Historical sites add character to landscape

Heritage corner: This 1930s art decor-style building at the junction of Jalan Shahbandar and Jalan Engan in Batu Pahat is a reflection of Johor’s glorious history. — ZAZALI MUSA/The Star

JOHOR Heritage Foundation (YWJ) has identified about 70 sites, including monuments, heritage and historical buildings, in the state that are in need of preservation.

YWJ director Shahril Nizam Abdul Rahim said these sites were proof of Johor’s colourful cultural and long history.

“It is important for us to preserve and conserve them as they are our windows into the past, ” he said, emphasising that their existence was important for future generations.

He said categorising a building, monument or historical site in Johor was done under the National Heritage Act 2005 and Johor Heritage Foundation Enactment 1988.

Gazetting old buildings as heritage buildings involves getting details on architectural elements, ownership and history of the monuments or buildings.

Sultan Ibrahim Building, a former state secretariat building in Bukit Timbalan, was built between 1936 and 1939.

“We hope owners of old buildings with significant historical background and old architectural styles will come forward and assist the state in compiling data, ” he said.

He added that historical sites were mostly found in the Kota Tinggi district, which was the Johor Lama state administrative capital, located about 40km from Johor Baru.

Johor Lama is a mukim (sub-district) in Kota Tinggi and is located on the banks of Sungai Johor.

It was once a thriving port and the old capital of the Johor Sultanate.

Shahril Nizam said that among the notable sites in Kota Tinggi were the burial grounds at Kompleks Makam Sayong Pinang and Makam Tiga Beranak Bukit Seluyut.

He said heritage and historical buildings, including government and pre-war shophouses, could also be seen in downtown Johor Baru.

Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque with its Victorian architectural style, was built between 1892 and 1900. — Photos: THOMAS YONG and ZAZALI MUSA/The Star

“They include the Sultan Ibrahim building, Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque and Dato’ Jaafar Muhammad building in Bukit Senyum, ’’ he added.

The Sultan Ibrahim Building, the former state secretariat in Bukit Timbalan, was constructed between 1936 and 1939, and completed in 1940.

Sultan Abu Bakar Mosque in Jalan Skudai is the Johor state mosque, overlooking the Straits of Johor.

The mosque, with its Victorian architectural style, was built between 1892 and 1900 under Sultan Abu Bakar.

The Dato’ Jaafar Muhammad building was the official residence of the first and longest-serving Johor mentri besar Datuk Jaafar Muhammad, who was in office from 1886 until his death on July 3,1919.

The building is now Muzium Tokoh Johor (Johor Public Figures Museum), showcasing artefacts and exhibitions on famous Johoreans.

It comprises three floors and has four towers at each corner.

Shahril Nizam: It is important to preserve heritage buildings as they are our windows into the past.

The building resembles the British Royal Family’s Hardwick Hall in the United Kingdom.

“Heritage and historical buildings in the old part of Johor Baru offer British colonial, Malay, Chinese and Indian architectural styles to suit the tropical climate, ’’ said Shahril Nizam.

He cited pre-war shophouses along Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, declared a heritage street, as best examples of heritage buildings that could be preserved in keeping with the times.

He said the street was attractive for its mix of antiquated local shops, neighbourhood restaurants, museum and clan associations’ offices alongside contemporary eateries, art galleries, boutiques and hostels.

“The city centre should have a combination of old and new elements that make Johor Baru a vibrant place, ’’ he said.

Johor Baru has humble beginnings as it started off as a small Malay fishing village.

Originally known as Tanjung Puteri, it was founded in 1855 by Temenggong Daeng Ibrahim bin Temenggong Daeng Abdul Rahman, the father of Sultan Abu Bakar.

Batu Pahat town has pre-war shophouses and old buildings worth preserving.

Sultan Abu Bakar, famously known as the “Father of Modern Johor”, changed the name to Johor Baru after he moved the seat of government from Teluk Blangah in Singapore to Johor in 1886.

According to history archives, Johor Baru during his reign (1862-1895) was one of the most vibrant and developed towns in the Malay states due to the large presence of British and Chinese businessmen.

“Apart from Johor Baru city, Batu Pahat and Muar also have rows of pre-war shophouses and old buildings worth preserving, ’’ said Shahril Nizam.

Batu Pahat, according to him, was formerly known as Bandar Penggaram, which means “town of salt-makers”.

The present town was founded between 1893 and 1894 by Dato’ Bentara Luar Mohamed Salleh Perang, acting on the orders of Sultan Abu Bakar.

Muar is known as Bandar Maharani (Empress Town), a name given by Sultan Abu Bakar in 1884.

In November 2012, the present Johor Ruler, Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, declared Bandar Maharani a royal town or Bandar DiRaja.

“With the status, Muar has joined the ranks of other royal towns in the country, ’’ Shahril Nizam highlighted.

The other royal towns are Klang in Selangor, Pekan in Pahang, Arau in Perlis, Anak Bukit in Kedah and Seri Menanti in Negri Sembilan.