By Anne Das
Photo Credit: Albert Tan
More than 100 years ago, tin trader Phan Kim Sam built a successful business in Kampar, establishing Thye Seng as one of the town’s respected names in the tin-ore trade. He was remembered not only for his work but also for his role in the community, and his legacy carried through the generations.
For decades, the family business operated from a shophouse along Jalan Gopeng here, before eventually closing in 2003. That same building has now been restored by his grandchildren, Phan Ming Ruey and Phan Ming Yen, who have reopened it as Thye Seng 105, an arts and heritage centre dedicated to learning and community.
The opening was officiated by Orang Besar Jajahan Toh Muda Orang Kaya-Kaya Panglima Bukit Gantang Seri Amar DiRaja Azman bin Dato’ Seri Yeop Junior, with the support of the Majlis Daerah Kampar and the Pejabat Daerah Kinta Selatan. Joined by members of the Phan family and the local community, they marked the opening of Thye Seng 105 as a new chapter for Kampar.
The two-day programme combined heritage, education and community. One centrepiece was the unveiling of Kampar – Mine/Mind, a beautifully produced coffee table book that celebrates the town’s living heritage through portraits and personal stories.
It brings to life the traders, craftsmen and everyday residents whose work continues to shape Kampar’s identity, serving as both a tribute and a resource for future generations.
To further extend its role in the community, the Phan Kampar Hee Bursary was presented to 26 underprivileged but deserving students from schools across Kampar, with the pledge that this support will continue annually. The initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah Kinta Selatan.
A photography competition open to the public was also announced, with a special focus on aspiring young photographers. It invites youth to capture Kampar’s evolving story through their own eyes.
Heritage talks followed. Speakers included Dr Wong Yee Tuan of University Malaya, Jacky Chew from the Kinta Tin Mining Gravel Pump Museum, and educator Hisham Zulkiflee, long-time researcher on the Battle of Kampar. Their insights offered new ways of understanding Kampar’s role in the wider history of Perak.
The launch concluded with a screening of filmmaker Ansell Tan’s The Forgotten Railway of Kinta Valley, shedding light on overlooked chapters of the region’s past.
Inside the restored shophouse, visitors will now find a library and research space. Among its collection are books dating back to the 1930s, a rare resource that keeps alive the Phan family’s commitment to education and preservation. The family has also donated Thye Seng’s pre-war business archives to the National Library Board of Singapore for researcher access.
The building itself shows how traditional architecture can guide sustainable living today. “The old architecture of Kampar’s shophouses was designed for natural airflow and ventilation. There is much we can learn from these methods as we rethink sustainable living today,” said co-founder Phan Ming Ruey, who is exploring collaborations with the University of Wollongong Malaysia on future research.
Looking forward, the centre will host arts residencies, photography workshops and book fairs, creating opportunities for dialogue, creativity and community engagement. As part of its long-term vision, Thye Seng 105 will also house the Small Towns Research Centre, led by historian Dr Wong Yee Tuan.
The centre aims to ensure Kampar’s story continues to be studied, remembered and shared for generations to come.”
For those who wish to visit or enquire, Thye Seng 105 is currently open by appointment only.
📌 Thye Seng 105, No. 105, Jalan Gopeng, 31900 Kampar, Perak
📧 Email: phanmingruey@gmail.com
📱 Phone: +60 10-293 1382
