Tuesday, September 30, 2008

More Pakatan service centres - NST

IPOH: Sept 30, 2008

The Pakatan Rakyat state government will set up community service centres at all 28 state constituencies held by Barisan Nasional to complement the 31 they have set up in seats held by PR. "It is our aim to provide services to all the rakyat, irrespective of whether they are in BN constituencies or PR-held seats," state Education, Local Government, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming said. The new centres are to begin operations by the year-end.

Ragu still hoping to get MyKad soon - NST

R.Ragu showing the temporary ID he received

IPOH: The words that came out of 33-year-old R. Ragu sounded like they were plucked out of Martin Luther King Jr's famous speech, I Have A Dream.
"I have a dream that my four children will one day live in this country as respected citizens.

"That they will be called Malaysians, and that they will not be made stateless like their father," said Ragu at the National Registration Department (NRD), here, yesterday.

Speaking to the New Straits Times after obtaining his new temporary identification document, the father of three, who is expecting his fourth child soon, said he hoped his children would not suffer the same fate because of his stateless status.

His eldest daughter is now 9 and Ragu is worried that she would not be given a MyKad when she turns 12.
"If I, her father, had no MyKad and am not accepted as a citizen of this country, will the National Registration Department accept my eldest daughter as a citizen?

"Will my two younger daughters get to live as Malaysians? Will my unborn fourth suffer the same fate?"

Ragu also wondered if his fate would change after he got his temporary ID.

He said that the solution to his problem would be getting his MyKad.

"Many years ago, I held a similar temporary ID but I struggled to get work because companies, factories and enterprises asked me to produce my MyKad.

"Will things really change now for me and my family? No, not even a little, I believe.

"What is the use of re-issuing a temporary ID? I can't open a bank account, buy a prepaid mobile phone card, own a car or have anything to my name.

"My situation is worse than a bankrupt."

Ragu, who was abandoned by his parents when he was 4, only has an incomplete birth certificate issued in 1998 indicating that he was born in Bagan Serai, near Taiping, to one Rajamani.

Because the certificate has no other details about his parents, the NRD only issued a temporary ID which was valid until 2004 when the Home Ministry decided to stop issuing them.

His eight attempts to apply for a MyKad since 1998 failed because he cannot prove that he was born here.

In his last attempt, in July, he was allegedly told to meet Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah to get the ruler's letter to support his MyKad application.

His plight was highlighted by the NST last Thursday, when he was unable to meet Sultan Azlan Shah. However, the ruler, on learning of Ragu's plight, instructed the NRD last Friday to issue a new temporary ID immediately, pending his application for a MyKad.

Ragu arrived in Ipoh with his wife G. Neelaawathi, 27, and their three children and they have been sleeping in their car since last Tuesday.

Despite his stateless predicament, Ragu is grateful that there were people who helped him.

"Although what I got was not what I had wished for, I am still very grateful to Sultan Azlan Shah, the New Straits Times, state exco member A. Sivanesan and Kuala Kangsar municipal councillor S. Thiagarajan who have helped me in their own way.

"I hope the government will give me MyKad before my eldest daughter turns 12," he said, adding that the temporary ID expires in September 2010.

Illicit sex councillor quits - Star

IPOH: Sept 30, 2008 By HAH FOONG LIAN

Perak Tengah councillor Zul Hassan (pic), who admitted to having illicit sex with a Chinese national, has vacated his post.

State Education, Local Government, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming said the move in asking Zul to resign was to defend the integrity of the state government and to protect the interests of the people.

“We have found him to be unsuitable to hold the post of a councillor,” Nga told reporters here yesterday.

Nga pointed out that under the Local Government Act, the appointment and dismissal of a councillor was the state government’s prerogative.

“If we ask him to resign, the message is very clear,” he said, adding: “He will be replaced once we have identified a suitable candidate.”

Zul, who had been charged with corruption, had lodged a complaint with the state Religious Department and had admitted to having illicit sex with a woman.

Zul had also accused Mohamad Imran of being the person responsible in organising and promoting the sinful act by providing the woman to him and two others at the Kuala Kangsar rest area on Aug 14.

Mohamad Imran is the complainant in the corruption case which Zul and four other accused had claimed trial to.

As for the two state executive councillors who were also charged with corruption, Nga said: “As far as they are concerned, they are innocent and they have reasons to believe they have been framed.”

“If they were framed, then there is no reason for us to punish the innocent,” Nga added.

He also urged the rest of the 338 councillors in Perak to protect their good name, and that of their family and the state government.

Declaring that he had full confidence in them as they were selected through a transparent and democratic process, Nga said the interests of the people should be their commitment.

Meanwhile, PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail welcomed and fully supported the state’s decision to sack Zul.

She said Zul would also be hauled up by PKR’s disciplinary committee and asked to explain the remark, when he made a comparison of his inability to resist temptation to someone who is being offered sedekah (charity).

Monday, September 29, 2008

Councillor who took sexual favours sacked - Star

IPOH: Sept 29, 2008

The state government has declared as vacant the post of Perak Tengah district councillor, held by Zul Hassan who is facing a corruption charge and admitted to having accepted sexual favours.

The move which was quickly hailed by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

“Zul Hassan, who is under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Authority (ACA), had not only issued a statement confessing to illicit sex, but also justified his decision by saying he was induced into committing thw immoral act,” PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said in a statement.

“Such a statement makes a mockery of Pakatan Rakyat’s pledge towards a government that respects the trust of the people,” she said.

Zul Hassan is facing a corruption charge over a development project at Seri Iskandar in Perak Tengah. In a complaint that he lodged against one Mohamad Imran Abdullah, he and businessman Fairul Azrim Ismail admitted having accepted offers to have sex with Chinese nationals.

Mohamad Imran is the complainant in a corruption case in which Zul and four others are the accused.

Zul Hassan had been quoted as saying “what is important is we did not ask for the women. He supplied them to us. If people sedekah (donate), don’t you want to accept it?”

Dr Wan Azizah said the PKR disciplinary committee will deal with Zul Hassan, who will be asked to explain his statement above.

Firm to collect garbage during Raya - Star

Sept 29, 2008

THE Ipoh City Council has contracted Syarikat Lee Tuck Construction to collect household refuse during the Hari Raya celebrations.

In a statement released yesterday, it said the company would be carrying out the service from Sept 30 to Oct 11.

The areas that the company will be servi-cing on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are from Fair Park to Taman Pearl, Star Park and Taman Mirindy; Canning Garden; Buntong Jaya, Taman Tinggi, Silibin Ria, Maju Ria, Buluh Mas, Ulu Buntong and its surroundings; Tawas Mewah, Kledang Prima, Tawas Sinaran, Anjung Tawas, Tawas Idaman and parts of Klebang Jaya; Tanjung Rambutan town, Taman Chong Kee, Berjaya, Jothy, Nesa, Kinta Jaya and Taman Indah.

The areas that the company will be collecting refuse on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays are Kampung Simee and Taman Wah Keong; Ipoh Garden; First Garden and Taman Rishah; Klebang Restu, Klebang Ria and parts of Klebang Jaya; North Ward, South Ward, Tanjung town, Kampung Tersusu Batu Lapan, RPT Ulu Kinta, Taman Tanjung and Taman Bahagia.

Director forks out RM1,800 for a pomelo - Star

IPOH: Sept 29, 2008

How much would you pay for a pomelo?

Company director Cheong Kong Fitt, 48, was willing to part with a whopping RM1,800 for just one fruit when it was auctioned off for charity during the Perak DAP fund-raising dinner here on Saturday.

Asked why he was willing to spend so much, Cheong simply said: “It’s for charity and the money will go to a good cause.”

He declined to comment further.

Charity auction: Participants checking the pomelos to be auctioned during the Perak DAP fund-raising dinner in Ipoh on Saturday night.

The man who shied away from media attention triggered a round of wild applause when he emerged the highest bidder during the auction.

He was also thanked profusely by state DAP leaders, including Perak party chief Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham and state exco member A. Sivanesan.

The dinner, held to raise funds for the party to conduct its charitable works, was attended by more than 5,000 people at Dataran DBI.

During his speech earlier, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin announced that the state government would be naming a street in the city’s Little India area after former Perak DAP chairman, the late P. Patto.

“We want him to be remembered always as the true person who had fought for the rights of the Indians.

“We want people to remember him for his convictions,” he said.

Patto, a former teacher, was at one time DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang’s political secretary and stood against MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu for the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat during the 1974 and 1990 general elections.

He died in 1995 from heart complications.

MB tells councillor in sex case to quit - Star

IPOH: Sept 29, 2008

Perak Tengah district councillor Zul Hassan, who had recently admitted accepting sexual bribes, has been ordered by the state government to quit his post.

Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the Pakatan Rakyat government had conveyed the directive to the councillor on Friday.

”This is because he is unfit to represent the Government in the council and we have told him to quit as soon as possible,” he said after breaking fast at the Perak Indian Muslim Mosque here yesterday.

Nizar added that Zul’s case would serve as a warning to all councillors not to engage in any indecent or corrupt practices in their line of duty.

”The moment they do anything that opposes the Pakatan’s customs of decency and code of ethics, they will no longer be fit to represent us in any post.

”We will not tolerate this,” he said.

Nizar also recommended to the Anti-Corruption Agency to look into the report that Zul and businessman Fairul Azrim Ismail had filed with the Perak Religious Department against their alleged inducer, Mohammad Imran Abdullah.

”The agency should take action against both parties: those who received bribes as well as those who offered the bribes.

“In any case of bribery, this is the way it should be done,” he said.

On Tuesday, Zul and Fairul had filed a report against Mohammad Imran, alleging that the latter had induced them into having illicit sex with Chinese nationals.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Ahli Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh - Part 2

Senarai Ahli Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh:

Zon 8 - Tembok, Taman Cherry, Taman Lim

Nama Penuh : Rajasegaran a/l V. N. Rajah
No. 51 Jalan Lang, Padang Tembak, 30000, Ipoh, Perak

Pekerjaan : Bekas Presiden Mahkamah Perindustrian Malaysia
No. Tel : 012-4580841
Emel / Aduan : clr_rajasegaran@mbi.gov.my

Zon 9 - Kepayang, Fair Park, Bandar Ipoh Raya


Nama Penuh : Dato' Mohd Ariff b. Shaffie
No. 23-A, Laluan Pinji Seni 4, Taman Pinji, Jalan Azlan Shah Selatan, 31650, Ipoh, Perak
Pekerjaan : Pengarah Syarikat
No. Tel : 012-5102862
Emel / Aduan : clr_ariff@mbi.gov.my

Zon 10 - Kg. Simee, Taman Ipoh, Taman Canning

Nama Penuh : Liu Then Tui
F-8-5, Damaipuri Condominium, Jalan Chin Hwa, Taman Chateau, 30250, Ipoh, Perak

Pekerjaan : Konsultan
No. Tel :
Emel / Aduan : clr_Liu@mbi.gov.my

Zon 11 - Perpaduan, Ulu Kinta, Tambun

Nama Penuh : Cheah Poh Ting
No. 6, Laluan Tambun Perdana 11, Panorama Taman Perdana, 31400 Ipoh, Perak

Pekerjaan : Jurutera Bertauliah
No. Tel : 012-5010130
Emel / Aduan : clr_ptcheah@mbi.gov.my

Zon 12 - Buntong, Silibin

Nama Penuh : M. Kulasekaran Segaran
No. 118, Jalan Dato' Ahmad Said, 30450, Ipoh, Perak

Pekerjaan : Peguam/ Ahli Parlimen Ipoh Barat
No. Tel : 012-5034346
Emel / Aduan : clr_kula@mbi.gov.my

Zon 13 - Greentown, Pekan Lama, Medan Kidd

Nama Penuh : Ding Pooi Kooi
No. 44b & 46b, Medan Istana 1, Bandar Ipoh Raya, 30020, Ipoh, Perak

Pekerjaan : Arkitek
No. Tel : 012-5225727 / 05-2417949
Emel / Aduan : clr_ding@mbi.gov.my

Zon 14 - Cempaka, Taman Golf, Lumba Kuda

Nama Penuh : Yip Mun Chien
No. 76 Persiaran Chempaka Sari 24, Taman Chempaka, 31400, Ipoh, Perak

Pekerjaan : Penasihat Kewangan
No. Tel : 012-5173361
Emel / Aduan : clr_yip@mbi.gov.my

Ahli Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh

Senarai Ahli Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh:

Zon 1 - Khantan, Chemor, Klebang

Nama Penuh : Hj. wan Ahmad Tarmizi b. Abdul Azizi
21 Jalan Tanjung, Desa tanjung Murni, 31200 Chemor, Ipoh, Perak

Pekerjaan : Bekerja Sendiri
No. Tel : 019-5101772
Emel / Aduan : clr_tarmizi@mbi.gov.my

Zon 2 - Kuala Kuang, Chepor, Meru

Nama Penuh : Ayyathurai a/l Achutharaman
No. 77, Persiaran Tebing Kinta 1, Taman Mirindi, 31400, Ipoh, Perak

Pekerjaan : Pengarah Syarikat
No. Tel : 013-5211840
Emel / Aduan : clr_ayyathurai@mbi.gov.my

Zon 3 - Tawas, Tasek, Ipoh Grove

Nama Penuh : Dato' Francis Lee
No. 33-c (2nd Floor), Jalan Tun Sambathan, 30000, Ipoh, Perak

Pekerjaan : Presiden Rehda Perak
No. Tel :
Emel / Aduan : clr_francis@mbi.gov.my

Zon 4 - Kinding, Tanjung Rambutan, Putra

Nama Penuh : Dr. Ngiam Swee Keat
No. 36, Lebuh Lasam, 30350 Ipoh, Perak

Pekerjaan : Bekas Pengarah Kesihatan Bandaraya, MBI
No. Tel : 012-5199472
Emel / Aduan : clr_ngiam@mbi.gov.my

Zon 5 - Bercham, Tasek, Dermawan

Nama Penuh : Cheah Pou Hian
No. 18 Persiaran Bercham Utara 6, Taman Ramai, 31400, Ipoh, Perak

Pekerjaan : Pembantu Khas Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Perak
No. Tel : 016-5558766
Emel / Aduan : clr_phcheah@mbi.gov.my

Zon 6 - Jelapang, Taman Pertama, Rishah


Nama Penuh : Suresh s/o Hari Krishnan
5, Persiaran Puncak Jelapang 5, Puncak Jelapang Maju, 30020, Ipoh, Perak

Pekerjaan : Peguam
No. Tel : 012-5885119
Emel / Aduan : clr_suresh@mbi.gov.my

Zon 7 - Gugusan Manjoi

Nama Penuh : Shamsul Kamar b. Ani
No.1112, Jalan Perwira, Kampung Manjoi, 30020, Ipoh, Perak

Pekerjaan : Peniaga
No. Tel : 017-5894485
Emel / Aduan : clr_shamsul@mbi.gov.my

TERMINAL BAS RM32 JUTA MERCUTANDA BARU

Dipetik dari: Perakdaily.com

IPOH: September 17, 2008 By Anuar

Terminal Bas Sentral Meru Raya bernilai RM32 juta - satu mercutanda baru Bandaraya Ipoh akan terbina dalam tempoh tiga tahun lagi. Ia menawarkan kemudahan pengangkutan awam termoden untuk rakyat Perak,khususnya pengguna di Ipoh.

Satu Majlis Menandatangani Perjanjian Pembinaan Kompleks Terminal Bas Bersepadu Bandaraya Ipoh dan Pusat Perdagangan dan Perniagaan diadakan di Pejabat Menteri Besar baru-baru ini. Ia turut disaksikan EXCO Pendidikan, Kerajaan Tempatan, Perumahan dan Pengangkutan Awam, Nga Kor Ming dan Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri, Dato Dr Abdul Rahman bin Hashim .

Kompleks yang akan menjadi ‘Hub Pengangkutan’ itu akan dilaksanakan secara ‘Private Funding Initiative’ oleh syarikat The Combined Bus Services Sdn Bhd.

Menteri Besar Dato Seri Ir Haji Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin berkata, projek di kawasan seluasa 8.3 ha ini akan memberikan keselesaan kepada pengguna dan lokasinya yang strategik bersebelahan Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan akan tentunya mengurangkan kesesakan lalulintas di dalam Bandaraya Ipoh.

Beliau berkata syarikat itu juga dikehendaki menyediakan rangkaian perkhidmatan 30 bas baru pada peringkat awalnya bagi menggantikan 250 bas lama secara berperingkat dalam tempoh 3 tahun dari tarikh pelancaran.

Pengusaha juga bukan sahaja akan memberikan perkhidmatan yang selesa, tetapi juga akan memastikan terdapat kemudahan seperti surau untuk pengguna Islam, katanya sambil menegaskan bahawa projek ini membuktikan Kerajaan Negeri Pakatan Rakyat berusaha memberikan perkhidmatan terbaik untuk rakyat. End/anr

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Oil palm plan proposed - Star

Sept 18, 2008 By CHRISTINA KOH

NINE Perak Chinese independent schools have identified a piece of land in Taiping where they plan to grow oil palm to earn income for their expenses.

Revealing this, Perak Education, Local Government, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming said the state would look into the application by the school boards of governors for the proposed site in Taiping.

He said the school boards had also agreed to set up a non- profit company to manage the land.

“All the nine schools will have equal share and the school boards will not draw any salary or directors’ fees,” he told reporters after a meeting with the school boards in Ipoh on Tuesday.

The nine schools are SM Shen Jai, SM Yuk Choy and SM Poi Lam all three in Ipoh, SM Nam Hwa in Sitiawan, SM Yik Ching in Pantai Remis, SM Pei Yuan in Kampar, SM Hua Lian in Taiping, SM Sam Min in Teluk Intan, and SM Tsung Wah in Kuala Kangsar.

Last month, Mentri Besar Da-tuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin had announced that the state had approved a 1,000ha piece of land for the independent schools.

Nga stressed that the nine schools previously did not receive any government aid and were heavily reliant on public donations.

“With the land, the schools would be able to earn a steady income for their use,” he said.

He noted that besides the in-dependent schools, the Pakatan Rakyat government had also allocated a 2,600ha plot of land in Kuala Kangsar for Kolej Islam Darul Ridzuan.

The state, he said, had also given RM1.3mil to 18 religious schools and land to several Tamil schools.

“This proves that Pakatan emphasises on fair and just treatment for all schools because we believe education is the key factor in nation building,” he said.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Bye-bye bone-shakers Ipoh set to have better bus services, says Perak MB - Star

Sept 16, 2008 By HAH FOONG LIAN

OLD and rickety buses plying the routes in Ipoh will be a thing of the past now that all the city bus operators have teamed up to replace the bone-shakers and improve the public transport system.

Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said under an agreement to build the Ipoh Central Transportation Hub in Meru Raya with The Combined Bus Services Sdn Bhd, the bus company would supply 250 new air-conditioned coaches, worth some RM150mil, to ply the city routes.

In return, the state government would allocate a 3.4ha plot of land at Meru Raya to The Combined Bus Services to build the RM38mil new bus terminal.

The Combined Bus Services is a consortium that is formed by the city’s 14 bus operators.

Nizar said the 14 bus operators had agreed to work together to improve the public bus transportation system.

“Ipoh dwellers are in dire need of good bus services,” he said after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Perak government and The Combined Bus Services to build the new terminal.

“We would like to see existing bone-shaking buses be replaced and phased out. We want air-conditioned buses with uniformed and well-behaved drivers,” Nizar added.

Nizar pointed out that the first 30 new coaches would hit the city streets here on or before the Chinese New Year.

The consortium, he said, had three years to supply all the 250 new coaches.

On the new bus terminal at Meru Raya, Nizar said the company would be given 30 months to complete the building.

He added that a model of the building would be on display at the lobby of the Ipoh City Council for a month to obtain public feedback.

A contest to name the new public bus transportation would be held and the winner would be given free bus rides for life, he said.

On whether the old bus terminals at Medan Gopeng and Medan Kidd would be moved, Nizar said it would be reviewed at a meeting with the city council but public convenience would be given consideration before the authorities decide on what to do with them.

State Education, Local Government, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming, who was also present, said the government had saved RM188mil because the consortium was coming out with the money for the new bus terminal and new coaches.

Councils taking over community halls to prevent political misuse - Star

IPOH: Sept 16, 2008 By CHRISTINA KOH and SYLVIA LOOI

The Perak Government has directed all councils to take over the administration of local community halls to prevent misuse by any political party.

State Education, Local Government, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming said this was because in the past, the previous administration had “misused” community halls by banning non-Barisan Nasional parties from using them.

“Therefore in order to curb abuse and protect public interest, the state has decided to let the councils and JKKK (Village Security and Development Committee) take over the control and management of these halls.

“All community halls belong to the people and not to any political party,” said Nga in response to Chenderiang assemblyman Dr Mah Hang Soon, who had criticised the Pakatan Rakyat government for taking over a hall in Bukit Pagar, Tapah.

Dr Mah had accused the state of taking over community halls that were built by the previous Barisan administration, which earned him a ticking-off.

“These halls were built by Barisan, but using the people’s funds. Please distinguish the difference,” Nga said.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Ngeh: Posting of 'doctored' photographs politically motivated - Sun

IPOH (Sept 11, 2008): by Humayun Kabir

The posting of doctored obscene photographs of six Perak DAP politicians on the website over the past year is politically motivated to tarnish the image of DAP members and also to ruin their political career, said state party chairman Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham.

"I was the first of the six members to fall victim to such sex slandering and character assassination on the website last year. This was followed by Nga Kor Ming (Taiping MP and Pantai Remis assemblyman)," said Ngeh who is Perak senior exco member, Bruas MP and Sitiawan assemblyman.

"We have lodged police reports on the doctored obscene photographs on the website. The police have promised quick action on the matter but until now there is no further response nor feedback from them on the progress of investigations."

"DAP condemns such dirty and unscrupulous ways to attack party members. It's just plain low-down tactics to put the party in a bad light in the eyes of the public. They cannot attack us politically as the rakyat is happy with our service to the public so they are resorting to such underhand tactics to ruin our political career and tarnish the Perak government," he added.

Ngeh said that the other two DAP victims of doctored obscenity on the website last year were Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan and former Mengelembu assemblyman Keong Meng Sing.

"It is easy for the people to see that the heads of the six DAP leaders were superimposed onto the obsecene photographs," he told theSun, challenging those responsible to be brave and fight in the open politically instead of using unethical means.

Two DAP assemblymen latest victims in alleged sex romps - Star

IPOH: Sept 11, 2008 By HAH FOONG LIAN

Doctored photographs of two Perak DAP assemblymen allegedly performing sex acts are being distributed via e-mail.

Speaking at a press conference Thursday after lodging a police report over the pictures on Wednesday, Tebing Tinggi assemblyman Ong Boon Piow said:

“I was shocked when I opened my e-mail to see a nude photo of myself with a woman.”

Ong said the e-mail he received was dated Sept 9 and was sent to him at 8.23pm by a person named Lee BT.

I believe that the doctored photograph is a dirty tactic used to assassinate my character, he said.

He added that he had given the picture and details of the sender to the police to investigate the matter.

Canning assemblyman Wong Kah Woh, who was also present at the press conference, said doctored photographs and a videoclip showing him in an alleged sex romp with a woman were also being circulated via e-mail.

“I first came to know of the pictures in June but I chose to ignore them,” he said, adding that he did not lodge a police report.

“Whoever the culprit is, he is just insulting the intelligence of the people by doctoring our photographs and circulating them,” he said.

Wong said he believed the photographs of him and Ong were downloaded from a website of a DAP leader, who posted pictures of Perak DAP leaders attending various events here.

Ong and Wong are the latest victims of doctored photographs showing the Perak DAP leaders in alleged sex romps.

In June 2007, doctored photographs of Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan, Beruas MP and Sitiawan assemblyman Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham, Taiping MP and Pantai Remis assemblyman Nga Kor Ming and former Menglembu assemblyman Keong Meng Sing were also circulated via e-mail.

A police report had also been lodged and the Perak DAP had offered RM5,000 to those with information on the culprit who doctored their photographs showing them performing the alleged sex acts.

Nizar gets down to work as Perak FA boss next month - Star

IPOH: Sept 11, 2008

Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mo­hammad Nizar Jamaluddin will assume the post of president of the cash-strapped Perak FA next month.

In making the announcement yesterday, Nizar said that he would begin his duties as president after the association’s annual general meeting in mid-October.

He said at a press conference after chairing the state executive council meeting here yesterday that the FA would also undergo a major restructuring process, including the hiring of new players and trainers.

Nizar added that the state government approved a total of RM300,000 last month to the FA to help them ease their financial burden.

“We are looking into approving a similar amount soon for the same purpose. We are aware of the financial problems faced by the FA and will try to settle them in stages,” he said.

The FA have debts, including defaulted payments on EPF, income taxes and some RM500,000 to the Ipoh City Council for rental of the Perak Stadium.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Instal CCTVs, urges Ipoh OCPD - Star

Sept 9, 2008 By CHRISTINA KOH

THE police have urged Ipoh citizens operating businesses and factories to invest in a CCTV system to help deter crime.

Ipoh OCPD Asst Comm Azisman Alias said the system would help the authorities use the captured footage of the suspects during the incidents as evidence in court.

“Another suggestion is to form volunteer neighbourhood patrols,” he said during a crime prevention dialogue in Pasir Pinji, Ipoh, organised by Perak DAP recently.

ACP Azisman said this in response to concerns raised by residents at the perceived lack of security of their neighbourhood in the Pasir Pinji and Pengkalan areas.

One resident related how he had recently been beaten up and robbed on the street, while another man said a snatch thief targeted his wife just 500m from the Pasir Puteh police station in March this year.

Another woman complained about how two Rottweilers guarding her factory ended up missing the next morning.

Residents also expressed fears of stopping their vehicles at traffic lights early in the morning, as robbers tended to prey on them.

“But if I decide to run the red light to avoid being robbed, police might issue me a summons instead,” said one man.

ACP Azisman urged the public to call the Ipoh district operations centre at 05-2451562 or 2451563 to alert police of any criminal activities in their areas.

“Tell us immediately and we will respond within 10 to 15 minutes,” said ACP Azisman, who also reminded residents to report any suspicious activity such as strangers lingering at late hours.

He explained that currently, the district only had 1,400 police officers, including administrative staff, to cater to a population of some 1.5 million people.

“This ratio is very low and not something that we like. Even so, the crime rate in Ipoh has dropped by 8% compared to last year,” he said.

Pasir Pinji assemblyman and state exco member Thomas Su Keong Siong appealed to residents to join the Rakan Cop programme.

Also present were police officials and Ipoh Timor MP Lim Kit Siang, who registered for the Rakan COP programme.

Drop in dengue cases in Perak - Star

Sept 9, 2008

THERE has been a 28.8% drop in the number of dengue cases in Perak up to Aug 30, state Health, Environment and Human Resource Committee chairman A. Sivanesan said.

“There were 42 cases reported between Aug 24 and Aug 30 compared with the previous week. No deaths were reported.

“The Kinta district reported the highest number of cases with 20 cases, seven in the Manjung district and six in Kuala Kangsar.

“However, the total number of cases for the year to date has increased by 25.2% to 2,520 cases compared with 2,012 cases for the corresponding period last year,” he said recently.

Compounds worth a total of RM7,950 had been issued during that week, he added.

On the chikungunya outbreak, Sivanesan said as at July 29, no new cases had been reported in the Batang Padang district.

“Throughout the state, a total of 335 blood samples were taken and 100 people tested positive.

“Of this number, 95 cases were from Batang Padang, two each from Hulu Perak and Kinta, and one from Kuala Kangsar,” he said.

Revitalise Ipoh airport - Star

Sept 9, 2008 By HAH FOONG LIAN

THE under-utilised Sultan Azlan Shah Airport in Ipoh should be turned into a hub for short-range travel, Datuk Bandar Roshidi Hashim said.

He made the proposal in his speech when he opened the three-day Perak Matta Travel Fair 2008 at Stadium Indera Mulia in Ipoh recently.

Roshidi said: “I am of the view that the airport should be used for short-range travel such as flying to Phuket if the runway could not be extended.”

Promoting tourism: Roshidi (left) being introduced to Perak Matta Fair participants dressed in traditional Chinese and Korean costumes.

He noted that small aircraft could use the airport, which now only serves weekly flights to Medan.

In 2006, low-cost carrier AirAsia stopped flights from Ipoh to Senai, citing the short runway as the reason.

Since then, there have been calls by public interest groups to expand the use of the airport.

Roshidi pointed out that the state government, including the Ipoh City Council, was keen to enhance the use of the airport.

Roshidi noted that tourism was an important economic contributor to the earnings of Ipoh city.

He said that he would be going to Medan, Indonesia, next month to promote Ipoh as a destination although flights from Ipoh to Medan were limited.

“We want to continue to promote Ipoh as an international tourist destination,” he added.

On the travel fair, Roshidi said this year was the sixth Perak Matta Travel Fair to be organised for travellers.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

MB defends land aid - NST

IPOH: Sept 4, 2008

Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin has defended the decision to allocate 1,000ha of land to nine Chinese independent schools, saying the state government has always acted fairly towards everyone in the state, including the Malays.
"The state government is serious about resolving issues faced by various segments in the state for so many years," he said here yesterday.

He was commenting on the reactions of Umno and the party's Youth wing leaders in the state, which criticised him for sidelining the people's religious schools or sekolah agama rakyat (SAR).

Nizar said he believed that Umno leaders who had questioned the state government's decision were not aware that the administration had done a lot for the 18 SAR.

Nizar also took Umno Youth to task for portraying itself as a defender of the religious schools.
"Why is Perak Umno Youth suddenly so interested in fighting for the rights of SAR, when it was the Barisan Nasional government, under the premiership of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, which discontinued financial assistance to the religious schools, causing many of them to shut down?"

Hishammuddin questions Perak's move to allocate land to Chinese schools - NST

PUTRAJAYA, THURS: Sept 4, 2008

Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein today questioned the Perak state government's move to allocate 1,000ha of land to nine Chinese independent schools, saying it was politically motivated.

The Umno Youth chief also said Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin should be fair towards other schools in need of similar aid.

Nizar recently said the land was given to show appreciation and support to Chinese independent schools in the state.

He had said the land would enable the schools to generate revenue to pay for their operational expenses.

Hishammuddin said the move was only a populist step by Pakatan Rakyat as it was clearly one-sided and focussed only on one type of school.
"There are so many schools out there in need of land. I challenge the MB to approve immediately land to religious private schools, missionary, Tamil schools and other institutions in the state. It is only fair that these schools are given the same treatment as those given to the nine Chinese private schools."

He said the ministry welcomed any move by individuals or companies to contribute towards the country's education system and schools.

However, assistance given should be done sincerely and not politically motivated without considering the feeling and sensitivity of other parties.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Perak Umno Youth appeals for land for religious schools - Star

IPOH: Sept 1, 2008 By CLARA CHOOI

Perak Umno Youth has urged the state government to allocate land to all Islamic independent schools in the state.

Its chief Zainol Fadzi Paharudin said while the wing respected the state’s decision to give land to all Chinese independent schools, it believed the move should also benefit the Malays.

“We respect the decision and the reason for giving land to the Chinese schools.

“But we would like to appeal to the Mentri Besar to give land to all the state’s Islamic independent schools as well,” he said in a statement Sunday.

Zainol added that all decisions made by the state should defend the rights of the Malays and the bumiputras.

“The wing would like to urge the Mentri Besar to always look after the Malay community in Perak,” he said.

On Friday, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin announced that the state government had given an approval in principle to allocate 1,000ha of land to the state’s nine Chinese independent schools.

It had been reported that this would allow the schools to form a company that would manage the land so that the revenue could fund the schools’ administration.

Nizar had also said that the allocation was a long-term solution to aid the financially independent schools as the state could only afford to give an annual allocation of RM30,000.

Rebuild Sungai Pari flats - Star

Sept 1, 2008 By CHAN LI LEEN

THE Ipoh City Council is hoping that the Perak Government will agree to its suggestion to demolish and rebuild the problematic Sungai Pari Towers.

Datuk Bandar Roshidi Hashim said the council believed that rebuilding the apartment blocks, one of the oldest in Ipoh, could be the solution to providing a better living environment for its tenants.

“The council will seek the state’s approval and should it agree, we will be happy to come up with the building plans and implement the project,” Roshidi told reporters on Friday after chairing his first full board meeting as mayor.

Built in 1963, the 11 apartment blocks have been a constant source of complaints regarding the shoddy maintenance, vandalism and infestation by drug addicts.

The blocks are owned by the council and each unit is rented out for between RM80 and RM155 per month depending on the size of each unit.

Roshidi said the single-room units were no longer appropriate.

“The two and three-bedroom units are also not suitable for large families and can pose moral and social problems,” he said.

He added that the council could not rent out certain units due to their condition.

Roshidi added that not only were vandals destroying the blocks but that maintenance was very costly.

“It costs the council about RM245 to maintain each unit per month,” he said.

According to Roshidi, there are 288 units of which 201 are occupied.

Ratepayers owe council RM70mil, says mayor - Star

Sept 1, 2008

RATEPAYERS owe the Ipoh City Council RM70.6mil in arrears as of July, new Datuk Bandar Roshidi Hashim said.

He said RM53.1mil of the arrears was in unpaid assessment and 74,305 residential property owners owed the council a whopping RM24mil.

“Apart from home owners, 2,265 factories also owe the council RM3.2mil. From January to July this year, fewer than half of the ratepayers paid RM46.1mil in assessment,” he said after chairing his first council full board meeting after taking office as mayor on July 23.

Ratepayers who failed to settle their dues by yesterday risk getting Form E notices from the council.

“If defaulters still disregard the notices to pay up, then the council has to issue Form F whereby their assets will be confiscated,” he added.

During the debate session, councillor A. Ayyathurai suggested that the council cancelled the contracts of errant con-tractors engaged to cut grass at housing areas.

Roshidi said he would not tolerate contractors or subcontractors who did not accomplish their jobs as promised in their contracts.

Councillor M. Kulasegaran urged the council to encourage the use of solar and renewable energy as a long-term measure towards a cleaner environment.