(From left) Private museums Hor Yan Hor and Han Chin Pet Soo on Jalan Bijeh Timah are among Ipoh’s popular attractions. —Photos: RONNIE CHIN, ILI AQILAH/The Star
Every day, Leong Meng Fai greets visitors at Han Chin Pet Soo Museum in Ipoh and regales them with the history of the Hakka community and the state’s glory days of tin mining.
The museum in the Perak capital hosts up to three tour sessions a day and participants come from all over the world including North America, the United Kingdom and Taiwan.
Leong, who manages the museum, said many tourists had shared with him how much they enjoyed visiting museums in Perak.
A classic car collection as part of its permanent
“Museums are certainly one of the major attractions in Ipoh and many tourists can be seen queueing up to enter.
“We have three tours a day and each tour has up to 25 guests, sometimes more.
“We share with them about Hakka community life during the heyday of tin mining.
“This building used to be a clubhouse for mining bosses and we have several sections depicting how the club used to be,” said Leong.
Animal skeletons on display at Perak Museum, which also houses a treasure trove of artefacts.
Han Chin Pet Soo Museum is one of at least 15 museums showcasing different historical stories, relics or figures in Perak.
Seven of them – Darul Ridzuan Museum in Ipoh, Royal Museum and Sultan Azlan Shah Gallery in Kuala Kangsar, Beruas Museum, Lat House Gallery and Almarhum Tuanku Azlan Shah Residency in Batu Gajah and Pasir Salak historical complex – are under the Perak Museum Board (LMNP).
Two are under the Museums Department of Malaysia, namely the Perak Museum and Matang Museum, both in Taiping, while the Lenggong Archeological Museum is under the National Heritage Department.
Besides indoor exhibitions , the 140-year-old Perak Museum in Taiping, which has attracted over 90,000 visitors so far this year, also showcases a classic car collection as part of its permanent exhibit.
There are also privately owned museums such as Tin Mining Museum (Kampar), Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No 5 (under Mentri Besar Inc) and Kellie’s Castle (Batu Gajah).
Others are the Hor Yan Ho, Fantasy House Trick Art and Han Chin Pet Soo museums in Ipoh, added Leong.Popular attraction
A spokesperson said the Perak Museum had attracted over 90,000 visitors so far this year, with its target being at least 190,000.
“We have a list of upcoming exhibitions and so far, they have received a good response.”
She added that programmes scheduled for this year included Malaysia during World War II, talks on Independence Day and a museum exploration, as well as exotic forest fruits and taxidermy exhibitions.
Visitors can download a mobile app to enjoy the PerakMuseum’s augmented reality exhibitions.
“There is also a mobile app which showcases the museum’s augmented reality exhibitions.”
Located opposite Taiping Prison, the Perak Museum is said to be the first in the state and was opened in 1883.
A check by StarMetro found the double-storey building full of tourists and local visitors.
Businesswoman Haslia Hassan from Rawang, Selangor who was with her children, said it was her second visit to the museum.
“My first visit was about 20 years ago and I can see many improvements.
“My children are all still in school and they are excited to visit the museum.
“Their favourite part is the Orang Asli community exhibition as well as the one on traditional outfits worn by the major races in the country.
The darul Ridzuan Museum is one of two museums currently undergoing renovation.
“I prefer to bring my children to museums as they can learn more about history and culture.
Haslia, in her 40s, said the museum was well maintained and clean.
“The explanation of each exhibition is clear too. I highly recommend this place to everyone, especially those with school-going children.”
Civil servant Muhamad Hanif Zulkifli, 34, said he visited the museum about once a month.
“I have been coming here since I was little. Now, I visit with my wife and children.
“Growing up, I loved reading about history and this museum has always been one of my favourite places in Taiping,” Muhamad Hanif said.
“If family or friends from other districts or states visit us, we will bring them here.
“As a history buff, I have always liked museums.
“The Perak Museum has held a lot of exhibitions over the years and I can’t wait to see what it is going to do next.”
Perak Museum Board director Mohamad Amir Mohd Dahalan said the Darul Ridzuan Museum in Ipoh and Beruas Museum were currently under renovation.
“For Darul Ridzuan Museum, we are currently preparing at least two exhibitions while we wait for renovations to be completed.
“One will be about Ipoh during the Emergency period. The museum is scheduled to reopen early December.
“As for Beruas Museum, we are in the midst of the Gangga Negara installation, it is scheduled to open in early November.
“All these installations and upgrades are part of preparations for Visit Perak Year 2024.”
A teacher who wished to be known as Sara hoped the Darul Ridzuan Museum would hold more exhibitions.
“The last time I visited was before the movement control order.
“I think the museum has a lot of potential since Ipoh is now seeing many tourists. “Private museums such as Han Chin Pet Soo and Hor Yan Hor are seeing a lot of visitors, too,” Sara said.
“Darul Ridzuan Museum once held an exhibition in collaboration with People of Remarkable Talent (PORT) and that was one of the best I have seen.
“I hope when the museum reopens, it will hold a similar exhibition to attract more visitors.” Complex in bad state
In July last year, StarMetro reported on the Pasir Salak historical complex in Kampung Gajah, about 70km from Ipoh, where visitors had expressed concerns over dilapidated buildings, lack of tour guides and poor road signage to the place.
The complex featured Perak’s Rumah Kutai, which had rundown walls and stairs.
A medical officer who wished to be known as Kumar, hoped the complex would be revamped soon.
“I initially wanted to visit the complex but after seeing some news articles about its condition, I decided not to.
“Since next year will be Visit Perak Year, the state government should ensure the complex is repaired. It is truly sad to see how the complex has been ‘abandoned’.
“Pasir Salak’s history is one of the most important moments in the history of Malaya, so it is important to ensure the complex is in good condition,” he said.
Perak tourism committee chairman Loh Sze Yee is hopeful that museums throughout the state would receive more visitors.
“We have a few months left until Visit Perak Year starts and the Perak Museum Board has many exciting exhibitions and programmes lined up.
“Among the events are a photography contest, Perak food review, Night at the Museum and exploration tour of all the board’s museums.
“We hope that these exciting events will draw more domestic and international tourists to the museums,” Loh said.
