I am grateful with Tiger Dato' Seri Mutalib Dato' Abdul Razak, my senior at King Edward VII School for inviting the Old Edwardians Association Kuala Lumpur (OEAKL) Assistant Secretary, Tiger Amir Shafiq Abdullah, and I to join Class 1960/61 Tigers for ‘Pak Talib Mee Rebus’ lunch at his residence in Kim Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. It was really a refreshing opportunity for me to learn particularly, from Tiger Abdul Hady and Tiger Badri about the key historical milestones of Taiping that “It serves as the state administrative capital by the British Administration from 1876 to 1937 and is renowned for the 33 historical ‘first’, including Malaysia's first railway station (connecting Taiping to Port Weld), the first museum (Perak Museum), first lake garden (Taman Tasik Taiping), the first English school, King Edward VII, and the first prison." (www.taiping.my)
In responding to my question about the Larut Wars, Tiger Abdul Hady, revealed “Originally a Chinese tin mining settlement in Klian Pauh, the area saw intense conflicts of the Larut Wars, between the Gee Hin and Hai San factions. The 1874 Pangkor Treaty ended this conflict and brought the town under British total colonial rule. Taiping, as the colonial hub was the state administrative capital of Perak until 1937, when it was replaced by Ipoh until today."
Tiger Badri, added that “During World War (WW) II, the Japanese military police (Kempeitei) operated out of the Rubber Dealers' Association building. Today, Taiping has become a top tourist destination known for its colonial architecture, scenic landscapes, and as the wettest town in Peninsula Malaysia.”
As Tigers, we are proud that our ama mater, KE7 or KEVII, is of immense historical and cultural significance to Taiping and Malaysia. Originally founded as the “Central School” in 1883, it was renamed King Edward VII School in 1905 to commemorate the coronation of King Edward VII of England. Tigers still abide by the famous Latin motto, “Magni Nominis Umbra” ("Under the Shadow of Greatness"), emphasizing sportsmanship, loyalty & academic integrity. KEVII is widely recognized as the pioneer of rugby in Malaysia, having introduced the sport in 1923. Our rugby team earned the title “Kings of Rugby”.
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