Over the last week or so, Segamat has slowly been enveloped by haze. This morning, the haze is clearly visible and you can smell it. I've heard a number of people complaining of respiratory problems such as coughing, allergies, sore eyes, sneezing and itchy throats.

In 2006, Malaysia experienced the worst haze with smoke coming over from the Kalimantan peat fires. Peat fires produce great amounts of smoke, burn a long time and are difficult to extinguish. The fires burn for months and release gases that produce sulfuric acid. It's no wonder people are starting to cough and sneeze.

This year there has been very little rain over the last few months, creating ideal conditions for peat fires to burn. The department of Environment has monitoring stations around the country. The stations closest to Segamat are situated in Muar, Johor and Kuantan, Pahang. The reading taken this morning at 7am was 60 (Moderately unhealthy) for Muar but 141 for Kuantan which is Unhealthy.

JOHOR BARU: There will be a water disruption today in areas around Muar, Segamat and Desaru.

Syarikat Air Johor Holdings Sdn Bhd corporate communications chief Jamaluddin Jamil said the disruption in Muar and Desaru is expected to last for 20 hours for the replacement of water pipes from 6am and 10am in the towns respectively. He said the disruption in Segamat was expected to last five hours from 7am for maintenance work on the Jementah water treatment plant.

The places involved in Segamat include New Village Kebun Baru, Kg Teratai, Taman Jementah Baru, Taman Intan, Taman Damai, Taman Pelangi, Kg Ulu Jementah, Kg India Jementah, Nirwana Memorial Park, Felcra Kebun Baru, PLKN Jementah, and Jalan Bukit Kepong.

From NST Online
2010/03/07

SEGAMAT: Two youths drowned as they were helping a friend from being swept away by strong current at Sungai Redong here about 6pm yesterday. Muhamad Afif Akram Mohamad Said and Mohamad Taufik Simail, both 18, had jumped into the river to help a friend, Mohd Faiz Kamarulzaman, who was struggling while taking a dip in the river. Faiz, 18, survived by swimming towards the riverbank.

From Star Online
By LOURDES CHARLES and NELSON BENJAMIN

JOHOR BARU: Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar wants politicians and the Johor civil service to buck up and serve the people, failing which they will be booted out.

The Johor ruler stressed that this was not a “Santa Claus” government and wanted everybody in the state administration to work hard and produce results. “They must buck up and if they cannot, then they must get out. I am fair to everyone (Opposition or ruling government). “Even to the present government, I tell them to buck up and shape up,” he said, adding that he had not wanted to voice out previously out of respect for his late father.

2010/02/17
From JohorBuzz

ABOUT 650 primary school students from needy families in Segamat received new school bags, notebooks and school uniforms recently.

MP Segamat and Human Resource Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam hoped the aid would alleviate the burden borne by the students' families in providing school necessities. Also present was Jementah state assemblyman Dr Lee Hong Tee.

From StarOnline

JOHOR BARU: There will be no more hunting in the state, Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almar hum Sultan Iskandar decreed.

He said the ban was necessary to protect the wildlife especially protected species from decreasing or going extinct. Sultan Ibrahim said that besides tigers, the ban includes bears, deer, mousedeer, tapir and porcupines. “The poaching of these animals are so cruel. Eating one tiger claw will not make you have tiger strength for months,” he said referring to beliefs that consuming certain animal parts would help boost virility.