Water disruption to hit 177 areas in the Klang Valley on Thursday (Oct 31)
A total of 120 areas in Gombak and 57 other areas around Kuala Lumpur involving 119,630 registered customer accounts will experience temporary water supply disruption for 23 hours, beginning Thursday (Oct 31). This is due to emergency maintenance work to replace the sluice valve at the Kepong Estate Water Pool, which is suffering a serious leak. The water supply would be resumed as soon the repair work was completed, and expected to fully recover by 8pm Friday (Nov 1). Those affected are advised to store adequate water supply for use during the disruption, and Air Selangor will also be mobilising water tanks, prioritising premises with critical and urgent requirements. Check the list of affected areas here. (The Star Online)

90% Malaysians willing to emigrate to improve career, work-life balance
About 90% of local respondents would settle and work abroad for better career opportunities and work-life balance, as eight in 10 respondents in Malaysia want to work in a role that allows them to travel. Having an overseas exposure is important to workers as they can gain different perspectives, learn new skills from their global counterparts and build a global network of connections. According to the Randstad Workmonitor’s 2019 Q3 results, having the opportunity to work in another country is an important factor for employees. About 85% would move for a substantially higher salary and 71% will do so if it means that they can keep their jobs with their current employers. Countries near home, such as Australia, Singapore and Japan are voted as the top three choices for locally-based respondents to work in. However, these sentiments also mean that companies need to improve their employee attraction and engagement initiatives to avoid a possible ‘brain drain’, as Malaysia will need local talent to sustain its long-term economic growth. (The Sun Daily)

(Source: The Sun Daily)

KPFB to build mixed development project with RM2b GDV
Koperasi Peserta-Peserta FELCRA Malaysia Bhd (KPFB) had signed an agreement with Palladium Builders Sdn Bhd to build Mutiara KPFB Coop Residensi, a mix development project in Rawang that has a GDV of RM2 billion. KPFB chairman Datuk Sabari Misran said through the development of Mutiara KPFB Coop Residensi, the cooperative body hopes to address the issue of housing affordability among its members. The project will consist 4,000 affordable apartment units, priced not more than RM500,000, with commercial element and basic amenities. It will be built on a 42 acre land owned by KPFB’s subsidiary, Mutiara KPFB Sdn Bhd. The project is expected to start construction in February 2020 and to be completed within three to four years. (NST Online)

(Photo from The Star)

Bye-bye, paper parking coupons in Penang
No more paper-based coupons will be sold from Dec 31 and any stock left will be valid only until Dec 31 next year. This was the reminder issued by city councillor Gooi Seong Kin. “All Penang motorists and visitors who drive must download the Penang Smart Parking (PSP) app and start using it. For those who are unwilling or unable to make online transactions to top up credits into the app, the council has appointed five official agents to sell PSP e-coupons.” They can be purchased from 7Eleven, Happy Mart, Yang Agency, PH Ocean and Jefferson. It was earlier reported that Penang was the first state to fully implement smart parking via an app. By August 2020, all 36,000 public parking spaces in Penang will have sensors embedded into the road surface that will tell app users if any of the lots near them are vacant. (The Star Online)

Smokers lose bid to overturn smoking ban
The High Court today upheld the smoking ban in all eateries imposed by the Health Ministry early this year, saying the ban did not breach the people’s rights to liberty and equality. Judge Datuk Seri Mariana Yahya said the respondent (Health Ministry) had taken into account public interest factors in enforcing the ban to protect both public including infants, from the danger of smoke from cigarettes. She said the ministry was rational in setting the three-metre distance from any table or chair which is placed for the purpose of preparing, serving or selling food in eateries for smokers to light up. On Feb 29, seven people filed a judicial review application, claiming that smokers have equal rights as non-smokers when visiting eateries and spend as much time they want there. (NST Online)