THE Ipoh City Council has extended the viewing period of the Ipoh Draft Local Plan 2020 to Sept 22.
Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim said the original closing date for the display of the plan was Aug 23.
“But due to overwhelming response from the people, non-governmental organisations, associations and individuals who want their say on how the city should be developed, we decided to extend the viewing period to Sept 22,” he said after chairing the council’s full board meeting in Ipoh yesterday.
The plan can be viewed at the Perak Town and Country Planning Department on Jalan Panglima Bukit Gantang Wahab and the Ipoh City Council building from 9am to 4pm daily.
A plan to implement a light rail transit (LRT) service is among the proposals in the Ipoh Draft Local Plan 2020.
The proposed service is aimed at connecting the city centre with Meru Raya, Menglembu, Station 18 in Pengkalan, Simpang Pulai and Tanjung Rambutan.
The setting up of a new 224ha solid waste disposal centre in Papan is another proposal contained in the draft plan.
Roshidi said the council had also received applications from some organisations for briefings on the plan.
“The council’s Town Planning director and secretary will handle the briefings,” he said.
He assured that all views related to the plan would be taken into account by the council.
Earlier when chairing the board meeting, Roshidi said the council recorded an increase in its collection of revenue in the first seven months of the year compared to the corresponding period last year.
“Until July this year, the council collected RM134.5mil compared to RM130.8mil during the same period last year,” he said.
Roshidi also tabled the council’s budget for 2011 and 2012 at the meeting.
The council budgeted RM175,966,000 for 2001 and RM178,600,000 for 2002.
Roshidi said the budgets for the two years would both be balanced as the projected expenditures were the same as the estimated revenues.
Making Ipoh the most liveable city in Malaysia
Friday, August 27, 2010
Plan to rebuild market shelved Ipoh mayor: RM6mil allocation also withdrawn - The Star
By SYLVIA LOOI (sylvia@thestar.com.my)
THE project to rebuild the Gunung Rapat wet market in Ipoh has been put off indefinitely.
Confirming this yesterday, Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim said the RM6mil allocation from the Federal Government for the project had also been withdrawn.
“It saddens me as it is not easy to get allocation from the Federal Government,” he said after chairing the council’s full board meeting.
Roshidi said refurbishment as suggested by traders would not solve the market’s problem.
“If we refurbish the place, only licensed traders will be able to trade there. What about the illegal traders outside the market?” he asked.
He said the council’s intention of building a new market was to give everyone the opportunity to trade.
“I was merely thinking of the people’s welfare when I suggested to rebuild the market. I did so with good intentions and in good faith as a government servant,” Roshidi said.
Work to rebuild the market was supposed to have started in May but was postponed due to objections from traders.
On a another matter, Roshidi said private security personnel would be employed to patrol the Ipoh central market following an arson attempt at the market’s hawker centre recently.
He also told the traders there not to rely solely on the council for the market’s security.
In the Aug 12 incident, business at the market’s hawker centre was temporarily disrupted following a fire which destroyed a dough fritters stall and slightly damaged a rice stall.
Traders had claimed that security at the centre was lax and that there were drug addicts roaming there every night.
THE project to rebuild the Gunung Rapat wet market in Ipoh has been put off indefinitely.
Confirming this yesterday, Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim said the RM6mil allocation from the Federal Government for the project had also been withdrawn.
“It saddens me as it is not easy to get allocation from the Federal Government,” he said after chairing the council’s full board meeting.
Roshidi said refurbishment as suggested by traders would not solve the market’s problem.
“If we refurbish the place, only licensed traders will be able to trade there. What about the illegal traders outside the market?” he asked.
He said the council’s intention of building a new market was to give everyone the opportunity to trade.
“I was merely thinking of the people’s welfare when I suggested to rebuild the market. I did so with good intentions and in good faith as a government servant,” Roshidi said.
Work to rebuild the market was supposed to have started in May but was postponed due to objections from traders.
On a another matter, Roshidi said private security personnel would be employed to patrol the Ipoh central market following an arson attempt at the market’s hawker centre recently.
He also told the traders there not to rely solely on the council for the market’s security.
In the Aug 12 incident, business at the market’s hawker centre was temporarily disrupted following a fire which destroyed a dough fritters stall and slightly damaged a rice stall.
Traders had claimed that security at the centre was lax and that there were drug addicts roaming there every night.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Lamps that don’t work - The Star
WALL mounted street lamps along more than 15 streets in Ipoh have not been functioning for the last three years.
A random survey by the Tebing Tinggi Barisan Nasional service centre found that either all lamps on these streets were not functioning or only one or two were lit up at night.
Among the streets are Jalan Yang Kalsom where only three out of 10 lights are working while all eight lights along Jalan Theatre are not functioning.
Tebing Tinggi Barisan Nasional coordinator Tony Khoo said complaints had been lodged with Tenaga Naisonal Bhd (TNB) but the utility company claimed that parked cars and hawkers who placed tables and chairs under the lights were preventing them from carrying out maintenance works.
“This is just an excuse as not all these streets are busy all the time,” Khoo said.
He said the Ipoh City Council was able to conduct maintenance work on the wall mounted street lamps along Jalan Mesjid in the city.
“If the council can do it, I do not see why TNB can’t,” he added.
When contacted, a TNB spokesman said the company would investigate the claims but declined to make further comments.
A random survey by the Tebing Tinggi Barisan Nasional service centre found that either all lamps on these streets were not functioning or only one or two were lit up at night.
Among the streets are Jalan Yang Kalsom where only three out of 10 lights are working while all eight lights along Jalan Theatre are not functioning.
Tebing Tinggi Barisan Nasional coordinator Tony Khoo said complaints had been lodged with Tenaga Naisonal Bhd (TNB) but the utility company claimed that parked cars and hawkers who placed tables and chairs under the lights were preventing them from carrying out maintenance works.
“This is just an excuse as not all these streets are busy all the time,” Khoo said.
He said the Ipoh City Council was able to conduct maintenance work on the wall mounted street lamps along Jalan Mesjid in the city.
“If the council can do it, I do not see why TNB can’t,” he added.
When contacted, a TNB spokesman said the company would investigate the claims but declined to make further comments.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Villa with a colourful past - The Star
By FOONG THIM LENG (north@thestar.com.my)
Accessible to the public: Garden Villa on Jalan Dr Nazrin Shah (Jalan Gopeng) Ipoh is now leased to the Kinta Heritage Group.
THE century-old Garden Villa, a magnificent heritage building in Ipoh, is now open free for use to hold activities that promote Perak’s nature, culture, art and history.
Kinta Heritage Group chairman Jek Yap said the group wanted to “save” Ipoh, which he claimed, lacked activities and opportunities in those fields.
“Ipoh is lacking behind other cities in terms of vibrancy for years. Even a town like Sungai Petani seems to have more life than Ipoh,” he said in an interview.
Garden Villa, located at No 5, Jalan Dr Nazrin Shah (Gopeng Road), was one of the bungalows in the state belonging to multi-millionaire businessman Eu Tong Sen in the early 1900s.
The Anglo-Malay architectural style villa was originally designed as an annex to Eu’s palatial residence Forest Lodge situated in Chateau Garden nearby.
Yap said Garden Villa was used as a private clubhouse by Eu and his rich friends in the early days.
The villa has only two rooms used for storage, a spacious hall, a loft and toilets. A Japanese colonel occupied the villa during the Second World War.
Yap said the local residents used to collect their rice rations from the Japanese in the villa’s compound.
The Japanese, he said, even built a shelter under the floorboards and wooden bars on the windows in one of the rooms in case of attacks.
He said the villa was later sold to a prominent family in Ipoh.
The patriarch of the family then presented the villa as a wedding present to his daughter who now resides in Singapore.
Yap said the villa had been used as a kindergarten and a church in recent years.
Kinta Heritage Group now has a six-year lease agreement with the owner.
Occasionally, the Malaysian Nature Society, Perak branch, uses the villa for meetings. A martial art group also uses the villa for lessons three times a week.
Yap said the villa was now open for use by any association or group involved in the promotion and preservation of culture, nature, history and art of Perak.
The villa can be used free of charge to conduct talks, exhibitions and gatherings for not more than 10 days at any given time.
“Commercial bodies can also make use of the villa but they have to pay a fee according to market rates,” he added.
Those interested can call Magis at 05-2417055 or e-mail kintaheritage@gmail.com.
Accessible to the public: Garden Villa on Jalan Dr Nazrin Shah (Jalan Gopeng) Ipoh is now leased to the Kinta Heritage Group.THE century-old Garden Villa, a magnificent heritage building in Ipoh, is now open free for use to hold activities that promote Perak’s nature, culture, art and history.
Kinta Heritage Group chairman Jek Yap said the group wanted to “save” Ipoh, which he claimed, lacked activities and opportunities in those fields.
“Ipoh is lacking behind other cities in terms of vibrancy for years. Even a town like Sungai Petani seems to have more life than Ipoh,” he said in an interview.
Garden Villa, located at No 5, Jalan Dr Nazrin Shah (Gopeng Road), was one of the bungalows in the state belonging to multi-millionaire businessman Eu Tong Sen in the early 1900s.
The Anglo-Malay architectural style villa was originally designed as an annex to Eu’s palatial residence Forest Lodge situated in Chateau Garden nearby.
Yap said Garden Villa was used as a private clubhouse by Eu and his rich friends in the early days.
The villa has only two rooms used for storage, a spacious hall, a loft and toilets. A Japanese colonel occupied the villa during the Second World War.
Yap said the local residents used to collect their rice rations from the Japanese in the villa’s compound.
The Japanese, he said, even built a shelter under the floorboards and wooden bars on the windows in one of the rooms in case of attacks.
He said the villa was later sold to a prominent family in Ipoh.
The patriarch of the family then presented the villa as a wedding present to his daughter who now resides in Singapore.
Yap said the villa had been used as a kindergarten and a church in recent years.
Kinta Heritage Group now has a six-year lease agreement with the owner.
Occasionally, the Malaysian Nature Society, Perak branch, uses the villa for meetings. A martial art group also uses the villa for lessons three times a week.
Yap said the villa was now open for use by any association or group involved in the promotion and preservation of culture, nature, history and art of Perak.
The villa can be used free of charge to conduct talks, exhibitions and gatherings for not more than 10 days at any given time.
“Commercial bodies can also make use of the villa but they have to pay a fee according to market rates,” he added.
Those interested can call Magis at 05-2417055 or e-mail kintaheritage@gmail.com.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Launch of Ipoh Heritage Tour
Posted by Steven Lee, Acting Secretary, Ipoh City Watch
Dear members and friends,
Members of ICW were at the recent launch of Ipoh Heritage Tour. The Tour is a weekly free conducted walking tour of heritage sites located in the Old Town section of Ipoh. The Tour is held on every Saturday and starts at the Railway Station. The report by Ram Naidu on the launch and the first walking tour is below.
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IPOH HERITAGE TOUR
Large enthusiastic crowd waiting to start the Tour
“During the Japanese occupation a bomb exploded here shattering the windows of this church,” said our guide Peter Bucher pointing to the 100 year old Church of Saint John the Divine. This and many more grim stories were unfolded to us as we walked the heritage path down memory lane in the “Ipoh Heritage Tour” .
Some tourists took advantage of the free our
More than 150 participants from the various associations and NGO’s converged at the Ipoh Railway Station in the early hours on 07.08.10. Heart pounding Bangra drumbeat welcomed the participants, thus creating a carnival
atmosphere. The Heritage Tour was flagged off at 8.30 am by the State Exco for Tourism, Dato' Hamidah Othman. I registered my participation as an Ipoh City Watch committee member.
Ram Naidu (left) with Col (Rtd) Fathol, a well-known figure who is also the past Chairman of ICW
There are 24 heritage sites in Ipoh Old Town and many residents hardly realize the rich history behind each site. For instance, Ipoh was invaded by the Japanese on 15th December 1941. During the Japanese Occupation, Ipoh was made the capital of Perak, in place of Taiping. The Royal Ipoh Club was used by the Japanese Army as a laundry house for officers based at the nearby St Michael's Institution which became the headquarters of the Japanese Administration in Perak in March 1942. After liberation in 1945, Ipoh remained the capital of Perak.
Ready to start
Also present to kick start the tour are Bangra drummers
Ipoh City Watch should be proud of itself to use the clock tower as its logo as there is history behind this tower too. This clock tower was build in 1909 as a memorial to JWW Birch, the 1st British Resident of Perak who was assassinated in Pasir Salak in 1875. One should stop to admire the beautifully colored panels portraying famous figures from world history. You may also be surprised to note that Ipoh built the 1st multi-storey car park in the country in 1960, and that’s the DBI car park opposite old town Public Bank.
The fine weather on that day complemented the walk. The Heritage Tour walk duration took approximately 2 hours to unwind starting from Railway Station through Club Road, Clayton Road, Hale Street, Post Office Road and ended at Hugh Low Street (try figuring out the new names of these old street names).
M Gokoolaram Naidu
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Attached are photos taken during the Tour. There are photos of the Bangra drummers and the large enthusiastic crowd waiting to start the Tour. In one photo, you can find Ram on the left and Col (Rtd) Fathol, a well-known figure to many of us being a past Chairman of ICW, on the right. All of us should take part in one of the walks to find out more of the history of this city that we live in.
Dear members and friends,
Members of ICW were at the recent launch of Ipoh Heritage Tour. The Tour is a weekly free conducted walking tour of heritage sites located in the Old Town section of Ipoh. The Tour is held on every Saturday and starts at the Railway Station. The report by Ram Naidu on the launch and the first walking tour is below.
---------------------------------------------------
IPOH HERITAGE TOUR
Large enthusiastic crowd waiting to start the Tour“During the Japanese occupation a bomb exploded here shattering the windows of this church,” said our guide Peter Bucher pointing to the 100 year old Church of Saint John the Divine. This and many more grim stories were unfolded to us as we walked the heritage path down memory lane in the “Ipoh Heritage Tour” .
Some tourists took advantage of the free ourMore than 150 participants from the various associations and NGO’s converged at the Ipoh Railway Station in the early hours on 07.08.10. Heart pounding Bangra drumbeat welcomed the participants, thus creating a carnival
atmosphere. The Heritage Tour was flagged off at 8.30 am by the State Exco for Tourism, Dato' Hamidah Othman. I registered my participation as an Ipoh City Watch committee member.
Ram Naidu (left) with Col (Rtd) Fathol, a well-known figure who is also the past Chairman of ICWThere are 24 heritage sites in Ipoh Old Town and many residents hardly realize the rich history behind each site. For instance, Ipoh was invaded by the Japanese on 15th December 1941. During the Japanese Occupation, Ipoh was made the capital of Perak, in place of Taiping. The Royal Ipoh Club was used by the Japanese Army as a laundry house for officers based at the nearby St Michael's Institution which became the headquarters of the Japanese Administration in Perak in March 1942. After liberation in 1945, Ipoh remained the capital of Perak.
Ready to start
Also present to kick start the tour are Bangra drummersIpoh City Watch should be proud of itself to use the clock tower as its logo as there is history behind this tower too. This clock tower was build in 1909 as a memorial to JWW Birch, the 1st British Resident of Perak who was assassinated in Pasir Salak in 1875. One should stop to admire the beautifully colored panels portraying famous figures from world history. You may also be surprised to note that Ipoh built the 1st multi-storey car park in the country in 1960, and that’s the DBI car park opposite old town Public Bank.
The fine weather on that day complemented the walk. The Heritage Tour walk duration took approximately 2 hours to unwind starting from Railway Station through Club Road, Clayton Road, Hale Street, Post Office Road and ended at Hugh Low Street (try figuring out the new names of these old street names).
M Gokoolaram Naidu
--------------------------------------------------
Attached are photos taken during the Tour. There are photos of the Bangra drummers and the large enthusiastic crowd waiting to start the Tour. In one photo, you can find Ram on the left and Col (Rtd) Fathol, a well-known figure to many of us being a past Chairman of ICW, on the right. All of us should take part in one of the walks to find out more of the history of this city that we live in.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Inaugural ETS trip by Ram Naidu on Aug 10 2010
Posted by Steven Lee, Acting Secretary, Ipoh City Watch
Dear members and friends,
Ram Naidu, an Executive Committee member of ICW, was on board the inaugural trip of the ETS from Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur for the grand launch, and back. Below is his report on the event.
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THE FUTURE OF RAILWAY IS HERE
It was more than 100 years when the 1st train service began in the then Malaya. Today sees an evolution in its services…from charcoal to steam, then to diesel and now to electricity. KTMB has now introduced the Electric Train Service (ETS).
KTMB staff welcoming passengers of ETS
Although the ETS train service officially begins on 12.08.10, I was one of the privileged few to travel amongst dignitaries in its inaugural Ipoh – Kuala Lumpur journey on 10.08.10.
Proud moment ... Ram Naidu posing in front of the ETS
The futuristic looking train rolled off at 10.09 am. It has a maximum speed of 160 km/h. This high-tech train is built by Rotem Hyundai which is also a renowned manufacturer of battle tanks and cars. The smooth ride coupled with its plush comfortable seats added comfort to the entire journey. Other luxuries thrown in to spoil the traveler is a cafeteria and WiFi service. Sadly, no seats belts were provided in spite of the speed.
Brand new comfortable seat
Ram Naidu together with other members of ICW at the launching of ETS
The journey from Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur took about 2 hours. We were received by the General Manager of KTMB and Director of KWSP on arrival at KL station where a grand luncheon awaited us. Its CEO said that this is the fastest train in the country. Ipoh is the first town to start this service (Ipoh - KL - Seremban).
However, at RM35 per pax I suppose many who wish to bring their families along may not be too happy.
M Gokoolaram Naidu
Dear members and friends,
Ram Naidu, an Executive Committee member of ICW, was on board the inaugural trip of the ETS from Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur for the grand launch, and back. Below is his report on the event.
--------------------------------------------------
THE FUTURE OF RAILWAY IS HERE
It was more than 100 years when the 1st train service began in the then Malaya. Today sees an evolution in its services…from charcoal to steam, then to diesel and now to electricity. KTMB has now introduced the Electric Train Service (ETS).
KTMB staff welcoming passengers of ETSAlthough the ETS train service officially begins on 12.08.10, I was one of the privileged few to travel amongst dignitaries in its inaugural Ipoh – Kuala Lumpur journey on 10.08.10.
Proud moment ... Ram Naidu posing in front of the ETSThe futuristic looking train rolled off at 10.09 am. It has a maximum speed of 160 km/h. This high-tech train is built by Rotem Hyundai which is also a renowned manufacturer of battle tanks and cars. The smooth ride coupled with its plush comfortable seats added comfort to the entire journey. Other luxuries thrown in to spoil the traveler is a cafeteria and WiFi service. Sadly, no seats belts were provided in spite of the speed.
Brand new comfortable seat
Ram Naidu together with other members of ICW at the launching of ETSThe journey from Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur took about 2 hours. We were received by the General Manager of KTMB and Director of KWSP on arrival at KL station where a grand luncheon awaited us. Its CEO said that this is the fastest train in the country. Ipoh is the first town to start this service (Ipoh - KL - Seremban).
However, at RM35 per pax I suppose many who wish to bring their families along may not be too happy.
M Gokoolaram Naidu