The Bercham landfill’s lifespan is supposed to end by 2010. It has outlived its usefulness. The proposed landfill in Papan is on hold due to shortage of funds.

There have been proposals to convert the Bercham landfill into a park consistent with practices in the West. Like all things else these are idle talks to placate the rakyat.

I hope you can make your point known to the authorities. The deadline for raising objections has been extended to September 22.Don’t miss this opportunity.

the publicity and inspection period has been extended until 22nd of September 2010. So do exercise your rights. You may find some of the documents/plans related to this local plan at http://www.townplan.gov.my under the topic : Publisiti Rancangan Pemajuan

When the dumpsite was first proposed, DBI said that the Bercham dumpsite will be full by end of last year and the new dumpsite is urgently needed. When I asked someone in DBI a few months ago, I was told that the Bercham dumpsite can still be used for some time to come.

An alternative proposal was to replace the landfill dumpsite with an ultra-modern incinerator. However, public acceptance of an incinerator is just as bad, if not worse, despite the fact that new-generation incinerators emit very little ash into the air. In fact, incineration is now classified as green technology!

There is actually no hurry to make objections or give suggestions or opinions. It can take years before many of the proposed projects to take off. By then, whatever objections, suggestions and opinions may be forgotten. Remember, these are just proposals at the moment. Ipoh residents should exert maximum pressure when the projects concerned are announced to start.

One particular proposal that I am against is the LRT system. Not only that Ipoh doesn’t need it, the project diverts focus away from the bad bus transport system in Ipoh. Ipoh doesn’t need a trunk transport system but a comprehensive feeder system that only buses can provide. What is the use of reaching the LRT station in an area but no buses to take people to where they want to go?

The Act states that the objection period should “not be less than four weeks from the date when copies of the draft plan are available for inspection”. So there’s provision for an extension.

There must be a reason why the Council wants to wrap up the show within the four-week frame. Hopefully, it’s not about wanting to keep it away from prying eyes or wanting to do a rush job.

There are many gray areas in the plan and one, which I’ve pointed out, is the proposed development of the lands astride Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah (Tiger Lane). The old government bungalows will be demolished for commercial buildings. This is heinous.

We have to make our dissatisfaction known. Otherwise, MBI would run roughshod over us. I am certain you don’t want this to happen.

That this well-documented historical town of the Kinta Valley should be treated as a dump reflects how poorly we regard our history. Already, a swiftlet farmer has moved in, destroying an old shophouse and building a three-storey building for this exploit.

This historic town should have been the proud showcase of Muhibbah. Instead, it is given the death blow while governments allow it to be exploited and abused.

Apart from a trail of community interests, Old Papan houses the Memorial to Sybil Kathigasu, a hero in our time. Meanwhile, the Rumah Besar Raja Bilah remains closed to visitation after the 1.1-million restoration was completed in 2005.

Yet, the forest reserve Kledang Saiong accessed from Old Papan town is keyed up as recreational area for Ipoh.

And the bad news, the exhibition fails to communicate adequately. You really need to read the 3 volumes to understand the intent of the Ipoh Structural Draft Plan 2020.

Last Wednesday, the Perak Heritage Society delegation met with the city town planners. We went prepared, having discussed the issues among ourselves. We will lodge our feedback to MBI. We will bring up the issues affecting the heritage of our city in Ipoh Echo very soon.