Visit by Students from Chung Yuan Christian University, Taiwan

On Friday, 6 July 2012, Shuntak Association, Taiping, had the honour of hosting a visit by a group of university students from Taiwan.  Most of them are majoring in landscape architecture and thus are very interested in restoration projects.   They were led by Mr Teoh Chee Keong and apart from the visit to Shuntak Association, they will also carry out survey and studies on water related issues around the town of Taiping. 

 The students were given a briefing by Mr Teoh Chee Keong outside the Shuntak Association ancestral hall.

Chee Keong briefed the students on the short history of the building and the on-going restoration project.

The students were surprised and saddened to see the extent of damage that the building has undergone.

 They moved into the interior of the building to see the beauty of the architectural work done by craftsmen in the past.  

 

Hi-tea was served, with local cakes.

 The students tasting some of the famous Taiping "nyonya kuih".

The students inspecting the model of the to-be-restored Shuntak Association Taiping ancestral hall

The next day, professor Day Tim from the Landscape and Architecture Department of Chung Yuan Christian University, Taiwan, paid a visit to our association.

It is hoped that the visit has create some awareness amongst the younger generation towards the importance of preserving our cultural heritage - both the tangible and intangible heritage.   In fact, towards the end of the session, they heard stories of life in Taiping in the past, from one of our elderly members.  She is indeed a living heritage, recalling and retelling the unwritten social history of the town from her personal experience. 

Visit by Ms Lim Gaik Siang

Ms Lim Giak Siang, a famous promoter of cultural heritage and Chinese culture, was in Taiping on 22nd April 2012 to deliver a talk entitled, 'Conserving Penang's Han Jiang Ancestral Temple".  She is also a member of the Advisory Panel to George Town World Heritage Incorporated and Penang State Heritage Committee and the Treasurer of the Penang Heritage Trust. The talk was held at the New Club, Taiping and was well attended by local and foreign enthusiasts.   At the event, Mr Teoh Chee Keong too delivered his talk on the project to restore and conserve the Taiping Shuntak Association Hall.  After the talk, Ms Lim Giak Siang and the other guests were taken on a guided visit to the Taiping Shuntak Association Hall.

  The group arrived at the Shuntak Association Hall.  "Now, where's the signboard?"

 

 There it is!  Hidden behind the advertiser's banner.

 

A badly damaged column within the hall. 

  Ms Lim stressing on a point about conservation of old buildings.

 "Look at that !" Ms Lim pointing out a rare piece of craftsmanship to Mr Law, a member of the Perak Heritage Society. 

 "Yes, Yes! I must take a picture of this!"

  Another pillar at the Hall which needs urgent attention.

 

 

The event also drew the attention of an expert heritage conservationist from Australia.    

A final shot at the front of the Shuntak Association Hall before we adjourned.

The talked given by Ms Lim was a very informative one.  There is a lot that we learned from her experience at fund raising to how to prepare a working paper on conservation of a heritage building.  She has beaten a path for us to follow and for that, we wish to thank her for her invaluable contribution. 

Cheque Presentation Ceremony

7th April 2012 is a historical date for Shuntak Association of Taiping. This was the day when a RM50,000 cheque from the Prime Minister's Office was presented to Shuntak Association Taiping as a contribution from the government towards the restoration fund of the Shuntak Association's heritage building.

Article in China Press 9.4.2012

Article in the Sin Chew Daily 9.4.2012

Members of Shuntak Association Taiping, greeted the representative from the goverment, Dato' Tan Lian Hoe, on her arrival at the Shuntak premises.

Dato' Ho Cheng Wang too was invited to attend the ceremony.


Members of the Shuntak Association Taiping posed with the two Dato' for a group photograph.

.The President of Shuntak Association Taiping, Mr James Foo delivered his welcome address where he thanked Dato Tan Lian Hoe for the generous contribution.


The moment everyone has been waiting for - presentation of the RM50000 cheque.


A closer look at the mock cheque.


This is the real cheque.


A token of appreciation from Shuntak Taiping to Dato' Tan Lian Hoe.


A token of appreciation to Dato' Ho Cheng Wang, too.


Light refreshment is served to guests and members.


The map of Shuntak attracted Dato' Tan Lian Hoe's attention.

The whole ceremony was conducted in a very cordial and informal manner, devoid of any unnecessary bureaucratic protocol. Nevertheless, great respect was shown by all to both Dato' Tan and Dato' Ho.

As mentioned earlier, this is a historical event for the association for it is the first step of our long journey towards restoration of the heritage building. In fact, I would say that it was not just a small step; with a grant of RM50000, it is a great leap forward. The Shuntak Association Taiping would like to register its gratitude to the government of Malaysia for its contribution, and in particular to Dato' Tan Lian Hoe, for making this a mission possible. Thank you.

Shuntak Association, Taiping. Flyers on Restoration Project

The Shuntak Association, Taiping would like to thank Mr Teoh Chee Keong for his invaluable contributions towards our Restoration Project. Among his many contributions, one of which is his effort at helping us to design flyers to promote the Restoration Project. They were done in two languages - English and Chinese. They flyers were recently printed on glossy papers and this was made possible through the sponsorship of our member Mdm. Chan Sow Lin, and Mr Lim Kar Seng. Thank you all for your contributions and support.

The English version is on one side, and the Chinese version is on the other side.

Heritage Talk and Walk

Shuntak Association of Taiping and the Taiping Heritage Society jointly organised the Taiping Heritage Talk and Walk with the aim to create awareness on the importance of restoration and preservation of heritage structures and buildings around the town. The event was held on the 10 and 11 March 2012. It began with a talk at 149 Jalan Taming Sari at 8.00pm. Guest speakers for this talk were Teoh Chee Keong, a lecturer from UCSI and Lee Eng Kew, a local researcher, Models of the Taiping Wet Market and Shuntak Association Heritage Hall constructed by Chee Keong's students, were put on display.

The model of Shuntak Association Heritage Hall. Two curious giants trying to see if there were any tiny people inside.


Teoh Chee Keong talked about the market and introduced Peng Wah, - a famous market personality.


The crowd listened to Chee Keong and Lee Eng Kew as they explained about the structures of the wet market.

En. Anuar Isa from the First Gallery, Taiping taking a good look at the model of Shuntak Association Building, perhaps he is looking for tiny people too.

More people were attracted to the model of Shuntak Association. A popular question - "Shuntak Association ah? Where is it ah?"

Even, Dato' Tan Lian Hoe is attracted to it. Mmmm.. any tiny people in there?

Dato' Tan generously pledged RM50,000 from the Prime Minister's Department towards restoration project of the Shuntak Association Hall. Thank you Dato'.

During the Heritage Walk, we got a surprise, Nga Kor Ming, the Taiping State Assemblyman, dropped by to say hello and to give us his support. Thanks.

Vice-President of Shuntak Association Taiping, Mong Chong Kai, gave his welcome speech to the guests.


Shuntak Association, Taiping played host to participants of the Heritage Walk with light refreshment.

Q & A time.

To make it our day, Dato' Ho Cheng Wang, the Pokok Assam MCA Co-0rdinator paid us a visit and pledged RM5000 towards our cause. Thank you, Dato'

Dato' Ho Cheng Wang elaborating on a point to the members of the press.
The event was then reported in Sin Chew Daily on 13 March 2012.

It must be said that the Taiping Heritage Talk and Walk has met its objectives in making the people aware of the importance in restoration projects especially that of the Shuntak Assoiciation, Taiping. Through such activities, and working with other organisations like the Heritage Society, we managed to get the attention of the public towards our cause and this can be seen when leaders of three political parties came forward with their support. It is hoped that this will start the momentum of fund raising and that the success of our restoration project will be met in the near future.