King Bhumibol’s gold medal for sailing commemorated on National Sports Day
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022
On this day 55 years ago, the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great (Rama IX) won a gold medal for sailing in the 4th South East Asia Peninsular (SEAP) Games, now called the SEA Games.
HM King Bhumibol was racing the “Navarerk” (No. 27), an OK Dinghy he built himself. His eldest daughter, HM Princess Ubolratana, was sailing Dinghy No. 18, which the late king also built. They tied for first place in the OK Dinghy division and shared a gold medal, which was presented to them by HM Queen Sirikit.
In 1989, the government commemorated this historic event by naming December 16 as National Sports Day.
Argentina near full-strength for World Cup final against France
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022
Reuters
Argentina made a statement in their 3-0 World Cup semi-final win over Croatia and will head into Sunday’s (December 18) showpiece with two players back from suspension and Angel Di Maria fit and ready to face France.
At a training session in the Qatari capital Doha on Thursday (December 15), the Argentine squad was missing a few of its players, including star forward Lionel Messi. No word was immediately available to explain their absence but starters in previous games are often given rest days to help recuperate their energy.
Former Argentina international Sergio Aguero, who abruptly retired exactly one year ago due to a heart condition, visited the team and watched the training session from the sidelines.
Defenders Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna missed the semi-final as they were suspended after accumulating two yellow cards.
Left back Acuna was the biggest loss for Argentina in that game as he has been a critical part of coach Lionel Scaloni’s set-up during the tournament, playing in all of their previous five games and starting four times.
In their quarter-final against the Netherlands, he was arguably one of Argentina’s best players, winning nine of his 13 duels, completing 100% of his dribbles and earning the penalty from which Lionel Messi scored their second goal.
He could be critical if Argentina are to control that side of the pitch, where France have Ousmane Dembele in great form.
Montiel has been a squad player but he was also vital in their win over the Dutch, converting in the penalty shootout, which Argentina won 4-3.
Argentina Training – Qatar University Training Site 3, Doha, Qatar – December 15, 2022 General view during training
The third piece of the puzzle that could be key to Argentina’s success against France is midfielder Di Maria, who was left on the bench for the whole of the semi-final against Croatia as Argentina cruised home having taken a first-half lead.
Di Maria, who has been recovering from a thigh injury suffered against Poland in the group stage, has played only nine minutes in Argentina’s last three matches. Yet he is expected to be fit and ready to go in Sunday’s final.
The 34-year-old was Argentina’s hero in last year’s Copa America final against bitter rivals Brazil, scoring the goal that earned them their first major title in 28 years.
He and Messi are the only two Argentina players who were also in the squad that lost the 2014 World Cup final against Germany in Brazil.
Di Maria, who missed that match more than eight years ago due to injury, will get a second chance to get his hands on the most sought-after prize in world football and should be fresh for the final as Argentina go in search of a third World Cup title.
Keo Sinan, a former musician, has kept 401 vinyl records which date from the 1940’s to 1975 safe for more than 50 years. For more than 20 years, he has dreamt of opening a museum in his hometown in Kampong Thom province, to display the music of the Kingdom’s “Golden era” for the next generation.
Sinan was born in 1944 in Svay village of Baray commune and district, Kampong Thom province. He currently lives in Boeung Samreth village of the same commune. In his long life, he has been blessed with six children and 20 grandchildren.
He spoke to The Post at a November 30 launch party for the Khmer edition of the graphic novel The Golden Voice Queen, which tells the tale of famed singer Ros Serey Sothea.
“Today I have 401 records of songs from the 60s and 70s, with about 900 songs. Most of the songs are by Sin Sisamuth, Ros Serey Sothea, Pen Ron, Keo Sokha (Keo Montha’s young sister), Nov Narin and a few other singers,” he said.
He used money from working at the Cambodia Cement Chakrey Ting Factory in Kampot province to buy records. While working there, he became close friends with musician Nop Neum, the younger brother of the actor Nop Nem.
He later began learning how to play the saxophone and trumpet and learned to play the drums in 1963.
“When I met Neum, he taught me to play the saxophone, trumpet and drums. Realising that I was gradually becoming a musician, I started to buy songs to listen to and rehearse. I bought my first record in 1964 and my last in 1975, the year the Khmer Rouge regime came to power,” he said.
“I remember that between 1972 and 1975. I used to ride a bicycle from Kampong Thom to buy records in Phnom Penh,” he added, saying that he formed his own band called the “Kasekor (Peasant) Band” between 1969-70.
What is astonishing is the tale of how he preserved his collection during the dark years of the Khmer Rouge rule, where much of the Kingdom’s intellectual and artistic resources were deliberately targeted for destruction by the hated regime.
Sinan not only survived, but he was able to store the records safely. The oldest of them is now 58 years old.
He explained how he hid the 401 records in the sewer beneath the home of a family who were killed by the Khmer Rouge in Kampong Thma district, Kampong Thom province, where he was transported to by the regime.
He said that when he realised that the space would be large enough for his collection, he hid them securely. It was not until 1982 that he recovered them to play for his own entertainment. In 2008, he finally shared all of his precious musical memories.
“During the Khmer Rouge era, what kept me alive was that I was skilled at agriculture and could grow crops. Anyone who could grow vegetables was useful to the organisation. I was not detained or singled out like so many other artists were,” he added.
“Because of my skill in growing vegetables, I was able to save my life during the Khmer Rouge era and even save my record collection. Because I was farming, I had access to pesticides and was able to use some of them to protect my records from insects,” he continued.
Although he has kept his records safe since 1982, the secret of his collection was only revealed to the public in 2008.
“In 2008, I met Khuth Sokhoeun, who is a writer and lover of traditional music. He took photos of my records and wrote articles about them. The articles became famous around the Kingdom and even overseas. Both local and foreign journalists have come to interview me, although I must admit there has been a slight decrease,” said Sinan.
“In 2009, my records were copyrighted by a company and displayed to the public as photo albums at the Chenla Theatre. In 2014, they appeared at an art exhibition at the Koh Pich Theatre which was organised by the Sin Sisamuth Association. Sin Chanchhaya, the oldest son of Samuth, was the association’s president at the time. In 2016, they were brought to the National Museum of South Korea and exhibited there,” he added.
Many investors and even companies offered him thousands of dollars for his collection, but he always refused to sell. Even now, people have made standing offers to buy individual records from him for several thousand, but he refuses.
He did mention that journalists who wish to interview him usually offer some sort of gift of gratitude to him, and this helps him meet his monthly expenses.
“There was a time when a company in the United States wanted to buy the 401 records for $400,000. I refused to sell because I wanted to preserve and conserve my own heritage, which I worked so hard to save. Today, my records are still valuable. Many record companies and production houses would pay from $2,000 to $2,500 to use them as the basis of re-mastered releases of rare songs,” he said.
“Even though many people offered me large sums of money, I refuse to sell. I think that all of the risks I took to save them might become meaningless if I let them go,” he added.
“I am old and do not want to be rich. I want to keep what I have saved so that later generations will know what we were creating back in the 60s and 70s. I would really like to set up a small museum in my hometown so I could show my collection to the public when they pass through Kampong Thom,” he continued.
Sinan is planning to take a selection of records to Battambang in early 2023 to share with younger fans.
“I think I will prepare a show at the end of February or in early March next year. I will select no more than 50 records. I am getting older, and it is getting harder to travel so far from home,” he said.
The cyberattacks occurring last year are a sharp escalation to the disruptive threats facing businesses. In 2022, cybercriminals targeted critical infrastructure with ransomware attacks, and continued to find ways to exploit the cryptocurrency boom, hybrid working, and unsecured APIs.
As per Palo Alto Networks’ ‘What’s Next in Cyber Survey,’ almost all respondents admitted their organization experienced cybersecurity incidents and data breaches in the past year. However, a cause of concern is that only 2 in 5 say their board’s recognition of cyber risk has increased significantly alongside accelerated digitalization strategies.
Palo Alto Networks’ 2023 APAC cybersecurity predictions feature the top 5 insights to help organisations pursue a more secure future. In cybersecurity, predictions are highly relevant because, apart from the attacker’s behaviours, they consider a broad view- from technology to workplace trends and evolving laws and regulations.
Ian Lim, Field chief security officer of Palo Alto Networks, said, “The fluidity of today’s cyberattacks will require business leaders to reimagine their cybersecurity approach constantly. Leaders must consider innovative solutions, technologies, and approaches that outperform traditional mechanisms. Organizations have much to consider in 2023, but remaining vigilant and aware will empower them to defend against the evolving threats.”
“From prevention-first Al to adopting Zero Trust strategy and architecture, it will be imperative to adopt the broadest and deepest cyber expertise and threat intelligence into their defences to stay ahead of the curve. But, more importantly, they must build resiliency to respond and recover from those that inevitably get through,” he added.
Palo Alto Networks has identified five key cybersecurity trends to watch out for in 2023:
PREDICTION 1
Accelerated 5G adoption will deepen vulnerabilities
5G connections in the Asia Pacific (APAC) are expected to reach 430 million in 2025, up from 200 million at the end of end-2021, according to a recent report by the industry association GSMA. In Singapore, Singtel has reached 95% of 5G coverage nationwide, ahead of the regulatory target of 2025, with plans to expand standalone 5G coverage to its seaport by 2025. While cloud provides greater agility, scalability, and performance, it also exposes the 5G core to cloud security vulnerabilities. Large-scale attacks could come from anywhere, even from within the operator’s network
PREDICTION 2
Securing connected medical devices will be critical
Digitisation enables new healthcare capabilities, e.g., virtual healthcare and remote diagnosis. The prevalence of legacy systems and sensitive data attractive to cyber criminals makes healthcare a soft target, and cyber threat actors will focus on it. The closer a device is to a patient, the more likely it is to impact patient safety, and the more likely a threat actor will weaponise it. Ensuring the cybersecurity of medical IoT will be important as ever for patient safety.
PREDICTION 3
Cloud supply chain attacks will disrupt businesses.
Companies adopting cloud-native architectures are also consuming third-party code in their critical applications. Log4J recently demonstrated how many organisations can be immediately vulnerable due to a piece of dependent code tucked deep into the software packaging process. We have also seen attackers targeting the volunteers who maintain these open-source code constructs to infiltrate organisations through the package update processes. This issue falls under the cloud supply chain, and we will see more disruptions due to cloud adoption trends in the coming year(s). Hence, in our latest research, [1]37% of organisations expect software supply chain attacks to increase most in 2023.
PREDICTION 4
The debate on data sovereignty will intensify
As the world becomes more reliant on data and digital information, the volume of regulations and legislation emanating from a desire to control and protect citizens and ensure the continued availability of critical services will increase. As a result, the conversations around data localisation and data sovereignty will likely intensify in 2023.
PREDICTION 5
Metaverse to be the new playground for cybercriminals
With an estimated $54 billion spent on virtual goods every year, metaverse could open up a new playground for cybercriminals. The immersive nature of the metaverse will unlock new opportunities for businesses and consumers alike, as it allows buyers and sellers to connect in a new way. Companies will take advantage of mixed reality experiences to diversify their offerings and cater to the needs of consumers in the metaverse.
Thai and Singaporean firms form JV to produce batteries for electric vehicles
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022
Nuovo Plus, a joint venture between Arun Plus and Global Power Synergy Plc, is forming a joint venture with Gotion Singapore to build a battery plant to supply electric vehicles and energy storage systems, the company announced.
The joint venture, NV Gotion, will have authorised capital of almost 600 million baht, with 51% from Nuovo Plus and 49% from Gotion, Nuovo Plus said in a press release.
NV Gotion will import components, and assemble and distribute battery modules and packs for energy storage systems and electric vehicles, the press release said. Its initial production capacity will be 1 GWh a year, which will double to 2 GWh per year by 2025.
Nuovo Plus is a joint venture between Arun Plus and Global Power Synergy.
Buranin Rattanasombat, Chief New Business and Infrastructure Officer, PTT Public Company Limited and Chairman of the Board of Nuovo Plus Company Limited revealed that creating an ecosystem of renewable energy and electric vehicle depends primarily on the production of batteries for energy storage and electric vehicles (EV).
This joint venture establishes NV Gotion company which specializes in the energy storage and EV Value Chain — upstream to downstream — in accordance with the future energy business of PTT Group’s strategy.
NV Gotion will be capable of providing industrial sectors with one-stop service and international standard batteries not only in Thailand but across Asean by combining the knowledge of Nuovo Plus and Gotion in the fields of research and development (R&D), competitive production potential, technical service from experts. Thus, NV Gotion is going to construct a 2 GWh battery plant in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). By the fourth quarter of 2023, the plant plans to develop and provide high-quality lithium-ion batteries to the market so that boosting competitiveness through innovation and technology could ensure Thailand’s Net Zero goal.
Li Zhen, Chairman of Gotion High-tech Co., Ltd. highlighted the significance of the joint venture with PTT and expectations for the future.
Gotion believes that the cooperation will aid in the company’s international growth and accelerate the new energy development of PTT Group. Resulting in win-win situation and laying a solid foundation for further collaboration in the future.
The quality of products is the key to the joint venture’s success. It is intended that both parties can leverage their respective strengths, and make their advantages complement one another.
” To advance product technology, enhance the functionality of products, and enhance services, thus, we must collaborate. Promoting application is the soul of the development of the joint venture. In order to help Thailand’s automotive industry become more globally competitive, NV Gotion will support the Thai government to create a green economy and transform Thai automobiles. Gotion High-tech and PTT Group, with NV Gotion as the platform, will make the most of the first-class technology, high-quality products, and advanced management to support the success of electric vehicles equipped with NV Gotion batteries in Southeast Asia and beyond,” Li said.
What makes quality a necessity? Unlock the keys to success with Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Toyota Execs
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022
Quality is vital to a company navigating its way to success, especially for a car manufacturer whose product quality embodies its customers’ safety, convenience, and overall experiences.
This is why NielsenIQ Automotive Team, the expert of customer experience studies and auto industry data analysis, have decided to delve deeper into the secrets behind some of the most successful automotive manufacturers in Thailand namely Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Toyota. We want to find out just what these producers are doing differently to ensure they stay ahead of the competition in this fiercely competitive industry and how they see the future of the automotive industry.
Consumer needs for quality in the Thai automotive market have never stopped evolving.
The three crucial aspects found in every quality product or service are operational efficiency, consumer confidence, and value for money. It is no surprise that quality control in the automotive industry has evolved with changing times. In the view of the four executives, the following key factors have contributed to the transformation:
Technology & Connectivity: Consumer needs for quality have evolved with technological innovation and the advancement of connectivity, explains Mr. Somkid Praditkamjornchai, Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd. As new technologies emerge car manufacturers have to incorporate them to improve their vehicles’ performance. However, this does not mean that manufacturers can lose sight of the vehicles’ basic requirements, such as a smooth ride, comfortable seating, engine quality, reliability, no car noises, or component excellence. Indeed, manufacturers must ensure that the quality of these factors are maintained while understanding that consumers are now taking more notice of the technologies on offer from their products than ever before.
At the same time, Mr. Kenichiro Saruwatari, President and CEO of AutoAlliance (Thailand) Co., Ltd., believes that continuous development of new communications technology features will have a lasting effect on quality assurance and that manufacturers also place connectivity at the heart of their technological advancements.
Trends, Government Regulations & Social Issues: In Saruwatari’s opinion, society’s increasing environmental awareness has made electric vehicles more and more desirable to consumers. Manufacturers need to respond to this trend. Meanwhile, different government regulations around the world, including carbon neutrality and net zero emissions goal, also play an integral part in setting the stage. He cites the example of Japan, where there are more road accidents involving elderly people than younger generations from society, leading to automotive innovations aimed at addressing this social problem.
Emotional requirements: Consumers have higher expectations, so manufacturers must be careful to meet said needs, both in terms of everyday facility and the emotional benefits their products can offer. Examples of such include designing vehicles that are eye-catching, luxurious, and elegant as these can indicate a person’s good standing in society, as well as producing a sense of pride in its owner, according to Mr. Wichai Sinanunphat, Director of Tri Petch Isuzu Co., Ltd.
As consumer requirements are constantly changing, ensuring that the company has its ears open to the ‘customer voice’ is essential to Mr. Eiichi Koito, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co., Ltd. He also remarks that it is not merely the passing of time that is influencing the ever-changing consumer needs, it is also the automotive market differences in each country and segment that result in unique requirements. Organizations must therefore keep a close eye on their customers to analyse how those needs are changing and how they can be effective in meeting them as this information will prove vital to success. The speed at which a company can process such information is another critical aspect, which is why Mitsubishi has provided special training to staff to ensure a company culture built around maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.
Quality control challenges in the eyes of Manufacturers
All four executives agree that ‘quality control’ is a challenging objective, particularly when it comes to the latest innovations or technologies. Manufacturers must have a clear understanding of the direction that any potential progress could take the company – be that in terms of processes, components, suppliers, or new products – including how quality and customer satisfaction could be affected.
Isuzu takes responsibility for quality assurance throughout the process, from design and manufacturing to product delivery and after-sales care. As a result, their customers trust in the brand. Mazda is another shining light in this regard, having multiple teams – including designers, engineers, and quality controllers – working collaboratively for optimal operational efficiency. They also quickly identify and address any issues that arise.
Meanwhile, Mitsubishi believes that the diverse and varied needs of their customers pose an intriguing challenge. By focusing on shared points of importance to both themselves and their customers, they take on the most pressing issues first, creating vehicle models with their own unique selling points.
Finally, Toyota has a range of standards and procedures to guarantee ‘safety and quality’ to their customers, including adherence to safety and quality principles and the use of customer-centric change management and other techniques designed to reduce problems faced by their customers. The success of such a method is heavily reliant on the executive closely monitoring day-to-day operations.
These key factors underpin automotive manufacturer success
Despite each of the organizations having their own individual policies or concepts, it is clear that they share a belief in listening to consumer opinion to inform the design of their vehicles, resulting in greater customer confidence in their brands. The executives of these four successful businesses have outlined the following key factors to automotive manufacturer success:
All four executives are in agreement that the automotive market is in a rebound phase and that it is starting to expand once again following the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumers are beginning to expand their own horizons, whether in terms of professional lives, tourism, or even camping. However, as Mr. Somkit and Mr. Wirachai remark that there remain some very challenging obstacles for automakers, including high costs, especially for metal, and a lack of access to semi-conductors. The current precarious supply chain requires careful attention moving forward. Meanwhile, many economies are still recovering from the effects of the pandemic. Additionally, higher fuel prices are significantly impacting consumer demand for vehicles, making it difficult for manufacturers to make accurate predictions for this year’s sales figures.
Despite these volatile factors, the automotive market seems to be heading in the right direction. For car makers, placing a greater importance on consumer voice, teamwork, efficient manufacturing process, and product safety ensure the highest quality can be maintained. This is not exclusive to the motor vehicle industry but instead should be seen as a mantra to guide producers from all industries as they strive to stay ahead of the competition.
Receiving the winning titles for past initial quality award is a source of pride for these executives and a testament to their organizations’ utmost attention to customer voice. They reflect the dedication to quality shown by these outstanding automobile manufacturers.
AURA sees glittering future for its Thong Ma Ngern Pai gold shops
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2022
Nongluck Ajanapanya
Aurora Design Plc (AURA), one of Thailand’s leading gold and diamond jewellery retailers, is expanding its consignment business under its Thong Ma Ngern Pai (Gold Comes, Money Goes) brand of shops.
The move comes after it became the first gold jeweller to list on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) last month. The decision to roll out more shops was driven by expanding demand in the consignment sector, AURA chief marketing officer Anipat Srirungthum explained on Thursday.
Thong Ma Ngern Pai brand is a retailer that also allows customers to temporarily exchange jewellery for cash to boost their liquidity.
Anipat said this business was previously only a supplement to its Aurora and Seng Heng gold shops but had now become a core focus.
The expansion is part of the company’s rebranding from an antique traditional family jewellers to a modern trendy gold store for people of all ages.
Anipat said Thong Ma Ngern Pai differed from its competitors thanks to its high credit limit, no need for a guarantor, instant cash, low monthly interest rate of 1.25%, more than 200 standardised branches nationwide, and easy access via its own app.
“I dare to say that no other gold shop offers such a high credit limit with such a low interest rate,” he said.
Asked why Aurora Design is so confident about making the consignment business its new flagship, Anipat highlighted the critical role digitisation.
“We are a data-driven organisation. Data helps us with accuracy of checking and tracking as well as ensuring security against errors and scams on a proper economy of scale. It also helps us understand our customers’ pain points and the solutions we can offer them.”
Aniwat explained that the Thong Ma Ngern Pai brand was created to help customers easily access financial sources at a legal interest rate and with greater convenience. After more than three years of testing, the service showed promising prospects.
Revenue is growing at least 45% per year and there are over 130,000 users of Thong Ma Ngern Pai services.
AURA plans to expand the current network of 266 stores to 409 by 2024, boosting revenue to 3.7 billion baht.
Aniwat said the brand will also collaborate with other businesses to improve user experience and engagement. The company has partnered with CJ MORE, Line BK, and Kasikorn Bank.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. wants the proposed free trade agreement between the Philippines and the European Union (EU) to materialize soon to bolster mutual economic development.
The joint statement issued after the first summit between Asean and European Union leaders in Brussels on Wednesday shows a much more level playing field in the relationship between the countries in the two regions. In their declaration, the issue of human rights, one of the EU’s favourite subjects, was barely touched, not because Asean members have improved their record on that front, but more because the EU knows it is dealing with a partner with much-stronger bargaining power.
The EU has pledged to continue its support for ASEAN efforts to find peace in Myanmar, as the leaders of the two regional blocs met to celebrate 45 years of dialogue partnership.
A proposal to raise taxes to fund significant improvements in Japan’s defense capabilities was approved Thursday at an executive meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party’s Research Commission on the Tax Systems, including a surtax of 4% to 4.5% for corporate tax.
On December 11, we marked International Mountain Day, a day to reflect on mountains, their ecosystems, and the environment. We have the Chittagong Hills, which are the only significant hill system in the country, containing at least 75 mountain peaks, which range in altitude approximately from 600-1,000 m (2,000-3,300 ft) above sea level. Thus, the day has deep relevance to the country.
Monday, December 11, was an important day. It was the International Mountain Day (IMD). However, besides some dignitaries joining a group of students to observe the day at the convention centre in Thimphu, the day passed by as silently as the mountain issues that are untold, under-reported or hijacked by other important issues like the economy, reform or moving to Australia.
THE Group of Seven (G7) industrialised nations have pledged US$15.5bil (RM68.2bil) to help Vietnam transition away from coal, as part of a Just Transition Energy Partnership (Jtep) effort aimed at luring influential economies onto greener energy road maps.
The mismatches in labour supply after the reverse migration during the Covid-19 pandemic in India and other countries in the Asia Pacific (Apac) region could weaken economic growth, said Moody’s Investors Service.
Six sites of the wind power project that will be jointly conducted by Myanmar and Russia, will be able to produce more than 8,100 megawatts of electricity, sources said.
Two exchange-traded funds that track US-listed cryptocurrency futures have raised a combined $73.6 million ahead of their debut on the Hong Kong stock exchange on Friday in defiance of the sector’s meltdown.
Space Japan MUFG Bank to invest in space business – The Japan News
MUFG Bank Ltd. plans to invest in Space One Co., which is engaged in launching small rockets, it has been learned. An announcement will be made as early as this week.
China’s first high-speed railway in ethnic group autonomous prefecture, the Mile-Mengzi high-speed railway, will open to tourists soon, China Railway Kunming Group shared.
Sri Lanka’s economy shrank 11.8 percent in the July-September quarter from a year ago, government data showed on Thursday, the second-worst quarterly contraction ever for the country going through a severe financial crisis.
Japan eyes support for marine industry ahead of releasing treated nuclear waste
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022
Japan plans to launch an initiative this month that will boost the consumption of marine products from five coastal prefectures, ahead of the planned release of treated water into the sea from the Fukushima nuclear plant accident.
Events will be held nationwide to promote the safety of marine products and processed seafood from the prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki and Chiba.
About 100 organisations, including financial institutions, trading companies and local governments, are expected to participate in the public-private programme.
If misleading information about the treated water spreads following the planned discharge in spring, participating companies will purchase marine products from the five prefectures.
The central government decided last year that contaminated water from the nuclear power plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc would be treated to remove most of the radioactive material and diluted with seawater before it is released into the ocean.
However, the planned release has raised concerns about the possibility of harmful rumours spreading.
The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry will work with the private sector to strengthen support for fishery operators and promote the consumption of their marine products.
Landslide hits campsite off Genting: Child among 16 killed
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2022
At least 16 people were killed with around 17 others feared trapped in a landslide in Malaysia on Friday, Malaysian authorities said.
The Ministry of Local Government Development said on Twitter that 61 victims have been rescued from the campsite at Father’s Organic Farm in the Batang Kali area, on the outskirts of capital Kuala Lumpur.
Among those confirmed dead were believed to be one 5-year old boy, six women and one man, police said.
A total 94 victims in total were affected, most of them local residents including workers at the campsite, Hulu Selangor district police chief Suffian Abdullah said.
Among those rescued were teachers and their families from Chinese primary school Mun Choong in Kuala Lumpur.
Those rescued have been sent to a police station in Selangor, with three Singaporeans among those saved, according to Malaysian daily China Press.
The campsite is located on Jalan Batang Kali-Jalan Genting Highlands, less than 15km away from the peak of Genting Highlands.
The camp, located about 4.5km or a 10-minute drive from Gohtong Jaya – a town below the Genting Highlands peak – is en route to the popular travel destination that houses a casino and theme park, offers eco-tourism packages including educational guides on organic vegetable farming.
Roads to the site have been shut to allow easier access for trucks ferrying tractors and personnel for rescue operations.
“All the victims are believed to have entered last Wednesday to carry out camping activities,” Chief Superintendent Suffian told reporters on Friday.
noted that the Fire and Rescue Department has brought in K-9 dogs units in the search for the remaining victims.
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he was shocked by news of the landslide and had instructed the government departments to conduct the search and rescue mission in an orderly and systematic manner. He added he plans to make a visit to the location of the accident at night.
Other ministers in Mr Anwar’s Cabinet have also said they will visit the site.
Selangor’s Fire and Rescue Department director Norazam Khamis said the distress call was received at 2.24am before rescue teams began operations.
According to initial reports of the operation commander, the height of the ruins is estimated at 30m, he said.
“The landslide is about one acre wide and fell onto the campsite,” Mr Norazam said when contacted on Friday.
He added that personnel from multiple fire stations, as well as the Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team (STORM) have also been deployed to the site for ongoing search and rescue operations.
On Tuesday, the Fire Department’s director-general Mohammad Hamdan Wahid advised Malaysians and local municipal authorities to temporarily stop recreational activities, especially in high-risk areas such as mountains, hills, rivers and beaches, during monsoon season.
“We understand this year-end holiday period, many families are definitely planning leisure activities in certain areas, but we hope that these can be stopped for a while for now.”
The Straits Times
Asia News Network
Malaysian Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi on Thursday said the ministry is closely monitoring federal roads prone to high-risk flooding that can lead to slope failures in the current wet season.
He said the ministry is working with agencies including the Mineral and Geoscience Department Malaysia, Nadma and other relevant bodies as landslides are natural disasters under their purview.
Around 1,045 slopes have been identified as “very high risk”, said Malaysia’s Public Works Department (JKR) on Thursday, adding that “Pahang, Perak, Kelantan and Selangor have been identified as the states with the most number of hotspots for slope failures”.
JKR said it is available to mobilise anytime to ensure appropriate precautions, such as warning signage and traffic management, are taken.
Argentina Training – Qatar University Training Site 3, Doha, Qatar – December 15, 2022 General view during training
SootinClaimon.Com 