Probe all premises involved in recycling plastic waste, says chairman

Detailed look: Santiago speaking at the press conference at the SPAN headquarters in Cyberjaya. — Bernama

Dirty and smelly

SPAN: Raid satellite factories too

CYBERJAYA: The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) has called on the Selangor government and environmental authorities to investigate all businesses or factories involved in recycling plastic waste, specifically in areas affected by pollution, and all areas deemed as high-risk.

The call follows an inquiry into a water pollution incident in July that resulted in a disruption of water supply for a week in 1,140 areas in Selangor, which sourced water from Sungai Kuang, affecting 1,124,781 consumer accounts.

The pollution was traced back to a chemical leak of “poly (methacrylic acid)” into Sungai Kuang, a tributary of the Sungai Selangor River Basin.

SPAN chairman Charles Santiago has appealed to the Selangor government, Selayang Municipal Council and the Environment Department (DOE) to conduct inspections on all auxiliary factories in the Kuang area to determine whether they were dumping waste into tributaries that lead to Sungai Selangor.

Santiago added that while action has been taken against a foreign business operator responsible for the pollution due to illegal plastic recycling activities, there are other factories in the area carrying out similar operations.

“In 2024, SPAN recorded four out of 20 incidents of raw water pollution in Selangor that caused water treatment plants to shut down, including this incident in Sungai Kuang.

“SPAN urges the state government to lead a team composed of local authorities, DOE and Selangor Water Management Authority to carry out inspections in every factory or business premises involved in recycling plastic waste,” Santiago said during a press conference at the SPAN headquarters in Cyberjaya yesterday.

Also present were commission members Derek John Fernandez and Datuk Mohd Azmi Ismail.

On July 23, the media reported that more than 1,000 locations in seven regions in the Klang Valley experienced unscheduled water supply disruptions following the shutdown of four water treatment plants due to incidents of odour pollution in Sungai Kundang and Sungai Sembah, Selangor.

Following this, a Chinese national faced a hefty RM10mil fine and a mandatory prison sentence of up to five years for releasing chemical waste into inland waterways near the industrial area of Jalan Kampung Orang Asli in Kuang, Selangor.

He was later found guilty, sentenced to three months in prison, and fined RM240,000.

Santiago revealed that the foreign-owned company had rented the premises from a local company, which also operated two recycling operations within the same compound.

Investigations showed that the foreign company, which only had a business licence, was illegally conducting plastic recycling activities using polymethyl methacrylate (PMAA), a solvent chemical hazardous to health.

The pollution in Sungai Kuang in July was traced back to an estimated three tonnes of PMAA leaking from the foreign company’s premises into the drains, which then flowed into a tributary called Sungai Lampan Yu.

Santiago said the inquiry also discovered that the local company had illegally diverted Sungai Lampan Yu to run through its compound.

The findings released yesterday underlined that the primary tenant of the implicated premises, possessing a valid business licence, allowed a sub-tenant to operate without the local authority’s knowledge.

This tenant also permitted the sub-tenant to use their approved Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report without the DOE’s consent.

The report also proposed improvement measures and recommendations, including strengthening law enforcement by conducting physical inspections for all new applications and business licence renewals.

The report also encouraged DOE to undertake regular, targeted inspections to ensure compliance with approved EIA reports.

It also said it is essential to tighten waste discharge controls into rivers and conduct a detailed review of authorities under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act.


The Companies Act 1965 should have stricter stipulations when it comes to incorporating companies, particularly those owned by foreigners, according to the report.

Importers must comply with the criteria set in the Plastic Waste Import Licence and conform to the Environmental Quality Act 1974, it added.

The report said importers should also carry out Environmentally Sound Management of plastic waste recycling activities, and stronger supervision and enforcement of Approved Permit holders are necessary to prevent licence misuse.


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Regional alliance drives semiconductor growth

 

(From left) EY Shanghai partner Derick Yap, InvestPenang chief executive officer Datuk Loo Lee Lian, Wang, Zairil, Wong, IBM Malaysia general manager Dickson Woo and Shanghai Fengmi Cloud Media Technology Co Ltd chairman Steven Huang launching 2024 Asia-Pacific Semiconductor Summit and Expo in Penang.

STRONG regional partnerships can drive growth, innovation and advancements in the semiconductor sector.

By leveraging each other’s expertise and ecosystems, stakeholders will be better positioned to stay at the forefront of this rapidly evolving industry.

Penang infrastructure, transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said this while launching 2024 Asia-Pacific Semiconductor Summit and Expo (APSSE) in Penang.

The recent two-day event held at Setia SPICE Convention Centre in Bayan Lepas, Penang, brought together over 30 exhibitors and 600 delegates from nine countries.

It was organised by Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) and Penang government, in partnership with Shanghai Fengmi Cloud Media Technology Co Ltd.

Zairil said the semiconductor industry was the backbone of the modern economy, powering everything from smartphones to electric vehicles and machinery.

“There is almost nothing today that doesn’t have a chip in it.

“And with changes brought on by the 4th Industrial Revolution, potential applications would only continue to expand.”

He said the global semiconductor industry was valued at US$544bil (RM2.36tril) in 2023, and this was projected to exceed US$1tril (RM4.34tril) by 2030.

“There are opportunities for everyone, which makes events like APSSE 2024 a good platform for industry players and government to exchange ideas and explore collaborations,” Zairil said in his opening address.

He highlighted the long-standing and successful collaborations between Malaysian and Chinese firms as proof that such regional partnerships could be mutually beneficial.

“Indeed, 2024 marked the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Zairil (front, centre), Wong (second from right) and other delegates observing a virtual reality application by one of the exhibitors.

“Around half of APSSE 2024’s exhibitors are from China.

“Together, we can drive innovation, enhance global supply chain resilience and shape the future of the semiconductor landscape.

“Malaysia is committed to deepening economic ties with China, especially in advancing technologies such as semiconductors, electric vehicles and green energy,” he added.

Zairil also praised various stakeholders for keeping the industry resilient in spite of various challenges in recent years, such as the pandemic and global geopolitical tensions.

“We have long been a key player in the semiconductor value chain, contributing approximately 13% of global assembly, testing and packaging. Of that number, almost half comes from Penang,” he said.

From 2019 to 2023, Zairil revealed that Penang attracted RM170bil of foreign direct investments, which was more than double the preceding decade.

“This showed how much growth was achieved in the last five years.

“We have become a trusted partner of many leading global firms,” he added before touring exhibitor booths in the arena.

MSIA president Datuk Seri Wong Siew Hai said the semiconductor industry was a cornerstone of the local economy, contributing over 40% of total exports in the electronics sector.

“With over 50 years of experience in the industry, a strategic location, strong ecosystem, cost-competitiveness, skilled talent and business-friendly government, we have been able to attract billions of ringgit in investments from tech giants across the world.

“But competition is intense and we must keep pace.

“Government initiatives like the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS) and New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 will allow us to move the industry into higher value areas.

“MSIA recently launched the Advanced Technology Equipment Cluster (ATEC) to consolidate expertise to meet ever changing demands and keep us as a market leader,” said Wong.

He noted that APSSE 2024 was the first time many of the participating Chinese firms had exhibited outside their country.

He said most people took it for granted, but everything they use had semiconductor components of varying complexities inside.

“Mobile phones and smart TVs are the most obvious examples. Other things like your air-conditioner remote, ceiling fans, water heater and even the thermal flask you use to make a cup of coffee, need such components to operate.

“An electric vehicle has over 3,000 semiconductors.

“It’s a key component of green energy. If you live in a rural area without running power, the solar panels that allow you to power things also need semiconductors.

“Go to any hospital and all the medical devices used to test you have lots of semiconductors inside.

“Global e-commerce would not be possible either without these tiny chips.

“The only difference is that we’re constantly coming up with newer materials that allow each piece to perform more functions at a lower cost,” Wong added.

ACM Research (Shanghai) Inc chairman Dr David Wang Hui said such globalisation would continue to be a fundamental driving force for the industry.

“Many Chinese companies are interested in coming to Malaysia.

“This would not only bring investment and create local jobs, but also drive innovation, technology, product quality and better manufacturing systems,” he added.

The APSSE event featured a series of panel talks, with topics on “Global Semiconductor Outlook”, “Transitioning from Local to International Outbound Investments”, “Artificial Intelligence”, “Asia-Pacific Semiconductor Strategies”, “Advancing ESG Through Innovations”, “Intellectual Property”, “Advanced Packaging” and “Strategies for STEM Talent Development”.

Business matching sessions and tours of several industrial sites were also held.

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On track with Penang LRT construction from December

Exciting new journey: An artist’s impression of the Penang LRT’s Mutiara Line. — File pic

Penang's Long-Awaited LRT Project Set To Break Ground ...

GEORGE TOWN: Penang’s Light Rail Transport (LRT) dream will begin to take shape in December with a groundbreaking event, with the first station to be built in Lebuh Macallum.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke is said to have approved a date to get the 29km Mutiara Line landmark project off the ground.

The alignment starts from Penang Sentral on the mainland before crossing the channel to Lebuh Macallum.

From there, the multibillion-ringgit line will pass through Komtar, Bandar Sri Pinang, Sungai Pinang, East Jelutong, The Light, Gelugor, Jalan Universiti, Sungai Dua, Sungai Nibong, Bukit Jambul, SPICE, Jalan Tengah, the Free Industrial Zone, Free Industrial Zone South, Sungai Tiram, the Penang International Airport, Permatang Damar Laut and Silicon Island, which will serve as a depot.

A component of the Penang Transport Master Plan, the Penang LRT will have 20 stations, including two interchange stations at Komtar and Penang Sentral in Butterworth, with completion slated for 2030.

It was reported recently that project developer Mass Rapid Transit Corp Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) might opt for a rubber-tyred metro system to save on operations and maintenance costs.

With annual ridership projected at between five million and 42 million passengers, the Penang government is counting on the mammoth project to ease chronic traffic congestion in the state.

The Gamuda-led group SRS Consortium is currently finalising terms and conditions for the civil works package, which will cost about RM7.6bil.

Gamuda is planning to bid for the electrification and signalling works, worth about RM1.2bil.

The project has three main components: civil construction works for Segment 1, covering the alignment of Silicon Island to Komtar; Segment 2, which covers the line from Komtar to Penang Sentral, and a turnkey contract for system and carriage (coach) works.

Small and Medium Enterprises Association honorary national secretary Yeoh Seng Hooi said the LRT project would also provide more jobs, with skilled locals to benefit.

“The spillover effects will benefit subcontractors and those providing goods and services for the project.

“Infrastructure development, which reduces transport costs and travel time, will boost foreign and domestic investments,” he said.Transport analyst Abi Sofian Abdul Hamid said incorporating support networks like shuttle services and parking facilities would ensure the LRT system’s efficacy.

He said transit-oriented “last-mile” development around LRT stations would contribute to green transportation and lower carbon emissions.

In June, Loke said he hoped that physical work could commence before the year’s end.

He also revealed that the LRT’s alignment had been finalised.

He said this was done after discussions with all parties and that the Penang government agreed with the alignment proposed by MRT Corp, with the passenger station starting from Bayan Lepas to Komtar and one line to Penang Sentral.

On March 29, Loke announced that the Federal Government had taken over the Penang LRT project from the state government, with MRT Corp appointed as developer and asset owner.

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Winds of change in Penang DAP

Steven Sim Chee Keong 沈志强

 Sim succeeds Chow as state party chairman after polls at ordinary convention

GEORGE TOWN: A wind heralding change has blown through the halls of power in Penang.

The collective force of the 1,500-odd delegates of Penang DAP who cast their votes yesterday indicated a shift away from the powerful “Lim family” in the party.

Not all candidates known to be aligned with party chairman Lim Guan Eng scored enough votes to win a coveted seat in the state party committee – a sign that there are complex workings in the party that outsiders cannot measure.

Human Resources Minister Steven Sim became the new Penang DAP chairman from now until 2027 after scoring the second highest number of votes from state party delegates (1,237 votes).

Sim was asked to comment on the fact that assuming the post meant he could be the chief minister designate.

The Bukit Mertajam MP picked the middle ground: “We focus on the working on the ground first, make sure we win the next election and establish the government together.

“All that can be discussed later; we focus on working on the ground. Thank you,” he told the media in a minute-long press conference.

Penang DAP had its ordinary convention yesterday, requiring 1,500-odd delegates to vote in 15 out of 31 nominees to be in the state liaison committee.

After their votes were tallied and the 15 members were determined, the 15 then enter closed doors to thrash out who would be the chairman, deputy, secretary, treasurer and other office-bearers.

When the doors were opened, reporters got the news they had expected: Sim would take over from Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow as the new chairman.

Sim’s deputy is now Ramkarpal Singh, a son of the late party stalwart Datuk Seri Karpal Singh, who actually gained the most number of votes from Penang DAP delegates (1,247 votes).

Guan Eng’s sister Hui Ying, who is Deputy Finance Minister and Tanjong MP, retained her post as Penang DAP secretary. But she only garnered 827 votes.

Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, who used to be Chow’s political secretary, climbed up and became state party treasurer.The combination of Sim and Hui Ying as the chairman and secretary had earlier received open endorsement from DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke.

Among biggest casualties were Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo and state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai.

Other state assemblymen who did not make the cut were Heng Lee Lee (Berapit), Joseph Ng (Air Itam), K. Kumaran (Bagan Dalam) and Ong Ah Teong (Batu Lanchang).

These were among personalities believed to be attentive to Guan Eng’s opinions.

Guan Eng, who was Penang chief minister from 2008 to 2018, had never been the Penang DAP chairman. But a convention exists in that the “chief minister designate” is usually the chairman of the leading party in a given state.

State exco member Zairil Khir Johari (fourth, 1,166 votes) and Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin (third, 1,225), a former state exco member, were appointed as the state party vice-chairmen.

State party assistant secretary post went to H’ng Mooi Lye, the Penang local government executive councillor.

The assistant treasurer post will be held by Lay Hock Peng.

The organising secretary is now Phee Boon Chee, the younger brother of Penang DAP veteran Datuk Seri Phee Boon Poh, while the assistant organising secretary post will be held by both Lee Wei Seang and Lim Siew Khim.

The state DAP publicity secretary is now Joshua Woo and the assistant publicity secretary is Datuk Soon Lip Chee.

The director of political education is Daniel Gooi, who is the Penang state exco member for youth, sports and health.

The six committee members are Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo, RSN Rayer, Phee Syn Tze, Ooi Yong Woi, Teh Chuann Yien and Foo Yu Keong

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Penang DAP delegates send signal to Lim family

Big demand for childcare

 

Sim Daycare, Jalan Sungai Dua, 11700 Penang

SIM Sungai Dua

 

Contact Person: Ms. Lim. Phone Number: 04-659 2998 / 017-216 2998. Address: 746, Jalan Sungai Dua, 11700 Gelugor, Penang.

Exercising caution: Enrolling children in registered childcare centres reduces the risk of negligence or abuse. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Kindergartens and nursery centres have continued to thrive in Penang – despite the hassle of getting the necessary licence to operate.

An operator of a kindergarten near Alma here, who wanted to be known only as Joo, went through the whole rigmarole to set up an adjacent childcare centre, which is expected to be up and running in a couple of months, almost a year after the process began.

After spending RM200,000 to convert a house into the intended childcare centre, there was red tape to contend with, she said.

“The whole process included engaging an architect to draw up the plan as well as submissions for various permits from the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), Fire and Rescue Department, Education Department and Social Welfare Department, which all have their own sets of rules.“The application to MBSP itself took about 100 days to complete,” she added.

Then, all her staff were required to undergo a mandatory three-month Permata Childcare Course. It cost her about RM1,000 for each staff member.

“In total, I spent between RM400,000 and RM500,000 to set up this centre. It would have cost me less if not for the delay in getting the licence,” she said in an interview yesterday.

Joo’s kindergarten has been running for the past 15 years, providing preschool education to some 60 children.

“Operating the childcare centre legally is for the long term and I don’t want to worry about it being shut down by the authorities.

“Parents, too, will be more confident about entrusting us with their children,” she said.

Joo said everything at the centre would be above board and adhere to regulations.

Another operator, who preferred not to be named, said it took her almost 10 years to get a licence to operate a kindergarten here.“When I took over the kindergarten from the previous owner in 2006, I did not know it did not have a permit to operate.

“I then halted operations and filed an application to the relevant authorities. I only managed to get the permit in 2016,” she said.Under the Penang Care Centre Registration Guidelines enforced since 2021, the council allows for a maximum of seven kindergartens, nurseries or childcare centres within a 400m radius on the island while nine of them (three each) are allowed within a 250m radius on the mainland.

It was reported that 63 nurseries, 34 childcare centres (taska) and 100 kindergartens were still operating illegally in Penang.State social development, welfare and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said although Penang had made various efforts to legalise them since 2017, including fee waivers and discount rates to encourage operators to submit their applications, many persisted in operating without a licence.

She said the Social Welfare Department had since issued a notice to limit enrolment of children until the centre could get mandatory certifications from the relevant agencies.

However, out of concern for the wellbeing of the children and their parents, the state still hoped that these unlicensed operators would be spared from being fined or closed down, Lim added.

Last Sunday, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry advised parents and guardians to ensure their children were enrolled in taska registered with the Social Welfare Department to prevent incidents of negligence, abandonment or abuse.It said these childcare centres were regularly monitored and inspected by the department.

It also said the registration of childcare centres includes a requirement that each caregiver holds a Certificate in Permata Care Course, as well as proactive measures to protect children from potential harm in these facilities.

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More centres needed

The Government aims to have a workforce comprising at least 59% of women by 2020. To do that, we must have more registered childcare centres to cater to these women’s children, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said. On Aug 14, Sunday Star reported that Malaysia is far from its target of having 13,200 registered childcare centres by 2020. Currently, there are not enough centres to cater to 3.2 million children under the age of four whose parents are in need of these services.