16 May 2005

Abandoned Houses in Ipoh

I usually stop at Ipoh on my weekly trips back to KL. Over the years, I have noticed the development that has taken place there. It is still a small and sleepy town but they have a new bus stand away from the town now. I have heard that the recreational water park is quite popular. New housing estates are coming up everywhere. The Jaya Jusco supermarket has been running for quite sometime. They also have a brand new Tesco hypermarket. On the outskirts of the city I can see that the limestone hills are gradually disappearing.

Looking out of the bus window, I realized that Ipoh has quite a number of abandoned houses scattered around town. Most of these are colonial type bungalows. Some are old Malay houses on stilts. Their compounds are overgrown with undergrowth and they look a bit creepy. I would just imagine what happened to the owners of the houses. Did they move overseas and leave the place neglected. Or maybe all the residents died in an accident or something. Did the residents commit suicide and people refused to live in the place after that?

Yes! I realize that I have an overactive imagination but yes what else can I do on a boring 7 hours journey.

5 comments:

Yoong Family said...

yeah, i know what you mean. i go to ipoh a few times a year. the malay kampung houses in Sg Rokam, Buntong, Chinese houses in ipoh garden, rapat setia...

happening all over the country.

Shin said...

This is repeated around the nation but it's most obvious in Kinta Valley, where major economic activities ceased to exist after the demise of tin mining. Near Gopeng, there's a town with whole row of shops unoccupied, which they called it Dragon's Inn, as if swordsmen would fight here. Many of the houses looked haunted too. I read from The Edge that while there is some boom in residential and retail sectors, it is mostly due to the return of funds from Ipohmalis abroad. While Kellie's Castle is a famous landmark, another historical building in Batu Gajah, Alma Baker House, a building which was built by Charles Alma Baker, a surveyor from New Zealand, at least 95 years ago, was demolished in September 2004. Proper planning and sustainable development please.

I am sorry if I was a bit blur when blogging about the Ayah Pin entry. I know it's more about deviant teaching rather than faith freedom. I have made some amendment. Thanks for being the first to comment in Ekspres Timuran.

Lrong Lim said...

No 'Frequent Rider Program' points on offer?
You must know the routes and sign boards at the back of your hand by now...

Dilip Mutum said...

No Irong. I did mention it casually to the people at the counter of the Bus Company I usually travel with (Jelita) but they said that they didn't have any such program ;-)

BabyPink said...

ooh, watching too much horror flicks, adam.:) hehehe:)

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