Taiping’s 33 Historical Firsts

Taiping is a city rich in heritage, and stood at the crossroads of history when the Malay States began its shift from a feudal government to slowly being a colony of the British Empire.

This post details Taiping’s 33 historical firsts from a standpoint of architecture, city planning, and governmental administration systems.

List of Taiping’s 33 Historical Firsts

18. Taiping Lake Gardens (1884)
19. Telegraph Museum (1885)
20. Perak and Larut Railway Building (1885)
21. Taiping Railway Station (1885)
22. Taiping Golf Course (1886)
23. Kwang Tung Association (1887)
24. Treacher Methodist Girls School (1889)
25. Topology and Survey Office (1891)
26. New Public Office (1897)
27. Ceylon Association Taiping (1899)
28. Matang Mangrove Forests (1902)
29. Indian Association of the Federated Malay States (1906)
30. Tekah Airfield (1930)
31. Silver Jubilee Jetty (1937)
32. Commonwealth War Memorial Cemetery (1947)
33. Taiping Zoo & Night Safari (2003)

1. The City of Taiping (1874)

The City of Taiping was established in 1874, following the signing of the Pangkor Treaty between the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Abdullah and the British Empire. A further agreement was signed between the Gee Hin and Hai San societies which have been at war with each other since 1861, bringing an end to the Larut Wars. The name “Taiping” originates from the Mandarin words 太平 (Dai Ping), which means great peace.

The Pangkor agreement legitimized the rule of Sultan Abdullah as the Perak Sultan, endorsed by the British Empire, and paved the way for the British Empire to gain a foothold in the Malay Straits and influence local politics, effectively forming a colonial administrative government in the nation of Perak, with British officers acting as the principal advisors to the Sultans. This form of government persisted till Malaysia’s independence from the British in 1957, and still continues till the present, with the only notable differences being the roles of the British officers now being undertaken by  Malaysian citizens elected in democratically held elections.

In 1874, Taiping was established as the first British colonial settlement and the first planned town in the Malay Peninsular.

2. Captain Speedy’s Residence, Matang​ (1873)

Captain Speedy’s Residence was constructed in 1873, as a gift from the then Menteri of Larut, Ngah Ibrahim.

Captain Speedy played a pivotal role in the early history of Taiping as a tin mining town, and the establishment of what would later go on to become the first colonial militia, and later police force and standing army organized under Western military traditions.

Captain Speedy under the instruction of the Menteri of Larut recruited former British soldiers from India to establish and train a local police force to pacify the warring Gee Hin and Hai San societies in Taiping.

Today, the building serves as the Gallery of Security Forces of Ngah Ibrahim, opened to the public in 2022.

Captain Speedy’s Residence is considered to be the first Victorian-style colonial residence erected in the Malay Peninsula.

3. Treasury & Audit​ Building (1874)

The building designated PWD 102 (Public Works Department 102) was the first office for what was the colonial Treasury and Audit department in the nation of Perak, and the Malay Peninsular, and was under the leadership of E.M. Marple. The building in it’s current form began construction in 1883 and was completed in 1885. In 1899, the building was given to the use of the Post & Telegraph Department and became the Taiping Post Office, also the first postal office in Peninsular Malaya. The building also served as the Government Savings Bank, the first government bank in the Malay States, and also housed the first steel safe in the country.

Today, the building still serves as the Taiping Post Office, and still preserves much of its original architecture, as well as several artefacts and building features used over the years as the postal system became more modernized over the past 150 years.

4. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church (1875)

The Our Lady of the Sacred Heart church was initially a simple wooden chapel constructed on the hilltop where the current concrete structure stands. In 1876, the church was reconstructed over a period of 4 years to its current design. The church is the first Roman Catholic church in Taiping.

5. The Esplanade (1875)

The Esplanade was built in 1890 by Lieutenant-Colonel Robert S.F. Walker of the Perak Police Force. An avid footballer and cricketer, Lt. Colonel Walker is largely credited as being the man responsible for popularising the sports of cricket and football in the Malay States.

The Esplanade was known then as the Field, or the Parade Square, and was largely used for parades, processions, and military marching drills, but also served as a cricket and football field.

Today, the Esplanade still serves as a sports venue with various field sports using the grounds as their championship tournament venue, namely football, hockey, netball, and track and field championship events. The Esplanade is also still used by the military for demonstrations and public events that involve the military, such as the brithday and coronation of the Perak Sultan, the Armed Forces Day, and Merdeka (Independence) Day parades and celebrations.

6. Penghulu’s Office, Matang​ (1877)

The Matang Headman’s Hall (Balai Penghulu Matang) was built as an administrative office and a courthall dealing in petty civil cases. The building has undergone several renovations throughout the years to keep up with the times and for maintenance purposes. It currently serves as the office of the Penghulu Matang (Matang Headman).

7. Municipality of Larut (1877)

Following the establishment of Taiping and Kamunting in 1874, the Municipality of Larut was formally established in 1877. Under Perak’s feudal system, land tracts or districts were already established, and the district of Larut was awarded to Orang Kaya Menteri Larut Dato’ Long Jaafar to administer in 1850. Following the 1874 Pangkor agreement, administration of districts came under the purview of the British Resident’s office, and the Municipality of Larut was established according to previous borders.

This was the first local government established by the British in the Malay States, and was largely based on practices already established in other colonies in the British Empire at the time.

The Municipality of Larut today extends to include the districts of Matang and Selama.

8. Officer’s Mess (1879)​

The Officer’s Mess was built as a mess hall in 1879 for officers of the Malay States Guides, the first standing army in the Malay States. It is situated across the road from the headquarters of the army and was utilized as a rest house and venue for social events for the officers. Today, it is known as the Wisma Perwira Batalion KeSembilan Rejimen Renjer DiRaja, and still provides the same functions that it used to at the time of its construction.

9. Maxwell Hill (1879)​

Maxwell Hill (now known as Bukit Larut) was “discovered” and named in 1879 by J.W.W. Birch. In 1884, the British constructed a number of bungalows to serve as recreational houses and as a sanatorium for British officers seeking rest and reprieve. It is the first, oldest, and smallest hillside resort in the country, with an elevation of 1036m above sea level. Most of the original bungalows constructed by the British are still standing, maintained as a tourism destination by the Taiping Municipal Council. Some of the buildings are in a state of disrepair following several landslides that disrupted vehicular travel to the buildings, but are slowly and painstakingly being restored.

10. Taiping Prison (1879)​

Taiping Prison, originally named Taiping Gaol, was constructed in 1879 to house the increasing number of convicts that had to be incarcerated following the civil unrest that happened during Taiping’s formative years that culminated in and followed after the murder of the first British Resident (Kames W. W. Birch) in 1875. At the time of construction, it was the first and largest prison complex in the Malay Peninsular. The prison was officially gazetted as Taiping Prison in 1992.

11. Taiping Rest House (1879)

The first rest house in the Malay States was constructed by the British Administration in Perak in the year 1879, primarily to be used as temporary quarters for traveling British officers and visitors to the Perak State Government.

Originally a single-story symmetrical wooden bungalow, it was reconstructed in 1894 as a two-story building with the addition of the East and West wings that still exist today, but in a state of disrepair and ruin.

12. Taiping Public Library (1881)

The Taiping Public Library is the first purpose-built library in the Malay States.

Originally built in 1882 as a private reading room for British officers from the military and Perak State government, the building was reconstructed in 1912 and still stands in this form till today.

13. Taiping Clock Tower (1881)​

The Taiping Clock Tower was constructed in 1881, and was the first modern police station and fire brigade safeguarding the residents of Taiping. It was referred to as The Fort, back then. Originally built as a wooden structure, it was rebuilt in brick and mortar in 1891, and still stands till today in this form. Some refurbishments have been made over the years, with the most recent being the recommissioning of the clock and bell tower.

14. All Saints Church (1883)​

The All Saints Church, built in 1886, with its parish formed in 1883, is the oldest Anglican church in the Federated Malay States. 

The church features wooden gothic architecture features, and still preserves most of its original architecture.

15. Perak State Museum (1883)​

The Perak Museum is the first museum constructed in the country, dating back to 1883. This building was constructed in phases, and therefore has a unique blend of Victorian, Neo-Classical and Moorish architecture, reflecting the dominant styles of the different eras the multiple buildings were constructed. 

16. King Edward VII School (1883)

King Edwar VII School is the second English school built in Taiping, constructed in 1883. It was originally known as Central School.

17. Taiping Market (1884)​

The Taiping Market, constructed in 1884, is Malaysia’s best-preserved example of 19th-century wooden architecture. A second market building (the Dry Market) was built directly behind the first market building in 1885. Currently, the market building is being reconstructed with more modern materials, while still preserving the original design.

The Hokkien Association in Taiping has existed since 1862. This building was completed as their association hall, or rumah kongsi, in 1928.

18. Taiping Lake Gardens (1884)

The Taiping Lake Gardens is the first public gardens in Malaya, built in 1884.

The idea for the gardens was put forth in1880 by Lt. Colonel R.S.F. Walker, the same man who was responsible for the Esplanade and the All Saints Church. Land for the gardens was donated by Mr. Chung Thye Phin from a plot of disused tin mines he owned, and construction of the gardens was carried out by the police force at the time.

19. Telegraph Museum (1885)

The current Telegraph Museum was originally the first Post Office and Telegraph service office in the Malay States. The first  inland telegraph service began in 1876, stationed in Matang. Postal services enabled this station to provide communication between Taiping and Matang via telegram service. The Post Office and Telegraph was moved to Taiping as its headquarters in 1885, following Taiping’s status as an administrative capital.

Currently the building serves as the Telegraph Museum, and is maintained by Telekom Malaysia. One may visit the museum to learn about the origins of the telecommunications industry in Malaysia in its earliest form.

20. Perak and Larut Railway Building (1885)

The Perak and Larut Railway Building constructed in 1885 was the original management office for the Taiping-Port Weld rail line (the first railroad in the country), and stands across the road from the original location of the railway station (now the field for the King Edward VII school).

Today, the building lies in a state of ruin and is cordoned off from public entrance for safety reasons.

21. Taiping Railway Station (1885)

Taiping is probably most well-known as the site for the first railroad in the Malay States, with the first railway station constructed and commissioned on June 1st, 1885, running the Taiping-Port Weld (now Kuala Sepetang) line.The original building was constructed in what is now the field of the King Edward VII primary school, with the railroad’s office across the street from it. 

This station building was shifted to its current location in 1910 to facilitate travel by rail to northern regions of the country, namely the Butterworth station, connecting Perak and Province Wellesley (now Seberang Perai).

The 1910 station still stands, and is now a popular tourist destination, featuring a mini rail museum, and several eateries. This station is no longer in use as a departure or arrival station, making way for a newer building erected adjacent to the 1910 station building. 

22. Taiping Golf Course (1886)

The first golf course in the Malay States was constructed in Taiping in 1886, in a section of the Taiping Lake Gardens. It is also the location of the first golf club in the country, known as the Perak Golf Club, which happens to be the second-oldest golf club in SouthEast Asia, after the Jakarta Golf Club.

Today, the actual 9-hole golf course which was the Taiping Golf Course no longer exists, but the section of the Lake Gardens where it was situated is now part of the grounds of the Taiping New Club. The Golf Club is still managed by the Taiping New Club.

23. Kwang Tung Association (1887)

The Kwang Tung Association Building, built in 1887, was and still is a community center for the Chinese community in Taiping at the time, with members consisting of Hakka, Teo Chew and Hainan Chinese emigrants from the Canton province who were making Taiping their new home.

Today, the building still serves as a community center, and is frequently used as a venue for formal and informal events such as weddings, political gatherings, business meetings and the like.

24. Treacher Methodist Girls School (1889

The first girls school constructed by the Perak State Government was in 1899 and was then known as the English Government Girls’ School, with an initial enrolment of 8 students. 

In later years, the school would be run by the Methodist church, and was renamed Lady Treacher Girls’ School, after a former headmistress who pioneered the school. 

The school still stands to this day and is known as Treacher Methodist Girls High School (Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Perempuan Treacher Methodist).

25. Topology and Survey Office (1891)

The Topology and Survey Office, the first of its kind in the country was completed in 1891. This government department would later come to be known as Jabataan Ukur dan Pemetaan Malaysia (JUPEM) post-independence.

Built in the Anglo-Indian style of architecture, this building was restored to its former glory and today houses the Taiping Municipal Gallery, where various historical artefacts are available on display showcasing the progression of the city  of Taiping through the ages. 

26. New Public Office (1897)

The New Public Office building was originally designed in the shape of a “C” after Mr. St. Francis Caulfield, Senior Engineer of the Public Works Department, which would later come to be known as the  Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) post-Malayan-independence.

At the time of its construction in 1897 it was the most  modern government office in the Malay States, and was the first administrative office of the Perak State Government. The building was officiated by Yang Teramat Mulia Sultan Idris Musyidul Shah in 1897.The building was constructed by a Mr. Fam Fook at a cost of $79,000.00.

In 2012 the building was registered as a National Heritage Site under the purview of the National Heritage Act (2005) and the National Heritage Department.

Today, the building houses the Land and District Office of Larut, Matang, and Selama.

27. Ceylon Association Taiping (1899)​

The Ceylon Association of Taiping, originally founded as the Victoria Reading Room in 1898, is the first association for the Ceylonese population in the Malay States. The Association formally changed its name to the Ceylon Association in 1899. The original building which was its headquarters still stands today, with half of it occupied by one of Taiping’s best noodle restaurants.

28. Matang Mangrove Forests (1902)​

The Matang State Forest has a management history dating back to 1902, and has been a managed silviculture project since British colonial times. 

Today, the Matang Mangrove Eco-Educational Centre, formally established in 1992, is recognized as one of the best mangrove forestry preservation and exploitation institutions in the world.

29. Indian Association of the Federated Malay States

The Indian Association of the Federated Malay States was established in 1906, and is the first association formed to promote and care for the intellectual, social and moral welfare of the Indian community in the Federated Malay States. The Association can trace its beginnings to Penang when the Penang Indian Association was formed in 1894. Since no association of its kind existed in the Malay Peninsular, the Indian Association of the FMS was formed with its headquarters in Taiping.

30. Tekah Airfield (1930)​

The Tekah Airfield can trace its origins to 1930, and is the first airfield/ aerodrome/ airport built for landing aircraft in Peninsular Malaya.

Today, it is a popular spot for drone pilots and parasailers practicing their hobby. On occasion, skydiving enthusiasts also use this airfield as a training ground. The airfield is still primarily used by the military as a training ground for paratroopers.

31. Silver Jubilee Jetty (1937)

The SIlver Jubilee Jetty was constructed in Victorian colonial style in 1937 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the rule of King George V in England, built with funds gathered from the local community in Taiping. In 1937, Taiping was a very diverse city, with local Malay, Chinese, Indian and foreign British and European expatriates living together rather harmoniously.

32. Commonwealth War Memorial (1947)​

The Commonwealth War Memorial Cemetery was laid out in 1947 and is the final resting place of Allied soldiers who gave their life in defending Malaya from the invasion of the Japanese Imperial Army in World War 2. It is the first and largest war memorial in Malaysia, with 866 burial plots.

33. Taiping Zoo & Night Safari (2003)

The Night Safari of Taiping Zoo is the first night-time zoo tour showcasing nocturnal animals in their natural habitats in Malaysia, and was officiated by the former Sultan of Perak, DYMM Sultan Azlan Shah Muhibbuddin Shah in June 2003. 

Recommendations

Family-friendly Activities

The more child-friendly spots among the sites listed here are:

• The Zoo
• Tekah Airfield
• Matang Mangrove Forests
• The Lake Gardens
• The Library
• The Railway Station
• The Gallery
• Telegraph Museum
• The Esplanade
• Taiping Golf Course
• The Museum
• Bukit Larut

There is accommodation as well as food and drink venues close by to most of the sites listed here, which are mostly located in the central area of Taiping.

Some sites are located in Matang, which is roughly 20 minutes away from Taiping’s city center. There is easily-available accommodation and food and drink venues near these sites as well.

The Weather

Be mindful of the weather. The climate in Taiping is very humid, and on hotter days expect heavy perspiration. Stay hydrated. Seek immediate shelter in case of rain.

Visiting Historic Taiping

Visiting Taiping’s 33 Historical Firsts as listed in this post are a great way to immerse oneself in what it probably was like to live in Taiping at a time of tumultuous change in the state of Perak, a time where the feudal world of the Perak Malay Sultanate and eventually the entire Malay Peninsular came face to face with capitalism, industrialisation, immigration, colonisation, and modernisation.

From the the first modern centralised government administration system, modern postal service, civil rights associations, government-controlled education system, armed police force and standing army, urban planning and development systems, modern rail and air transportation systems, and modern banking systems, Taiping was the starting point and seat of it all.

By studying the history of these historic sites and systems and how they affected change in Perak society, one may gain a better understanding of how the various Malay States eventually became a part of the British Empire, the eventual unification of the citizenry of the country in rejecting colonisation, and the eventual political awakening and unity among the citizenry in claiming their independence from the British, leading to the formation of a single unified nation, Malaya, which evolved to become the modern Malaysia we know today.