The History of the Big Pipe in Gopeng

Perak is said to have been the country's main tin supplier for hundreds of years, right up to the post-independence era. The remnants of mining activities are very evident in Perak.

This includes monuments erected to commemorate former mining areas, such as those in Gopeng. Previously, a 15 km long large water pipe served to channel clean water from the mountains to tin mining areas and local residents around Gopeng. The Gopeng big pipe monument was built in 1908 to serve as a landmark of the glory of the tin mining industry in Gopeng. This 15 km long large water pipe once functioned to channel water from the mountains to tin mining areas around Gopeng and also as a clean water supply for local residents. If its age is calculated, it is estimated to be over 160 years old. The location of this pipe was once very easy to spot when passing through the town of Gopeng, but now only a 200-meter section remains.

Based on oral accounts from Mokhtar, who once served as a British soldier based in Singapore, the large pipe sections were pulled to the top of the hill using elephants because they were too heavy and long. According to local residents, some claim that many remnants of the iron pipes have been cut and sold by irresponsible individuals. This is the attitude we do not want—a lack of awareness in appreciating historical value for personal gain. The water pipe was managed by the Osborne and Chappell Company, which closed in 1994. The large iron water pipes were connected using only wooden pegs. Imagine the dimensions of the pipe, which had a diameter of 48 inches and 24 inches, with a distance of 600 meters between pillars. Areas that benefited from the large pipe included Kampung Tersusun Gopeng, Taman Gopeng Baru, Lawan Kuda, Kopisan Baru, Kampung Sungai Itek, and Kampung Pintu Padang. Today, many mining lands in Perak have been reclaimed for housing projects, organized villages, office buildings, schools, and roads.