ika | IpohWorld's World

It is in our collection, but not yet listed in the database and may be difficult to guess. So let me give you a couple of clues: Probably unique, it came from a tin mine near Lahat and was invented by a British Mining Engineer! It dates from the days when appropriate machinery was not yet […]

Movement Control Orders are not new to this country, but in the past they have been limited to curfews. The earliest example we have is from the New Villages during the Emergency, when the residents were locked down for around 14 hours every night. Of course there was always ways ti get a permit to […]

Ipoh’s Markets have changed over the years and we at ipohWorld are confused. As you can see it is called the New Market. But which New Market? Is there anyone out there who can tell us where this Market building fits into Ipoh’s History please.

This mural was found on the wall of a house in Kuching. It is courtesy of Wikipedia. Pure propaganda, the caption written in Jawi says: “Oh Allah we are saved from (British) persecution by the Japanese troops”.

This sketch records the ‘Selerang Square Squeeze’ – a shocking Japanese atrocity meted out to 16,000 PoWs in Changi, Singapore in 1942. The Japanese settled the Allied soldiers in a cramped square for five days in unbearable heat to make them sign documents stating they would not try to escape. Many men died from disease […]

This sketch is one of many drawn on a scrap of used paper by artist John Mennie, a Japanese POW. The sketch shows L’Cpl Dunlop from the Army Medical Corps conducting an operation on a serviceman with no medical facilities. The set of sketches were given to fellow POE Eric Jennings, son of the Editor […]

A Steam Locomotive racing through the waving Coconut Palms of Malaya. Romantic or not? Taken from the book Fifty Years Of Railways In Malaya this drawing was used for exhibition purposes. Would it encourage you to visit Malaya?

One of a series of cards from USA that tended to focus on the bravery of Allied servicemen and leaders, rather than on enemy. There is a brief description on the reverse from January 1942, mentioning the landings at Teluk Anson.

After enjoying every crumb of their bakery buns, a little rest and some games at the beautifully scenic Gining Lanf, it was tie to move on. The next and final stop for the day was a Chinese Cave Temple. Thus, they had reached the end of a really fun day with their Cousins and Classmates […]

This famous sign has always been a ‘Must-do’ photo stop – if you have the energy. After the photo stop it was time to eat the buns for lunch. The chosen location was a wonderful green area just a few minutes from the sign. Where was it?

After leaving the newly completed Coronation Park. Their route took them up the Kuala Kangsar Road to the cheapest best bun shop on Ipoh. Of course that was the The Patis Bakery Factory. Their buns and cakes were always delicious. Do you have any memories of this famous Ipoh icon?

It was a pleasant Saturday morning as they set off for their trip as there was no Saturday school in those days! The group was made up by boys and girls from SMI and the HIJ Convent, with one or two cousins joining in. After a short ride it was time to stop at a […]

There was a time when boys and girls got together for around Ipoh bicycle rides. It was a great way to spend healthy times with your friends. This picture was given to us by Ong Su-ming. It is a Saturday morning in 1953. The outing started right here in Gopeng Road. If you can join […]

Yesterday was St. Patrick’s day. Did you celebrate? I am sure all the Irish, like these, did just that. But as you probably have guessed by now, this was not yesterday, but just 57 years ago in Ipoh. Time flies when you are celebrating!

On the second Saturday of January the SW team is proud to bring Zilkif;ee SM Anwar Ujhaque to Ipoh. If you are nor sure who is he, His ardent fans simply call him ZUNAR. By this, we don’t need to give a big introduction to our guest. His works are well loved by the raykat they revealed exactly what readers felt, albeit cheeky! Well, the storm […]

The photo is from the Sun article about the newly designated Sun Yat Sen historical trail in Ipoh. You may read about it at:\https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2020/01/02/on-the-trail-of-sun-yat-sen-and-comrades

The picture, supplied by Harchand Singh Bedi is an actual scene from the Battle of Kampar in 1942,

I could not let this day go by without remembering that on 2 January 1942, the British Battalion, formed in Ipoh from the survivors of the Commonwealth forces, The Gurkhas, The British Indian Army and the British Army, were defeated by the Japanese, who then went on to capture Singapore. The battle lasted four long […]

Here’s wishing you peace, prosperity and good fortune for the year of Perfect Vision. May 2020 be good to you all.

for some, it would also be the end of their schooling years. Back in December 1957, Lo Yuk Zhu graduated from Perak Girls’ Secondary School. Pictured here is a unique certificate signed by the Principal. What did YOUR school graduation certificate look like?

Sorry folks I am running a little late with this piece of news! https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/12/24/wwii-unexploded-ordnance-found-in-ipoh

Perhaps a biscuit (or 5) from Huntley & Palmer?

They say this is the season of “goodwill to all men”, irrespective of race or religion. That is exactly what we wish for you all. Peace in the World. Let’s try and make it so together.

Did you know .. that on 21st December 1945, 3 months after the Japanese surrender, the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (Main Convent) had a Christmas concert? Teachers and students must have worked hard to get the show together in such a short time. Below is a copy of their programme. God Save the […]

First, a quick shot from the Sunday Star today: And the link form today’s Star Online: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/12/22/lenggong-valley-lacking-appreciation-as-a-unesco-site-say-experts and from two days ago: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/12/21/lenggong-valley-a-world-heritage-site-is-in-peril#cxrecs_s

Well, you still have a few days left. Somebody followed our advice as this receipt from Whiteaways Laidlaw & Co Ltd is dated 14th December 1957. No doubt this was for a little last minute shopping.

What is unique about this card? No snowman, no decorated Christmas tree…no Santa either. Just a simple bullock cart. A Christmas greeting card sent to Mr & Mrs Peter. Sender is Percival Moss, a tailor who sewed uniforms for the Malay States Guides and other military organisations.

Tommy is seen decorating the tree, while John and William (the twins) look on. Peter is seated on the sofa. A Planter’s family Christmas in Malaya.

Just thought some of you would like to click Han Chin Pet Soo on Facebook and see what our visitors have been up to lately. Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/Han-Chin-Pet-Soo-389066454583533/

Over many weeks Larry has sent us a host of photographs. So many that they will be a great addition to our database recording his childhood life and times with Perak Hydro in Batu Gajah. You have probably seen memories from him and his young friends on our blog where young friends from 50+years ago […]

Yes, you really never know what you might find to surprise you on our heritage trail. This delight was more than a little surprising just after we passed Concubine Lane at the Treacher Street (Jalam Bijeh Timah) end. Yes it is, it really is – a water meter right in the middle of the […]

Some years ago this site held two of the original Panglima Lane homes from 1893. Then one literally fell down into a pile of bricks. Fortunately no one was hurt. Then because the second one was considered dangerous it was also taken down. For a while it became a sort of recreation site but […]

Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Yussuf Izzuddin Shah passed away today at the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur. Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Bainun and the sultan’s children, including the Acting Raja Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, were by his side when he passed away. The […]

It’s Party time again! ~ Come & CELEBRATE! our fun & wonderful years of Life & Friendship Together! – *Saturday, August 2nd, 2014* *@ Kinta Riverfront Hotel & Suites, Ipoh.* This year will see the debut of our Alma Mater’s magnificient Bagpipers & Wushu Drummers! Get ready to be tickled and entertained by the professional […]

The Ipoh Railway station forecourt underwent a major renovation recently and one of the first things the tourist sees when he arrives is a large round fountain area surrounded by nicely constructed boundaries which hold engraved pictures and words about the delights of Perak. I took friends down there and here is a sample of […]

Situated at 2A Market Square, Taiping, this is the project of Tan Kok Siew (Kapitan Antiques) who has leased this old house and filled two floors with antiques and collectables from days gone by. Entrance is RM5.00. The museum is opem every day from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm. Apart from the items on display, […]

27 April to 25 May at 16 Jalan Sultan Iskandar (Hugh Low Street) – next to Lim Kopi. Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm. Closed om Mondays. Entrance is FREE

It is with sadness that we advise of the passing of Chye Kooi Loong who left this world on Wednesday 23 April 2014. Chye Kooi Loong, is a renowned war historian and former Home Guard warden during the Malayan Emergency. He is a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE), awarded by the Queen […]

Just look at this grand old postcard from the 1920’s. Recognise the place? Well I guess most of you will not be able to pin this down, but as the postcard caption shows, it is the People’s Park, Ipoh. Historically the land was gazetted as the ‘People’s Park’, a gift from the government to the people […]

This great old photo came with the following message: “Picture of me with the team 4x100m relay Cator Avenue school ipoh 1968. Hope my old friends in the picture memory of our history together. from: Alaudin”. So come on friends, tell which one is you. And for those not in the picture, we always […]

Here is a bit of nostalgia if ever there was one! Sent in by Mano it is a photo taken on a bus on the way to Penang from the famed NTPS Jalan Pasir Puteh, Ipoh in 1967. Mano tells us: At the rear is Semret Singh, SEA Games Gold medallist at the Hammer […]

Yes, they are back! To avoid disappointment, please make your bookings at the PSPA office or contact them at : PSPA : 05-5487814 Witzi Leong : 012-5088818 ******** Emails : pspaipoh@gmail.com , inquiries@pspaipoh.org Website : www.pspaipoh.org Visit them on facebook : www.facebook.com/pspaipoh

A couple of days ago I happened by chance to meet up with a group of KL tour guides in Old Town. They were with a Perak member of our Tour Guides’ Association and I joined up with them for a while to tell the heritage story as per ipohWorld. When we were close […]

Yes here it is having just passed over the Hugh Low Bridge. Proceeding at a steady, somewhat leisurely, pace, the Trichair turned left and looked as if it was going to the nearby market. The photo was taken around 10.00 am on 23 July 2013 when I overtook them on the bridge and having pulled […]

Yes, here is the latest attraction to arrive at Falim House Exhibition “A Tin Mining Family”. It is the Mobo Pony Express, a dual purpose toy that can be used as a baby’s push cart and a pedal car, And there are more good things to come. So if you have been to see us […]

No, it is not the Beatles nor is it the Famous Falcons. It is actually 3 generations of one family visiting our exhibition. These are truly my favourite as Grandpa tells the grandchildren all his old stories and the children listen and learn. And that is what we strive for, the children to learn a […]

Today, Sunday 26 May 2013 really was a day of smiles 885 of them! Yes 885 people registered at ipohworld’s exhibition mounted at Falim House and good humour was the order of the day. Have you been to Falim yet? You really should as it is ipohworld’s best show yet.

This photo was taken about two weeks ago and it is one very small corner of the whole exhibition. Today, now that the remedial work is done to this particular display it is a great place to record your visit to this famous house. It is just one such photo-spot of many. Found in Falim, […]

Dur to the selected date of the long awaited GE13 we have decided to delay the opening of our exhibition at Falim House (pictured) until Sunday 12 May. It will run for the same three months closing on Sunday 11 August. More details nearer the date so watch this space! We apol;ogise for any […]

Attention to ALL EX Rpsians (Teachers & Students 60s/70s/80s/90s/20..) Hope all of u will join this event -Date & Time 18/5/2013 at 2.00 p.m.Venue SMK Raja Perempuan, Ipoh (Jln Batu Bungkal) Interested Pls contact Wong 0125282196

We are currently planning to run an exhibition called “A Mining Family” at Falim House. This is not about one family, but an amalgam of more than 200 photographs and a large number of artifacts that show the lifestyle and labours of several of Ipoh’s Mining Towkays. The exhibition is targeted to open on 1st May 2013 […]

Despite Ipoh’s long romance with all things food-related and the abundance of hotels, restaurants and clubs in town, Ipoh has never before taken part in the international tradition of the waiters’ race. On the 25th of May 2013, that is about to change. Organised jointly by the Ipoh City Council (MBI), Perak Tourism Association […]

Well folkjs they were promised for the New Year and here they are, the last brush strokes being co,pleted just a few hours ago. They may be found between Hugh Low and Hume Streets across the road from the multicoloured shophouses in Hugh Low Street. Maybe this picture will give you a better idea of […]

Is it a stadium a school field or a swimming pool? You tell us please.

I have chosen to feature this photo today to honout the owner, Mr. Lim of the Lim Kopi kopitiam in Hugh Low Street, who has done an outstanding restoration job on this building, inside and out. For those of you who are not aware this is the de Silva building in Belfield Street, Old Town, Ipoh which […]

Noting the concern of some of ipohworld’s loyal followers about the apparent near-death state of the famous Ipoh Tree in the Station gardens(!) I contacted the Ipoh Echo with a request that they investigate. James Gough immediately swung into action and today (8 December 2012, posted a report on the Echo Website at http://ipohecho.com.my/v2/2012/12/08/dying-ipoh-tree/. Basically it […]

A (Medieval) Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols International choir CANTUS MUSICUS and Jusz Kidz Children’s Choir will present an Advent service of THE FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS & CAROLS in the sanctuary of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Kuala Lumpur on 9 December 2012 (Sunday), at 6.00pm. This is a traditional Christian choral festival in […]

Do book now as seats are very limited and Julian is a great speaker.

The below received from Tony Pun. Congratulations to ACS Alumni from ipohWorld..

May this coming year bring all our worldwide friends blessings in abundance.

Yes, let us all share in this Deepavali no matter what race, religion or creed you are. We all need some light in our lives don’t we?

In response to the below appeal we have unusually agreed to publish this. Please help if you can but remember – pets are not toys to be discarded when you are bored with them. They are for life. “TheNoah’s Ark Ipoh is managing the ISPCA cattery. We have lots of kittens at the moment, around […]

Please click on picture and zoom to read details.

“A Countess from Hong Kong” – a story about Natascha, a White Russian countess, who stows away on a luxury liner at Hong Kong, determined to seek a new life in America – is showing at the Lido and in competition, “The Blue Max” is showing at the Cathay. Which one did you see?

We have received the following message and wondered if anyone could help please. :Name: Carmel Donnellan & Pip Tudgay E-Mail Address: gitroffle@gmail.com Message: Good Day I am a relative of Sr. Oliver Deering (Wicklow, Ireland) who taught and lived at this school from the early 1920’s to her retirement in the late 1970’s. Sr. Oliver […]

With this photograph of another Hari Raya Celebration just 100 years ago the staff at ipohWorld wish all our Muslim readers, friends and families across the world, “Selamat Hari Raya.” And to all Malaysians, wherever you may be best wishes for your future and please drive safely.

This is a special announcement from Dato Datin Seri Dr Yim Poh Wah – the Vice Chairman of the Malaysian MENSA Society (MMS). The aims of Mensa is to foster intelligence, conduct research on intelligence and to provide a stimulating social environment for its members for networking both locally and internationally. I seek your help […]

Warned that something was “up” in Gopeng Road I dropped by this afternoon. But nothing was “up” however – quite the opposite – No 62 was on the way “down”. Yes, the Ipoh demolition team were at it again. So I dropped in on the Chinese foreman who seemed to agree with me that it […]

Nostalgic flash back in Ipoh ACS – The little park in the site of the current Carpentry Shed 1953 by IpohBornKid Prior to the erection of the Carpentry Shed, there was a little park of green grass with a middle line of trees, one of which was a frangipani tree of nearly 12 feet tall. […]

Iris Cheng posted on our FB timeline this very sad picture of the Art Deco Majestic Theatre in the throes of demolition. We heard about it on Saturday but honestly I found it too depressing to bother to go and take a photograph. However as Iris did bother I felt it was only right that […]

Please Click on pictures to enlage the flyers. Art Exhibition @ Garden Villa, No.5 Jalan Dr Nazrin Shah, Ipoh July 6.to 8, 2012 Contact: Su Ming Ng (email:suming@streamyx.com) Please support this. Abdul Kareem is an Ipoh boy, born and bred.

The Americans termed it “The Witches Hat” by IpohBornKid Introductory quote from:http://tstbob.blogspot.com.au/2009/12/walk-down-memory-lane-to-dangerous.html “No; I’m not talking about those sterile plastic lysol-sprayed hunks of crap nestled in a bed of rubbery soft nerfy flooring. I’m talking aboutreal playgrounds. The kind we grew up with, the kind that mangled us and taught us life lessons. Playgrounds deemed too […]

In 1999 the Perak State Government published a very nice heritage trail map of Ipoh. It was produced by our good friends from Penang, Lubis and Salma. One of the buildings featured was in Kampong Jawa and clearly the Government thought it had some heritage value as they included it in the map. It was abandoned then, but […]

One thing I do not understand about Ipoh is that here we have a beautiful hotel building used as an electrical store while so many entrepreneurs are knocking up ugly buildings all over the place which they happily call one of the three b’s – backpacker, budget or boutique hotels . Why didn’t one of […]

Well there was one man at least in Ipoh who was very much into it, particularly ‘Kung Fu Karato’. He was known as Leong Fu and he lived at 119 Anderson Road, Ipoh. Not only was he into the art, he was the world champion, having fought in all parts of the Kung Fu world and […]

Here we have a picture of Nigel Jennings on the verandah of Rose Cottage in the Cameron Highlands. He is wearing a green blazer and cap both sporting a school badge. We would love to know which school this was. Inserted in the picture bottom left you can see the badge is an “S” and […]

Ruth Rollitt updated us about the moving of the golf club from Golf Club Road to Tiger Lane in a previous blog http://www.ipohworld.org/?p=3056. She also sent the following photographs. Her comment that went with these photos said: “When my father (B M Iversen) arrived in Ipoh in 1930 he was working for the firm of […]

Y K Choong sent us this photo in October last year and it went on the the pile called “Must do site visit”. Well this morning I actually got out to Jalan Theatre in Pasir Pinji to find that nobody 25 years old or less appeared to have ever heard of the place. However an […]

I received the following picture and message by enail. I know many of you tried to help Nicholas find his grandfather’s grave. Well done everybody particularlu Law Siak Hong who did a great service for Nicholas and his family. Dear Ian: Some good news. Thanks to Siak Hong Law, my grandfather’s tombstone was not only […]

The Konkey Game played in Ipoh & Surrounds By IpohBornKid Introduction: When the X generation was growing up, they did not have affluent parents who would buy them toys, hi-fi sets or computer games. They relied on their ingenuity and played games that cost nothing. These games were usually played in the open air about […]

As we do not have any photos of Ipoh youngsters playing marbles to illustrate the following text from ipohbornkid, I have used this one courtesy of wwwyeohongeng.blogspot.com. Perhaps some of our readers can help us out with similar photos from Ipoh or Perak. And how about some stories about other childhood games please. Definitions […]

This, the fifth book in the Scorpio Series covers the period of the second Malaysian “Emergency” from 1970 to 1990 and Special Branch operations that not many people are aware of. By 1970, the Communist Party of Malaya had re-grouped in southern Thailand and trained about 2,400 reserve troops. They were ready to make a return to […]

Mark, of Kinta Heritage Group took these two photographs that I failed to get earlier in the week. He first posted them on Facebook, but I am sure he will not mind them being also published here. Remember these were taken this week. They need no explanation. But the question Mark has for you is, […]

I had a brief ride around Old Town this morning to see what was happening. I couldn’t get any photo or update on the Railway Station Gardens as they are still hidden behind tall blue fencing. However apart from the Cenotaph and the Ipoh Tree there seems to be nothing of the gardens left. Not […]

Just look what happened yesterday! I passed by in the morning and only the top half was painted but by the time I got around to going back with my camera the FB site “All About Ipoh” had beaten me to it and posted this photograph. I am sure the authors won’t mind me using […]

But can anyone tell us when they will open again please. The world misses this famous hostelry which has been closed for restoration since 1 March 2008 – almost 4 years! But what a night the 29th February was – the last night. Were you there? By the way, for more photos of this grand […]

Yes those were the days when popping round the corner to buy a few groceries was a pleasure for there was always a friendly face behind the counter with time to chat. So different to the coldly efficient supermarkets of today. But what was your corner shop like? Any memories?

SK drew our attention to this book a few days ago and I have managed to obtain one and thought you might like to get an idea of what it looks like. Hardbound with 280 pages it is a very nicely produced volume by Rokiah Talib and her team. I am sure many Old Andersonians will […]

What is so special about the GLCM that it deserves a write up? Well, among the Christian churches in Ipoh, the Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, and other denominations all have Anglo-Celtic influence but the Lutheran has German influence. Secondly, GLCM carried out its missionary work in the tin mining villages south of Ipoh. Thirdly, they […]

A while ago we featured the Main Convent Primary School (http://www.ipohworld.org/?p=1618) which was housed in Leeton House and under renovation. Today I dropped in to see what had happened to the grand old building and was pleasantly surprised for although not a true restoration the owners/architects/contractors have made a good attempt to retain many of the […]

1030am at No 5 Gopeng Road. Admission is FREE. The refreshments are FREE! There are books on sale. See you there!

We received the following by email. Click photo to enlarge. A Grateful Participant of the ipohWorld Blog Cmdr Ian Anderson has brought out the best of every Ipoh person who had participated in the Ipoh World Blog. Despite the diversity in schools, ACS, St Michaels, Anderson etc. Ipoh World participants seems to have a spiritual […]

First an SMI Sports Team, but who, which team and when? And next another SMI Class but that is all we know. What we really need here on ipohWorld is a greater number of SMI boys to help us. We have lots of SMI stuff which comes under the category of “Unknown”. Please help if […]

Although we would not normally republish an article from a newspaper for reasons of copyright, in this case we have been asked to do so by local residents who are sick to death of this problem. Having seen the awful state of the park we are glad to help. What is starnge that not so […]

Photograph G And Photograph H Please, anything you can tell us about these will be helpful. Thanks.

Photograph E. Yes, we need help again please, but this one is quite different, a sports team and trophies but who, when and where? Photograph F. And now another class – Class 5B. Definitely SMI but we still need some help with who and when. Please click on the pictures to enlarge.

These two photographs were taken on the 60th birthday of Chow Yoon Soo at Kam Loong Restaurant, Ipoh in 1962. Chow Yoon Soo is featured on our database at http://www.ipohworld.org/search8/result.asp?strid=4334. The photographs are part of a set of eight we have recently received from her granddaughter, Sybil, togetherl with the details below: Both photos were taken on […]

Here we have two contrasting Ipoh photographs from Sophie. The first she calls “Dressing for the 1940’s to 1950’s. It is no wonder that Ipoh got the name for having all the pretty girls. Just look at these! Sophie describes the photo as “Dressing for 1940’s to 1950’s. Four young ladies, two of them are sisters. The second […]

Here are two more school photos with almost no information. Again we seek your help please: Which School, Which Class and What Date? Photograph C. THis one said to be Class 3C, 1971, but which Convent? Photograph D. Said to be Class 4B but when? We look forward to your advice. More to come over […]

We recently received a batch of 10 school photographs with almost no information. In order to add them to our database archive we really need your help. If anyone out there can identify the school, class and year that would be a great help. If of course you have names that would also be a […]

A selection of car grille badges were donated to ipohWorld anonymously, with the message that they should be sold to the highest bidder and the money spent on purchasing rare photographs for our archive. We have put up a series of these on our database starting at http://www.ipohworld.org/search8/result.asp?strid=5657 and there are eight entries in the series. […]

The next session of Northern Writers takes place at No5 Gopeng Road at 1030, Saturday 5th November. New books, new readers and a little food. Do come along. It’s very interesting. And this month we have the special treat of the Poi Lam Choral Speakers, now internationally known. Contact yusufmartin51@googlemail.com for more information.

We have seen a number of Ipoh’s young ladies recently and here we step back a generation or two. It is before the war came to Malaya, Hitler is causing problems in Europe while the world is struggling to recover from the 1929 depression. This was the era of the Superman comic (first published in […]

This photo was provided by the Cheong family for use in “Ipoh, My Home Town” but it was not used as there were much more appropriate images to use for their story. The banner reads something like “Professor Shu Tong Zen, Exhibition of his Chinese Paintings including an exhibition of his Malaysian Students’ Work”. Now […]

What a treat for a youngster to have an icecream on a hot Ipoh day. Just look at the small boy’s face. But here is another clue to the location. And just look at the face of the mother with folded arms on the left. What is she saying to her daughter? Care to guess. For […]

We are often surprised by what drops on to our desk at ipohWorld. These two photographs came from UK and are said to be current proposals to refurbish/upgrade the historic Ipoh Swimming Club. The new entrance to the club. and the view of the pool. We thought that some of the old-timers that read these […]

Yes, these are girls from Ipoh and Raja Perempuan School. It is 1973 and this is the Community Service Club. It was kindly sent in to us by Helen Philip who we think is standing fourth from the left and next to the tall girl with pigtails directly behind the teacher. Thank you Helen for the […]

Yes, at last Ipoh, My Home Town has gone to the printers. As you may know, I have been working on a new book for the past 20 months or so, editing and compiling original stories of people growing up in Ipoh over the last 90 years. It is entitled “Ipoh, My Home Town: Reminiscences […]

We did not do very well for Yip Chee Whye who is seeking his SMI friends from Form IV in 1954 ( see http://www.ipohworld.org/?p=3460) and so we thought that, thanks to AFR1970 who provided the photos below, we would give the SMI boys another chance. So here we have Form IVA of 1956 and, Form IVD […]

MI You may have noticed two comments and a Chatterbox entry from a new reader Yip Chee Whye (Chee Whye Yip) who is looking to find his old school friends of 1956 and in particular he is seeking Mr. Ooi Kim Huat and Mr. Eddie Che. He presently lives in UK but says he will […]

This new book is now available in all the usual bookshops at around RM80 to RM100. This book of interviews with Professor Wang Gungwu, published to felicitate him on his 80th birthday in 2010, seeks to convey to a general audience something of the life, times and thoughts of a leading historian, Southeast Asianist, Sinologist […]

We seem to be getting quite a few old photographs to identify recently and therefore decided to give you all a treat today with an extra Tuesday blog. This well-worn photograph was taken somewhere here in the 1940’s. Just look at the fashion of the day! The question is – where is it? The owner thinks […]

You, our smart readers from across the world have so far managed to identify almost anything we have thrown at you. Now we are becoming so well known that we are being sent some photos that could be anywhere in Malaysia, like this one. But actually it is thought to be in the Ipoh area […]

Recently published, this new heritage map comes from the same stable as the two Ipoh Heritage walking trails. It is available now, FREE, from the Ipoh Tourism Office and leading hotels and tourism outlets. Alternatively contact kintaheritage@gmail.com. Unfortunately we do not have enough space to put up the whole thing, but the map below will give […]

And that is just about all we know about this picture which we are led to believe was taken in the 1960s. So come on guys and girls, stop looking at all those Bersih videos and photos and help us out with this one please. Judging by all the cups, shields and other trophys they […]

The inaugural Northern Writers was a great success. Why not come along to this second session and meet the writers. See you there? It’s Free.

Taking place as yet another event of the Perak Performing Arts Festival on 1st and 2nd July 2011 this is a dance extravaganza brought to you by PSPA that should not be missed. Get your tickets today.

Looking to improve your speaking and leadership skills? Ignite your career? Win that job interview? Since 1924, more than 4 million people around the world have become more confident speakers and leaders because of their participation in Toastmasters.Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. Today, their membership is 260,000 strong. These […]

PSPA’s Brand New Musical Show, “Shiny Black Gold” depicts the life of an imaginary coolie who came to Ipoh from China to make his fortune from tin mining. In order to support the show, ipohWorld put on a small exhibition of artifacts which stressed the main aspects of the musical. Above you can see the story of the coolie at […]

This, the latest Kinta Nature Park flyer, has contact details and guide information, top right. As the text is a little small, a click on the picture will take you to a slightly larger image. Enjoy.

This item was used by an Ipoh based, Kinta Valley surveyor in the 1950s. What is it? Sadly we have no budget for prizes – indeed, very little budget for anything, but if you get it right at least you can walk tall among your friends as the man who knows his Ipoh artifacts. A second […]

This was Tapah Road Railway Station in 1980. Old fashioned, rustic and clearly a leftover from the Colonial days that Malaysia seems to be so ashamed of. But those who feel this way won’t have to be ashamed of their history for much longer as we are told that KTMB are to demolish all the old stations. Kuala Kangsar, Batu […]

Courtesy of Jerry de Witt, this photograph taken from a MAS aircraft in 1975 clearly shows the Kinta River winding its leisurely way across the valley on its way to Teluk Intan. But don’t miss the tin mines – those large brown patches alongside the river – for in 1975 there was still a tin mining industry […]

Last week I had a meeting in The Cameron Highlands and took time out to visit a rather special place called “Time Tunnel”. Branded as “The Local Museum” this attraction features the personal collection of Mr. See Kok Shan – a fascinating collection of almost everything old found locally. Long and wide it is just […]

Ruth Rollitt was so incensed by the multicoloured Cathay that we featured, she sent us this photograph of how the Theatre looked when it first opened in those days of Movies and Mercedes. She included a newspaper article from 1958, the first part of which is inserted below. The whole article will appear on or […]

Here it is, the long awaited Episode 6 by UV. He describes the photo thus: The photo of the Methodist Youth Felllowship of Ipoh Wesley Church is made up of members from my class and those my senior and junior with Dr. Lee Poh Ping (Former teacher in ACS Ipoh and later Lecturer of […]

“Tin Mining in Malaysia: the Osborne & Chappel Story” was launched today by YB Dato’ Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen, Minister of Tourism Malaysia, in conjunction with the opening of Gopeng Museum’s second premises, the Heritage House, Gopeng. The book, written by David Palmer, who was part of O & C in Malaysia from 1960 until […]

We received the following email and pictures this morning and thought that we should share it with all you heritage supporters out there. No doubt you will be as lost for words as I am – or will you? HI all! This is one of my favourite kampung houses just outside of Terong, Perak, on […]

At Garden Vill, No. 5 Gopeng Road, Ipoh. 20 to 28 February, 1030 to 6.00pm.

What a nice touch this was for on the back is a flyer for the next Chinese movie showing at the Rex. Dpoes anyone out there have any info or photos of the old Rex? If you do please share it with us and do have a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

It was with great sadness that I heard of the passing of Dato’ K. K. Lim on Thursday last as he has been a great friend and supporter to me over the previous 7-years or more. A tough businessman with a stern exterior, he had a heart of gold when it came to those, often […]

Now this is one event you really must take your children to. Many of the people you will see practising their skills are the last of the line as nobody is prepared to continue their trade. Consequently it may be the only time that your children will get to see this in real life. It’s […]

11 November 2011 PRESS RELEASE The 22nd Joint Conference of the Sun Yat Sen and Soong Ching Ling Memorials In conjunction with the International Centennial Celebrations of Sun Yat Sen’s 1910 ‘Penang Conference’ Launch 20 November 2010 in Penang, Malaysia Sun Yat Sen’s birthday anniversary on 12 November is celebrated by […]

But as you probably guessed this was Sam Poh back in the 1960’s, not long after the big renovation of the 50’s. No doubt many of you would have been dragged along by your parents to visit and pay respects. According to legend, the cave was discovered in 1890 by a Mahayana Buddhist monk from China […]

Now here’s a sight for sore eyes! It is 1963 and the boys and girls (boys in drag!) of Pasir Puteh are putting on “Old King Cole”. Which one is you? Do write in if you recognise yourself or anyone else. And here we have Standard II in 1961. Wah didn’t you all look like little angels […]

Wery well known and a beauty from young, when I came across the picture I could not resist putting it up. Who is she and what can you tell us about her.

With all the recent blogs about beauty contestants and pretty girls I thought we ought to have a look at some! This photo was very kindly sent in by our good friend Hong. It was taken in our very own Lido Cinema in 1962. They are the final contestants for the Miss Perak competition run […]

Yes here it is and I am sure that the Hong family were overwhelmed when it was officially opened by Michelle Yeoh just recently for I know how much Hong senior has put into this project. Congratulations! And here it is in all its glory! Submitted by Hong Soon Kheong, there are more photos on […]

Running this blog and database is a very interesting thing and sometimes the coincidences that take place are nothing short of amazing. The very same day that I said that I had never heard of a kindie in No 5 Gopeng Road, I visited a relation in Pasir Puteh. And there was an album full […]

Not a very difficult question for you on this bright Monday morning, but of all the grand old buildings in Ipoh that have been torn down, I think this is the one I miss the most. Fortunately we have this photograph as a memento of what, in my humble opinion, should never have been demolished. […]

This exhibition entitled “Ribbon of Life” will open at Garden Villa, No 5 Gopeng Road at 11.00am on 16th October 2010 and run daily from 11.am to 7.00pm until 26th October 2010, not 10.00 to 6.00 as stated on the flyer. All exhibits are for sale and all proceeds raised will be donated to the Pink Champions […]

On Thursday 7 October 2010, Nanyang Siang Pau dedicated almost its complete front page of the Perak Edition to an article (shown above) with the headline “Making Gopeng a Tourist Attraction” . The story is great for Gopeng and heritage if it all comes to fruition. The plan is to provide three new museums/galleries/displays to add to the […]

This is an invitation for you all to the opening of a solo art exhibition in the Garden Villa No 5 Gopeng Road Sunday 3rd October at 11am. The exhibition is entitled Love, Dream and Hope 2010 and the artist is Budi Utama Siagian. The exhibition is on from 3rd to 10th October and is open […]

This series of four books has just been reprinted and they are now available direct from the author singly or as a set of four. They cover, in fascinating detail, the Special Branch activities during the first and second Malayan/Malaysian Emergencies and in China thereafter. The first book “Communist Eraser” is a 366 page personal story of […]

Suddenly one day last week we could hardly believe our ears. Was that really a scissor sharpener’s call just outside our gate? As we rushed outside there he was, riding away on his battered bicycle with his, just as battered, hat on his head. Of course my wife and I ran after him and caught up […]

Yes it is John De Lucy and his twin brother having fun in their garden pool under the supervision of their Amah, but of course this was during the Malayan Emergency and so the ever-present armed guard is also in the picture. As John himself relates in our earlier blog, eventually they had to […]

We received the following email and a number of family photographs recently from a lady named Judy and, as we usually do, would very much like to help with this enquiry which reads: “I am researching my family history and trying find out as much as possible – of whatever type, good and bad – […]

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 […]

There is no doubt that some of the 3,631 individuals that visited ipoWorld during the month of June would remember gates such as these with mixed feelings for this was the gateway to a New Village in 1952. Closest to Ipoh there were three of these villages, or concentration camps as some of the old […]

This blog is published at the request of Kinta Heritage Group PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE PASSED TO MR RAJA, +6012 524 2357 Ipoh Heritage Walk (Old Town) Come and experience the grandeur of this beautiful city and learn why the town that tin built became known as the City of Millionaires. […]

Recently the subject of Perak’s vehicle registrations cropped up and as we have a great photo that demonstrates the situation perfectly I thought it was worth putting up to dispell the entirely untrue tale that Perak has the ‘A’ because we had the first cars in Malaya. Absolute rubbish!. Here we have two vehicles side […]

Yes ladies and gentlemen the exterior restoration of the Lam Looking building is complete, and it really is looking good. But before you feast your eyes on the wonderful building please allow me to show you what it looked like about 60 plus years ago when still in operation. Well there you are, with the […]

Ladies and Gentlemen, Above is the first draft cover of a new book that will be published as soon as we can fill the blank pages with your reminiscences of growing up in Ipoh. Text will be in the English language. ipohWorld will take on the task of collating, editing and dealing with the publishing and […]

At last Perak State has made a bold and positive step in the UNESCO direction by declaring that Perak is preparing the nomination dossier for five locations to be presented to UNESCO to list them as World Heritage Sites. In this firm and welcome statement, State Chairman for Industry, Investment, Industrial Development and Tourism, Datuk Hamidah […]

The Ipoh Echo recently reported that Ipoh’s Little India is to be spruced up. The work is to be completed before Merdeka Day on August 31. The area being spruced up under a project financed by the Federal Government covers from the entrance of Jalan Leong Boon Swee into Jalan Lahat and carrying on into Jalan […]

Nephew of FMS fame was not only the well loved barman of the FMS, but he was friend and confidente of literally thousands of people from all over the globe who dropped in the FMS for a ‘quick one’ over his sixty years behind that famous old bar. Sadly he passed away this week and […]

“Oh No!” I can hear you say, “Not the clock tower AGAIN!”, but please be patient because this postcard sent to us as a scan was bought here in Ipoh in 1955 and there is something quite different about it. “Different! What is different?” Well, out of the many similar pictures we have seen from […]

Hi, The Ipohworld’s World blog is wonderful. I tried to find in your posts information about one building which is located near the roundabout at Gopeng Road and Jalan Tambun, diagonally opposite Yuk Choy Primary School, but I haven’t been able to. A large furniture shop is now built in front of […]

Just behind this wall which is across the road from Chung Thye Phin’s mansion (now the Kinta Medical Centre) is a wonderful old mansion which we hope is under massive restoration rather than renovation. It presently looks like this. What a great house this must have been in its day. But by now you might be […]

If you are eager to know about early Ipoh and Perak then this is a must-buy for you. “A Grandfather Story” telling of the life of Leong Sin Nam is written by his grandson Dr Leong Oon Keong. In it you will find not only the life story of one of Ipoh’s most famous pioneers […]

Heartiest Congratulations Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Yussuf Izzudin Shah Ghafarullahu-lah D.K., D.K.M., D.M.N., D.K.A. Sultan, Yang Di-Pertuan Dan Raja Pemerintah Negeri Perak Darul Ridzuan On the occasion of His Royal Highness’ Birthday from

The International Day for Monuments and Sites (informally known as the World Heritage Day) was created on 18th April, 1982, by ICOMOS and later approved at the 22nd UNESCO General Conference in 1983. This special day offers an opportunity to raise public’s awareness concerning the diversity of the world’s heritage and the efforts that are […]

In the month of June 2010, the Warriors’ Association, Kinta , Perak is organising a number of events in remembrance of those heroes who fell in defence of freedom and democracy. In chronological order they are: Friday 11th June, 8:45 to 10:15am, Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph, Ipoh (opposite the railway station). Saturday 12th June, 10:30am, Memorial Service […]

Andrew Lin, a new supporter of ipohWorld recently submitted an article for inclusion on the blog. However it is really too long to put here and so we have entered on the main database and have only included the following as an introduction. If you would care to read all the article and comment here […]

The Qing Ming Festival, the Clear Bright Festival, Ancestors Day or Tomb Sweeping Day is a traditional Chinese festival which falls on the first day of the fifth solar term. It denotes a time for people to go outside and enjoy the greenery of springtime and tend to the graves of departed ones. This year […]

The picture, taken in 1964 by an official photographer shows the then Sultan of Perak, Sultan Idris Shah II (1963-1984), when he visited Fort Tapong. He is in discussion with members of the Police Field Force who were billeted there and conducted anti communist patrols in the area. This fort, the last to be built […]

Othman Sabrin kindly sent in this photo for publication. Thank you Sir! He said: “This is a picture of Persatuan Kedet Bersatu Malaysia from Anderson School, Ipoh in 1975. I studied at the school from 1973 until 1975. Our School Principal was Mr Lam Kok Hon (sitting in the centre with the moustache).” Now Old Andersonians, […]

A wander around Kampung Kuchai in the heart of Ipoh certainly gives the photographer something to concentrate on. We have featured the area before with the old house, the Beetle and the MG Magnette, but nothing as artistic as this (literally) heap of junk. Here we have a real piece of artistry! How the owner […]

Over the past few days there have been several comments about our last post that featured the FMS Bar and so while in Old Town searching for the MG logo (previous post) I took the opportunity to take the above photo to demonstrate what is being done to the pillars. As you can see they […]

Our earlier post about the old MG in Kampung Kuchai (put up specially for antiquelad) led to Raz alerting us to this MG logo set in the 5 foot way in Old Town. Early this morning I set off to locate it and thanks to Daniel’s advice in an earlier comment I found it at […]

This picture was taken by Jon L Tan at the 2004 inaugural Ipoh Bougainvillea Parade. He kindly gave us permission to use it. He wrote the following about the picture: “This little cub generated a lot of excitement. Kids and adults alike were immediately excited by the appearance of this special guest star… Poor tiger […]

Yes, just a few metres from the Beetle lies this grand old vehicle. If you don’t recognise it then have a look at this: It is of course an MG and it is in that graveyard for old vehicles, right in the centre of Ipoh, called Kg Kuchai. This is is one of the last […]

Many people do not understand the difference between renovation and restoration, but in simple terms restoration means to return something to its original state (as near as possible) while renovation allows one to change, modernise, adds bits and pieces and generally end up looking nothing like the original. A good example would be Elizabeth Taylor […]

As you can see from the above the Gopeng Museum is currently holding a one month Clock Exhibition until 16 March 2010. There are more than 185 old (antique!) clocks on display. Almost all the pieces have been lent by local people. Some are shown here. The normal exhibition remains on show which also includes […]

Nobody could tell us about an earlier Ipoh band – The Red Crane, but this might be easier. Known as “Unit 6-2” they are from left to right, Richard, Aziz, Yahaya and Richard. The date is around 1966 and they are all from SMI. Richard on the left is probably Leong Kai Loong, but who […]

With no comments on the Beetle and still on holiday I could not resist showing you this great old photo of the Post and Telegraphs Office, Grik. A wooden building on stilts with verandah and black and white chick blinds, this is real Malaya and just what I remember from my first visit to the […]

Just a stone’s throw from the very centre of Ipoh City lies this classic old VW Beetle. It is amazing that such junk can lie about in our city, but the picture, taken today, proves it. What is more there is more of this junk around if you really start to look. Do watch this […]

This photograph was taken by an Ipoh resident, Richard, Leong, in the early 1960’s not long after it had been erected by the Perak Turf Club as a gift to the town. At the key junction of Hugh Low Street, Gopeng Road, Tambun Road and Brewster Road it welcomed travellers to Ipoh from all directions. […]

This very attractive picture was taken in a studio in Ipoh in 1966. She was just two years old and definitely enjoying posing for the camera. We dedicate this to all the children who today are anxiously waiting for the onset of Chinese New Year and their Angpows. May they get many and spend their […]

In 1956/57 there was a great deal of student unrest relating to the communist insurgents and the forthcoming Merdeka. Surprisingly, this even spread to laid back old Ipoh. The situation was described by one of the Special Branch officers at the time as “a compelling problem of student subversion developing in the middle schools in Perak, particularly Ipoh”. […]

The photograph shows the view from the gate of the Matang Historical Complex which was originally Ngah Ibrahim’s fort built in 1865. It was initially simply a home for Ngah Ibrahim, who after his elephant went tin mining became a powerful and wealthy tin miner, but he fortified it to save himself from the Chinese triads […]

This picture was taken today at one end of the northenmost bridge that spans Temenggor Lake in North Perak. There is an identical one at the other end. Could this be what we used to call a “Pill Box” built by the Japanese as a machine gun post or was it built by the British to […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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, […]

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 […]

Traditional trades are fast disappearing and although the cobbler is perhaps not in the same heritage league as the tinsmith, the silversmith, the blacksmith, the chick blind maker, the sign carver and the like, he has been an important part of local life ever since we wore shoes, which for many in the Kinta Valley was not […]

Yes the Bumper issue No 88 hit the newstands and free outlets today. The biggest paper they have produced so far it is full of local interest: from making a movie in Papan, Christmas cheer, plagiarism, outdoor pursuits, community news and much more. But one article relating to heritage that caught our attention was about the […]

Yes there really is another new heritage trail map for Ipoh, this one taking in both Old and New Town streets and 60 heritage buildings as well as giving a brief history of the city from 1873 to 1941. There is also a section on Ipoh’s famous foods, some notes on the Malay Enclave and “How to […]

Not only did our owner of the missing house care for the building itself, but just look at these photographs. He carefully saved everything that was there and after restoring his old home, he faithfully replaced the contents. That’s dedication, but more importantly it is “Pride in One’s Heritage”. Family photographs on the wall, books and […]

As you can see from the picture there is a set of traditional steps leading to the front of a Kampung House that is not there! Then at the back is a small building, clearly the kitchen of the missing house. So what happened? Well do you see the yellow house behind the trees? That […]

Above each of the windows inside the Old Teluk Anson Courthouse there are plaster mouldings which alternate around the building. One like this and ………. ………one like this. Please excuse the cobwebs, spiders have no respect for the law! Another interesting feature is the rainwater system, installed in 1949 which runs INSIDE the building! The […]

This old photograph shows the first courthouse in Teluk Anson (Teluk Intan), built in the late 1870’s or very early 1880’s. It also doubled up on a Sunday as the Anglican Church for there was not one available in the district. However, the hard wooden benches suitable for a court house were just too uncomfortable […]

This photo was taken in 2006 on a visit Teluk Intan originally called Teluk Mak Intan, after a well-to-do Mandailing woman who is believed to have been in trading across the Straits of Malacca, although some will say she was actually a pirate. It shows the old Balai Polis or Police Station which being unused […]

This was found among a whole lot of scans sent to us. All the others were of Perak in modern times, but this one is clearly not modern. But the question is who are they? We would welcome your ideas.

This little environmentally friendly Soya sauce factory lies just behind the police station in Gopeng. Here the elderly couple have been producing thick and thin sauce and fermented bean paste for most of their lives, but sadly have no children to take over this thriving business. However, there is hope that it will continue as a […]

This photograph hangs on the wall in a Gopeng Association House. It is of course of Capitan Chung Ah Kwee. Chung Ah Kwee was born as a Chen Sang Hakka in Guandong Province, China. In his late teens, he was sent to Malaya by his mother, to look for his father and brother. Ah Kwee found his […]

I am sure that all Kinta Valley readers will recognise this bit of heritage that has become a potential horror so close to the Ipoh – Gopeng Trunk Road. Yes, it is Kampong Kepayang and the road is indeed the Gopeng Road up and down which traffic thunders daily. What is more these buildings and […]

This picture was taken a little over a year ago and shows the original accommodation for the tin mining coolies, known as the “Coolie Lines”. Here the coolies would eat and sleep when they were not slaving in the mines or visiting those places of entertainment in the town that provided either female company for […]

A member of 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment recorded a night out in the jungle thus: “Leeches that sucked the blood and covered the body were so prevalent one eventually ignored them, it was not unusual to find 50 or more in all parts of the body. Vicious red ants, scorpions and ticks big enough […]

This is Ipoh’s Cathay Theatre which still stands to day, but no longer as a cinema having been overtaken by Metroplexes and the like. It was once a beautiful single-screen theatre, built in Cockman Street in late 1956 and opened on August 31, 1957 with the movie, ‘The King and I’, telling the fictitious romantic story of Anna […]

Perak Heritage Society NOTICE (restricted) BRIEFING ON THE TT5 – THE LAST OLD DREDGE OF KINTA why: theStar today highlights the dangerous tilt of the dredge TT5 in Tanjong Tualang, “Perak’s heritage dredge”. Now, national interest is piqued. As the pontoon which floats the dredge is leaking, its private management company is experiencing maintenance and […]

Well he would be in danger if he was to try and take the same photograph today as he was standing in the centre of the Birch Bridge in Brewster Road, but of course in 1952 life was different in Ipoh, Brewster Road took two-way traffic and as you can see the road is almost empty. Compare that […]

This old picture turned up in Kampar amidst a whole lot of other local photographs originally belonging to a friend’s father. Of course it is not a Perak registration and may not even be in Perak, but being the eternal optimists we are posting it in case it is recognised. The guests seem to be […]

This photograph was one of literally hundreds that the famous German photographer took around 1900. August Kaulfuss was born and educated in Rohnstock, Silesia. He served in the German Navy for a couple of years then worked in the photographic studio of Otto van Bosch in Frankfurt. He arrived in Penang in 1883 and soon established a photographic […]

Although not a new publication (it was first published in 1982 and reprinted in 1984) it is out of print but sometimes still available on the Internet. It forms a very handy introduction to the Malayan Emergency of 1948 to 1960. Ideal for the student or as a first-time introduction to the events of those difficult times. Osprey […]

On this auspicious day We take this opportunity to wish all our Hindu Readers Happy Diwali May the forthcoming year bring light into all your lives From the staff of ipohWorld.

B M Iversen: the Danish Architect of Ipoh an illustrated talk by Ruth Iversen Rollitt Royal Ipoh Club Friday, 23 October 2009 5:30 – 7:00 pm Registration and refreshments begins at 5 pm Admission by donation only PHS members RM10, non-members RM15 Born in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1906, BM Iversen arrived in […]

This picture was taken by New Good Friend Studio & Frame Makers, of No.7 Theatre Street, Ipoh. It is believed to show the British District Officer wearing shorts in the centre, with a visiting Government Officer and the Village Council Members. Behind the group there appears to be an open building with a tiled roof, […]

Here we have an old photograph said to be Tin Miners out for a spin in their new motor car. Clearly they were the “Haves” of Malaya at the time, but surely it was a pretty tasteless thing to do – driving into a Kampong to display your wealth to the natives. Not to mention […]

This picture was taken as we were walking to the cave where the skeleton of Perak Man was found. It is a short walk from the Lenggong museum, but very “Kampong” and definitely at peace with nature. The Kapok tree is very special and in the Maya culture, of the pre-Columbian America (2000BC) it was considered […]

This picture was taken inside an SMI classroom in 1966. It’s clearly marked Standard 5. Also pencilled faintly on the back is David Yee and Soon Yit Tan. We believe those standing at the back, from left ro right are: Bro. Gabriel, Mr. Khoo Kok Hean, Mr. Lim Guan Choe, the 1st Headmaster of SMI Primary […]

This is a picture of a three-lane, 1960s mining Palong constructed at Kampong Gajah, Perak. As can be seen this is a major structure all made from timber which was generally cut from the mining land before the actual mining started, as almost all of the land would have been originally covered by trees which […]

This photograph, courtesy of Peter Smith, an Australian miner who was employed in Kampong Gajah in the 1960s, was taken with a 16mm camera – two pictures on one 35mm transparency (slide) frame. It is amazing that so many years later it still prints out so clearly. The Kampong house pictured is on the bank of the Kinta […]

This old picture came from the same source as the one below. When did you last see so many trishaws in a Perak Street? But what street is it? There are no prizes for the correct answer, just the honour of demonstrating your knowledge of your old home town.

This photo came to us via a soldier (who took it) and a policeman (who saved it), both of whom served here during the Malayan Emergency. The picture really needs no explanation, simply two popular modes of transport in the 1950’s. Does any one have any tales to tell us about their ride in either of […]

Putting up great old photos is always a pleasure and this one is no exception! Taken in Ipoh and probably dating around the 1930s this is a lesson in fashions of the times. Just look at the styles of clothing old and new, east and west that are included in this group. Front left is […]

Perak, with its limestone hills has many beautiful waterfalls. Indeed it is suggested that there may well be several not yet discovered in the more remote parts of the state, but this one, Lata Kinjiang, is well known as it can be seen from the North South highway close to Tapah. We have posted it […]

You might wonder why these three men are pushing their boat up the Perak River towards Kuala Sepetang, originally known as Port Weld, the site of the first railway in Malaya that connected the port to Taiping Station (the then capital of Perak), rather than doing the obvious thing of riding in it. But the title of this post […]

This house in Hume Street, New Town, Ipoh is often admired by visitors and locals alike. It has appeared several times on other blogs and it would be a serious omission if we did not include it on ipohWorld’s World as it is a great example of how nice Ipoh could look if other owners cared […]

We would like to take the opportunity on this special day to wish all our Muslim readers “Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri” from all the staff at ipohWorld

At one time Ipoh sported two Birch Memorials, the clock tower in memory of J W W Birch and this beautiful marble fountain in Belfield Street to honour his son E W Birch. These memorials always seem to cause confusion as today only the clock tower remains and more than one tourism site has misled […]

This photograph taken by Wang Shaoming just a few months ago shows the row of 1930’s shophouses at what I like to think of as the far end of Fair Park. They look dilapidated, but with the curved end did display a certain character of their own and one wonders why the owners did not […]

As I have just returned from a bone-dry part of Africa which is suffering a serious drought, with grazing animals dying from ingesting dust and nothing but dry brown stalks to eat, I thought it would be nice to remember how nice Perak’s countryside was – and despite the damage caused by mining and development […]

This photograph dates from the end of the war / January 1946 and was taken by a member of 656 squadron stationed at Ipoh aerodrome. It is of course the Perak Turf Club racecourse which was also used at that time as an extra landing place for the squadron’s Auster aircraft due to congestion on […]

Some time ago Jeya mentioned that it is still possible to visit a bucket dredge some 10Km from Batu Gajah on the Tanjung Tualang Road. This is dredge number TT5 and it is open to visitors for a small entrance fee. You may walk on the dredge to get a feel for its massive size […]

While many will argue that this is not heritage that depends a lot on one’s point of view. Here we have the logo brightening up a really dull steel shutter in a heritage building and demonstrating a family’s pride in what they do (books for education), their family name and the country to which they […]

This little group of buildings in Belfield Street, Old Town, Ipoh is very reminiscent of the days when budding entrepreneurs bought a single plot of land and had their own ideas created into a shop-house. Individuality was the hallmark in those days not like the vast housing developments today with their rows and rows of […]

Most tourists that traverse Old Town make a point of photographing the Birch Memorial Clock Tower, just as this photographer has done in the past. But searching for a different view this time he came across this little side-lane and this is what he got to take home to remind him of Ipoh. What a pity that Ipoh, once […]

Sunday is a good day to follow the published heritage walk around Old Town, Ipoh as there is not too much traffic and very few cars parked to obstruct the view of the heritage buildings. But a word of warning, do watch where you step because, as the photographs show, quite apart from having to […]

If you walk past the front of Lam Looking building, nothing much seems to be happening, but pause a moment and you will hear the mighty hammering of hacking tools and when they take a break – voices. Could it be that something is cooking inside the building? Now before you move on, look up and right at the top. Something […]

Ipoh has many of these shop-sign pillars lining the 5-foot way, more we believe than any of the other Malaysian cities, but it is very unusual to see them in any other langusge but Chinese. However this pair, relics of Ipoh’s Colonial past remain with us to remind us that at one time the two languages […]

It is very sad to see that the recent renovation of this building has included enclosing the 5 foot walkway that was designed to provide shelter for passing pedestrians from the scorching sun and the pouring rain. Has the owner recently bought the pavement from the council or simply stolen it and if it is the […]

One of our supporters was having a walk around Old Town with his camera last Sunday. He stopped by the Birch Clock Tower to admire the beautiful paintwork on the OCBC building, rejoicing in the fact that this grand old building, built by the Straits Trading Company in 1906/1907 is still with us. But then […]

This little wooden hut, still standing a few metres off the Changkat Batu Gajah Road is the last in a row of similar huts where the married police officers lived during the Malayan Emergency. No fences, gatehouses or special security, just open to anyone who walked by. Very different to the homes of the miners, planters […]

This postcard dates from around 1935 and shows the Hugh Low Bridge as most people still call it today. At one time when Hugh Low, as a British Colonial, was out of fashion it was known as the Kinta Bridge, but the name never really caught on. Anyway, those who cross the bridge regularly will know […]

This genuine Kinta Town Board notice from 1956 or thereabouts is nothing less than bizarre. What on earth did one do with sticks and stones? However 5 cents for a bath and free toilets sounds like a pretty good deal. If you have any suggestions about the sticks and stones, please keep them to yourself. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

This advertisement shows the first Times of Malaya Building in Ipoh, where it was adjacent to the Birch Memorial Clock Tower. The Times of Malaya: Planters and Miners Gazette was started by J I Philips in 1903, with a mission to further the mining, planting, and mercantile interest of the Federated Malay States (FMS) and […]

During the Malayan Emergency from 1948 to 1960 Communist attacks on roads and railways were a regular part of living in Malaya, particularly where transfer of cash was concerned. Consequently the railways introduced the Wickham Armoured Railcar as protection, but for the military and police isolated from the rail service it became normal to fly […]

When the Japanese invaded Malaya in the Second World War, John Davis’s service in that country could have ended. Determined to help the land he had come to love, however, he transferred from the Federated Malay States – M16 – and then, in 1942, to the Special Operations Executive (SOE). Escaping to India by fishing […]

The photographs, taken by a Japanese tourist, show Ipoh’s famous Beef Noodle Stall in operation in Theatre Street in 1968 where it served the people of Ipoh for more than 50 years, until they were forced by legislation to move to a central hawkers area, known locally as Rainbow City. They have been at this […]

This photograph taken by Kamy Studio, Ipoh has Chinese characters on the back which read: “To Ms Chai Kwai Ying, The Red Crane Band, 22-12-70.” If any one can tell us about this band we will be delighted to hear from you.

On 14 June 2009 both the China Press and Oriental Daily kindly featured the launch of ipohWorld’s new database archive and blog. The photographs show guests viewing the photographic exhibition, “Snapshots of the Emergency” that accompanied the launch. Scans of the articles are shown above and for the convenience of the all, we enclose our Press […]

As an introduction to the launch of ipohWorld’s new website, database archive and blog at the Royal Ipoh Club on 13 June 2009, the Star Newspaper kindly featured us on the same morning. The photographs in the above article show the ipohWorld project manager demonstrating the type of information available in the archive ( on […]

There is nothing to add to my previous comments except to ask “Doesn’t anyone care?”

Our last Gopeng post related to the new museum there and also remarked that parts of the town were falling down. For those of you who do not know the place, here is a photograph of a row of houses just a few yards from the museum. What a dreadful sight to greet the visitor […]

Upgrade and renovation of fine building need to be tastefully done (architecturally) example the Ipoh High Court, Extension to St Michael school. Tent structure extension to the Ipoh railway station is foreign to the resident’s architecture is to be avoided. Hawkers in Malaysia must stop discharging waste into public drains, rivers for it promotes disease […]

Following on from my two previous posts about the Foochows of Sitiawan, here is the promised image of the book referred to. Written by Shih Toong Siong, a descendant of those first immigrants the book tells the story of the Foochows since 1903. They were a ‘population transplant’, for a rice growing experiment, fully paid […]

In my last post I featured the Sitiawan Settlement Museum within the Kampong Koh Memorial Garden. Now, you may not know about this aspect of Sitiawan, which actually has an unusual past that is rarely spoken about. Have you ever wondered why – or did you not know – that Sitiawan has the Foochows? Foochow […]

Sometime ago we made an afternoon visit to the Settlement Museum within the Kampong Koh Memorial Garden. Opened in September 2003 and sited in the 70 year-old house of the Methodist Pastor, the museum traces the Foochow settlers’ history from leaving their original homeland in China in 1903 until the present day. This history covers, […]

The virtually unspoilt town of Beruas is well off the beaten track for most of us, but I actually made the effort and got there last year. The museum is set in the heart of the town about 40Km away from Sitiawan and is housed in what used to be the town’s court building. Set […]

by Sir George Maxwell, KBE, CMG. When Sir George first travelled from Taiping to Batu Gajah by gharry, sampan and pony in 1891 most of the Kinta Valley was under primeval forest. Sir George who retired as Chief Secretary to the FMS Government in 1926, celebrated his eightieth birthday in 1952, but like all men […]

Click on Picture to Enlarge For those of you who do not get the Star Northern Edition or the Ipoh Echo, here are some glimpses of Gopeng’s Own Hometown Museum. Opened on 18 April, World Heritage Day, the museum is downstairs in the ancestral home of Bernard Yaw. The upstairs remains as accommodation. There are […]

A friend visited the Birch Memorial Clock Tower and brought us back these pictures. The top two are at the top of the steps as you approach the tower from the lower road. Rotting food and goodness knows what else to navigate past as you visit Ipoh’s heritage. Bottom left is the base of the […]

Most people know about FMS, the oldest bar in Malaysia which is currently under renovation. Indeed many people fear that it will never open again. However it certainly looks hopeful. Taking the photographs from the top it appears that nothing is happening, but go round the back and you will see an amazing transformation (centre […]

Known by Perakians young and old as The Old Post Office, and despite being connected to the Town Hall the building has been empty since the early 1990s and been derelict for years. As can be seen from the top picture the Town Hall has been repainted and shows signs of being cared for but it has been a […]

Lam Looking building in Laxamana Road, Ipoh was destroyed by fire. Heritage buffs rejoiced when they heard that the bazaar had a new owner who was to restore it. Sure enough it was fenced and the rubbish cleared, but since then nothing has happened. Does anyone know when and what is happening next? The Top […]

From time to time (but with monotonous regularity) Ipoh suffers a mysterious fire in one or other of the old buildings in Old or New Town. This one in Brewster Road happened on the eve of Chinese New Year 2009. The building had been out of use for years. How did the fire start we […]

Does anyone know anything about this club please. The badge is small (4cm diameter) and self adhesive. It is made from metal.

British Police Lieutenants Street and Allmond were posted to Kuala Selangor within days of their first arrival in Malaya. They reached that town without incident and spent the night there. The following morning they were issued with weapons and were informed that they were to be stationed at one of the local Rubber Estates. A […]

No doubt you have heard of dairy farms, vegetable farms and the like, but what about “Gambling Farms”? The term Gambling Farms (so-called because they were run by representatives of syndicates termed farmers) seems to have originated from the Federated Malay States (FMS), for although gambling was prohibited in other British territories, in the FMS, “farmers” were […]

At the start of the 20th century, the above title certainly belonged to Foo Choo Choon. Prior to him the mantle of the Richest Man in the FMS changed hands several times between the late 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, from the renowned Capitan China, Chung Keng Kwee, to the entrepreneur […]

POLICE LIEUTENANT M R LIVINGSTONE KILLED IN AMBUSH IN TEMENGGOR 25 DECEMBER, 1950 At approx 10.00 a.m. on the 25th December, 1950, a party of seven police constables of the Police Frontier Force under the command of Police Lieutenant. M R Livingstone proceeded from Kampong Temenggor to the Temenggor Tin Mine in the Grik area […]

Does anyone recognise this family and their car, registration AA3. The photo came with some others from the albums of the Lau Ek Ching family of Ipoh and Pasir Pinji.

These Malayan Railway railcars designed by the Brtish and named the Wickham Armoured Railcar, were used during the Malayan Emergency 1948-1960 to carry bullion and other valuables to protect them from the Communist terrorists (CTs). Subsequently they were used as Public Works Department Inspection Trolleys. One example is on show at the Royal Malaysian Police […]

Just published, this book includes a history of the school, recollections of years gone by and some thoughts on the way ahead for the next century. It is available from the Old Andersonians Association who can be contacted via the Old Andersonians Club, Ipoh. It is priced at RM130. The scan does not do justice […]

Published by Media Masters, Singapore and Authored by Sybil Kathigasu, Chin Peng and Ian Ward and Norma Miraflor, Faces of Courage stands as the first in-depth study of Malaya’s legendary war-time heroine, Sybil Kathigasu, and the impact her dauntless decisions and actions had on the members of her immediate family. An essential aspect of this […]

Jerry Francis is a former Journalist with the New Straits Times and was Regional Editor based in Ipoh for a good many years. Travelling with his photographer Thomas Wong Tuck Keong they were known as ‘Tom and Jerry’ by everyone. They as a press team had gone to a great extent and as well as […]

This newly published book tells stories about Ipoh around 1957 and Merdeka when Malaya was in a time of change with the British on their way out and Malayans ruling their own country for the first time. Consequently the Colonisers and the Colonised had to come to terms with their new relationship. Similarly the citizens […]

In 1920, Wong Jee Seong (Wong), an immigrant from China, was employed as a bank clerk in Ipoh, earning the princely sum of $28 per month. In those days this was a handsome wage as a full bag of rice only cost 12 cents. A regular attendee at St Michael’s Church in Brewster Road, Ipoh, […]

“A good storyteller never lets the facts get in the way.” Dave Allen, Comedian. Before the Japanese invasion in 1941, there was plenty of entertainment for Ipoh people although many could not afford it as the world recession had hit the price of tin and rubber badly and Ipoh, relying on these products for survival […]

This Story is translated from the book by Mr. Choo Choong Yin’s Book on Ipoh and its stories, written in Chinese. The year was 1986. There was a coffeeshop in the village of Bukit Merah where there was a popular stall that was selling ‘economy’ rice (a common meal for lunch in Ipoh). The […]

The stylish modernity of Ipoh owes it to some landmark buildings by B M Iversen, a Danish architect who came to Malaya in 1928 and started his own practice in Ipoh in 1936. Over a period of 40 years, except during WW2 when he and his small family took refuge in Australia, he has created […]

In response to a request herewith our version of the history of ACS Ipoh. If you believe we have made any mistakes please let us know. “The Anglo-Chinese Boys School Ipoh was the first English school, as well as the first Christian mission school, in Kinta. It was established by the Methodist Episcopal Mission in […]

Tan Sri Dato Seri Yuen Yuet Leng, a Perakian and Police Officer extraordinary. Author of Operation Ginger and Nation Before Self, both being compulsive reading. We recommend them.

But can you name them all please?

But when was it and what were they celebrating?

But can anyone name them for us please?

Definitely Ipoh, but who are they? We would dearly love to know.

This small photo just two inches wide is marked on the back as above plus Standard IIIA. It is written by the same hand as the other ACS Senior Cambridge Class 1950 on this blog. Did the school change its name from ACS to MES in 1951? Is there anyone out there who attended the […]

This interesting looking group posing for their photograph on and around bags marked Toong Hing (at least I think that is what they say) are completely unknown to us. The photo came from Ipoh, but it could have been taken anywhere. On the back it simply says 1970. Has anyone got any guesses as to […]

Again found in a heap of photos in Ipoh, could this be a very early Police pilot taking off from Ipoh? We would love to know more if anyone out there knows. Of course he may not be a policeman. Incidentally when did the Police start flying patrols or their air wing? Not as […]

I have studied the dictionary but cannot make any sense of the office function. What did they do? The nearest I can get to is that they were inspectors or overseers of mineral diggings which probably means mining. Were they government staff or commercial? Please help with some answers and if possible some names. We […]

Picked up among a pile of Ipoh Photos this is clearly labelled on the back as above. If you know anyone from that era and school please tell them about this or tell us so that we may find out more. Thanks.

This is a photograph taken at Ipoh Airport. It is a large group and in the centre the two men dressed in suits are presumably important enough to draw the significant number of people to attend their arrival or most probably, departure. Of course with the demise of our airport photographs like this will be a […]

This is a 1969 calendar produced by Kinta Traders, at 43 Treacher Street, Ipoh. They claimed to provide the latest fashion wear. It is a 6 page calendar (2 months per page) each page featuring local birds. Does anyone have any information about Kinta Traders please?

This is a rare photograph of a Kopitiam hawker cutting roast pork from a joint hanging above his chopping board, on which there is already a hearty portion of cut meat. Note the thickness of the board and how it is worn away on the side nearest to him. No doubt there is a customer anxiously […]

This is said to be a Chinese Chess set and is made from paper. Each strip has two Chinese characters on it. If anyone knows how to play this game, we would be pleased to receive instructions or any comments or stories about playing the game.

This came with a batch of SMI photos. but without any information. Where is the pool? Who are the boys and who is the European lady with their trainer? Can you help please?

In the great days of Perak mining when Kinta Valley was the world’s biggest producer of tin, gambling was one of the main evils (alongside opium, women, alchohol and the Secret Societies) that faced the hardworking mining and railway coolies, as well as the rich Towkays who often lost their fortunes. While we are not absolutely sure […]

“To eat durian is a new sensation worth a voyage to the East to experience.” Alfred Russell Wallace, The Malay Archipelago. Despite being written almost 150 years ago, that is one of the nicer quotations describing the King of Fruits. More modern critics are likely to use descriptions that vary from being simply rude to […]

As part of our objective of saving the history of the Kinta Valley for future generations we try to gather original memories about days past. Here is one about Rickshaws. Do you have any memories we you can share with us please “Anna Down, locally born, but now from UK, remembers that as a child […]

Proud parents and grandparents maybe, pose for the graduation photo. Can anyone tell us who they are please?

Taken in Ipoh this is believed to be a birthday party, but does anyone recognise the group? There are several generations there. Please click on photo to enlarge.

This young man looks like the lone swimmer and scout pictured in December that it is suggested could be Dr. Lim Cho Luan. Does anyone have a contact for him or his brother please?

Surely there must be someone out there who knows about the old SMI scouts! Please help if you can.

This came in the same batch of pics as a lot of SMI. Where did they go camping and who can you recognise please?

Another SMI group, but I don’t think we have seen this Brother in earlier photos, or have we? Again there are some Scouts here, but so far we have not managed to get information about any of the Scout pictures. Any old Scouts out there please?

This photo has suffered badly from mishandling, probably by a young child as it has crayon scribbles all over the reverse. Nonetheless it is still clear enough for someone out there to identify who, where and when. We look forward to your posts.

This little photo is originally just 2 inches square. The girls costumes (or were they called ‘bathing suits’ in those days) are very interesting. Would today’s young ladies like the fashion? We are guessing the boys are from SMI. Who are they we wonder and when and where was the picture taken?

Written on the back of this is “That’s my guitar, Victor”. Who are they and Victor who?

We believe that Sheares Hall, Dunearn Road Hostel was used by University of Malaya. Is this correct and can anyone recognise some of the party people here please?

On the reverse of this photo taken by Tahlu Studio Ipoh is written 3-11-’57. But who is she? Her name and any other information would be great!

Could someone please confirm the location of this pool and if possible when the photo was taken and who is in the picture?

Now we are back in trouble with only the trees as background and no date, group title or names. I know someone out there can help. Please do.

Again not too much of a test as all we need is the names!

This is an easy one as we know where and when, but how about the names? Brothers, Masters or students would all be welcome.

I think we are now quite clear that this is at Tanjung Rambutan, but when was it and who are they? Could they be Scouts from SMI? Please try and recognise someone. For the first time viewer there are more river and scouts pictures below. Just click on the tags to find them.

I have just noticed that pencilled lightly on the back of this one is July 1963. Sitting to the left of the brother (as we look at it) with glasses is what I believe to be the same person as featured below under A Champion Swimmer and his Trophys and who we think may be Dr Lim.

Again we would love to know when this photo was taken, the class or group and the names of the brother, the teachers and any of the students please.

Written in pencil on the reverse is ‘Debating Society 1956’. Is this the Main Convent? Can any of the girls be recognised and named please?

Marked on the reverse of the photograph as in the title, this is a good start, but who are they and where? Does anyone recognise the initials MJC? Please help if you can.

Does anyone recognise these buildings. We are sure they are Ipoh and very early. If you can help, please do by commenting below.

We have no information about this shop other than we are assured it was in Ipoh. If anyone can identify the type of business, the location or the people in the shop we shall be delighted to hear from them.

The girls are out for a walk but where, when and who? Please let us have any help you can. Thanks.

At least we know which school and when, but can anyone identify the teacher or any of the students please?

Does anyone know where and when this was taken and who is in the picture? Maybe the building behind or the shape of the school badge might help. Please leave a comment if you have any information at all about the photo.

Originally known as the Convent of the the Holy Infant Jesus, the school was founded by Mother St. Victoire, supported by Mother St. Anatoli, Assistant General to the Priests’ Assembly in Paris. It opened on 7th January 1907, at a small house in the compound of the St. Michael’s Church (Ipoh), with only eight students. Initially, […]

Nothing is known about this picture of the Colonial Dispensary, although we are assured it is from Ipoh. There is the tail end of a car to the left of the picture with what looks like the Perak Registration A 707. The shopkeeper is holding a baby above the counter and there are half a […]

Another SMI Group, but when, what and who? Please help by letting us know about any details you may have about this picture.

Here we have girls and boys at the river, but which river, when was it and who are they? If you know anything about this picture please let us know.

Gathered around the table they are, but who are they and when and where was the photo taken? It looks like a school canteen, but which school? Please let us know if you can shed any light on this picture.

Probably from SMI, like the others below, this young man poses for his photograph. But who is he and when was the picture taken? If you know the answer, please let us know.

This is an interesting line-up. Does anyone know who they are or the story of the hats please? Can anyone tell us the date the photo was taken?

Does anyone recognise this car or the young man in the photograph please. We really would like to know where and when the photo was taken and who he is.

Again we have an unknown photograph, this time of a mixed group enjoying the cool of the river. Does anyone know who they are, which river are they in and what date was the picture taken please?

If we guess correctly this is a student from SMI swimming team and a very successful one too! But who is he and when was this taken. Someone out there must know him and we would ask you to share his details with us please. There is now what appears to be a team or […]

But who are they and when was the photo taken? Can anyone help us fill in these details please?

Another SMI photo we need help with. Can you tell us when this was and who is in the picture please?

Here is a group photo from St Michael’s Institution. Does any one recognise the people and can you date it for us please?

This photo is one of a large number donated to us recently. Unfortunately no information came with them. This is going to be very difficult, but it is only a test of uploading photos. Nonetheless, can anyone give us any idea of where and when it is please? It is said to be Perak.

This book recently published by Dato Seri himself is written in 5 distinct parts. It covers his developing years at King Edward VII school in Taiping, his memories of the Japanese occupation of Malaya and after the war a brief spell as a teacher. This is followed by detailed descriptions of his struggles against the […]

We are looking for a limited number of authors who would like to create their own original blogs on this site, about heritage topics in Perak. To us heritage is important and the more people who write about it, the more others will become aware. If you would like to be one of our authors, please email us […]