BY: Zaki Salleh
Ipoh – A special event, Let’s Have Coffee @ Rumah Besar Raja Bilah, will take place this Saturday as part of the Retro Day Old Papan Town programme.
The evening gathering, set from 8 pm to midnight, is open to the public and promises more than just a casual coffee session.
Organisers said the event offers an opportunity to rediscover history, soak in a retro atmosphere, and foster connections between old and new communities.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own mats or chairs for added comfort.
“To maintain harmony, all vehicles must be parked outside the Rumah Raja Bilah compound. Visitors are also reminded to respect the peace of the neighbourhood and avoid unnecessary noise,” the organisers said in a statement.
Guests can look forward to a nostalgic evening at the historic Rumah Besar Raja Bilah, enjoying a relaxed atmosphere with family and friends.
Built in the late 19th century, Rumah Besar Raja Bilah was once home to the late Raja Bilah Raja Salleh, an influential Malay leader during the British colonial era in Perak.
Raja Bilah played a key role in local governance and fostering ties between the Malay community and the Chinese mining community in the area.
Constructed from local hardwood, the house features distinctive architecture that blends traditional Malay design with colonial influences.
Today, it stands not only as a family heritage landmark but also as an enduring symbol of Papan’s rich cultural and historical legacy.
