An open letter from Foong Mun Seen A follow up message

I would like to extend my invitation to anyone of u who would like to participate in a "Dream" project of mine i.e. to re-make Kampar.

I felt that after leaving school and our "kampong" for almost 30 yrs., it is time to give back something to the community where we come from. I believe the right factors, conditions, need and timing are there right now to take on that challenge. I also believe that after 30 yrs. of working out there in the world -- we did hv gather much personal experiences, skills, individual networks and contacts -- will be of great help to the project. This, ITSELF is one of the critical success factors.

The main driver to this "Dream" is the fact that UTAR is setup in Kampar. This I see is the change agent that will affect Kampar and its surrounding "kampongs" -- from just dead mining towns where life is slowly seeping away.

Just think abt it... with UTAR's present, that means more temporary migrants (more life) and more talents (the lecturers and professors). These group of people, some may comes with families and guess what u need to cater for their needs - education, leisure, professional, etc..

The "Dream" is to change the entire economy of Kampar into an education based economy. Think abt university township in UK like the Cambridge, Oxford, etc.. So... what do u think, is this an impossible dream? Will u be part of this "dream"?

Before putting down the real question, I'd like to highlight a few things. First of all, is Kampar today. Kamparians like me and those before me have been very fond of the town. Often, I'd wonder what Kampar would have been like if it wasn't for the economic slug of 1985, etc. etc... Guess only those who remember what 1985 was like and the effects to the town, will feel it. I noticed a disturbing change in attitude among my juniors.

A lot of my juniors (now I'm not saying all of them,k?) look out and fancy living in the big towns and moving on to other things. Most of them aren't even proud to say "I'm from Kampar"... they would rather say "I'm from Ipoh" or any where else other than Kampar. I have to admit that some in my batch do the same too. Try to start me talking about examples and proof of these allegations, and I can go on and on about ti the whole day!

Secondly, what Kampar can be. Looking back at history, I think the only person (among many, but not so drastic as this man) who has given us some proud feeling towards Kampar is none other than Mr. Chye. Look at how passionate he is to share his story about Kampar before, during, and after WWII... and may I say, how he did it almost single-handedly. Now we do see a lot of things coming into place because of him.

When I started off the project for Kampar's first website, I was dissappointed many times. There were many pledges for help and a lot of over-flowing commitment coming from everywhere, but then again, I almost did it single-handed too.

So, when it comes to Kampar today and what Kampar can be, we better start putting our heads together and start working together. The main word here is the BIG C!!! COMMITMENT!!! This DREAM can take off... but the BIG C will make it fly!

... (snip) ... Mun Seen has given us a direction. But tell you the truth, I still don't understand where the focus will be. How do we make Kampar into an e-Village (as in education village)?... UTAR is already doing that for us. We can take classic examples of higher learning institutions turning sleepy hollows into bustling towns like Serdang, Bangi, and Kajang. We can look at these places, look at Kampar today, and then chart out where we want to head.

Mun Seen, your Dream is still a big picture. Please narrow it down to something ... (snip) ... can focus and see results big and quick.

Nice to meet some more Kamparians on the web. Take care.

One cannot compare Kampar with Cambridge and Oxford. Historically both towns have 700 years of culture and education. Hundreds of politicians, prime ministers and influential businessmen etc were originally from these historical towns and graduated from the local universities. Historically they are of interest to anyone throughout the world. What can Kampar offer besides food? I am proud of being a Kamparian and still embrace my childhood and school life. Going home for holidays in Kampar every year since 1982 until 1999 was a pain. I have no choice because of my parents. My "prayer" was answered when they moved to the city. My regular visit keep me in touch with those locals. People are happy with a quiet and slow-paced life-style. People enjoy to be locked in their time zone and care less about the progressing change in world issues. People is content to have a stomach full of local delights. People is happy locked in their limited social life to switch of the lights at 21.00hr and play mah-jong. Do you think an academic scholar or professor will choose to be in such a place with no challenge in career structure? Are you behind times about Kampar? Malaysians are having tough times on employment and business in K.L.?? Is this dream more important than your own personal needs to survive? Don't you think it is better to focus your energy on your own family? If anyone of you have made some millions there are other achievements can be reached to gain full satisfaction than to chase a dream one will never reach.

I am still vocal with opinions and that has not changed since we last met up.