Compiled by MANJIT KAUR, C. ARUNO and R. ARAVINTHAN

       SONGSTRESS Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza (pic) and her husband have gone down to the ground to provide aid to flood victims around Shah Alam, reported Harian Metro.

       A teary-eyed Siti, who shared a video on her Instagram, admitted that her heart was pounding, as she had to wade through floods to carry out her mission to help affected residents.

       Together with her husband Datuk Seri Khalid Mohamad Jiwa, Siti said they were dumbfounded when they saw the flood situation.

       “Ya Allah I can’t say. I pray that the almighty Allah protects the victims of the floods,” she said.

       In her post, she shared her presence at one halal wholesaler outlet to buy necessities for the affected flood victims.

       “We are trying our best to help those affected by the floods. I see many concerned individuals and parties try to help wherever possible.

       “We are all trying to help the victims, and I pray that Allah makes the situation easier for them,” she added.

       > Kemeling plants or water hyacinth growing at a reservoir in Sungai Petani, Kedah, are not grown for beautification purposes, but to absorb bad odour, Sinar Harian reported.

       The purple flowers from the plant offer a breath-taking background, and has become a popular location for people wanting to take photographs.

       Councillor Dr Mohd Ali Sulaiman from the Sungai Petani Municipal Council said the species easily reproduces with the roots naturally absorbing pollutants, and thus reducing the bad odour emitting from the pond at Taman Ria Jaya.

       “After receiving numerous complaints about the foul smell due to water flowing from drains into the pond, the council decided to grow the plants about three months ago.

       “This plant multiplies so quickly that in no time the entire surface of the pond was filled with purple flowers,” he added.

       However, Mohd Ali said the pond is not gazetted as a recreational area, and the authorities have placed warning signs to prevent any untoward incidences from occurring.

       “For now we are not allowing visitors there, and if there are still people visiting the place to get a closer look, it is at their own risk,” he added.

       The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.