Malaysia's pre-Independence buildings are standing strong

Larut, Matang and Selama Land and District Office, Taiping, Perak: Completed in 1897, the Land and District Office was first constructed to replace the old public office on Kota Road in Taiping, which was the capital of Perak from 1876 to 1937. Designed in the shape of the letter ‘C’ after the last name of then state engineer Francis St G. Caulfield, the Victorian Neoclassical building was considered one of the most modern structures of its time. The building was later used as the Perak state secretariat office prior to becoming the land and district office. In 2012, the building was declared a National Heritage building. Photo: RONNIE CHIN/The Star

Coordinated by WONG LI ZA with additional reporting by ARNOLD LOH, CHAN LI LEEN, SARBAN SINGH, SHARANPAL SINGH RANDHAWA and SHARON LING

From Saracenic to Mughal, colonial to cultural, the architecture and design of the buildings are indeed inspiring. Each structure has contributed to society in one way or another, be it in religious, cultural, social or official capacities. More importantly, they have withstood the test of time and bore witness to the country’s history and progress. To celebrate Merdeka, we take a look at buildings all around Malaysia constructed before Independence to honour their historical and architectural heritage.