Muar Historia creates learning ambience for diners

MUAR: A bright yellow shophouse in Jalan Sisi beckons first time visitors to Muar, famed for its food, coffee and historical prewar buildings.

At a glance, the 'Muar Historia' signboard conjures an image that the premise is an antique shop, with classic dining sets neatly kept in a glass showcase as well as a mural of Admiral Cheng Ho, to welcome customers.

But don't be deceived by the decorations and the front facade of the premise as it is actually a restaurant that offers local favourites of the Johor royal family.

What's unique about dining at Restoran Rabbit Home Muar Historia, which serves local authentic food such as mi bandung Muar, mi rebus and lontong, is like "having food during History lessons in the classroom."

Every inch on the walls of the restaurant is painstakingly drawn and painted with murals and writings on Muar history for the period 1800 to 2000. On display are antique products and artefacts while black and white photos of legendary icons during the Melaka Malay Sultanate fill up every space of the walls.

Commenting on the decorations of the restaurant that looks like a museum, its owner James Teo Peng Heng, 45, said he wanted to share the history of Muar with his customers.

"We don't have a museum in Muar, hence we have renovated the restaurant to allow our customers to enjoy their meals amid a learning ambience, and this unique offering is our attraction to both foreign and local visitors," he told Bernama when met recently.

Teo said he refurbished the restaurant which had been operational since 2002 in 2014 after a meeting with historical artefact collectors in Melaka, describing the meeting as an "eye-opener" for him as a history enthusiast and an antique collector.

THREE MONTHS TO PAINT THE WALLS

"During the meeting, I was attracted to an antique product and was interested to buy, but the owner refused to sell," he said.

Teo said he was not able to give a good reason for wanting to buy the artefact, which was priceless based on its historical significance.

"My interest in the product was purely based on its beauty and historical importance. The owner then told me that I should learn and develop my interest further so as to help more people.

"At that time, I realised that I was only interested in exploring history as I was often attracted to historical products with a thousand and one meaning and story behind them," he said.

Teo said it dawned on him that he should give a different touch to his restaurant, including introducing Muar heritage food to customers.

"I spent nearly one year to collect data and information on Muar's history by referring to the National Archives, historical associations and museums, before portraying them in the murals on the walls of my restaurant," he said, adding that he was also assisted by the Historia Muar Cultural Work Association.

He said Muar's history is displayed in the chronological order tracing back from Parameswara's arrival to the Johor Malay Sultanate, including the present era of the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

He said Muar also witnessed the beginning and end of the Melaka Sultanate empire following the arrival of Parameswara.

It was believed that Parameswara upon his exile from Temasek, founded Melaka.

"Parameswara settled here and had earlier tried to establish a settlement in Kota Biawak Busuk and Kota Buruk in this district. After some time, Parameswara and his followers later moved out and built a new settlement that is now known as Kampung Tanjung Selabu, Mukim Sungai Terap," said Teo.

He said Kota Biawak Busuk and the monitor lizard den, said to be located at the river jetty where Parameswara found shelter on his arrival to this district, still existed till today.

He said, Sultan Mahmud Shah, the last sultan of the Melaka Sultanate, fled to Muar after the fall of Melaka to the Portuguese in August 1511.

"In fact, Muar is the only district in Johor which has a mausoleum for a Melaka Sultan that is still in good condition, namely Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah's tomb in Pagoh, while other tombs were destroyed by the Portuguese," said Teo.

PROUD OF OWN HOMETOWN

Born and bred in Muar, Teo said he is proud to be able to introduce the history of his own hometown to tourists locally and abroad, especially from Japan and China.

He said the restaurant is a compulsory stopover for visitors, especially history enthusiasts.

"Many people do not know that the dragon dance was first performed by the Chinese community from this district. In fact, the traditional zapin dance and ghazal music are synonym with Muar.

"Some historical researchers from Japan and China have been here and used the restaurant as their source of reference on Malay history," he said, adding that the initiative earned him praises from visitors.

"There are visitors who said the restaurant brought back memories of their school days in addition to learning new knowledge," he said.

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE

Looking ahead, Teo said he hopes to see Muar recognised as a World Heritage Site of the United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Towards this end, a proposal paper has already been prepared and will be submitted to the state government and the National Heritage Department, he said, admitting that the effort calls for cooperation from many parties.

"I believe Muar is poised for recognition as among the world heritage sites given that many historical places are found here.

"Besides that, Muar portrays the cultural harmony and heritage of three main races in the country, Malays, Chinese and Indians," he said.

Teo said he intends to highlight Muar as a town that fosters national integration through the cultural heritage of the various races, in tandem with the Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysia Family) concept introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.(http://keluargamalaysia.gov.my)

-- BERNAMA