By: Zaki Salleh
IPOH: Concerns are mounting over the fate of the former Sekolah Perempuan Melayu Kampung Kuchai building here, which is over 125 years old and now appears to be on the verge of collapse.
The condition of the historic former school building has been largely neglected, with the heritage structure becoming increasingly dilapidated and seemingly waiting for its final fall.
The building, once one of the earliest Malay educational institutions in Perak, has been repeatedly highlighted by the media, including Ipoh Echo and Peraktastic.
Unfortunately, the site continues to receive little to no meaningful attention.
Behind its decaying wooden walls, the building holds countless stories of educational struggle, community development, and cultural heritage that once shaped the state’s history.
Constructed with timber and traditional bertam walls, the structure once served as the Aminuddin Baki Gallery and later as the Perak branch of the Malay Students Association of Peninsular Malaysia before falling into neglect.
In November 2021, the building narrowly escaped destruction in a morning fire incident.
During the incident, an adjacent building formerly used as a teachers’ residence and built in the 1950s, was completely destroyed.
Over time, the surrounding area is also believed to have become a gathering spot for vagrants and drug users.
Members of the public have described the site as having strong potential to be developed into a historical tourism attraction in Ipoh.
However, to date, the area remains quiet with no clear conservation efforts being carried out.
It is understood that around 10 years ago, several developers had proposed redevelopment plans for Kampung Kuchai under the Ipoh 2020 Development Master Plan draft.
Among the proposed projects were condominiums, shopping complexes, commercial lots, as well as trade and exhibition centres.
Also planned was the redevelopment of the Sungai Kinta riverfront, including hotels, jetties, art galleries, heritage tourism galleries, and public squares.
Meanwhile, Perak Heritage Association secretary Nor Hisham Zulkifle said Kampung Kuchai had previously been proposed as an Ipoh Malay Heritage Village to boost the state’s tourism sector.
He said several heritage houses in the area had been identified for restoration in accordance with National Heritage Department guidelines, but implementation has been delayed due to various constraints.
He added that the deteriorating condition of the former Sekolah Perempuan Melayu Kampung Kuchai should not be happening if there was strong commitment towards preservation.
This is because, he said, heritage is not merely old buildings, but the identity and memory of a community especially Ipoh, once known as a city of knowledge.
