KUALA KANGSAR, PERAK, MALAYSIA, 28 YEARS ON.

The Perak river from outside the Rest House



Ubudiah Mosque and Royal Mausoleum, Kuala Kangsar



Masjid Ubudiah - ranking high on the list of Malaysia's most beautiful mosques, the Masjid Ubudiah (or Ubudiah Mosque) stands majestically in Kuala Kangsar, with its golden dome and minarets creating a spellbinding sight, from near and afar.


The mosque was designed by Arthur Benison Hubback, a government architect who is notably credited for the design of the railway stations in Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur.



Built in 1917 during the reign of the 28th Sultan of Perak, the Masjid Ubudiah is located beside the Roal Mausoleum, pictured below, on Bukit Chandan. It was commissioned on the orders of the Sultan, who vowed to create a mosque of great beauty as thanksgiving for recovery from an illness which plagued him for some time.

The construction of the Mosque was not without difficulties. Work was interrupted several times, once when two elephants ran amok damaging the imported Italian marble tiles and secocondly by the Japanese invasion at the outbreak of the Second World War.



The Mosque was finally completed in 1917 at a total cost of RM200,000 (approx.£34000 todays money) - quite an astronomical figure in those days. This imposing structure is now a symbol of great pride to all Muslims in the State of Perak.



The land of Grace, Perak, is situated along the West coast of Peninsula Malaysia. Lying between Kedah in the North and Selangor in the South, it is made up of nine charming districts, home to a multinatiional populace of over two million. Major towns include Ipoh, the State capital and administrative centre; Kuala Kangsar, the Royal town; Taiping, the former State capital and Lumut, the main seaport.


Perak, which means silver in Malay, is said to have derived its name from the silvery tin ore which brought great wealth and prosperity to the state. The Kinta valley, once had the distinction of containing the world's richest tin deposits. Naturally, Ipoh, Taiping, Kampar, Bidor, Batu Gajah and Tronoh grew because of the rich reserves of this mineral. However from being heavily dependent on tin and farming, its economy has diversified. Presently the major economic activities in the State include tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, construction and trade and commerce.


The modern history of Perak dates from around 1528 when the present Sultanate began under Sultan Muzzafar Shah, the eldest son of the last Sultan of Melaka. Famed for its tin deposits, Peark faced threats both from its neighbours and from foreign powers. British assistance in the 1820's helped to bring political stability to the state.


However around 1950, the discovery of rich tin mining land around Taiping by Long Jafaar brought an influx of Chinese miners, which led to feuds between several Chinese clans and secret societies. The 1870's saw a royal succession dispute, which was settled by British intervention in 1874, recognising Raja Abdullah as Sultan.


In 1897, Perak became one of the four states forming the Federated Malay States and in 1957 along with the other states formed the Federation of Malaysia.



Views from the 'rest house' in Kuala Kangsar, along the Perak river.


Rumah Rehat, Kuala Kangsar
View from my room; the state flag of Perak in the foreground