Perak heritage buildings being restored - Star

April 25, 2009

IPOH: A number of old heritage buildings have been identified in Perak and efforts to restore them that began last year is expected to end some time next year.

DILAPIDATED: The Post and Telegraphs Office building in Jalan Sultan Yussuf in Ipoh, which was built in 1928, is now in a state of neglect.

For nearly a century now, the old Ipoh Post Office building here has been standing its ground, surviving the test of time, the turbulent history of colonial past and the rapid development taking place around it.

The building, built in 1913 and completed in 1916, has seen better days but thanks to the National Heritage Department, it may just see the better days returning.

Even in its dilapidated condition, the building is attracting attention among visitors for its Roman and Renaissance architecture.

Efforts are now underway to restore the building which was designed by a renowned British architect at that time, A. B. Hubback, who had also designed the Ipoh High Court building and Ipoh Train Station.

"This is among the old buildings in Ipoh which we are restoring," the department's Conservation and Archaeological Division Principal Assistant Director Mat Nasir Baba said.

He said that the efforts to restore old buildings in the state would not only preserve the country's heritage but also make them a tourist attraction.

He said the department was now actively carrying out research on several more historical sites in Perak that could be included in the restoration programme.

Mat Nasir said the restoration work would involve buildings constructed during the British colonial era between the year 1800 and 1940s.

"Our objective is to ensure that the country's heritage is preserved," he told Bernama after visiting conservation sites together with the media around Ipoh and Taiping Saturday.

Mat Nasir said restoration works in Perak started last year and is expected to be completed next year depending on the conditions of the buildings.

The restoration work is a painstaking process as the department needs to look into all the intricate details of the building to ensure they are restored to their original design and structure.

Another restoration project carried out by the National Heritage Department is on the old Taiping Municipal Council building located in Jalan Stesyen, and built in 1892.

The two-storey half-wood and half-concrete building, now 117 years old, is unique as it is built based on the 19th century Anglo-Indian architectural style but with prominent local influence.

The Perak Museum building in Jalan Taming Sari, Taiping, built in the late 1880s, has also been targeted for restoration.

The building is of immense historical value as it was the first museum built in Malaya.

"The museum was mooted by the Perak Resident at that time, Sir Hugh Low. He instructed botanist and geologist Leonard Wray Jr to collect historical artefacts, cultural relics and samples from natural surroundings to be put on display.

"The National Heritage Department chose this neoclassical building to be restored for its unique design," he said.

Other buildings targeted for refurbishment are the old mosque in Kampung Kuala Dal, Padang Rengas built in 1936. Its construction was funded by the 30th Sultan of Perak, Sultan Iskandar Shah.

The mosque is no longer in use since 1976 following the construction of the new Al-Wahidiah Mosque nearby.

"Sultan Iskandar Shah chose Kampung Dal to build the mosque as he had seen villagers performing prayers in a dilapidated madrasah. He contributed a fund for the Ikhsaniah Iskandariah mosque," he said.

He added that upon completion, the refurbished old mosque would be used for religious activities. - Bernama