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Teluk Intan is a town located in the state of Perak in Malaysia. It is the biggest town in Hilir Perak district with estimated population of 100,000.
In the early days, the town was called Teluk Mak Intan, after a female Javanese trader. During the British colonial era, the named was changed to Teluk Anson (Anson Bay), in honor of a British Officer, Sir Archibald Anson who developed it. Then in 1984, it was changed again to Teluk Intan (Diamond Bay) by the Sultan of Perak. The town has a number of colonial buildings and Chinese shophouses together with modern buildings and a few shopping complexes.
Geography
The town was founded on the river bank of the Perak River. The river is oxbow-shaped (like a "U") as it flows through the town, and the town is built around the "oxbow". During high-tides, some parts of the town will be flooded with water even though there are watergates and banks to protect the town. Various measures taken by the government to solve the problem have seen relatively few floods in Teluk Intan nowadays. It is said that the river will become straight, splitting into an oxbow lake, and in effect will make Teluk Intan an island.
History
Centuries ago Teluk Intan did not exist. There were only a few small villages then, such as Durian Sebatang, Pasir Berdamar, and Batak Rabit. A plan to build a township linking the few villages was drawn up by Sir Archibald Anson during the last 19th century, and the township was named after him since then.
In the early 1980s the town was the third largest town in Perak. Teluk Intan is the major town for smaller neighbouring towns such as Tapah, Bidor, Bagan Datoh and Hutan Melintang. Until mid 1990's a neighbouring Selangor-state town, Sabak Bernam also depended on Teluk Intan for its survival. Even their calling code was registered using Perak's calling code which is +605 instead of +603. Acute medical cases would be transferred to Teluk Intan Hospital as their hospital did not have the expertise.
As the Perak River became shallower each year due to upstream erosion and silt deposition near Teluk Intan, the town lost its two most important roles in Perak's economy which is an export harbor for tin and rubber and as a petroleum distribution centre. This is because big oil tankers and cargo ships can no longer sail into the town's port. At the end of the 1980's, a Dutch petroleum company transferred their petroleum storing facilities to the coastal town of Lumut in Manjung, located 60km from Teluk Intan. As the economic activity declined, it also lost its railway facilities which connected the town with Tapah and national railway network.
During 1990s, economic activities in Teluk Intan kept declining. This situation forced the younger generation to migrate to bigger cities such as Kuala Lumpur and Shah Alam in search of better jobs. It looked like that this town was forgotten by the national economic boom during early and mid 1990s. The town suffered a shortage in labour supply especially in the agriculture sector, resulting in an increase of migrant workers. Indonesian and Bangladeshi immigrants started to live in Teluk Intan until today.
With a new town centre along with the completion of new coastal highway from Klang to Sabak Bernam, Teluk Intan today enjoys a steady growth. In April 2005, the town was made the fourth municipality (having upgraded to City Council status, or Majlis Perbandaran) in Perak after Ipoh, Taiping and Manjung.
Main Economic Activities
The main economic activities in Teluk Intan are oil palm planting and palm oil production. There are many big companies owning plantations around Teluk Intan, such as:
Being the major town in Hilir Perak and nearby smaller townships, Teluk Intan certainly attracts shoppers from the surrounding area. Shopping centres, shops, and educational institutions brought many people to Teluk Intan weekly.
There are also a few big companies in Teluk Intan such as Mah Hock Cheong (properties and plantations), Caelygirl (undergarment manufacturer), and Nyok Lan Garments (Owner of Modernform, undergarment manufacturer)
Places of interest
One of the town attractions is a Leaning Tower erected in 1885 by a Chinese builder, Mr. Leong Choon Cheong. It started to tilt four years after its construction finished due to an underground stream. The tower had a clock at the top, and still rings every 15 minutes now. The clock tower was originally used as a water tower, supplying water to the town area, while also reporting the time to all townfolks. It had also served as a beacon to guide ships into Teluk Intan Port. Currently it is a local tourist attraction, and no longer stores water. The area around the tower was paved with bricks and became a plaza. The main street at the centre of Teluk Intan is also named after Mr. Leong Choon Cheong to commemorate his contribution. The name of the street is "Jalan Ah Cheong" (refer below for links to more information and pictures of the Leaning Tower).
Another attraction is the 'Batu Tenggek' (Sitting Boulder) which is situated at a junction in the town centre. The rock was believed to be placed by a British soldier and was a size of a matchbox. Over the years, the small rock grew bigger until it reached the size of a boulder. However, it is also said to be a local war memorial built to commemorate World War I.
There is also a famous temple complex in Teluk Intan, known as Hock Soon Keong (Hock Soon Temple). The beginnings of the temple were unknown, while the main temple building (not the original one) was constructed in 1883, as shown by the building. Hock Soon Temple was the centerpoint of all Hokkien Chinese in Teluk Intan during the British colonial era. The local Hokkien people would congregate at the temple to solve all problems, from giving aid to the poors to solving fights between clans. The local Hokkien people used to select three local Hokkien, usually businessmen and famous men to settle their problems. The temple was built with Southern Chinese architecture, the most notable feature being the beautifully decorated upturned eaves. There is also a century old mosque just opposite the temple, which is a perfect depiction of religious harmony in Malaysia.
Education
Having been ignored by rapid development which took place in many other places in the country, Teluk Intan does not have any colleges or universities. This has led to emigration of the younger generations to bigger cities.
Currently only certain schools in Teluk Intan can offer education up to High School level, or a STPM certificate.
Primary Schools
- SK Sultan Idris II
- SK Horley Methodist
- SK St. Anthony
- SK Convent
- SK Sultan Abdul Aziz
- SK Seri Setia
- SK Perwira
- SJK(C) San Min No.1
- SJK(C) San Min No.2
- SJK(C) Phooi Yong
- SJK(C) Chung Min
- SJK(T) Thiruvalluvar
- SJK(T) Sithambaram Pillay
Secondary Schools
- SMK Seri Perak
- SMK Horley Methodist
- SMK St. Anthony
- SMK Convent
- SMK Seri Setia
- SMK Sri Kandi
- SMK Raja Muda Musa
- SMK Sultan Abdul Aziz
- SMJK San Min (SUWA) Private Secondary School
- SMJK San Min
Local Delicacies
Teluk Intan is also famous for its delicacies. The most famous is the boiled noodle served with peanut gravy called Mee Mastan Ghani. A visit to Teluk Intan is said to be incomplete until the visitor tastes the noodle. Another attraction is a beverage made of rose syrup mixed with coconut milk called Ais Bandung. This beverage can be found near the wet market, located on the northern riverbank.
The local Chinese community has many famous delicacies as well. One of them is 'Heong Peah' or ‘香饼’, which has a crispy layer outside and contain a mixture of malt sugar, sesame etc. Another famous delicacy in Teluk Intan is the 'Chee Cheong Fun' (猪肠粉), a variation of the Hong Kong Chee Cheong Fun which contains turnip and pork instead of eaten plain. These are a hit among non-Muslim visitors to Teluk Intan.
Trivia
- Teluk Intan was also home to the Raja DiHilir, or Lower Crown Prince of Perak under the reign of Sultan Idris Shah. The town is one of four towns that play a role in Perak's complex ruler succession system. According to the system, a crown prince must stay at Teluk Intan Palace before entering the next stage of becoming Raja Bendahara (Prime Prince). Only after becoming Raja Bendahara, will he proceed to be Raja Muda (Crown Prince) and then Sultan of Perak. The rule suggested the importance of Teluk Intan to Perak in the old times. However, Raja di Hilir no longer has to live in Teluk Intan now. The palace is located just outside the town, and a lack of maintenance had left the place in ruins.
- Teluk Intan was also home to the meeting between Raja Abdullah, Dato' Maharajalela and other Malay chieftains who plotted to kill J.W.W. Birch, the first Resident of Perak. The meeting was held in Durian Sebatang. J.W.W. Birch was later killed in Pasir Salak, supposedly while he was taking a bath in the river.
External links
"Teluk Intan"