www.ipohecho.com.my FREE COPY echoechoYour Community Newspaper issue 81 September 1-15, 2009 PP 14252/10/2009(022651) IN H1N1 Dengue NEWS NEW NEW PERAK 27 Aug 09 Jan-Aug 09 Cases 376 2,316 TRAIPSING Deaths 16 1 1 THROUGH kampung 3 - as i see it 8 11 TOWN tales RAMADAN BAZAARS

BY IPOH ECHO TEAM Ramadan is here, the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and indulging in anything that is in excess or ill-natured. From dawn until dusk, the streets and eating places are more quiet than usual. From 4.30 p.m. onwards the activity begins to pick up in various locations dotted around Ipoh as the Ramadan hawkers begin to set up their stalls in preparation for the Buka Puasa rush. continued on page 2 2 IPOH ECHO SEPTEMBER 1-15, 2009 Your Community Newspaper

Food Vendors Do Brisk Business – Better Earnings in a Month Than in Whole Year

s workers stream out this location and trades in clude nasi ayam/briyani/ carrot, nasi daging kebab Afrom their respective the evening. ulam, laksa, fried & soup ayam; cakoi madu (‘yau offices, having worked a noodles, mee rebus, pop- char kwai’) at RM1 for 3 full day on empty stom- Tasek iah, murtabak, sata (fish pieces; kuih muih at RM1 achs, the prospect of cook- Located on the Tasek main with coconut), otak-otak for 3 pieces; mini akok ing a meal at home appears road (Jalan Sultan Azlan (Johor style), soto, popi- Kelantan (a type of cake daunting and what better Shah) in front of Medan ah, porridge, yong taufu, with banana filling) at option than to head for the Selera Tasek, this pasar pasembor. Ikan panggang RM2 for 7; burger goreng Ramadan bazaars where Ramadan has more stalls. (barbecued fish) and ayam ; murtabak ayam & daging tempting fare awaits. Ipoh Here the murtabak is big- panggang (barbecued at RM2.50; Laksa Kuala & Echo sent its team out to ger and the usual mixture chicken) are very popular. Laksa Penang; acar buah seek out and sample what of fare is available. Most One stall sells pizza, pas- and ayam bakar is on offer and to speak stalls have been trading tries and pau, run by Chef En Rosdi who sells with the vendors. here regularly for many Faizal, who gives cooking Ayam Bakar only does so years and they appear well lessons, and another stall during Ramadan. At other Kampar patronized. sells colourfully decorated Azman Onn buying his times he is self-employed Firdaus Mohd Amin 28, erates at pasar malams ‘Ana Rock Barbeque cupcakes made by Liana buka puasa dinner while En Zailaini who sells all over southern Perak. has a degree in computer chicken’ does a catering who’s a housewife. Garden, Laksamana Cheng Kebab Ayam/Daging also Azhar sells murtabak and science from University business 11 months of the Drinks here include Ho, and Rojak Greentown, sells other days at Pasar is a regular at the Kampar Technology MARA but year, operating from the air tebu (sugarcane), cen- to name a few. Zabidin Malam. Ipoh Echo recom- pasar Ramadan. “Sales finds selling ayam pang- Klebang area. During the dol, kelapa, limau asam Amir runs a restaurant in mendations: kebab ayam, is brisk and seems bet- gang (barbequed chicken) fasting month he sets up masin (lime with preserved Ipoh Garden behind Hong murtabak, 4 types of kuih ter this year,” he claimed. more profitable. Firdaus his stall at Tasek, some- plum), jambu assam, coco- Leong Bank. Each year he muih (Malay cakes). “Demand for my murtabak is one of the many itiner- thing he’s been doing for nut water; desserts include rents a stall at the stadium soars from 500 pieces a ant traders at the pasar several years. A family fruit cocktail jellies, pud- and his daily turnover is Medan Gopeng day last year to 700 pieces Ramadan in Kampar. He business, the chickens are dings and there is even above RM2,000. Some are Located near the Megoplex this time around.” Azhar’s operates from a stall on an barbecued on site, assisted dodol at one stall. first-timers, like the stall Shopping Centre at Jalan murtabak retails at RM2 a allotted lot rented out by by all his relatives. As re- Ipoh Echo’s recom- selling barbecued fish, Gopeng, this Ramadan piece, cheaper than murta- the Kampar Town Council. gards earnings they were mendations here are the beef and lamb. Ipoh Echo bazaar has the usual selec- bak sold at other pasar Firdaus’s father started the unwilling to be specific but lemang (glutinous rice recommendations here are tion of Ramadan food on Ramadan in other parts of ayam panggang business they did say that they made the nasi ulam with fried offer, spread over 70 stalls. Ipoh. On a good day Azhar a decade ago at the town’s enough “to cover cost and lung (paru-paru) and the Of note is the ikan sumbat, can make over RM1,000, pasar malam (night ba- have a good Raya”. They caramel custard. fish stuffed with a mixture an indication of the popu- zaar) and has never looked sell 120 birds per day. By Ipoh Echo spoke of grated coconut and spic- larity of his murtabak. “I back. The ayam panggang Ipoh Echo’s calculations, to some customers like es, roasted to perfection. have been Azhar’s regular Firdaus sells comes in dif- at RM15 per bird that’s Azman Onn from Ipoh Its aroma permeates the since the day he started ferent forms – ayam per- RM1,800 per day and the Garden East who buys his air from a distance. The his business,” said Puan cik, ayam goreng tepong/ turnover is RM54,000 for food at the stadium regu- murtabak here is tasty and Zaharah, a housewife, to Rempah and ayam madu. the season. A very good larly because there is a the lemang is wonderful Ipoh Echo. “I am hooked A whole chicken sells at Raya indeed. wide variety and most im- with rendang. worth try- on Azhar‘s murtabak”, she RM14 each while chicken ‘Kakchik Ayam stuffed in bamboo and portantly ample parking. ing too is the ayam golek, declared. parts range in price bet- Perchik’ grilled chicken slow roasted over open Madam Choong Yut Sum chicken with honey and ween RM 2 to RM3 a too has been trading in fire) with rendang tok or from Ipoh Garden near the the ayam percik, sweet and Bercham piece.. “I set aside 200 birds this area for six years. serunding ayam/ikan. Novena Church buys kuih spicy and redolent with the Located along Bercham daily for my business”, The other 11 months they muih and cendol from the fragrance of turmeric. main road in front of the said Firdaus to Ipoh Echo. trade at pasar malams be- Stadium stadium stall. She patron- All in all Ramadan ba- Mobil Petrol Station, the If he sells all 200 chickens, tween Kuala Kangsar and The Stadium has more than izes the stalls twice a week zaars are enjoyed by both Bercham pasar Ramadan that adds up to RM2,800 a Taiping. During the fasting a hundred stalls lined up in during Ramadan. “There Muslims and non Muslims is a small bazaar with 10 day in gross revenue. Even month they have 3 stalls 6 rows at the front portion is a nice variety of Malay alike. Some stalls garner a stalls in all. The fare is accounting for food costs in Ipoh located at Tasek, of the car park. The food food and its all in one loyal following and some all round from soup and and rental for the stall, Stadium and Greentown. sold are somewhat simi- place.” Hirwan Hambal of these recipes are family snacks to takeaway meals. Ipoh Echo reckons that he Fadillah Arshad looks after lar to those at Silibin but from Tambun buys at the recipes handed down over Ipoh Echo sampled an makes between RM40,000 Tasek while her husband there are also stalls sell- stadium because there is generations, only to be sa- ikan bakar (grilled fish) to RM50,000 during operates at the Stadium ing pecal, kebabs, burgers ample parking. He also voured during this period. and snacks of mini murta- the month of Ramadan. and another relation at & Lebanese bread, pau & likes the stalls at Medan Licence fees for the stalls bak and fried popiah. The Although Firdaus does not Greentown. dim sum, roti jala, putu Gopeng and Cempaka but are reasonable ranging grilled fish was tasty with a admit to such a figure, he piring/buluh, bubur lam- seldom goes because it is from RM300 for a covered zingy sambal and the mini does confess, “This is defi- Silibin bok, mini murtabak, satay, difficult to park there. one with canopy to RM150 murtabak ‘OK’. nitely better than selling White canopies neatly line apam balik, fried chicken for one without, for the Encik Aman Shah computers”. the service road in front of with fries, tortillas, dates Greentown whole period. Enterprising who sells the mini murta- Azhar Saronoh 32, the shops on Jalan Jelapang and taufu fah. The Ramadan bazaar stall keepers can look for- bak with his family sells better known as “Atan Silibin, which has about 50 Several well-known at UDA Ocean outside ward to a captive audience ‘nasi lemak’ in the morn- Murtabak”, has been in stalls; a third of which sell restaurants and food out- Greentown Mall, has more and some can earn in this ings at the Bougainvilla the food business for over drinks, and the rest food lets have opened stalls than 50 stalls. The types one month what others do Club area throughout the 11 years. He is another and desserts. here – Tasek Raban, Sabar of food sold include nasi in a whole year. Definitely year. During the fasting itinerant trader who op- The food stalls in- Menanti, Allongs of Ipoh tomato, nasi ayam, nasi a worthwhile effort. month he rents a stall at Your Community Newspaper IPOH ECHO SEPTEMBER 1-15, 2009 3

www.ipohecho.com.my IPOH From the Editor’s Desk Fathol Zaman Bukhari echoYour Community Newspaper

1 MALAYSIA – AS I SEE IT Fostering good racial relationship takes time. You can’t bond by simply holding hands

and singing Negara-Ku together or attending boot camp for three months . . . Tokoh Merdeka speak during the month of to speak. I had jotted my Chinese School (later re- make the army a career. You don’t join the army“ It is not often that one gets August in conjunction with talking points on a piece named Methodist School). Unfortunately, only two of just for the heck of it. invited to address a gath- Hari Merdeka which falls of paper and was ready to The Malayan Emer- us enlisted. I was commis- ering or speak at a public on August 31 each year. deliver. But the sight of gency was still at its sioned into the Rangers. My Message forum. So when a teacher Former students were the the poor students cringing height. Voiced aircraft As an officer in an infan- My simple message to the friend asked me to be the choice but this time around under the merciless sun flew frequently in the sky try battalion I had my fair students of SMI that after- guest speaker at his school it was different – a depar- pricked my conscience. with loudspeakers blaring share of jungle operations noon was to understand assembly, I was elated ture from the norm. I was “Can they concentrate?” I imploring the terrorists both in and the the meaning of independ- albeit, a little nervous. neither an ex-student nor asked myself. Henceforth, to lay down their arms. Thai border. In a racial- ence and freedom. The two Nervous because I had was my school anywhere I decided to do away with Occasionally, leaflets, ly mixed outfit like the are inter-related. Tolerance never before stood in front near Ipoh. When I asked the notes and spoke off the meant for the terrorists, Rangers, we bonded eas- was the other factor they of a school assembly to why the sudden change of cuff. were dropped but we would ily with Malays, Chinese, should cherish. I told them speak. The last time I stood heart? Peter replied that be- collect and keep them as Indians, Kadazans, to jealously guard the free- before one was in 1964 ing a former military man Lessons From My Past souvenirs instead. Being Muruts, Ibans, Bidayus dom they enjoy and not when I was still a student. I fitted the bill. It seemed And this was what I told children there were no etc. No one felt excluded. allow others to ride rough- The occasion, however, incredulous how the deci- the 200-odd students and barriers, real or imagined, We were colour-blind liter- shod over them. had nothing to do with my sion was reached. Should I staff of SMI that Saturday dividing us. Regardless of ally, a true reflection of the The 1Malaysia I per- oratory skills but to receive question Peter’s wisdom? afternoon in August. races and beliefs we were 1Malaysia concept so vig- ceive, based on my youth- a sporting award from my He had his reasons. Why I was born in a small one. Our youthful exuber- orously pursued by Prime ful experience in Parit principal, the venerated Mr rock the boat? I consider kampong“ a few miles away ance was played out in the Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Buntar and in the Rangers, P Subaramaniam. it an honour, one that is from Parit Buntar, the ad- open for all to see. Tun Razak, presently. is so much different from Yes, I had chaired seldom accorded to old ministrative capital of One source of enter- Maintaining peace the one portrayed on tel- meetings, sat on forum soldiers like me. Old sol- Krian District in northern tainment which we looked and security in a newly evision and in songs and panels and spoke on raised diers? “Old soldiers never Perak with its expansive forward to was the mili- independent nation like jingles. The official ver- platforms but the subject die they just fade away,” rice fields. The village’s tary band display at the Malaysia came with a sion seems so pretentious, matter had always been on said Gen MacArthur. But population consisted main- town padang. It was a joy price. Some paid dearly superficial and in poor making Ipoh a more livea- I am not about to slip into ly of Malays who eked out to watch the soldiers, in – killed or maimed while taste. You cannot cre- ble city, one that would rival obscurity for some senti- a living toiling on their an- starched khaki uniform, keeping the enemy at bay. ate 1Malaysia by simply and Melbourne mental reasons. cestral lands. The Chinese marching in unison while I lost several of my men holding hands and sing- in stature. But to enlighten I reached the gates of lived in the towns and the playing on their oversized and friends. We mourned ing Negara-Ku together school children and instill SMI at the appointed time Indians in the rubber plan- musical instruments. This their untimely demise but or attending boot camp for in them adoring values on Saturday, August 15, tations. Before the advent was what prompted me to that was to be expected. three months! is definitely not my plate 2009. There to greet me of modern farming meth- of mee goreng. So it was was Peter and his school ods, paddy planting was an with much trepidation that kompang group. The in- annual affair done manu- I accepted the invitation cessant beating of the kom- ally during the rainy sea- although I had cherished pang did much to lift my son. Once the fields were thoughts of declining, cit- spirits. As we walked to- harvested they were left ing a mounting workload wards the basketball court to idle and we would play as an excuse. But, like eve- to where the students were football on the sun-baked rything else, it was difficult gathered, I could barely ground. Life was tough to refuse a good offer, es- hide my excitement. The but we survived in spite pecially when expectations rousing welcome was like of the many shortcomings. were riding high. a homecoming party for a We got along fine with the Peter Khiew, the acting prodigious son, of which I Chinese and were never supervisor of the evening am not. envious of their prosper- section of St Michael It was late in the af- ity. After all, they worked Institution, Ipoh (SMI), had ternoon and the sun was hard for it, we reasoned. me on his radar screen for bearing heavily on us. I My father had always in- awhile already. I was iden- could feel the students’ sisted that a good educa- tified as the school’sTokoh discomfort, as the heat was tion would take us places. Merdeka for 2009. It is unbearable. After a brief He enrolled his sons at customary of SMI to invite introduction by Peter, I the only mission school a renowned personality to was invited to the podium in Parit Buntar – Anglo- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT Calling All Young Professionals he Rotary International District 3300 Malaysia invites young profession- Tals between 25-40 years of age to apply as team members for a Group Study Exchange (GSE) programme to Switzerland from 9th May - 12th June 2010. The (GSE) programme is a unique cultural and vocational exchange op- portunity for young business and professional men and women to develop professional and leadership skills. GSE participants follow an extensive and rigorous programme of international travel and team activities which includes vocational visits, cultural experience and fellowship opportunities. The Rotary Foundation pays for a return flight to Switzerland and while in Switzerland the team will be hosted by local Rotary Clubs and host families. For more details on the objectives, qualification and responsibilities please call: Hj Mohd Odzman b Abdul Kadir (Chairman), Tel: 012-5186070, E-mail: [email protected]. Closing Date for Applications: 30th September 2009. 4 IPOH ECHO SEPTEMBER 1-15, 2009 Your Community Newspaper

by G. SIVAPRAGASAM PUBLISHER THINKING ALOUD Ipoh Echo Sdn Bhd (Regd No 687483 T) THREE CUPS OF TEA

No 1 Jalan Lasam Can We Learn From the greed of the local elite against someone who can bank where a 200-year-old 30450 Ipoh Perak Darul This Man? and opposition from local shoot at you once and then church had stood... and Ridzuan I have decided to devote religious leaders. run off and hide while you the fact that life seemed to Tel: (605) 249 5936 my column in this issue He surmounts these have to remain eternally on get, harder and faster with Fax: (605) 255 2181 to review ‘Three Cups of problems and eventually guard. You have to attack each day. I do not anymore. Email: james@ipohecho. Tea’ a book which is not completes the school. the source of your enemy’s In Ladakh I have learned com.my only a best seller but in my During the process other strength. In America’s that there is more than one EDITORIAL opinion delivers a very im- villages approach him case, that’s not Osama or path into the future and Fathol Zaman Bukhari portant message. to build schools in their Saddam or anyone else. I have had the privilege G. Sivapragasam This is a must read place. Realising that the The enemy is ignorance. to witness another, saner, Wern Sze Gill book for all Malaysians need is everywhere in the The only way to defeat it is way of life – a pattern of and I mean everyone. We region he sees no greater to build relationships with existence based on the co- REPORTER as a rule take all things we purpose for his life than to these people, to draw them evolution between human James Gough have for granted forgetting make this his life mission. into the modern world with beings and the earth. GRAPHIC DESIGN/ how fortunate we really He has since built close education and business. Western development PHOTOGRAPHY are to have them. A book to two hundred schools in Otherwise the fight will go workers should not only Rosli Mansor Ahd Razali such as this opens to us a and around the region. feet of pipe Mortenson on forever.” blindly impose modern window to the desperate “I was just overwhelmed ‘improvements’ on ancient MARKETING & provided, fresh spring lives people lead in Extraordinary Insights water flowed to public taps listening to Uzra’s story, cultures, but industrialized DISTRIBUTION several parts of the world. The book is not only about Mortenson says.” Here countries had lessons to MANAGER in the five villages. Ramesh Kumar It cautions us against the struggle of a man en- Finley filed a story was this strong, proud learn from people like abusing our affluence gaged in an undertaking about the visit, describing woman trying to do the Ladakh about building PERMISSION AND RE- and forces us to reassess that requires almost super- the work Mortenson was impossible. Her school’s sustainable societies. “I PRINTS the values we hold. It is human effort but delivers doing and quoting him boundary wall had been have seen that community Materials in Ipoh Echo may also a confirmation that an extraordinary insight blown to rubble. The roof and a close relationship not be reproduced about the coming war. one person can make a into the harsh lives led by Mortenson urged Finley’s had fallen in. Still, she was with the land can enrich in any form without the difference. written permission of the the people of this region readers not to lump all coming to work every day human life beyond all publisher and their amazing resil- Muslims together. The and putting the place back comparison with material He Made a Difference ience in the face of such Afghan children flocking together because she was wealth or technological PRINTER The book is the story of a overwhelming adversity. to refugee camps with passionate about educa- sophistication. I have Konway Industries Sdn man who, with absolutely The book is also an educa- their families were tion being the only way to learned that another way Bhd no resources, consumed tion on the social, cultural, solve Afghanistan’s prob- is possible.” Plot 78, Lebuhraya victims, deserving our with a passion to make religious and political sympathy. “These aren’t lems. Can we, in our push Kampong Jawa a difference, did exactly 11900 Bayan Baru, fabric that envelope these the terrorists. These aren’t In the course of his for progress honour the Pulau Pinang that by devoting his life to people at their private and the bad people. Blaming work Mortenson learns old while embracing the Tel: (604) 644 7507 change the future of chil- personal level. all Muslims for the horror the truth of the words new? dren in one of the remot- The significant mes- of 9/11 is causing innocent of Norberg-Hodge “I USEFUL CONTACTS est locations on earth. He sage contained in this book people to panic. The used to assume that the To Advertise !! has been doing this quietly is no more explicitly bared only way we can defeat direction of ‘progress’ CALL without fanfare and pub- than by the following pas- terrorism is if people in this was somehow inevitable Ibu Pejabat licity, building schools to sages: country where terrorists not to be questioned. I Ramesh Kumar Polis Daerah (IPD) serve impoverished chil- exist learn to respect passively accepted a new 016 5531092 05 2451 500 dren in the northern most Importance of and love Americans and road through the middle of 999 (emergency) regions of Pakistan and Relationships if we can respect and the park, a steel-and-glass Ipoh General Hospital Afghanistan. “That day, Haji Ali taught love these people here. 05-253 3333 Mortenson, forced to me the most important What’s the difference abort his attempt to conquer lesson I’ve ever learned Ipoh Ambulance between them becoming a K2 just metres from its in my life. We Americans productive local citizen or 05-522 2506 summit to rescue an injured think you have to accom- 993 (emergency) a terrorist? I think the key companion, gets lost and plish everything quickly. is education.” Ipoh Fire Brigade ends up in a tiny hamlet We’re the country of thirty- “Osama is not a 05-547 4444/994 perched on the Himalayan minute power lunches and product of Pakistan or (emergency) slopes in north Pakistan. two-minute football drills. Afghanistan. He is a Whilst recovering from his Our leaders thought their creation of America. Perak Immigration Dept ordeal he visits the village ‘shock and awe’ campaign 05-5017100 Thanks to America, Osama school and finds it to be could end the war in Iraq is in every home. As a Perak Water Board nothing more than an open before it even started. Haji 05-254 6161 military man, I know you ground and the children’s Ali taught me to share can never fight and win Ipoh City study kit made up of twigs three cups of tea, to slow Council(Complaints) and the earth. Unable to down and make building 05-253 1515 afford a dollar a day for a relationships as important Perak Anti-Corruption teacher the village shares as building projects. He Agency one with another village. taught me that I had more 05-253 1982 Emotionally moved by the to learn from the people I State Secretariat sight of children sitting work with than I could ever 05-253 1957 quietly doing their work hope to teach them.” without a teacher in sight Syed Abbas, whose Railway Station 05-254 7987 he promises the village influence extended up head that he will return and dozens of wild mountain Airport build a school for them. valleys, had an acute sense 05-312 0848 When he gets home of each community’s needs. Registration Department he finds that it is not an He agreed that education 05-528 8805 easy task to raise funds was the only long-term Tenaga Nasional Berhad for a village school in an tactic to combat poverty. 05-253 2000 Islamic area no one has But he argued that the heard of. After several children of Baltistan faced Lembaga Air Perak failed attempts he gets a more immediate crisis. In 1800-88-7788 a lone supporter, an ex- villages like Chunda more mountaineer who had Directory Service than one child in three climbed in that region. died. One had to water 103 The struggle however a plant before it could be Rakan Cop continues. When he coaxed to grow; children 05-240 1999 returns, he not only had to survive long enough Perak Women for has to contend with the to benefit from the school. Women Society difficulty of acquiring With hundreds of workers 012-521 2480 building materials and digging trenches ten hours 012-505 0547 transporting them over a day they completed 05-5469715 (office) impossible terrain with no the project in one week. infrastructure but confront Through twelve thousand Your Community Newspaper IPOH ECHO SEPTEMBER 1-15, 2009 5

MUSINGS ON FOOD by See Foon Chan-Koppen HAWKER FOOD [email protected] SeeFoon joins in the spirit WAT TAN HOR of Ramadan reader wrote in about our review on Lui Cha A (issue 80). It was pointed out that the transla- tion for ‘Lui’ does not mean ‘thunder’ but ‘to grind’. Although the two words sound the same, they are written differently in Chinese. Mr Wong, we stand corrected – it is ‘ground tea’. This time we will at- tempt to translate Wat Tan Hor as ‘smooth egg rice noodles’. Do feel free to correct us. ne lament I have often Wat Tan Hor is Kuey Tiau (broad rice noodles) fried and seasoned, and smothered The cornucopia of dishes found myself express- as stink bean and has been in thick egg gravy. Ideally, the egg gravy should be thick but not too starchy. The egg O on the ‘buffet’ to choose ing to my friends as I travel found in research to lower gravy usually has: vegetables, prawns, meat, fishcake and of course, beaten egg and from is mind-boggling. around Malaysia is, “where blood sugar in diabetics); the best ones – and this is the sinful part... have oodles of Chu Yau Tsa or fried lardons! There were grilled fish, can I find typical Malay gering (shaped like petai What gets the seal of approval is the accompanying chilli sauce – it is usually Sambal fried fish, fried salted kampong food?” Not the but bigger); pucuk ubi Belacan. Good sambal makes good Wat Tan Hor! type of food served up in fish, grilled chicken, fried (young leaves of sweet the numerous ‘warongs’ or chicken, curried chicken, potato, tapioca and other PRICE restaurants with the sign countless numbers of tubers); daun betik or NAME WHERE COMMENTS (RM) ‘Tom Yam’ emblazoned cooked vegetables, raw papaya leaves (good for across the front, but your vegetables, dips, sauces, tenderizing meat, soothe RESTORAN 61 Jln Yau Tet Has oodles of lardons 5.00 honest to goodness genu- beef in different styles, digestive system, gastric, TUCK KEE Shin, New – tasty & aromatic. ine Malay food, the kind chicken innards, beef in- anti-cancer); jantung pis- 5pm-2.30am Town Sambal is perfect. cooked by the mother of nards, bivalves like cock- ang (banana flower); paku Closed every 2 Noodles finer than the household in typical les, clams, and something rawan; daun selom; ulam weekends others. kampongs, which alas, like one doesn’t see too often, raja a leaf reminiscent of the food, is rapidly becom- Siput Sedut, periwinkles unripe mango (used for KEDAI 25 Jln Leong Individual portions ing extinct! or winkles for short – tiny the cleansing of blood and MAKANAN Sin Nam, New are cooked separately. Thank goodness for snail-like shell fish which to strengthen muscles and SUN SENG Town Need patience. Usually Ramadan bazaars and res- most people find too trou- bones because of its high FATT has a 45-minute taurants like Tasek Raban blesome to eat. calcium content); kacang 8.30pm-1.30am wait. No pork, uses where the tradition of kam- botol (4-angle bean); lady’s groundnut oil. pong cuisine is alive and Winkles: Hard Work fingers (blanched); temu Naturally being the curious well and actually flour- lawak (a type of ginger RESTORAN 174 Jln Raja Dr Prawns are fresh. 4.00 ishing. Located on Jalan food adventurer that I am, that has liver & blood fat MEE CHEW Nazrin Shah (Jln A good portion of Sukan Kompleks opposite I headed straight for these lowering activity); pucuk 11am-2.30pm Gopeng) ingredients. Tasty but a the row of food stalls en- tiny winkles and brought cabang tiga; and pucuk Sundays off bit starchy. No special circling part of the stadium back a whole plate to my paku (fiddlehead fern); and ‘sambal’ only served complex, Tasek Raban table. The next step was to daun pegaga or pennywort with ‘chilli padi’. is the brainchild of Puan figure out how to extract (the leaves are believed to Jamaliah and her husband the meat from the tiny have anti-aging properties CHEE WAH 12 Jln Che Tak, Gravy a bit light. 5.50 (now deceased) who conch shaped shell. My and the whole plant ex- 6.30pm-midnight New Town Noodles acceptable. started it in Lenggong by friends advised me to first pels dampness and helps in Rest days not Taste normal – not much (where else?) Tasek (Lake) suck from the pointed end hepatitis, sore throat, bron- fixed ‘tai chow’ flavour. Chilli Raban. which they had chopped chitis, hypertension). sauce nothing special. off (imagine the work I helped myself to a 10 Years in Ipoh involved in chopping off sampling of each and small Our next food review will be ROAST DUCK The popularity of that the tail end of these tiny bowls of the sambal bela- Email your favourite recommendations to: [email protected] first restaurant led them gastropods no longer than can (pounded dried prawn an inch!), then suck it out to venture further afield paste with lime, chillies were served with air asam a table in advance. Tasek Raban to Ipoh where they have from the other end. I failed mixture), the two types of Jalan Sukan Kompleks miserably in extracting (tamarind sauce) as a dip. Additionally they have a been operating now for sambal kepala (dry fresh Other fish like ikan keli stall at the Ramadan bazaar (next to Red Crescent ten years. Open every day the tiny marine snail and grated coconut ) and the Hall) had to ask for tooth picks, (cat fish) – RM2/ and ikan at the stadium. from 11.00 a.m. till about sambal tempoyak made pari (stingray) – RM5/- Tel: 019-521 5657, 4.30 p.m. the restaurant is whereupon I had better from fermented durian. 017-534 4971 luck. Cooked in a coconut were as tasty and fresh and open air and packed to the Most of my friends at the certainly value for money. gills from 12.30 p.m. on. broth with turmeric, the table, even though they ANNOUNCEMENTS winkles were delicious but The grilled chicken was Sinks with soap line both were Malaysians, wrinkled juicy and Puan Jamailah’s KAMI (Kinta Action on Mental Health Issues sides of the restaurant for hard work for very small their noses at the tempoyak Society Perak) talk entitled, ‘Into The Future – Issues returns. secret sauce that she bast- the obligatory ablution but I tucked in with relish, ed it with, enticing. We & Concerns of the Long-Term Carer’, by Dr Esther for those who will use combining it with the sam- G Ebenezer. Sat. 5th September 2009, 2.30-5.00 p.m. Traditional Ulam also had a selection of the their hands but forks and bal belacan, and the coco- cooked vegetables which Talk is in English. Free. Call Su: 016-546 8003. spoons are also available. I headed for the Ulam nut sambal as a lovely dip (herbs) area next. One sel- all seemed to share a simi- Self-service is the modus for all the raw herbs and lar coconut based sauce at Hospital Fatimah & The Perak Chest Society is operandi for diners as they RM2 each. organising a public forum on Pandemic H1N1 Flu line up to get their plate of Preparedness by Dr Leong Oon Keong, Consultant rice and proceed around Choice and Value Chest Physician. Sat. 12th September 2009, 2:00- the huge long table where All in all our total bill for 3:30 p.m. at Hospital Fatimah, 4th Floor Conference every centimetre of space 5 people came to RM70. Room. Free. Tel.: 05-5455777 or Fax: 05-5477 050. is filled with plates or trays This was high considering of tempting offerings, to that most people usually Brahma Kumaris Malaysia talk: ‘Experiencing Inner make their selection. have their one plate Power & Protection’. Wednesday, 2 September 2009 of rice and choice of at 7.30 p.m., Royal Ipoh Club, Jalan Panglima Bukit 80 Different Choices accompaniments, working Gantang Wahab, Ipoh. Free. Contact: Mdm Ajit Kaur Puan Jamailiah gave us out to probably RM6-7 – 05-5460970 or Mdm Kamala – 019-5742855. a quick run-down on her each. In our case, we had operation. Her team of one of the expensive fish FOMSO (The Federation of Sri Lankan Organisations) around 20 workers prepare and many smaller dishes. I will be launching the Sri Lankan Humanitarian Relief and serve over 80 differ- Fund in Ipoh at 11.30 a.m. on 13 Sep.2009 at the dom finds a stall or restau- vegetables. still feel that Tasek Raban ent menu items every day! Rayan Cultural Hall. YB Tan Sri Dato Seri Azlani V rant that serves these herbs gives value for money Some of these dishes are Jeyaratnam will officiate the launch. Contact Mr V the traditional way; a wide Fish Feast considering the vast choice her own closely guarded Karthigesu at: 05-5472939. selection of raw medicinal From there we moved onto of dishes. The only lament recipes which she prepares and non-medicinal vegeta- the ikan bakar or barbe- I have is that it’s all cold! herself, unwilling to share FREE Talk: Relationships and Karmic Connections bles and leafy herbs served cued fish. there were three Tasek Raban does her family secret recipes – An Insight Through Past Life Regression by Dr with a variety of sambals types of whole fish, the a brisk business serving with chefs who may then Selina Chew, PhD, C.Ht. Saturday, 19 September or dips and other provoca- ikan jelawat RM26/-, ikan 400-500 customers a day. steal them to become com- 2009, 8.00-9.30 p.m. at the Ipoh Buddhist Dhamma tive condiments. I soon terubok – RM22/- ikan During Ramadan they petitors. One of these is the Association, 108 Jalan Raja Kam, Canning Garden. received a lesson in iden- siakap – RM24, the first open from 3.00-8.00pm sauce on her ayam bakar Advanced reservation necessary – limited places. tifying and naming these two being very bony and and customers who wish to (grilled chicken) which For bookings/enquiries call: 013-6302926. For more various ulam. There was one had to be careful pick- break fast at the restaurant tasted yummy. info, visit: www.life-inspirations.com. petai (commonly known ing through the fish. These may do so by booking 6 IPOH ECHO SEPTEMBER 1-15, 2009 Your Community Newspaper

@ LETTERS mail /email COMMUNITY NEWS We reprint some of our reader’s comments from our online paper. Go to http: //www.ipohecho.com.my/ to read more. Why not subscribe online and get the Ipoh Echo in your email inbox and read the latest FORUM ON CURRENT happenings in your community even before the paper arrives on your doorstep? CONSUMER AFFAIRS ENGLISH AS A roots in bilingualism with long run. As suggested by SECOND LANGUAGE the removal of English as our writer, English should OF THE COUNTRY the medium of instruction be made a compulsory forum to discuss for these two subjects. The pass for any school cer- Current Consumer A I fully agree with Mr G mere teaching of English tificate and a pass of rea- Affairs organised by Perak Sivapragasam’s review of as a subject is never sonable quality for entry Consumer Association recent action taken by the enough and no matter what into government service at Saint John Education Minister of Education re- the Ministry of Education and into institutions of Centre in conjunction with garding the use of English may come out with, it will higher learning (Public ‘Change begins with me’ for the teaching of Science not help the Malays espe- Universities). campaign was attended by and Mathematics. I had the cially and others in general It takes political will more than 50 people. good fortune of attending to improve in English. and understanding on Datuk Marimuthu, two of the five roundtable A radical but vital the part of those who are President of Federation conferences held before the move is to make English strongly protecting their Of Malaysia Consumer new Minister of Education an official second language respective languages. We Association (FOMCA), was appointed to office of Malaysia where it is to are not taking anything briefed on major consumer ported. Consumers pur- prices. and I was also one of those be used for all government away from their languages concerns such as world- chasing a product based During question time who presented a paper in and private (already in cur- by promoting English as wide increase in price of on advertisement cannot the rapid spread of H1N1 which I stressed the im- rent use) business! This long as they keep promot- goods, climate change, get any compensation if was raised and the general portance of educating our then would force everyone ing and developing their water crisis, privatisation the item does not comply consensus was that the in- children via bilingual- to use English as well as respective languages par- of health care, increase in with what is shown in the dividual must be more re- ism! As pointed out by Mr Malay. It may cost a few allel with English. crime rate and energy cri- brochure. The seller must sponsible. Sivapragasam, the Malays million more to print bi- sis. Malaysia imports food replace or repair defective A. Jeyaraj are those deprived of this lingual forms, etc, but it Victor Chew and 68% of farmers own goods. Consumers hav- opportunity to have strong is money well spent in the August 18, 2009 less than one acre of land. ing problems with goods The country has more than and services provided can SPORT one million acres of idle lodge their complaint with FULL TAEKWONDO TEAM TO REPRESENT MALAYSIA IN RUSSIA land under Malay reserve Agensi Tebus Rugi. and after the rice crisis the Paul Selva Raj, from he National photo session at the MSN government is considering Pusat Penyelidikan dan TTaeKwonDo team Hall in Perak Stadium, using this land for farm- Sumber Pengguna, spoke of 10 boys and girls will Wan Koon Seng, the ing and not depend on im- on increasing cost of goods represent Malaysia in Team Manager thanked ports. and services. He urged the the forthcoming XVI the state government for Muhammad Sha’ani public to change their buy- World TaeKwonDo ITF the support given and said from National Consumer ing habits; instead of buy- Championship in St that the team is expected Complaints Centre ing branded products they Petersburg, Russia which to win 2 gold medals. (NCCC) spoke of the should buy house brands. is held once every two The Guest of Honour, complaints received. He Prices of goods are gen- years. This will be the first YB Zainol Fadzi, Exco said that the majority of erally lower in the hyper time Malaysia is sending a member for Sports hand- complaints are on hous- markets, but eventually it full team overseas. ed the national flag to the ing. For every complaint would become a monopo- Speaking at an in- team. received, 26 are not re- ly and they would dictate formal flag handover and Your Community Newspaper IPOH ECHO SEPTEMBER 1-15, 2009 7

BOOK REVIEW CHELVI MURUGIAH THE ART OF GOOD READING LIMESTONE HILLS & CAVES OF THE KINTA VALLEY Man has been endowed with reason, with the power to create, so that he can add to what he’s been given. But up to now he hasn’t been a creator, only a destroyer. Forests keep disappearing, rivers dry up, wildlife’s become extinct, the climate’s ruined and the land grows poorer and uglier every day. [Uncle Vanya, 1897]

LIMESTONE HILLS & the Titiwangsa Range. The of soil perfectly preserved CAVES OF THE KINTA back cover inset shows through time….. to draw- VALLEY is written by the western face of the ings by aboriginal cave S.L. Wong and the photog- unusually shaped Gunung dwellers to fossils of ma- Recently, the group had a ‘Meet the Writers’ session with raphy is by Cheang Kum Rapat. rine animals and land crea- 18 year-old Adeline Lee, author of Lethal Lesson and Seng. Both these indi- The book contains a tures. It’s a wonder to note other stories, over tea at Indulgence. viduals are environmental- selection of Mr Cheang’s that the research findings ince October 2003, a reader, character strength, ists with a keen interest in best photographs, taken show strong evidence that Sgroup of avid book and so on; basically how the limestone hills conserva- over a number of years, these limestone hills and readers has been meeting reader felt and what he/she tion. This publication is that involved many years caves were submerged in regularly over tea on a got out of the book. Over the result of their lifetime of exploration and dedicat- water thousands of years Saturday afternoon to time members inevitably effort put together with ed work. This publication ago! share their passion for the develop the art of mindful the collaboration of the is well documented with pher hope to create public written word. The Book reading and the pleasure Malaysian Nature Society glossary and references, awareness on the need to Rare Geological Club aims to promote of reading is enhanced. and University Technology valuable to students and conserve and protect the Features an interest in the art and It also gives members an Petronas. researchers as the informa- unique natural habitat of Many of us are unaware enjoyment of reading, opportunity to widen their Their objective is to tion contained are based Kinta Valley’s limestone that these magnificient and to review the books range of reading material. create awareness to read- on primary field research hills and caves and prevent works of nature – the selected, thereby learning The group meets ers on the beauty of our and white papers presented them from being depleted towering karst hills – are the art of criticism through every 5-6 weeks at various limestone hills and caves, over the years by authori- altogether in the name of considered rare geologi- a joint exploration of the venues. Sometimes a venue which are being destroyed ties on limestone hills in development. cal features found only in storyline and a sharing is chosen to complement at a rapid pace in the name the Kinta Valley. The publication in- a few sites in South East of impressions made by the book, for example, of development. These cludes findings from the Asia. They are certainly the author. In the sharing, ‘The Red Thread’ was magnificient works of Human Exploitation many explorations… what makes Ipoh City much value is added to the discussed at Sybil’s Clinic Nature are reputed to be In quoting the author, revealing many hidden unique. reading experience. in Papan, ‘The White Tiger’ 240 to 570 million years “Limestone hills and caves treasures contained in Limestone Hills & Each member takes at Lotus Indian Restaurant, old, made up of ancient are more valued for their these massive caves and Caves Of The Kinta Valley a turn to choose a book ‘The Gift of Rain’ at the limestone called karst. commercial purpose than karst hills.… from the is worth browsing through for the group to read. Old Andersonian Club. This ‘green’ publica- their immeasurable nature ‘jaw-dropping’ magnifi- and very likely to trigger The book selected should Meetings are about 2 tion showcases over nine convervation value and cent limestone formations, the interest of readers as have a story as the group hours long and the lively (9) limestone hills in the therefore is very vulner- each an original piece of many may not be aware is primarily studying sessions make for fruitful Kinta Valley. The cover and able to human exploita- ‘Picasso’s work of mother of the beauty and value of the art of story telling. and fulfilling Saturday back cover features Kinta tion. The biggest threat is nature’s art’…. to the en- these limestone hills and Book discussions cover afternoons. Valley’s limestone hills and blasting for the cement and vironment, specifically caves, a part of our ecol- storylines, the writing AUDREY POH the others include, Gunung marble industries”. flora, fauna, insects,… to ogy that Ipohies take for style of the author, the use Anyone interested to join Lanno, Rapat, Terendum Need For Conservation the historic evidence of life granted. of language, the skill of the Book Club can contact and Dato. Featured also is The writer and photogra- which lay within the layers the author in engaging the the PSPA on 05-5487814. 8 IPOH ECHO SEPTEMBER 1-15, 2009 Your Community Newspaper

HAPPENINGS RENEWING FRIENDSHIPS ON THE GREEN UM-NUS Inter-University Tunku Chancellor Golf Tournament 2009.

Photo courtesy of University of Malaya

HRH Sultan Azlan Shah and Singapore President S R Nathan with participants of the UM-NUS Inter-University Tunku Chancellor Golf Tournament 2009 eru Valley Golf & Country Club played host to the first of two games played Min conjunction with the UM-NUS Inter-University Tunku Chancellor Golf Tournament 2009 held in Ipoh recently. Organised this year by University Malaya (UM) in Ipoh, the team from UM was led by UM Chancellor, HRH Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah, whilst the National University of Singapore (NUS) team was headed by NUS Chancellor, President Sellapan R Nathan. Spanning four decades of history, this annual golfing tournament is a cherished event, and has endured success in fostering deep and lasting camaraderie between UM and NUS. Their mission, as always, is to build a warm and enduring bond of friendship between the golfing fraternities of the two Universities. The UM team succeeded in retaining the Tunku Chancellor Cup this year.

TRAIPSING THROUGH TOWN WITH PEI-SHYEN Your Essential Guide to the Latest Shops, Places to go, Hotspots and Things to do in and around Ipoh Akamomiji Japanese *Closed on Tues- plethora of other similar dazzle and be dazzled! podium of glory. All you Restaurant days. boutiques in the area, of- die-hard collectors are Add: 36 & 38, Medan Ipoh fering a range of pretty The Revolution in luck as all the toys are 1E, Medan Ipoh Bistari, cross the street dresses for day and evening Add: 5 Medan Ipoh 1A, sold at its Manufacturer 31400 Ipoh. Afrom Akamomiji wear for the fashion-con- Medan Ipoh Bistari, 31400 Suggested Retail Price Tel: 05-5468368 restaurant, a shop with scious woman. Imported Ipoh. (MSRP), cutting out on two gorgeous dresses from Hong Kong, the Tel: Mr. Yip Chan Sun – additional profit made f, like me, you are a in the window caught clothes are of the latest 012-5308918 by the retailer. Also, the Ifan of Japanese food, my eye. I traipsed design, mostly in trendy URL: http://www.therevo- friendly sales assistant then you would no doubt in and discovered prints and bright colours. lutiontoys.blogspot.com/ (a student who claims to have heard of Akamomiji. plete with a glass backdrop that it was one of the very There were flowy babydoll be a geek for toys) was This Japanese restaurant with a Japanese picture. latest boutiques to open its dresses in printed chiffon f you’re a fan of action quick to inform me that has only stepped into the Private rooms offer- doors for business in the and empire line dresses in Ifigures of all kinds, most of the toys sold are Ipoh culinary scene a ing typical Japanese tata- area, having just opened a stretchable fabric that need The Revolution is simply manufactured by Hasbro, mere 5 and a half months mi-style dining are avail- month ago. no ironing and are great for the place for you. This and Tomy, a prominent ago, having opened in late able and private functions Beadazzle joins a travelling! revolutionary toy store is Japanese toy company. So February this year. can be catered for. As a special opening the source of collectibles fans can rest assured that The restaurant has a Akamomiji is open promotion, customers get of all kinds, ranging from the toys are top quality. charming Japanese-style for lunch and dinner a 10% discount off all movie toys to Japanese So traipse along to The frontage, with typical everyday. clothes for a limited pe- action toys. There are Revolution and be ready to Japanese roof overhang riod only. Beadazzle also Transformers, Star Wars, be transported into a world on the exterior and framed Beadazzle offers manicure and ped- Marvel and Gundam, totally different from our windows. Contemporary Add: 23 Medan Ipoh icure services within the just to name some of the own – after all, it is where tables and chairs are laid 1E, Medan Ipoh premises at the special popular few. Even the you can marvel at the light out with a sushi bar at the Bistari, 31400 Ipoh. package price of RM55. recent movie, G.I. Joe, has saber (as in Star Wars) in far end of the wall, com- Tel: 05-5475096 Traipse along to bea- its action figures grace the its full glory. Your Community Newspaper IPOH ECHO SEPTEMBER 1-15, 2009 9

IPOH IN BRIEF More pics at ipohecho.com.my PRO MUSICA 2009 – FLY THE JALUR GEMILANG POLYTECHNICS - 40 YEARS ON SUPERLATIVE OPERA FROM THE PROS

pohites were treated to an evening of opera when IPerak Academy in association with Opera Plus and the Flanders Opera Studio of Belgium staged Pro Musica 2009 at Syuen Hotel recently. Four soloists Sabine Conzen, soprano; Ines Madeira, poh City Hall kicked off the ‘Fly the Jalur Gemilang’ mezzo soprano; Enrico Casari, tenor; Andrew Ashwin, campaign with a simple ceremony in front of MBI’s I baritone; accompanied by students of pro Musica Master building on Wednesday, August 20. Mayor, Dato’ Roshidi ince its inception in 1969, polytechnics have played classes; with Hein Boterberg at the piano, staged by Hashim, took the lead in singing the Negara-Ku along with a major role in nation building. It is an institution Ronny Lauwers and directed by Madam Loh Siew Tuan, S his staff while the national flag was raised in front of the of higher learning that offers technical training for de- impressed the audience with their range and virtuosity assembly. The staff then sang a number of patriotic songs. serving candidates who opt for the technical field as as they sang their way through a programme of excerpts The ceremony ended with Roshidi mounting a miniature their profession of choice. The numerous polytechnics from Donizetti, Rossini, Handel, Puccini, Massenet, Jalur Gemilang on the roof of his staff car and the cars of in the country have produced many graduates to sat- Gounod and Beethoven. the council’s departments’ heads and senior officers. isfy industrial needs. To commemorate the institutions’ The young students in particular showed great prom- invaluable contributions over the last 40 decades, the ise in their poise, confidence, mastery and control as some Department of Polytechnics and Community College, KINDERLAND’S 24TH ANNUAL performed solo while the rest provided choral support. Ministry of Higher Education, organised a fitting cere- GRADUATION CONCERT This stage presence is likely to be the result of the Pro mony at the country’s oldest polytechnic, Ungku Omar Musica International Master Classes Programme which is Polytechnic, Ipoh, recently. currently in its third year of a Summer School at Bellevue, The ceremony was officiated by the Deputy Minister the Penang Hill Hotel owned by Datuk Seri Lim Chong of Higher Education, Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah, and Keat who is one of the movers and shakers behind the graced by the department’s director, Dato’ Hj Imran events which were staged in Penang, and , Idris. In attendance were current and former directors in addition to Ipoh. of the 27 polytechnics nationwide led by Mohd Jayus Artistic Director Loh Siew Tuan also deserves Nasir, the director of Ungku Omar Polytechnic. In his mention as the Director and vocal coach for the Master keynote address, Saifuddin acknowledged the contri- Classes in Penang. A renowned voice coach, Loh during butions by polytechnics in producing quality human her tenure as the Visiting Professor of Opera at the Royal capital sought after by industries. Conservatory of Music in Brussels, mooted the idea for Tan Sri Dato’ Ir. Othman Merican, the first direc- the setup of OperaPlus, an independent training centre tor (then principal) of Ungku Omar Polytechnic (1969- dedicated to assisting young singers in the advancement 1974), received the ‘Tokoh Pengarah Politeknik’ award of their vocal, musical and drama capabilities. Today, the in recognition of his services for the betterment of the Master Classes are attended by students from Thailand polytechnic. as held recently at the Dewan Jubli, Politeknik and Malaysia and as far away as New Zealand. WUngku Omar. 40 graduates and 160 children took Thanks to the generosity of corporate sponsors in- part in the concert as guest of honour, Mr Arthur Ng, cluding Hexza Corporation Bhd, Kinta Properties Group, PAS YOUTH ENTERTAINS Regional Manager of Crestar Education (M) Sdn Bhd Riverview Rubber Estates Bhd, Narborough Plantations MEDIA TO LUNCH looked on. The highlight of the evening was the award plc, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd, Rovski Sdn Bhd, presentation to the high achievers who scored well in Integrax Bhd, Rock Chemical Industries Bhd, Zoneten their exams. These included Ho Yen Chiew who received Photography and WHY Piano Centre, Ipohites got to ben- straight As in SPM (2008); and 11 year old Arathi efit from the opportunity to enjoy superlative opera. Jeyaratnam the only successful nominee from Malaysia to attend the people to people world leadership forum in BREAKING FAST WITH Washington D.C. Arathi, eldest daughter of Dr Jeyaratnam and Dr Anjalai, was nurtured in Tadika Kinderland Ipoh, ORPHANS since she was 4 years old, which according to her father, played a vital role in laying the foundation in her early development.

PRAYERS FOR GOOD RESULTS

ewan Pemuda PAS Perak (PAS Youth) entertained Dmedia representatives to lunch at Laksamana Cheng Ho Restaurant in Ipoh recently. The primary objective of the get-together was to introduce the movement’s new executive committee line-up. Ustaz Hj Zawawi Hassan, the state Pas Youth Chief, in his opening remarks outlined the movement’s strategies for the months ahead. He revealed plans to restore public’s eritage Hotel Ipoh hosted a breaking fast dinner for confidence in Pakatan Rakyat in the wake of recent H28 inmates of Pusat Jagaan Anak Anak Yatim dan developments affecting the state. Among programmes Miskin Nurul Iman from Kg Manjoi, Ipoh. The event was already in place and in the pipeline are the Karnival Jom held at the hotel’s Polo Café on Wednesday, August 26. Among the VIPs were Mayor, Dato’ Roshidi Hashim, Serta PAS currently in progress in the various districts. ome three thousand students and their parents con- CPO Perak, DCP Dato’ Pahlawan Zulkifli Abdullah, PAS Youth plans to meet active non-governmental verged at the Sri Siva Subramaniyar Temple in S Commander 2 Brigade, Brig-Jen Dato’ Zulkifli Mansor, organisations to propagate its ideas. Zawawi spoke Simpang Pulai to perform the annual Kalvi Yathirai or Director of the Perak Fire and Rescue Department, Hj at length the upcoming public demonstration planned Educational Pilgrimage organised by Sri Murugan Centre Mohd Din Rajad and members of the press. The dinner for on October 17 at Stadium Perak. The gathering (SMC) and which was held simultaneously at 17 centres was part of the hotel’s corporate responsibility towards at the stadium is aimed at remonstrating the party’s in the country. the local community, said Ong Sook Cheng, Marketing displeasure with Barisan Nasional in administrating the This event is for conducting prayers for students sit- and Business Communication Assistant Manager. The state. Zawawi will meet the Sultan to highlight Umno’s ting for their UPSR, PMR, SPM and STM examinations orphanage provides shelter for children of varied back- use of mosques for political purposes and its meddling to obtain good results. From now onwards SMC will be grounds – the underprivileged, the abused and the ne- in the affairs of the State Religious Department. Dr giving intensive coaching for the students. glected. At the home the children get all the necessities Muhamad Al-Hiss, the youth wing secretary, took Dato’ Renowned motivational speaker, Sai Krishnan, gave and needs, including education, which they would have Seri Ali Rostam, MB Melaka, to task for his remarks a talk on how to prepare for the forthcoming examina- been deprived of otherwise. The orphans later received regarding the controversy surrounding the sale of tions and tips on answering questions. The event ended duit raya in green packets from the hotel management. alcohol in Malay-dominated areas in recently. with offering of food for the devotees. 10 IPOH ECHO SEPTEMBER 1-15, 2009 Your Community Newspaper

COMMUNITY NEWS RESIDENTS’ PLEAS GET ACTION

he pleas by resi- SINGAPORE FOUNDATION DONATES Tdents from Merdeka TO 2 IPOH INSTITUTIONS Gardens have been heard by the relevant authorities. he Tan Chin Tuan Fact: existing pump TFoundation from for overflowing waters Singapore recently pro- from the Pari River was vided donations to 2 de- not working. serving charitable Ipoh Action: Dato Lee Kon institutions. They were to Yin, Chairman of the BN Yayasan Sultan Idris Shah, Service Centre together Bercham, and Kg Simee with officials from the Home for the Aged. The Irrigation and Drainage amount for each cheque Department consulted with was RM10,000. residents. The Tan Sri Tan Chin Resolution: Director Tuan Foundation has its of the Irrigation and roots in Singapore. It was Drainage Department, ly, rubbish which currently bish trap be located at the founded by the late Tan Dato’ Abdul Razak bin runs into the sump from last major manhole before Sri (Dr) Tan Chin Tuan, a to be helped are that they Chairman Chew Gek Dahalan said the capac- the connecting drains has entering the sump and got Singaporean banker and must be viable, sustainable Khim and grandson Chew ity of the sump to hold to be trapped. The solution assurance from Mayor philanthropist in 1976. and well managed with Kwee San. Representing the overflowing water had to this was to construct a Roshidi that the rubbish Tan was an Honorary Life definable social outcomes. the Rotary Club was its to be increased. It also rubbish trap. trap will be cleared regu- President of the OCBC To this end, the founda- President Leong Tuck Seng required a bigger pump Action: As mainte- larly. bank who wanted to share tion collaborates with local while Simee Home for the to ensure water could be nance of the rubbish trap The problem of flood- with society the rewards NGO’s to identify viable Aged Treasurer Vincent pumped out expediently. was beyond the scope of ing has been a concern for of his highly illustrious institutions. In Ipoh the Lee received the cheque Razak assured residents the Irrigation and Drainage decades. As such the ef- career through helping foundation worked with from the foundation on be- that “the cost of construc- Department, falling into forts taken by Irrigation the poor and needy. He the Rotary Club Metro Ipoh half of the Home. tion of the bigger sump the domain of City Hall and Drainage Department derived satisfaction from where one of the founda- It was a most pleasant would be initiated using the to remove rubbish on a and City Hall to overcome helping people and is the tion’s council members is event whereby the children department’s funds while regular basis, Mayor Dato’ the concerns of the resi- basis on which the founda- Ipoh resident and Rotarian from YSIS sang and ‘mod- the bigger pump would be Roshidi Hashim assigned dents of Merdeka Garden tion conducts its activities, Dato’ Richard Ong a past elled’ for the guests while loaned to the residents. All Councillor and Engineer is commendable. All that whereby its gifts of money President of Rotary. 5 senior inmates celebrat- upgrading work would be Lai Kong Phooi to advise is required now is the im- are wisely allocated to the On hand to present ed their birthday with the completed before the end on the corrective actions to plementation of the plan, deserving. the cheques to the 2 insti- VIP’s. of the year”. adopt. and then wait for the next The criteria for se- tutions was its founder’s Fact: For the pump Resolution: Lai rec- heavy downpour. lection of the institutions grand daughter and Deputy operations to run efficient- ommended that the rub- JAMES GOUGH MODEL OF WELL MAINTAINED CARE GIVERS GRADUATE LOW COST FLATS AMI (Kinta Action on KMental-health Issues, If these flats look like this why can’t others? Perak) an NGO which as- sists carers and care-givers ermai Lake View to the mentally ill recently PApartment, a low-cost presented 25 graduation high-rise accommoda- certificates to participants tion, at Persiaran Lembah of their Family Support Perpaduan, Ulu Kinta, Course. consists of 9 blocks of 4 “All of us are likely storey buildings, consist- to end up being a carer. ing of 576 units sited in However to be a carer of about 10 acres of land. those with Serious Mental The flats were built by Illness or SMI is one of the Super Boom Projects and most difficult”, said KAMI occupied since 2006. It is Chairman, Ong Su-ming, a gated community with Dato Dr Suarn Singh presenting a certificate to a herself a care-giver. (SMI graduate.In the background is Ong Su-meng 24-hour security service includes Schizophrenia, with access card system Bipolar Disorder and tap. Because they comprise band has been suffering with six-foot high fenc- Depression). a complex group from dif- from mental health disor- ing. The person with a ferent backgrounds and der for 18 years. “KAMI Mayor Datuk Roshidi mental health disorder is needs, there was no organ- has been very helpful psy- said that this is the best usually unreasonable and ising body to assist them in chologically and socially. I managed high rise in difficult to deal with. For a their onerous task of care- am now confident and have Ipoh (NST June 12, 2009) carer it’s painful to lose a giving. learnt how to manage my The Joint Management loved one to mental health KAMI was started in problem. I can share with Committee (JMC) em- disorder. The emotions of 2003 as a family support others and I learn faster”, ploys 14 full-time staff grief, frustration and help- group to create awareness said Fatima with a sigh of to carry out maintenance lessness have to be expe- amongst carers by provid- relief as she explained her work. In addition there rienced to be fully under- ing information, motiva- predicament. are 7 volunteers from the stood. tion and support in all Lim Ai Ling has found developer working part- Caring for a person ways. It was registered in similar relief from going time for free. There is a with SMI requires skill, 2007. through the course. Her a centralised rubbish col- and the other for adults. suggestion/complaints stamina, patience and re- Dr Cheah Yee Chung, 70 year old mother suffers lection depot outside the The entrance to the corri- box in the maintenance silience. The stress too Technical Advisor to from depression. KAMI fence. The garbage truck dor of the ground floor is office. – physical, mental, emo- KAMI and Consultant has enabled her to better does not enter the apart- fenced to prevent entry of The roads and compound tional, psychological and Psychiatrist at Hospital understand how to deal ment area. The sheds in motor cycles; violators are are very clean. The grass financial – is tremendous. Bahagia concurs that “a with her mother’s illness which the dumpsters are liable for a fine of RM200. has been cut and plants Added to an already diffi- carer is likely to be more and “how to recognise and stored are clean and there JMC’s from other apart- are grown along the cult situation is the stigma receptive to the words of anticipate when a bout of are no flies or foul smell. ments can visit these flats walkway. Palm trees are and prejudice attached to another carer than those of depression can occur”. Since the buildings are to see for themselves how grown on the sides of the having a family member a psychiatrist”. Present at the cere- new the painting is intact even low-cost apartments blocks to provide shade. with a mental health dis- The graduates today mony was Dato’ Dr Suarn and looks neat. Adequate can be well maintained. Flowering plants are order. consist of 12 from the Singh, Director of Hospital parking facilities are pro- However, this is only pos- grown between adjacent Hitherto left to their Chinese session and 13 Bahagia and Head of vided. sible if all the residents pay blocks for beautification. own devices and individ- from the Bahasa Malaysia Psychiatry Ministry of Centralised receiver their monthly maintenance Garbage is collected from ual coping mechanisms, session. Health who presented the is provided. There are two fee. the door of each residence family carers had nowhere For Puan Fatima (not certificates to the gradu- playfields one for children A. Jeyaraj twice daily and carted to to turn to nor resources to her real name), her hus- ates. Your Community Newspaper IPOH ECHO SEPTEMBER 1-15, 2009 11

By YUSUF MARTIN KAMPUNG TALES the first of many tales Petani, than the good Yusuf Martin is an Englishman, now snugly settled folks I was staying with, in the kampong bosom of Perak. knowing that I was a His writings can be found in The Expat, Senses comic book nut, handed of Malaysia, The Malaysian Insider (online) and his me a well-thumbed copy various blogs on the internet. of Lat’s Kampung Boy His short stories and essays have been pub- – luckily for me it was in lished in anthology volumes by publishers such as English. Silverfish, MPH and Matahari, while his voice has Lat’s world of child been heard on BFM radio and his girth witnessed and chicken-filled Malay on NTV7. Beginnings kampongs was far different I awoke to the customary from the aging Victorian sounds of birds twittering, and Edwardian buildings playfully chitchatting out- I had been used to in my POOR RESPONSE TO side my bedroom window, English seaside home, but RESUMED BUS SERVICE telling of the day’s news it was also different again Residents’ indifference a cause for and views and just where from the semi-suburban that lazy black cat was hid- bungalow where I rested concern for bus company and mayor. ing, and him thinking him- after my journeying – in ayor Roshidi check with a nearby stall self so clever with his tail Sungai Petani. MHashim met the operator got a negative hanging out from under I did not know, stay- residents of Kampung Sri response. that bush. ing in that bungalow, in Kinta at one of his turun Village Security While the kampong Kedah, reading Lat’s sim- padang sessions recently. Committee Chairman, air was still cool, the sun ple treatise on Malaysian During the dialogue, the Incik Tanian Mohd Ali, I shared a little of this not yet a fiery threat, the country life, that one day I tales unfold, we will meet villagers’ representa- when asked, said that the life, my observances and early morning fishermen would uproot myself from many people, from kedai tive requested that the service did resume but the adventures in and out of Honda 50ed past my com- my home of over fifty kopi owner Pa Yusop, discontinued bus serv- response was very poor. kampongs, with a series pound heading for the half years, fly half way around to neighbours Pak Yang ice between the city and Those using the service, of tales loosely called lit mining pool lake oppo- the world (again) and settle and Pak Cik, relatives, the villages be resumed. said Tanian, were mainly Kampong Tales – what site, to pull in their morn- in that green land of hospi- friends, and enemies, The service had ceased senior citizens. He there- else. ing fishy catch. tality which is the languid who make up a vibrant, to operate since 2001. Its fore suggested that Perak Malaysia is envied for As the sun slipped its terrain of Lat’s Kampung exciting community in the resumption would benefit Roadways reschedule the its tolerance and bonhom- nightcap off, stretched, Boy – Perak. pastoral backwaters of this the 12,000-odd residents service to 8 am and 12 pm ie. Please bear with me, a yawned, while I followed I did manage to visit intriguing land. living in Kg Sri Kinta, or 5pm. timings which foreigner, an Orang Putih suit with my sleepy, not Perak, and Ipoh, at times Hopefully, this is a Tebing Tinggi and Kuala were more suited for the Mat Salleh as I shed a lit- yet fully awake mind, I over a period of many journey, which you and I Pari. old timers. tle light on the simple but drift back 28 years, to an- years when I would come can take together. A jour- Mayor Roshidi wrote The operations super- enduring beauty of life, as other state and another on occasional holidays. It ney undertaken with all to Perak Roadways, the visor of Perak Roadways, it is still lived in the kam- time which co-incidentally was to be some time later, due gratitude to the Ipoh bus company responsi- Mr Yap, confirmed that pongs of Malaysia, back was my first time staying having taken the plunge to Echo staff, managers and ble for the route. Perak response was poor. They in what I like to think of in Malaysia. live here, that I would en- proprietors, and not forget- Roadways responded got an average of 7 pas- as the real Malaysia, away I was jet-lagged and counter kampongs similar ting those who print and positively. The service sengers daily. However, from the hustle and bustle a little culture shocked. I to those featured in Lat’s deliver the newspaper, and started on August 1 with the absence on August 10 of Kuala Lumpur and the had groggily traversed half warmly nostalgic draw- those diligent souls whose two trips a day, one at 6. was due to a vehicle break city life. the planet in three quarters ings, kampongs I had fool- fingers must ache with key- 30 am and the other at down. Yap would consid- of a day. I had witnessed ishly and in my ignorance, ing in the words necessary 5.40 pm. Roshidi had re- er Tanian’s proposal and As The Tales Unfold..... the most spectacular sun- thought had been long to deliver this on line, or to quested for three trips. give it a try. This journey, my journey rise over Penang, and been since consigned to history. our very hand phones. On August 10 Ipoh Looks like the good driven into the green wa- into the simple, unspoilt It is an honour and Echo went to Kg Sri efforts of the mayor will life of the kampongs is tery paddy lands of Kedah. Settling in Perak pleasure to be with you on Kinta before 6.30 am go to waste if residents of life as it is led, here in Now that I am settled in this exciting journey – so to check on the service. Kg Sri Kinta, Kuala Pari this land of grace, this Discovering Lat Perak, eating durian and let us see where it takes Unfortunately, no bus and Tebing Tinggi con- silver and splendid land No sooner had I arrived quaffing kopi tarik with us. turned up that morning. A tinue to be indifferent. of Perak. Together, as my in the bungalow at Sungai the locals, it is time that 12 IPOH ECHO SEPTEMBER 1-15, 2009 Your Community Newspaper

SPORT MASKED BUT THE GAME GOES ON

espite the H1N1 Dscare and a blan- ket ban by the State Education Department on all school outings and ex- ternal competitions, the Perak International Chess Association’s (PICA) first Grand Prix Chess Tournament attracted close to 120 participants from all over Malaysia. Many par- ticipants took the precau- tion of masking themselves as they battled it out at the is a game that trains and and welcomes any form Syuen Hotel recently. develops minds especially of support from the public Mr Raymond Siew, young ones and Tenby’s or private sectors. the organising chairman involvement is a sign of Apart from the Open for the event commented, their commitment to this category, there were also “We are grateful to Tenby end”, said Mr Siew. the Under 12 and Under Schools Ipoh for respond- PICA hopes to organ- 15 categories; and prizes ing immediately to our ap- ise more of such tourna- for Best Lady and Best peal for sponsorship. Chess ments on an annual basis Veteran players.

The pedestrian walkway along Jalan Dato Maharajalela adjacent to the High Court and Town Hall is too high from the road level. It is especially difficult for women and children to get up and get down