Latest news with #IpohCityCouncil
Malay Mail
12 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Ipoh City Council addresses viral video concerns, denies dogs buried alive
IPOH, July 23 — The Ipoh City Council today confirmed that the burial of several dogs at a pound in Lahat, which went viral in a video yesterday, but denied the animals were buried alive as alleged. The council's enforcement and safety director, Ahmad Zaiyadi Sudin, said the dogs were euthanised prior to the burial, which he insisted was in line with standard operating procedures (SOP). 'The disposal method used was 'put to sleep' (PTS), carried out in collaboration with the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS),' he said at a press conference at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building. 'This is a globally accepted and humane method of euthanising stray animals under Section 32E of the Animal Welfare Act and local dog licensing by-laws.' Ahmad explained that the dogs shown in the video were already euthanised. 'If the dogs were alive, they would have certainly run away. Clearly, that did not happen,' he asserted. He said that PTS is only used after a mandatory three-day holding period, during which owners can reclaim their pets. 'These dogs were caught based on complaints — such as biting, aggressive chasing, or being left to roam the streets. If no one comes forward within three days, the animals are assessed by the DVS and, if deemed necessary, euthanised humanely.' Long-term solutions needed Ahmad noted that stray dog complaints in Ipoh remain high, with 740 complaints about strays and 201 involving pet dogs received between January 1 and July 20 this year. He added that 35 dogs were euthanised on the day of the recent incident, part of a total of 270 since last year, many of which had health issues or were involved in serious incidents. Also present at the press conference, Perak Local Government Committee Chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching stressed that while PTS is a legal last resort, with the government actively pursuing long-term solutions. 'We are not relying solely on euthanasia. We're tackling the root causes through public awareness, responsible pet ownership, and collaboration with non-governmental organisations (NGOs),' Ng said. She highlighted initiatives under the Perak Pawsitive programme, including subsidised neutering campaigns, a proposed microchip registration system, and engagement sessions between local councils and animal rescuers to build mutual understanding. Since the campaign's launch last year, 301 dogs and 254 cats have been neutered. Ng also explained the shift from a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) approach, which she said proved ineffective due to continued complaints, to a Trap-Neuter-Rehome (TNRh) method. 'However, the adoption rate in the state remains very low,' she noted. Ng expressed regret over the spread of misinformation regarding the incident, which sparked public outrage, and warned that the state would not hesitate to take legal action against those spreading false claims. The viral footage, which circulated widely yesterday, drew outrage and calls for accountability from animal lovers and NGOs. Ipoh Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) president Ricky Soong described the scenes in the video as 'heartbreaking' and 'inhumane.'
The Star
6 days ago
- General
- The Star
Forgotten buildings whisper of Perak's past
IPOH: Scattered across Perak, particularly in Ipoh, are hundreds of abandoned and forgotten buildings that tell quiet stories of a once-thriving past. Now overgrown with vines or crumbling facades, these structures have become unexpected magnets for photographs, film producers and history buffs. ALSO READ: Idle buildings, active threats Citing a few examples, the Perak Heritage Society deputy president Prof Richard Ng said in Ipoh itself, many pre-war shophouses, particularly in the old town area, are abandoned. Prof Ng, who is also the president of the non-governmental organisation Ipoh City Watch, said these structures are located, among others, along Jalan Sultan Iskandar, Jalan Datoh, Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil, and Jalan Panglima Kinta. 'Among them is the former clinic of Dr Wu Lien-Teh on Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, a pioneer of modern medicine, who also invented the face mask. 'Then in Buntong, the Sungai Pari Towers, a public housing scheme built in 1963, a 15-storey tower, and 11 four-storey blocks have been left vacant in stages since 2012 due to structural concerns. 'The area has become synonymous with safety risks, open manholes, and drug activity. 'Nearby, Waller Court, another 1960s-era public housing scheme, is suffering a similar fate, although some people are still residing there,' he said in an interview. Prof Ng was the main researcher involved in developing Ipoh's Cantonese Heritage Trail (both at the old town and the new parts of the city), and his book titled Paloh: Founded by Hakka, Made Vibrant by the Cantonese launched in 2023. He said that these buildings across the state, particularly in Ipoh, Batu Gajah, Kampar, Papan, and Kampung Kepayang, lost their economic backbone in the post-tin-mining era, leaving homes, shops, and even grand mansions empty. Many such buildings, Prof Ng said, were inherited by descendants who moved to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and overseas, leaving no one to maintain the place, and in some cases, the buildings end up in legal limbo. 'The state government should create a digital registry, legal reform, provide incentives for restoration, have public-private partnerships to redevelop such places, activate a heritage restoration fund, as well as create an urban redevelopment authority for Ipoh. 'Programmes such as adopting a building by schools or NGOs, murals, light shows, weekend flea markets, and using events like the Ipoh International Festival to spotlight restored spaces, as well as enforce basic safety and maintenance laws, are required,' he said. 'Such abandoned buildings can also be repurposed for low-cost rentals for the B40 families, community kitchens, learning hubs or libraries.' A notable example of a successful endeavour by the Ipoh City Council (MBI) is the demolition of Ipoh's famous 'Bazar Bulat' and its transformation into the Octagon building through private funding initiatives. He said that along Jalan Masjid, the old buildings have been turned into funeral parlours, with the Ruby and Cathay cinemas now transformed into restaurants. State housing and local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching said the state is exploring a more systematic approach to handling matters related to abandoned buildings. She said they have been improving the monitoring of high-risk sites, encouraging redevelopment where possible, and working through partnerships with private players when public funds are insufficient. 'Besides that, the state is looking at better policies, legal action or land acquisition to deal with old buildings, especially where ownership issues make action difficult,' she said. 'With Visit Malaysia 2026, such ideas need to be turned into action, not just to make things look good for tourists, but it is about restoring dignity to urban centres, making cities safer and more liveable.' Ng said when it came to old buildings, especially those from the pre-war era, the challenges were even greater. She said in many cases, there are multiple owners, complicated inheritance issues or 'missing' landlords. Citing an example, Ng said Waller Court is one of the clearest examples of ageing public housing that is no longer fit for purpose. She said the 17-block low-rise building with 518 units from the 1960s has steadily deteriorated. 'More than half of the units are now vacant, and many of the occupied ones are in poor condition. 'While MBI has tried to maintain the flats, it would cost nearly RM7mil a year just to keep it running, an amount that still would not bring the living conditions up to an acceptable standard. 'MBI has reached the point where maintenance alone is not enough, and redevelopment is required,' she said. Ng said a joint redevelopment plan with the private sector is being explored as the project is expected to cost over RM56mil. 'Waller Court is not the only case. There are many more public and private buildings across the state becoming underused or abandoned. Ng said that when these buildings are in the heart of the town, it would undoubtedly affect how people feel about their environment. 'So Waller Court is a reminder why we cannot wait until buildings fall apart before we act, as the longer we wait, the more costly it gets to fix the issue. 'I believe if we plan, work across agencies and involve the community, we can turn these ageing sites into new opportunities for the city and its people,' she said.
The Star
6 days ago
- General
- The Star
Ipoh authorities must crack down on indiscriminate rubbish dumping
Shop workers are leaving bags of rubbish at road junctions and back alleys in Ipoh, Perak. Ipoh City Council (MBI) must distribute free rubbish bins to premises that still do not have them. Businesses should place their bins in front of their premises and MBI must conduct periodic checks to ensure compliance. Given the poor attitude of many folk, governmental action against littering and rubbish dumping is very much needed. Awareness campaigns are not effective. The long-standing problem is that shop workers indiscriminately throw rubbish bags at road junctions and back alleys during the day. Many do not utilise bins. Their reasoning is that those sites are routine collection points by rubbish trucks. Such actions encourage others to carelessly litter or dump rubbish at those sites. This ruins the cleanliness of Ipoh, creates a public health threat to Ipoh residents and tarnishes the city's image, especially in the eyes of foreign tourists. Along with free bins, MBI needs to ensure regular scheduled collections. This issue must be given high priority for the sake of Ipoh's public health, environmental cleanliness and general image. Other crucial actions that can help, include installing more closed-circuit TV cameras at rubbish dumping hotspots and expediting the banning of single-use plastics in Ipoh. If there's one thing that leaves a lasting impression on tourists, it is the cleanliness of the cities they visit. Given how crucial tourism is to our country's economy and ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026, all local councils should be undertaking these actions as well. Raveen Veerasenan Jeyakumar Ipoh
The Star
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
MBI says not involved in night market promoted on social media, no approval given
IPOH: The Ipoh City Council (MBI) denies any involvement in a night market event currently being promoted on social media, saying no approval was given for it to be held on MBI-owned property. According to MBI, the organiser of the said event has been actively advertising the programme on social media platforms without obtaining prior consent or approval from the council. The event is being promoted currently on the TikTok platform under the name 'Harmony planet-Ipoh Starlight Night Market'. In the video, an individual is showing the venue where the night market is purportedly going to be held, which is at a space outside the Ipoh Convention Centre. In a statement Friday (July11), MBI made it clear that no permission had been granted for the use of any of its properties for the planned event. 'This form of promotion constitutes false and misleading advertisement, and we urge the general public and potential vendors to exercise caution,' the statement added. The council stressed that it would not be held liable for any loss or damages suffered by individuals or vendors who may have responded to or engaged with the unauthorised promotion or its organiser. It also advised members of the public to verify the legitimacy of any events or activities claimed to be associated with MBI by contacting the council directly through its verified channels. 'MBI will not hesitate to take legal action against any individual or entity found to be involved in acts that undermine, belittle, or attempt to damage the reputation of MBI through unauthorised use of our name, property, or official capacity,' the statement added. MBI thanked the public for their cooperation and vigilance in safeguarding the integrity of the city council. For official enquiries or to confirm the legitimacy of any event, the public may contact 05-208 3333. Emails can also be directed to mbi@
The Star
11-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Chemor temple not facing demolition, says chairman
Compiled by DIYANA PFORDTEN, and R. ARAVINTHAN THE Chemor Sri Muniswarar Temple committee had denied claims that the temple is facing demolition, Makkal Osai reported. Its chairman, identified as Mugam Nathan, said the temple was visited by Ipoh City Council officials a few days ago. The visit was related to the road-widening works near the temple, which is located next to the railway tracks. The temple toilets, store and office structures have been removed to make way for the work, but the temple itself need not be demolished, he said. This had also been confirmed by the council officials who visited the temple, Mugam said. He added that people should stop spreading online claims. > The daily also reported that a diminutive female wildlife ranger in India has surprised the Internet by catching a 5.48m-long cobra bare-handed. The officer, identified as Roshni from Kerala, was called to deal with a cobra in a Thiruvanndapuram housing area. Roshni, who has apparently caught around 800 snakes in eight years with the wildlife department, dealt with the serpent with ease. (The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.)
