Taiping Aerodrome to become a heritage site

By NSTP Zahratulhayat Mat Arif

June 19, 2019 @ 5:00pm

(File pix) The historic Taiping Aerodrome, where aviation legend
Amelia Mary Earhart had a refuelling stopover in 1937 during her journey to
circumnavigate the globe, is set to become the state’s heritage site.
Pix by NSTP/Muhaizan Yahya

IPOH: The historic Taiping Aerodrome, where aviation legend Amelia Mary Earhart had a refuelling stopover in 1937 during her journey to circumnavigate the globe, is set to become the state’s heritage site.

Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said the decision was made during the state exco meeting today, where the state government also urged the state Land and Mines Department to speed up the process.

Ahmad Faizal also dismissed claims that the Taiping Aerodrome had been sold to make way for housing development projects and reiterated that under the leadership of Pakatan Harapan, some parts of the land had been returned to the Menteri Besar Perak Incorporated (MB Inc).

“I would like to stress that Taiping Aerodrome has never been approved to be developed. In fact, under my leadership, I have returned some part of the land to the MB Inc,” he said at a press conference after handing over RM3 million financial assistance to 261 partially-aided government schools in Perak at Dewan Serbaguna in Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan here today.

It was earlier reported that Ahmad Faizal had cancelled an approval made by the previous state government administration on Jan 16 to hand over part of the Taiping Aerodrome to the private sector for development.

Commenting on the recent protest held by a group of people against the alleged development on Taiping Aerodrome, Ahmad Faizal advised heritage lovers to refer the relevant authorities before accusing the state government of selling the historical area.

“At the same time, I am happy to see the huge number of demonstrators because it shows that they care for our heritage. I echo their sentiments that the place needs to be preserved too, just how important our great-grandmother’s house is to our family.

“The place needs to be spruced up and the grass needs to be cut. The 200 protesters who came that day should have done their part in making the place nice again. I would be happy to join them if they had invited me,” he added.

On Friday, several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) staged a protest against the alleged development of the area, claiming that the land had been sold without considering the importance of its heritage and historical values.

The 16.1ha Taiping Aerodrome, built in Malaya by the British in early 1929, is reputedly the first airport in Southeast Asia.

The aerodrome gained worldwide recognition when the American pioneer aviator Earhart made a refuelling stop there on June 7, 1937 before continuing her journey to Singapore and New Guinea in her bid to fly around the world.

The then-Indonesian president Sukarno and his deputy, Mohammad Hatta had also landed at the Taiping Aerodrome on Aug 12, 1945 to discuss the future of Malaya and Indonesia before heading for Tokyo.

On a separate note, Ahmad Faizal said as part of the state’s commitment to protect its historical heritage, plans are afoot to upgrade Taiping Lake Garden and Bukit Larut or better known as Maxwell Hill, both to be recognised as Taman Tasik Diraja.

“The matter was also discussed during state exco meeting today. I have received a lot of suggestions from our young leaders, DAPSY, Armada, PKR, Amanah and Bersatu. They suggested that the two main attractions in Taiping to be known as Taman Tasik Diraja.

“This is very interesting. With this understanding, we don’t have to worry about plans for developments near this area. This is also in line with Taiping being recognised as one of the most sustainable cities in the world,” he said.

Ahmad Faizal said he would seek the consent from the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah before naming Taiping Lake Garden and Bukit Larut as Taman Tasik Diraja.

The Taiping Lake Gardens, established in 1880 during the British rule, is one of the oldest public gardens.

 NEW STRAITS TIMES

Historical aerodrome make Taiping what it is today, say experts, conservationists

Old structures at the Taiping Aerodrome

By Nor Ain Mohamed Radhi - June 17, 2019 @ 8:12am

KUALA LUMPUR: CONSERVATIONISTS and heritage experts believe that the Taiping Aerodrome must be preserved to protect the town’s historical value.

They said in the long run, preserving historical sites would benefit the state as it helped to generate tourist revenue and enhance Perak’s reputation for safeguarding its historical wonders.

Taiping Heritage Society president Yeap Thean Eng said the town had lost many of its “firsts”, and as such, gazetting the aerodrome was the best move.

“We already lost our first railway between Taiping and Port Weld (built in 1885) and a golf course known as New Club (formerly Perak Club built in 1885).

“This is why the Taiping Aerodrome must be protected and restored at all costs for adaptive reuse with focus on heritage tourism.

“There were many ‘firsts’ in Taiping that had been ‘carelessly’ ignored by the authorities, who may not know their real value.

“Nothing can replace a ‘first’. The tallest building or longest bridge will quickly be overtaken by another, just like our (Petronas) Twin Towers, which within years were overtaken by another tallest building from another country.

“Once you have the oldest golf course or the first aerodrome, nothing can replace them; you will forever have the oldest.

“Therefore, every effort must be taken by the state government to protect this heritage site for the sake of our future generation.

“Let’s leave behind a legacy that will make our great grandchildren proud,” he told the New Straits Times.

Yeap said many historic monuments with lesser historical value had been restored in other countries, which in turn, had drawn millions of tourists and generated economic wealth for the local community.

“This is what must be done to the Taiping Aerodrome. The vast runway and field can be used for all kinds of activities like paragliding or flying ultra-light planes, recreational activities for residents like kite-flying, community games, jogging, aerobics, archery, just to name a few.

He said the space at the Taiping Aerodrome was big enough for large-scale events, either at state, national or international level.

“The main building can be converted into a museum or gallery on the country’s early days of aviation, coupled with souvenir shops.”

Yeap said Taiping had earned its third placing on the World’s Most Sustainable City list for a reason.

That was announced during the 2019 Sustainable Top 100 Destination Awards at the International Tourismus-Börse travel trade show in Berlin, Germany, recently.

“It is from the preservation of spaces and greens, as well as the Taiping Municipal Council working hard with the locals to create a well-balanced sustainable city, that attracted visitors.”

He said the people in Taiping and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were not against development, but the authorities must be careful when it comes to heritage sites.

“For housing and other property developments, there is plenty of land around Taiping, namely Kamunting Raya, which is just next to Taiping Aerodrome, or in Aulong, Simpang, Matang, Batu Kurau, Bukit Merah and Selama.”

The 16.1ha Taiping Aerodrome, reputed as the first airport in the Federated Malay States and Southeast Asia, was allegedly sold to a developer last month.

It is learnt that the developer planned to build a housing scheme on the site, despite it being earmarked for transport.

Several NGOs recently staged a protest against the move, saying the land was sold without considering the importance of its heritage and historical value.

The NGOs included Kelab Cintai Taiping, Taiping Heritage Society, Taiping Tourism Association, Taman Saujana Residents' Association, Warisan Anak-Anak Kampung Pinang and Protection of the Natural Heritage of Malaysia.

Perak Heritage Society president Law Siak Hong echoed Yeap’s sentiment, saying the Taiping Aerodrome must be preserved for the future generation.

“Other than its historical value, the Taiping Aerodrome is still used by the army and police for parachute training, as well as a recreational area.

“Taiping was declared a heritage town (in 1999), hence the title must be retained by all means. Taiping Aerodrome is one of the many things that should be preserved.

“Yes, you can build a new Taiping on the land, but at what expense? By destroying your reputation as a heritage town?” he said.

The Taiping Aerodrome became famous when aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart made a refuelling stop there on June 7, 1937, before continuing her journey to Singapore and New Guinea in her historic attempt to circumnavigate the globe.

The then Indonesian president Sukarno and his deputy, Mohammad Hatta, also landed at the Taiping Aerodrome on Aug 12, 1945, to discuss the future of Malaya and Indonesia before continuing their journey to Tokyo.

NST