| MATANG |
1. Capt. Speedy's Residence
| Isometric view |
| Main view |
| Rear view |
2. Ngah Ibrahim's Fort
| The House... |
| Isometric view |
| Main View |
| Rear view |
| The Wells... |
| Other structures that can be found in the fort.... |
| The cannons... |
| Japanese memorial... |
| Ngah Ibrahim's tomb... |
" Ngah Ibrahim fort was probably completed in 1865. The stone walls are several layers thick and are over 1.5 meters tall.
It was originally built as a home for Ngah Ibrahim, a powerful and wealthy malay tin miner. The structure was later
fortified to resist threats from violent Chinese gangs such as the Ghee Hin and Hai San who had muscled in on the tin
trade, as well as the British East India Company which wished to monopolise the tin trade in Perak. The fort was also a tax
office and collection center for the tin trade for the district Larut. A road linked it directly to Kuala Sepetang on the
coast.
Ngah Ibrahim who was the son of Che Long Jaafar, discovered tin in Bukit Gantang, Taiping in the middle of the 19th
century. His mines made him richer than the Sultan of Perak, who conferred upon him the title of Minister of Larut. His
home was located in the center of the fort.
These days, the site is the Matang Historical Complex under the Museum and Antiquities Department. It was until the late
1970s, the Matang primary school. In earlier years it was used as a court to try Dato Maharaja Lela, a malay chief, and one
of his followers, Si Puntum, for the murder of J W W Birch, the British Resident of Perak. They were accused of killing
Birch in November 1875 in Pasir Salak. It also served as the country's first teachers' training college. The college was later
moved to Tanjung Malim, Perak." 1
It was originally built as a home for Ngah Ibrahim, a powerful and wealthy malay tin miner. The structure was later
fortified to resist threats from violent Chinese gangs such as the Ghee Hin and Hai San who had muscled in on the tin
trade, as well as the British East India Company which wished to monopolise the tin trade in Perak. The fort was also a tax
office and collection center for the tin trade for the district Larut. A road linked it directly to Kuala Sepetang on the
coast.
Ngah Ibrahim who was the son of Che Long Jaafar, discovered tin in Bukit Gantang, Taiping in the middle of the 19th
century. His mines made him richer than the Sultan of Perak, who conferred upon him the title of Minister of Larut. His
home was located in the center of the fort.
These days, the site is the Matang Historical Complex under the Museum and Antiquities Department. It was until the late
1970s, the Matang primary school. In earlier years it was used as a court to try Dato Maharaja Lela, a malay chief, and one
of his followers, Si Puntum, for the murder of J W W Birch, the British Resident of Perak. They were accused of killing
Birch in November 1875 in Pasir Salak. It also served as the country's first teachers' training college. The college was later
moved to Tanjung Malim, Perak." 1
| The well behind the house |
| At the front near the door to Capt Speedy's house |
| Mini cannon no 1 by the entrance to the museum |
| The main cannon guarding the main entrance to the fort |
| Mini cannon no 2 by the entrance to the museum |
Year Built: 1865
Architect:
Style:
Location: Matang Historical Complex (on the way to Kuala Sepetang)
Architect:
Style:
Location: Matang Historical Complex (on the way to Kuala Sepetang)
3. Tengku Menteri Mosque and Dato Sagor's Tomb
" One of the oldest mosque in Taiping built in 1867." 1
Not sure if the structure is original since the 19th century as it looked fairly new when
I visited the mosque. In the mosque's vicinity can also be found the tomb of Dato Sagor.
Year Built: 1865
Architect:
Style:
Location: Matang (on the way to Kuala Sepetang)
Not sure if the structure is original since the 19th century as it looked fairly new when
I visited the mosque. In the mosque's vicinity can also be found the tomb of Dato Sagor.
Year Built: 1865
Architect:
Style:
Location: Matang (on the way to Kuala Sepetang)
A Japanese memorial which chronicles
the invasion of the Japanese army in
Malaya.
the invasion of the Japanese army in
Malaya.
Ngah Ibrahim was banished to Seychelles island
together with Sultan Abdullah for his alleged part in
assassinating JWW Birch, the British Resident for
Perak. Later he resided in Singapore in exile until
death. His remains was brought home to Perak in
September 2006 and laid to rest in the Matang
Historical Complex compound (above)
together with Sultan Abdullah for his alleged part in
assassinating JWW Birch, the British Resident for
Perak. Later he resided in Singapore in exile until
death. His remains was brought home to Perak in
September 2006 and laid to rest in the Matang
Historical Complex compound (above)
Captain Speedy was the Assistant Resident at Larut. He was elected as he had a lot of experience and influence
with the Malays and the Chinese. He was responsible in setting aside Taiping for the Ghee Hin - the Hakka Chinese
clan and Kamunting for the Hai San clan.
with the Malays and the Chinese. He was responsible in setting aside Taiping for the Ghee Hin - the Hakka Chinese
clan and Kamunting for the Hai San clan.
Year Built:
Architect:
Style:
Location: Matang Historical Complex (on the way to Kuala Sepetang)
Architect:
Style:
Location: Matang Historical Complex (on the way to Kuala Sepetang)
Dato Sagor was a dignitary in Perak who was given authority in Kampung Gajah. He
was one of the dignitaries present during the signing ceremony of the Pangkor
treaty in 1874.
Following the murder of the British Resident JWW Birch in Perak, Dato Sagor was
accused as a conspirator in the planning of the murder. Subsequently he was
sentenced to death by hanging.
His tomb was restored by the Museum and Antiquities Department. 1
was one of the dignitaries present during the signing ceremony of the Pangkor
treaty in 1874.
Following the murder of the British Resident JWW Birch in Perak, Dato Sagor was
accused as a conspirator in the planning of the murder. Subsequently he was
sentenced to death by hanging.
His tomb was restored by the Museum and Antiquities Department. 1
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