Pride of Perak: Menara Condong Teluk Intan has a clock on the top floor. — Bernama
TELUK INTAN: Menara Condong Teluk Intan, which is Malaysia’s answer to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, still stands proudly in the town here despite being over 128 years old.
Its grand clock continues to chime every 15 minutes, thanks to the efforts of 44-year-old Hisham Sahak.
Hisham, who is affectionately known as ‘Abi’, has been tasked with maintaining the clock, made by clockmaker JW Benson – Ludgate Hill of London, since April 4, 2004, following the retirement of the previous caretaker.
He was initially criticised for taking the job which does not come with a salary, but this only made him more determined to continue shouldering the responsibility of ensuring the clock tower continues to be a tourist attraction.
“The job has been entrusted to me and I have to do the best I possibly can.
“If this clock and tower are not carefully maintained, then no one would want to come and visit Teluk Intan,” said Hisham, who is a general worker at the Teluk Intan Municipal Council (MPTI), reported Bernama.
Hisham, Teluk Intan local, said it only took him a month to learn how the clock functions and operates.
Abi making adjustments to the clock to ensure that it works when people visit the town. — Bernama
“I didn’t attend any course to learn how the clock operates. I can do it because of my interest in learning how a clock functions.
“Initially I spent four hours daily identifying and learning the functions of components in this clock system,” he added.
Although he doesn’t get paid for the task, Hisham said, it gave him the satisfaction to hear the clock chime every day, especially during important events such as on Independence Day and New Year celebrations.
“This clock is so close to my heart and I get an adrenaline rush when it chimes as there will be eyes looking up at the tower to see the time displayed on the clock.
“When I am no longer here, I hope that the clock and tower will continue to be maintained and preserved for future generations to appreciate,” he said.
Repair in progress: Abi has to squeeze through narrow spaces when performing maintenance on the clock. — Bernama
Based on records, the tower was built by a Chinese architect, Leong Choon Cheong, to serve as a water storage tank for the local population during the dry season.
The clock was installed at the tower in 1895.
Leong purchased the clock from the renowned 19th-century clockmaker, James Wilson Benson, in Ludgate Hill, London, using funds donated by the residents.
At that time, the chime from the clock could be heard up to five kilometres away during the night.
