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The Star
18-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Forgotten buildings whisper of Perak's past
IPOH: Scattered across Perak, particularly in Ipoh, are hundreds of abandoned and forgotten buildings that tell quiet stories of a once-thriving past. Now overgrown with vines or crumbling facades, these structures have become unexpected magnets for photographs, film producers and history buffs. ALSO READ: Idle buildings, active threats Citing a few examples, the Perak Heritage Society deputy president Prof Richard Ng said in Ipoh itself, many pre-war shophouses, particularly in the old town area, are abandoned. Prof Ng, who is also the president of the non-governmental organisation Ipoh City Watch, said these structures are located, among others, along Jalan Sultan Iskandar, Jalan Datoh, Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil, and Jalan Panglima Kinta. 'Among them is the former clinic of Dr Wu Lien-Teh on Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, a pioneer of modern medicine, who also invented the face mask. 'Then in Buntong, the Sungai Pari Towers, a public housing scheme built in 1963, a 15-storey tower, and 11 four-storey blocks have been left vacant in stages since 2012 due to structural concerns. 'The area has become synonymous with safety risks, open manholes, and drug activity. 'Nearby, Waller Court, another 1960s-era public housing scheme, is suffering a similar fate, although some people are still residing there,' he said in an interview. Prof Ng was the main researcher involved in developing Ipoh's Cantonese Heritage Trail (both at the old town and the new parts of the city), and his book titled Paloh: Founded by Hakka, Made Vibrant by the Cantonese launched in 2023. He said that these buildings across the state, particularly in Ipoh, Batu Gajah, Kampar, Papan, and Kampung Kepayang, lost their economic backbone in the post-tin-mining era, leaving homes, shops, and even grand mansions empty. Many such buildings, Prof Ng said, were inherited by descendants who moved to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and overseas, leaving no one to maintain the place, and in some cases, the buildings end up in legal limbo. 'The state government should create a digital registry, legal reform, provide incentives for restoration, have public-private partnerships to redevelop such places, activate a heritage restoration fund, as well as create an urban redevelopment authority for Ipoh. 'Programmes such as adopting a building by schools or NGOs, murals, light shows, weekend flea markets, and using events like the Ipoh International Festival to spotlight restored spaces, as well as enforce basic safety and maintenance laws, are required,' he said. 'Such abandoned buildings can also be repurposed for low-cost rentals for the B40 families, community kitchens, learning hubs or libraries.' A notable example of a successful endeavour by the Ipoh City Council (MBI) is the demolition of Ipoh's famous 'Bazar Bulat' and its transformation into the Octagon building through private funding initiatives. He said that along Jalan Masjid, the old buildings have been turned into funeral parlours, with the Ruby and Cathay cinemas now transformed into restaurants. State housing and local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching said the state is exploring a more systematic approach to handling matters related to abandoned buildings. She said they have been improving the monitoring of high-risk sites, encouraging redevelopment where possible, and working through partnerships with private players when public funds are insufficient. 'Besides that, the state is looking at better policies, legal action or land acquisition to deal with old buildings, especially where ownership issues make action difficult,' she said. 'With Visit Malaysia 2026, such ideas need to be turned into action, not just to make things look good for tourists, but it is about restoring dignity to urban centres, making cities safer and more liveable.' Ng said when it came to old buildings, especially those from the pre-war era, the challenges were even greater. She said in many cases, there are multiple owners, complicated inheritance issues or 'missing' landlords. Citing an example, Ng said Waller Court is one of the clearest examples of ageing public housing that is no longer fit for purpose. She said the 17-block low-rise building with 518 units from the 1960s has steadily deteriorated. 'More than half of the units are now vacant, and many of the occupied ones are in poor condition. 'While MBI has tried to maintain the flats, it would cost nearly RM7mil a year just to keep it running, an amount that still would not bring the living conditions up to an acceptable standard. 'MBI has reached the point where maintenance alone is not enough, and redevelopment is required,' she said. Ng said a joint redevelopment plan with the private sector is being explored as the project is expected to cost over RM56mil. 'Waller Court is not the only case. There are many more public and private buildings across the state becoming underused or abandoned. Ng said that when these buildings are in the heart of the town, it would undoubtedly affect how people feel about their environment. 'So Waller Court is a reminder why we cannot wait until buildings fall apart before we act, as the longer we wait, the more costly it gets to fix the issue. 'I believe if we plan, work across agencies and involve the community, we can turn these ageing sites into new opportunities for the city and its people,' she said.
The Star
05-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Ipoh Tree to be preserved but in limited numbers, says mayor
Ipoh mayor Zamakhshari Hanipah. IPOH: The Ipoh City Council has confirmed that it will continue to preserve the Ipoh Tree - the city's namesake - as a symbol of local heritage, but only in a very limited number due to safety concerns. Ipoh Mayor Zamakhshari Hanipah said currently only two Ipoh trees (Antiaris toxicaria) are maintained under the council's jurisdiction. The two trees are currently found at the Ipoh Railway Station Square, and the recreational park near the Sultan Azlan Shah airport. 'The tree at the square has been replaced several times due to root decay, believed to have been caused by the hard surface area and limited grassy soil, which led to water pooling and poor root health. 'However, the tree at the recreational park near the airport is growing in a more natural environment with ample soil coverage, requiring minimal maintenance due to its healthy root condition,' he said. On July 3, The Star reported that once a powerful symbol of the city's identity, the Ipoh Tree from which the city draws its name, is no longer widely recognised especially among the younger folk. Perak Heritage Society deputy president Prof Dr Richard Ng had said the tree's connection to the city name, and its cultural meaning, has faded with time. Zamakhshari said the council has avoided planting the Ipoh tree in other public recreational parks such as Taman Sultan Abdul Aziz, Gunung Lang Recreational Park, and Dr Seenivasagam Park, due to the tree's high toxicity. He said the sap of the Ipoh Tree is highly poisonous, and could be fatal if ingested or touched, particularly posing a danger to children. 'As a result, this species is not suitable for planting in public spaces or family-friendly locations. 'The planting of the tree is carried out only in a controlled and symbolic manner, to preserve the historical identity of Ipoh City,' he added. In 2023, The Star had reported that only two Ipoh trees remain in public spaces in the city, where the one located near the airport is estimated to be around 20 years old, with a height of about 12m. The Ipoh City Council had said the one located at the square was planted in February 2018 to replace a 100-year-old Ipoh tree that fell during a storm in April 2017. On Aug 31, 2022, an Ipoh tree at the Dr Seenivasagam Park fell due to rot in its roots. That tree was estimated to be at least 30 years old.
The Star
03-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Ipoh tree rooted in history but fading from memory
Legacy at risk: The Ipoh Tree at the Ipoh Railway Station Square. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star IPOH: Once a powerful symbol of the city's identity, the Ipoh Tree from which the city draws its name, is no longer widely recognised especially among the younger folk. And sadly, there are only two Ipoh trees left standing in public spaces here. The tree's connection to the city name, and its cultural meaning, has faded with time, said Perak Heritage Society deputy president Prof Dr Richard Ng. He said the Ipoh Tree (Antiaris toxicaria) is not as prominent or celebrated for several reasons. Many people, especially the younger generation, do not even know the history of the tree, he said. 'Schools and tourism materials seldom emphasise its symbolic role. 'The younger generation grew up knowing about Lost World or Concubine Lane, but not the tree that gave Ipoh its name. 'As Ipoh modernised, urban planning focused more on infrastructure, less on preserving original natural landmarks. 'The city grew beyond the symbol of the tree with malls, housing and new attractions that took over public attention,' he said. In 2023, The Star reported that only two Ipoh trees remain in public spaces in the city. One can be seen at the Ipoh Railway Station Square, while the other is located at Persiaran Sultan Azlan Shah in Taman Lapangan Terbang, estimated to be around 20 years old, with a height of about 12m. The Ipoh City Council had said the one located at the square was planted in February 2018 to replace a 100-year-old Ipoh tree that fell during a storm in April 2017. On Aug 31, 2022, an Ipoh tree at the Dr Seenivasagam Park fell due to rot in its roots. That tree was estimated to be at least 30 years old. Ng said most majestic trees, including the Ipoh Tree fell victim to road expansion, construction, bad weather or neglect. He said it is a pity that such an important symbol of Ipoh is slowly forgotten. 'With only a handful of trees left in the city, efforts to integrate the Ipoh Tree's story into the city's identity through schools, public signage and cultural programmes must be made before the legacy is lost entirely. 'The tree, though dangerous, is majestic, much like how Ipoh itself emerged, from a wild, resource-rich land to a vibrant mining town. 'Its rare toxic sap became a symbol of indigenous knowledge and natural power. As the tree faded from public space, its legacy lived on in the city's name, coat of arms, and identity,' he added. Elaborating on the history of the Ipoh Tree, Ng said it played a central role in the naming of Ipoh, and was once abundant along the Kinta River. He said the tree's poisonous sap was traditionally used by the Orang Asli to tip blowpipes for hunting. Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) field officer Meor Razak Meor Abdul Rahman said there was no need to plant many such trees, but maintain the existing trees properly. He said it was sufficient to have the trees located at different locations, both at public and tourist areas. 'What is important is that they are well maintained with proper safety features to ensure that the public cannot easily approach or be exposed to the potential toxins. 'There is a need to keep the legacy of the tree, and thus a few trees must be maintained to ensure the history is well preserved for the future generations,' he added.
