Opening of Silver Star Cinema (Panggong Silver Star) in Simee, Ipoh
The lengthy process of restoring, renovating, and refurbishing Simee’s Silver Star Cinema to its former glory finally concluded with its opening ceremony on 24th Sept 2023, which coincided with the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration of the community.
A time-consuming project that was mooted and undertaken by DUN Canning office in 2017, it was supported by the Ipoh Timur MP’s office and the Ipoh City Council. Over the years, its progress was unfortunately disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and a change of government, which happened in March and October 2020 respectively.
Silver Star Cinema (Panggong Silver Star) began life in the 1950s, first as Happy Cinema. With the change of ownership or management, it was rebranded to Silver Star in the 1960s, until a fire razed the building, then rebuilt and reopened as a recreational centre, till it was abandoned in the 1980s.
In celebration of the momentous occasion on such an auspicious evening, scores of residents, young and not-so-young, from Simee and its neighbouring areas came out in droves, joined by the upper echelon of Perak State Democratic Action Party (DAP).
The host of the event was Deputy Speaker of the Perak State Legislative Assembly-cum-State Assemblyperson for Canning YB Jenny Choy. The list of guests-of-honour was led by Minister of Local Government Development (Chairman DAP Perak) YB Nga Kor Ming; State Exco for Science, Environment & Green Technology-cum-State Assemblyperson for Aulong YB Teh Kok Lim; Taiping Member of Parliament YB Wong Kah Woh; State Assemblyperson for Tronoh YB Steven Tiw; Ipoh City Mayor Y.Bhg. Dato’ Rumaizi bin Baharin@Md Daud and OCPD (Officer in Charge of Police District/Ketua Polis Daerah Ipoh) ACP Tuan Yahaya Bin Hassan.
In her opening speech, YB Jenny shared the good news that the Simee wet market is currently being upgraded, similar to the one in Taman Cempaka. Meanwhile, the Sungai Senam (river) is being widened to accommodate flash floods. Roads are also being paved for Jalan Canning Estate, in Simee and Ipoh Garden East, just to name a few ongoing projects. Listen to her speech in this video.
Video: Full Speech by YB Jenny Choy During the Opening of Silver Star Cinema
Next on the stage was Taiping Member of Parliament YB Wong Kah Woh, who began his political career in DUN Canning in 2008. He reminisced about the years he spent in Simee, where the office is located, and acknowledged the challenges that he and his team faced to uplift the community, that has 850 households. Listen to his speech below.
Video: Full Speech by YB Wong Kah Woh During the Opening of Silver Star Cinema
Star speaker, Minister of Local Government Development (KPKT) YB Nga Kor Ming reiterated that his ministry has dispensed the highest allocation in its history to the Perak Housing and Real Estate Board, at RM9 million. In conjunction with the launch of Silver Star Cinema (Panggong Silver Star), YB Nga announced an allocation of RM1 million to the Ipoh City Council to upgrade all street lights in Simee and other areas within Ipoh to LED lamps before the year is over.
Video: Full Speech by YB Nga Kor Ming During the Opening of Silver Star Cinema
At the same time, it was announced that the Ipoh police force would receive a special allocation of RM10,000 for the upkeep of police stations. Indeed, Ipoh stands for Ipoh Pekan Orang Hebat. Listen to YB Nga’s full speech above.
Besides a lantern parade by children and their parents around the cinema block, and stage entertainment, there was also prize presentation to children who participated in the colouring contest, and tanglung-making using recyclable materials. The long night wrapped up with an LED dragon dance amidst the lighting up of firecrackers into the dark sky. View the full photo album of Opening of Silver Star Cinema on our official Facebook Page by clicking HERE.
Video (above): Opening of Silver Star Cinema (Panggong Silver Star) in Simee, Ipoh
Event: Opening of Silver Star Cinema (Panggong Silver Star) & Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration
Venue: Panggong Silver Star, Simee, Ipoh
Date: 24th Sept 2023
Time: 7pm
