Updated March 2018
The arichitectural wonder is located along Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin (previously Victory Avenue) just across the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station.
The Malayan Railway Administrative Building is also known as the KTM (Keretapi Tanah Melayu) Administration Building.
Before it assumed its present name, it was called FMS (Federated Malay States) Railway Head Administration Office.
It is another Moorish architectural charm amidst the soulless skyscrapers dominating the city skyline.
The Malayan Railway Administration Building was designed by the colonial government archietct Arthur Benison Hubback.
Planning for the building started in 1913. Construction began in 1914.
Construction progress was slow owing to the effects of World War 1 and a sluggish economy.
It was finally completed in 1917. Construction cost amounted to $ (Straits Dollars)780, 422
Before it assumed its present name, it was called FMS Railway Head Administration Office.
It was one of the few buildings that escaped bombing duiring World War Two.
The building underwent a major renovation in 1986.
There's an underground passageway linking the Malayan Railway Administration Building to the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station.
The Building is not opened to the public except for those on official business.
Tel: +60 3 2274 6063
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The present Kuala Lumpur Railway Station along Jalan Sultan Hishamudin (formerly known as Victory Avenue ) was built in 1910 and enchants the onlooker with its minarets in the Mughal style, Gothic windows and Greek columns.
It replaced an older station called the Resident Station which stood on the same spot. The Resident Station was built in 1886
Old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station which stood from 1892-1910
Until 2001 it acted as the rail transportation focal point before the Kuala Lumpur Sentral Station took over its role.
The station is now being used for KTM Komuter services (the station was electrified in 1995) and cargo services.
The eye-catching building was designed by Arthur Benison Hubback and was built at a cost of $23,000.
The Kuala Lumpur Railway Station faces the Malayan Railway Admistration Building.
Masjid Jamek is the oldest mosque in Kuala Lumpur. Jamek means a congregation place in Arabic.
it is also commonly known as the Friday Mosque. It is the mosque of choice for many Muslims to perform their Friday prayers.
Built in 1907, it stands close to the convergence of the Klang and Gombak Rivers. It was officially opened by Sultan Sir Alauddin Sulaiman Shah, the then Sultan of Selangor in 1909.
It was the main mosque in Kuala Lumpur until 1965. Thereafter, its place was taken over by Masjid Negara.
The mosque was designed by Arthur Benson Hubback, who also worked on the design of Sultan Abdul Samad Building. It was built at a cost of RM 32, 625 with the aid of government funds and community donations.
The mosque is within walking distance of Merdeka Square and Royal Selangor Club.
Early History
The Royal Selangor Club was founded as Selangor Club in 1884.
It had its early beginnings as a wooden building near the Padang (Dataran Merdeka).
The Club served as a hub for colonial social life.
In 1890 it was a replaced by a double-storey structure, designed by AC Norman.
In 1910 it was redesigned by Arthur Benison Hubback. He was the same architect who designed the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station.
In the 1900s the Selangor Club was used for theatrical shows as there were no other staging venues available then.
Cricket is a popular sporting activity that was organized by the Club.
A section of the building was destroyed in a fire in 1970.
Modern Developments
In 1980 an extra wing, costing RM8 million, was added to the main building.
Under the benefaction of Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, the Club was granted royal status in 1984.
Construction of this hard-to-miss landmark began in 1894. It was completed in 1897 at a cost of 152,000 Straits Dollars.
The Building, which faces Dataran Merdeka and the Royal Selangor Club was designed by British Architect AC Norman. Its frontage measures 450 ft (137.2 metres) in length.
Apart from a shiny copper dome it has a 40-metre high clock tower popularly known as Big Ben.
The Building is named after Sultan Abdul Samad, the Selangor ruler at the time of its coinstruction.
Construction Materials
Materials that went into the construction of the Building:
- 4 million bricks
- 2500 barrels of cement
- 18000 piculs of lime
- 50 tonnes of steel and iron
- 5000 pounds of copper
- 30000 cubic feet of timber
Sultan Abdul Samad used to house the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. These courts have since been moved to the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya. It now houses only the Commercial Division of the High Court of Malaysia.
Background
Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square) was previously known as the Selangor Club Padang (Field).
The Selangor Club Padang was officially renamed Dataran Merdeka on January 1, 1990 in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia Year 1990.
The field was a popular spot for British social activities beginning 1884. Cricket was a mainstay activity at the padang.
The Malayan Flag was hoisted at Dataran Merdeka on 12.01 am on August 31, 1957.
The Padang faces the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, constructed in 1897. It used to house the British Secretariat.
Fountain
The fountain at Dataran Merdeka was imported from England and assembled in 1897.
It used to be housed at the Market Square (now known as Medan Pasar). It was moved to Dataran Merdeka as it obstructed the flow of traffic.
Flagpole
The flagpole is the tallest in the world - standing at a height of 100 metres. It is in close proximity to the spot where the Union Jack was lowered and the Malayan flag was hoisted for the first time on August 31, 1957.
