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The Star Online: Metro: South & East

Bentong will see rapid developments taking place over the next few years
Luxury car maker has faith in market
Customs confiscates illicit ciggies and alchoholic beverages in series of raids

Bentong will see rapid developments taking place over the next few years

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 05:23 PM PDT

BENTONG: Bentong used to be a laidback town with residents relishing a slow pace of life amidst serene surroundings.

However, this idyllic setting is likely to change soon due to its proximity to the crowded population and traffic congested Klang Valley.

It is anticipated that a spillover effect will shatter its tranquility, resulting in rapid development taking shape over the next few years.

According to old-timers, Bentong was known as Kapong in the early days as it was centred around the meeting point of Sungai Repas and Sungai Perting.

Boats were the most common mode of transport shortly after tin ore was discovered along the two main rivers.

In order to carry out mining activities, tin operators erected "ban" (structures) to extract tin ore for profits (untung).

"Ban Untung" soon became the catchphrase on the lips of the people which led to the renaming of the area.

Another storyline has it that the name of the town was derived from the word "Bapong" (float).

Bentong was once used as a fort by a famous Malay warrior known as Abdul Rahman Tuanku Imam Nuh (Datuk Bahaman).

In the ensuing battles with the British army, many soldiers were killed and their remains were left drifting on the river.

Today, besides the emergence of new settlements, Bentong has many light and medium factories comprising timber, food, electronic components and copper wire.

The district is also much-sought after by nature lovers who frequented at least 10 beautiful waterfalls within its midst namely Chamang Falls, Lata Tampit, Lentang recreation forest, Gapoi Falls, Perting Falls, Sungai Dua Falls, Tanglir Falls, Cemperoh Falls, Lata Nyangung and Seminyang Falls.

Construction works on part of the Central Spine Road connecting Kelantan via Pahang to Negri Sembilan has already begun and once completed, will complement the existing Karak and East Coast Highway, making the town more accessible and enhancing its growth and business opportunities.

In addition, Bentong has been earmarked as a "satellite city" under the Greater KL Plan with a number of development projects in the pipeline, mirroring another Petaling Jaya township.

For a start, several basic infrastructure projects are already up and rolling such as the opening of a new RM12.9mil health clinic in Chemomoi, upgrading of the RM8mil bridge in Ketari, expansion of the Bentong Hospital as well as Karak, Telemong and Pelangai government clinics and construction of a new specialist hospital in Kampung Cinta Manis.

The improved medical facilities will pave the way for Bentong residents to lead in terms of greater healthcare awareness and prevention of diseases through an active participation in health campaigns such as 10,000 steps a day.

As for education, there are 49 primary and 14 secondary schools all over the district, in addition to several universities and institutions of higher learning namely Institut Aminudin Baki, Kolej Komuniti Bentong, Kolej Ikip Pahang and Tunku Abdul Rahman College.

Due to continuous and concerted efforts of the police and the public, crime index saw a significant reduction by 11.64% from 558 cases in 2011 to 493 cases last year.

This year, an additional 16 closed-circuit television cameras and more street lightings will be installed at strategic locations to put a dent on opportunistic crimes.

Other lesser-known uniqueness in this district are the number of Chinese new villages - established during the turbulent times to combat the insurgency of Communists - and several main streets named after Chinese sages and prominent MCA leaders who have contributed much to the development of the township.

Of the total 62 Chinese new villages throughout Pahang, 15 of them are located in Bentong comprising Kampung Baru Bukit Tinggi, Kampung Baru Chemang, Kampung Baru Gapoi, Kampung Baru Karak, Kampung Baru Kemansur, Kampung Baru Ketari, Kampung Baru Manchis, Kampung Baru Perting, Kampung Baru Repas, Kampung Baru Sg Dua, Kampung Baru Sg Penjuring, Kampung Baru Sg Perdak, Kampung Baru Sri Telemong, Kampung Baru Telemong and Kampung Baru Ulu Perting.

Three of the five streets are century-old - Jalan Loke Yew, Jalan Ah Peng and Jalan Chui Yin - while Jalan Datuk Poo Yew Choy and Jalan Tan Sri Chan Siang Sun were recently incorporated to honour the past local leaders.

To further promote a healthy lifestyle, a new recreational park is in the offing to replace the ageing Sultan Abu Bakar Park, in addition to a mixed industrial park project for small and medium industries while sensitive areas such as Bukit Tinggi and Janda Baik will be preserved for agriculture and tourism-related products to raise the income of locals.

Talks are also being held with management of Genting Highlands and Berjaya Hills to engineer more new attractions and activities to draw in additional locals and foreign tourists.

Among other future projects include enhancing the development of ICT by providing broadband facilities throughout Bentong, setting up government colleges and training centres in Karak and Mempaga to stimulate economic development and create job opportunities so that youths need not migrate out of town.

Residents met by StarMetro expressed their contentment but would like to see more growth and development which could benefit them on the long run.

Senior citizen Sauyiah Hussein, 75, of Kampung Benus, gave the thumbs-up to Bentong parliamentarian Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and Ketari assemblyman Datuk Dr Ng Keong Chye.

"Both of them are hardworking and serve the people well. There are not much problems in our village and we are quite pleased with the various initiatives of the Government.

"Personally, I already collected two rounds of Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia without any hassle," she said beaming with a smile.

However, the septuagenarian with seven children and 13 grandchildren said she hoped a Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia would be set up to enable villagers to purchase daily necessities at a cheaper price.

Teacher Mohd Rodzi Akob, 41, of Taman Muhibbah, urged the authorities to repair promptly damaged roads and broken water pipes to minimise any inconvenience to the people.

"The Klinik 1Malaysia in Taman Anggerik is a good inititave but we want to see much more development. Based on my observation, there is still room for improvements.

"Crime is an area which needs to be further improved," said the father of two, adding that many cases of house break-ins occurred in his neighbourhood last year.

Mohd Rodzi said the local council should also carry out proper maintenance of public amenities, citing restrooms in Bentong Hot Spring as an example.

Businessman A. Moorthy, 55, from Karak, said he hoped to see more business opportunities provided to the Indian community and upgrading of basic infrastructures for the people.

He said there was not enough development taking place in Karak, resulting in jobless youths resorting to petty crimes like thefts, house break-ins and fights.

"There is no proper community hall, temple, hotels or a decent public field for the residents to partake in recreational activities.

"Only a few housing estates and industrial are being developed," he said, reminiscing his younger days when there was a big field for the children to play sports and organise community-related programmes to foster closer rapport.

Trader Lee Tan Wai, 44, of Kampung Baru Perting, said villagers were grateful for the financial assistance rendered by the Government to improve facilities and infrastructures such as basketball court and community hall in the village.

"No doubt there are now heavier traffic volume daily but this is a sign of development taking place.

"Even the price of properties is slowing rising," he said, adding that the village was one of the first few areas to enjoy free Wi-Fi services.

Lee added that roads in the village were paved when the need arises, street lights installed to check crime and drainage system upgraded to alleviate the problem of flash floods.

School assistant Norazah Abdul Rahman, 38, of Felda Lurah Bilut, praised the Government and Felda for looking after the welfare of settlers and their family.

"There is much progress in most Felda settlements with all the necessary facilities in place including a museum to showcase the history of settlers.

"Felda Lurah Bilut has come of age since its inception as the first Felda settlement in the country," she said.

However, the mother of four said the authorities should do more to enhance public amenities in the town centre such as upgrading the present bus and taxi stations with a multi-storey building complete with air-conditioning, proper food court and more regular bus services to busy routes.

Settler Anuar Darus, 53, of Felda Mempaga 3, urged the Government to build more Klinik 1Malaysia statewide to enable the people to cut travelling and waiting time for normal treatments.

Rubber tapper S. Danaval, 54, of Taman Karak Indah, proposed more patrolling by the police and other uniformed personnel to deter criminal activities.

"Cases of house break-ins have gone down now as compared to three years ago. Still, there is a need for regular police presence to keep crime in check.

"Generally, I am quite satisfied with the Government's transformation programmes but more should be done for the needy and lower income groups to lessen their burden," said the father of six children, aged between 21 and 29.

As of December 2012, there are 62,400 registered voters in the Bentong parliamentary constituency.

In the 2008 general election, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai defeated G. Ponnusamy of PKR with a 12,549-vote majority.

Luxury car maker has faith in market

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 05:24 PM PDT

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah represents a market that holds much potential for luxury car maker Rolls Royce.

Having established its presence in the peninsula where this renowned British marquee is represented by Quill Motorcars Sdn Bhd, the company now has its sights on Sabah.

"We want to be close to our customers and understand what their needs are,'' said Quill Motorcars managing director Datuk Michael Ong said at a meeting with the Sabah media here.

Also present was Rolls Royce Motor Cars general manager for emerging markets Herfried Hasenoehrl and company regional director for Asia Pacific Paul Harris.

Currently there are as many as 400 Rolls Royce of various models on Malaysian roads with about 300 sold in this country between 1911 and 2003.

Since then some 100 more units of these classic vehicles were added to Malaysian roads.

Ong said last year alone, sales of Rolls Royce vehicles in Malaysia reached the ''late teens'' and there was renewed interest in the brand following the launching of its latest model, the Wraith, last week.

Hasenoehrl said initial worldwide orders for the Wraith had been higher than anticipated.

He said two-door Wraith as true four-seater vehicle that carries same unrivalled luxury offered by other Rolls Royce models including the Phantom Series and Ghost.

Earlier, Hasenoehrl announced that Rolls Royce Motor Cars Kuala Lumpur emerged the top from other of the brand's dealers worldwide to win the coveted Sales management of the Year Award.

"Such great performance and team work deserves recognition. Despite being a relatively new dealership, Rolls Royce Kuala Lumpur has quickly established itself and demonstrated impeccable standards," he added.

Customs confiscates illicit ciggies and alchoholic beverages in series of raids

Posted: 18 Mar 2013 05:25 PM PDT

MALACCA: Some 4.2mil illicit cigarette butts with unpaid duties close to RM2mil were confiscated by the Malacca's Customs Department in separate swoops at Menglembu in Ipoh, Perak and here.

The department's enforcement officers also seized 1,320 cans of alcoholic beverages during these raids, recently.

Malacca Custom Department's director Datuk Mohd Nasir Said noted that the latest raid was conducted in Menglembu, Ipoh, on Mar 10 where some 1,102, 440mil cigarettes were confiscated during the 10am ambush at a house.

He said the total amount of the contraband was worth RM648,461 with an unpaid duties of RM568,665.

"We also confiscated 1,248 cans of beer with a value of RM6,081 and detained one individual who was at the premise at the time of the raid," he told reporters here, recently.

He said prior to the earlier success, his officers also raided another premise in Taman Buntong Jaya, Ipoh on the same day where 5,000 illicit cigarettes and 72 types of alcoholic beverages worth RM3,290 were confiscated.

"Unfortunately, the caretaker of the second premise in Perak managed to flee upon seeing the arrival of the raiding party," he said.

Mohd Nasir also revealed that in an earlier raid on March 6, his officers conducted another raid along the North-South expressway near

Ayer Keroh Toll Plaza where 2,978 illicit cigarettes were confiscated.

"A lorry laden with the contraband worth RM1.7mil was and seized during the raid.

"My men were unable to arrest the lorry driver as he made the slip by escaping into a secondary jungle along the stretch," he said.

Mohd Nasir said another raid was conducted at Taman Kebaya in Alor Gajah here at 4.40pm on March 8 where 81,800 illicit cigarettes were seized together with 72 cans of beer, both contraband totalling close to RM60,000.

He added that cases involving illicit cigarettes were being probed under Section 135(1)(d) and Section 135(1)(e) of the Custom Act 1967 and for the alcoholic beverages under Section 74(1) Of the Excise Act 1976.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Selasa, 19 Mac 2013