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MARCH 16-31, 2009 PP 14252/10/2009(022651) NEWS POLITICAL COLOUR IPOH IN MESS IN SERGEANT BRIEF PERAK 3 6 4 9 THE SALVATION ARMY – EVERY CHILD MATTERS A Report by James Gough

More pics at ipohecho on line Name: FRANCESSCA LEE Occupation: STUDENT The Salvation Army Children’s Home at Jalan Tuanku Hobbies: WATCHING TENNIS, Bainun (Jalan Kampar) celebrated the opening of a new ROCK MUSIC FROM THE 70s’ wing on its premises recently. The new block comes with its The quality I admire most: GENEROSITY Ambition: own bedrooms, living rooms, toilets and multipurpose rooms TO WORK WITH DEVELOPING complete with kitchen and dining facilities. COUNTRIES 2 IPOH ECHO March 16 - 31, 2009 Your Community Newspaper

SALVATION ARMY REQUIRES NOT ONLY FUNDS BUT DONORS WHO APPRECIATE ITS ROLE IN SOCIETY. ONE BENEFACTOR WHO STANDS ABOVE THE REST IS KOON YEW YIN

Guests celebrating with inmates of the Salvation Army Children’s Home girls and young boys, they children are orphans or also have a boys home some have only one par- in Tambun, an old folks ent. We must realise that home in Jelapang and a our survival depends on Salvation Army Church at others. Our very existence Wah Keong Park. All these from birth was the result facilities are open to poor of some others’ actions orphans, irrespective of and we survive everyday race or religion. in varying dependence After the opening on many people. There is Mr Koon Yew Yin celebration ceremonies, hardly a moment when we Ipoh Echo interviewed the do not benefit from what Captain Tong Yat Lam he addition of this 56, was brought to the patron, as well as repre- donor, Mr Koon Yew Yin others do for us e.g., some- Tnew wing was made school along with her two sentatives from the Perak who is a retired 76 year-old one must have purified the lect the students and what possible through the gen- brothers after their father Welfare Department. Chartered Civil Engineer water or produced the food is their obligation to you? erosity of Mr Koon Yew passed away. She recalls The Salvation Army and was one of the found- for us. Even Bill Gates Koon: I will help Yin who fully financed her strict and disciplined began in 1865 when ers of IJM Corporation needs people to produce needy students whose total the cost of the building, upbringing. Education was William Booth, a London Bhd and Gamuda Bhd. and buy his products. family monthly income is which is as big as the cur- always very important. minister, gave up the com- He was a member of We could not have less than RM2,000. They rent building. She completed her stud- fort of his pulpit and de- the Board of Engineers, accumulated wealth with- must pass the SPM with The Home, which ies at the Perak Chinese cided to take his message Malaysia, for 3 terms and a out the help of others. I reasonably good results started in 1947, was origi- High School nearby. Tong into the streets where it member of SIRIM for the believe that after I have so that they can gain entry nally located along Jalan is grateful to the Salvation would reach the poor, the writing of the Malaysian provided enough for all to the University Tungku Dr Raja Nazrin Shah Army as it has provided homeless, the hungry and Standards for Cement my dependents, I want to Abdul Rahman to study (Gopeng Road). It has her with an opportunity to the destitute. and Concrete. He was the spend all my money be- finance and accountancy. been providing residential lead a decent life. Today, The Salvation former Secretary General fore others spend it for me. I will help them finan- care for hundreds of needy “The Salvation Army Army is stronger and more of the Master Builders I want to give back the rest cially to complete a degree and underprivileged chil- strives to improve its powerful than ever. Now, in Association Malaysia for 9 of our money to help the course. dren for over 60 years. services and is extremely over 106 countries around years. He was also one of unfortunate; otherwise, They do not have to A testimony of the grateful to Mr Koon for the world, The Salvation the Directors of the Perak my life has no meaning. return the money I spent on good work done by the his generous support es- Army continues to work Community Specialist them and they do not have Home is told by Captain pecially during these dif- where the need is greatest, Hospital. Ipoh Echo: You said in to work for me when they Tong Yat Lam, now the ficult economic times.” guided by faith in God and Ipoh Echo: Why are your speech that you have qualify. They only have to Superintendent of the said Commissioner David love for all people. you donating RM 500,000 already given scholarships promise that they will help Perak Home for the Aged Bringans in his opening The Salvation Army for the construction of this to 40 poor students and needy students when they at Jelapang, another es- address. Other attend- started in Ipoh about 70 new building extension? you are willing to consider begin their working life. tablishment managed by ees included Dato Dr. years ago. Besides this Koon: I want to help helping more students. A noble deed and the Salvation Army. Tong, Majumder, a long-time Jalan Kampar home for poor children. Most of the Please tell us how you se- thought indeed. LETTER FROM ULU KINTA THE TROUBLE WITH MEN AND THE PROBLEM YMM writer’s email: [email protected] WITH WOMEN alaysia is no stranger nant force in our work- portion of girls are taking workplaces must adapt The notable rise in more stress and get easily to a female work- M place in the next decade. up options in science and changes in work-hours the professions cannot ex- depressed than if we were force. Ever since female The proportion of women technology based courses and patterns to suit women plain why there is a lack of told what to do by a strap- immigration from China is high (and steadily ris- at higher education level, with family responsibili- women reaching the top in ping hunk of a man. and India to the Malay ing), in an ever increas- whilst increasing numbers ties. Either that or they will politics, the councils, the For ages, we have Peninsula increased dra- ing array of professions of boys choose soft sub- risk losing these women to professional bodies or the blamed men for hindering matically from the early – teaching and education, jects like media, religious a rival or in extreme cases, police, for instance. Is it our careers, that they have 20th century, Chinese medicine, law, science, ar- studies and the arts. cause them to drop out of the work-life balance issue made it difficult for us to and Indian women have chitecture and engineering. Women make more the employment market al- again? Or is it the fact that achieve gender equality played a major role in the Encouragingly, the more suitable candidates for a together. we women can be our own in the workplace and that economic growth of early traditional male bastions variety of jobs because Nevertheless we must worst enemies? Some of they only treat us a pretty Malaya. They joined the of medicine and engineer- they have a wide range of seriously address the fall- us easily permit our petty face, good for preparing labour force as paid or ing are now dominated by skills and achieve better ing numbers of males into jealousies to get in the way meals and procreation. unpaid workers in the tin women. academic qualifications. areas of education and the of our careers. Those arguments mines, the agricultural sec- In schools and uni- They excel at teamwork, professions. Although men In a study by sci- won’t wash anymore and tor, as domestic helpers versities, girls easily excel leadership skills, com- should be praised for in- entists at the University we have to get over this and in prostitution. In cer- and overtake boys in their munication and emotional creasingly taking greater of Toronto, it was found last hurdle because year- tain parts of the country, studies. Contrast this with intelligence. They also responsibility in running that women prefer to be in, year-out, we have indigenous Malay women the late 19th century when exhibit better resilience the home and bringing told what to do by men consistently outperformed were already prominent as Malay girls only gained and integrity. Men, on the up children, more must (we’ve been so used to this the boys in education. traders and in the textile access to formal educa- other hand, have mainly be done to support boys throughout the millennia Despite that, there exists weaving industry. tion in 1885, and 50 years relied on their powers of at school, engage them in so why bother to change?). a wide pay gap between For generations, wom- later, there were 150 girls intellectual ability or their education and raise their Also, the Queen Bee the sexes and a dearth of en in modern Malaysia schools in Malaya and a physical strength. ambitions and expecta- Syndrome predominates places of seniority in the have struggled to make teacher training college for Currently, the reason tions in life. All attempts in that we abhor being sur- professions and politics. their way to the top of their female Malay teachers. why women do not make it must be made to limit their rounded by competitors of That change has got to professions, their paths At present, what is to the top of their profes- decline behind their female the same sex. come from within us. The obstructed by prejudice alarming is that many sion is not for lack of abil- contemporaries. Men, too So, we hate to have sooner we accept it, the or tradition. Now, simple males are alienated from ity. It is that the work-life have an important role in to answer to someone faster we can adapt and the analysis will show that the world of education and balance they crave is miss- society, alongside their fe- with breasts and a high- more glass ceilings we can they can become the domi- engineering. A higher pro- ing. In this respect, more male counterparts. pitched voice. We suffer smash through. Your Community Newspaper IPOH ECHO March 16 - 31, 2009 3

From the Editor’s Desk FATHOL ZAMAN BUKHARI www.ipohecho.com.my IPOH echoYour Community Newspaper UNRAVELLING THE TRUTH BEHIND THE POLITICAL MESS IN PERAK In an attempt to get an insight into the political quagmire that Perak has unwittingly found itself, Ipoh Echo will endeavour to find answers from both sides of the political divide. The series starts with an interview with Augustine Anthony, a prominent human rights lawyer

Ipoh Echo: Perakians in Ipoh Echo: Do you think general are rather in the that this impasse will end dark as to events clouding on a happy note? What are the Perak political land- the lessons learnt? scape. How did events un- Augustine: I cannot pre- fold? dict that it will end on a Augustine: It’s common happy note. However, I knowledge, judging from can say this for certain the sequence of events in- that those involved in the the past month, what took “power grab” thought that place. It all started with the it was a walk in the park. appointment of Dato’ Dr Now they know that the Zambry, replacing Dato’ Constitution has enough Seri Nizar Jamaluddin provisions to protect the as the Mentri Besar on man in the street. February 6. Beyond the le- Any setback is good ed- gal aspects, it’s the feelings ucation for the people to be of the people that matter. vigilant, prudent, compas- Perak has been under sionate and circumspect. Barisan Nasional since It will teach future gen- 1957. There was never an erations how to respect the occasion when the state Constitution, the Rule of government was ruled Augustine Anthony Law and the people. It will by another party other also teach those in power than BN. After the March nication was snuffed out ing against the swearing-in Ipoh Echo: The rakyat development that have tak- that they cannot disregard 8 General Election, the when a “power grab” took of the new MB in Kuala have inferred that there en place is that the rakyat the feelings of the masses. rakyat had voted in a new place. Kangsar. The spontaneity is interference by the today are better informed They must acknowledge government under the tri- The rakyat don’t mind a of this unplanned protest Judiciary insofar as the than before. They now the fact that their number partite coalition named change in the government goes to show how unhappy Perak situation is con- know what is enshrined in is small while the masses Pakatan Rakyat. but it’s the manner the the people are. cerned. Your comments. the Perak State Constitution are huge. change is instituted that Augustine: The good gov- and what the Perak State Ipoh Echo. What events left many unhappy. They Ipoh Echo: What are the ernance of the state is en- Legislative Standing Order Ipoh Echo: How can this have left a lasting impres- voted for the parties that other contributing factors? hanced by the independ- provides. They have taken crisis be resolved? sion on Perakians? could bring about changes Augustine: Power grab ence of the three branches cognisance of the fact that Augustine: Dissolve Augustine: The openness and now they are left in the is not something easy be- – Judiciary, Legislative federal apparatchiks, like the state assembly and of the PR-led Government lurch. cause we are a country and Executive. The people the police and the anti-cor- call for a fresh election. is something new to with a written constitution, perceive that the Judiciary ruption commission, are Let Perakians decide Perakians. The PR politi- Ipoh Echo: How had the which has evolved over the is imposing itself on the being brought to bear on what’s best for their state. cians are very approach- actions of the three BN- years. Besides the Federal Legislative. The slew of the Opposition. And fore- Otherwise it’s denying able and are willing listen- friendly assemblymen im- Constitution, individual litigations taken against most, they all know who their legitimate expecta- ers. Long standing issues pacted the rakyat? states have their own con- and for the newly-formed the underdogs are. tions. relating to Orang Asli’s Augustine: The people felt stitutions. The civil society BN government is the re- land rights, for example, that the three individuals of the country believes that sult of this shortcoming. have been resolved. Land had betrayed their trust. the Rule of Law must pre- titles, which were once a The response from the vail. Ipoh Echo: There is a taboo subject, were given rakyat was something un- There is separation general feeling among out. A two-way communi- expected. There had never of powers between the Perakians that truth will cation was established with been such an outpouring of Judiciary, the Legislative be suppressed. Your com- those in authority and the anger in the streets. It trans- and the Executive. The ments. common folk. Suddenly, lated into a phenomenal three branches must work Augustine: With the devel- this channel of commu- scene with people protest- harmoniously but inde- opments taking place pres- pendently without any ently, I don’t think that’s form of “unholy interfer- easy. The monarchy has ence”. We have been jolted been unwittingly dragged in the past. The Executive into the fray. It’s not about assault on the Judiciary defending the Institution of in 1988 is a case in point the Rulers per se. It’s about and we have never recov- defending the interest of ered since. What happened certain individuals. We no in Perak is another round longer live in the 50s and of Executive meddling in 60s where the flow of in- the affairs of a legislative formation was so restrict- body. ed. With Internet people today can access news as it Ipoh Echo: Can this out- unfolds. Blogs and online pouring of anger be avert- newspapers provide better ed? and wider coverage than Augustine: Yes, it can. the mainstream media do. When one party seeks le- The people can differenti- gitimacy to rule why is it ate between truth and fic- so difficult to ask the peo- tion. Truth, therefore, will ple for their consent? Seek never be suppressed. the mandate from the rak- yat. Let the public choose Ipoh Echo: What is the the government of their effect of this mess on the choice through the ballot rakyat? boxes. Augustine: One positive 4 IPOH ECHO March 16 - 31, 2009 Your Community Newspaper

THINKING ALOUD G. SIVAPRAGASAM PUBLISHER Ipoh Echo Sdn Bhd (Regd No 687483 T)

No 1 Jalan Lasam 30450 Ipoh Perak Darul Ridzuan Tel: (605) 249 5936 Fax: (605) 255 2181 PERAK PROBLEM - CRISIS Email: ipohecho.jag@ gmail.com Response to ‘RAKYAT’s’ letter published in 1st March Ipoh Echo EDITORIAL et me begin with the individuals in PR talk- If they had done this dur- an ideal world. All that PR In 2000 the victory of Fathol Zaman Bukhari accusation that I ing about party hopping ing their 10 month tenure had was a slim majority, a George W Bush was con- James Gough L was not providing a bal- but the whole of PR cel- at least it would have em- risky situation and when troversial. Al Gore could GRAPHIC DESIGN/ anced view. In my article ebrating the defection of boldened people like the two of their members were have mounted a challenge PHOTOGRAPHY I favoured neither BN BN’s Datuk Nasaruddin writer to declare his name charged for corruption against the result. Putting Rosli Mansor Ahd Razali nor PR. Both the parties Hashim’s to PR. in his letter without fear. they were in jeopardy. That the interest of society Azril Aryandi Bin Zambri in my opinion have be- Also let us not con- People must be moved to would have been the right above that of his party and haved badly and are at fuse PR with the rakyat. stand up and be counted for time to have sought disso- himself he accepted the re- MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION fault. My message essen- PR does not represent the their opinions and beliefs. lution of the assembly and sult. His supporters and the MANAGER tially was that whatever whole rakyat. About half Only then can there be pro- fresh elections. They held people too did the same. Ramesh Kumar the rights and wrongs the people voted for BN in gressive change. This em- on to power and only when That is first world politics. the warring parties need the last elections and strict- powerment of the people they lost their numbers did In Thailand there are PERMISSION AND RE- to settle down and move ly the only people with a was what I expected from they seek dissolution. Can PRINTS elections after elections, forward. As a citizen of claim to complain would PR and sadly their effort they realistically expect every election result dis- Materials in Ipoh Echo may Perak it matters little to be the voters who provided had been disappointing. BN to do what they them- not be reproduced puted, court case after in any form without the me which party controls the vote difference to give My other concern was selves were not willing to court case and perpetual written permission of the this state so long as they the three turncoats victory PR’s inability to present a do? street protests. All this and publisher acknowledge that their over their opponents. PR truly common policy. One The issues to me are no conclusive result. This authority comes from should accept the blame component party speaks simple. is third world politics. PRINTER the people of Perak and for offering these unprin- of implementing Islamic One – is it unlawful Konway Industries Sdn Which model do we are accountable to them. cipled candidates to the law and another denies an for elected representatives Bhd Whether in government electorate. Islamic state identity. The want to follow? Plot 78, Lebuhraya to move from one party to Kampong Jawa or opposition there is a As for the writer’s only common objective another. To truly attain devel- 11900 Bayan Baru, role to play and it is their complaint that I have not appears to be to deny BN Two – are undated oped nation status our po- Pulau Pinang duty to discharge this role criticised BN I think he power. Though this proved resignations valid litical structure needs to as effectively as possible. should look at all that I successful in the last elec- Tel: (604) 644 7507 Three – have the mutate from a one party to In this regard perhaps have written in the last five tions it may not have long crossovers resulted in BN a two party system that de- ‘winner takes all’ tradi- years. In the subject article term prospects. It is signif- acquiring majority in the livers a strong government tion needs to be replaced my criticism was directed icant that the component legislature. and a strong opposition. USEFUL CONTACTS with a ‘work together for at PR for the simple reason parties of PR contested the When people are empow- This is the substance – the benefit of society’ cul- that PR was the immediate elections under their indi- ered with choice, efficien- ture. If Obama can do it past power. In any event vidual flags and continue the rest is procedure. Ibu Pejabat cy will increase and abuse why can’t we? the answer to bad behav- to do so. A common phi- For the record let me will reduce. Polis Daerah (IPD) I agree with the writer iour is not bad behaviour losophy, values and princi- state that what is happen- 05 2451 500 that the rakyat are being but good behaviour. Also ples I feel is crucial if PR ing now disturbs me. With It is my fervent hope 999 (emergency) made fools of by elected let us not be naive. Power is to emerge as a political each passing day the crisis that PR and BN emerge as members jumping from corrupts and though BN force. Only with this will is deepening and the stakes true alternatives. For this Ipoh General Hospital to happen both would need 05-253 3333 one party to another. The may have much to answer it be able to present itself are getting higher. We are reaching a level where to reform. They would Ipoh Ambulance ‘people’ undoubtedly have for PR too was beginning as a viable alternative in a the right to protest. PR on to exhibit unacceptable two party system. there can never be any need an enlightened phi- 05-522 2506 losophy, inspiring objec- 993 (emergency) the other hand lost this traits. I agree that for the goodwill between the two right by advocating this My main criticism people of this state the parts that form the legis- tives and great values with Ipoh Fire Brigade type of behaviour. Let me against PR was their fail- ideal would be fresh elec- lature. In this contest it is a membership founded not 05-547 4444/994 add that it was not some ure to empower the people. tions. But we do not live in society that suffers. on power but principle. (emergency) Perak Immigration Dept 05-5017100 ALL THAT JAZZ Perak Water Board taying fit can be a lot of fun. If you love 05-254 6161 dance and music then you should try out Ipoh City S Council(Complaints) Jazzercise a 60 minute fitness programme 05-255 1515 that incorporates moves from hip-hop, Perak Anti-Corruption pilates, jazz, kick-boxing and resistance Agency training, all in one package. Expect to burn 05-253 1982 500 calories per class. State Secretariat The Jazzercise programme was created 05-253 1957 by Judi Sheppard in 1969. A traditional jazz Railway Station dance teacher she incorporated elements of 05-254 7987 jazz into aerobic exercise hence the name Airport 05-312 0848 Jazzercise. Franchised Jazzercise instructor, Suraya Registration Department 05-528 8805 Yussof, conducts such classes at her Fitness Junction Gym, a welcoming location exuding Tenaga Nasional Berhad 05-253 2000 a non-competitive environment right here in Ipoh. Lembaga Air Perak Or check out Barbell, a fun but serious full 1800-88-7788 body resistance class. Barbell builds muscle, Directory Service burns fat and promotes all round fitness by 103 using fully adjustable weights clipped onto Rakan Cop a metal bar. This package helps prevent loss 05-240 1999 of muscle tone which occurs with aging. It Perak Women for is reknown for its rapid results in improving Women Society body tone and shape. 012-521 2480 All these are available at Fitness Junction 012-505 0547 05-5469715 (office) Gym, No 2 Jalan Kelab Golf. Your Community Newspaper IPOH ECHO March 16 - 31, 2009 5

MUSINGS ON FOOD by See Foon Chan-Koppen FOOD [email protected] BANANA LEAF RICE FINGER(S) LICKING GOOD! Need we say more? Let’s start with their own innovative rice noodles and the Wat with your basic banana leaf (vegetarian) meal. First you have the touches. Their portions are Tan Hor or flat rice noodles banana leaf (hence the name) – very good for people who hate generous one–person por- with a choice of either fish washing dishes! Then comes the rice, which is piled on until you tions and of any of their paste or mixed meat and say ‘oop cukup’ (enough). The rice can be white rice, parboiled, noodles will be sufficient vegetables or sliced beef. or ‘briyani’. Next come the vegetables. Usually 3 different kinds, tasting for five or six peo- In fact Hoong Tho which may be: cabbage, potato, bean sprouts, long beans, French ple if ordering a few at one specialises in this Wat Tan, beans, green-leafy vegetables, etc. – cooked with mustard seeds, time. which means silky smooth turmeric, onions, etc., and is sometimes a little overcooked. The gravy (no meat) could be: chicken, Highest on my list egg, style of noodles fish or dhal curries and rasam (spicy soup), and maybe also a pickle (lime or mango) to give it ‘zing’. of “must-taste” noodles where the noodles are first Other extra curries available are: chicken, mutton, fish, prawn, crab, or sotong (squid). Now let’s is their Kwai Fah Meen, fried, some to crispiness talk papadums! For the uninitiated, it’s a crispy, spicy, thin cracker made from chick pea flour which FORGOTTEN an egg noodle dish fried and others like the flat rice usually comes in various round sizes. No decent banana leaf meal would be without it. Papadums CLASSIC with eggs, bean sprouts noodles, with a touch of are also very good eaten on its own. So roll up your sleeves, wash your hands, and let your fingers Having lived in Ipoh and thinly sliced meat and soya and plated. Then the do the work! (Most places will supply fork and spoons for the squeamish!) for 13 years, I consider other garnishes that has sauce, cooked separately NAME WHERE BANANA LEAF PRICE (RM) it gross negligence on the reminiscent taste of with choice of meat, fish sharks fin fried the same or seafood, thickened COMMENTS the part of all my foodie Also available: 4 Vege meal – 4.00 style, except that in this with corn starch and egg SAMY 70 Main friends for not introduc- types vegetable, (3 vege, dhal, instance, instead of sharks white, is added and served RESTORAN Road, 32100 ing me to Hoong Tho greens, dhal, papadum, acar, fin they’re using the more immediately. At Hoong (7.am-9.30pm) Chemor (05- Restaurant! While not papadum, dry chilli) environmentally correct Tho their variety in just Closed alternate 2014066) as venerable in terms as acar(pickles), dry Chicken curry – noodles in its place and of this style alone is quite Mondays age as Hung Kee which chilli – RM6.00 7.00 course at a fraction of the phenomenal. (RM5-5.50 I reviewed in the previ- Mutton curry – price. per portion) ous issue, nevertheless 9.00 Hoong Tho vies for a place in Ipoh’s food her- KALAI CURRY 38 Jln Sultan Mutton & chicken Vege meal – itage archives, a popular HOUSE Yussuf, curry is middle spicy 4.50 (3 vege, family restaurant that (7am - 12 30000 Ipoh – meat is tender – coconut ‘sambal’, has served happy diners midnight) rasam (spicy soup) is papadam & rasam since 1957. Opens everyday spicy enough. (Kampung) I had heard of Hoong Also available for chicken curry – Tho often over the years dinner: ala carte, 3.50 and it was only a year ago naan, tandoori Mutton curry – when my hounding of one chicken, romali, etc. 3.00 of my friends finally got RESTORAN 83 Jln Sultan Rasam is peppery Vege meal – her to relent and take me SRI Yussuf, 30000 hot– chicken curry 3.50 (3 vege, there. When asked why Hoong Tho in 1957 CHETEENATH Ipoh is mild & tender – dhall papadum, she had kept the restaurant Closes once mutton is bony & rasam) a secret for so long, she a month – no has mild taste. Mutton curry – was apologetic and said specific day 4.00 she thought the place was Chicken curry – a tad too down-market for 3.00 me! Well it wasn’t quite the THILLAI Stadium Very tasty – may Vege meal - 3.50 Ritz in Paris, occupying a STALL stall #25 have too much (3 vege, papadum, two storey shop house on Breakfast (from MSG. Most of the rasam) 20 Jln Bijih Timah (Leech 6:30am) & lunch food is finished by Chicken curry – Street) and sporting only Sundays closed 2:30pm. 5.00 wall fans with no air-condi- Mutton curry – tioning, but one can see the 5.00 vestiges of what was prob- Phoenix Balls Our next food review will be BEEF NOODLES (NGAU LAM). ably quite a trend setter in Email your favourite recommendations to: [email protected] the old Chinese tea-house Next on my list of rec- Having dipped ex- style, back in 1957. Alas, ommendations is the Sang tensively into the noodle of saltiness, it was a de- on sticking with some of liciously distinctive taste no efforts have been made Har Kon Cheen Meen, egg menu, we then ventured lectable taste sensation for these old traditions. Where contributed by the crispy to renovate nor refurbish noodles fried crisp and into some of their other which I will go back again else would we find some fried dried prawns (RM and the physical premises topped with fresh water signature dishes. We had and again. They also do of these almost “extinct” 5.50), their various dump- have been left to languish prawns in an aromatically the Foong Wong Kao spring rolls with pigs caul, culinary masterpieces lings (RM1.00 each) and in a state of neglect. fragrant sauce redolent of or Phoenix Balls, (RM8 but the Phoenix Balls far which should be preserved plain greens (RM6.00). The culinary wizardry prawn stock generously for 4) minced pork paste surpass the spring rolls. for posterity, not just for The menu at Hoong though, has not been ne- added. Having eaten this wrapped around a salted Pigs caul has gone out its novelty value but for Tho is extensive and a meal glected and has flourished dish in Kuala Lumpur on egg yolk, with a further of fashion in most Chinese the skill it requires and the for 6 averages RM10.00 to this day, recipes having many occasions at quite outer wrapping of pigs kitchens as the dire warn- taste it imparts to the dish. per head at the most. Value been passed down to the exorbitant prices, I was caul fat and deep fried. ings of high cholesterol has Other dishes of note are for money in today’s finan- current third generation delighted to find that this The end result is crispy permeated most people’s their Fried Fish Paste cial crunch. who now run the restau- portion cost only RM10 on the outside, succulent awareness and so it is rare dumplings or Chao Yu Location: 20 Jalan Bijih rant. and the prawns were fresh on the inside and with the to find a restaurant that Wat, fresh-made that day, Timah (Leech Street) Specialties of the and firm. addition of pieces of water still use it. It is also a dif- wrapped in wonton skin Operating time: 10:00 am house are their various We followed this with chestnut lending further ficult ingredient to clean, and deep fried, (RM2.20 – 9:30 pm noodle dishes done in char- the Kon Chow Ngow Hor texture, the salted egg yolk and use with dexterity. So each) their Yeung Chao Closed: Tuesdays acteristic Cantonese style or the dried fried beef with providing the right degree I congratulate Hoong Tho Chow Fun or Cantonese fried rice which has a de- PAN-GRILLED-STUFFED IKAN KEMBONG gestions which may open kesom) Lower heat to medium and erwise very mundane and your taste buds to its new 4 shallots, peeled wait for 2 minutes. Uncover cheap fare. Don’t ever over- flavours – using some fresh 1 stalk lemongrass, use and turn fish over. Recover. cook this fish, otherwise the herbs from your garden or white part Allow another 1½ minutes result is just the opposite – the market. Ikan kembong or and then switch off fire. If flesh will be dry and hard! you fear it is uncooked, lift the mackerel is available at METHOD Interesting flavours can by CAROL CHENG out the fish on to a plate and b)The peel of ½ a limau fish stalls all-year round and * Mince or chop above 3 be achieved by varying the he seafood section cover it tightly with an up- kesturi (ket chai in cheap too. With the spiral- items and lightly smear the usage of herbs. Following yields one type of turned tin plate. The body Cantonese) T ing cost in seafood, market- fish stomach and heads with are some well received fish considered inferior heat from the fish will finish 2 flat-leaved parsley ing has become the home- them. Set aside for 15 min- combinations. by housewives. Or they the job. (hoong mow yin sai yip) maker’s headache! utes. have run out of ideas to This technique of pan- 2 pips garlic * In a heated non-stick pan, a) 2 chekur leaves (sar serve this species. They grilling the fish yields a very INGREDIENTS put in 1 tablespoon cook- keong yip in Cantonese) don’t realise that this is moist-textured flesh and Mince all the 2 types sepa- 4 ikan kembong (mackerel), ing oil and shake the pan 1 thumb-size piece of fresh a delicacy to those who seared skin. The faint aroma rately and stuff the fish as cleaned, stomach slit. Rub to swirl the oil. When it is ginger have been residing over- of sealed-in herbs gives an above and follow the same all over with 2½ tsp salt hot, lay the fish in, one by 2 shallots or scallion heads seas. Here are some sug- 20 polygonum leaves (daun one. Cover immediately. intriguing taste to an oth- method of pan-grilling. 6 IPOH ECHO March 16 - 31, 2009 Your Community Newspaper

PARENTING by GAVIN TANG [email protected] LESSONS LEARNT Lawyer Gavin Tang, who together with his father runs an established legal firm in Ipoh, shares memories of his childhood days and how his parents have led him to where he is today… It is almost surreal that I remember too, Sundays realized that I had sat in up on me. Even in my I will be celebrating my spent in the living room, the very same bleachers as darkest hours, they were 33rd birthday this year, dad sprawled out on the a little boy watching my the beacons that lit the way that I am now a husband sofa reading the dailies, father play football. for me. When I doubted to a wonderful woman, singing along to familiar Through my mom I myself, they never doubted and that soon I will be a songs on the radio, mom learnt what it means to me and continued to believe father with a family of reading her books and me sacrifice, to be gentle, to in me and to encourage me my own. Even though the playing with my toys or always put family first to see myself as they saw visage that stares back at running to mom or dad, and of course I inherited me. They had faith in me me in the mirror is one of demanding a kiss or a hug. her sinus problems and I and trusted in the values a fully grown man, in my I didn’t really have many always know I’m home they had inculcated in me parent’s presence I am toys but I thank them for when I hear sneezes in and till today they still comforted and assured the lego sets they gave me the morning coming from give me the confidence to that I am still their little as I spent countless hours my mom’s, sisters’ and do the right thing and to be boy. After all these years, building castles, trucks, my room. Solidarity in a responsible and dutiful I wonder how I will ever planes and anything else Kleenex! man who lives his life in repay the both of them I could imagine. The that in the early days when to my dad’s general Music plays a huge faith, principles and love. for all they’ve done for gift of imagination was dad was building his career, knowledge quizzes. From part in my life and without Thanks mom and dad. me and I am beginning to invaluable. My parents we never travelled too far these trips, I learnt the value it there would be a void I am who I am today only realize that this is a debt both loved to read and due to time and financial of time with the family, as deep as the Marianna because of you. I love which I may never be from them I learned to constraints, unlike my the simpler things in life, trench and I have to you. able to repay. love books and value the youngest sister Julia who history, geography and that attribute my love of music Looking back on my knowledge to be found in to my parents as my house We invite you to has traveled extensively many great experiences share how your parent childhood, there were so them. Till today my mom to places like Scandinavia, in life don’t require vast was always filled with many days of joy, happiness still reads voraciously singing and music. Their has been a role model to Eastern Europe, South amounts of money. you so others may draw and love. My parents although my efforts to Africa, Australia and so I learnt to love sports love of music didn’t stop always said they never intellectualise her reading them complaining at all inspiration from him/her. on. However, I remember through my dad who was Email your stories (about spoilt me but I definitely have met with some weekend road trips to an active sportsman in the money I spent on cd’s was. Spoilt with love. I resistance! when I was in the UK 700 words) to ipohecho. Penang, KL, Taiping, Alor his younger years and [email protected], remember my mom and Setar and Muar where my I remember a sense of and I think my dad finally dad taking me to school in Memorable realized where all his hard along with a scanned parents, sister Melissa and déjà vu one day when I photograph of your my dad’s Morris Minor Yesteryears I would sing along to songs sat in the bleachers of the earned money had gone. and how I would kiss them My parents have parents. We will feature on the radio, play games in Penang Sports Club during the best stories here! both before leaving the car. As the firstborn, I remember the car and be subjected the Inter-Bar Games and never failed me nor given REFLECTIONS COLOUR SERGEANT by MERV SPRAGUE The sergeant’s strange behaviour was finally unravelled... n the British Army tend to have more in com- tuate in a nasty infection Iinfantry regiments mon with Ali Baba and and necessitate a bi-lateral there exists the rank of his famed forty thieves. amputation of his feet and Colour Sergeant, the For some peculiar reason, hasten his discharge from next step up the rank once promoted, a Colour the Army. from Sergeant but below Sergeant automatically as- The first option of that of a Warrant Officer. sumes all that fall under seeking an exchange Such talented individu- his control. They become was fraught with danger. als, with the exception of his personal property rath- Invariably, the storeman specialist platoons, such er than that of the Ministry chosen by the Colour as signals and musicians, of Defence. Sergeant was a miserly hold the appointment of Soldiers of the 1960’s creature who had been in- Company Quartermaster were issued with what doctrinated to give abso- Sergeant [CQMS]. Next many will fondly recall as lutely nothing away. Such in the non-commis- a “housewife”. In fact this miscreants ranked close to sioned pecking order was a small bag which con- the regimental cooks in the comes the Regimental tained a selection of sew- hierarchy of hatred by the Quartermaster Sergeant ing needles, woollen darn- rank and file. All too often, [RQMS] who is ulti- ing yarn and a few other despite pleading and grov- mately answerable to the odds and sods to repair elling one would be told to Quartermaster – usu- items of clothing. Mostly, “p&*#” off and darn your Equipment inspection by a senior Ministry of Defence official – circa 1952 ally a Major who has the grey woollen yarn was socks yet again. risen through the ranks used to darn socks. Those One morning a very Had the stores’ ‘Scrooges’ impression that if we had Char Wallah who always and joined his brother who had the privilege to strange thing happened undergone a religious con- asked for extra ammunition seemed to have a glazed Commissioned Officers. watch their mother darn at A Company stores at version or had they won or a flagon of Gurkha rum expression on his face as All of the abovemen- socks were off to a good Minden Barracks, Penang. the Penang State Lottery? we would have received a he made our egg and ba- tioned ranks are respon- start. Other less attentive A crippled colleague of Not to miss an opportunity, favourable response. nana “banjo” (sandwich) sible for operating and squaddies watched in envy mine went to the stores I,quickly with several oth- It was a much wiser and at morning work breaks. maintaining the stores that and admiration as the ‘Old and rejoiced that he had er mates gathered up my older Corporal who unrav- Sadly, this was a provide the equipment and Sweats’ plied their needle- received three pairs of old socks and headed for elled the mystery. In the short-lived event. What provisions needed to per- craft. Needless to say, there brand new socks when he the stores. days when soldiers lim- happened next is open to mit the lower ranks to be comes a time when a pair had only taken one pair in Lo and behold, my ited their vices to alcohol, question, but I guess that clothed, fed and armed, to of socks becomes com- to hopefully exchange. He colleague had been truth- cigarettes and women, it someone somehow had create as much discomfort posed of more darns than remarked that there was a ful and after a breathtak- appeared that the observ- had a quiet word with the as possible for any poten- the actual sock. As a result, baffling change in the de- ingly convivial meeting, ant Corporal detected the Colour Sergeant and his tial enemy. blistered feet were com- meanour of both the store- my socks were replaced pungent smell of cannabis partner in crime. So in Theoretically, those monplace. At this junc- man and that of the Colour without further ado. It wafting around the stores. the fullness of time we re- entrusted with the treas- ture, the soldier is faced Sergeant. Both men were seemed a little odd that Having achieved our ob- turned to the onerous task ures contained within the with two options, either very agreeable, appear- both the Colour Sergeant jective, nobody was of of darning our socks, suc- Aladdin’s Cave of the com- to approach the Company ing to be sharing a private and his head honcho had the mind to make any of- cumbing to blistered feet pany stores are supposed Stores to exchange the der- joke as they giggled dur- rather bloodshot eyes and ficial complaint and we and continuing warfare to deal with the issue of elict socks for a new pair or ing the conversation with there seemed to be a funny were later to discover that with the men’s hosiery sec- commodities without fear suffer in silence and hope the said soldier. This was a smell lingering around the the illicit drugs had been tion of A Company Stores of favour, but in reality that his blisters will even- complete mystery to us all. counter area. One got the procured from the camp and our tormentors. Your Community Newspaper IPOH ECHO March 16 - 31, 2009 7

MARIAM MOKHTAR PERSPECTIVE KIDNAPPING, ASSAULT, ROBBERY: he debate about the Tquality and level of JUST ANOTHER DAY IN IPOH our policing has surfaced unfolded into a nightmare. As far as they were con- companion, her neighbour. where the suspect was ar- again. Recently, we were It could have ended with cerned, no lives were seen If the people driving her rested, had alerted the kid- assured, that crime had tragic consequences had to be threatened and there husband’s car had realised nappers. Somehow, they gone down in Ipoh. The she not been determined was no immediate visible they were being followed, got wind of the first arrest confident to leave it all to feeling of being threat- and patient. danger. Probably, the only things might have turned and had hastily abandoned the police either. Was Mrs ened when we leave the trouble anyone would face, nasty. But Mrs Kamala re- her husband’s car and their Kamala lucky? She was security of our homes, is Hers is a story that was was them at the receiving fused to back-down at her evil deed. certainly courageous and unjustified. As we have borne of bravery and te- end of Mrs Kamala’s in- first lucky break. Others Mrs Kamala and her deserves a medal. previously been told – nacity. And as we celebrate vective arising from her would have been too pet- husband enjoyed a short- Several will agree the compiled statistic International Women’s rage, anger and frustration. rified to continue. Not so, lived victory. After the ini- with me that crime seems prove it. The messages Day this March, she is Undeterred, she sought this plucky lady. She cool- tial euphoria of discovery to be on the increase. And have been drilled into worthy of a mention. the help of her friend and ly trailed them until they and freedom, they now feel regrettably, much of this us – there is nothing to Mrs Kamala did the scoured the streets of Ipoh. dropped someone off at a that they are denied justice, perceived rise is to do with fear; the police are doing right thing in seeking the She assembled photo- house. She must have been at least for the moment. violent crime. We know their job; they are there police’s help in tracing her graphs to assist the police in two minds as to follow This devoted wife was that what we read in the to protect us. missing husband. When in their investigations. the car or to stay, call the instrumental in great detec- papers, and hear and ob- they failed to do so imme- Are we comforted? Time, she knew, was of the police and await their ar- tive work (one marvels that serve in our own commu- diately, through no fault of Do we really feel safe essence. Clues, she sur- rival. for all the CCTV installed nity, is far removed from their own, she persisted. when we venture out into mised, must be looked for Then came the sec- and police involvement, reality. With this recession, A missing person’s report, the streets? Can we depend whilst still fresh. ond lucky break. A police the stolen car’s registra- we can expect more of the she was told, could only be on the boys in blue? Armed with nothing car drove past and Mrs. tion number had not been same. lodged after 24 hours had picked up earlier). With I can understand the re- more then her steely de- Kamala was able to sum- No, we do not want to elapsed. a lot of effort and coop- luctance of police attempts termination and thorough mon immediate help. The live in a police state. Not She had difficulty con- eration of her friends and at resolving domestic dis- organisation she first con- person who was dropped if it reduces us to living a vincing the police that her family, she single handed- putes. Their prime func- firmed that her husband off earlier, was apprehend- life free of civil liberties husband had disappeared ly solved this kidnapping tion is not as social work- had not been hospitalised. ed. He later revealed the or freedom of speech, but after withdrawing some case. ers, or marriage counsel- She then proceeded to location where her husband at the expense of personal money the previous night. Some would argue lors. Moreover, concerned trawl the streets and his was found bound, bloodied security, within an ever- Did it ever cross their that Mrs Kamala was more parties who have tried to usual haunts. but blissfully relieved. eroding confidence in our minds that he may have foolhardy than heroic. intervene in the past, have It must have been sev- Was this a happy end- public services. been robbed? Possibly. Others would say that she themselves been set upon. eral hours of exhaustive, ing or not? For Mrs Kamala Sure, we have been should have waited for the And although I’ve never But they could also distressing and unproduc- and her husband, the sec- fed the statistics. But why police to act. And a few had reason to approach the have wrongly assumed that tive driving. But at the elev- ond phase of their ordeal do we only use the lan- would interject that it was police in such matters, I it was another marital spat, enth hour, at a time when was just beginning. It was guage of statistics to dis- unwise of her to do her am reliably informed that like the countless ones most of us would have a setback that the kidnap- cuss something as impor- own sleuth work. they will intervene only if they are called to, on a reg- abandoned the search, she pers had fled. Infuriatingly, tant as policing? Haven’t Not many people someone’s safety is threat- ular basis. They probably was finally rewarded for the initial suspect was re- those in authority heard would have the guts or ened. reckoned that he had gone her efforts when she spied leased on bail, when her of “Lies, damned lies and inclination or energy to But for the unfortu- off in a huff. Maybe, they her husband’s car being husband was recovering in statistics”? Maybe some- do what Mrs Kamala did. nate Mrs Kamala, a short reasoned, he had sought driven by strangers. This hospital. One wonders if one ought to acquaint them Fewer still would have felt outing by her husband, refuge in another bolthole. was midnight. Her only the occupants of the house with Disraeli. 8 IPOH ECHO March 16 - 31, 2009 Your Community Newspaper

LEARNING THE TECHNIQUES OF CPR YOUNG PERAK by PETER KHIEW How many of us know that cardiopulmonary resuscitation Teachers and students from schools (CPR) may be necessary for children or adults during many are invited to write about their emergencies such as accidents, suffocation, poisoning, respective institutions of learning. smoke inhalation and electrocution? E-mail articles to: Realising the importance of this, members of the St [email protected] John Ambulance, Perak Division, conducted a special class on CPR for participants at the Anderson School’s Centennial celebrations recently. The one-day programme was a huge success as over two hundred students and visitors were taught techniques and procedures for performing CPR by qualified instructors. The Secretary of Perak St John Ambulance, Manin Singh, said that schools should organise such events as part of their school curriculum so that students and teachers can learn the correct way of administering CPR.

REMEMBERING LORD BADEN-POWELL

Scouts from 02 Kinta of St Michael’s Institution organised a modest gathering to remember their founder, Lord Robert Baden-Powell, who started the scout movement with only 22 boys on a small island in Dorset, England, 102 years ago. The movement has since grown to 28 million scouts in over 150 countries around the world today. BRINGING BACK THE In paying tribute to Lord Robert, Scout Master GLORY OF ACS Christopher Arulsamy said that the primary aim of occasion was to strengthen the values enshrined in the SMK Methodist (ACS) Ipoh held its 94th Sports Day with Scout Promise – to do one’s best, to do one’s duty to God, a message to the current students – to participate actively to help other people and to obey the values in the scout in sports and bring back the golden years of the school. law. Dato’ Chew Choong Seong, one of its illustrious old He advised the scouts to not only acquire the skills boys, said the school had produced numerous internation- and knowledge they learn in the movement but to develop ally-acclaimed sportsmen like swimmers Allan Ong and positive values like honesty, reliability and trust. Anthony Ang. Others include hockey greats Chet Singh Veteran King Scouts, Timothy Chee, Thomas Choo who represented the country at the Tokyo Olympics in and Joseph Michael Lee were present as guests. 1964 and Dato’ Poon Fook Loke who played at several world cup championships. “I hope the present batch of students will achieve Advertise in international status and bring glory to the school”, said Appointments Chew in his opening remarks while officiating the annual sporting event. Call: N. Satiaya was named Sportsman of the Year while Tel: Foong Mei Ling the Sportswoman award. Ramesh Kumar (605) 2495936 Principal Mr Cheng Sai Lak presented the awards to Marketing Manager the winners. 016 5531092 Your Community Newspaper IPOH ECHO March 16 - 31, 2009 9

More pics at IPOH IN BRIEF ipohecho on line VISIT TO THE MUSEUM PERAK CID CHIEF SHIFTING BLAME

SAC 2 Mohd Dzuraidi Ibrahim took over the appointment as head of the Perak Criminal Investigation Department (CID) effective March 5. The handing taking over ceremony, conducted at the Perak Contingent Headquarters, Zainal Ali Mohammad Salleh was the proud owner Some 50 pupils of Taman Star Kindergarten visited Perak was witnessed by the Perak Chief Police Officer, DCP of a Naza Sutera until his car got burnt while he was Museum on February 25 as part of its annual visitation Dato’ Zulkifli Abdullah. Dzuraidi, 48, was formerly a driving with his fiancée along Lengkok Cavendish, Ipoh, programme. The pre-school kids were led by four teaching senior staff officer attached to the Narcotic Department recently. According to him the fire started in the engine staff. The Taman Star Kindergarten is managed and run by at Bukit Aman. ACP Zulkifli Hassan, who stood in as the compartment and before he could do anything, the the National Unity and Integration Department of Kinta. CID Chief, handed over the appointment to Dzuraidi. whole engine was gutted. He and his fiancée looked on The children were taken around the museum and were The new chief promised to carry out his responsibilities in disbelief. The car was still under warranty said Zainal. shown the various exhibits on display. They were later professionally in line with the requirements of the Police The Fire and Rescue Department had attributed the fire to taken to the Ipoh railway station and then to the Gunong Department and that of the CPO. a faulty wiring system. However, the Naza Ipoh branch Lang Recreational Park. The day trip ended at Taman DR had refused to accept responsibility claiming that the car’s Senivasagam. It was a rewarding outing for the children wiring system had been altered without its consent. Zainal as well as for the accompanying adults. had refuted the claim saying that the car was regularly SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY serviced at the branch’s service centre. “The motor MALAM PUISI GAZA company is covering up its weaknesses and had shifted the blame to me,” said Zainal. “I am now saddled with another problem – outstanding instalments amounting to RM1,203.92 incurred since the incident.” Zainal plans to take matters to court. MEDIA NIGHT

Some 30 members of the Perak Community Specialist Hospital (PCSH) Sports Club dropped by the Perak Society for the Promotion of Mental Health (PSPMH) to Members of ASTAKA (Angkatan Teater Anak-anak entertain its residents with songs and gifts. The gather- Kampar) a local theatre group and the Art and Culture ing was in conjunction with PCSH’s 105th anniversary. Department of Perak organised a poem-recital evening The hospital has lived up to its billing as a community- titled, “Malam Puisi Gaza” for the benefit of the Gaza war friendly hospital judging from its years of selfless service victims recently. The event, held at the Taman Budaya to the public. The Perak Art and Culture Department organised a media Perak theatre Ipoh, was officiated by Dato’ Jamaludin, the Present were PSPMH President Dato’ Dr M. night at the Purnama Beach Resort, Pangkor on February State Finance Officer. The objective, said Ramli Salleh, Majumder, Administration Chairman K. Letchimanan 28. Department director, Ramli Salleh, said that the the director of the Perak Art and Culture Department, was and PCSH Sports Club Chairman, Vasugi Sundralingam. gathering was to honour the media and non-governmental two-fold; one, to collect much needed funds for the war organisations involved in promoting art and culture victims and the other, to create public awareness on the THE DEMOCRACY TREE in the state. The activities of the NGOs, said Ramli, suffering of the victims and the atrocities committed by complemented that of the department and as such helped the perpetrators. The recital, said Farouk, the President in spreading the gospel. The evening was filled with fun of ASTAKA, will be held in other districts of Perak. and games much to the amusement of the participants. A “Antologi Kembala” a poem read by youngster Norain karaoke competition amongst the invitees was won by Farouk was adjudged the best by the audience. Puan Ruzy Adila of Sinar Harian. POLICE HARASSMENT CEYLONESE FOOD FAIR

PKR Ipoh Barat Division Chief, Fauzi Muda, filed a report at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Perak branch recently complaining of harassment by the On March 8, before a crowd of hundreds, Dato’ Seri Perak Police regarding his statutory declaration made to Nizar Jamaluddin, executive councillors, assemblymen, MACC on February 2, 2009. along with Ipoh Timur MP, Lim Kit Siang, placed a plaque Fauzi, on the said date, had made a statutory declara- under the “pokok demokrasi” or Democracy Tree, outside The Ceylonese Association (Lim Garden Branch) held tion that Najib had offered him RM50 million, when he the Perak State Secretariat building. This auspicious event a food fair at the St John Ambulance assembly hall on met the deputy prime minister at his official residence on was to mark the impromptu sitting of state assembly on March 1. The event kicked off at 10 am. Besides the usual March 11, 2008. The money was to secure the defection of March 3, which saw Speaker V. Sivakumar declaring the fare of local Indian cuisine, there was also the traditional PKR state assemblymen before Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin Perak State Assembly as dissolved. The ceremony also saw Ceylonese dish “Kool”, a flour-based broth containing assumed the Perak Mentri Besar’s post. the planting of five saplings symbolising the five pillars of vegetables, meat and diced young jackfruit. The food “I am not happy with the way the Ipoh Police re- Pakatan Rakyat - justice, transparency, trustworthiness, was sold ala hawker-fashion from stalls arranged around acted to my statutory declaration,” he said. “They called welfare and integrity. The event kick-started Pakatan the hall. The stalls selling satay and fried rice were the me several times to the station to record my statements. Rakyat’s one-year anniversary celebrations. Nizar said crowd’s favourites. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian Why must they investigate me when no Police report was that the monument would also serve as a “new tourist food were offered for sale. This was the second time the lodged by either Najib or his representatives?” Fauzi attraction,” seeing how many locals and foreign visitors association had organised such an event said branch chair- asked. had stopped to pose for pictures under the tree. He hoped man, Dr. Rajadurai. Proceeds from the sale of food would The PKR leader is seeking MACC’s help to stop the city council would not remove the plaque and saplings go to an orphanage and a half-way house. Police from “intimidating” and “harassing” him. once the ceremony was over. 10 IPOH ECHO March 16 - 31, 2009 Your Community Newspaper

@ Send your letters to the Editor Ipoh Echo 1, Jalan Lasam, 30450 Ipoh or fax to 05-2552181 or email to [email protected]. LETTERS TO EDITOR Letters must have writer’s full name, address and phone number. A pseudonym may be included. mail /email THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY ures of secu- * Exposing the misdeeds garden and new airport at the rakyat’s money but At last after more than a rity and sta- of land grabbing by a Manjung. they bought new top of the month of uncertainty, hu- bility. The PR component party of BN at *No strategy to develop range Toyota Camry. miliation and embarrass- Government cheating a soy sauce facto- the state’s resources. The *Jockeying for the deputy ment since the BN seized started with ry operator in Pasir Pinji. executive councillor in mayor’s post between the power to run Perak from plenty of * Appointment of NGOs charge of tourism had MP for Ipoh Barat and the the PR-led Government, promises but to local councils. been so inconspicuous. “proxy” of one executive the dust has settled down they eventu- One executive councillor councillor. While it is un- for the moment. But before ally fizzled BAD spoke on his behalf. satisfactory to have a civil PR supporters scream for the state for over 50 years. out. Here is my *Public consultation servant as mayor it is just a fresh election, have any I am, therefore, qualified list of the Good, Bad and only when it suits them. UGLY as bad having a politician Perakians given an honest to make a performance re- Ugly: Decisions made before *Did not back local gov- as one. comment on what the PR port. consultations, e.g., the ernment election as prom- So, what do we do Government had done for I cannot say that GOOD Meru bus terminal and pro- ised. They had no inten- now? Call for a fresh the state in the 11 months Barisan Nasional, after 50 * Giving freehold titles to posed airport at Manjung. tion of implementing this election or allow BN to run they were ruling Perak? years in power, has done a inhabitants of planned and *Off-the-cuff pronounce- in the first place. the state for the remaining I am born and bred good job. But at least it has new villages who did not ments eg. Bukit Larut ca- *They preached prudence term? given the state some meas- in Perak and have lived in have security of tenure. ble car project, botanical and responsibility with Ridzuan Lee Abdullah OUR CONCERN FROM TAMBUN TO TSODILO Tambun paintings - it’s protection first before tourism... Reading the “Ode to the heart, without any at- memory of mine, this time tiful. Finally, as the near- Tambun Rock Paintings’, tention being paid to them. not in Perak, but a visit to est airport is far away they obviously a letter from So, as our letter writer ad- the paintings of the ancient have built a landing strip the heart of a real herit- vises us, the paintings con- Bushmen in Botswana, for light aircraft. Compare age enthusiast, in Issue tinue to deteriorate. Southern Africa, a third that with Tambun if you No 68 of the Ipoh Echo, Now many of you may world country where its will! set off a whole host of not be aware that a whole people still live in mud It was there, in far- memories for me. I re- series of the paintings, huts and wooden shacks. away Botswana, that I re- membered the many drawn with haematite and The place is called membered again – Tambun times I have taken visi- estimated to be between Tsodilo hills and it is one – with despair. So, what tors to see those ancient 5,000 to 12,000 years old, of many different sites in can be done for Tambun? rock paintings, high on were not found until 1959. Africa where paintings of Well, first and foremost the abrupt limestone cliff They were once part of the Bushmen can be found. some method of protection above Tambun, strug- a ‘gallery’ that, we are Of course, with 3,000 of the paintings should be gling through the over- told, stretched for over 90 Rock paintings on wall of Gua Tambun paintings spread over sev- carefully put in hand using grown path and up the metres, discovered by an of wildlife, people and ab- mals are easily identified, eral hills and a great deal expertise from wherever it steep and slippery steps; Englishman, Lieutenant R stract designs. Some are others are rather vague and of climbing needed to see is available. Once that is I remember the L Rawlings, but over the quite small while some of imagination is needed for the best ones, this is a underway and not before, wonder my guests, par- last 50 years most of it has the animals are more than their representation”. much larger area than ours we can look at the tour- ticularly the children, ex- disappeared. He was serv- one metre long. It is be- at Tambun, but the main ism aspects. We have an pressed about the detail ing with the 2nd Battalion, lieved they are the first and LEMBAH KINTA points are still relevant. airport and an excellent of the paintings of wild 6th Queen Elizabeth’s only ancient rock paintings The most important one article in the same issue boar, a dugong, a tapir Own Gurkha Rifles as part known in Malaysia, but the However, there are still being that the local gov- as the above-mentioned and some deer; one of of the Commonwealth sunlight is fading the art- enough paintings to prove ernment actually value the letter provided a solution the latter being especially Armed Forces’ presence work while water has com- that long before the history paintings as part of their to getting that ‘white ele- fascinating and exciting, in Malaya for the Malayan pletely eroded some parts of the Malay Peninsula was heritage. I do not believe phant’ back to work again. appearing pregnant, with Emergency. It was one of of the sketches. written, there were primi- we can say the same here. We also have tarred roads, a small infant drawn in- the most important historic In November 1959, tive men living in Lembah Consequently, access dramatically improved side its swollen frame. discoveries in the country, J.M. Matthews, an author Kinta, who illustrated the to Tsodilo is restricted over the past few months, Then there were the lost in the opinion of experts, in an issue of Malaya in environment surrounding and compulsory guides that lead straight to the tourists on the Tambun second only to the Perak History – Magazine of them. So why have they are provided at a reason- base of the cliffs. But here Road who had read about Man. the Malayan Historical not been properly protect- able cost. For the ‘less the similarity with Africa the paintings, but could The paintings are situ- Society, wrote this descrip- ed and controlled so that than fit’ or disabled there ends! No signs, no proper not find them, despite ated on a wide ledge at tion of the discovery: “The both Malaysians and tour- is a small air-conditioned car park, no guides, foot- the glowing article on the the top of a steep slope, paintings are monochrome ists can enjoy our unique museum and seating under paths, seats, museum or Tourism Malaysia web- about 30 metres above the – indistinct. In some piece of history? shady trees. Access is also any semblance of trying to site! Sadly, I also recalled floor of Lembah Kinta on groups, the paint is dark Clearly, only the ap- excellent with signposts make the paintings an at- just how often national a smooth limestone cliff. purple, in others, dull red. propriate government de- and a tarred road cover- traction to be proud of. and local media and our Some 6 metres or more Some of the figures are ob- partment could answer that, ing the last stretch from Is that how we want NGOs have also written above the ledge, there are viously men, rather crude- but if I may, I would draw the normal dirt roads of people to remember their articles and letters from a number of illustrations ly drawn. Some of the ani- their attention to another Botswana; parking is plen- visit here? WR Your Community Newspaper IPOH ECHO March 16 - 31, 2009 11

COMMUNITY NEWS WORLD THINKING DAY The Girl Guides mosquito repellant floor Association of Malaysia , cleaners, Y-Slimz’s Floor Perak Branch, celebrated Master, participated in the its annual World Thinking celebration. A percentage Day at the Girls Guides of the sale of its products Hall, Greentown recently. would be donated to the World Thinking Day is Girl Guides Association of the mutual birthday of Malaysia. scout movement founder, Among the activities Lord Baden-Powell and held was a poster draw- his wife, Olave, who was ing competition. The par- the World Chief Guide. ticipants took the liberty The theme for this to create their own “mas- year’s celebration is terpieces” within the time “Stop the Spread of A total of 350 uniformed versal theme, the Kinta given. Aids, Malaria and Other The finale was the read- Diseases” which com- guides (Brownies, Guides District Health Department, and Rangers) from all nine held an exhibition on ways ing of the World Thinking plements the move- Day message from the ment’s global-action districts in Perak partici- to control dengue, cikun- pated in the celebration. gunya and other infectious World Association of Girl theme, “Together We Guides and Girl Scouts. Can Change the World”. In line with this uni- diseases. A distributor of JAMES GOUGH SEEKING FUNDS The Ipoh Society for the sport a clean image by courage people to adopt Prevention of Cruelty to reducing strays from the puppies and kittens. Animals (ISPCA) will streets; carry out a neuter- Those wishing to hold its annual charity ing campaign once a year extend a helping hand, dinner on April 12 at the with the help of most vet- please call Dr Goh at 012- Hee Loi Ton Restaurant erinarians in town; create 5235933 or Doreen at 016- Ipoh. President, Dr Goh awareness and a caring 5608905. Hue Lang, said the charity attitude by giving talks to drive is necessary as the school children; and en- PETER KHIEW society is running short of funds to care for the many strays at its shelter in Jalan RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL IN PANGKOR Gopeng. Over 50,000 devotees operators seeking a reduc- The animals, number- thronged the grounds of the tion in fare for the two ing 140 dogs and 60 cats, Dr Goh with puppies Seri Pathirakaliamman main days of the festival. are picked up from the for adoption. Temple in Sg Pinang This would encourage streets. Some are diseased “Although it is MBI’s re- Besar, Pulau Pangkor, more visitors to Pangkor. and some, badly wounded. sponsibility to tackle the for a religious ceremony The operators, however, “We have come a long problem of strays within which lasted 10 days be- were not receptive and had way since 1985 to fulfil its boundaries, the coun- ginning February 28 till turned down the request. our duty in caring for these cil has never made any March 9. Several thou- Segeran handed over unwanted animals,” she attempts to help out,” sands devotees paid pen- a memorandum on the told Ipoh Echo. she added. “Between ance to the Goddess of On the final day of the This too was a way of pay- fare problem to Dato’ The society is self- RM8,000 to RM10,000 is Fury by carrying silver festival hundreds of devo- ing penance and to fulfill Veerasingam, the Special funded and does not re- required monthly to keep pots filled with milk. The tees carried karagam and vows. Adviser on Indian Affairs, ceive any financial assist- the shelter running.” milk was later poured on kavadi from the beach in Temple committee who was in Pangkor for ance from organisations or The objectives of the statue of the deity to Pasir Bogak to the tem- chairman, Segaran, said the festival. individuals, said Dr Goh. ISPCA are: to help Perak receive her blessings. ple, a distance of 4 km. that he had met with ferry SAMINATHAN EDUCATIONAL TEMPLE The Sri Murugan Centre (SMC) Ipoh launched its inaugural Kalvi Kovil (ed- ucational temple) project at the Masterskill College at Tasek recently. Over a thousand guests were present to witness the aus- picious event. Founder and Director, Dato’ Dr M. Thambirajah, in his open- ing address, recounted the centre’s history. Formed in 1982 with 42 student vol- unteers, SMC’s primary objective was to make the Mock cheque presentation Indian community self re- liant through education. It success in education and for a holistic lifestyle. The started with four centres. life. To achieve these, the purpose of building the Today there are over a hun- centre has developed a tri- Kalvi Kovil is to provide dred centres managed by adic relationship between tuition for students sitting volunteers throughout the the management, students for SPM and STPM exam- country. More than 15,000 and their parents. It har- inations from Perak, under students from SMC have nesses the sakthi (power) one roof. graduated from both local of religion for educational The building will be and foreign universities. achievement. Hence their built behind the Gunong The three fundamen- motto: “Education Through Cheroh Hindu temple at an tal principles observed by Discipline: Discipline estimated cost of RM3 mil- the Sri Murugan Center Through Religion”. lion. Donations, totalling are that all the students are Dato’ K.S. Devamany, over RM400,000, were created equal, that they are a founding member of pledged by the well-wish- endowed with the same SMC, reiterated that SMC ers during the ceremony. intellectual capacity and is not a tuition centre per that religion is crucial for se but it prepares students A. JEYARAJ 12 IPOH ECHO March 16 - 31, 2009 Your Community Newspaper

COMMUNITY NEWS CONFUSION AT BUNTONG MARKET

Locked-up power point at Buntong Market tall owners at the then approached their was disconnected by MBI SBuntong market political representative, officers. A visit to the food food court had a nasty Sivasubramaniam, for court revealed the truth surprise recently when assistance. Siva told the – electrical points were City Council locked up media that power supply to indeed locked up. their power points. They stall owners at the market A check with the relevant MBI officer proved otherwise. The locked power points were reserved for use by MBI maintenance crew. The supply points were installed The Soroptimist International Ipoh Charter Night was held on the following a recent facelift 12th of February 2009, at the Impiana Casuarina. of the market. The whole The President, Ms Jayamalar Jeyaratnam, wiring system was being greeting the Guest of Honour, Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Raja Puan Besar Perak upgraded. Unfortunately, Darul Ridzuan Tuanku Zara Salim, D.K.S.A, D.K.A. 3 meters at the food court were overlooked. The ANNOUNCEMENT officer voiced his concern ●● Ipoh City Watch will be holding its AGM on Sunday, March 29 at 9.30 am, at the about traders sharing the Old Andersonian Club, Ipoh. All members are invited to attend. Call ICW Secretary, power points. It could Jefri Nathan, at 012-5085090 for details. cause a short-circuit. So he ordered them locked for ●● The Perak Medical Practitioners Society and the Postgraduate Medical Education safety reasons. Society of Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun will jointly organise the Sixth ASEAN As an interim Conference on Primary Healthcare with the theme “Challenges in Primary Care”. Date measure, City Council will and Venue: March 27-29 at the Impiana Casuarina Hotel. Please refer to the society’s allow the use of the locked website: www.pmps.org.my or call Secretary, Ms Wendy Wong, at 05-2426549 for power points until the end details. of March. Subsequently, the traders have to apply ●● A charity dinner by Ipoh Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) for their individual power will be held at Hee Lai Ton Restaurtant on April 12 at 7.30pm. Call Dr P. Sunitha at points and bear the cost of 05-5467676 or Doreen Laidlaw at 016-5608905 for tickets. the installation and usage. S i v a s u b r a m a n i a m ●● The Perak Heritage Society will organise a movie night in Papan on March 20 com- confirmed that power mencing at 8 pm. Venue: Wayang stage, opposite the Koon Yam Old Temple, Papan. supply was back to normal. Two movies will be screened: “The Bird House” and “The Pirate and the Emperor’s He hoped the problem Ship”. Admission: Free. Call Hong at 017-5061875 for details. would be settled amicably. MBI has, to date, received ●● Free memory power technique training by Ancient Yoga Consulting Malaysia a few applications from the for schools. Those interested please call Dr R.M. Mutiah at 05-5278230 for details. traders. Company’s website: www.ancientyogaconsulting.com