
Still looking for closure
ON Friday, Sabahans commemorated one of the most pivotal moments in their state's history, which occurred 49 years ago.
The Double Six Tragedy claimed the lives of then Chief Minister, Tun Fuad Stephens, and several key state ministers when the GAF N-22B Nomad aircraft they were on crashed in Sem-bulan, Kota Kinabalu, on June 6, 1976.
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The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Ipoh tree rooted in history but fading from memory
Legacy at risk: The Ipoh Tree at the Ipoh Railway Station Square. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star IPOH: Once a powerful symbol of the city's identity, the Ipoh Tree from which the city draws its name, is no longer widely recognised especially among the younger folk. And sadly, there are only two Ipoh trees left standing in public spaces here. The tree's connection to the city name, and its cultural meaning, has faded with time, said Perak Heritage Society deputy president Prof Dr Richard Ng. He said the Ipoh Tree (Antiaris toxicaria) is not as prominent or celebrated for several reasons. Many people, especially the younger generation, do not even know the history of the tree, he said. 'Schools and tourism materials seldom emphasise its symbolic role. 'The younger generation grew up knowing about Lost World or Concubine Lane, but not the tree that gave Ipoh its name. 'As Ipoh modernised, urban planning focused more on infrastructure, less on preserving original natural landmarks. 'The city grew beyond the symbol of the tree with malls, housing and new attractions that took over public attention,' he said. In 2023, The Star reported that only two Ipoh trees remain in public spaces in the city. One can be seen at the Ipoh Railway Station Square, while the other is located at Persiaran Sultan Azlan Shah in Taman Lapangan Terbang, estimated to be around 20 years old, with a height of about 12m. The Ipoh City Council had said the one located at the square was planted in February 2018 to replace a 100-year-old Ipoh tree that fell during a storm in April 2017. On Aug 31, 2022, an Ipoh tree at the Dr Seenivasagam Park fell due to rot in its roots. That tree was estimated to be at least 30 years old. Ng said most majestic trees, including the Ipoh Tree fell victim to road expansion, construction, bad weather or neglect. He said it is a pity that such an important symbol of Ipoh is slowly forgotten. 'With only a handful of trees left in the city, efforts to integrate the Ipoh Tree's story into the city's identity through schools, public signage and cultural programmes must be made before the legacy is lost entirely. 'The tree, though dangerous, is majestic, much like how Ipoh itself emerged, from a wild, resource-rich land to a vibrant mining town. 'Its rare toxic sap became a symbol of indigenous knowledge and natural power. As the tree faded from public space, its legacy lived on in the city's name, coat of arms, and identity,' he added. Elaborating on the history of the Ipoh Tree, Ng said it played a central role in the naming of Ipoh, and was once abundant along the Kinta River. He said the tree's poisonous sap was traditionally used by the Orang Asli to tip blowpipes for hunting. Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) field officer Meor Razak Meor Abdul Rahman said there was no need to plant many such trees, but maintain the existing trees properly. He said it was sufficient to have the trees located at different locations, both at public and tourist areas. 'What is important is that they are well maintained with proper safety features to ensure that the public cannot easily approach or be exposed to the potential toxins. 'There is a need to keep the legacy of the tree, and thus a few trees must be maintained to ensure the history is well preserved for the future generations,' he added.


Daily Express
a day ago
- Daily Express
Two Sabahans in book on Malaysia's top women
Published on: Wednesday, July 02, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 02, 2025 Text Size: From right: Adeline, Dr Jamilah, Wan Azizah and Patricia Yapp. Kota Kinabalu: Two prominent Sabahans have been recognised as among Malaysia's top achievers in a new book that explores how successful women balance career, marriage and motherhood. Former Sabah State Library Director cum and Malaysia's first female President of both the Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan Municipal Councils, Datuk Adeline Leong, joins Lt Colonel Patricia Yapp from Sandakan, the country's first female jet fighter pilot, as featured personalities in 'To Have It All' by Professor Puan Sri Paduka Dr Jamilah Ariffin. The book profiles 20 accomplished Malaysian women from diverse fields, including politics, academia, business, civil service, medicine, military and law enforcement. Notable figures include Federal Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh, former High Court Judge Tan Sri Datuk Zainun Ali and Malaysia's first female Major General Datuk Major General Fadzlette Othman Merican. Author Prof Jamilah, a Development Studies expert from University of Malaya who has penned 17 books on women's development, brings unique insights from her academic work and community service. During her 17 years in Johor, she established 66 daycare centres for children with disabilities and training programmes for single mothers. The book addresses a pressing national concern Malaysia's declining birth rate, which has reportedly dropped to 1.6 children per woman well below the 2.1 replacement level needed to sustain population growth. Jamilah attributes this trend to changing life priorities, with motherhood becoming a choice rather than expectation, preferences for smaller families and rising infertility rates. 'To Have It All' offers practical guidance on managing work-life balance, stress management and the importance of family support systems. The author draws comparisons between successful Malaysian women and their counterparts in the United States, China and Hong Kong. The book targets a broad readership, including policymakers, educators, employers, researchers, parents and young women aspiring to excel in their careers while maintaining family life. The book is available through I-Resolve Foundation at iresolvefoundation@gmail .com * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
When sharing is not caring
The columnist believes Malaysians have reached the limits of 'free speech' with the unfiltered, unthinking sharing of comments on social media. WE'VE heard the expression 'sharing is caring'. I'm sure we've all at one point told a version of it to our children and grandchildren when they squabble over a toy, or teach it to young pupils at school. But nowadays, in a world dominated by social media, sharing is not a good thing to do as it can have the opposite effect, with consequences more severe than most people realise. Billed as RM9.73 for the 1st month then RM13.90 thereafters. RM12.33/month RM8.63/month Billed as RM103.60 for the 1st year then RM148 thereafters. Free Trial For new subscribers only