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The Star
13-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Intricate float a draw for visitors
Detailed features: Buddhist devotees offering prayers in front of the float at Wat Siribunya Maggarama, Ipoh. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star IPOH: An intricately designed float at Wat Siribunya Maggarama here has drawn admiration from both devotees and visitors during this year's Wesak Day celebration. Crafted from wood and polystyrene, and adorned with traditional motifs, the float stood out as a remarkable symbol of devotion and artistic craftsmanship. It featured a statue of Buddha and was displayed on the temple grounds along Jalan Tambun, where devotees paid homage. Temple committee chairman Iyeng Endin Niang said the float was crafted by six artisans from Songkhla, Thailand, over a period of six months. Act of devotion: People participating in the Buddha statue-bathing ritual at the Sarawak Buddhist Association, Kuching. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star 'The float stands 5m high and about 7m long. 'This is a special design from Songkhla. 'It was originally meant for a procession, but due to its height, it cannot be taken out through the main entrance. 'As a result, the float is displayed within the temple grounds so that devotees and visitors could receive blessings from it,' he said when met at the temple during the Wesak Day celebration yesterday. Iyeng Endin said around 10,000 devotees had visited the temple since Saturday, with many attending to seek blessings, listen to Dharma talks and participate in the candlelight procession around the temple. There are currently 10 monks from Thailand based at the temple. One of the devotees, Lee Som Mat, 64, a retired civil servant of mixed Chinese-Siamese heritage, said he was returning to the temple after nearly 40 years. Originally from Taiping, Perak, and now residing in Kuantan, Pahang, Lee said he came this year with his sister and her family. 'When I was young, my father used to bring me here almost every year. I then continued observing Wesak Day in Taiping,' he said. Also at the temple was Dr G. Megala, who was with her husband and their three sons. Originally from Penang, Megala, 40, said she used to visit a Buddhist temple there every Wesak Day. 'After getting married and moving to Ipoh, I now make it a point to come to this temple every year. 'Although I'm a Hindu, I always come here to offer prayers and seek blessings for my family,' she added. Another devotee, who wished to be known as NS Lim, 55, said he came from Kuala Lumpur for the celebration. 'My family and I thought of visiting Ipoh this time for Wesak Day. 'This is the first time I am visiting this temple as usually we visit Buddhist temples in Kuala Lumpur or Penang,' he said.
The Star
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Ayer Kuning polls: Voters to vote tomorrow
The Ayer Kuning by-election with party flags war against the opponents at Temoh,Tapah.(16thApril 2025)—RONNIE CHIN/The Star TAPAH: Registered voters in the Ayer Kuning state constituency, totalling 31,315, will go to the polls on Saturday to fulfil their responsibility to elect a new representative, marking the end of the 14-day campaign. A total of 19 polling centres involving 63 channels will open from 8am to 6pm, except for the polling centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Toh Tandewa Sakti, which will close earlier at 4pm. The vote counting process will take place at Dewan Merdeka here. Based on the official website of the Malaysian Meteorological Department, clear weather is forecast for Saturday (April 26) morning, while thunderstorms are expected in the afternoon. The Ayer Kuning by-election involves a three-cornered contest between Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir, Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Abd Muhaimin Malek and Bawani KS (Parti Sosialis Malaysia). Mohamad Yusri will vote at the polling centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sungai Lesong, while Abd Muhaimin will vote at SK Ayer Kuning and Bawani at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Pheng Lok. Last Tuesday (April 22), 93.4% of the 500 police officers and their spouses fulfilled their responsibilities at two polling stations during the early voting process for the by-election. A total of 601 Election Commission (EC) officers and 1,114 police officers will be on duty to help smooth the voting process. The Ayer Kuning by-election was called following the death of its incumbent, Ishsam Shahruddin, last February 22 due to a heart attack. In the 15th General Election (GE15) in November 2022, Ishsam, also the Tapah Umno Chief, won the Ayer Kuning seat with a majority of 2,213 votes in a five-cornered fight. Ayer Kuning is one of the two state constituencies in Tapah. This is the eleventh by-election held after GE15. - Bernama
The Star
22-04-2025
- Business
- The Star
Little coffeeshop a bustling haven during by-election
Old world charm: The Xin Aun Nong Yong coffeshop in Tapah Road. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star TAPAH: Even as the Ayer Kuning by-election heats up with incendiary rhetoric, a little Chinese-style kopitiam in Tapah Road has been quietly bustling with customers from all creeds and communities. The quaint Xin Aun Nong Yong coffeeshop has been serving Malays, Chinese, Indians and people from other backgrounds for the past 90 years and will continue to do so after all the bigwigs and politicians leave after the by-election. Owner Phua Ah Leng, 67, said customers from all communities have patronised the shop even before she took over the business. 'My late father took over the business from the previous owner many years ago, while I took over about 30 years ago. 'Under the previous owner, the shop has welcomed all,' she said when met. 'The shop was only known as a Hainanese kopitiam back then, and was quite popular among the locals who come mainly for breakfast. I am just continuing this. 'We don't sell food with pork, and our fares include beverages, homemade buns, toast, kuih and nasi lemak that we get from Malay traders,' she added. Phua with her shop's homemade buns. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star Phua said the majority of her customers are from the Malay community. 'Their favourite is half boiled eggs and toast. Some of our other popular items are boneless curry chicken buns and chicken buns, which contain an egg and green peas. 'We also sell vegetable, red bean paste and kaya buns. Our kaya is homemade and is cooked over a charcoal fire, which I learned from my father,' she added. Phua, who was born and bred in Tapah Road, said the small town used to be lively during the 1960s and 70s, unlike now. She said a lot of out-of-towners used to stop by the shop for a break, as motorists would pass Tapah Road to get to Teluk Intan. 'Construction of newer roads and realignment of traffic flow have seen fewer people coming through here, causing a lot of shops to lose business and shutter. 'Back then, a class at SJKC Phui Chen can have between 30 and 40 pupils, but now there are about 35 children of various races studying there. 'Most of the younger generation have also ventured to other bigger towns or cities to make a living, leaving this place quite deserted. 'I also used to work as a clerk in Pahang and Kuala Lumpur but came back to take over the business,' she added. Phua said the Ayer Kuning state by-election has brought more people to the small town. 'Business has been quite good in the past week. I would normally serve about 60 customers daily but now get 30% to 40% more business,' she said. She hopes her daughter, who currently helps at the shop, would take over the business one day.
