A letter to the NST Editor Build on our history

NEW STRAITS TIMES

January 12, 2016 @ 11:00am

I HAVE been following the discussion on the Taiping market, having read Liew Suet Fun’s article (“The extraordinary passage of Taiping’s Central Market”, NST, Dec 27) and the subsequent letter from Datuk Mutalib Razak (“Taiping needs tourism blueprint”, NST, Jan 2).

As someone living in Taiping all my life and as president of the Taiping Heritage Society, I recognise the necessity of conserving the aspects of heritage that form the essential character of the town.

It is also this distinctive quality that sets it apart from other towns and can become the strongest basis for a viable and sustainable strategy for tourism. I agree with Mutallib’s call to look towards heritage in developing the industry.

The Taiping Municipal Council with Northern Corridor Implementation Authority has earmarked some 39 heritage sites and raised signages and markers for these sites. Efforts are also being made to develop and conserve the iconic Taiping Lake Gardens. I am sure this attitude will prevail as they assume authority in the management of Bukit Larut, once known as Maxwell Hill, from January this year.

Bukit Larut, whose natural setting is its greatest virtue, must not walk the path of Genting Highlands or Cameron Highlands, where extensive development has altered the environment. For Taiping’s Central Market, I hope that the Taiping Municipal Council will tread carefully with its restoration plans.

The market is a repository of living history as inter-generational businesses have operated there for almost a century. A survey conducted by the authorities last year showed that over 90 per cent of these businesses are against the move to new premises. This overwhelming majority in favour of the current location must be taken seriously.

The Taiping Heritage Society stands ready to assist the council to ensure development of any kind is carried out in a balanced and thoughtful manner. We need to build on our history instead of obliterating it.

n YEAP THEAN ENG, Taiping, Perak