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January 2010

Perak’s First Tin Miner was an Elephant!

By |2010-01-30T05:51:20+08:00January 30th, 2010|Categories: Memories, Museums, People|Tags: , , , |

This model of a full size elephant and handlers stands in the entrance to a building in Perak. Legend has it that one day he ran amok into the jungle and when he was finally caught he had a silvery substance smeared all over his left front leg. When his handlers had quietened him down enough to clean him up they found the substance was tin. The then Regent (there was no Sultan at the time) then gave all mining rights in the area to the owner of the elephant. True or not, it is a lovely story and is said to have started the tin boom and, later, wars between two Chinese miner clans, Hai San and Ghee Hin.

Now for the history buffs out there, where is the building, who owned the elephant and what was the date? No prizes given other than your knowledge of your local history being proudly displayed to the world.

Answers on Wednesday if you have not got them right by then.

Mid-Autumn Festival in Ipoh

By |2010-01-28T06:35:57+08:00January 28th, 2010|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Ipoh Town|Tags: , , , |

As you folks out there know by now, we like guessing-games. Here is a postcard from the 1980s, of a “busy street stall” in Ipoh, selling moon cakes, fruits, lanterns, etc. Now, all YOU have to do is tell us WHERE in Ipoh this street is (truth is: we aren’t sure ourselves!).

No prizes for guessing, just think of it as another way to get to know Ipoh better!

Sitiawan Revisited and a Bleat About Shop Signs

By |2010-01-26T10:48:40+08:00January 26th, 2010|Categories: Memories, Perak heritage Society|Tags: , , , , |

It is some time since ipohWorld’s world took a virtual trip to Sitiawan, home of the Foochows and so that is where we go today – to the building of Gray Jackson & Co Ltd opened in 1920. For the building enthusiasts here is what the top of the building looks like.

Now I have no doubt that the eminent partners of Gray Jackson would have played snooker, gambled and drunk coffee, but I fear that would have turned in their graves when those awful signs appeared on the front of their plain but tasteful architecture. 

I have never quite understood why our shop signs need to be so large and garish, but it seems to be essential in most of South East Asia except certain heritage streets in Singapore where they are banned. How nice it is to walk those streets with informative, but tasteful signs while taking in the pleasant surroundings that our forefathers created for us, rather than those hideous appendages.

Incidentally these photos were taken some time back and the building may have even disappeared by now, but you may recognise some members of the Perak Heritage Society in front of the building.

Does anyone in Sitiawan know what Gray Jackson and Co Ltd did?

Ipoh Heritage Buildings Art Exhibition

By |2010-01-24T15:26:37+08:00January 24th, 2010|Categories: Ipoh Town, Memories|Tags: , , , , , |

Local artist Khor Seow Hooi is presenting an exhibition of his paintings of Old Ipoh Town in the Syuen Hotel, first floor, from today 24 January 2010 until 31 january from 10am to 7.30pm daily, including Sunday. Above is one example of his detailed work in ink and watercolour on paper.

He has captured many of our heritage buildings with his brush and as the demolition of our heritage city continues unabated these pictures will become priceless mementoes of how we used to be.

Here is a second example of the treat that is in store for you when you make your way along to the Syuen. Don’t miss it!

The Dredge is to be SAVED – State Government Pledge

By |2010-01-23T05:44:01+08:00January 23rd, 2010|Categories: Memories, Museums|Tags: , |

This information is taken from the latest post on the Ipoh Echo blog at http://ipohecho.com.my/v2/2010/01/22/state-government-to-keep-the-dredge/.

This striking decision was made public by Dato’ Hamidah Osman the Senior State Executive Councilor for Tourism via an Echo reporter on on Wednesday 20 January during an interview in Taiping to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Taiping Peace Initiative.

It is reported that she said “Yes, we are going to keep the dredge” . She apparently continued ” …..Besides preserving the dredge we must also ensure that it is safe and will last for the long term. ……”

She made no mention of how much budget has been set aside, but no doubt it will be several million if this is to be a genuine preservation and long term solution.

Please read the full report via the above link.

The Taiping Peace Initiative – 10th Anniversary

By |2010-01-22T09:36:08+08:00January 22nd, 2010|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: , |

I must confess that until about two weeks ago I had never heard of the Taiping Peace Initiative. I was therefore surprised to be invited to their 10th Aniversary on 20 January 2010.

I discovered when I attended that the citizens of Taiping, through the United Nations Development programme (UNDP), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Taiping Municipal Council and Taiping Tourist Association, decided that Taiping should contribute to peace and harmony in the country and the world by launching The Taiping Peace Initiative back in 2001.

So they set up the Taiping Peace Initiative, an innovative partnership between civil society, local government and the private sector to promote, through practical action, a holistic concept of a “triple” peace- inner peace, social peace and earth peace.

To this end, part of the Lake Garden, approximately 1.6 acres was transformed into a Peace Park with a peace pole and the words “May Peace Prevail On Earth” in the world’s major languages. Over the 10 years since then much effort has been made to educate people in promoting peace, an activity backed by UNESCO.

This was indeed an eye-opener to me and worthy of more research.

A Most Unusual Mosque and a Great Restoration

By |2010-01-20T15:51:23+08:00January 20th, 2010|Categories: Memories, Museums|Tags: , , |

Perak has plenty of heritage buildings, many of which seem to be ignored by their owners or the government. But here is a wonderful heritage building for although not more than 100 years old it has just been restored by the National Heritage Department. Many will not believe that this building is a mosque for it is square, double-storey and without minarets. It may be the only one of its kind in Malaysia.

Kuala Dal mosque was built in 1936 by the village craftsman to an age old tradition and the upper storey was used for prayers while downstairs was a general purpose meeting room where apart from meetings, religous lessons were given to both adults and children and in the fasting month, the village would break fast there. The construction was funded by the 30th Sultan of Perak, Sultan Iskandar Shah who had seen the villagers praying in a dilapidated madrasah. It is very similar to the old palace, Istana Kenangan at Kuala Kangsar, woven bamboo in a diamond pattern as the photograph below shows. Sultan Iskandar Shah also built the new palace, Istana Iskandariah, in Kuala Kangsar.

It is painted in the colours of Perak, black, yellow and white. Local suggestions include the idea that it is going to be turned into a museum or gallery to add to the attractions of the area, but that may just be hearsay for today there is a notice advertising an Umrah meeting which indicates it may still be used for religous purposes, in addition to the second village mosque built in 1976. Today it is locked tightly shut. However it is a fact that back in the 1950’s and 60’s many Westerners travelling on the old road to/from Penang would stop here for a photo session. Let us hope that after such a splendid restoration, good use will be made of the building and encourage tourists to once again stop for that memorable picture to take home.

Almost Antique by Years – Art Deco by Style

By |2010-01-17T05:44:03+08:00January 17th, 2010|Categories: Ipoh Town, Memories|Tags: , , , , , |

In the entrance to the same building as the wash hand basin below hangs this electric light fitting. As electricity did not properly come to Ipoh until 1930, courtesy of the Perak River Hydro-Electric Power Company Ltd, it can only be around 75 years old – the art deco period – and that ties in very well with the style of the fitting. So we are in no doubt that the owners of this building were “early adopters” back in the 1930’s and quickly took advantage of the ability to provide proper lighting to illuminate their leisure.

Incidentally, the first electricity available in Ipoh was in 1923 by arrangement with the Pengkalan Tin Company, Batu Gajah.

Truly an Ipoh Antique from an Earlier Age

By |2010-01-14T16:14:24+08:00January 14th, 2010|Categories: Ipoh Town|Tags: , , |

For most items the definition of a true antique is more than 100 years old, although there are special arrangements made for items like paintings.

Here we have a real antique, found still fitted in a Chinese building in Ipoh after almost 117 years. Such items were quite rare in Perak in those days, apart from perhaps in the residences of the more senior colonial administrators for such things had to be imported at not inconsiderable expense. Therefore this was no cheap shophouse knocked up quickly, but a quality building with no expense spared for the building, its furniture and fittings.

As you can see from this second picture the basin was imported from Scotland from what is probably the most famous of all sanitary ware – Shanks of Barrhead established in 1850. There are actually two in the same room underlining the fact that no expense was spared. Can anyone guess which building these are in?

A word on dialects. Chinese are famous for their dialects, but Glasgow also has its own where Barrhead is pronounced “Boorheed” and Glasgow “Glessga”. I wonder is anyone out their knows how the Glaswegians pronounce “Milngavie”?

New Coat for the Tower!

By |2010-01-12T11:25:53+08:00January 12th, 2010|Categories: Ipoh Town|Tags: , , |

At last, the city council have decided to do something to preserve the heritage of Ipoh. Spotted this tower which has been given a new coat of paint although the colour looks odd. Well, at least we know that the tower won’t be making its way in the name of development anytime soon.

Looks Familiar?

By |2010-01-12T08:02:04+08:00January 12th, 2010|Categories: Identify Photographs|Tags: , , |

This is an aerial view of the ‘Bangunan Pasar’ (the Market). It almost looks like the market in Ipoh New Town, which was built by Yau Tet Shin ;notice the shape of the roof, at the top left corner of the picture.

This market however is in Teluk Anson (now known as Teluk Intan). Was it also built by a famous Towkay? Anyone with more information, do let us know.

Romance Among the Ruins, Beauty ‘Midst the Bricks

By |2010-01-10T03:45:55+08:00January 10th, 2010|Categories: Ipoh Town, Memories|Tags: , , , , , |

What a nice surprise I had yesterday when I dropped in to Panglima Lane to see the latest state of that fast disappearing site of Ipoh’s heritage. There was a wonderful sight, a Malay couple dressed in their stunning white silk wedding attire being photographed. The scene was without doubt worthy of the above secondary title “Beauty’Midst the Bricks”.

Now I did not ask them why they had chosen that particular spot, only if I could put this photo on my blog. But thinking back why shouldn’t they pick one of Ipoh’s most historic places to record their special day? But wouldn’t it be nice if the place had been kept up as a heritage site rather than a dilapidated shadow of its past glories. Sadly of course it is rare for anything in Ipoh ito be kept up despite heritage groups, activists and the government’s Heritage Act, for nobody seems to care about anything other than making a profit. What a sad place Ipoh will be if we continue this way.

Lam Looking – Looking Good

By |2010-01-09T09:47:27+08:00January 9th, 2010|Categories: Ipoh Town|Tags: , , , |

It was time to have another look at the restoration/renovation of Lam Looking Bazaar, so I popped down there this afternoon. What a great transformation met my eyes for as the above picture shows, despite the diversion notices and vehicles, the exterior has taken on a great new look – almost back to brand new.

But of course there is still much to do, but there is definitely work in progress as you can see.

Going inside, which is not recommended on the grounds of safety, one finds style where there was only rubble not that long ago, and what is more it is the original Iverson art deco style, but with a spanking new roof of quality tiles. The building really is going to look as good as new.

But a lot more original Iversen has also been retained and although some of the glazing will inevitably be different the great variety of light giving designs, for example on the stairs, have been kept.

and in the front of the building (photo taken from inside ground floor).

Overall the building is well on the way to be Ipoh’s shining star of heritage in our crumbling city. Well done all concerned. We look forward to the completion and opening ceremony.

How Well Do You Know Ipoh?

By |2010-01-07T13:44:19+08:00January 7th, 2010|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Ipoh Town|Tags: , , , |

This postcard shows an aerial view of Ipoh Old Town. We think the road meeting at the cross-junction are Jalan Panglima and Belfield Street. Among some of the famous landmarks which can be seen are the Birch Clock Tower, the Perak State Mosque, the Chung Thye Phin building, the Straits Trading Building and the Dramatist’s Hostel.

Think you can identify more? Do let us know!

….hair-style of the month?

By |2010-01-05T09:44:31+08:00January 5th, 2010|Categories: Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

This photograph was taken in Sitiawan, Perak – with the words ” Lian Jun Foo, ‘Suckling Pig’ ” written on the back.

We think the car, behind the boy, is an Austin. Any antique-car lover out there could help us confirm this.

As for the boy, he seems pretty confident with his pose – not to mention his unique hair-style! We’d like to hear from anyone who probably had such a hair style back in the 1940s. (maybe send us pictures too?)

A Virtual Paradise – No Less!

By |2010-01-03T03:52:59+08:00January 3rd, 2010|Categories: Memories|Tags: , , |

This very delightful house has combined two very distict styles, that to my eye actually compliment each other, into one structure and as such seems to me to be quite unusual. Clearly a family heritage building, it stands not far back from the main road, close to Beruas, Perak and on the day the photograph was taken, seemed to be empty. Obviously there is a lot of Malay tradition in the wood carvings and decoration, fast disappearing in many other places, as can be seen here:

But what about the concrete pillars? It is rare to see such decoration forming part of a Kampung House.

One thing I cannot imagine is why would anyone wish to leave such a house empty for it stands in a nice piece of land with trees and flowers and with no pollution, life could be idyllic. I do hope the owner was only out at the market and has not given up this piece pf paradise for a double storey link house in the city!

If anyone knows any of the history of this building we would be delighted to hear from you.

Peaceful Perak and a Wish for a Peaceful World

By |2010-01-01T02:45:30+08:00January 1st, 2010|Categories: Memories|Tags: , , |

As we start the new year of 2010 (can I really be that old?), it is traditional to greet each other with best wishes for the year ahead and we at ipohWorld are no different, so “May you all have health, wealth and happiness for the coming year”.

However looking at the above picture and remembering just how peaceful this solitary Lenggong house was when we walked along the shady track that ran past it, I would like to add a second greeting to the world “May you all have a peaceful 2010”. Now I know that my one voice wishing for peace will not make even the tiniest dent in the bombings, shootings and every other sort of violence that takes place somewhere every few seconds, but if we all said it then there might be a hope of at least reducing some of the mayhem in the world. So I shall say it again. “May you all have a peaceful 2010”. 

We look forward to hearing from each one of you in the year ahead.

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