SERDANG, July 13 — The state government plans to gazette the architecture of the Rumah Bumbung Panjang (long-ridge roof house) as Selangor's official architectural identity, as part of efforts to strengthen the preservation of Malay cultural heritage.
State executive councillor for culture and housing Datuk Borhan Aman Shah said the traditional house, which is currently under construction at the Malay Heritage Museum, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), also has the potential to become a new tourist attraction in Selangor.
He said the Selangor Rumah Bumbung Panjang possesses unique characteristics that distinguish it from traditional houses in other states, as every section of the house is built with specific meanings and philosophies that reflect the way of life, customs, and values of the Malay community in the past.
"This house not only symbolises Selangor's traditional architectural identity but also has the potential to become a new tourist attraction and a centre for introducing the state's cultural heritage to the public.
"Accordingly, the state government is planning to gazette the architecture of the Selangor Rumah Bumbung Panjang as the state's official identity," he said after officiating the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Selangor Rumah Bumbung Panjang at the UPM Malay Heritage Museum today.
Borhan added that the house is being built on a 750-square-foot site using high-quality reclaimed timber, including chengal, resak, and belian (Bornean ironwood), to preserve the authenticity of Selangor's traditional architecture.
Its construction is expected to be completed by the end of November for RM400,000, including a RM250,000 contribution from Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad, with the remaining cost to be borne by UPM.
He noted that the traditional houses at the UPM Malay Heritage Museum are frequently used as filming locations while also providing visitors with the opportunity to appreciate the unique characteristics of traditional houses from various states.
Meanwhile, the councillor said the state government remains open to collaborating with any institution to promote Selangor's arts, culture, and heritage so that they will continue to be preserved for future generations.
Earlier, Borhan said the construction of the Selangor Rumah Bumbung Panjang was initiated to fulfil the wish of the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj to complete the collection of the state's houses.
The structure will also serve as a reference centre for Malay heritage through its role as a knowledge repository for research in the fields of architecture, history, and anthropology.
