PETALING Jaya will “burst at the seams” after 2020 if public transportation still fails to gain popularity among its inhabitants, traffic consultant Goh Bok Yen said. By YIP YOKE TENG and CHRISTINA LOW

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas has come to the defence of the Department of Environment (DoE), saying its Air Pollution Index (API) readings were reliable and that the DoE had nothing to hide.

The air quality in several areas nationwide improved today compared to yesterday with 11 areas recording good Air Pollutant Index (API) while 35 areas were at moderate readings.

Air quality in most areas throughout the country is deteriorating with only six areas recording good Air Pollutant Index (API) readings compared with 13 in the morning.

The government is forging ahead with plans to create a synergised public transport service as part of an ambitious bid to achieve a 70:30 ratio of private to public vehicles by next year, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said.

The government is in the midst of outlining a new mechanism to improve the quality of public transportation in the country through the setting up of a special driving academy for drivers of public transport services, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Liew Vui Kiong said.

The Transport Ministry is taking measures to have 40% of the people use public transportation by 2012. By Beh Yuen Hui and Sylvia Looi

For cities to thrive and stay relevant, it is important to have in place well thought out and clearly defined vision and master planning. And these need to be communicated to the local population to ensure they participate in the process of city building. By Angie Ng, The Real Estate

The Kuala Lumpur traffic gridlock is costing the city millions of ringgit each day and congestion costs are said to be causing the loss of 2% of Malaysia’s GDP (about RM10bil) every year. Obviously, something concrete must be done to resolve this perennial problem of the city. By Bavani M.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), which was observed yesterday, turned out to be quite a memorable event for a number of disabled persons in the Klang Valley. By Anthony Thanasayan

The various authorities in charge of public transport should work together for greater enforcement, said Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat. By Elizabeth Looi

For Perak-born Nuha, the looming hike in bus fare would not deter her from `balik kampung' or journeying home this coming Aidilfitri celebration. By Melati Mohd Ariff

I do not think it is a good idea for the Government to vary the price of petrol to follow the ups and down of world market values (“Dealers decry price float”– Sunday Star, Aug 3).

Finally, we have some good news and some light at the end of the tunnel. By Yamin Vong

The Malaysian government has started a programme to ensure sustainable development and production of palm oil as well as to further reduce environmental hazards and deforestation. By Ali Raza

The controversial RM1.5 billion incinerator project in Broga, Semenyih, Selangor has been finally called off by the government.

2-11 June 2006, Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Ibrahim sheikh. A. K. etal.

Inventory of environmental pollution sources in Malaysia