On the last day of February, my friend and I decided to pay a visit to the newly furbished Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad.
I knew its grandeur would astound me, what I didn’t expect was how emotional I came to be at the end of our visit for I recognised the countless hands that necessitated my comfortable life today.
When you arrive at Dataran Merdeka, your gaze is instantly drawn by the elegance of Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, standing majestically in peachy hues with a touch of bronze that complement the sun’s rays.
Its open architecture, unobstructed by any distractions, ushers in an abundance of light and wonder, marking the true rebirth of a building that has emerged from the deep recesses of our minds and history.As you make your way to the entrance of the building, one slab of marble demands your
attention. In golden block letters, the year 1894 can be read – the year construction began. More than 100 years ago. A century has passed since yet the magnitude of time is felt so little by us.
Enter into the building and the remains of the old architecture is present in its carefully preserved granite steps.
Newly installed marble stairs connect you to the upper floors where you are free to roam about the building, encountering narrow winding staircases, hidden in plain sight – they make for the best OOTD (outfit of the day) spots – and open spaces to take a short break from all the walking.
There’s even a Royal Selangor Gallery that displays the history of pewter and its artefacts.
Many cafes await you too, from western to Malaysian delicacies. The building’s open arches lend to a stunning view of the clock tower. Trust me, your photos would look exquisite bathed in the natural sunlight.
Out of the four halls, one particular hall stood out to me. The Confluence Hall. Aptly named after “muddly confluence,” one of the origins to Kuala Lumpur’s moniker. It is one hall, I believe, all Malaysians should visit.
The hall begins with the roots of Kuala Lumpur, how it prospered from kampung-like settlements to a tin mining industry that gathered settlers from all walks of life. All around the curving hall, pictured texts showcase individuals that contributed to the success of the industry from kings, to Chinese settlers turned businessmen, to Englishmen.
Maps illustrate how tin travelled across the region, timelines depict civil wars that occurred for power over the region, hand-written letters narrate a story of violence and courageous acts.
Here and there, all around us, locals and foreigners alike, were digesting pieces of history, remembering the past and understanding how KL, the vibrant city we know today, rose from the mud.
As you make your way further, you will experience the Japanese occupation up to Malaysia’s moment of freedom through newspaper clippings of multiple languages; pictures and videos.
Replicas of our nation’s founding fathers take centre stage amongst archives of newspapers celebrating our independence.
What particularly moved me was Tunku Abdul Rahman's call of "Merdeka" to the younger generations to continue protecting Malaysia’s independence through the freedom that was achieved.
Pride swelled within, I could feel tears gathering. I was surprised by my own reaction. For the first time, I felt, vividly, all the pain and the joy our ancestors felt.
For that, I am incredibly grateful to the Malaysian government and all the people involved in the restoration efforts for turning Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad into a cultural symbol that educates Malaysians and tourists of the histories that slip from our minds or ones we quietly forget.
Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad no longer stands at the sidelines quietly but boldly, front and center, capturing our attention!
