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| Sultan Abdul Samad Building |
On 2 February 2026, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building—one of Kuala Lumpur’s most iconic late-19th-century landmarks—reopened its doors to the public. The reopening of Block 1 marked the completion of the first phase (Phase 1) of conservation and restoration works, carried out over the course of about a year. This milestone represents the successful delivery of Phase 1 of Dana Warisan, a heritage initiative by Khazanah Nasional Berhad, the investment arm of the Government of Malaysia.
When I heard that the Sultan Abdul Samad Building (SASB) was once again open to visitors, I jumped at the opportunity. On 3 February, I took my wife there, and we happily played tourist—exploring the historic interiors and taking far too many photographs.
The restoration team deserves high praise. SASB now appears in pristine condition, and as I walked through its halls, I could not help but imagine how it must have looked 129 years ago, when it was officially opened on 4 April 1897 by Sir Frank Swettenham K.C.M.G., the Resident-General of the Federated Malay States. Contemporary accounts describe the opening as a grand affair. A Public Works Department (PWD, now JKR) dinner was held in the newly completed building, with distinguished guests invited from across Malaya. This was followed by a ball held within the building itself, illuminated by electricity and lavishly decorated, while gas burners floodlit the exterior. It was the first time such illumination had been seen in Kuala Lumpur, which at the time was considered something of a backwater compared to the more developed Singapore.
The original construction of the building was completed at a cost of 152,000 Straits dollars. It served as the administrative headquarters for both the government of the Federated Malay States and the state government of Selangor.
Fast forward to 2026, and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building still stands strong. Although it now serves a very different purpose, it has been given a new lease on life. The restoration aims not only to safeguard the building’s identity as a national heritage site, but also to enhance safety, accessibility, and the overall visitor experience. More broadly, the project seeks to boost tourism, commerce, and community enterprise, in support of the Visit Malaysia 2026 programme.
Encouragingly, the restoration efforts extend beyond SASB itself. Similar works are planned for several neighbouring heritage buildings around the Padang—now Merdeka Square—including the Old General Post Office, the former Kuala Lumpur Supreme Court, Panggung Bandaraya (City Theatre), the former FMS Survey Office, and the National Textile Museum.
Below are some photos I took during the tour.
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| The north tower framed by the arch of its imposing porte cochère |
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The original plaque commemorating the date when the foundation stone was laid by the Governor of the Straits Settlements.
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Inside the building
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Its loggia
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At the back
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Another loggia
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Merdeka 118 framed by one of the arches
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Framed by its arches
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| The neighbouring Jamek Mosque |
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