Star

Saturday June 8, 2013

Restoration works on some historic pre-war shophouses along Concubine Lane completed

By IVAN LOH
ivanloh@thestar.com.my

Cornershop: The first shophouse nearest to Jalan Bijeh Timah, along Panglima Lane will be turned into a cafe

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2013/6/8/metroperak/13209551&sec=metroperak

——–

NST

03 June 2013| last updated at 08:14PM

Half-price offer on traffic compounds

OUTSTANDING: Ipoh City Council hopes to collect the over RM10 million owing for the last five years

IPOH: THE Ipoh City Council (MBI) is offering a 50 per cent discount on the traffic compounds it has issued, in conjunction with the 25th Ipoh City Day celebrations.

The offer is valid until June 30.

The discount, however, does not apply to offences of traffic obstruction and tampering with parking coupons.
…….

Motorists will receive the discount when they pay the compounds at the MBI headquarters or Urban Transformation Center counter.

Read more: Half-price offer on traffic compounds – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/half-price-offer-on-traffic-compounds-1.292085?cache=03%2F7.198169%3Fpage%3D0%2F7.236222%2F7.236222%2F7

Normal
0

false
false
false

EN-US
ZH-CN
X-NONE

MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

——–

The War Memorial at the Ipoh Railway Station grounds

Memorial to the dead of World War 2.

Memorial to those who died at the Death Railway.

The Ipoh Railway Station

The Ipoh Town Hall across the road from the Ipoh Railway Station.

—–

The Sultan Azlan Shah airport

• 23 May 2013
• Metro Perak
• By IVAN LOH ivanloh@thestar.com.my Photos by RONNIE CHIN

Airport revamped

Airport revamped

——–

TUESDAY, 9 APRIL 2013
5.45PM

IPOH™怡仔保女™IPOH

Like This Page · 35 minutes ago

怡保在下雷暴雨。。
网路最新消息。。
发生在Sri Maju巴士车附近的道路

Google translation:  thunderstorm. .
Internet News. .
Road in the vicinity of Sri Maju bus station.

——–

Will residents of Taman Kledang Permai get another mudslide?

NST

23 March 2013| last updated at 08:03PM

Residents fear collapse of soil, rocks

 

The sand and rock pile near Taman Kledang Permai is as high as a two-storey roof. Pix by Ikhwan MunirRead more: Residents fear collapse of soil, rocks – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/residents-fear-collapse-of-soil-rocks-1.239969#ixzz2OPqmUCMV….Star

• 23 Mar 2013
• Metro Perak
• By FONG KEE SOON keesoon@thestar.com.my

Residents are up-in-arms

Ipoh developer given deadline to clear-up development site

Development near Taman Kledang Permai has upset the community as they say it does not follow plans. A GROUP of residents in Taman Kledang Permai are complaining that a nearby housing development has encroached the stipulated buffer area of 30.5 meters from residential houses.

Huge pile: The residents standing in front of the large earthen mound.One of them, Lau Kin Man, said the developer had filled up to 18 meters of the buffer zone with earth and stones.“The earthen mound is about the height of a two-storey building.“We fear it will lead to the repeat of a recent mudslide in the area caused by overflowing retention ponds, which are managed by another developer,” he said during a press conference on March 20.Present was Ipoh city councillor Loo Gar Yen, who confirmed the residents’ claim.“The council had inspected the site and confirmed that it is against regulations.

“The developer has been given two weeks to clean up its act,” he said.

Residents are up-in-arms

——–

NST

03 March 2013| last updated at 01:23AM

Residents, workers clean up after mudslide

It was reported that more than 1,000 residents from some 250 residential and commercial units were affected by the incident that was triggered following two days of continuous rain.

Ipoh City Council workers cleaning the mudslide-hit Taman Kledang Permai yesterday. Pic by Ikhwan Munir

Read more: Residents, workers clean up after mudslide – General – New Straits Times .250303%2F7.261895%2F7.261895%2F7.261895%2F7.261895#ixzz2MWdBpmfg

——–

Star

• 3 Mar 2013
• The Star Malaysia

Expressway access in Ipoh re-established

IPOH: Taman Kledang Permai and Taman Arkid residents here can now access the Ipoh-Lumut Expressway after debris from a massive mudslide was cleared.

Major clean-up: Workers clearing away the mud from the road in Taman Kledang Permai as motorists use another lane to access the Ipoh-Lumut Expressway.

At the site yesterday, one lane was open to two-way traffic, while workers were clearing the remaining debris that blocked the other lane.

http://mystar.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

——–

MUDSLIDE IN TAMAN KLEDANG PERMAI

Star

• 2 Mar 2013
• The Star Malaysia
• By EDMUND NGO edmundngo@thestar.com.my

MUDSLIDE IN IPOH

Overflowing: The mudslide flowing from the uphill development (in the background) and into the monsoon drain in Taman Kledang Permai, Ipoh.Besides damaging the cars, the river of mud that rushed into some 300 shoplots and residences at these two areas in the wee hours of the morning cut off access into the IpohLumut Expressway via Persiaran Kledang Permai, forcing many to use alternative routes.Residents claimed that this was the second time such a mudslide occurred.
…

Ipoh mayor Datuk Roshidi Hashim said the downpour had caused two natural ponds in the nearby hill development to overflow into the shops and homes.

http://mystar.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.asp

——–

Continuous heavy downpour caused a massive mudslide in Taman Kledang Permai here early this morning.

…

NST

01 March 2013| last updated at 10:50AM

Heavy downpour causes massive mudslide in Ipoh

IPOH: Continuous heavy downpour caused a massive mudslide in Taman Kledang Permai here early this morning.

The 2.30am incident affected some 250 residential and commercial units.

Three cars were also swept away, with one of them landing inside the monsoon drain.

Eye-witnesses said water, measuring two-feet, entered their house soon after the incident.

Authorities are here to monitor the situation and clean up the mess.

…Continuous heavy downpour caused a massive mudslide in Taman Kledang Permai here early this morning

Read more: Heavy downpour causes massive mudslide in Ipoh – Latest – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/heavy-downpour-causes-massive-mudslide-in-ipoh-1.226694#ixzz2MMMacXBx

——–

OBJECTIONS RAISED AGAINST THE WALKING STREET PROJECT!

28 January 2013| last updated at 09:19PM

Opposition to old town project

———-

Star

• 28 Jan 2013
• Metro Perak
• By MANJIT KAUR manjit@thestar.com.my

Shopowners left in a lurch

Walking Street project likely to kick off despite objection from operators

From page 1 SHOP operators on Jalan Market objecting to the Ipoh Old Town Walking Street project, are uncertain as to what will happen to them when the project kicks off.
……………

A meeting last Friday between the group and representatives of SNM Concept Sdn Bhd, the company entrusted to carry out the project, failed to result in an outcome.
………….

Chow Yean Yee, 24, a senior executive at an accounting firm who was present at the meeting, said many female professionals working at Jalan Market worked late or at odd hours, requiring them to leave their offices only after 8pm.

“During peak accounting periods, most accounting firm staff only leave their office after 11pm, sometimes as late as 1am.

“Should the Walking Street project materialise, we will have to park far away from our offices and walk to our vehicles after work.
…………

Pharmacy owner Desmond Chen, 41, remarked that the majority of business operators and people working on Jalan Market did not agree with the project.

“We are talking about various problems ranging from safety to parking woes and cleanliness here,” he said.

http://mystar.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

———–

NST

23 January 2013| last updated at 09:06PM

Turning ‘Ghost City’ into happening Market Street

The Ipoh Old Town Walking Street project will revive the place. Pic by Ikhwan Munir.

———————————————————————

Pay them or who knows what could happen to your car?

NST

17 January 2013 | last updated at 11:34PM

Illegal parking attendants demand fee

A parking attendant reserving parking bays in Jalan Lau Ek Ching. Pic by Supian Ahmad.

Read more: Illegal parking attendants demand fee – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/illegal-parking-attendants

———————————————————————-

• 12 Jan 2013
• Metro Perak
• By MANJIT KAUR manjit@thestar.com.my Photos by SAIFUL BAHRI

Full cooperation

The Amanjaya Terminal has ample facilities, including 400 parking bays, shops, a budget hotel, ATM machines and ticket counters, with separate floors for arrival and departure.

__________________________________________________

UTC Perak: Senarai Nama Agensi

_________________________________________________

ONCE IT WAS THE SUPER KINTA SHOPPING CENTRE. NOW IT IS THE PERAK UTC.

About 51 governmental and nongovernmental agencies, including Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Telekom Malaysia Bhd, the Perak Water Board, state secretariat office, and Road Transport Department will provide services

• 3 Jan 2013
• Metro Perak
• By IVAN LOH and FONG KEE SOON metroperak@thestar.com.my

Perak UTC has opened

51 govt and NGOS to provide services at the one-stop centre

THE country’s third Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) has opened its doors to the public in Perak.

Ready to answer questions: Azhar (right) enquiring at the information counter.

Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim said the state government had instructed all government agencies to commence operations at the Perak UTC located at the site where the Super Kinta Shopping Centre once stood.

“About 51 governmental and nongovernmental agencies, including Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Telekom Malaysia Bhd, the Perak Water Board, state secretariat office, and Road Transport Department will provide services to the people at the centre that was completed last month,” he told reporters when visiting the Perak UTC prior to its opening yesterday.

Roshidi said the centre was expected to be officially launched by the end of January or early February.

The centre with ample parking bays within and around the building, opens from 8.30am to 10pm daily except on public holidays.

Perak UTC has opened

—————————————————————————————-

The new bus station, the Amanjaya Integrated Bus Terminal and Complex in Bandar Meru Raya, is open but who really wants to use it?

We prefer Medan Gopeng.

When my son arrived by bus from KL some days ago, the bus stopped at Medan Gopeng. When my brother-in-law took a bus to KL this morning, he went to Medan Gopeng.

NST

25 December 2012 | last updated at 08:11PM

New bus terminal underutilised

TOO FAR: The latest transport hub in Bandar Meru Raya has ample facilities but sales are slow at its ticket counters, with few customers and visitors

IPOH: IS the Amanjaya Integrated Bus Terminal and Complex in Bandar Meru Raya here fast turning into a white elephant?

While the state deems it otherwise, the public think the RM38 million project, which started operations on Sept 25, is underutilised due to its unsuitability.

A visit by the Streets team to the building recently found the place quite deserted.

There were few commuters and sales was slow at the ticket counters.

The ticket counters at the Amanjaya Integrated Bus Terminal and Complex are empty. Pic by Farhan Najib

Read more: New bus terminal underutilised – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/new-bus-terminal-underutilised-1.191117#ixzz2G7dnuFv1

———————————————————————

The next time you go to the general Hospital (now known as the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, use the Velodrome Rakyat for parking your car.

From there, take the shuttle service to the hospital.

Malay Mail

STATE health committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon urged visitors of Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital to make use of the alternative car park to solve the traffic congestion problem at the hospital.
………….

…..the Velodrome Rakyat was made the alternative car park, with a shuttle service to the hospital also provided.

———————————————————————–

Another promise! Why don’t we find that reassuring?

The stretch of road heading towards Jalan Klebang Utara and Hala Perusahaan Menglembu in Jalan Lahat has been closed since October 2010.

To get from Ipoh town via Falim, you now take a longer way.

Will a new bridge be built and ready for use in May 2013, as just promised?

NST

21 December 2012 | last updated at 08:45PM

Flood mitigation project to end by April

Read more: Flood mitigation project to end by April – Northern – New Straits Times

———————————————————————

A check by the Streets team found that several new stretches in the city were uneven and some had big potholes, making them especially dangerous to motorcyclists.

NST

20 December 2012 | last updated at 08:38PM

Dismay over Ipoh council’s inaction

Potholes damage vehicles and endanger motorists. Pix by Farhan Najib.

PUBLIC COMPLAINTS: Ipoh residents say damaged roads should be repaired as soon as possible IPOH: THERE is a lot of unhappiness over the failure of the Ipoh City Council and Public Works Department to resurface  badly damaged roads, despite  numerous complaints and  media reports.

Many of the roads have uneven surfaces or are riddled with potholes and uncovered manholes.

Shoddy resurfacing work has been identified as the major cause of potholes and uneven roads.

Besides damaging their vehicles, motorists are also worried that the poor road condition could lead to accidents.

Some roads, which were resurfaced less than a year ago, are showing signs of damage.

Dismay over Ipoh council’s inaction

———————————————————————-

Star

• 14 Dec 2012
• Metro Perak
• Story and photo by FONG KEE SOON keesoon@thestar.com.my

Company admits error

Company admits error

_______________________________________________

The octagonal Yau Tet Shin Market is long gone. In its place will be built One Octagon, to be completed in 2015.

NST

01 December 2012 | last updated at 08:18PM

One Octagon unveiled at anniversary celebration

IPOH: The Perak Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry celebrated its 105th Anniversary with the unveiling of the model of One Octagon, here, recently.

Construction of One Octagon, the first 21-storey landmark to tower over the Ipoh Cultural District, in Jalan Raja Ekram, will begin next month.

The building comprises three floors of premier retail outlets, four floors of car parks and 14 floors of service apartments.

It replaces the former Yau Tet Shin Market which had featured a Cultural and Multipurpose Bazaar at its ground floor.

Guest-of-honour was State Non-Muslim Affairs and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon.

Mah said the state goverment had furnished the 99-year-leasehold land measuring 19,000sq metre to the chamber for the development of The Octogon.

“The project costing RM100 million is expected to be completed in 2015,” he
Read more: One Octagon unveiled at anniversary celebration – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/one-octagon-unveiled-at-anniversary-celebration-1.179034#ixzz2Dr0oRV8L

————

Background on the Yau Tet Shin Market, an octagonal building

The Yau Tet Shin Market was built in 1961. Following an invitation by the then Ipoh Municipal Council, architects throughout Malaysia and Singapore submitted the building’s designs. The winning design, submitted by Architects Booty, Edwards & Partners, was picked and the building was constructed at a cost of $500,000.

The octagonal-designed block had a “projecting shell roof and balcony terminating in two gradual ramps”. It is known to the locals as Pasar Bulat (the circular market) or pat-kok lau (octagonal villa).

It was named after a Kah Ying Hakka’s community leader, Yau Tet Shin, who had risen from mining coolie to towkay. His mansion is currently occupied by the State Health & Medical Department.

Plan for the City’s Cultural District in Limbo
Ipoh Echo

__________________________________________________

NST
27 November 2012 | last updated at 11:12PM

IPOH: THERE has been a flood of complaints about faulty traffic lights in the city of late. Defective traffic lights have too often caused traffic to come to a standstill during rush hours and downpours.

——————————————————————————————————————————————-

i Love ipoh Style《我爱怡保Style》Official HD720 – (PSY 강남스타일 Gangnam S

_____________________________________________________________

IPOH JANJI BERSIH at Dataran Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh, Merdeka Eve 30 August 2012 at 10pm

_____________________________________________________________

NST

21 November 2012 | last updated at 10:43PM

Showing the way to Gopeng’s heritage

By S. ISTA KYRA | nst_ipoh@yahoo.com 0 comments

IPOH: VISITORS and locals can now explore Gopeng with the latest heritage trail map and guide featuring over 20 historical buildings and attractions.

Brochures produced by Tourism Perak and State Forestry Department to inform visitors of the attractions in the state. Pic by Farhan Najib

Some 20,000 copies have been produced for free distribution highlighting heritage and nature sites.
———

Apart from a trail map with pictures and suggested routes, there is also a short write-up on the history of the town.

The maps, which are in English and written by Adib Vincent Tung Abdullah, also contain snippets of information about each attraction, directions and contact information.

The Gopeng heritage trail map is the latest map being distributed by the Perak state government and Tourism Perak.

Other maps available include the Ipoh Heritage Trail 1, Ipoh Heritage Trail 2 and Batu Gajah Heritage Trail map.

Read more: Showing the way to Gopeng’s heritage – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/showing-the-way-to-gopeng-s-heritage-1.174208#ixzz2CwEmFdtG

———————————————————————

NST

14 November 2012 | last updated at 09:04AM

Month-long study to solve congestion

LONG QUEUES: Road users in Jalan Bercham are unhappy with the jams at peak hours since the installation of a set of traffic lights

A new set of traffic lights in Jalan Bercham has been a source of complaints. Pic by Wong Tuck Keong

IPOH: THE Ipoh City Council (MBI) will undertake a month-long study to relieve traffic congestion in Jalan Bercham, following the addition of a new traffic light junction in the main road.

City councillor Lai Kong Phooi said there had been complaints by road users from Bercham, travelling towards Ipoh and Tasek, about vehicles jamming up the road, especially during peak hours, since the installation of the traffic lights near the Caltex petrol station last month.

“The traffic lights are necessary for motorists travelling from the  North South Expressway (NSE) into Bercham through the newly built slip road.

“However, whenever the light is red, set at a minute’s interval, many cars stop at the traffic lights waiting for it to change,” he said after checking out the site recently.

Lai said solution would include re-setting the traffic lights’ halt time or upgrading the traffic lights to work on a sensor system.

Read more: Month-long study to solve congestion – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/month-long-study-to-solve-congestion-l

———————————————————————

Malay Mail

CAPTIVATED: Komathy (left) and sister Kavipriya look for decorations at the bazaar in Jalan Lahat.

JALAN LAHAT is again the centre of attraction for shoppers preparing for the Festival of Lights as well those who want to get the feel of the festivity.

The stretch, known as Little India of Ipoh, is full of stalls selling every item used during Deepavali.

Colourful sarees, Punjabi suits, delicacies, decorative items and an array of kitchen ware are available to cater to the demand of those who prefer to shop conveniently in one place.

However, the traders, who have been running the stalls for more than 15 years, are quite disappointed that business has not been as good as before.

“The rainy season has also been the cause of many not coming out to shop,” said a clothes trader.

Since the stalls were set up on Nov 1, the crowd visiting the bazaar was not as overwhelming as the previous one.

Ipoh street brightens up for Deepavali

———————————————————————-

The Little India bazaar will open until Nov 12.

NST

9 November 2012 | last updated at 09:15PM

One-stop bazaar for Deepavali

UNDER ONE SKY: Shop in Little India where you can find all your needs to celebrate the festival with gaiety

Parveen Kumar showing the latest fashion for this Deepavali to a customer.

IPOH: EXPRESS tailoring service,  sweetmeats and handy traditional  cooking utensils are among the goods and services offered at the Little India Deepavali bazaar in Jalan Lahat here.

Shinder Bollywood textile shop operators Salvinder Kaur, 31, and Parveen Kumar, 33, said after more than a decade of running a stall for Deepavali, it was crucial to offer something new for customers to keep their business thriving.

A stall selling flower garlands and decorative items for Deepavali.

An Indian sweetmeats stall at the Deepavali baazar. Pix by Wong Tuck Keong

_________________________________________________

NST

01 November 2012 | last updated at 08:24AM

Preventing another white elephant

Mohd Odzman Abd Kadir (second from left) and Mohamad Mat Isa (second from right) with representatives from all the NGOs at the Amanjaya Ipoh bus terminal. Pic by Farhan Najib

1 / 1

IPOH: WORRIED that the newly opened Amanjaya Ipoh terminal  (otherwise known as Meru Bus Terminal) will end up as another white elephant, several non-government organisations (NGOs) got together to share their thoughts on how to turn the bus terminal into a bustling place.

Besides putting up a proper tourist information counter, the NGOs also recommended that the management of the terminal charge cheaper rentals for in-house stalls.

Other suggestions included the need to upgrade maintenance and public  relations services and coordinating the bus routes together with the train services.

Among the NGO members present were Malaysia Budget Hotel Association, Perak Homestay Association, Taiping Tourist Association, Perak Tourist Guide Association, Perak Heritage Society, Ipoh City Watch, Perak Women for Women and Malaysia Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA).

The meeting between The Combined Bus Services Sdn Bhd (TCBS) and the NGOs was conducted by Perak Tourism Association (PTA) at Terminal Amanjaya Ipoh at Meru Raya here recently.

PTA president Mohd Odzman Abd Kadir said the event was aimed at preventing the terminal from losing its importance.

“Our association hopes to assist TCBS in upgrading the services of frontliners like receptionists, ticketing officers and even stalls operators.

“Besides, we are also providing suggestions on how to improve the feeder bus services which run from the bus terminal to city centre,” said Odzman.

———
Read more: Preventing another white elephant – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/preventing-another-white-elephant-1.164754?cache=03D163D03edding-pred-1.1176%2F%3FpFpentwage63Dp%3A%2Fhe3D03Dn63Frea-rti3D19.3D163D03edding-pred-1.1176%2F%3FpFpentwage63Dp%3A%2Fhe3D03Dn63Frea-rti3D19.111w5ii%2Fe%2F7%3Fpage%3D0%3Fpage%3D0%2F7.201744#ixzz2B46rtznN

———————————————————————

NST

Close access road near junction, urge residents

ACCIDENT PRONE: Motorists are dicing with danger as they cross from the Lengkok Canning junction to Jalan Dato Lau Pak Khuan

There have been many accidents as motorists cross over from Lengkok Canning to Jalan Dato Lau Pak Khuan, which is in the opposite direction. Pic by Farhan Najib

———————————————————————

Location of AES cameras in Ipoh

Star
Thursday October 11, 2012

Motorists: Two seconds to get past crossing line near AES cameras not enough

Story and photos by EDMUND NGO
edmundngo@thestar.com.my

Notice to stop: A car stopping as the traffic lights turn amber at the AES cameras installed at the Jalan Pasir Putih traffic light intersection.

THE Automated Enforcement System (AES) to catch motorists beating traffic lights can trigger bumper-to-bumper accidents instead, warned motorists.

They said there is a tendency for motorists to brake suddenly as the two seconds given to them to zoom past the crossing line and escape the camera was not enough.

Businessman Alvin Li said the authorities who set the two-second allowance obviously had failed to consider human factors and also the conditions of roads, vehicles and the weather.

“What would you do if you see the car behind you travelling at high speed and you have reached the crossing line?

“Do you brake so as not to get caught by the camera but get hit by the car behind you; or you accelerate with the hope of escaping the camera?,” he asked.

Motorists: Two seconds to get past crossing line near AES cameras not enough

———————————————————————

A parent, who only wanted to be know as Ng, said his 14-year-old son suffered from mild food poisoning after having nasi lemak during recess in school recently.

NST

03 October 2012 | last updated at 11:45PM

Be strict with school canteen operators

By Kalavaani Karupiah | nst_ipoh@yahoo.comIPOH: CONCERNED parents are urging the Perak state Education and Health Departments to conduct regular inspections on school canteens statewide to prevent children from getting food poisoning.

Parents are worried about the poor hygiene standards of school canteen operators. Pic by Farhan Najib

Despite numerous reminders to canteen operators to practise good hygiene when preparing food, some food handlers continue to ignore this ruling.

There are still some operators who fail to meet the stipulated hygiene standards such as covering their food and wearing aprons, gloves and caps.

A check by  Streets recently found the cleanliness level at some  school canteens at an average level.

Although most operators wore aprons, they failed to put on gloves and caps and some even had unkempt hair.

Food like chicken rice, noodles, char kway teow, nasi lemak, roti canai and assorted kuih were left uncovered, exposing them  to flies and dust.

Read more: Be strict with school canteen operators – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/be-strict-with-school-canteen-operators-1.151663#ixzz28TEwktWq

———————————————————————-

Malaysian Insider

Cops nab 14 in raids on Ipoh gambling dens

———————————————————————-

Star

• 28 Sep 2012
• Metro Perak
• By IVAN LOH and CHERYL HEW metroperak@thestar.com.my

School cleared of TB

“Unlike many chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart conditions, TB can be cured after getting the necessary treatment.

“As long as the patients continue to take their medication for the full six months course, there will be minimal side effects and they can lead normal lives,” Dr Mah said, adding that another talk on the disease and other health concerns would be held again at the school on Saturday.

School cleared of TB
Still under observation

——–

Star

Published: Wednesday September 26, 2012 MYT 3:35:00 PM

Liow: No TB outbreak in Ipoh

By ISABELLE LAI

PETALING JAYA: There is no tuberculosis (TB) outbreak in Ipoh, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

At present, he said, only one patient, out of 170 people who underwent TB tests, returned positive for TB. The case involved a 17-year-old student of SMK Tasek.

Liow added that 34 people were “tested positive” for TB using the mantoux skin test but the test “is not accurate for students with the BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guerin) vaccination.”

“Although the 34 tested positive, subsequent X-ray and sputum tests have cleared 14 of them of TB,” he told reporters after launching the 6th National Conference on Clinical Research.

Liow said data for the other 20 were being processed and results announced as soon as possible.

SHOCKING NEWS! SMK Tasek, the school next to Tesco Extra, has a student who has TB!!

A 17-YEAR-OLD SMK Tasek student has been diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) in Ipoh.

As a precautionary measure, 207 teachers and students from the same school, who had contact with the affected student underwent screening to check for traces of TB last Friday.

The initial results showed that 34 teachers and students tested positive for TB and are now undergoing further tests for confirmation.

Star

• 26 Sep 2012
• Metro Perak

School teachers and students undergo further test for TB

Dr Mah said the boy could probably have contracted the disease from his father who was infected in April this year.

……………..

School teachers and students undergo further test for TB

———————————————————————————————————–

NST

22 September 2012 | last updated at 10:38PM

Mixed response to new bus terminal

INCONVENIENCE: Regular express bus users claim that the Meru Raya Terminal in Jelapang is too far from Ipoh city centre

The soon-to-open integrated bus terminal and complex in Bandar Meru Raya near Jelapang. Pic by Farhan Najib

IPOH: THE RM38 million Integrated Bus Terminal and Complex in Bandar Meru Raya near Jelapang here, which was supposed to begin operations in June, is creating quite a stir among the people.

While some are singing praises of the three-storey terminal and complex by Combined Bus Services Sdn Bhd (CBSB), others are not too excited.

Some commuters have claimed that the terminal, which will serve as an inter-city bus station and terminal, will inconvenience residents living in Ipoh city centre.
…………..
Meanwhile commuter Awang Ali, 35, said the new terminal in Bandar Meru Raya would ease traffic congestion along Jalan Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, where the existing Medan Gopeng express bus station is located.

Read more: Mixed response to new bus terminal – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/mixed-response-to-new-bus-terminal-1.146757?cache=03D163D03edding-pred-1.1176%2F%3FpFpentwage63Dp%3A%2Fhe3D03Dn63Frea-rti3D19.3D163D03edding-pred-1.1176%2F%3FpFpentwage63Dp%3A%2Fhe3D03Dn63Frea-rti3D19.111w5ii%2Fed-1.117%2F7.185166%3Fpage%3D0%3Fpage%3D0#ixzz27FHvl2DR

———————————————————————————————————–

IPOH: CITY DAY IS ON 7TH SEPTEMBER

ROADS TO BE CLOSED

Wednesday: Dress Rehearsal: parts of Jalan Abdul Jalil, Jalan Dato’ Seri Ahmad Said and Persiaran Dewan Bandaraya – all near the Dataran Ipoh area, would be closed today from 5pm to 10pm for the first day of rehearsal.

Thursday, Rehearsal: Jalan Sultan Idris, Jalan Dato’ Seri Ahmad Said, Jalan Abdul Jalil, Persiaran Dewan Bandaraya, Jalan Raja Musa Aziz and Jalan Hospital will be closed from 2pm to 10pm

Friday, Sept 7: the aforementioned roads would be closed from noon to midnight in stages.

Star

• 5 Sep 2012
• Metro Perak
• By IVAN LOH ivanloh@thestar.com.my

Roads to be closed for parade and rehearsals

Roads to be closed for parade and rehearsals

————————————————————————————————————

Aunty Lee Cake & Pastries shop
95, Jalan Chung Ah Ming
8am-8pm
05-254 2088.

NST

03 September 2012 | last updated at 10:48PM

Flavourful mooncakes from aunty’s shop

TASTY: The jelly mooncake at Aunty Lee Cake & Pastries shop comes in yam, sweet corn, pumpkin and other flavours

Traditional jelly mooncakes come in different flavours like yam, sweet corn, red bean, pumpkin, ‘pandan’ and mocca. Pix by Diana Yeoh

Angry Birds cupcakes.

IPOH: AUNTY Lee Cake & Pastries Specialist is reviving the traditional jelly mooncake which was once popular among mainland Chinese.

The jelly mooncake comes in flavours like yam, sweet corn, red bean, pumpkin, pandan (screwpine leaf) and mocca.

Each mooncake has a rich mixture of ingredients, mainly lotus paste, egg yoke, agar-agar (jelly powder) and fresh milk.

The owner Kong Bee Lee has been operating the family business for eight years. The business started off with selling biscuits and cakes.

It then transformed itself into a one-stop centre for cakes, pastries, biscuits and even white coffee.

Apart from mooncakes, the shop is also popular for its Portuguese tart, Angry Bird cupcakes, bread and buns.

Another recommended “best buy” is its Swiss rolls, which comprise of green tea, black sesame, red yeast and pumpkin rolls.

Read more: Flavourful mooncakes from aunty’s shop – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/flavourful-mooncakes-from-aunty-s-shop-1.134838#ixzz25Us597St

————————————————————————————————————

Did you know that there are rabbits to be seen at Gunong Lang?

NST

Rabbit association sets its sights high

IPOH: THE newly established Perak Rabbit Association is setting its sights on greater things.

Shahrin Niza Abd Majid with a Rex. This breed of rabbit is imported from the US and can cost as high as RM550. Pic by Farhan Najib.

…………

The association had submitted a proposal to the Ipoh City Council in June to start a rabbit farm at Gunung Lang.

To test the feasibility of the project, in April, Hamdan donated and reared 14 of his own rabbits at Gunung Lang.

“So far, all 14 are still accounted for,” he chuckled, adding that prior to bringing his rabbits to the farm, it had only three deer and two ostriches.

————————————————————————————————————

PARKING PROBLEMS AT IPOH GENERAL HOSPITAL

Did you know that there is a SHUTTLE SERVICE to the General Hospital from nearby areas?

The hospital’s visitation panel chairman Chan Kwai Hoong  said that the hospital had started a shuttle service around the site in a bid to encourage visitors to park further away. It was launched in February 2011.

NST

17 August 2012 | last updated at 10:41PM

Students, workers add to parking woes

SEVERE SHORTAGE: Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital has 2,500 personnel but only 1,000 parking lots

Many cars are parked illegally around Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital. Pix by L. Manimaran

IPOH: STUDENTS and workers from neighbouring areas are contributing to parking woes at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital.

The hospital’s visitation panel chairman Chan Kwai Hoong said they were parking their vehicles in the hospital compound to avoid paying for parking outside.

“They are depriving patients of parking space.”

Chan said there were only 1,000 parking lots in the hospital compound, including those at the clinic in Greentown.

“It is not even enough to accommodate the vehicles of our 2,500 staff.” said Chan.

He urged visitors to carpool or take taxis. He said some kind hospital staff had been helping out by asking family members to drop them off at the hospital.

“If it were not for them, the 1,000 lots would not be enough to accommodate our personnel.”

Chan said the hospital had started a shuttle service around the site in a bid to encourage visitors to park further away.

“However, only about 65 per cent of people have been using the service since it was launched in February last year.”

The pick-up points are the emergency ward, ambulatory care centre, nurses’ hostel, maternity hall and the maternity hall’s parking lot. The waiting period is about 20 minutes.

Chan said the hospital had submitted a proposal to build a multi-storey parking lot.

Patients and visitors are forced to park their cars along Jalan Hospital.

————————————————————————————————————

Hornets and snakes…What else next?

NST

16 August 2012 | last updated at 11:48PM

Hornets’ nest stirs fear in squatters

By KALAVAANI KARUPIAH | ipoh_nst@yahoo.my

IPOH: RESIDENTS of Kampung MBI in Jalan Sponner here are living in fear of a huge oval-shaped hornets’ nest on tree branch about 20m above the ground.

A hornets’ nest is making those living nearby uneasy. Pic by L. Manimaran.

The situation is compounded by the threat posed by snakes and other reptiles living in the area.

The residents claim the state government, fire and rescue department and the Ipoh City Council (MBI) are aware of the problem but have not taken any action.

A visit by the Northern Streets team recently revealed that the residential area had become a breeding ground for snakes, monitor lizards and mosquitoes, and being used as a rubbish dump.Representatives of the residents, who declined to be named, claimed they have sent countless memorandums and letters to the state government and MBI but have not received any replies.

Residents claim the presence of snakes gave them sleepless nights as they feared for their safety.

One of the residents died after being bitten by a snake in 2010.

The residents’ fears have increased over the last two months with the presence of a huge hornet’s nest.

A resident, who only wanted to be known as Indran, 35, said the reptiles often came to his home, especially after a rain.

“Snakes have come into my house and compound on numerous occasions. I am hoping that some form of action can be taken before anything untoward happens.

“My children are afraid to even go out to play.

“My wife too fears going to the kitchen or to the bathroom because deadly reptiles may be lurking there,” he said, adding that he had once called the fire brigade to help catch a snake in his house.
The firemen did not find it.

Read more: Hornets’ nest stirs fear in squatters – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/hornets-nest-stirs-fear-in-squatters-1.125539#ixzz23gIoS9r0

————————————————————————————————————

New shopping centers in the near future: Aeon shopping complex and the Econsave Supermarket

NST

5 August 2012 | last updated at 11:57PM

Aeon to open in Manjung

IPOH: Leading retailer Aeon Co (M) Bhd is set to open its third shopping complex in Ipoh, following the opening of its complexes in in Ipoh Garden and Station 18, if all goes as scheduled.

1 / 1

The third outlet, in Manjung, is expected to be operational by year end.

Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim said discussions between Harta Mesra Development Sdn Bhd and Aeon to develop the latest shopping complex on a 4ha site in Medan Klebang Restu near here was in its final stages.

“The latest Aeon shopping complex and the Econsave Supermarket to be built at Klebang Centre Point will be a catalyst to accelerate the development of the Klebang area and nearby Chemor as new growth areas after Meru Raya,” he said after launching the Klebang Centre Point here recently.

Klebang Centre Point was developed by the Liew Yin Yin Group under a strategic alliance between the group and Econsave Cash & Carry Sdn Bhd.

He said the 150,000 residents in Klebang, Chemor, and the surrounding areas would benefit from the construction of the Aeon shopping complex and the Econsave Supermarket in the area.

————————————————————————————————————

Bargains at Courts store at the AEON Station 18 mall

Star

• 13 Aug 2012
• Metro Perak
• By CHERYL HEW cherylhew@thestar.com.my Photos by SAIFUL BAHRI

Geniune offers

Bargains and good deals a draw for Raya shoppers

Shoppers checking through the electronic gadgets on offer at the Courts store at the AEON Station 18 mall one week before Hari Raya. – SAIFUL BAHRI / The Star THE Hari Raya fever is on as shoppers rush to get last minute deals and bargains in time for the festival.

The craze was particularly evident at the Courts store, which opened its doors for business at the AEON Station 18 mall last Saturday.

Shoppers were seen crowding around electronic gadgets and appliances displayed at the store, which had big signs announcing attractive discounts.

Teacher Azwani Samaun, 32, said she had queued up outside the store earlier than its opening time of 10am.

“I was 15 minutes early but there was already a number of people before me.

“I was hoping to get a jug set and computer mouse, which were on offer, but sadly, they were sold out by the time I reached the front of the queue.

Geniune offers

———————————————————————————————————–

Malay Mail

RESIDENTS of Taman Dovenby and Kampung Ramasamy in Sungai Siput want the state government to relocate a factory and a quarry, operating about 500m from their homes.

Many who have been living without problems in the area for the past 35 years said things took a turn in November, when operators of the cement factory started blasting activities at the nearby quarry.

A representative of the 300 families, R. Subramaniam, said blasting activities had caused the walls and fl oors of the houses to crack and believe these activities are threatening the health of their children.

Sg Siput folk want factory, quarry moved

———————————————————————————————————–

Malay Mail

THE Ipoh City Council will take immediate action to install brighter lights and warning signs to warn motorist on the danger ahead when they travel along Jalan Lahat.

Mayor Datuk Roshidi Hashim said the council would put up the warning signs and improve the lighting on the stretch while waiting for the railings near a river to be replaced.

“Engineers from our department visited the area after receiving complaints and have instructed the contractors to work on it immediately,” he said.

Roshidi was commenting on The Malay Mail’s report yesterday, in which motorists said their lives were at risk because of an unexpected curve in the road and missing railings near the river in Jalan Lahat.

Roshidi thanked The Malay Mail for highlighting the issue and gave an assurance the work to replace the railings would be completed in two weeks.

Lights, signs and rails for Jln Lahat

————

Malay Mail

MOTORISTS need to be extra careful when using Jalan Lahat, heading for Falim and Menglembu, as a little carelessness may cost a life.

Travellers said they have seen too many mishaps taking place there because of the unexpected road curve and missing railings which would act as barriers to stop you from falling into the river.

The Malay Mail visited the place, recently, and found the concrete barriers at the base of the railings damaged, showing that vehicles had hit the concrete blocks.

MISSING GUARD RAILS: Nothing to stop careless motorists from landing in the river

Transport company owner Hardav Singh, 45, said many motorist who do not use that stretch often would not expect the sharp curve as they come down the flyover and could end up in the river.

“The metal railings supposed to prevent vehicles from entering into the river had been vandalised.

…………

“I’ve seen a motorcyclist who lost control after coming down the flyover skid and fall into the river.

“Luckily, a passerby helped him.”

Missing railings danger to motorists

———————————————————————————————————–

NST

6 August 2012 | last updated at 12:05AM

Brazen disregard for no-parking zone

INCONSIDERATE: Some Ipoh Garden South business owners have placed signs to illegally reserve parking space

Some business owners have put up banners and signs used to ‘reserve’ parking along the road. Pic by Wong Tuck Keong

IPOH: THE limited number of parking lots at Ipoh Garden South in Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah Utara here has led to some business owners to come up with ways to “book” parking lots.

While some will put chairs on parking lots to reserve them for their customers, others have started placing banners and signs to reserve parking space at the side of the road that had been specified as no-parking zones by the Ipoh City Council.

A motorist, who asked to be identified only as Lim, said one business owner of two computer learning centres in the area had begun putting up extra reserve signs within the no-parking zones since last month.

“The area has been demarcated as no-parking zones, yet the business owner had the cheek to put up ‘reserved’ signs,” she said.

Another business operator, who declined to be identified, said some business owners, irked by the latest development, planned to place their own signs to outdo the competition in the war over parking in the no-parking zone.

Brazen disregard for no-parking zone

———————————————————————————————————–

AWAY WITH THE NIGHT MARKET! TAKE IT ELSEWHERE!

BUT I WOULD LIKE IT TO REMAIN RIGHT THERE!

NST

4 August 2012 | last updated at 08:25AM

Move night market, Ipoh council urged

IPOH: RESIDENTS and those patronising the popular Ipoh Garden East food and entertainment centre here want the Ipoh City Council (ICC) to relocate the the night market.

The night market in Lorong Medan Ipoh 6 is causing traffic congestion. Pic by Farhan Najib

At present, the night market which is operating in Lorong Medan Ipoh 6 every Tuesday, is causing massive traffic congestion along the stretch where Tesco Hypermarket is located.

A check by the Northern Streets team recently saw the congestion at the area, especially after 8pm.

The congestion was caused by visitors, who were either going to the night market, hypermarket, food restaurants or night clubs in the area.

It is also impossible to even find a proper parking space here because the night market is located at an area where there are many offices, beauty parlours, boutiques, tuition, music and dance centres.

Because of the proliferation of stalls, the traffic flow at the small junction leading to Medan Ipoh becomes congested and traffic is almost at a standstill when the night market is in operation.

Residents living around here claimed there were frequent accidents.

They are also upset about the noise and dust pollution caused by the vehicles.

…………

Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim said the council would look into the matter soon.

He said they would work closely with the police and come up with an amicable solution.

Roshidi also added that the state government had approved RM50,000 for the setting up of the police beat base.

“We are still trying to find the right location and a study is being being carried out in Medan Ipoh and a few other spots in the city,” he added.

Read more: Move night market, Ipoh council urged – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/move-night-market-ipoh-council-urged-1.119659#ixzz22e7rsUtP

Move night market, Ipoh council urged

————————————————————————————————————

Pay your fines by end of August and get a discount; or go to court later!

NST

3 August 2012 | last updated at 12:52AM

Pay fines at half price

———————————————————————————————————–

Unsavory news about Bercham, Ipoh

NST

3 August 2012 | last updated at 08:58PM

Vietnamese GROs nabbed

————————————————————————————————————

The Star Metro features the run down state of the Japanese Garden in particular and of the D.R. Seenivasagam Park in general.

Read the reports below:
Iconic park in need of attention
IT was the bridge that giggling school girls loved to stand on and pose for pictures. Years later they brought their little ones to the same spot to watch and feed scores of Japanese carps in…

Residents want proper maintenance and security THE natural environment in D.R. Park should not be taken for granted and steps must be taken to protect the park that was opened to the public since the early 50′s. Yen Li, 48, said the lack…

Damaged walkways a danger to visitors bly the pride of Ipoh folk. Located along Jalan Raja Musa Aziz, it was known as Coronation Park once upon a time. It was named after the late Darma Raja Seenivasagam, a prominent lawyer and…

———

For articles on the D.R. Seenivasagam Park at its best (in the PAST, of course!), click on any of the links below:

www.malaysiahotelreview.com/…/taman-dr-seenivasagam.shtml – Cached

xjion89.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-hidden-japanese-garden…

www.explore-ipoh.com/dr-park.html – Cached

————————————————————————————————————

Malay Mail

MAYOR Datuk Roshidi Hashim has promised that the Ipoh Padang in Jalan S.P. Seenivasagam, which hosted a hive of activities in the 1960s, will be upgraded, following calls by city folk to bring back the glory days of the field which has deteriorated for lack of maintenance.

He said the city council’s engineering department was working on a tender for the repair works.

“We hope the contractor can start working on it by the end of the year,” he told reporters after chairing the council’s board meeting yesterday.

BRINGING BACK GLORY DAYS: The Ipoh Padang will be upgraded at a cost of about RM1.5 million

The upgrading works would cost about RM1.5 millio

Ipoh Padang to be upgraded, says mayor

————————————————————————————————————

NST

31 July 2012 | last updated at 11:45PM

MB: Blatant disregard for town planning

Read more: MB: Blatant disregard for town planning – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/mb-blatant-disregard-for-town-planning-1.116267#ixzz22GpNeR9F

————————————————————————————————————

The buffaloes return! When I was teaching at Shen Jai High School, near Bandar Cyber, we had similar problems. You had to avoid the buffaloes in the morning, or their huge lumps of dung.

Star

• 27 Jul 2012
• Metro Perak
• Story and photos by FONG KEE SOON keesoon@thestar.com.my

Residents fume over stray buffaloes

“The owners should keep their animals in a secured enclosure,” said Ang whose office is in Bandar Cyber.

Fed up with the situation, Ang had reported the problem to Mentri Besar Datuk Zambry Abdul Kadir during one of his recent meet-the-people session at the state secretariat office.

Following that, the council spoke to the cowherds and the animals were not seen for a while.

————————————————————————————————————

NST

25 July 2012 | last updated at 12:32AM

Council urged to repair Ipoh’s roads

By KALAVAANI KARUPIAH | nst_ipoh@yahoo.com

IPOH: Residents are urging the Ipoh City Council (ICC) to resurface badly damaged roads around the city, especially those in residential areas.

City folk are particularly concerned about bad roads in residential areas. Pic by Farhan Najib

Besides causing damage to vehicles, the poor condition of the roads is contributing to accidents.

Some roads had large potholes which pose a danger to motorists, especially motorcyclists.

There were also roads with uneven surfaces that could throw motorcyclists off balance.

An Ipoh Garden resident, who only wants to be known as Lam, said what irked him most was the poor quality quality of road resurfacing  after  roads were dug up.

“The resurfaced areas don’t last and are often uneven,” he said.

There were several knee-deep holes in roads near Taman Cempaka, Ipoh Garden, Tambun, Gunung Rapat, First Garden and Buntung.

Read more: Council urged to repair Ipoh’s roads – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/council-urged-to-repair-ipoh-s-roads-1.112212#ixzz21hlysXeV

———————————————————————————————————-

Star

• 24 Jul 2012
• The Star Malaysia

Roshidi’s term as Ipoh mayor extended

____________________________________________________________

NST

24 July 2012 | last updated at 12:21AM

Students ‘reconstruct’ the past

Universiti Malaya and National University of Singapore students work under the Joint Studio Programme at a pre-war shoplot in Jalan Bijih Timah. Pic by Muhaizan Yahya

Under the seventh Universiti Malaya (UM)-National University of Singapore (NUS) Joint Studio Programme, the students from the universities had the chance to visit and explore Ipoh’s heritage buildings.

For two weeks, they climbed up walls and crawled over rooftops to take measurements and trace the contours of four pre-war shop lots, including a trade shop off Jalan Bandar Timah, Sinhalese Bar in Jalan Bijih Timah as well as a stationery shop and charcoal house near Jalan Dato Onn Jaafar.

For second-year UM student, Huda Nejim, 21, being part of the programme opened her eyes to Ipoh’s rich culture and history.

“Despite being Malaysian and having been here on several occasions, I never realised Ipoh had so much to offer in terms of heritage,” said the student from Petaling Jaya.

She said Ipoh was lesser known as a heritage city compared with George Town and Malacca.

“But I found that many residents here still live and carry out their businesses in houses and shop lots that were handed down to them from generations decades back,” she said.
…………

Read more: Students ‘reconstruct’ the past – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/students-reconstruct-the-past-1.111726#ixzz21c3Bsw8o

———————————————————————————————————–

About ACS and MGS

NST

13 July 2012 | last updated at 12:20AM

Perak’s oldest schools to hold joint reunion

IPOH: Perak’s oldest boys’ and girls’ schools are set to have their first joint reunion dinner in 50 years on Aug 4.

Datuk Lean Meng Seong (left) and Douglas Lim talking about the reunion dinner. Pic by Intan Nur Elliana Zakaria

The dinner marks the 117th anniversary of the Anglo Chinese School (ACS) and 115th of its sister school, the Methodist Girls School (MGS) of Ipoh.

It will take place at the Kinta Riverfront Hotel, in Jalan Lim Bo Seng, Ipoh.

ACS Ipoh Alumni Association president Datuk Lean Meng Seong said there would be 100 tables for 10, at RM1,000 each.

Read more: Perak’s oldest schools to hold joint reunion – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/perak-s-oldest-schools-to-hold-joint-reunion-1.106630#ixzz20e7VbLMm

____________________________________________________________

View what happened to weehingthong recently. He got away safely but listen to the abuse!

____________________________________________________________

Star

Monday July 9, 2012

Works at Ipoh Railway Station and bus terminal yet to finish despite ongoing VPY 2012

By MANJIT KAUR
manjit@thestar.com.my
Photos by RONNIE CHIN

Still in progress: The ongoing works being carried out at the square infront of the Ipoh Railway station.

HALF a year has passed and Visit Perak Year 2012 is at the mid-way mark, yet works to upgrade attractions in the city remain unfinished.

The frontage of the Ipoh Railway Station is an eyesore with earth dug out all over the place.

While the purpose is to have a musical fountain which will be another tourism attraction, state Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Hamidah Osman said the project would only be ready by the end of the year.

Works at Ipoh Railway Station and bus terminal yet to finish despite

—————————————————————————————

Malay Mail

FLASHBACK: The Malay Mail report showing the Majestic Theatre before and after it was torn down

THE developer who demolished the Majestic Theatre in Jalan Chamberlain last month has issued with notices by Ipoh City Council (MBI) for ignoring a stopwork order.

Mayor Datuk Roshidi Hashim said the notices were sent on June 26 after the council realised more demolition was done despite a stop work order issued on June 21.

This came following The Malay Mail’s report on the June 16 demolition of the building.

“The developer expressed their regret over the demolition and requested for a meeting with us. We will meet them…but are not going to be lenient on the matter,” he said.

Roshidi said the developers would face action under Section 70(16)(i) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act for demolishing the building without council’s consent, and also under Section 26 of the Town and Country Planning Act for carrying out development without permission.

Roshidi said the nearly 70-years-old Majestic Theatre was one of 114 buildings listed under the Ipoh Structure Plan for conservation.

Developer faces action over demolition

————–

The Majestic Theatre on Chamberlain Road is gone!

Star

Tuesday July 3, 2012

Heritage building demolished without council’s consent

A STOP-WORK order has been issued against the developer who instructed the demolition of the former Majestic Theatre on Jalan Chamberlain in Ipoh.

Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim said the Ipoh City Council was also mulling legal action against the developer for tearing down the famous landmark built in the 1930s without a permit last month.

“My officers will be coming up with their findings soon and possibly take the developer to court where he could be fined up to RM50,000 for his action,” he said after opening the DNS Kacang Putih Sdn Bhd factory in Menglembu, last Saturday.

Roshidi said it was most unfortunate that the theatre, listed as a heritage building, had been torn down to make way for a commercial project.

“It could jeopardise our plans to get Unesco to recognise Ipoh as a heritage site,” he said, stressing that all developers, contractors and building owners must get approval from the council before tearing down or developing any building.

“We do not want a recurrence of the tragic incident in Fair Park whereby a row of pre-war shophouses collapsed and killed two people.

“We have to learn from that lesson,” he added.

Heritage building demolished without council’s consent

———

That was the Majestic!

www.ipohworld.org/blog/?p=1484 – Cached

———————————————————————————————————–

Star

• 3 Jul 2012
• Metro Perak
• By IVAN LOH ivanloh@thestar.com.my

Parking lot menace

“It could have been a coincidence but don’t you think my tyres would have been punctured if the nail was already there when I was parking my car earlier?

“How did it get there all of a sudden?” he asked.

In fact, the problem of jaga kereta boys was not limited to Bandar Baru Medan Ipoh as Lau found out when parking on Jalan Datuk Tahwil Azar during the day.

“Once, I was already scratching the council parking coupons when these people came to ask for money.

“Are we to pay the council and them as well?” Lau asked.

Bank officer Michael Chang, 31, said there were different groups operating in Bandar Baru Medan Ipoh.

“Sometimes a group of youths will try their luck to get money. I have also seen some who look like drug addicts.

“I usually try to avoid parking at these places but sometimes, it is just impossible.

“And while I do not believe in paying them, I am also afraid they may scratch my car if I don’t,” he said.

Urging the council’s enforcement team to patrol the area more often, Chang said their presence would scare off the perpetrators and stop them from harassing the public.

Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim said his enforcement officers were monitoring the situation closely, adding that they were working with the police to put a stop to the activities.

Metro Perak
3 Jul 2012

__________________________________________________________

Star

Thursday June 28, 2012

Fracas in Taman Kaya

DISCORD is brewing in Taman Kaya where the majority of its residents are desperately seeking approval for their gated community project.

On Tuesday evening, the residents came in droves to prevent their former Residents’ Association (RA) pro-tem chairman Augustine Anthony from leaving the residential area after he brought two online news portal editors there.

………….

Speaking to reporters later on, Augustine denied he had any power to influence Roshidi’s decision.

“I am not a city councillor and I do not make decisions.

“Some people are happy with the project and some are not,” the lawyer said, adding that he had brought the editors there to do a story on gated communities.

Fracas in Taman Kaya

————————————————————————————————————-

PAY UP OR WE’LL SCRATCH YOUR CAR!

NST

14 June 2012 | Last updated at 12:05AM

Illegal parking attendants a menace

By KALAVAANI KARUPIAH nst_ipoh@yahoo.com 0 comments

IPOH: JUST as it is difficult to tackle illegal parking, insufficient parking spaces and traffic problems here, it is equally difficult to get illegal parking attendants off the streets.

An illegal parking attendant at a popular night spot in Ipoh. City dwellers are staying away from places where these touts operate. Pic by Farhan Najib

Read more: Illegal parking attendants a menace – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/illegal-parking-attendants-a-menace-1.94237#ixzz1xq0AIR45

———————————————————————————————————–

Malay Mail

BRING BACK THE GLORY DAYS: Locals say the Ipoh Padang had been neglected over the years

THE call to help bring back the glory days of the Ipoh Padang gathered momentum as the city folk were reminded of the once-popular field which hosted a hive of activities in the 60s.

Datuk William S.W. Davidson, who spoke at the Perak Lecture Series recently, was saddened at the neglect of the field in Jalan S.P. Seenivasagam.

Clamouring for glory days of Ipoh Padang

———————————————————————————————————–

We may get AirAsia flights by year-end! In time for Christmas? Chinese New Year?

NST

09 June 2012 | Last updated at 11:49PM

Air Asia centre opens in Ipoh

IPOH: Air Asia Travel and Service Centre is now open at Tune Hotel in Jalan Veerasamy, here.

Datuk Roshidi Hashim (second from left) officially opens the centre, the first in Perak, in Tune Hotel. Pic by Ikhwan Munir

The centre is run by Global Nett Travel Sdn Bhd.

Ipoh Mayor Datuk Roshidi Hashim officially opened the centre. Also present were Global Nett executive director Keng Chong and Air Asia sales and distribution ommercial manager Oh Teik Chye.

Those in the tourism sector are looking forward to Air Asia resuming its flights from the Sultan Azlan Shah airport, here.

Currently, only Firefly operates flights to Singapore.

Read more: Air Asia centre opens in Ipoh – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/air-asia-centre-opens-in-ipoh-1.92546#ixzz1xLVvGl00

——————————————————————————————————–

Sundaily

Police probe cause of Ipoh tremor

IPOH (June 8, 2012): The police are investigating the cause of a tremor in this city yesterday. Ipoh OCPD ACP Azisman Alias said they have not received any report from individuals or agencies on the tremor.

The tremor, which lasted for about three minutes from 11.15 am, was felt in Jalan Kampar and the Ungku Omar Polytechnic in Jalan Dairy.

Police probe cause of Ipoh tremor

———-

Malay Mail

POLITEKNIK Ungku Omar staff were shaken when they felt a tremor and what sounded like an explosion yesterday.

Its deputy director, Muhamad Zubir Mohd Hanifah, said he was in a meeting with a few other staff when he felt the tremor.

He said the tremor, which lasted for about a minute, rattled the doors and windows in the room.

“We were stunned and speechless for while. After the situation returned to normal, we thought our staff who were shifting things in the building had dropped something heavy,” he said.

Tremor rattles Ipoh folk, cause still unknown

———————————————————————————————————-

THE TOWN PADANG
When we were kids, which was in the 1950s, there weree only two places for play and recreation. These were the Clock Tower and the Town Padang. The latter was the place for football matches. Once I began going to school, I played a lot more on the Padang, especially in secondary school. SMI boys used the field often for rugby practice.

I have always loved the Padang with its green field and its space. It i8s, therefore, wonderful to read that the field will be repaired.

CITY MAYOR TO THE RESCUE: TOWN PADANG TO BE RESTORED  TO ITS PRISTINE CONDITION

NST

08 June 2012 | Last updated at 11:39PM

Ipoh field could soon be restored

HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE: City Council has been ordered to come up with a report for its rehabilitation

The Ipoh City Council is also looking into whether to allow non-sports events at the field. Pix by Farhan Najib

——-

Star

• 8 Jun 2012
• Metro Perak
• Story by IVAN LOH and EDMUND NGO metroperak@thestar.com.my Photos by EDMUND NGO

Ipoh Padang to be repaired

Council to conduct study on cost of refurbishing Ipoh Padang

The Ipoh City Council will carry out a study to estimate the cost of repair to restore the Ipoh Padang.

……….

In the council’s full board meeting on Monday Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim had explained that the field was meant for sporting events and not for concerts.

He said the system sustained serious damages during the state-level Chinese New Year celebration in 2008, which led to “ponding” on the field as the rainwater was trapped on the field’s surfaces each time it rained.

Roshidi said the council had no choice but to carry out regular maintenance works until the required funds are made available.

“About three years ago, the estimation to repair the subsoil pipes amounted to about RM1.3mil. It can be more expensive now,” he said, adding that the council would have to look at its budget for next year in order to plan for such repairs for the field.

“In the meantime, we will continue to monitor the condition of the field and carry out improvements regularly.

“Just last month, we cleaned out the pipe outlets by channelling all the stagnant water into the drains,” Roshidi added.

Council to conduct study on cost of refurbishing Ipoh Padang

__________________________________________________________

DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS?

———————————————————————————————————-

NST

07 June 2012 | Last updated at 09:28AM

Value for money at Great Miner

AN EDGE OVER OTHERS: Dig in to affordable and tasty dishes at Kinta Riverfront Hotel’s Chinese Restaurant

Marketing executive Amber Lee and Chef Vincent Tan Weng On introducing with some two new dishes.

IPOH: THERE are many places  in this city where the food is unpretentious, tasty and enticing, but some can be quite pricey.

Now you can enjoy a decent meal at an affordable price at the Kinta Riverfront Hotel’s Great Miner Chinese Restaurant.

The restaurant is currently having a promotion this month.

Customers should take advantage of this special promotion to enjoy the various dishes at value-for-money prices prepared by the hotel’s chef, Vincent Tan.

Read more: Value for money at Great Miner – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/value-for-money-at-great-miner-1.91943#ixzz1xAA4wXXC

————————————————————————————————————

1IPOH

You can block off most of the road if you like!

Have a wedding, a funeral, your grandfather’s birthday…ANYTHING!

_____________________________________________________________

THERE ARE NONE SO BLIND AS THOSE WHO WILL NOT SEE….

This is going on right under the noses of the Ipoh City Council but they see nothing and do nothing.

NST

5 June 2012 | Last updated at 12:16AM

Bring selfish hawkers to book

PUNISH THEM: Irate motorists want the city council to take action against those who turn public parking bays into their personal lots

Motorists are deprived of parking space as they are taken up by hawkers at MBI Terrace. Pic by Farhan Najib

IPOH: GOING in circles looking for available  parking in an area with limited parking space is annoying enough for those for working in Greentown Business Centre and Greentown Avenue.

What is worse are the unauthorised reservations of parking bays by selfish business operators at MBI Terrace in Jalan Datuk Ismail Shah Bodin.

—————————————————————————————————————

NST
1 June 2012 | Last updated at 12:12AM

Unkept Ipoh Padang loses popularity

LEVEL UP: Users complain of uneven surface, litter and stench

The field is waterlogged after a downpour, resulting in an uneven surface. Pic by Farhan Najib

IPOH: REGULAR users of Ipoh Padang in Jalan S.P. Seenivasagam, here, are unhappy with the field’s deteriorating condition and lack of maintenance.

The field is popular with sports enthusiasts, who meet there in the evenings for football, cricket, netball and hockey.

Some go there to relax and enjoy the colonial architecture of its neighbours.

Ipoh Padang is surrounded by historical structures including the mock-Tudor style Ipoh Club, FMS Bar, HSBC building and St Michael’s Institution Secondary School.

Users say the field is in serious need of an upgrade. Complaints are centred on the uneven surface and occasional wafts of stench.

A regular user, who wished to be known as Simon, 45, also had issues with the cleanliness of the field.

Ipoh City Council’s makeshift storage area next to Ipoh Padang is used to keep seized goats and cows, which droppings are causing a stink. Pic by Farhan Najib

Read more: Unkept Ipoh Padang loses popularity – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/unkept-ipoh-padang-loses-popularity-1.89788#ixzz1wbEXO6Z

__________________________________________________________________

We went to AEON at Station 18 today, Thursday, 31 May 2012

Met two Poi Lam students and a Shen Jai student.

Lunch at Nando’s was delicious. Two peri chicken set meals plus drinks and taxes cost RN43.

Daiso is Japanese. Each item costs RM5.00, so it is really popular. The Daiso shop at the Curve, PJ, was robbed of RM80,000, its takings for the week-end.

Look at the people queue-ing up to pay!

Compare Hinode, also a RM5 shop with Daiso. Hinode is small and offers few choices.

This next places sells tidbits.

They know how Malaysians love sampling the goods, so they have provided enough samples in little containers.

Just help yourself! As I watched, some people took SAMPLES of EVERYTHING and then walked off. Free tidbits!

Gintell has this HUGE massage bed. Almost RM10,000, I think.

FOS is Factory Outlet Shop. Not cheap, the stuff!

—————————————————————————————————————

Two of the musicians going on tour are my students, Lim Pooi Yin and Lim Hua Siang. Have a great time!

Star

• 31 May 2012
• Metro Perak
• Story and photos by FONG KEE SOON keesoon@thestar.com.my

Musical journey

Musical journey
THE Kinta Valley Wind Orchestra (KVWO) is set to make Perak proud with its upcoming debut in Taiwan. But before embarking on their maiden overseas musical performance, the orchestra members…

——–

• 31 May 2012
• Metro Perak
• Story and photos by FONG KEE SOON keesoon@thestar.com.my

Playing it softly

Local Perak wind orchestra bound for Taiwan

Twelve-year-old child prodigy violinist, Verena Koay, performing a rendition of Jasmine

Playing it softly
Twelve-year-old child prodigy violinist, Verena Koay, performing a rendition of Jasmine Flower, a popular Chinese folk song dating back to the 18th century, during a special performance by…

____________________________________________________________

NST

29 May 2012 | Last updated at 01:49AM

50 per cent discount on compounds

Read more: 50 per cent discount on compounds – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/50-per-cent-discount-on-compounds-1.88598#ixzz1wOgwdgij

————————————————————————————————

NST

30 May 2012 | Last updated at 09:01PM

Woman plagued by fleas and mites

HARMFUL: Housewife blames neighbour’s dogs for flea bites

Luo Shufang showing the bite marks on her arm.

IPOH: A 42-YEAR-OLD housewife from Taman Bersatu, Ipoh Garden East here is being tormented by an invasion of dog fleas and ticks at her home since last month.

Luo Shufang, a Chinese national married to local contractor Lai Men Kiang, 56, said she had been bitten severely all over her body by the parasitic mites, causing her to seek medical treatment five times for her wounds.

Read more: Woman plagued by fleas and mites – Northern – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/woman-plagued-by-fleas-and-mites-1.88956#ixzz1wQ62dM1H

————————————————————————————————

NST

28 May 2012 | Last updated at 08:49PM

Ipoh gets conversant with Sweet Chat

The signature durian pancake.

By AUDREY DERMAWAN | nst_ipoh@yahoo.com 

IPOH: SWEET Chat, a popular cafe chain known for its stylish yet comfortable ambience, authentic-tasting  local dishes and Western favourites and most particularly,  its nectarous delights, has opened its doors here.

The Ipoh outlet is the fourth in the country, and the first outside of the Klang Valley.

It is located in the newly-opened AEON Ipoh Station 18 shopping centre.

Sweet Chat brand manager Kwan Lynn-ee said Ipoh was an exciting venture for the company.

SWEET CHAT IS IN AEON AT STATION 18

————————————————————————————————

THE SUNGAI PARI BRINGS FLOODING WOES TO RESIDENTS OF BUNTONG, LIM GARDEN, MERDEKA GARDEN AND OTHER P[LACES ALONG ITS BANKS.

It was in the mid-1960s that the flooding problems from the Sungai Pari began to get increasingly severe. One day, a friend had to rush home in answer to a call from his mum. “We’re being flooded!”

That was their first severe flood, and their electrical goods, mattresses, books and personal documents and possessions were damaged or spoilt for keeps. It would be followed by at least two floods a year, sometimes more.

Subsequent flooding taught them to be pragmatic. His was a one-storeyed terraced house.

They had to create an upstairs of sorts. A wooden plant was build inside each bedroom, and the mattresses were put on it. So were all cupboards, electrical applicances, etc. The fridge was put on a platform much higher than the last water margin (the line on the walls left by the last flood). A small step ladder allowed you to get up to the fridge.

They owned the house and could find NO BUYERS. Not even at 30% discount. Eventually they all moved out, to KL, other parts of Ipoh, and so on. I don’t know if they sold the house.

I remember well the marks left on the walls by each subsequent flood. He spoke of cockroaches crawling on the walls just above the water margin at each flood, and of the endless clearing and washing of the house after each flood.

Today, it seems, flooding is a perennial problem.

———————————————————————

Star
Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Residents live in fear of flashfloods due to erosion in Sg Pari

Story and photo by FONG KEE SOON
keesoon@thestar.com.my

BUNTONG is in danger of being hit by flashflood due to severe erosion of the banks of Sungai Pari.

Ipoh city councillor Wilson Choo said residents claimed that the erosion was the main cause for a flashflood about 10 years ago in Buntong and that no measures were taken following the incident.

Residents’ complaints to the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) also fell on deaf ears, he added.

thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2012/5/22/metroper…

——————————————————————–

I wasn’t sure of this item came under Crime in Ipoh since there is a link between certain mat rempit and crime, or here in Ipoh Ipoh.

Sundaily

Traffic police officer injured, hit by mat rempit

IPOH (May 21, 2012): A traffic policeman was injured after being hit by a motorcyclist during an operation codenamed “Ops Samseng Jalanan” at Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, here early yesterday morning.

Ipoh Traffic Police Chief DSP, Wan Sharuddin Wan Omar said the victim, Corporal Mohd Fazli Ali, 40, who injured his right hand, received outpatient treatment at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital here.

…….

Fifty-nine personnel from the police department, volunteer police and Rela were involved in the operation which was carried out on four main roads in the city, namely Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, Jalan Raja Musa Aziz, Jalan Hospital and Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah. – Bernama

NEWS

Mat Rempit’s ‘cards’ gives him away

New Straits Times
Sunday, Jan 08, 2012

THE mistake of keeping several credit cards which were robbed from a man nearly two years ago in his wallet proved to be the downfall for a Mat Rempit.

The 27-year-old man, arrested by police on Thursday, is linked to a motorcycle robbery gang that have been involved in several cases in the city.

It is learnt that investigators are also looking into the possibility that the man is affiliated to the notorious “36″ and “77″ youth criminal gangs that are high on the police wanted list.

Among the cases being investigating are for gang robbery, fighting, protection racket, drug dealing, illegal motorcycle racing and motorcycle theft, all of which are criminal activities linked to the two gangs.

Mat Rempit‘s ‘cards’ gives him away

THE mistake of keeping several credit cards which were robbed from a man nearly two years ago in his wallet proved to be the downfall for a Mat Rempit. The 27-year …

news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Crime/Story/A1Story…

———————————————————————

Malay Mail

BUTTERWORTH: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is peeved over the absence of consultation by the Perak government over a low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT) project and Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha’s comment on it.

Lim said the Penang government did not oppose the Utara Malaysia Airport Terminal (UMAT) in northern Perak but it was troubling Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir had failed to consult with the Penang government.

He said Kong, meanwhile, was more interested in updating information on the WWW number plate bids than addressing the issue of the terminal and Penang’s free port status.

Lim upset over Perak LCCT | The Malay Mail
BUTTERWORTH: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is peeved over the absence of consultation by the Perak government over a low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT) project and …www.mmail.com.my/story/lim-upset-over-perak-lcct – Cached

—-

Kong rapped over Perak LCCT | theSundailyKong rapped over Perak LCCT … consulting other states on the proposed low cost carrier terminal (LCCT) in Perak. Lim …www.thesundaily.my/news/383834 – Cached

———————————————————————

MYDIN COMES TO IPOH

NST

19 May 2012 | Last updated at 12:28AM

Mydin’s largest mall now in Ipoh

NEW HYPERMARKET: RM200m project is first branch in Perak

Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd launched its ninth hypermarket branch at Meru Raya in Ipoh yesterday. Pic by Ikhwan Munir

IPOH: MYDIN Mohamed Holdings Bhd officially launched the opening of its largest hypermarket mall at Meru Raya here yesterday.

The RM200 million investment project is the local company’s ninth hypermarket branch in the country and first in the state.

More than 700 people had been recruited to work at the 73,486sq m premises, which is located in a developing township known as Bandar Meru Raya, which has been set by the state government to be known as a “green city”.

The hypermarket structure is also fitted with environmentally-friendly fixtures, such as T5 lamps and solar panels.

For more, try the link below:
Mydin’s largest mall now in Ipoh – General – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/mydin-s-largest-mall-now-in-ipoh-1.85391#ixzz1vPKI9dN0

———————————————————————

Buffaloes on the loose!

When I was teaching in Shen Jai High School some years ago, every morning, without fail, a herd of buffaloes wou;d emerge from the bushes beside the school, grazing as they drifted across the road towards the main road.

Ipoh continues to have problems with cattle.

NST

Residents of Taman Pengkalan Harmoni urge the council to catch the animals and fine the owners

The herd of buffaloes grazing at a field in the housing area is a cause of concern to residents. Pic by Kalavaani Karupiah

IPOH: THE last thing city folk expect to see is a large herd of buffaloes roaming in their residential area. But for residents living in Taman Pengkalan Harmoni near here, it has become a common sight.

A herd of 30 buffaloes appeared to have moved into the neighbourhood, grazing along the roads and green areas here.

———————————————————————

A Low-Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) for Perak? That would be most welcome!

Star
Thursday May 17, 2012

Discussions ongoing for LCCT

By FONG KEE SOON
keesoon@thestar.com.my

THE plan for Perak to have its own low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT) in the northern part of the state has not been forgotten nor stalled.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said concerns were raised with regards to competition it would pose during initial discussions with the Federal Government.

Discussions on going for LCCT

———————————————————————-

Taman Kaya: Sayings of inconsequential people…

_________________________________________________

WE HAVE BEEN CHASED OUT OF OUR HOME!

No one will help us. Not the Police. Not the City Council. Not the DAP!

_________________________________________________

Watch what they did when two MediaPerak journalists came visiting. In doing so, they spoilt the name of Perak DAP irrevocably.

If you thought that they lived in some NEW VILLAGE, you wouldn’t be wrong. As MSK had said, you can take people out of the new village, you can’t take the new village out of them.

———————————————————————-

———————————————————————-

The Mayor of the Ipoh City Council declared Pertubuhan Komuniti Berpagar Taman Kaya, Ipoh illegal a long time ago.

Yet, DBI has not acted. Is DBI scared that the DAP will win control of the State of Perak in GE 13? Who knows?

We know only this: the City Mayor talks and talks…he does not walk the talk.

The boom gate is illegal. It is also a dangerous place for YOU if you don’t agree with the Residents Association.

They can and WILL stop you from leaving.

They can and WILL threaten you.

———————————————————————

I LIVE IN A RENTED HOUSE OUTSIDE TAMAN KAYA.

Wednesday, 23 January 2013
10.30pm

I came home a few minutes ago. No harassment and intimidation at the boomgate BECAUSE I DIDN’T RETURN TO TAMAN KAYA.

I live outside Taman Kaya.

Coming home at night is easy, not a nerve-wrecking time. From November 1, 2012, this has been my experience every night.

SINCE I MOVED OUT OF TAMAN KAYA, I AM NO LONGER SUBJECTED TO THE KIND OF INTIMIDATION THAT DROVE ME OUT OF MY OWN HOUSE.

When we lived in Taman Kaya, leaving the place was not much of a problem since it was almost entirely in the morning or afternoon

GOING BACK HOME WAS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE.

The boomgate was the means whereby these Kaya people used to stop my free return. The boom gate was always down. These people would be waiting for me.

There was no easy entry most nights. I ran the gauntlet of their insults and harassment. Once, they attacked my car when my wife and I were inside. That was the last straw, of course, and we quickly grabbed the first house we could find and moved outside.

Others have written about the samseng and gangsters of Taman Kaya. 

I WAS SUBJECTED TO THEIR HARASSMENT AND INTIMIDATION.

I miss the comfort of my home in Taman Kaya but I don’t miss the intimidation and harassment.

Read the last three entries in my Post and you will understand how terrible it had been for us….

Taman Kaya: The Harassment continues almost daily…

Incident No 11: Insults at the Booomgate
Wednesday, 31 October 2012: almost 10pm

Wednesday, 31 October 2012, when I came back to Taman Kaya, it was about 9.55pm. The guard waited, then slowly raised the gate. A big group sat there at the guardhouse, many women and others.

As I sat in my car waiting for the boomgate to be lifted, I heard shouts of BANANA, BANANA, BANANA.

The insults continued as I drove past. I recognized two of the people. They included a school boy.

When I got out of my car outside my house, they shouted as loud as they could, BANANA, BANANA, BANANA, BANANA.

———————————————————————-

Incident No 10: Insults at my own front gate
Tuesday, 30 October 2012: almost 7pm

Woman walked past as I got out of the car. She stopped and shouted insults, as she kept going by. As I walked inside, she walked back and kept shouting insults.

________________________________________________

Incident No 9: Violence at the boomgate.
Monday, 29 October 2012: 10.25pm

My wife and I arrived at the boomgate. Nobody raised it. There were 6-7 people there.

One man was very angry. His wife was also very angry. She whacked my windscreen with what appeared to be a slipper. He could not open my door. He, then, kicked my door several times, shouting and shouting. The only words I could understand were: You got no ball.

Another car arrived, so the boomgate was lifted and that was how we got through.

The incident lasted about 9-10 minutes.

_________________________________________________

NO, THE POLICE WON’T DO ANYTHING.

I have made report after report and gone for numerous interviews at both the Bercham Police Station and the CID.

Nothing has been done.

BUT THE POLICE DID NOTHING….

_________________________________________________

JULY 14, 2012
I WAS ATTACKED BY A MOB, THE TAMAN KAYA MOB. IT WAS THE SECOND TIME A MOB HAD FORMED WITH THE SAME LEADERS AND THE SAME LEADING CHARACTERS.

4 July 2012, 12.45pm

Attacked by Taman Kaya Mob!

When the mob came for me, I was standing on the roadside of 26 Hala Perajurit 1, just outside my gate.

I noticed quite a number of people near the boom gate. Suddenly, one man came rushing towards me, shouting angrily and demanding to know if I was Simon Thong. He said that he lived behind my house, etc, etc, but I could hear most clearly the anger in his voice, so I decided to return inside my compound.

He put his body between me and my gate, and would not let me pass.

His name is Sam.

Remember the name:  SAM.

Sam made it possible for the mob to catch me and abuse me, verbally and physically.

SAM WAS THE ONE WHO PREVENTED ME FROM REACHING HOME!!!

NEVER, EVER FORGET SAM!!!

“Call the police!” I yelled to my wife who was inside.

Sam grabbed me by the wrists and dragged me to the middle of the road. He put his hands round my throat.

Another man, about my age, shoved his fist into my face and asked, “Do you believe that I will smash your face?”

“I do,” I replied, “because you are part of a mob.”

The c******e shouted, “They call me a weird woman (did she mean ‘were-wolf’?),” and she proceeded to bang her unattractive body against mine! Not once but 6 times!

I held up both arms to avoid touching her, and said to the reporters, “I’m not touching her, I’m not touching her, you can see for yourselves!” How embarrassing is is to have someone shameless woman knock and rub her body against yours in broad daylight in public!

Escaping her clutches, I walked to my gate, and the same SAM THE DAMNED stopped me. Again.

A woman, Christian like me, who shouted, “I’m so ashamed of you!” hit me on the head with a booklet or pamphlet. Her husband and teenaged son were also part of the mob.

People kept pushing and jostling me…

I called to my wife, “Tell Scott not to come!” Scott is my eldest son.

Suddenly, I noticed Scott’s car 10 meters away. I walked, then sprinted, and got in, and he locked all the doors. The marvel of central locking!

He moved towards the gate but the teenaged son of that Christian couple ran to the boom gate and lowered it.

TRAPPED in the car, we sat, father and son, as the mob crowded around. They kicked and ranted, they hit the windows with plastic bottles and their fists…

We stayed there. Now, my first chance to call for help. Got through to the Bercham police station at 1pm, got through to friends… (They ALL came, my wonderful friends, as soon as they could, but we were gone by then. I saw them when we returned 15 minutes later.) Cars behind us and in front of us could  not get through, which was great.

After 10 minutes or so, the mob was gone…and the reporters came. Politely, they asked some questions.

The boom gate lifted and we were gone.

_________________________________________________

I had hoped that Taman Kaya would be legalized and regularized but it has not been done. Instead, the RA had spent its time and effort harassing and intimidating me.

THE TAMAN KAYA PROJECT WAS BORN IN ILLEGALITY. From the first day of its existence as a gated community, it has been illegal. 

NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY THE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION TO LEGALIZE IT.

NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY THE MAYOR except talk.

THE MAYOR OF THE IPOH CITY COUNCIL HAD BEEN QUOTED THREE TIMES AS  SAYING THAT NOTHING WAS DONE TO APPLY TO LEGALIZE AND REGULARIZE THE PROJECT.

YET NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY EITHER THE TAMAN KAYA Residents Association OR THE MAYOR!

1 This was reported on 29 March

Gated projects should have support of majority, says Datuk Bandar

Ipoh News | March 29, 2012

Roshidi said the city council had yet to receive a proper proposal from the resident committees of both areas and urged them to do so.

2 This was reported on 4 April 2012.

By MANJIT KAUR and CHERYL HEW
manjit@thestar.com.my | Apr 4, 2012

Change or leave

Council to act against gated community concept after several notices

THE gated community project in Taman Kaya, Ipoh Garden East, will have to go, said Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim.

The Ipoh City Council would have to enforce the law and take the necessary action to demolish the illegal guard post and remove other gadgets, including close circuit televisions (CCTV) put up at the residential area, he added.

“To date, there has not been any application forwarded to the council by the Taman Kaya Residents’ Association to set up a gated community.

“A notice sent to the association last month has also fallen on deaf ears. We have no choice but to take action,” Roshidi told reporters after chairing the council’s monthly full board meeting on Monday.

3 This was reported on 4 April 2012.
A notice was sent last month, March 2012. NOTHING WAS DONE!

By MANJIT KAUR and CHERYL HEW
manjit@thestar.com.my | Apr 4, 2012

Change or leave

Council to act against gated community concept after several notices

THE gated community project in Taman Kaya, Ipoh Garden East, will have to go, said Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim.

The Ipoh City Council would have to enforce the law and take the necessary action to demolish the illegal guard post and remove other gadgets, including close circuit televisions (CCTV) put up at the residential area, he added.

“To date, there has not been any application forwarded to the council by the Taman Kaya Residents’ Association to set up a gated community.

“A notice sent to the association last month has also fallen on deaf ears. We have no choice but to take action,” Roshidi told reporters after chairing the council’s monthly full board meeting on Monday.

WHEN WILL YOU ACT, DATUK BANDAR? ARE YOU ALL TALK?  When will you walk the talk?

________________________________________________

Chinese New Year had been a time of renewing friendship.

Not this Chinese New Year.

WE DON’T LIVE IN OUR HOME ANY LONGER. Our rented house is too small, too unsuitable, just so inappropriate…

No-one will be coming.

WE WON’T BE CELEBRATING CHINESE NEW YEAR THIS TIME.

We have begun announcing this over Facebook.

We will simply shut up our rented house and go away for a few days.

My wife is already depressed at the thought of missing out on our traditional Chinese New Year celebrations.

NO THANKS TO THOSE WHO HARASSED AND INTIMIDATED US!

Read the Posts below to find out why.

Taman Kaya Mob goes amok again and attacks Blogger, 14 July 2012

Taman Kaya Mob goes ‘amok’!

Taman Kaya: The Harassment continues almost daily…

_________________________________________________

THESE VISITED BUT NOT THIS COMING CHINESE NEW YEAR…

Sometimes, after they had come to pai nien, we went out for lunch. This photo was taken at Beacon Point.

—

CHINESE NEW YEAR IN THE PAST WAS ALWAYS  MEMORABLE!

WE HAVE HAD A TRADITION: WE STAY STAYED HOME, TO RECEIVE VISITORS WHO COME TO PAI NIEN.

WE WELCOMED FAMILY, EXTENDED FAMILY, LONG-TIME FRIENDS, OLD CLASSMATES, FORMER STUDENTS, PRESENT STUDENTS, NEW FRIENDS…

They came to visit, to pai nien…

They came back from everywhere: Australia, Taiwan, Singapore, the UK, America, Ireland and different parts of Malaysia. So many came that I stayed home almost all the time, every day and night, to have time for them, to await their arrival.

We hardly ever went out.

For a week, I did not work. I set aside the days and nights for visitors that we saw once a year: a family, long-time close friends with whom we wne through thick and thin, who came from Penang; the ex-students who returned from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kulim, Taiwan and so on, some married but still faithfully coming to pai nien, and others coming for the first time.

We had a sort of booking system, to avoid the clashing of visitors. Once, four different groups arrived and our air-conditioning couldn’t cope! Since then, we have had a scheduling system, and visitors have learnt to ‘book’ their slot ahead of time.

Chinese New Year has been a time of renewing friendship.

Not this Chinese New Year.

WE DON’T LIVE IN OUR HOME ANY LONGER. Our rented house is too small, too unsuitable, just so inappropriate…

No-one will be coming.

WE WON’T BE CELEBRATING CHINESE NEW YEAR THIS TIME.

We have begun announcing this over Facebook.

We will simply shut up our rented house and go away for a few days.

My wife is already depressed at the thought of missing out on our traditional Chinese New Year celebrations.

NO THANKS TO THOSE WHO HARASSED AND INTIMIDATED US!

___________________________________________________________

Simon Thong Wee Hing 6:46am Jan 15 After such the horrible attack in July, we were subsequently subjected to frequent and increasingly more violent harassment and intimidation. Finally, we had to move out. To a rented house. TAMAN KAYA, GATED AND GUARDED, BUT DEFINITELY NOT A COMMUNITY weehingthong.wordpress.com _______________________________________________ IS THERE NO JUSTICE FOR ME? ALL I EVER WANTED: 1 THE…

____________________________________________________________________

AFTER I HAD LODGED NUMEROUS POLICE REPORTS AND TURNED UP TO BE INTERVIEWED SEVERAL TIMES, THE POLICE DID NOTHING.

The first police report was in June 2012, and it is now January 2013.

______________________________________________________________

WE LEFT BUT THEY CAME AFTER US!

We had thought that, once we had moved out, we would be left alone. No, it did not happen.

Here is an example of what FOLLOWED us:

_________________________________________________

NO CHINESE NEW YEAR VISITS

WE WILL HAVE NO GUESTS THIS CHINESE NEW YEAR.

We no longer stay in our home in Taman Kaya. Having been the target of numerous acts of harassment and intimidation, we finally said, “Enough is enough! Let’s move.”

On November 1, 2012, we moved.

Out of our cosy home with its wonderful memories of life as a family….to a house we rented.

WHY DID WE FINALLY MOVE OUT AFTER I HAD POSTED THAT I WOULD NEVER BE CHASED OUT OF MY HOME?

Well, I had not fathomed the extent and intensity of the harassment and intimidation that we would be subjected to, especially in the week leading up to 1 November .

Here is an example:

Incident No 9: Violence at the boomgate.
Monday, 29 October 2012: 10.25pm

My wife and I arrived at the boomgate. Nobody raised it. There were 6-7 people there.

One man was very angry. His wife was also very angry. She whacked my windscreen with what appeared to be a slipper. He could not open my door. He, then, kicked my door several times, shouting and shouting. The only words I could understand were: You got no ball.

Another car arrived, so the boomgate was lifted and that was how we got through.

The incident lasted about 9-10 minutes.

MY WIFE WAS SO SHAKEN BY THE SAVAGERY, VEHEMENCE AND VIOLENCE PERPETUATED ON OUR CAR THAT SHE SAID, ‘LET’S GET OUT OF HERE!”

I agreed. We had to get our of our wonderful home as they had created a hell-on-earth experience for us.

—

Go to the link below and find out for yourself what THEY DID!

Taman Kaya: The Harassment continues almost daily…

_______________________________________________

IS THERE NO JUSTICE FOR ME?

ALL I EVER WANTED:

1 THE LEGALIZATION AND REGULARIZATION OF THE PLACE WITH THE CITY COUNCIL.

2 NO CCTV.

3 NON-HARASSMENT OF NON-PAYING RESIDENTS,

RESULTS:

1 ILLEGAL STATUS OF THE PLACE REMAINS WITH NO SIGN OF ANY ATTEMPT AT LEGALIZATION AND REGULARIZATION.

2 CCTV WAS INSTALLED, WITH ONE CAMERA POINTED AT MY FRONT GATE.

3 SUCH UNENDING AND PROGRESSIVELY FREQUENT HARASSMENT OF ME, A PAYING RESIDENT, FOR MY DIFFERING VIEW, THAT I WAS FORCED TO LEAVE MY HOME (ALBEIT TEMPORARILY) TO RENT A HOUSE OUTSIDE.

YES. I HAVE BEEN CHASED OUT OF TAMAN KAYA…

________________________________________________

Go also to the links below for an update

TAMAN KAYA: UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES

Other Blogs on Simon Thong, Taman Kaya, Mediaperak and DAP

Taman Kaya Mob goes amok again and attacks Blogger, 14 July 2012

Harassed by teenagers: Who put them up to this?

_________________________________________________

Can’t get into Taman Kaya for 10 minutes!

Sunday, 7th October 2012
8.01pm

I arrive at the boomgate and wait for it to be lifted. No guard. Only 4 people: three women and a schoolboy. 

Nobody raises the boomgate for me even though I have paid the October subscription and have given a photocopy of the receipt to a guard to hand over to Miss Lee, the Treasurer.

Well, do they expect me to come down and raise it myself? No way! If they want to be there instead of the guard, they have to raise the boomgate whether they like me or not.

Even if I don’t pay, they have to raise the boomgate. That is what the newspapers have reported the Mayor and the Police to have said.

I got through to the Bercham Police Station. “They are breaking the Law,” the policewoman on the phone said.

“You know and I know, and they know, but they are doing it,” I replied. “Please end a police car.”

I sit and wait, for either the police to arrive first or another car.

8.11pm
A car arrived behind me, so I edge my car closer to the boomgate. Now they have to raise the boomgate, and the boomgate is lifted..

I drive through, and arrive home.
——————————————————————————-

Saturday, 6 October 2012
Who knows what today will bring? But I am assured that God takes care of those who follow and trust Him…

Friday, 5 October 2012
Got past the boomgate without incident. Anyway, friends are watching out for me just in case.  It’s reassuring to know that there is back-up. Just in case.

——–

Matsamankati wrote an article in two parts about Nga Kor Ming and his links to some Taman Kaya people, and I am mentioned in one of them. That must have made some people unhappy but why me? I am NOT part of Mediaperak.

Skandal Nga Kor Ming (1) : Media Perak

________________________________________________________________________

WHY DO I PAY THE RM60 A MONTH? Because I am NOT Stupid and I am NOT crazy. See for yourself what could/would happen if I stopped paying….

1 THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO SOMEONE WHO DID NOT PAY. DON’T YOU THINK I WISH TO AVOID A SIMILAR FATE?

2 THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED WHEN, AS A PAYING RESIDENT, I DISAGREED WITH THE WAY THE PROJECT IS BEING RUN.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN IF I DISAGREE AND DON’T PAY?

Taman Kaya Mob goes amok again and attacks Blogger, 14 July 2012

3 THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO EDITORS OF MEDIAPERAK WHO CAME TO VISIT.

Taman Kaya Mob goes ‘amok’!

OF COURSE I PAY THE RM60.

IF YOU WERE ME, WOULDN’T YOU DO THE SAME?

____________________________________________________________

Gated and Guarded Community? Are we really Safe?

Gated and Guarded Community! Are we really Safe?

editor3 | Jul 25, 2012 |

———————————————————————————————————–

Taman Kaya (soon to be ungated), where you can be boorish….

TAMAN KAYA, IPOH’S NEW BUT BRIEF TOURIST SPOT: HISTORY UN-MADE?

____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

“GIVE US MORE TIME!” the RA Committee keeps saying, like a bad recording…

But they have had so much time!

What did they do with the time? I know you know…..

1 This was reported on 29 March

Gated projects should have support of majority, says Datuk Bandar

Ipoh News | March 29, 2012

Roshidi said the city council had yet to receive a proper proposal from the resident committees of both areas and urged them to do so.

……….

Taman Kaya acting resident committee chairman Lee Chee Seng said he would need to have further discussions with committee members before commenting on the matter.

-thestar

———-

2 This was reported on 4 April 2012.
A notice was sent last month, March 2012. NOTHING WAS DONE!

By MANJIT KAUR and CHERYL HEW
manjit@thestar.com.my | Apr 4, 2012

Change or leave

Council to act against gated community concept after several notices

THE gated community project in Taman Kaya, Ipoh Garden East, will have to go, said Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim.

The Ipoh City Council would have to enforce the law and take the necessary action to demolish the illegal guard post and remove other gadgets, including close circuit televisions (CCTV) put up at the residential area, he added.

“To date, there has not been any application forwarded to the council by the Taman Kaya Residents’ Association to set up a gated community.

“A notice sent to the association last month has also fallen on deaf ears. We have no choice but to take action,” Roshidi told reporters after chairing the council’s monthly full board meeting on Monday.

———-

3 This was reported on 10 April 2012.

By IVAN LOH
ivanloh@thestar.com.my | Apr 10, 2012

Taman Kaya RA seeks more time to keep area gated

THE Taman Kaya residents association (RA) has urged the Ipoh City Council to allow them more time to adhere with all the necessary guidelines to set up a gated community.

Its chairman Lee Chee Seng said they were willing to cooperate with the city council and were still in the process of gathering necessary documents to conform with the guidelines set by the city council.

———-

 4 This was reported on 23 June 2012

Star

• 23 Jun 2012
• Metro Perak
• By EDMUND NGO and FONG KEE SOON metroperak@thestar.com.my

Council’s directive

Council says Taman Kaya is not a gated community

The perimeter fencing in Taman Kaya has to go since it is built on road reserves and is blocking access. THE Ipoh City Council will tear down the perimeter fencing at Taman Kaya after directives to its residents to remove it fell on deaf ears.

………..

Residents’ association chairman Lee Chee Seng said the members would meet Roshidi and work things out before the council carried out its decision.

———-

Meet Roshidi and work things out before the council carried out its decision?

If you people  still think that you can continue to drag your feet, do nothing except try to delay the inevitable by trying to see him and talk and talk, then I’m sorry for KAYA.

Between 29 March and 23 June is almost three months! And they still want more time, they still want to meet Datuk Bandar!!

Get real, RA Committee. You will cause the DEATH of KAYA!!!

____________________________________________________________

NO, IT IS NOT AUGUSTINE ANTHONY WHO MAKES KAYA FAIL.

IF KAYA FAILS, IT IS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE RA COMMITTEE TO DO ANYTHING TO LEGALIZE AND REGULARIZE  KAYA IN THE 6 MONTHS THEY HAVE HAD SO FAR!

___________________________________________________________

FINDING A SCAPE GOAT
Some people want to blame Mr Augustine Anthony for their failure to get approval for KAYA with the Ipoh City Council.

A whispering campaign began some time back…

However, who would believe such people? Who could believe them? Credibility is important and when you have little credibilty both within and without KAYA, we know that you are merely talking wind (ngup foong) or pissing in the wind. (Pardon the expression but it is most apt)

IF TAMAN KAYA IS TO REMAIN A GATED COMMUNITY, IT NEEDS ITS FIRST CHAIRMAN.

BUT IT MAY BE TOO LATE EVEN IF YOU COULD GET HIM TO AGREE TO HELP.

1 When the first letter came from the Ipoh City Council in January 2012, that reinforced my belief that only if the then Chairman remained in office could KAYA SURVIVE the challenges of the Ipoh City Council.

2 Only someone like him, with his legal mind and skills, his wide experience in dealing with public issues, his negotiation skills,  his high stature in society, and his seniority among those of the legal profession, could help KAYA weather the storms that came its way. Only he could steer us through the complexities of the mine fields of legality…

3 When he resigned, I knew that KAYA would fail, which I said at an RA Committee meeting when urging him not to resign.

4 It will definitely fail with the current Committee led by ‘new villagers’ who have no knowledge or skills in deraling with such to deal with such complicated issues. They seem to think that they can kao-tim the Ipoh City Council but so far, it has been so bad….

5 Nothing was done in the 6 months since Mr Augustine Anthony resigned. Nothing constructive has been done to legalize and regularize KAYA’s status with the Ipoh City Council.

6 Instead, all that has happened is the pursuit of one non-paying resident.

7. Now, they have decided to hassle and harass me. Good luck to them!

IF KAYA FAILS, ONLY THE RA COMMITTEE IS TO BE BLAMED.

____________________________________________________________

WHERE IDLE MINDS CONVENE…

As I passed by the guard house where idle minds convene, a bitter person and a frustrated person shout in unison, BANANA!

How childish!

How limp and pathetic!

WHERE IDLE MINDS CONVENE….

___________________________________________________________

TAMAN KAYA: WHERE A NEW VILLAGE MENTALITY PREVAILS IN MIDDLE CLASS SUBURBIA

The setting is middle class suburbia, where the educated and sophisticated live…

The practices are new village. The chief and his henchmen run the show. They ostracize anyone who doesn’t subscribe to their beliefs and rules. They heckle, shame publicly and vent their spleen on those who don’t co-operate and commit themselves to their ways. They thrive on a herd mentality.

Crudeness, bullying and childish name-calling as you pass by are new village. If they were kids, you could understand and laugh.

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

BADNEWSBADNEWSBADNEWSBADNEWSBADNEWSBADNEWS!!!!!!!!

1 THE PERIMETER FENCING MUST GO.
2 THE BARRIER REMAINS

Star

• 23 Jun 2012
• Metro Perak
• By EDMUND NGO and FONG KEE SOON metroperak@thestar.com.my

Council’s directive

___________________________________________________________

BREAKING NEWS: THEY TOOK AWAY THE SIGN BOARDS ABOUT THE NON-PAYING RESIDENT. INSTEAD, THEY HAVE DEVOTED ALL THE SPACE TO SIMON THONG.

___________________________________________________________

To the resident of Taman Kaya who is being harassed, take heart and don’t give in! You are not alone. While I am a paying member, I am AGAINST WHAT THEY ARE DOING. Be strong. Don’t give in to such people.

____________________________________________________________

Star

• 23 Jun 2012
• Metro Perak
• Michael Chan Taman Ipoh Timur East

Get the facts right before judging others

___________________________________________________________

Saturday, 23 June 2012
12.25am

DID SOMEONE SEND THEIR KID TO HARASS ME?

A kid rode past my house on a bicycle and shouted BANANA! at 12.20am.

Are they sending kids now to do a man’s job? At this wee hour?

Yes, I admit I’m a banana and I’m proud of it. I’m darkish yellow outside but white inside. And that’s the very reason why you can’t bully me into submission, into being a Yes-man. That’s why you can’t harass me into submission.

But to have a kid shout BANANA from outside my gate?!That says a great deal about the parent/parents. Poor upbringing, and such…

I suppose I should expect a bunch of bananas to be hung at my gate? Or on the fence across the road?

Well, kids shouldn’t be involved and if parents don’t know that, they don’t know much.

___________________________________________________________

SHOULD I FEEL FLATTERED OR THREATENED?

A whole notice board is devoted to the ‘exploits’ of Simon Thong on Facebook. (Correction: on my Blog, but the links are posted on Facebook.)

Should I take that as a compliment or a threat?

Must they put this right in front of my home?

Still, it is a good yellow, my favourite Bersih yellow.

I do have problems with the combination of words but it must be the translation of some Chinese saying. In English, it makes me and other bananas want to laugh.

I would expect so since we almost always say in English, UNITED WE STAND, TOGETHER WE GROW.

___________________________________________________________

A PATTERN OF HARASSMENT?

WILL IT LEAD TO THE END OF KAYA AS A GATED AND SECURE RESIDENTIAL AREA? If it does, blame the KAYA committee!

1 When several residents were unwilling and uninterested in joining the KAYA PLAN, some members of the committee were adamant that they had to make them join up.

I was Secretary, and Mr Augustine Anthony was Chairman. He had stated from Day One that this was wrong and illegal. We could not coerce anyone. One night, I received a phone call, “Come over, we’re going to confront those people.” I went over, and after much persuasion and some anger among the others, dissuaded them from going over in a confrontational manner. Instead, a small delegation of 3 women and 1 man went…

I managed to prevent them from being confrontational to those people.

Only one of them did not join up, and he still remains a non-member.

2 This is what they are doing to him.

They had better stop what they are doing. If they keep hounding him, they may force him to fight back, such as go to the Ipoh City Council to lodge a complaint. He may find himself a lawyer to sue for defamation and libel. Do you think that nobody knows who he is, that if he is not named, there is no case for libel? The Star has already mentioned that he is a senior bank officer. In Chinese, there is a proverb, “Force the tiger to jump the wall.” 

KAYA may end up being shut down all because the committee has escalated its campaign to shame him!  If that happens, the Committee will have only themselves to blame.

This must stop for the sake of KAYA. Don’t put at risk our PLAN.

3 They have now started their harassment against me.

This is now placed right in front of my house. I see this as a threat, an act that says, “We will do to you what we are doing to the man who won’t pay up!”

BE CAREFUL! MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS ALL YOU DO.

 Don’t escalate the harassment.

“A little power causes much folly.”

__________________________________________________________________

A TALE OF TWO KAYAS

A PUBLIC DISPLAY OF WE AGAINST YOU OTHERS

Not long after the first Chairman (Mr Augustine Anthony) and the first Secretary (Blogger) resigned, the KAYA Committee called a press conference. The reporters and photographers were informed that KAYA would go on even though we had resigned.

Was that necessary? Why did they have to paint us black?

A banner was then unfolded, and behind it stood quite a number of people to show their unity and togetherness. Yes, to show THEIR unity and togetherness. It was a THEY against US kind of banner, a THEY against US gathering. Nothing subtle about that!

This demonstration of THEIR unity and togetherness was held later at the entrance to Taman Kaya. 

IN FRONT OF MR AUGUSTINE ANTHONY’S HOUSE.

Mr Augustine Anthony was conspicuous by his absence.

Blogger wasn’t there either.

WE WERE NEITHER INFORMED NOR INVITED. I know that we were not wanted. We were the enemy who stood against CCTV.

THEIR  SHOW OF UNITY AND TOGETHERNESS WAS FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION. THEY WANTED TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE WITHIN KAYA. They didn’t understand that such a display pointed to the presence of dissent, or disunity! Why was there such a need to show unity and togetherness if everybody agreed?

The presence of either Mr Augustine or myself would have thrown a wrench in their works, so to speak.

WE UNDERSTOOD WHAT THEY MEANT.

They wanted CCTV, and they wanted to show us their strength. They wanted to tell us that we did not belong. They called the shots. Co-operate and comply or else.

WELL, WHERE ARE THE CCTV CAMERAS?  They didn’t succeed, did they? I see signs and some wiring but…?

I ALSO UNDERSTOOD THAT WE WERE EXCLUDED, THOSE OF US WHO WERE AGAINST CCTV AND AGAINST COMPELLING OTHERS TO JOIN AND PAY UP. That was why we were kept in the dark.

The press conference was a clear statement: it’s we against you, and we are more in number than you, and more powerful than you. We make the decisions and we run the place!

For several weeks, the banner hung there at the junction of Hala Perajurit 1 and Hala Perajurit 5.

You would be blind not to see it when, like me, you turn around at that very spot.

Can you see the date? It was still there on 20 May 2012.

It was taken down last week.

Today, 21 June 2012, while I was away at work, it was hung up. Yes, the d***s do their deeds when I’m away.

IT IS NOW ACROSS THE ROAD AND RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY GATE!

How ‘subtle’, hahahahaha!

Add to this, another and equally ‘subtle’ message…

I get the message. They are saying to me that they may do to me what  they are doing to the man who won’t pay up! Co-operate and commit to our cause or else!

‘WE MAY DO TO YOU WHAT WE ARE DOING TO THE MAN WHO WONT PAY UP!”

YES, THAT’S THE MESSAGE THAT IS GETTING THROUGH TO ME.

Incidentally, for those slightly more savvy, Simon Thong did not write those things on Facebook. He wrote them on his blog, the blog you are reading. He posted the links on Facebook.

By the way, I did post this on Facebook:

If I find a bag of litter in my compound, I will lodge a police report…which will begin a chain of events that many people will regret! Be warned, whoever you are: this is a gated community, so it will be people inside who are the culprits. It will bring unwanted consequences.

In a gated residential area, more often than not, the enemy is within….

___________________________________________________________

A MINOR ACT OF VINDICTIVENESS

SOMEONE IN KAYA REPLIES TO MY POST ON “LITTER IN KAYA” BY THROWING LITTER IN THE DRAIN OUTSIDE MY COMPOUND….

When I wrote about litter on Hala Perajurit 1, there was a purpose to it. I wanted to show that even when you are gated,  litter can turn up.

It’s due to the 1Ipoh syndrome: Litter anywhere and everywhere. No one is exempted. 

A  woman in a flashy car (such as a BMW or a Mercedes) will unwind the window, throw out a tissue, and drive on. Her kid may unwind the other window and throw out a small plastic bag of rambutan shells.

I also wrote about litter in Ipoh Garden East:   Ipoh: Keeping the city clean is an endless and hopeless task

Today, I took another photo: you will see that even when your property is fenced off, and inside a gated residential area, you are not immune to other people’s litter. This is across the drain on the side of Hala Perajurit 1 that has no houses.

However, the next photo shows what one friend called a minor act of vindictiveness.

See what appeared in my drain?

I always bag my trash in plastic bags and these plastic bags go into a large black rubbish bag. Everything, then, goes into a black bin.

See my bin? See my neighbour’s bin? They are as careful as I am. Sometimes, the lady comes outside and watches the rubbish collector like a hawk to make sure he doesn’t mess the place up.

Did the rubbish collector drop the litter inside? No, he could not have done it this time as THAT IS NOT MY LITTER!

Take a closer look.

See the egg shells?

We haven’t cooked even one egg for 3 weeks….

Here is another reason why I believe that someone was trying to “teach me a lesson” for posting about KAYA litter..

KAYA “Community Post” has this:

It seems that someone, unhappy over my comments, decided to “take the law into their own hands”…..

Well, I would not be surprised when a whole bag of litter is dumped into my compound in the coming few hours or days….

Let me cite my friend:

“There is a saying that an idle mind is a devil’s workshop.”
(Augustine Anthony)

COME BACK FOR MORE EXAMPLES OF LITTLE ACTS OF VINDICTIVENESS!

WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO THE RESIDENT WHO WON’T JOIN UP, OF COURSE, IS NOT A MINOR ACT. (Whoever you are, sir, I salute your courage in the face of harassment and bullying! Never give in to such people!)

____________________________________________________________

The SHAME OF KAYA

IT IS WRONG TO TRY AND SHAME SOMEONE WHO LIVES AMONG US! It merely shows to the rest of the world how mean in spirit we are. It points to OUR shame.

Like · · Unfollow Post · 13 minutes ago

• • 

    Augustine AnthonyYes Simon I too object. I have posted here sometime ago that I am no part of this kind of unacceptable actions. I am NOT a man who has nothing to do everyday, so I cannot possibly be looking at every action of the RAC! “There is a saying that an idle mind is a devil’s workshop”

    4 minutes ago · Like

———————————————————————————————————–

WHEN I THINK OF KAYA, what comes to mind is not $$$, but KAYA, the sweet COCONUT JAM spread on a slice of bread.

However, KAYA, the housing area where I live, is far from sweet. Indeed, it has lost its flavour as a neighbourhood. Why? For the way it is mistreating a neighbour, another resident, who doesn’t want to subscribe to the gated plan.

KAYA put up this sign but it hasn’t got the desired effect of persuading him to join up.

Still, KAYA won’t take the sign away.

WHY?

___________________________________________________________

Sometimes, people with a little authority think that they can do anything they like

This was in KL.

Malay Mail

Management will refund tenant’s clamping fee and make clear parking rules on visitor tags

DESPITE obtaining an overnight pass, FARHA HO, 29, had her niece’s car clamped at the visitor’s car park of a condominium here and had to pay RM50 to have it released.

Clamped in own condo

They do this in KAYA

___________________________________________________________

Lim Garden:

Sagadevan added that it had never crossed the minds of the committee members to publicly shame their non-paying neighbours.

“It is not the way; you don’t force people as they are free to make a choice.

Star

• 20 Jun 2012
• Metro Perak
• By IVAN LOH and FONG KEE SOON metroperak@thestar.com.my

In fairness to all

In fairness to all

———-

Star

• 20 Jun 2012
• Metro Perak
• A Taman Garden Villa Resident

Security to be taken away

Unfair for all to suffer just because of a few errant defaulters in the area

IAM writing in response to your recent articles on gated communities in Ipoh and in particular to “Freeloader in the limelight” dated June 9.

Gated community: The houses at Garden Villa.

I would like to highlight that this issue happens in planned gated communities as well.

The management of Sunway City Ipoh recently notified the residents of Taman Garden Villa of the suspension of security services. The reason given was that a number of households had defaulted in their payments.

As a resident who pays maintenance fees promptly, I find it grossly unfair for us to suffer the consequences because of defaulters who do not fulfill their obligations.

They should have known that they are obligated to pay as soon as they had signed the papers to buy a residence in a planned gated community.

The reason we bought the property here is because of the planned security services. At present, the security provided is very good with no major incidents taking place. The security guards are locals and friendly. Some guards are even trained as auxiliary policemen.

While I do not blame the management for terminating the security services, it should also not be white washing this problem by simply issuing a termination notice.

An ad-hoc residents’ association has thus, been formed to address this issue.

As of now, the ad-hoc committee is trying to appeal to the management to retain the services while we find a solution to the collection of arrears.

Some tactics suggested include using the “humiliation tactic” as employed by the residents’ association in Taman Kaya.

I hope that the defaulters will take up their responsibilities and settle their fees as soon as possible.

Security to be taken away

———————————————————————————————————–

Lim Garden

Star

• 20 Jun 2012
• Metro Perak

Taking matters into their own hands

___________________________________________________________

“A little power brings about much folly.”

ANOTHER SYMBOL OF KAYA PRIDE AND FOLLY: the CCTV project

1 The excerpt below serves as an introduction to the issue that has divided the residents of the housing area called KAYA, instead of uniting them.

Star
Monday March 26, 2012

Taman Kaya residents not seeing eye to eye in matter of security

By SYLVIA LOOI
sylvia@thestar.com.my

WHAT started out as a noble intention to address the escalating crime rate in the neighbourhood, the guarded community concept in Taman Kaya, Ipoh Garden East has now turned its residents against each other instead.

Residents are divided on the issue of approving the installation of closed circuit televisions (CCTVs) during the resident committee’s annual general meeting (AGM) on March 18.

THE ARTICLE WENT ON TO SAY:

Chairman Lee Chee Seng said the meeting that was attended by over 40 residents had unanimously approved the CCTV idea.

“The CCTV will be put up within two weeks,” he said.

THE REPORTER ADDED:

Former chairman Augustine Anthony and former secretary Simon Thong resigned as committee members early March after plans to install the CCTV surfaced. Anthony was also heckled out from the AGM.

“Just because some people suffer from safety paranoia, we cannot allow them to threaten the peace and tranquillity that is enjoyed by the community by invading their privacy,” said Anthony, a practising lawyer.

He added that CCTV violated the right of an individual as stated under the Federal Constitution.

2 IN ANOTHER REPORT, BY THE NEW STRAITS TIMES, THE MAYOR OF THE IPOH CITY COUNCIL WAS QUOTED AS BEING NON-SUPPORTIVE OF CCTV AT KAYA.

Roshidi said the council also did not support the Taman Kaya residents’ plan to set up their own closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) in the residential area.

“Setting up CCTVs without consent can be viewed as a violation of residents’ privacy,” he said.

3 MEANWHILE, THIS HAD APPEARED AT THE ENTRANCE TO KAYA.

Subsequently, it was announced that KAYA would not proceed with the CCTV project.

YET, THE SIGN REMAINS.
I write this on 18 June 2012. The photo below was taken on 9 May 2012.

THAT, MY FRIENDS, IS A SYMBOL OF THWARTED PRIDE.

“We will have CCTV; we have a majority and we have money,” it was said, “and nobody can stop us!”

To me, that sign speaks of an empty threat, of an unloaded gun, of a broken sword, and most of all, of how far pride and folly could take you!

That sign makes KAYA a laughing stock….

___________________________________________________________

KAYA PRIDE AND FOLLY

When you do something that doesn’t work, that fails to achieve its purpose, but you persist, that may be due to pride and folly.

—
AT FIRST IT WAS JUST THIS. Dated 2nd June 2012.

It didn’t work. He would not pay.

The sign was taken away after several days.

But when the Star got wind of it and published an article, the sign went back up, with a smaller sign below it, and that had the Star report stuck to it.

Dated 9 June 2012.

IT STILL DIDN’T WORK! The guy just wouldn’t pay!

WHAT THE HECK!!??!!?? It’s not fair!!!

Maybe if we wrote it in CHINESE….?

And so, up went a Chinese version.

That went up on the next day.

Now, on Sunday, 17th June, both signs are still there.

HAS IT WORKED? 

NO.

A man, someone from outside KAYA, reads the Star report.

The first sign went up on 2nd June. It’s 17th June, more than 2 weeks later. The move has failed to bring about its aim of getting him to pay.

TO CONTINUE WITH A FRUITLESS ENTERPRISE IS SHEER FOLLY.

Surely they understand that? Surely they know that we are now a laughing stock? Not only are we powerless to bring about his compliance, now everyone knows how powerless we are.

That may cause some others to consider NOT paying? “Is this all they can do?” they may think.

But then, while we all know the saying, “Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely”, I doubt that they know of another saying:

                          “A little power brings about much folly.”

____________________________________________________________

KLUANG, JOHOR

If crime rates are falling, why is another housing area going to hire security guards?

NST

15 June 2012 | Last updated at 10:43PM

Residents set up volunteer patrol

SAFETY: Residents of Taman Seri Damai will also hire security guards to man the entrances leading to the neighbourhood

Faizal Wong Abdullah briefing residents Sim Geok Ming (holding bag) about the security arrangements in Taman Seri Damai. Pic by Adnan Ibrahim

KLUANG:  IN an effort to promote better security in  Taman Seri Damai, residents  recently formed a crime prevention squad which comprising heads of household and  local youths.

Taman Seri Damai action committee chairman Faizal Wong Abdullah said  the setting up of the squad was to combat crime in the neighbourhood, while waiting for  the establishment of the Rukun Tetangga and Voluntary Patrolling Scheme.

“The squad will  patrol from 1am to 5am as crime mostly occurs during those hours,” he said.

Read more: Residents set up volunteer patrol – Johor – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/johor/residents-set-up-volunteer-patrol-1.94677#ixzz1y3CkWP2B

___________________________________________________________

LITTER IN KAYA

In another Post, I highlighted the litter all over Ipoh Garden East, particularly in certain parts of Taman Kemuncak. In those places, people from other streets or areas come and dump their unwanted stuff in our area.

See     Ipoh: Keeping the city clean is an endless and hopeless task

But what about KAYA, which has fences and a barrier to prevent outsiders from coming in to dump their unwanted stuff?

YES, WE ARE FREE OF LITTER AND UNWANTED FURNITURE! The roads are clean! (Except just after the rubbish collectors have left! They leave lots of little items scattered all over the road!)

BUT NO, WE ARE NOT REALLY LITTER FREE. The litter is in places you never notice.

The litter is by the side of the road.

Little things here and there. Unnoticed. Uncleared. Right across the road from the houses.

__________________________________________________________

Pride and Folly
(Pride, it is said, comes before a fall.)

It is obvious that some people are still indignant.

Here is the original signboard with a new one underneath. A copy of the Star report is stuck on it.

 IS THIS A  SIGN OF OUR SHAME AS KAYA?

Intended as an expression of indignance, is it really an expression of our pettiness? Does it point to KAYA intolerance?

It is NOT the non-paying resident who faces ridicule, it is KAYA.

WE ARE GATED AND GUARDED BUT NOT QUITE A COMMUNITY. Not by a Chinese LI.

——————————————————————————————————-

Star

• 9 Jun 2012
• Metro Perak
• Story and photos by FONG KEE SOON keesoon@thestar.com.my

‘Freeloader’ in the limelight

_________________________________________________________

Having read the Post before this and watched the video, ask yourself, “How safe am I? How safe is my family?”

I don’t know the answer but I suggest the following.

1 Never take for granted that everything will remain honky-dory forever. Nothing lasts forever, and KAYA has been in existence only 6 months, so don’t gloat over the fact that we are crime free. Tomorrow is another day….

2 Don’t assume that the guard post is the safest place, especially at night, and especially when there are several residents sitting around and chatting. The presence of several people attracts attention. You don’t want to be there when the attention of robbers is aroused. There is nothing to stop a couple of men on a motorbike, or even a car-load of men, from robbing you at the guard house. What have you got there? A guard or two guards? What weapons do your guards have against samurai swords, parangs or a pistol? What can they do? What can anyone do? There is no safety in numbers. Be sensible, be safe, and don’t loiter at a vulnerable spot. The barrier or boom gate is just a psychological barrier. It can be crossed easily.

——————————————————————————————————–

NOT SAFE EVEN WITH A SECURITY GUARD PRESENT!

ONLY IN MALAYSIA?

This is what happened on 14 May 2012 at the Kelana D’Putra Condo in KL.

Woman Mugged While Guard Watches In Malaysia (VIDEO)

A security guard at a gated community in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, may not have much job security anymore.

A surveillance video has drawn quite a stir recently for showing him doing nothing while a female resident gets mugged in broad daylight.

The video, which was posted on YouTube by a user who calls himself “Nsugu” and claims to be the woman’s husband, shows her being attacked by two thieves in front of the guard stand at the entrance to the Kelana D’Putra condominium complex.

“Nsugu” described the video on his YouTube page, writing, “Dis is how d guard reacted when d robbers were snatching my wife’s belongings at our condo in kelana jaya…ashamed on the guard and the management for their negligence and being ignorant.”

The video shows the unidentified security guard step out of the stand as he sees the commotion and stand by quietly watching the attack.

WATCH THE VIDEO!

Guards watch while resident gets robbed at Kelana D’Putra Condo on 14-05-2012

——————————————————————————————————

LIVING IN A GATED AND GUARDED COMMUNITY BUT STILL NOT SAFE! This happened in Jalan Desa Kiara 1 in Mont Kiara, KL.

NST

Shocking slumber wake for doctor

Read more: Shocking slumber wake for doctor – Latest – New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/shocking-slumber-wake-for-doctor-1.92033#ixzz1xHq8UWU2

_________________________________________________________

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS A KAYA MEMBER: THE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF KAYA MEMBERS, with comments by Blogger.

ARTICLE 5 FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Financial resources of this organization are from:

(1) entry fee (RM 400.00 Four Hundred Only)

Blogger: There must be a substantial sum left over from the collection of entry fees. Sixty three paying members x RM400 = RM25,200. The accountS submitted for the General Meeting on 18 March showed that at the end of February, the cash in hand was more than RM13,000. The accounts showed that there were 60 members then, and entry fees collected totalled RM24,000.

(2) Fees

a) Monthly Fee (RM60.00 Sixty Only) paid by each tenant,
owner or occupant of the house at Taman Kaya, Ipoh.

b) Monthly fee must be paid to the Treasurer in advance within
5 days from the beginning of every month.

c) A member who allows his arrears of more than 2 months will receive a reminder letter signed by or representative of the Secretary, and lose the privileges of membership until the debt has been paid and then the Committee may take legal action to claim for arrears of the monthly fee.

Blogger: Miss payment by more than 2 months, and they are to deliver to you a signed reminder letter. Note: they are not to inform you by SMS, or send someone to your gate  (which is embarrassing for some, to say the least).

Blogger: It is a signed reminder letter and not a letter of demand. There is a difference between the two.

d) The Committee shall have power to fix a re-entrance fee for anyone who has allowed his membership to lapse through debt.

e) Fees, special fees or collection of money from members for specific matters can be collected with the consent of the general meeting of members. If any member fails to pay the fee within the period specified, it will be treated the same as the monthly fees. The Committee may take legal action to claim arrears for Special Fees.

(3) Contributions
This organization is authorized to accept contributions in any form and contributions received should be declared in the Annual Statement.

Blogger: Take this to mean that if there is a special project or a celebration, IN THE NAME of KAYA, such contributions in cash or any form SHOULD BE DECLARED IN THE ANNUAL STATEMENT. There is no option allowed.

(4) Collection of Donations
The organization can collect donations from the public on the condition of confirmation from the Registrar of Societies and permission from the authorities concerned to ratify it.

Blogger: From the public would be taken to mean NON-MEMBERS, either those inside who are not members and/or people OUTSIDE KAYA.

Blogger: The KAYA Constitution is binding on, and you should know what it says and what it means.

We don’t want the Registrar of Societies to come down on us.

__________________________________________________________

EVEN A DOWNCAST SKY CAN BE BEAUTIFUL!

What is life if you have no time to stop and stare?

A dark morning sky! It was dark just after 7am and remained so till almost 10am.

The view from just outside KAYA, around the corner from the gate.

The view from Taman Kemuncak. Kemuncak is a lovely part of Ipoh Garden East, an area many residents enjoy walking around as there are few dogs to bark at you.

Another view from Kemuncak.

———————————————————————————————————-

TWILIGHT, enhanced by safety and security, is a beautiful time on the streets of KAYA.

___________________________________________________________

KAYA HAS NO PROBLEM WITH ITS SECURITY GUARDS WHO ARE LOCALS AND OF GOOD CHARACTER.

My cousin lives in a gated community in KL, and says that they prefer Nepalese guards who are strict. More important, Nepalese have little or no contact with locals, and are thus not able to get anyone involved with them in daylight burglary of the houses of residents who have gone out.

Star

• 4 Jun 2012
• The Star Malaysia
• By REGINA LEE regina@thestar.com.my

Guard insecurity

Ineligible foreigners and locals of dubious character are being employed to guard gated communities, apartments and business premises as the demand grows for security services and qualified personnel are hard to find.

PETALING JAYA: Many of the security guards looking after neighbourhoods, apartments and factories are employed illegally and this is no guarded secret in the security industry.

Picture by SHAHRUL FAZRY ISMAIL / The Star

The high demand for security and short supply of qualified employees has led to the illegal hiring of foreigners and shady characters as guards.

Currently, only locals and Nepalese from the Gurkha ethnic community are allowed to be employed as security guards.

Short supply of qualified workers leads to illegal hiring of security men

__________________________________________________________

Poisoned Gossip and Rumour

One of the guards asked me, “You don’t want this?” (pointing to the barrier at the entrance).

Why did he ask me that question? Was he told anything he should not have been told?

Why should disagreements between residents and committee members be passed on to them, our employees? Is the purpose to turn them hostile against me?

My reply was, “I want this place to remain the way it is. I want this barrier to stay. I want all the fences to stay. I want you to stay on, and work for us.”

Then, pointing to the CCTV sign, I said strongly, “This, the CCTV, I DON”T want!”

“Oh, you want everything as it is but not the CCTV.”

“Yes,” I said emphatically.

That is the truth. I want the place to remain fences up and gated. I want guards. I will continue to pay my monthly subscription.

HOWEVER, I DON’T WANT CCTV! PERIOD.

KAYA was set up for safety and security. That is all I want.

I don’t care for anything else. We have our lives and we shall carry on the way we always have, in meaningful ways.

We have lived here for too long for me to remember how many years it has been, and I would have to ask my wife to remind me in which year we first shifted here.

For all the years we have lived here, the only important people for us have been our own family, close kin, several other significant others and that is all. They don’t live in KAYA, so KAYA isn’t important to us except for safety and security.

Next door neighbours have come and gone, and as long as we remain civil to each other as immediate neighbours, that is good enough for me. I have made only one genuine friend here in Taman Kaya.

Some residents are now hostile. You can tell. The wave of a hand from someone on driving past, which is common courtesy, has been replaced by  a turning away of the face, or a neutral stare, or sometimes, outright hostility. No courtesy left with such.

I have been a teacher/lecturer since 1972. My ex-students and students will tell you how important common courtesy is to me. I have tried to pass on that value. No matter what, politeness reigns supreme. Good manners make the person.

Unfortunately, some people don’t know that.  That is their burden, not mine.

KAYA is important to us in providing safety and security, not community. And if civility for another resident is lost from your conduct because he disagrees with you, that is a sad comment on you, not on him.

___________________________________________________________

The Non-participant should be free to not participate.

How could he be classified as a freeloader? He is a resident, a house-owner. He came BEFORE Kaya became gated. He refuses to join. He doesn’t want to be part of it. As it is, he has been forced to be part of the scheme even though he doesn’t want it. Of course, he won’t pay. He would be a freeloader only if he agreed to join the scheme and then refused to pay. From the very start, he has said NO. He is not a freeloader.

HAS THE HARASSMENT BEGUN?

THIS IS WHAT THEY MAY DO TO YOU IF YOU DON’T PAY UP. The sign appeared today at the guard house.

It’s called Name and Shame, which is, of course, a form or harassment. The name is not given but we all know who he is.

Is this not trying to force one non-subscribing resident to pay? But we were all assured that this was not happening. WELL, IT IS HAPPENING NOW.

Let me quote the following from a Star report

Association secretary Anthony Ong said claims by certain quarters that the residents were forced to pay RM60 for the services of the guards and related expenses was not true.

www.starproperty.my/PropertyScene/PropertyScene/20541/0/0 – Cached

THERE IT IS, REPORTED IN THE STAR PAPER: NO, IT ISN’T TRUE.

THAT WAS THEN, AND THIS IS NOW.

———————————————————————————————————

IT’S CALLED BEGGAR-MY-NEIGHBOUR.

The woman down the road has a dog, and she has taken it out every morning for a walk to let it do its poop. On the road. Inevitably, the dog leaves its waste on the road or sidewalk outside someone else’s gate.

Never outside her own.

For two consecutive days, it has been outside my gate.

This is a photo of yesterday’s dog poop.

This is a photo of this morning’s.

I took both photos a half-hour ago.

You get the stink of dog poop when you stand in your compound. You step on poop as you get into your car unless you are careful. Soon, the road in front of you is littered with dog poop.

When you take your dog and let it poop in front of your neighbour’s gate, it is what is known as Beggar-my-neighbour. It means taking advantage of others to benefit yourself. It’s a metaphor for selfish behaviour.

I collected both lots of poop, wrapped them in newspaper, put the stuff into a plastic bag, and went over to her just now. I said, “This is your dog’s poop. If it happens again, I will dump the stuff in front of your gate, not wrapped.”

Giving me an apologetic smile, she said, “Oh, I have to drag my dog outside.”

Outside? She means outside the barrier that stands at the entrance to KAYA. She, like other dog owners, will take her dog out of KAYA, and let it poop along the road side of No Man’s Land, a stretch of road without houses facing onto it.

No Man’s Land is littered with dog poop.

That is called Beggar-those-neighbours.

———————————————————————————————————–

Residential area in Cheras wants to become a gated community

Star

• 30 May 2012
• Metro Central

Pooling resources to curb crime

Cheras OCPD Asst Comm Mohan Singh said there had been a slight increase in crime rate but it was still under control.

“We can increase enforcement in the area. Meanwhile, residents need to be more vigilant.

“Habits such as leaving laptops and handbags in the car and counting money in public after stepping out from the bank should be stopped.

“There are many types of alarms that can be installed in houses, such as some that are linked to the owner’s handphone or lights in the house compound that are triggered when movement is detected.

“Residents should also inform the police if they would be away from home for a long period of time. Another step to take is to stop your newspaper subscription when you are away, as uncollected newspapers in the porch is a hint that the occupants are away.

Taman Connaught 4 residents to set up an RA for increased safety

——————————————————————–

Star

• 29 May 2012
• Metro Perak
• By FOONG PEK YEE pekyee@thestar.com.my

Issues with guarded scheme

Some people refuse to pay maintenance fees

Some residents will pay promptly. But there are also those who do not pay, and they even give you angry stares.
—DERRICK LAM

From page 1 THE seemingly never ending break-ins and robberies in their housing estate in Bercham prompted T. Shashi and his wife to quickly look for a safer place to call home.

Preferred homes: The Somerset at Thompson housing estate will be a gated and guarded community upon completion.

It was sleepless nights whenever they heard of crimes happening in their neighbourhood.

“There had been cases along our row of houses and those behind our house. One of the victims was a former police officer,” he shared.

“There was simply no peace of mind whenever I got out of our house or returned from work.

“The were times that I had to continue driving after reaching our house because I sensed someone tailing me,” Shashi’s wife said.

She said she had lived in the house for 28 years .

…….

Housing and Local Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chor Chee Heung said there was no compulsion on residents in guarded schemes to pay maintenance fees.

Those owning units in the gated and guarded schemes were obliged to pay maintenance fees and sinking fund under the Land Strata Act.

Issues with guarded scheme
THE seemingly never ending break-ins and robberies in their housing estate in Bercham prompted T. Shashi and his wife to quickly look for a safer place to call home. It was sleepless nights…

———————————————————————

Taman Shatin Baru, Taman Rasa Sayang and Taman Shatin in Ipoh are no longer the safe neighbourhoods they used to be for the last 30 years.

Star

For peace of mind

• 28 May 2012
• Metro Perak
• By FOONG PEK YEE pekyee@thestar.com.my

Although there is a need for safer neighbourhoods, not every housing estate can adopt the guarded community scheme as there are guidelines to adhere to.

Chor advised resident associations wanting to adopt the scheme, to work closely with their respective local authority to meet the guidelines and seek its approval.

He said it was not compulsory for residents to pay for the scheme, adding that default in payment and lack of funds were also among issues faced by such schemes.

He said there were also new projects which adopted the guarded community concept, adding that their plans would be vetted by the local authority to make sure they did not affect traffic flow in the area.
Unsafe and unguarded

_______________________________________________

Not a dark KAYA TALE

The figure in daylight: it reveals how poor the workmanship is. Something that poorly resembles the head, and the asymetry of the rest of the figure are a dead give-away even at night. FAIL!!!

The man-made ghostly figure that isn’t…

Figure seen from my front gate since 20 minutes ago

In Profile

A fuller view as the wind swings it around

The full figure when it faces you

You can tell even at a glimpse that it is a sheet of cloth…

THAT IS QUITE DISSIMILIAR TO THE APPARITION I SAW AT OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL, PULAU UBIN, SINGAPORE

There was nothing man-made about it.

In the early 1970s, while a student at the University of Singapore (now the National University of Singapore or NUS), I went to the Outward Bound School (OBS) of Singapore. It was a full course, 22 days.

One night, we camped away from the beach, inside a rubber plantation. Just before he left us, our instructor said, “Don’t walk there; you may meet something scary.” And he pointed at some rubber trees through which a little track threaded. We were used to his jokes. The guy was always trying to frighten us.

After dinner, seated around a campfire, the boys began to tell ghost stories.  I listened, bored. Finally, sleepy, I got up. “I’m going to bed, fellas.” Everyone jumped up, anxious not to be the  last one to get back into the tents.

At about dawn, I could hear the buzzing of the mosquitoes. That meant that the mosquito coil had burnt itself out, and I had to light another, a smaller coil. I was the one closest to the exit of the 3-man tent, and it was always my duty.

I lit a coil, put my hand outside the tent flap that kept mosquitoes out, and placed the coil onto the coil-holder.

That’s when I noticed this man standing 25 feet away. Too early for anyone to come around! Don’t people sleep?

I called out in Malay, “Encik! Apa awak mahu? Cari orang?”

No reply.

I put on my glasses and peered at this white-clad figure. I waved to him, and said loudly, “Cari siapa.”

It turned away, sort of turned around, but not before I saw that it had no face. It was a mannish figure, and was clad in a long, white sheet. The kind used to wrap a dead man if he is Malay.

It floated away…..

As I watched, realization hit me. It wasn’t an encik. It was a thingee.

I lay there, watching it float off towards the trees. It swung gently round the corner and was gone. I kept watching until….

Suddenly, it was bright, and time to get up, to cook breakfast and to pack up.

I walked to the spot where the thingee had turned round the corner and there was its destination, a graveyard for Muslims. Our instructor had not been fooling around when he warned us not to go that way in case we met something scary!

———————————————————————

The KAYA Concept
Simple but effective

In setting up a guarded community (wrongly named a gated community), the steps taken were simple. After several meetings, during which the concept was introduced to those attending, it was obvious that the majority of house-owners in Taman Kaya would not only accept the concept but would also be willing to pay for whatever was necessary.

Fences would be put up, separating Taman Kaya from its neighbouring residential area, Taman Perak. It meant that the following streets were divided into half, one-half on the Kaya side and the other half on the Perak side: Hala Perajurit 5, 6 and 7.

The fence below cuts Hala Perajurit 7 into two. Perak residents can drive right at this fence and go into the side lane, to emerge at Hala Perajurit 6. A slight inconvenience is all that is entailed.

This fence below shows the view from inside Kaya.

The field along Hala Perajurit 5 is left to Perak residents. You can see Kaya over the fence. Incidentally, the last 3 houses on the right are NOT Kaya but Perak. They belong to Perak house-owners who opted to be part of the Kaya guarded community.

The back lanes are also fenced off.

The house to our left is Perak and the house to the right is Kaya. A key to the padlock is available at the guard house.

There is only one entrance, which also serves as the exit.

This photo is of vehicles leaving Kaya.

Tradesmen can come in and out with ease. Here is the man who collects old newspaper.

Residents have stickers to identify their vehicles, and others only have to stop at the boom to state their purpose.

We have been able to deny entry to unknown people on motorbikes and people in unknown cars and other vehicles.

This has resulted in a zero crime rate in the 6 months of its existence.

The first Chairman of The Taman Kaya (Ipoh) Gated Community with the Star reporter and photographer

———————————————————————-

ATTENTION: THERE ARE NO STRANGE SHAPES OR FORMS AROUND KAYA ANY LONGER. THE LAST OCCASION WAS IN 2009.

22 May 2012

The Thingee without a lower half

“Wake up, wake up,” came the urgent whisper.

Woken from sleep, I asked, “What?” in an annoyed, loud voice.

“Speak softly! Quickly, come over here!”

Over here was the bedroom room window. As I walked over there, she said, “Bend down and look over the window sill, don’t let it see you.”

It? I saw nothing.

“There’s nothing there. What did you see?”

It was a man, face clear enough under the light of the street lamp. Nothing remarkable about that, she added. It was just that it had not lower half! There was the head, arms, torso BUT no lower half. No bottom, no legs…

Am I sorry I missed that? Not sure. I’m a curious person, but not excessively so. Still, a thingee without the lower half? A MUST-SEE in my book.

By the way, did I ask her whether she was seeing things? Of course not! I know her. If she says she saw a thingee, then it is true. No lies, no exaggeration, no making things up. A life-time together has taught me that.

Where was the thingee without a lower half?

Right there , to the right (our right) of the altar. Lots of vegetation behind it at that time, years ago, and a dark, gloomy place at night, lit by a street lamp. It was about 5.30am.

“Together We stand” says the first line on the banner.

WITHOUT LEGS, IT STOOD!

———————————————————————-

20 May 2012

Another dark Kaya Tale

From inside KAYA, look out, past the guard house, towards the left. See the trees on the left at the far end of the road? It is at the junction of Hala Perajurit 1 and Lebuh Perajurit 1.

Here is the spot:

That’s a durian tree. Years before, there was no durian tree.

There were several trees, in a clump, with shrubs at the bottom and long grass. It was a dark, dark place. There was no street lamp. People who walked home from the shops had to come this way if they wanted a comparatively shorter walk. Otherwise, they had to take one big circular route.

On nights when I couldn’t fetch one of my sons from their tuition place in the shophouses, they walked home. They got to this place, sodark and eerie, and RAN. They were not imagining things. It was a place inhabited by dark shapes, shadows that had strange forms.They sensed and sometimes saw these things.

In a conversation with someone who lived on Lebuh Perajurit 1, I was told, “Uncle, I’m not joking! I saw hantus there!” He should know. He is sensitive to things of the other-world.

Now, with the clump of trees and other vegetation gone, replaced by a couple of durian trees, the eeriness is gone…

To where?

Did they go cross the road, to where these three sentinels stand?

———————————————————————

19 May 2012

A dark Kaya Tale

See how green it is on the left? It used to be thicker and greener but that was some time back. (See how much thicker the greenery is at the end of the road, just after the guard hut? That’s another story which I’ll relate later.)

It used to be so green and thick with trees, shrubs and grass that squirrels were many. Monitor lizards? Several big ones crawled around, either along the pavement or in the drain, and one occasionally came into my compound and we had to shoo it back across the road.

There were other inhabitants, the kinds we didn’t like. They were dark shadowy beings noticeable at dusk.

My mother, who stayed with us on and off, knew about them. She didn’t like it alone at home once it got dark. She locked herself in her room, lights on, and with loud music playing or her TV on.

I noticed them but said nothing. Not a single word for years…..

One day, my youngest son came home. His friend dropped him off. As he came inside, I went outside to greet him.

I always greet my sons whenever I see them, and they were taught from young to come downstairs to welcome Dad home. It is a duty and a pleasure. That’s us.

When your teenaged son comes back now, greet him, too. Unlock the door for him, meet him at the door, show him you’re glad to have him home. You don’t have to act the BIG DADDY who shows no emotion! He’ll be gone someday for further studies or work, and you’ll miss him like I miss all my sons, even the one in Ipoh, but especially the ones away.

But back to my tale.

“Dad,” he said in his usual loud teenager voice, “I see some shapes, I think they’re…!” There was no fear in his voice, just curiosity and a bit of apprehension.

“Hush! Don’t say anything!”

“But, Dad, I do see…”

I wanted to hush him because it’s usually better to act like you didn’t notice them, If  they knew that you noticed them, they would want to make your acquaintance!

Anyway, it was too late. A couple of shadowy shapes were coming along just behind him!I think Youngest Son also realized that, from the look he gave me.

“Go in quickly, son, I’ll take care of them.” Obedient son went right in, in a bit of haste.

“Hey, you, get back to your place across the road! I see you and I don’t like you. GET LOST!”

And that was that.

There are no shapes across the road now, though it is still a very dark place, as you can see from the photo below.

Here is a brighter photo taken without the flash.

Come back for the next dark Kaya Tale!

———————————————————————

TO BE HONEST

I met an old friend this morning.

She asked, “How is your Kaya?”

Tempted to say, “Still got some kaya, enough for a few more slices of Massimo bread,” I said instead, “So far so good!” with just the right degree of enthusiasm.

It didn’t fool her.

“Seriously, honestly..well, so far so good but don’t know how long more we’ve got..” I tailed off.

I’m not an optimist (someone who thinks the glass is “Half FULL, so LUCKY!”) or a pessimist (who scolds, “Why half EMPTY one ah!!??!”)

I’m a pragmatist (who knows that bad things happen and THAT’S LIFE!)

Honestly, we began with the expectation that we might have to take our fences down. I live with the thought that if that happens, at least we got several months of safety and security. If we’re lucky, and bad things happen only much later, we may get a FULL YEAR. Now, that would be great!

Another year after that? If you think that’s wishing for the moon. I do  have a basin I could fill with water and catch the moon on a full moon’s night.

But they say that lunatics in mental asylums howl at the moon, werewolves change from that kind, gentle man you married into a blood-thirsty monster, and vampires….

_________________________________________________

WHAT USED TO BE NOT LONG AGO BUT IT NOW SEEMS SO FAR IN THE PAST…

In the Beginning, there was a sense of gotong royong, mutual help. We were in it together, so let’s work together…

Well, I’m sure you could still get people to come and clean up the place, but I wouldn’t be one of them. Why? Simply because I don’t belong. Sure, I pay my monthly subscription but that seems to be all that is required. No payment, no service…and I’m no free-loader.

Well, at this point of time, all I want are the fences and barrier to be intact and the guards to remain vigilant. As long as that happens, I will pay. For protection, for safety and security.

Safety and security is what the place is all about. Let that be the primary and only purpose.

_________________________________________________

Good News, Bad News

It seems that the Mayor of the Ipoh City Council will end his term of office in June. Is that good news or bad news?

It is good news if he leaves because it would be several months before the new man becomes familiar with Ipoh. That gives Taman Kaya a few months of relief before the new Mayor learns about us.

It would be bad news if the present Mayor decided to tie up some loose ends before he hands over the reins to the new one. Would Taman Kaya be considered a loose end?

Of course, he may get his term extended….

_________________________________________________

Sign at entrance to Taman Kaya

Community is hard to come by…

A house may not be a home and it is the same with a residential area. It may not be a community. The fact that people live in the same area does not lead necessarily to a community.

Taman Kaya is a smallish residential area. There are about 60 houses, spread along a longish road (14 houses) and 3 half-streets.

When the gated community was first mooted, and then set up, there were initial signs of a nascent community spirit.

That soon gave way to an atmosphere of divisiveness and intolerance, brought about by the introduction of CCTV.

Some argued that CCTV would enhance security. Others were unhappy with the invasion of privacy that CCTV would bring. The original concept did not include CCTV, so there was resistance to the idea.

The committee went ahead anyway. For reasons best known to insiders, the wiring for cameras were done and signs put up, warning that the place is watched over by CCTV.

This sign came as an unpleasant discovery one morning…

—–

Here is the wiring, waiting for its camera…

———————————————————————-

—–

The earliest times, better times…

There was a committee, united by a common goal, safety and security…before CCTV reared its ugly head and nipped nascent community spirit in the bud.

—–
There was a party, a Chinese New year party...

——

ONCE UPON A TIME….

Ipoh Echo

Residents of Taman Kaya, Ipoh Garden East, who recently converted their housing estate into a guarded neighbourhood held a street party literally on the street where they live.

The party was a pot-luck party held on the 13^th day of Chinese New Year and the party started with the tossing of yee sang by the women and children of the neighbourhood.

Before the start of dinner residents were seen gaily walking round the neighbourhood in a manner reminiscent of a street scene at new villages in years gone by.

Taman Kaya was turned into a guarded neighbourhood on January 15 this year (see page 3 editorial). It is located at a corner of Ipoh Garden East and is bordered by the north-south highway, Taman Perak and Taman Ipoh Timur. The area is secured with four main gates and three back-lane gates. The entrance in and out is via Hala Perajurit 1 where the guardhouse is located.

Taman Kaya, like most housing estates, has been experiencing bouts of crime with house break-ins, snatch theft and car windscreens being broken indiscriminately. With the introduction of the guarded neighbourhood, “since 15 January there has not been a single incident of crime in the neighbourhood. Furthermore, this is the first time in 16 years where not a single crime was committed one week before Chinese New Year,” trumpeted Augustine Anthony, Chairman of Taman Kaya Residents Committee.

Meanwhile, a check with Ipoh Mayor Dato’ Roshidi Hashim revealed that action would be taken against the committee on two issues. One issue involved the guardhouse as there was no application to build a guardhouse. The other issue is related to complaints from other residents about “no traffic thoroughfare due to the erection of barriers.”

Roshidi acknowledged that ‘notice has been sent to the Residents Committee. We will give the committee 15 days to make submissions before we take action’. Roshidi added that the ‘residents’ initiative is good due to safety concerns but no matter what, the residents must follow the law.

Hopefully all issues can be resolved amicably for a win-win solution by all parties.

JAG

———————————————————————

GATED BUT FOR HOW LONG?

Star

Friday April 27, 2012

Taman Kaya residents advised to apply for strata title

By FONG KEE SOON
keesoon@thestar.com.my

THE status of the Taman Kaya guarded community hangs on the balance following a meeting between Taman Kaya Residents Association and Ipoh City Council to discuss details on the guarded community.

A council spokesperson said the association had been advised to apply for the status of guarded community for its residential area in Ipoh Garden East to the Town and Planning Department.

“In the meantime, the association needs to legalise their guardhouse through a Temporary Occupation License (TOL) from the district office.

“This is because the road, on which the guardhouse had been built, sits on state land.

“As such, the guardhouse contravenes Act 133 of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 which relates to street, drainage and building in local authority areas,” the spokesperson said.

It’s all about safety: The association says that they put up fences, a gate and guard post there to protect themselves against criminal activities.

He added that if the association wished to gate up the community, they would have to return their individual titles and apply for a strata title instead.

“Only then, can the road in Taman Kaya be made into a private road,” said the spokesperson.

He said it was unlikely that residents would choose this option.

Meanwhile, Taman Kaya Residents Association chairman Lee Chee Seng described the meeting, which took place on Tuesday as smooth and cordial.

“The council reassured us that they were concerned with our safety and want us to adhere to all the necessary guidelines.

“We felt some of the guidelines need to be amended but we will try to compromise.

“We’ll also need some time to comply with the guidelines,” said Lee, adding that the guard post would remain for the time being.

During the meeting, the association also submitted a set of proposals to the council.

It had also engaged lawyers to work with the council’s legal team with regards to the strata title.

Earlier this month, Roshidi had announced that the guarded community project would have to go, due to the association’s failure to answer to a letter pertaining to the project.

The association later urged Roshidi to allow them more time to adhere to all the necessary guidelines, saying that they had put up fences, a gate and guard post there to protect themselves against criminal activities.

The security measures, according to them, had successfully kept criminals away since it was put up in January.

———————————————————————-