Masjid Lama Papan, Perak - 1888

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(Masjid Lama Papan, Perak)

4.515593 101.013294
4°30'56.1"N 101°00'47.9"E

From Simpang Pulai we drove on Jalan Simpang Pulai - Lahat towards Papan town, an old ghost town located about 11km from Batu Gajah. As its name suggests, Papan started off as a timber outpost led predominantly by the Mandailing community. Originally from Sumatera, they played an important role in the development of Perak in the 19th and 20th centuries. Under Raja Billah, Papan thrived as an administrative centre for tin mining activities in the Kinta Valley. Papan survived for over a century as a mining town until the crash in tin prices in the 1980s which saw an exodus of residents to other towns.

(An old ghost town of Papan)

(The rows of shophouses covered with creepers)

(A small path leading to Masjid Lama Papan)

(Our Bigfoot parked at the end of the road)

When we reach Papan we found ourselves entering what seemed to be an abandoned town. There were rows of decaying century-old shophouses, some partially collapsed and others were covered with creepers. It was hard to believe that this town was once among the richest mining centers in Perak. Papan is not completely deserted. There are small number of elderly townsfolk still populate the area and its surrounding village.

 

(A few warning signs around the old mosque)

(Rectangular in shape and erected on cemented stilts)

(The oldest mosque in Mendaling architecture)

(A No Entry sign)

We drove on a small side lane between the brick shophouses and found Masjid Lama Papan at the end of the lane. On the left is Istana Billah, another famous landmark in Papan. The Masjid Lama Papan was built in 1888 by the chief Headman in Papan named Raja Billah from 1834 to 1911. The mosque is said to be one of the second oldest mosques in its original form in the state of Perak which is still standing firmly. It is also said that this Masjid Papan is the oldest Mandailing mosque in the state of Perak and possibly, it is also the oldest Mandailing mosque in Malaysia.

 

(Old abandoned houses near the old mosques)

(Also known as Masjid Raja Billah)

(The second oldest mosque in Perak)

Masjid Laman Papan also known as Masjid Raja Billah, named after its founder, reflects the architecture of Mandailing. Like the local mosques built since the beginning of the 19th century, the mosque does not have minarets and onion domes like other mosques that are mostly influenced by Turkish and Indian architecture. The shape and architecture of this wooden mosque is similar to the wooden mosques that can still be found in Tapanuli Selatan in North Sumatra because it was likely built by Mandailing craftsmen.

(The road uphill leads to Istana Raja Billah)

(An old grave at the back of the old mosque)