CONSERVATION AT IPOH CONTINUE

Not often as I said we get the opportunity to stop in Ipoh. Given the opportunity, it is creditable what the city can offer you in terms of heritage buildings. Pictures below capture buildings near the program site and imagine what the other parts of the city can give us. Sadly many buildings are left without proper care and attention much less earning the curiosity and full admiration as they should be. Whereas in other cities of the world such richness would be admired and crowd pullers.

Participants of the workshop giving their attentions to the paper presenters.

Two interior pictures of the 'General Post Office'. One with the participants viewing a wall which requires plastering as per method approved. Participants had their sessions of applying the lime and mixtures . On the right is the double storey section which definitely requires intensive works. It will be great to see the result when the conservation and renovation are completed. Observe the solid iron beam as supporters

Staircases amongst others which had been painted multiple times and part of the renovation work is to clean and arrive at the original base.

Two well-known buildings. One in blue is the F.M.S building , a 'famous waterhole' during the hayday of the rubber and tin boom period. Now left vacant though it was a restaurant several years back known for its delicious 'currypuffs'. Next, seen through the goal post on the Ipoh Padang is the St Micheal School.

HSBC building is one of Ipoh's heritage building and used as the Japanese Military HQ during the war years.

IF you have never known what an 'Ipoh' tree looks like, go no farther because right in front of the Ipoh Railway Station you will see it growing in its full majesty. In the background is the former General Post Office, part of which has been renovated and is now the Ipoh Town Hall. Another notable building is the Chartered Bank of Ipoh.

KNOWING ABOUT CONSERVATION

On going conservation works at the former General Post Office Ipoh
Participants had the opportunity to visit the site and observe works on site as well as to dirty their hands at applying the lime plastering.

LEARNING actually does not come free. It never did. From schooling to colleges and universities you pay to acquire knowledge and skills. Of course in between you do absorb additional through self reading and experiences. Still we are put through workshops, seminars and conferences to update less stagnation set in. I am in Ipoh this weekend and fortunately able to brush on some practical skills especially in the field of conservation. Fortunate only since the Mrs. has registered for the workshop's session organized by Jabatan Warisan Negara I am able to sit in for some of the talks and discussion gratis.

A short break after the talk given by one of the speakers.

The famous Ipoh Railway Station. It is pleasant to see it in its present standing.

It is known that for centuries LIME was used undisturbed until an invention in early 1880s changed the face of our architecture and engineering feats as well as our rural and urban landscapes. Lime saw its diminishing strength. Yet some of the great monuments of the ancient worlds got its permanent strength and grip from lime. However current conservation of our built heritage and a re-look at the architectural and engineering qualities helped in a big way to put it in the LIMELIGHT again. Now that older prominent and classic buildings get to be restored and preserved along international guidelines, experienced and knowledge based professionals and contractors need to be trained. UNESCO's recognition of Malacca and Penang heritage surely vouched for Badan Warisan Negara strong backing towards more buildings to be restored and preserved in our country. Buildings in tin- riched Perak , especially in Ipoh now get extra focus.

While the participants got hitched to their sessions and practical assignments, I had a good opportunity to tour some small corner of Ipoh. Mind you, since the North-South Highway existed, Ipoh becomes a by-pass and whatever exists here got unknown to the ordinary persons. I was awarded with several photo-shots which otherwise would not even be in my lens view during the short walking tour just around the former General Post Office which is a part of the Ipoh Town Hall built in 1914 currently undergoing restoration works.

There is a great need for us, young and old to realize the richness and valuable heritage around us less they get discarded, unrecognized and perhaps torn down for reason of modernity, disused, unkempt and uncared. Badan Warisan Negara recognized the varied building materials used and specifically addressed itself towards timber, lime and roof-tiles as specific areas of focus. This second edition of its workshop found me as a keen listener and learning certainly goes on.

OCBC being one of the many banks in Ipoh that occupy historical sites and heritage buildings.

DULU KOMPLEKS KILANG BERAS KINI KOMPLEKS PENTADBIRAN - BANDAR MUADZAM SHAH

Di tebing Sungai Anak Bukit kini terdiri satu kompleks pentadbiran kerajaan persekutuan. Bukan saja mengindahkan kawasan sekitar sebaliknya mendorong ramai pelawat ke sini nanti. Alangkah baiknya sekiranya mereka dapat mengenali sejarah asal tempat ini nanti.

ISNIN 13 JULAI 2009 Pekan Anak Bukit berwajah baru dan bukan itu saja namanya juga bertukar menjadi Bandar Muadzam Shah. Semua ini wujud dengan terbinanya satu kompleks pentadbiran lapan kilometer dari Bandar Alor Star. Dengan menelan belanja RM 270 juta ia seharusnya menjanjikan perkhidmatan yang bertaraf 'First Class' sesuai dengan bangunan dan kemudahan yang bertaraf sama. Itu juga merupakan harapan YAB Perdana Menteri Malaysia semasa berucap di majlis perasmian. Pekan lama Anak Bukit yang satu masa dahulu sibuk kerana wujudnya satu kompleks kilang padi yang terbesar di utara serta sebuah stesyen kereta api berhampirannya kini nampaknya menerima nafas baru. Di tapak seluas 16.1 hektar kini terbina bangunan pentadbiran baru dan sebuah stesyen keretapi juga akan wujud semula di bandar ini. Kesibukan tentu sekali akan dirasai oleh penduduk disini yang dahulunya biasa dengan ketenteraman. Malah Lapangan Terbang Muadzam Shah 2 kilometer sahaja dari bandar pentadbiran ini. Kita lihat nanti apa pula akan menyusul dengan perkembangan ini. Kampong-kampong sekitarnya diharap mendapat manfaat dan jesteru itu 'putrajaya' kecil ini menjadi unsur perkembangan dan kemajuan daerah kecil ini.

KBDYMM Sultan Kedah hadir dan merasmikan kompleks ini. Turut hadir KBDYMM Sultanah Kedah, YAB Perdana Menteri Malaysia dan Isteri serta YAB Menteri Besar Kedah dan Isteri.

Doa dilafazkan dan hadirin mengaminkannya semoga kakitangan yang bertugas di sini nanti memberi perkhidmatan yang bertaraf tinggi atau kelas satu sesuai dengan infrastruktar yang ada.

Pemandangan di waktu pagi sebelum majlis perasmian satu binaan yang merupakan 'pokok star' sempena nama bandaraya Alor Star.

Kali ini nampaknya 'tua dan dara' menjadi penyambut tetamu . Mereka menunggu ketibaan VVIP dengan sirih junjungnya.

ABOVE ARE some of the photos shot at the opening ceremony of the new Federal Government Administrative Complex at Bandar Muadzam Shah 8 kilometres north of Alor Star town. I had to be here for the purpose of continuing the story of this historic site which was once a large rice milling complex. It existed even before the Second World War and had served the country for distributing rice to all parts of the country in time of sparse resources and especially during the war years. A railway line and a small station close by helped in the distribution. It looks like the place has come alive again only the services are different though both supply products. Even a new railway station is being built here. With pictures of the previous buildings and locations and added with the new it could be a conclusive story. Living a stone's throw away, it becomes more necessary for me to document its growth and be here on this historic day. Surely history happened right in front of us and yet we often miss to observe it.

Lukisan konsep sebelum terbinanya Kompleks Pentadbiran Bandar Muadzam Shah. Disebelah kanan kelihatan bangunan Hasil dan Bangunan Persekekutuan. Lebuhraya Darulaman merentasi kompleks ini . Upacara perasmian telah diadakan pada tapak kosong berwarna kuning diantara dua buah bangunan di sebelah kiri lebuhraya

WHAT IS THERE AT OUR CAPITAL CITY?

Our return flight from Palembang Sumatra one fine day took us through Putrajaya and I had the great opportunity to capture this scene. It has always intrigued me to find what's up and around that large round-about that always take you on a spin just to get to the ministries aside it.

(Pokok Bunga Tanjung, Kenanga dan lain-lain wangian menyambut tetamu di Taman Perdana Putra)

Various scented trees the likes of 'Bunga Tanjung and Kenanga lined the paths around the garden welcoming the visitors

(Burung Murai dan Terkukuk nampaknya banyak mendiami disini)

So peaceful and safe that birds especially 'burung murai' seems to enjoy the quiet solitude plus the water sprays that come each day to keep the grass green and exclusive.

(Ada papan tanda besar tetapi tidak pula yang memberi petunjuk kepada pelawat dimana dan apa yang harus mereka lawati)

Directional poster what to see and where to go at Putrajaya is sadly missing. Visitors are at a loss once they landed at Dataran Putra near the Putrajaya Mosque. Public transportation too is a far cry from being easily accessible.

(Di Taman Putra Perdana banyak bunga-bunga asli menghiasi lamannya. Pokok bunga seperti ini ( SERKAP) biasanya menjadi kegemaran orang tua-tua kita sebelum orkid dan tanaman lain mencerubuhi laman rumah kita).

Sadly this familiar flowering shrub or foliage and its like have disappeared from the kampong scenes replaced by orchids and others. Fortunate they are still preserved for posterity

( Pandangan di dataran menghala ke satu-satunya hotel yang terletak di Putrajaya; tentu sekali laman ini bermandi cahaya pada waktu malam)

Great pathways to the monument at the other end. Here it looks towards the sole hotel in Putrajaya

(Satu lagi pemandangan dari atas bukit kecil. Jelas kelihatan jambatan indah menyeberangi tasik dekat Masjid Putrajaya.)

Another fine view from atop the hill. Here looking towards a bridge across the lake near the Putrajaya Mosque

(Satu lagi pemandangan . Yang ini mempamirkan jambatan, lebuhraya dan perumahan di Putrajaya. Kehijauan terus kekal.)

Another scenic view and this time looking towards the Putrajaya housing, bridge and highway and not surely missing the greenery.

(Pejabat Perdana Menteri jelas kelihatan. Kubahnya selaras dengan yang terdapat di Masjid Zahir Alor Star. Tak usah risau pagi ini banyak kerusi kosong.)

The onion shaped dome of the Prime Minister's office is seen at ground level here. The dome is characteristic of one at the Zahir Mosque at Alor Star. There are many empty seats today.

(Banyak binaan yang boleh menjadi sampel sekiranya kita ingin mencantkkan halaman rumah masing-masing. Pondok rihat ini dihiasi begitu menarik sekali)

A pargola or rest area, such design can be adopted to your home if you so desire. On rounds like this you can pick up many ideas,

TODAY I decided to make a brief tour of the capital city while my wife attended to some scheduled business. Each time we were at Putrajaya we circled the round-about before exiting into the intended 'parcels' either C,D, E etc on the left where the various ministries are located. The Putrajaya round-about could perhaps be the largest in the world though no one has yet claim the rightful championship. Strangely or by design you would never think it is one for its sheer turning circle. This time, it meant keeping to the right and entering the path leading to 'Istana Melawati', Hotel Shangrila' and 'Taman Perdana Putra' instead. I marveled at what greeted me. For all these years, since the capital city was first opened I never knew or ever being told of the splendor that could be unfolded when you are at the summit of the round-about.

You too have not taken the path up the hill? Then come and share with me the views and the natural setting awaiting you or any other visitor to this small enclave next to the various ministries and including the Prime Minister's office with its characteristic 'onion-shaped' dome. Pictures surely can speak louder than words.

At the time, I was in the garden setting, the gardeners and caretakers must be having their rest period. They could not be more relaxed in such settings, and no wonder some were on their hand phones chatting away. I was told over thirty persons, all from Bangladesh were tasked at keeping the grounds and the built-up areas in good order. I am told the place is visited during weekends and holidays while wedding entourage often come to capture their splendid moments in prints and movies amidst the natural settings. Round about 11.00 am I could be the only person walking around. I dare to agree that excepting Putrajaya residents hardly others realized the natural garden setting and wide open spaces there. Having captured the scenes on my Nikon some with its telephoto lens, I moved to ground level focused next to other objects.

(Satu lagi pemandangan pejabat Perdana Menteri. Kali ini dari sudut yang biasa di perhatikan oleh pelawat-pelawat semasa di Dataran Perdana dekat Masjid Putrajaya. Hanya nampak satu tambahan. Ada pancutan air di depannya.)

Another view of the prime Minister's office as normally seen by the large number of visitors at the Putrajaya Mosque concourse.

(Banyak sekali tiang-tiang lampu dengan pencahayaan di Putrajaya. Sentuhan pokok-pokok hijau menjadikan keseluruhan Putrajaya sebuah taman besar. Itulah keindahannya antara yang dinikmati. Tapi siapa pula menggalakkanya?)

Lamp posts galore. That's what you observe at Putrajaya. Various ferns and greens added to the colors and dynamism of this capital centre. Truly it is one large garden. But do we show that to our visitors?

(Akan ada satu lagi masjid di Putrajaya. Boleh siap untuk Ramadan tahun ini?)

Reflecting its dimension in the lake nearby. This is another mosque in the making.

(Kementeraian Pertanian dan Asas Tani. Tapi bangunannya tidak nampak melambangkan ciri-ciri pertanian)

Ministry of Agriculture but the building in no way dedicates its identity; huge and large yes.

Antara beberapa jambatan di Putrajaya. Satunya belum siap. Apa pun struktur seperti ini menjadi bahan tarikan dan pemandu pelancongan harus menarik pelancong ke sini.
Scenic bridges and structures like these should be a source of attraction to the tourists

A couple with the wife carrying a small child approached me "Excuse me what else can we see and visit around here?" They were tourists from India and had been deposited at Putrajaya Mosque by the taxi driver who ferried them from the railway terminal nearby and mentioning this was the only place to see at Putrajaya. Imagine such consoling service from those in the tourism industry. I had just discovered some of the treasures of Putrajaya and imagine my dismay when visitors got told off. Yet it could be true. Tourism counters and services as far as I know hardly exist here. Thousands flocked around the mosque concourse, mostly dropped by excursion buses. For most that's all they saw of Putrajaya. They carry homes their pix with the prime minister's building or the mosque as the background . Even if the couples could move on they could be hard put to hail a taxi or other transportation; hardly available. Neither have I seen a large billboard exposing the sights of the city, surely a bonus to visitors. A stark contrast what's available at Kuala Lumpur. Enough of such cautionary tips. Let's continue with our photo tour.

No gondola for him just a piece of plank and a friend at the top to grasp the rope if it needs be

( Gambar ini tidak perlu penjelasan. Bahayanya ada dan tidak sepatutnya berlaku di ibu kota dan pusat pentadbiran negara.)

Danger and risky against all order of safety. Do we allow it to happen here?

(Gambar terakhir menunjukkan keistimewaan di Putrajaya. Sibuk dan tiada tempat meletak kereta langsung. Nampaknya kalau ke sini harus dipandu orang, tetapi perhatian nampaknya bukan kearah mengatasi kekurangan ini tetapi menghiasi lagi apa yang sudah cantik dan indah.)

How we wish the money is spent to solve the parking problem at the Ministries rather than upgrading areas that are already classy.

No doubt there are many exciting things available at the capital city while there are others missing too especially in support of the tourism industry. Maybe the sophistication and much financial support for its development escape the humble personal approaches and care for the fellow men. Every time I hit the city I am puzzled why with all the open spaces available, there are so many vehicles parked in no incoherent order along the streets near the ministries designated with no parking signs and red cones. Couldn't this be solved in extra fast time? Parking attendants cum security checking and moving cones for parking spaces will never solve the issue. I thought cones were for clowns only. Here they dot the streets distinguishing only disorder and chaos.

Less we knock off feeling despondent because of the shortcomings above let's be enlightened by some other pointers that show three other good points that lifted my spirit for the day. They represent a theme like 'swinging in the air'

PAPA’S DAY, DAD’S DAY OR FATHER’SDAY

An old black and white photo of my elder cousins of Taiping Perak. Cousin Hj Baharum is on the left. His two younger brothers have passed away. Surely they would be remembered by their own children.

Yet another old black and white photo of three other cousins. They were from Alor Star. Hj Abul As Ismail on the left survives while his two elder brothers have passed away too. Yet I am sure they will be remembered by their kins and sons and daughters especially on this special day. How lucky we are if we manage to keep photos such as above or when people decide that they should have something to remember by. Come to think of it how many brothers or sisters now ever enter the photo studio to record photos as above. The camaraderie seems to bind the family.

SUNDAY 21 JUNE 2009, being the third Sunday of the month is recognized as that special day. Fathers all over the world have a day accorded to them, just like Mothers, Teachers, Arm Forces, Gawai and whatever that marked the calendar and celebrated or honored in their best traditions. Exceptionally this year Dato Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak the Prime Minister of Malaysia also decided not to let the day fly away without having has say regarding his own father and fathers generally. See 1 Malaysia.

A father, a grand- father or a great- grand- father in that order of hierarchy may all be alive on this special day. One is connected to his sons or daughters, while the other has his sons/daughters and his grand-sons/ grand- daughters while of course the patriarch has much stronger retinues to honor, respect and adore him. So Father's Day respectfully remember the man in the family. But how do we recognize them?

Those of us who have their fathers alongside them, either living together or a short distance or far away must be fortunate at the least while many may only have memories of them. Generally the father's role is never seen as more important as the mother's. Besides being the male gender you would not bake a special cake for him nor garland him with flowers. Father's strict, uncompromising attitude most time may not line him as the favorite. But he deserved that special honor for you being what you are now.

I would not be what I am if not for the persistence and uncompromising attitude of my father regarding schooling. He gave me education and focus for my later career. I inherited some if not most of his characteristics. Sadly he passed away when I was in my late teens. Yet all that I knew about him remained vivid as ours was a small family. But for those who stay away from their fathers due to mobility and circumstances of present day living, attempts must be made to know them: their whims and fancies, their friends or colleagues, their interests and dislikes, their early courtship with their devoted wives and many other intimate chapters if possible. Fathers at whatever stage would not like to see their off-springs go through period of difficulties. You must realize they would assist you where possible. Sometimes it may not come directly from him but through the gentle hands of his female partner. Just give a thought how he has funded you or lend a hand at settling some of your financial shortcomings. He has also become your guarantor to the point of putting himself in the noose if you fail to service your loans..Fathers gave you away at the marriage ceremony if you are a woman. Fathers planned your wedding, invited guests and joined in the happy occasion when you too take partners for life. He gave you shelter until you are ready to leave home and yet continue to provide so whenever you 'balikkampong' not alone with your breeds. He gave security very much earlier. Fathers keep early photos of you when you were young. That's their adoration. But do you keep photos of them when you are older? Fathers gave you 'pocket money' or tea money for your daily canteen food at the school. Do you likewise offer a return from your monthly salary? Fathers took you on visits and tours during the school holidays. Do you likewise shove a ticket for him to fly to some nearby destinations? Take the Raya do, do you come home with new pieces of shirts or completely new attire for him. More often than not you brought home a battalion of young soldiers to set the battle field asunder.

We view 'Father's Day' in a way known to us. The deeper you know about them, the more admirable and comfortable you would become. To him, his father and others I would offer 'AlFatihah' in memory of their past.

LAIN DULANG LAIN ISINYA,LAIN ORANG LAIN HATINYA

A 'PERIBAHASA' OR MALAY PROVERB ( saying that each container may have different contents) and so in simple term each person has his own interest or inclination. Wondering around the countryside you will see many features. Among them people's focus on their housing. Some go for the expansive and the very modern while others just could not get far from the old traditions. Of course the old world charm is fast dwindling and disappearing but for the consciousness of some people who find their beauty all capturing and thus preservation become their characteristic trait. Langkawi is one zone where this dominating interest is alive and you will meet persons going out of their way to keep alive the artistic and architectural beauty of our traditional homes.

In earlier time this home would have seen a family being brought up with all shortcomings and difficulties. Yet many have passed this way and climbed even the ladder of success. Now with added convenience and good paint work it represents Malaysia's once prestigious home.

You have seen this building before in bright sunlight. Here it is caught in the twilight.

Now in Langkawi but it came from Tanah Besar. It meant dismantling and building again but for the love of it , it is done and now standing proud on the lagendary island

You may find such buildings around still but more often than not discarded and left to the ravages of nature.Here it is utilised and earning for the owner a good daily sum as guests would love to experience living in one.

Nestled by the 'menerong' glades, the simple pavilion gives a aura of its own and foursome could enjoy the evening tea here.

Do scout around and have your camera ready. You will come across some charming homes as I have and in good location too .