The installation of the Rumah Besar Raja Bilah signboard near 'Pekan Warisan Papan' is an initiative to help tourists and the local community access specific information about this historic heritage site. Photos: Bernama
The newly installed signboard at Rumah Besar Raja Bilah, near the quiet town of Papan in Perak, serves as more than just a directional marker – it opens a gateway into the layered history of this iconic heritage site. For both tourists and locals, it provides a tangible link to the past, offering insights into the legacy of Raja Bilah and the enduring cultural significance of this once-thriving tin-mining settlement.
President of Perak Heritage Society (PHS) Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Tahir said that the installation of the signboard was made possible with the cooperation of the Batu Gajah District Council (MDBG), Kinta Valley Geopark, Areca Book, the Malayan Historical Group Association (MHG), and the descendants of Raja Bilah.
"The signboard provides foreign visitors and locals with a brief historical overview of the house, allowing them to share its story with others," said Mohd Tajuddin at a recent press conference and installation ceremony.
"It’s also a great way to get more people interested in making the small town of Papan a key tourist spot in Perak and Malaysia,” he added.
'The signboard provides foreign visitors and locals with a brief historical overview of the house, allowing them to share its story with others,' says Mohd Tajuddin.
Also present at the event were the fourth-generation descendant of Raja Bilah, Ameen Abdullah, 77, and members of his extended family up to the sixth generation.
Mohd Tajuddin said that Rumah Besar Raja Bilah, built in 1896, was a heritage icon and the main attraction in Papan, a town that once symbolised the glory days of tin mining in the late 19th century.
"PHS hopes that Rumah Besar Raja Bilah will not be forgotten, as it was once the main Mandailing Malay heritage village in Perak and is nearly 145 years old.
"This house stands as a testament to the harmonious co-existence of the multi-racial community, including Mandailing Malays, Chinese, Indians, and Europeans in Papan, which was under the leadership of Raja Bilah and his son Raja Yacob at the time,” he said.
The descendants of Raja Bilah expressed hope that the historic house would be preserved for future generations.
Meanwhile, Aziah Abdullah, 47, fifth-generation descendant of Raja Bilah, expressed her hope that the historic house would be preserved for future generations.
"As the key holder, I come here whenever I have some free time to check on the area. We’re worried about theft and any superstitious practices (on the grounds), so we have to keep checking to make sure it doesn’t happen in or around the house,” she said.
Aziah said that the house is currently closed to the public due to a major roof leak, which could pose safety risks to visitors. – Bernama
