Ipoh World

The young man resting on the memorial clock tower steps and below the bust of J W W Birch is none other than our donor Charlie Choong (later owner of Choong Kee Foundry, Kampar), born in the second half of 1957, guessed that the photo was taken in 1959. However the bust was removed by the State Government in deference to the local Muslims who do not accept graven images, statues or idols in Islam. In addition, politically, removal of the bust would signify the end of colonialism. For years there have been arguments about when the bust was removed and most local people cite the 1970's as the most likely date. However,our regular donor, Ipoh Remembered has, at last, given us a reference that clearly dated the bust removal as 1958. He says:

"In my copy of A History of Malaysia by Barbara and Leonard Andaya, the removal of the bust is mentioned briefly on page 282."

The actual paragraph that confirms, kindly provided by Ipoh Remembered, reads:

282 "                              HISTORY OF MALAYSIA

"Conference of Rulers, on the basis of seniority for a term of five years; a parlia-

ment composed of a wholly elected I louse of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat)

and an appointed Senate (Dewan Negara); an allocation of power designated in

subjects under a Federal List, State List and Concurrent List, and a guarantee of

civil rights and of judicial review.  On 15 August 1957, the Legislative Council

ratified the Constitution and on 31 August the independence of the Federation

of Malaya was proclaimed. The end of colonialism was symbolized the follow-

ing year when the' Perak State' Council removed the bust of J.W.W. Birch from

 Ipoh’s memorial clock tower."

Ipoh Remembered has also provided more information about the background to the removal of the bust and also the depiction of Prophet Mohamed(pbuh) for which, presently, we have no verification:

"The portrayal of the Prophet was the subject of protests in Ipoh beginning in early 1956. By 1958, the state government, which owned the Clock Tower, had no choice but to act: the image was chiseled away and the remnants whitewashed.

Here’s an excerpt from the Straits Times, 17 July, 1958:

"Ipoh, Wed. — The Perak branch of the All-Malaya Muslim Missionary Society yesterday succeeded in getting rid of an “offensive” painting of the Prophet Mohamed which had adorned the Birch Memorial clock tower here for half a century.

A P. W. D. workman quietly chipped away at the offending figure of the Prophet about 30 feet up the tower.

After two hours of chipping the figure of the Prophet […] vanished into crumbling masonry."

A month or two later, still in 1958, the government removed the Birch bust. During the on-going protests over the portrayal of the Prophet, an Ipoh town councillor had raised an objection to the presence of the bust itself. The Town Council declined the state’s invitation to get involved; and so the state acted as recorded above."

Consequently it would seem that young Charlie on the steps in the above photo is not much more than one year old although we do not have a report that confirms the actual fate of removal of the bust, only the intention to remove it!. Meanwhile several of our readers have confirmed they saw it still in position in the 1970s and 80s. So maybe the photo of Charlie was taken in 1959 as he said it was.

Anecdotes

Ipoh Remembered also provided the following to provide interest in the removal of the Birch Bust story:

New Straits Times September 11, 1999, p. 10

IPOH TO LODGE REPORT OVER MISSING BUST

IPOH, Fri. — The Ipoh City council will lodge a report on the missing bust of J. W. W. Birch at the Birch memorial clock tower and has appealed to the public for information on its whereabouts.

In a statement faxed to the New Straits Times yesterday, council public relations officer Normala Latiff said those with information could contact its works and buildings division.

"The council hopes it will be returned, especially since it is a historical artefact," she said.

On the repairs to the clock, she said the job had been given to Syarikat Uni Utara on Aug 11.

However, it was difficult to obtain spare parts as it was an old model.

Suppliers of clock spare parts should contact Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman at tel: 05-2442361 of the works and buildings division.

Meanwhile, James Devadason, a lawyer with an avid interest in historical buildings and conservation efforts, said it would have been difficult to lift the bust from its stand without people noticing.

"No one seems to know what happened. It's a mystery," he said.

He said besides the bronze bust of Birch at the base, there were four figures at the apex representing justice, loyalty, fortitude and patience.

British tourist John Marchant, 66, was among several tourists who visited the memorial yesterday. Marchant said he noticed the plaque missing but was unaware there was a bust of Birch as well.

Marchant is on a two-week holiday in Malaysia and had read about the Birch memorial at a Trade Fair promoting holiday spots.

As this is his second trip to Malaysia, Marchant, a former petroleumto see engineer, said he wanted to learn about Malaysia's museums and history. […]

And then again from Malay Mail October 29, 1999, p. 28

SPRUCING UP THE RELICS

THERE may be a long list of historical buildings and monuments in Ipoh, but there is also a lot of sprucing up and repairs to do for Visit Perak Year 2000.

At least one historical relic could not be replaced. The bust of J. W. W. Birch, the State's first British Resident, went missing from the Birch Memorial clocktower.

No one knows exactly when the head of the assasinated [sic] colonial figure was "lopped off" from its pedestal. The Ipoh City Hall had said that the engineering division would look into it.

Another monument in need of attention is the cenotaph in front of the railway station.

The reason for the granite structure's existence is currently "meaningless" because of its missing plaque. It bears a dedication to the soldiers who fought in World War I.

The railway station itself requires touching up. The silver paint on its dome is peeling off.

Local lawyer and avid conservationist James Devadason also suggested that the hawkers there be moved to a proper place as their presence created an eyesore.

So the question remains with us. Was the bust removed in 1958 (as planned) and replaced at a later date or was it always there until 1999 when it was reported missing?

Watch this space!

To read more about the Birch Memorial Clock Tower click here.

To read more about the family and Choong Kee Foundry Kampung House, click here. 

To see a clearer picture of the Birch Bust, click here.