Compiled by C. ARUNO, IYLIA MARSYA ISKANDAR and R. ARAVINTHAN
TENTS were sent flying while Ramadan bazaar visitors had to make a run for it after strong winds hit Pekan Pendang, Kedah, on Monday, Harian Metro reported.
Ahmad Rizal Hakimi, 36, who was buying food, said he had to run to a nearby building for cover.
He said food sellers tried to save their food and drinks by holding down their tents to prevent them from being blown away.
“The incident, which lasted for 10 to 15 minutes, happened around 4.30pm. It affected around 10 stalls.
“Some traders managed to save their food from getting spoilt, but some were unlucky and had to throw them away because rain had gotten in.
“It was sad to see the traders have to pack up after the rain as the stalls at the Ramadan bazaar only opened around 3.30pm,” he added.
A bottled water trader who only wanted to be known as Khusairi, 35, said he tried to save his wares when the strong winds hit, but his efforts were in vain.
> Penang City Council (MBPP) cleaning staff took five hours to clear rubbish – such as plastic bottles and food wrappers – from a beach at Batu Feringghi on Monday, Berita Harian reported.
In a statement, MBPP said the clean-up involved 10 workers who swept and collected rubbish to make the area spick and span.
“This uncontrollable amount of garbage is believed to have been caused by visitors who partied at the beach.
“Many irresponsible visitors deliberately pollute the beach and throw plastic bottles and food wrappers everywhere,” it said.
Following this, MBPP said it hoped that the incident would not happen again and urged visitors to keep the environment clean, otherwise, MBPP would not hesitate to take punitive measures.
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.