www.ipohecho.com.my ONLINE POLL ON CRIME poh Police has come under fire for Iallegedly failing to provide adequate crime preventative measures in the city. As a result crime rate has increased with reports of robberies, house-breaking and snatch thefts occurring daily, particularly in residential areas. At a dialogue with IPOH the police recently, residents called for Your Voice In The Community more police crime preventative patrols. echoecho Do you agree? To partake in the poll go on-line at: April 1-15, 2010 PP 14252/10/2010(025567) FREE COPY issue 94 www.ipohecho.com.my. rom 1st June please inform your news vendor to deliver the Ipoh >> Pg 4 >> Pg 7 FEcho every fortnight if you wish to continue receiving your community paper. We are still a free paper. To help us defray our FEBRUARY’S HEAT WAVE COUNCILLOR JOINS DIRT distribution costs, we’re asking you, dear reader, to pay your news IS A SAMPLE OF OUR VIGILANTES’ CAMPAIGN vendor 30¢ per issue for delivery, i.e., a cost of 60¢ per month. A FUTURE small sum for you to keep up with the latest news and information of your Ipoh community. Thank you for your continuing support of the Ipoh Echo – Your Voice of the Ipoh Community. BOOM ON BUDGET HOTELS Over the last two years, about half a dozen budget hotels or those below four-star rating have emerged in various parts of the city.Their investors are seizing the opportunity during this time of economic slowdown to take business from prime hotel brands as businesses both large and small seek to scale down their hotel expenses. Being a city that is no longer as vibrant as when tin mining in the Kinta Valley was at its peak, Ipoh no longer attracts tourists or executives of big corporations with money to spend. And so over the past years, budget hotels have seen a boom as casual domestic visitors and business travellers to the city downgrade to cheaper hotel accommodation.
Continued on page 2 2 April 1-15, 2010 IPOH ECHO Your Voice In The Community AFFORDABLE COMFORT hese budget hotels of Hoteliers (MAH), the for a family room. Manager, Mr Patrick Hoo, Tare offering a com- budget hotels typically The Times Inn Hotel explained that it was origi- prehensive range of ac- consist of 20 rooms and does indeed follow closely nally called the Highway commodation facilities above, and provide the ba- its location specifications. Café. After his diners to travellers at affordable sic amenities for guests. Just down the road from frequently asked him to prices. And since these the hotel is a 24-hour food recommend a nice hotel hotels are mostly located Budget Hotels in Sub- outlet and about a kilome- to stay, he decided to con- near the heart of the city Centres tre behind is the sprawling vert his premises to a hotel and close to popular ea- Over the last two years Medan Ipoh food, enter- and named it the Highway teries and entertainment several budget hotels tainment and shopping Hotel. Budget establishments, travellers have opened up at sub- outlets. Maintaining a simi- room prefer to stay there for centres around Ipoh. Ipoh All hotels have their lar modus operandi Hoo, obvious reasons. City Council defines sub- regular corporate custom- also claims an occupancy It may come as a centres as being immedi- ers. For Times Inn their rate of over 70%. His for several budget hotels to name them but a reason surprise to know that ately outside the main city customers regularly have customer base too was on the outskirts of the city, why these older budget Ipoh has a total of 66 li- centre and has classified dealings with the nearby similar. I enquired from a a city council’s spokesman hotels are not well patron- censed Hotels or Rumah the areas of Medan Ipoh, shopping malls, hospitals customer who was check- revealed that the Council ized is because the man- Tumpangan (Boarding Meru Raya, Simpang Pulai and factories whose visi- ing out, on his opinion of is currently reviewing the agement has not upgraded Houses) as they are offi- and Pengkalan Station 18 tors commonly stay for the hotel, and he replied it licences due to certain “so- the hotels. cially described? They are as sub-centres, allowing several days. was “clean, had Wi-Fi, was cial issues”. The rooms may be in two categories, the Star budget hotels to be located close to the highway and All of these budget generally clean and spa- (5 categories) and Orchid at converted shop lots. Popular with families had a nice price.” hotels rent their rooms cious but guests prefer a (3 categories). Of the 66 The first of the new Another common group of Across town in Falim out on a “day use” basis room with that refreshing hotels located in the city, budget hotels, the Ipoh its customers are the Malay, is another budget hotel, the meaning customers pay a feel. This is another factor 25% are in the star cate- Times Inn Hotel opened for Chinese and Punjabi fami- Fresh Hotel which opened low rate charge averaging why the newer budget ho- gory while the remainder business in 2007. Located lies that come home during about two years ago. Its lo- RM30 for 2-3 hrs use only. tels are popular. are budget hotels under on busy Jalan Sultan Azlan the long weekends, wed- cation at Taman Mas Falim Sensing this long term po- One point noted by the orchid category. Shah (Jalan Tasek), it is the dings and school holidays. lies in the centre of another tential ‘social’ issue, the most of the interview- In case our readers first hotel you see when During the major holidays sprawling suburb stretch- City Council is currently ees was their guests were are asking themselves you exit from the North- like Chinese New Year and ing from Menglembu to ‘drafting a policy’ to con- mainly families and cor- “Where are they?” and South Expressway in the Hari Raya the hotel is full First Garden with Buntong trol it. Until the policy is porate customers, rarely rattle off the star-rated ho- city. for 2-3 days. in between. Hence it is not completed all future ap- tourists. If there are tour- tels like Impiana, Syuen, According to its These families usually surprising that it too has provals for budget hotels ists they would be transit Excelsior and Regency General Manager, Mr stay at the hotel to freshen a healthy occupancy rate are on hold. tourists staying just one Tower, totally not remem- Kumar Thas, the Times up and rest for the night. with a similar customer However future appli- night. bering that the Fairmont, Inn Hotel is part of a chain Incidentally Times Inn base. cation for hotels located at Perhaps when we Eastern and that ‘Grand of budget hotels next to has several rooms on the Other converted shop “free standing” locations, attract tourists to spend Old Lady’ – the Station highway interchanges, ex- ground floor to cater for lot budget hotels can be (meaning a hotel located two nights or more per stay Hotel, are still around. plaining that the reason senior citizens. found along Kuala Kangsar at a block by itself and not it would provide a reason Generally all that for selecting such loca- When Times Inn first Road and at Pengkalan located in a converted shop for the older budget hotels any guest expects from a tions was for easy acces- opened its doors at the end Station 18. lot), will be allowed. and other hotels in general hotel is a pleasant, clean sibility for their customers. of 2007 its occupancy rate But what of the other to upgrade their premises and secure accommoda- Additionally the location was averaging 90%. Since Approval of New Licences budget hotels that have and bring vibrancy back tion and hopefully at af- must have a variety of food then another two budget on Hold been around for a long to the city centre. fordable rates. outlets and some entertain- hotels have opened within After approving licences time. I had been asked not JAMES GOUGH That is what most of ment nearby. a 3km radius and currently the new budget hotels lo- At the Ipoh outlet all the occupancy rate is aver- cated at shop lots are of- its rooms have attached aging 70%. However, that Get your FREE copy of the Ipoh Echo from: fering, thus providing a bathrooms, television, air didn’t discourage Kumar Canning Gdn: Ariff Store, 40 Jalan Lee Kwee Foh. competitive service pack- conditioning and Wi-Fi. from opening his second New Wing Fook Merchant, 56 Jalan Lee Kwee Foh. age to guests visiting the All the corridors in the ho- outlet immediately at the Lourd Enterprise, 7 Lorong Cecil Rae. city. tel are fitted with CCTV back of the current one in Ipoh Gdn: Muhibah Hair Stylist, 103 Jalan Dato Lau Pak Khuan. According to Jimmy cameras. Each room rents February this year. Mama’s Home Baked Bread Stall (after 7 pm), Aneka Selera. Yeo, the Chairman of for between RM60-90 per Close-by is the Ipoh Gdn South: Pasar Mini Manaf, 17 Jalan S.A. Lingam. Malaysia Association night with the highest rate Highway Hotel. Its First Gdn: LSF Sun Li Hardware Sdn Bhd, 50, Jalan Ng Weng Hup. Labrooy Road: LSF Sun Li Hardware Sdn Bhd, 16A Jalan Labrooy. KOON YEW YIN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FINANCE/ Meru: Golf Reception Counter, Meru Valley Golf & Country Club. ACCOUNTANCY DEGREES New Town: Ruba Rubi Ent 154, Jln Sultan Idris Shah. Tel. No 017- 5048531 Pre-degree or Foundation Course Chan Sam Lock Photo Studio, 77-81 Jln Sultan Idris Shah. Pays for all the fees and cost of living until the PTPTN loan is secured. Pooran Enterprise (opp Super Kinta), 5 Jln Dato Onn Jaafar. Criteria: S.Y. Dry Cleaning & Laundry, 1 Jln Chung Thye Phin. • Scholarship based on eventual acceptance by UTAR Simee: Newsvendor (morning), Opposite Simee Market. • Total family income is less than RM2,000 per month. Tmn Ipoh Jaya: Rasu Enterprise, 271 Jalan Gunung Rapat. • No payback, only the commitment to help other poor students Tmn Tambun: Bawal Jaya Enterprise, 66 Psrn Desa Tambun 7, Desa Tambun. when financially solvent after graduation. Tiger Lane: Perak Academy, 28 Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah. Send request with IC details, proof of family income to: Golf Club Road: Fitness Junction, 2 Jalan Kelab Golf. [email protected] SITIAWAN P.N. Book Centre, 7 Jalan Dato Ahmad Yunus. Your Voice In The Community IPOH ECHO April 1-15, 2010 3
www.ipohecho.com.my by Fathol Zaman Bukhari IPOH From the Editor’s Desk echoYour Voice In The Community PDRM – SHORT ON PROMISES HIGH ON HOPES “We can’t question the rakyat’s expectation that the Police Force respond efficiently and effectively with integrity and fairness. This is their right and, therefore, it’s our responsibility” - Tan Sri Musa Hassan istory livered the IGP’s speech HThe Royal Malaysian . “We cannot question the Police or PDRM (Polis rakyat’s expectations that DiRaja Malaysia) in the Police Force respond Bahasa Malaysia has been efficiently and effectively around for over 200 years. with integrity and fairness. It traced its origins to the This is their right and, Malacca Sultanate of yore. therefore, it’s our responsi- The modern-day police bility.” Is this sufficient to took shape on March 25, shore up confidence in the 1807, in Penang. Policing force? I can’t possibly say. duties later extended to the Police Day parade The elusive intruder Hopefully, the new re- Straits Settlements and the structuring exercise and Federated Malay States, as a pay revision will spur British colonial hegemony Armed Constabulary and tion, being what it is, will other dead end. Even with criminals. the personnel to greater and commercial interests Sarawak Constabulary remain unchanged. photographic evidence, no The days of the mata- heights. grew. It was strictly a state merged and the present- Statistics have been arrest or identification has mata making their rounds A third force, said the affair. day PDRM came into be- liberally used to show a been made to date. on foot and bicycles are IGP, was meddling in the The centralisation of ing. downward trend in crimi- long gone. Pak Abu, the affairs of the police. The the police force came nal activities. The reluc- Frustration of Ipohites constable on the beat, in Home Minister refuted about only after World War Progress report tance of victims report- This is the kind of frustra- my kampong in the 50s the IGP’s claim. Tengku II when the Civil Affairs So how far has the nation’s ing to the Police is the tion that confronts Ipohites and 60s, was one fellow Razaleigh Hamzah, an Police Force was formed. police force progressed reason. Many incidents on a daily basis. A feeling we rowdies would not dare Umno stalwart, made this The British Adminis- since the heady days of of thefts and robberies go of impotence seems to dog to tangle with. The mere pronouncement recently. tration had to rebuild a the 1800s? Judging from unreported largely because those entrusted with the sight of him on his rickety “Before we can pursue demoralised police force comments in the media, the victims do not see the care of the nation’s secu- bone-shaker would send meaningful economic caused by the Japanese the rakyat’s perception of necessity of making such rity. In spite of assurances shivers down our spines. strategy we need to get our invaders. The ensuing PDRM is rather poor. The attempts. “It’s too trouble- and reassurances by senior Today you hardly see them, house in order. We need to struggle by the outlawed major grouse concerns its some”, said the owner of police officers during dia- less for the ubiquitous traf- undertake bold reforms to Malayan Communist Party inability to combat crime, a photo studio which was logues and meetings, resi- fic cops and the occasional restore the independence forestalled these restructur- especially in the urban ar- burgled last February. dents have not warmed up patrol cars, with flashing of the police, the anti-cor- ing programmes, as atten- eas. The recent dialogue The thief entered his to them. Most are skepti- blue lights, passing by. ruption commission and tion was focused on blunt- between residents of shop through the roof, dis- cal. They want admissions the judiciary”. ing the Communist threat. Canning Garden, Simee armed the alarm system not denials, actions not PDRM Under Siege? Restore the independ- During Malaysia’s con- and Ipoh Garden and the and carted nearly RM40, words, facts not fictions The Perak Police contin- rd ence of the police? This is frontation with Indonesia city police is a good indi- 000 worth of cameras, and results not figures. gent observed the 203 very interesting. Is PDRM (1962 to 1966), police cator of this dichotomy. lenses and petty cash. The Cars are hijacked. Even Police Day on March 25 under siege? I don’t have personnel, along with sol- One resident lamented intruder tried to dismantle taxis are being targetted, with an impressive parade an answer. diers, were deployed in that it was no longer safe a CCTV camera but failed what more necklaces and at the contingent headquar- Whatever it is, peo- Johore and Sabah to thwart to walk in his neighbour- and in the process an im- hand bags. All are fair ters. Deputy CPO, SAC 1 ple’s expectations are high, Indonesian infiltrators. hood after 6 p.m. Another age of him was captured. game for these hardened Dato’ Zakaria Yusof, de- and so are their hopes. The title “Royal” was bemoaned the lack of po- Armed with the photo, the bestowed on the force lice presence in residential owner lodged a report but in July 1958 by the na- areas. Incidents of snatch nothing was forthcoming. tion’s first Agong. When thefts, robberies and petty The same culprit was again Malaysia was formed in thefts are on the rise and caught on camera traips- September 1963, the Royal the Police seem powerless ing through a house at Federation of Malayan to contain them. These are night in Taman Merdeka. Police, the North Borneo major worries and percep- Another report and yet an-
YOU DECLARE by Peter Lee
hin owns 80% shares in a successful company known Cas Chin Trading Sdn. Bhd. which he set up years ago. Under the company law, a private limited company (“Sdn. Bhd.”) requires a minimum of 2 shareholders and 2 Directors. Because he is single, Chin gave 20% of the company’s share to his trusted cousin named Paul. Paul understands that he is only the nominee shareholder and at any point of time upon the request of Chin he must transfer back the shares to whoever Chin chooses. Chin also arranged for Paul to pre-sign a transfer form to get back the shares in the event of Paul’s death. Only both of them knew about this arrangement and it went on smoothly for some time until one day Paul died in a tragic plane crash. After the funeral was over Chin explained to Paul’s wife that Paul is only the nominee shareholder of Chin Trading Sdn. Bhd. for him and he has transferred Paul’s shares to someone else with the pre-signed transfer form. Paul’s wife told Chin that Paul did not inform her about this and further said “Let’s see what my husband’s will says”. It was discovered that in Paul’s will, it states that all his assets including the company shares are to be given to his wife. Now Paul’s wife wants to claim back the 20% shares. As you can see, this scenario is going to be a long drawn out battle between both parties proving the rightful owner and the pricing of these shares. To overcome this scenario, Chin can get Paul to sign a “Declaration of Trust” as well as asking him to pre-sign a transfer form. In Paul’s Declaration of Trust, he is still the registered owner and also the main trustee of the trust of the company shares. In the event of Paul’s death, total permanent disability, critical illness and mental disability, his share will be transferred to a trustee company like Rockwills Trustee Berhad acting as the substitute Trustee by way of a power of attorney. Thereafter, the trustee company will transfer the shares to the next nominee that Chin chooses. Chin is able to do so as the trust deed compels the trustee to transfer the shares to any person that is named by Chin. This will all be stated in Paul’s Declaration of Trust. By using a Declaration of Trust, Chin can ensure that Paul’s 20% company shares will not form part of Paul’s estate. A declaration of trust can also be used where properties are registered in the name of another person. Peter Lee is an Associate Estate Planning Practitioner (Wills & Trust) with RockWills International Group. He is also an Islamic Estate Planner providing Wills & Trust services for Muslims. He is based in Ipoh and can be reached at: 012-5078825/05-2554853 or [email protected]. 4 April 1-15, 2010 IPOH ECHO Your Voice In The Community
PUBLISHER THINKING ALOUD Ipoh Echo Sdn Bhd FEBRUARY’S HEAT WAVE (Regd No 687483 T) By G. Sivaprasagam
No 1 Jalan Lasam IS A SAMPLE OF OUR FUTURE 30450 Ipoh Perak Darul his February’s weather Ridzuan Twas brutal with many Tel: (605) 249 5936 parts of the country regis- the industrial revolution in belching. Fax: (605) 255 2181 tering record high temper- the mid 19th Century it has The earth has already Email: editorial@ipohecho. atures. Predictably no one steadily increased particu- warmed on average by 0.8 com.my appeared to be bothered larly in the last 50 years. In degrees Celsius above the by this odd occurrence. level in 1750 and the ten EDITORIAL 2007 it was 384 parts per Fathol Zaman Bukhari Observations remained million, a figure the earth hottest years since the ad- G. Sivapragasam limited to high sales of air has not experienced in the vent of thermometers in Jerry Francis conditioners and increase last 20 million years. It is 1860 all occurred between in energy consumption. No still climbing at the rate of 1995 and 2005. REPORTER question was raised why 2 parts per million a year. James Gough this occurred and whether Large scale manufac- 2012 Too Late for Action it is a matter that deserves Freidman warns that “we GRAPHIC DESIGN turing activities are driven Rosli Mansor Ahd Razali some attention. by fossil fuels that emit are entering an era in Well I certainly am carbon dioxide. Since the which our effects on the MARKETING & concerned. It requires no 20th century transportation climate are becoming po- DISTRIBUTION clairvoyant to prophesy powered by the internal tentially unmanageable MANAGER that this abnormal event combustion engine has and irreversible. Without Ramesh Kumar will soon become the or- been adding carbon diox- a dramatic reduction in dinary and change we ide to the atmosphere at an human induced Co2 emis- WEB ADMINISTRATOR and lowest consensus and changing faster than even Titus Raj will experience from now astronomical scale. These sions climate change may on will likely trend to the activities in addition, have bring abrupt or irrevers- feared events have lately the most anxious climatol- PERMISSION AND RE- more bizarre. I fear our been the cause of increased ible effects on air, oceans, been happening 100 years ogists were predicting just PRINTS next generation is looking exploitation and consump- glaciers, land, coastlines ahead of schedule. four years ago. Materials in Ipoh Echo may at a bleak future and the tion of raw materials, ur- and species. If there is no not be reproduced generation after that per- banisation, suburbanisa- action before 2012 it will Problems Compounded Malaysian Opportunities in any form without the haps none at all. tion and a massive highway be too late. What we do in Added to this is the fact to Help written permission of the that problems arising from What is the solution to publisher Reading books like system all contributing to the next two to three years Tom Friedman’s Hot, Flat carbon dioxide emission in will determine our future. changes in climate com- this impending doom? PRINTER and Crowded petrifies one way or another. This is the defining mo- pound when factors inter- Friedman has suggested Konway Industries Sdn me as to what the future The pollutants called ment. Since we can’t stop act with and amplify one various steps that could be Bhd holds. I would suggest that greenhouse gases gener- Co2 emissions cold, if they another. For example the employed to, as he puts it Plot 78, Lebuhraya each and every one who ated by the industrial and continue to grow at just Arctic tundra has 500 bil- manage the unavoidable Kampong Jawa can read English invest in transportation activities mid-range projection ‘the lion tons of carbon trapped and avoid the unmanage- 11900 Bayan Baru, in the peat bogs and if the able’. Whilst many of the Pulau Pinang this book and read it from are accumulating in the at- cumulative’ warming by permafrost thaws, gigatons recommendations are be- Tel: (604) 644 7507 cover to cover. As for our mosphere. The green house 2100 will be between 3 and leaders they better study it gasses trap sun’s heat near 5 degrees and these are just of carbon would be re- yond our Nation’s means as if their life depended on the earth’s atmosphere be- mid-range projections”. leased which in turn would and ability there are some USEFUL it for it probably does. fore that heat radiates back In the next 50 years lead to higher tempera- gems that our nation could tures with more ice melt adopt which can possibly CONTACTS to space, making the globe 100 PPM or more CO2 Global Warming 101 warmer. will be added to the at- and more catastrophic and lead to critical positive im- unpredictable consequenc- pact. Ibu Pejabat For the benefit of those who Added to these activi- mosphere. If CO2 reaches es. What is certain is that Nature has endowed Polis Daerah (IPD) have not heard of global ties is deforestation that is 550PPM in the next 50 years there will be a 3% global warming is about to us with some unique 05 2451 500 warming or having heard releasing carbon stored in of it have no real concept the trees, plants and soil, increase in temperature, trigger all sorts of unusual strengths that could serve 999 (emergency) of what it is all about I the generation of methane, an intolerable level. More weather events – from hot- as a foundation for a seri- Ipoh General Hospital have summarised below which is 21 times more po- significantly increase of 2 ter heat spells and droughts ous endeavour to address 05-253 3333 what Friedman says. tent than carbon dioxide as to 2.5 degrees would take in some places, heavier this problem. We could be Ipoh Ambulance For 10,000 years there a heat trapping agent, from us to the tipping point, a snowfall in others, violent a leader in this task. For 05-522 2506 was roughly 280 parts rice farming, petroleum point of no return. storms, more intense flood- decades we have been at- 993 (emergency) per million (PPM) of car- drilling, coal mining, ani- We must however bear ing, forest fires and species tempting to gain the respect bon dioxide (CO ) in the in mind that the figures loss in still others. of the world by engaging Ipoh Fire Brigade 2 mal defecation, solid waste earth’s atmosphere. Since landfills and even cattle are averages, estimates Further complications in some peculiar activities 05-547 4444/994 will arise as even a small which has produced mixed (emergency) increase in global average results. Here is an opportu- Perak Immigration Dept temperatures will have a nity to attain legitimate re- 05-5017100 huge impact on the weather spect of the world commu- because differences in tem- nity and perhaps even their Perak Water Board 05-254 6161 perature is what drives the following whilst benefiting winds and their circulation our society. Ipoh City Council patterns on the surface of To be perfectly frank, (Complaints) the earth affecting besides fashionable statements and 05-208 3378/9 temperature precipitation, symbolic gestures will be Perak Anti-Corruption humidity, soil moisture, at- quite useless. What will Agency mosphere circulation pat- make a difference are hard 05-253 1982 terns, storms, snow and ice decisions rigorously en- State Secretariat cover, ocean currents and forced. They may be un- 05-253 1957 upwelling. popular and cause much Railway Station Not only is the cli- pain but they will be mean- 05-254 7987 mate changing because of ingful. Airport human activities but it is 05-312 0848 Registration Department What Malaysia Can Do: 05-528 8805 1. Stop deforestation Tenaga Nasional Berhad 2. Clean our rivers 05-253 2000 3. Impose very high fuel taxes for Lembaga Air Perak private vehicles 1800-88-7788 4. Improve, expand and subsidise public transport Directory Service 5. Introduce carbon tax 103 6. Reform urbanisation Perak Women for 7. Encourage energy efficiency by rewards and Women Society penalty system 012-521 2480 8. Require all equipment to disclose energy 012-505 0547 consumption information 05-5469715 (office) 9. Allow private sector to produce and sell clean energy AA Ipoh 10. Empower private sector to enforce public 019-574 3572 interest legislation 017-350 8361 Your Voice In The Community IPOH ECHO April 1-15, 2010 5 MUSING ON FOOD SEEFOON DINES
[email protected] ‘AL FRESCO’ IN OLD TOWN
By See Foon Chan-Koppen
corner of Jalan Panglima. ining ‘al fresco’ or In fact the table we were Dunder the stars has sitting at was directly always appealed to me, outside Lorong Panglima, ideally in a more tem- more popularly known as perate climate with a Concubine Lane. An iced gentle breeze creating beer mug was immediately a soothing susurration delivered, followed by an from surrounding trees iced beer that was poured as one sipped slowly in quickly. The resulting 2-3.00 a.m.). It is a fa- of foodies liked it so much from a glass of wine. foam almost filled half vourite haunt for bar-flys, that we had to order a sec- But with the recent heat the glass and I was told to after-movie, after-banquet, ond helping. RM13.00 per wave, I was somewhat drink it quickly before the after-dancing crowd and portion. reluctant when friends foam dissipated. earlier for general diners Another dish worthy suggested I join them Not being a seasoned and families. Tables cov- of note was the steamed for an ‘al fresco’ meal in beer drinker, I spluttered ered almost half the street frog with chicken es- old town. I was about to through the foam and both of which were gen- stretching from the cor- sence. Soft and succulent, make some excuse when found the ice cold beer erously topped with crisp had to order three for a ner of Jalan Panglima for these bite-sized morsels of my friend C.K. Cheah below, refreshingly cold lardons. trial. And we were glad we about two blocks. I asked frog which on its own is mentioned the fantastic on the tongue and abso- Completely stuffed did. Fried to a crisp on the what happens when it rains quite bland, were given a iced beer that was the lutely what the doctor (if to the gills at this point, outside, the stuffing which and I had the opportunity lift with the addition of a chief attraction. At this he was my kind of doctor a lady approached us and was a combination of pork to find out that evening for whole bottle of chicken es- I accepted with alacrity, that is) would prescribe! asked if we’d like to try meat, mushrooms, and wa- as we had just finished our sence. Our portion for six as this was just the right Apparently the beer and her boneless stuffed chick- ter chestnuts, was most fla- meal and preparing to pay, – RM37.50. antidote to the stifling the mugs are kept in the en wings – 3 for RM10.80. vourful. we felt the first few drops heat. So dressed in my freezer, taken out and im- Her description of it was Kafe Yoon Wah, worth of rain and ran scurrying Must-Haves skimpiest (my modesty mediately opened. RM12 so tempting that we just a visit. to our cars. I then saw the Other must have dishes and concern for not out- for a large bottle. waiters running forward to included the dry boar cur- raging other’s sense of ry (a must have) RM13; Late Night Spot set up removable canopies An established company dealing with highly aesthetics notwithstand- fresh eel braised in dark We then proceeded to or- which were already open saleable American product is urgently looking for ing), I hurried down to soya with dried chillies der and I was given the and ready to provide in- qualified candidates to fill the positions of: old town to rendezvous RM17.50; shelled Mantis ‘low-down’ on the Kafe. stant shelter from the rain. with my friends. prawns fried with Nestum Essentially open for busi- SALES EXECUTIVES Signature Dishes RM15.00 and deep fried Iced Beer ness only at night, Kafe ●●Ages 25-40, preferably diploma or equivalent The first dish to arrive was ‘Sa Tsui’ fish, a small lo- Kafe Yoon Wah is Yoon Wah stays open ●●Pleasant appearance and disposition the pig’s fallopian tubes cal fish that is very popular located on Jalan Bijeh and serving till the wee ●●Good spoken English fried with dried prawns, with Ipohites – RM18.00. Timah, almost on the hours of the morning (like ●● Mandarin & Bahasa Malaysia will be an dried chillies and chilli For noodles, we had two types: the fried advantage(Full Training Provided) padi with a sprinkling of ●● Some experience in sales presentation will be rendered lard (ju yao jah). Hokkien noodles, thick udon type noodles in a an advantage While it may sound repug- ●● Must possess own vehicle nant for a lot of folks, it dark sauce (RM9.00 for a 2-person portion) and the You can expect to earn high income and have an must be remembered that exciting lifestyle with a highly successful company. unlike other offal meat dry fried ‘beehoon’ or thin rice vermicelli (RM10.00 For a long term and rewarding career, call us at: which usually act as filter- (IPOH) 05-2411198 ing systems in the body, for a 2-person portion), pig’s fallopian tubes pure- ly act as a passage for eggs and are therefore much more hygienic. It has a WVC TRiO + 1 crunchy texture and can be very tasty when cooked in at Ipoh the right way. Kafe Yoon Wah certainly cooks it right and in fact our bunch
RECIPE By MARGARITA LEE An Intimate Evening of Jazz Magic Four world class musicians on Keyboard, Saxophone, Fried Chicken with Ginger Flower Bass Guitar and Drums. (Bunga Kantan) One stunning ensemble playing all your favourite jazz music… and more! Come and be mesmerised, very mesmerised, by jazz at its spectacular best. Ingredients: Date: 11th April 2010 (Sunday) 1 chicken -cut into 12-15 pieces Time: 7.30 p.m. 1 stick of ginger flower – sliced thinly Venue: Indulgence, 14 Jalan Raja DiHilir, 30350 Ipoh. 2 tsp salt mixed into 200ml of water Reservations: 05-255 7051 ¾ cup of cooking oil RM240.00 nett Award-winning New York-based jazz musicians of our genre will be in Ipoh for Pounded Ingredients: th 1 tsp coriander (ketumbar) one night only on April 11 ! They will perform at Indulgence in conjunction 3 pips garlic with a delectable dinner feast. It promises to be an enchanting evening! 3cm fresh turmeric (kunyit) 3cm ginger flower
Method: 1. Sauté pounded ingredients with 2-3 tbsp of oil till fragrant. 2. Add in chicken and stir well. 3. Add in sliced ginger flower and stir well. 4. Add in salt water. 5. Simmer chicken till the gravy thickens. Dish out and keep aside. Keyboard - Tay Cher Siang 6. Heat oil in a wok on high heat until hot; deep-fry chicken pieces in it Bass- Vincent Ong until golden brown. Drums- Adam Osmianski 7. Drain on kitchen towels and serve. Saxophone- Benjamin Lee 6 April 1-15, 2010 IPOH ECHO Your Voice In The Community
We reprint some of our reader’s comments from our online paper. Go to http: //www.ipohecho.com.my/ to read more. The views expressed in these letters are not necessarily shared by the Editorial Board. LETTERS We reserve the right to refuse or modify the letters we publish. What is the point the menace of hawkers. Sultan Abdul Aziz, only of investing millions of Yet Penang is a hawk- then can we turn the park Stop The ers” zone, but about ten MBI’s blessings. In the last Government funds into er’s paradise, for both into a tourist attraction all years or so ago, this rule ten years, Polo Ground facilities and landscaping hawkers and fans of hawk- Perakeans can be proud “Kampung” was flagrantly broken with has been gradually taken when the environment in er food alike. Hawkers of. Mentality, MBI! the advent of the first hawk- over by hawkers who seem the park is denigrated and operate in strictly gazetted So, in answer to the er stall along Persiaran to be the law unto them- ruined by the ugly sight zones and streets dedicated question: is a solution “… if our authorities Brash. Emboldened by selves. The lovely park of of hawkers flogging their to hawker fare. Look at possible at Polo Ground? continue to hold on to the total lack of action by bygone days has complete- wares, while flies abound Persiaran Gurney and New Previous Governments their “third world mental- the local council and en- ly lost its dignity, reduced and rodents run rampant Lane, two very success- have shown they were ei- ity” of allowing hawkers couraged by brisk busi- to nothing more than a cir- around the park. This is not ful streets where hawkers ther not capable of resolv- free rein anywhere and ness, hawker stalls began cus act controlled by the to mention the traffic, pol- flourish. They are not lo- ing the crisis, or could not everywhere they please, to mushroom along the ‘hawker mafia’. lution and general chaos cated in residential areas! be bothered. The present we will forever be nothing street, first tentatively, but How very tragic that that are brought about by Majlis Bandaraya Government, under the more than a backward quickly gathering in cour- the handful of hawkers the existence of hawkers. Ipoh, why not create Ipoh’s helm of Menteri Besar “kampung” nation.” age and commitment. It who are the cause of this In addition, Polo own “food streets” instead Dato’ Dr Zambry, Datuk was not long before the huge problem continue Ground does not have of allowing hawkers to set Bandar Hj Roshidi and would like to thank and band of hawkers formed to be allowed to dictate the capacity to accom- up stalls wherever they State Senior Executive I commend Encik Fathol a strong alliance among matters at Polo Ground. modate large-scale events please? Councillor Dato’ Dr Mah Zaman Bukhari for his ex- themselves and became a What is the hidden agenda which are better organ- It is time to stop this Hang Soon, can prove oth- cellent article “Polo ground “union” of sorts, watching here?? ized at Dataran Ipoh, Ipoh “kampung” mentality! erwise, and indeed must – is a solution possible?” in out for one another and ac- We strive to be a de- Padang and Taman DR Stern action must be taken be seen to be the people’s the February 12-28, 2010, tively threatening anyone veloped country but the Seenivasagam. immediately to relocate Government rather than issue of Ipoh Echo. He has who dared stand in their uncivilized sight that greets Tourism Minister the illegal hawkers at Polo “all talk” only. not only brought to light way or come up against visitors to some of our Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen Ground to a designated MBI, it’s time to come the increasingly intolera- them. Even MBI, it seems, parks speaks volumes that has called for our parks hawker zone away from the clean. Come forward and ble issue of illegal hawkers is rendered powerless by we have a long way to go and gardens to be tourism residential area surround- answer to the people of at the park, an issue which the might of this ‘hawker before this can happen. For products, but tourists ing the park. When law Ipoh! has long been swept under mafia’. one thing, if our authorities visiting Polo Ground and order is firmly imple- Polo Ground Action the carpet by MBI, but also Today, these hawk- continue to hold on to their would not find our park mented at Taman Rekreasi Committee attempted to offer some ers, who number between “third world mentality” of very pleasant at all! The possible solutions to the 10 and 12 along the street, allowing hawkers free rein Government should take problem. go about their business anywhere and everywhere a leaf from Penang’s book poh Echo received ers. We will continue On the matter of leg- with total and uninhibited they please, we will for- and see how they have islation, Taman Rekreasi Ithis letter in response with our enforcement wild abandon. And why ever be nothing more than managed to draw tourists to the same topic: efforts from time to Sultan Abdul Aziz did start not? With no real legisla- a backward “kampung” to their parks and gardens. off as a strictly “No hawk- “The Council has time.” tion, they may as well have nation. The lovely Botanical acted by issuing com- This is most en- Gardens is a fine example pounds and seizing couraging. Our pleas of what a well-run park movable items belong- are having the desired should be – a green lung ing to the illegal hawk- effect. CHANGE strictly for rest and recrea- Editor YOUR WORLD 2010 tion – and totally devoid of
tions, the evening was noth- on William Wilberforce ood men make the ing short of a spectacle in and Zach Hunter, two in- “Gdifference, stamp itself. The crowd rocked to spirational figures who their blueprints and cre- the tunes played by 1a.m’s led the fight against slav- ate history”. This was the resident band, Relent. A ery. Zach is only 15 years chant of the night at the stunning dance routine by old and is a modern-day Change Your World 2010 an African youngster was abolitionist. The Change Concert held at Syuen a show stealer. It got eve- Your World wave has hit Hotel on Sunday, March ryone on the edge of their Ipoh and in line with its 14. Organised by the in- seats. The objective of the objective, the organisers terestingly named 1a.m, concert was to reach out to challenged the crowd to a Christian mission dedi- youths and instil in them make a difference by be- cated to bringing changes the desire to change for the ing an agent for change. through music, perform- better. Preceding the per- ance arts and stage produc- formance was a slide show Dinesh K ANNOUNCEMENTS Announcements must be sent by fax: 05-2552181; or email: [email protected], by the 9th or 23rd of every month in order to meet deadlines. Announcements by phone will not be enter- tained. Ipoh Echo reserves the right to verify any announcement before it is published. KAMI Family Education 2-Day Course (English) for caregivers of persons with mental disorders; 4 & 4A Lebuh Perajurit 3/2, Tmn Ipoh Boulevard Timur, Ipoh, April 10 & 24 from 8.30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Contact: Su – 016-5468003 or Georgie – 014-6008277. Home for the Aged Simee Ipoh Family Day Food Fair. April 25, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. For coupons contact: 05-5473252. Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng Perak Grand Prix Chess Championship 2010 (2nd Leg – Larut Matang/Selama (Taiping). Chinese Recreation Club, 2 Jalan Stesen, Taiping, April 11, 8.30 a.m.-5.30 p.m. Website: http://perakchess.blogspot.com/. Perak Community Specialist Hospital (PCSH) special offers for Pap Smear (RM28) and Mammogram Screening (RM70). Validity March 27 - April 27. For appoint- ment: 017-2951982 (Ms. Angeline) or 012-5061515 (Ms. Selena Yee). Solo Water-Colour Exhibition entitled, “Ipoh – A Colourful City”, by well-known local artist Loo Win. Daily from April 24 to May 1, at the Syuen Hotel Ipoh Lobby, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Featuring traditional culture, heritage buildings, limestone hills and villages in and around Ipoh. For details contact Loo Win at: 016-5533027. 9th Malaysian Hospice Congress entitled, “Communication for Better Care” on May 7-9, Impiana Hotel Ipoh. Contact: Perak Palliative Care Society, 14 Lebuh Woods, Canning Gdn, 31400 Ipoh, Tel./Fax: 05-5469021, email: [email protected]. Your Voice In The Community IPOH ECHO April 1-15, 2010 7 DIRT VIGILANTES COUNCILLOR JOINS DIRT VIGILANTES’ CAMPAIGN By Jerry Francis An established company dealing with highly saleable American product is urgently looking for ur on-going clean- can give a boost to our qualified candidates to fill the positions of: Oliness campaign to campaign. restore the city image as If only more City APPOINTMENT EXECUTIVES one of the cleanest in the Councillors and Council (Chinese Female) country has been getting officials could show great- Your job requires you to make appointments with some impact both from the er enthusiasm towards our customers for the company’s staff to provide Ipoh City Council and the cleanliness irrespective of sales services. residents. zone, the success of the ●●Good spoken English and excellent communication One of the latest en- campaign could be en- skills couragements is that a City sured. ●●Mandarin & Bahasa Malaysia will be an advantage Councillor, Peter Choong, Councillor Choong (centre) with Mandor Nizar and Meanwhile, the call ●●You must be cheerful, detailed and highly has taken upon himself MBI worker Bala for ‘dirt vigilantes’ to sup- motivated to get to the residents in jority of the tenants were despite the presence of a port the campaign with ●●No cold calls. No selling. Full training provided problematic spots within not involved. They had in number of large rubbish photographs and informa- ●●Experience not required but preference will be Ipoh to dissuade them fact expressed their disap- bins of the “RORO” type. tion on filthy spots in the given to those with customer service or from throwing rubbish in- pointment with those indis- We, in the Ipoh Echo, city is getting good re- telemarketing background discriminately. criminately throwing rub- are thrilled by Choong’s ef- sponse. ●●High basic with commission, incentives and sales “The attitude of the bish out on to the ground forts in support of our cam- Our on-line poll also bonuses people needs to change”, floor and wanted the City paign. He had even written shows overwhelming sup- ●●Nice working environment said Choong. “They have Council to take action. a Malay poem (pantun) in port for City Council to take stern action against If you are looking for a long term and rewarding to stop throwing rubbish City Council’s com- its support. From now on, career, please call us at: 05-2411198 wherever they like.” munity affairs director En Choong is being treated as those throwing rubbish in- “We must all realise Zulkifli bin Jaafar Sidek a ‘VIP dirt vigilante’, who discriminately. that the City Council could confirmed that some resi- not on its own keep the dents had been caught and city clean, it needs the co- fined for throwing litter out PERAK JAPANESE SCHOOL CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY operation of everyone.” of their windows for years. Recently, Choong He said the actions had Club of Ipoh Mr. Takashi Haga. inspected the situation at only improved the situa- The Perak Japanese School was established in the City Council’s Kinta tion slightly. April 1985 by Ipoh-based Dato’ Tomiyasu Ushiama Heights following com- Perhaps, it is time and wife Datin Mina together with other volunteers to plaints from some resi- that the residents of Kinta teach children of Japanese expatriates to master their dents of the low-cost flats Heights set up their own mother tongue. Lessons are held every Saturday by a and found out that the situ- committee as had been pro- group of volunteer teachers. For the new term starting ation is quite bad. posed by Mayor Roshidi in April, there will be 25 pupils enrolled in the Primary/ Tenants on the upper when he visited the flats Secondary level and nine in Kindergarten. floors are flinging rubbish last December. Doing so he Perak Japanese School at Jalan Bendahara in Dato’ Ushiama said that the Perak Japanese School out of their balconies and might be the start of a so- TIpoh, celebrated its 25th anniversary at a buffet is committed towards its mission and was grateful windows. Despite some lution to the residents’ long lunch held in honour of graduands of the school re- for the support received from the Consulate-General tenants being caught and standing problem. cently. of Japan in Penang, the Penang Japanese School and fined for littering by City At the commercial Among the guests of honour were Japanese Consul the Japan Club of Ipoh. He also thanked the Perak Council’s enforcement of- area in Taman Cempaka, in Penang Mr. Tadayoshi Hayashi, Principle of the Malaysian-Japanese Friendship Society for allowing ficers, the practice is still Choong expressed disap- Penang Japanese School Mr. Yukiyasu Osakabe and the school to be based in their premise since 1985. The rampant. pointment that rubbish Mrs. Fumiko Osakabe and the President of the Japan event closed with a cake cutting ceremony. Choong said the ma- were scattered outside 8 April 1-15, 2010 IPOH ECHO Your Voice In The Community
LETTER FROM ULU KINTA COMMUNITY NEWS SPREADING THE HAPPINESS WISHING YOU WEREN’T HERE? sk anyone about Ipoh to notice the dirty sights, etc.), or get annoyed with smells, sounds and sights. Aand 99% of them will horrendous smells and suggestions that the big Just like any other say it is a boring place. nerve wracking sounds. white ‘IPOH’ sign at two city, Ipoh is lovely in How can the scene of po- One only has to read the exits on the north-south many parts but it has its litical struggles, of nature Ipoh Echo for the readers’ highway is the closest we’ll downsides. Litter is a mas- at one’s doorstep, of a views about how this once ever get to Hollywood. But sive problem, as the Ipoh place where the people can beautiful city has become a hang on; we have our very Echo never tires to reveal. still find time for you, be big rubbish dump. own Bond Girl, Michelle Wouldn’t we love to blame termed boring? Maybe the We may moan about Yeoh and another budding our council entirely but young and dynamic crave the choked roads during actress, Christy Yow. And half the problem is our better shopping malls, or a peak hours, or the state of we’ve been fortunate to own apathy. This paper too ’s Men’s Club Ipoh Malayalee Association, a meaningful outlet for their the football team or the welcome foreign stars like has revealed that the in- (YMCI) chose the creative energy. Maybe lack of a good transport Jodie Foster and Catherine habitants of certain parts of Y blood donation drive was Perak Society for the held recently. these people need the cit- system, but how will Ipoh Deneuve. town have no pride in their Promotion of Mental ies, for jobs or opportuni- compare in a ranking of We probably have surrounding areas and are In a simple ceremony Health as the recipient of its held in Sung Hung Cheong ties which are unavailable Malaysian towns or cities more colonial buildings in responsible for rubbish goodies this Chinese New here. Ipoh boring? No. in which to live? use and our shopping malls piles that mushroom over- Motors, Pasir Pinji, the Year. Members of YMCI Club also donated a spe- Laid back? Yes. Ipohites are proud folk may not be as fantastic as night. called on the society at its ‘Boring Ipoh’ is the and would react angrily Kuala Lumpur’s. A sprin- cially designed motorcy- premise in Ulu Kinta, Ipoh, cle to Namasivayam a/l least of our problems. But, if we were ranked some- kling of small shops, such Shape Up or Ship Out recently. There to welcome to be bored is a state of where at the bottom of as the rotan shops, or shops But why? This city has a Rengasamy of Cameron them were residents and Highlands who had lost mind, just like happiness. this fictitious list. Haven’t that make the heads for the lot going for it and it has members of the society, You make the best of what we the best and cheapest lions in the lion dance, still some of the friendliest peo- both his legs due to Berger’s led by Puan Zurina Afandi. disease. K. Letchimanan, you have and Ipoh can food in the country? Our fascinate many a visitor. A ple in the country. We’d all The residents, numbering sometimes appear as a cul- roads are not incessantly sizeable number of typical love to say to those people Project & Finance Director over a hundred, warmed of the Club said that this is tural desert, a place lacking clogged like the urban ar- groceries (kedai runcit) ex- who want to sully our good up to the reception. They taste, with too much kitsch eas elsewhere, and isn’t hibit an air of authenticity name – get a life! part of their Community thanked the visitors for Service Project. Officials and no style. our atmosphere relatively (just like in our granny’s Ipoh has got every- the treat. The aim of the unpolluted? day), though they are fast thing anyone would need of the Club witnessed the visit, according to Puan ceremony. Namasivayam A Landfill Site? disappearing. The gentle- from a city and we love Chanika Letchimanan, Certainly, a travel brochure Our Icons man barber shops man- it here. So if you want to would use the motorcycle Chairperson of YMCI, to deliver newspapers and for Ipoh could describe it We may grumble about age to snip men’s hair just be part of this great place, was to bring cheers to the as the holiday equivalent migrant labour, unemploy- like in our grandfather’s you’ll just have to shape sell flowers to support his underprivileged. With the wife and five children. of visiting a landfill site. ment and the lack of cul- time. And our wet markets up. collaboration of the Perak One need not visit Ipoh ture (plays, theatre groups continue to have the same YAM A. JEYARAJ SCENE AND HEARD IPOH IN BRIEF THE BROTHERS OF MERCY AND ONGOING CHARITY he Brothers of Mercy FATIMAH HOSPITAL Tof Mary Help of and suffering has blos- Christians recently cele- somed into a full service brated their 160 years of its hospital. founding by their Blessed It appears that the mis- Brother Peter Friedhofen sion statement by Brother in 1850. Brothers of Mercy 2010. of Mercy Founder, Brother Brother Peter of Brother Patrick is on the right with necktie. Peter Friedhofen “To care Germany had a love for for the sick as well as pos- looking after the sick and Their original clinic undergoing training in sible in every aspect” is suffering and had dedicated took up part of the Simee Germany. Upon completing he Ladies Hour Club held their annual fellowship his life to caring for them. Old Folks Home which their training they would Tlunch at Mun Choong Restaurant in Pasir Putih In 1849 with episcopal ap- then was run by Father be able to man the hospital recently. The ladies have been meeting weekly for the proval he started a new or- Khaw as part of the work. past 20 years to network, share recipes, attend cooking der and built his convent at Catholic Welfare Services One of those early demonstrations and raise funds for various charity Weitersburg Germany. Its and offered polyclinic trainees is Brother Patrick projects in Ipoh. These include baking and selling mission statement was “To services. who went on to become cakes at the annual Salvation Army food and fun fair; care for the sick as well as The Brothers also op- a doctor and is currently making regular donations of cash and food to Asrama possible in every aspect”. erated a Mobile Dispensary the resident Dermatologist Travel Dispensary. Bintang and the Jelapang Old Folks Home; making The order is now service with scheduled vis- with the hospital. monthly cash donations to the Perak Thalassaemia present in several countries its at assigned clinics such The ground breaking still relevant today even Society as well as conduct awareness talks together around the world includ- as the Chinese temple at for the Hospital was held though it was first spoken with BP Lab in many secondary schools in Ipoh, and Gopeng. Other assigned in 1969 and their first pa- ing Ipoh Malaysia where 160 years ago. JAG provide Thalassaemia blood-screening to the students. they were instrumental in clinics were at Bota Kanan, tient was admitted in 1974. the setting up of Hospital Kampar, Batu Gajah The name selected for the Fatimah. and up north at Province hospital was ‘Fatimah’ af- The anniversary was Wellesley. They also pro- ter the saint of ‘Our Lady celebrated with a Mass held vided their services to the of Fatimah’ in Portugal. at the Hospital Fatimah Orang Asli. Due to the shortage Chapel and was attended After independence of nurses initially a batch by fellow Brothers from in 1957 and the gradual of German Sisters, the Germany and Singapore improvement of medical Franciscan Sisters of together with staff and services by the federal gov- Solzkotten were brought guests. ernment the work of the in for a limited stay. The The Brothers of Mercy Brothers of Mercy gradu- German Sisters were is a nursing order. Due to ally became redundant. subsequently replaced in the poor health conditions It was then that the 1983 by the Franciscan in Malaya then Archbishop idea of upgrading to a hos- Nuns formerly from Our Olcomendy of Singapore pital was mooted. Lady’s Hospital at Chung in 1953 invited the order to Additionally several Thye Phin Road. come to Ipoh to assist with of the town’s boys joined The hospital has the health situation. their novitiate and were grown from strength to strength and is now a 223-bed establishment, has been quality certified and is currently adding an Oncology Centre to its list of services. Brother of Mercy clinic at Simee@1953. What started as an in- vitation to care for the sick Your Voice In The Community IPOH ECHO April 1-15, 2010 9 IPOH IN BRIEF A WEDDING FAIR TO REMEMBER NEW MARKET MEDICAL CAMP FOR GUNUNG RAPAT IN TAMAN CHERRY
unung Rapat will have a new wet market in an- AJ Gother two years time. This was announced by Ipoh Mayor Dato’ Roshidi he “IMalaysia Wedding Fair” organised by Hashim on Wednesday, March 10, during his schedule THeritage Hotel Ipoh was a roaring success judging “Turun Padang” session with the residents of Zone 15 from the crowd and the number of participating (Sungai Rokam/Ipoh Jaya/ Ampang). boutiques present. The fair, held over a weekend on The future market located at the current site will March 13 and 14, attracted many visitors, especially be an upgrade of the existing market. ukun Tetangga, Taman Cherry with the support those with a keen eye on wedding gowns and dresses. The new market costing RM6 million will be a Rof Klinik Kesihatan Greentown held their annual It was officiated by Datin Faridah Din, wife of the single-storey building with an underground car park. Medical Camp at Pusat Rukun Tetangga, Taman Cherry. Perak State Secretary and president of Puspanita Perak. The market is designed to accommodate 187 stalls with During the Camp, Eye Tests, Dental check, Blood pres- She thanked the hotel management for organising the another 131 stalls located outside the market building. sure measurement, Body Mass Index, PAP smear, Self- event, as it provided an ideal platform for budding The underground car park will have 118 parking bays. breast examination and Blood Glucose level were carried designers to showcase their talents and boutiques in During the duration of upgrading, the exist- out. Based on the results of the tests, doctors advised the Ipoh to promote their products. She hoped Heritage ing market will be relocated off Jalan Gopeng on the individuals on the condition of their health. Hotel would make this an annual affair. Lesser known road leading to Sam Poh Tong and behind the existing A. Lucus, Secretary, Rukun Tetangga, Taman Cherry boutiques benefitted from the fair as it gave them Pomelo stalls. said that the annual Medical Camp has been organised an opportunity to jostle for space in the competitive A spokesman from MBI acknowledged that a for the past five years and more than 100 residents make fashion market. Students from the Vocational meeting with the stall owners was held last week to use of the facility. Follow up examination would be car- Training Institute Seri Iskandar, Perak, were the major hear their views and the response to the new design of ried out at the Klinik Kesihatan, Greentown. It would be beneficiaries. Norlia Kamaruddin, 23, who is pursuing the market was positive. easier for individuals to get treatment in Klinik Kesihatan a certificate course in dressmaking, was elated. “I’ve The same stall owners had last year rejected the since they have a referral letter. AJ picked many new ideas and concepts which will help earlier MBI design citing the first floor as not being enrich my experience”, she mused. Another student, conducive for business using the Bercham market as Nornatasya Tajuddin, 19, was similarly thrilled, “I am the benchmark. JAG mesmerised by the variety of colours of the dresses ZAMBRY and gowns. It gives me an idea how to mix and match ASSURES SHOE colours according to my whims”, she remarked. The fair had certainly made an impact on the visitors. REMEMBERING THE MANUFACTURERS RM RESIDENTS OF SPECIAL HOME The shoe industry in Malaysia is worth RM1billion annually and the new villages of Bukit Merah, Lahat, Menglembu and Pengkalan, are the main producers of shoes for the whole country. ONGOING CHARITY However, at Bukit Merah over 80% of the villagers participate as a cottage industry operation with each household performing one of the more than 20 processes for a complete shoe. This cottage industry needs to be regulated and was earlier threatened with a stop-work order. Due to their valuable contribution, Zambry assured the operators at Bukit Merah “not to worry. We won’t stop your work”. His announcement at the Bukit Merah community hall was greeted with applause by the erak Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Zambry Abd Kadir did residents. delegation of Lionesses led by organising chair- Pan on-site visit to the shoe manufacturers located at “We need to understand the nature of the cottage A person Datin Thavamani Thambipillay and Tadika Menglembu and Bukit Merah on March 18 recently. “I industry and work together with PFIA for a solution. Adik Bistharri’s administrator Mrs Pushpa Jeyasingam wanted to have a first-hand look at this place which has Hopefully shoes will be synonymous with Perak similar visited the centre run by the Perak Society of the been making shoes for 100 years.” to Limau Tambun Pomeloes”, added Zambry. Promotion of Mental Health in Ulu Kinta recently. It Perak Footwear Industry Association (PFIA) Amongst the officers in Zambry’s team were the was part of their joint community service – Lioness Chairman, K.K. Tham was on hand to greet Zambry and Directors of Town Planning from MBI, Tuan Azizuddin Club and Tadika Adik Bistharri. his team upon their arrival. Alias and the state Dr Dolbani Mijan. On hand to welcome them were the president JAG of Perak Society of the Promotion of Mental Health Dato’ Dr Majumder and the Manager Pn Latifa. The entertainment for the morning was the sing-a-long ses- sion while Dato’ Dr Majumder played the music. The CITY COUNCIL LAUNCHES OPERATION BRIGHT Lionesses joined them in the sing-a-long. The 90 residents were given parcels containing Stickers are being pasted on all lamp-posts with a ref- a bath towel, soap, toothpaste and a tooth brush, all erence number for its location and the telephone numbers sponsored by Tadika Adik Bistharri. Forty-seven lucky of the respective department to call in case of breakdown. draw prizes were given by the Lioness Club. The departments are being identified by the colour of the The visitors were taken on a tour of the five cha- stickers, which are blue for MBI, red, blue and white for lets, the Volunteers Quarters, the Workshop where the TNB and yellow for JKR. The labeling of all street poles residents produce handicrafts and ceramics for sale and will be completed by May 1. the Orchid Farm with its more than 1,000 pots in full Members of public are required to provide the road bloom. reference and the pole reference when making their report. Dato’ Dr Majumber expressed her gratitude to the They will be given a reference number for each report Lioness and staff of Tadika Adik Bistharri for visiting made. The maximum time taken to replace a faulty street the home. bulb is 48 hours. JAG poh City Council launched Ops Cerah (Operation Bright) at Gunung Lang Recreation Park recently to I ADVERTISING SALES www.ipohecho.com.my ensure that all street lamps in the city are lighted up at all To Advertise times. EXECUTIVE FOR IPOH Call: echoYour Voice In The Community The operation, which was officiated by the State Excecutive Councillor for Infrastructure, Public Facilities, Ramesh Kumar Energy and Water YB Dato’ Ramly Zahari, is a joint col- English speaking laboration effort of the City Council, TNB and JKR – the 016 5531092 and fluent in Chinese
departments responsible for providing street lighting for www.ipohecho.com.my No experience necessary – training provided the city. IPOH Basic salary plus commission echoYour Voice In The Community Present at the launch was Ipoh Mayor Dato’ Roshidi Good career prospects Hashim, JKR State Director Dato’ Dr Safry Kamal and Send applications by email to: the General Manager for TNB Perak Hj Mohd Zahir Md [email protected] or fax: 05-2552181 Nagor. 10 April 1-15, 2010 IPOH ECHO Your Voice In The Community
BEFORE AND AFTER – BILLBOARD PROMOTING PERAK’S HERBAL HAZARDOUS GARDEN ROAD JUNCTION otorists getting out from Jalan Kinta into Jalan MTun Abdul Razak (Jalan Maxwell) now have a clear view on the right of on coming vehicles, thanks to the prompt action by the State Water Supply Board. Following a ‘Thumbs Down’ report by the Ipoh After Echo (IE88), the board removed a metal box located at the junction which had been obstructing the view of motorists. Secretary of Lim Garden Residents’ Association, K. Sagadevan, conveyed his thanks to Ipoh Echo for drawing attention on the issue. He said no action was taken on their complaints on the issue over the past erak’s Herbal Garden – one of the state’s 10 tour- several years. He also thanked Perak Water Supply Pism icons – is being proudly presented with a big Board for their prompt action. billboard at the junction of Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah A. JEYARAJ Utara (Jalan Tasek) and Jalan Teh Lean Swee in Ipoh. The poster does not state where the Garden is lo- cated or give any contact details. However, the website of Perak Tourism is given in a panel under the poster. Before When I enquired how to get there from Ipoh, the receptionist in the Garden informed that I should drive COMMUNITY NEWS Taman Impiana Adril and Taman Badrisah. along Gopeng Road and turn right into the road lead- The residents had therefore formed an action com- ing to Kellie’s Castle. The Garden is about one kilo- A CAUSE mittee to highlight their plight and voiced its concern to metre from the main road. There is no signboard of the the relevant authorities but to date no actions were forth- Garden along the main road. How are tourists going to coming. get there? FOR CONCERN However, a recent study by Universiti Kebangsaan The booklet issued by Perak Tourism Action Malaysia (UKM) over a 24-hour period, discounted the Council on 10 Tourism Icons of Perak states the Garden presence of harmful chemical that would impair the health is open Monday-Friday from 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. and of residents. closed on weekends just like the Tourist Information The report also stated that the air was not contami- Centre. nated, as alleged. The contradiction in the report had the Family outings are normally done during weekends residents crying foul. when people are free and if the Garden is closed during The MP for Sungai Siput, Dr. D. Jeyakumar, who is weekends and Public Holidays how does Perak Tourism also the President of Parti Sosialis Malaysia, claimed that expect people to visit the site. A. JEYARAJ the results were totally unexpected. He credited the state health department for initiating the study but questioned the methodology used. would view the residents’ concern seriously, as their health Dr. Jeyakumar was puzzled why the health depart- was at risk. ment was the one to announce the results and not UKM. Many of the residents interviewed shared this fear. V. he air quality in Menglembu, especially in areas sur- He had posed several questions to the department but Sundarajoo, 62, had put up with the situation far too long. Trounding the many factories, is bad. It is claimed that could not get any satisfactory answers. “There are traces “We can’t stand the smell and the stench emanat- there are traces of chromium and arsenic particles in the of chromium and arsenic particles in the air which are ing from the factories. The noise too is deafening.” Most air. harmful to the residents in the long term”, he said. agreed that something needs to be done to overcome the The worse affected areas are Taman Bukit Merah, The Sungai Siput lawmaker hoped the authorities problem. ROSLI MANSOR Your Voice In The Community IPOH ECHO April 1-15, 2010 11
BEHIND THE STREET NAMES ECO-TOURISM Dip in the Kinta River By Yeun Yin Fong WHICH “THE ROOTS” STREET? .... TAKING ROOT Horley Street (from Brewster Road to Towkay Leong Sin Nam’s shop By James Gough – towards North) tribute to his memory. he Roots, a resort ho was Horley? The following is one Tdedicated to eco- The late Reverend passage from the Bishop’s W Rev. W.E. Horley tourism on the banks of William Edward Horley, address. “For 37 years the Kinta River in Tanjung MBE, was one of the William Edward Horley by his cheerful and sympa- Rambutan, had their first great educationists of spent himself in passion- intake of visitors from the where they participated thetic nature. But he was Bridget herself is an the Methodist Mission. ate devotion to the social German European School in a quest designed by more than a good comrade experienced biologist He was born in 1870 and and spiritual welfare of in Singapore recently. Ecofieldtrips that took and kindly humanitarian. and conservationist with died in 1931. He founded the people of this country. Comprised of 71 students them through its dungeons He had an exceptionally a Masters in Education schools and did church and His zeal did not go without and secret passageways clever vision of God, and and is pro-active in educational work in Perak recognition and he gained the witness whom he bore marine conservation and and Selangor for 37 years. a public distinction which was never obscure or half education. The ACS Ipoh and the many men might covet, hearted or compromising.” For the remainder MBS Kuala Lumpur were but far more precious to Apart from the street, of the year Roots already the schools he started. On him must have been the there are also schools, has bookings from his death, at the graveside, confidence of the hundreds buildings and sports hous- another 10 schools from the Bishop of Singapore, of simple souls which he es named after the great countries like France, the Right Reverend B.C. won, and the personal educationist. Singapore, Dubai and Roberts paid a generous friendships which he made Hong Kong as well as What is Horley Street KL and Penang. most popular for? One of the visiting ●● Flea market on Sundays The group at ●● Vicinity to Public Matang Mangrove Pusing Seafood Forest Taiping Restaurant (popu- larly known as Mun Sunday flea Choong) market Source: and four teachers, the www.ipohworld.org group was on a five-day field trip throughout Perak. ONGOING REFURBISHMENT FOR The resort’s study programme focuses IMPIANA HOTEL IPOH on raising awareness of environmental conservation and Blowpipe training sustainability issues, particularly to young people who have the teachers said that the power to shape the future Roots programme of our planet. to discover the tale of was one of the best The students, The William Kellie Smith programmes available whose average age is family. for eco-tourism and 13 years, were taken Ipoh history was a educating young minds. on action-packed major focus throughout With this in place, field trips from Gua the week especially the tin Perak now has a tour Tempurung at Gopeng industry culminating in a programme, albeit a and its surrounding fun tin panning session. study programme, which adventure camps to Throughout the enables participants to Matang Mangrove Forest week the students were appreciate the diverse at Taiping where they led by a team of eight natural attractions had a chance to re-plant experienced biologists to available in the state, as mangrove seedlings, learn about the diverse well as to learn about its thus replenishing an history, biology, people history. important habitat for many and attractions that Perak The new Perak and Ipoh have to offer. fieldtrip has certainly entrally located in the heart of Ipoh, the four-star Impiana Hotel Ipoh offers endangered bird species found nearby. According to the taken off to a brilliant Clavish facilities set against breathtaking views of rugged limestone hills. The co-owner of the resort, start and if the response hotel has started its renovation and refurbishment works, which involved some of Conservation of indigenous cultures is also Bridget Hedderman, of the first batch of the public areas and rooms. the programme for students is anything to go The new Deluxe rooms and Executive Suites have been given a complete part of the programme and as such their trip included this first batch took by, it has taken firm root facelift to give that exclusive and contemporary look, with all 200 spacious over eight months to for The Roots to receive guestrooms equipped with individually controlled air-conditioning, direct dialling, a visit to the Orang Asli village at Kampong prepare together with more students in the five ASTRO channels, Internet data port, broadband services, hair dryer, in-room her team of biologists. future! private safe and coffee/tea making facilities. Tonggan, Ulu Kinta where The Garden Terrace at the lobby level, which offers a culinary tour of the students integrated with best in local and international cuisine, is the perfect venue to meet and greet. A the children of Orang Asli tempting spread of daily buffet breakfast, buffet lunch and buffet dinner beckons families. The ice-breaker and signature dishes: cucur udang, roti canai durian, mee rebus, nga choy kay and activity was singing the teh tarik are there to tempt most palates. song ”heads, shoulders, Another excellent place to dine is The Bistro, a newly opened F&B outlet knees and toes” repeatedly located at the Lobby Level. The Bistro is the place to head to for tasty food and but in various dialects beverages in a comfortable yet subdued setting. With a fine selection of wines from starting from English to all over the world, The Bistro is an excellent choice for both lunch and dinner. Bahasa Malaysia. Lunch is served from 12.00 p.m. to 2.30 p.m., while dinner is from 6.00 p.m. to Back at The Roots, 12.00 midnight. The restaurant caters to individuals and groups of up to 50 people. the students learnt to The Lobby Lounge rounds out the facilities on offer, providing the ambience play sepak takraw, made and atmosphere for families and friends to socialise or get together for light a poster inspired by the refreshments. Impiana Hotel Ipoh also boasts a grand ballroom, the Crystal Orang Asli visit, and even Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 800 guests, the site for many a lavish had some target practice function. using traditional Orang The Impiana Hotel Ipoh is certainly a retreat within the city, a welcoming Asli blow-pipes. presence in Ipoh. For a sense of adventure the students Tel: 605-255 5555 Website: www.impiana.com visited Kellie’s Castle 12 April 1-15, 2010 IPOH ECHO Your Voice In The Community COMMUNITY NEWS ‘KEKABU’ A SOURCE OF INCOME
source of income for one them.” Cik Wok is determined to gritty widow. Puan Radziah Radziah is a mother persevere despite the insur- Yeop Ibrahim, 60, sells of two. Eldest son, Nor mountable odds. She rents a ‘kekabu’ filled pillows and Hisyam, 21, pursues a de- single-storey terrace house mattresses to eager buyers gree course at Universiti at Taman Harirela, behind from as far away as Kuala Pendidikan Sultan Idris Hillcity Hotel from where Lumpur and Penang. Local Shah, Tanjung Malim while she makes her pillows and customers too are aplenty. daughter, Norlizatul Akma, cookies. “I’ve to set aside The soft and silky 14, studies at the Methodist RM280 for the house rent texture of the cotton-like Girls School, Ipoh. Her ex- every month. Sometimes fibres found in the ripe soldier husband, Zulkefli it’s difficult to make ends and swirled-up pods make Mat Yatim, died five years meet, especially when or- good fillings for pillows ago and since then Radziah ders take a tumble.” and mattresses. “It has has been raising her two Gunung Rapat. This gutsy lady needs some therapeutic values”, kids on her own. Her only Radziah hopes it our help. Those keen on said Puan Radziah or Mak source of income is derived will be a hit with sampling her hand-made customers. By Rosli Mansor Cik Wok, as she is popu- from the ‘kekabu’ pillows products can reach her at larly known. “It’s good for and mattresses. Lately she “It’s tough her house, No. 6, Lebuhraya he unassuming ‘keka- the body as the softness of has ventured into the tra- raising two kids Harirela, Taman Harirela, Tbu’ tree, which grows a kekabu-filled pillow and ditional cookie business sold in packets, is found at with my meagre Ipoh, or her mobile 016- profusely along river banks mattress cushions the head making dried jelly for the a retail outlet in Megoplex, income”, Radziah told Ipoh 536 6174. and in the kampongs, is a and back when one lies on market. Her dried jelly, a popular shopping mall in Echo recently. But Mak FUN WITH ORAL HYGIENE Or how to remove the fear of dentists for children un activities related to participating in the fun of the hospital’s “Bright they hosted a Fdental care are organ- activities were also given Smile Project”, which is to Chinese New ised by Pantai Hospital a talk on oral hygiene, provide health awareness Year Party Ipoh (PHI) to inspire chil- demonstrations on brush- and educate children and and choir per- dren from orphanages to ing technique and dental the public on oral hygiene formance by have good oral hygiene. screening. It was conduct- and caring for their teeth. PHI staff for It is part of the hos- ed by Resident Dentist, Dr clients of Perak pital’s Oral Hygiene Sunita Diwakar Naidu. Oral Hygiene Workshops Palliative Care Workshop and Free It was a fun-filled day Every month (starting this Society, a Chinese Screening for orphans un- for the children as their fear March) the hospital will New Year Party der its “Corporate Social of visiting dentists were carry out various activities at Rumah Warga Responsibility” (CSR) forgotten as they excitedly to provide education and Tua Wa Khiew programme. took part in colouring pic- health awareness under in Sungai Siput in Held at its Dental tures, maze challenges and this project. The hospital collaboration with Clinic recently, 29 chil- doing puzzles which are started its dental services Rotary Club of Kuala dren from the Precious dental related. early this year and as part Kangsar, a Chinese Gift Home, apart from This event is the start of its outreach to the com- New Year Party and From The Heart”. And, it munity, it is conducting dance performance trained Nurses and profes- constantly strives to im- oral hygiene workshops by PHI nurses for 250 sional administrative staff. prove its services to meet and providing promotional residents of Rumah Seri The hospital is com- customer’s expectations rates for children during Kenangan and organized a mitted to its customers and and needs. practices its motto “Caring the school holidays as Chinese New Year Caring JERRY FRANCIS well as for adults. from the Heart Project, Pantai Hospital Ipoh where free medical screen- DENTAL PROCEDURES has always been very ing and donation of sun- actively involved in CSR dries was done for 29 poor AVAILABLE AT THE PHI projects. Just the first two families in Manjung. SCREENING months of the year saw ●● Restoration – crowns & bridges them carrying out About Pantai Hospital ●● Fillings – tooth coloured aesthetic fillings CSR projects which Pantai Hospital Ipoh ●● Root canal treatment included provid- is a 180-bedded private ●● Extractions ing free refresh- specialist hospital. The ●● Removal of wisdom teeth ments for devotees Hospital offers a wide ●● Oral prophylaxia and public as well range of outpatient and in- ●● Scaling as medical aid (oint- patient services equipped ●● Polishing (air) ment rub) for kavadi with modern medical facil- ●● Children bearers and public ities, plus the experienced * Pit & tissue sealant during ‘Thaipusam’ on expertise of dedicated * Flouride therapy January 30. In February, Medical Consultants, well- * Other dental services