I have an affinity with old buildings since young. So it is only natural that I take it upon myself to see that Shun Tak Association, Taiping be restored to its former glory. After all we boast of having the oldest Shun Tak Association building in Malaysia today. Though this clan house has served its purpose for immigrants from Shun Tak province (now known as Shunde) since 1896, I can trace my roots from this building when both my paternal and maternal grandparents set foot in Malaya.
It is indeed an honour to lead the Restoration Committee which was formed on 15th May, 2011. Though our Committee is only six in number, it is a force to be reckoned with. The enthusiasm generated is incredible.
We are indebted to our Advisor, Mr. Teoh Chee Keong, who is a well known figure in the field of conservation. He is our pillar of strength. Majlis Perbandaran Taiping has been very supportive in offering invaluable advice in our restoration effort. En. Anuar Isa from The First Galleria has provided us with a wealth of ideas too. The Heritage Society of Taiping has also shown interest in our project. The press has highlighted our plight on funding and the need for restoration. Special mention goes to Dr. LF Foong, Town Councillor who is looking into the existing infrastructure and flooding during heavy downpour.
Taiping is known as Bandar Warisan i.e. Heritage Town but much needs to be done. This charming town is steep in history. It is hoped that we can spearhead interest in conservation of the old streetscape so that Taiping can live up to its name. The Association’s process of restoration is moving in the right direction. When restored, we are confident that it will be a must-see on the heritage trail of Taiping.
Tung Lay Chun
H/phone : 019-5789057
Email : tunglaychun@yahoo.com
TEOH CHEE
KEONG M.Arch., B. Arch.
RESTORATION
COMMITTEE CONSULTANT
On a
chance meeting with Mr. Teoh Chee Keong during the Returning Taiping book launch and heritage talk jointly organized
by National
University
of Singapore (NUS) and Universiti Malaya (UM) in February,
2011, the
idea of restoring Shun Tak Association ancenstral hall was mooted. Thus a Restoration Committee was formed
headed by Ms. Tung Lay Chun.
Mr Teoh
is a well known conservationist who obtained his Master of Architecture from
Chung Yuan Christian University, School of Design, Taiwan in 2005. He started his first job as Design Architect
at OCT Architects & Associates in Taipei from 1998 to 2000. He then joined the Modern Architecture and
Urban Research Laboratory as a research assistant from 2000 to 2005.
He was
involved in several historical building restoration works, including Taipei
City Monument-Yuan Shan Villa, Changhua County Wu De Practice Hall, Taiching
Railway Station and National Monument-Taipei Guest House. His master thesis paper “Urban Modern
Development in Kuala lumpur under British Residency System” has been published
by Mentor Publishing Sdn Bhd in 2007.
His research interest is in the area of Cultural Heritage Conservation
and Preservation Technology. He is
currently lecturing at the School of Architecture & Built Environment, UCSI
University, Kuala Lumpur.
We are
indeed fortunate to have him as our Consultant in our Restoration Committee as
his experience and involvement in preserving heritage buildings in the country
is well documented. We have benefitted
immensely from his invaluable advice and guidance.
Finally, he did a sketch of the place and maybe take a tip or two from the commercial artist's work that 's found all over the place. 
Members of the Taiping Heritage Society together with Shun Tak Taiping Association committee members posing for a picture at the ceremonial doorway of the old Shun Tak Association building
Our members having a nice time during the dinner. The food was fine and the atmosphere was pleasant but the service was a bit slow.
After dinner, members adjourned to the association hall to listen to a speech by our chairman. Of course, there will be lucky draws and the prizes to be won can be seen on the table next to the rostrum.
A winner of the lucky draw. In fact, all our members and friends who turned up got something. The 'lucky' element is in what you get. If you are lucky you get something valuable and useful. In this way, we usually managed to draw in more members to come -hence the name "lucky draw".
Before we called it a day, our treasurer, Peng Wah, entertained us with a few songs. Unfortunately, a few of our members had left and so they missed this piece of entertainment. Don't worry, just come back next year. All in all, everyone was happy that it has been a very eventful year.
On arrival at the ancestral grave, members began to clean up the place with a senior member giving precise instructions.
When everything was ready, the members paid their respect to the grand ancestor.
A perfect picture of filial piety
Finally, when all was done; back to the association hall and food was served for lunch . Celebrations like this will reinforce bonding between the past, present and the future generations of our Shun Tak Association members 
The main altar of Kuan Tai at the Shun Tak Association, Taiping 
