UN official plants tree at the Peace Pole at Lake Gardens – MALAYSIA
March-2012
IT was an activity-filled day for United Nations assistant secretary-general for peace-building support, Judy Cheng-Hopkins, during her one-day visit to Taiping recently.
One of her scheduled activities was planting a tree at the Peace Pole site at the scenic Lake Gardens.
Cheng-Hopkins also touched on the three aims of the United Nations — maintaining international peace and security; cooperating in solving international problems, and promoting respect of human rights.
Malaysian-born Cheng-Hopkins was appointed as the United Nations assistant secretary-general for peace-building support on April 17, 2009 by the United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon.
The peace-building support office was established back in 2005 with the objective of assisting and sustaining peace in conflict-prone countries as well as supporting nationally-led peace-building efforts.
Abdul Halim Yahaya presenting a souvenir to Judy Cheng-Hopkins. With them are Shahrom Abd Malik (left) and Beh Yang Toh. Pic by M. Dattaya
Meanwhile, environmental activist and Taiping Peace Initiative founder member Datuk Dr Anwar Fazal briefed those present on the history of Taiping, its numerous heritage buildings and how tourism could play a role in promoting Taiping to the world.
Also present were Perak state executive council member and Kamunting assemblyman Datuk Mohd Zahir Abd Khalid, Taiping Municipal Council president Shahrom Abd Malik, Taiping Peace Initiative chairman Beh Yang Toh and Taiping Tourist Association’s Abdul Halim Yahaya