Oleh Zaki Salleh
Photo YB Wong
TAIPING: The history of Taiping’s development began with an elephant named Si Larut, belonging to Long Jaafar, suddenly disappearing.
After several days of searching, Si Larut was finally found at a site that is now Taiping Prison.
The elephant was found covered in hard mud with metallic particles, later identified as tin ore, marking the beginning of Taiping’s story.
Due to this connection, two female elephants named Pian and Rambai became the main attraction during the Taiping@150 Community Parade in the city yesterday.
These two elephants were specially brought from the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah, Pahang, to Taiping Heritage Town for the celebration.
The presence of Pian and Rambai symbolized Taiping’s status 150 years ago.
Taiping, formerly known as Klian Pauh, began to develop when tin mining was initiated by Long Jaafar, which in turn prospered its economy.
The parade event attracted the participation of 2,000 participants from 53 contingents comprising various associations, clubs, communities, NGOs, and school bands.
More than 5,000 visitors attended, filling the 5-kilometer parade route from Dataran Warisan Taiping to Padang Esplanade.
Also joining the parade was the Deputy Minister of Education, Wong Kah Woh, who is also the Member of Parliament for Taiping.
The prominent guest present was the District Chief of Larut Matang Selama, Datuk Seri Wan Mohd Isa Datuk Wan Mohd Razali.
