The spider conch is a tropical marine snail famous for the long finger-like extensions around its shell opening. Found in shallow Indo-Pacific waters, these projections help stabilize the animal on sandy seabeds and deter predators. Unlike many snails, living spider conchs move by making short hopping motions using a powerful muscular foot. The weathered white specimen shown here has lost much of its original coloration through exposure to sun and sea.
When people speak of the 1911 Chinese Revolution, they
rarely begin in Perak. Yet across its booming tin towns, Dr Sun Yat-sen’s
movement became a connected community network.
The Ipoh–Tronoh Railway, also known as the FMSR Tronoh
Branch, opened in 1909.It served Ipoh,
Menglembu, Lahat, Papan, Pusing, Siputeh, and Tronoh. While there is no
evidence that it functioned as a revolutionary route, its reach within the
Kinta Valley illustrates how closely the Perak mining economy, workers and traders
were linked.
In Taiping, Chen Cuifen was Dr Sun’s revolutionary partner
and companion who stayed at Changchunpu Villa, while Lu Wenhui and Chen Zhian were
remembered as prominent local supporters.
In Kampar, Yang Chaodong was recorded as a financier and
supporter. Much of the biographical history survives through local records and
community memory.
In Ipoh, Teh Lay Seng, Lee Guan Swee, Dr Wong I Ek, and Li
Hau Cheong raised funds, rallied supporters, and opened their homes as meeting
places. Mrs Wong I Ek is also remembered as a committed supporter, reflecting
women’s contributions despite the limited documentation of their roles. Yet the
movement extended far beyond prominent leaders.Teachers, students, tin-mine labourers, rickshaw pullers, food sellers,
traders, and performers all contributed their wages, skills, hospitality, or
time.
Revolutionary support also required sacrifice. Yu Dongxiong
and Guo Ji Mei, both reportedly teenagers from Gopeng, travelled to China,
joined the 1911 uprising, and lost their lives. Li Binghui, an educated youth
and martial arts practitioner from Kinta, also died after leading the vanguard
unit. All three were among the 30 Nanyang revolutionaries commemorated at the Tomb
of the 72 Martyrs of Huanghuagang.
Another Perak figure who showed extreme courage shortly before
the 1911 uprising was Wen Sheng-Cai, a Hakka mine worker from Gopeng.He single handedly assassinated a Manchu
general in Guangzhou with a handgun.He was
captured on the spot and executed a week later.
Perak’s revolutionary legacy extends beyond a few prominent
figures. Through the Perak Tongmenghui network, people from all social classes combined
their resources, turning wealth from the state’s mines into vital funding for a
revolution abroad. The Chinese Revolution was therefore not China’s story alone,
but Perak’s as well.
Three Zebra Doves perched on my vine plant. Zebra doves (Geopelia striata), are native to Southeast Asia.
Key Characteristics
Appearance: They are small, slender doves known for their distinctive black-and-white zebra-like barring on their neck, sides, and breast. They have a brownish-grey back and a soft pinkish-grey coloration underneath.
Behavior: They are primarily ground-foraging birds that feed extensively on small grass seeds. They are highly social and often seen in pairs or small family groups, well-adapted to urban parks, gardens, and suburban settings.
Vocalization: They are famous for their pleasant, soft, and rhythmic staccato cooing calls. In several Southeast Asian cultures, they are highly prized as pets for their singing abilities.
