www.ipohecho.com.my IPOH Your Community Newspaper echoechoServing the people of Ipoh, Chemor, Sg.Siput,Taiping, Kuala Kangsar, Gopeng, Kampar, Batu Gajah, Air Tawar, Sitiawan, Lumut and Teluk Intan.

FREE for collection from our office and selected outlets, on 1st & 16th of the month. issue PP 14252/10/2008(007226) June 1 - 15, 2008 30 sen for delivery to your house by news vendors within Perak. 51 RM 1 prepaid postage for mailing within Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. The causes . . . What’s to be done PERAK’S RICE CRISIS

Ipoh Echo’s editor, Fathol Zaman Bukhari, explores the issue on page 3 Photograph by Rosli Mansor  IPOH ECHO June 1 - 15, 2008 Your Community Newspaper

Snatch theft series, part 3 By Nisha Devina Roy Pictures by Rosli Mansor

5,820 sf RM505,500

WE WARNED OF THE DANGERS. WE EVEN PINPOINTED IPOH’S LATEST PERILOUS ‘SNATCH ALLEY’ LOCATION NOW, JUST ONE STREET AWAY FROM JLN SEENIVASAGAM, A WOMAN HAS NARROWLY ESCAPED DEATH IN ANOTHER SHOCKING SNATCH THEFT ATTACK.

It was 11.30 am when his left and, with what was down Jln Leong Sin Nam, Passers-by rushed there was another one – not the 38 year-old woman obviously a well exercised dragging the plucky wom- to her aid. Admitted as dramatic, perhaps, but parked her car near the manoeuvre, secured a firm an with them as horrified first to hospital in Ipoh, in reality appalling just the junction of Jln Leong grip on her handbag. motorists and pedestrians doctors there advised she same. Sin Nam and Jln Rajah Instantly, the well looked on helplessly. be transferred to Kuala Forums, discussions Ekram and prepared to practiced rider acceler- Lumpur for more special- and meetings have long walk a few short steps to ated away. The resulting CRUELLY GOUGED ist attention. Thankfully, been held around Ipoh to the coffee shop located vicious impact hurled the having narrowly cheated address the issue of snatch right on that corner. woman several metres Twenty metres . . . death, the woman will theft. One such gathering Having read recent through the air and thirty metres . . . . forty fully recover. But she took place on Thursday, stories on bag snatching brought her crashing to metres . . . still the woman will never forget that April 13, 2006, under the published by the Echo, the the roadway on her back. maintained her hold on lunchtime attack. ambitious title: ‘Public/ woman realised she was Had she tumbled as she the handbag. By this time, Private Sector Co-operation but a street away from Jln flew she might well have though, the rear of her THEY WON’T to Prevent Snatch Theft’. Seenivasagam, the latest landed on her head. Her clothing had been ripped FORGET During proceedings, dangerous “snatch alley” story, terrifying as it is, away and the skin on her participants were asked to identified by this paper. could then have been truly back cruelly gouged by the As far as shopkeepers propose possible methods Instinctively, she held tragic. road surface. Fifty metres . along Jln Leong Sin for preventing such crimes. tightly onto her handbag as The victim, an office . . sixty metres . . .now the Nam are concerned, they Suggestions were duly noted she made her way carefully worker, realising she pain of her injured back won’t forget it either. and submitted to relevant around the front of her had her passport, some was becoming too much They will always recall authorities for action. vehicle. important personal papers to bare. Crying out in the utter indifference to The result? There has been no result. No meaningful action was undertaken by anybody. The Ipoh Echo feels there is both an obligation and responsibility to disseminate information on crime prevention topics. What has been recognised during these various attempts to force action on the snatch theft issue is that the police and other agencies must take a far more proactive approach to the problem.

PROPOSALS

Among several pro- posals put forward for Distribution of Jln Leong Sin Nam where the 38 year old female office worker was dragged almost 80 metres in a vio- consideration by authorities flyers in ipoh areas lent attack to snatch her bag. The red line marks the attack path.. have been: -3 sen (A4/A5) o The construction of Distribution of Suddenly a motor- and cash in her bag hung anguish and unable to take life and limb exhibited pedestrian-friendly walk- cycle, with engine racing on grimly in the hope the further punishment she by the two snatch theft ways with railings along flyers outside Ipoh and two crash-helmeted two snatch thieves might let go her precious bag. thugs. But they will, by road-sides. These railings areas-6 sen (A4/A5) thugs aboard, swerved abandon their raid when She had been dragged for force of circumstance, be should act as barriers be- We also provide into Jln Leong Sin Nam faced with determined almost 80 metres. As the relegating this incident to tween snatch thieves and from Jln Rajah Ekram and opposition. woman, her back bleeding the list of similar attacks printing of flyers at pedestrians. headed straight for her. In But the thugs had no profusely, lay in agony on that regularly take place o The introduction affordable prices. a fraction of a second the such intention. Instead, the centre of the roadway in that part of town. of strategically placed Call -Sam at : bike was level with the in total disregard of their the victorious thugs rode Indeed, two days later, in closed circuit TV cameras 012-586 6112 woman. As it flashed by victim’s life they further off in triumph with their exactly the same section (CCTV). the pillion passenger lent to accelerated, careering on booty. of Jln Leong Sin Nam, Contined - page 11 Your Community Newspaper IPOH ECHO June 1 - 15, 2008 

www.ipohecho.com Empty shelves . . . rising prices IPOH echo Your Community Newspaper RICE IN CRISIS From the Editor’s Desk The price of rice throughout Perak has not just risen dramatically . . . By Fathol Zaman Bukhari it has skyrocketed beyond reason! And there’s little consolation in being told it’s the same across Malaysia, indeed, internationally

Sadly, that’s only part of ten that Tesco, Giant and prompted consuming na- people differently. The re- the picture. Econsave, the more promi- tions to source for cheaper action of manufacturers Walk into any su- nent supermarkets in Ipoh, alternatives. and consumers differ as permarket or retail shop now exclude references Bio-fuel is the “in their needs are at odds with in any population centre to rice, and to a lesser ex- thing” today. Bio-diesel one another. End-users, in- across our state and you’ll tent, cooking oil and wheat extracted from oil palm, evitably, lose out in this be hard pressed even to lo- flour, in their weekly fly- coconut, vegetable oil unending battle of wits. cate supplies of Grade B ers and on their notice and the Jatropha seeds, Manufacturers, not sur- rice, wheat flour and cook- boards. Unless remedial indigenous to the Indian prisingly, will endeavour ing oil. action is taken to stem the sub-continent and South to maximise profits. They Shelves reserved for tide, public reaction could East Asia, can help reduce have no compunction to these items are now virtu- prove particularly awk- global reliance on fossil cheat in order to gain. The ally empty. There are, of ward for a Federal govern- fuel. Moreover, bio-fuel is scarcity of Grade B rice, a course, exceptions. High- ment still recovering from cleaner and produces less controlled item, is the di- end brands remain gener- aftershocks of the March 8 pollutants, unlike petro- rect result of this insatiable ally available. As long as election. leum. desire to profit. Rice mill- you can meet the stagger- So what is the root Some American and ers are known to mix low ing price increases. Reality cause of this phenome- even Chinese companies with high grade rice. They The quality of Maizon’s roti canai remains unchanged, is, though, that many of us non? It centres on a global then pass off the combined but her profit margins keep shrinking. simply can’t. development. Thailand, product as “high grade”. Locally produced Vietnam and India com- Since prices of high grade year ago, today it is RM27. acquired the skills to make Grade B rice (better known prise the world’s three top rice are not controlled, a This is too much.” roti canai while living in as “Super Tempatan”) rice exporting nations. As hefty profit results from Lower-income groups Kuala Lumpur in the mid- – incidentally, a controlled a result of increased home- such shenanigans. naturally favour the Grade 1980s. Since 1990, she has commodity with a secured front demands, both India B variety, which has a been operating a hawker price of RM1.60 a kg and Vietnam have decided TWO CASES higher percentage of bro- stall at the Malim Nawar – seems to have vanished to stop selling rice on the ken rice. Still, it is decid- wet market. Maizon’s stall from the shelves. world market. What is the social edly more affordable. has a steady stream of cus- Local and imported impact of price increases A couple of years tomers but she considers Siamese super grade rice SOLE MARKET on Malaysians? Let us ago it was possible for the morning market hours is available although not as PLAYER examine two typical cases Shamsuddin to save a little as her peak period. plentiful as before. A 10 kg Challenging times for involving two families from his meagre earnings. “I make an average of packet of imported super The artificial short- Shamsuddin on one end of the social Today, however, he hardly 200 roti canai a day but grade Siamese rice now age brought about by the are promoting this new spectrum. has enough to see his fam- more on weekends and hol- costs RM35. A few days restriction causes prices to alternative in a big way Shamsuddin bin Itam ily through. “The spiraling idays” she said. “The price previously, it was RM25. rise dramatically. A metric and are going on joint ven- Abdulah, 68, is a long cost of living has affected of wheat flour has gone up ton of rice, presently, has tures with oil companies in time resident of Kampong my lifestyle. Najib told us three times in the last six A MIND-BOGGLING surpassed the USD1,000 countries like Indonesia, Pisang in Malim Nawar. to tighten our belts. How months. A 25 kg bag now INCREASE (RM3,200) mark. Thailand, Nigeria and Malaysia. He is the sole breadwinner am I to do so when I barely costs RM69.30”. being the sole market More lands are being of his family and has been have enough to survive,” A 10 kg packet of player remaining, is rak- opened up for the cultiva- doing odd jobs since his he sighed. Shamsuddin PRICING WORRIES Siamese fragrant rice, on ing in profits never before tion of these biofuel-pro- early teens. In the morning blamed the authorities for the other hand, costs a imagined. The price has al- ducing plants. he works at his fishmonger not coming down hard on In spite of the escalat- mind-boggling RM47. A most tripled in a matter of And here’s the rub. friend’s stall at the town’s unscrupulous, profiteering ing cost she finds it hard week earlier, it was RM30. months. It was only USD Trends in seeking cheaper wet market. Later in the day traders. “I think they are to increase the price of her Retailers confirm that 371 (RM1187) last year. sources of energy have he does minor repair work hoarding some of the es- roti canai for fear of los- prices of local and import- But there are other a negative impact on the for anyone requiring his sential foodstuffs and we ing her customers. “Most ed super grade rice, across factors that must be taken production of cooking oil services in the kampong. consumers are paying for of them are labourers and the board, have gone up by into account. for the local market. When Shamsuddin earns be- it,” he lamented. lowly-paid office workers. more than 50 per cent. The Crude oil prices, for less is produced for con- tween RM500 to RM700 a Another resident who They have been patronis- scarcity of Grade B rice example, breached the psy- sumption, prices invariably month. is affected by rising costs is ing my stall since the day I and the spiraling cost of chological barrier of USD go up. It is a simple case of “It’s difficult to make Puan Maizon binte Dollah, moved here. If costs go up local and imported Super 100 (RM320) a barrel in supply and demand. When ends meet these days. The 44 a single mother of two further I may have to revise Grade rice have seriously November 2007. Its current demand outstrips supply a price of rice has gone up school-going kids. Maizon, the price,” she moaned. dented the budgets of local price hovers in the region shortage is created causing astronomically,” he com- however, is more fortunate A food crisis looms wage-earners. of USD 132 (RM422). The prices to rise. plained. “The 10 kg Cap than Shamsuddin. She is in on the horizon. If or when Prices change so of- high cost of fossil fuel has Price increases affect Rambutan cost RM 17 a the food business having Continued on page 12 DIARY OF EVENTS Date : Saturday, 14th June, 2008 Time : 7pm Venue : Dewan Serbaguna, Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan Tickets : RM 50 RM 30 (Discounted for Students & Senior Citizens)

For Enquiries: An a cappella ensemble conducted by Mr. Tan Hooi Song will perform PSPA: 05-548 7814 various pieces such as Dahil Sa Iyo, Bu-Liao-Qing, Chilli Con Carne, Witzi : 012 – 508 8818 Kiss the Girl and more!

SYBIL, the play 25th - 27th JUNE, 2008 TAMAN BUDAYA NEGERI PERAK, IPOH

Based on ‘No dram of Mercy’ , the autobiography of Sybil Kathigasu which tells the story of her WWII sufferings at the hands of the Japanese Kempeitai.  IPOH ECHO June 1 - 15, 2008 Your Community Newspaper

PUBLISHER EDITORIAL We are Ipoh’s

Ipoh Echo Sdn Bhd most effective (Regd No 687483 T) A DATE TO REMEMBER voice. No 1 Jalan Lasam It is fitting and proper to commemorate significant dates Royal Australian Air Force provided a limited number 30450 Ipoh Perak Darul in history. Indeed, it is right that important events of the warplanes and operational personnel. However, it took Ipoh Echo is an in- Ridzuan past should be well and widely recognised as they inevi- another five years before Aussie ground forces were Tel: (605) 249 5936 tably form the basis of our attitudes toward life going introduced to the conflict. Historical documents confirm dependent commu- Fax: (605) 255 2181 forward. that Britain, to this point, had been loath to introduce nity newspaper pub- EMail: ipohecho.ndr@ gmail.com Thus, of particular interest this month to Malaysians significant numbers of Australian or New Zealand lished by Perakians nationwide – and with special relevance for Perakians troops for fear of having her “influence and prestige” for Perakians. It is EDITORIAL – will be June 16. On this day, 60 years ago, the British among the “Asiatic races” whittled down. colonial authorities in Kuala Lumpur imposed an The first Australian ground forces to be deployed in distributed free of Fathol Zaman Bukhari “Emergency” against local Communist Party of Malaya an anti-communist role here arrived in 1955. They were charge. Our costs are Nisha Devina Roy (CPM) insurgents. designated 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment defrayed by adver- The term “Emergency” was a purposeful misnomer. (2RAR).In the following years Australian forces would GRAPHIC DESIGN/ tisements placed by PHOTOGRAPHY In reality, it was a disguised declaration of war. Less be involved in numerous search and destroy operations dramatic terminology was deemed necessary by the alongside local and other Commonwealth troops. businesses and pri- Rosli Mansor Hj. Ahmad British in order to assist businessmen in the thriving Like all wars, propaganda played a major role in vate individuals with- Razali rubber and tin industries. Under a formal war declaration, the Malayan Emergency. Both sides used it to motivate in the state. They see insurance companies would have flatly refused to meet their troops. Both sides used it to justify the actions they MARKETING & losses incurred by any form of military activity. were taking at the time. the big advantage in DISTRIBUTION These were unquestionably dramatic days and Both sides suffered casualties. dealing with us – our MANAGER Perak found itself at the epicentre of the initial action. A number of European and local miners, planters fortnightly publica- Ramesh Kumar On June 16, 1948, three European planters – Arthur and police personnel were also killed. They are interred Walker, aged 50, John Allison, 55, and Ian Christian, 21 at the Batu Gajah Christian cemetery (God‘s Little tion gives their ads PERMISSION AND RE- - were shot dead by communist insurgents on two rubber Acre). Beginning 1972 the sacrifices of these men were more mileage at PRINTS estates along the Lintang road, north of Sungei Siput. honoured in a simple ceremony which, over the years, less costs. The Echo

Immediately Britain declared an Emergency across has grown in size and stature. also addresses itself Materials in Ipoh Echo may the states of Perak and Johore and outlawed the MCP. The 60th Anniversary of the declaration of the not be reproduced to the very audience in any form without the Within 24 hours the Emergency had been widened to Malayan Emergency will be remembered this year written permission of the encompass the entire Malayan peninsula when veterans from the armed forces of Australia, New they wish to reach. publisher The bitter guerrilla campaign that followed, fought Zealand, Great Britain, Nepal, Fiji and Malaysia gather So, next time you primarily through hinterland jungle, would drag on for at God’s Little Acre, Batu Gajah, on Saturday, June 14, want to buy or sell a PRINTER the next 12 years. A heavily indebted Britain, struggling 2008. to establish financial equilibrium on the home front Memories, understandably, will be primarily of house, a car, a dog or Konway Industries Sdn Bhd after horrendous costs incurred during World War those who gave their lives for the cause. It is to be hoped a cat, please call our Plot 78, Lebuhraya Kam- 11, was ultimately forced to seek military assistance that thoughts of full and final reconciliation will also Classifieds at: pong Jawa for her Malayan anti-communist campaign from have their place in the minds of attendees. (05) 549 5936 11900 Bayan Baru, Pulau Commonwealth member nations. The Ipoh Echo will provide full coverage of this Pinang Australia first became involved in 1950 when the event. or 016 553 1092. Tel: (604) 644 7507 Ramesh Kumar

Useful contacts THINKING ALOUD By Siva Pragasam Perak Main Police Staion 05-245 1222 999 (emergency) TIME TO MOVE ON Ipoh Main Police Station 05-253 2222 Nearly three months have The current state of Little or no purpose is a healthy development as are achieved true democ- Ipoh General Hospital passed since Malaysia play is, of course, a novel going to be served by at- the desire of all citizens, 05-253 3333 racy will have been firmly elected its government. experience for the party tempting to identify who, regardless of their political embedded. Ipoh Ambulance Yet an atmosphere of which has been dominant in our country, is to blame. affiliations, is for the emer- With this will come 05-522 2506 political uncertainty still since independence. The fact is the world is gence of a fair, just and confidence, creativity, - in 993 (emergency) hovers and the overall Somewhere beneath changing and Malaysia is progressive society. novativeness and other Ipoh Fire Brigade impression is that of a na- its current highly confused an active participant in this modern tools essential for 05-547 4444 tional government yet to façade must be a basic re- evolving process. HISTORY TO JUDGE progress in the new world. 994 (emergency) recover from the March alisation that it has actually The fact is, Pak Lah is Tenaga Nasional Berhad 8 event’s hangover. won, continues in power VICTIM OF SUCCESS History will judge Pak not just the leader of the 15454 Grappling with the and holds government Lah’s contribution to the party but of the nation as concept of having to work with a majority that would As the country nation. Meanwhile, one Lembaga Air Perak well. Stepping down usu- with a simple majority in be the envy of many politi- progresses towards be- thing is certain, it has been 1800-88-7788 ally occurs when a party Parliament and five oppo- cal parties in power across coming a developed nation his liberal values that have has lost, not when it has Directory Service sition state governments, the developed world. it is transforming into a emboldened Malaysian won. By undermining Pak 103 Federal authorities are In developed nations, more informed, confident civic society and empow- Lah’s authority, it is the Rakan Cop projecting a forlorn image: where changes of govern- and enlightened society. ered individuals. whole nation that loses. 05-240 1999 one of loss to an overall ment are the rule rather In a sense the ruling party The election result Perak Women for opposition win. than the exception, what could be said to be a victim is irrefutable evidence of NOT THE WAY Women Society This has led to a no- occurred in Malaysia on of its own success. Reality this. As the world becomes 012-521 2480 tion that the leader of the March 8 would have been is that a two party system more globalised, it is the The only way the op- 012-505 0547 party in power has been considered a massive vic- is the hallmark of devel- ability of individuals to position party could take unsuccessful. In parallel tory. oped nations and this na- perform in a global arena power before the end of the have come calls by rul- tion is rapidly progressing that will define a nation’s year is if there are crosso- ing party members for the THE SERIOUS towards such a situation. progress. vers. This is hardly a good www.ipohecho.com.myAdvertise in leader to step down. An BUSINESS The challenge for the Malaysians have been way to form a government IPOH already complex situation future is not to re-emerge very fortunate in having if there is serious intent to echoYour Community Newspaper is further compounded by The problem arises as the sole dominating par- Prime Ministers that fit the be one of the players in the opposition leader pro- from a failure to separate ty again but to become one time. Whereas Dr Mahathir a two party system long Classifieds claiming his coalition will party politics from gov- of two dominating parties. established a progressive term. Appointments be assuming control within ernment. In a democracy, What is noteworthy is that identity for the nation, it Enough is enough. In the brief time frame of a political parties are but a before the elections fears is Pak Lah who must be a world that is beset with year. means to participate in a were expressed that wide- given credit for creating an all kinds of social and eco- Call: process to attain the posi- spread mismanagement environment for its people nomic challenges it is high Ramesh Kumar SCANT COMFORT tion to govern. But once would result should the to justify the identity. time the warring parties this process is over, party opposition acquire power. Having put the Nation shift their focus from try- Marketing Manager The relentless politi- politics give way to the Today the same voices on a path to liberalisation ing to acquire more power Tel : (605) 2495936 cal power play underway serious business of gov- are articulating that if new it would be unwise to turn to resourcefully using the is delivering scant comfort erning. Only in autocratic managements in the five back. Liberalisation must power they already pos- Fax : (605) 2552181 to the ordinary citizen who, societies do political par- states do well it may be continue and people em- sess for the benefit of the Mobile : 016 5531092 above all, desires both sta- ties play a more significant difficult to dislodge them. powerment has to be en- people they have promised bility and direction. role than the electorate. This is unquestionably hanced. Once these goals to serve. Your Community Newspaper IPOH ECHO June 1 - 15, 2008 

ISSUES TO WATCH OUR CONCERNS LET’S NOW TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE CONTINUING TALES OF STRUGGLE What about the Gugusan Manjoi Project? There is an urgent need for the government to review the “poverty line” Siti, a single parent with Reports often point In Britain and other EU two retarded children to the fall in absolute countries, the poverty line and an ailing 90 year-old poverty levels in Malaysia is defined as one half the mother is surveying the from 29 per cent in 1980 average household income. mess the knee-deep flood to about 5-6 per cent in In Malaysia, the average has left for her to attend 2000. How accurate are household income is in a shanty in Ulu Kinta. these figures? The income RM3,200 per month. If we Siti has been seeking threshold for poverty line used the British definition, The Mydin hypermarket . . . on or off? help from the Social demarcation currently used households earning less A RM300-million scheme appeared to be a halting through 2008. Most of in Kampong Manjoi now dream in October, 2007. the zinc fencing at the appears to be in limbo. Shortly after, the plot Mydin store site has Towards the end of 2004, next to the Land Office disappeared. There are no the former Menteri Besar was fenced up and posters signs of construction. On of Perak, Datuk Seri Ta- announced the opening Wednesday evenings, the plot is transformed into jol Rosli launched a night market. Ipoh the Gugusan Man- Echo has been informed joi Project. The that an opinion poll ambitious plan was is being conducted to be completed in on whether or not a Rani with her children and her grandmother The struggling mother tries to foster family five years, an un- Mydin store should in front of their Buntong home. values in her children. dertaking suppos- be located there. Who Welfare Department but in Peninsular Malaysia is a than RM1,600 per month edly under the ae- then was responsible since she draws a monthly monthly household income would be considered poor. gis of Perak State for the premature income of RM400 as a of RM510 (US$134). This The Social Welfare Economic Develop- announcement? domestic help, she doesn’t figure is unrealistic given Department gives financial ment Corporation The proposed meet the criteria set by the the high cost of living. assistance only to those No sign of the promised shop houses shop lots have not (SEDC). department. with a family income of materialised either. Big things were In Buntong, Rani sighs NOT POOR! RM350 and below. They do of Mydin wholesale The site for the planned promised: a bus station, a as she stares at the muddy not provide any assistance department store in 2008. community centre was hospital, a police station, trickle from her tap. Well, In the Eighth Malaysia to those who own even the Along Jalan Raja, a being cleared, but the work a stadium, food courts and at least, no frog has startled Plan (8MP) the poverty line cheapest low-cost house. signboard was set-up, this has stopped. a recreational centre.By her yet. Rani has lived in for Peninsular Malaysia is A single parent who earns time promising seven units Is the Perak SEDC 2007, only the new District the estate all her life. She set at RM540 per month RM500, struggling to of 2-storey shop houses. A still behind the project? To Land Office in Kampong struggles on with no water for a family of five. Is this sustain a family of five, is multi-purpose community whom should the residents Sungai Tapah, a stadium supply from LAP and no a realistic figure? Can a not qualified to apply for centre was about to rise of Kampong Manjoi and a few shop lots were electricity. family of five survive on financial assistance because in Jalan Tengku Hussin address their enquiries? available. (See Ipoh Echo, Siti and Rani are an income of RM540 per he/she is NOT considered – well, that’s what the They wish to be December 1-15, 2007). among the increasing month, given the cost of poor. signboard said, backed up enlightened. The Prime Minister, by the fence that enclosed number of Malaysians living in Malaysia today? Again, the question: Datuk Seri Abdullah who feel left out and Where would they live? where do people like Siti the vacant piece of land. A. Jeyaraj Badawi re-launched what We are halfway marginalised. And can their children and Rani go for help? Does There is little welfare go to school? Given the our Caring Society care support for low-income government’s definition, enough for them? Or do Malaysians like Siti and they are not classified as we just shut our eyes and STOP THIS FOOD COURT! Rani who are finding it poor and, therefore, are hearts? more and more difficult to not entitled to welfare Why there’s no need for another eatery where make ends meet. assistance. Cecilia Chan Perkim wants to locate it MBI should consult the lems and result in traffic along Labrooy Road. FRIENDS IN NEED residents in the Max- gridlock. The vacant piece The Perkim signboard Buddies see requirement to educate society well Road, Jalan Pari of land is not ample to ac- is worrying residents who about the scourge of HIV/AIDS and Labrooy Road area commodate both stalls and say that there are too many before proceeding with parking bays. As is, de- eateries in what is essen- A forum on HIV/AIDS sexual activities without Women and Buddies rec- yet another food outlet spite the traffic light junc- tially a housing area. They was organised last month adequate knowledge or in- ognise the uphill task but there. tion, Maxwell Road gets certainly see NO NEED by Perak Women for formation on ‘safe sex’. Doctor Sharifah, President A spot-check on this jammed. for a food court. They wish Women. The Buddies Sufferers are also of PWW, feels that society already congested location Also, is there a need for MBI would visit the area Society Ipoh led by Cik reluctant ‘to own up’ should not give up. She be- will prove that Perkim another eatery in this loca- and realise much thought Afizah Bani Hashim and because of the stigma lieves that, through educa- should not be given the tion? Just across Maxwell should be given to propos- Ms Prithy led the discus- attached to HIV/AIDS. tion and persistence, soci- go-signal for its proposed Road and a stone’s throw als that only add to resi- sions. This is a major hurdle ety will be enlightened and The symposium tack- and the participants in the thus become more com- led many points, among passionate. A few foreign them: What can society exchange students who do to make life more bear- participated in the forum able for HIV/AIDs suffer- agreed. According to them, ers? What can be done to the stigma exists even in change society’s mindset western countries although towards them, an attitude discrimination is not as ob- which is largely based on vious as it is in Asia. ignorance? It was also agreed that Working hand in better sex education and hand with Perak Women a more open discussion of The proposed site is too small. The location is already congested. for Women, the Buddies the nature of HIV/AIDS Society has identified these will help. food court. from the Perkim project dents’ aggravations. as the primary causes in Dr Sharifah, PWW Buddies Ipoh is com- A signboard has are two restaurants, one If Perkim wants to set the spread of HIV/AIDS: president prised of volunteers. sprouted, at the junction of Malay, the other Indian up a food court, the most a general lack of knowl- forum examined society’s Interested parties may call Maxwell Road and Jalan Muslim. Along Jalan suitable location is the edge of HIV/AIDS among negative attitudes towards Buddies Society of Ipoh, Pari, announcing Perkim’s Labrooy, there are a piece of land next to the members of the commu- sufferers. There is also the Perak on 05-5499106 or intentions. The planned number of eating-places. Sungai Pari Bridge along nity and inadequate sex problem of explaining the email them at hivbud- food court, to be sited on In the afternoons, hawk- Jalan Raja in Kampong education. More and more issue to very conservative [email protected]. a plot of land opposite the ers set up food stalls along Manjoi. There is a need for young people, seduced by pockets of rural villagers. Syariah Court, is sure to Bulatan Cherry while a food outlet there. western values, indulge in The Perak Women for Sue Mah add more parking prob- night hawker stalls operate A J  IPOH ECHO June 1 - 15, 2008 Your Community Newspaper

FROM MY ALBUM REMEMBRANCES OF A SIMPLER TIME STAMP COLLECTING BY QUICKSILVER Foo Pak Khean revisits his ‘insular and protected’ childhood Allow me to begin this second column by saying that I haven’t mastered stamp collecting. Being born in 1940 explanation of the punish- to our visits to the mines. garden. We were always To date, I remain merely a mortal with a passion for makes me an old man, ment – a hose inserted in We were too young to climbing them for fruit. history. I simply relish the study of different eras and, to I suppose. Long past the mouth and a Japanese appreciate the seriousness Since we were not allowed me, one of the more enjoyable ways of journeying through middle-age. I am per- guard jumping on one’s of the events unfolding to venture out of the years past is through the collection of postage stamps. plexed, therefore, when water-logged stomach about us. We just thought it compound, it was Kheng I assure those of you who are considering collecting I am urged “to grow – was so dispiriting to us. was very exciting to be in a Leong who crossed the stamps – you will neither grow old nor become a bore. up” by friends and my This relative survived the car with a sub-machine gun road to buy us chee cheong How can humble postage stamps be the core of a discovery wife each time I com- ordeal but developed a toting guard who sat next fun, yau yee oon choy, etc. tour that begins from early colonial days to the formation mit a faux pas. I am of life-long phobia of water. to the driver. My father sat In those days, our 20¢ of an independent nation? two minds about her Food, I recall, was with us and we knew he went a long way. Kheng If only stamps could talk. admonitions. Leong always did In 1854, the East India Could it be our bidding then Company issued postage that she still as I was bigger stamps for the colonies under g l i m p s e s than he was. But, their jurisdiction. These were some youth- of course, he commonly known as stamps fulness in eventuallyoutgrew of INDIA and were issued for me? A man me, became a six- use in the Straits Settlements. is entitled to footer and went on An example is featured here: some wishful to be a renowned thinking. horse trainer. - - - At my Falim House The only method of identifying if these Indian stamps age, I keep was a very lively were used in the Straits Settlements is to examine their a relatively place for a child. postmarks. But this was quite confusing as certain post large store- My father always offices in India had ‘chops’ similar to those usedin house of had visitors and Penang, Malacca and Singapore. m e m o r i e s there were frequent However, in 1856, a new type of cancellation was which I re- dinner parties. introduced to make identification of the stamps used visit now These get-togeth- within the Straits Settlements easier. and then. ers were catered by The cancellations consisted of four-lined octagons Somehow the the famous Kum with a large B and a number below it. The numbers exercise puts Above: Falim House. . . a lively place for children. Inset: the author recalls Loong Restaurant identified 172 was reserved for Singapore, 147 for Penang the present in times of fun and laughter. (Golden Dragon). and 109 for Malacca. The samples below illustrate the the right per- cancellation types. spective. Today brings scarce. My father made always carried a revolver. A MEMORY both anxiety and conso- us eat ground eggshells We also knew that lation. So did the past. It as supplement for strong this time, we were battling I have one particular came with both joy and bones. I remember a cow the communists. But as memory about those sorrow. he called Minima – she I said, we were children gatherings. provided us much needed and everything promised Once, while a suckling Variations continued to be used until the decline of THE WAR YEARS milk. excitement. We had even pig was being roasted, the East India Company and the transfer of the Straits There always lurked hoped that the car would there was a big explosion. Settlements as crown colonies under the Secretary of State My earliest memo- fear. I have vivid memories round a corner and, there, Part of the cement floor in for the Colonies on April 1, 1867. For the first time, The ries were of the Pacific of running to the basement we would come face the kitchen disintegrated Straits Settlements had their own postal stamps. Three of War. for shelter whenever the to face with the enemy from the intense heat. the complete issue are pictured below. We had gone to air raid warning sounded. whom we would vanquish Our elders must have Singapore where my We were always escorted with our superior power. been disturbed. But to us, father had hoped to get by our many aunts. We Fortunately, none of this children, it was part of the us on a boat to India. never heard any bomb happened. fun. This was pre-empted by exploding though. We were too young the Japanese invasion. The cow Minima PROTECTED to join the dinners but My uncle and his fam- survived the war. Leong we could follow the ily were luckier. So our Yew Koh (later Tun Leong Of school days, I have proceedings from our family stayed in Aunt Yew Koh, first Governor one word: uneventful. I did upstairs bedrooms. Rosalind’s father’s house of Malacca) started a not participate in any sports. We doze off to the in Cairnhill Circle. The farm and asked my father We led a very insular and sound of clinking glasses This provisional issue used the stamps of India war touched our young whether Minima could protected life. There were and laughter. overprinted with a crown and surcharged in cents to lives. My parents told us graze on his property. My the usual private tutoring My father was a good distinguish it from the Indian issues. that our driver Chelliah father obliged. We visited sessions – would you call drinker and the dinners I still recall my excitement at having secured the had been killed in a Minima on the farm. We them memorable? lasted till the wee hours. issues – this was the beginning of our country’s postal bombing raid. We heard would call out to her and My friend Chong Hennessy was the preferred history, which clearly defined the Straits Settlements as of a distant relative being she would amble up to us Kheng Leong would cycle brandy. a crown colony. At the request of Colonel Ord, Governor given the “water treat- and eat bananas off our from his home in Pasir There was no Designate Straits Settlement, serious preparations were ment” for the minor of- hands. Puteh to Falim to be with extravagance as XO, only put into action to create a distinct permanent issue. fence of not bowing to The visits to Minima us. There was an abundance VSOP. Life was much Next time, I’ll talk about the story of that First a Japanese soldier. The would pale when compared of fruit trees in the 26-acre simpler then. Permanent Issue.

THE WAY IT WAS . . . 100 YEARS AGO

Editorial been given to the same. acted in the exercise of the this alone represented the exemption order passed by The apologists of the prerogative and privileges actual situation nobody the British Resident in the The action of the higher present order maintain that conferred upon him, in vir- would have had the least exercise of his unfettered Perak Pioneer powers that be of the some modern Solon has tue of the same. By clause hesitation in describing the statutory discretion under F.M.S., in vetoing the discovered that the action 1 of section 1 of the said so-called ‘sanction’ as ille- the Order in Council. Perak Pioneer holding of the Ipoh Con- of the British Resident in order, three Chinese lot- gal. But clause 2 of section It would eventually vent Lottery, has come in ‘sanctioning’ the lottery teries mentioned therein 1 of the Order provides happen to be that only those Established in for much adverse criti- was ultra vires, in that he by name, have been de- that the Resident may ex- who are responsible for 1894 cism, on sundry grounds of authorised the holding of clared to be illegal and empt any lottery, whether having illegally trenched law, equity and justice. On a lottery which was de- the Resident has been em- mentioned in the Order in upon the undoubted pre- ‘The oldest and the one hand the uphold- clared illegal by the law of powered to declare any Council, or any others in- rogatives of the British most widely ers of the last order have the land. It is contended on other lottery to be illegal. cluded in any subsequent Resident, will be finally proceeded to the length of the other side that a care- In pursuance of the pow- prohibitory order, from held liable for all the dam- circulated questioning the legality of ful consideration of the ers thus vested in him, the the operation of the pro- ages arising from the adop- the original order of the Lotteries Order in Council British Resident issued a hibitory Order in Council. tion of a course of action, newspaper in the British Resident sanction- will clearly demonstrate subsequent notification What might be styled offi- which to our thinking, can- F.M.S’ ing the holding of the said the fact that the British proclaiming that all lot- cially as ‘sanction’ was, in not be justified by legal or lottery, though consent had Resident had undoubtedly teries shall be illegal. If legal parlance, merely an judicial precedents. Your Community Newspaper IPOH ECHO June 1 - 15, 2008 

Ipoh Facts and Fancies by Ho Tak Ming The Early Japanese in Ipoh

One community in Ipoh the then Federal Motor that was enterprising far and Cycle Co started this in excess of its numbers route in 1909, it charged was the Japanese. five cents per mile, or fifty In 1892, when a cart cents for the ten-mile trip. road was built between Cherry and Co was Batu Gajah and Ipoh, the started by C. T. Harada in Japanese residents of Kinta 1911, offering motorcar started a pony bus, drawn and motorcycle repairs by two ponies, between the in its garage. When it two towns. This service wanted to break into the superseded the bullock bus Ipoh-Gopeng bus route, that had hitherto been the it lowered the fare to five usual mode of transport. cents for the entire one- The first person way trip, starting a “price Top photo: Ipoh’s early 1900’s Japanese commercial to introduce the silent war” that benefited the sector - Belfield Street. And the same street today. consumers. movies to Ipoh was a in London and France. As a in teahouses, which, in a Unwittingly it sparked Japanese, Matsuo, whose result he was, in effect, the number of cases, led to off the tourism industry in cinematograph company official photographer at all their being sent overseas as Ipoh as many, who had no came to town in August the main formal functions. prostitutes. business in Gopeng, took 1906. It played, as we have The following pub- It was noted at the advantage of the low fare recorded in an earlier Ipoh lished notation gives an time: to visit the neighbouring Facts and Fancies column, insight into the position he “The Japanese Hotel town on pleasure trips. for a record seven weeks enjoyed within the local in Ipoh is a thinly-veiled The small Japanese before moving to the next community. front for a house of ill- community was repres- town. “Mr. Nara, the well- repute. There is a slave ented by a number of pro- known photographer, is trade of girls between fessionals, including a doc- 1,500 SEAT THEATRE the leader of the Japanese Japan and Malaya to feed tor, Dr. K. Matsutake, who community of Ipoh. He the Japanese brothels in ran a hospital for Japanese When R. L. Corbett set is going to Taiping to the country.” prostitutes, a dental sur- up his Ipoh Cinematograph photograph the lake and Nonetheless, the geon, Dr. H. Simoyama, Co at Yau Tet Shin’s theatre the Taiping hills. The Japanese community in a tattooer, T. Jono (“tat- in Anderson Road in 1910, photos will be sent to Ipoh was a thriving one tooing done on any part K Harima, a well-known Japan to be enlarged and and in 1911 raised $2,500 of the body to desired de- cinematograph exhibitor coloured.” to stage a “procession sign, safety from after ef- in Singapore, lost no time Yet, in spite of its of Japanese ladies” in fects guaranteed”), a mas- in building a thoroughly dynamism, the sobering their national costume seuse, Mrs. Kawano, a ju- up-to-date theatre nearby reality of the Japanese and a fireworks display jitsu exponent, Prof. Y. R. capable of seating 1,500 community in Ipoh was as part of the Coronation Merakami, a hairdresser, T. people. This was the third that it was preponderantly Celebrations of King Tasaka, a tailor, Yamatoya, cinema hall in the chain female, and that most of George V. Indeed, it could and of course, any number that he built throughout the women were “ladies of be said that the community of expert photographers. Singapore and Malaya. the night. was a pillar of the local There were three Competitiveness, it society. seems, has always been the excellent Japanese photo- MALE COOLIES graphic studios in Ipoh. catchword of the Japanese One of the smallest Itoh and Furuse were businessman. They took advantage communities in Ipoh has locted at 101-103, Belfield In 1912, there were of the fact that the local formed the Japanese Sei Street, the Mikasa, 93-95, three bus companies plying population was largely Yei Association. Belfield Street, and Nara’s the lucrative Ipoh-Gopeng made up of male coolies They have come to Elite Art Studio at 2, Hale route - the Straits and FMS from China who arrived regard themselves not as Street. M. Nara was the Motor Bus Company, without their womenfolk. isolated and individual town’s photographer par Wearne Brothers Ltd and Their only recourse to traders here only for their excellence, having studied Cherry and Co. When female companionship own profit and advantage came via the brothels. but realising that they The 1911 Census represent a definite figures provide quite nationality, have decided astounding figures as to form an association. far as the local Japanese One of the pleasantest population was concerned. features of this country They showed there were is the way in which the 337 Japanese males and different nationalities are 1,692 Japanese females able to meet together and in the Federated Malay harmonise and fraternise States. Not all the Japanese with one another. women came over Of course, 30 years willingly. Poverty at home later social commentators forced many Japanese were viewing the parents to sell their Japanese of that time very Ipoh’s Japanese cemetery, Jalan Sungai Pari daughters as waitresses differently.  IPOH ECHO June 1 - 15, 2008 Your Community Newspaper

Musings by See Foon Chan-Koppen Media Shackles Ours is fast getting to be a world of fad addicts, a cesspit of sameness . . .

slaughter we find our- As a global society gentlemen, if the latest deadened to the unique and the paper till you get to the selves being subliminally we are moving more sports car is beyond different. office will lessen the chaos. addicted to bad news. and more into the your budget, then Yet the universe is Play some classical music So first thing in the cesspit of sameness. it’s the newest hand constantly re-creating instead. Tell your kids some morning, with all the bad Every day the phone. And while itself. Stars die and new jokes while they’re having news under your belly you mass marketers are you’re at it, get the ones emerge. The rain breakfast and dinner. get in the car and head for persuading us to MacBook Air, is a gentle cascade or a the office. On the way in acquire the latest the world’s relentless downpour, both YOU’VE GOT See Foon you’re analysing the bad and greatest. We t h i n n e s t special in its intensity. OPTIONS state of finances of your have become fad notebook When was the last time you I wonder how many of head, cursing under your addicts and e v e r . looked up at the sky and We often become you readers out there breath about the deal that mindless And the saw a cartoon character or trapped in our routines and turn on your television didn’t get clinched And followers. IPhone is an animal in the clouds? become firmly entrenched the moment you wake you wonder why the rest the ONLY Remember how we used in believing we have no up? Or reach for the of the day isn’t going the accessory you’ll to do that as children? Or options. How far we’ve newspaper with your cup way you planned! ever need. It’s a walked barefoot in the rain, strayed from following of coffee or tea, thereby total babe magnet lifting our faces to catch our inner muse. Can you starting your day with WATCH OUT! they say.” the droplets and savouring imagine trying to get a a full dose of all that’s I’m all for them on our tongues? group of 2- or 3-year-olds wrong in our world? Remember also that M e d i a being informed to all do the same thing? It Newspapers and tel- the media don’t only sell “Gurus” have and I cannot live NEED FOR SOME would be like trying to rein evision news channels Bad News. They’re also replaced religious without television QUIET in a bunch of wild horses. thrive on bad news. A “Boy messing with our minds! ones. but I resent being Lives of bland scout helps old lady across All the bill boards, print The liturgy goes constantly provoked to I realise that we all uniformity lead us away street” headline may raise and television adver- something like this: buy, buy, buy. So my have obligations and as from a life of joy and a few nods of approval, tisements, flyers, pam- “Ladies, you’re routine is now to only responsible adults we have celebration. Try to follow but it is the sweaty palms phlets, brochures, junk not in if you haven’t turn on the television to get on with the chores. the path of amazement and and the adrenalin rush mail, handouts, web mail, got the latest “IT” bag. at night and read We may have kids, pets, excitement. And, finally, that keep viewers riveted google ads are constantly And for those of you the news as and friends, relatives, bosses, a reminder from the poet to the box as they watch invoking and admonish- who cook, you no longer when I’m ready colleagues, clients and a Kahlil Gibran: “And forget the aftermath of a bomb ing, telling us who to vote do it in your plebeian during the day. whole lot of distractions not that the earth delights blast somewhere in the for, what to wear, how to kitchen, you create your In this often too- that don’t allow for much to feel your bare feet and world. Good news doesn’t accessorise, what to eat or alchemy in “temples busy world, it’s quiet time. But turning off the winds long to play with sell! And as lambs to the how to think. to cooking”. And easy to become the TV and not reading your hair.”

MOTHER’S DAY THE ROYAL A VERY SPECIAL GATHERING IPOH CLUB WAY Significant affair brings Tamils of The honorees got to choose the club’s all persuasions together beauty queen Ipoh’s oldest social club Over 1,500 participants of Parliament for Ipoh ers detained under ISA. He and a distinction in the took pains to acknowl- joined this year’s Tamilar Barat, M. Kulasegeran. stressed the importance Tamil Language for the edge the big contribution Thirunaal – Tamil New The Organising of the function as it was 2007 SPM were honoured. mothers give to society by Year – celebrations at the Committee Chairman, the only moment when all Four individuals were throwing a fitting party State Secretariat’s Ban- B.Kumar, in his welcoming Tamils, regardless of their commended for services to for members’ wives and quet Hall. Thirty-one In- speech, thanked Executive beliefs and political affili- the community. their guests. Twenty - dian based organisations Councillor, A. Sivanasan, ations, could gather for a They were Francis four tables were sold out. from the Indian commu- for his effort in getting the common purpose. Selvam in the film industry, The glitzy func- nity in Perak were repre- Banquet Hall for the func- In the run-up to the Rajendran, the Chairperson tion was held at the sented and gave the occa- tion. Never had an event celebration, 18 competi- of the Malaysian Tamil Sultan Azlan Shah hall sion a real festive air. of such significance been tions were held between Writers Association, for on Saturday night, May Among the VIPs were held at the venue before. the months of January and his writing skills, P.S. 10, 2008. More than 240 Deputy Minister in the PM Kumar echoed the March. Some 600 students Govindan for social works lively well-dressed guests Department, M. Murugiah, sentiments of the Indian participated. They received Mohd. Azri: his music and Arunandhan for pro- – mothers, fathers and the Perak Legislative community and requested their prizes at the function. added much joy moting karate. children - turned up. Assembly Speaker, V. that the Government re- Top-notch Indian stu- Institution student, to be The highlight of the Sivakumar and the Member lease the five Hindraf lead- dents who obtained 10 As B.K.Kumar evening was the crown- Miss Royal Ipoh Club. ing of Miss Royal Ipoh Royal Ipoh Club’s Club. Thirteen aspirants in 7-men ensemble, “Sweet on a floured tea towel until two-piece swimsuits took Memories”, played a very ready to cook. to the catwalk. They also well-received selection Bring a large pan of modelled three skimpy of retro music and songs. boiling salted water to the and figure-hugging outfits. Saxophonist Mohamad boil. The appreciative crowd Azri, often dubbed as the Throw in the pasta cheered them on. Kenny G of Ipoh, was in Kafe Paprika’s and cook it for 2-3 min- his element, performing utes, drain well and toss Interestingly, judging Serves: 8 Tagliatelle was left to the mothers who effortlessly on his golden- the pasta with the tomato INGREDIENTS were given cards to keep coloured tenor sax. Azri’s Trapanese pesto. score. They unanimously rendition of “Brazil” and 3 ripe tomatoes Serve immediately picked 20-year old tallish “Summertime” mesmer- 4 garlic cloves, chopped METHOD with extra chopped toma- beauty, Zana Joella Chin, ised the audience. Salt and freshly ground toes as a garnish. a former St Michael’s FZB black pepper Place all the ingre- 55 g (2 oz) fresh basil dients (except pasta and YEAR-LONG MAIL DELIVERY leaves garnish) in a food proces- OF THE IPOH ECHO sor and puree until smooth. You can have the Ipoh Echo mailed directly to your house 75 g (3 oz) blanched al- monds Chill in the refrigerator. or place of work. All you need to do is deposit RM24 with Roll out pasta as thinly 5 tablespoons olive and us and we will do the rest. The amount is postage fee for as possible. Dust with flour the delivery of 24 copies of Ipoh Echo for a year. Those sunflower oil, mixed and roll up into a sausage interested please call our office at 2 quantities Basic Egg Pas- 05-2495936 or 016-553 1092 for more details. shape. ta Dough When posting a cheque, it should be made out to Using a sharp knife, ‘Ipoh Echo Sdn Bhd’ and posted to No 1, Jalan Extra chopped fresh toma- cut pasta into 0.5 cm (¼ in) Lasam, 30450 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. toes, to garnish slices. Unravel and place Your Community Newspaper IPOH ECHO June 1 - 15, 2008 

Green Globes Quiet Entrepreneurs In Our Midst Enterprise Daily, the Lohs toil to deliver the tasty, nutritious tofu that Drink Quality Water Daily is a pride of Ipoh Full Range Of Quality Water Filters Tofu was, once upon a Loh’s wife added, “ it is Mrs. Loh pours her Ingredients Available time, a product for fru- edible and harmless”. secret coagulant into a big 1 Chicken quarter gal lives. It used to help a Surprisingly, Loh’s urn. The boiled soymilk is 2 squares fried or hard clever housewife devise a tofu does not taste bland – then transferred into this tofu nutritious meal on a tight it has an indefinable subtle urn to congeal. The steamy 2 hard boiled eggs, shelled budget. character, especially the foam is scooped out and 5 dried mushrooms, soaked Safe driking water But even the tofu has soft and glossy type. The discarded continuously as and rinsed come up in the world. soymilk before it is formed this process goes on and 1 ½ bulbs garlic, with Separating fluid from fibre Thanks to creative chefs, into tofu, has a hint of nut . liquid is being poured in. skin this once humble fare is Unfortunately, the soymilk lifted up and poured into It takes 15 minutes for the 2 slices lengkuas wild gin- now regarded as quite “ a is not for sale! a double steel drum. The mixture to set. ger sensuous sensation” in the Ah Fatt’s stall is lo- inner container (riddled 2 teaspoonful fah chiew culinary world. cated at Gunung Rapat with marble-sized holes) is (Szechuan pepper) market and his house/fac- lined with muslin cloth to 3 petals pat kok (star of BONUS tory is just across the road. separate the fluid from the Hexagon Water anise) Whole The machinery used in fibre. 2 ting heong cloves House A nutritionist consult- churning out the ware is Hot water is poured 1 thin sliver cinnamon, Filter into this paste to dilute it, Contact: ant has given here some scrupulously clean and this kayu manis James at 016 - 520 8075 guidelines on the tofu’s is one of the pre-requisites thus forcing fluid to trickle 2 small knob rock sugar The secret coagulant health benefits and nutri- in tofu-making. All the easily into a sieve resting 2 tablespoon dark soya tional value. It is the main- outdated tools have been over the pail below. This The semi-solid is then sauce 500 ml water (about stay of a vegetarian diet. replaced by modern equip- is known as the third stage transferred to the rectan- 2 cups) Two pieces of 10 cm ment almost 10 years ago. whereby the finest soymilk gular shallow trays, drilled 2 tablespoons light soya squares are equivalent to Firewood has given way to is obtained. with holes at four corners sauce a chicken drumstick – a electricity for the boiling and lined with cheesecloth. 1 tablespoon fah tiew wine good substitute for people method. Cooking by fire- TELL-TALE SIGNS As it is filled to the brim (opt.) suffering from coronary wood sometimes gives a the corners of the hanging ½ cube chicken seasoning heart disease, high blood smoky taste to tofu. Boiling the curd by cloth is flapped up to wrap (opt.) cholesterol and high blood electricity - using a long the contents completely, Salt to taste pressure. Plus it has a high RITUAL probe attached to a flat like an envelope. This is content of calcium and walled machine (commer- then stacked up to allow Method phytoestrogens - these The ritual of mak- cially assembled) fired by water from the almost-set may help reduce the risk of ing the Lohs’ renowned diesel - is carried out si- curds to drip out. The soft In a stainless pot, put osteoporosis. It also con- multaneously with stages tofu will be cut up into in the sugar and spices, two and three. This electri- squares in the morning for tains a beneficial amount except garlic and lengkuas, Art of iron which is important cal gadget is dipped into a sale and some batches will sizzle the sugar and add for pregnant women. huge steel drum with the be fried around 4.00am. water. Antiques & Loh Fatt Kong and his soymilk being steadily Special checked steel Throw in garlic and Collectibles wife produce and sell one poured in to boil. moulds are placed over lengkuas and spoon in Picture Frames of the smoothest tofu in When the on-going the cloth-lined trays for the soya sauces and the No. 11, Lorong Cecil Ipoh. process of blending and the hard tofu and the sur- seasoning. Rae, Canning Garden, liquid-refining is -com face will be roughened up The legend has it that Salt to taste. Put in eggs 31400 Ipoh, Perak. the first batch of tofu was The couple at work pleted, and the last pail of prior to wrapping. Hard and mushrooms. Simmer created by a cook in an- tofu starts at around 1 pm milk has gone to the boil, cement blocks are placed on medium heat to re- tel: 05-546 3326 cient China who acciden- daily. The production goes the temperature of the over the trays to compress lease the spices’aroma (20 h/p: 016-550 7155 tally poured nigari (a coag- through several stages. it further. By morning, the mins). ulant) into a pot of cooked The soybeans need to individual pieces are ready 2. Slide in the chicken, and soybean and it curdled into be husked (skinned) by a for sale. let it drown in the gravy the tofu we know today. special cone-shaped ma- Soya Sauce over gentle fire to maintain The tofu cottage in- chine. This shortens soak- its smoothness. When it dustry in Ipoh was started ing time which takes about Braised Tofu is done (25 minutes) it by Loh’s father who came half and a half hours when With Eggs and has a hint of spice and is from China. He brought the beans double in size. Chicken brownish in colour. along his ancient tools - The swollen beans are Boiling the curd Remove. Drop in tofu grinder, sieve, etc. . There washed thoroughly. The boiling content would have and let them lie dormant was also his secret coagu- rinsing is done in batches. reached its desired degree for about 20 minutes to lant. It could be nigari – a The cleaned beans of readiness. be tanned. sediment found in the nat- are tipped into the grind- The drum contains 48 3. Cut and serve swim- ural ocean water. ing machine under a fitted gallons of liquid. It is ready ming in sauce. The present curdling tap of running water. The when the boiling cauldron formula, is the family’s blended paste oozes out is brimming with foam and Cheng Sun Mooi well-kept trade secret. Mr into a pail which is then spewing droplets of milk.

impressed by the creative design. This was the first time they saw such an at- tractive fairytale deco in a Malay wedding. The whole pumpkin car pelamin and the bird Two weeks ago, we suc- car pelamin. The guests of cage set aside for the side cessfully made a pumpkin the bride and groom were c a k e - c u t t i n g session were

decorated with Advertisewww.ipohecho.com.my in lights. Only IPOH echoYour Community Newspaper fresh flowers echo were used. Classifieds The fairy Appointments tale wedding Call: theme which was had a white Ramesh Kumar and cream Marketing Manager colour scheme was held Tel : (605) 2495936 successfully at Fax : (605) 2552181 Ipoh City Hall. Mobile : 016 5531092 10 IPOH ECHO June 1 - 15, 2008 Your Community Newspaper

THINKING OF OTHERS YOUNG PERAK We have the energy. We should find the time.

A section of interest I used to play the clapping wasn’t the thing count on my dad’s people would want to saxophone for my own that mattered - it was the assistance. He is also dirty their hands especially benefit – now, I play for smiles on their faces and very active in a Christian without gaining monetary and action others. the twinkle in their eyes. organisation for people in benefits. Being part of an I discovered that one can need. My mum does free Some of the volunteers for the youth orchestra as well as a big have an impact on another pedicures for old ladies toiled without any breaks band ensemble, I used to person’s life, just by doing because most of them can – and yes, by the end of perform publicly often. something small. no longer bend to do it on the day we were tired. of our state Standing up and playing For me, my their own. I saw these But we knew we had as the crowds cheered and passion for things as I was done something for the shouted “Encore!” was music and my growing up, community. what I lived for. But all experience but it never that has changed. at the old occurred to ADJUSTMENTS Students from participating One Christmas, I f o l k s ’ me that the schools are invited to share was asked to play the h o m e small things Most of us spend our saxophone in an old folks’ pushed me my parents time pondering what outfit their thoughts with home. I remember not to share the did made a to buy next or what nail wanting to go. To me, it gift of music. difference to polish would go well with others. Contributors may felt like a burden. I went, I wanted more people. that new dress. anyway, but only because people to get Since being in Ipoh Yes, this is normal and write about or photograph it was Christmas! the chance to escape as an exchange student, part of our young lives, but things/events outside their and forget their problems I have been involved in shouldn’t we broaden our AMAZING CHANGES through my music even many activities. Recently, horizons? respective institutions of if it was only briefly. I volunteered with my Shouldn’t we wonder While I was perform- The hours friends during – and find out - where learning. Human interest ing, I noticed the changes I spend a charity we can spend more time in the facial expressions of rehearsing fund-raising contributing and bettering stories, observations and the old men and women lis- now are for cancer our communities? reflections are welcome. tening to my music. Some not just patients. Perhaps, if we shorten had their eyes closed; dedicated I feel our shopping trips or hours some started to smile and to making the exercise spent watching TV, we some even moved with the me a better allowed us could pay more attention to E-mail articles to: rhythm and sang along. As musician; to show that, other people – the friendless [email protected] I played a love song, I won- they now together and aged, the orphans, the sick dered if, maybe, they were i n c l u d e How can we help them? in little ways, and destitute? attn: Peter Khiew recalling great memories. thoughts of we have the I believe the effort I had no clue but it looked others. power and the energy to would make a difference in as if the music allowed Every one of us has a do something that can our lives and in our society. them to escape from the role to play in our society. make other lives a bit We can contribute and drudgery of every day life. This fact never meant happier. That day, we sold these small selfless efforts Music was giving them the anything to me but after goods and we worked might, accumulated, help chance to be young again! some consideration, I from morning until late build a better world. When the song came recalled that my parents afternoon. to an end, the people’s have always demonstrated We learned that KRISTIN HARTLICH faces beamed with joy it. Family, friends and volunteering can also be a Form 5, and happiness. The neighbours can always very hard job - not many Smk Main Convent Ipoh

LITTLE STEPS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT The value of recycling should be part every school’s programme

Schools are Majority of where the this solid awareness of waste is recycling can recyclable. be raised and “We are pursued among targeting the the young. And primary and when parents s e c o n d a r y are also roped schools to in to partici- join our pate in the r e c y c l i n g programmes, programmes it won’t be throughout Vinodh Shan, 13, set up long before the Malaysia,” the Nature Club at Ipoh world is made Fenny Cheong (left) explaining to the mayor (centre) the s a i d International School in cleaner and objectives of the exhibition Programme January this year. Nature healthier. chairperson lovers among his school- Brunswick Industries, environmental workshop Fenny Cheong. mates joined enthusiasti- a firm which has exten- and colouring contest “We hope to raise the cally. Their many activities sively dealt in recycling where children could awareness of recycling are geared towards creat- JOB VACANCY IPOH ECHO programmes for schools, learn in an entertaining among the pupils. ing awareness and then corporate bodies and in- and interactive ways were The nurturing and the caring for Mother Earth. dustries, recently organised carried out. grooming have to start Members engage in recy- Sales Consultant. cling activities – they have Candidate must be proficient in an environment exhibition Junior Green Protector early.” in the Perak State Library. Vinodh Shan (see box) To this end, started waging their own written and spoken English. Held in conjunction with from Ipoh International Brunswick has organised war on waste by re-using Please submit all C.V’s to Earth Day, it was primarily School gave a talk on “Be competitions aimed at many things both at home addressed to schoolchil- Green, Be Responsible”. encouraging students to and in school. They orga- [email protected]. nise programmes that dis- For further information, dren and parents. It was Malaysians produce avoid waste and practise opened by Ipoh Mayor 7.34 million tonnes of recycling. cuss how people can save contact Ramesh at Dato Mohamad Rafiai solid waste a year, which For details visit www. water and electricity. 016-5531092 or 05-2495936 Moktar. is equivalent to 42 same neo2u.net Vinodh hopes to be an Activities like an sized Petronas Twin Tower. actuary someday. Your Community Newspaper IPOH ECHO June 1 - 15, 2008 11

Know Your Assemblymen - part 3 LETTER TO THE EDITOR LOOKING FORWARD TO MEET YIT FOONG & MING KAI MEETING OLD FRIENDS If you are from Jelapang, Batu Gajah, Sungai Rapat and Gopeng, here Sir, are your leaders followed by a similar one The National Malaya and for Gurkha soldiers laid to uncollected rubbish. implemented. taining schools – Chan Borneo Veterans Asso- rest in the cemetery situ- Garbage was being Then came the time listen to concerns and take ciation is an international ated at Kem Syed Putra, collected only once in two when the “Reformasi” them up with the Gopeng organisation of ex-Armed Tambun. This year marks weeks! movement was very active. MP Dr Lee Boon Chye as Forces personnel from the 60th Anniversary of The State issues He met other students with they are a Federal issue. Malaysia, Australia, New the declaration of the facing her constituency. similar interests and this led ● Red identity Zealand and the UK. Mem- Malayan Emergency. In ● Land and squatter to his involvement in party cards are still a problem. bership also includes for- addition to the services issues. There are a number politics, particularly with Some have applied for mer Malaysian Police and at Batu Gajah and Kem of squatters in the areas at the Keadilan Movement. their blue ICs 30 years Malaysian Government of- Syed Putra, the Australian Farlim, Jelapang, Lahat, At one of the by-elections, ago and have passed their ficers who worked closely contingent will be hold- Pusing and Papan. This is he met Keadilan members Malay test three times. with these forces during ing a similar service at from Ipoh, one of whom Hee Yit Foong a long-term issue, In his current position the Malayan Emergency the Kamunting graves in ● Flooding at Kg was Dr Lee Boon Chye, how would he like to see (1948 – 1960) and the In- Taiping. Papan Lama and along currently the MP for a better Ipoh: This June, we look Constituency: Jelapang / donesian Confrontation Jalan Lahat near Farlim. Gopeng. He thinks Ipoh has forward to another visit to Batu Gajah (1962 – 1966). A Malay- Life of a politician. It was Dr Lee who too much “hardware” - a Perak and to renewing old Party: DAP sian branch has now been Hee enjoys being encouraged him to join term he uses to describe established in Perak State friendships. Age: 45 in politics and has no PKR. Upon the completion establishments like coffee Service centre: with the HQ in Ipoh. regrets. Of six brothers of his studies, Chan houses, cafes and the like. Yours faithfully, 1St Floor 29B Main Road Every year, the and sisters she is the only returned to Malaysia in Ming Kai feels the city B J (Snowy) Selby, Na- Jelapang. She is at her Ser- Association holds a one in politics. Due to 2003 and immediately needs more “software”, tional President, National vice centre every Wednes- Remembrance Service her disability, her parents signed up as a Keadilan like cultural activities. Malaya and Borneo Veter- day afternoon, from 1pm. in June at the Batu Gajah encouraged her to join member. JAG cemetery. This service is ans Association Australia However she can be the government service. In August 2004, he reached on her hand phone Little did they realise set up his Mobile Service if you need to see her ur- she would some day be a Centre at Pasar Malam Snatch Theft - part 3 gently. H/p: 012 5192 183 member of the ruling state Taman Ipoh Jaya , Gunung Continued from page 2 Education: Studied at government. Rapat. This centre covers Sekolah Chong Hwa Kan- the areas of Gunung Rapat, than Baru and Sekolah Ipoh Jaya Ampang and Aminudding Baki Chemor. Pekan Razaki. In August Earned her Diploma in 2006, he started other Management from Taiwan mobile service centres in 1990. She had once at Pasar Pagi Ampang, o The establishment control in Ipoh, they said, public. As was pointed out wanted to be a teacher Gunung Rapat and of publicly displayed nothing could be done. in the editorial of the Ipoh Marital Status: Married, Simpang Pulai. reminders in the form of This is simply not the Echo’s previous edition, with 2 children. Like the other Pasar posters and signboards, case. Clearly, carrying a Sir Robert Peel, founder Hobbies: Yit Foong is a vendors, he packs his table, in specific areas, warning handbag makes a woman of the British Police Force, Buddhist and enjoys do- lamps, chairs, batteries and people that there may be vulnerable to having it always insisted that police ing religious work. Up till documents into his car and snatch thieves lurking in snatched. Whether it is officers should maintain 1993, she visited old folks’ sets up his centre among the area. This, it is argued, realistic for women to close relationships with homes and orphanages. Chan Ming Kai the vendors. He is there to would promote a healthy avoid carrying handbags the public. Life in politics: listen and serve. dose of awareness among in high risk areas is up to He explained that Yit Foong’s father Constituency: He is an Exco Member members of the public. the individual to decide. “this gives reality to the always encouraged his Sungai Rapat / Gopeng of AMK (Keadilan’s Hopefully, they would Would it be safer for tradition that the police daughter to do her best. Party: PKR Youth Wing) and Deputy then take steps to be more instance, to simply forgo are the public and that the Together, they thought Age: 28 Chairman of the Gopeng vigilant. the handbag? public are the police…” that teaching might not Service centre: Division. o The introduction Expanding on this theme, be a suitable career for Chan maintains mobile Complaints from his con- of readily recognisable SAFETY HANDBAG he asserted that police someone disabled. So she service centres. His sched- stituents: police roadside presences were, in fact, the only took up book keeping and, ules are: As with the other in areas prone to snatch If carrying a handbag members of the public subsequently, management. Monday: Pasar malam at constituencies the majority theft problems. It has is of vital importance, “who are paid to give full She had good grades Gunong Rapat of his complaints are smade been proven that crime would it be wise to consider time attention to the duties but was unable to get a Wednesday: Pasar Malam up of SLR ((sampah, rates drop significantly the purchase of a ‘safety- that are incumbent on scholarship. at Simpang Pulai longkang and rumput) His in areas enjoying regular handbag’? These ‘safety- every citizen in the interest Sometime in 1982, Friday: Parti Keadilan constituency consists of police patrolling. handbags’ are made by of community welfare.” she helped out at her local office at Taman Song mainly residential areas o The adoption Giossardi and are available DAP branch. In 1986, she Choon. Night time. as well as vegetable farms of civic programmes in major shopping centers POLICE TO BE signed up as a member. H/p: 012 5151 706 and pomelo orchards. aimed at improving in Ipoh. They have straps TRANSPARENT When she got a job in the Blogsite: The other common social conditions in that detach at both ends Chemor area, 10 of her chanmingkai.blogspot. complaints are snatch plagued areas. when pulled on strongly, It is within this very colleagues were senior com (Chinese) ● Land issues The implementation of reducing the degree of fundamental principle, party members. Education: Studied at related to the pomelo such would essentially injuries considerably. that the police force in In 1993, she was made SRJK Sri Perak and SMJK orchard growers in the extend beyond the More often than not, the the state of Perak, must the JKKK for Kanthan Yuk Choy. He obtained Ampang area. This is a jurisdiction and powers snatch thieves only end up remain transparent in all Baru. She stood for her his degree in Technology major problem which, as of one, single agency. with a handbag strap. its dealings – and this in- first election in 2004 and Management from UTM correspondence records In any event, agencies Particular attention cludes providing accurate won. She resigned her job and his LLB degree from attest, dates back more such as the police, local should also be given to information on those in- in 2004 to be a full time the University of London. than 20 years. council representatives messages about ‘dressing- volved in snatch theft ac- politician. Her win again in Marital Status: Single Residents who have and relevant authorities down’ in high risk areas tivity, particularly when it the 12th GE in 2008 makes Hobbies: Bowling (sel- been living on the land for would have to combine – as to avoid drawing has been reported that a it her second term as a dom plays nowadays) and years but are unable to get forces to eradicate this attention to an individual. policeman was apprehend- State Assemblyman. This International Chess. These the grants to their property rampant crime. It would also seem ed and under suspicion of is her 24th year in politics. days, he spends more time because the boundaries When the Ipoh Echo sensible to advise that such involvement. Complaints from her at his computer. have not been defined. asked snatch theft victims when wearing jewelry, to When all is said and constituents: Life in politics: Farmers are currently what, if anything, could keep it well hidden under done, relevant authorities Almost 70% of the Chan was always having temporary licences be done to prevent this clothes. Also, when in high must take steps to increase complaints received are interested to initiate renewable every year. crime, there came a most risk areas, avoid wearing public perceptions of safe- about rubbish, grass, drains improvements wherever They have applied for the depressing common re- expensive jewelry – that ty. and faulty street lighting. possible even as a student land but approval is still sponse. The overwhelm- becomes an open invitation This will undoubt- The poor collection of at Yuk Choy. This became pending. ing reaction was a some- to snatch thieves. edly have an impact on rubbish in the flats area at more focused when he Squatters. Not in what fatalistic acceptance The most important our community and could Taman Silibin has resulted entered University. He great numbers but they do that snatch theft perpe- factor of crime prevention, significantly improve the in an environmental issue got involved in campus exist. This is a long-term trators were here to stay. however, is the relationship general quality of life in because the residents politics to ensure student- problem. Given the state of crime between the police and the our state. resorted to burning their friendly policies would be ● Funds for main- 12 IPOH ECHO June 1 - 15, 2008 Your Community Newspaper

Sport by Steve Darby THE BROAD ESSENTIAL FRAMEWORK A guide must pass an accreditation course before he/she gets entitled to train a child In the last issue of the love with the sport as the coach of a soccer team of pressures on children. Echo, I said that, what- expert! A course too long seven year olds to be lec- A change of commu- ever the sport, a child in duration may well prove tured on about physiologi- nity attitudes is not an over- is invariably influenced too demanding for a begin- cal advances in training night process. by its first leader/guide/ ner and may be a stimulus or tactical developments An educational pro- counsellor. I finished off for excuses. The appropri- from the World Cup. The gramme must be allowed to by giving five points that ate length must be decided course must be a take its course. will make for a successful by the needs of the sport. “Cook Book” minimum accreditation Accessible to all the of ideas VARYING NEEDS programme. This fort- community, males, fe- that are night, I am elaborating males and disadvantaged u s e - Each sport is on these requirements. groups. ful to so unique that it is Quality Instruction by well It is often accepted candidate. impossible to have trained staff coaches. by sports that “HE” is These areas a national generic A Staff Coach must the coach. The forward to include syllabus and eve- be well trained in the thinking sports are realis- how to or- ry sport must be vital processes of Adult ing that often “SHE” is ganise, how self analytical and be able Education. The value the beginner coach due to to keep a child active and to establish what is relevant of practical learning work demands on the male the basics of child devel- to it. experiences and previous community, and also the opment. A German soccer ad- knowledge must be fact that 70% of primary A philosophy of enjoy- ministrator once said, “We acknowledged. The Staff school teachers are female. ment and participation. care too much about our Coach should provide Often the female coach is Research has revealed children to leave them in a positive, supportive undertaking coaching as a that the basic needs of the hands of enthusiastic learning environment. The third job after employment young children and sport but untrained amateurs”. candidate on a beginner and motherhood and the are to have fun and to be Of course we must de- coaching course may timing of courses should actively involved at all velop motor skills. But in well have been out of an be appropriately tailored. times. a changing society we are educational environment Sports must market re- A coaching course now being influenced by for a number of years and search the needs of female for beginners must have drugs, crime and increas- could feel threatened. clients and put coaching the underlying philosophy ing economic problems. It Appropriate duration of courses on when suitable. that is relative to this. It is critical that sport should the course. A syllabus relevant to the must play down the mo- retain its once accepted role The candidate is per- sport’s needs. tives of win at all costs as an influence on social haps not as fanatical or in It is pointless for the and excessive extrinsic development.

Rice Crisis . . . continued from page 3 Don’t ever feel alone or like a victim again.Unlike security with rice, the staple food sustainable approach in en- These price caps will alarms and monitors that work only in your home, we offer in our region, gaining by suring food security. take effect from June 1, protection for you, your family almost 270 per cent.. He questioned the gov- 2008. and your possessions with ernment’s intention to open The nation’s stock- GPS tracking systems. it comes, everyone will RICE SUFFICIENCY new lands in Sarawak for pile has recently been re- What is GPS be affected. Food prices padi farming. “Idle lands plenished. Some 200,000 tracking system? throughout the world are The RM4 billion will exist in Perak, Selangor metric tons of imported A GPS tracking system or unit is a rising making life increas- be used to increase food and Pahang. These lands Siamese rice were acquired small device that uses the Global ingly difficult especially production by fully realis- should be considered too,” after a week-long haggling Positioning System to determine the in developing countries precise location of a vehicle, person, ing rice sufficiency from said Raj. over costs. or other asset to which it is attached where living standards the current 73 per cent to “Keep production Thailand demanded and to record the position of the are hovering above the 100 per cent. This will be costs low so both farmers the rice be sold at the pre- asset at regular intervals. poverty line. achieved by transform- and consumers can gain. vailing market price of For more informatation or Some of the recom- ing Sarawak into the new It’s a win-win situation,” USD 1000 a metric ton, not demo please do not hesitate mendations made to over- rice bowl of Malaysia and he said. “The plan should USD 850 as requested by to call or e-mail : come the problems are: increasing production of focus on the farming com- Malaysia. Y.W Wong at: 1. Lessen our dependence fruits and vegetables. The munities not cronies of the The bargaining power 016-5555 967 on imported rice. Increase plan also includes funds to Establishment. In the past currently lies inevitably E-mail: local production by open- such lands have gone to with the seller who has the [email protected] ing up new land for padi waste as those responsible option to sell or not to sell. cultivation. have not the slightest clue And since there were many 2. Farmers to increase how to farm,” he added. willing buyers in the mar- their productivity. ket, Malaysia acceded “not 3. Action to do away with FOOD CULTIVATION with a bang but a whim- middlemen and thereby per”. open up channels for trad- “Disused mining lands This poser will remain ers and retailers to buy di- in Kinta Valley and Larut to haunt the authorities. rect from manufacturers. Matang can be utilised for Is the short-term 4. Consumers to shop at fruit and vegetable culti- solution enough to sat- wholesale markets and vation. Cash crops have isfy Malaysians? The na- look for cheaper alterna- a fast turn over and cost tion’s overall stockpile of tives. Paul Raj urges use of less to grow. There have 500,000 metric tons will On April 19 last, local idle lands. been plans to develop these last six months. PM Abdullah Badawi lands but nothing has hap- What happens when allocated RM4 billion to purchase fertilizers. pened so far”. stocks run out? Will there increase food production This bold attempt at In a move to keep be another scramble for and keep prices down. funding is a shot in the a lid on rice prices the imported rice? Badawi argued the arm for the ailing agri- Government recently an- The Sarawak land nation needed to stockpile cultural sector. However, nounced that Grade B rice scheme will only take off food in order to ensure se- care must be exercised (Super Tempatan) would when the proposed dam in curity at a time of global if successes are to be remain at between RM1.65 Limbang is operational. supply uncertainties and achieved. According to and RM1.80 a kg. It will take a while. prices increases. Paul Raj of the Perak Ceiling price of the In the interim, we have World food prices, Consumers’ Association, local super grade variety to make do with what we he indicated, had shot up the Government should (Super Special Tempatan) have. This is definitely not over the past 12 months adopt an economically is pegged at RM2.80 a kg. healthy.