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Kelvin Khor | profile | all galleries >> Travels and Places >> Places of Malaysia >> Kulim, Kedah tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Kulim, Kedah

My home town, what else do I need to say more? After returning to Kulim in 2005 I thought I could run a project to photography my home town. However, unexpectedly I took up a new job in China few months later. Hence, putting my project on hold :(
v3/34/17634/3/44407567._J2W3904WB.jpg v3/34/17634/3/44407568._J2W3906WB.jpg v3/34/17634/3/44407569._J2W3909WB.jpg Ready for 48th Independent Day Celebration
Ready for 48th Independent Day Celebration
Abandoned Tungku Ibrahim Building
Abandoned Tungku Ibrahim Building		 The Clock Tower since 1957
The Clock Tower since 1957

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Mohd Noor 28-Aug-2014 10:33
Hi, I'm from Kulim too. So many places I've been, Kulim still in my heart. Even though Kulim town and surrounding area have been developed drastically and changing its original pictures, there are still a lot of lovely spots that can visited.
kunalan 02-Apr-2014 13:27
Left kulim in 1986 for Singapore.Once a while with my family still traveling to kulim specially to the urban's.What a beautifull surroundings.Although developed most of the town area is still on its own.My retirement life will be at Kulim asspecially Bukit Sedim Estate
Alexis Ananthraj 03-Sep-2013 12:25
HI Mr. Stewart Chew, saw your photographs and postings. I am an ex Patrician too, though much junior to you. Left St. Patricks in 1962. The old boys' reunion is on 14th. Sept 2013 at the new Kulim Club. Used to travel from Dublin Estate. Headmaster was Auyong Teik Yoon, Brothers were Bro Bernard and later Bro Edward.Lot to catch up.Email address aak946@yahoo.com.my. Kind Regards, Alexis Ananthraj
ishaa 08-Jun-2011 03:13
kulim is very nice . rilief that you knows that . proud to be kulim citizen .
Stewart Chew 24-Feb-2011 03:16
Stewart Chew:
I left Kulim nearly forty years ago to settle in Perth, Western Australia. Your photos of Kulim are superb though I can only recognise the one of the Kulim Clock Tower (build in 1957), and not the other modern ones after my time! As teenagers, my school friends and I often frequent the clock tower and the surrounds – its the only new and popular place to take our girlfriends to enjoy privacy! My excuse if to show them my father's name on the clock tower!

I studied in St. Patricks (1958) and Sultan Badlishah School (1960). Did temporary teaching in Sekolah Kebangsaan Junjong (1962) before I left for further studies in Perth. My home town Kulim and all the great memories has always been very dear to me. Since my retirement from Curtin University 2 years ago, I have been going back to Kulim many times. I'll never be tired of walking the streets of 'old' Kulim – usually along one end of Jalan Raya onto Jalan Tunku Putera to as far as the SBS. Its gratifying that many of the old terrace shop houses are still standing and bustling with business activities. A stop by the coffee shop near the old Coronation cinema (currently a bazaar) for a bowl of wanton noodles and iced lichee is a must for me! Its all so nostalgic to still be able to see the same hawker stalls of yesteryear along the roadside selling nasi champur, seasonal fruits and Chinese medicinal drinks. I hope I can continue to do this Kulim pilgrimage for many many years.
Stewart Chew 24-Feb-2011 03:11
Stewart Chew:
I left Kulim nearly forty years ago to settle in Perth, Western Australia. Your photos of Kulim are superb though I can only recognise the one of the Kulim Clock Tower (build in 1957), and not the other modern ones after my time! As teenagers, my school friends and I often frequent the clock tower and the surrounds – its the only new and popular place to take our girlfriends to enjoy privacy! My excuse if to show them my father's name on the clock tower!

I studied in St. Patricks (1958) and Sultan Badlishah School (1960). Did temporary teaching in Sekolah Kebangsaan Junjong (1962) before I left for further studies in Perth. My home town Kulim and all the great memories has always been very dear to me. Since my retirement from Curtin University 2 years ago, I have been going back to Kulim many times. I'll never be tired of walking the streets of 'old' Kulim – usually along one end of Jalan Raya onto Jalan Tunku Putera to as far as the SBS. Its gratifying that many of the old terrace shop houses are still standing and bustling with business activities. A stop by the coffee shop near the old Coronation cinema (currently a bazaar) for a bowl of wanton noodles and iced lichee is a must for me! Its all so nostalgic to still be able to see the same hawker stalls of yesteryear along the roadside selling nasi champur, seasonal fruits and Chinese medicinal drinks. I hope I can continue to do this Kulim pilgrimage for many many years.
aravind 22-Nov-2010 05:49
Hi! I saw a msg from Annie George who recalled her past in Kulim. Im writing this piece in the hope that someday Annie George will come back to your blog and read it. I remember her from the 60's. She was my sister Vanaja's classmate. So Annie, if you read this piece, pls reply to hrm@babas.com.my or leave a comment in my blog. Its www.aravind-autograph.blogspot.com. We may be able to meet when I visit my relatives in Kerala sometime next year.
I am Vanaja's younger brother and I clearly remember you. Take care.
prakkash 5693 19-Oct-2009 14:05
My hometown is Kulim but I moved to Sg.Petani 3 years ago due to some problems... I love and miss my hometown very badly..it is a perfect place to live but we must be security conscious since Kulim is no longer safe...The crime rate down there is so overwhelming...Im so happy to see this portal....Mr.Kelvin Khor...Thank you...
nurbadrie nassir 08-Jul-2009 03:35
hye~ i'm nur from brunei darussalam~~ i agree with you kulim is very nice town...we went around kulim last june 2009...it was a small town but very nice and peaceful~~ My family would like to go there again....
Koor Siew Hwa 11-May-2009 13:18
I am Koor from Kulim. Studied in Chio Min Secondary School in the early 70s and transferred to Sekolah Sultan Badlishah after Form 3. After a month at Sekolah Sultan Badlishah, my father sent me to Jit Sin High School in Bukit Mertajam commuting daily from Kulim to BM. It was nostalgic to see the Clock Tower whenever I returned to Kulim where my howetown was. Residing now in Singapore, I used to visit Kulim a couple of times every year paying visit to my classmates and childhood friends. Nobody can deny that Kulim was a very peaceful town in the 70s and 80s even up to 90s. I remembered every moring when I got up, I need to put on a cardigen as it was really freah and cold. Even in the evening, I would feel the coolness and tranquility of the atmosphere. Nowadays, because of the latest development in housing and industrial projects, so many rubber tress were cut down and hardly you could feel the coolness anymore. Even coconut trees are hardly seen. Nevertheless I still love Kulim as the people there are fantastic; no air, simple, friendly and helpful. If you want to know where I stayed in Kulim, it was the zinc roof-top house in the vicinity of Capitol Theatre. The theatre was bustled with cinema goers in 70s and 80s,but today it is abandoned as DVDs have overtaken the big screen cinema shows and hence it has to close down. Kulim food is somthing which you would like to look towards to; Laksa, Curry Mee. Rojak, Fried Kway Teow, and many other cuisines. Do visit Kulim to see the latest development. It is now a prosperous and up and coming. You can even find a hotel in Kulim nowadays. You can stay in Hotel Kulim if you do not have a place to stay when you visit Kulim.
Ismail Rus 08-May-2009 02:59
Dear Fareedsunder,

It is such a great feeling to read some of the most soul-smoothing comments from the people who are/were from Kulim. I take pride to congratulate Fareedsunder for posting this website and all those who had penned in it.

Eventhough I was born at Sun gai Petani but was brought up at Kulim since the age of 2. My family used to live at Bukit Awi - a distance of about 200m from the Kulim mosque. I did not study at any of the schools at Kulim since my parents sent me to the scools at Bukit Mertajam. After completing my secondary eduation, I left for Penang and KL in search for a better future in life. I used to return to Kulim on periodical visits to my parents and relatives but since all of them have passed away, the current irregular visits are confined only to pay respect to my parents and relatives who have been laid to rest at the graveyard beside the Kulim mosque. My circle of friends at Kulim are limited to a close few and many have migrated to other parts of Malaysia. Nowadays, whenever I am back at Kulim, I am a stranger - nobody seem to know me and, likewise, I do not seem to know any one. What a sad situation but that's what life is all about.

When I was growing up, Kulim was still a rural town; lacking in infrastructure and developments. Lots of changes have taken place since Merdeka. Housing and industrial projects 'mushroomed' beyond expectation and the quality of life is much far better now. I take off my hat and salute the Government and the people for making Kulim and all parts of Malaysia a better place for all of us to enjoy and for our future generation to benefit.

May Kulim continue to prosper towards a better quality of life for all mankind. Kind regards.
Khalil 19-Feb-2009 15:31
Dear Fareedsunder,

You are indeed right about the clay court site.
FAREEDSUNDER 25-Jan-2009 15:35
TO Mr, KELVIN. Agreat job you have done .love to see the photographs.On Kulim.You know I have been staying in Kulim since age of 3 . Born in PDG Serai still under KulimThe places in the photographs till now I used to take my family whenever Iam free .It is much more beautiful at especially at lake side at evening and night. TO a sender THE CLAY TENNIS COURT IS NOW THE PARKING LOT OF THE LAND OFFICE. TO Mr KELVIN POST YOUR PHOTO SO WE CAN KNOW WHO ARE YOU. DONE A GREAT JOB.
FAREEDSUNDER 25-Jan-2009 15:33
TO Mr, KELVIN. Agreat job you have done .love to see the photographs.On Kulim.You know I have been staying in Kulim since age of 3 . Born in PDG Serai still under KulimThe places in the photographs till now I used to take my family whenever Iam free .It is much more beautiful at especially at lake side at evening and night. TO a sender THE CLAY TENNIS COURT IS NOW THE PARKING LOT OF THE LAND OFFICE. TO Mr KELVIN POST YOUR PHOTO SO WE CAN KNOW WHO ARE YOU. DONE A GREAT JOB.
FAREEDSUNDER 25-Jan-2009 15:33
TO Mr, KELVIN. Agreat job you have done .love to see the photographs.On Kulim.You know I have been staying in Kulim since age of 3 . Born in PDG Serai still under KulimThe places in the photographs till now I used to take my family whenever Iam free .It is much more beautiful at especially at lake side at evening and night. TO a sender THE CLAY TENNIS COURT IS NOW THE PARKING LOT OF THE LAND OFFICE. TO Mr KELVIN POST YOUR PHOTO SO WE CAN KNOW WHO ARE YOU. DONE A GREAT JOB.
Annie George 18-Dec-2008 09:05
It's a nostalgic feeling seeing the photos. I stayed in Dublin, Kedah, born there in 1955 (long way back,huh?) and migrated back to India in 1970 while doing my form 3. I studied in St Anne's Convent, Kulim.And seeing the snap of the clock tower, I am soooo happy because I've walked pass this many, many times over the years after getting down at kulim bus station to reach school. Together with me were many friends - Lim Swee Choo, Lim Kim Eng, Sarojini, Vanajalekshmi etc.All of whom are only in my sweet memory now and the group photos which we took together before saying goodbye to Malaysia. Wonderful feeling. I wish I could contact them but correspondence stopped over the years and nobody knows about anyone anymore. I have completed my graduation, got married with two kids, was in Abu Dhabi till 2000 and now back to our native place in Kochi, Kerala Thanks for sharing the photos. Bye and regards to you..
Annie George 18-Dec-2008 08:58
It's a nostalgic feeling seeing the photos. I stayed in Dublin, Kedah, born ther in 1955 (long way back,huh?) and migrated back to India in 1970 while doing my form 3. I studied in St Anne's Convent, Kulim.And seeing the snap of the clock tower, I am soooo happy because I've walked pass this many, many times over the years after getting down at kulim bus statio to reach school. Together with me were many friends - Lim Swee Choo, Lim Kim Eng, Sarojini, Vanajalekshmi etc.All of whom areonly in sweet memory now and the group photos which we took together before saying goodbye to Malaysia. Wonderful feeling. I wish I could contact them but correspondence stopped over the years and nobody knows about anyone anymore. I have completed my graduation, got married with two kids, was in Abu Dhabi till 2000 and now back to our native place in Kochi, Kerala Thanks for sharing the photos. Bye and regards to you..
David Chew 19-Nov-2008 13:28
The pictures bring back many nostaligic memories for me, residing in Singapore presently, but born and bred in Kulim. I know both the Ibrahim and Kulim Clubs, as my late father used to honorary sec for Kulim club, and as kids in the 1950s, we used to attend their Christmas parties.It is sad to see Ibrahim Club degenerate to such a poor state, totally abandoned. There was a badminton court in front of the Ibrahim Club, where local tournaments used to be held in the 1960s.
Khalil 16-Oct-2008 04:12
Hi all,

I am from Kulim too. Born and bred there but schooled in Sg. Petani (secondary) and tertiary education elsewhere. Deep inside I consider myself a pure Kulim boy for my parents are still there and I will make it a point to return at least once a month from Kuala Lumpur.

I must say that the photos are great and Kulim never looked that good in photos. Credit to the photographer.For the benefit of readers, allow me to add some comments on this Kulim town of ours.

I grew up in Jalan Bukit Awi, Yes, the first house after Taman Bukit Awi - if you are coming from Taman Bersatu (not the one next to Caltex) but the other end opposite the row of newly built shophouses. The house is still there where my late uncle's family stays.

I remember in the early 70's you can practically sit on the road (Jalan Bukit Awi) at night and there will be hardly any vehicles passing by. Such a quiet town and it was cold too. Too bad Kulim is as hot as Alor Star now thanks to the felling of trees and levelling of hills.

The photo that caught my immediate attention is the abandoned Tunku Ibrahim building. The spelling should be Tunku instead of Tungku. This is the building that used to house Kelab Tunku Ibrahim Kulim (KTIK in short) and they are the so called rivals for the Kulim club except for the fact that membership for this club is not as exclusive at the latter.

I remember correctly that the Kulim Club is very selective of their members (and still is I suppose) while the KTIK members comprised mainly of government servants. Perhaps the highest position member is a teacher or some officers from the government offices. Those higher up in the social hierarchy will be members of Kulim Club.

During my childhood, the Kulim Club would be having an annual tennis tournament with KTIK and the venue would alternate between the hard courts at Kulim Club or the clay court of KTIK. Can anyone correctly point out where the clay court was? Only those who are from Kulim will remember this...

I used to sit next to the KTIK building (remember kedai Mat Sport?) near Berek Kastam (Customs Barrack) and watch people playing sepaktakraw whilst waiting for my dad to finish his tennis game. Those days it is easy to cross the road from the tennis court to the KTIK building.

I still remember the only public phone in frot of the old post office and health office. It was such a beautiful sight then. Standing alone majestically amidst the rain and shine. A sight not to be missed.

For the lake, I must add that this was a disused mining pool near the old hospital. Those days no one dared to go near the mining pool as there were numerous incidents of drowning and not to mention the mortuary and the shooting range along that same stretch. Very eerie before Taman Kenari came to existence.

Perhaps on another day I will add more comments.

Thank you.
Singh 26-Jul-2007 09:07
Hey, I am from Kulim-totally born and bred there...but apart from the clock tower, I dont recall all the other spots I know Kulim has changed.But it is the nicest place to live in!! I have a bungalow on the Golf course..I presently live UK.Any one from the 1967 batch St patricks school, Kulim?
Singh 26-Jul-2007 09:05
Hey, I am from Kulim-totally born and bred there...but apart from the clock tower, I dont recall all the other spots I know Kulim has changed.But it is a nices place to live in!! I have a bungalow on the Golf course..I present ly live UK.Any one from the 1967 batch St patricks school, Kulim?
Nin 25-Mar-2007 05:45
Where did you take the picture of the lake? Been away from kulim for a few years, but I dont remeber a lake. Lovely pictures tho..
Guest 02-Feb-2006 03:39
I'm from Kulim aso. Nice photos..
yup! our hometown is beautiful>>
hope to see more of it...
JJ 02-Dec-2005 15:33
Awesome pictures!
e-ta 16-Oct-2005 16:31
I'm from Kulim, living abroad. What great pleasure to see my hometown in these amazing images you have captured, and it warms my heart to see familiar places. Hope you will get to add more photos soon.
click on thumbnails for full image