Gone to waste:This heritage building in Papan still manages to draw tourists despite its crumbling state. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star
Perak folk, NGO spearhead revival of Papan and hope to raise funds for transformation of old tin-mining town into must-visit place with more heritage trails and galleries.
A TOWN stuck in the past, with old shophouses lining the main street and overgrown vegetation against a hilly landscape, aptly describes Papan in Perak.
Located about 17km from the state capital of Ipoh, the sorry state of the buildings belies the hidden gems of the tin mining town that is steeped in history.
To promote the sleepy town to tourists, conservationists have plans to turn it into a must-visit place.
Efforts are being taken by non-governmental organisation Papan Heritage Conservation Group to promote the town’s historical and heritage buildings that date back to the late 1870s.
Led by Jacky Chew Seng Leong, members of the group have spent a lot of time and money preparing the historical locations to become tourist attractions.
Tourists who visit Papan will get a chance to take pictures of odd attractions including a large tree inside one of the buildings. — Photos: RONNIE CHIN/The Star
Chew said Papan (the Bahasa Melayu word for wood plank) was so named as the townsfolk were into timber activities in the past, making wood products with chengal.
“There were a few sawmills in Papan that survived until the late 20th century.
“Papan is the only place in Kinta Valley mentioned by scholars, which was about the Chinese coming to work at the sawmills around the 1850s before the tin rush in the 1870s,” he said, pointing to an 1885 map they had as proof of the name’s origin.
“In my own opinion and based on the 1885 map, I believe Papan got its name from a nearby river. The map was issued by JJM De Morgan on July 17, 1885,” he added.
Chew recently conducted a walkabout around Papan town with over 20 local residents, history enthusiasts and heritage associations from Kuala Lumpur to show the treasures of Papan.
During the walkabout, the group also officially opened the Papan Heritage Gallery which has maps and photographs of buildings in the town.
Potential sites
Chew said there were at least 10 historical sites in Papan, with the most famous being the clinic of Sybil Kathigasu, the war heroine dubbed the “Florence Nightingale of the East”.
“Her clinic was the place she treated wounded and ill soldiers of the Malayan Peoples’ Anti-Japanese Army during the Japanese Occupation.”
He said Perak Heritage Society member Law Siak Hong was roped in to assist them in the project as he had championed the Papan cause for many years.
“We also have the Mandailing heritage sites consisting of Rumah Asal Raja Bilah built in 1883 and Rumah Besar Raja Bilah built in 1896 and is a national heritage building.
“Another building of note is the old Papan mosque, which is the oldest Mandailing-style mosque in Perak.
Chew highlighting the historical facts to tourists at the gallery.
“Then there is the Papan Heritage Gallery, Malaysia New Village History Gallery, old tin mining sites and various other places,” said Chew.
He said the group spent about RM30,000 to prepare the locations as tourist spots.
“Other places of interest are the Goddess of Mercy Temple established in the 1870s, the Relics Hall, which stores precious relics dating back to 1891 and the Hall of Old Tombs where 50 old tombs were found in a cemetery dated 1892. These will be part of the Chinese Cultural Heritage Zone,” he told StarMetro.
Chew said he was inspired to revive the town after having learned about its rich history and historical paradoxes.
“While working at the Kinta Tin Mining Museum, I learnt that Papan was one of the earliest tin frontiers in Kinta.
“The more I learn about its history, the more I can see the potential of making it a conservation project that can be appreciated by future generations,” he said.
Chew said he was also lucky to meet Papan New Village Committee chairman Leong Wai Fan who was enthusiastic about reviving the town.
“We started searching for relics, gathering the bits and pieces of information about Papan.
Signboards pointing out the location of historical sites are helpful to visitors and tourists on a walkabout around Papan.
“That was when we came up with the idea to use Papan’s history as the foundation and to turn the town into a heritage hub,” he said, adding that he hoped to get the local community involved too.
Chew said more attractions were being planned for the future.
“We aim to have more historical-themed galleries and trails set up soon, such as the reopening of Sybil Kathigasu’s memorial, Raja Bilah and the Mandailing Heritage Museum, tin mining galleries, cemetery trails and the Chinese School Old Documents Gallery.
“Some of these projects will require us to work with the stakeholders.
“We estimate the cost to be about RM1mil, so we are looking for funding,” he added.
During a walkabout in the town, a few alleys were found to have been decorated by the villagers and volunteers from the group.
The alley streets had pictures of koi fish, flowers and leaves drawn on them while the buildings’ walls were painted with murals.
Public perception
A teacher from Penang, who wanted to be known only as Anisah, found the historical sites in Papan impressive.
“I saw a video showing the old buildings and temples in Papan and I was fascinated with them, so I visited the town recently.
“The place looks attractive, especially the koi-painted road in the alley and the museums,” said the 37-year-old.
Istana Bilah in Papan by the Mandailing king Raja Bilah.
“Unlike the museums I have visited before, the ones in Papan are located inside old wooden houses. I can only imagine what life was like back then,” she added.
Anisah hopes there will be more safety measures in some of the old buildings.
“There is a huge tree inside one of the houses, which is great for photo opportunity, but I don’t think it is safe for the elderly or children because there are broken glass and rubbish scattered there,” she said.
“It is definitely amazing that the locals and volunteers are working together to promote Papan. I look forward to going there again the next time I am in town,” she added.
Thirty-seven-year-old businessman Chow Jia Long, from Ipoh, visited Papan on Malaysia Day when a friend told him of a funfair there.
A few streets in the town feature painted roads and walls as well as small gardens, thanks to the villagers and volunteers.
“I think Papan has potential to be a tourist attraction. It has its own rustic charms and is filled with history.
“I loved the fair because it involved people from the local community. There was even a child singing karaoke at a nearby coffeeshop, which was entertaining to the customers,” he added.
Chow said there were many things that needed to be done to turn Papan into a must-visit for tourists.
“It will be great if public transport services are provided from Ipoh to Papan,” he said, hoping the state government would also encourage people to promote Papan as well.
“The fair I attended was held on the main street. I think if there is proper infrastructure and financial assistance, more interesting events can be held there,” he added.
