killed and dozens of prisoners including 10 terrorist suspects were on the run after a prison riot in Indonesia's North Sumatra province.

Inmates broke out of their cells and set fire to an administrative room in the Tanjung Gusta prison in the provincial capital Medan late on Thursday, following a power blackout that knocked out the water supply, Deputy Justice Minister Denny Indrayana said.

"The riot was triggered by the lack of electricity and water," he said on Friday.

International Crisis Group senior adviser Sidney Jones said 10 terror suspects were still on the loose as of Friday.   Read more ......   

Tighter security in Malaysia following prison break in Indonesia     Read more ,,,,,,  

Haze hits dangerous levels

API for Petaling Jaya - 78 (moderate)

Check the latest API reading at http://www.doe.gov.my/apims/

The haze in Muar recorded a ‘hazardous’ API of 383

THE haze in Malaysia has once again reached dangerous levels.

It has now left only 13% of the country with good air to breathe while many schools in Johor have closed as Malaysians there took in the worst of it, so far.

Yesterday, four areas in the state entered the “hazardous” and “very unhealthy” scales of the Air Pollutant Index (API).

Poor visibility at the Senai International Airport also forced two flights to be diverted.

In Kuala Lumpur, this Sunday's planned 2013 Olympic Day Run for 15,000 participants at Padang Merbok has been postponed, the co-organisers McDonald's Malaysia said.

The Department of Environment (DOE) said the country was on high alert due to the rapid deterioration in air quality over the past three days. It has alerted the National Security Council to activate the National Haze Action Plan nationwide, with a “3A Warning Level” (the highest level) issued for the worst-affected areas.      Read more ......