By Yashila Issabelle
Ipoh, 24th August 2025 – In the spirit of Malaysia’s Independence Day, a soft opening of the Peace Gallery was held last Sunday evening, drawing about 70 guests, including students, educators, community leaders, and friends.
Among the attendees were guest of honour, Dato’ Irene Lee DSPN AMP, special guest, the former principal of SRJK Ave Maria Convent (AMC) Ipoh, Mr.s Yeoh Kian Teik and representatives from several schools, such as St. Michael’s Institution, Ave Maria Convent, Methodist Girls’ School (MGS), and ACS Ipoh.
Founded by Professor Gary Lit Ying Loong, a visiting professor at various universities across Asia and Europe, the Peace Gallery is devoted to fostering peace and understanding through culture, memory, and dialogue. Rooted in Ipoh and the Kinta Valley’s wartime past, the gallery preserves a largely forgotten heritage.
Remembering the Past
The highlight of the gathering was when the 97 year old special guest, Mrs. Yeoh, gave a captivating recounting of the four wars that she had lived through.
Mrs. Yeoh could still remember how their rice bowls would jump whenever the bombs of the Imperial Japanese Army hit the ground in Shanghai in 1937. Her uncle, a school Inspector in Ipoh, Malaya, convinced Mrs. Yeoh’s mother to take the family and flee from China. They were lucky to get the last few tickets of a steamer en route to Singapore, from where they’d make their way up to Ipoh.
For a time, they went to school in Ipoh and mixed with not just the Chinese, but the Malays and Indians, forming strong friendships.
But the Battle of Shanghai, regarded by some historians as the first battle of World War 2, followed them with the Japanese occupation of Malaya, forcing Mrs. Yeoh’s family to escape to a kampung in the countryside.
After the surrender of the Japanese at the end of World War 2, Mrs. Yeoh’s father, a mining-engineer who remained in China to help ensure the critical supply of copper for munitions to fight the Japanese invaders, asked her family to return to China, where Mrs. Yeoh would enroll at the esteemed American St John’s University in Shanghai.
But the civil war between the Chinese Communist Party led by Mao Tse Tung and the Kuomintang under Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek, saw her family fleeing back to Malaya once again. Only to soon be greeted by the Malayan Emergency.
Through it all, she remained resilient, and peace, such as it was, finally greeted her. As Professor Gary Lit put it, “The price of war is peace”
Being Grateful
The evening was not only spent in reverence for the rich history of Ipoh and Kinta Valley, but also to celebrate the lives of those who contributed to the betterment of others, such as Professor Lit’s students in Ukraine, who signed the petition that help to save Kampar Hill from development that would have erased the historical importance of the site. Sadly, those students have since become KIA.
Nonetheless, they were celebrated as the guests enjoyed a buffet dinner sponsored by Mr Ignatius Chew. Professor Gary also extended his gratitude to Dato’ Gan Tack Kong for his support in making the Peace Gallery a reality.
A Place for Reflection and Learning
Located in a century-old building at 29 Leong Sin Nam Street, Ipoh, the Peace Gallery serves as both a cultural space and a research centre for students, historians, and the public. Admission is free, but visits are by appointment as Professor Gary continues his teaching engagements abroad.
Those interested may contact him at garylit33@gmail.com to arrange a visit.
