Shadow Policy Committee

Penang has declared the State Assembly building a smoke-free zone in a move to discourage the smoking habit among elected representatives and the public. “Smoking is the first step toward drugs and glue-sniffing and with Penang recording 6,119 drug addicts last year, which is the highest in the country, we need to make a strong stand,” state Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said yesterday. He said the people should respect the Federal Government’s decision to gazette all government offices, including hospitals, police stations and fire departments, as smoke-free zones. “Smokers who need to light up can smoke outside the gate but those who discard cigarette butts on the pavement can be fined RM500 for littering,” he added. Penang is believed to be the first to declare a State Assembly building a no-smoking zone without a designated smoking area. Enforcement officers from the Penang Municipal Council and the state Health Department will con...

Flash floods following four hours of continuous rain forced 14 families in Kampung Mengkuang Titi, Bukit Mertajam to be evacuated to a temporary relief centre. Heavy rains from 3am Wednesday caused the nearby Sungai Kulim to burst its banks, sending the 70-odd residents scurrying to salvage their belongings. Resident Zakaria Ahmad, 32, said he jumped out of bed and started moving some of his electrical appliances to higher ground. ‘‘Two hours of continuous rain is all it takes for floods to hit our houses, which are near a monsoon drain,” he said at his home. Another resident Mariam Awang, 65, said flash floods have been a problem here for 30 years. ‘‘I am getting tired of cleaning my house after it floods. I hope the authorities would upgrade the drainage system in the area,’’ she said. Flash floods also hit Taman Bunga Raya, Siram Road, Sin Tatt Garden, Taman Meranti, Taman Ceri, Kampung Paya, Taman Teratai and Taman Aman in Butterworth. State Health, Welfare and Caring Society Commi...

Good news ! Motorist from Prai area can now directly turn into Taman Bagan following the installation of traffic lights at the Jalan Chain Ferry – Taman Bagan junction. The traffic lights and junction which started operations last Saturday night also enable motorist heading to Butterworth from Taman Bagan to turn right into Jalan Chain Ferry. Sungai Puyu state assemblyman and Penang State Executive Councillor Phee Boon Poh who had been requesting the traffic lights and junction since 2004 said it would ease the traffic congestions in the area as well as traffic loads along Jalan Chain Ferry, Jalan Siram, Jalan Sungai Nyior and Jalan Permatang Pauh. Boon Poh who is also DAP Bagan Jermal Branch Chairman also stated that the traffic lights would also enable ambulances and motorists to gain faster route to Bagan Specialist Centre from Jalan Chain Ferry.