Matang Historical Museum, Kota Ngah Ibrahim
OPEN FOR PUBLIC. SOME AREAS MAY BE PROHIBITED.
CHARGES MAY APPLY FOR SOME AREAS OR ACTIVITIES.
Also known as Kota Ngah Ibrahim - stands as a testament to Malaysia's rich and tumultuous past. Originally constructed in 1854 by Ngah Ibrahim, a prominent Malay administrator and son of tin pioneer Long Jaafar, this fortified residence was built to protect his administrative center during the volatile tin mining era marked by conflicts between Chinese secret societies.
The museum's walls have witnessed significant chapters of Malaysian history. Following the assassination of J.W.W. Birch, the first British Resident of Perak, in 1875, the fort served as the courtroom for the trial of the accused Malay chieftains. Ngah Ibrahim, among others, was subsequently exiled to the Seychelles, where he died in 1887. His remains were repatriated and interred within the museum grounds in 2006.
Throughout the 20th century, the building adapted to various roles, reflecting the nation's evolving landscape. It housed the first Malay Teachers' Training College from 1913 to 1922, later became a Malay primary school and during World War II, served as the Japanese army's headquarters. In 1985, recognizing its historical significance, the Department of Museums and Antiquities transformed it into the Matang Historical Complex.
Today, visitors to the Matang Museum can explore exhibits that delve into the region's tin mining heritage, the Larut Wars and the Japanese occupation. Artifacts on display include traditional mining equipment, personal belongings of Ngah Ibrahim and life-sized dioramas depicting 19th-century Malay life. The museum also features the grave of Ngah Ibrahim and remnants of the original fortifications.
