By Zaki Salleh
(Photo credit: Nor Hisham Zulkifli. Photo of the SEK Hydroelectric Power Station in Kampar by Lordman Kerol.)
IPOH: Perak is rich with French historical legacy, much of which can still be seen in the state today.
Historically, ties between Perak and France began as early as the late 19th century through the arrival of French communities and investors to the state.
Perak Heritage Association secretary Nor Hisham Zulkifli said the French were among the earliest European communities to play an important role in Perak’s tin mining industry.
He said companies such as Société des Mines d’Etain de Perak and Société des Mines d’Etain de Kinta (SEK) helped drive the state’s economic development during that era.
Among SEK’s biggest contributions, he added, was the construction of the country’s first hydroelectric power station in Kampar in 1907.
According to him, the development marked an important milestone in the history of technological and industrial progress in Malaya.
“The construction of Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar also involved the expertise of French construction company Brossard Mopin Malaya Ltd.
“Besides the economic and development sectors, French influence also expanded through the presence of Catholic missionaries in Perak,” he told Ipoh Echo/Peraktastic.
He said French missionaries built many churches, including the Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Taiping, as well as churches in Bagan Serai and Batu Gajah.
They also played a major role in the development of education through the establishment of missionary schools in several major towns across the state.
Among the educational institutions still well known today are St Michael’s Institution and Convent schools in Taiping, Ipoh and Teluk Intan.
Nor Hisham said the French legacy could also be seen in the Perak state anthem, which was adapted from a French melody titled La Rosalie.
“The heritage reflects the long and unique historical relationship between Perak and France.
“These historical remnants carry high heritage value and should be properly preserved and documented,” he said.
He also proposed that the legacy be highlighted as a tourism product through a Perak-France Heritage Trail initiative to attract more local and international visitors.
