The Telegraph Office (PWD 103) is located at the end of the first railway line in what was then Malaya, between Taiping and Port Weld. It was originally home to the Post & Telegraph Department (P&T), the original name of Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM).
One of the earliest colonial structures in Malaya, the Telegraph Office building was constructed using conventional techniques, such as clay bricks and lime paint. The building highlights the Queen Anne architectural style, which was popular from the 1880s to the 1890s. Some of the most unique colonial features of the building include the masonry gate and scaly brick pillars.
The Telegraph Office (PWD 103) was the first Post & Telegraph Department building to offer telegram, telephone, postal, and banking services to the general public during the British Colonial era in Malaya in the 19th century.
During the Japanese occupation of Malaya, the Posts & Telegraph Department underwent a split into two units: one handled postal services, and the other managed telegraph, radio, and communication services. When the British regained control of Malaya from the Japanese, the two units were briefly reunited. However, this unity was short-lived.
In 1946, with the establishment of the Malayan Union, the Posts & Telegraph Department was permanently divided into two entities: the Malayan Telecommunications Department and the Postal Services Department. PWD103 continued to function as an office for the Malayan Telecommunications Department, which later became known as Jabatan Telekom following Malaysia’s independence in 1957.
After independence, the building remained in use and served various purposes. At one point, it housed the Jabatan Telekom Club Office and the Telekom Malaysia Technical Operations Office.
Among the local community, the building is remembered as a storage facility for telecommunications equipment and infrastructure. Along the small road next to the building, you would often see large cable reels.
The Telegraph Office (PWD 103) is a testament to the rich history of Taiping and its pivotal role in the development of Malaya. In 2018, PWD 103 became the first and only Telegraph Museum in Malaysia.
We visited the museum on Friday, September 23, 2023. Entrance fees were free, and ample parking was available. If you find yourself in Taiping, this museum is a must-visit.
It’s always a good idea to give the museum a call at 05-8010682 before visiting. Here’s a Google Maps link to the museum.
References:
Telegraph Museum – TENTANG. (n.d.). https://www.telegraphmuseum.com.my/about/
The Telegraph Museum – Taiping. (2022, July 11). Taiping. https://www.taiping.my/places/taiping/attractions/the-telegraph-museum/
Emily, & Emily. (2020). Telegraph Museum, Jalan Stesen, Taiping | From Emily To You. From Emily to You | Bringing 2 U Events & Happenings in and Around Ipoh . . . & Beyond. . . https://www.emily2u.com/telegraph-museum-jalan-stesen-taiping/
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