Gopeng folk can expect better public spaces and amenities

FACILITIES for her constituents’ well-being will be the focus of Teja assemblyman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching.

As a start, upgrading works at Padang Gopeng – where many youngsters play football – are in the pipeline.

Last year, the fence around the field was changed.

“We are trying to replace chairs in the seating area and are looking into the requests of football clubs to build toilets there,” said Ng.

“We have identified local council land just opposite the field, for construction of the toilets.

“We want to organise more events at the field, thus this project is important,” she said.

Ng said that under the Housing and Local Government Ministry, the Madani recreational parks for each constituency were launched this year.

The first such park was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Tambun parliamentary constituency on May 4.

Ng said a piece of land gazetted under “tanah lapang” (open space), currently a small jungle, had been identified in Desa Lawan Kuda.

“With this initiative, I hope to turn it into a recreational park for the people. The park should be ready by this year.

Ng (right) with MDK councillors S. Shanmugan and Chin Yew Kien inspecting the multipurpose hall under construction at Lawan Kuda.

“We have applied for a RM400,000 allocation from the ministry. The plan is to build a children’s playground, exercise area, jogging track and a badminton court.”

She also said that a multipurpose hall was under construction in Lawan Kuda.

Ng said that 30 years ago, when the government wanted to build a wet market, the multipurpose hall was torn down to make way for the project.

She said the land was identified during previous assemblyman Chang Lih Kang’s tenure, but the RM800,000 allocation for it only came in last year.

“Finally, the people will get a hall where they can hold events. I am hoping the project will be completed in a month’s time.”

Ng said the Kampar District Council (MDK) had applied for funds under Economy Ministry’s new scheme “Inisiatif Kemudahan Rakyat”, to upgrade the wet market and the food court in the adjacent Kopisan area.

In smaller residential areas, Ng said her office was working with the Rukun Tetangga (RT) and Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK).

“For example over in Taman Seri Raia, the residents actively play football, sepak takraw and netball.

“Since the housing area is located next to a jungle, they have been facing issues of wild boar invasions which have resulted in damage to the field.

“Last year, the field was fenced up to keep the wild boars out. This year, the field will be repaired.

“The RT is very active in organising programmes such as movie screenings, games for children, and various classes.

“The RT requested for an allocation from me as well, as they plan to set up a library and build a small shelter,” she added.

Commenting on education, Ng said she was focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

She said STEM carnivals had been organised in Gopeng for the past two years.

“The first year, it started with a few schools. Last year, there were 34 schools within the Gopeng parliamentary zone that participated.

“This year, we are going to cooperate with Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry to hold a bigger-scale programme,” she elaborated.

To boost integration through different programmes, Ng has created more platforms for communities of different ethnic backgrounds to engage and interact.

A series of programmes had been held, she said, with the first one in Kopisan held during Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

She said the “Sama-Sama Raya” event and “Liga Kongsi” football game were held then.

In the “Liga Kongsi”, players of different races donned baju Melayu during the matches.

“Every Aug 31, the Orang Asli community in Ulu Geroh organises a football match participated by the various Orang Asli villages in Perak,” said Ng.

She said efforts were being made to get the Ulu Geroh field upgraded, to encourage people of all races to watch the Orang Asli village matches and get exposure to the culture of the indigenous folk.

“The Orang Asli community is requesting for a proper covered seating area at the field,” she added.