The 11th Independent Field Squadron Royal Engineers was building a bridge in a kampung, in 1958, as one of their Malayan Emergency operations in Taiping. The villagers were looking on curiously, wondering what was going on. Nothing has changed in 50 years – Malaysians still love to watch what is happening, particularly road traffic accidents of which […]
The picture shows an old , open cast, tin mine in Taiping during 1958. We are wondering what had happened to this mine. Can you help us ? The scene is of course very typical of an abandoned mine with the mine itself now full of water and the sheds falling down. However the Palong still […]
Just a set of bones, but a very important set at that! For this is Perak man. The oldest skeleton found in the Peninsula so far. He is believed to be a male (but the experts are not absolutely sure) with a height of approximately 157cm, aged about 45. It was discovered in 1991 and the […]
Most people remember 1948 as the start of the Emergency, but this envelope from Ipoh’s Station Hotel reminds us about something else. We were under British Colonial Rule; The British Military Administration was not long gone (and we were still using their stamps); and we were celebrating the Silver Wedding of King George VI and […]
This grand old picture dates from 1894 when a bull elephant gallantly refused to move off the rail tracks, close to Teluk Anson (now Teluk Intan) in defence of his herd against what he saw as an intruder into his domain. Unfortunately the train, which had previously killed a calf elephant in the same place, was doing some 80 […]
Although this meeting in Beijing is not directly related to Perak, it is a fact that it was Perak in particular that continued to suffer from the communists for several years after the Malayan Emergency was declared over. As there has been much press about Chin Peng recently, I thought a picture of him might […]
Two memorial boards can be seen at the entrance of Elphil Estate and Sungai Siput Estate (which was formerly known as Phin Soon Estate) with the details of the tragic murders on 16 June 1948. A good intention. But it’s so sad to see the board at the Elphil Estate. The name of the planter, […]
This photograph came with the caption “An important street in Ipoh in 1950”. However we cannot name it nor decide why it is said to be important. Can you? Don’t be shy just drop us a line by clicking om “Leave a comment” under these words. We guarantee not to use your email for any […]
A few Special Constables were guarding the tin dredger from the communist bandits’ attacks. But we couldn’t find where the location was. Does anyone know the location? We will be happy to hear from you.
This divided back, unused, card from Airfoto is centred on the Perak State Mosque with the Railway Station clearly visible between it and the limestone hills which form the backdrop against a brilliant blue sky. The amazing thing about this picture is just what a beautiful and green city Ipoh was in the 1960’s. In every […]
The Auster was taking off from Sungai Siput in 1950s. The photo was given by Mr. Richard Clarke from United Kingdom. The aircraft was probably from 656 Squadron.
Something we want bring to your attention. The following is an extract from a notice posted by the MPOA. ….the Malaysian Palm Oil Association – Perak have decided to construct a monument and gallery at Sungei Siput Estate. The cost of construction is estimated to be in the region of RM$100,000.00. The little Acre Sub Committee […]
How Others See Us. Below is a true copy of Lonely Planet’s latest report on Ipoh. Check it out if you don’t believe me. We simply added the red highlighting. For the visitor, Ipoh is mainly a transit town, a place where you change buses if you’re heading for Pulau Pangkor or the Cameron Highlands. However, […]
Although so far nobody has commented on our earlier blog about the disgraceful state of Panglima Lane today, I thought that you might like to see what it should look like. This picture although of poor quality shows just how well looked after, clean and tidy the Lane used to be. Obviously the owners had […]
If we go to God’s Little Acre, Batu Gajah, definitely we won’t miss out to see a tall monument called ‘Centre Point’. The ‘Centre Point’ was erected in 17th June 1989 by the Perak Planters’ Association and other well wishers, to honour the planters, the miners, the Malayan Police Force, the Commonwealth Forces and the general public who gave their […]
The local government system was introduced into Malaya before the end of the 19th century, after the system showed a tremendous development in United Kingdom. In United Kingdom, the Elizabethan Poor Law of 1601 become the initial step towards the local government establistment. This law required the local community to look into the problems of […]
This picture shows three “young at heart” Europeans enjoying the slide into the top pool of three that made up the Taiping Club’s swimming pool in the 1950s. It is still there but sadly overgrown and in a serious state of disrepair. Of course the club now has a new pool. A user of the […]
For those of you interested in what’s happening in your local Ipoh community and if you’d like to receive the Ipoh Echo in your email inbox, you can now do so by subscribing online at: http://www.ipohecho.com.my/ IT’S FREE and the site has recently been upgraded for higher interactivity. One of the subsequent benefits which will […]
Click on picture to enlarge With the God’s Little Acre Remembrance ceremony taking place last month in Batu Gajah a number of people have asked who was actually buried there that died in the Emergency. This is posted for those who are unable to actually visit the beautiful cemetery.
Just a stone’s throw from the river beautification project and in one of the most interesting parts of Old Town is Market Street and this eyesore. What can one say? Do we have no pride in ourselves and our city?
In December last year there was a revelation by the Datuk Bandar, Ipoh, that the legendary tunnel under the Ipoh Town Hall, which is said to join the Railway Station to the High Court and the Police Station (the latter being most unlikely) was to be investigated. Indeed, not only investigated, but opened to the public as […]
We are grateful to Ramesh who has lent us this photograph so that we may share it with you. The photograph shows Chamberlain Road, Ipoh with Jalan Bendahara at the bottom left, joining Chamberlain at the roundabout. Apart from the Sri Maju Bus Company replacing the Palm Trees, bottom left, with their vehicles in 1978 not […]
Mangrove forests are one of the Earth’s most rapidly disappearing ecosystems. These coastal forests, with trees adapted to growing in salty soil and water, protect coastlines from erosion and are a natural barrier to strong coastal storms and tsunamis. The tangled root systems are a nursery for shrimp and many species of fish that go […]
High on an abrupt limestone cliff near Ipoh, a whole series of rock paintings drawn with haematite paint were discovered in 1959 and are estimated to be between 5,000 to 12,000 years old! They were discovered by an Englishman, one Lieutenant R L Rawlings, who was serving with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own […]
