L I F E S T Y L E
Focus
Saturday January 28, 2006
Reliving Ipoh’s history
By LIZ PRICE
How many people realise that Ipoh was the first town in Peninsular Malaysia to be built with the motorcar in mind? Or that in 1892, half of Ipoh town was burnt down in a great fire, which led to the establishment of a municipal fire brigade?
In the early 1900’s, Ipoh was rebuilt with neat streets running parallel and at right angles to each other. It follows the American grid plan because the British realised that motorcars were increasing in numbers, necessitating wider and preferably straight roads.
I learnt these interesting facts at the month-long exhibition at the Muzium Darul Ridzuan in Ipoh.
The Story of Ipoh, from Feet to Flight, the brainchild of Commander Ian Anderson, is organised by the museum and Ipoh World Sdn Bhd. It traces Ipoh’s history from the early beginnings, before it became “the town that tin built”.
Ian Anderson next to a Vespa scooter on exhibit at the Muzium Darul Ridzuan in Ipoh, Perak.
Ipoh started to grow in the days of Hugh Low, the British Resident of Perak in the 1880s. In those days, Ipoh was a collection of atap huts. By 1890, Ipoh was a thriving town. The exhibition showcases over 100 years of Ipoh’s transportation history.
Originally, transport consisted of sampans, elephants and bullock carts. These were replaced by the steam locomotive, rickshaws and the motorcar. Old posters and postcards depict these means of transport and there are even scooters and bikes on display.
In the 1960s, scooters transformed the life of the kampung folk, enabling them to get around easily. As well as a practical means of transport, bikes became a fashion item with the rich youth of the day.
Of interest is the Welbike, which is a motorbike that folds. It was parachuted from planes for use by the British Force 136 during the Japanese Occupation. The one on display is privately owned and has been lovingly restored. Another old motorbike being exhibited is so heavy that it took six men to get it into the exhibition area.
The museum.
Many people think that Perak’s “A” car registration letter was the first in Malaya. However, you will see in the exhibition that Perak vehicles originally used “PK”. They only changed to “A” in 1945 when registration letters were re-allocated after the war. The old “PG” for Penang became “P” and Selangor used “B”.
The tin towkays drove around in their expensive motorcars. A 1902 news report states how one such towkay drove from Ipoh to Gopeng and accomplished “the journey of 12 miles in 35 minutes”.
Also on display is a small collection of equipment used by tin miners, as well as some rather heavy lumps of rock containing tin ore.
There is a collection of old hubcaps, a 1970s driving licence, stamps and also cartoons by Lat.
Larger items include a child’s tricycle, rickshaws and even a weathered sampan. Transport also took to the skies. Ipoh Aerodrome was built in the 1930s and, after the war in 1947, Malayan Airlines began commercial flights to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Most of the items on exhibit belong to private collectors. The idea of holding the exhibition was conceived by Scotsman Ian Anderson, ex-Royal Navy, and living in Malaysia since 1990.
Anderson has a passion for history and collecting items of interest. It was because of his hard work and determination that the exhibition took place.
Rickshaws were much appreciated in the early days. — Pictures by LIZ PRICE
Since the exhibition opened on Jan 16, thousands have flocked to see it. Anderson is on hand to answer people’s questions, and you soon realise that he has a real passion for Ipoh. As you walk around the two rooms, you are encouraged to collect a series of leaflets which give detailed information on all that is on display. At the end, you are given a folder poster with more info and pictures. The exhibition encourages children to learn about their local and national history. A multimedia presentation has actual footage of old film showing motorcars as well as scenes of people going about their daily life. Hopefully, there will be future exhibitions at the museum featuring subjects such as tin mining, and flora and fauna.
Anderson is setting up Ipoh World, the name given to a proposed Ipoh Heritage Centre which will record the history and heritage of Ipoh in a dramatic way. It will be a living museum for preserving the history of Perak and will have changing exhibitions. The motto of Ipoh World is “Saving Yesterday for Tomorrow” and it is intended as a database for research.
It is well-worth making a trip to the exhibition to learn about Perak’s fascinating past. The displays and leaflets are written in three languages – English, Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese. The exhibition is sponsored by Kinta Properties, with various other co-sponsors. W
The exhibition opens from 9.30am to 5pm daily until Feb 12. Admission is free. The Darul Ridzuan Museum is located on Jalan Panglima, Bukit Gantang Wahab, Ipoh, Perak.
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