The Clock Tower of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building
Malaysia has a clock tower to be proud of, but it has a clock on only one side, unlike London's four-faced clock tower. The Sultan Abdul Samad building is a stunning and historic structure, but that doesn't make the clock tower any less important. In fact, it probably has more significance to shout about because it is next to it. When the building was being built, it was given the name of the then-Sultan of Selangor.
The structure is a well-known landmark in Kuala Lumpur. The Sultan Abdul Samad Building, located in the heart of Jalan Raja, was designed by A.C. Norman. The structure has Moorish influences as well as a blend of local culture and British styles. Before finally completing the building in 1897, the architect added an Islamic touch to represent the Malaysian people's identity.
The Sultan Abdul Samad building was a crucial building for the English back then. It was and still is a stunning, recognizable structure that was probably the subject of most photos at the time. The structures were once used by the English as the government's administrative headquarters. Later, the structure housed the supreme and high courts before being renamed the Federal Court of Malaysia and relocated to Putrajaya's Palace of Justice. Today, the Malaysian Ministry of Information, Communication, and Culture is housed in the Sultan Abdul Samad building.
The building isn't the only attraction; nearby is a 40m clock tower known as Malaysia's "Big Ben," which is topped with a golden dome and flanked on both sides by two domed towers. In the eyes of visitors, the clock's chimes indicate the time. The chime of the clock, however, is enough to bring back memories and send a tingly feeling down the spine of locals who have stood by the country throughout its year-long battle against foreign inhabitation. For this very clock signaled independence at the stroke of midnight on August 31, 1957. Since then, the chimes have represented the nation's hope that freedom and peace will continue in the future on the country's anniversary of independence.
The tower will twinkle its way into your eyes on the nights of significant occasions like Independence Day with its gorgeously colored lights. Some have claimed that the scene resembles an Arabian night because the building has such incredible architecture and designs.
Because the administrative council recognizes how beautiful the building is and how much people enjoy admiring it, Jalan Raja is closed on nights of special celebrations to allow the public easier access to the structure. There aren't many buildings like this in Malaysia, one that demonstrates Malaysia's and the English's rich history. So stop by the Sultan Abdul Samad Building for a dose of history and a visual treat.
The Sultan Abdul Samad Building is close to Merdeka Square, Chinatown, which is home to a number of temples and a famous tourist market, as well as the lovely Central Market.
Being in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Sultan Abdul Samad Building is simple to reach. You can easily get to the building if you are staying in Chinatown. The building's direct neighbor, Merdeka Square (Independence Square), can also be reached by following signs pointing in that direction. The location of this famous spot in KL is well known to all cab drivers. You can also travel to Pasar Seni or Masjid Jamek stations on the LRT. The Sultan Abdul Samad Building is reachable in either situation after a 5–10 minute stroll.
Year of construction: 1894-1897
Total Height: 135 feet (41 m)
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
