Taiping pre-war buildings battered

TAIPING, May 1 — If the walls of the abandoned buildings in Taiping could talk, they would share tales of life in the quiet and serene town during the pre-war days.
Some 100 old houses, shoplots and even the 132-year-old Perak Railways building located at the junction of Jalan Stesen and Jalan Lim Tee Hooi, have been left abandoned, leaving many clueless of their history.
Many residents and visitors are unhappy and question what steps are being taken to preserve the town’s historical structures.
Although most are privately owned, the architecture of these buildings gives an insight to the art, lifestyle and economy of the town when they were set up. Some of the structures, including the Perak Railways building, are located within the town’s heritage trail.
Taiping Heritage Society president Yeap Thean Eng said there were about 100 abandoned buildings in the historical town.
“They include privately-owned shoplots, and unoccupied government buildings and bungalows previously used as government quarters,” he said.
“These buildings are an eyesore and with this year being Visit Perak Year we are seeing an influx of tourists to the state and town.”
The Perak Railways building, set up in 1885, has been vandalised, its walls and roof are in bad shape because of the extreme weather over the years.
During its heyday, the building served as a ticketing counter and office for the state’s first railway station. Next to it was a government rest house.
Later, it functioned as the Public Works Department office and temporarily housed the Sessions Court.
Those who visit the building today would find it has turned into a breeding ground for mosquitoes, with pillows and clothes, believed to belong to vagrants, scattered on the floor.
Yeap said the buildings started deteriorating when they were abandoned 30 years ago.
“They can be saved. The authorities should gazette them as heritage buildings as they have unique designs, especially the interior courtyards,” he said.
“If the authorities don’t have funds, they should offer it to the private sector,”
He said there were many other shoplots and bungalows, with rich history, that were demolished in the past.
“These buildings pose a safety hazard to the public. They attract drug addicts and snakes. It’s sad to see them in such condition,” he said.
“Taiping is known for its history. Ideally, they should be restored and preserved, regardless of whether they are located along the heritage trail or not.”
Yeap urged the authorities to implement stricter enforcement and strategies to ensure privately-owned buildings would be spared from ruin.
“The authorities should restore the government buildings and penalise owners who allow them to rot,” he said.

By Loghun Kumaran
The Malay Mail OnlineMay 1, 2017

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

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2015

We had our Annual General Meeting 2015 on the 15 May 2015 at Flemington Hotel, Taiping at 6.00pm together with a Book Launch by Khoo Salma Nasution entitled "Redoubtable Reformer, the life and times of Cheah Cheang Lim" co written by Francis Cooray & Khoo Salma Nasution.

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When Taiping celebrated all things Peranakan

BY HELEN ONG

Tuesday March 31, 2015
08:49 AM GMT+8

The contestants strutting their stuff for Nyonya Queen competition. 

Pictures by Helen Ong

 TAIPING, March 31 — The second Taiping Baba Nyonya Festival was held recently at the Hotel Taiping Perdana. Jointly organised by the Taiping Heritage Society and the Taiping Tourist Association, the afternoon started with a small Peranakan Exhibition which included stalls selling various paraphernalia to do with this unique culture. It culminated in a grand sit-down Peranakan Dinner for over 400 people.

One of the highlights included a “Best Nyonya Dish” contest in which proud housewives — and, I was delighted to see, one husband — brought the results of labouring in their respective kitchens to be tasted and possibly hailed as the winning dish.

I was honoured to be invited back as one of the judges again, this time with Taipingite Chef Ricky Ng, who has written several cookbooks on the cuisine and who, incidentally, was responsible for the Peranakan Dinner. Joining us was Tok Puan Norisha, wife of the OBJ (Orang Besar Jajahan) Daerah Larut Matang dan Selama (LMS).

Best Dressed Baba Lim Choo Hock receiving his hamper.

Nineteen contestants submitted one savoury dish each, with the more well-known ones like Kari Kapitan, Salt Fish Acar and Otak Otak prevalent, as well as one or two which were probably not really traditional Nyonya.

However, it was good to see a dish that has almost disappeared — Nyonya Serai Prawn, otherwise known as Sambal Goreng, cooked with belacan, serai (lemongrass) and coconut — entered by 62-year old Tan Ah Meng who also had the honour of being one of only two men who took part.

“It’s a dish which my Nyonya mother-in-law used to cook for us,” he explained, “I wanted to see it make a comeback.”

The deserving winner was Cheah Kai Wei whose Salt Fish Acar blew the judges away with its authentic full flavours. Cheah, who runs a Curry Mee stall in town, told me that she got the recipe off the Internet.

Tan walked away with the second prize for the aforementioned Sambal Goreng, followed closely by Rose Gabriel’s beautifully-decorated and very tasty Sambal Terong Peranakan.

.The main event of the evening was the “Nyonya Queen” contest which I was also asked to judge, together with kebaya maker Steven Ong (no relation) and former Mrs Qi Bao Vinna Lim.

Sixteen brave souls strutted their stuff on stage in their most colourful and stunning sarongs and kebayas, suitably accessorised as befits a well-dressed Nyonya lady: Glittering kerosang(linked brooches), manek(beaded) shoes and handbags.

Many had even gone to the trouble of dressing their hair in typical Nyonya style: into elegant sanggoi (buns) studded with diamante combs and clips.

After much deliberation — and it was indeed a hard choice as there were many deserving winners — a delighted Tham Oi Tai, 44, was crowned Nyonya Queen 2015.

She received a hamper and an angpow. Runners-up were Sabrina Vun and Khor Poh Geok. “The number of lovely contestants was very encouraging,” said Ong.

However, the men were not forgotten. Five men were chosen from among the male diners as finalists for the “Best-Dressed Baba” of the night and the winner was Lim Choo Hock. His father Baba Lim Chung Bee received a special mention for being, at the ripe old age of 92, the oldest Baba in town.

In between the various events joget dances and other entertainment was provided by the Baba Nyonya Art & Culture Group Dance Team from Malacca.

“It was a sell-out,” said committee member Sharon Ng, “although I would like to have seen more audience participation in the dancing! We intend to hold this once every two years.”

If you would like to find out more about the next event, contact Yeap Thean Eng, Chairman of the Taiping Heritage Society, on 012-5382743.

- See more at: http://www.mmail.com.my/features/article/when-taiping-celebrated-all-things-peranakan#sthash.yGIEMw8w.dpuf

VISIT TO TAIPING PRISONS

Photos taken during our recent visit to Penjara Taiping on 27 January 2015

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On the heritage trail

FROM NST TRAVEL 30 Oct 2014

A walking tour offers Sharon Ng Kooi Kin insight into the various places of worship in Penang

WE are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring hats, umbrellas and drinking water on the 120-minute walk in the hot tropical sun.

We are at the Penang Teochew Association in Chulia Street to register for the 7.30am slot of Heritage Walk And Talk organised by the Penang Heritage Trust. There are some 300 participants at the registration tables. Our group of 11 from Taiping Heritage Society will join the Bukit Brown members from Singapore.

Before we start, chief organiser and project consultant Lim Gaik Siang, who is also the chairperson of the association’s Han Jiang Ancestral Temple restoration committee, gives an entertaining orientation talk on Folk Beliefs In George Town World Heritage Site.

She speaks about customs, legends and the beliefs of 200 religious houses and clan associations which celebrate about 500 festivals a year. In George Town, there are many houses of worship of all religions and Chinese temples are steeped in Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism.

She goes into detail about some of the more popular deities, how to recognise them in the temples we will be visiting that morning, the significance of offerings, the practices and staunch beliefs of the devotees and many other interesting tidbits to whet our appetite for the actual tour.

WALK THE TALK

A petite and sprightly girl named Joann Khaw is assigned to be our guide. Joann, a licenced tour guide with 20 years’ experience, is very knowledgeable about local beliefs and history. Her commentaries are engrossing, especially when she throws in her own experiences.

We start walking through a street bazaar where Indian delicacies are on sale. This is Little India, with Hindu shrines and stalls of colourful flowers and garlands lining the pavements.

Stalls of colourful flowers and garlands

We couldn’t enter the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple but Joann gives us a brief background, telling us how and why Lord Ganesha has an elephant head! The walk continues to temples and shrines like the Chi Sian Shrine on Lebuh Queen and the Wu Di Temple on Lebuh King.

The Tua Peh Kong Temple is the most impressive. We are introduced to the Jade Emperor (T’nee Kong) and the Duke of Heaven (T’nee Kua). Not to be missed is a little shrine hidden behind the main altar housing a female deity. Women pray to her for a good husband or boyfriend. The most common offerings are bottles of rose water, compact face powder and lipstick!

The biggest and seemingly most popular temple is the Kong Hock Keong or Guan Im (Goddess of Mercy) Temple on Lebuh Pitt.

A worker is seen on a ladder adding oil to a large vessel containing oil. Tiam yew (adding oil) is a common gesture by worshipers to bring blessings to their families.

SHRINES AND DEITIES

Another interesting aspect of the walking tour is the visit to shrines dedicated to specific deities.

We are shown two shrines of the Tujuh Beradik (Seven Brothers) Datuk Kong where devotees come to ask for, among other requests, lottery numbers !

At these shrines, seven skull caps and seven urns for joss sticks are common features. Offerings include cigarettes, coconut, betelnut leaves and other halal food, usually brought by Chinese devotees.

It is more like a folk belief with a touch of animism, rather than mainstream religions yet such shrines still maintain a following till this day.

In a street corner at Lebuh Pitt is the Ganesha Shrine. Hindu devotees pray here, swirling incense and breaking coconuts in front of the shrine.

Asked if other races pray here too, Joann says that many Chinese do. As if on cue, two young Chinese girls in shorts show up to pay homage.

The statue of Ganesha is usually garlanded but the garlands are cleared daily at 5pm, the shrine swept clean and broken coconut shells removed.

The last two worship houses we visit are Yap Temple in Lebuh Armenian and Kapitan Keling Mosque in Pitt Street.

The latter, an imposing building of Moorish architecture, was built in 1801. It is the oldest mosque in George Town. It was called Masjid Kapitan Keling Pitt Street.

In the front compound of the mosque, there used to be a police station (tua balai), a market and auctioneer’s junction. In fact, along Pitt Street (now renamed Lebuh Masjid Kapitan Keling) are houses of worship of the four main religions in the country: Christianity (St. George’s Church), Buddhism/Taoism (Guan Im Temple), Hindusim (Maha Mariamman Temple) and Islam (Masjid Kapitan Keling).

All these houses of worship are more than a century old and play a big part in promoting George Town as a world heritage site.

A Hindu street procession at the Little India

The preservation of this multi-religious and multi-racial feature of George Town is rarely found anywhere else in the world. The best part is that they can all be visited within a two-hour walk!

PUPPET AND OPERA MUSEUM

The last stop is the Teochew Puppet & Opera Museum in Mor Hun Club, Lebuh Armenian. For me, this is the most interesting of all the sites on the walk.

The Teochew clan, a Chinese dialect group, has a strong presence in traditional performing arts and their skills and activities have been listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage in Penang.

The last Teochew puppet owner, Toh Ai Wah, now 64, was the winner of the Living Heritage Treasure of Penang Award in 2008.

Although we do not get to meet her, we are introduced to Ling Goh, her daughter and the present director. Ling, also a puppeteer, represents the sixth generation of the Goh family Teochew opera troupe.

For our visit, she demonstrates how to apply stage make-up and shares with us the work they’re presently doing. The troupe is usually invited to perform at Chinese religious festivals all over Penang and even in other States.

The operas are not only for the viewing pleasure of temple gods but also for entertaining present day audiences.

For instance, a few months ago, her troupe was invited to perform at a cafe lounge in Kuala Lumpur, with a puppet show as introduction and life-sized actors continuing the story.

Puppet shows and operas are also regularly held at the museum.

THS nembers with Ling Goh (in red) and Joanne (in white)

This unique museum has a wonderful display of performing arts paraphernalia, made even more fascinating by the presence of puppet-sized costumes, miniature furniture and stage props.

Richly embroidered human-sized Chinese opera costumes hang in one corner while other counters show off cloth shoes and high boots, long beards, bejewelled head dresses, elaborate masks and wooden weapons used in traditional Chinese dramas.

The puppet dolls, dressed in lavishly decorated costumes, are a delight to see. Also on display are the wind and string musical instruments used by the stage musicians, scripts and musical scores featured in Chinese operas.

What a fitting end to one of the most interesting and engrossing heritage walks I have ever embarked upon.

George Town in Penang was awarded Unesco World Heritage Site status on July 7, 2008. This year is the sixth anniversary of its Heritage Day celebrations, which spans over two days with some 40 events and activities to choose from, including talks, city walks, traditional handicraft classes, Ramadan bazaar, Penang food, open houses, multicultural performances and temple opera shows.

Fast Facts

Penang Heritage Trust, 26 Lebuh Gereja, George Town, Penang.

Tel: 04-264 2631. Email: info@pht.org.my

Teochew Puppet and Opera Museum

Tel: 04-262 0377

By Sharon Ng Kooi Kin

Taiping's Old Museum House

Friday 16 May 2014 12:01 AM IPOH ECHO

Museum's chief caretaker Mr Tan Kok Siew briefing the Taiping Heritage Society members

About 40 heritage lovers joined in the Taiping Heritage Society’s visit to the Old House Museum, located at Market Square recently. The facility is along Jalan Taming Sari near the old Taiping wet market, where the town’s iconic clock tower stands.

The museum, the latest tourist and history buff attraction in town, was ‘adapted’ in 2013 into a 130-year-old three-storey heritage shophouse belonging to the late Lim Zi You. The house-museum opened its doors during Chinese New Year this year. It records and recollects the history of the Lim family dynasty after their move to Malaya from China over a century ago. Lim started business making charcoal stoves and later alcoholic drinks for the immigrant population in old Taiping.

Former Perak Heritage Society president, Law Siak Hong, who was in the group, said that the museum is Taiping’s pride. “It’s a unique icon, as old stuff from the original owner are still kept intact in the house”, he said.

The house has all the trimmings of a bygone era like turn-of-the-century furniture and fittings, a large dining room, ancestral hall, sitting area, large bedrooms with a Qing dynasty bed and old toilet baths, all built from old construction materials, joints, techniques and carved wood. Many impressive antiques and rare objects are displayed for the appreciation of  keen history enthusiasts.

Inside the museum

Taiping Heritage Society’s honorary secretary, P. Kesavan, said that there is an urgent need for the preservation and protection of old buildings and shophouses in Taiping. “I believe Taiping’s heritage status is merely a declaration, which has no protection status. What is really needed is to gazette the old parts of the town to be totally protected under the law, like is done in Penang and Malacca.”

Kesavan added that there had to be a permanent solution to protecting Taiping’s heritage, which was fast disappearing, and a proper mechanism to stop the cutting of old trees in the town, which were symbiotic with its heritage feel.

The house museum’s chief caretaker, Tan Kok Siew or Kapitan, as he is fondly called, said that most of the original fittings and designs are well preserved and he took the liberty of adding his own collection of antiques and artifacts for display.

“By housing a museum in this old building, I can help to preserve the antiquity of the entire structure and at the same time open it for public viewing to inculcate a passion for saving things of the past. These buildings have great value for everyone to appreciate,” he said.

Tan hoped the museum would encourage the conservation of heritage buildings and icons in Taiping and stop them from being destroyed forever.

Nirmal Ariyapala

Annual General Meeting 2014

The new Committee members elected are as below:

President - Yeap Thean Eng

Vice President - Abdul Halim Yahaya

Hon Secretary - P. Kesavan

Asst Secretary - M. Mahendran

Hon Treasurer - Teoh Kok Liang

Committees

Sharon Ng

Tung Lay Chun

Duncan Raj

Mohd Nor

Goh Keat Soon

Chung Chew Seng

Dato' Zuhuri Ahmad

CONGRATULATIONS !!!

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2014

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2014

To all members TAIPING HERITAGE SOCIETY, 

This is to inform you that the above AGM has been scheduled as follows:

DATE         : Wednesday, 19 MARCH 2014

TIME          : 5PM

VENUE      : SERI WARISAN HOTEL, Jalan Convent, Taiping.

AGENDA

5pm           -      REGISTRATION OF MEMBERS.

5.30pm      -     ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:- 

1.              President’s address.
2.              Confirmation of the  AGM minutes held on 15.3.2013.
3.              To receive and adopt the.Annual Report of the society.
4.              To receive and adopt the financial report ended 31.12.2013. 
5.              To deal with other matters tabled at the meeting.
6.              Election of Office Bearers.

6.30pm      -      DINNER.(FOC for members)

Please confirm your attendance as soon as possible to facilitate catering. 

Email reply to etyeap@gmail.com or tel: 0125382743

Thank you.


Yours faithfully,

P. Kesavan
Hon. Secretary

Jamuan Beramah Mesra with Orang Besar Jajahan, Taiping

            It was a fun-filled afternoon of singing, dancing and feasting for ten organisations of underprivileged children, handicapped and senior citizens at the residence of the OBJ in Jalan Kota Taiping on 9 November 2013. Among the beneficiaries were Crystal Children’s Welfare Home, St John’s Nursing Home, Sekolah Semangat Maju for the mentally challenged, ESDA and children’s welfare homes from Ulu Sepetang and Aulong.

Some underprivileged children

            An estimated crowd of 600 flocked to the event, occupying every nook and corner of the spacious grounds. An initial shower of rain did not dampen their spirits and as the sun reemerged, the guests were invited to tuck in from various counters of food lavishly laid out. There were fried noodles and chicken, cakes and traditional delicacies, hot tea and cold drinks.

Taiping Heritage Society was among 20 NGO’s (Non government organisations) who contributed financial assistance to Toh Muda Wan Isa and his wife Toh Puan Muda Norisha. Four hundred goody bags were prepared for the participants, and as caregivers and invited guests looked on, Toh Puan Muda Norisha and Datin Jennifer Ong handed out the gift packets.

President and Vice President with the OBJ

Then it was time for some entertainment. A colourfully garbed clown was surrounded by children waiting for toys and animals cleverly fashioned from twisting tube balloons. But loud pulsating music drew the crowd to three young ladies performing an Indian dance. Other singing and dance perfomances followed and each one was loudly applauded and cheered on with piercing wolf whistles and cries of encouragement. The loudest applause however, went to a group of young dancers doing the cha cha and the final item was the ever popular Gangnam Style from New Club Taiping and Vincent Children’s Home.

Clown entertaining the children

It was all in all a very successful event organized by the community for the community. As Toh Puan Norisha put in, “The most important thing is that the children enjoyed themselves.” And they certainly did!

Children waiting for their bus


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