Historical site: With the growing revival of Papan as a heritage town, the installation of the signboard is seen as a crucial step in preserving its legacy. — Bernama
BATU GAJAH: At almost 130 years old, a house which symbolised the once thriving tin-mining town of Papan is now having to fight decay, thefts and even monkeys.
Rumah Besar Raja Bilah was built in 1896 by Raja Bilah, the Mandailing leader and “penghulu” or leader of Papan.
Papan is one of Perak’s oldest Mandailing Malay settlements, dating back nearly 145 years.
Yesterday, twin sisters Aziah and Azila Abdullah, who are the fifth-generation descendants of Raja Bilah, were among those present for the installation of a signboard which explains Raja Bilah and the concept of the mansion.
“We are really thankful that there are people who still care about the history of the house,” said Aziah, 47, in expressing gratitude for the signboard, courtesy of Perak Heritage Association and Batu Gajah District Council.
She said that Rumah Besar is accessible to visitors, but the upper floor is closed due to deteriorating wood, leaks and disturbance by monkeys.
“There had also been thefts and people sneaking in at 2am or 3am to perform suspicious activities,” said Aziah, who is a clerk at an accounting office.
She said the thieves took away stamp collections, copper items and old currencies.
For the past 25 years, Aziah had been coming to the mansion every week to clean up.
And contrary to its depiction in the 2011 horror flick Penunggu Istana, the mansion’s owners made it clear that the mansion is not haunted.“The flow of the film is not true. This place is not haunted,” said Aziah.
Rumah Besar Raja Bilah stands as an iconic symbol of Papan’s former prominence as one of the largest tin-mining settlements in the Kinta Valley during the late 19th century.
Led by Raja Bilah and the Mandailing Malay community, the town flourished economically, politically and socially.
The Mandailing Malay community played a crucial role in the region’s civilisation, shaping local politics, trade, and culture.
The house itself serves as a testament to the coexistence of multiple communities, including the Mandailing Malays, Chinese, Indians and Europeans.
Under the leadership of Raja Bilah and later his son, Penghulu Raja Yacob, Papan thrived and became a key economic hub of Kinta and Perak.
Ameen Abdullah, 77, a great-grandchild and the fourth-generation descendant of Raja Bilah, said the house has five rooms – three upstairs and the other two on the lower ground.
Raja Bilah had five children, including his great-grandfather.
Ameen said the house was once a hive of activities for family gatherings and administrative affairs.
He said that Rumah Besar was built next to Rumah Asal where the family members used to live.
Perak Heritage Association president Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Tahir said the signboard was installed to inform visitors about the mansion’s history.
“Without proper information, they won’t get the full historical context,” he said.
He said it is believed that the mansion was last occupied in 2007 by a woman until she passed on.
“If this place continues to be abandoned, it will deteriorate faster. Maintenance efforts must go on to ensure its survival,” he said.
For now, Mohd Tajuddin said the installation of the signboard is seen as a crucial step in preserving its legacy.
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