Comments on: Ipoh: My Kind of Town

By: Azrul Hasyimi Zabidi

Azrul Hasyimi Zabidi — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 02:48:11 +0000

IPOHITIES NEED MORE PARKS AND JOGGING TRACKS
Thank you to MBI for being ‘super efficient’ in collecting parking summons but has contradictly being ‘poor efficient’ in providing recreational places for Ipohities. Why am I saying this? It is through personal experience and observation where the MBI enforcers will not miss any chance to produce parking summons even though the car owner has just parked temporarily while looking for parking coupon at nearby shops. Where does the collection for parking summons and parking coupons goes to? It should be contributed back to Ipohities by having more recreational parks for us to keep up with healthy lifestyles. I would like to draw the attention that Ipoh is very lacking of recreational parks where family could spend quality time such as having family picnic, jogging and relaxing. Sadly, we only have the overcrowded Taman Dr S.P. Seenivasagam , Taman Rekreasi Sultan Abdul Aziz (Padang Polo), Taman Rekreasi Gunung Lang and Kledang Hill. It always had been the same since I grew up in Ipoh over thirty years ago. Even the new developed Ipoh Riverfront has failed to attract crowds since it has been brought down by the smelly and dirty Kinta River. Other than that are only private parks which is restricted to public.
On July last year, I had the opportunity to take look at the Ipoh Development Plan which was displayed at MBI building and I found out nothing extraordinary besides carrying out the old plan to develop more business areas but sadly none on recreational areas. Why can’t we be more creative?
Why is this happening? Is it really about money? I presume our local corporate bodies and business tycoon are more than willing to contribute for the betterment of the people especially in providing recreational parks. Privatization would be another choice. Is it about locations? We have plenty of ex-tin mining ponds and also limestone hills which could be transformed to recreational area with good jogging tracks. For example, take a look at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) where the management has turned the ex-mining ponds into a nice park with good jogging tracks. Can’t we have the same for Ipohities?
Truly, it is all about awareness on the needs of Ipohities to make Ipoh a better place to stay as displayed at one of the notice boards where ‘MBI’ stands for ‘Mencapai Bandaraya Idaman’. We could make a significant change for the future.

By: S.E.Y.

S.E.Y. — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 12:59:48 +0000

So right Steven Lee..Indeed Taman DR is just about the only green lung in the heart of Ipoh..but it is falling below its potential..Ipoh really needs better tourist destinations,and I mean those of quality and which are well thought out.Something that would appeal both to locals and tourists would be ideal,and simultaneously add to the revenue of the state.For the best results,landscapers,people wth knowledge of botany,as well as business and marketing should come together and give their best.Don’t give up Steven Lee.Perhaps you have not yet knocked on the right door.Could it be the Datuk bandars office..

By: Steven Lee

Steven Lee — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 05:14:31 +0000

I have prepared a write-up and layout plan on how to redevelop DR Seenivasagam Park so that the Park be revitalized with more facilities and activities for the community and most importantly, be self-sustaining. I have talked to many people including MBI but no one seems to be interested to do anything about the Park.

In the meantime, things continue to deteriorate in the Park. The only thing that is worthwhile to see in the Park is probably the Japanese Garden, courtesy of Fukuoka city which pays for the upkeep costs.

The train ride, ferris wheel and merry-go-round are long gone. The wooden bridge on the lake has been replaced with one made from cement. Even the water level of the lake has gone down. I don’t know if boat rides are still available.

The Park is the green lung in the city center and more convenient for residents from all over Ipoh than the Polo Grounds. It used to attract many families during the weekends but there is hardly anything to do there now, other than having a picnic.

By: ipoh

ipoh — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 01:03:44 +0000

Right on S.E.Y. We at Ipoh Echo are constantly highlighting dump sites, mosquito cultivation, and the lack of cleanliness in and around Ipoh. but we also need the co-operation of the community and have them wake up to doing their individual bit to keep our environment clean. So Ipohites, let’s band together and adopt a slogan like “If its to Be. Its Up to Me”. Send us pictures of the offenders, report dumps, highlight abuses. So S.E.Y pick up the baton and run with it.

By: S.E.Y.

S.E.Y. — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 00:50:34 +0000

I must say I agree with Norman.As much as I am fond of peaceful Ipoh, as a place to entertain visiting guests,it falls FAR behind Malacca or Penang…I find myself cracking my head when I have foreignguests. Gunung Lang?Rather mundane..and hot!What cld I suggest?Mebe part the DR park cld be converted into something along the lines of the Spice Gardens of Penang,with botanical name plates set up,and interesting paths to explore.A nice cosy theme cafe cld be part of the attraction.
Perhaps sm thought cld be put into the restoration of old Heritage buildings.Both Penang and Malacca hv succeeded in transforming old abodes into stylish,quaint little hotels.In fact, in Penang there is even one very successful one that was once a British army officers mess.What stories these places have to tell,and not necessarily with a hefty price either.
Ipoh being a food haven is also another issue,with the privilege being reserved for non-muslims! Other than Pakeeza and Koh Samui(which are both great eating spots),there is not a lot to try,with most chinese coffee shops being non-halal..
And while I am wingeing,I may as well bring up one of my strongest grouses..The terrible smells that hit you as you walk along the open drains in ipoh! In fact I was at a well known hotel in ipoh yesterday,and as I walked from my car to the lobby,the smell hit me like a smack on the face.Parkson Grand is another offender.Am I the only one who detects that offensive odour that floats thru the ground floor,and virtually permeates into the clothes you buy there??? It is pretty obvious that it is coming from the huge over-flowing bins of rubbish along the side.This stench also overflows into the classrooms of the adjacent main convent.Poor girls..
Indeed, I am not adverse to all the strong wonderful, smells that make up a part of Malaysias’ colourful culture, but dirty is dirty,and something needs to be done about it.

By: norman mohd yusoff

norman mohd yusoff — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 12:43:09 +0000

I am an Ipohite and very proud of it… but the only problem I have since I had married a Malacca girl for my wife is that the historical state is much improving all year round.

Every holiday spend will be back to Malacca with all the new tourist destination been built worth a visit, need not mentioned The spinning Taming Sari, The amazing Flor De LaPalma, The serenating River Cruise, The Planetarium and lots more which I myself cant prescribe….

So, during my inlaw visit to Ipoh I have dificulties in showing them what best are we having in my town Ipoh..

To me I bet we need some well planned tourist destination…

By: moon lim

moon lim — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:56:55 +0000

Hi, I am looking to buy a piece of cheap land (abt 1/2 – 1 acre) for my retirement. Anyone selling?

By: Papan Jones

Papan Jones — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:53:19 +0000

Thanks for your list of things to do in Ipoh. Such enthusiasm from a die-hard Ipoh person!

But, hang on, which hotel in Ipoh qualifies as a boutique hotel? There is only one I can think of.

Emerald Lake? Is that at Gunung Lang Recreational Park, off Jalan Kuala Kangsar?

I have problems with your one-stop shopping. Well, it depends on what visitors want to buy, doesn’t it? Ipoh people would drive to KL just to shop at its shopping centres! I hope some indigenous Perak products, and produce, will be made available in one place in Ipoh. Will the newly renovated former Lam Look Ing Bazaar be the place for a ‘Ipoh specialist shopping centre’?