Teluk Intan

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Teluk Intan
other_name =
native_name =
nickname =
settlement_type =
motto =


imagesize =
image_caption =


flag_size =
image_

seal_size =
image_shield =
shield_size =
image_blank_emblem =
blank_emblem_type =
blank_emblem_size =


mapsize =
map_caption =


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
image_dot_

dot_mapsize =
dot_map_caption =
dot_x = |dot_y =
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =
pushpin_mapsize =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Malaysia
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Perak
subdivision_type2 = District
subdivision_name2 = Hilir Perak
subdivision_type3 =
subdivision_name3 =
subdivision_type4 =
subdivision_name4 =
government_footnotes =
government_type = Municipality
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Zainal Ariffin
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
leader_title2 =
leader_name2 =
leader_title3 =
leader_name3 =
leader_title4 =
leader_name4 =
established_title =
established_date =
established_title2 =
established_date2 =
established_title3 =
established_date3 =
area_magnitude =
unit_pref =
area_footnotes =
area_total_km2 = 126.9
area_land_km2 =
area_water_km2 =
area_total_sq_mi =
area_land_sq_mi =
area_water_sq_mi =
area_water_percent =
area_urban_km2 =
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_metro_km2 =
area_metro_sq_mi =
area_blank1_title =
area_blank1_km2 =
area_blank1_sq_mi =
population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_note =
population_total = 108126
population_density_km2 = 852
population_density_sq_mi =
population_metro =
population_density_metro_km2 =
population_density_metro_sq_mi =
population_urban =
population_density_urban_km2 =
population_density_urban_sq_mi =
population_blank1_title =
population_blank1 =
population_density_blank1_km2 =
population_density_blank1_sq_mi =
timezone =
utc_offset =
timezone_DST =
utc_offset_DST =
latd=4 |latm=2 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=101 |longm=1 |longs= |longEW=E
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m =
elevation_ft =
postal_code_type = Postal code
postal_code = 36000
area_code = 05
blank_name =
blank_info =
blank1_name =
blank1_info =
website = [http://www.mpti.gov.my/ www.mpti.gov.my]
footnotes =

Teluk Intan is a town located in the state of Perak in Malaysia. It is the largest town in Hilir Perak district and third largest town in the state of Perak with an estimated population of around 110,000.

In the early days, the town was known as Teluk Mak Intan, after a female Mandailing trader. It was here that the Perak rulers held court from 1528 until Kuala Kangsar became the royal town in 1877 [New Straits Times : [http://www.nst.com.my/Weekly/Travel/article/Heritage/20061109143923/Article/index_html Walking Through History] ] .

During the British protectorate era, the named was changed to Teluk Anson (Anson Bay), in honour of a British Officer and last Lieutenant-Governor of Penang, Major-General Sir Archibald Edward Harbord Anson who drew the plan of the modern township in 1882.

In 1982 during the centenary of the town's establishment, the name was changed again to Teluk Intan (Diamond Bay) by the Sultan of Perak. The town has a number of colonial buildings and Chinese shophouses together with modern buildings and a few shopping complexes.

Geography

The town was founded on the river bank of the Perak River. The river forms an oxbow meander as it flows through the town, and the town is built around the oxbow. During high-tides, some parts of the town will be flooded with water even though there are watergates and banks to protect the town. Various measures taken by the government to solve the problem have seen relatively few floods in Teluk Intan nowadays. There has been speculation that the river's flow will erode the narrow neck of land in between the loops of the meander effectively turning Teluk Intan into an island.

History

The area around Teluk Intan was originally populated by refugees from the Malacca Sultanate who were part of the entourage of the Raja Muzaffar Shah, the eldest son of the last Sultan of Melaka, Sultan Mahmud Shah. Upon fleeing the Portuguese conquest of Melaka in 1511, a new kingdom was established on the banks of the Perak River near what is now Teluk Intan and the court remained there until it's relocation to Kuala Kangsar in the northern part of the state later in the 19th century. This legacy can be seen in the the choice of Teluk Intan as the location where the official residences of the Raja Muda (Crown Prince) and Raja di Hilir (4th in line of succession to the Perak throne) of Perak are located. This succession system was changed by the present Sultan, Sultan Azlan Shah just before he was appointed the Yang Dipertuan Agong. His son is now Raja Muda and does not live in Teluk Intan

The town of Teluk Intan developed around a few small villages in the location, such as Durian Sebatang, Pasir Bedamar, and Batak Rabit. A plan to build a township linking the few villages was drawn up by Sir Archibald Anson during the late 19th century, and the township was named after him in 1882. Teluk Intan developed into a port, and many agricultural products and tin were exported from it. The fourth railway track in Malaya was built connecting Tapah and Teluk Intan, showing the port town's importance during the British protectorate age.

By the early 1980s the town was the third largest town in Perak. Teluk Intan served as the major administrative and business settlement for smaller neighbouring towns such as Tapah, Bidor, Bagan Datoh and Hutan Melintang. Until the mid 1990's Sabak Bernam, a town in the neighbouring state of Selangor, also dependeded on Teluk Intan for most of their basic services. Even their telephone area code was registered using Perak's area code of +605 instead of +603 that is used in Selangor. Acute medical cases would be transferred to Teluk Intan District Hospital as their hospital did not have the equipment or expertise.

As the Perak River became shallower each year due to upstream erosion and silt deposition near Teluk Intan, the town lost its two most important roles in Perak's economy which was being an export harbour for tin and rubber and as a petroleum distribution centre for Shell Malaysia. This is because big oil tankers and cargo ships were no longer able to sail into the town's port. By the end of the 1980s, Shell Malaysia transferred their petroleum storing facilities to the coastal town of Lumut in Manjung, located 60km from Teluk Intan. As the economic activity declined, it also lost its railway facilities which connected the town with Tapah and the national railway network.

During the 1990s, economic activities in Teluk Intan continued to decline. This situation forced the younger generation to migrate to bigger cities such as Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Klang and Shah Alam in search of better jobs. Ironically this caused the town to suffer a shortage in labour supply especially in the agriculture sector, resulting in an increase of migrant workers from Indonesia and Bangladesh.

With the development of a new town centre along with the completion of new coastal highway from Klang to Sabak Bernam in late 1999, Teluk Intan began to enjoy a resurgence in its economic activity. In April 2004, the town was made the fourth municipality (having upgraded to Municipal Council status, or Majlis Perbandaran) in Perak after Ipoh, Taiping and Manjung.

Main economic activities

The main economic activities in Teluk Intan are oil palm cultivation and palm oil production. There are many big corporations owning plantations around Teluk Intan, such as:
* [http://www.unitedplantations.com United Plantations] (UP)
* [http://www.goldenhope.com Golden Hope Plantations]
* [http://www.simenet.com/ Sime Darby]
* [http://www.guthrie.com.my Kumpulan Guthrie Berhad]

Being the major town in Hilir Perak and nearby smaller townships, Teluk Intan attracts shoppers from the surrounding area. Shopping centres, shops, and educational institutions bring many people to Teluk Intan weekly.

There are also a few big companies in Teluk Intan such as Mah Hock Cheong (properties and plantations), [http://www.caelygirl.com.my Caelygirl] (undergarment manufacturer), Nyok Lan Garments (Owner of Modernform, undergarment manufacturer), Central Aluminium and Shoon Fatt Confectionery (biscuits).

There are currently 2 major departmental stores and supermarkets in Teluk Intan, namely The Store in Jalan Ah Cheong and Billion in Jalan Mahkota. Two shopping complexes, Kompleks Aik Aik at the Jalan Mahkota and Jalan Ah Cheong intersection as well as Kompleks Menara Condong facing the Leaning Tower are also main attractions among shoppers in the town.

Places of interest

Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan

One of the town attractions is a Leaning Tower erected in 1885 by a Chinese builder, Mr. Leong Choon Cheong. It started to tilt four years after its construction finished due to an underground stream. The tower had a clock at the top, and still rings every 15 minutes now. The clock tower was originally used as a water tower, supplying water to the town area, while also reporting the time to all townfolks. It had also served as a beacon to guide ships into Teluk Intan Port. Currently it is a local tourist attraction, and no longer stores water. The area around the tower was paved with bricks and became a plaza. The main street at the centre of Teluk Intan is also named after Mr. Leong Choon Cheong to commemorate his contribution. The name of the street is "Jalan Ah Cheong" (refer below for links to more information and pictures of the Leaning Tower).

Batu Tenggek (War Memorial)

Another attraction is the 'Batu Tenggek' (Sitting Boulder) which is situated at a junction in the town centre. The rock was believed to be placed by a British soldier and was a size of a matchbox. Over the years, the small rock grew bigger until it reached the size of a boulder. This boulder is now part of a local war memorial built to commemorate World War I and World War II. The plaque on the memorial carries a line from Laurence Binyon's famous poem, For the Fallen :

:At the going down of the sun and in the morning:We will remember them

and the dates of the 2 conflicts commemorated :

:1914-1918:1939-1945

Hock Soon Temple

There is also a famous temple complex in Teluk Intan, known as Hock Soon Keong (Hock Soon Temple). The origins of the temple are unknown, while the main temple building (not the original one) was constructed in 1883, as indicated by a legend painted on the building. Hock Soon Temple was the centerpoint of all Hokkien Chinese in Teluk Intan during the British colonial era. The local Hokkien people would congregate at the temple to solve all problems, from giving aid to the poor to solving fights between clans. The local Hokkien people used to select three local Hokkiens, usually businessmen and famous men to settle their problems. The temple was built with Southern Chinese architecture, the most notable feature being the beautifully decorated upturned eaves. There is also a century old mosque just opposite the temple, which is frequently mentioned as a typical depiction of religious harmony in Malaysia.

Sri Subramaniam Temple

ungai Kerawai Halt

Another attraction is the Sungai Kerawai Halt where the first train crash occurred on July 1888.

Education

Having been ignored by rapid development which has taken place in many other places in the country, Teluk Intan does not have any colleges or universities. This has led to emigration of the younger generations to bigger cities.

Currently only certain schools in Teluk Intan can offer education up to High School level, or an STPM certificate. This is an A-levels equivalent qualification.

Primary schools

*SK Sultan Idris II, Jalan Jawa
*SK Horley Methodist, Jalan Bandar
*SK Perempuan Methodist, Jalan Changkat Jong
*SK St. Anthony, Jalan Sungai Nibong
*SK Convent, Jalan Sungai Nibong
*SK Seri Intan, Jalan Maharani
*SK Sultan Abdul Aziz, Jalan Padang Tembak
*SK Seri Setia, Jalan Padang Tembak
*SK Raja Muda Musa, Pekan Baru
*SK Perwira, Jalan Changkat Jong
*SK Tebok Banjar, Kampung Banjar
*SK Selabak, Kampung Selabak
*SK Dato' Laksamana Raja Mahkota, Jalan Maharajalela
*SJK(C) San Min No. 1, Jalan Putra
*SJK(C) San Min No. 2, Jalan Putra
*SJK(C) Phooi Yong, Jalan Pasir Bedamar
*SJK(C) Chong Min, Jalan Padang Tembak
*SJK(T) Thiruvalluvar, Jalan Ah Cheong
*SJK(T) Sithambaram Pillay, Jalan Jawa

econdary schools

*SMK Seri Perak, Jalan Changkat Jong
*SMK Hutan Melintang,
*SMK Horley Methodist, Jalan Raja Musa (est. 1899)
*SMK St. Anthony, Jalan Sekolah (est. 1932)
*SMK Convent, Jalan Sekolah
*SMK Seri Setia, Jalan Padang Tembak
*SMK Sri Kandi, Jalan Padang Tembak
*SMK Raja Muda Musa, Pekan Baru
*SMK Sultan Abdul Aziz, Jalan Padang Tembak
*SMJK San Min (SUWA) Private Secondary School, Jalan Sungai Nibong
*SMJK San Min, Jalan Merbok
*SMK Abdul Rahman Talib, Jalan Changkat Jong
* [http://www.semaian.net] SM Teknik Pertanian Teluk Intan, Jalan Changkat Jong
* [http://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sekolah_Menengah_Sains_Teluk_Intan SM Sains Teluk Intan] , Batu 8, Jalan Hutan Melintang

Local delicacies

Teluk Intan is also famous for its delicacies. The most famous is the boiled noodle served with a gravy that is both (moderately) spicy and sweet called 'Mee Rebus'; the most famous being from Mastan Ghani. A visit to Teluk Intan is said to be incomplete until the visitor tastes the noodle. Another recommended delicacy Mee Jawa Speedy - now located at the newly constructed Medan Selera near the Mini Stadium.

While the most famous nasi kandar stall in Teluk Intan is Gulam Rasul . Another stall which is hot-site, especially for lunch time, is the so-called Nasi Lambai stall near the former boat quay. Also check out the fast selling lunch time fried chicken of Krishnan (known locally as Bawah Pokok) in Jalan Changkat Jong. I think this is some of the best fried chicken that you are ever going to taste.

For another attraction is a beverage made of rose syrup mixed with coconut milk or milk called "Ais Bandung". This beverage can be found near the wet market, located on the northern riverbank.

The local Chinese community has many famous delicacies as well. One of them is 'Heong Peah' or ‘香饼’ in Mandarin (Fragrant Biscuit in English). 'Heong Peah' has a crispy layer outside and contain a mixture of flour, oil, maltose, sugar, sesame, and shallots. 'Heong Peah' market in Teluk Intan is dominated by two family-run enterprises: Sin Guan Tin and Sin Joo Heong. Locals fondly refer to the latter as the 'Tiger' brand or mark or 'Tiger Biscuit'. The former's trademark is usually in the form of a butterfly.

Another famous delicacy in Teluk Intan is the 'Chee Cheong Fun' (猪肠粉), a variation of the Kueh Teow which contains turnip instead of eaten plain rather than the Hong Kong Chee Cheong Fun which has prawn wrapped inside. These are a hit among non-Muslim visitors to Teluk Intan.

You can also find some very good Chinese curry mee plus a variety of food at the famous " Glutton Square " located between the corner of Jalan Sithabaram Pillai and Jalan Ah Cheong.For some good Fruit Rojak go along Jalan Woo Saik Hong near to the San Min School and you will find " Ah Chai's Rojak ".

Not to forget, is one of Teluk Intan's long time laksa by a bicycle-riding uncle, better known as "Uncle Laksa". This man will ride around the town areas such as Jln Woo Saik Hong, Jln Pasir Bedamar, Jln Ah Cheong, Jln Pasar, to sell his trademark laksa. He has been around the business for more than 25 years, and his laksa still tastes good until now.

treets in the Town Centre

*Jalan Ah Cheong
*Jalan Pasar
*Jalan Woo Saik Hong
*Jalan Wah Keng Jooi
*Jalan Mahkamah
*Jalan Sekolah
*Jalan Mahkota
*Jalan Selat
*Jalan Bandar
*Jalan Maharani
*Jalan Raja
*Jalan Putra
*Jalan Sithambaram Pillay

Roads in the Suburbs

*JKR|58Jalan Changkat Jong
*JKR|58Jalan Maharaja Lela
*JKR|A151Jalan Sultan Abdullah
*JKR|A147Jalan Padang Tembak
*Jalan Jawa
*Jalan Mak Intan
*Jalan Manggis
*Jalan Mustapha Al-Bakri
*Jalan Merbok
*Jalan Kempas
*Jalan Kampung Banjar
*Jalan Speedy
*Jalan Syed Abu Bakar
*Jalan Raja Musa
*Jalan Sultan Abdul Aziz
*Jalan Sungai Nibong
*Jalan Laksamana
*Jalan Pasir Bedamar
*Jalan Woo Saik Hong (Suburb section)
*Jalan Pasar (Suburb section)
*Jalan Hill

Major Housing Estates

*Taman Teluk Intan
*Taman Sinar Jaya
*Taman Indah Jaya
*Taman Jaya
*Taman Ros
*Antek Avenue
*Taman Zahari Zabidi
*Taman Cicely
*Taman Panglima
*Taman Impian
*Taman Impiana
*Taman Rethna
*Taman Sri Setia
*Pekan Baru
*Taman Bersatu
*Eastern Garden
*Taman Sri Changkat Jong
*Taman Desa Laksamana
*Taman Intan Jaya
*Taman Desa Aman
*Taman Desa Bakti
*Taman Intan Mutiara
*Taman Sri Bahagia

Trivia

*Teluk Intan was also home to the Raja Muda Perak, or Crown Prince of Perak under the reign of Sultan Idris Shah. The town is one of four towns that play a role in Perak's complex ruler succession system. According to the system, a crown prince must stay at Teluk Intan Palace before entering the next stage of becoming Raja Bendahara (Prime Prince). Only after becoming Raja Bendahara, will he proceed to be Raja Muda (Crown Prince) and then Sultan of Perak. The rule suggested the importance of Teluk Intan to Perak in the old times. However, the Raja Muda Perak no longer has to live in Teluk Intan now. The palace is located just outside the town, and a lack of maintenance has left the place in ruins.

*Teluk Intan was also home to the meeting between Raja Abdullah, Dato' Maharajalela and other Malay chieftains who plotted to kill J.W.W. Birch, the first British Resident of Perak. The meeting was held in Durian Sebatang. Birch was later killed in Pasir Salak, while he taking a bath in the river.

*The last major engagement during the Malayan Emergency was fought in the marshes near Teluk Intan in 1958 and ended with the surrender of the local Malayan Races Liberation Army forces to government forces.

Famous Personalities

*Tun Mohammed Hanif bin Omar - The 4th Inspector-General of Royal Malaysian Police
*Tan Sri Norian Mai - The 6th Inspector-General of Royal Malaysian Police

References

External links

* [http://www.mpti.gov.my Teluk Intan Municipal Council]
* [http://www.nst.com.my/Weekly/Travel/article/TTales/20050913122644/Article/pp_index_html Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan (New Straits Times article)]