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The Star
18-07-2025
- 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
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
State's top rank in English proficiency reflects good education, economic potential
PERAK residents believe that history, education system, and cultural ties are behind the state's top rank in English proficiency nationwide. Lecturer Muhammad Syafiq Imran Abdul Rahim, 31, believes that English fluency in Perak can be traced to British colonial times when many locals had to learn the language to work in tin mines. 'Even after Independence, many elders saw English as a global language and encouraged their children to learn it,' he said when interviewed by StarMetro. English usage in the state remains high, especially in tourist spots, he pointed out. 'Walk through the night markets or Pasar Karat and you'll hear elderly traders speaking fluent English. 'This reflects how seriously the older generation embraced the language, laying a strong foundation that continues today,' he added. Muhammad Syafiq Imran says English fluency in Perak can be traced to British colonial times. According to the EF English Proficiency Index (EPI) 2024, Perak achieved a score of 585, making it the highest-ranked Malaysian state. The globally recognised index evaluates the English skills of adults in over 100 countries. Based on the index scoring system, proficiency levels are divided into five categories. A score of 600 and above reflects a very high level of proficiency. A mark in the 550 to 599 range indicates a high level of proficiency. A moderate level score is between 500 and 549, a low level score is from 450 to 499, and a very low score is below 450. Human resource executive Sharieza Sani, 40, said the state's English proficiency could also be traced to its mission schools legacy. 'Back then, many schools used English as the main medium for learning and communication. 'That gave pupils a solid foundation to build on. 'We have always lived side by side with people from different backgrounds. 'So, English became the common thread helping us understand one another better,' he said. Uma believes English fluency in Perak will enable its tourism sector to flourish even more. S. Uma, 54, a salesperson, described the state's top ranking as a proud milestone. 'With our state now leading the nation in English proficiency, I believe our tourism sector will flourish even more. 'When language is no longer a barrier, it creates a better overall experience for international tourists,' she added. Non-governmental organisation Ipoh City Watch president Dr Richard Ng praised Perak's achievement. 'It reflects a combination of effective education, community engagement, digital access, and economic drivers, all fostering a culture where English proficiency is seen as a key to success. 'Activities such as debates and public speaking competitions are commonly held,' he said. 'English is also widely-used in daily life, while access to English media is more prevalent in urban and semi-urban areas. 'I hope the state will continue investing in English education while promoting multilingual learning. 'The state should leverage on this proficiency to attract international business and tourism, and share best practices with other states,' he added. Malaysian English Language Teaching Association (Melta) president Prof Dr Sivabala Naidu said this achievement reflected effective English language education initiatives, dedicated educators as well as a supportive leadership and learning environment within the state. 'Such progress aligns with Melta's objectives to enhance English language teaching and learning nationwide,' he said. While Perak led nationally, he said there was room to elevate its standing to the 'Very High Proficiency' category. To achieve this, Prof Sivabala said the state could consider investing in quality continuous professional development for English language teachers based on ground-level needs. He said there should be more comprehensive programmes that developed all four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. 'There is also the need to equip schools with modern teaching and learning resources such as language labs, and access to digital learning tools. 'This may need support from local corporate partners. 'Consider extracurricular activities that promote the use of English in real-life contexts and Highly Immersive Programmes in all schools,' he added. Parent Action Group for Education (Page) chairman Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim said Perak's leading position in English proficiency was a testament to its effective educational strategies. 'Perak's achievement inspires other states in Malaysia to prioritise English language education in a globalised world,' she said, expressing hope that Perak would continue investing in English language education. 'Leverage proficiency for economic growth to attract international businesses and promote tourism. 'Perak is ready and able to be the mover for the Northern Economic Corridor and support Penang in the semiconductor industry. 'It will be most unfortunate if this high English proficiency is not fully capitalised on,' said Noor Azimah.
