ANDERSON SCHOOL IPOH - a CENTURY OLD Special Report by Peter Khiew

www.ipohecho.com.my IPOH echoYour Community Newspaper Serving the people of Ipoh,echo Chemor, Sg.Siput,Taiping, Kuala Kangsar, Gopeng, Kampar, Batu Gajah, Air Tawar, Sitiawan, Lumut and Teluk Intan. issue FREE for collection from our office and selected outlets, on 1st & 16th of the month. 30 sen for delivery to your house by news vendors within Perak. RM 1 prepaid postage for mailing within Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. 67 FEBRUARY 1-15, 2009 PP 14252/10/2009(022651) TAHNIAH DAN UCAP SELAMAT NEWS SEMPENA JUBLI PERAK LETTERS PEMERINTAHAN DYMM TO EDITOR PADUKA SERI INVESTING SULTAN PERAK REGT 503 (TA) IN OUR BECKONS YOU 3 YOUTHS 6 10 DARUL RIDZUAN 2009 ANDERSON SCHOOL IPOH - A CENTURY OLD special report by Peter Khiew

More pics at ipohecho on line Name: SOPHIA YASMIN Occupation: STUDENT Hobbies: READING & DEBATES Anderson School is 100 years old this year and its sons, who proudly The quality I admire most: GENEROSITY, call themselves Andersonians, are gearing up to give their alma mater HONESTY SINCERITY a celebration it rightfully deserves. The vibrant and upbeat mood has & DETERMINATION. Ambition: been felt throughout the year after the school began its countdown ECONOMIST/LAWYER in February of last year. Photograph by Rosli Mansor 2 IPOH ECHO February 1 - 15, 2009 Your Community Newspaper Celebrating Anderson’s 100 years of excellence

xcitement is in the illustrious and notable tionally high-profile lead- ists free-falling from an Selangor,” said Helmi. 8, 2010, will see the launch- air, as the school has candidates.” The commit- ers had successfully held aircraft above the school A desire to achieve a coming of the “Andersonian Estarted selling cen- tee has not set a particular the post of Chief Secretary padang. The proclama- mon goal had enabled a Centennial Memoirs”. Dr tennial souvenirs. Limited number of Andersonians of the Government. These tion letter to be read by the group of alumni to col- Helmi said a time capsule, edition items like centenni- to receive the award. “If men of honour are Tan Sultan will be borne by the late details of hundreds with details of events on al crystals, giant porcelain the panel of judges feels Sri Dato Paduka (Dr) lead parachutist. It will be of Andersonians and has the centennial celebrations, mugs, watches, golf um- that a 100 former students Sallehuddin Mohamed and a spectacle in itself said the been compiled into a book will be buried at the school brellas and baseball caps deserve to be awarded, Tan Sri Ahmad Sarji Abdul Organising Chairman. entitled, “Journey of the grounds. This ceremony are selling like hot cakes. we will have 100 awards Hamid. In the evening, begin- Andersonians: Who’s will symbolically end the Banners and buntings have then,” said Helmi. There are Anderso- ning at 8 pm, an array of Who”. The book features celebrations of Anderson’s been strung up at strategic Among the judges nians who had reached the entertainment programmes 1,001 old boys who stood 100 years of excellence, locations months ahead in on the panel are former pinnacle of their careers have been lined up. They tall in society and was welcoming in another cen- downtown Ipoh. Motorists Perak Mentri Besar, Dato’ in the Army, Navy, Air include a stage show, mu- authored by Datuk N.S. tury of excellence based using the North-South Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali, Force and Police. Among sic and songs and will Selvamany, a former prin- on the school’s motto, “To Expressway are bound to Bernama Chairman, Datuk them are Gen (Rtd) Tan Sri climax in a 15-minute cipal. Selva took 18 months Strive, To Seek, To Find be greeted by eye-catching Seri Mohd Annuar Zaini Zahidi Zainuddin (ex-Chief fireworks display. The to complete the book. He and Not To Yield”. billboards announcing the and New Straits Times of Armed Forces), Gen scheduled royal centennial conducted interviews with The quest for the pending year-long centen- Press Group Editor-in- (Rtd) Datuk Seri Mohd dinner will be held the fol- old boys some of whom Andersonians of the nial celebrations. Chief, Datuk Hishamuddin Azumi Mohamed (ex- lowing day. are residing in Australia, Century is in progress. A p p r o p r i a t e l y Aun. Chief of Army), Admiral Some of the ma- the United Kingdom and Submit your nominations themed, “Celebrating 100 The theme is cer- (Rtd) Datuk Seri Ahmad jor activities planned for Singapore. “There are to reach the panel before years of Nationhood by tainly appropriate, as the Ramli Mohd Nor (ex-Chef the year include a rugby over 20,000 Andersonians February 26. Andersonians”, Organi- school has produced many of Navy), Lt-Gen (Rtd) inter-centennial schools spread all over the world” For details on the cele- sing Committee Chairman, outstanding personalities Datuk Seri Yunus Tasi (ex- tournament on February said Helmi, “and it was a brations, please contact Ms Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Helmi among whom are MPs, Chief of Air Force) and 21 and an inter-premier Herculean task to notify all Norazuwa at 05-2554328 Ismail said, “To make the senators, state assembly- former Inspector General school football competi- of them to come home for or e-mail your queries to: occasion highly significant, men, municipal council- of Police, Tan Sri Mohd tion on February 28. One the get-together”. andersonians.ipoh@gmail. meaningful and also note- lors, captains of industries, Bakri Omar. Andersonian who had The last part of the com. worthy, we’ll be presenting senior government serv- Touted to be one grand done exceptionally well in celebrations, on February by PETER KHIEW the ‘Andersonians of the ants and professionals in affair, Anderson School’s sports was Dato’ Nashatar Century’ award to the most all disciplines. Two excep- 100 years celebrations are Singh. He represented the filled with exciting pro- country in athletics at the grammes which will ap- 1964 Tokyo Olympics and peal to Ipohites across the in Mexico four years later. board. He still holds the national On February 15, a javelin record. Aminullah mass parade will march @ Aman Karim E.A. from Ipoh Padang to the Karim represented Malaya school ground led by in hockey at the 1956 marching bands from Melbourne Olympics. schools with century-old These Olympians along status, such as, Malay with Yeoh Chai Lye, a pro- College Kuala Kangsar, fessional flyweight box- Sultan Abdul Halim ing champion, had left a College Alor Star, Clifford lasting impression in the School Kuala Kangsar and sporting arena. Methodist Girls’ School “We took four years Ipoh. Some 1,500 partici- to plan. It was sheer team- pants have been invited work and camaraderie to take part in the parade. among members of the Old Before the launch of the Andersonians Club Ipoh centennial celebrations by and the Anderson School His Highness Sultan Azlan Old Boys Association Shah, spectators will wit- of Wilayah Persekutuan Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Helmi Ismail ness a team of parachut- Kuala Lumpur and Your Community Newspaper IPOH ECHO February 1 - 15, 2009 3

www.ipohecho.com.my From the Editor’s Desk FATHOL ZAMAN BUKHARI IPOH echoYour Community Newspaper

THE MALAYSIAN TERRITORIAL ARMY Able-bodied Perakians should take up the challenge and be volunteer soldiers. Regt 503 (TA) beckons you Photograph by Rosli Mansor aintaining a stand- ly deployed north of the managed by some 160 towards the end of the Ming army is an ex- East-West Highway. regular personnel under year. Annual camp lasts for pensive affair consider- The origins of our ter- the direction of the Deputy 15 days. The three types of ing the cost involved in ritorial army can be traced Commander, a Lieutenant- training are progressive in purchasing state of the to the volunteer companies Colonel and a career offic- nature. art weaponry and tech- established by the British er from the regular army. A During weekend trai- nology. To overcome this colonial government in fully established regiment ning volunteer officers are drawback, nations have the 1930s. Volunteers consists of 3,000 volun- paid RM5.80 an hour while to depend on volunteers, were drawn from the local teers – a thousand each per the rank and file, RM4. and in extreme cases, populace and the British battalion. The officers and When undergoing local conscripts, to beef-up expatriates and formed men serve on a contractual training and annual camp, their regulars. Malaysia into rifle companies in the basis with each term last- volunteers are paid the reg- is no exception. The Malay states and the Straits ing a period of five years. ular army rate according Malaysian Territorial Settlements. The urgency They can extend their serv- to their ranks. An incen- Army has been mobilised in establishing these com- ice continuously till the tive payment of RM520 three battalions are lo- However, there are the en- in the past to assist the panies was in anticipation age of 50. is paid to any volunteer cated in Ipoh, Taiping and ergetic few who are will- regulars in safeguarding of threats posed by a bel- Training is planned who completes at least 380 Tapah respectively. The ing to volunteer for a good the nation. In the 1970s ligerent Japanese military and managed by the regu- hours of weekend train- Perak regiment is not with- cause – taking up arms in seven infantry battal- government. lar staff in each battalion. ing and attends the annual out problems of its own. the defence of the nation. ions were raised for this Presently, there are There are three types of camp. Volunteers are paid Topping the list is a high very reason, four were 16 territorial regiments in training. They are week- a travelling allowance. A personnel turn-over rate. If you are able-bodied tasked to augment army the country – one each for end, local and the annual volunteer private soldier This is caused by volun- aged between 18 to 50 units along the Thai bor- every state including the camp. Weekend training is can make about RM3,500 teers not extending their years and is not too der and the remaining Federal territory of Kuala on weekends and is done a year provided he attends service after their initial bothered by pecuni- three, to monitor the in- Lumpur. Sarawak, inciden- on an hourly basis. There all forms of training within five-year term. The other ary reward give Major flux of Vietnamese boat tally, has two regiments. is no cap on the number of the year. is remuneration. Although Kamarul Hisham. the people along the shores Each regiment is organised hours a year. Local training The 503 (Territorial the hourly rates have been Recruiting Officer of of Kelantan, Trengganu into three battalions. The is group training conduct- Army) Regiment is Perak’s revised, they are still con- Regiment 503 (TA) a and Johore. The battal- Commander is a volun- ed within the campsite not own. Its headquarters is sidered pittance. call. His contact num- ions were later disbanded teer officer with the rank exceeding 14 days a year. located along Jalan Raja Volunteerism con- bers are: 05-2549342 leaving only two current- of a brigadier-general. The Annual camp is collec- DiHilir (Tambun Road), notes willingness without (office) and day-to-day administration tive training involving the after the Ipoh Specialist reward. But how many 019-9061241 (mobile). EDITORIAL of the regiment is being whole regiment and done Centre. The regiment’s are prepared to do so? he defeat of Datuk Biased reporting favour- TWan Farid to ing one political party OF LIES AND HALF-TRUTHS Abdul Wahid Endut at over the other has been the heightened frenzy of complainants bundled balanced reporting, one cession, the reality is the recently concluded the staple of Malaysian make-believe reporting. off unceremoniously. that does not harp on something else. Some Kuala Trengganu by- mainstream media ever Truth was conven- Voters today are race, religion and bigot- 45,000 workers will be election provides one since. iently forsaken and in more mature and will ry. At Kuala Trengganu jobless after Chinese significant lesson – Over the 11-day its place lies and half- reject stories of glory a team of bloggers had New Year. that misinformation campaign period the truths reigned. Lost too and altruism attributed descended on the town While the main- by the mass media is public was continu- was the allegation of to one political party or ahead of time to report stream media continue no longer tolerated. ously bombarded with attempts at greasing individual. Contentious the happenings as they with their nothing-to- Making use of both news of a rift in the the palms of reporters issues which are self- see it. Ceramah, the fear rhetoric, ordinary the electronic and Opposition camp, espe- with money stashed in serving and outrageous mainstay of politicking Malaysians are begin- news media to prop up cially over one troubling envelopes. In fact this will not have a ready in Malaysia, continue ning to take stock of one’s image will only issue – Islamic govern- was more relevant than audience save for the to draw the crowd from the gloom surrounding prompt the people to ance (hudud). In spite news on phantom voters, apologists from among among the laymen. them. do the opposite. And in of repeated assurance indelible ink and scuf- the crowd. On the economic Rest assured, crime Wan Farid’s case, an from Pakatan Rakyat fles between party sup- The rakyat today are front, job losses are be- rates will go up, Ah eminent loss despite leaders that a consensus porters. Despite reports more discerning as they coming more apparent. Longs will have a field the RM35-plus million within the coalition was made to the Police and have alternate means of Despite the govern- day and the Police will worth of sweeteners required beforehand to the Election Commission sourcing for news – good ment’s assurance that have their hands full. dispensed purposely implement such a ruling, the matter was hurriedly and bad. Blogging has the country will not be Reporting the truth, to garner support. the gospel was lost in brushed aside and the paved the way for a more affected by global re- therefore, makes sense. 4 IPOH ECHO February 1 - 15, 2009 Your Community Newspaper

PUBLISHER THINKING ALOUD G. SIVAPRAGASAM 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 Email: ipohecho.jag@ gmail.com PUBLIC TRANSPORT - TIME WE GOT SERIOUS EDITORIAL Fathol Zaman Bukhari Thirteen federal agencies are responsible for managing our public transport system James Gough and they are never connected. The mayhem is not doing the rakyat any good. GRAPHIC DESIGN/ ransport is a discussed and excellent covering the northern convenient, safe and safe passageways. Well PHOTOGRAPHY Rosli Mansor Ahd Razali basic necessity solutions suggested. It is suburban areas of Bandar systematic. Short walk- executed mass transit Yu Azman Bin Hamid and should be puzzling why there is a Meru Raya, Chemor and ing distance between travel paths that guarantees Azril Aryandi Bin Zambri the right of reluctance to implement Tanjung Rambutan, and the transferring points with seamless connection. Tevery citizen in modern them. southern suburban areas MARKETING & society. There can be little The recommendations of Batu Gajah, Pengkalan DISTRIBUTION dispute that socially and included: and Simpang Pulai with MANAGER Ramesh Kumar economically the most ●● Formulation of a the stops along these lines efficient and responsible national transport policy. serving as transfer points PERMISSION AND RE- method of moving people All modes of public for commuters from the PRINTS is Public Transport. transportation considered surrounding suburban Materials in Ipoh Echo may Unfortunately, public in the overall mass transit areas. The three BRT lines not be reproduced transport is perceived planning. A uniform intersecting at downtown in any form without the today as only for the poor and simplified fare Ipoh, enabling commuters written permission of the publisher and caters for less than system administered by access to downtown bus 10% of the community. a centralised agency that service lines covering Jalan PRINTER This percentage will will also be responsible for Sultan Idris Shah, Jalan Konway Industries Sdn remain unless the quality designing and publishing Sultan Iskandar, Jalan Bhd of public transport the entire interconnecting Dato Onn Jaafar, Jalan Plot 78, Lebuhraya system improves. But so mass transit routes and Raja Musa Aziz, Jalan Kampong Jawa long as public transport schedules based on Dato Seri Ahmad Said and 11900 Bayan Baru, Pulau Pinang remains the province of continuous travel demand Jalan Hospital. Tel: (604) 644 7507 the silent undemanding analyses and feedback ●● The rail double- underprivileged there will from the public. tracking be used to provide be no improvement. The ●● A one-stop centre commuting along the USEFUL CONTACTS solution is to make public for urban mass transit that Kinta Valley. (Sungai transport appealing for serves as a coordinating Siput to Batu Gajah, with Ibu Pejabat everyone and private agency responsible for stops in Chemor, Tanjung Polis Daerah (IPD) transport inconvenient. routes, fares, assets, traffic Rambutan, Klebang, 05 2451 500 As with any great enforcement, land gazette. Tasek, downtown Ipoh, 999 (emergency) endeavour the leaders ●● Competency and Menglembu and Bukit Ipoh General Hospital should articulate a clear transparency in policy Merah.) 05-253 3333 mission towards this and in administrative ●● Safe, comfortable objective setting definite decisions. and accessible walking Ipoh Ambulance targets, milestones and Resolution of risk and paths that are user-friendly 05-522 2506 timeframes. responsibility between to small children, seniors 993 (emergency) The problems that public authority and and the handicapped Ipoh Fire Brigade plague the industry are no private operators with established to reach transit 05-547 4444/994 secret: the commuter’s interest points. (emergency) ●● Thirteen federal reigning supreme. ●● High frequency agencies administering As for Ipoh the general BRT lines fixed along Perak Immigration Dept public transport with consensus was: main suburban corridors 05-5017100 little inter-departmental ●● The bus is the with bus stops evenly Perak Water Board coordination, resulting most suitable mass transit spread out roughly one km 05-254 6161 in no ownership, respon- vehicle for Greater lpoh from each other. Truncated Ipoh City sibility and accountability. due to its flexibility and BRT lines complementing Council(Complaints) ●● Local councils extendibility. regular BRT lines to cater functioning without ●● The area encap- for increased demand on 05-255 1515 transport planners result- sulating Medan Kidd, certain sections during Perak Anti-Corruption ing in mass transit lpoh bus station and KTM peak hours. Agency infrastructure and support railway station in the ●● Dedicated bus 05-253 1982 systems being neglected in centre of the entire Greater lanes, queue jumps and State Secretariat development plans. lpoh townships with well- priority signal lights to 05-253 1957 ●● Private enterprise connected to roads and rail make BRTs as efficient as providing public transport tracks ideally positioning LRTs and MRTs. Railway Station under regulated fares it for a hub-and-spoke ●● Suburban feeder 05-254 7987 having to contend with mass transit routes, is the routes simplified so that Airport new operators issued most strategic location it will not take more than 05-312 0848 operating licenses ad for the Ipoh Central 5-10 minutes for each Registration Department hoc, poor enforcement Transportation Hub. resident to walk to the of conditions resulting ●● The location nearest feeder bus stop 05-528 8805 in insecurity dissuading in Bandar Meru Jaya be with waiting period no Tenaga Nasional Berhad capital expenditure. lpoh’s mass transit gateway longer than 10 minutes, 05-253 2000 ●● O p e r a t o r s for northbound intercity and the bus to reach the focusing on profit and commuters with a similar nearest BRT bus stop Lembaga Air Perak not meeting stakeholders’ gateway established at within 10 minutes. 1800-88-7788 expectations. Simpang Pulai-NSE Exit ●● Express, non- Directory Service ●● Permits awarded for southbound intercity stop local bus service that 103 to influential people who commuters, with the perfectly complements the rent them out to actual gateways served by high BRT services. Rakan Cop operators. frequency bus services ●● Bus stops, sta- 05-240 1999 At a workshop travelling across main tions, hubs and gateways organised by the Perak corridors and passing designed exclusively Perak Women for Women Society State Government on through the main transit for rapid incoming and December 22, 2008, and hub. outgoing traffic flow of 012-521 2480 012-505 0547 a seminar by the Ipoh City ●● Three BRT lines buses. 05-5469715 (office) Watch on November 9, to form a hub-and-spoke ●● T r a n s f e r 2008, these problems were mass transit system, points made accessible, Your Community Newspaper IPOH ECHO February 1 - 15, 2009 5

MUSINGS by See Foon Chan-Koppen [email protected] FOOD PENANG ROJAK (FRUIT SALAD) HAPPINESS IS CONTAGIOUS According to Wikipedia, the bowl anyway. So sweetness or spiciness of the friends winning the lottery plants will love it” or “ Uh Indonesian ‘Rujak’ has a spe- but their good mood is so oh, traffic jam, oh goodie, now is the time to get a new cial significance in the tra- infectious that we walk time to listen to my ditional ‘prenatal’ ceremony, away feeling happier with- new CD”, and one.” It’s up to us to fill our minds known as Tujuh Bulanan, to out being aware that they “ M y predict the sex of the baby. In w e r e the cause with whatever we so wish. Malaysia, we eat Rojak for any occa- of our happi- sion. Even if there is no occasion, we eat Rojak. ness. It My advice is that if you are going to make Rojak has 2 parts – fresh mixed fruits and sauce. The w a s fruits could consist of: pineapple, cucumber, sengkuang How happy you are may stuff up in your head. at also dis- (white turnip), mango (the small crisp kind is best), depend on how happy least let it be enjoyable c o v e r e d ‘jambu air’, guava, etc. The amount and variety of your friends’ friends’ stuff, let it be desirable that the closer fruit depends on the generosity and imagination of the friends are, even if you stuff, let it be the kind of in proximity you are seller. The sauce, however, is where the ‘oomph’ comes don’t know them at all. stuff that makes you smile to the source of happiness, from. The basic ingredients are: ‘harkoh’ (prawn paste), And a cheery next-door all day long! the more infected you be- sambal belacan, chillies and sugar. Sometimes sesame neighbour has more effect Let us follow the lead of come. Now that is an in- seeds and black/white soya sauce are added – one never on your happiness than the tiny Himalayan king- fection I want to contract! really knows what goes in. Some recipes are even more your spouse’s bad mood. dom of Bhutan in its ob- In these days of doom closely guarded than the Old Colonel’s chicken recipe. So says a new study that servance of Gross National and gloom when the By the way, sweetness signifies a girl and spiciness, followed a large group of Happiness, a policy insti- whole world is fret- a boy – so now you know! 4,739 people for 20 years ting over the financial tuted by the Fourth King in 1972. For the Bhutanese, – happiness is more con- crisis, woudn’t it be COMMENTS PRICE RESTAURANT LOCATION (RM) RATING tagious than previously lovely to surround this measurement of hap- + – Corner of Jln thought. piness is just as important Kedai good, hot oneself with happy Mustapha Al-Bakri sauce a little “Your happiness de- people? People who al- spouse/ as economic prosperity or Makanan enough bit watery 3.50 Lok Wee Koi & Jln Musa Aziz pends not just on your ways look on the bright friend/Mum/ Dad/ Gross National Product. (opposite Kamdar) choices and actions, but side of things, who count child just snapped at me. And if happiness is also on the choices and ac- their blessings, who are Oh poor dear, they’re so contagious, then let’s start good could do with ABC stall Dataran Niaga, 3.50 stressed out, why don’t I an epidemic! dipping a bit more tions of people you don’t happy to have food on the #26 Taman Pertama even know who are one, table, a healthy appetite, spring a happy surprise on sauce ‘oomph’ them?” two and three degrees re- a roof over their heads, a Advertise in sauce has moved from you,” said healthy family? It is amazing how a good much stuff we make up in Uncle texture Nicholas Christakis, a phy- & right our heads. We can choose Looi’s Call: not ‘rojakky’ sician and social scientist THINK HAPPY Rojak 017-578 2362 amount of enough 3.00 at Harvard Medical School And what makes to moan and groan about (mobile) ‘harkoh’ what is happening “out & slightly and an author of the study, happy people? Have you hot zing there” or we can make up published in BMJ, a British ever noticed that they’re good Appointments Dataran Niaga, 3.50 journal. not richer, slimmer, more happy stuff “in here” – as ABC stall sauce, nice lacks ‘oomph’ Taman Pertama handsome/beautiful, more inside our heads. We can Call: #26 ‘rojakky’ INFECTIOUS intelligent, more educated, curse the traffic jams and taste Apparently, uncon- errant drivers or we can Ramesh Kumar sauce is sweet more articulate, more tal- Hawker Opposite Ariff sauce is use the time to plan our & more like 5.00 scious signals of well- ented than you? Marketing Manager stall (till Book Store, Jln thick with child’s birthday party. We plenty of satay being pack more zing They somehow just 3pm) Lee Kwee Foh than conscious feelings of THINK happy thoughts. can blame the maid for 016 5531092 peanuts resentment. For example, Like, “Oh look at all that breaking the salad bowl Our next food review will be ROTI CANAI. or think, “Oh I hated that Tel:(605) 2495936 Email your favourite recommendations to: we may be jealous of our lovely rain. The trees and [email protected]

ADVERTORIAL VALUE FOR MONEY HOMES lebang Ria Hypermarket. hectare High-Tech Park landscaped recreational Area. A private hospital is and is ideally larger for Garden is a Developed by will also be sited in this park with jogging track, also being planned. the growing family. KL a n d s c a p e d Namcom Development it area. Development in the children’s playground, pa- Currently Phase 4, Phase 4A units come Residential & Commercial is easily accessed via Kuala Klebang Area will even- vilions, exercise pad, etc. consisting of double sto- equipped with 4 bed- Development located just Kangsar Road. Upon com- tually link up to Bandar is now ready for the benefit rey terrace homes will be rooms and 4 individual- 15 minutes north from pletion, the Klebang Area Meru Raya which has been of the residents. on time for an early 2009 ly-attached bathrooms. Ipoh. will feature 30,000 mixed tagged as Ipoh Cyber City. Planning approval has completion. The units also come This 188-acres hous- residential and commer- So far Namcom has also been obtained for a Namcom, after numer- standard with 2 kitchens ing estate is built on cial houses. Major indus- completed and delivered hypermarket with annexes ous requests to build more – a wet and a dry kitch- Freehold ex-rubber estate trial and commercial ac- 700-plus units of mixed to be built on 11 acres of of its larger double storey en. All bathrooms and land. When completed it tivities are situated in this development comprising its prime land facing Kuala terrace homes, will finally the wet kitchen are fully will comprise a mixture catchment area. Ipoh City single and double storey Kangsar Road. Approval be launching 36 units of tiled. of Semi-Detached and Centre is just a short 15- residential units and shop has been obtained for the them. Referred to as Phase Freehold individual Terrace Homes as well as minute drive away. offices. Poi Lam School (SKJC) to 4A it is located in front of titles are available for all a Commercial Park and a The proposed 1,300 A 10-acre beautifully be relocated to the Klebang a 10-acre landscaped park Namcom homes. 6 IPOH ECHO February 1 - 15, 2009 Your Community Newspaper

LETTER FROM ULU KINTA writer’s email: [email protected]

INVESTING IN OUR YOUTHS Parents take the easy way out by leaving the responsibility of caring for their children to teachers. This is a recipe for disaster . . . met up with some old We were horrified that girls these misfits and treating Did we have greater pa- stable families. Likewise the same time, our young I school friends at one were increasingly more ag- them as ‘heroes’, in a per- rental and family influ- there are the spoilt rich need to be told of the dire of our favourite haunts, gressive (than in our time) verse kind of way. ences to guide us through kids. Our modern living and tragic realities of being the makan-place, in and used foul language A child acting abhor- life then? But might it also celebrates violence (and a lone parent. Some single Anderson School. There regularly. rently and falling foul be true, that with time on sex) openly. The films parents cope remarkably was a housewife, a chem- It seemed that schools of the law at such a ten- our hands, we had to find we watch, the magazines well if they have a strong ist, a few teachers and were dragging their feet der age, must mean he/ and make our own enter- we read and the songs we support network of family lawyers, and a business when it came to instilling she lacks self-respect and tainment, without the pro- sing or listen to, promote and friends. These are the woman. The topic of con- discipline. Or were they? dignity. These desperate fusion of violent videos, violence. And worse, they lucky ones. versation turned to the We didn’t exactly envy our children, whether they are computer games and mind- are mostly targeted at our But a fair proportion youth of today. We were friends in education. To be aware or not, need help. I less repetitive television to youth. of single parents, notably concerned about what we a teacher today is stressful wondered if we possessed corrupt our minds. So why The various compo- single mothers, face huge read in the papers and enough, without the added reserves of energy within is there a seemingly high- nent cultures that comprise difficulties as they struggle saw on television. burden of administrative us, to help them, to turn er proportion of problem Malaysian society do not financially with the -enor We discussed the matters and political cor- their lives around. children these days? condone violence. Our mous burden of support- increase of violence in rectness. To teach a badly Then, the lawyer in The 2006 statistics in schools all promote dis- ing their children. They are schools, how some teach- behaved lot must surely our group revealed, that Perak stated that students cipline. There has never depressed, suffer mental ers were afraid to discipline take its toll on the teachers. the extent and frequency were responsible for 3 out been a breakdown in reli- health problems and endure certain children for fear of The atmosphere in schools of serious offences were of 200 criminal cases. Of gious practice in our major loneliness. rebuke by the parents or had to be demotivating and increasingly committed the 845 primary schools, faiths. Yet, none of these The tragedy is that the worse still, the dread of re- demoralising. by teenagers or young there were 1,042 cases of has managed to stem the children of these single par- taliation (the usual revenge Moreover, the stu- adults, who were barely truancy. Of the 212 sec- flow of violence in our ents suffer emotionally too, was to run a coin along the dent who simply wants to out of their teens. Why ondary schools, the tru- youth. with periods of depression, teacher’s car) by the stu- learn and get on at school, have these kids resorted ancy figure was 450 cases. A significant factor and are easily influenced to- dents themselves. Someone in the presence of an ill- to crime? How could they Primary schools registered may be due to bad parent- wards criminal tendencies. mentioned how she’d also mannered group of pupils, commit violent acts? Were 5,026 disciplinary cases, ing and living in a difficult Being emotionally scarred, heard of a school calling must feel it disruptive and they emotionally unstable and for secondary schools, environment. Parents are they easily gravitate to- the police when fighting not conducive to learning. that they could commit the figure was 8,186. Perak busy making ends meet wards crime because of the between children went out Do badly behaved children cold blooded murder or also had the third highest that they simply ignore need to belong, to be part of of control. get expelled? Or are they turn to stealing as a hobby? registered number of drug their children and forget the gang and hence to bully Lack of courtesy, excluded for a period of As they weren’t forced to addicts in the country. And to instill certain values in other children in school or bullying and extortion in time? On the other hand, I do it, thus, total responsi- the number of families be- their offspring. be a menace in society. schools seemed the norm. would hate for any child to bility for the crimes, lies low the hardcore poverty Modern pressures also A child needs a respon- We expressed alarm when be denied an education. with them. But it also begs line was over 6,000. contribute to a significant sible father figure just as it told how children would Unsurprisingly, some the question, how have we I don’t believe that a number of broken mar- is important he/she sees the suddenly disappear during children who get expelled, failed these young people? broken family is the cause riages. In recent years, different roles played by the lessons to go to the school are proud of their expul- Were we less confron- of bad behaviour. Neither the number of divorces mother and father in a fam- canteen for a drink, or sim- sion and see this as their tational, better behaved do I think that poverty is and single parent families ily. Parents, and teachers, ply to ‘relax’. Respect for ‘badge of honour’, with and more disciplined in the root cause either. There has risen. The importance need to tell children of the teachers was non-existent. other children revering the seventies or eighties? are violent children from of family is critical but at boundaries of their behav- continued on page 7 Your Community Newspaper IPOH ECHO February 1 - 15, 2009 7

PARENTING by WERN SZE GILL [email protected] continued from page 6 iour. Sadly, most of to- logged. However, can RAISING HAPPY AND RESPONSIBLE KIDS day’s parents expect their we be absolutely sure children to be disciplined that our child is safe, in Tried and tested tips from Mrs Lai Kong Wa, CEO of Tenby Schools by teachers. It does not trusted company and that Ipoh, on how to get your child happy and successful at school work that way. The role they are where they claim of bringing up children is to be? It’s that time of year lunch, and getting them to the sole responsibility of The youth of today again – the carefree pick up their toys after play the parents. Teachers only grow up in a world where days of the holidays fade times. “Praise them when add to and enhance this there is little censure, be and the hectic routine they have accomplished function, when the child it from their parents, their of school begins. Many chores well in order to is at school. Our youth teacher, the stranger who children may moan and boost their self-esteem and need us. It is not only re- purports to care, and even groan about having to do confidence.” sponsible parenting that the community, to show homework again, or they “For older kids, par- should be encouraged. them the difference be- may worry about friends ents should not pamper It is also the vital roles tween right and wrong. and their new teacher. them by being too relaxed played by schools, the Ours is an easily frag- A parent’s role in min- about school rules espe- community support sys- mented society. If we do imizing the “back to school cially rules pertaining to tem, the police and also not act now and regain blues” and encouraging the ADVICE FOR have a balance in order to punctuality for instance. the government. the bonds that hold our school-going child is es- WORKING PARENTS keep learning fun for the Children must be guided I am not advocat- family and community pecially important during She advises busy child. If you are a working to adhere to rules and be ing that our offspring be together, we may lose our these initial weeks. parents, especially those parent, exercise control by taught that breaking rules wrapped in cotton wool precious investment - our Mrs Lai Kong Wa, who where both parents are making sure your caregiver will bring about conse- and their every move be youths. YMM heads Tenby Schools Ipoh working, to make time to keeps to the roster.” quences. Tell them what (Ipoh International School communicate with their Mrs Lai makes the behaviour is acceptable will fall from your grasp. nesses too. Nevertheless it & Sekolah Tenby), encour- children throughout the following observations of and what isn’t. Allow them Similarly with parenting, is important we continu- ages parents to keep an day. “Parents can always modern parenting. “Due to face the consequences you can neither be too ously strive to improve open communication with make a quick call home to to the demands of mod- when they do not keep the strict and protective, nor ourselves and never give teachers to ensure their speak with the child dur- ern society with parents rules. If you protect them be too lenient and permis- up learning.” children’s progress and ing working hours and can spending less time with from the consequences, sive. The balance has to She offers the fol- happiness in school. even write notes to them their children, many tend they will grow up with lit- be just right.” lowing advice for young “At Tenby Schools before leaving the home. to ‘spoil’ their children by tle respect for authority.” Being herself a parents. “It is important to Ipoh, we advocate a strong A message box can be pre- giving them an easy life She also feels very mother of three grown give hope to every child. home-school partnership. pared for each child in the and having everything strongly that children children, Mrs Lai shares We must appreciate our Every student is given a home where notes from done for them. This does must be taught to respect how her own kids were children for who they are. homework diary and par- each other can be dropped. not help as children need their teachers and elders. always encouraged to See the individual beauty ents are encouraged to These small gestures help to feel a sense of achieve- “Parents are their role- jump into their king-size in each of them and never use this medium to write assure the child that you ment by helping out in the models. How they treat bed for family bonding compare them with others. notes to the class teacher are thinking about him home.” others will be a reflection times. To her, those times Express love and apprecia- and vice versa. This helps throughout the day.” of how parents conduct were special and helped tion for your children by to ensure that the child’s Fun and play are impor- START ‘EM YOUNG themselves.” bring the family close to- hugging them often. When needs are met and allows tant too. “Don’t just ros- For young children, “In short, parenting can gether after a long busy you talk to your child, al- both parties to participate ter work times during the Mrs Lai suggests simple be likened to holding a bar day. “Of course there’s no ways listen deeply to what in the child’s progress.” weekday, but also play chores like getting them of soap. Hold it too tight such thing as the ‘perfect’ he or she is saying.” times. It is important to to pack their own bags and or too loose and the soap mother. I have my weak-

SEKOLAH ANDERSON STORY 8 IPOH ECHO February 1 - 15, 2009 Your Community Newspaper

result is the fruit of the EXCHANGE PROGRAMME YOUNG PERAK hard work put in by the by PETER KHIEW students and teachers with Teachers and students from schools support and co-operation are invited to write about their of the parents, the Parent- respective institutions of learning. Teacher Association, E-mail articles to: former students and the [email protected] Education authorities. The school also places emphasis on character development. Many of the BEST IN PERAK! top scorers not only excel SM Sains Raja Tun Azlan in studies but are also ac- Students of SMK Sains about the school, country Shah, Taiping managed tive in extra – curricular Raja Tun Azlan Shah in and culture were used as again to maintain its activities. Taiping resorted to a tra- themes for the bookmarks. record of achieving 100 Emerald Chao, who ditional but stylish way The bookmarks will per cent passes for the scored straight A’s for her to make friends. They got then be shipped in time for 2008 PMR, with a score of PMR, represented the dis- involved in a bookmark distribution on ISLD Day. 1.05 GPK, making it the trict at the MSSPK Cross- exchange programme, as “We started our ex- best in the state of Perak. Country Competition and part of the International change of bookmarks with The school received he played badminton for Two straight As students School Library month. the students of Newport Award of Excellence from Perak at the MSSM level. who won praise for their The school is a member Middle School, North the Perak State Director Her formula for suc- excellence of the Australia-based Carolina, USA in 2007,” of Education . cess in examinations is of its students with the aim International Association said Mr Wong Tuckee, Eighty five out of 120 that one must be consistent to provide a “world-class of School Librarianship. a teacher at the Taiping of its candidates obtained in one’s studies and always education”. The project involves school. Wong said for the straight A’s while the rest pay attention in class. Producing well-bal- matched schools mak- 2009 session, the school got A’s with a few B’s. No The school is now anced individuals, who can ing creative homemade plans to expand its con- one got a C grade in any of pursuing a policy of glo- become world leaders, is bookmarks of any style tact to include schools in the papers taken. Principal, Puan Rahimah bal involvement so as to indeed the mark of a “world or shape. Information Roumania and Portugal. According to the Mohd Sura, the excellent widen the mental horizon class” institution. OUR CONCERN REVIVING PASAR BULAT Pasar Bulat is set to regain its former glory. A forum to discuss its revival ended on a successful note The project to rebuild dormant interest in in December 2007 and, and budget hotels was the Yau Tet Shin Bazaar, conservation. subsequently, Nga Kor an added advantage, he fondly known as Pasar Yau Tet Shin was Meng in March 2008 about reasoned. Bulat or Pak Kok Lau, the towkay (tycoon) restoring Pasar Bulat to its Two young professio- has brought the Ipoh who constructed the first former glory. Nga gave nals proffered their views community together shophouses on the east the League the green light complete with sketches and like never before and side of the Kinta River in December 2008. The drawings. Collin Chong of awakened an hitherto now called New Town and, PKR-led government had KL provided a detailed set given the go-ahead in the of designs. Local architect, belief that a revival would Stanley Chin, came with encourage activity in this his design, as well. Ipoh, part of the city. It would he reckoned, should have be the “Soul of Ipoh”, the its own icon. authorities believed. The presence of The public forum was two prominent business a success judging from indirectly, was responsible made before. Stalwarts associations lend the enthusiasm of for its founding. from non-governmental credibility to the forum. participants involved in At a public forum organisations were taken Perak Kuying Association the discussion. According organised by Nga Kor by surprise, as they Chairman, Dato’ Hew to Nga, the meeting at Meng, executive councillor were unprepared to give Choy Kon, proposed that Syuen Hotel was in line for local government and comments. the original “Tu Lau” with the requirements mayor Roshidi Hashim The revived project design be retained, while of Local Agenda 21, and attended by over 300 in itself was another first. Deputy President of the whereby local authorities participants representing a Ipoh City Council has Perak Chinese Chambers of consult residents before cross section of Ipohites, yet to initiate a project Commerce, Lew Sew Yee, implementing a local the meeting scored a few to rejuvenate a portion suggested that the building action plan. firsts. of inner city. This idea and the surrounding area The steering com- For a start, public was mooted by an NGO, be declared a special zone mittee will review all forums, where comments the Perakean League, an to promote cultural tourism proposals before deciding from participants were august body consisting and a place to sell local on an appropriate course expected and sought of the Who’s Who in the fruits and products. The of action. after, is a move that local state. They had approached proximity of the building government has never the previous Mentri Besar to clan houses, associations JAMES GOUGH Your Community Newspaper IPOH ECHO February 1 - 15, 2009 9

More pics at IPOH IN BRIEF ipohecho on line PONGGAL IN IPOH COUNCIL HEADS REAPPOINTED MAKING IPOH SAFE

The Hindu community in Ipoh celebrated harvest festival On January 19, Mentri Besar Mohammed Nizar CPO Perak, DCP Dato’ Zulkifli Abdullah took a break or ponggal last month. The festivity has its origins from Jamaluddin, presented appointment letters to Ipoh mayor, from his monthly meeting with the media by organising Southern India where farmers, after a bountiful harvest Roshidi Hashim and 13 local council presidents with the a shooting competition instead. Held at the Police rifle at the beginning of the year, celebrate thanksgiving by exception of Tanjong Malim whose president was posted range behind Gunung Cheroh, media representatives were offering prayers for a good year ahead. The ponggal out on promotion. All 14 council heads were reappointed introduced to small arms available in the police arsenal. held at Sri Subramaniar Temple, Gunung Cheroh, saw to their former positions. Nizar reminded the appointees to They were given practical lessons on the handling and devotees cooking rice in fresh milk with brown sugar, ghee continue with the job of keeping their councils clean and firing of pistols and sub-machine guns before the start and turmeric. Prayers were said to the accompaniment of healthy. He insisted that they should remain contactable of the competition. In his lunchtime address, Zulkifli traditional musical instruments. Devotees then ate the at all times. The MB singled out Manjong and Teluk Intan outlined his programmes for 2009 which were aimed at rice. Part of the celebration includes the decorating of as being the better managed councils based on favourable making Ipoh “the safest city in the state.” If achieved homes with kolam (fanciful artworks using coloured rice reports from ratepayers. it would have a sobering effect on other urban areas in flour). Perak, he reasoned. SOCIAL PROGRAMME AN AUSPICIOUS BIRTHDAY AQUARIUM FISH

Hospital Pantai Putri Ipoh has never forgotten its social Tan Sri Jeyaratnam, Chairman of Yayasan Sultan Idris The biggest aquarium fish shop in Ipoh was opened to the responsibility. On January 10, 2009, a team from the Shah, Ipoh, celebrated his 84th birthday on January public on January 19, 2009. Ipoh mayor, Roshidi Hashim, private hospital led by its CEO, Dr Dilshaad Abas Ali, 15, 2009 at the centre’s premises. Staff and inmates of was the guest of honour. Pet lovers in the city can now was in Kampar dishing out gifts and ang pows to 13 Yayasan Sultan Idris Shah were present to celebrate the look forward to buying a variety of exotic tropical fish for handicapped children of Beautiful Gate, Bandar Baru. octogenarian’s auspicious day. In spite of his age, Tan Sri their aquariums at home. Pretty Aquatic and Pets sells not Earlier the same team had stopped by an old folks home Jeyaratnam, is still hale and healthy. The centre, which only fish but accessories, decorative items, aquariums and in Mambang DiAwan to provide free health screening for he started some 27 years ago, has grown by leaps and fish food for the discerning hobbyists. the inmates. The benevolence of this private hospital is bounds. His dedication and sacrifices, traits attributed to being appreciated by the socially deprived from among those born in the year of the Ox, have contributed to the ANNOUNCEMENT success of the foundation. Today, Yayasan Sultan Idris Perakians. In spite of the staff’s heavy workload they still PAM FREE SERVICE find time to care for the needy. Shah, stands tall among centres of its kind in the country. Persatuan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM) conducts AIDING THE POOR its monthly meet-the-public session on the first Mayor Roshidi Hashim presented educational items Saturday of every month. If it falls on a public and cash to 40 children of poor residents at Tesco holiday it will be shifted to the following Saturday. Hypermarket Section 18 recently. The items in the form This is a free service meant for those who need of shoes, school uniforms and school bags were donated advice regarding housing and property matters. by the hypermarket as part of its corporate responsibility The next session is on Saturday, February towards the well being of Ipohites. The mayor hoped that 7, 2009 between 9.30 am to 12.30 pm. Venue: big businesses in the city would follow the example set by PAM Centre, 4 & 6 Jalan Tangsi, 50480 KUALA Tesco. The goodwill gesture by Tesco helped to lighten LUMPUR. For an appointment please contact PAM the burden of the poor, especially those with school-going at 03-2693 4182.Email: [email protected] children said the mayor. 10 IPOH ECHO February 1 - 15, 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 REDUCTION OR INCREASE IN CRIME TRAFFIC perception will change, RATE? NIGHTMARE statistics notwithstand- ing. I refer to Perak’s Chief While I sympathise with It is the media’s Police Officer’s statement the reader who complained responsibility to re- on crime rate in the state about the faulty traffic port the truth and as mentioned in Ipoh Echo lights at the First Garden- truth, they say, Issue 66 (January 16-31, Jalan Silibin junction (Ipoh hurts. I feel it is 2009). DCP Dato’ Zulkifli’s Echo 66), the problem we incumbent upon Dato’ statistics on crime in Perak motorists in Bercham face Zulkifli to assuage public’s provided a meaningful in- house- wife and the daily is something else. fear by doing the needful sight into the number of ransacking of the Nanyang There are three sets of jumpers who squeeze their velopment but they should – improve overall security crime committed statewide Siang Pau and China Press traffic lights along Tasek way to the front. be regulated so as not to in the state by all means for year 2008. Overall he offices, to name a few, as Road before the turn into Poor planning is the hinder movement – pedes- possible. Physical pres- had reported a reduction of coincidental? It is apparent the Plus Expressway. major cause of this phe- trian or vehicular. The con- ence is imperative. Make 2.16 per cent over the cor- that crime in Perak has in- Tasek Road leads into the nomenon. There are simply gestion becomes most un- sure that the mata-mata responding period in 2007. creased not decreased. city and passes two hy- too many developments bearable during the morn- (policemen) are seen on Kudos to you, Dato’. When criminals turn permarkets belonging to taking place in the vicin- ing rush hour and on the their beat duties and not at If the figures are tak- vicious and kill their intend- the Tesco stable. Morning ity which contribute in no eve of public holidays. some dark spots or behind en at face value Ipohites ed victims the impact on the traffic along Tasek Road small way to the problem. Ipoh City Council bushes ready to pounce on and Perakians should not public comes in many ways. and the Bercham Road is New housing estates and should endeavour to re- unsuspecting motorists and be unduly worried by the The feeling of insecurity horrendous to say the least. commercial centres in solve the problem before it motorcyclists. daily incidences of break- will undoubtedly supercede The reason is because of the Bercham-Tasek-Ipoh turns nightmarish. We all know that in, snatch theft, extortion, the rest. Family members the proximity of these traf- Garden triangle is the ma- times are bad and the job- murder, etc. that have be- and relatives of the victims fic lights. jor contributor. Abu Kassim less will turn to crime to come the staple of our will suffer, psychologically. The changing of lights does Ipohites welcome de- Ipoh fill their bellies. Don’t the coffee shop talk of late. The community at large not allow traffic flow from Police have a contingency Can we dismiss the recent will also be affected, as fear Tasek and Bercham enough for this? time to complete. This re- YEAR-LONG MAIL brutal murder of MIC Ipoh will slowly creep in. If the DELIVERY OF THE Barat division treasurer, the Police are slow to react or sults in a jam which is be- Mat Kampau, Ipoh robbing and battering of a do not react at all, public’s ing exacerbated by queue- IPOH ECHO You can have the Ipoh Echo mailed directly to by RAYMOND SIEW your house or place of work. All you need to do SPORT is deposit RM24 with us and we will do the rest. The amount is postage fee for the delivery of 24 THE BENEFITS OF CHESS copies of Ipoh Echo for a year. Those interested please call our office at05-2495936 or 016-553 Chess is not about checkmating the opponent’s king alone. 1092 for more details. When posting a cheque, it should be made out to ‘Ipoh Echo Sdn Bhd’ and The game teaches players tactics, positioning, risk-taking etc posted to No 1, Jalan Lasam, 30450 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. Chess is considered a of defeat. From emotions. So there mental sport. What this this, I see an op- is the opportunity to means is that it develops portunity and a teach our kids how to thinking skills. From challenge. The recover from defeats, what I call the myster- opportunity is to set more realistic ies of the 64 squares, for parents, chess goals, to plan better the opening, middle and associations and and to train harder. end games, chess teach- chess officials The challenge is es tactics, positioning, to teach children to keep that fighting timing, judgment, risk how to compete spirit alive through ad- taking, etc. And when and develop versity. Our challenge it is played in a timed- themselves at the is to guide our kids till tournament environ- same time. Chess they are ready to han- ment it teaches thinking teaches the mean- dle the world on their under pressure. But it ing of strategy. own, as they must is the other aspects of Understanding someday. If the les- chess that deserve rec- ourselves the sons are well learned ognition. type of game we portunity for the learning of our kids will have the The last 5 years that like and don’t like, the type goal setting, planning and tools to attain whatever I have been involved in of game our opponents like the discipline of training. goals they have targeted Perak chess, I am delight- and don’t like and the time For without the passion, in life. This complements ed by the fighting spirit of frame for the execution of these are difficult skills to academic achievements. our kids. To see the fire those strategies. impart. Competition and In my next article I and their determination Strategy encompasses pressure expose the effects will touch on the roles our to win. To see the joy every factor that can affect of negative thinking and associations and parents of winning and the tears outcome. So there is the op- the accompanying strong play. Your Community Newspaper IPOH ECHO February 1 - 15, 2009 11 REFLECTIONS TO A NEW GENERATION by WAN KOON SENG A dedication by Sir Winston Spencer Churchill in his book, “My Early Life” Advertise in ir Winston Churchill I found one particular por- I had sustained misfortunes come that it lised world. He alone ad- Swas already an inter- tion of Chapter VIII to be an injury which is quite possible they are vocated rearmament, when nationally renowned fig- most true if not rel- was to last me saving one from something everyone else sued for un- ure even before he be- evant even with my life, which much worse; or that when easy peace. came Prime Minister the passage of was to cripple you make some great The revival of the of Great Britain time. I wish me at polo, mistake; it may very well weekend flying school of Appointments during the Second to share it to prevent me serve you better than the the RAF was through his World War. After with the from playing best-advised decision. Life constant urging in the bid Call: graduating from readers and tennis, and to is a whole, and luck is a to match the growth of the Sandhurst, his ex- I do hope it be a grave em- whole, and no part of them clandestine Nazi air force. Ramesh Kumar ploits while serv- barrassment in can be separated from the (The RAF was to defeat Marketing Manager ing the moments of peril, rest.” the German Luftwaffe in British violence and effort. Life and luck is in- the Battle of Britain in the 016 5531092 Since then, at regular deed a whole. In the years summer of 1940). Neville intervals my shoulder has that followed, Sir Winston Chamberlain finally took Tel: dislocated at the most un- rediscovered his love for Sir Winston into his War (605) 2495936 expected pretext, sleeping story writing, painting and Cabinet when his “Peace with my arm under the pil- brick laying. It was these in our times” pact with Single-storey bungalow low, taking a book from the restful years which al- Hitler failed, and Germany FOR SALE library shelves, slipping on lowed him to muster the marched into Poland on Location:Persiaran the staircase, swimming, insight of seeing through September 1, 1939. Cempaka, Pasir Puteh etc. Once it very nearly the real intentions of the Sir Winston was in- Land area:6795 sq.ft went out through a too political development in vited by His Majesty, King Price: RM480,000 (neg) expansive gesture in the Nazi Germany which, as George IV to form a gov- Tel: House of Commons, and we had learned, would ernment when Chamberlain 017-573 7983, I thought how astonished threaten Britain’s own sur- resigned in 1940. The rest 05-322 6169, the members would have vival and that of the civi- is history. 05-545 4487 been to see the speaker, to whom they were listening, suddenly for no reason throw himself shall upon the floor in an in- serve stinctive effort to take the you as Empire Armed Forces in strain and leverage off the well as it had served me. It the continents of India, displaced arm bone. goes like this: Africa and West Indies This accident was a “Let me counsel my were published and read serious piece of bad luck. young readers to beware far and wide. However, in However, you never can of dislocated shoulders. In his mid life career, after tell whether bad luck may this, as in so many other an impasse with some of not after all turn out to be things, it is the first step his cabinet colleagues in good luck. Perhaps if in the that counts. Quite an ex- his tenure as First Lord charge of the Ombudsman ceptional strain is required of the Admiralty during I had been able to use a to tear the capsule which the Great War, and after sword, instead of having holds the shoulder joint to- taking responsibility for to adopt a modern weapon gether; but once the deed is some disastrous financial like a Mauser pistol, my done, a terrible liability re- policies at the Exchequer, story might not have got mains. Although my shoul- he resigned himself to so far as the telling. One der did not actually go out, political doldrums. must never forget when It was during this very testing part of his life, that he wrote “My Early Life” which was first published in 1930 by Oldham Press Ltd. He dedicated his book to a new generation to which I belonged. From it I drew solace and strength during the trying times of my life. Of all the pages that document his profound knowledge and experience, 12 IPOH ECHO February 1 - 15, 2009 Your Community Newspaper

COMMUNITY NEWS DAYBREAK – DAWN OF NEW LIFE FOR THE DISABLED DAYBREAK is an ac- is Dato’ Sandra Lee who as full time trainees. opportunity to learn new ronym for “Disabled birthed it with her church A Staff Exchange work skills. Adults and Youths Being committee and has pa- Programme with Phoenix Rewarded, Encouraged tiently and painstakingly Society Inc., in Adelaide, HOW TO GET and Awarded in Kinta”. nursed it to its current ro- Australia, under the spon- INVOLVED Initiated by the Social bust health. sorship of Australian Corporations can Concerns Committee It started with a rent- Malaysian Institute (AMI) fulfil their corporate re- of the Canning Garden ed shop house in Ipoh’s has been active since 1994, sponsibilities (CR) by col- Methodist Church “Old Town”. Within 2 ending only in 2006. laborating with Daybreak (CGMC) in 1992, Day- years a separate Training The Cleaning and in initiating CR projects; break has been the dawn Department was set Service Maintenance make a tax-exempted do- of a new life for many dis- up in Gopeng – while Project has a mobile clean- nation, or donate in kind; abled adults and youth as the Administration and ing team providing gen- buy Daybreak products; they learnt new skills and Handicraft Departments eral maintenance cleaning employ Daybreak train- became gainfully em- remained in Ipoh. services to factories & of- ees or provide contract ployed. Professionals and trainers Dato’ Sandra Lee with some of the trainees. fices around Ipoh. work; volunteer; sponsor The vision of are employed to imple- ly opened by the Sultan of was launched by Datuk The Work Experience charity sales; and provide Daybreak is to empower ment a goal-oriented train- Perak, His Royal Highness Ong Ka Chuan in 2006 Programme, a follow-up to materials. For information people with disabilities re- ing programme to maxi- Sultan Azlan Shah on 24th on an additional one and a the pilot project, identified contact: 05-3235908 or gardless of race or creed, mize the trainees’ ability to April 2003. half acre piece of land. 7 special schools and will 05-3235909 Email: info@ to become self-reliant, in- work. Socks manufactur- give another 40 pupils an daybreak.org.my dependent and integrated Daybreak became an ONGOING ing and packaging was SFCK members of society. association in November PROJECTS initiated in 2003, as- Over 500 trainees have 1996 and officially named Daybreak celebrated sisted by the Lions Club ANNOUNCEMENT registered with Daybreak Persatuan Daybreak. In its 15th anniversary last Bougainvillea City which raised funds to buy the SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATION since its inception, testimo- 1998 an acre of land in year and a quick glance at Here are some public events organised in conjunction ny to its having achieved Pengkalan was donated and their track record shows an socks’ knitting machines. Socks manufactured in- with the silver jubilee celebration of HRH Sultan this vision repeatedly over Daybreak started building impressive list of success- Azlan Shah’s coronation in the month of February the past 15 years. its own centre. By the end ful projects. house were sold to major schools in Perak includ- 2009: of 2000, all of Daybreak’s A plant nursery project a. Feb 2 - Majlis Bacaan Yasin dan Tahlil at ing Cameron Highlands. POWERHOUSE departments moved into its was started in 2002 with Ubudiah Mosque, Kuala Kangsar. These socks were also FOUNDER new premises. Persatuan a grant from the Finland b. Feb 4 to 8 - Stamp exhibition at Town Hall used for Corporate Social The driving force and Daybreak’s new vocational Embassy. This led to the Ipoh between 10 am to 6 pm daily. Responsibility projects. powerhouse for Daybreak training centre was official- opening of the Daybreak c. Feb 10 - Jamuan Rakyat at Arena Square Handicrafts produced by Landscape Gallery which Batu Gajah. the production staff, trainees and volunteers con- GUOLIN QIGONG SOCIETY tinue to serve as another SELF-DEFENCE CLASS IPOH CHAPTER source of income. Self-defence class for women every Saturday In 2007 the first Pilot beginning February 7, 2009. Class starts at 3 pm till Project in Malaysia was 4.30 pm. Duration: 3 months. Venue: 26B, Jalan Chung started in collaboration Thye Phin. Entrance Fee: RM20. Class conducted by with the Special Education taekwan-do exponents from the Ipoh Taekwan-Do Unit and the State Welfare Club. Register early to avoid disappointment. For Department in Perak where inquires please call Cecilia at 013-4384388. 10 students from two special schools (SMK Sri MBI ASSESSMENT RATE 2009 Ampang and SMK Jalan Ratepayers can access their bi-monthly MBI Pasir Puteh) were given the assessment rates and bills forthwith online. All they The Ipoh Chapter hopes more would join opportunity to learn skills. need to do is visit MBI’s website at www.mbi.gov. the society in order to spread the goodwill Upon completion of their my and click on the banner “semak dan cetak bil formal education in 2008, cukai taksiran MBI 2009” or click on the banner four of these students were “e-perkhdimatan”. he Guolin Qigong society vouches, will help Cameron Highlands were offered to join their voca- TSociety of Malaysia heal, control and, maybe, in attendance. tional training programme is a non-profit and a non- prolong the sufferers’ life. SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL governmental organisation Guolin Qigong Society The Ipoh chapter hopes more Perakians would join IPOH dedicated to the promo- Ipoh Chapter, celebrated the society so as to spread the goodwill far and wide. Soroptimist International Region of Malaysia tion of physical health and the 82nd birthday of the For inquiries please call the following persons at the (SIROM) will be chartering its 14th club in general well-being of the society’s founder, Master numbers given: Malaysia called Soroptomist International Ipoh public. Those suffering Ho Peng, on December 18, Ipoh and (SII). Its Charter Night will be held at the Ballroom form chronic diseases like 2008. The function was of Impiana Casuarina Hotel, Ipoh, on Thursday, cancer will stand to benefit held at the hall of SMK Mengelembu - Lim Peck Wan - 017-4694081 Neoh Foong Lian - 05-2827251 February 12, 2009, at 8 pm. DYTM Raja Puan Besar by being a member of the Wan Hua, Mengelembu. Tuanku Zara Salim is the guest of honour. For details society. Over a hundred mem- Sg Siput -Chen Mei Ling - 016-5566490 Teluk IntanTan Soo Wah - 016-5579815 please contact Kuan at 012-5019250 or Madam Moy A daily routine of bers from Ipoh, Sg Siput, at 019-5561 297 qi gong exercise, the Langkap Teluk Intan and LangkapNg Gaik Teng - 012-5064072