Recognition for green effort - Star Metro Perak

17 Sept 2018

Ng (sixth from right) with the Jelapang community during a recycling project.

KOPERASI Alam Hijau Perak Berhad (Kohijau) won two awards at the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Malaysia awards ceremony.

The event in collaboration with United Nation (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), saw Kohijau winning in the Climate Change category, and the Best of the Best Award 2018.

This was the second year such an event was organised by JCI Malaysia. There were a total of 17 categories.

The award serves to increase awareness of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and for organisations to bring about change through their business activities, innovative products or services and creative contributions toward the goal.

“This is a surprise to all of us, as we are such a small non-governmental organisation (NGO), but with passionate volunteers.

“The big win is the first of its kind for an NGO from Perak and we are very proud of the achievement, more so as we bested bigger corporations and established NGOs,” he said.

Ng said prior to this, Kohijau helped four other communities win awards, including the Premier Award under the Best Innovative Project category won by Rukun Tetangga Jelapang that encouraged the community to supplement their income.

He said last year, Kohijau helped Slim Village emerge third in the National Premier Village award for cleanliness.

“We also helped SMK Raja Perempuan Ipoh emerge national champion in the Toyota Eco Environment project.

“In March this year, we assisted the Selama Police District become the national champion in recycling innovation,” he added.

Ng said Kohijau is grateful to JCI Malaysia for hosting and organising such a prestigious event to reward Malaysian companies and organisations, civil societies and NGOs for their efforts in advancing UN’s SDGs.

He said the Best of the Best Project Award is chosen from the 17 winners based on the most outstanding and sustainable projects, which helps advance the most goals.

The criteria used to select the winners of each category includes how the project is written and presented.

The project must be carried out continuously and sustainable by the organisation staff or volunteers, and not just a one-off affair.

It must also have a large and meaningful impact on the society using a creative and innovative approach.

Ng said Kohijau’s entries were based on its three-year project launched in Jelapang Tambahan in collaboration with the Rukun Tetangga, Perak Solid Waste Management Corporation, and Ipoh City Watch using the social business concept.

The project involved residents from 250 houses, where door-to-door campaigns were used to educate the community to segregate their garbage into recyclables and non-recyclables.

“Collection was carried out twice every month at the centres and the recyclables brought by the residents were weighed.

“The residents were then instantly rewarded with cash according to the weight and type of recyclable contributed.

“Later, a recycling reward point system was introduced and residents were provided with recycling bins for them to drop their recyclables any time at their convenience,” he added.

Ng added to date, some 8,900kg of recyclables had been collected from Jelapang Tambahan and RM3,850 paid out to residents.

He said the recycling rate in this village was 17.5% compared to the average national recycling rate of 10%.

Ng said the 12 illegal dumpsites discovered prior to the recycling campaign had also disappeared and residents were more aware of keeping their environment clean.

“This project has successfully helped salvage 8,900kg of garbage from going to landfills or illegal dumpsites.

https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2018/09/17/recognition-for-green-effort-ngo-bags-two-awards-for-its-community-recycling-programme/

Bid to streamline nursing and retirement home services - Star Metro News

19 Sept 2018

Golden Peacock Home in Jalan Yeoh Guan Seok in Pulau Tikus.

THE Penang Old Folks Home Operators Association is urging all nursing and retirement home operators to join them as members.

Association secretary Santok Singh said the move would better regulate and streamline quality of service in the sector.

He said the association had been facing problems in running and managing nursing, ageing and retirement homes due to local government regulations.

“With better regulation and streamlining of service quality in the sector, it is easier to monitor and control the industry.

It is projected to increase to 3.3 million in 2020, based on figures provided by the Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences.

He said it was part of the association’s effort to help local government and families to manage the increase of the elderly population.

He said they would submit a proposal to the Chief Minister’s office for assistance and consideration.

“Malaysia is on the same boat with other developing countries in Asia on this issue.

Senior citizens resting at the Golden Peacock Home in Jalan Yeoh Guan Seok in Pulau Tikus.

“We are having an ageing society issue and it is expected that the numbers are going to increase and multiply in times to come.

“It is indeed an issue that needs urgent attention from all stake holders.

“In view of increasing ageing population which cannot be ignored, we the association members wish to join hands with the state government to find solution to resolve this non-reversible issue,” he said.

Santok said the proportion of the aged population would be higher in the urban than the rural area.

“The change in the demographic pattern of the aged population will also influence the distribution of healthcare resources.

“Frailty is often compounded by problems such as urinary incontinence, instability, falls and acute confusional states.

“Few elderly persons can escape the accumulation of chronic pathologies as they grow older.

“Consequently, multiple pathologies resulting in multiple symptoms are a common phenomenon in the elderly.

“Incontinence, for example, is a common occurrence and for those taking care of these people, it is a time consuming and sometimes, an unpleasant task,” he said.

He added that retirement homes would be ideal as residents would be among those of the same age group and surrounded by professional helpers.

For details, contact 012-4922822 or e-mail santok5060@gmail.com.

Landed homeowners in Penang must separate their waste from Jan 1, or else - Star Metro News

19 Sept 2018

Filepic of a waste collection truck making its round in picking up separated recyclable waste from a residential area in SS20, Petaling Jaya.

THE waste separation at source policy will now be extended to residential property owners in Penang and those who fail to do so will be slapped with a compound from next year onwards. 

Penang Housing, Town, Country Planning and Local Government Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said this was to ensure residents staying in landed properties separate the recyclable and non-recyclable items.

“The decision was made two weeks ago. Residential landed property owners were not issued compounds when we started enforcing the waste separation at source policy on June 1, last year.

“From Jan 1, we will start issuing compounds,” he said at Komtar on Friday.

The separation at source policy against commercial properties was enforced from Jan 1 this year.

Jagdeep said there was a moratorium on the enforcement of waste separation for residential landed properties when it was enforced last year.

“They were given ample time, so they now have the next few months to start separating their recyclables and non-recyclables before we enforce it.

“The local council enforcement team would be conducting checks on residential properties from now to December but compounds would be issued from January onwards,” he added.

https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2018/09/19/landed-house-owners-turn-to-comply-waste-separation-policy-to-be-enforced-for-householders-in-penang/

Ipoh now rivalling Penang as a tourist attraction - The Star Metro Perak

18 September 2018

Tourist attractions also include miniature figurines depicting a Song Dynasty banquet at Miniature Wonders Art Gallery in downtown Ipoh. — Photos: LO TERN CHERN/The Star

THIS is a heads-up for tourism players in Penang. Nothing good lasts eternally and neither will our appeal as a tourism hotspot.

Your neighbour, Perak, is doing mighty well.

I went to Ipoh, and the once dull city is now bustling with tourists from all over.

It too has beautiful murals on century-old shops, on par with those in George Town and certainly livelier than those in Seberang Prai.

Filepix of tourists thronging Concubine Lane which is a famous tourist spot during holidays.

Many of the once-polluted back alleys in Ipoh are now crowded flea markets and street food haunts.

Like Penang’s many museums and art galleries, Ipoh has a growing number of them.

Penang has a few remaining beaches, while Ipoh has loads of limestone caves to stay in the race of natural wonders.

Recently, I brought up the topic of Ipoh tourism to friends from Alor Setar and to my surprise, many of them would rather drive three hours there than to Penang because of two main reasons — cost and transportation.

They say Ipoh has wider roads, which I found to be true during my visit.

There were noticeably fewer cars parking illegally, and the main roads are wider with roundabouts instead of traffic lights.

Attractions are inexpensive in Ipoh. I wonder how many Penangites would call our attractions affordable.

I visited Kek Look Tong Cave Temple in Gunung Rapat, at the southern end of town. To my surprise, entry is free with ample parking lots, also free.

Massive stalagnates (on right) formed when stalagmites from the ground and stalactites from the ceiling meet, abound at the Kek Look Tong Cave Temple in Gunung Rapat, Ipoh.

Inside the cave, it’s a natural wonder of ancient stalagmites and stalactites, with awesome golden statues of rarely seen Chinese deities.

At lunch in one of Ipoh’s bean sprout chicken restaurants, I spoke with a local tour guide who had a group of 20 Japanese tourists.

“Ipoh used to be a dead town. People only came here to work, or else we would just drive past it on the highway.

“But look at the heritage enclave now. Many Asian tourists have been to Penang and now they want Ipoh,” he said.

I would say Penang food still leads, but not by much more. Seafood here is no longer cheap.

While I find Ipoh offers fewer varieties of flavours, food elsewhere in Perak, such as in Tapah and Tanjong Tualang, are far cheaper than in Penang, and these places are only about 30 minutes’ drive from Ipoh city.

Penang needs to look for alternatives to continue attracting visitors.

As a mainland boy, driving 90 minutes to Ipoh is almost the same as inching into jam-packed George Town, so why not? It’s the nature and local food that we seek on vacations.

Launching of KOHIJAU-GOLDEN AGE CLUB HOUSE

26 August 2018

YAB Dr. Nomee Binti Dato' Radzi Manan and YB Wong May Ing came to launch the KOHIJAU Golden Age Club House on 26 August 2018. Located at Taman Pinji Mewah, the club house will provide senior citizens in Ipoh a place fo fellowship. Also presence include Ex Perak Exco for Women Development, Datuk Rusnah Kassim. It was attended by about 200 people.

The KOHIJAU Golden Age Club House (KOHIJAU-GACH) was mooted by a group of NGOs in anticipation of the need for caregiving services with the expected increase in the rate of ageing society in Perak. According to the statistics from the Perak Family Planning and Development Board, by the year 2020, 15% of the population of Perak or 450,000 people will be in the aged group (above 60 years of age).

KOHIJAU being one of the members of the Coalition of Caring NGOs in Perak took the initiative to start this so call club house where senior citizens can gather and have fellowship. It is run under the Social Business concept where those using the place will be charged a reasonable fee to help fund the operations in order to stay sustainable.

House in a 8-room bungalow with 20 beds, the club house started renovation work in July 2018 with assistance from the generous public  in terms of donation in cash and kind. To date we are very pleased to note that over 100 generous people have responded positively towards the setting up of this project. They have contributed cash, beds, mattresses, wheel chairs, resting chairs, dining tables, sofa sets, refrigerators, washing machine, LCD TV, LED lights, office chairs and tables, potted plants, curtains and blankets with a value of approximately RM70,000. However, to run a reasonable good centre, a minimum of RM120,000 is required. I believe our good intention will receive help from corporate companies and individuals. You never know this Golden Age Club House will help serve us one day. We are appealing for contrbution in terms of LCD TV, Exercise Equipment, Potted Plants, Floor Mat.

Some of our dedicated members of KOHIJAU and Ipoh City Watch as well members from the Lions Club of Perak Silver State have also volunteered their free time cleaning up the 8-room bungalow house provided by one of our members on a subsidised  rental rate. We need volunteers especially university and college students to come help volunteer to take care of our senior citizens. Our aim is to cultivate a caring society among us and show our love and appreciation to these people. This is especially so with so many senior citizens left alone at home by busy children or society.

The centre will be opened to public effective 1st October 2018 once all approval from the authorities have been obtained. Among the services planned by KOHIJAU-GACH include basic daily rental as guest house for public with first priority for family with senior citizen age above 60, care giving services for senior citizens, transport services for    medical check up, fun trip, and day care centre. The centre will also be opened  to senior citizens for fellowship and gathering where they can hold meetings, cooking session, BBQ,  singing, dancing and use of the mini gym. There will also be a mini library and a pantry to cater their needs for a small fee.

As our country is approaching an Aged Society with more and more people reaching the age above 60, new social problems will emerge. Many senior citizens are left to fend for themselves despite their deteriorating physical conditions.

We hope the KOHIJAU-GOLDEN AGE CLUB HOUSE will be abel to play a small but meaningful role. With the support of 25 NGOs and the publics, we intend to duplicate this effort to reach out to more people who are in need.

KOHIJAU in collaboration with Open University Malaysia is offering Professional Caregiving Skill Course from Level 2 to Level 5 to train volunteers and single mom to be equiped with the required skills to handle senior citizens. 21 volunteers have signed up for the 3-month course starting in Auguest 2018. These volunteers will help manage the KOHIJAU-GOLDEN AGE CLUB HOUSE

I wish to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone who have contributed their free time and money towards the successful setting up of this centre. We welcome Organisations and  Individuals to help sponsor senior citizens as part of their CSR programme. We also welcome volunteers and university/college students to come and show their care and love for the senior citizens.

Ride With The Boss with YB Kula

11 August 2018

Program “Ride With The Boss” anjuran Ipoh City Watch dan KOHIJAU dengan kerjasama CYCLEDIOS bertujuan untuk memupuk gaya hidup yang sihat di samping menjalin hubungan silaturrahim di kalangan perbagai penduduk di Malaysia khasnya Warga Ipoh. Ia diadakan setiah hari Sabtu kedua setiap bulan. Ini merupakan siri kedua selepas ianya dilancarkan pada  kali pertama pada 14 Julai 2018.

Bermula di Pejabat Cycledios di Kinta Riverwalk, kayuhan basikal sejauh 3.5km ini akan membawa peserta mengelilingi bandar Ipoh di sepanjang trek yang disediakan khas untuk basikal di Jalan Lim Bo Seng, kemudian ke Jalan Raja Musa Aziz terus menuju ke Taman DR Seenivasagam sebelum kembali ke Kinat Riverwalk.

Pada siri kedua ini, YB M. Kula, Menteri Sumber Manusia merangkap Ahli Parlimen Ipoh Barat telah sudi hadir bersama warga Ipoh. Pada edisi ini yang diadakan sempena bulan kemerdekaan, sebelum kayuhan bermula, para peserta sama-sama menyanyikan lagu kebangsaan serta lagu patriotik dalam suasana muhibah.

Kayuhan basikal secara beramai-ramai ini boleh memupuk talian persaudaraan berbagai kaum di Malaysia yang hidup dalam keadaan harmoni seperti saranan tema Hari Kebangsaan Tahun ini iaitu Sayangi MalaysiaKu. Sambil berbasikal kita juga boleh menyebarkan mesej kepada masyarakat untuk sama-sama menjaga kebersihan dan melonjakkan Ipoh sebagai bandar terbersih di Malaysia.

Program Kayuhan Basikal “Ride With The Boss” kali ini adalah berbeza dengan siri pertama di mana peserta akan juga menjalankan “Plogging on Wheels” yang bertujuan untuk memberi kesedaran kepada masyarakat tentang peri pentingnya menjaga kebersihan bandar Ipoh yang sekarang ini telah menarik ramai pelancong-pelancong dari dalam dan luar negara sejak Lonely Planet mengiktiraf Ipoh sebagai salah sebuah daripada 10 buah negara yang mesti dilawati di Asia.

Adalah penting untuk kita sama-sama menjaga kebersihan bandar Ipoh di mana masyarkat mestilah mengamalkan budaya “Kebersihan Bandar Kita Tanggungjawab Kita Bersama”. Bandar yang bersih sudah tentu akan memberi nilai tambah kepada Ipoh yang memang sudah terkenal dengan berbagai tarikan seperti makanan yang enak, bangunan bersejarah, gua-gua tokong, lukisan mural serta taman rekreasi.

Konsep “Plogging on Wheels” anjuran Ipoh City Watch ini membolehkan kita mengutip sampah sambil kita kayuh basikal. Ini satu amalan yang baik kerana ia dapat melahirkan rasa tanggungjawab kita kepada kebersihan alam sekitar selaras dengan slogan Ipoh City Watch iaitu “Our City Our Responsibility”.

Program ini juga boleh menggalakkan orang ramai supaya mengamalkan gaya hidup yang sihat melalui kayuhan basikal. Bukan sahaja ia menjadi satu bentuk senaman dan aktiviti riadah tetapi juga membantu Ipoh menjadi sebuah bandar rendah karban bagi mengurangkan kesan gas rumah hijau yang memberi impak kepada pemanasan global.

Bagi menggalakkan orang ramai mengamalkan budaya kitar semula bagi membantu menjaga alam sekitar, Sistem Mata Ganjaran Kitar Semula KOHIJAU-ICYCLE turut dilancarkan oleh YB M. Kula. Tong ini yang diletak di Kinta River Walk membolehkan orang ramai dan pengunjung menyumbang bahan kitar semula dan menerima mata ganjaran setelah mereka berdaftar sebagai ahli kitar semula KOHIJAU-ICYCLE.  Mata ganjaran yang dikumpul ini kemudian boleh ditebus dengan wang tunai, kupon untuk membei barangan keperluan dapur ataupun didermakan kepada badan amal.

Menurut Presiden Ipoh City Watch dan KOHIJAU, Prof. Dr. Richard Ng, “sehingga kini, KOHIJAU telah melancarkan lebih dari 71 tong diseluruh Perak. Seramai 7,000 telah berdaftar menjadi ahli dan menyumbang kepada lebih dari 80,000 kg bahan kitar semula yang terdiri daripada kertas, tin atau pun plastik sejak sistem itu dijalankan pada bulan September 2016.”

Kata Dr. Richard Ng lagi, “Kami ingin menjadikan bandar raya Ipoh, bandar yang menjadi pilihan utama orang ramai di Malaysia atau “the most lievable city in Malaysia” yang mempunyai ciri-ciri bersih, hijau, sihat, selamat, mempunyai system pengangkutan yang efisyen serta memegang kepada Sustainable Development Goal 17 atau Sasaran Pembangunan Mampan 17 seperti saranan Pertubuhan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu.

YB M. Kula mengucapkan syabas kepada Ipoh City Watch dan KOHIJAU kerana membantu kerajaan mendidik masyarakat tentang peri pentingannya menjaga kebersihan serta amlan budaya kitar semula.

Beliau turut menyarankan kepada pihak Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh untuk menyediakan lebih banyak laluan basikal yang selamat di seluruh Ipoh terutama di kawasan tarikan pelancong untuk mempromosikan amalan kayuhan basikal terutama kepada pengunjung sambil membolehkan pelancong menghayati struktur bangunan bersejarah serta lukisan mural yang ada di sekitar Ipoh. 

Beliau juga mengucapkan syabas kepada syarikat Cycledios yang menyediakan basikal secara sewaan melalui app. Ini dapat memudahkan orang ramai meletakkan kereta mereka di satu tempat di pinggir Ipoh dan kemudian mengayuh basikal ke bandar. Dengan cara ini bukan sahaja masyarakat menjadi lebih sihat tetapi juag dapat mengurangkan kesesakan jalan terutama pada hujung minggu.