Unsightly historical buildings turning off history buffs to wonders of Taiping Heritage Trail

 

By TWENTYTWO13  MAY 12, 20227:22 AM

Heritage lovers are calling on the authorities in Taiping to quickly restore historical structures along its heritage trail.

As visitors continue to flow into the historical Perak town following the relaxation of Malaysia’s borders on April 1, Taiping Heritage Society president Yeap Thean Eng said the current state of the old buildings along the main roads leaves a lot to be desired.

 We have a heritage trail and it passes through several historical buildings, including the Taiping Rest House, which is the nation’s first rest house, built in 1894. But it’s in a dilapidated condition and the area has been cordoned off. So too, are several other historical buildings,” said Yeap. 

The facade of an old shophouse along Jalan Stesen. Image by Twentytwo13

“There is a need to re-route the trail until the authorities fix, or restore these buildings. They are an eyesore and visitors will wonder if this is how we treat our historical buildings.” 

The Taiping Heritage Trail passes through 40 historical sites, namely the Raintree Walk at the Taiping Lake Gardens, Peace Hotel, Peking Hotel, Perak Museum, The New Club, Taiping post office, and the railway station – with most of them being the nation’s first. 

Several buildings along this route, some belonging to the government, while others are privately owned, have been overrun by trees, plants, vegetation, and foliage. Even structures that belong to the Prisons Department, including the old Sports Club, located opposite the Taiping Prison, are in a sorry state.

The sorry sight of the Taiping Prisons Department Sports Club. Image by Twentytwo13

Yeap highlighted that funding could be an issue, and there were talks of a legal tussle between the local authorities and those who were supposed to breathe new life into the place, but had failed to do so.

“We were told of plans to lease the old buildings out to a third party who would restore, and later commercialise them. But we don’t know where this stands at the moment. The fact remains, the abandoned buildings will turn off visitors who want to know more about the history of the buildings and their architecture.” 

Yeap also said that the 4×4 services ferrying visitors to the rest house on Maxwell Hill, have also stopped.

 “People can only walk up now. It’s about a three-hour walk to the rest house area, and it’s not for everyone. 

“In fact, prior to the 4×4 services being stopped, ticket sales were done manually, instead of online. It should be digitalised to allow people to plan their itinerary ahead and for payment to be made in advance.” 

Yeap stressed that his society works closely with the Taiping Municipal Council and state Tourism Department, among others, to help preserve and promote Taiping’s heritage. 

“We’ve enjoyed a cordial relationship with them, and we’ve seen pockets of successes like getting the Taiping Heritage Trail going, and the (on-going) restoration (works) of the nation’s first market building (built in 1884). But I admit, more should be done. 

“We plan to initiate a food-cum-heritage trail. There are many foodies these days and we have plenty of dishes that are exclusive to Taiping, as in the way they are made, like the popiah and fried kuey teow with fish balls. 

“Even the seafood porridge that originated from Port Weld (Kuala Sepetang) is another dish exclusive to those who visit us here. We will find ways to incorporate eating while exploring Taiping,” he added.

Taiping academic hub will create greater demand, opportunities, and act as economic catalyst

 By TWENTYTWO13MAY 10, 20227:22 AM

The government has been urged to set up an academic hub or a full-fledged university in Taiping to help spur the local economy that has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Taiping Heritage Society president Yeap Thean Eng said the development of the historical Perak town had stagnated for the past decade. Yeap warned that Taiping – a town of many “firsts” –could soon be “forgotten”.

“Visitors flock to Taiping, typically during long breaks. But on any given day, hawkers, traders, and other businesses struggle,” said Yeap.

Taiping has chalked up a number of significant “firsts” in the country, dating as far back as 1844. They include the first hill resort on Maxwell Hill (1844), first magistrate’s court (1874), the first lake gardens (1880), first museum (1883) and the first railway line between Taiping and Port Weld, now known as Kuala Sepetang, which was opened on June 1, 1885.

The town’s primary economic driver is heritage tourism and it has plenty to offer. However, the lack of funding and political will to restore the many historical sites in town are evident.

 Rows of old shophouses and colonial buildings have been left abandoned for decades, slowly being overrun by trees, plants, vegetation, and foliage. Even structures that belong to the Prisons Department, including the old Club House, located opposite the Taiping Prison, are in a sorry state.

Rubbish is also a huge problem in several spots in Taiping, namely in Aulong and in Taman Mas, off Jalan Air Kuning, located ironically, near an eco-park.

“Of course, more can be done to promote heritage tourism. We need to clean things up, restore more buildings. But Taiping needs another industry to keep it going,” said Yeap.

“I’ve stayed here all my life and I’m running my family business, but my four children, aged between 27 and 34, are based elsewhere, as there are hardly any job opportunities here for them. So, once someone leaves secondary school, they quickly leave the town, and perhaps, only return when they retire. We must give people a reason to stay in Taiping,” he added.

Yeap owns Syarikat Bee Poh, a family business established in 1951.
The company today specialises in interior decoration.

He said the situation had worsened following the Covid-19 pandemic, as many had lost their jobs.

“What we have seen is a glut of hawker stalls and people selling food. While they were kept busy throughout the recent Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations due to the influx of people coming to Taiping, on a normal day, they hardly make sales as the local buying power isn’t big enough,” said Yeap, 61.

There are several colleges and higher learning institutions in Taiping but the student population remains low.

“The best thing to do is to set up a university that can accommodate between 5,000 and 10,000 students.

“These students will create new demand – in terms of housing and accommodation, food and beverage, basic necessities, and ancillary services such as banking, postal services, and so on. It will certainly give the local economy a boost. The hawkers will have a new set of patrons to cater to.”

Yeap pointed out that several big companies had plants based in the industrial area in Kamunting, but they were still insufficient.

“Some plants are fully automated, others rely heavily on foreign labour who tend to save and send money to their families back home. We need industries that will see people spending their money in Taiping.

Yeap highlighted that Kampar is thriving, thanks to the setting up of the Tunku Abdul Rahman College there.

“The same can happen in Taiping, too.”

“More can be done beyond the sphere of heritage tourism. We have plenty of sites in Taiping for a university. Two locations at the top of my mind are the army camps, and the former ISA (Internal Security Act) detention camp in Kamunting.

“In 2018, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had envisioned the establishment of Japanese universities in Malaysia, and there were talks of bringing one of them to Taiping. However, we’ve not heard of anything since.”

He said while waiting for a new industry to inject more opportunities into Taiping, now was the best time to woo foreigners, mainly Singaporeans, to the town by introducing an Ipoh-Taiping-Penang holiday package.

“This is where they get to fly in to Ipoh, enjoy the food and sights there, and spend a day or two in Taiping, before leaving for Penang. If we see visitors continuously coming in, especially over the weekends, perhaps, this would give the locals a reason to stay,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Taiping Heritage Society held its 16th annual general meeting (AGM) and committee elections yesterday. Yeap, who has helmed the society since 2012, remains as president for the 2022-2024 term.

Taiping Heritage Society office bearers (2022-2024): Seated (L-R): Liew Suet Fun, Ong Bok Kin (Treasurer), M. Mahendran (Secretary), Yeap Thean Eng (President), Abdul Halim Yahaya (Vice President), Sharon Ng-Chan (Assistant Secretary).
Standing (L-R): Azreen Hassan, Anand K. Pillai, Tung Lay Chun, T. Thorairasa, Viji Kishen, Wan Amril Ramirez Wan Mohd Isa.

The Kapitan Cina Of Perak: A Showcase Of The Splendours Of British Malaya - PART 2

From 

The Rakyat Post, By Fernando Fong - Part 2

12 December 2021 

Why We Must Remember 

Taiping Heritage Society president Yeap Thean Eng said there’s more to history than knowing times and dates, and general facts surrounding a historical event.

The exploits of the Kapitan Cina, he said, are not only valuable for the nation’s history and heritage. 

"Their insights into the political contexts, the trading networks they established, and the partnertship they forged with the Malays, would help present generations to appreciate the nation’s racial diversity more thoroughly." 

Taiping Heritage Society president Yeap Thean Eng to TRP on the Kapitan Cina

Lillian Tong, president of the Persatuan Peranakan Baba Nyonya Pulau Pinang (left)and       Taiping Heritage Society president Yeap Thean Eng presenting the front cover of an upcoming book on Chung Keng Kwee. (Credit: Fernando Fong)

 

He said the stories of the Kapitan Cina will increase Malaysians’ cultural awareness and moral understanding of the world we live in.

 

Playing its part, the Taiping Heritage Society and Persatuan Peranakan Baba Nyonya Pulau Pinang conducted a three-day tour to mark the bicentennial of Keng Kwee and his Malay partner Ngah Ibrahim.

       

Ngah Ibrahim’s fort near Taiping still stands to this day. (Credit: Fernando Fong)

The celebration included a luncheon attended by Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa, Orang Besar Jajahan Larut Matang and Selama Wan Mohd Isa Wan Mohd Razali and Taiping MP Teh Kok Lim.

The Society also visited various historical sites in Taiping, where Keng Kwee first forged his fame and fortune together with Long Jaafar, Ngah Ibrahim’s father.

 

The Taiping Heritage Society and Persatuan Peranakan Baba Nyonya Pulau Pinang visit the official residence of Ngah Ibrahim in Taiping when he was the administrator

of the district of Larut. (Credit: Fernando Fong)

A book to mark Chung Keng Kwee’s bi-centennial celebration will also be published.

At the same time, a gala dinner attended by descendants of Keng Kwee and his Malay partner Ngah Ibrahim was held in Taiping.

Admittedly, much remains lost to the pages of history due to a lack of written accounts, especially concerning the everyday life of the common people from the era.

Yeap expressed hope that the void will spur the desire for informed citizenship and critical thinking, to research and to raise general awareness among the public.

"Gaining knowledge and understanding of historical events and trends, especially during the colonial period, allows us to develop a much greater appreciation for where we are today."

Taiping Heritage Society president Yeap Thean Eng to TRP on learning history and heritage

Keng Kwee’s fifth-generation descendants, Chung Lai Foong (left) and her sister Chung Lai Yin. 

(Credit: Fernando Fong)

 

The gala dinner to commemorate Keng Kwee and Ngah Ibrahim brought Malaysians together. (Credit: Fernando Fong)

The Kapitan Cina Of Perak: A Showcase Of The Splendours Of British Malaya - PART 1

 FROM THE RAKYAT POST (PART 1) - BY FERNANDO FONG

Today, there are few reminders of Malaya’s glorious 19th-century and pre-Merdeka past.

From the start of the British colonial era to pre-war Malaya, the tin-mining industry created untold wealth for the overseas Chinese to flaunt their wealth.

Rare and precious artifacts from the era can now be seen through a multifaceted lens at Phin Kee Chan, the former headquarters of Kapitan Cina Chung Thye Phin.

Thye Phin, who inherited the tin empire from his father – the famous Kapitan Cina Chung Keng Kwee – built Phin Kee Chan in Ipoh, and rightfully so.Once upon a time not too long ago, Ipoh was the center of one of the world’s biggest tin mining towns.

Completed in 1905, the three-story building survived the passages of time.

It became a dispensary in the 30s until the early 2000s when it was sold to a private owner.

In 2011, history and heritage enthusiast Michael Chan bought the place and renamed it Arlene House after his wife Arlene Loke.

Visitors admiring a fully-functioning wind-up gramophone at Arlene House.
(Credit: Fernando Fong)

A New Lease Of Life

After much labor of love, Arlene House is now a treasure trove of entertaining and informative exhibits.

Chan, together with his wife, returned Phin Kee Chan to its former glory with more than 10 years of preservation, conservation and restoration work.

Arlene House is setting an example in attracting younger audiences to museums.
(Credit: Fernando Fong)

With the theme ‘Made In Ipoh’, Arlene House takes visitors on a journey of history and heritage edutainment.

Arlene House has sections on the different era that marks the pre-Merdeka history while exploring artifacts thematically such as war and plunder, personal luxuries, trade and sensual pleasures.

Taiping Heritage Society members posing with classic mahjong set at Arlene House.
(Credit: Fernando Fong)

"Arlene House is a heritage, history, culture and art edutainment gallery cum museum that showcased the stories, life and legacy of the last Kapitan of Malaya and Ipoh."

Arlene House owner and curator, Michael Chan to TRP on the purpose of Arlene HouseChan took great pains to fill the place with wide-ranging items from the colonial days, such as a gramophone, Mandarin robe, gambling table, Baba Nyonya bed and more.

Chan (center) explaining the history of Malaya to visitors at Arlene House.
(Credit: Fernando Fong)

He also replicated the Kapitan’s working desk, complete with the office equipment of that era such as a vintage cheque writer, a marble sculpture tray and an abacus.
Arlene House also turns back the clock with old photographs, posters and illustrations.

At the same time, the place evokes the memories of youth with games and toys of yesteryear.

Where It All Started                                              

A staff curating the exhibits at Arlene House. (Credit: Fernando Fong)

                                                                                                             Chan said it was by chance that he came across the building sometime in 2010.

    "My wife and I knew its existence much earlier but did not really give it much thought. Neither did we notice its detailed built heritage until we admired it from afar. Its charming architectural designs and trademarks were unfolded when we scrutinized the facade carefully."

Arlene House owner and curator, Michael Chan to TRP on how Arlene House started

When he came up with the idea to turn the place into a museum, Chan was met with skepticism and ridicule.

The place was run down and required substantial money to give it the facelift it deserves.        

Keng Kwee’s son Thye Phin was so influential as a businessman, he even minted his own money. (Credit: Fernando Fong) 

                                                                                            

Family and friends advised him against the idea as they consider it to be financially risky.

But Chan, who worked as a corporate advisor previously, took the risk and decided to give it a go.

"We hope that history and heritage will connect with Malaysians of all ages and background because it shows that we all share a common origin, and the nation had come together because of the people."
Arlene House owner and curator, Michael Chan to TRP on the value of history and heritage

Among the challenge was deciding which objects to put in.

It had to be something beautiful but also something with a really interesting story.

Traditional Chinese wedding dress on display at Arlene House. (Credit: Fernando Fong) 

                                                    

The Man From China

This year marks the 200th anniversary of Keng Kwee’s birthday.

But who is he?

According to Lillian Tong, president of the Persatuan Peranakan Baba Nyonya Pulau Pinang, both Keng Kwee and his son Thye Phin were prominent tin miners, with Thye Phin being the last Kapitan China of Perak and Malaya.

A philanthropic millionaire and a pioneer in the field of tin mining, Keng Kwee is the founder of the modern city of Taiping in Perak.

Keng Kwee was also among the first in Malaya to own an automobile, the Ford Model T.

An aerial view of Taiping Lake Gardens. (Credit: Fernando Fong)

"Based in Penang, he was revered by the Chinese and European communities in the Straits Settlements during the British colonial period. His survival in the turbulent era was due to his position as leader of Hai San, a Chinese secret society in British Malaya during the Larut Wars from 1862 to 1873."

Lillian Tong, president of the Persatuan Peranakan Baba Nyonya Pulau Pinang to TRP on Kapitan Cina Chung Keng Kwee

An artist’s impression of the Larut Wars between Hai San and its rival Ghee Hin.
(Credit: Fernando Fong)

 

He was one of the six members of the Perak State Advisory Council appointed by the British Straits government.

When he passed away, Thye Phin, who is the fourth son, took over the family business.

When Thye Phin passed away in March 1935, he was said to be the wealthiest man in Penang.

A solitary tomb on a hill in Taiping where some of the battles in the Larut Wars were fought. (Credit: Fernando Fong)

 

Gazette Tunku's bungalow as a national heritage, Pemenang tells goverment

Pemenang president Tan Sri Mohd Yussof Latiff said this was to ensure the house, which is rich in history, would continue to be protected and preserved. - NSTP/ZUHAINY ZULKIFFLI.

Audrey Dermawan - NST 18 March 2021

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Malay Association (Pemenang) has called on the government to gazette the former residence of the first prime minister of Malaysia, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj in Pulau Tikus here, as a national heritage.

Pemenang president Tan Sri Mohd Yussof Latiff said this was to ensure the house, which is rich in history, would continue to be protected and preserved.

Yussof said Pemenang had written to Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri on the matter.

"We are requesting the National Heritage Department, through the commissioner of heritage, to gazette Tunku Abdul Rahman's house here as a national heritage.

"This house, which bore witness to many historical events in Tunku Abdul Rahman's lifetime, is rich in history and should be protected at all cost.

"Pemenang has also written to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to support our cause," he told the New Straits Times today.

The former residence of Tunku Abdul Rahman was recently put on the market for a whopping RM62 million.

The six-bedroom, double-storey detached residence with an annexed servants' quarters has been listed for sale on several property portals, including international listings.

The property sits on 0.6 hectare of freehold land fronting Jalan Park and Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, a road named after the Tunku, who lived there until his demise in 1990.

The house with a built-up area of 9,867 sq ft and a land size of 64,472 sq ft, is a well-preserved heritage property, according to the listings.

Real estate experts had said if the deal goes through at RM62 million, it would be the most expensive landed residential property sold in the market today.

The current owner of this historical property is believed to be a private company (a non-developer) that bought it more than a decade ago.

To date, 173 heritage items in Malaysia including buildings, objects, intangible cultural heritage, archaeological sites, and living heritage treasures have been listed as national heritage under the National Heritage Act.

Elaborating, Yusoff said Tunku Abdul Rahman had vowed to make Penang his home when he retired in 1970 and the former premier initially bought a single-storey bungalow opposite Western Garden.

"Later, Tunku Abdul Rahman's close friend, Tan Kim Yeow, offered him to buy a bungalow -- No 16, Jalan Ayer Rajah (now Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman), which he named 'Takdir' -- the Malay word for fate. At that time, parliament had given him a gratuity (of RM200,000), in recognition of his role as the prime minister. It was with that money he bought the bungalow.

"It was in this very bungalow that many significant events took place. Tunku Abdul Rahman continued to welcome both local and foreign dignitaries, including the retired Thailand prime minister then, in this house. He also hosted a dinner here for the country's second prime minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein.

"It is also in this bungalow every year where we throw Tunku Abdul Rahman a birthday party, on every Feb 8, while at the same time, we organised the Piala Bapa Malaysia. Many other meetings were held in this house until his health took a toll on him in 1988. I used to go there every now and then.

"Indeed, the bungalow is rich in history and should be protected and preserved," he added.

Yusoff said, both the federal and state governments, should also come together to see how they could turn the bungalow into the Tunku Abdul Rahman's gallery.

Last Friday, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had said that the state government would get more information on the sale of the bungalow.

"Tunku is a national legend...(his residence is a) national asset that should be protected.

"We hope the federal government will also take note, but meanwhile the state government will get more information and look into it," he was quoted as saying then

Plea to restore colonial structure in Taiping

The remaining 34 pillars of Captain Speedy’s former house are a majestic landmark

8 Oct 2020

By Ivan Loh - Star Metro News

THE Taiping Heritage Society wants the 34 pillars of a former British assistant resident’s house, that are still standing in the town, to be restored as an attraction site.

Its president Yeap Thean Eng said the area located near the Taiping Lake Gardens should be revived as it held heritage value.He added that it was also a good tourist spot.

Yeap said the pillars used to support the former house of Captain Tristram Speedy, the then assistant resident of Larut in the late 19th century.

“The pillars look majestic and are a landmark in Taiping. It is a place of many good memories for the older generation there.

“Some folk even nicknamed them the Taiping Stonehenge,” he said.

The site is strategically located on a small hill overlooking the lake gardens with beautiful scenery.“We hope the authorities can do something to restore the pillars,” he added.

Yeap said the house was demolished in the 1960s to make way for the construction of a state rest house behind it, leaving the pillars untouched.

“The house was one of the many firsts in Taiping, built for a governing British resident in the country.

“The large and spacious house, which was mainly wooden, was built on these pillars but it was demolished when termites and the elements made it difficult to restore,” he said.

The rest house later became the Casuarina Inn in the 1970s but it was closed down 10 years ago. The area had been left idle since, he added.

Yeap said the society, with the Taiping Municipal Council, 9th Regiment Royal Rangers, non-governmental organisations, students and the local community, held a gotong-royong at the site.

“The place was filled with undergrowth and shrubs.

“It is a waste to leave it as it is, so about 110 people joined in to clean up the area.

“The place should be preserved and beautified so visitors can learn about its rich history and heritage.

“We should safeguard all heritage sites in Taiping,” he added.

A municipal council spokesperson said there were no set plans for the site.

“The land was just recently handed over to us by the state government, so nothing has been planned for the time being,” she said, adding that it was formerly under the management of Perak Development Corporation.

Metro News, Star