Kuala Lumpur Railway Station

Kuala Lumpur Railway Station

The Grand Kuala Lumpur Railway Station

The majestic view Kuala Lumpur Railway Station

The dynamism in Architectural design of Kuala Lumpur Railway Station

Kuala Lumpur Railway Station is a exemplary piece of architecture of yesteryear, especially during the era of colonization. This magnificent architecture was designed by Arthur Benison Hubback (A.B Hubback), a government architect who also designed most of the similar distinctive buildings of the Mughal architecture in Malaya at that time. These, include Masjid Jamek located between the tributary of Gombak and Klang river. Railway station building was completed in 1911..

This Old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station where locals often mistakenly thought that of a Moorish Architecture where in actual fact is a Mughal design.Architects who built the many heritage buildings in Kuala Lumpur adopted the Mughal style of India, including the design and shape of the domes and so with the chatris, thus these are not the Moorish style of architecture during the glory of Islam in the Iberian Peninsula,especially in Cordoba and Granada where the grandeur of Moorish architecture significantly evidence of the likes of Alhambra in Granada-Spain.

The Kuala Lumpur Railway Station function as the central hub for all the trains of Keretapi Tanah Melayu that ply throughout the peninsula.Railway system and tracks line was reorganized in 1986 with upgrading the existing facilities, building of new railway related amenities such asd modernizing the administration, facelift to existing buildings which include installation of air-conditioned system in waiting halls, providing tourism information counters, cafeterias, snack and titbit stall within the building of selected main railway station within the country. Replacing railway line track with more durable sleepers, from wood to concrete.

The obvious Mughal architecture of domes and chatris at the central station signify the dynamism of local traditional ability in adapting design architecture of that era. The inclination toward Mughals or even Moorish architecture are much due being Islam as the official religion of the country. Kuala Lumpur Railway Station will remains as a vital component of dynamism of the country over the years.

After almost 90 years of operation, the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station has now seen the end of its major function, that bridge inter nation relation linking.Singapore in the southern tip of the peninsula to Kuala Lumpur tand also to Bangkok I n Thailand. Now only serve the commuter with the start of the KTM Komuter service, it was always bustling . Now the new sophisticated KL Sentral will serve as major hub for all KTMB linking the major cities in the country and other nation.

This awesome architecture is the most sort of heritage building photography in the world. Don't miss this historical site whenever you are in Malaysia.

Malaysia Truly Asia.

Sultan Abdul Samad Building

The Sultan Abdul Samad Building

The four faced clock tower signify the grandeur of Sultan Abdul Samad building. London’s four-faced clock tower "Big Ben" by river Thames is the proud monument to most Londoner, Malaysia has its own clock tower to boast and proud of.Nevertheless, that doesn’t make the clock tower any inadequate but instead, the clock tower probably has more significance to shout about as it is situated beside the beautiful and historical Sultan Abdul Samad Building. The building is named after the then Sultan of Selangor when the building was constructed.

Stunning view of Sultan Abdul Samad Building

The Sultan Abdul Samad Building (Malay: Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad; Jawi: باڠونن سلطان عبدالصمد) is located in front of the Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square) and the Royal Selangor Club, by Jalan Raja in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The structure takes its name from Sultan Abdul Samad, the reigning sultan of Selangor at the time when construction began.

The building houses the offices of the Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture of Malaysia (Malay: Kementerian Penerangan, Komunikasi dan Kebudayaan Malaysia). It formerly housed the superior courts of the country: the Federal Court of Malaysia, the Court of Appeals and the High Court of Malaya. The Federal Court and the Court of Appeals had shifted to the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya during the early 2000s, while the High Court of Malaya shifted to the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex in 2007

Night View of Sultan Abdul Samad Building

The building is one of Kuala Lumpur’s famous landmarks found. Situated at the center of Jalan Raja, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building holds a unique design mooted by A.C. Norman. The building bears Moorish influences with a blend of local culture and British styles. To represent the identity of the Malaysian people, the architect added an Islamic touch before finally completing the building in 1897.

Designed by A.C. Norman and built in 1894-1897 to house several important government departments during the British administration. A.C. Norman spent time in Africa and saw Muslim mosques in India which led him to use Moorish architecture in the building's design.The 41-meter tower chimed for the first time to coincide with Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Parade in 1897 and has chimed since.[1] The building, simply known as Government Offices in early Kuala Lumpur maps, housed the Federal Secretariat of the then-Federated Malay States which was formed in 1896.

In 1945, when World War II ended, Britain resumed control again, but Malaya's independence movement had matured and organized itself in an alliance under Tunku Abdul Rahman. When the British flag was finally lowered in Kuala Lumpur's Merdeka Square in 1957, Tunku became the first prime minister of Malaya.[2]

Night View of The Clock Tower - Sultan Abdul Samad Building

In front of the building is the Dataran Merdeka (or Merdeka Square). It was here, the Union Jack flag was lowered and the Malayan flag hoisted for the first time at midnight on August 31, 1957. The Dataran Merdeka was officially opened on January 1, 1990, in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 1990.

Before independence in 1957 the Merdeka Square symbolized British sovereignty as it was a cricket ground for the colonial administrators and fronted the Royal Selangor Club, Malaya's most exclusive whites-only club

The beautiful Blend of old and new.

A 95-metre flagpole, one of the tallest in the world, marks that spot with a flat, round black marble plaque. It is located at the southern end of the square.

Every year, in the morning of Merdeka Day (31 August) as well as Malaysia Day (16 September), thousands of spectators converge on the city to watch the colourful parade along the streets of the city and performances held at the Merdeka Square. Each of the 13 states plus the Federal Territories are represented, as are the many ethnic groups that comprise multiracial Malaysia. The National Flag will be flown throughout the country, at office buildings, private homes and on vehicles. At the same time, patriotic activities to mark the holiday are held nationwide.

 

View from another angle..grandeur magnification!!

In 2012, the building was partly refurbished and the copper domes received a new coating of metallic paint. New colour-changing LED lights were installed to brighten up the building at night. On selected days, a section of Jalan Raja will be closed in order for the people to enjoy the night scenery of the area. Since 2007, a Merdeka (Independence) wording has been fixed at the bottom of the clock tower, a reminder of the very day of the nation's independence in 1957.

Features

Topped by a shiny copper dome and a 40m high clock tower, it is a major landmark in the city. It serves as the backdrop for important events such as the National Day Parade on August 31 and the ushering in of the New Year. This heritage building used to be occupied by the then Apex Court of Malaysia, the Supreme Court which was subsequently renamed the Federal Court. The Court of Appeal was also housed in this historic building. The Federal Court and the Court of Appeals have since moved to the Palace of Justice located in Putrajaya, the new Federal administrative capital.

Clock Tower Grandeur of Sultan Abdul Samad Building

 Behind the building flows the Klang River and Gombak River's confluence where Kuala Lumpur got its name (Kuala means estuary and Lumpur means muddy) and in the middle of where the two rivers meet stands The Masjid Jamek (or Jamek Mosque), a mosque of similar design by the same architect.


Historical events

Many historical events had been held in front of this building. Among them was the declaration of independence of Malaysia (Malaya then) on 31 August, 1957 and the lowering of the Union Jack. On 1 January 1982, the clock tower became the venue for another historic event when the time between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore were standardized.

The Majestic tower clock of Sultan Abdul Samad Building

In 1971, Kuala Lumpur suffered a huge flood after a heavy rainfall. Part of the building was not spared. In 1978, a massive renovation was undertaken. The renovation took six years to complete with a total cost of RM 17.2 million. There was also a fire which damaged part of the building. A large bronze memorial plaque commemorating fallen judicial officers and lawyers who served as volunteer soldiers in WW2 disappeared about this time. The plaque was either looted or else was damaged in the fire but was never repaired or replaced, much to the anguish of the family members of the deceased. There is now a move supported by the Malayan Volunteers Group to try to get the bronze memorial plaque restored.


Back then, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building served as an important structure for the English. It was, and still is, beautiful, iconic and was probably the most photographed building at the time. The English once used the buildings as the administration office for the government. Now, the building houses the supreme and high courts.

The Main Entrance

The building isn’t the only attraction for just close by stands a 40m clock tower dubbed the ‘Big Ben’ of Malaysia, topped with a golden dome and flanked on both sides by two domed towers. In the eye of visitors, the chimes of the clock indicate.. well, the time. But to the locals who have stood by the country throughout its year battling foreign inhabitation, the clock’s chime is enough to bring back memories and send a tingly feeling down your body. For this very clock has marked independence at the struck of midnight on 31st August 1957. Since then, every year on the country’s anniversary of independence, the chimes represent the nation’s hope that freedom and peace will continue in the future.

On the nights of important occasions such as Independence Day, the tower will twinkle its way to your eyes with its beautifully-colored lights. On a building that boasts such amazing architecture and designs, some have attested that the sight looks a lot like the scene of an Arabian night.
The administrative council knows how beautiful the building is and how much people would love admiring it, so Jalan Raja is closed at nights of special celebrations to allow the public the ease of getting closer to the structure. There aren’t many of such buildings like this in Malaysia, one that shows the rich past that Malaysia and the English once shared. So do drop by the Sultan Abdul Samad Building for a dose of history and a treat for the eyes.

Nearby attractions

Popular attractions within walking distance of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building are Merdeka Square, Chinatown (with its famous tourist market and numerous temples) and the beautiful Central Market.
Address Sultan Abdul Samad Building

Jalan Raja
Merdeka Square
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
How to get to the Sultan Abdul Samad Building

Getting to Sultan Abdul Samad Building is easy as it is located right in the center of Kuala Lumpur. If you are staying in Chinatown you can just walk to the building. You can also follow signposts pointing to Merdeka Square (Independance Square) which is located directly opposite the building. Every taxi driver knows the way to this iconic place in KL. You can also take the LRT to Pasar Seni station or Masjid Jamek station. In both cases it is a 5/10 minute walk to the Sultan Abdul Samad Building.

Kereta Api Tanah Melayu

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad

Railway Station - Kuala Lumpur

Railway as a mean of transport have a long history in Malaysia.Railway or train is considered the only practical form of transportation during the 18th and 19th century. In Europe after the Industrial Revolution railway line was constructed almost in all nation, to facilitate transportation of manufacturing goods and the conveying of raw material from sea port to inland industrial area. Railway provides the most practical form of transportation for product so with the citizen. 

Similarly in Malaysia or Malaya during the late 18th and 19th century the needs for transportation of raw material to  nearest port are very much to do during the colonial era. Where British and Dutch companies likes the East India Company, also the likes of High & Low , Harrison & Crossfield, Guthrie,Sime darby, Jardine Sandiland and many others exploit natural resources from the colony such as tin, bauxite, rubber etc which are then sent to Europe for downstream production of finish good. (Notes: Guthrie and Sime Darby are now a GLC through share buy over from LSE during the tenure of Tun Mahathir and Tun Daim).

Following a summary of event by year/month/date the  history of Railway in Malaysia. Of course now is known as Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad. History and development of railway line,train and coach until now:

A)FMSR(Federal Malay State Railway) & KTMB historical rail time line from 1869 until now are listed in the table below.

For the peiod: 1869 to 1900

1869   

The earliest proposals to build a railway through Singapore was put up by engineer W. J. du Port at an estimated cost of $200,000. However, a trade slump resulted in the project being shelved.

1871     

Another proposal by the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company was put forward to the Governor of the Straits Settlements but public opinion was against the use of public funds for private interests.

1874   

Sir Andrew Clarke announced his support for the construction of a railway for private use.

1881      

First lokomotive FMSR N0 1

1885    

The first section of the Malayan Railway was a seven and a half mile track, opened between Taiping and Port Weld, serving the main mining area in Larut. Service began on 1 February 1885, lasting until 1941.

1886     

First Kuala Lumpur Station known as Kuala Lumpur and was located near Market Street opened in 19 September 1886. The next section opened was the 21-mile run between Kuala Lumpur and Klang River (Bukit Kuda),Residen Station was built within this line.

1888     

July 1888 first train crash in the country occurred in Sungai Kerawai near Teluk Anson, Perak.

National Museum - Muzium Negara

The National Museum is a museum located along Jalan Damansara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The museum is located in close proximity to the Perdana Lake Gardens and it provides an overview of Malaysian history and culture. Muzium Negara is a palatial structure built in the style of Rumah Gadang, a typical Minangkabau architecture. Its facade comprises elements of traditional Malay and modern features. Muzium Negara was opened on 31 August 1963, and it serves as a repository of Malaysia’s rich cultural and historical heritage.

Muzium Negara is a three storied structure of 109.7 meters long and 15.1 meters wide and 37.6 meters at the central point. The museum houses four main galleries allotted to ethnology and natural history. The displays range from free-standing tableaux showing cultural events like weddings, festivals and costumes; to traditional weapons, musical instruments, arts and crafts, ceramics, and flora and fauna.

Muzium Negara was established on the site of the former Selangor Museum. It was built by the British and Selangor governments in 1898 following the formation of the Federated Malay States in 1896. On March 10, 1945, during the end of World War II, the right wing of the museum was bombed and destroyed by the US B-29 bomber, from the Allied Forces. The museum's collection was then moved to the Perak Museum in Taiping.

After World War II, the left wing of Selangor Museum was still in use as a historical site. On the brink of the independence of the Federation of Malaya, Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman conceived the idea to build a museum to house national historical and cultural treasures as well as specimens of flora and fauna. The old museum structure was completed demolished to make way for a new museum.

Construction began in 1959 and was complete in 1963. The National Museum was officially opened on 31 August 1963 by Tuanku Syed Putra Ibni al-Marhum Syed Hassan Jamalullal, the 3rd Yang di-Pertuan Agong

Architecture

The Main Hall -Museum National Malaysia

The museum's design by architect Ho Kok Hoe was inspired by the architecture of the Malay royal palaces and vernacular Malay architecture. The design incorporated the need for exhibition and activity spaces. The large mosaic murals spanning the entrance depict the history and culture of the country. The floor of the central section of the main building is decorated with special tiles which were gifts from the government of Pakistan. In addition, UNESCO facilitated consultancies by museum experts from other museums around the world.

Displays and exhibits in the museum focus on local history, culture and traditions, arts and crafts, economic activities, local flora and fauna, weapons and currency.

The museum houses various galleries, each with its own theme. The ground floor showcases the geographic and natural history of the Malay peninsula starting with the Stone Age, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age, Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms to Muslim sultanate of Malacca. The ancient Malay Hindu-Buddhist states of Gangga Negara, Srivijaya and Majapahit are referenced. Among the collections are the stone makara statue, the bronze Avalokiteshvara of Bidor, the model of Bujang Valley temple in Kedah, and also displaying region's ancient legacy such as Javan Borobudur and Majapahit vessel. The exhibit continues to the later Muslim Sultanate of Malacca and the various states of Malaysia. The display demonstrate the importance of Malaccan sultanate for Malaysian national identity. The second floor is dedicated to the colonial history leading all the way to Independence. There are copies of the royal headgear of Malay rulers.

Central Hall

Adorning the floor of the Central Hall are blue geometric-design mosaic tiles from Pakistan, with intricate carved panels on the ceiling of the hall. The Central Hall houses temporary exhibitions. The matic and special exhibitions are held at this hall at intervals to promote an awareness of the country's diverse culture and heritage. Foreign exhibitions are held occasionally.

Some of the exhibitions that were held in this hall at some point of time included ‘The Islamic Civilization’, ‘Our King’, ‘The World of Flowers’, ‘Durian King of Fruits’, ‘Masks from Sarawak’, ‘World Currency’, ‘Islamic Frontiers of China’, ‘American Frontiers’, and ‘Religious Architecture from the Netherlands‘.

The Museum places strong emphasis on the Malay World, and a considerable section is devoted to the founding of the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), one of the parties of the National Front (Barisan Nasional). Interestingly, few if at all were any mentions made of the involvement of the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA)and the Malayan Indian Congress (MIC), which 3 parties worked together to achieve Independence of Malaya on August 31, 1957.