ASIDE from his duties as the Komtar assemblyman, Teh Lai Heng is an avid collector of antique and vintage items.
It may come as a surprise that Teh, who has served his constituency since 2013, is a renowned collector of a wide array of antiques. His collection includes ancient coins, stamps, official first-day covers, old televisions, cameras, vintage bicycles, magazines, coin boxes, and other fascinating memorabilia.
During a recent visit to his service centre at Kompleks Taman Harapan, Buletin Mutiara was impressed with Teh’s collection. Stepping into the room felt like being transported back to the heydays of the 1980s and 1990s.
In an interview with Buletin Mutiara, the soft-spoken Teh recalled that his passion for collecting began when he was a young boy.
“My first collection was of old coins. Many of my relatives, especially those from abroad, would give me red packets with foreign coins during Chinese New Year celebrations.”
“From there, my interest expanded to include old bank passbooks, cheques, and even coin boxes from both domestic and foreign banks.
“After gathering these bank-related items, I moved on to other things, such as old vaccination cards from China and landing permits issued by the Chinese Consulate. All these items hold immense historical and cultural value,” Teh shared.
Today, Teh has amassed over 10,000 items, including old photographs that adorn his home, service centre, and other premises.
“I acquire some pieces through trusted websites, while others come from friends who were clearing out their old homes. These treasures mean a great deal to me because I deeply appreciate and value each one,” he explained, adding that he also owns an old Peranakan portrait.
Recalling his acquisition of the Peranakan portrait, Teh described an unforgettable experience of discovering the same masterpiece three times in one day.
“After seeing the same portrait at three different locations, I knew it was meant to be, and I acquired it, believing it was fate,” he said.
On his collection of old coins and banknotes, Teh also couriered them to the United States (US) for professional grading.
“Grading is crucial in understanding the value and condition of old coins and banknotes,” he noted, mentioning that coin grades range from Very Good, Fine, and Very Fine to Extremely Fine, Uncirculated, Brilliant Uncirculated, and Proof.
One notable item in his collection is an old RM1 banknote, which he purchased for RM4,500 due to its exceptional quality and value.
Looking ahead, Teh hopes to open a gallery to showcase his collection, preserving the rich heritage and historical significance of these cherished items for future generations.
tory by Edmund Lee
Pix by Law Suun Ting