MY PHOTO: HISTORIC AND INTERESTING PLACES (PERAK)

1980: JETI PULAU PANGKOR

The old Pulau Pangkor Jetty in 1980, before Marina Island existed. In the 1980s, from Lumut town Jetty, it took about 40 mins, first stop at Sungai Pinang Kecil Jetty, then Jetty Pangkor. 

Pulau Pangkor is rich in history and culture, making it a fascinating destination for those interested in exploring its historical sites. Some notable historical sites you can visit:

1. Dutch Fort (Fort De Luister)

Built in the 17th century by the Dutch, this fort served as a strategic military outpost. Although much of it has eroded over time, the remnants still tell the story of colonial struggles in the region.

2. Batu Bersurat (Inscribed Stone)

This ancient stone, located near the beach, is inscribed with historical writings that date back to the 18th century. It serves as a reminder of the island's rich past and its significance in maritime trade.

Pangkor Jetty in 2012

1981/2013: KELLIE'S CASTLE, BATU GAJAH, PERAK

The first time I saw Kellie's Castle was in 1980 while travelling on an express bus from Lumut to Kuala Lumpur. 

It was a captivating sight, nestled amidst lush greenery and surrounded by a sense of mystery. The castle, built by the Scottish planter William Kellie Smith, stood as a testament to his ambition and dreams.

As the bus rolled by, I couldn't help but be drawn to its unique architecture, a blend of Moorish and Indian influences that made it stand out from the typical structures in Malaysia. The stories of its construction, the tragic tale of Kellie Smith, and the rumoured hauntings added an air of intrigue that lingered in my mind long after the bus had left the site behind.

I promised myself that one day, I would return to explore its halls and uncover the secrets hidden within its walls. And it was in 2013 that I had the opportunity to visit the Kellie's Castle with my family, as it had been turned into a tourist destination in Perak. 

1985: BUKIT UNGKU BUSU, LUMUT, PERAK

The hill was named after Raja Engku Busu of Selangor, who was invited by the Sultan of Perak in the 1840s to help get rid of pirates who were rife in this area at the time. However, the mission failed, as Raja Engku Busu was killed in the area. 

However, Engku Busu's death caused controversy because he was recorded by Muzium Lukut to be killed with his family in the Kongsi gelap uprising in September 1834. Many historians consider the 1834 Lukut as the correct date for Raja Busu's death. The Bukit Engku Busu version is oral tradition/local toponymy — not a written Perak court record. Whether it is two people with the same title conflated. 

1985: TELUK MUROH & TELUK BATIK, LUMUT, PERAK

Teluk Muroh, a coastal village at the southern edge of Lumut town, Manjung District, in Perak. It's on Jalan Teluk Muroh, the main road to TLDM Lumut Naval Base, Teluk Batik and Marina Island.

While Teluk Batik is about 7 km from Lumut town, 10 minutes from Bandar Seri Manjung. Same stretch of coast as Teluk Muroh, just south - both accessed by Jalan Teluk Muroh. 

Teluk Muroh, Lumut, Perak

Teluk Batik, Lumut, Perak

2003: KELAPA LINE QUARTERS, KAMUNTING, TAIPING, PERAK

Kelapa Line Quarters, the old British Army barracks at Jalan Kamunting Lama. This is where I was born on 2 July 1961. Only after 42 years (1961-2003) did I have a chance to visit my place of birth. 

I revisited again in 2017, where the entire heritage is mostly gone, replaced or reclaimed by jungle. 

My father, who served with the 7th Battalion Royal Malay Regiment, was stationed at Kem Kamunting in those days, where my eldest brother went to S.K. King Edwards VII in 1963.

2003: MASJID UBUDIAH, KUALA KANGSAR, PERAK

During a family vacation in Taiping, we stopped at the Ubudiah Mosque in Kuala Kangsar, Perak, to perform prayers on our way back to Kuala Lumpur.

Located at Bukit Chandan, Jalan Istana, Kuala Kangsar, Masjid Ubudiah, the Royal Mosque of Perak, is consistently voted as Malaysia's most beautiful mosque. 

Built in 1914 and was commissioned by the 28th Sultan of Perak, Sultan Idris Murshidul'adzam Shah, as an act of thanksgiving for recovery from an illness.

It was designed by A.B. Hubback, the same man who designed KL Railway Station and Ipoh Railway Station. 

2003: PERAK MUSEUM, TAIPING

The oldest museum in Malaysia. Founded by Sir Hugh Low, the 4th British Resident of Perak, in 1883. He built it with Sir Frank Swettenham through fundraising efforts. Its first curator was Leonard Wray Jr, a botanist and geologist. 

Taiping at the time was the capital of Perak and the first proper town established by the British in Malaya. 

The Australian-made Avon Sabre, RMAF F-86, registration FM19-17, was on display outside the Perak Museum. 

2012: GREEN RIDGE, KAMPAR

The most historic spots in Perak, the actual battle of Kampar site is up the ridge. Green Ridge is the site for the battle that took place on 30 December 1941 between the 11th Indian Division (British Battalion formed from the 1st Leicestershire Regiment, 2nd East Surrey Regiment, Jat-Punjab Regiment, Gurkas and Sikhs) and the Japanese 5th Division under Lt Gen Takuro Matsui. The Japanese lost so many men, and it was the first serious defeat for the Japanese in the Malayan Campaign. 

2015: TAIPING LAKE GARDEN

Malaysia's first public garden, established in 1880. An abandoned tin mining ground, it was the idea of Colonel Robert Walker and developed by British administrator Charles Compton Reade into a recreational haven. 

2017: JALAN PANGLIMA AH CHONG, TAIPING, PERAK

Named after So Ah Chong, the leader of the Chinese Secret Society, Ghee Hin, during the Larut Wars from 1862 to 1873 between the Ghee Hin and Hai San.

In reality, he was not just a ganster; he was the de facto administrator, tax farmer, employer of 15,000 coolies and founder of the town itself.

2017: STESEN KERETAPI TAIPING

Malaysia's first railway station, opened on 1 June 1885, is also Malaysia's first railway line from Taiping to Port Weld. When I was there in 2017, Taiping was already using the new station; this old building was still standing. 

Taiping Rest House at Jalan Stesen, opposite S.K. King Edward VII and next to the old Railway Station. It was built in 1879 as a single-storey residence for the British Governor of the Straits Settlements. Converted to a rest house in 1894, it became Malaysia's first rest house. 

The status in 2026 was under active restoration to reopen as a heritage hotel. 

2017: TAIPING WAR CEMETERY

The final resting place for Allied personnel killed during World War II, specifically the Malayan Campaign from December 1941 to February 1942. It is also known as Commonwealth War Cemetery. It is located at Jalan Bukit Larut, about 2 km past Taman Tasik Taiping. 

Built in 1946-47 and established by Major J.H. Ingram, who led 30 men of No. 46 War Graves Registration Unit. 

Over 850 burials, with over 500 unidentified, are maintained immaculately by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to this day. 

It also has local Malayan soldiers who died during the war, as in my photo the two graves of:

1. 10967 Corporal Chan Kam Weng – Federated Malay States Volunteer Force, died on 15 February 1942, age 35. 
2. 12243 Private Abdul Rahman bin Ahmad – Federated Malay States Volunteer Force – died 1 January 1942, age 19, with a Jawi inscription. 

2017: HERITAGE HOUSE, TAIPING

One of the Taiping shophouses/Peranakan houses that the Taiping Municipal Council has been trying to conserve under the Taiping 2020 heritage plan – about 100 such houses identified in the old town. 

Most of these houses on Jalan Stesen, Taiping, were built by the wealthy Hakka/Cantonese tin miners. 

2017: FAMOUS CENDOL AND ROJAK AT TAIPING

Restoran Ansari Famous Cendol, located at 92, Jalan Barrack, Taiping, Perak. Founded in 1940 by Abdul Kader, an Indian-Muslim emigrant. Now in its 3rd generation, fun by his grandson Ansari Abdul Rahman. 

2017: S.K. KING EDWARDS VII, TAIPING

Founded in 1883 as Central School, built on the land of Malaysia's first railway station, it had stood right opposite the Taiping Rest House (Malaysia's first resthouse, 1894). 

Named after King Edward VII in conjunction with his coronation in 1901. The school was inaugurated by H.R.H. Sultan of Perak in 1905 with 434 students.

The school was occupied by the Japanese Army as HQ of the Kempetai during World War II. 

My eldest brother was a student at this school in 1963, when my late father was stationed at the Kamunting Camp in Taiping.

2018: THE LABU SAYONG, KUALA KANGSAR

The famous Labu Sayong at Kuala Kangsar in Perak was made only in Sayong, a subdistrict 1 km-10 km from Kuala Kangsar on the opposite bank of Sungai Perak. 

Labu Sayong is a black, gourd-shaped erthenware water pitcher; it's not just pottery, it's Perak's cultural icon. There's even a traditional dance called the "Tarian Labu Sayong".

So when you see that huge Labu Sayong in the roundabout—it's Kuala Kangsar saying, "This is who we are."

2018: KUALA KANGSAR

The photo of Kuala Kangsar, captured from Sayong Resort during my overnight stay, beautifully showcases the serene landscape and the charming architecture that defines this historic town.

Staying at Sayong Resort not only provided comfort but also offered a unique vantage point to appreciate the beauty of Kuala Kangsar. Each moment spent there was a reminder of the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty that this town has to offer.

I couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to immerse myself in such a captivating environment, where every corner tells a story and every view is a postcard-perfect memory.

The resort was founded by Dato' Seri Ismail Shahudin (born in Kuala Kangsar), and his wife sits right on the banks of Sungai Perak, about 1.6 km from the town centre. 

Jambatan Iskandariah, built in 1932 to replace the Enggor pontoon bridge that was washed away in the Big Flood of December 1931. It was officially opened by Sultan Iskandar Shah on 29 June 1932. 

2018: MENARA CONDONG TELUK INTAN

The Malaysian Pisa, built 1885-1886 by contractor Leong Chon Chong for water storage for the dry season & firefighting and the clock tower to keep time. It is also a beacon for boats coming into Teluk Anson (the old name of Teluk Intan). 

The chiming clock was installed in 1894 and bought from J.W. Benson, Ludgate Hill, London. 

Why it leans: Built on soft, muddy ground with a heavy water tank on top. After a flood in 1895, it started tilting to the southwest. That's the lean you see today.

OLD HOUSE IN LUMUT, PERAK

This old house is famous among paranormal groups as "Rumah Misteri". However, it is not in any record that this house is haunted; it's just a classic house that was simply left after the land was cleared. 

The state of Perak is truly synonymous with me, as it was there—specifically in Taiping—that I was born.

Taiping, with its rich history and vibrant culture, holds a special place in my heart. The memories of my childhood, the stories passed down through generations, and the beautiful landscapes of this town have shaped who I am today.

From the serene Taiping Lake Garden to the bustling streets filled with heritage shophouses, every corner of Taiping tells a story. It’s a place where the past and present intertwine, creating a unique tapestry of experiences that I cherish deeply.

As I reflect on my roots, I am reminded of the warmth of the community, the delicious local cuisine, and the rich traditions that continue to thrive. Taiping is not just my birthplace; it is a part of my identity, a place that has influenced my journey in countless ways.

I look forward to sharing more about my experiences in this remarkable town and how it has shaped my life.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

6 October 2026: 5:40 p.m.