Masjid Kg Batak Rabit Teluk Intan, Perak - 1885

"Procrastination is the thief of time..." - Charles Dickens

(Masjid Kampung Batak Rabit)

GPS: 3.987944, 100.990851

03°59′16.6″N 100°59′27.06″E

(The mosque signage)

(A unique mosque)

(Located at a corner)

Masjid Kampung Batak Rabit is one of the Heritage Trail Projects carried out by the Perak Society of History Lovers Association.

Masjid Batak Rabit is located about 7 km from the town of Teluk Intan. The mosque is believed to be almost two centuries old and is said to have its own historical tales. Its location on the side of the Teluk Intan - Hutan Melintang road makes it easy for passers-by to stop for prayers.

(Bright shades of orange)

The mosque is said to have been built by Laksamana Tok Tambah who was the aide of the 26th Sultan of Perak, Sultan Abdullah II who was famous in the incident of the assassination of J.W.W. Birch, the first British Resident of Perak. The mosque was originally built using high quality tropical hardwood. In 1885, Laksamana Tok Tambah rebuilt the mosque using bricks and mortar which remains to this day. Many believed that this mosque is the oldest mosque in Perak.

(One of its kind)

(A round concrete minaret)

The minaret to the left of the mosque is quite unique, different in shape to minarets of other old mosque of Perak which mostly used wood and square in shape. The minaret of Masjid Batak Rabit is a round concrete tower not similar to the concrete tower in Melaka which is in the shape of the Pagoda. The tower of the Masjid Batak Rabit resembles a lighthouse and may at that time served to warn voyagers that they are approaching the town of Teluk Intan. The tower is said to have its own history. There are stairs and windows built inside the tower.

(A brief history of the mosque)

(A small alley leading to the river)

(Concrete pillars and arches supporting the roof)

This mosque incorporates both Malay and European architecture. The roof is overlapping roofs that are common in mosques in the archipelago. Some historians agree that the construction of Masjid Batak Rabit originated from the Demak Mosque. The prayer hall is fully carpeted and there are many concrete pillars of different shapes. There are concrete arch structures with calligraphic Quranic verses decorating the walls of the interior.

(The village fishery projects)

(Fishermen's huts at the jetty) 

(Huts for rental)

(Boat rentals at Jetty Mak Teh)

At the back of the mosque is Sungai Perak. There is a small jetty for fishing boats and sampans. There is a gazebo where visitors can relax while enjoying the view of the river. To the right of the mosque is an old cemetery that is still well preserved. It is believed that among the old graves here are tombs of the descendants of Laksamana Raja Mahkota.

(A gazebo overlooking Sungai Perak)

(A small jetty for fishermen)

(A fishery project, cage aquaculture)

It is believed that this mosque used to be a place of discussion and a stopover for Malay dignitaries and traders because of its location right on the bank of Sungai Perak. Kampung Batak Rabit was once under the rule of Sultan Abdullah Muhammad II (1874-1877), so it was certainly the main mosque of the state at that time. During the British colonial era, the town of Teluk Intan became one of the main gateways of economic activity.

(The view from the back)

(Leaving the historical mosque)

The mosque is still standing strong and used by the residents of Kampung Batak Rabit to perform prayers and carry out religious or communal activities. It is also a stopover place for travellers who commute from Teluk Intan to Lumut.