KUCHING, Jan 20 (Borneo Post) --- Authorities on science do not consider the strange sounds in the sky over Kota Samarahan near hear as a laughing matter.

They neither denied it as paranormal nor a hoax. Though explanation over the ‘phenomenon’ is still pending, some people have turned the matter into points for jokes, especially on Facebook.

By Melati Mohd Ariff

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) --- It is extremely hot these days, with the afternoon temperature hitting a high of 37 degrees Celsius, but many city folks just shrug their shoulders and move on with their lives.

To them, the scorching heat is better than the heavy downpour that has left them with the anxiety of dealing with flash floods.

Flash floods and the ensuing massive traffic congestion: Many city folks are left pondering this scenario each time the sky darkens.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Businesses must address public expectation and ensure that their efforts to reduce environmental impact in their business processes are realised without sacrificing product's quality or function, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.

He added that businesses must recognise the fact that the expectation of the public had increased, especially now that the public has become more environmentally aware and informed.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- The World Wide Fund for Nature-Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia) has welcomed the proposed introduction of "environmental courts" in the country.

It expressed hope that the initiative would play a key role towards establishing frameworks that effectively institutionalise the capacity and role of the judiciary in the application of environmental law and policy that ultimately support sustainable development.

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysian courts should play an important role pertaining to environmental cases, says former chief justice Tun Zaki Azmi.

Expressing support for the move by Chief Justice Tan Sri Arifin Zakaria to emphasise on environmental cases, the outgoing former judge who retired last September said:

"The judiciary can learn about the effects of environmental crime and start imposing higher punishment for offenders breaching the law.

MUKAH, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- There is no need for now for another body or agency to be set up to monitor the environment in the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) areas.

RECODA chief executive officer Datuk Amar Wilson Baya Dandot said both the state Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) and the Department of Environment (DOE) were suffice for the job.

KUCHING, Jan 4 (Borneo Post) --- The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) has deployed a team of its officers to Sungai Ensabang to investigate reports of illegal sand extraction by a company in the area, following a report by this newspaper yesterday.

Controller Peter Sawal said the investigation would determine whether the activity is illegal or otherwise, and to collect water samples.