Purata penggunaan air di Malaysia tinggi
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23 Mac 2021
SHAH ALAM - Purata penggunaan air per kapita harian oleh rakyat Malaysia lebih tinggi daripada yang disarankan oleh Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB).
Presiden Gabungan Persatuan Pengguna-Pengguna Malaysia, Datuk Dr Marimuthu Nadason berkata, PBB telah menetapkan keperluan air sebanyak 165 liter seorang pada setiap hari.
Menurut Dr Marimuthu, berdasarkan statistik Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN), rakyat Malaysia menggunakan purata 201 liter air setiap orang sehari bersamaan dengan 134 botol (kapasiti 1.5 liter setiap satu).
“Masyarakat perlu diberikan kesedaran dan mengetahui kepentingan sumber air dan kesan negatif jika terus mencemarkannya. Kerajaan berhasrat mengurangkan penggunaan air hingga 180 liter setiap orang sehari pada tahun 2025.
“Penggunaan air rakyat Malaysia tinggi iaitu sebanyak 219 liter setiap orang setiap hari berbanding kadar 160 liter sehari yang disyorkan. Tahap kesedaran dalam kalangan rakyat Malaysia memainkan peranan penting bagi mengurangkan penggunaan air kerana mereka (rakyat) merasa selesa dan menganggap negara kita mempunyai sumber air yang banyak,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan bersama Persatuan Pengguna Air dan Tenaga Malaysia dan Forum Air Malaysia pada Isnin.
Pada 22 Mac 2021, seluruh dunia mengadakan sambutan Hari Air Sedunia secara dalam talian (online) kerana norma sosial baru untuk membendung wabak Covid-19.
FOMCA, WECAM, FAM: Sambutan Hari Air Sedunia 2021 – Menghargai air
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22 Mac 2021
SIARAN AKHBAR BERSAMA
GABUNGAN PERSATUAN-PERSATUAN PENGGUNA MALAYSIA (FOMCA)
Persatuan Pengguna Air dan Tenaga Malaysia (WECAM)
Forum Air Malaysia (FAM)
Sambutan Hari Air Sedunia 2021 – Menghargai air
Pada 22 Mac 2021, sambutan Hari Air Sedunia akan disambut dalam talian di seluruh dunia kerana norma sosial baru untuk membendung wabak Covid-19. Hari Air Sedunia berkatian dengan sambutan air dan memberikan kesedaran mengenai krisis air secara global dan fokus utama adalah untuk menyokong pencapaian Matlamat Pembangunan Lestari (SDG) 6: air dan sanitasi untuk semua pada tahun 2030.
Tema Hari Air Sedunia 2021 adalah menghargai air. Nilai air lebih banyak daripada harganya - air mempunyai nilai yang sangat kompleks dan besar untuk isi rumah, makanan, budaya, kesihatan, pendidikan, ekonomi dan integriti persekitaran semula jadi kita. Jika kita terlepas pandang mana-mana nilai-nilai ini, cara pengurusan yang salah untuk sumber yang terbatas dan tidak terganti ini akan memberi kesan yang besar kepada manusia. SDG 6 adalah untuk memastikan air dan sanitasi untuk semua. Tanpa pemahaman menyeluruh mengenai nilai pelbagai dimensi ini, kita tidak akan dapat melindungi sumber yang kritikal ini untuk kepentingan semua orang.
Walaupun Malaysia dilimpahi dengan sumber air yang melimpah, negara ini mengalami peningkatan permintaan bekalan air yang membimbangkan dalam beberapa tahun ini. Ramai yang beranggapan sumber semula jadi ini sesuatu yang biasa, dan sering salah anggap bahawa bekalan air bersih adalah mudah dan murah.
Permintaan untuk air semakin tinggi pada masa kini. Terdapat beberapa faktor penyumbang seperti peningkatan populasi manusia, yang kini mencapai 7 bilion, perkembangan industri dan pertanian dan pembangunan yang tidak terkawal. Pada masa ini bekalan air dunia tidak mencukupi, kualiti air yang merosot dan aliran permukaan air yang rendah.
Read more: FOMCA, WECAM, FAM: Sambutan Hari Air Sedunia 2021 – Menghargai air
FOMCA, WECAM, FAM: Celebrating World Water Day 2021 – Valuing Water
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22 March, 2021
JOINT PRESS RELEASE BY
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA)
Water and Energy Consumers Association of Malaysia (WECAM)
Forum Air Malaysia (FAM)
Celebrating World Water Day 2021 – Valuing Water
On 22 March, 2021, World Water Day will be celebrated in an online event throughout the world due to new social norms to curb Covid-19 pandemic. The World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the global water crisis, and a core focus of the observance is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
The theme of World Water Day 2021 is valuing water. The value of water is about much more than its price – water has enormous and complex value for our households, food, culture, health, education, economics and the integrity of our natural environment. If we overlook any of these values, we risk mismanaging this finite, irreplaceable resource. SDG 6 is to ensure water and sanitation for all. Without a comprehensive understanding of water’s true, multidimensional value, we will be unable to safeguard this critical resource for the benefit of everyone.
Though Malaysia is blessed with abundant water resources, the country is experiencing an alarming increase in demand for water supply in recent years. Many seem to take this natural resource for granted, while often having the misconception that supplying clean water would be cheap and easy.
Demand for the water is higher nowadays. There are several contributory factors such as increased human population, which now stands at 7 billion, uncontrolled developments, industrial and agricultural expansion. Currently world water supply is inadequate, deteriorating in quality and low flow of surface water. The greed for money is causing water pollution and quality deterioration. As a result, water has reached its carrying capacity, where water has reached its limits in balancing the pollution and negative treatment it receives.
Read more: FOMCA, WECAM, FAM: Celebrating World Water Day 2021 – Valuing Water
Tougher laws needed to save water sources, says CAP
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March 21, 2021 11:27 AM
PETALING JAYA: A consumer organisation wants the authorities to move away from mere “sloganeering” when it comes to protecting water resources and has called for more action as it claims that pollution is getting worse.
The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) said there is an urgent need for tougher water-related laws with much higher penalties in view of the numerous violations caused by irresponsible individuals and industries.
It said recent incidents, including the depletion of water at reservoirs in several dams such as the Muda Dam in Kedah and river pollution in Selangor and Johor, are evidence of deteriorating water quality and supply.
In Kedah, it said, residents are worried that their health will be affected because the supply of tap water has not only been reduced but also dirty and silty.
“Communities sourcing water from the hills also complain that the supply is contaminated with mud as a result of uncontrolled logging and extractive activities in the catchment area,” CAP said in a statement in conjunction with World Water Day tomorrow.
It said the water quality at Timah Tasoh lake in Perlis and Tasik Chini in Pahang has also been badly affected by environmental pollution from the surrounding areas.
“Our investigations found that threats to water resources such as destruction of catchment areas due to logging activities, and pollution of rivers and seas by industrial waste, sewage, agrochemical residue and sediment from agricultural areas, and animal manure and livestock waste including garbage disposal, have increased.
Read more: Tougher laws needed to save water sources, says CAP
AEON recalls eggs flagged in S’pore for contamination
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March 21, 2021 10:52 AM
PETALING JAYA: Hypermarket chain AEON has recalled a batch of eggs which has been flagged by Singaporean authorities for the presence of Salmonella enteritidis (SE).
The affected eggs from Linggi Agriculture Sdn Bhd bear the “CEM014” stamp.
Yesterday, the Singapore Food Agency said it was recalling the batch of eggs. It said SE can cause foodborne illness if food is undercooked or consumed raw.
“AEON would like to inform that we have immediately recalled similar batches of eggs that can be identified by the stamp ‘CEM014’ from our supermarket shelves.
“Customers who have purchased the products are urged to return them to the place of purchase at the customer service counter for a full refund as per the receipt,” it said.
It added that those with any queries may call 1300-80-2366 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Last week, Singapore authorities also ordered the recall of eggs from Lay Hong Bhd Layer Farm Jeram because of a similar issue.
Source: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/03/21/aeon-recalls-eggs-flagged-in-spore-for-contamination/
Wait 10 days before eating eggs
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17 MAR 2021 / 11:19 H
PETALING JAYA: Consumers will have to wait another 10 days before they know if it is safe to consume eggs sold in the market.
The Veterinary Services Department collected samples from eight poultry farms in Jeram, Selangor for tests in response to Singapore’s rejection of eggs from the farms.
Agriculture and Food Industries Deputy Minister I Datuk Seri Ahmad Hamzah told theSun that samples of the eggs are now at the department’s laboratory in Salak Tinggi.
“We can expect to see some results in seven to 10 days.”
The Singapore Food Agency announced last Friday that it had instructed importers to recall eggs from the Lay Hong Bhd layer farm in Jeram after detecting Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) in the eggs.
Hamzah said the farm has also been directed to stop marketing the eggs pending results of the Veterinary Services Departme findings.
The test requires the contaminated eggs to be pasteurised, a process called “heat treatment”.
The Salmonella virus, if consumed, can cause diarrhoea, abdominal pains, fever, nausea and vomiting. However, according to public health expert Dr Hanafiah Bashirun, the eggs can be safe for human consumption if boiled or fried at 100°C.
CAP: How safe are our eggs?
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March 17, 2021
GEORGE TOWN: The Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) has urged the authorities to investigate all poultry farms in the country to ensure that they comply with food safety regulations.
This follows a recent report on the import of eggs from a farm in Kuala Selangor being suspended by Singaporean authorities as they were found to be contaminated with salmonella enteritidis bacterium.
CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader said the authorities should also look into how chickens were reared, which could have contributed to the contamination.
"We urge the authorities to set up a committee to investigate the monitoring system with regards to food safety," he said today.
He advised consumers to cook their eggs thoroughly before consuming. The bacterium salmonella enteritidis can cause diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting.
Mohideen said the incident showed that some Malaysians were not conscious about food safety.
"It is strange that such an incident was not discovered by our local authorities earlier even though it is estimated that Malaysians consume 30 million eggs daily. Given the situation, Malaysian consumers may have unknowingly consumed the contaminated eggs."
The main pieces of legislation regulating food safety in the country are the Food Act 1983, Food Regulations 1985 and Food Hygiene Regulations 2009, aimed at protecting the public against food-related hazards and frauds, to promote safe preparation, handling, distribution and the sale of healthy and high quality food.
No respite for fraud victim as bank insists on payment for purchases she never made
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17 Mar 2021
IPOH: A customer service representative is at her wits' end after her e-commerce account was apparently hacked and her credit card used to buy more than RM18,000 worth of items.
Low Syuk Yee, 38, said she never received any one-time passwords from the issuing bank for the 25 transactions made within four hours on Aug 13 last year.
She subsequently lodged a police report as well as reports with the bank and online shopping platform.
She said the transactions amounting to RM18,437.40 were for the purchase of mobile and social media chat top-ups.
“The police said they would not be able to open an investigation into the matter, the online platform does not want to reveal details to me, and the bank said that I have to settle the monthly payment," she told a press conference organised by Perak MCA Public Service and Complaints Bureau chief Low Guo Nan on Tuesday (March 16).
She said she was at least able to stop the charges from being racked up further after getting a message from the bank about a transaction for RM812.40 on the night of Aug 13.
Syuk Yee said when she got the message from the bank, she immediately asked the bank to block her card.
“I also called the online platform, and the representative told me to change my password and make a police report.
“My transaction history on the site shows that I always only buy clothes and children’s items, and never spend more than RM500 per month.
Read more: No respite for fraud victim as bank insists on payment for purchases she never made
Penggunaan plastik sukar dielakkan
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16 Mac 2021
SHAH ALAM - Penggunaan plastik sukar dielakkan kerana ia telah menjadi suatu kebiasaan yang memudahkan kehidupan seharian dari peralatan makanan sehingga komponen peralatan elektrik dan kenderaan.
Presiden Gabungan Persatuan - persatuan Pengguna Malaysia (FOMCA), Datuk Dr Marimuthu Nadason berkata, berdasarkan laporan World Wildlife Fund (WWF) pada tahun 2020, anggaran nilai penggunaan bungkusan plastik makanan di Malaysia berjumlah 148,000 tan metrik.
“Malaysia juga merupakan pengimport utama sampah plastik iaitu kira-kira 870,000 tan metrik pada tahun 2018,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan pada Isnin sempena sambutan Hari Hak-hak Pengguna Sedunia (WCRD) disambut pada 15 Mac setiap tahun.
Beliau berkata, satu kajian menganggarkan bahawa Malaysia telah menghasilkan 0.94 juta tan sisa plastik yang tidak terurus.
“Daripada jumlah tersebut, 0.14 hingga 0.37 juta tan mungkin telah masuk ke lautan.
“Keupayaan negara untuk mengatasi masalah sampah plastik telah melebihi tahap kemampuan. Hanya sembilan peratus sampah plastik yang dihasilkan dunia telah dikitar semula. Sebilangan besar sampah plastik tersebut berakhir di tapak pelupusan sampah, longkang atau persekitaran,” katanya.
Beliau yang juga Presiden Consumers International berkata, kerajaan telah mengambil beberapa tindakan untuk mengurangkan penggunaan beg plastik termasuk mengenakan caj bagi beg plastik yang dijual di pasar raya dan kedai serbaneka.
Beware the debt trap, young ones
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March 15, 2021 @ 12:03pm
LETTERS: I refer to Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz statement recently that 40 per cent of millennials spend beyond their means.
In another worrying development, according to Bank Negara Malaysia, 47 per cent of Malaysian youths have high credit card debts.
These figures are alarming and probably unprecedented in the history of our nation. It is a stark reflection of the lack of financial prudence on the part of the millennials.
Lavishing spending and high living have resulted in thousands of them, on the threshold of adulthood, already being burdened with mounting debts, unable to service their personal loans whether housing, car, credit card and many other financial commitments.
Debt is something like quick sand in that it has the tendency to draw its victim deeper and deeper. Financial prudence is not an inborn trait but a self discipline that has to be acquired.
It is a dereliction of duty if parents do not educate their children on the importance of living within their means besides nurturing the saving habit.
How a man uses money, makes it, saves it, and spends it is perhaps one of the best tests of practical wisdom. Financial institutions are also partly to blame for this deplorable state of affairs.
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