Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Safety and beautification works to be enhanced on fairways

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MUAR: The Tanjung Emas Golf Club will be upgraded and provided with better fencing to avoid golf balls from hitting motorists or pedestrians outside the course.

Muar municipal council president Zulkiflee Abbas said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had agreed to allocate RM1mil to expedite the project.

He added that Muhyiddin, who has a home nearby the course, was concerned with the present fencing set up around the nine-hole fairways.

“There were incidents where motorists, motorcyclists, joggers and even pedestrians, hit by the golf balls.

“A lady was badly injured last year when a golf ball hit her while she was jogging along the Tanjung Emas road,” he said.

Safety first: A file picture of Taman Tanjung Emas where the golf club is located which will undergo renovations.

Zulkiflee addded that half of the fund would be allocated this year while the rest would be channeled next year.

The upgrades, he said, would also beautify the golf course area and make it much safer.

Recreational areas around the golf club located by the Sungai Muar estuary and next to the Muar district officer’s residence, attracted scores of residents almost every day.

He said the roads around the golf course had also been turned into a pathway for those who walk and jog.

“We hope to carry out the upgrade works soon as we want those visiting the areas around the golf course to feel safe. We also want golfers to feel at ease when playing at the fairways,” he added.

Food event to promote Johor’s delicacies

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JOHOR BARU: Some 40 local and foreign food lovers had set out on a ‘food trail’ to various places around here to sample the state’s local and traditional delicacies.

The three-day programme, which began on Nov 23, was organised by Tourism Malaysia to promote and introduce Johor’s delicacies and local fare from different ethnic groups including Javanese, Bugis and Bawean cuisine.

Tourism Malaysia Johor director Edzuar Zar Ayob Azari said that the programme was their initiative to attract more visitors to the state and to promote Johor as a whole.

Local delights: A chef demonstrating how to make Laksa Johor during the launch of the three-day Johor Food Trail at The Zon Hotel here recently.

“The programme was also to give a chance for the participants from other states and Singapore to taste food that are unique to Johor such as Laksa Johor, otak-otak, mee rebus, nasi lemak ayam rempah, soto Johor and asam pedas.

“Other than sightseeing and food tasting in various eateries in Johor Baru and Kulaijaya, the visitors were also treated to cultural performances,” he said in his welcome speech at The Zon Hotel here recently.

He added that during the second day of the ‘Johor Food Trail’ programme, the visitors stayed at the Kampung Seri Paya homestay village in Kulaijaya where they could enjoy a different travel experience.

Edzuar added that the highlight of the programme was that the participants enjoyed demonstrations and had a chance to learn how to cook laksa, tapai ubi, and ketuk ubi.

“The programme focused more on Johor Baru and Kulaijaya districts and hopefully in future, we can give more exposure to food from other districts as well,” he said.

Activities included in the programme were a tour to the Johor Baru night bazaar, Puteri Harbour, Kota Iskandar and various popular food stalls and eateries in the city.

Johor state awards individuals, mosques and surau’s during celebration

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KLUANG: The Johor government paid a special tribute to the late Mohammed Salleh Sanwan by honouring him with the Maal Hijrah award recently.

The retired teacher passed away in September at the age of 62.

He was recognised for his contribution towards religious education and his role in society and the state.

Ahmad Zakaria Alash’ari, the eldest child of Mohammed Salleh, received the award on behalf of his late father from Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman at the state-level Maal Hijrah celebration held at Sultan Ibrahim Hall here.

The 32-year-old teacher at International Islamic School in Kuala Lumpur said he was truly honoured and proud with the award.

Just reward: Surau Baitul Hadi Felda Kledang committee chairman Saiman Suratman (second right) receiving a RM9,000 mock cheque from Abdul Ghani (second left) during the state level Maal Hijrah celebration held at Sultan Ibrahim hall in Kluang recently.

“I’m so touched. He was a great teacher, father and best friend,” he said, after receiving RM10,000, a medal and certificate.

Ahmad Zakaria Alash’ari said his father taught for more than 30 years before he retired.

At the event Abdul Ghani also presented excellent awards to mosques and surau as well as the Saudara Kita award.

Masjid Felda Bukit Aping Timur in Kota Tinggi was named the best mosque for 2011.

Runner-up was Masjid Jamek Felda Nitar 02 in Mersing and third place was won by Masjid Jamek Syed Alwee in Segamat.

The mosques received RM10,000, RM8,000 and RM6,000 respectively.

For surau category, Surau Baitul Hadi Felda Kledang in Kota Tinggi won RM9,000 for first place, Surau An-Nasirin Kampung Kenangan in Ledang won RM7,000 for second place and Surau Al-Hidayah in Batu Pahat won third place with RM5,000.

Mohd Syafiq Vijaya Abdullah from Kluang, Azlin Lee Abdullah from Johor Baru and Sapuri Chek Hok from Mersing received the Saudara Kitaawards for their contribution to Islam and the community.

Each of them walked away with RM3,000, a trophy and a certificate.

Traders want quick development

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BATU PAHAT: The town’s public market stakeholders want development projects to begin as soon as possible.

Market traders and wholesalers association chairman Tan Hap Koon said the market is old, crowded, messy and is desparate for a change.

He hoped the market’s wholesalers could be relocated to another place so that the 40-year-old market could be renovated as soon as possible.

“The market simply cannot cope anymore with the increasing number of people trading and shopping here.

“We estimate that there are more than 200 people doing business in a limited space here,” he said.

A real hassle: Batu Pahat public market surrounding areas are congested due to increase of vehicles and lorries in and out the areas to unload goods.

Tan added that the traders had waited for the market to be redeveloped for the past 20 years, but to no avail.

The trader’s association, said Tan, was informed by the town council that no budget was available for the developing Batu Pahat’s retail and wholesale market.

“We have submit a proposal to the council to use the fund to build market for wholesalers first as it is more urgent.

“We can proceed to rebuild the existing market once the whosalers are temporarily re-settled,” he said.

At present, the wholesalers are utilising lots outside the market, causing traffic congestion when lorries are unloading goods during peak hours.

Commenting on the issue, fishmonger Lim Kian Soon said retailers and wholesalers must be segregated for a better business evironment.

“Retailers and wholesalers do not mix in most of the markets as it will cause a lot of complications due to price differences.

“Some customers question why certain stalls are selling more expensive than other without knowing one is retailer and other is wholesaler,” he said.

Lim said the wholesalers have no problem moving to a new location in Taman Kota Murni.

While some agree to temporarily relocate, a number of traders in the market said they were confused over issues re-developing the area.

“If the wholesalers move away, we have to spend money on transportation to get the staff from wholesale market,” said another fishmonger, who declined to be named.

The city that tin built is undergoing a major facelift

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THE skyline of Ipoh will totally change come 2014.

Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim said this was visible from the rapid development already taking shape in the city.

“Ipoh has seen some major transformations since last year.

“It’s become more vibrant, progressing from a sleepy hollow to a bustling city.

“I have been in the civil service in Ipoh since 1996 and I can see there have been tremendous changes taking place,” he said.

Brand new: The new MH Hotel and Tower at Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah will open its doors next month.

Roshidi said the city would go ‘dark’ as early as 9pm in the past.

“The environment is totally different now,” he said, noting that this was obvious from the number of projects approved by the council’s one-stop centre.

“Several hotels are coming up in the city, including the MH Hotel, which is set to open in December, and Tune Hotel, which has targeted its opening to be in March next year.

“A few other hotels will also be coming up in Simpang Pulai and its surrounding areas,” he said, adding that Ipoh would also be home to the state’s first MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) soon.

Roshidi told MetroPerak that there was high demand for hotels in the city.

More shop houses: This is one of the many development projects taking place in Simpang Pulai.

“We do not have enough rooms to accommodate the current demand by visitors especially on weekends.

“What more with Visit Perak Year 2012 approaching?” he said, adding that the opening of the new hotels was timely.

Roshidi said the upgrading of the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport in the city was also under way.

“It should be fully upgraded between June and August next year to accommodate Boeing 737-800 aircrafts.

In the works: This upcoming Jusco departmental store at Station 18 in Pengkalan, Ipoh, will be ready soon. – RONNIE CHIN/The Star

“In the meantime, we are confident that the Ipoh-Medan route will resume soon,” he said.

Roshidi added that the RM300mil investment by Aeon Co (M) Bhd to set up a Jusco departmental store at Station 18 in Pengkalan was proof that Ipoh had the potential to grow further.

The project, he said, was already 65% completed.

“Another sign which shows that investors are gaining confidence in the city is the opening of a Mydin hypermarket in Meru and a supermarket in Manjoi.

“Both stores will open next year. And so, it is clear that Ipoh has developed and is progressing well,” he added.

Charity concert revives Chinese jazz classics from the ‘60s

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IT WAS a night of nostalgia when a retro jazz musical charity concert relived the mood for love of yesteryears.

Inspired by Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai’s classic film, In the Mood for Love, the musical of the same name attempted to revive Chinese oldies from the 1960s.

Jazz songstress Lydia Chew gave a subtle introductory performance of the song titled My Glorious Years to begin the rendezvous at the Syuen Hotel in Ipoh last Friday.

Grand opening number: Chew singing subtly at the beginning of the musical.

Dressed in a tangy red tight-fitting cheongsam, she lifted the mood with her expressive voice telling the story of how a loving couple cherished their last date before separation through the song titled “Intoxicated in Your Embrace”.

Accompanied by virtuoso pianist Tay Cher Siang, who displayed his musical prowess by improvising the pop-jazz-styled Lover’s Tears, Chew sang her heart out to the fast-paced yet melancholic melody.

Tay and the other instrumentalists — a saxophonist, a double bass player and a drummer — left the audience spellbound by the mysterious and enigmatic Yumeji’s Theme.

Chew later dedicated the song Forever Smile to her grandmother who was absent from the concert.

“This song by Zhou Xuan is her favourite. As a child, my mother would coax me to sleep with the song, telling me that it is my grandmother’s favourite,” she said sentimentally.

For a good cause: Teoh (fourth from right) presenting mock cheques to SJK(C) Sam Tet Board of Governors chairman Rev Father Liew (second from right) and Chan (third from right).

After a short break, “Bossa Princess” Z Yan made her appearance on stage and serenaded the audience with Autumnal Night performed in a classic bossa nova beat.

Performing Teresa Teng’s I Only Care for You in her euphonious voice, Z Yan garnered rapturous applause from the crowd.

Chew once again hit the stage to duet with Z Yan on the number The Past Can Only Be Reminisced, closing the musical with a fantastic two-part harmony.

Organised by the Andaman Group, the concert raised a total of RM204,000 for SMJK Sam Tet and the John Moh Foundation.

The donations were handed out to the school’s board of governors chairman Rev Father Stephen Liew Khoay Siong and foundation president Chan Kam Leong by Andaman executive chairman Datuk Patrick Teoh.

Students on exchange programme find South Korean city similar to Kampar

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FOUR Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) students discovered a place similar to Kampar in South Korea during their recent trip to the land of kimchi.

The scenic countryside of Mokpo reminded Rebecca Lim Puey Ru of Kampar when she touched down at the city.

“Like Kampar, the city is surrounded by towering mountains. It is beautiful,” said the 21-year-old lass, who was there on a Korean language and cultural exchange programme.

Great time: Students having fun at the Bosung green tea plantation.

“The weather in Mokpo is also unpredictable like Kampar.

“One can expect sudden rain on a hot and humid day there,” said Lim, who is from Utar’s campus in Kampar.

She, however, described the Mokpo city centre as an “advanced version of Kampar”.

“It is bustling with shopping malls and shops. They even have a street specifically for shopping,” she added.

For Victoria Akiew, her 14 days in Mokpo was an eye-opening experience.

Wearing it the proper way: An Instructor (right) explaining the method of wearing the traditional Korean costume.

“I had the chance to indulge in the Korean rhythms during a visit to the Korean Art Centre.

“I got to play the traditional Korean percussion, the Samulnori. I am proud to admit that I am a fast learner,” quipped the 21-year-old.

Nathan Khor Gui Wei observed that the Koreans had a love for vibrant colours, which had also set a trend with South Korea’s creative industries.

“Their daring use of colours and out-of-the-box ideas in advertisements and billboard designs are brilliantly creative,” said Khor, 22, who was hosted at the Mokpo National University hostel with other international students.

Forward thinking: Mokpo is an advanced city.

While some of the students experienced stomach upset after taking spicy Korean food, the Malaysian proudly said he took it well.

“We had kimchi (spicy fermented pickled vegetables) at every meal, everyday,” he said, adding that Korean beef tasted superb.

“The greatest lesson we learned during the trip was that friendship can break down any language barrier.

“We even befriended a Japanese girl who had to communicate through an interpreter throughout the trip,” he said.

Another member of the team was actuarial science student Lee Jun Ying, 20, from the Utar campus in Petaling Jaya.

Karate kid wins in championship

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KARATE kid Lim Weng Oon did his mother proud when he emerged as the winner in the under-12 free sparing category of the Perak Koshiki Karatedo competition in Ipoh.

The young martial arts exponent from Seberang Prai, whose mother is his karate instructor, beat Foong June Wai to become winner while Kew Jiun You took third placing.

Weng Oon was, however, not so lucky in the pattern boys open category when he lost to Lou Chan Hui to settle for second place.

Family support: Free Sparing category champion Yit Chiang admiring the gold medal he won. He is sorrounded by (from left) sister Yit Hue, father Ang Kooi Seng, mother Tan Phaik Eng, and girlfriend Chin Hui Xin after he won the title .

A seasoned competitor and familiar face in karate championships, Weng Oon has participated in many competitions and collected many prizes since taking up karate at the tender age of five.

His mother Leong Sow Moi said she had taught all her four children karate from the time they were young.

In the boys open free sparing category, final year medical student Ang Yit Chiang, 23, beat last year’s champion, Mohd Nazri Said Ahmad, 24, to emerge as winner.

He was also champion in 2009 but had skipped the championship last year after injuring his finger.

“I trained hard. In order to prepare for the competition, I gathered tips from friends and also discussed moves on Facebook,” he said.

Competition chief technical director Neoh Then Hock said the competition had attracted 60 participants from all over Perak and Penang.

We did it: Patent title holder Chua Lee Kean (right) and free sparing above-14 girls’ event champion Chin Ai Ling admiring their medals.

RESULTS

KATA (Pattern) GIRLS OPEN

1. Cheang Hoi Lim

2. Goh Khye Lee

3. Teoh Tze Ling

KATA (Pattern) BOYS OPEN

1. Lou Chan Hui

2. Lim Weng Onn

3. Teh Ee Wen

KUMITE (Pattern) GIRLS BELOW 12

1. Cheong Wei Shin

2. Oung Shi Ping

3. Wai Elaine

KUMITE (Sparing) GIRLS OPEN

1. Cheang Hoi Lim

2. Goh Khye Lee

3. Teoh Tze Ling

KUMITE (Sparing) BOYS BELOW 10

1. Leong Yik Hung

2. M. Yuhendran

3. Tan Wei Kee

KUMITE (Sparing) BOYS BELOW 12

1. Lim Weng Onn

2. Foong June Wai

3. Kew Jiun You

KUMITE (Sparing) BOYS BELOW 15

1. Amin Nasrullah

2. Eric Wan Jian Tang

3. Choh Zhi Yi

KUMITE (Sparing) BOYS OPEN

1. Ang Yit Chiang

2. Mohd Nazri Bin Said Ahmad

3. Pon Chun Mun

Pesta stall holders hurry to get ready for the big day

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WORKERS have been rushing against time over the past few days to put the finishing touches to their stalls for the annual Pesta Pulau Pinang.

The fair begins today at the Pesta site in Sungai Nibong.

Pesta Shoppe manager Khairuddin Ahmad, 29, was spotted cleaning a bright red sports car at the fairground’s main entrance.

“This limited edition Fiat Coupe along with two Harley Davidson motorcycles will be on display for the public.

Sleek beauty: Khairuddin cleaning the limited edition Fiat Coupeat his shop near the entrance of the Pesta Pulau Pinang

“They can pose for pictures with the vehicles,” said Khairuddin.

Stall operator Jackie Ho, 46, was busy arranging colourful scarves at his stall yesterday.

“I have been operating this stall at the Pesta for the past 10 years. Usually the brooches sell out very fast,” said Ho who also sells ladies’ accessories and clothes.

Vinod Kumar, 26, who operates a stall selling carpets, was seen arranging the items.

“We have carpets imported from Belgium and Turkey and handmade ones from India,” he said.

Pretty baubles: Ho showing the wide variety of brooches at his stall

This year’s Pesta Pulau Pinang will see over 350 traders selling a wide variety of items. Concerts, shows and a Euro Fun Park will be featured as well.

Pesta Pulau Pinang coordinating officer Azizul Hakim said that special LED-lighted trees would make the site look very attractive at night.

Visitors will be entertained by Malaysian artistes such as XPDC and Lefthanded Reunion.

International artistes including a cultural troupe from northern Sumatera and an acrobatic troupe from Shanghai, China, will also perform.

The Pesta Pulau Pinang is open from 6pm to 11.30pm daily, from today until Jan 1.

Tickets are RM3 for adults and RM1 for children below 12.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Pile of waste by the road an eyesore

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For years residents of Kampung Segambut Luar and Kampung Segambut Permai have been living near a rubbish dump.

The dump in Jalan 1/42 can also be seen from Jalan Kuching that runs parallel to the road.

Pensioner Khairuddin Karim, 56, said the rubbish collection truck came on schedule once every three days but within that short span of time, a big pile of garbage would have accumulated at the spot.

One of the main worries of the villagers is that the pile attracts stray animals and rodents.

Long trail of rubbish: One side of Jalan 1/42 that has become a garbage dump.

“At night, a large group of stray dogs scavenge for food at the pile of rubbish and in the process garbage gets scattered everywhere. Rodents are also attracted to the pile,” he said.

Khairuddin said they feared the pests could cause diseases.

He also highlighted the problem of clogged drains which could caused flash floods.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said about three years ago, there used to be large metal rubbish bins where the dump was located.

“However, some residents claimed that these bins were taken by scrap metal collectors,” he said, adding that about 100 households used the spot to dump garbage.

Lim hoped DBKL would provide some new communal bins to keep the area clean.

“The pile of rubbish is an eyesore and creates a bad impression of the city as well,” he said.

Elderly go green to stay active

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BEING an octogenarian does not stop environment-conscious Ang Chui Pek from mowing his lawn and tending to his garden.

The 85-year-old retired school headmaster from SS2 Petaling Jaya believes staying physically and mentally active is important for one’s well-being.

“I cut the grass myself as it keeps me active and is a form of exercise. At the same time, I also cut cost when I do these chores myself.

“My wife and I also compost garbage and use it as fertiliser for our fruit trees,” said Ang, whose household is among the 49 households who took part in Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) Low-Carbon Green Rebate Assessment Scheme.

Ang has turbine ventilators to help regulate the temperature of his house.

Spending time wisely: Ang composts garbage at home and plants his own fruit trees.

The pilot project, which was kicked off by the council in the middle of the year gives applicants rebates of up to RM500 for incorporating energy-efficient methods or follow a green lifestyle.

Six categories — energy, water, household waste management, transport and biodiversity, were taken into account in the scheme.

Ang took part in the programme under the categories of energy, waste management and biodiversity.

Practices such as composting, using a solar water heater or collecting rain water for washing are considered “green”.

MBPJ One-Stop Centre chief Lee Lih Shyan said the programme promoted the green efforts of residents and rewarded those who incorporated energy-efficient equipment in their homes.

“We would also be carrying a similar project next year to reward house owners who live a green lifestyle,” said Lee during a site visit to the applicants’ homes to evaluate their green efforts.

Accompanying Lee was a team of independent consultants each specialising in waste management, energy, transportation, biodiversity and water consumption.

“After visiting the homes, we will have a meeting on Nov 30 to determine the applicants’ entitlement for the rebates,” added Lee.

Independent evaluator specialising in waste management Dr Theng Lee Chong, who accompanied Lee to 12 houses in SS2, said some residents still needed to grasp the overall concept of energy conservation.

“Although there are many who use solar panels, their electricity bill is still high.

“We will need to integrate new criteria next year to ensure the applicants can achieve the overall green concept.

“In terms of waste management, composting needs to be done properly and people need to segregate their rubbish and use environment-friendly products,” said Theng.

SS2B Rukun Tetangga (RT) chairman Lee Kwee Cheng has planted a variety of fruit trees and herbs in her garden.

She also said she used public transport as much as she could and drove a hybrid car.