Taiping, Perak - Cultural Economy Catalytic Grants (CECG) and Partnership

Featured Project Site

Taiping, Perak

Storytelling of collective memory, flora and fauna and an outdoor hub to build a sense of identity and promote sustainable eco-tourism in Taiping and nearby fishing villages.

Transformation into an outdoor hub

Maxwell Hill Basecamp aimed at conserving nature by restoring an old two-storey building to reduce carbon footprint and retain local history. The space transformed into an adventure and outdoor hub, gallery, retail shop and more. Some 5,300 trees were replanted to improve the landscape of one of Malaysia’s earliest hill stations. It attracted Rox, Northface, Suntoo and more sports brands to invest and host events in the space.

(Grantee: Tan Eu Jin/ Muhammad Azim Tan)

Build a sense of identity

This project is a collaboration with The Habitat Foundation. They mentored selected youth to capture stories and narratives, through photography and ethnography, of both Maxwell and Penang Hills for A Tale of Two Hills, a website. It increased awareness and appreciation for both hills, providing opportunities for dialogue and exchange between the two communities.

(Partner: The Habitat Foundation)

Story of community, flora and fauna

Beguiled On Larut Hills (2nd edition) & After Long Rainy Afternoons, of Taiping and Her People are two publications that capture the essence of the communities and places on Maxwell Hill and the former mining town of Taiping, while Taiping Zoo & Night Safari follows the zoo’s journey from its founding in 1961, to becoming one of Perak’s top tourist destinations.

(Grantee: Liew Suet Fun, Abdur-Razzaq Lubis @ Abdul Razak Ayoub)

Story of the Shun Tak Association’s Diaspora

The restoration and curation of the Shun Tak Association gallery aimed to create a living cultural space that tells the stories and records the achievements of the more-than-a-century-old association (registered in 1893) and the communities it represents.

(Grantee: Tung Lay Chun, Shun Tak Association)

Implementing Partners

Kuala Sepetang, near Taiping, Perak

Rethink, Reimagine & Rejuvenate Kuala Sepetang and nearby fishing villages

"Look! Port Weld" enhances visitor experience by showcasing three fishing villages: Kuala Sepetang, Kuala Sangga and Matang’s natural, historical and cultural assets such as mangrove reserves, charcoal, fireflies, mee udang (prawn noodles) and more. The community held a creative problem-solving workshop based on design thinking, created a new tourist map, and improved their website tailored to promote villages as a “living community classroom” for visitors wanting to learn and experience local culture, traditions and way of life.

(Grantee: Chong Pai Chee)

Implementing Partners

Episode 4

Catalysts of Change: Creative Futures from the North

For more details and stories, watch the full video.

Featured Sites

Implementing Partners

Lenggong, Perak

Kinta Valley and Other Sites in Perak

Note: A selection of projects is featured here to showcase the diverse initiatives and highlight the network connecting the unique archaeological, natural, and cultural assets across the northern region. For a complete list of all grantees and partners who benefited from the programme, please view the full list.