Air quality worsens in several places in the Klang Valley

Air quality worsens in several places in the Klang Valley



Poor visibility: Subang Jaya is engulfed by the haze at 9am Sunday.

THE air quality in the Klang Valley has worsened with Air Pollutant Index (API) recorded at unsafe levels in Port Klang (API 192) and Banting (API 115) over the weekend.

Residents in Petaling Jaya (API 125) and Shah Alam (API 112) are facing the brunt of the Sumatera forest fires in Indonesia as they experience hazy skies and poor visibility.

Visibility in Subang Jaya (API 112) was also greatly reduced early yesterday morning, with motorists driving cautiously with their lights on along the Federal Highway.

A Taman Kinrara, Puchong, resident said he was disappointed that his son’s school had not postponed their Sports Day despite the haze.

He said it should be called off and if the situation did not improve soon, he would keep his son at home.

Another resident S.K. Lim from Subang Jaya, said he bought face masks for his children, fearing that they would suffer from respiratory illness from prolonged exposure to the haze.

“My seven-year-old son is suffering from sore throat and eye irritation due to the polluted air.”

Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Health and Environment Department director Dr Chitra Davi N. Vadivellu advised the public to stay indoors.



Life goes on: Students wearing face masks during the annual sport meet at SM Section 4 Bandar Kinrara, Puchong Sunday.

She also urged residents to reduce the use of ceiling fans in their homes and opt for air-conditioners.

“The air quality is poor and when the fan is turned on it tends to circulate more polluted air into their homes.

“Air-conditioning units with filters and ionisers are better options during this period,” she added.

Chitra also advised the public to minimise their outdoor activities and consume at least five glasses of water daily.

Children, especially those who suffer from asthma, should stay indoors.

“Also use the N95 face mask that filters dust from the air.

“If you have young children, keep them indoors at all times, especially when the air quality is so bad,” said Chitra.

On whether MBPJ would provide face masks to the Petaling Jaya residents, Chitra said there were no plans to do so as yet.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Have a garden tea party in Putrajaya

Have a garden tea party in Putrajaya



The beautiful flowers brighten up the visitors’ mood in the same event last year.

FLORIA Putrajaya 2013 promises more attractions with fresh garden displays and new decorative structures that will be seen for the first time this year.

Among them are the Royal Garden, Innovative Garden, Tea Party Garden, Longest Landscaped Vertical Wall, and Land Art Structures. The Royal Garden is conceptualised and designed according to gardens of the Malay Sultanate.

The Innovative Garden portrays characteristics of a garden that uses natural resources and recycled items towards realising sustainable living in Putrajaya as a Green City.

The Tea Party Garden is based on the concept of a cafe set in a park or garden, where visitors can have refreshments in a beautiful garden setting accompanied by the lulling rhythm of flowing water.

Marine creatures made of flowers and plants ‘swimming’ inside last year’s Floral Pavilion.

Designed as a garden in the tropics, the Tea Party Garden offers tea of various flavours, as well as snacks such as banana fritters, cupcakes, scones, muffins and cookies.

Another new attraction is the Longest Landscaped Vertical Wall — a 300m-long and 2m-high wall that is adorned with plants, paintings and murals — making it a colourful display alongside the main entry point to Floria 2013.

Land Art Structures that showcase creativity and unique designs based on nature is another relatively new attraction. Floria Putrajaya 2013, with the theme ‘Orchid — Tropical Treasure’, promises an exhibition of more than 5,000 orchids of various species in specially designed gardens and exhibits.

Floria Putrajaya will be held at Waterfront, Precinct 2, Putrajaya from tomorrow until June 30. It is open to the public from 9am to 10pm from Monday to Thursday, and 9am to midnight from Friday to Sunday. Admission is free. For details, visit www.ppj.gov.my/putrajayafloria or call 03-8887 7137.

~News courtesy of The Star~

茨厂街：侍奉吉隆坡几代人 美食老字号坚守古早味

百年茨厂街系列：侍奉吉隆坡几代人 美食老字号坚守古早味



百年茨厂街孕育了南洋华人文化之外，同时间内也有不少老档口在酝酿著专属於茨厂街的味道。

更难得的是，这些美食档口经过了岁月的洗礼後，仍屹立不倒坚守著古早味。

茨厂街与思士街都是吉隆坡一带美食的交汇点。有趣的是，这些著名的美食档口/店面都是有一定的历史，侍奉了吉隆坡幾代的人，而且也逐渐成为不少吉隆坡，甚至是他州市民的集体回忆。

就像是汉记靓粥，自从在1940年创立至今，经过了三代人的努力，成了来到茨厂街必尝美食之一，不单如此，不少的美食老招牌还是连续著古法炮制美食，就如冠记面食家一样，仍坚持自己製作面条，让各地食客能够享用独有特色的面条。

此外，江夏笑口棗档口成了茨厂街美食考古的重要指标。據“知食分子”林金城指出，江夏笑口棗仍售卖各式广东油器，並且已在市面上难找的油器都能够在该档口找到，犹如流动古迹。油器是广东人的早点和夜宵主食，並且都是搭配白粥或糖水一起食用。

若是在茨厂街里吃香喝辣，感觉到热气攻心，那麼茨厂街里的各式饮料档口都能为你消暑。由多种消暑药材，如冬瓜，龙眼与罗汉果等炖制的饮料必定能为消暑。

外劳涌入失去华人色彩

另外，在未来捷运课题上，这些老字号对於即将来临的捷运站有喜有忧，喜的是生意量将会增多，忧的是捷运站附近的购物中心将会影响到他们的生意。有些老字号也叹惜，茨厂街里外劳涌入，已失去了茨厂街华人色彩。

对於茨厂街的未来，老字号们並不多给表示，只说将会继续在茨厂街里营业下去。

在茨厂街一带里，汇集了众多古早美食实属不易。历经时间考验後，仍坚毅的守在这条老街中。犹如茨厂街一样，在经过百年洗礼後，却留下了众多人的历史回忆。

汉记靓粥 热粥温暖市民

从1940年代创立至今，原名为“汉记驰名粥品”的汉记靓粥已家传三代，透过一碗又一碗的热粥，温暖无数吉隆坡市民的早晨。

在1949年时，汉记驰名粥品的创办人黄裕华从中国南下後，把煮出靓粥的秘诀带来当时的马来亚，並且就在吉隆坡茨厂街旁的思士街93号落脚。

就这样，在经过黄氏三代的努力下，“汉记靓粥”的招牌已打响全马。

虽然看似一碗普通的粥，但汉记靓粥的粥底细腻，入口口感幼滑，在加上食材新鲜，实为一道简单又美味的一餐。

其招牌菜如：鱼生粥、猪杂粥和猪肉丸粥都是食客常享用的。

汉记靓粥的员工龚先生说，在生意好的时段，如在上午9时至10时之间，他们必须要把座位排去对面银行，才能够容纳所有的食客。

他也向《南洋商报》表示，最近这幾年来，因附近的泊车位少，所以渐渐少人进来茨厂街消费。但是龚先生认为，捷运工程运作後，汉记靓粥的生意将会增加。

江夏笑口棗 全马最齐全油器档

创立了60多年的江夏笑口棗就位於在思士街店面里，说是全马最齐全的油器档口，自然就有售卖油炸鬼、咸煎饼、萨奇马等。

老闆娘杨爱媚受询时表示，自从2000年屋租法令废除後，面对租金猛涨，他们只好就搬出店面外，成了一家档口。也在同一时间内，由於经营地方不足，所以不再售卖腐竹白果粥与红豆水。

她也透露，现在他们所售卖的油器中，有一些都很难再市场上寻找，如笑口棗与沙翁等。她也指出，目前生意来源大多是从外地人与常客，她也表示，捷运计划也将会让她的生意有所增加。

她也庆幸两个兒子已继承家业，並在档口内帮忙，她笑言现在的她已半退休状态了。

冇得顶罗汉果龙眼冰糖炖冬瓜 4兄妹联手煲凉水

在茨厂街里吃香喝辣後，想下一下肚中火气，並滋补身体的话。那麼同样在思士街与茨厂街交汇处的罗汉果龙眼冰糖炖冬瓜，就是不二选择。

冇得顶罗汉果龙眼冰糖炖冬瓜业主之一陈花姐，受询时向《南洋商报》记者说，罗汉果龙眼冰糖炖冬瓜是他爸爸陈依媄在1977年创办。

早在1977年前，陈依媄已在茨厂街摆卖各式凉水。

陈花姐回忆道，这道罗汉果龙眼冰糖炖冬瓜是4兄妹在小时候，爸爸经常都有煲给他们喝。陈依媄在尝试售卖罗汉果龙眼冰糖炖冬瓜後，获得了大众的热烈反应，並持续到今天。

“现在爸爸已经退休了，而现在主要是我们4兄妹所掌管。虽然我们有聘请人员销售，但是煲凉水这节骨眼上还是我们家族的人一手一脚包办。”

她也透露，目前家族内的第三代成员需出去闯之後，才能知道是否还会继承家业。

冠记面食家 坚持手工制全蛋面

在汉记靓粥隔幾个店面，就是冠记面食家的所在处。由李冠芳在1942年创办的冠记面食家，如茨厂街一带的老招牌，冠记面食家已在茨厂街有著超过半世纪之久的历史。

冠记並不是一开始以面食起家，先是从粥品开始，冠记创办人李冠芳在1945年二战结束後，就开始售卖自创手工面食。 现有售卖的面食种类包括各式的雲吞面、香菇凤爪、水饺等。

经过岁月洗礼，冠记现今由李冠芳的3个兒子所掌管，並且也把冠记的招牌打响，以坚持手工制的全蛋面招揽了各地的食客。

李冠芳的3个兒子当中的李民生受询时表示，茨厂街里过去都以华人居多，但现在却有很多外劳的涌入。

他也同样指出，虽然相差不远，但是现在的生意量有稍微减少。

对於捷运计划，他认为好处是让民众方便来到茨厂街，但在建筑过程中将会摧毁老店屋。

对於茨厂街的未来，他坦言看不清楚，但表示冠记面食家还会在茨厂街里继续营业下去。

虽然店面简陋，但各地食客仍源源不绝的来到，只因冠记对於手工制面食的坚持，就如已有百年历史的茨厂街一样，历久弥新的优良的传统一代又一代的传承下去。

豆豆叔叔豆浆水 家传秘方制豆浆

若是走在茨厂街一带，感觉到天气炎热与口渴，不妨就在位於思士街与茨厂街交汇处的豆豆叔叔豆浆水，买一杯豆浆水解暑。

该档口老闆黄理创透露，他们家族三代已贩卖豆浆水与豆腐花有80年了，並且也坚持使用自己一手一脚製作，並且也以自己家传秘方才製作豆浆水与豆腐花。

在捷运工程上，他认为他们的档口将会有更多生意。以此同时，他也担忧一旦捷运临近的购物中心竣工，将会与他抢夺生意。

“现在的人喜欢在舒適的购物中心裡逛街，所以捷运工程临近的购物中心竣工後，也有可能会打击我这个老字号的生意。”

～以上新闻转载自南洋商报～

Haze: Flights not affected

Haze: Flights not affected

Flights are expected to continue as usual at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), as the near-annual haze season gets worse in parts of Malaysia.

Malaysia Airports senior general manager (operation services) Datuk Azmi Murad said flight frequencies have so far not been affected by the pollution, which has been blamed on plantation companies in Sumatra practising slash and burn methods to clear farming land.

“So far there have not been any disruptions, but we are working with the airlines to monitor the situation,” he said after presenting awards to frontliners and concessionaires operating out of KLIA's main and low cost carrier terminals.

On Wednesday morning, the Department of Environment (DoE) revealed that the haze situation in several areas in the country had become acute.

The worst readings were taken in Muar, Johor, which registered an air pollution index (API) reading of 337 - rated as dangerous by the department

~News courtesy of The Star~

为期2个月 长途快车票征10%附加费

公交委员会同意 为期2个月 长途快车票征10%附加费

陆路公共交通委员会同意让巴士业者，在来临的开斋节收取长途快车票的10%附加费，有效期限从今年7月8日至9月8日为止。

上述10%附加费的规定，包括全部现有的长途快车班次及因应佳节需求而推出的额外班车。

公交会今日发文告，相信新措施可协助巴士业者承担在佳节期间提供额外服务的成本。

年杪前公布车票涨幅

针对泛马巴士业者协会（PMBOA）要求将长途快车票涨价30%，公交会说，目前他们正重新检讨票价的最后阶段。

“长途快车票涨价幅度，将在今年杪前公布。”

公交会指出，该会不能答应泛马巴士业者协会在开斋节前长途快车票涨价30%的要求，因为谈判仍然在进行中。

公交会警告所有巴士业者，勿集体决定不出售巴士票，因为这违反2010年竞争法令，公交会将向大马竞争委员会投报此事。

～以上新闻转载自南洋商报～

茨厂街：传承祖业继往开来 百年老店关键时刻

百年茨厂街系列2：传承祖业继往开来 百年老店关键时刻



早期的茨厂街早市，老街坊、小贩及民众汇集，人声鼎沸，街头至街尾皆车水马龙，繁华热闹不在话下，惟此情此景后人只能缅怀，聊以寄情。

先贤百年前从中国漂洋过海到此谋生，留下的祖传生意传至第三或四代后，时过境迁，初时的街景及样貌只能睹物思人。

尤其随着人口迁移及异国风情及文化的注入，留守百年茨厂街的祖传生意举起5根手指皆数完，仍留守原地至今50余年的业主，即使面对文化冲击，也只能跨大步、昂首向前。

这些业者为了不让祖业失传，甚至愿意与时并进，接受改革及变化的挑战。

时间使事物面目全非

《南洋商报》记者适逢茨厂街欢庆百年庆典，走一趟历史悠久及文化气息浓厚的茨厂街，回味及回首该街当年繁华的岁月，并与开业50年至今的业主畅谈一番。

业者坦承若不大胆改变祖业营运方式，遭淘汰是必然的事，为了让脚步走得更远，必须大胆创新。不过，让业者感慨的是，原来时间的冲击可使事物面目全非，蓦然回首那已是一甲子光年，不禁发现本身在捍卫祖业过程中已牺牲不少。

业者说，茨厂街仍保有的老店，大部分皆由上一代或两代人从中国千里迢迢到陌生国度求生时所设，这是祖先们辛苦建立的事业根基。

改革亦要保持原貌

刚开埠的茨厂街，随着商业中心聚集、地区人口亦逐渐稠密，顿时成为繁荣城市的象征及地标，也成为该年代的佳话。

业者指出，虽本身获传承祖业，但背起家业的责任更重大，要改革之余亦要保持不变的风貌，甚至原有的生意原则，这是很关键的部分。

接管家业至今多为第二及第三代传人，随着时光流失也让他们步入晚年的人生，对于新生代接手祖业，却持着截然不同的看法。

业者说，现今年轻人的兴趣不在接管祖业，只想闯荡充满刺激及新鲜的社会，以便从中体会不同的人生层次，至于新一代接班人即不强求，一切随遇而安，自然会有延续的方法。

部分面貌仍获保存 店铺多次装修失风味

茨厂街的老店铺经几代人接手，为迎接时代的改变，店铺也多次装修及装潢，虽已失去原有的风味，但部分的面貌仍获保存，以供下一代人缅怀。

业者指出，时代的进步、孩子追求的事物也别于从前，他们欲追求新时代的新鲜及刺激，至于是否有兴趣接手祖业就由孩子决定。

虽茨厂街经有数十载历史，无人延续深感惋惜，只能感慨时间将历史足迹磨灭得无影无踪，而且留下也只有岁月的回忆。

仍留守茨厂街的老店仅剩数家，老店面貌也已“面目全非”，即使老街坊及老业主已挥别从前，但对先贤开埠的茨厂街无法遗忘。

古早味不乏知音人———凤凰饼家第四代业者●陈汝顺

我的曾祖父1909年先在中国广东制饼，后来因中国战乱便随同祖父到马来西亚谋生，便在茨厂街落地生根，爷爷去世后，父亲便担起重任，当时只在茨厂街商店前走廊摆设摊位。

经祖父把棒子交给父亲后，生意随即扩展，之后父亲在1946年将生意搬入现在店铺至今，目前父亲是半退休状态，就由我挑起这担子。

随着时代的变迁，店铺需要创新的改革，店面及产品的设计也变化不少，不过饼家传统风味依然保存，因现代仍有人寻找传统风味的礼饼。

历史足迹具有价值，但往往却遭时代的变化而磨灭，也经不起时间的考验，我们依然保存这份情怀，让后人回顾。

中西药合并经营———建发中药行第二代业者●吴子日

我的父亲是中药行的创办人，1942年起经营药材生意，因当时茨厂街华人口多，也很需要炖煮药材养身体，甚至餐馆的需求量也多。

当时年纪轻轻的我也在父亲的店帮忙，或多或少也认识一些药材，不过年轻时我是就读药剂系，所以较专注在西药。

自父亲去世后便接手有关生意，便将药材店改革，合并买卖中西药，也有中医及针灸服务。中医的未来前景可发展，惟药材却难经营，因现在会抓药的人不多，加上很多中药以配方处理，所以懂得中药及入口的已不多。

孩子愿接管祖业——建源茶行第二代业者●许金龙

此茶行由父亲在1945年创立，当时我意不在开茶行，只想设立一间“茶水室”，让茨厂街一带的街访及朋友凝聚一起、互相联谊并提供他们消遣空间。

当时父亲也只是租用店铺的空间做服务性质生意，没想到生意却日益扩大，慢慢转变为茶行，除买卖茶叶之余，还提供大家品茶聊天的空间。

从父亲年代接手至今，已有20多年期间也已有不少改革，只为跟进时代步伐而改变，不过一些原有的设计风貌仍保存。

我的孩子也愿意接管这门祖业，至于未来如何，就看日后的造化。

～以上新闻转载自南洋商报～

Unravel mystery of Mah Meri craft

Unravel mystery of Mah Meri craft



Sound attraction: Alif (right) explaining to students of SM Taman Dato Harun the various wind instruments used by the Mah Meri tribe of Pulau Carey. Some are used to attract birds.

FAMOUS for their masterful craftsmanship, the Mah Meri tribe’s haunting masks and figurines are being showcased at the Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) museum.

Titled Mystical Art of the Mah Meri the exhibition will be on until Aug 6.

The works of art have drawn crowds of students, tourists and contemporary artists from as far away as Singapore and Australia.

The exhibition has made the Mah Meri’s works accessible to city dwellers who might not be able to travel to Pulau Carey in Kuala Langat, which is an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur.

MBPJ museum assistant Alif Adam said the Mah Meri (Mah meaning people and Meri meaning forest) have earned international recognition for their carving skills.



Looking at you: The Moyang Kelum spirit mask was carved from a fallen branch. It has two tusks with wide eyes.

“Thousands of tourists make annual visits to the Mah Meri village of Sungai Bumbun in Pulau Carey to see the works which are fashioned from a kind of swamp hardwood known as Nyireh Batu. Most of their thoughts and creative ideas are supposedly bestowed on the artists by the spirits and souls of their ancestors,” he said.

The Mah Meri is from the Senoi sub-aboriginal tribe and most are animists who believe in ancestral spirits which they call Moyang, Hantu and Bes. Mah Meri is one of the 19 orang asli groups who live in peninsular Malaysia.

“Most of the carvings take time because each item must retain the original form created by a previous carver. Each artwork has its own mythological legend narrated by the medicine man or Moyang. Stories passed down from generations guide the artist to understand the secrets of life and nature without the use of abstract reasoning,” he added.

Most of their carvings are based on beings of the sea due to the location of the Mah Meri along the Selangor coast.

“Most of the Mah Meri people have assimilated into modern life and work on the island’s plantations and farms but they still retain their unique culture and traditions,” he added.

Alif said apart from the five masks and 14 figurines, various other handicraft including wind instruments are on display.

PJ Museum is at Jalan 10/7, Section 10, Taman Jaya. It is closed on Fridays.

For details, call 03-7954 8122 or visit www.mbpj.gov.my

~News courtesy of The Star~