Draft:Rotary Club of Taiping

A Brief History of the Rotary Club of Taiping

The Rotary Club of Taiping was chartered on June 10, 1936, with Sir Sidney Bacon Palmer serving as its Charter President. The club held its weekly luncheon meetings at Coronation Café, which is now known as Lian Thong Coffee Shop on Kota Road. The club's charter was officially presented by HRH Prince Purachatra of Thailand, the then District 330 Governor, during an official dinner at the Hokkien Hoay Kuan (Hokkien Association Taiping). The Rotary Club of Taiping is notable for being the second oldest club in Perak and the fifth oldest in Malaysia.

The Rotary Club of Taiping ceased operations during the Japanese occupation (1941-1946) but was revived on March 2, 1953. This revival was spearheaded by Dr. Chang Hoey Chan, a special representative of the District Governor and a member of the Rotary Club of Ipoh. He convened a meeting of prominent Taiping residents at the State Rest House, garnering overwhelming support. An inaugural meeting was subsequently held on October 6, 1953, at the official residence of District Officer Mr. O.W. Walters OBE, leading to the election of a protem Board of Directors. Mr. TBM Krishnan of the Police Department was elected as protem President, and Rev. Kjell Knutsen as protem Secretary.

The Club was re-admitted to Rotary International on March 2, 1954, and received its charter from Dr. Chang Hoey Chan, the Special Representative of the District Governor, at a dinner meeting at the Masonic Hall on April 26, 1954. The club had twenty-two members, with TBM Krishnan as President and Dr. T. Markandu as Secretary. The members held their weekly luncheon meetings at the Kempe Club every Thursday. The club, consisting of civil servants and prominent professionals and businesspeople, was highly active and effective. It earned praise from Past District Governor Phya Srivisar (DG 1957-58), who described the Taiping Rotary Club as a "model small-sized Rotary Club."

In 1985, the Yayasan Cariti Kelab Rotary Taiping, (Foundation of Rotary Club Taiping) later renamed Yayasan Rotary Taiping, was launched by HH DYMM Sultan Perak and received tax-exempt status from the government.

Presently, the Rotary Club of Taiping, under the Royal Patronage of DYMM Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan, continues its mission to support the underprivileged and needy, and to provide assistance in education and human development in the District of Larut Matang & Selama. Since its founding in 1936, the club has been dedicated to its motto, "Service Above Self." As of 2024, the club has 30 committed members working towards this cause.