Temple and Pagoda in Sunset

Golden sun set as seen in these photos usually seen during the evening of warm days. Scattered cirrus clouds that reflecting sunlight looked like golden flakes in the sky and this always adorn the scene of sun set. Shadow of the pagoda and Chinese temple arch is charmingly outlines its attractive decorative features in a golden background. The peaceful scene could settle down one's mind after living a busy and tiring day. 

Bright Sky

This is the dry season in Peninsula Malaysia. Although it is not cloudless day but it simply not bringing any rain for the entire day. Sometimes the layer of cloud that capture heat would make it even warmer at night. As seen this afternoon, there is no way the clouds to block strong sunlight from cooking creatures on ground. Oh I just wish we will have a downpour at soonest, it's so warm!

Voices of The People

The story begins here, Bukit Merah, a Chinese new village nearby Menglembu. Rare earth plant was a nightmare to the residents of Bukit Merah. In 1982, a factory called Asian Rare Earth (ARE, joint developed by Japanese & local companies) was built along Lahat Road, which is just opposite to the village. Due to the toxic radioactive waste from the factory, they had fought for 12 years to chase this plant out from their home. However, the villagers suffered a higher rate of cancer & immune system diseases over the years. (For more information, please refer Chronology of Events in the Bukit Merah Asian Rare Earth Development)

ARE finally ceased operation in 1994. However, history is recurring recently; an Australian rare earth mining company, Lynas is setting up a plant at Kuantan, the capital of Pahang state. The better awareness of Malaysian about threat of radioactive waste to human body is triggering a nationwide objection to the rare earth plant in Kuantan. After several attempts to urge Federal Government to drop this project failed, people starts to march on the street to voice out the concern.

A peace demonstration was organized in Kuantan this January & today the 2nd round of rally against Lynas is being held in few major cities nationwide. In Ipoh, Bukit Merah as the victim of rare earth processing, is chosen as the venue of rally. Hundreds of people gathered along Lahat Road, nearby the previous ARE site and waved their posters to the passing by vehicles while shouted the slogan "Stop Lynas, Save Malaysia". Many drivers had respond by horn.

State Assemblyman of Tebing Tinggi (Ong Boon Piow) & Member of Parliment of Gopeng (Lee Boon Chye) from opposition parties are greeting each other.

Saving our homeland from threat of hazardous industry is regardless of race & age.

The event ended in one hour & the crowd left the site peacefully. We hope the voices of people is heard.

Little Town Lahat

Lahat, a little town at south-west of Ipoh, is at the boundary of Ipoh City Council's territory. The trunk road connecting Ipoh with the south-west corridor (Seri Iskandar, Sitiawan & Lumut) does not cross the heart of Lahat town but passing by few yards away. Just like many others, I used to see the town when driving through but never get into the town. Today I pay a visit to Lahat for the first time. There is nothing much but just two rows of shophouses at the main street and some scattered houses surrounding it. Although the buildings are quite old but most are still occupied, both ground floor & upper floor. This is not seen anymore in Ipoh and I feel like reaching here through a time machine.

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A community hall or assembly hall is a typical infrastructure of a settlement during the British colonial era. This Lahat Assembly Hall established since 1955 has gone through more than half a century. As seen from the renovated building structure, I believe it is still playing an active role to be a gathering place for local residents during special occasions.
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Modern technologies have brought people closer. The way of communication also has changed a lot; from conventional mailing to electronic messaging. Moreover, the convenience of travelling with better transportation & road network, many people do not rely on local post service anymore. The result is the closure of some post offices in small town. Lahat post office has been stopped from operation since 2004. The building did not converted for other purposes but simply abandoned and ends up in today's poor condition. Amazingly, the notice board in front of the building doesn't looked old. If not reading the date of notice, I was thinking this post office was closed not too long ago.
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Moving Antique

This car should be approximately half a century old, but it is still in operating condition. I am quite amazed when I see the plate number (not seen in this photo) initiated with alphabet "AB". This should be very few that are still running on the road.

Beautiful Sunset

I like sunset because it always appear to be colorful. Anyway, the best scene normally last only few minutes and the colors just disappear in the darkness.
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Driving in the Green

This is Lahat Road, one of the major trunk roads to enter Ipoh city. It is linking Ipoh to the south west suburban areas, such as Menglembu, Lahat & Pusing. I like this road with many trees along the road side and it looks green. Hope the city council will continue to plant more trees in the future. Save our planet….yeah…. :-)