IPOH: The Perak
State Government will go on with the construction of the Light and Sound
Fountain at the Ipoh Padang despite protest from the Ipoh folks, here.
The
construction work had already started on September 2, and completion is
expected on Jan 11, 2021.
The Light
and Sound Fountain will be the first of its kind in Malaysia whereby it will
showcase 20 minutes of performance, available only on Saturdays and Sundays.
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DATUK NORLEE ASHILIN (THIRD FROM LEFT), DATUK BANDAR DATUK RUMAIZI BAHARIN (CENTRE) POSING WITH THE IPOH FOLKS (OBJECTOR) OF THE FOUNTAIN PROJECTS
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State
Housing, Local Government, Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Norlee Ashilin
Mohammed Radzi assured the people that the fountain was one of the new
attractions which focused on beautification of the Ipoh Padang, without
destroying the heritage value around the areas.
“The project
is also to increase night activities in Old Town which will also help improve
businesses of traders, here,” she said.
Meanwhile, Datuk
Bandar Datuk Rumaizi Baharin @ Md Daud said the construction of the fountain is
on the way, and Ipoh City Council (MBI) would take into consideration of the
refurbishing the floor tiles, side walk, public toilets, painting of wall and
broken brick fence among others, apart from carrying out renovation works at
Ipoh Padang.
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HERITAGE TOURISM PACKAGE 1A PLAN
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On the other
hand, a representative from the community S. Narenthra Rao, from Merdeka Garden
said that there were 135 people who had signed a petition against the
construction and completion of Ipoh Heritage Tourism Package 1A, which involved
giving a facelift to Ipoh Padang.
Rao voiced
out the dissatisfaction of the people on the construction of the fountain, and asked
the state government whether is there a
need for another fountain in Old Town area; what is the purpose of the fountain
and how sure is it that MBI can maintain a cost of RM100,000 per year, for one
fountain.
“There are already two existing fountains in
Old Town area, and a total of six fountain in Ipoh City”, he said adding that
the protest would continue if the people do not get a satisfactory answer from
the state government.
Currently,
Ipoh Padang is undergoing the layering works for its Projection Mapping System,
which include the upgrading of control rooms, public utilities, plaza and
landscape.
The Light
and Sound project will be funded and developed by the Northern Corridor
Implementation Authority (NCIA) costing about RM5 million.