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– Reality Or Perception?REDUCED CRIME RATE

Although police claim that the crime rate in the city has dropped, many residents in various housing estates are still afraid to even venture just out of their house gates. While those who had been robbed or had their handbags snatched in front of their houses are still traumatised from the experience, others have organised themselves to initiate preventive measures against crime, including holding personal safety workshops for women and gatherings to create awareness and address concerns raised by residents on the crime rate.

Dato’ Seri Zambry welcomes Perak’s new CPO Datuk Mohd Shukri Dahlan

IPOH ECHOWishes All Our Readers

GONG XI FA CHAI

Ginla Chew - victim of snatch-theft

ONE SUPERMARKET Too Many

Please Do Not Insult Our Intelligence – Can Trees Be Insured?

Dato’ K.K. Lim – Visionary and Iconoclast

Don’t Wait For Another Royal VisitTo Start Cleaning Up

2 Your Voice In The CommunityIPOH ECHOFebruary 1-15, 2011

Criteria:• ScholarshipbasedoneventualacceptancebyUTAR• TotalfamilyincomeislessthanRM2,000permonth.• Nopayback,onlythecommitmenttohelpotherpoorstudents whenfinanciallysolventaftergraduation.

SendrequestwithICdetails,proofoffamilyincometo:[email protected]

KOON YEW YIN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FINANCE/ACCOUNTANCY DEGREESPre-degreeorFoundationCourse

PaysforallthefeesandcostoflivinguntilthePTPTNloanissecured.

A Spate of Crimes in Housing EstatesThis followed sev-

eralreportsofrob-beries and snatch

thefts in various parts ofthe city, particularly in-volving women. Most ofthe incidents occurred inthe Canning Garden andIpohGardenareas.

However, despite allthe initiatives taken bythe police to reduce thecrimerate,IpohEchohavebeen receiving reports ofresidentsstilllivinginfearbecause of the increasingamountofcriminalactivityintheirarea.Thecriminalsareevengettingbolder.

Ipoh GardenEarlylastmonth,ahouse-wife, who refused to beidentified, was about toenterthegatetoherhousealongJalanYeohChaiLyeinIpohGardenat4.15p.m.whenamanwalkeduptoherandbegantosnatchatherhandbagslungoverhershoulder.Onaninstinctiveimpulsesheheldontoherbag and refused to let goand began screaming forhelp.Shefelltotheground(there was a pause in thestruggle)thenshesawtheattacker’s face above herand she started screamingagain,thistimekickingathim.

Noticing the goldchainaroundherneck,theattacker switched tograb-bingit.Howeveritslippedfromhishandandfellintoher blouse. Just then herhusband came out of thefrontdoorandtheattackerjumpedontoawaitingmo-torcycle and fled emptyhanded.

Shehadbruisesonhershinsandelbowandami-norcutonherthroatprob-ablycausedbytheattempttosnatchherchain.“Itallhappened so fast, in min-utes,”sherecalled.

Without cleaningup her wounds, she wentstraight to Sungai SenamPolice Station to make areport. According to thepoliceman on duty, theyhavebeenreceivingreportsofsuchcrimesdaily.

Canning GardenIn another case in JalanPapaninCanningGarden,Ginla Chew’s friendsdroppedheroffatherhouseat 10 p.m. after a dinnerfunction. As her electricgate remote wasn’t work-ing,shecalledherhusbandinside who asked her towait awhile as he was intheshower.Notwantingtoinconvenienceher friends,who were waiting for herto get in, she persuadedthemtoleave.

Just then threemotor-cyclists with their pillionriders passed slowly by.Her hubby hadn’t openedthegateyetandGinlasaidto herself “sei lor”. Trueenough, one of the pillionriders got off and walkedbriskly towards her andgrabbedherbag.Sheheldon to her bag, fell downand was dragged beforelettinggo.

Ginla immediatelydrove to Sungai SenamPolice Station to make areport. For Ginla makingapolicereport“ismydutyand my right. I want toreport so the police know

whatishappeningandcandoabetterjob.”

In Taman Tinggi, awoman was sweeping theporch at 6.00 p.m. whena motorcyclist stopped infront and coolly openedthegateandwalkedin.Hesnatched the gold chainfromherneckandfledbe-fore the woman could re-cover from the shock andscreamforhelp.

Therehavebeenmanyothercases.Manyof themwere not reported becausethevictimsfeltitwouldbeawasteoftimeastheyhadno confidence of recover-ingtheitems.

MB Comments on Car Break-InsAccording to a Bernamareport,evenMenteriBesarDato’ Seri Zambry AbdulKadir has expressed con-cern and urged the policeto increase patrols to curbthe rampant car break-insinIpoh.

He noted that of late,casesofsmashingcarwin-dows to steal valuablessuch as laptops and cam-eras were becoming morefrequent.

“Itislikethey(thieves)knowthatpotentialvictimskeep cameras and laptopsinsidetheircars…theymayhave a type of detector todoso,”hesaidwhenaskedtocommentonseveralcarbreak-ins involving mediapersonneloverthepastfewmonths.

Crime Prevention InitiativesThe situation has reachedthelevelwhereinstitutionsand residents have organ-ised themselves to initi-ate preventive measuresagainstcrime.

Ahospital,whichrentshouses nearby as nurses’hostels, has introduceda van service to take thenurses home at night af-ter twonursesreturningtotheirhosteljust100metresfromthehospitalgatewereattacked.

Asanaddedpreventivemeasurethehospitalorgan-ised a two-day ‘Women’sPersonalSafetyWorkshop’foralltheirfemaleemploy-ees to learn how to wardoff attacks from rape andsnatchtheft.Theworkshophada90%femalestaffat-tendance.

The Residents Asso-

ciationofTamanIdrisandTamanCherry held a get-together session recentlyto create awareness andaddressconcernsraisedbythe residents. ItspresidentPaulDevadason,describedthe “rampant theft” in theneighbourhoodandrelatedseveralincidents.

Months ago a resi-dent’smaidwasinthegar-den when a thief walkedintosnatchherchain.Theattempt was unsuccessfulbut ever since themaid isafraid to step outside thegate.

Paul noted that thesetheft incidents regularlyoccurred during the latemorning after the house-holdhadgonetoworkbutbeforelunch.

“Wehave to helpourresidents rid their fear ofgoing out of the house,”said Evelyn Selvarajah,theassociation’ssecretary.Even committee mem-bers of the associationare afraid towalk to theirmeeting venue just 200metres away. They wouldratherdrive.

Trauma – Fear from the Incident RemainsFrom the various inter-

views with the victims,all ofwhomwerewomen,making a report is not theendoftheproblem.Forallof the victims the fear feltfrom the incident still re-mains with them monthslater, like the maid fromTaman Idris who shudderseach time she steps out ofthegate.

For Ginla Chew shedidn’t leave the house forthreedaysaftertheincident.Sheenjoysdressingandhadalways carried a matchinghandbag,butsincetheinci-dentshewearsadresswithapocket toholdherpurse.Andwhensheleavesares-taurantoroutof thecar toopen thegate, she remainsalert.

SolutionCommenting on the spateof crimes recently, Perak’sGerakan Chairman Dato’Chang Ko Youn said thatalthough he “believed thatthe rate has come down,the negative perceptionhas not yet been erased”.TocounterthisChangsug-gestedthatthepoliceutilisethe services of the FederalReserve Unit (FRU) tocombatstreetcrime.

Chang’s proposal isprobably the best solutionto improve the perceptionresidents have about secu-rity in Ipoh.Hopefully theproposal will be adoptedandimplemented.

Let’s hope the split oftheIpohPoliceDistrictintoIpohBaratandIpohTimur,andtheanticipatedincreaseinpersonnelaswellas theinstallation of CCTV instrategic locations in thecity,willbeable to reducecrime.

Police dialogue March 2010. Dato’ Chang is seated at the table 3rd from left

Resident Robert Looi explaining his complaint to the panel

Your Voice In The Community February 1-15, 2011IPOH ECHO 3

by Fathol Zaman BukhariFrom the Editor’s Desk


Yo u r Vo i c e I n T h e C o m m u n i t y

by Peter Lee

ONE SUPERMARKET Too ManyMore developments mean more people and more people mean more cars. Somehow the authorities, for reasons of expedience, fail to anticipate this negativity…

Photo by Ed Shahir

Don’t Worry It Won’t Happen To Us

When Chewwas diagnosed with terminal cancer, he wasadvisedbysomeofhisfamilymemberstoprepareawill

to avoid family disputes, especially between hismother,wifeand three school-going children. One of the three children isinUniversityandtheothertwoinsecondaryschool.However,hewasupsetwiththeadviceandsaidtothem,“Don’tworryitwon’thappentous,”becauseeverythingwillbegivenautomati-cally tohiswifeandchildren ifhedies.Sowhenhedied,hisestatewasinsteaddistributedaccordingtotheDistributionAct,1958(amendedin1997)whereby¼towife,¼tomotherandhalftochildren.Hismothernowwantstoclaim¼ofhisentireestate.Tounlockhisestate,hiswifehastoapplyfortheLetterofAdministrationbutrequirestheconsentofallthebeneficiaries(i.e.,Wife,MotherandChildren)toappointherastheAdministrator.That’swhenChew’smotherrefusedtoconsenttotheappoint-mentunlesssheisalsoappointedasjointAdministrator.Thisledtofurtherargumentbetweenmother-in-law and daughter-in-law.Before this could be resolved,Chew’swifediscoveredthatChewhadpurchased5propertiesworthRM4millionwithoutanyinsurancecoveragebecauseheneverbelievedinInsuranceduringhislifetimeandallthesepropertieswerechargedwiththebanks.Toaddsalttothewound,therewasanaccumulatedinterestofRM30,000leftunpaid.Sheisnowworriedthattheestatemaybeinsolventasshecouldnotservicetheinterest.

Itisalwayssadtoseemanypeopleholdingtothebeliefuntildeaththateverythingwillbefinefortheirfamilywithoutplanning,especiallywithregardstopreparingawill.Chewcouldhaveplannedtoavoidtheaboveproblembypreparinghiswill.Indoingso,hecanchooseExecutorsofhischoiceandifheanticipatesthattherewillbeaproblembetweenhisfamilymembersuponhisdeath,thenheisstronglyencouragedtochooseaTrusteeCompanylikeRockwillsTrusteeBhd.tobethemainExecutors/Trusteebecauseitprovidesexpertise,impartiality,professionalismandperpetualexist-ence.ThenhehastochooseaGuardianforhisminorchildrenifhiswifealsopassesaway.Thenextimportantissuetotakecareofis thedistributionofhisestatetohisimmediatefamilywhereinhiscaserequiresa“TestamentaryTrust”forhisminorchil-dren especially for themaintenance of theirmonthly living,medical and educationexpenses.

PresumingthatChewhadwrittenhiswillasmentionedabove,hemustalsohavesufficientinsurancecoveragetocoverhisloaninstalments.Otherwise,theroleoftheExecutors/Trusteewillbemadetougherbecausetheyhavetosalvageasmuchastheycan from the estate to repay these debts. InChew’s case, the estatemay encounterinsufficientassetstodistributetotheintendedbeneficiariesandcouldleadtoaninsol-ventorbankruptestatebythetimetheExecutors/Trusteesettlethesedebts.That’sthereasononehastomakeitcompulsorytopurchaseanInsurancecoveragewhenbor-rowingfromthebanktopurchaseaproperty,eventhoughonebelievesthathe/shehassufficientfundstorepaytheloan.

Peter Lee is an Associate Estate Planning Practitioner (Wills & Trust) with Rockwills International Group. He is also an Islamic Estate Planner providing Wills & Trust services for Muslims. He is based in Ipoh and can be reached at: 012-5078825/05-2554853 or [email protected]. Website: http://www.wills-trust.com.my.

Berchamwas once a sleepy hollow famous for itsvegetableplotstendedbyresidentsofanewvillageof the same name.Besides being the gateway to

TanjungRambutan,where the nation’s foremostmentalinstitution is located, it boasts a less savoury landmark,Ipoh’s only landfill. Bercham is also home to a privatecrematorium,which is sited about a kilometre from thedumpsite.Sincethecrematoriumusesdieselasitsburningagent,theairqualityinBerchamis,therefore,suspect.

Allthesearenothingcomparedtowhatthisonetimesemi-ruralsuburbwillsooninherit.WhenthebrandnewGiantHypermarketopensitsdoorsforbusinessinJuneofthisyear,Berchamwillbe“inundated”withhypermarketsandsupermarkets,literally.TescoExtraandGiantoperateononesideofthePlusExpresswaywhileTescoandJuscoareontheotherside.WithinaspaceofakilometrealongTasekRoad,youhavefour“giants”andashoppingmall(deGarden)joustingforapieceoftheaction.

IsthisthekindoftransformationthatBerchamfolksexpect? Definitely not. More developments mean morepeople andmore peoplemeanmore cars. Somehow theauthorities, for reasons of expedience, fail to anticipatethis negativity.This oversightwill be the cause of resi-dents’grousesintheyearsahead.Signsarealreadythere.Theperennialmorningcrawl,thedust,thegrimeandthecacophony of strident sound,many decibels above per-missiblelimits,havebeenplaguingBerchamresidentsforyearsonend.Youdon’tneedarocketscientisttotellyouso.

While it isgoodtogivecustomersachoice,havingfoursupermarketscompetingsidebysideissuicidal.Thegoodssoldarealmostidenticalandsoarethepromotionalgimmicks.Theonlydifferenceistheambience.TescoandGiantcatertotheworkingclassandJusco,themiddleand

upper middle classes. Perceptive distinction, however,matters little when ambience and space will be thedecidingfactorsinmotivatingshoppers.GiantandTescowillface-offoneanother,asbotharelocatedonoppositesidesoftheBercham-TanjungRambutanroad.Willthistranslatetofrenzybuyingorwillthehypefizzleoffoncetheglitterisgone?

Iguesslittleornomarketingsurveywasdonebeforetheconcernedpartysoughtapprovalfromtheauthorities.IftheNovember2010WorldBankReportonMalaysiaisanythingtogoby,entrepreneurswouldbewelladvisedtoexercisecaution.

The following findings may sound a little distressing but true:

*IncomeinequalityinMalaysiaisamongthehighestinAsia resembling that ofLatinAmerica – the bottom40%of the population earn 14.3% of the total income

while the top 20% earnnearly 50% of the totalincome.

* Wages are low –66%ofallformalworkers

in themanufacturing and construction sectors earn lessthanRM900permonth.

*Householddebts aremounting andhave reached77%ofGDP.

*Take-homepayofmanyislow.Thisisduetoanarchaicfederalpolicy thatsuppresseswages inorder tokeepjobsaplenty.Manyareself-employedintheinfor-mal sectors (hawkers, petty traders, taxi drivers, directsalesmen,etc.)whichofferlittleornofinancialsecurity.

Thenumberof “moneyed” customers, therefore, isconfined to themid 40 per cent of the population.Thetop20percentdotheirshoppingsomewhereelse.Thispercentage is representativeof Ipohites too.The40percentcrowdwillbe“chased”byallhypermarkets/super-marketsinthecity.Competitionwillbeintense.Theend-resultmaynotbetooflattering.Andasif toaddsalt tothewound, plans are already afoot to construct a hugeMydinHypermarketatMeruJayaandagiganticJuscoinSection18.Ourpassionforthebiggesthasnotchanged.

While the race to build supermarkets andhypermarkets goes on at breakneck speed, the state ofIpoh’s public transport, air quality and public safetycontinuetodeteriorate.Wheredowegofromhere?

Giant Hypermarket under construction

Thinking ALLOWED byMariam Mokhtar


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Ipohites have long had running battles with the Ipoh City Council(MBI)regardingtreesthathavebeenchopped.

Last July, concerned people contacted the Ipoh Echo (IE) toreport tree fellingactivitiesalongJalanSPSeenivasagamin frontofStMichael’sInstitution.Reportersrushedtothesceneandfoundtheremainsofacasuarinatreestump.Michaelianstudents,rangingfromtheirteenstothoseintheirfortieswhowereformerstudents,expressedsorrowas“thatwasthetreewherewewaitedforourparentsafterschool”.

MBIsaidthat“checksonthehealthofthetreesfoundthattherootsandstemofthisparticulartreewasrottenandposedadangertothepublic.Henceithadtobefelledsoonestpossible”.

‘One Birth, One Tree’IE readers have since highlighted other tree cutting incidents and onereaderproposed amore eco-friendly solution to replace trees that havebeenremoved.Perhaps,MBIwaslisteningbecauseattheendofJuly,lastyear,atreeplantingschemewasstarted.

An area calledTamanKelahiran (Birth Park) at theGunungLangRecreationParkwasselectedforthe“OneBirth,OneTree”programme,launched byMayorDato’RoshidiHashim. Parents could celebrate thebirthoftheirchildandpayRM31foratree,nameplaqueandcertificateofparticipation.

Roshidi said, “Like the good qualitieswe hope fromour children,thetreesalsoprovideshadeandhelpbeautifytheenvironment.”Roshidihoped to plant 2.6million treeswithin five years, and stressed that ‘acondition would also be imposed on developers to plant trees in theirprojectareas’.

Trees to be GazettedInmid-December,RoshidiannouncedthatsometreesinIpohwouldbegazettedandinsuredaftertheywerefoundtobeworthoverRM1millioneach.

Hesaid,“WehaveidentifiedfourwhichhaveanestimatedvalueofmorethanRM1millioneach.ThreeareinTamanD.R.Seenivasagamandone is along JalanSultanAzlanShah”.According to him, hundreds ofthesevaluabletreeswouldbeinsuredagainstpublicactsofvandalismandotherdamages.

“Wehopetogazettethetreesbynextyearandwewillalsoproposeforenactmentlegislationtobedraftedtoensurestrictactionistakenagainstanyonewho purposefully harms or destroys the trees.At themoment,thosewhovandalisetreesorchopthemdownarepunishableunderAct172oftheTreePreservationOrder.”

Ipohites Protest Recent Tree FellingOneweek after this reassuring announcement,MBI removedfive treeswhichresidentsbelievedtobeover50yearsold. Itwasreportedthatahotelwouldbebuiltatthatparticularsite.

ManyhavewrittentotheIpohEchotoquestionthedestructionofthetreesandsaidthatthetreeswouldhaveactedasabufferfornoise,dust,

Please Do Not Insult Our Intelligence – Can Trees Be Insured?

pollutionandalsoshieldtheunsightlyconstructionwork.Others wondered why efforts were not taken to replant the trees

elsewhere:“Ithastaken50to60yearsforthetreestogrowbutjustafewdaystocutthemdown.Howmany50-or60-year-oldtreesareleftinIpoh?”

Onereaderasked“Whycan’tthedevelopersdesignandbuildaroundthesetreesandusethetreesasavaluableamenityprovidedbynature.”Other Ipohiteswhen interviewed condemned the removal of the treesandmentionedthe‘greedofthedevelopersandtheauthorities’.

Many praised Singapore’s efforts at beautifying Singaporewith mostly mature trees, and said that we needed to learn from theSingaporeansaboutmaintaining,pruningandtree-diseasetreatment.

StungbythebarrageofcriticismsintheIE,MayorRoshidiissuedastatementonJanuary4whichsaid,“TheCouncilfindsitnecessarytofellthetreesbasedonrecommendationsbytheinsurerwhosaidthatthetreeswereoldandposedathreattopassers-by”.

Tree Insurance ImpossibleOnJanuary17,twoweeksaftertheMayorissuedhisstatement,areportintheStarbaffledIpohites,‘Insurerschopdownplantoinsureraintrees’.ThereportsaidthatinsurerswereNOTwillingtoinsureagainsttreesinIpohbecausetheplanwas“ratherimpossible”.

The regional manager of an insurance company explained that‘trees,unlikehouses,donothaveamarketvaluethatwouldappreciatewithtime’.Hewasunawareofinsurancepoliciesfortrees.Moreover,hewarned,treescouldbevandalised.

Tree Vandalism Punishable?Thismanagerisright.Thetreeshavebeenvandalised,byourMBI.SoastheMayoronceexplained,“….thosewhovandalisetreesorchopthemdownarepunishableunderAct172oftheTreePreservationOrder.”

WillRoshidi punish those responsible?Or is it a case of the lefthandnotknowingwhattherighthandisupto?Orperhaps,theMayor’spolicies on tree preservation have not been passed down the chain ofcommand?


By See Foon [email protected] on Food

ReCiPe ByMargarita Lee

HAWKER FOOD

Poached ChickenOnewholefree-rangechicken.Bringalargepotofwatertoaboilandplacethechickenintothewater.Putthelidonandleavethechickentostandfor45minutes.Thechickenshouldbecookedbynowbutsometimesthebonecanbestillbloodywhencutup.Ifyoupreferittobefullycooked,takethechickenoutfrompot,bringthestocktoboilagain,leavethechickentostandforanother10minutesto20minutes.Soakchickeninicecoldwaterwhendone.Chicken Broth3-4wholechickencarcassesShrimp’sshell(removedfrom½kgshrimps)300gsoyabeansprouts(taitaunga)1smallturnip1tbspcrystalrocksugar1tbspwholewhitepeppercorns(crushed)5litreswatersalttotaste

Shrimp Oil200mlcookingoilShrimpheadorcrabwithroe

To cook the shrimpsBlanchtheshrimpsuntiltheyturnpinkandcookedthrough.Removeandshockinicewater.Removetheheadsanddraindry,tobeusedforfryingwithoil.Removetheshellsformakingthechickenbroth.

Ipoh Chicken Hor FunTo make chicken brothRinsethechickencarcasses,placethemintoastockpot,addinsoyabeansprouts,turnip,rocksugarandpeppercornsandthestockwhichwasusedforcookingtheshrimpandchicken,bringittoboil.Reducetolowheatandcookforapproximately3hours.Seasonwithsaltandstrainthestock.Leaveaside.To make shrimp oilHeatupthecookingoilinthepreheatedwok,placeinshrimpheadsandcrabroestir-fryoverlowheatuntiltheshrimpoilseparates.Removefromheat,strainwell.BlanchtheHorFunandChinesechivesinboilingwaterseparately.Dishupanddrain.To servePlacetheHorFuninaservingbowl,addinblanchedChinesechives,chickenshredsandshrimps.Servewithhotchickenbroth,addinalittleshrimpoilandchoppedscallions.Servehotwithchoppedchilliinsoyasauce.

Bak Kut Teh isanother foodie

favourite not indig-enous to Ipoh. EvenifIpoh’sversiondoesnotmatchthefamousKlang Bak Kut Teh,itcomesprettyclose(according to our‘food-tastingexperts’atIpohEcho).Justenough(hoursof)simmeringinabrothofherbsandspices,makesthepork meat and offal, succulent, flavourful and abso-lutelytender.This‘meatbonetea’isusuallyeatenwithplain riceandanoptional sidedishofyau char kwai (crullers – for dipping into the soup), garnishedwithcorianderorspringonions,andaccompaniedwithchilipadiandchoppedgarlicsoakedinsoysauce.Soon Lee Bak Kut Teh (7.00a.m.-2.00p.m.;Mondayclosed)RestoranLeeSoon,1JalanTemenggong,RoseGarden,31650Ipoh,Tel.:019-5577896.Ithastheauthenticbakkuttehflavour.Theyalsohavesweet-sourbraisedtrot-ters,ribsandothers,startingfromRM8/serving;riceisRM1extra.Loong Kee Bak Kut Teh (11.00a.m.-9.30p.m.;Tuesdayclosed)WooleyFoodCentre, IpohGarden, 31400 Ipoh;Tel.:016-5475707/016-5423748.ForthosewholikeChinesemushrooms, itsaddition in thesoupadds justenoughflavourbutisnotoverpowering–RM8withrice.Restoran Kwan Heong Bak Kut Teh(8.00a.m.-3.00p.m.,6.00p.m.-10.00p.m.)90JalanRajaDihilir,TamanHoover,31650Ipoh,Tel.:012-6727595. This relatively new shop hails fromKlang, serves an array of choice starting fromRM8;orderfromamenu.Tong Chew Bak Kut Teh (8.00a.m.-2.00p.m.;Mondayclosed)24-1 JalanChungThye Phin, 30250 Ipoh;Tel.:012-4584786/016-5008324. For a treat, try the yam ricewhichisavailableeveryTuesdayandFriday–RM1.50/bowl;alsohasmunjukeok(braisedtrotters)andavari-etyofotherdishes.PricesstartfromRM7.80.At night from 6.00-9.30 p.m., another operator, Sun Tong Chew Bak Kut Teh,sellsfromthesamepremis-es;Tel.:012-5163232/012-5156838.

Bak Kut Teh

With foodpricesconstantlygoingupandnewsabout the risingcostof living, it is awonderthatpeople eat out at all.Butwe in Ipohare

most fortunate in having a huge choice of good eatingplacesranginginpricefromthepriceytotheeconomicalwhere agroupof friends can eat to their hearts contentwithoutbreakingthebank.

Recently my group of foodie friends, led by theinimitableGinlaFoo,wentinsearchofplaceswherewecouldeatwellforbelowRM10perhead.Andweturnedup a few!Today Iwill sharewith readers the first twoof the ones thatwe unanimously voted as tops, both inqualityandinprice.Naturallythesepremisesaregoodforyourmostcasualgearandflipflopsastheemphasisisonthefoodandnottheambiance.

Peng TauThefirstoneisPeng Tau,averypopular‘TaiChau’localeaterythatisalwayspackedtooverflowing.IttakesquiteafairbitofmanoeuvringtofinditbutthelocalswholivearoundPasirPutehfrequentitoften.

Signature dishes here are their homemadeGolden Bean Curd toppedwithminced pork, soft and smoothontheinsideandslightlycrispedontheedges–RM6.50;andtheirKon Jeen Kaiordryfriedchicken,darksoya,slightlytangywithahintofsweetness–RM7.00.

The SteamedwholeTilapiaarrivedsmotheredinaspicytaochu(preservedsoyabeans)chillisauce,garlicky,withmorethanatouchofsweetness,thefleshmoistwithnotahintofthemuddinessthatTilapiaarenotoriousfor–RM16.

WethenhadabigtureenofWatercress Soup–RM8;theubiquitousSeiTaiTeenWongorfourheavenlykings,of long beans, petai, brinjal and winged beans, whichI found tobe too sweetbutmayappeal to thosewithasweettooth–RM6;andPork Ribswithblackbeansauce–RM8.00.

Tai KungMynextforayintoeconomicaldiningtookourgrouptoRestaurant Tai Kung, a corner coffee shopbehind theTowBohKeongTemple.HereChefLeongspecialisesinsteameddishes.

Naryawokwasinsightinthisopenkitchenbeside

SeeFoon goes on an economy drive

theshop.Onlyrowsofsteamersandpotsofboilingwater.Allthefareinthisrestaurantissteamed,makingamealhereahealthyoneaswell.

Thereisnomenuperseandthedishesonofferrotatedaily.Therearealwaysthesteamedsoupsintureens,withadailychoiceof6varietiesoutofa repertoireof20ormore.These, atRM3.50 per tureen, are great value formoneyandselloutrapidlywithonly40tureensavailabledaily.The soupswe had that eveningwere theWinter Melon With Chicken Feet, red dates andgei tse (gojiberries) where I detected a hint of dried octopus forflavour;theHam Tsoi Kai Tong,preservedcabbagewithchickenand tomatoes; theBlack ChickenwithginsengrootandgojiberriesandWatercress Soup.AllthesoupswereflavourfulandatmyprobingthechefrevealedthatnoMSG isadded to the soupswhichare steamed freshdailymakingitdoublyhealthy.

Their signature disheswhich again are snapped uplikehot cakesdaily are theirporkbellydishes, theWu Tao Kao Yoke, pork bellywith taro and theMui Tsoi Kao Yoke,porkbellywithpreservedvegetables.Onthenightwewere there, itwas thepreservedvegetablesonoffer and unlike the usual preparationwhich is braised,thissteamedversionwasmuchlessfattyandtheblendingofflavouringshitalltherightumaminotes–RM8.00

Theotherverypopulardishthatsellsoutquicklyistheir Steamed Whole Chicken LegwithherbsandtongkwaiorChineseangelica–RM6.00

ThiswasfollowedbyTong Choy Tsing Chu Yoke,steamedmincedporkwithpreservedrelish;smooth,wellflavouredwithout thepreservedrelishoverpowering thedishwhichitisknowntodo.

Thesteamedfishoftheday(thefishdependsonwhatisfreshdailyandpricesmayvaryslightly)wasawholeWhite Seabass, firmwhite flesh toppedwith oodles ofchoppedfriedgarlicanddousedwithgarlicoil.Sea-freshflavours,andsteamedtoperfection–RM16.00.

Thisisonerestaurantwheretheoldadageoftheearlybirdcatchesthewormholdstrue.ChefLeongstickstohisnonchalanceof doing the same amount of business dayafterday.Notforhimthemodernpushforexpansion,formoreprofit.Heprepares25chickensaday,40tureensof

soupofsixdifferentvarietiesandbuysafewofwhateverfishisfreshthatday.Greensarefreshinthemarketthatdayandareavailableforblanchingandservedwithsoya.Whenthey’regone,they’regone.Sotheearlierthebettertocatch thebest choiceofwhat isonofferbecauseby8.00p.m.heissoldoutandreadytoclosehisshop.

I have been asked why I write only favourable reviews and if I am being paid by the restaurants I review.

The answer is a resounding No! Most of the time, I go in incognito and only talk to the owner/chef at the end of the meal if I have decided that it was worth a review. As most foodies out there will attest, not all the items in a restaurant are good. I only mention the dishes that appeal to my taste buds and leave out the rest. So when you, dear readers, try out a restaurant reviewed by me, please bring along this paper and order the same dishes. That is: if you share my tasting palate which tends towards the non-sweet. I also have a philosophy of not writing critical reviews as I believe that any restaurant serving poor quality food will soon run out of customers, and mediocre ones I leave to their own devices.

Restoran Peng Tau (SoldiersHead)(closedTuesdays)27JlnBungaRaya6,TamanBoonBak,Ipoh.Kedai Kopi Tai KungCornerof18,JalanOngSinCheong/JalanChungAhMingTel:0165464595Mr.Leong

Tai KungPeng Tau

PhotosbyChristianDiGiovanna


ANNOUNCEMENTSAnnouncementsmustbesentbyfax:05-2552181;oremail:[email protected],bythe9thor23rdofeverymonthinordertomeetdeadlines.Announcementsbyphonewillnotbeentertained.IpohEchoreservestherighttoverifyanyannouncementbeforeitispub-lished.

MNS Perak’s Learning Trip to an Organic Farm (Chederiang) ● onSundayFeb20,from8.30a.m.-2.00p.m.ParticipantsareexpectedtogatheratSamPohTong’spomelostallsat7.30a.m.beforeleavingbycarpooling.RM10ispayabletothefarmforlunch.ClosingdateforbookingisFeb12,onfirstcomefirstservebasis.Forregistrationanddetails,emailLeeYuatWahatleeyuatwah@yahoo.comorvisitwww.mnsperak.wordpress.com.Free Yoga Classes by the Centre for Prana Yoga & Self Transformation ● on2nd&4th Sundaysofeverymonth,at8.30a.m.atWismaEhsan,2-5JlnSultanYussuf,Ipoh.Contact:05-2554590.MBI Drive-Through Counter ● isopenMonday-Thursdayfrom8.15a.m.to3.30p.m.,andFriday8.15-11.45a.m.&2.45-3.30p.m.PaymentcanbemadeforallMBIandotherutilitybills.Perak Malayalee Association Spoken Malayalam Class ● for members every Sundaybetween6.30p.m.to8.00p.m.attheassociation’sheadquarters,14A,MedanIstanaBandarIpohRaya,Ipoh.FordetailscallR.UdayaBhanuat019-2813636orRadhaNarayananat012-5257894.Pamphlets on “Perak Tour Package 2011” and “Ipoh Food Trail” ● are available forcollectionatTourismMalaysiaPerakNo12,JalanMedanIstana2,BandarIpohRaya,Ipoh.Call05-2559962fordetails.PamphletsarealsoavailableatIpohEchooffice.KPJ Ipoh Specialist Hospital (ISH) Endometriosis Awareness Week and book launch, ●on Feb 11-19 at the lobby ofKPJ ISH.Guest of honour and speaker isDr. Susan Evan(Adelaide,Australia).

Dato’ K.K. LimItwaswithgreatsadnessthatIheardofthepassingofDato’K.K.LimonThursdaylastashehasbeenagreatfriendandsupportertomeovertheprevious7-yearsormore.Atoughbusinessmanwithasternexterior,hehadaheartofgoldwhenitcametothose,oftenforgotten,elementsofaqualitylife,education,music,dance,drama,artandheritage.Itwasthereforethatwithoutanyfanfareorunnecessarypublicity,he unfailingly supported them all financially for many years. He was the silentphilanthropistwhocaredabout these thingsanddideverythinghecould tobringcultureandqualityeducationtoIpoh,a townoftendescribedasaculturaldesert.Hisdeparturefromthisworldwillleaveagapinmanypeople’slives,includingmyown.

PersonallyIhavetothankhimforsupportingtheipohWorldproject,basedinTenbySchools, Ipoh.Without his encouragement and sound advicemuch of thehistoricalinformationthatwehavecollectedovertheyearswouldhavebeenlosttotheworld.Asitiswehavecollected,researchedandrecordedalargedatabaseoflocalimagesandfactsthatareavailabletostudentsworldwideviatheInternet.Thedatabasecontinuestogrowdaily.Muchofthisinformationwhichcoverstheever-disappearingheritageandsocialhistoryofourareaisignoredbythepresenteducationsystem.Wethereforefillthegapinouryoungpeople’sknowledgeofthepastandtheirroots,withinformationnotreadilyavailableelsewhere.Tocontinuallyfundorganisationsthatalwaysrunataloss,simplybecausehemaintainedthebeliefthat heritage, social history and the artswere important ingredients in educationand, at the same time,wouldmake Ipoh a better place to live, demonstrates hisdeterminationtosucceedwhereothershadfailed.Hewillbesorelymissed.Mayherestinpeace.

Ian Anderson25January2011

LETTERSWereprintsomeofourreader’scommentsfromouronlinepaper.Gotohttp://www.ipohecho.com.my/ to readmore.TheviewsexpressedintheselettersarenotnecessarilysharedbytheEditorialBoard.Wereservetherighttorefuseormodifytheletterswepublish.

Thank YouItisthroughyourpaperthatI“discovered”JazzerciseinIpoh,conductedbytheevercharmingMsSurayaKhanatFitnessJunctionGym.IhavetosaythatIamgladtohave found thisplace,where I amenjoying themanychoicesofgroupexercisesbeingconductedbytheircertifiedandtrainedinstructors.Iamhavingfun,whilsttryingtostayfit,andamenjoyingmygoldenyears.ThankyouanddokeepupthegoodworkofkeepingusinformedofhappeningsinandaroundIpoh.

Patsy YongSMJK Yuk Choy, Ipohorganised a Chinese

Calligraphycontestamong

Young PerakChinese Language Week at SMJK Yuk Choy

thestudents,inconjunctionwith Chinese LanguageWeek and Chinese New

Year, recently. Mr. LeeHah, the school princi-pal, said that the ChineseLanguageWeekistoinstilthe love of Chinese lan-guageamong thestudentsand the understanding ofChinese culture. He alsomentioned that SMJKYuk Choy, Ipoh ChineseLanguageDepartmenthadorganised debates, wordpuzzles,quizzesandtreas-urehuntsforthestudents.

@mail /email


Dr. S.S. GillResident Consultant

Ophthalmologist

InIpohEcho’sseriesonEyeHealth,Dr.S.S.Gill,ConsultantOphthalmologist at Hospital Fatimah summarizes the keypointsinthesixthandfinalpartonDiabetesMellitusandthe

eyecomplications(diabeticretinopathy).

In Summary

1.DiabeticRetinopathyisacommoncomplicationofdiabetesmellitus–it’stheleadingcauseofblindness.

2.Examinetheeyesannuallyevenif therearenosymptoms.Do notwait for blurring vision before going for an eye check.When symptoms occur, it is late because it usually indicates some form of eyecomplication.

The Eye ExaminationAfter the initial eyecheck, amandatorydilatedeyeexamination isdone.This isdonebyplacingeyedropsintotheeyesuntilpupilsaredilated.

Usingspecialequipment,theeyedoctorexaminestheinsideoftheeye(retina).After this eye examination, the patient’s close-up visionmay remain blurred forseveralhours.

Signs that will be looked for are:a)Leakingbloodvessels&bleeding.b)Retinal(ornerve)swelling(macularedema).c)Pale,fattydepositsontheretina.

How is diabetic retinopathy treated?Lasertreatmentisgiven.It’sanoutpatientprocedure.Thelasertreatmentshrinkstheabnormalbloodvessels.Twoormoresessionsusuallyarerequired.

Ifthebleedingintheeyeissevere,asurgicalprocedurecalledavitrectomymaybeneededtobedonewherebloodisremovedfromtheinsideoftheeye.

Once a person has diabetic eyecomplications,theywillalwaysbeatriskfornewbleedingintheeyeeveninthefutureandneedtobecheckedregularly.

For more information, contact Gill Eye Specialist Centre, Hospital Fatimah (05-5455582), or email [email protected].

Caring for your eyes (part 6)

Laser Treatment

ThenewclinicinPersiaranDesaRishah2wasopenedinmid2009andthethree-storeybuilding isoneof thebeautifulmodernclinics in thecountry.TheclinicwasbuiltatacostofRM27m,includingthecostofmedicalequipmentandother

facilities.Thecliniccurrentlyprovidesthefollowinghealthandmedicalservices:outpatient

New Clinic for Buntong Residents

In response to thePrime Minister’s,1Malaysia Mobile

Clinic Programme, PerakCommunity SpecialistHospital (PCSH) MobileHealth Clinic was of-ficially opened by Dato’Dr.MahHangSoon,statechairmanforHealth,LocalGovernment, ConsumerAffairs, Environment,Transport and Non-Muslim Affairs. Under

PCSH Launches Mobile Clinic

clinic,consultationfordiabetes,asthmaandhypertension,careofpregnantmotherandchild,postnatalcareandimmunisation,dentalclinic,medicalexaminationandvaccinationforpreventionofcervicalcancer.Theclinichasitsownlaboratory.Emergencyservicesareavailableduringofficehours.Eachclinichasaplayareaforchildren.

TheX-raydepartmentwillsoonbeoperationalassoonasequipmentglitchesareresolved as will rehabilitation services for back ache, post stroke and occupationaltherapy.

Thereismorethanfiftystaffincludingsixdoctors,elevennursesandthreemedicaladministrators.Thenursesmakehousevisitsforpreandpostnatalcare.TheclinicprimarilycaterstotheneedsofresidentsofBuntongwhichhasapopulationofabout102,000.MostofthepatientscomefromBuntong.

MedicalOfficer,Dr.FauziahbtAbdulKarimsaidthattheclinicisopenfrom8.00a.m.to5.00p.m.onweekdaysandclosedonweekends.Sheaddedthattreatmentisgiventoeverypersonwhocomesregardlessoftheirresidentialstatus.Morethan4,000patientsvisitthecliniceverymonth.Howeversignagetotheclinicisinadequateandmostpeopleareunawareofitsexistence.

RajaPitchay,TreasureroftheAdvisoryPanelthatliaisesbetweenthepatientsandthehospitalauthoritiesandhighlightstheproblemsandneedsofthepatients,informedIpohEchoabouttheOpenDayinDecember2010whichwaslaunchedbyDato’DrMahHangSoon,Chairman,PerakHealthCommitteetopopularisetheclinic.Thebuildingisnewandsmellsofnewpaint;allthefurnitureandequipmentarenew.Itishopedthattheauthoritieswillmaintainthem.Thepublicmustalsobemadeawaretonotdamagethefurnitureandotherfacilitiesandkeepthepremisesclean.

A. Jeyaraj

their Corporate SocialResponsibility (CSR) pro-gramme, PCSH MobileHealth Clinic organisedfreemedical treatment fortheOrangAsli atSekolahKebangsaan Pos Dipang,Kampar,recently.

The objectives of theMobile Health Clinic areto provide basic healthcare services and treat-menttothosewhohavenootheraccesstocareandto

increase their health con-sciousness.

The programme issponsored by the CIMBFoundation,PCSH in col-laboration with CIMBBank, CIMB Islamic andCommunity Link. A fewlow-income/Orang AslivillagesinPerakwillben-efit from this meaningfulproject.

Wellness

Autism Asperger’s Help Association (AAHA) is a non-governmental and non-profitassociationregisteredwiththeRegistrarofSocietiesMalaysia(1168-10-PRK).Itsprimaryobjectivesare:*ToprovidesupportforindividualswithAutismSpectrumDisorder(ASD)andtheirfamilies,irrespectiveofage,creed,raceandgender.*Tocreateawarenessinthegeneralpublic.*ToprovideearlyinterventionservicesforchildrenwithASD.AAHA obtained its registration with the Registrar of Society in May 2010 andreceivedthecertificatefromtheDeputyMinisterofHomeAffairsDato’LeeCheeLeongonAugust5,2010.

The angle of the triangle represents the Wing’s Triad of Autism:

*ImpairmentofCommunication*ImpairmentofSocialInteraction*ImpairmentofImagination

The arms of the triangle represent the key areasof managing a child with autism, namely:

*Diagnosis:*EarlyIntervention*ParentEducation

Thetriangleisfullofpuzzlesasautismisapuzzleitself.Thefamilyinthecentreof thetrianglerepresents thefact thatparentsarethecentreofmanagementof thechildwithautism.

Children are diagnosed by a multidisciplinary team. The team consists of aPaediatrician, Speech Therapist, Psychologist, Preschool Teacher, OccupationalTherapistandaSocialWorker.AAHAisworkingtowardssettingupthisteam.

FollowingDiagnosis,earlyinterventionisimportant.ThereareanumberofearlyinterventioncentresinIpoh,however,thereisnoAutismspecificearlyinterventionespeciallyforthechildrenwithmildtomoderateAutism.AAHAhastakenonthechallengetosetupanAutismspecificEarlyInterventionProgrammeby2012.Asstatedearlier,parentsarethecentreofmanagementofchildrenwithAutism.Manyparentsfeellostafterthediagnosis.Theseparentscaneasilybetakenadvantageof.Therearemanysocalled ‘treatments’ forAutism.Thesearenotcheap.Parentsasparentswanting thebest for their childmay fallprey.Thuseducatingparents andempowering them is a keypart ofmanaging a childwithAutism.AAHAwill becarryingoutparenteducationtalksfromJuly2011.

Parent education

Formoreinfocontact:Dr.ShanNarayanan 016 591 4735

Mrs.MichelleCheah012 512 1897

Mr.Yee012 521 6348

Who We Are


Community

Inlinewiththestategovernment’sobjectivetoinculcate

self-relianceamongtheneedyinsociety,YayasanBinaUpayaDarulRidzuan(YBUDR),isprovidingsinglemothersanopportunitytoengageinsmallbusinessesbasedontheirindividualcapabilities.

Theprogrammenamed,LadiesUptownIpoh,istailor-madeforselectedsinglemothers,29inallandthosewhoarealreadyinbusinessbutarehavingproblemsexpanding.ThevenueisPersiaranBougainvillea,theopenspacefrontingMBIcomplex.

“Manyareoftheopinionthatthebazaarisjustanotherpasarmalam,”

Ladies Uptown Ipoh

saidIsfarinaMohdBali,YBUDR’scustomerservicemanager.“Unlikepasarmalam,thegoodssoldhereareunique.Theyincludehandicrafts,foodstuffs,clothingetc,”sheremarked.

“Wemonitorparticipants’progressandadvisethemaccordingly.Andthatincludesfunding,ifneedbe.Ourmotiveistoensurequalitynotquantity,”Isfarinaadded.“ThosekeenonparticipatingcanapplydirecttoYBUDRorvisitourwebsiteyayasanbinaupaya.comfordetails.”

OperatorspayanominalfeeofRM25perstalltoYBUDRwhothenpaysMBI.Thefairisa

weeklyaffairoperatingeverySaturdaybetween6.00p.m.tomidnight.ItwasofficiallyopenedtothepubliclastmonthbyDato’TanChinMeng,MCAIpohBaratdivisionchief.

In conjunction with theopening,aminicarnivalwasheld,whichincludedactivitiessuchaskaraokeandacostumecontestforkids.Thefunonlystoppedataroundmidnightwhenallraffle-drawnprizeswereclaimedbywinners.Tomakethedrawmoremeaningful,theorganisersgoteachstalloperatortoprovideahamperconsistingoftheirproductswhichhelpedinpromotingtheirwares.

RM

Every Wednesdayand Thursday, acrowd of people,

mainly elderly, make abeeline to the playgroundinFirstGardenforaheartychickencurrylunch.

The food is beingdistributed free to anyoneat the “Soup Kitchen”,irrespective of race,religionorage.Accordingtoasoupkitchenvolunteer,an average of 50 peopleturnupateachsession.

Thesoupkitchenwasstarted about two yearsago by groups from theCatholic churches in IpohGardenandSilibin.Atthemoment10volunteers areinvolvedinthepreparationand serving of food. Themenu is always the same,rice served with chickencurryandonevegetable.

Funding for thescheme is from donationsreceivedfromwell-wishersand also individuals andfamilies sponsor cost oflunchforadayinmemoryofadeceasedrelative.

“There are alwayssome generous peoplestepping forward tosponsorthemeal,”saidthevolunteer.“Afewof themeven came personally tosee how our soup kitchenoperates before making

SOUP KITCHEN FOR NEEDY IN First Garden

donations.”Those wishing to

support the scheme cangive their donation to the

Church of Our Lady ofLourdesinSilibin.

A. Jeyaraj


news roundup

Datin Seri Saripah Zulkifli, President of Baiduri(BadanAmaldanUshahIsteriPerak)andwifeofPerakMenteriBesar,gaveawaydonationsworth

RM10,000toindividualsandassociations,asapreludetotheNewYear.InasimpleceremonyattheMenteriBesar’sresidencerecently,shepresentedachequeforRM2,000toPersatuan IbuTunggalMuslimah, a society forMuslimsinglemothersandanotherchequeforthesameamounttoPersatuanChingYoongPerak,aChinesewelfarebody.

Heart patient, Muhamad Safawi Anwar, receivedRM1,000 for follow-up operations at Institut JantungNegara. Saimah Sanip, a breast cancer victim, receivedRM2,000 to cover her medical bills incurred at theIpoh Community Specialist Hospital. Muniswaran, 4,who suffers from paralysis, was given a custom-madewheelchairworthRM3,000.

“Ourassociation’sfocusthisyearwillbeonassistingpoorstudentsfromtheruralareas.FiftythousandRinggitwillbesetasidetobuybooks,referencematerials,conducttuitionandotherformsofassistanceaimedatimprovingtheiracademicperformance.,”Saripahtoldreporters.Thedonations,accordingtotheBaiduriPresident,werepartofthoseallocatedfor2010.

Ed

A Caring Gesture

About 250 physically handicapped children andadults gathered at Manjung’s Association forthePhysicallyHandicappedrecentlytomarkthe

InternationalDay ofDisabledPersons,which falls onDecember3.TransportMinister,Dato’SeriKongChoHa,whois theMPforLumut, inhisopeningremarksurgedparentswithdisabledchildrentoseekassistance.Thesephysicallychallengedchildren,hesaid,couldbetrainedtobeusefulcitizens.“Oncetrainedtheycanthenseekemploymentandthusbecomelessburdensometotheirparents.”

Association chairman, Khaw Eng Aun, said thatsome1,200adultsandchildrenwithphysicaldisabilitiesareregisteredwiththeassociation.Theday-carecentre,where the association is located, faces difficulty intransporting the handicapped, as its van breaks downoften.Thecentrerequiresanewvan,asnotallparentshave the means to ferry their children. The ministerpromisedtoresolvetheproblem.

Adrawing contestwasheld for thebenefit of thechildrenwhiletheadultsplayedgameswiththeguests.Manjung’s Territorial Chief, Toh Muda Dato’ AbdulWahab bin Dato’ SeriAzizul Hassan, was among thedignitaryguests.

SN

A Day for the Disabled

Good news for all public-transport-deprivedPerakeans.Three bus companies have agreed tooperateundera singlebanner inorder to realise

commuters’dreamofaviablepublictransportsysteminthestate,onewhichwillnotcompromiseonqualityandefficiency.

OperationsManagerofCombinedBusServicesSdnBhd,thenewly-formedbusconglomerate,ZulkiflyAmirHashim, said that the transformation processwill be instages.Presently,theserviceisalreadyavailableinthecityandinoutlyingareascoveringroutestoKampar,Manjung,Parit,Bruas,KualaKangsar,Gopeng,BatuGajah,MalimNawarandothers.“Publicresponsehasbeengoodandthefeedbackwereceivedismostencouraging,”ZulkiflytoldIpohEcho.“Itprovidesustheimpetustostriveharder,”headded.

For intra-city services, the company has in itsinventory,afleetofblue-colouredbuseswhichcome intwo specifications – onewith a lowdeck and the otherwith the normal deck. “The one with the low deck isspecially made for handicapped people,” said Zulkifly.“It’salsofittedwitharetractableplatformtoaccommodatewheelchair-bound passengers.” These buses are alreadyoperatinginthecity.

The company plans to re-introduce bus servicein Gugusan Manjoi. “This decision was made againbased on feedback, “said Zulkifly. “However, it’s stillintheplanningstage.We’lldoatestrunsoontoseetheresponse.”Thepreviousservicewasdiscontinuedduetopoorpassengerload.

On the issue of the old Ipoh bus terminal, whichhasreceivedmuchpublicityoflate,OngLekChuan,theexecutivedirectorofGeneralOmnibusCompanySdn,hasthistosay.“Fromthestandpointofheritage,theterminalshould be preserved in its entirety due to its immenseheritagevalue,”heremarked.

Ong stressed that once the Meru Raya terminal isready,expressbuseswillbemovedtherewhilecitybuseswillcontinuetooperatefromtheoldterminal.

RM

Bus Service for Perakeans

Kelab Anak Malaysia Batu Gajah organised aChinese NewYear Caring Society Campaignat theHome forTheAged atSimee recently.

According to Mr. Sit Wai Yin, chairman of KelabAnakMalaysiaBatuGajah, thiscampaign is to instilmeaningful community based activities among thestudentsinthespiritof1Malaysia.

ThefunctionwasofficiatedbyAdviserforPerakMenteri Besar Dato’ Chang Ko Youn, who praisedKelab Anak Malaysia Batu Gajah for carrying outvarious communities based projects in Perak andproceeded togiveout “angpow” to theold folks andhadlunchwiththem.Aspecialliondanceperformanceby SMJKYuk Choy, Ipoh, as well as Chinese NewYearmelodies played bySMKStMichael’sChineseOrchestraClubbroughtcheertotheoldfolks.

Chinese New Year Cheer at Simee Home

SathyaSaiBabaCentresofPerakorganisedablooddonation and organ pledges campaign togetherwithamedicalcampat the IpohKallumalaiSri

SubramaniamTempleWeddingHallduringThaipusamfestivitiesrecently.

Dato’DrGuna one of the key temple committeememberswasinstrumentalingettingthehallapprovalandBroVejayan&Dr.Subrahelpedtogettheapprovalsand support of all the authorities.A total of 75 pintsof blood were collected and 71 people made organpledges.

Blood Donation & ORGAN PLEDGES CAMPAIGN 2011

Y’SMenClub Ipoh’smission of caring for thefour brothers afflicted with cerebral palsyin Buntong, Ipoh, has never ceased. The

siblings, Patrick, Morgan, Lawrence and Lourdes,requireconstantsupervisionastheirphysicalneedsareimmense.Morgan, 33, however, passed away inMaylastyear.

The threearenowin thecareof theirsister,JeanAntonia. Since coming to their aid in 2007,Y’sMenClubIpohhasbeenconsistentwithitsmonthlydonationconsistingofrice,milk,cookingoil,toiletriesetc.Thememberswereatthebrothers’houseinTamanHarmonirecentlytoperformtheirobligation.

Inspiteofthehelpthebrothersreceived,theyarestillnotmakingendsmeet.ThosewishingtohelpcandosothroughY’sMenClubIpoh.CallK.Letchimananat012-5381939fordetails.

DONATING In Kind

The Federation ofMalaysianManufacturers (FMM)Perak Branch recently held a free and easy social

gatheringforitsmembers.According to its Chairman Dato’ Gan Tak Kong

(pic),FMMhosts twodinnerseachyear.Onea formaldinner, and theother, aneasygoingaffairwhich is themorepopularchoiceofitsmembers.

Guests included officials fromMIDA,MICCI andthePerakFootwear Industry.Over 500of itsmembers

FMM’s Free And Easy Night

wereinattendanceandover220luckyprizeswerewonthatnight.

Entertaining the guests that night was Irena, apopularperformeratcorporatedinnerevents,whohadtheguests“ice-broken” inno timesingingalongwithher and hip-hopping on the stage. She even coaxedDato’Gantocha-chawithheronstage.

Undoubtedly it was an easy going night judgingfrom themovement of guests between tables to toastwithothermembers. JAG

Ed


news roundup

MuchhasbeensaidandwrittenabouttheNewEconomicModelannouncedbythePrimeMinisterlastMay.Thequestionon

everyone’slipsis,“HownewistheNewEconomicPolicyexactly?”

Professor Terence Gomez, a Professor ofPoliticalEconomyatUniversityofMalaya,spokecandidlyon theNEMata recentPerakAcademytalk.TheNEPbroughtaboutmuchgoodinitsfirsttenyearsof implementationbut thereafter,cracksgradually appeared and by mid-2000s seriousstructuralproblemswereapparent.TheMalaysianeconomy is in such a state of malaise that onlydeep structural reforms of the country’s politicaleconomycanaddressthisproblem.

For the NEM to work, Professor Gomezemphasised that several core issues have to beaddressed, the most important being affirmativeaction, a euphemism for race-based preferences.

The NEM promises “market friendly affirmative action”, an oxy-moron that doesnotinspireinvestorconfidenceand,untilpatronageandrent-seekingarecurbed,willremainjustanemptypromise.

ProfessorGomezstressedthatthereisanurgentneedtorevamptheeducationalsysteminMalaysia.There isa limitedcapacityamongst theworkforce toadaptandlearnnewtechnology.Statisticsshowthat80%oftheworkforcehasonlyuptoSPM-levelqualificationsandanearnestrevampisneededtoproducehumancapitalthatcanfeedintoneweconomicsectors.

Adevolutionofpower is important tominimisestate interventionand,hand-in-handwithanimpartialjudiciary,willworkwelltowardsinstillingconfidenceathomeandabroad.

ProfessorGomezobserves thatMalaysiahasa thriving,competentmiddleclassandunlesspublicandinstitutionalreformsareputinplace,therewillbeanetdrainoftalentandbrain.Therecentglobalcrisishasshownaneedtogetourcountry’smuch-politicisedpublicpoliciesanditsdeliverysystemright.

ProfessorGomezendedthetalkbyaskingwhetherthegovernmenthasthepoliticalwill toinstituterealchange.Inplainwords,will thegovernmentwalkthetalk?Anduntilitspoliticaleconomicpoliciesarerectified,Malaysia’seconomywillremaininthedoldrumsandtheNEMwilljustbeanotherNEP.

How New Is New?

Professor Terence Gomez is an Ipohite Michaelian. Besides lecturing and giving talks, he also writes extensively on his chosen field of expertise and has several books to his credit. He has also served as a Research Coordinator at the United Nations Institute for Social Development in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Indian cul-turalharvestfes-tival, Ponggal,celebratedbythe

Indian community at thebeginningof theyearwasadayoffamilyfunfortheIndian parishioners from

Ponggal 2011

theChurchofOurMotherOfPerpetualHelp inIpohGardenrecently.

At the front entranceof the church a colourfulkolam adorned the flooreven though the strongshower the previous nighthad diluted the vibrancyof the design. In the yarda pot of milk was boil-ing over (pic) before thestart of the weekly TamilMass.Subsequentlya trayoffruitandvegetableswaspresented during the of-fertory.After themass thecongregation adjourned tothe garden for breakfastandgames.

The breakfast menuwas the traditional sweetriceandboiledchickpeas(kacangkuda).Thegamesincluded bursting wa-ter balloons while blind

folded i which both gen-ders participated.Anothergamewas grating a coco-nutmanuallyonacoconutscraper.

This was an all malecompetition. For the kidsitwas the colouring com-petition.

The festival whichhas been celebrated bythe Indian parishionersformanyyears,concludedwith a refreshing vegetar-ianlunchandprizegiving.

Meanwhile, about 55familieslivingatPersiaranSungai Pari Timur 10 inTaman Mas celebratedPonggaltogetherbysettingup the pot in each house.The street was decoratedwithkolam(paintingusingrice flour). B.K. Kumar,chairman of the Ponggalcommittee said that thefunctionwasorganisedbytheyoungstersandthetra-dition is being transferredtothenextgeneration.

Inkeepingupwithtra-dition, the celebration in-cludedfolkdanceskolaat-tam (dance in which twosticksareused toproducerhythmic sounds while inmotion)andkummiaattam(dancers clapping handsto keep timing). The mu-sicwasprovidedbyurimimelam (a double headedhour-glassshapeddrum).

Thisisoneoftheocca-sions duringwhich youngboys and girls wear tra-ditional clothes. Teenagegirlswearpavadaithavanior half sari which is be-comingoutoffashion.

Members of RukunTetangga of Taman Masparticipated to show theirsolidarity.Thehighlightof theeventwas shouts of “ponggaloponggal” by those whowitnessedtheboilingoverofthemilk.

JAG/AJ

To Advertise

Ramesh Kumar016 5531092


Yo u r Vo i c e I n T h e C o m m u n i t y

Valerie Chan


Business

Bercham,ahigh-densityareaeastofthecity,istohave another access road. The application for alinkfromthehighway,designedtobelocatedin

theimmediateareafrontingtheGianthypermarketunderconstruction,hasbeenapproved.

AccordingtoJKRStateDirectorDato’IrDr.Safry

Bercham to Have another Entrance

Kamal,theapplicationforthelinkwasmadeayearagobyGiantHypermarket.The hypermarket is currently underconstruction atMedan Bercham Bistari and its locationisimmediatelyparalleltotheNorth-SouthHighway.Itisscheduledforcompletionaroundthemiddleofthisyear.

Dr.SafryKamalsaid that two importantaspects for

Jerneh Insurance, the specialist/leader in offeringcomprehensive tailor-made risk managementinsurancesolutionshasrelocatedtheirofficefrom

GreentownBusinessCentretoGreentownSuria.Jerneh Insurance was recently acquired byAce

InternationalLimited,agloballeaderininsuranceandreinsuranceonDecember1lastyear.Jerneh’seventofJanuary26wastoofficiallyopenitsnew premises and to introduce its agents to its newshareholder.

JernehBranchManagerMsKarenCheah,inheraddress explained that the shift to the newpremiseswasnot just toaccommodatethegrowingstaffforcebut would also be able to provide more efficientservicesdue to thephenomenalgrowthover the lastfewyears.

CheahstatedthattheirgrosspremiumincomehadachievedaquantumleapfromRM12.5millionin2008toRM21.5millionin2010andthankedheragentsandclientsforcontributingtothissuccess.

granting the approval are: 1) safety to the public androad users, and 2) theremust not be the possibility ofbottlenecksorhindrancetotheflowoftraffic.

“AtrafficstudyaswellasaRoadSafetyAudit(RSA)hasbeendoneandfoundtobefeasibletoproceedwiththeproject,”hesaid.

Dr. Safry however added that the city council toohas made an alternative proposal to have the entranceandexitattheIpohEastIndustrialareaandarecurrentlydesigningaflowlinkingittothetrafficlightsonBerchammainroad.

The city council’s design plan will be ready nextmonthandthelinkwouldbeopenbythemiddleofthisyeartocoincidewiththeopeningofthehypermarket.

Bercham’scitycouncillorDavidLaiKongPhooisaidanotherentrancetotheareahadbeenlongfeltnecessary.ItwouldeasethetrafficflowinandoutofBercham,whichisborderedbetweenMedanIpoh,TanjungRambutanandTasekandcoversanareaof8,877hectaresofwhich56%ofthelandisutilisedforhousing,industryandagriculture.Asat2009thepopulationofBerchamwas150,000.

JAG

Jerneh – Office Relocation

Ace International Limited was represented by MrJarrodHill,theRegionalHeadofPropertyandCasualtyAsiaAsiaPacificwhopresentedtheAcecompanyprofiletotheaudiencepresent.

JAG

L-R: Karen Cheah, Jarrod Hill and Mr Lim Sun (CEO of Jerneh)


Obituary Dato’ K.K. Lim – Visionary and IconoclastThereareonlyahandfulofpeoplewhocomeinto

yourworld,andtouchyourlifeinameaningfulfashion.Someof thepeopleare justflickersof

lightwhileothersareabrightflameforyears.Formany,Dato’ Lim Keng Kay was that flame, a bright torchthatlit thewayforhisfamilyandcommunityinIpoh.OnJanuary20, thatflamewentoutandmany in Ipohmournedthelossofthisgiantofaman.

He was an iconoclast, a man who loved life andthrew himself wholeheartedly into any project withpassion.Hewastrulya‘Renaissance’man,witha360degree range of interests and passions ranging fromfood,tothearts,toclassiccarsandantiques.

I firstmetDato’KK over a bed.While thismayraiseafeweyebrows,itwasabouthimcomingdowntoKualaLumpurtoinspectanantiqueChinesebridalbedwhichIwassellingpriortomymovetoIpoh.Hecame,hesawandconcurred–“packitandbringitwithyou”wastheorderandhewasgone.

Iwas subsequently introduced to the ‘bonvivant’KKLimwhowouldcomeoveronaSunday,pickmeupwithhiswifeDatinStellaandhewoulddrivealloverthecountrysideinsearchofgoodfood.

Hisgenerosityknewnobounds.OnedayononeoftheseSundayforayswhenIgotintothecarupsetaftera run-inwith the landlordwhosehouse Iwas renting,hepromptlytookmetohis‘farmhouse’inChemorandofferedittomerentfree!

OhforthehalcyondayswhenIfirstmovedtoIpohwhenKKwasstill in full swingand Iwas introducedto home concerts with visiting musicians, where thesoireeswouldendwithsumptuousspreadsofdelectabletastetreats.

Helovedtoengageindebatesandwecouldargueendlessly on any number of topics, with him alwaystakingtheroleofDevil’sadvocate.Hewasnotknowntosufferfoolsgladlyandwasoftentobefoundcastigatingfamily,friendsandstaffinhisusualdeepthroatedvoice.However, everyone who knew him, knew about hisbig heart andmost of the chastisementwould usuallyend up as water off the proverbial duck’s back. Infact,towardstheendofhislifewhenhewassufferingfromhis deteriorating emphysema, every timehewas

heard shouting atsomeone, I wouldsmileandsay,“Ohhe sounds likehe’s in good shapetoday”.

Born in Tapahin July 1936,Dato’ KK had hisearly education atthe governmentEnglish Schoolthere, followedby secondaryeducation atSt Michael’s

Institution,Ipoh.HewasawardedaFederalscholarshipto readMining Engineering at London University andenteredtheRoyalSchoolofminesatImperialCollegein1956wherehereceivedaBachelorofScienceinMiningEngineering.HewasaCharteredEngineerandaFellowoftheInstituteofMiningandMetallurgyandInstituteofMiningEngineers.

ReturningtoMalaysiain1961,hejoinedGovernmentserviceandworkedfornineyearsasMinesInspectorinIpoh,BatuGajahandJohorBaru.SubsequentworkasaTinMiningConsultant led toconnections thatsawhimeventually takeoverRockChemical Industries and theMamutCopperMineinSabah.

Thisledtoheadydaysasacorporateplayerwherehewasinvolvedinrescuingailingcompaniesandactingasa‘whiteknight’,injectingprofitableassetsandrelistingthem.Giftedwithuncannysixthsense,hesoldPalmcoanditsassetsjustbeforethecurrencycrisishitin1996.Facing a temporary cash flowbind in 2003,Dato’KKsoldtherestofhisholdingsandquitthecorporatesceneforgood.

With his penchant for reviving under-performingcompanies, and in preparation for his ‘retirement’ ashewounddownfromthecorporateworld,hestartedtoacquirestakesin3highprofile‘ailing’propertyprojectsinIpoh,GreentownBusinessCentre,KlebangIndustrialEstate (now known as EcoCity in Bandar Baru Sri

Klebang)andMeruValleyGolfResort.The success of these three projects now speak

for themselves and is testimony to the skilledentrepreneurshipexhibitedbyDato’KKinhisbusinesslife.

Ashishealthdeterioratedinthelatteryearswiththeemphysemawhicheventuallytookhislife,hebecamemoreandmoreinvolvedwithhispassiontobringIpoh,hishometownwhichheloved,backtoitsformerglory.In his philanthropic activities, he adamantly avoidedpublicity,preferringtodonateandsupportinprivate.

He supported the preservation of history throughhis involvement with Ipoh World Sdn Bhd, was afoundingmemberof thePerakAcademyandapatronof the Perak Society of PerformingArts in Ipoh. Herecently supported the formation of the Kinta ValleyWindOrchestraandwasthesoledonortogetitstarted.

WhentheIpohEchoranintofinancialdifficultiesandwasabouttobedownsizedbyfoundersSivaprasagamandFatholZamanBukhariin2007,Dato’KKsteppedin and injected funds and extra manpower, whichenabledIpoh’sowncommunitypapertobethevibrantandlivelypaperthatistoday,aligningwithhisvisionof‘bringingthebuzzbacktoIpoh’.

The most lasting impact his philanthropy hasachievedisintheestablishmentoftheSiwuEducationTrustwhichrunstheTenbyEducareSchools.Thisnot-for-profitTrustwhichisrunbyateamofprofessionaleducatorswithschoolsinShahAlam,PenangandIpoh,willcontinuetocarryforwardthelegacyleftbehindbyDato’KK,whosevisionis thatofa‘UnitedWorldAtPeace-throughEducation’.

DatoKKhadafirmbelief that it isonly througheducation that many of the world’s problems can besolved.Heusedtosay,“Childrenareourfuture.Itisthepositiveexperienceofgrowingup,playingandstudyingtogetherinaharmoniousenvironmentinschoolthatwillshapethemtobeopen-mindedadults.Moreimportantly,in inculcatingagenuineunderstandingofallcultures,religions and differences, then unity andworld peacecanbeachieved.”

WewillmissyouDato’KK.

Jerry Francis:A Man Who Treasures Friendships

I havesomefondmemoriesofthelateDato’K.K.Limsincewestruckafriendshipwayback in1982whenI joined theRoyal IpohClub.Dato’waselectedas theclub’spresidentin1985.AsIwasoneofthemembers,whowasinstrumentalinmovingthedartactivities

fromthe“Men’sBar”toanothersectionoftheclub-house,heappointedmeasdarts’secretary.Withhissupport,dartsbecamepopularintheclub.

After his second termas club’spresident ended in1987, hewas rarely seen intheclub.Wehardlymet.HewasbusywithhisbusinessactivitiesandIwasbusyasajournalistcoveringthesecurityoperationsinPerak.

Iwassurprisedsomeyearslatertoreceiveaninvitationtohisson,LimSiBoon’swedding.Insteadofthecustomaryinvitationcard,itwasverypersonalintheformofawell-wordedletter.Ialwaysrememberhiswordsthathewasplanningtheweddingreception in a resort in Pangkor Island as an “excuse” to be reunited with his oldfriends.

Asajournalist,IhaveoftenreceivedinvitationstovariousoccasionsandthereforesometimeswonderwhetherIwasbeinginvitedasafriendorforpublicitypurposes.

However,Dato’seemedtohavereadmymind,ringingtwodayslaterandassuringmethathedidnotwantanypublicityforthewedding,butmypresenceasafriend.Howcananyoneturndownsuchaninvitation,somywifeandIacceptedthethreedays-twonightsstayintheislandresort,whichhehadfullybooked.Itwasamemorable“fantasy island” experience with a well-organised reception team to look after theguests.

Itwasindeedareunionofoldfriends.Hehadsucceededingettingtogetheroverahundredfriendsandtheirspousesforthefunction.Amongthemjudges,politicians,seniorpoliceofficersandseniorgovernmentservants,whohadonceservedinIpohandhadsincetransferredtootherpartsofthecountryorretiredandmovedabroad.Itwasatestimonyofhowmuchhetreasuredtheirfriendships.Iwashonouredandprivilegedtobeoneofhisfriends.

Eversincewere-establishedourcontact,wehavebeenkeepingintouchwitheachother. Justprior tomyretirementasa journalist,heevenmademesome joboffers,whichIdeclinedasIwantedtorelaxafterworkingforover30years.WhenhelearnedthatIhadwrittenabook“TurbulentYears inPerak–AMemoir”,hevolunteeredtohelppublishit.

Inlate2009whenherangmeandrequestedthatIjointheeditorialteamoftheIpohEchoashewanted tomake thenewspaper thevoiceof the localcommunity, Ifoundithardtodeclineasitcamefromadearfriend.

I haveknownKKsincehehadaminingconsultancypracticeinHaleStreet.Hewasmeticulousandhadanunrelentingobsessionfordetail.Tohimtherewasnomatterthatwastoosmallorinsignificantthatdidnotdeservetotalundivided

attention.ItwasaqualitythatIwastoobserveinallhisdealings.An early project I did with him was the formation of the OldMichaelian’s

Association.HebeganthetraditionofemployingtheAssociationtoraisefundsfortheschoolwhichcontinuestothisday.

Heappreciatedgoodfoodandhadintimateknowledgeofwhatwasgoodwhetheritbehawkerorfinedining.

In 2001 I was involvedwith him in the formation of the PerakAcademy, aplatformfortheprivatesectortoplayaroleinrevivingPerak.Itwastorealisehisphilosophy‘stopcomplaining–dowhatyoucantobringimprovement’.

MymostrecentassociationwithhimhasbeenintheIpohEcho.Thoughdomineeringbynaturehewasoftengeneroustoafault.Hewasoneoftherarebeingswhowouldgoanextramiletosupportanyprojecthefeltwouldbenefitsociety.

DuringtheentiretimeIhadknownhimheneverceasedtoamazemenotonlywith his determination and desire to improve everything but the knowledge hepossessedofwhathewastalkingabout.

His passing is not only a loss to his family and friends but to the Ipohcommunity.

G. Sivaprasagam:My introduction to Dato’ Lim Keng Kay (or KK Lim to many) would not havehappenedhaditnotbeenforIpohEcho,acommunitynewspaperG.SivapragasamandIstartedinmid-2005.Thecountry’sonlycommunitynewspaperwouldhavediedanaturaldeathhadnotKKLimthrownalifeline.Wewereonthevergeofgivingup,asfundingforthepaperwasfastdwindling.Theoneoptionleftwastodownsizeoperationsortoreducefrequencytooneissuepermonthinsteadoftwo,asallowedbytheHomeMinistrypermit.

Imadeitapointtohand-deliverIpohEchotoKKLim’shouseanditmusthavebeenononeoftheseforaysthatthemancametorealiseourpredicament.HecalledSivaandmeovertohishouseonedayandwehadalongchat.HeaskedhowhecouldhelpmakethepaperviableandtoprolongtheprojectSivaandIhadstarted.Sensinghissincerityinwantingtohelp,weacceptedhisofferwithopenarms.

KKLim’sattentionfordetailwasphenomenal.Ilikenhimtoaseasonedgeneralwhoplanshisbattlemeticulouslybeforecommittinghistroopstobattle.Andbeingaformersoldier,Ifindthiscommander-subordinaterelationshipmostconducive.Hewas not an easyman to please. I learned this early by observation rather than byexperience.Inspiteofhisfailinghealth,hetookituponhimselftoprepareasolidfoundationforthepapertoflourish.Therest,liketheysay,ishistory.

KKLim’saltruismisnotconfinedtohelpingastrugglingcommunitynewspaperonlybutaslewofotherprojects,ofwhicheducationisone.HewillbesorelymissedbyallIpohites,especiallythosewhoseheartshetouched.

Fathol Zaman Bukhari:

By SeeFoon Chan-Koppen


Tourism

Good food is synonymouswith Ipoh and this hasbeen acknowledged by all and sundry.Realising

its potential vis-a-vis the tourism industry, TourismMalaysiaPeraktooktheinitiativetomakeIpohfoodoneofthemany“touristicproducts”forpromotion.The Perak chapter has in fact crafteda promotional booklet entitled,“Ipoh Food Trail” fordistribution to tourists– local and foreign.The 12-page bookletprovidesdetailsonwell-sought-after food outletswithin the city limits.Some25premisesarebeingillustratedforeasyreferencebyreaders.

Launching of the bookletwas done at Pangkor IslandBeach Resort recently inconjunction with the “PangkorIsland – The Sun, Sea and SandsEscapade”, an excursion tailor-made for media representatives andsponsoredbyTourismMalaysiaPerak.ItwasofficiatedbytheStateInformationChief, Dato’ Hamidi Abu Bakar. Inattendance were Nor Hasni Saidin, theDeputyDirectorofTourismMalaysiaPerakandmembersofthepress.

Booklet on Ipoh Food

“The allure of Ipoh food is notsomethingpeculiar to localsonlybutforeigners, as well,” said Hasni toIpoh Echo. “Tourism Hong Kongsent its reporters recently to write

onourfood,”sheremarked.“ThisgoestoshowthatIpohfoodisamarketableproduct.”

The initiative by Tourism Malaysia Perak topromotefoodwasastepintherightdirection,saidDato’

Hamidi. “The availability of this booklet will helptourists, and those keen on savouring Ipoh’s culinarydelights,tofindtheirwayinthecity.”

“Ipoh Food Trail” is available at all TourismMalaysia offices in the country and at Ipoh Echo.TourismMalaysiaPerakoffice isat:12,JalanMedanIstana 2, Bandar Ipoh Raya. Call 05-2559962 forenquiries.

RM

ThaipusamisaHindufestivalcelebratedbytheTamilcommunityonthefullmoonintheTamilmonthofThai(January/February).Thewordisanamalgamofthemonth ThaiandPusam,astarwhichisatitshighestpointduringthefestival.The

eventcommemoratestheoccasionwhenParvatigaveMuruganavel(spear)sohecouldvanquishtheevildemonSurapadman.

MuruganwascreatedduringoneofthebattlesbetweentheAsuras(Surapadman)andtheDevas.Thelatterweredefeatedseveraltimesbytheformer.Indespair,theDevas approachedShivaandbeggedhimtogivethemanableleadertofighttheAsuras.Shivagranted their request by creatingMurugan out of his ownpower.Murugan assumedleadershipofthecelestialforcesanddefeatedtheAsuras.Tohonourtheoccasion,thepeoplecelebratedThaipusamsignifyingthevictoryofgoodoverevil.

WhathaskavaditodowithThaipusam?MuruganwascaughteavesdroppingShivaandParvatiandwasseverelyreprimanded.Muruganvowednottorepeatthemistakeanddecidedtodopenancetopleasehisguardians.

Kavadisarecarriedbydevoteeswhowish tofulfilavow.Theywillpierce theirbodies with iron skewers and carry the vel, acknowledging Murugan’s mettle indestroyingtheforcesofevil.

Thisyear’sThaipusamprovidedmeanopportunity towitness theevent inBatuCaves,KualaLumpurandtheKallumaalaiTemple,Ipoh.Myunclecarriedthekavadi tofulfilavowhehadmade.

As we inched our way along the path leading to the temple, I witnessed someverypoorhabitsoftheIndiancommunity.Thetempleissupposedtobeasacredplacebutrubbishwaseverywhere.Thecrowdwaslargeanduncontrollable.Inspiteof the

Thaipusam – A Comparison

mayhem,my uncle accomplished hismission of paying homage toMurugan. I thenreturnedtoIpohtoseehowthefestivalwascelebrated.

Itwasliketwoextremes.ThingsweremoreorganisedinIpoh.Thereweresufficientsecuritypersonnelpresenttopreventanyuntowardincidents.Kavadibearersweregivenpriority. Garbage bins were provided thus the area looked clean. It was unlike BatuCaves.

Ofthetwo,Ipoh’sThaipusamwasmostpleasant.Keesh

Community Photos by Ed Shahir

Photo by Ed Shahir


IpohBugisanon-profitorganisationestablishedwiththeprimaryaimofestablishinghealthycommunitiesespeciallyamongyouthsthroughsports,musicand

social projects. DirectorWilliamChang believes thatthedisciplineandgoodvaluescultivatedthroughsportsandwholesome activitieswill have an impact on theyouthsandtheircommunities.

“Sports is a powerful tool to unite and educatetoday’syouth,”heremarked.Truetotheorganisation’svision ‘Where Sports Meets Friendship’, IpohBugrecentlyorganisedasportscarnivalfortheIpohyouths.Basketball U18 and football U18 competitions wereheld in JKKK Gunung Rapat basketball court andTamanD.R.Seenivasagamfootballfieldsrespectively.

The competitions attracted many aspiringplayers from the city’s community. In the basketballcompetition, Tasek Tayar was crowned as champion,followedbyfirstrunner-upElimandsecondrunner-upJKKKGunungRapat.Inthefootballcompetition,SuriaFCwascrownedchampionand secondplacewent toIpohBug Team A. The third placing went to PerakChinese Recreation Club (PCRC). Prizes andmedalswerepresentedtothewinningteamsattheendofthesportscarnival.

“IpohBugwillcontinuetopartnerwithindividualsandorganisationsinIpohandbeyondtomakeagreaterdifferenceforthecommunities,”saysWilliam.

SportIPOHBUG SPORTS Carnival 2010

ItwastrulyamagicaleveningwithafullmoonthatcastasilveryglowovertheentiresiteofTheHavenLakesideResidencesinTambunonJanuary22.TheoccasionwastheannouncementofwinnersofTheHaven’s“NametheRock”contestorganised

bySuperboomProjectsSdnBhd,developersofTheHaven.The contest winners had come from far and wide to receive cash prizes totallingRM50,000.Thepressandpublicwereinvitedtowitnesstheexcitingfinaletoamonth-longcontest thathadattractedover2,000entriesfromallover theworld, includingHongKongandtheMiddleEast.

Rockhaven WinsIntheend,theluckywinnerwasCambridgeEnglishforLifeCentreManagerLydiaTehfromKualaLumpur,whotooktheRM25,000grandprizeforhernamefortherock,whichwassimply“Rockhaven”.Theoverwhelmedmotheroffourwasatalossfor

wordswhenshewasinformedthatshewasthegrandprizewinner.

“I found out aboutthe contest from a randomcontestwebsite anddecidedtotakepartjustforfun.Ihadsubmitted three entries anddid not know until the finalmoment which name hadwontheprize.

“I’mreallydelightedandthis is the best ang pow forme just in time forChineseNew Year!” said Teh, whohadcomewithherfamilytoIpohtocollecttheprize.

Apanelofthreejudges,headed by Ipoh DatukBandar, Dato’ Roshidi binHaji Hashim (the othertwo were Professor Dr.Bernard Pierson, ShellChairatUniversitiPetronas,and Ms SeeFoon Chan-Koppen, director of IpohEcho) selected thewinningname “Rockhaven” for its

Moonlight and Magic at The Haven as Contest Winner Walks Away With RM25,000

simplicityandthefactthatitwouldbeimmediatelyassociatedwithTheHaven.

Extensive Geological StudyTheHavenhasbeenhome to this 14 storeyhigh imposing rock formore than260millionyears,accordingtoProfessorDr.BernardPierson,whodatedtherockafteranextensivegeologicalstudyintoit.“Onlythreeotherplacesintheworldhavesuchrocks–Guilin,HalongBayandPhuket.SoMalaysians,especiallyPerakeans,shouldbeveryproudofthefactthatwehavesuchararespeciesofgeologyinourownbackyard,sotospeak,”saysProfDr.Pierson,whoispassionateabouthiswork.CEOofSuperboomProjectsMrPeterChansaidthatthecontestwasinspiredbytheraregeologicalfindthattherockrepresents.

“Weareveryconsciousoftheenvironmentandeveryeffortisbeingmadetoensurethatnatural stateof the siteofTheHavenLakesideResidencesand its surroundingareasarecarefullypreserved.Therockandthepristinelakeinwhichitrestswillbeleftuntouchedsothatourresidentscanenjoythemintheirnaturalstate,”saidChan.

Chanadded that the lakewas a “live”one thatwashome tomanyvarietiesoffishandotherlakelife.“WeareveryexcitedatthegeologicaldiscoverybyProfDr.PiersonandorganisedthecontesttonametherocksothatMalaysiansandevenpeoplearoundtheworldwillgettoknowabout‘Rockhaven’andvisitit,”Chansaid.Supermodel AmberThemagical moonlit evening was also given some “star attraction” by the specialappearanceofMalaysia’sSupermodelandcelebrityAmberChia,whogaveawaytheprizes.

“It’ssuchabeautifulnightandIamsohappytobeheretoseetherockformyselfatnight.Itlookstrulymagical,withthefullmoonreflectedinthelakeinwhichtherock sits. I havebeen toTheHavenbefore in theday, andwas so impressed that Iimmediatelybookedaunit.Butatnightitistrulyamagicalexperience”,saysAmberChia,whoisfromIpohbutnowisbasedinKL.AmberboughtacondoatTheHaven“forinvestmentaswellasfor“holidaysherewithmyfamily,especiallymyhusbandandnewbornbabyson.”

Winning SloganThewinningslogan,“Bringsheaven,earthandmanclosertogether”–submittedbyMrLeeTakLungfromPenang–earnedthetopprizeofRM5,000cash.TheHavenisaneco-resortdevelopmentontheedgeofavirginforest,surroundedbylimestonehillsandwithapristinelakethatisonlyminutesawayfromthecitycentre.Whencomplete,itsthreetowerblockswillbethetallestbuildingsinIpoh,equippedwithfullfivestarcondofacilities,andstateoftheartsecurity.Twoofthethreeblocksarealmostsoldout.Theremainingtower,TowerB,willbeunveiledon30JanuaryinconjunctionwithTheHaven’sofficiallaunch,withspeciallaunchpromotionsforthefirst50buyers.

More information is available from 1-700-8-1700-0 or www.thehaven.com.my.

About HockeyWhenonetalksabouthockeytotheplayersofyesteryeartheir memory floats back to the hockey team of 1975when Malaysia came fourth in the World Cup. Thatachievement was definitely a catalyst that spurred thegrowthofhockeyatall levels.The interschoolhockeycompetitioninIpohPadanginthelate70sandearly80’susedtogeneratesomuchinterest.Thekeencompetitionwasonlymatchedbytheintenserivalryoftherespectivesupporters. Then hockey was played at a recreationallevelintheeveningsashowfootballisevenplayedtoday.Howeverwiththeadventofsportsschoolsandtheneedforexcellenceineducationtosecureplacesininstitutionsofhigherlearning,thefateofhockeyhasbeenrelegatedtoasportofthebygoneera.Wecannotseehockeybeingplayedintheeveningsanywhere.

History of Kelab Sukan 30-50 IpohHowevertherearestillamongstuswholovethegameofhockey,somuchsothatinthelate80’saloosecoalitionofplayerwhohaveplayedatdistrict,state,nationalandinternational level got together and founded a hockeyclub,calledtheKelabSukan30-50Ipoh.Thisclubwasmeantforplayerswhohavepassedtheirprimeintermsofplayingbutstillinterestedinknockingtheballaround.TheKelabwasofficiallyregisteredonApril15,1998andithasaround20membersat themoment.Even thoughit is funded by the members the Kelab Sukan 30-50,IpohcanboastofaclubhouseatMedanIstanawhichisfrequentedbymembersandtheirfamilies.

ActivitiesThemembersregularlygettogethertoplayhockeyeverySaturday inSultanAzlanShah turf in theevening.TheKelab also regularly plays host to local as well as outstationandforeignveteranhockeyteams.Theoutstationaswell as the foreign teamsarenormallyhostedat theclubhousewithrefreshmentsanddrinksafterthegamein

arelaxedatmosphere.TheepitomeoftheKelab’sactivityisthehostingoftheannualveteranshockeyfest(40yearsand above). The recent 13th Hockey Invitation held onOctober 2, 2010 attracted a record number of 12 teamsfrom all over the countrywhichwas held at the SultanAzlanShahturfandthereafteradinnerwashostedforallthe participating teams.Also a ‘pot-luck’ style dinner isheldregularlywhereallthemembersandtheirfamilygettogetherforanightout.

Junior Hockey ProgrammeAshockeyishardlyplayedasarecreationalgameitisnothardtoforeseeitsfuture.Thereforeinordertoattemptitsrevival, theKelab decided to run a junior hockey clinicforchildrenrangingfromtheagesof5 to18years.Theprogramme has been successfully ongoing for 10 years.Forthosewhoareinterestedinsendingyourchildren.Thejuniorhockeyclinic isheldeverySaturdayat theSultanAzlan Shah turf (subject to availability of turf) from3-5 p.m.A fee of RM30 is charged per child for every10sessionsasthemoneyisneededtodefraythecostofbookingtheturfandpaymentofotherincidentals.ThoseinterestedinsendingyourchildrencancontacteitherMr.S.V.Namasoo (012-5083702) orMr.Thambirajah (016-5233442)forfurtherinformation.

Let’s keep the game of hockey alive.Anyone whofallswithin the category of veterans and interested in aworkoutattheturfcanjoinusduringtheweekend.

S.V. Namasoo

Junior Hockey Training By Kelab Sukan 30-50 Ipoh

Did you know we have 36,000 on-line visitors monthly? Read updated news or have your advertisements

reach these potential customers at: www.ipohecho.com.my

For ads call: Ramesh 016-5531092


ResidentslivingonJalanLangareconcernedaboutthesafetyoftheretainingwallsoftheflyoveralongKualaKangsarRoad.Theyfeelthattheplantsand

treesgrowinginthegapsbetweentheconcreteslabsoftheretainingwallcouldcauseittocollapse.

When I visited the site to take photos, I noticedthat plants and trees are growingon thewall and,moreimportantly, found that the ground below the flyover isbeingusedasadumpingground,especiallyforconstructionmaterials.ThereisagapinthesafetybarrieralongJalanAnthonyandunscrupulouspeopleareusingthisspacetoenteranddumptheirwastes.Thedrainsarealsoovergrownwithgrassandweedspreventingwaterfromflowingfreely.Anumberofdrainpipesmeanttocarryrainwaterfromtheflyovertothegroundarebroken.

The land under the flyover and connecting roads isratherbig.Thisgroundcanbeconvertedintoaparkandthe trees and flyover would provide shade. This wouldprovideanidealrecreationalfacilityforresidentslivinginnearbyhousingestates.

ExpertsfromMBImustvisitthesiteanddecidewhatremedialworkhastobedonetomaintaintheplace.

A. Jeyaraj

New Dump Site below Kuala Kangsar Road Flyover

Thumbs Down

The Ipoh Wine andFood Society heldtheirfirst dinnerof

the year at the BanjaranHotsprings Retreat onJanuary 14. The Ipohbranchofthisinternationalsocietywasstartedin1996andhasbeenholdingtheirquarterlygatheringswhere

IWFS at the Banjaran

membersmeetinconvivialsettings for the expresspurpose of enjoying goodfoodandwine.

For this function,members from the sisterclubinKualaLumpuranda President of the club inVictoria Australia, MsYvonne Wallis joined the

restof theIpohmembersfor amemorableeveningof camaraderie, canapés,champagneandConoSur,anorganicwine thatwasservedwiththedelectablespacuisine.

Fifty guests, theladiesinalltheireveningfinery, gathered first in

Jeff’s Cellar, named afterfounder and developer ofthe Sunway group whichowns the Banjaran, TanSri Jeffrey Cheah, asthey sipped champagneand ogled his formidableprivate wine collection.Many were totallyawestruck by the settingandambianceof thisgiantcave with its stalactitesand stalagmites artfullyilluminated and tastefullyfurnished in understatedseatingconfigurations.

Dinner in the Pomelorestaurant was a raucousaffair as President C.K.Cheah welcomed guestsfrom out of town andacknowledged the peoplewho helped to make theeveningasuccess.

More information onbecoming a member maybe obtained from Doreenat 019-510 3270 or email:[email protected].

SFCK

The Committee

Wine discussion inside private cellar


ByJerry Francis

My Say

TheclearingupofillegalrubbishdumpsintheRapatSetiaareaisonly“thetipofaniceberg”.Thereisstill amountain ofwastes from the thousandsof

suchillegalrubbishdumpsinthecity.Therefore, the IpohCityCouncil needs to be very

seriousaboutclearingthem.Otherwise,thecouncilcouldbecaughtwithitspantsdown,justaswhentheRajaMudaofPerakRajaDr.NazrinShah,decidedtopersonallyin-specttheaffectedareainRapatSetialastSeptemberfol-lowingaletterpublishedbyIpohEcho.

MayorDato’RoshidiHashimmusthave felt ratherspeechlesswhenRajaNazrin saw for himself the seri-ousnessofthesituationresultingfromthecitycouncil’sfailuretorespondtotheresidents’complaintsabouttheillegaldumpingandopenburningsinthearea.

The city councilmust start to initiate the clean upthroughoutthecityandatthesametimebeseriousaboutenforcingregulationstoactagainsttheirresponsiblepeo-plewhowould immediately start dumping themomenteachillegaldumpiscleared.

Some of those irresponsible residents must bedraggedtocourttoshowthatthecitycouncilisserious

Don’t Wait For Another Royal Visit To Start Cleaning Up

about taking action. Post plainclothes enforce-ment officers at such illegal rubbish dumps tocatchtheculprits,asmerewarningsdonotseemto work. Those caught must be slapped withheavy fines, which can be channelled towardsclean-upoperations.

Failureby thecitycouncil todealwith theillegalrubbishdumps(estimatedatover15,000)would further aggravate the problem.CertainlythecitycouncildoesnotneedtowaitforanotherRoyalvisittogetseriousaboutclearingtherub-bishdumpsscatteredthroughoutthecity.

The clean-up at Rapat Setia is a lesson. Itneeded 600 lorry loads to remove the heaps of12,000tonnesofwastesatTamanHarmonyandTamanKoperasi, andanothermonth (perhapsathousandmorelorry-loads)forthecontractortoclear thebalanceof the two-thirdof thewastesaccumulatedthereovertheyears.

Whymustratepayers’moneybeusedfortheclean-upoperations?Whynotletthoseguiltyofdumpingrub-bish illegallypay for thecleaningup?Thebiggest cul-pritsaretheoperatorsofsmalllorries,whowould,forafee,cartawaywastesanddumpthematthenearestcon-venientplace.

The city council also needs to ensure that everyhouseholdisequippedwitharubbishbin.Asitis,manyhouseholdsarehanging theirdomesticwastes inplasticbagsonthefencesortreesinfrontoftheirhouses,likeChristmasdecorations.Suchbundlesareoftenrummagedbystraycattleordogs,resultinginthewastesbeingscat-tered about. Residents have often been seen throwingplasticbagsofdomesticwastesintomonsoondrainsandalongroadsontheirwaytoworkeachmorning.

Ihadexpectedthattherecentcallbythefederalgov-ernmenttoallstatesandlocalgovernmentstostepupthemoveagainstDenguewouldresultinamajorcleanlinesscampaign.ButitappearstheeffortsinIpohhavefizzledout.Heapsofrubbishandcloggeddrainsareseenalloverthecityandthereseemstobenoattemptbeingtakentoclearthem.

Published by Ipoh Echo Sdn Bhd, No 1, Jalan Lasam, 30350 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan and printed by Konway industries sdn Bhd, Plot 78, Lebuhraya Kampong Jawa, 11900 Bayan Baru, Pulau Pinang.

IpohEcho,initsefforttoservethecommunity,willcon-tinue with the “dirt vigilantes” campaign to spot dirtyplacesandhighlightthem.

It hopes that togetherwith the city council and theresidents,thecitycanrestoreitslostimageasoneofthecleanestcities in thecountry,andonly thencan thecitylive up to its sloganof “Bersih,Hijau danMembangun(Clean,GreenandProgressive).”

Documents

FEBRUARY 1-15, 2011 PP 14252/10/2011(026531) 30 SEN FOR ...ipohecho.com.my/pdf/113.pdf · are even getting bolder. Ipoh Garden Early last month, a house-wife, who refused to be identified,