Mesmerizing but Sadly Managed, the Teluk Intan Leaning Tower

When we were on our way back to Kuala Lumpur from Penang, we made a big turn to Teluk Intan (previously known as Anson Bay) which is located about 30 minutes driving from the Bidor Exit at PLUS Highway. There are a lot to discover in this small district, but in this article I will share about one of the local attraction in the heart of Teluk Intan town, which is the Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan.

This Leaning Tower also known as a High Clock Tower by the local and was built on 1885 as a water tank in case there is any long drought season in Teluk Intan besides as a Time Keeper for the local. It’s also use to be direction guidance for any passing ships at Anson Bay long time ago. At first, this building was built vertically by architect, Leong Choon Cheong before it start leaning after a big floods happened on 1998 and 1895.

This tower is located at the confluence of the rectangular plain, which is Jalan Pasar and Jalan Ah Cheong with Jalan Selat and Jalan Bandar in the left and the right side of the tower.

Besides the big flood causes, other factors that lead to the Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan is because it was build on soft soil structure plus there are burdens that hold the water tank which has cause a slight incline towards the northwest.

The ground floor of Teluk Intan Leaning Tower with displays of Teluk Intan old photos.
The stair-case will bring you to the 2nd floor of the tower

Water Tank on the 3rd floor of this building. Now, it is no more in use to reserve water and I wonder if it was made of metal or aloy streel. 

The corridor on the 2nd floor which you can walk around the tower and see the Teluk Intan town on the higher view. 

The pagoda structure of this building really will mesmerize the eyes of the visitors. The roof top of this tower come with 'traditional Malay food cover' style and the porch area was inspired by 'a bunch of bananas' style which is really unique. Seen from a distance, this building has eight floors, but when you come close, it is only three floors only. The tower's tilt is often compared with the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, but in real, this tower's height is only at 25 meters with total of 110 steps compared to Pisa tower at the height of 55 meters.

Good to share that, visitors are free to access to this Teluk Intan. The visiting time on Tuesday until Friday is 8.00am to 5.00pm and Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday is from 9.00am to 6.00pm.    

As my blog title, it is really sad when this stunning tourist attraction was not under well-maintenance. I can forsee many sign of vandalism happen here when people start to make their own drawing on the clock tower's wall. The corridor area of this building also very dirty with rubbish and bird shits can be seen at almost everywhere. Not to say about spider webs and uncomfortable smell out from not-sure-where. I believe there must be a housekeeper to care and monitor the building, but unfortunately no one was here. 

Me and my mate Chris really disappointed about this situation. Not only for this Clock Tower, but later I will share more about the depreciation towards old building in Teluk Intan area. Is it because of the Perak Tourism Board missed-looked the beauty of Teluk Intan or maybe too much immigrants here resulted to a bad outlook of the township and effected it's historical relic. 

We will definitely write a lengthy letter to the authorities department and hopefully someone will hear our small voice.