Perak is a state that is defined by the course of its namesake river. Perak's population is about two million. Until the nineteenth century, Perak's people were concentrated along the Perak River, and the chief city was riverside Kuala Kangsar. However, the discovery of wondrously rich tin deposits in surrounding valleys lead to the establishment of and transfer of the capital to Taiping and, later, Ipoh. The tin mines around Ipoh are reputedly the richest in the world, and it is no surprise that the city has expanded steadily from the time the mines were discovered in the nineteenth century. Today, Ipoh is one of Malaysia's larger cities, with a population of about half a million people.

Perak covers an area of 21,000 square kilometers, making it the second largest state in Peninsular Malaysia (Pahang is larger). The state is situated along Malaysia's western coast at the northern approach to the Strait of Malacca. It extends deep into the peninsula, with its eastern border marked by mountains of the Main Range.

SAM POH TONG CAVE TEMPLE

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The garden is beautifully landscaped with miniature mountains,
waterfalls and temples and a pond full of carp and goldfish

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The golden entrance to Sam Poh Tong Cave Temple
To have a vegetarian meal with a difference, come to the Sam Poh Tong Temple. First, you can take a tour of the temple before sitting down to have a reasonably priced meal at the restaurant here.

Located in Gunung Rapat, just 5km south of Ipoh, the temple is built into the cave system, so you will also get to see natural stalactite and stalagmite formations.

There are also statues of Buddha and a pond filled with tortoises. You can choose to feed the tortoises with stalks of vegetables or visit the wishing well to ask for good fortune.

The tortoise pond used to be bigger but it has now been reduced in size to accommodate a new temple and the courtyard beautification programme.

In the 19th century and the early part of the 20th, Ipoh was known as the town of tin miners. However, when you speak of Ipoh City today, the first thing that pops into many minds would be the great food and the beautiful gardens.

Once a small kampong that was rich in tin, the city grew even bigger after the trade ended. Unlike some towns that became deserted after the tin mining industry died, Ipoh flourished and was awarded city status a number of years ago.

Now, Ipoh bustles with activity from education to social to commerce and construction.

The hub for the state of Perak, Ipoh has seen its citizens’ lifestyle remain calm and steady despite the rapid growth of their surroundings.

One very memorable thing about Ipoh is the great food. All sorts of cooking styles can be found here, many of them brought in by the Chinese from the southern provinces and mixed with local flavours.

You can sample get delicious fare like Ipoh hor fun (kwayteow, or flat rice flour noodles). Ipoh chicken rice with beansprouts is another very popular dish. Here, you can find people eating relatively heavy meals even for supper.

There are too many dishes to name here but visitors to Ipoh must make it a point to taste the local food. Chances are the cuisine here is more varied and tastier than many other places in the country. Penangites might challenge this statement, but that’s another story!

PERAK CAVE TEMPLE
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Among the famous cave temples are the Perak Tong and Sam Poh Tong. Perak Tong is located at Gunung Tasek and houses over 40 Buddha statues while Sam Poh Tong is located at Gunung Rapat. Sam Poh Tong’s popular attraction is the semi-circular tortoise pond where there are hundreds of tortoises (a symbol of longevity) of various sizes.

Within the Perak Tong temple are 40 Buddha statues, a main altar, and a passage that leads to the caves’ interior. Soon after, you will come to some 385 steps that will beckon to you. After climbing those stairs, you will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the countryside. Perak Tong was built in 1926 by a Buddhist priest from China.

IPOH RAILWAY STATION
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If you have seen the railway station in Kuala Lumpur before, you will notice its resemblance to the Ipoh Railway Station. Of a beautiful Moorish architecture combined with modern designs, the Ipoh Railway Station is a lovely structure that is filled with fascinating history.

This impressive landmark has a well-kept floral garden that never ceases to hold visitors spellbound. According to the Perak state authorities, this well-loved spot has been given the nickname “the Taj Mahal of Ipoh” by the locals.

KELLIE'S CASTLE
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The ruins of Kellie’s Castle is located near Batu Gajah and is about 30 minutes’ drive from Ipoh. The castle remains in ruins because the construction was never completed by the original owner due to his untimely death.

The property of English rubber tycoon William Kellie Smith, the incomplete 19th-century building remains dark and mysterious with much speculation among locals and visitors about hidden rooms and secret tunnels.

Its allure and romance led these ruins to be chosen as one of the set locations for the filming of "Anna and the King" in the mid 1990's.

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PULAU PANGKOR
The best part about this popular Island destination is the range of accomodation. You could choose from an A type hut on the beach to the luxurious and exclusive Pangkor Laut Resort. Whichever you may choose, sandy beaches, clear waters and refreshing breezes await all visitors to this well-known resort.

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Just 90km south-west of Ipoh, this fun island getaway is laden with modern facilities and water sports activities. The eastern shores are peppered with fishing villages and many visitors come to buy their year's supply of "keropok" ( fish or prawn crackers) here.

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If you want a change from watersports, hire a bike and go round the island. The road is hilly at some parts, but you will be able to explore places like the old Dutch Fort, located in Teluk Gedong or the Batu Bersurat ("Inscribed Stone") close by.

Bukit Larut (formerly Maxwell Hill)

Bukit Larut, located just ten kilometers from quiet Taiping in Perak, is Malaysia's oldest hill station. Bukit Larut is not nearly as developed as more celebrated hill resorts such as the Cameron or Gentung Highlands. However, it preserves much more of the atmosphere of a colonial hill station, with modest, welcoming bungalows, carefully cultivated gardens, and a pervasive atmosphere of cool quietude. The hill is accessible by four-wheel drive only. A land rover is available at the foot of the hill. It leaves every hour from 7am to 6pm. Fare: RM2.50 for adults and RM1 for children.

TELUK INTAN LEANING TOWER
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There may be the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, but in Malaysia, we have our own version too. Known as the Teluk Intan Leaning Tower, the 25.5m tower is shaped like a pagoda and was built in 1885 by a Chinese contractor by the name of Leong Choon Choong. Located just 84km from Ipoh, the Leaning Tower was previously used for water storage.

GUA TEMPURUNG

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One of the many unique formations in the cave.
PERAK's Gua Tempurung limestone hills was once described as the state's best kept secret. Of interest are the various caverns, stalactites and stalagmites as well as fascinating limestone formations such as the ''golden'' flowstone and images of dragons and legendary figures on rock surfaces.

How to get there

A shuttle bus leaves at 9am on weekends from the Silveritage Galleria in Jalan Gopeng, Ipoh. The shuttle is operated by SKM Holidays (M) Sdn Bhd and the 30-minute bus ride costs RM15 while the packages range from RM6 to RM22.

good thread...keep on going....

December 14, 2005 19:06 PM

Perak Gets Its First Biomass Industry Project Worth RM260 Mln

IPOH, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- A public listed company is expected to invest about RM260 million in what would be Perak's first biomass project that would see the production of oil palm based biomass.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali, who declined to reveal the name of the company, said that the state government was prepared to offer incentives to the company which expected to produce paper from the pulp and trunks of oil palm as well as biofuel from crude palm oil.

"The state government has agreed to sell land owned by the State Agriculture Development Corporation (SADC) to the company at quite a high price as the company wanted the area to be close to a palm oil mill," he told reporters after chairing the state Exco meeting, here Wednesday.

The SADC's pieces of land to be sold include an area measuring 19.2 hectares and another land measuring eight hectares in Lekir, Sitiawan.

"The state government is not looking so much at the returns from the project but its cooperation is geared more towards the gains to be derived from the development of agriculture in the state using biotechnology," he said.

The company is expected to start building its plant mid next month if the Environment Impact Assessment Report from the Department of Environment comes through soon, he said.

Tajol Rosli said the products from the plant, which expected to employ about 400 people, would be exported to Europe and other developed countries.

He said that the company had also selected Perak for its investment as the state had among the highest number of palm oil mills in the country.

-- BERNAMA

Perak On Track For Zero Poverty By 2010

IPOH, Jan 18 (Bernama) -- Perak expects to wipe up hardcore poverty in the next four years when an oil palm plantation developed under its poverty eradication programme starts generating revenue.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali said the 800ha plantation operated by the State Agricultural Development Corporation (SADC), was expected to start harvesting fruits in 2009.

"The plantation is expected to yield an income of about RM3.84 million annually to the state government and the money will be used to support 1,192 hardcore poor families in the state," he told reporters after chairing the state executive council's weekly meeting, here Wednesday.

He said that presently, 6,130 families in the state were under the hardcore poverty line and the number would be reduced to 1,192 by the end of the year as several other oil palm plantations under the programme had started to yield income.

"We have two more projects handled by Felcra and the Orang Asli Affairs Department. Perak doesn't give land to the hardcore poor but provide them with RM250 cash aid per family under the programme that was introduced in 1994," he said.

Tajol Rosli said the financial assistance would be stopped when the recipients had come out of the abject poverty category.

He said the latest plantation was acquired by the state government at RM8 million and if the number of hardcore poverty families did not increase markedly in the next three years, revenue from the plantation would be sufficient for Perak to achieve zero poverty by 2010.

According to the second term report of the Eight Malaysia Plan, Perak ranked second after Kelantan in terms of the number of hardcore poor families with 7,372 in 2004. Kelantan had 12,145 hardcore poor families while Pahang, with 7,345, was third.

Tajol Rosli attributed the figure to the high number of Orang Asli in the state. It had since been reduced to 6,130 last year, he said.

Of the 6,130 hardcore poor, 4,026 were Orang Asli families, he added.

The total number of Orang Asli families statewide is 9,642.

-- BERNAMA

Bharat Bio to set up unit in Malaysia
Business Standard: January 9, 2006


Mumbai: Bharat Biotech will set up a biotechnology facility in Perak, Malaysia, jointly with Perak State Development Corporation and Remco Engineering & Consultancy.

The unit, which needs investment of Rs 45 crore, is expected to be operational by the end of this calendar year.

Industry sources said the vaccine production and biotech R&D set-up will undertake mass production of Hepatitis B, Typhoid and Malaria vaccines. Bharat Biotech sources confirmed the setting up the plant but declined to comment on the time frame by which it would go on stream.

Though Bharat had planned to set up a vaccine plant in Africa, the company embarked on the Malaysia project since the joint venture proposal emerged with the support of the government of Malaysia.

An industry analyst said that Bharat Biotech is planning few more overseas ventures to cater to the world markets.

Bharat Biotech had signed the memorandum of agreement with Remco Engineering and Consultancy and Perak Development Corporation (PDC) for the joint project early last year.

Under the joint venture to set-up the facility, PDC has offered the land, while Bharat Biotech and Remco have responsiblities for providing the technical expertise, and construction services respectively.

Ipoh society to restore temple
Sunday March 5, 2006
BY SYLVIA LOOI


IPOH: A 100-year-old temple, which was almost swallowed by the jungle, will be restored.

This is the aim of the Ipoh Benevolent Society which unearthed the temple after it was “lost” for 32 years.

According to association adviser Lye Pak Weng, the Da Xiong Bao Dian temple was discovered last year when the society was building a second Amitabha Liberating Pond at the site near the Kuan Yin Tong temple at Jalan Raja Dr Nazrin Shah (previously




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ALL INTACT: The interior of the temple that was unearthed by the Ipoh
Benevolent Society when it was in the midst of constructing a pond. --
Starpix by SAIFUL BAHRI





The pond is built for devotees to release fish, a common religious practice.

“When we went inside the temple with the Perak Heritage Society, we found that the walls and facade were all intact.

“Based on the architecture, we estimate that the temple is over a century old,” he told reporters after the visit of State Urban and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Chang Ko Youn yesterday.

Lye said they would be working with the Perak Heritage Society to determine the temple’s origins and how it was built.

He said the Ipoh Benevolent Society planned to remove the earth covering the temple and turn it into a tourist attraction.






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CURIOUS PASSER-BY: A member of the public checking out the temple which
was discovered near the Kuan Yin Tong temple at Jalan Raja Dr Nazrin Shah
in Ipoh.






“We will need about RM200,000 for the clean-up exercise,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chang urged devotees who had previously prayed at the temple or the temple’s committee members to come forward and assist the society.

“I will also ask officers from the Perak Geological Department to check the stability of the site,” he said.

2007 deadline to shift swifts
Sunday March 5, 2006
BY SYLVIA LOOI


IPOH: The Perak government has given birds’ nest farmers until the end of next year to relocate to agricultural, commercial or industrial areas.

State Urban and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Chang Ko Youn urged farmers currently operating at places like residential areas to shift to the designated zones.

He said operators need not necessarily pay RM500 to get their business licences as previously reported.





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OFF LIMITS: Perak will no longer allow swifts
to nest in farms at residential places.






“It depends on the size of the operation,” he told reporters after visiting the Benevolent Society of Ipoh’s Amitabha liberating pond at Jalan Gopeng here yesterday.

Chang reminded farmers to apply for their licences by the end of the month and warned that the authorities would not hesitate to take action or shut down the businesses of errant farmers.

However, he said, the number of farmers who had registered for their licences was “encouraging”.

He also said operators did not have to submit a plan to their respective council for any planned structural renovations if the changes were minor.

Chang noted that operators must also maintain the façade of the premises.

There were about 1,500 bird’s nest farmers in the state, mostly in Hilir Perak, Manjung, Kerian and Larut Matang.

A good thread on Perak! :okay:

Perak firm to invest RM60m in Kanowit plantation project
Monday March 6, 2006


KANOWIT: Putaran Bijak Sdn Bhd, based in Ipoh, is to invest about RM60mil in developing about 7,000ha of Native Customary Right (NCR) land here for an oil palm plantation.

It has formed a joint venture with the Land Custody Development Authority to develop the Bijak Pelita Lesih Plantation.

Its managing director Abdul Rashid Datuk Shaharuddin said recently that the company would develop 7,000ha under phase one, out of the total 15,000ha it was allocated.

State Land Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr James Jemut Masing had earlier launched the project at Joannes Giri longhouse in Lesih here.

“We no longer enjoy the luxury of suitable areas available for a similar purpose in the peninsula. So with the Sarawak invitation, we are more than happy to come to invest,” said Abdul Rashid.

He said Bijak Pelita Lesih Plantation is expected to begin planting next year and its first harvest would be three years after that.

“We are using fast-growing seedlings which can start to bear fruit after three years. The forecast is for us to obtain about RM11mil worth of crude palm oil in our first and subsequent harvests.”

He said the company was planning to set up a crude oil processing mill.

Abdul Rashid said it was the company’s hope that it would be allowed to continue with the second phase development on the remaining 8,000ha.

He estimated that it would cost the company about RM100mil in development cost if both phases were carried out.

The Bijak Pelita Lesih Plantation, involving about 1,800 families from 83 longhouses in the area, is the second commercial oil palm plantation on NCR land here.

The first is the Kanowit Oil Palm Plantation established in 1994 as a pioneer project on NCR land in the state.

It is jointly developed by Boustead Holdings Bhd and Land Custody Development Authority. – Bernama

I want some ipoh kai fan!!..

I want some ipoh kai fan!!..
ipoh kai fan? What you means? Chicken rice?

yah! chicken rice!!! I remember Ipoh having killer chicken rice!!

yah! chicken rice!!! I remember Ipoh having killer chicken rice!!
killer chicken rice? Where? RASA SAYANG one? Or 白宫 one?

Perak To Have A Dockyard By End Of Next Year


IPOH, March 19 (Bernama) -- A RM50 million dockyard will be built in the state, which is tipped to become the country's main maritime zone, by the end of the year.

Halim Mazmin Bhd executive chairman Tan Sri Halim Mohamad said that the dockyard, to be constructed on a 40 ha land at Sungai Dinding, Segari, would enable companies involved in the shipping industry, especially local ones to save millions of ringgit as they did not have to send their ships overseas to be repaired.

HMB agreed to build the dockyard after discussions were held with Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali.

Halim said that Sungai Dinding, Segari in Lumut was chosen due to its strategic location near the Strait of Melaka, Port Klang and Penang Port.

"Lumut is also suitable due to the deep water," he told a press conference after the launching of an entrepreneur programme at state level by the Menteri Besar on Saturday.

Also present were Minister of Entrepreneur and Co-Operative Development Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin and his deputy Datuk Khamsiyah Yeop.

Halim said that Malaysia's capability in repairing ships was limited and as such it was not surprising that many ship owners had to spend millions of ringgit to send their ships to countries like Singapore and Batam in Indonesia.

"Currently, there is only one dockyard to repair ships in Malaysia, which is owned by MISC and located at Pasir Gudang, Johor but it is not able to cater to the high demand," he said.

Halim also said that the company planned to turn the Sungai Dinding dockyard as a centre to build boats as to date Malaysia did not have the capability to manufacture its own boats.

He said that for this purpose the company will exchange technologies with Japan and Australia.

-- BERNAMA

killer chicken rice? Where? RASA SAYANG one? Or 白宫 one?

i used to go to rasa sayang, but now pak kong's chic rice tastes nicer :tongue2:

TELUK INTAN LEANING TOWER
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There may be the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, but in Malaysia, we have our own version too. Known as the Teluk Intan Leaning Tower, the 25.5m tower is shaped like a pagoda and was built in 1885 by a Chinese contractor by the name of Leong Choon Choong. Located just 84km from Ipoh, the Leaning Tower was previously used for water storage.

wat cause the tower to lean? was it becos the building was build on a soft foundation or wet clay..?? like Pisa..?? or..?

wat cause the tower to lean? was it becos the building was build on a soft foundation or wet clay..?? like Pisa..?? or..?
This one I not sure... may need to go and ask the city council there...

Perak Allocates RM1.6 Bln To Boost Construction Sector

IPOH, March 19 (Bernama) -- Perak will allocate RM1.6 billion to boost its construction sector through state and federal projects involving housing, infrastructure and public amenities, and improvements to the water supply system.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli on Saturday said the move was to generate expansion in the construction sector in Perak which had seen a dive over nine years, something that had got Malay contractors worried.

"We hope the RM1.6 billion will stimulate the industry in the state to grow by at least three per cent this year," he said in his speech at the 29th annual general meeting of the Perak Malay Contractors Association held here.

The text of his speech was read out by Chairman of the Education, Human Resource Development and Multimedia Committee Datuk Zambry Abdul.

Perak has 3,371 Bumiputera contractors, of whom 2,900 are Class F contractors who carry out projects that cost below RM200,000.

-- BERNAMA

wat cause the tower to lean? was it becos the building was build on a soft foundation or wet clay..?? like Pisa..?? or..?
used to be a water tower if i'm not mistaken.

upon completion, grup of brit engineers gathered to have their pics taken, then one guy suddenly ter'lean' over and till now it became senget. ha ha..

killer chicken rice? Where? RASA SAYANG one? Or 白宫 one?

Dunno lah, my cousin brought me there, I'm not familiar with Ipoh. I could easily get lost by myself. But I remember it being a damn killer kai fan!

I don't remember Ipoh correctly, but we used to travel from KL to Penang, IPOH is long wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

I don't remember Ipoh correctly, but we used to travel from KL to Penang, IPOH is long wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Ipoh is between Penang and KL... Perhaps you can come to have a look one day... The food here are delicious... heheh ;)

used to be a water tower if i'm not mistaken.

upon completion, grup of brit engineers gathered to have their pics taken, then one guy suddenly ter'lean' over and till now it became senget. ha ha..

d'u mean the poms r the ones who make the tower lean by taking a pics..? that must be some camera they r using..

ha ha... soil problem actually la
Teluk Intan aka Telok Anson is prone to seasonal flooding..

Campaign To Protect Belum Forest To Be Launched

GERIK, April 8 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) will launch the Save Belum-Temenggor 2006 campaign on April 20 in efforts to save the world's oldest rain forest from uncontrolled logging.

MNS' Science and Conservation Committee Chairman Anthony Sebastian said the six-month campaign is to urge the state government to reconsider its decision to allow logging on 300,000 hectares of the forest reserve.

"In the six months period the members of public who love nature can send special postcards to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Perak Menteri Besar Perak Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali," he said in a briefing to reporters who were taken to a visit in Belum Valley here, recently.

Anthony said the postcards can be obtained free of charge at all The Body Shops outlets and the MNS office at JKR 641, Jalan Kelantan, Bukit Persekutuan, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.

According to studies, about 40 percent of the jungle has perished due to uncontrolled logging.

"In this campaign we will also ask the Perak state government to gazette the 15,000 hectares Temenggor Forest, within the Belum Valley, as a state park," he said.

He said before this the state government had gazetted 36,000 hectares at Royal Belum as State Park.

"If gazetted as State Park definitely the area will be protected from encroachment and illegal logging," he said.

Anthony said MNS had met Tajol over the proposal.

He said the MNS' efforts need public support as available information points to the fact 20 percent more of the forest reserve has been earmarked for logging.

"This is what we fear if 20 percent more of the jungle are allowed for logging, then we are only awaiting to see the destruction of the jungle and its heritage," he said.

The 130 million years old rainforest is said to be much older than the Amazon forest and rich in natural heritage.

Among the attraction there are elephants, 10 hornbill variants, the biggest flower in the world -- the rafflesia, and hot springs.

The Temenggor Jungle in the Belum Valley and Royal Belum borders Jeli in Kelantan and Gerik in Perak and surrounded by the Temenggor lake and several islands including Pulau Banding.

-- BERNAMA

Government To Revive Double Tracking Project ?

By Alan Ting

KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- The government is expected to revive the multi-billion ringgit double-tracking project for the northern sector in the next few years after it has been deferred in 2003.

The revival of the project has been accepted by the government and was given priority for implementation.

"It has been approved and expected to be announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi soon," a transport industry source told Bernama, Wednesday.

He said the project was part of the master plan to develop the northern region to be the regional hub for the halal food processing centre and there was a need for an efficient rail link for the transportation of products.

"The other consideration for the revival of the project is that the existing double tracking project between Rawang and Ipoh is near completion. Therefore, it is only logical that we extend it," he said, adding the existing single track has limited capacity.

The Ipoh-Rawang stretch costing RM4.6 billion is 82 per cent completed and will be ready in 2007.

"The existing single track has to be shared along with the passenger's train as well as cargo train movements. The frequencies cannot be increased unless you have double track," he said.

In April last year, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said the ministry has forwarded a proposal to revive the double tracking project -- mainly covering the northern portion and not the whole double tracking project as proposed earlier.

He was quoted as saying on April 25 last year that a major portion of the budget allocation for transportation under the Ninth Malaysia Plan would go towards the development of the railways.

In December 2003, the government announced the deferment of the RM14.5 billion electrified double-tracking project, which was earlier jointly awarded to Malaysia Mining Corporation Bhd and Gamuda Bhd.

The deferment affected the northern stretch from Ipoh to Padang Besar and the southern sector from Seremban to Johor Baharu.

-- BERNAMA

Perak sends biggest contingent

ALOR STAR: A total of 4,882 athletes representing 16 contingents from throughout the country and Brunei have confirmed their participation at the 11th edition of the Malaysia Games (Sukma) which will be held in Kedah from May 24-June 4.

As of the closing date for registration on April 15, Perak has the largest contingent comprising 420 athletes while 2004 Sukma champions Selangor will be fielding 418 participants. Host Kedah has registered 415 athletes.

Sukma 2006 chief coordinating officer, Mohamad Che Nai said Penang will be sending 394 athletes followed by Sarawak (374), Pahang (370), Johor (367), Kuala Lumpur (345), Terengganu (276), Perlis (271).

Negeri Sembilan is sending 268 athletes, Melaka (254), Sabah (233), Kelantan (228), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) (131) and Brunei (118), he said yesterday.

Twenty-six events will be competed at the meet with 369 gold medals up for grabs. They will be held in six districts – Kota Star, Kubang Pasu, Pendang, Kuala Muda, Padang Terap and Langkawi – while Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) in Sintok, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Merbok and Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) Langkawi will be the main games villages. – Bernama

Perak State Assembly: Airport upgrading to cost RM28m
18 Apr 2006


THE expansion of the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport into a hub for regional flights will cost RM28 million, the House was told yesterday.


Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali said the State Government had applied for federal funds for the purpose.

He said the plans involved extending the runway and upgrading facilities to cater for bigger aircraft.

He was replying to questions from Nga Kor Ming (DAP-Pantai Remis) and Datuk Chew Wai Khoon (BN-Tebing Tinggi) who wanted to know the State Government’s plans to turn the airport into a regional hub.

Tajol Rosli said the airport could become a hub for flights to and from Medan, Aceh, southern China, south India, Phuket, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Brunei.

"That is why the State Government is serious about the expansion plans," he said.

Tajol Rosli said if the request for federal aid was unsuccessful, the State Government would use its own money to finance the expansion.

He said the State Government had also asked for input from various agencies on how best to maximise the use of the airport.

Discussions with land owners bordering the airport had also been conducted on the possibility of promoting aviation-related activities to supplement the role of the airport.

Tajol Rosli said the State Government had received proposals to build a flight training centre, an aircraft maintenance centre and warehouses on land near the airport.

April 05, 2006 19:03 PM

Two New Factories To Be Located In Taiping

IPOH, April 5 (Bernama) -- The Perak Government has agreed to locate two factories in the Kamunting Industrial Estate in Taiping to promote industrial growth in the area.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali said the first project involved the setting up of a factory for magnesium production by a listed company.

The company concerned will invest a total of RM330 million in the project, with RM160 million for the first phase and RM170 million for the second phase, he said.

An agreement to purchase the land covering 26 hectares was signed Wednesday and construction is expected to begin in four months' time, he told reporters after chairing a State Exco meeting, here Wednesday.

Discussions are also being held with foreign companies on the manufacturing of magnesium-based products such as vehicle rims, pipes for water supply and engine blocks for the automotive industry, he added.

Tajol Rosli said the second project involved the production of quality ductile iron pipes for the local and export markets using German technology.

He said the project, with an investment of RM155 million, was being undertaken by an investor based in Penang.

The factory will be set up on a 12-hectare site and construction is expected to start in the third quarter of this year, he added.

Tajol Rosli said the two projects, together with others in Taiping, are expected to have an impact on industrial development in northern Perak.

-- BERNAMA

Dunno lah, my cousin brought me there, I'm not familiar with Ipoh. I could easily get lost by myself. But I remember it being a damn killer kai fan!

The only killer chicken rice I know in Ipoh is the one at Mi Ramli..the mee rebus is excellent too....but I dun like noodles...

Temenggor Forest: Tale Of Disappearing Flora, Fauna

By Zabidi Ishar

GERIK, May 5 (Bernama) -- Gerik-bound travellers via the 100km East-West link would not miss the sight of the majestic Pulau Banding, surrounded by a massive lake.

The lake is Tasik Temenggor, the second-largest man-made lake in the country after Tasik Kenyir.

Regular users of this Jeli (Kelantan)-Gerik (Perak) route are known to have make stops along the road to admire mother nature at its best.

The surrounding dense rainforest, believed to be in existence for 130 million years, is much older than South America's Amazon jungle. The forest is rich in flora and fauna apart from being a sight to behold.

This forest is left virtually "untouched" prior to 1991 due to the curfew imposed for security reasons.

TEMENGGOR, ROYAL BELUM

The name Temenggor Forest may not ring a bell among some Malaysians but many may be familiar with the mention of Belum Valley, Royal Belum or Tasik Banding.

This 300,000-hectare forest is a "wishing well" for nature lovers, showcasing various flora and fauna.

Mammals on the brink of extinction like the Sumatran rhinos, Asiatic elephants and Malayan tigers can be found here, as well as 10 rare species of hornbills.

As for the flora, Temenggor Forest is host to three types of the world's largest flower, the rafflesia and a fern species (cycads) that exists since the Jurassic period.

There are hot springs in the forest.

"If in Australia, tourists can see kangaroos crossing the roads, but here they can expect to come across the jumbos," tour guide Mohammad Mohd Yusof told Bernama.

But there is a tinge of sadness and frustration behind Mohamad's statement.

The reason? Rampant logging activities, if left unchecked would threaten the forest's existence!

DENUDED FOREST, IMPACT ON ECOSYSTEM

It is said that about 40 per cent of the forest had been "devoured" by loggers and another 20 per cent is awaiting destruction.

"The forest is no more like before ... the wildlife has migrated elsewhere. Trees and other plants had been ravaged ... all due to the rampant logging activities," said a forlorn Mohammad.

Recalling the days when the forest was left "untouched", the 46-year-old Mohammad said: "It was exotic as there were frequent sights of elephants, deers and other animals going to the edge of the lake and salt licks.

"Now the animals can hardly be seen doing that".

Recently the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) held a trip to the forest in conjunction with the "Save Belum-Temenggor 2006" campaign on April 20.

A trek along Sungai Gadong at the lake's north end brings into sight a vast area of denuded hills, the result of unchecked logging activities that gives severe impacts against the forest's ecosystem.

ORANG ASLI, HARDSHIP

Years ago, the riverwater was crystal clear. Now it is cloudy and the riverbed has also turned shallow.

Drifting timber and other logs became stuck in the river, blocking water flow. This ultimately destroys the river's habitat including fish.

"This river used to be teeming with fish, the likes of kelah, sebarau, toman, kaloi, baung, terubok, patung and tengas but today, all have disappeared. To where? I don't really know," said Mohammad.

As Tok Batin Kawah from the Orang Asli village of Chueh puts it;

"The more than 6,000 Orang Asli from the Jahai and Temiar tribes are facing hardship. There is no animals to hunt ... if there is no more fish to catch, what will happen to us? Where to get the food?

"We're no urban dwellers who earn monthly income. We depend on the jungle for food and survival," said the Orang Asli village headman.

RAINY SEASON, MUDFLOOD

Tok Batin Kawah said years back it was no so difficult to look for food.

"Now Orang Asli villagers have to go deep into the forest, at times for as long as a week in order to hunt and look for food".

He said previously they need only to go to the river and spear the fish or catch them with nets and angling rods.

"What is there to catch and hunt now? The river has no fish, whatever is there has died due to the dirty water.

"Mud and soil from loggers' activities had entered the river. How can the fish live," said Tok Batin Kawah.

Tok Batin Kawah's father-in-law, Aheng, 56, said sometimes the villagers' boats hit logs or sand embankments while moving at night along the river.

Aheng said during the rainy season, there are mudfloods from the denuded areas, sweeping almost everything in their path and these are very dangerous to the villagers.

SAVE BELUM-TEMENGGOR 2006

"On foot, it will take us two to three days to reach Gerik. In case of emergencies, we have to take the boat as it is faster but travelling at night is treacherous due to the dangers in the river.

"This is what that has been haunting us", said Aheng.

Meanwhile, MNS' Science and Conservation Committee chairman Anthony Sebastian is looking into ways on how to protect and conserve the forest.

He said in conjunction with the World Earth Day, MNS would hold a large-scale campaign to save the forest.

Sebastian said within six months from April 20, MNS would make Save Belum-Temenggor 2006 Campaign its priority agenda

During this period, MNS would distribute more than 50,000 special postcards on the campaign for the public to send to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali.

STATE PARK

The postcards, in Bahasa Malaysia and English, would be given to the public free of charge. The postcards are available at all Body Shop outlets nationwide and MNS head office at JKR 641, Jalan Kelantan, Bukit Persekutuan, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.

Sebastian said the MNS, via this campaign, is asking the Perak Government to gazette Temenggor Forest in Belum Valley as a State Park like the 36,000 hectares already gazetted in Royal Belum.

"By gazetting the forest, the area would be safe from encroachment by loggers and the livelihood of the Orang Asli is safeguarded," he said.

This campaign has also attracted the interest of satellite television station Astro which plans to screen several programmes on the forest.

The special postcards addressed to the Perak Menteri Besar Perak said this:

"Belum-Temenggor is the most meaningful tropical rainforest landscape for us. It is with great hope that the Perak government protects it by stopping logging activities in this world's oldest forest.

"We want conservation (of this forest) for the sake of the future generations".

With time, a conserved forest would have invaluable heritage, while logging would only diminish the valued treasures.

-- BERNAMA

KTMB to call for tenders worth RM1.1b
By Sharen Kaur
sharen@nstp.com.my

June 5 2006

THE national railway company, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB), plans to call a tender for contracts worth a combined RM1.1 billion this year, its chief said.

The projects will help upgrade and expand its rail network, KTMB managing director Datuk Mohd Salleh Abdullah told Business Times in an interview.

Under the five-year Ninth Malaysia Plan, the Government has allocated RM4.1 billion for railway infrastructure. Out of this, RM2.9 billion will be spent on ongoing construction activities while RM1.1 billion will go towards new projects.

The Government has given its approval in principle for KTMB to implement a double-tracking project from Taiping to Padang Rengas, Perak.

This will cost as much as RM800 million.

The project will involve building new rail tracks over a 20km stretch, inclusive of 3km tunnelling work.

“The tunnelling work is at Bukit Berapit. It will involve the building of two tunnels of approximately 1.5km each. We will be preparing the tender documents soon and will call for a tender over the next few months,” Mohd Salleh said.

The Taiping-Padang Rengas project will enable the high-powered Blue Tiger diesel-electric locomotives to operate.

KTMB will also call for a tender to extend the commuter lines from Seremban to Sg Gadut, Negri Sembilan.

This will be an extension to the Klang Valley Commuter system.

The contract, worth some RM300 million, will involve the construction of 8.5km double tracks, flyovers and br idges.

“We are in the midst of preparing the tender documents and we hope to call for a tender in the next four months,” said Mohd Salleh.

KTMB may invite the Gamuda Bhd-MMC Engineering partnership, UEM Builders Bhd and Road Builder Holdings Bhd to present their bids due to their expertise, an industry source said.

“Gamuda-MMC seems like the likely players to do the tunnelling work because of their expertise in handling the SMART project, while UEM is currently in the midst of completing the Rawang to Ipoh double- tracking job,” the source said.

The SMART project is a flood mitigation project in Kuala Lumpur in which an underground highway tunnel that doubles as a huge drain is being built.

Several other projects which received approval are the Sentul- Batu Caves double-tracking high-speed rail project; the procurement of rolling stocks; and the rehabilitation and upgrade of railway infrastructure involving tracks and bridges.

KTMB’s current projects include the Rawang-Ipoh electrified double- tracking project, rail infrastructure development at Batu Gajah, and the rehabilitation of Sabah’s railways.

Art show to ‘sell’ Royal Belum eco-park
Thursday July 6, 2006
TheStar


PERAK will be promoting the Royal Belum State Park to attract tourists to the virgin forests.

State Agriculture and Agro-ba-sed Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Radzi Manan said a month-long exhibition displaying 130 paintings of the state park would be held to promote the biodiversity hotspot.

Thirty local artists visited Royal Belum in March to capture the magnificent sceneries and landscape of the state park, he said after chairing the state Agricul-ture and Tourism Committee meeting in Ipoh on Tuesday.

Radzi said the exhibition, to be opened to the public from today, was part of the state government’s month-long Carnival Pe-rak programme to be held this month.

The exhibition, to be held at the National Art Gallery in Kuala Lum-pur, would be opened by Raja Puan Muda Raja Nor Mahani, he added.

“We hope to promote Royal Belum to outsiders through the beautiful paintings of the park,” he said.

Royal Belum, which is part of the Belum-Temenggor Forest Re-serve, has received much publi-city of late because of a campaign by Malaysian Nature Society to save the 130 million-year-old rainforests.

Radzi said freelance photographer Mattias Klum would be visiting Royal Belum later this month to photograph sceneries of the state park to help “sell the spot” to tourists.

Klum, whose work included images published in The Natio- nal Geographic, would be attending the ‘Perak Tropical Rainforest Tourism’ symposium at Banding from July 28 to July 30.

Radzi said that other pro- grammes to be held during the Perak Carnival include Motorcross Championship at Gua Tempu-rung, skydiving at Perak Aero Club, horse-riding activity at the Polo Ground in Ipoh, and the Pu-lau Sembilan Fishing Safari.

'No logging' zone near Perak dam and treatment plant

IPOH: Parts of the Bukit Kinta Forest Reserve where the Sungai Kinta dam and treatment plant are located will be gazetted as a no logging zone.

Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali said more than 4,000ha of the forest reserve in the vicinity of the RM234mil dam and treatment plant would be gazetted as permanent forest reserve.

“We will not allow logging around the area because we want to protect the water quality,” he said after chairing the weekly exco meeting Wednesday.

“I have asked the Forestry director (Datuk Razani Ujang) to come up with a layout plan of the whole area to protect our water quality.”

The dam, located about 17.5km from the Pos Slim road leading to Kampung Raja in the Cameron Highlands, was expected to be ready by end of next year, he said.

Perak Almost Covered With Wireless Broadband Internet Service

TAPAH, July 4 (Bernama) -- Perak will soon become the state with the widest wireless broadband Internet service coverage when 80 per cent of its area provides the facility by the end of the next year.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali said all Perak towns would offer the service while facilities along the stretch of the North-South Expressway in the state would have them by 2008.

"This year alone, between RM3 million and RM4 million will be spent to provide the needed infrastructure to extend the service in Ipoh and several selected areas in the state," he said after launching a free wireless broadband Internet service at the Tapah rest and recreational (R&R) area, near here Tuesday.

"Ipoh is 60 per cent covered with wireless broadband Internet service, and all the three R&R areas at Tapah, Sungai Perak and Gunung Semanggol jumped onto the bandwagon today."

The service that was launched for the Tapah R&R area is known as "Wireless Perak @ R&R" and can be accessed within a one-kilometre radius of the area for free round the clock.

The public can surf the Internet via laptops, mobile phones or personal digital assistants (PDAs) within the area.

"The initiative to extend the free wireless broadband Internet service will be continued at strategic areas in the state. Almost 90 per cent of the Land and District Offices, as well as local authorities' offices have such a service," said Tajol Rosli.

"The state government is in the final stage of launching the free service for the whole of Ipoh by the end of the year.

"God willing, this September, people and visitors in Ipoh can surf the Internet for free in the city via long-range Wifi technology that we have dubbed Wireless Perak @ Ipoh," he added.

He said to make the plan a success, all Members of Parliament from Perak had been asked to allocate RM100,000 from their allocations to finance the programme.

"The state government has also requested the cooperation of owners of large buildings in major towns to provide the service."

Tajol Rosli said the programme was part of the state information and communication technology masterplan to make Perak a knowledge-based state, K-Perak, by 2010.

Meanwhile, PLUS Expressways Berhad chairman Tan Sri Mohd Sheriff Kassim said similar service would be extended to all 20 R&R areas along the expressway by year-end.

PLUS would allocate RM3 million for the programme, he added.

He said other than the Tapah R&R area, the Sungai Buloh R&R area in Selangor was also equipped with the same facility.

-- BERNAMA

Perak MB to civil servants: Play as a team, not like Brazil

IPOH: Favourites Brazil is out of the FIFA World Cup finals and its failure to lift the trophy must be a lesson for Perak civil servants.

Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali, whose favourite team is Brazil, told civil servants at the monthly assembly: “Don’t behave like the Brazilian team.

“The individual player is only keen to keep the ball for himself to score the goals so that he will receive plenty of praise.

“They don’t play as a team. They don’t pass the ball to another player so that he can score.”

The current football season also saw Tajol Rosli using football stories to remind civil servants to provide excellent service to the people.

“Don’t kick the people like a football by sending them from one counter or department to another when they want service,” said Tajol Rosli, whose other favourite team is England.

“Giving excellent service is like the ability of a football team to carry the ball from its own goal mouth and to kick the ball into the goal mouth of the opposing team,” he added.

Later, at a press conference, Tajol Rosli said the current FIFA World Cup results showed that one must be careful when executing a plan or else even a fantastic team would be defeated.

60 Pct Populated Areas In Perak To Go Wireless By September

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 (Bernama) -- Perak will see 60 percent of its populated areas go wireless come September, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli.

He said as Ipoh's very own Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) is put in place and businesses come in, regional hubbing of telecommunication services are to begin out of Ipoh.

"We hope when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi launches the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) in Ipoh this September, he would also be launching wireless Perak," he told reporters after the signing of an agreement here Thursday between Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Perak and telecommunications company, The Red Snapper.

"Hopefully by then, about 60 percent of the most populated areas in Perak will be wireless," he said.

When fully deployed, a wireless Perak would allow people to sit in parks and enjoy free internet, he said.

He said about RM24 million was spent to launch and ensure the success of the wireless internet access, collected from the state's 24 constituencies.

Tajol said the state had a RM20 million budget for the information communication technology (ICT) sector for the year.

The Wireless Perak project is to be managed by Asia Gateway Communications (M) Sdn Bhd, a 40 percent-owned company by Perak's State Economic Development Corporation (SEDC).

Asia Gateway is the owner of The Red Snapper, which will provide the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) based voice over internet protocol (VoIP) services over WiFi-Cellular handsets, and allow the smooth handover between WiFi and cellular.

"This is Perak MSC's flagship venture," said Tajol.

"Technology enables us to export dial-tone and turn the Perak MSC into a regional telecommunications hub. Hence, the direct investment (in Asia Gateway)," he said.

Launching a regional telecoms platform that allows a user anywhere in the world to make and accept VoIP calls from his WiFi-Cellular handset, the company demonstrates that there is no digital divide between Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur or any other city, Asia Gateway chief executive officer, Braham Singh said.

"Wireless Perak is required to bring subsidised internet access to students and weaker sections of Perak's social fabric and still turn a profit," he said.

Asia Gateway chief financial officer, Asad Sultan said The Red Snapper expected to see a revenue of between US$8 million and US$10 million initially and US$100 million in five to 10 years' time.

-- BERNAMA

What a great project and free wireless internet anywhere in Perak. but how do they intent to pay for running costs how do they get their revenue...?advertising, call charges

What a great project and free wireless internet anywhere in Perak. but how do they intent to pay for running costs how do they get their revenue...?advertising, call charges
No one know except the government. May be it is part of the infrastructure to attract more foreign investor.

Phase 1 of Marina Island Pangkor by 2008

By DANNY YAP

MARINA Sanctuary Resort Sdn Bhd expects to complete the first part of Phase 1 of its waterfront resort project, Marina Island Pangkor in Lumut, Perak, by 2008.

Built on reclaimed land the total development of the 317-acre Marina Island Pangkor will take over 10 years to complete.

The project has a total gross development value (GDV) of RM750mil. The first part of Phase 1, with a GDV of RM75mil, consists of Marina Avenue (60 units of shop lots and offices) and Laguna Apartments (170 units).

It will also include a shopping complex and jetty costing RM18mil.

Director Datuk Ali Bagas Abdullah said currently about 60% of the shop lots and offices at Marina Avenue and 20% of the Laguna apartments had been sold.

The units at Marina Avenue are priced between RM390,363 and RM1.18mil, while the Laguna Apartments are sold for RM157,800 to RM303,800 per unit.

“We are confident the rest of the shop lots, offices and apartments in Marina Avenue and Laguna will be sold by year-end,” he told StarBiz.

Ali Bagas said Phase 1, with a total GDV RM200mil, had three parts.

“The second and third parts should be completed by 2009 or the following year,” he said, adding that the units would be priced slightly higher than those developed earlier.

He said the company offered a leaseback deal for buyers of the Laguna apartments.

“We offer buyers of Laguna apartments a capital guarantee of 6.5% net for three years,” he said, adding that the luxury units were affordable.

Ali Bagas also said the maintenance fee, which started from RM116 per month, would be waived for buyers who leased their units to the company.

On the return on investment for the whole Marina Island Pangkor project, he said the company had a long-term view and expected good cash flow from the resort when it was fully developed.

“We believe our integrated resort, especially when fully built, will attract a significant number of tourists visiting Pangkor Island,” he said, adding that Marina Island Pangkor could be viewed either as a stopover or a gateway to Pangkor as it would cut the travelling time to the island.

Currently, it takes about 30 minutes by ferry to Pulau Pangkor from Lumut.

With the construction of the jetty, which is due to be completed by year-end and in use by March 2007, it will only take six minutes.

The resort, modelled after the Sydney Harbour waterfront, will have over 4,000 residential units and commercial buildings eventually.

It will include a shopping mall, a marine theme park, a yacht club, a jetty, and centres for health, entertainment and business.

Moreover, the resort will offer attractions like a bird park, family barbeque area and waterfront food bazaar, and water sports facilities.

Ali Bagas said the company would be targeting locals as well as foreigners to buy the residential units.

“Through our promotional activities, we expect a sizeable number of units to be taken up by foreigners under the Malaysia My Second Home programme,” he said.

Urban Destiny owns 51% in Marina Sanctuary Resort, having bought the stake from DKLS Industries Bhd last year.

© 1995-2006 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)

Hope that the new Marine Island will boost up Perak tourism and economy. :)

You can do your part to save Belum - Temenggur by signing up for the online signature campaign at http://www.mns.org.my/article.php?aid=44

the MNS website add is: http://www.mns.org.my

Logging will only make the rich richer and the poor (orang asli) poorer + it's not a sustainable industry!!

Don’t honk at wild elephants, motorists told

GERIK: Don’t honk or flash your car headlights if you come across elephants on the East-West Highway.

This is among the advice on signboards erected by the Perak Wildlife and National Parks Department along the stretch between here and Banding, about 160km from Ipoh.

The signboards were put up following reports of wild elephants straying onto the highway near the Belum Forest Reserve, which is the elephants’ habitat, said department director Shabrina Mohd Shariff.

“Honking could agitate the elephants, leading them to attack motorists,” she said yesterday.

The elephants might also become aggressive and charge if startled by the car’s high beam at night, she added.

Motorists are also advised to remain in their vehicles if there are elephants on the road.

They should keep their distance, wait for the elephant to pass and not throw objects at the creature.

In May, The Star reported that a mother elephant and her baby emerged from the jungle in the evening and ambled along the highway.

Motorists just stopped their cars and gawked at the elephants.

The incident was not the first time that elephants had wandered onto the road. Elephants have also been reported to have damaged cars and signboards along the highway.

Perak Investing RM690 Mln To Develop Chenderiang Industrial Zone


IPOH, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- Perak is investing RM690 million to develop the Chenderiang Industrial Zone, the State Assembly was told Wednesday.

State Industrial Development, International Trade and Industry and Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee chairman Datuk Ramly Zahari said the design plan of the project was ready and was in the process of getting the views of the technical departments.

Responding to a question by Datuk Samsuddin Abu Hassan (BN-Ayer Kuning), he said its implementation would also involve relocating squatters in the area.

To a question by Datuk Hasbullah Osman (BN-Temenggor), Ramly said the state government was aware of the importance of natural gas for the development of the state's industrial sector.

He said that not all parts of the state were able to get natural gas, adding that the fuel was only available in the industrial areas at Taiping and Segari.

However, he said the state government would continue to discuss with Petronas Gas and Gas Malaysia to get natural gas to be supplied to the Kinta Valley.

Meanwhile, State Housing, Local Government and Transport Committee chairman Datuk Chang Ko Youn said traffic congestion in towns like Ipoh and Taiping was not due to lack of parking facilities in them.

"The traffic congestion and improvement in the public transportation system in the rural areas indicate the viability and potential of the area to develop," he said in reply to a question by Rosli Husin (BN-Trong).

-- BERNAMA

Perak Identifies Sites For Automotive Industries


IPOH, Nov 21 (Bernama) -- Perak has identified various sites for vehicle manufacturers and suppliers of automotive components to invest in Batang Padang with the aim of stimulating the growth of the industry in the district.

State Industrial and Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman Datuk Ramly Zahari said that so far, Tapah Road, Bidor, Sungkai and Tanjung Malim had been identified as potential areas for the automotive industry in the state.

"Until now, investments in the automotive industry in Batang Padang has exceeded RM2 billion," he said in response to a question by Datuk M. Ramachandran (BN-Pasir Panjang) in the State Assembly Tuesday.

He said strategies outlined under the National Automotive Policy would be used as reference to encourage the growth of the industry in Batang Padang and towards making the district an automotive hub.

-- BERNAMA

Perak State Assembly: State wants double-track railway to be linked to KL Sentral
22 Nov 2006
P. Chandra Sagaran

IPOH, WED:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Perak has proposed that the Ipoh-Rawang double-track railway be extended to Kuala Lumpur Sentral.

Doing so would mean that airline passengers from Perak can board the Express Rail Link to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali.

He was speaking to reporters during a break at the State Assembly sitting here today, after being asked in the House about the Sultan Azlan Shah airport being under-utilised.

The only flights from the airport are to Medan on Jakarta-based Kartika Airlines three times a week.

Datuk Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib (Slim) asked why a proposed extension of the airport runway had not begun.

“If there are no flights to and from Ipoh, then it is not viable to extend the runway and upgrade the facilities,” said Tajol Rosli.

Perak is now considering airlines that could offer flights to Singapore, Medan, Acheh, Pekan Baru, Haadyai, Bangkok, South India and South China, he added.

The State government had asked for federal funding for the runway extension and other works, estimated to cost RM40 million.

However, the Federal Government has not made any allocation or earmarked any assistance for the extension, he said.

Low-cost carrier AirAsia had pulled its operations out of the airport, saying the runway was too short for large aircraft.

At the Perak State Assembly: Deficit Budget for third year in a row
21 Nov 2006
Brenda Lim


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESPITE increasing taxes, Perak’s Budget for next year will have a RM34.78 million deficit due to rising operational costs.

Tabling the state’s third consecutive deficit Budget in the state assembly, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali said revenue in 2007 would increase by 8.94 per cent to RM648.21 million, but total expenditure would be RM682.99 million.

The strategy was to spend prudently and increase revenue, he said.

Several agencies had proposed various steps.

One was to give private company concessions to maintain rivers on condition that a share of the revenue from selling sand went to the state government, he said.

Central to the Budget was a focus on stimulating growth in the agricultural sector, efficient public service delivery systems and enhancement of the development of information and communications technology.

Development expenditure was RM8.9 million for the agricultural sector, RM7.16 million for the livestock sector, and RM77.9 million for infrastructure and public facilities.

Another RM30 million would be spent on community services and rural development, he added.

Later, he said the state would not be investing in ICT projects but would improve infrastructure to make it more attractive to investors.

"Starting this year, the state has RM20 million annually for ICT development."

RM90mil budget to boost tourism in Perak
19 Nov 2006
P. Chandra Sagaran


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IPOH: Perak is planning to spend RM90 million over the next five years to boost its tourism industry.

Of the amount, RM74 million will come from an allocation under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, while the State Government will contribute the rest.

"Among the projects are a 80-bed hostel in Bukit Larut which will cost about RM2 million," said Perak Agriculture, Agro-Based Industry, and Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Radzi Manan after hosting a dinner for media representatives in Genting Highlands yesterday.

Bukit Larut in Taiping, said Radzi, is an attractive highland destination but it lacks accommodation.

The council will also hold a tourist fair and workshop for travel agents in Kunming, China from Nov 29 to Dec 3.

"We want to promote Perak in the largest tourist market in China," he said.

The Kunming fair comes after the successful Perak Fair, which included a health tourism promotion in Medan, Indonesia early this year.

By Zuhafizah Ahmad Zaki

IPOH, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- The RM1 billion Sunway City Ipoh project on a 520-hectare site in Tambun here has now reached a development asset value of RM400 million, Sunway City Bhd's senior general manager Ong Pang Yen said Thursday.

He said about RM300 million had been invested so far in the development of housing and commercial properties.

Sunway City Ipoh is targeted to be the housing, recreation and tourism hub of the East Ipoh Corridor in particular and West Malaysia in general, he added.

To realise this, the company was working with the state government and Public Works Department for a slip road to connect the area with the East-West Highway, Ong said.

"This is still in the discussions stage," he told Bernama here Thursday.

Ong said Sunway City planned to construct an "Extreme Park" in the area with joint investment from a Kuala Lumpur-based company.

The centre estimated at RM6 million is expected to completed in the first quarter of next year and will be equipped with a futsal arena, badminton courts, go-kart racing course, paintball area and other facilities for extreme sports.

The project is a joint venture between Sunway City and the Perak state government with Sunway City holding 65 percent equity.

When completed in 2010, Sunway City Ipoh is expected to have, among others, a water theme-based park, a hotel, a commercial centre and a private college.

-- BERNAMA

Perak could become world's first producer of palm ethanol
01 December, 2006
TAIPING: Perak could become the world's first producer of palm based ethanol once a processing plant worth RM200 million is built here next year.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali said the ethanol processing plant would be developed by a local company for export purpose.

"According to the company, the plant would be the first in the world to produce ethanol from palm," he told reporters after attending a briefing on the development of Majlis Perbandaran Taiping here, Thursday.

Ethanol which enjoys demand from developed countries as a bio-based fuel source is largely produced in Brazil currently, the world's leading producer of sugar-cane based ethanol.

Malaysia's focus on bio-fuel so far has been on the production of palm oil based biodiesel.

Tajol Rosli said the local company has carried out extensive research on the production of ethanol from palm and has acquired the processing technology which it plans to employ.

In its study, the company has also found that Malaysia has a big potential in the area and will be capable of meeting world market demand if an area of 110,000 hectares of the palm could be developed.

"The company has identified 35,000 hectares for the planting of palm in Perak and we have approved 10,000 hectares for them to be used."

The state government has also approved 400 hectares for the company to build its processing plant.

He said as an incentive for the company, the state government would be only charging RM10 as the annual license fee for Temporary Occupation Lease of the 10-hectare palm plantation.

Once fully operational, the company is expected to pay a premium of RM100 million to the state government, he added.- Bernama

Greentown Is Perak's Second MSC


IPOH, Dec 20 (Bernama) -- The Greentown commercial district here will be developed into the second Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) for Perak, after Meru Raya, in efforts to make it a developed state by 2015.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali said Wednesday the area was chosen based on requests from information technology (IT) companies that felt that Greentown has the environment conducive for expansion into the MSC.

He said the state government wanted to develop the area based on the MSC development in the Klang Valley and Cyberjaya.

"In Ipoh, focus will not only be on Meru Raya but also the whole Ipoh city area to provide IT facilities to the corporate and education sectors and the public," he told reporters after the state executive council meeting here.

He added that the state government was discussing with the developer to build more shops and buildings equipped with fibre optic cables and broadband Internet facilities besides providing shopping centres, entertainment outlets and infrastructure.

The state government had also agreed to set up a Perak Creative Resource Centre (PCRC) under the State Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) to expand the MSC.

Tajol Rosli said the PCRC would cooperate with the Bumiputera Innovative and Creative Association to create more entrepreneurs in information communication technology (ICT).

The RM6 million project in Meru Raya would be developed under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).

"The state government will also set aside RM2 million to assist qualified companies to conduct research and development (R&D). Two MSC-status companies have been appointed to assist Perak in training entrepreneurs in ICT due to increasing market demand for skilled personnel," he said.

The PCRC would also provide facilities and broadband Internet needed by the ICT industry so that entrepreneurs could market their products.

He also announced that Perak Town and Country Planning Director Datuk Yaacob Nordin had been appointed chief executive officer of K-Perak Perak Inc to spearhead the development of ICT and the MSC in the state.

-- BERNAMA

Greentown is a modern township of Ipoh... Gambateh!