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The story behind the Sultan Abdul Samad Building

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Before the Petronas Towers, this 19th-century building was dubbed Malaysia’s most memorable landmark.

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Free Malaysia Today
The famous building located in front of Merdeka Square. (Malaysia Traveller pic)

The stately, copper-domed Sultan Abdul Samad Building on Merdeka Square is one of Kuala Lumpur’s most famous landmarks.

It was the best-known symbol of Malaysia until the Petronas Towers were built and is still one of the most photographed buildings in Malaysia today.

Being such a historic landmark, it has appeared on numerous postcards and photographs over the years. Some examples are reproduced here.

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A popular choice among tourists. (Malaysia Traveller pic)

Its original name was simply Government Offices, Kuala Lumpur. It was renamed in 1974 after Sultan Abdul Samad, who was the Sultan of Selangor at the time of construction.

It was built between 1894 and 1897 on the site of a row of former shophouses facing a field now known as Merdeka Square.

The foundation stone was laid on 6 October 1894 on top of a time capsule containing some Straits coins, a piece of Selangor tin, and the day’s newspaper – the Selangor Journal.

It was officially opened on April 3, 1897 by Federated Malay States resident-general Frank Swettenham.

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This postcard from 1910 shows how the Government Offices dominated the city skyline. The Selangor Club is in the foreground. (Malaysia Traveller pic)
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Cricket was played on the field situated between the Selangor Club and the Government Offices. (Malaysia Traveller pic)

Its design was a team effort. In overall charge was state engineer C E Spooner who envisaged the concept after visiting similar style buildings in India.

Selangor Public Works Department architect A C A Norman was the chief architect with overall design by R A J Bidwell, Selangor chief draughtsman and acting architect.

Bidwell moved to Singapore in 1895 and was replaced by A B Hubback, who became Malaya’s most eminent architect. The contractor was Towkay Ang Seng.

The team must have had excellent project management skills as the final cost of construction (excluding the cost of land) was almost exactly on the budget at $153,000 Straits Dollars.

Four million bricks were used in its construction.

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A view of the building in the olden days. (Malaysia Traveller pic)
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An old photo depicting the view from the clock tower. (Malaysia Traveller pic)

The building’s architectural style is described as Mughal Eclectic and features copper domes and a 40m high clock tower.

While the architectural style is not particularly Malaysian and would look more at home in India, it has come to symbolise Malaysia and has played an important role in the country’s history.

Over its lifetime it has served as government offices and as a High Court and Supreme Court.

The clock tower was damaged in a Japanese air raid in 1941 and its clock stopped.

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The building’s domes have to be cleaned from time to time to restore the copper colour. (Malaysia Traveller pic)

Although tourists flock to take photos from the outside, the interior has been off-limits for years as it serves as a government department.

Like its neighbouring buildings, the Sultan Abdul Samad building is partially occupied by the Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture though most of that department’s operations have relocated to Putrajaya.

In 2015, the Ministry of Tourism’s Department of National Heritage staged an exhibition in one section of the building, allowing the public to take a sneak peek inside.

Here are some of the photos that were taken at the time:

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The grand entrance foyer. (Malaysia Traveller pic)
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An elegant colonnaded walkway opens onto an inner courtyard. (Malaysia Traveller pic)
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Ongoing repair works. Preserving the building in tip-top condition is a constant battle against the elements. (Malaysia Traveller pic)
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View of the rear side taken from the new KL River of Life pedestrian bridge over the River Gombak. (Malaysia Traveller pic)

The building serves as a backdrop to the annual Merdeka celebrations held in Merdeka Square, and it is illuminated at night – making it popular with photographers.

Overall, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building looks great from every angle and continues to wow local and international tourists. Perhaps the fact that it is off-limits only adds to the air of mystery and intrigue.

Sultan Abdul Samad Building
Jalan Raja, Kuala Lumpur City Centre
50050 Kuala Lumpur,
Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur

This article first appeared in Malaysia Traveller.

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