Motorists on the North-South Expressway, going to Ipoh city centre via the Tambun exit, need not make a U-turn along Jalan Tambun about 100m away since traffic lights were installed at the junction. This facility is also convenient for residents in Bercham who travel frequently along this route. With the traffic lights, motorists are now able to make a right turn to get into the city. The existing slip road was widened to become dual lanes.
Dato’ Ramly bin Zahari, Exco for Infrastructure who officially opened the slip road, said that the new traffic lights were installed at the request of motorists for smooth flow of traffic. The existing U-turn will remain open as an added option for motorists. Dato’ Ramly said that the project costing more than RM300,000 was funded by the state government and constructed by JKR.
During question time, Dato’ Ramly said to ease the acute parking problem at Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, plans are under way to build a multistorey car park.
Ipoh Echo, as a service to the Ipoh community, will be providing a regular update on the progress of the cleanliness activity in Ipoh.
This is a followup of our report on September 16 where Ipoh Mayor Dato’ Roshidi Hashim announced a target of 85% of Ipoh will be clean within a 12-month period.
The issue of cleanliness in Ipoh involves three areas, Sampah, Longkang dan Rumput (SLR) or ‘Rubbish, Drains and Grass’. The three times per week clearance of rubbish has generally been given a good-job-done response. Hence for now we will focus on drains and grass.
The field of cut grass on Jalan Carlos Ipoh Garden
…but the drains have not been cleaned
Grass cutting has, in general, received a good report. Grass is being cut on a fortnightly basis as is the specified schedule.
However, in some areas the grass is not being cleared immediately or the next few days, especially for grass cut at fields or padang.
Regarding drains, residents from Canning and Ipoh Garden have reported that the drains there have not been cleaned and cleared even though the grass contractor had been appointed since July.
A check at the drains surrounding the fields along Jalan Chew Peng Loon and Jalan Carlos, Ipoh Garden in the vicinity of Hospital Fatimah, as well as at the field at Persara Ipoh behind the ‘Gourmet Square’ confirmed that the complaints were valid.
Canning Councillor Ceylyn Tay when contacted acknowledged that she was aware of the issue and has reported it through MBI’s e-aduan system.
Residents’ feedback indicate some improvements. They suggested that MBI should have supervisors overseeing the maintenance activities to ensure adherence.
Residents have also complained about garden waste not collected, dirty and weed-infested back lanes and illegal dumpsites. We will focus on this in subsequent issues.
Ipoh Echo’s EYE HEALTH series continues with Consultant Eye Surgeon Dr S.S. GILL talking to us more about NUTRITION & VITAMINS for the eyes.
It is important to eat the right foods that contain the right vitamins to help keep your eyes healthy. Good nutrition with vitamins and minerals are important for the eyes to function normally.
In this issue, Dr Gill speaks about antioxidants Lutein and Zeaxanthin – known as ‘carotenoids’ that are important for the eyes.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin
Lutein and Zeaxanthin are important nutrients that have been found to reduce the risk of chronic eye diseases, including Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. These carotenoids are powerful antioxidants that protect the cells of the body from damage caused by free radicals.
What is the Meaning of Antioxidant?
Antioxidants are substances that protect cells in your body from free radicals. Free radicals are produced when your immune system fights off bacteria. Free radicals are also produced as by-products when the foods that we eat are broken down into energy.
These free radicals are unstable and can damage the cells in our eyes and organs as a whole. Our bodies including our eyes are constantly exposed to these free radicals (oxidative stress). In fact, every cell in our body comes under attack from a free radical once every ten seconds.
Some things that cause free radical production (oxidative stress):
Ultraviolet light in sunshine – those exposed to the sun are more likely to get cataracts and skin cancer.
Toxins: cigarette smoke, poisonous wastes of our own metabolism, the chemicals invariably found in our food, pesticides and air pollution.
Antioxidants are like the “body-guards” for the cells in our body. They protect the cells from damage by the free radicals. This is why antioxidants are important.
How does Lutein and Zeaxanthin work?
Antioxidants Lutein and Zeaxanthin filter the harmful high-energy blue wavelengths of light and help to protect and maintain healthy cells in the eye.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin Slowing Cataract Formation
Lutein and zeaxanthin may play a role in cataract prevention. In fact, studies have shown that lutein and zeaxanthin along with vitamin E was associated with a decreased risk of cataract formation. This is because these antioxidants may slow down the oxidation of the lens and therefore slow down cataract formation.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin in Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) results in visual loss. Clinical studies have shown that high levels of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduced the risk of advanced AMD.
Foods Rich in Lutein and Zeaxanthin
Green vegetables such as: kale, spinach, turnip, broccoli, garden peas and eggs. To get the best nutrients, avoid excessive cooking and storage as heat and storage reduces the antioxidant effectiveness.
Key points to remember:
Eat a good balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Discuss improving your diet or taking vitamin supplements with your GP.
Avoid smoking. A healthy lifestyle makes all the difference!
For more information, call Gill Eye Specialist Centre at Hospital Fatimah (05-545 5582) or email: gilleyecentre@dr.com.
Perak have sent an early warning to other teams by moving to secure several well-known personnel who will form the nucleus of the coaching staff and the first team next year. Former Negeri Sembilan and Kedah coach, Azraai Khor Abdullah has been appointed head coach for 2013, while the services of six players, namely Negeri Sembilan goalkeeper, Farizal Marlias; Felda United flanker, Yong Kuong Yong; Kedah defender, V. Thirumurugan and Terengganu forward, Abdul Hadi Yahya are being acquired.
Having released 13 players from this year’s squad, including the likes of Nasril Nourdin and Akmal Rizal, Perak FA is under pressure to draft in big-name replacements. Most fans cited the club’s dismal performance in the Malaysia Cup as a major cause for concern and that a massive revamp was required. As a result, the Association acted quickly by replacing Jang Jung with Azraai Khor while signing the six names who are consistently in the national team frame.
Azraai Khor Abdullah is already well known throughout the nation for his tactically astute approach, with his stint with Kedah as head coach being the most prolific of his career so far. Azraai won the “double treble” with the Canaries, lifting the Malaysian Super League, FA Cup and Malaysia Cup successively in 2007 and 2008. He was then given the responsibility of handling the Malaysia U-23 team, but after a less glamorous stint with them, Azraai returned to club football with Negeri Sembilan in 2011. Throughout his two years with the Southern Malaysian team, he led them to Malaysia Cup glory in 2011, before winning the Charity Shield earlier this year.
In terms of players, the most heralded is none other than Farizal Marlias, who is widely recognised as the second best goalkeeper in Malaysia, behind Khairul Fahmi Che Mat. Nasril Nourdin’s erratic form in between the goalposts was a factor behind Perak’s tendency to concede soft goals this year.
Abdul Hadi Yahya is another name that will raise the spirits of the Seladang faithful. The 27 year-old forward is well known for his goal-scoring attributes, which saw him winning the Super League top scorer award in 2011. V. Thirumurugan and Yong Kuong Yong are also two other well-established names in the Malaysian soccer scene.
S. Chanturu and Khairil Kiman are two other names that will excite the Perak fans. Chanturu’s exploits in midfield for Kelantan was evident throughout this year while Khairil will reinforce the team’s defence.
However, Perak have to decide against renewing the contracts of Michal Kubala and Albert Bodjongo for next year, despite the former finishing 2012 as Perak’s top scorer. Team Manager Khairul Azwan confirmed the decision on his Twitter recently. The hunt for new foreign players will begin shortly.
The new arrivals signal Perak FA’s ambition for 2013. This year proves that the standard of Malaysian football has increased tremendously. The competitiveness of the league will rise further next year. Perak looks daunting on paper, but the onus is on the players to prove their worth on the pitch.
The Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) Perak chapter celebrated its 100th anniversary with a dinner at Impiana Hotel Ipoh recently.
Chairman Leong Hua Kooi said that it had been an economically challenging year globally in 2012 and Malaysia was affected due to many external factors, including the unresolved Euro Zone sovereign debt crisis and the poor economic performance of China in thirteen years.
However, due to the country’s strong economic fundamentals and political stability, Malaysia’s economy continued to expand in 2012, although at a much slower pace.
Leong took the opportunity to voice concerns about Malaysia’s competitiveness, as the country slipped four rungs from 21st to 25th out of 142 countries, in the Global Competitive Report (GCR) 2012-2013 released by the World Economic Forum.
Referring to the recently announced Budget 2013, Leong expressed disappointment that it was too rakyat-oriented at the expense of the private sector.
He brought up a few other grouses like the retention of talent in the state, the implementation of GST (Goods and Services Tax) and the new Mineral Act in Perak. Leong hoped that there are more catalysts to drive the economy. Perak may have performed relatively well but it could do better, he insisted.
Chief Minister Dato’ Seri DiRaja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir launched a coffee table book to celebrate MICCI Perak branch centennial anniversary. A cake-cutting ceremony ensued.
Vice-Chairman, Dato’ Hew Choy Kon of Perak Teamwork Sdn Bhd, was presented with a certificate of appreciation for having served MICCI Perak branch for twenty years since 1992.
Dato’ Brother Vincent Corkery has been serving the Ipoh community for five decades and appropriately has a following of well-wishers who recently held a lunch for him to mark his 55 years of service and his contribution to the Ipoh community as a LaSallian Brother.
The event was organised by Ipoh Socialite Sharmini Tiruchelvam in honour of Brother Vincent’s selfless service to the community in Ipoh. Sharmini also mentioned that Vincent’s birthday was around the end of October and it would be appropriate to organise a party for him.
Incidentally, Sharmini’s father, the late Dato’ Dr Michael E. Tiruchelvam was on the Board of Governors of SMI for three decades.
The event was well attended. Notable guests included Federal Court Judge, Datuk P.S. Gill; Sultan Idris Foundation Chairman, Tan Sri V. Jeyaratnam; Astro Deputy Chairman, Ralph Marshall, who is a Michaelian and Bishop Sebastian Francis, to name a few.
Also present was well-respected educationist Dato’ Seri N. Selvamany who presented an orange shawl to Vincent for his invaluable contribution to education.
Entertainment was provided by the choirs from the three parishes of Our Lady of Lourdes, OMPH and St Michael’s Church. One of the songs rendered for Vincent was When Irish eyes are smiling, while Sharmini chipped in to serenade Vincent with backing from the choir.
Undoubtedly, a warm and moving appreciation lunch for a respected member of the Ipoh community.
Over a hundred school children from 17 Tamil schools in the Larut, Matang and Selama District (LMS) took part in an art competition recently. The event themed, “Still Life, Country House and Nature” and organised by the Ex-Tamil School Teachers Welfare Association of LMS, was held at SJK (T) St Theresa’s Convent, Jalan Kampung Jambu, Taiping.
Participants were divided into four categories, preschool; standard one to two; three to four and five to six. They were from Batu Kurau, Kamunting, Matang, Pondok Tanjong, Selama, Trong, Ulu Sepetang and Taiping.
Association president K. Vairavan, 57, was elated with the response and planned on having it again next year. The top three winners of each category were given cash prizes of RM30, RM20 and RM10 respectively with trophies and certificates. Trophies and certificates were also awarded to seven consolation-prize winners of each category, as a form of incentive.
The association’s honorary secretary and competition organising chairman, Maj A. Munusamy (Rtd), 61, said the event was the first by the association. “Our aim is to inculcate a love and appreciation for art among Tamil school students in the district,” he told Ipoh Echo. “Hopefully it’ll instil interest in art in the participants while giving them an opportunity to develop their latent talent.”
Children from category one to three used colour pencils and crayons on stencils of still life and country house, while the older children painted nature subjects using pastels and watercolours.
Malay pantun (poem) has long been regarded as a medium to convey thoughts and wishes between two parties. It is part and parcel of the Malay culture which has withstood the test of time. However, modernity brings changes to the way people communicate so much so that pantun has lost its appeal. To arrest the declining popularity of pantun, especially among young Malays, the Department of Arts and Culture Perak organised an inter-departmental pantun competition recently to rekindle interest in this art form.
The final round held at the department’s auditorium in Jalan Caldwell, Ipoh recently, saw over 200 people eagerly prompting their teams on. The team from the Perak Education Department was declared the winner in a closely contested match marked by wisecracks. The exchanges between the ‘sellers’ and ‘buyers’ were witty and at times comical.
The winning team took home RM1000 in cash prize while runner-up, RTM Perak, RM700. Pn Zaridah Zubir from RTM Perak was adjudged the contestant with the most creative pantun. She won RM200. Director Abdul Mutalib A. Rahman gave away the prizes.
The 9th Perak Mental Health Convention with the Theme: ‘100 Years of Psychiatry, Where do we go from here’, was opened by Dato’ Dr Hjh Nordiyanah binti Hj Hassan, State Health Director at Impiana Hotel. She said that patients with a mental illness suffer from stigma and discrimination. Many people who have mental health conditions consider their signs and symptoms a normal part of life or avoid treatment out of shame or fear. A nationwide survey on mental health in Malaysia in 2006 (NHMSIII) among people 18 years and above revealed that 11.2% of the adult population suffers from mental disorders. She said that people tend to visit bomohs rather than doctors. She added that it was a coincidence that the convention fell on World Mental Health Day which was on October 10.
Dato’ Dr Suarn Singh, Consultant Psychiatrist, Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, who gave the keynote address, traced the history of mental health-care from pre-1900 to the present time. The Bahagia Hospital in Tanjung Rambutan was built in 1911 and one of the buildings is still in use. The focus now is more on outpatient treatment rather than inpatient treatment and there are 49 facilities nationwide for inpatient treatment. Self-help and family support groups are being trained. There are mental health promotions and healthy lifestyle campaigns. Books have been written on mental health-care for children, adults, senior citizens and retirees.
Symposiums were held on various topics including ‘Happy Family’, moving away from mental institutions to community mental health centres, advocacy for the mentally ill and other more technical subjects.
The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) views with concern the government’s move to introduce a bill which no longer allows judges to impose a bond of good behaviour in statutory rape sentencing. This hurried move, without proper consultation, is not the way forward.
The government’s intended action appears a hasty response to the public uproar over the cases of former national bowler and the electrician who were released on such bonds after they had been found guilty of statutory rape of underage girls.
JAG maintains that it is not the court’s power to sentence that was the cause of the uproar but rather the exercise of the court’s discretion on how the decision was made which was seen as lacking in “reason, justice and equity”. Hence, what is needed is not a blanket removal of this important discretionary power of the courts.
Statutory rape is a complex offence which needs consideration of different aspects and different factors. Instead, the issue is how judges can be better equipped with all relevant facts in each statutory rape case and the impact on the victim, the accused and society. This will enable judges to better utilise their judicial powers and make informed decisions as to why statutory rape is made an offence.
To this end, the court has full power to call for expert evidence and reports in order to understand the impact on the child victim’s development and psychology. In order to make the best decision, the retention of this discretionary power would enable the consideration of not just an appropriate rehabilitative sentencing of the offender, but also take into account the impact on the victim and society needs for justice.
The sudden announcement by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, to amend the rape laws is a knee-jerk reaction and requires in-depth consultation. Therefore, JAG strongly calls on the government to reconsider tabling any related Bill until full consultation is undertaken with the relevant authorities, the Bar Council and civil society organisations, to seek out wide-ranging input for comprehensive understanding and recommendations on sexual crime offences.
The latest amendments to the rape laws came about only after a Parliamentary Select Committee, which was set up in 2004, had made recommendations after extensive consultation with the public. This holistic approach is more conducive to attaining justice and fairness in legislation and application of laws in our country.
Perak Women for Women Society (PWW)
All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
Women’s Centre for Change (WCC)
Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER)
Sisters In Islam (SIS)
Sabah Women Action Resource Group (SAWO)
Motorists on the North-South Expressway, going to Ipoh city centre via the Tambun exit, need not make a U-turn along Jalan Tambun about 100m away since traffic lights were installed at the junction. This facility is also convenient for residents in Bercham who travel frequently along this route. With the traffic lights, motorists are now able to make a right turn to get into the city. The existing slip road was widened to become dual lanes.
