KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 — Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj has expressed delight over efforts by Khazanah Nasional Bhd to restore the historic Sultan Abdul Samad Building.
Describing the building as a national treasure, His Royal Highness previously voiced concerns over the condition of several historic Selangor buildings here, which appear to have been increasingly neglected since 2018.
The Sultan said that despite discussion and debate over restoration costs, he is concerned that the state’s invaluable heritage would be lost if not preserved.
“I fear that in the end, there will be no evidence of Selangor’s heritage in Kuala Lumpur for future generations to appreciate,” the Ruler said during a visit to the iconic building here today.
Built in 1894, Sultan Sharafuddin said the building holds great historic significance as it once served as the Selangor government office and federal headquarters when Kuala Lumpur was declared the administrative centre of the Federated Malay States in 1896.
His Royal Highness said the building was completed in two years and seven months and officially opened on April 3, 1897, during the reign of Sultan Abdul Samad, fourth Selangor Sultan.
“For 77 years, this building was known as the Selangor Secretariat and the Federal Secretariat, reflecting its important dual role in the country’s administration at the time,” the Sultan said.
The Ruler added that after Kuala Lumpur was declared a Federal Territory on February 1, 1974, with the consent of the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Alhaj, and following the relocation of Selangor’s capital to Shah Alam, the federal government took over the building and it was renamed to its current moniker.
“The handover of Kuala Lumpur to the federal government at that time was my father’s (Sultan Salahuddin) greatest sacrifice for the development and progress of Malaysia as a whole, and this building stands as a witness to that,” Sultan Sharafuddin said.
His Royal Highness added that the building holds personal significance for him as he had served there in 1968 under the administration of the late Datuk Seri Harun Idris, then Selangor menteri besar, before being posted to the Kuala Lumpur Land Office at the Old Chartered Bank Building.
The Ruler said it was in the Sultan Abdul Samad Building that he learned the intricacies of state administration, and expressed admiration for Harun’s leadership.
“I remember when I officiated the opening of the State Legislative Assembly (sitting) at this building. All these memories deepen my sense of attachment and appreciation for the historic value and symbolism of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building to Selangor and the nation,” the Sultan said.
His Royal Highness said that following a meticulous restoration process, the building has now been revitalised as a public space and was opened to visitors for the first time on Feb 2, a historic moment that is a source of great pride.
The Ruler expressed hope that similar conservation efforts would continue, not just for the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, but also for other heritage sites in Kuala Lumpur linked to Selangor’s history.
“Historic heritage is not just a remnant of the past, but a foundation of national identity that must be preserved for future generations.
“May the Sultan Abdul Samad Building continue to stand tall as a symbol of history, heritage and national pride,” Sultan Sharafuddin said.
