As with much of Malaysia, one of the most influential colonial legacies remains as a clock tower. Ipoh’s Birch Memorial Clock Tower in front of Ipoh State Mosque officially opened in 1909. The white-washed structure acts as a memorial to James Birch, the first British resident of Perak, who was murdered by local Malay chiefs in 1875. Ironically, the street directly to the north is named after James Birch’s killer, Dato Maharajalela, viewed as a local hero. Visiting the historic landmark should be combined with exploring the other colonial legacies in the old town.