We've tried to ensure the information displayed here is as accurate as possible. Should there be any inaccuracies, we would be grateful if you could let us know at info@ipohworld.org . All images and content are copyright.
(Please click on the thumbnail for a bigger image.)
A Detailed Inventory Of Heritage Buildings In Ipoh
This document, first produced by the Ipoh Planning Department as part of the 1986 Structure Plam for Ipoh City and updated in 1997 is entitled “Kajian Inventori Bangunan Warisan Bandar Raya Ipoh”. Iy rums to 73 pages of A4.
The document is fascinating as it lists in as much detail as possible of the heritage of each building with a photograph, address, date of construction (I known), a site plan and general remarks on the original use o the building and other facts. It also included the Gua Tambun cave paintings and the Birch Clock Tower.
We understand that this document was produced as the first step in having all of them gazette as heritage buildings under the 1976 predecessor to the National heritage Act (2005). However, as far as we are aware, the document never got as far as the State or Federal Government for gazetting action. Today several of the buildings have disappeared under the guise of ‘Development’ or been altered significantly by renovation or refurbishment.
Subsequently, on 9 June 2011 The Star reported:
“IPOH City Council (MBI) has identified at least 120 buildings and monuments around the city to be gazetted under the National Heritage Act, said Ipoh Mayor Datuk Roshidi Hashim.
Among the buildings are Ali Pitchay Town House, Ipoh Railway Station, Chung Thye Phin building, Perak Hydro Building, Hongkong & Shanghai Bank building, Pakistan Mosque, Ipoh Royal Club, Kinta Aerated Water, Federated Malay States Bar and Restaurant, Anglo Chinese School and Odeon Theatre which have been around since the end of the 18th century.
“We also have plans to seek recognition for Ipoh as a Heritage City from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
“We think there is no problem to get the status as the minimum requirement by Unesco is at least 120 buildings and monuments, whereas Ipoh has 147 of them.”
“Now, we are preparing an inventory of heritage buildings and monuments,” said Roshidi, adding that the inventory would need approval from the state government and the Department of National Heritage.”
Today (March 2018) reference to the Department of Heritage (Jabatan Warisan Negara) website shows that only one building has been gazetted as heritage in Ipoh, and that is St Michael's Institution, the first part of which was built in 1920. There is no reference to any of the iconic, century-old buildings like Panglima Mosque or Chung Thye Phin Building.
Clearly Ipoh has a long way to go before we cam be considered by the appropriate departments to have other buildings gazetted as heritage. In the meantime they must be considered to be at risk from development.
Above are scans of the front cover and one sample page from the document featuring the Chung Thye Phin Building.