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

Taiping tourism unaffected by Bukit Larut closure

 

12 March, 2020

The closure of Bukit Larut, also known as Maxwell Hill, since last year due to landslide risks, has not affected tourist arrivals. Taiping is ranked among the top three sustainable cities in the world.

Taiping Municipal Council president Khairul Amir Mohamad Zubir said the heritage town still had many attractions such as the Perak Museum.

“The Public Works Department is in the process of opening tender for repair works at the affected areas.

“We expect Bukit Larut to be opened to the public by January next year at the latest, ” he told reporters after attending the programme of simultaneous planting of trees in conjunction with the Larut, Matang and Selama (LMS) district-level National Landscape Day celebrations here yesterday.

The event was officiated by the Orang Besar Jajahan or territorial chief of LMS Datuk Wan Mohd Isa Wan Mohd Razak, which saw some 300 trees being planted simultaneously at the Raintree Walk.

Khairul Amir said the council would plant 2,000 trees, including the Merawan Siput Jantan species (Hopea odorata) around Taiping town, as a climate change effect mitigating measure.

“The local community, schools and parks are encouraged to plant more trees, ” he said.

Bernama

Historic town of Taiping gets filmed for BBC’s Great Railway Journeys travelogue

Wednesday, 11 Sep 2019 04:39 PM MYT

BY SYLVIA LOOI

Great Railway Journeys’ host Micheal Portillo
shooting  a scene at Taiping Lake Gardens. —
Picture via Facebook/ Majlis Perbandaran Taiping

IPOH, Sept 11 — The peaceful town of Taiping is set to be included in an episode of BBC’s travelogue series, “Great Railway Journeys”.

The crew arrived in Taiping to shoot the scenes on September 7 where programme host Michael Portillo was taken to several popular locations such as the Raintree Walk, Taiping Lake Gardens, Taiping central market and Market Square.

In a posting on its official Facebook page, Taiping Municipal Council (MPT) said the programme would highlight Portillo’s journeys to several states and locations in Malaysia via train.

The heritage Taiping Central Market will be immortalised in the ‘Great Railway Journeys’ travelogue hosted by Micheal Portillo. — Picture via Facebook/ Majlis Perbandaran Taiping

“Portillo will delve into the area’s history and culture at every location he stops besides highlighting its arts, landscape, delicacies and tourists spots,” added the council.

Previously, the television series, which was first screened 10 years ago, had gone to India, United States, most of Europe and Russia.

The council noted that the series was based on a travel guide about the history of trains that was published in 1913.

“Travelling by train is fast becoming popular,” noted the council.

Following the post, many social media users urged the council to preserve Taiping’s old buildings.

Es Ng said heritage buildings should be preserved before they fell apart.

“Perhaps these kind of events can help speed up the process and get the state government to act fast,” he wrote.

Ong Lee said nature was at its best at the Taiping Lake Gardens and Bukit Larut (formerly known as Maxwell Hill).

“Would be excellent if MPT can please restore the facade of as many historical buildings as possible to maintain the status of Taiping Heritage Town,” she wrote.

Wan Mashitah also urged the council to preserve the old buildings in Taiping.

“If the buildings are not well maintained, we will lose these valuable assets that makes Taiping special,” she wrote.

MALAY MAIL

Taiping chosen as only ‘age-friendly town’ in Southeast Asia

Bernama  September 3, 2019 11:41 PM

Taiping attracts a lot of pensioners due to the low cost of living, pleasant
weather and ample facilities, including the famous Lake Gardens. (Bernama pic)

TAIPING: Taiping has been chosen as the only age-friendly town in Southeast Asia.

Taiping Municipal Council (MPT) president Borhan Abdul Halim said a celebration ceremony was scheduled to be held at the Taiping Perdana Hotel here on Sept 30.

He said the heritage town was chosen after MPT had met various criteria set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to achieve the status within five years.

Borhan said more than RM1 million had been spent by MPT in the research process carried out over the past two years through grants from the United Nations Development Programme.

“This will not only make Taiping well-known to the world but will also make it a pensioners’ town.

“It can attract pensioners to settle here and also invest here,” he told reporters after chairing the MPT monthly meeting at Wisma Perbandaran Taiping here today.

Meanwhile, he said a mural painting of aviation pioneer Amelia Mary Earhart, by artist Chen Teck Meng and Khok Chai Ong, had been completed on the wall of a two-storey shoplot on Jalan Abdul Jalil here.

BERNAMA

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