Towards a Conservation Movement in Malaysia (Part II) by Hajeedar bin Abdul Majid, 1977

This is the second part to the article, 'Towards a Conservation Movement in Malaysia' by Dato' Ar. Hajeedar bin Abdul Majid in 1977, who at that time served as the Architect/Deputy Director of the Technical Services Division of Urban Development Authority (UDA). Written three years after Kuala Lumpur became a Federal Territory (1974), some of his observations still apply today. Note that the facade of the Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad was restored around 2010s while the Robinson's Department Store building has since been demolished. ______ DEFINING KUALA LUMPUR'S CONSERVATION AREA

Introduction

An earlier paper dealt with the definition and meaning of conservation. It also called for an awareness and involvement on the part of the Malaysian public for the conservation of buildings of historical and architectural merit. The need was emphasised and explained and a Case Study of Conservation in Britain was quoted as a basis for exploring the possibility of implementing such a programme in Malaysia.

This second paper attempts to define in broad term the approach to environmental and architectural conservation and rehabilitation in the Malaysian context in general and the city of Kuala Lumpur in particular. For this purpose a generally acceptable area in the city is used as a ‘model’ for this conservation study.

Defining a Conservation Area

Historically, the city of Kuala Lumpur has its origins as a landing place during the pioneering days of tin mining in the Ampang area. An early settlement was established in the 1800’s at the confluence of Sungai Gombak and Sungai Kelang. After the Selangor Civil War (1866 – 1873), and under the leadership of Captain Cina, Yap Ah Loy, there was rebuilding of the devastated settlement.

Meanwhile, the British were establishing contacts in the Malay States. With the formation of the Federated Malay State (FMS) in 1895 and the choice of Kuala Lumpur as its capital, the area around banks of Sungai Gombak was subsequently developed as the administrative centre for the FMS under the British Residential System. Together with the British administrators and political stability came more traders. Increasing world demand for tin accelerated the economic activity within the area township responded accordingly. Apart from the imposing administrative buildings, a church was also built to meet the spiritual need of the Christian British Community, a mosque for the Muslim “natives”, a British bank to service the traders and other ancillary buildings were build.

In the case of the proposed Kuala Lumpur conservation area (see Fig. 1), the area defined contains a rich collection of buildings with architectural and historical merit. They represent the contributions from our colonial past and had withstood the test of time. The surroundings within which these buildings are located has historical attributes too. For instance, both buildings and environment had witnessed a series of historical events which created the city of Kuala Lumpur and the nation of Malaysia as we know today.

The buildings bear testimony of our historical past. The inter-play of the buildings with the natural elements of land, water and greenery, is an apt illustration of early British colonial town planning principles.

Figure 1

Having recognised the intrinsic value of a potential conservation area, the next task is to compile a list of buildings worthy of record. A physical survey of existing building condition, the materials used and their present uses should be conducted using predetermined guidelines. The criteria taken for including such buildings can be by virtue of the fact that on their own the buildings possess special architectural character and value, and/or special historical association or significance illustrating social, economic and administrative attainments. The building should possess strong character, identity and cohesion within the environment. A preservation order and control may then be made for these buildings.

Briefly, the physical boundaries of the proposed conservation area can be described as the area bounded by the river bank along Sungai Kelang on the east, Jalan Raja on the west, Jalan Tun Perak in the north and Leboh Pasar in the south. Contained within this area are buildings built just before and immediately after Kuala Lumpur was made the administrative capital for the Federated Malay States. Most of the buildings built were administrative buildings and all these buildings have Islamic type of architectural expressions, reminiscent of British Indian architecture. All the buildings are surrounded by matured trees and garden. It’s an interesting fact to note that a majority of these buildings were designed by one architect, A.C. Norman*, who managed to maintain a continuity of architectural flavour and character to his works. Apart from administration buildings, there were other buildings constructed within this area.

The following buildings are among the dominant features within the proposed conservation area:

1) Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad

Built between 1894 – 1897, it is the major landmark of Kuala Lumpur with its 153 feet high clock tower. The clock tower is featured extensively in Malaysian tourism promotion, and is as famous as the Eiffel tower to Paris. This building was constructed in fair-faced brickwork with plaster-lined Moorish-type arches. It was originally designed as the Selangor State Secretariat, it is now used as the Selangor State Government Treasury. The Federal Treasury, Attorney General’s Office, Accountant General’s Office and the Marriage Registry.

2) Church of St. Mary, The Virgin

Built in 1894, it was the first brick Anglican Church in West Malaysia, designed with early English Medieval architectural expression. Local timber was extensively used in the roof and interior decorative work. This church is located on one side of Selangor Padang, the latter providing the classic English concept of the ‘Village Green’.

3) The Selangor Club

First built using attap and timber in 1890 and rebuilt in 1910, the Selangor Club was established in 1884 to meet the social and recreational needs of the Europeans in and around Kuala Lumpur. The Tudor style double storey club house faces directly Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, across the Selangor Padang. The Club was also popularly known as the ‘Spotted Dog’.

4) Ibu Pejabat Pos

Designed and built around 1907, the building still serves is original function as headquarters of the Post office. The design expression provides continuity to Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad which is long side it, with extensive use of facing bricks.

5) Dewan Bandaraya

Built about 1904, it was originally designed as the Kuala Lumpur Sanitary Building. It was also designed in fair-faced brickwork with Islamic architectural flavourings in its fenestrations and treatment.

6) Jabatan Kerja Raya and Bangunan Bank Pertanian

Built about 1905, it was originally designed for the Federated Malay States Railway Headquarters. Again this building uses fair-faced brickwork with horizontal plaster bands around the whole external façade.

7) Mahkamah Tinggi

Built in 1909, it is still used as the high court. The architectural expression is Islamic style, with the external façade in plaster.

8) Jabatan Penerangan

Built in 1909, it was first used as the Survey Office of the Federated Malay States. The double storey façade measuring 400 feet of identical arches constitute the longest corridor amongst all of A.C. Norman’s* buildings. The external finish is plastered.

The architect for all the above buildings was A.C Norman.* * In 2014, Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia's Heritage Conservation Committee (PAM HCC) established that these buildings were designed by A.B Hubback, except for St. Mary's Church (A.C Norman).

9) Masjid Jame’

Built in 1909, it is claimed to be a direct replica of North Indian Mosque. The building has 3 domes with 2 flanking minarets towering above smaller decorative tower. The building in constructed of brick with plaster-lined Islamic style arches. The mosque itself is situated at the confluence of the two rivers within a matured compound of coconut plantation and some Muslim graves. This mosque was Kuala Lumpur’s principal mosque until the Masjid Negara was completed in 1967. The construction of this mosque was supervised by another British architect, A.B. Hubback, who incidentally also designed the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station.

Quite apart from the presence of these notable building forms, the rivers from an important role in providing the environmental fabric for this conservation area. The Selangor Padang was where cricket, rugby, tennis and hockey were first introduced and played. Pre and post independence rallies were held here together with many other events. Thus the Padang itself is another important heritage to the city as living testimony of the British colonial era, a part of Malaysian history.

Neglect and Abuse

Despite the importance of these buildings as our national architectural heritage and identity, regretfully, most of these buildings have been neglected. Insufficient attention has been given toward their upkeep, indiscriminate alterations and additions were done without blending the new works with the old ones, or showing no ‘respect’ whatsoever to the value of the existing structure and character of the existing environment.

This negative state of affair may be checked should there be a Preservation Order imposed on such notable buildings, then the responsibility of maintenance can be made mandatory to the owners, or the property may be acquired and maintained by a National Trust.

The following pictorial illustrations and comments should illustrate the neglect and abuses thrown at some of these historic buildings.

A. The Clock Tower of Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad

Note the “luxurious growth” of parasitic plants growing on upper ledges of the tower faces. If unchecked now, the roots of these plants would penetrate through the brick joints, expand, crack the joints, and consequently cause the building to further deteriorate and prove expensive to restore at a later date.

Keep Kuala Lumpur green by all means, but he selective in locating and encouraging the growth of the plants.

B. Circular Twin-Tower of Bangunan Sultan Abdul

Samad

Apart from parasitic growth, note that all windows to the upper floor have been removed from their frames. Being in an exposed situation, driving rain should pour into the space beyond, and the dilapidation process of rotting will take over.

C. Entrance to Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad

The entrance porch, the driveway and even the little green patches of grass are invaded by indiscriminate parking of cars. This illustrates total abuse of the environment and authority.

D. Upper Floor of Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad

Where the need for more office space has resulted in insensitive extension works. The picture tells it own story, openings are covered and plastered flushed and then the design painted over. The inconsistency is obvious! Say no more.

E. Jabatan Penerangan

Note the peeling paint work to the façade of the building. This building also accommodates the Tourist Information Office. It is disappointing that the first impressions on the tourists should be the ‘sad’ conditions of our historic building.

F. Jabatan Penerangan

Detail of the peeling paint, the chipped plaster and the exposed brickwork, if unchecked and unremedied now, may cause the deterioration to spread to other unaffected parts of the buildings.

G & H. Jabatan Penerangan

One of the original twin entrances facing jalan Tun Perak, now sealed and a ‘new’ entrance opened at an inappropriate position along the arched façade.

I. Bangunan Mahkamah Tinggi

Bird-screens erected in upper floor. Considered to be a visual and design intrusion to the architectural expressions of the existing building. The ladder has been there for sometime before the photograph was taken and could well be there when this observation goes into print.

J. Masjid Jame’

Soil erosion along the bank of Sungai Gombak if remain unchecked may spread and could ‘wash away’ the site for the ‘Kuala Lumpur Monument’ and the semi-circular steps of the historic and magnificent mosque.

The mosque and its compound has been about the only part of the city where peace and quiet is possible – in fact a ‘breathing space’ in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city life. Yet even this “little luxury” is allowed to be invaded by the motor vehicles. In some instances, cars are parked over the graves that are located amidst the coconut and mango trees. This is not only environmentally distasteful, it is sacrilegious!!

K,L& M Masjid Jame’

The once beautiful, and serena setting of the historic town mosque is now used as a sprawling car park.

N&O The Robinson’s Department Store Building

There is potential for the building to be restored and rehabilitated. Note the formal and classical architectural treatment to the elevation.

Environmental Enhancement of a Conservation Area

While the individual buildings o architectural and historic merits are restored, maintained and prolonged for the future generations to appreciate and enjoy, efforts must also be made to solve whatever problem that my affect a conservation area. There is the danger that preservation work may be done for its own sake, and with no consideration for the changing needs of urban evolution.

Presently, the vehicular traffic problem in the city centre is like a ‘recurring nightmare’, and this suffering in the proposed conservation area is no exception. Furthermore, this congestion problem is aggravated by the presence of several government and private offices with all the human activity and traffic. Car parking facilities are inadequate in this area, and the indiscriminate parking of cars reduced the space available for pedestrians’ use.

As a suggestion, should this area be declared a conservation area, a great part of it should be reverted for pedestrian traffic. Assuming the use of cars is an accepted concept in Kuala Lumpur for at least the immediate future, additional car parks must be provided by the city authority to service the people working within this area. These car parks may take the form of a sub-basement structure in the Selangor Padang with the flat-roof covered with earth, turfed and landscaped so as to reinstate the presence of the historic Selangor Padang. Over a period, the charges levied for car parking should cover the cost of constructing the car park.

Streets within the designated conservation area may be paved, street furniture provide, and landscaped. The introduction of pedestrianisation in part or whole, and/or during certain hours of the day should increase efficient flow of vehicular and human traffic, and in so doing add a new dimension to environmental appreciation for the city dwellers and office workers. People are then able to attend to their business while appreciating the historic surroundings which they walk through. (See sketch on pedestrianisation proposal for Jalan Raja).

Another aspect of the environmental fabric of the proposed conservation area is the river banks. Presently, the rivers and riverbanks are the responsibilities of the Jabatan Tali Air (D.I.D). Co-operation between the Jabatan Tali Air and Dewan Bandaraya may result in improvement works to the ‘shoulder’ of the rivers and the creation of additional recreational, amenity for the city’s population. Of course, the occasional flash food may cover the ‘shoulders’, but on the whole the erection of a permanent structure should prevent soil erosion as illustrated earlier, and at the same time enhance the environment. (See sketch ‘B’ for the riverside improvement proposal).

Rehabilitation

There is talk or rumour that various government departments currently accommodated within these historic buildings may be moved because of departmental expansion and shortage of space. Certain quarters of our population feel that these buildings are old and obsolete. On the contrary, these buildings need not be demolished and rebuilt, instead they may still be recognisable retained while the whole interior may be removed, re-designed with modern facilities and put the buildings to more economic utilisation.

The exercise of rehabilitation of historic buildings has been successful and is very common within conservation areas and on historic buildings in Europe. The threat of losing the national cultural heritage embodied in historic buildings of the respective European countries is greater, especially when viewed in the context of modern development. Dynamic conservation therefore, has a two-fold objective.

On one hand, historic buildings are preserved for the psychological and cultural needs of the population and on the other the buildings, however old, can still provide the accommodation required.

For instance, take the case of the former Robinsons Department Store that was sold about two years ago to a banking organisation. The building has stood empty for some months now. Demolishing the existing building and re-building is the normal trend, especially when the building is located in a prime business area. However, one is tempted to suspect that the owners are presently having reservation about redevelopment in the light of the current market situation with respect to the glut of office spaces in the city.

One is also tempted to ask as to whether the new owners have thought of the possibility of restoring the building and converting it to whatever new usage it ay envisage with all the necessary facilities installed. This could serve as an interim measure until such time when the market for commercial complexes ‘pick-up’ and redevelopment would be feasible.

However, on its own the Robinsons Departmental building is styled a-la-Oxford Street of London with its formal and grand treatment of columns, pediments and cantilevered cornices, since the building forms part of the north western border of the proposed conservation area, and it also faces the Jabatan Penerangan, this building is recommended for preservation for its contribution to historic characterisation of the street-scape. The potential is there and it needs exploitation and exploration.

Conclusion

It is never too early to consider with seriousness the threat of eradication of the very few historical and architecturally pleasant buildings that remain in Kuala Lumpur. It is also never too early to be concerned with the need to improve our urban environment and its amenities.

Government agencies such as The Ministry of Culture, youth and Sport should take a leading role in the drive to get Preservation Orders imposed on buildings of historic and architectural merit such as those mentioned earlier and others scattered throughout our country. This would be a stepping stone towards the search for ‘truly’ Malaysian architecture.

Architecture is dynamic, and its evolution generates from existing cultural patterns, achievements and contributions of our forefathers and through the appreciation and awareness of these heritage that the future development of Malaysian architecture may evolve.

It is also essential to note that while the monumental contributions may be alien to the Malays, Chinese, Indians and other races in Malaysia, the present architecture ‘relics’ have a place in our national history and a profound influence in the cultural and artistic expressions of contemporary Malaysian architects, artists and designers. Hopeful from the broadening appreciation and respect for our heritage would emerge the character and flavours of Malaysian architecture.

_____ Photos and illustrations provided by Dato' Ar. Hajeedar bin Abdul Majid. His article was featured in Majallah Akitek, 2:1977.