Han Chin Pet Soo is open! Book now at www.ipohworld.org/reservation
Han Chin Pet Soo is open! Book now at www.ipohworld.org/reservation

May 2017

Famous Names

By |2017-05-10T14:46:41+08:00May 10th, 2017|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, People|Tags: , , |

LKF

 

Our featured Celebrity was born in Wuhua, Guandong, China. He began as an apprentice in the Menglembu Tin Mines. His hard work eventually paid off when he could afford to run his own tin mines. He was also quite a philanthropist. Among his many good deeds include:

  • Treasurer of Yuk Choy High School, and also donated 2 classrooms
  • Treasurer of Perak Girls’ School
  • Vice Chairman of the Perak Ka Yin Association (from 1952-1953)
  • Hon. Chairman of the Ipoh Hakka (Khek) Association

In case you’re still wondering who this gentleman is, well let me put you out of your misery. He’s none other than Lee Kwee Foh!

July 2010

Oh No! Not Just the Roof ……….

By |2010-07-28T00:01:14+08:00July 28th, 2010|Categories: Ipoh Town, Memories|Tags: , , , , , |

We featured this building in http://www.ipohworld.org/?p=1712 where we showed the original mansion that belonged to Dato Seri Lau Pak Kuan OBE JP and what the owners of the Coliseum Club had done to deface this beautiful building.

In the comments on that blog mashi74 reported that the stylistic roof had been removed and, as you can see from this photo it has been replaced with something far less easy on the eye. But worse! Look what they have done to the stonework! Garish is not a strong enough word for this abomination.

And finally, it appears that have torn the whole inside out and are to renovate with modern (Ugh!) materials.

Have these people no eye for beauty, history and heritage. Maybe they just have no soul!

May 2010

A Familiar Place…..?

By |2010-05-24T08:28:08+08:00May 24th, 2010|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories|Tags: , , , |

This is one of the many mansions which belonged to one of Ipoh’s rich towkays. I’m sure some of you recognise it! The picture below shows what has become of the place in recent times….

….a club! Notice the changes, especially the windows and balcony. Anyone know WHEN the mansion was turned into a club?

March 2010

Armed and Dangerous?

By |2010-03-03T13:18:41+08:00March 3rd, 2010|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

The Home Guard was part of a defence strategy during the Malayan Emergency. Their role was a ‘static local defence’, and ‘manning of checkpoints’ to cut of supplies to CTs, particularly in the area of the New Villages. The Home Guard were said to release the police and military for counter-terrorist ops.

Here we have two women from the Kinta Valley Home Guard, taken on the 2nd of March 1953 (the one on the right is holding a Bren gun). These were trained at a camp in Ipoh and were specifically for guarding the tin mines in Perak. They were all Chinese and founded by Towkay Lau Pak Kuan, as President of the Perak Chinese Tin Mining Association, with permission from General Templar, the British High Commissioner. Formed in 1952, some 4000 members were recruited, trained and armed by the government. In 1954 it is recorded that 323 different mines were defended by this “Chinese Home Guard”. They were operational until the end of the Emergency.

 (If I were a CT, I’d know better than to get in their way!)

November 2009

Path of the Righteous Crane – The Life & Legacy of Eu Tong Sen

By |2009-11-10T02:11:52+08:00November 10th, 2009|Categories: Books|Tags: , , |

This book is said to be the first official biography of one of Asia’s well-known figures – Eu Tong Sen. Written by Ilsa Sharp, Eu Tong Sen’s story is told based on extentive research. As Sharp herself explains, “This is no ordinary tale of a towkay who just struck it rich”.

Our copy of this book was purchased at Select Bookstore in Singapore. Those interested could probably enquire about this book at the local bookstores – the ISBN number is as follows:
ISBN 981-4189-22-7

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