By Zaki Salleh
IPOH: A precious piece of heritage has finally been lost.
Concerns over the fate of the more than 120-year-old former Kampung Kuchai Malay School building have sadly become a reality.
Today, only the building’s skeletal framework remains, as most of its wooden structure and walls have been dismantled.
More accurately, the former school building has been demolished.
A visit to the site yesterday revealed a heartbreaking scene, especially as it was the only remaining wooden school building that preserved a significant chapter of local history.
More than a century ago, Kampung Kuchai was regarded as the centre of the Malay community in Ipoh, long before the modern city developed.
It was here that many Malay children from Ipoh and the surrounding villages—many of which now exist only in name, received their early education.
The school once witnessed the birth of generations who built their future through education.
However, this historic landmark, rich with memories and stories, has ultimately been lost due to a failure to preserve and conserve it.
Its disappearance is not merely the loss of an old building but the loss of part of the identity, history, and collective memory of the Kampung Kuchai community, one of the earliest Malay settlements in Ipoh.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Perak Heritage Association, Nor Hisham Zulkiflee, said the association had repeatedly highlighted for several years the importance of protecting the building because of its historical significance and its value as part of the heritage of the Malay community in Ipoh.
According to him, despite these efforts, the issue failed to attract sufficient attention, resulting in the building being left neglected and eventually becoming a hotspot for undesirable activities.
“Since the early 2000s, the Perak Heritage Association has undertaken various initiatives and campaigns to advocate for the preservation of Kampung Kuchai’s heritage in Ipoh.
“Unfortunately, these efforts were not enough to save this historic building from being destroyed.
“May this loss serve as a reminder that once heritage is gone, it cannot be replaced.
“Historic buildings are not merely old structures; they are treasures that connect today’s generation with the struggles, stories, and lives of those who came before us,” he said.
In a sombre tone, Nor Hisham also expressed his gratitude to members of the public who have remained concerned about heritage conservation and who have continuously supported the Perak Heritage Association.
He concluded:
“Lost heritage will never return. What remains, let us preserve together.”
