Remaining Rickshaws in Singapore, Penang, Kuala Lumpur

Rickshaw in the Penang State Museum, Penang

Rickshaw in the Central Market, Kuala Lumpur

Rickshaw in the Raffles Hotel Museum, Singapore

Rickshaws in the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Penang ( google images )

Rickshaws in Singapore, Penang, Kuala lumpur

Colonials on a rickshaw-photograph taken in a studio in Singapore ( Raffles Hotel Museum)

Jinrikisha ( Rickshaw) Station at the junction of Maxwell Road, Singapore

A history board of the existence of Rickshaws

The Rickshaw Depot in Singapore ( 1903)

It was a poor old Chinaman

That dragged a rickshaw means,

He was not great, he was not wise,

Nor very, very clean,

But he was honester by far

Than many men I have seen.

And Oh! It was a soldier bold,

Who cursed the waning light,

And did beseech he might be blowed

Particularly tight

If that poor rickshaw man refused

To take him home that night.

The rickshaw man did do his best,

He limped, he hopped, he ran,

The soldier angrily did cursed

That poor old Chinaman;

“When will I reach Tanglin like this,

You d-----d old Chinaman?”

At last they reached the barracks far,

The Chinaman is glad,

But lo! The soldier gives no fare,

But swears at him like mad.

In fear the rickshaw man retreats,

His heart is very sad.

O! Intellectual Gentleman,

Please tell me if you can,

To drag a rickshaw or to steal

Which is the wisest plan?

- Singapore Jottings by D.I.N. 1885

After reading this poem in a book, I thought a spotlight on the Rickshaw man in Malaya and the Straits Settlements ( SS) would a befitting gesture to the poor migrants. The rickshaws were prevalent as a cheap mode of transport, but was phased out after the war – ironically with the introduction of the tri-shaws during the Japanese occupation of 1942-1945. Posted above is a history board of the rickshaws.

Ipoh Railway Station antique lift, Ipoh

A unique sign in the old lift in the Ipoh Railway Station. It reads:

Hi Dearest Girls & Boys
I am as antique as your grand grand pa is,
I move slow & react slow,
If you push/pull my door when use me,
then I will shock there & stop there,
So, lovely boys & girls,
treat me well, treat me good,
treat me like your lady,
For going up - press 1 time of button (3)
& wait 1 minute for door closing,
For going down - press 1 time of button (1)
& wait 1 minute for door closing,
then I will always be here for next 100 years
to serve You, your son and grandson

Please use this instructions whenever you use something old and with heritage value, so that future generations can still enjoy such antiques! Hopefully the sign still exist in this lift as the picture was taken in 2007 - Apologies for the blurry picture as the lift actually stopped suddenly , in between floors, whilst TOM was taking the picture!

Vintage Mercedes Benz, Gelang Patah, Johore

A view of the 1952 Mercedez Benz 300 Sedan(?) Quite a long journey for an old car i.e. from Penang to Johore ( the license plate is PA)

A 1965 Mercedes Benz Omni Bus ( ?) I'm sure all 40 to 50 yr old guys would have sat in one of these "Bas Sekolah" to school before?

Interesting gathering of vintage Mercedez Benz vehicles from the 1950-1960's era. Gave a heritage feel to the small town of Gelang Patah in Johore.

British Colonial Post Box, Ipoh Railway Station, Ipoh

The Railway Station's Majestic Hotel' s rooms with a grand foyer

The facade of the Ipoh Railway Station with "Majestic" as the hotel's name

The Facade of the station, with another name for the hotel " Hotel Setesen " - we wonder which was which?

The small crown on the post box appeared to be King George VI reign ( 1936-1952 ) - quite correct as the station was opened in 1935, with the post box placed a year later?

An Old British Colonial Post Box located outside the iconic Ipoh Railway Station. The station was opened in 1935 and was designed by Arther Benison Hubback, who also designed the Kuala Lumpur Railway station (1910), the Jamek Mosque ( 1909 ) and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall ( 1904 )