History

The Sultan Abdul Samad building was the largest building of its time and started its construction in 1894 and finished in 1897. Initially called the new Government Offices, it accommodated the Public Works Department, the Survey Office, the Treasury, the Post and Telegraph Offices, and several departments of the Federated Malay States. The building is made entirely of brick, with plaster-covered brick looking like cream stone. The central tower houses a clock, in which during Queen Victoria's birthday parade in 1897 rung its first chimes.

Significance

Previously, it was home to the country's superior courts: the Federal Court of Malaysia, the Court of Appeals, and the High Court of Malaya. In the early 2000s, the Federal Court and the Court of Appeals relocated to the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya, and in 2007, the High Court of Malaya moved to the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex. It was also the headquarters for Jabatan Warisan Negara, but its interiors are now closed from public access. The exterior is still open as a landmark for a popular photoshoot spot.

Travel Tips

The Sultan Abdul Samad building is only an 8 minute walk away from the Kuala Lumpur Tourism Bureau and is walking distance from the Masjid Jamek LRT Station.

Check out our video on the Sultan Abdul Samad building here!