Ipoh or Paloh?

Ever wonder where the name of Ipoh comes from? I believe most Ipohans will encounter the name of 'Paloh' as well. So where is the word, Ipoh, comes from and what exactly is 'Paloh'?

Ipoh tree

Ipoh is derived from 'Upas' or 'Ipoh tree' which grew abundantly along Kinta River in those days. Some said Ipoh trees existed in vicinity of Cowan Street.


Name: Ipoh / Upas tree.
Scientific Name: Antiaris Toxicaria.
Native: South East Asia, India and Sri Lanka.

The sap of this plant is poisonous and was used by 'Orang Asli' (Indigenous people) to coat the tip of the darts of their blowpipes. It proves to be lethal should it come in contact with wound.
Currently there are only 2 Ipoh trees left in the entire Ipoh City.

Ipoh tree

What is 'Paloh' then? Ask any aunty or uncle in Ipoh about 'Paloh' and sure they will tell you 'Paloh' is Ipoh. No one really knew how 'Paloh' came about.

Belief 1:
'Paloh' could have derived from the pools formed by fishing traps set by the olden day's villagers at Kampung Paloh and Chinese miners called them 'Pa-lo'. 'Pa' means dam while 'Lo' means basket. (Probably referring to traditional fish trap called 'Lukah')

Belief 2:
Another source claimed that 'Paloh' means 'pool of stagnant water'. In those days, dams were constructed along the Kinta Riverbank draw water from the Kinta River for fishing purpose. The place where these pools were located was later called Kampung Paloh.