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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.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Govt will continue to support families, including growing group of seniors: PM Wong at PCF Family Day
SINGAPORE – Housewife Jenny Tan and her retiree husband Richard Ng, both in their 70s, feel younger than their age when they try new activities like e-sports and drone soccer at the active ageing centre at the ground floor of their Housing Board block. The PAP Community Foundation (PCF) Sparkle Care in Yew Tee has become their almost-daily haunt since the centre opened in 2022. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on July 13 that PCF has been stepping up in senior care, in line with government efforts to provide more support to this segment of the population and to partner organisations to do so. The Government will continue to support families in Singapore at every stage of life, he said at a PCF Family Day event held at Singapore Expo. Recent initiatives include financial support and parental leave for young parents with newborns, and more help for large families with three or more children. 'But these days, when we talk about family support, it is no longer just about supporting young parents with children. Because these days, our society is getting older,' said PM Wong. With an ageing population, providing family support has to also include seniors and their caregivers, he added. The authorities have started work on this through nationwide initiatives Healthier SG and Age Well SG, meant to keep seniors active, engaged and healthy for as long as possible, he noted. They are also stepping up care services, such as at long-term residential facilities and at community nodes. 'A lot of this work has just started. There is still much, much more to do, and we will share more of our plans when we are ready,' said PM Wong. He added that the Government will need partners – such as social organisations and agencies like PCF – to also play their part. PCF is a charitable organisation founded by the People's Action Party, which PM Wong leads as its secretary-general. PM Wong noted that PCF is already expanding its capacity to serve more seniors. A previous report said PCF will have 25 eldercare centres – senior care centres and active ageing centres – by 2027. Madam Tan, 74, and Mr Ng, 73, are among more than 10,000 seniors currently served by 13 existing centres. The couple have seen improvements in their general health, such as their posture, and have also made many new friends since becoming active participants at the Sparkle Care in Yew Tee. They came to know of the centre when a staff member approached them at their door. Madam Tan, who used to just take occasional walks in the park with friends for exercise, was intrigued by the karaoke, K-pop dance and Rummy-O sessions. When her husband retired from his job as a taxi driver, he was convinced by her to join in. The pair have since tried out unique activities like drone soccer and are part of an informal group of senior gamers called Yew Tee Gamers. In drone soccer, players pilot drones enclosed in protective cages and score by flying the 'striker' drone through a circular goal. They are currently training for a Counter-Strike 2 competition in October with a seniors-only category. 'We will be learning how to play Street Fighter next, and (my husband) is very excited,' said Madam Tan, in Mandarin. Street Fighter is a popular arcade game that is now available across consoles. In his speech, PM Wong said PCF can play a unique role of fostering intergenerational bonds, as it also runs many kindergartens and childcare centres. With more eldercare centres, PCF will have more opportunities as an operator to bridge generations, he added. The theme of July 13's PCF Family Day event was Bridging Generations, Inspiring our Future. PCF also raises funds to support different causes in the community, he added. The foundation is donating $60,000 to six charitable organisations covering seniors, children, low-income families, single mothers and those in need of mental health support. The organisations are Blossom Seeds, Bright Hill Evergreen Home, The Salvation Army Gracehaven, Food from the Heart, HCSA-SPIN and Club Heal. Each received $10,000. 'Families have been at the heart of our nation-building journey since the very beginning,' said PM Wong. Going forward, Singapore will be embarking on its next phase of nation-building post-SG60, he added. 'In this new phase, we will face new and more complex challenges. But I am confident that we can weather these challenges, and we can emerge stronger together.' Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
The Star
05-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Ipoh Tree to be preserved but in limited numbers, says mayor
Ipoh mayor Zamakhshari Hanipah. IPOH: The Ipoh City Council has confirmed that it will continue to preserve the Ipoh Tree - the city's namesake - as a symbol of local heritage, but only in a very limited number due to safety concerns. Ipoh Mayor Zamakhshari Hanipah said currently only two Ipoh trees (Antiaris toxicaria) are maintained under the council's jurisdiction. The two trees are currently found at the Ipoh Railway Station Square, and the recreational park near the Sultan Azlan Shah airport. 'The tree at the square has been replaced several times due to root decay, believed to have been caused by the hard surface area and limited grassy soil, which led to water pooling and poor root health. 'However, the tree at the recreational park near the airport is growing in a more natural environment with ample soil coverage, requiring minimal maintenance due to its healthy root condition,' he said. On July 3, The Star reported that 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. Perak Heritage Society deputy president Prof Dr Richard Ng had said the tree's connection to the city name, and its cultural meaning, has faded with time. Zamakhshari said the council has avoided planting the Ipoh tree in other public recreational parks such as Taman Sultan Abdul Aziz, Gunung Lang Recreational Park, and Dr Seenivasagam Park, due to the tree's high toxicity. He said the sap of the Ipoh Tree is highly poisonous, and could be fatal if ingested or touched, particularly posing a danger to children. 'As a result, this species is not suitable for planting in public spaces or family-friendly locations. 'The planting of the tree is carried out only in a controlled and symbolic manner, to preserve the historical identity of Ipoh City,' he added. In 2023, The Star had reported that only two Ipoh trees remain in public spaces in the city, where the one located near the airport is 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.
Borneo Post
02-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
St George Church to build new complex starting this June as Catholic community in Sebauh grows
Bishop Ng (seated center) in a photocall priests and some attendees during the dinner event. BINTULU (May 2): St George Church Sebauh will be constructing a new church building complex, expected to begin this June. The announcement was made by Bishop Richard Ng of the Diocese of Miri during the St George Church Sebauh 50th Golden Jubilee Dinner, which drew around 700 parishioners and guests at Dinner World Restaurant here on Wednesday. 'This is great news for the people of Sebauh, who have long dreamed of a fully equipped, comfortable, and modern church in line with the times,' said Bishop Ng during the 50th anniversary of St George Church Sebauh celebration dinner on Wednesday. He said the proposed new church building complex was in recognition of the growing number of the Catholic community over the years, especially among the Ibans, Orang Ulus, and other local ethnic groups. 'Since its establishment in 1975, from only 43 believers, it now has more than 12,000 baptised members in the Sebauh district,' he said. He added that the new church complex will include not only a main worship hall but also residences for a priest and a catechist.
Borneo Post
21-04-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Catholic community in Miri mourns passing of Pope Francis
Rt Rev Bishop Richard Ng MIRI (April 21): The Catholic community in the Diocese of Miri, alongside millions of Catholics around the world, is mourning the passing of Pope Francis, who died today in Rome at the age of 88. Bishop of the Diocese of Miri, Rt Rev Bishop Richard Ng, in a statement this afternoon, described the head of the Catholic Church as a great Pope who lived a life of compassion, humility, simplicity, and service. 'In his 12 years as leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis shared his vision of a Church permanently on mission in the service of humanity. 'He said the Church is like a field hospital on the battlefield, where the wounded and sick go for treatment and healing, and where the doctors and nurses are not afraid to get their hands dirty,' he said. He added that the Pope was also a global leader in advocating for and defending the rights and dignity of the poor, migrants, refugees, minorities, and the marginalised. 'We mourn the passing of Pope Francis and pray that he will be welcomed with great joy into the Father's house,' he said. Catholic condolence pope francis Richard Ng
