More than just about Birch and Maharaja Lela

The Rumah Kutai built in 1896 at the Pasir Salak Historical Complex. — Photos: SAIFUL BAHRI/The Star

A SLEEPY town scattered with old kampung houses and undisturbed greenery, the peace and calm at Kampung Gajah, some 80km from Ipoh, belies the turmoil that took place there over a century ago.

Historically known as Pasir Salak, it was here that J.W.W. Birch was speared to death by followers of local Malay chief Dato Maharaja Lela Pandak Lam Maulud while the first British Resident of Perak was taking a bath on his boat moored on the Sungai Perak riverbank.