Perak’s known civilisation dates back to the 15th century and right up to the 18th century it had a colourful history of politics and power struggles. The first governments were in Bruas and Manjung in the 15th century. The present sultanate of Perak dates back to 1528 when Sultan Muzaffar the eldest son of the last Sultan of Malacca, established his dynasty on the banks of the Perak river.

Perak’s great wealth in tin put her in a state of constant threat from the Thais in the north and the Acehnese and Bugis in the south during the 16th to 18th centuries. The Dutch had also tried unsuccessfully to monopolies the tin trade.

The rich deposits of tin drew a great number of Chinese miners who soon formed rival clans fighting for dominion over the mines. This constant warring and lawlessness and a power struggle between the successors to the Perak throne, Sultan Abdullah and Raja Ismail, gave the British administrators at the time, the opportunity to intervene. At the signing of the Pangkor Treaty in 1874, the British governor Sir Andrew Clarke installed Sultan Abdullah on the throne with the condition that he accept a British Resident.

The British soon put an administration in place to govern the state for the sultan. The first resident JWW Birch, disliked for his high-handedness, was assassinated in 1875. The British sent troops to maintain order and exiled Sultan Abdullah.

Birch’s successor the new Resident, Hugh Low, a more able administrator, ensured greater control over the mines, kept the chiefs in order, imposed taxes and regulated the affairs of the state. Perak prospered under his administration and Malaya saw its first railway line built from Taiping to Port Weld in 1885. It ensured faster movement of tin to the ports and hence greater production. In 1896, Perak became a member of the Federated Malay States until the Japanese Occupation.

Perak means “silver” in Malay, a reference to the silvery tin ore from which the state drew its wealth. The state has a population of just over two million and the rich tin area known as the Kinta Valley was heavily mined for centuries. When the tin mining industry collapsed in the mid-’80s economic activities were restructured around agriculture, manufacturing, construction, trade and commerce. There has been continuing industrial growth and development of infrastructure. Emphasis has also been given to fishing, forestry, cottage industries and tourism. Ipoh is one of the more progressive cities in Malaysia and is fast becoming a focal point of industry, business investment and education.

Perak offers both traditional and modern entertainment. The state is a treasure trove of Malay Cultural heritage. Traditional dances such as the ‘Tarian Dabus’, ‘Tarian Bubu’ and ‘Tarian Loteh’ along with music from the ‘Rebana Perak’ (a hand-held drum) and other Malay musical instruments can be viewed at the two main cultural centres in Ipoh and Pasir Salak.

There are many modern shopping centres and supermarkets in Ipoh and the main towns. Retail shops also stock all manner of merchandise including clothing and electrical goods. Bargains can be obtained from street bazaars or pasar malam (night markets) which stock a colourfully mixed assortment of goods from handicraft, clothing, household utensils to fresh fruits and vegetables. Main shopping centres are Plaza Ocean on Jalan Dato Onn Jaafar, Super Kinta on Jalan Laksamana, the impressive Kinta City on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah and Green Town Mall on Jalan Hospital.

Handicraft

Traditional handicraft is a prominent cottage industry in Perak and is mainly found in Kuala Kangsar. The most popular centres are at Enggor, Kampung Berala, Kampung Padang Changkat and Kampung Kepala Bendang. Several shops sell earthenware, bamboo carvings and handicraft made from seashells. Of particular interest are the black Sayong pottery. If you like batik and rich silk there are shops offering these items. Another special item is tekat or gold embroidery cloth. Most centres have demonstrations of their weaving and craftwork.