The Role of Public Work Department on the Network System in Perak During British Colonial Era, 1874-1941

Abstract

The Public Work Department had a very important role in the urbanization process in the state of Perak. It was founded in 1872 and the new organization was introduced. The role and involvement of British officers were becoming wider to meet the need in administrative and professional fields such as engineering and architecture. The research was carried out by using qualitative methods of collecting the data and information on the role of the Public Work Department in the networking system development in the state of Perak. The approaches of document analysis, such as the Federated Malay States Government Gazette, Federated Malay States Annual Report of Railways and Perak Secretariat, which obtained from the National Archived of Malaysia has been emphasized in collecting the data. The writing and research on Perak development also been referred to as strengthening the finding of the study. The finding shows that there were various plans and development, implementation was carried out after the establishment of the Public Work Department in Perak. The plan and implementation involve the matters relating to the construction, infrastructure facilities of railways connection and roads. Among them was the construction of the first railway link which connects Taiping and Port Weld. The construction of the railway network was increasing throughout the state until the 1930’s. Therefore, the Public Works Department has played a major role in ensuring that the implementation of the communication system is well structured and successful.