Overhead bridge under construction collapses, two dead, three seriously injured
Two women died while three more were severely injured after the van they were travelling in was crushed by an overhead bridge structure which collapsed in an incident at Desa Tun Razak yesterday. Kuala Lumpur Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department head ACP Zulkefly Yahya said in the incident at 5.58 pm the van was passing through Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) and two victims were killed at the scene. He said the five victims aged between 30 and 45 were locals. He said police had earlier received a report that a trailer hit the iron scaffolding of the Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Expressway (SUKE). Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department director, Nordin Pauzi said the fire department took more than three hours to extricate the victims including deploying a crane. He said firefighters have to be cautious as a second collapse may occur. The incident also caused the road to be closed which resulted in a two-kilometre long traffic jam. (Bernama)
Three states, KL to be ‘upgraded’ to CMCO; inter-district travel now allowed
The government has decided to lift the Movement Control Order (MCO) and place Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Penang under Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), starting from March 5. Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri announced this today, adding that Negri Sembilan, Kelantan, Perak, Kedah and Sarawak would remain under CMCO. Other states Melaka, Pahang, Terengganu, Sabah, Putrajaya and Labuan, which currently under CMCO, will be placed under the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO). Both phases of the CMCO and RMCO in the relevant states will begin from March 5 to 18. Ismail Sabri also announced that inter-district travel would be permitted from March 5, except for Sabah, while inter-state travel is still not allowed for all states. (NST Online)
Malaysia’s Safe Travel Portal welcomes business travellers
The government is welcoming business travellers with the launch of Malaysia’s Safe Travel portal which is designed to facilitate the entry of business travellers into the country. The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) said the portal, which is fully operational effective today, contains information and advisory services for both short- and long-term business travellers. Short-term business travellers who intend to stay in the country for 14 days or less, may be considered for exemption from mandatory quarantine, subject to the approval of the One Stop Centre (OSC) Committee and adherence to strict SOPs. Meanwhile, for long-term business travellers with valid passes and intend to stay in the country for more than 14 days, they will be subject to mandatory quarantine as per the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) guidelines. Both short- and long-term business travellers may apply for entry permission through https://safetravel.mida.gov.my. (The Sun Daily)
China’s Nine Dragons Paper to invest RM5.4bil in Malaysia paper mill, factory
China’s Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Ltd will invest up to RM5.40bil, involving the acquisition of a mill, and a factory to focus on paper products in Malaysia, endorsing the country’s attractive investment environment and business friendly policies. The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the Hong Kong-listed Nine Dragons said in a joint statement on Tuesday the first manufacturing plant – ND Paper (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. in Bentong, Pahang – involves acquiring an existing pulp and paper mill with total investment value of RM1.2bil. The second plant, ND Paper Malaysia (Selangor) Sdn Bhd in Banting, Selangor will have an investment value of RM4.2bil. It will focus on test liner, kraft liner, corrugated medium paper, paper and pulp, and the project is expected to be in operation by 2022. Both factories will be fully automated and equipped with Industry 4.0 technology such as system integration, Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytic and cloud computing from Europe and China. “These projects will create a total of 2,180 job opportunities of which, nearly 90% will be Malaysians,” the statement said. (The Star Online)
MOSTI begins vaccine tracing project using blockchain tech
The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (MOSTI) and MIMOS Bhd, with the assistance of the Health Ministry, have begun a vaccine tracing project utilising blockchain technology at the proof-of-concept stage. Deputy Minister Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim said vaccine tracing can be used not only for the Covid-19 vaccine, but also for other vaccines or medication in Malaysia. “It will begin today with a series for each medication, with tracing done from the manufacturer until the supply chain and to the doctor who dispenses the medication and the individual who receives it. This system can then be used to prepare a Digital Health Certificate that meets international standards, for instance, a CommonPass that is supported by the World Economic Forum and the Rockefeller Foundation, till it facilitates travel and cross-border movements,” he said. He added that one of the applications of blockchain technology is to trace the movement of medication, which is estimated to be worth around US$500 million (RM2.044 billion) by 2022. Ahmad Amzad said technology like blockchain can also be used in various fields, from agriculture to fisheries, health to education and various other fields that could spur the country’s socio-economic level. (Bernama)
