Trips

Saturday 20 October 2007 9.30 a.m.
Merdeka Legacy Event - A Walk About Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur

Saturday 26 July 2008
Members' Trip to Negeri Sembilan We are planning a self-drive trip to Pengkalan Kempas-Linggi-Rembau for members. Among the proposed activities will include a heritage walk in Rembau, a visit to the megaliths in Pengkalan Kempas (photo above) and a top at the Dutch Fort in Linggi.

22 July 2008
A Day in Seoul - Learning About Heritage by Nurzaifullah Mansor If I had a chance to travel, Korea would be my 1st choice of destination. The country has so many beautiful places (always captured beautifully in film), rich with customs, traditions, and culture.

September 2006
Pengalaman di Macau Oleh Intan Syaheeda Abu Bakar

10.30 a.m., Saturday 14 June 2008
POSTPONED: Members' Visit to the IMR We have just received word from the Institute of Medical Research to postpone the visit by Badan Warisan Malysia members scheduled for Saturday 14 June 2008. This is because the IMR Museum has sprung a roof leak and has had to be closed for repairs and renovations. They will keep us informed when they are ready to accommodate a visit. We regret any inconvenience caused.

3 August 2007
Report: Members' Trip to Rudinara, Kajang 28 April 2007 The master carpenter was the late Ibrahim Adam (from Kelantan) who was blind in one eye and had no right hand; along with 2 to 4 of the helpers being over 60 years of age.

Saturday 28 April 2007
Visit to Rudinara, Kajang,

AMENDED 10.00 a.m., Saturday 5 May 2007
Merdeka Legacy Visit 3:TNB Headquarters, Kuala Lumpur The visit will now take place from 10.00a.m. to 11.30a.m.

Saturday 11 November 2006
Members' Visit to the BOH Plantations Sdn Bhd Estate, Factory and Bungalow in Bukit Cheeding Open to members only. Limited to 40 places - book now to avoid disappointment.

26 to 28 May 2006
Members' Trip to Penang Members are invited to sign up for a three day trip to Penang. Minimum 24 participants, maximum 30. Please register your interest so we are able organize logistics and confirm costs.

Saturday 29 April 2006
Day Trip to Kampar PLEASE NOTE the date change from the one given in Buletin Warisan January-February 2006

23 to 26 September 2005
Report: Visiting the Land Below the Wind - Members' Trip to Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

15 February 2004
Report: Visit to Genting Tea Estate

Report: Members' Trip to Kuching

[Archives]

Office Matters

Saturday 20 September 2008
BAZAAR CHIC On Bazaar Chic Day, our Resource Centre will be closed and there will be no tours of the Rumah Penghulu.

22 October 2008
GIFT SHOP News: Discount on BWM Publications Badan Warisan Malaysia is offering a special discount on its publications to members and students.

March 2006
New Book: Malacca - Voices from the Street by Lim Huck Chin and Fernando Jorge

September 2006
Garden Sponsors Update We are very pleased that members continue to recognize and support the garden project. The size of our garden poses quite a challenge with our limited resources but with the support of our members it continues to improve.

September 2005
New Manager at No 8 Heeren Street

January 2005
Thanks for the cards…from PERKATA Sarawak

Construction of the Rumah Buluh Click on a picture below to view a larger version

Construction of the rafters

Laying of the thatch

Laying of the floor

Installation of the walls

As one of the attractions of Heritage Day, the Badan commissioned a group of Orang Asli of the Temiar Community from Pulau Tujuh of Tasik Temenggor in Hulu Perak, to build a rumah buluh as a display of indigenous building techniques. The group was led by Sungkai anak Lengkuang, who was assisted by Long anak Titik, Hobek anak Jenuh and Kamal anak Angah.

Materials such as menukot posts for the structure, cucuh palm leaves for thatching, bamboo for the floor and walls were gathered and prepared in the forests of Perak. Prepatory activities included soaking of the posts, soaking, splitting and flattening of bamboo and the stitching together of cucuh palm leaves into 'mats'.

The Temiar took only five days to install the structure, roof, walls and floor. The first step in constructing the rumah buluh was the planting of eight main structural posts in a rectangle, each about seven feet apart. The joists and beams for the floor were then strapped onto the posts at a suitable height off the ground, followed by the rafters. Strips of bamboo were laid as flooring and secured using plaited rattan. The prepared thatch 'mats' were then unrolled and secured in layers to the rafters. The final major step was the weaving of flattened bamboo into large sheets and securing them to the posts as external walls. Finishing touches included the construction of a door of woven bamboo and wooden steps up to a small verandah outside the door.

An unusual aspect of its construction is the lack of windows. Yet the interior remains well ventilated and lit thanks to the slatted floor and woven walls. The bamboo floor is springy, making it pleasant to sleep and walk on, and dirt and scraps slide off the curved slats.

The Badan thanks Dato' Jorgen Bornhoft, Managing Director of Carlsberg, Raja Datuk Arshad bin Raja Tun Uda, Richard Curtis, Frederique Boumeester and The General HG Boumeester Stichting for financing this project.

The rumah buluh was the brainchild of Waveney who nursed the project from conception to completion. We are also very grateful to Ruth Laidlaw for introducing Sungkai and friends to the Badan, and Lim Take Bane and Liew Kung Yu for braving the mud and forests during the monsoon in four-wheel-drives to help finalise arrangements and transport the group and materials to No 2 Jalan Stonor.

News & Announcements

MERDEKA STADIUM RESTORATION RECEIVES AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FROM UNESCO
Badan Warisan Malaysia congratulates the Merdeka Heritage Trust and Permodalan National Berhad on winning the Award of Excellence for the 2008 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation for the restoration of Stadium Merdeka. We also delighted that the restoration of Suffolk House in Penang received the Award of Distinction. Congratulations to Arkitek LLA Sdn Bhd, HSBC and the State Government of Penang.

Bazaar Chic: Vanidah Imran to help man Bazaar Stall
Actress Vanidah Imran will be helping to man a stall at Bazaar Chic from 11.30am to 1.00pm on Saturday 20 September 2008.

Heritage Alert
Union House was officially declared open by the Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, in June 1962 just before he was formally installed as the University’s first Chancellor.

Federal House
The site is triangular, sloping gently from the southern apex along Victory Avenue for a length of 400’0” on the east side and a steep high hill on the west to the northern boundary.

Inscription of Melaka & George Town on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
On 8 July 2008, Melaka and George Town were among the 27 new sites which were inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List by the World Heritage Committee, meeting for its 32nd session.

PENANG HERITAGE TRUST AND BADAN WARISAN MALAYSIA ON THE SUCCESSFUL INSCRIPTION OF MELAKA & GEORGE TOWN AS A SERIAL WORLD HERITAGE SITE
BWM is honoured to have played a part in the country’s achievement. During the last 10 years, we have had to add our weight and experience to actively support the efforts to promote the nomination. Last year we authored the World Heritage Site Management Plan (WHSMP) for George Town which was formulated on behalf of the Penang State Government. This plan formed part of the nomination dossier which was submitted to the World Heritage Centre. A WHSMP is a prerequisite for listing.

Notes from the Council of Badan Warisan Malaysia
We welcome members nominating any buildings you believe are of great cultural significance which should be included on the Heritage Register, especially those which are under threat of demolition, are rapidly deteriorating or in a grave state of dilapidation. We will be happy to work with you to nominate these buildings.

Heritage in the News by Diana Cooper
Construction of the prison began with the building of the outer walls in 1891. Ninety years later these walls entered the Guinness Book of Records with the completion of the art work on the exterior walls by prison inmates, making it the longest mural in the world.

Botanical Drawings - by Puan Sri Datin Susan Jalaluddin
Botanical drawings and measured drawings are comparable in almost every aspect. Both represent the object, the building or plant, in the ‘as is’ state, with the individual traits retained.

Merdeka Heritage Trust
Through the Merdeka Heritage Trust and its tax-exempt status, we look forward to each and every Malaysian donating to the fundraising efforts for the restoration of both stadia and that through this collective investment, our national heritage will be shared by future generations.

Asian Conference of National Trusts 22 to 23 May 2008 by Lim Ee Lin
It was a opportunity for the countries present to learn more about how each of the National Trusts have been set up and are run. Just from the few countries present, it was clear that there was a wide range of work and projects being carried out.

Lunas - by Elizabeth Cardosa
Two heritage education programmes involving Laurence Loh, ‘The Heritage Architect of Kedah’, were held in Lunas, Kedah, between June and August 2006. It involved 80 students, aged between 10 and 14 years, from three local schools, SRJK (Cina) Hwa Min, SMK Kulim and SMK Jalan Paya Besar.

International National Trust Organisation (INTO)
INTO is a network of conservation bodies with responsibility for intangible and tangible heritage – both cultural and natural- with a mission to promote the conservation and enhancement of the heritage of all nations for the benefit of the people of the world and future generations.

Notes from Council July - August 2008
The Board of Directors and Honorary Council Members are honoured to serve with Tun Ahmad Sarji and look foward to continue working under his guidance and leadership in pushing forward the cause of Badan Warisan Malaysia.

The Day Bok House Died (Updated)
So, if this building which is of such great historic prominence and provenance has been deemed by the authorities not to be a Heritage Huilding, Badan Warisan Malaysia would like to know what the government’s definition of heritage is and what criteria were applied to arrive at this decision. Sadly, we cannot but come to the grave conclusion that the demolition of Bok House within the first 12 months of the life of the NHA is an omen of things to come.

ANNOUNCEMENT : Badan Warisan Malaysia Gives Three Awards For Mubin Sheppard Memorial Prize Measured Drawings Grant 2008
Badan Warisan Malaysia (BWM) is delighted to announce three institutions as award recipients for Mubin Sheppard Memorial Prize Measured Drawings Grant 2008.

Buletin Warisan September - November 2006
Notes from Council - In the past few months, some members and friends of heritage have commented that they would like to know more about the sorts of heritage issues which concern Badan Warisan Malaysia, and how the Council responds to them. This is especially so for those who do not often come to the Heritage Centre nor participate in activities which have been organized for members. To address this, a note on a selection of issues which are raised at Council will be presented in the Buletin Warisan for your greater understanding and appreciation of the efforts by Council towards promoting the conservation and preservation of Malaysia’s built heritage. In this edition, I am focusing on the most recent campaign for Bok House.

STOP PRESS: LATEST ON THE COLISEUM CINEMA
Badan Warisan Malaysia welcomes the gracious decision by the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage for his Ministry not to pursue acquisition of the Coliseum Cinema.

PRESS STATEMENT: COLISEUM CINEMA
The Coliseum Cinema is an icon from the past that exists in the present and should be handed down to future generations. Why destroy the very icons that exemplify the continuity of everyday life, which celebrate our common cultural heritage? And just as importantly, why terminate a beloved gathering place for the local community?

National Heritage Act 2005
Read the National Heritage Act (Act 645)!

Comment re 9th Malaysia Plan
Following the tabling of the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) at Parliament by the Prime Minister YAB Datuk Seri DiRaja Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Bernama approached Badan Warisan Malaysia to comment on the allocation for culture, arts & heritage.

Sustaining World Heritage in the 21st Century ICNT 2005 – Washington DC

Terengganu's Rich Heritage
In June 2005 a rather mixed gathering of people from the arts, the media, the adventure travel business, photographers and film makers were assembled at the salubrious Sutra Beach Resort north of Kuala Terengganu courtesy of DiGi Telecommunications for a celebration of some aspects of the state’s rich cultural heritage. The primary focus of the occasion was DiGi’s “Amazing Malaysians” contribution to its corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the individual concerned was none other than the renowned architect and conservationist, member of Badan Warisan YM Raja Dato’ Kamarul Bahrin Shah.

No 8 Heeren Street Model Restoration Project Officially Opened

Awards Presentation Ceremony For The National Heritage Awards 2004
The National Heritage Awards was first established as the 1999 Awards for Conservation and Heritage Development.

2005 UNESCO Heritage Conservation Award and New Heritage Awards Jury Prize for Innovation Announced

Proposed Malacca Tower: Comment to the NST

Award Ceremony - Mubin Sheppard Memorial Prize Cycle 6
Mubin Sheppard Memorial Prize Cycle 6 Award Ceremony by the President of Badan Warisan Malaysia.

Winners of Mubin Sheppard Memorial Prize Cycle 5
At the prize giving ceremony, the winners for the respective categories received their awards from the President of Badan Warisan Malaysia, YBhg Tan Sri Dato' Seri (Dr) Ahmad Sarji bin Abdul Hamid.

Ministry supports efforts to gazette RRIM as national heritage
YB Datuk Peter Chin and YB Datuk Seri Hj. Mohd Shafie Hj. Apdal have expressed support for the gazetting of the Rubber Institute of Malaysia complex on Jalan Ampang as national heritage.

In Memory Chen Voon Fee (1931 - 2008) by C. Waveney Jenkins
His superb eye for detail and design would particularly make itself known in the finishing touches to his private house commissions, and to larger projects such as the restoration of the Central Market, the Creative Centre for the Majestic Hotel when it became the National Art Gallery.

The Portuguese Settlement by Colin Goh
In the early 1930’s, the first 5 houses, on quarter acre plots, were erected by the pioneer Portuguese families at their own expense. Later, houses were built by the Colonial Administration and rented to poor Portuguese applicants in order to populate the Settlement.

Kuala Kubu Bharu by Datuk Mustapha bin Mahmud
Like most bungalows for the senior officials of the district, the main part of the house was set on four or five foot high pillars of concrete and bricks. Three quarters of the frontage was a verandah, six or seven feet wide, for shade provided with white and black striped chicks.

UPDATED 25 June : In Memoriam: Ar Chen Voon Fee 1931 - 2008
The Council of Badan Warisan Malaysia regrets to announce the passing of one of our founder members and senior conservation architect Chen Voon Fee on Monday 28 April 2008.

STATEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT 2002/2003
This year marks the official 20th anniversary of Badan Warisan Malaysia. Initiated in 1982 by a small group of concerned individuals, and formally registered on 3 August 1983, Badan Warisan’s principal objective was:

Call for Entries - Mubin Sheppard Memorial Prize (MSMP)

Conserving Historic Federal Hill
Federal Hill is a unique forested green area and one of KL’s last large green lungs, the only other within the Kuala Lumpur City Centre being Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve. It is well served by public transport along Jalan Bangsar and the KL Sentral transportation hub, has easy access with ample parking for cars. Many joggers and cyclists are seen during the mornings and evenings, and Hash House Harriers use the area regularly.

National Heritage Department Announcement of Intention to Designate Heritage Sites
An owner of the site ... affected by the designation of the site as a heritage site may make an objection by serving a notice of objection to the Commissioner of Heritage with 30 days from the date of the publication of the notice.

Notes from Council March - April 2008
On 11 February 2008, under subsection 27(2) of the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645), the Heritage Commissioner has published a notice in local newspapers to announce its intention to designate 32 sites in Peninsula Malaysia as heritage sites.

Report on the Fundraising Dinner 6 December 2007 by Puan Sri Datin Amar Elizabeth Moggie
Malaysians are generous and some donations came from companies we least expected. BWM’s tax exempt status is a great incentive to donors and we were encouraged by people who genuinely supported our cause. We received 3 Platinum donations (4 including Sime Darby), 9 Gold donations, 23 Bronze donations and numerous Warisan donations. Even though some donors did not want to attend the dinner, all 62 tables were filled.

Chen Voon Fee - The Treasure Keeper of Kuala Lumpur
Chen Voon Fee has always been fascinated by what he calls these “secrets of KL”. The young participants aged between 10 and 16 will learn about the architecture and culture of these “secret” places using creative tools such as photography, art and video documentation.

Notes from Council: January - February 2008

2005 UNESCO Heritage Conservation Award and New Heritage Awards Jury Prize for Innovation Announced
Entries are now being accepted for the 2005 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. The awards programme, in its sixth year, recognizes the achievement of individuals and organizations within the private sector, and public-private initiatives, in successfully restoring structures of heritage value in the Asia-Pacific region

TOWN PLANNING AND CONSERVATION: WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?
In the preservation of the streetscape or heritage enclaves, we should take a new course – leasing the properties for long periods, instead of selling them outright. The biding process should be open to investors in the country and abroad. The period suggested is a 50-year lease, and the government needs to ensure that these properties are protected when the lease term expires, and this needs to happen before anything is signed. We should not sign away our architectural jewels.

Heritage Watch - Amazing Discovery in Malacca

Proposal for Conserving Historic Bukit Persekutuan (Federal Hill) as a Critical Green Lung of Kuala Lumpur and site of the Natural History Museum of Malaysia
The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and Badan Warisan Malaysia (BWM) sent a Concept Proposal recommending to the Federal Government that Bukit Persekutuan (Federal Hill), Kuala Lumpur should have its existing natural and heritage character preserved.

Notes From Council
The Secretariat remains busy with preparations for our long anticipated Fundraising Dinner on 6 December which has been made possible because of Sime Darby’s generous support – to Dato’ Seri Zubir for his unwavering support, and Puan Puteri Rafidah, Head Group Communications and her team who are organising the event.

Where is that street? - By Puan Sri Datin Susan Jalaluddin
One of the most common reasons for changing names is to translate them into the national language, especially when a country gains independence. This however need not be the end of the matter as the name and alignment of the road may change again for some other reason.

The Australian WW II connection with Johore - By Dr Chandran Jeshurun with photos by Chris Boyd
Looking back now, it is obvious that the Australians and the Indian stragglers were deployed to delay the Japanese advance while the British forces retreated to Singapore and hundreds of the Allied troops lost their lives in hand-to-hand combats with enemy soldiers.

A Report By Jennifer Ng on Nyonya Cooking Heritage - Talk by Dato' Lim Bian Yam, Living Heritage Treasure of Penang
Dato’ Lim is very passionate about cooking and perfection is his ultimate goal. When his was younger his spent many hours in the kitchen observing his grandmother and aunts and learning the secrets of nyonya cooking. His grandmother would say to him “boleh masuk medan” when testing his dishes.

Notes From Council - A vision for the future
The 3 sections of upper tiers built in the 1970s to increase the seating capacity from 25,000 to 45,000, came down between February and May. The additional areas of the grandstand which had been enclosed for VIP use have been reopened and the covered area now stands bright and cheerful with it tri-coloured canopy harkening back to its original 1957 form. The terraces and light towers have been repainted using the original colour palate.

Badan Warisan Malaysia Herb Garden - By Puan Sri Datin Susan Jalaluddin
Current visitors to Badan Warisan Malaysia will notice bags of soil, fertilizer, sand and soil enhancer. stored under the Rumah Penghulu. These are to improve the ground for a herb garden. It is planned to plant a range of herbs used for Malay cooking and medicinal purposes to add to information provided during Malay house tours, to enhance the experience both for our visitors and ourselves.

REPORT: 2006 / 2007 Mubin Sheppard Memorial Prize Cycle 7 Award Ceremony
Submissions from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Universiti Malaya (UM) and the School of Architecture and Landscape of Lille, France, won ‘Honourable Mention’ awards at last Friday’s Awards ceremony held in Badan Warisan Malaysia’s Heritage Centre.

The beginnings of the Resource Centre By Puan Sri Datin Susan Jalaludin and Nurzaifullah Mansor
In early 1990s Badan Warisan Malaysia was housed in a tiny office at the back of the PAM building in Jalan Tangsi, tiny is the operative word here

Our Beautifully Restored Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman By Puan Sri Datin Susan Jalaludin, Intan Syaheeda Abu Bakar and Nurzaifullah Mansor
Foreign visitors are fascinated by the culture and tradition and the influence of the climate and how the use of space has evolved to accommodate all these aspects.

Launch of National Heritage Register - First 50 Items
The Department of National Heritage and Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage has launched the National Heritage Register by listing 50 items. The Online Heritage Register System was also launched at the same ceremony.

ANNOUNCEMENT : Badan Warisan Malaysia Awards Four Grants For Mubin Sheppard Memorial Prize Inaugural Measured Drawings Grant 2007

Edinburgh Declaration
The participants at the 10th International Conference of National Trusts, held in Edinburgh from 15 to 19 September 2003, debated and subsequently endorsed the Edinburgh Declaration as set out below, and pledged themselves and their organisations to implement its requirements to the best of their abilities.

Measured Drawings - What Are They? by Ar. Lim Take Bane
Measured drawings are meant to be graphically pleasing. They are at once aesthetic and functional.

Asian Academy

UPDATED: 2007/2008 Rates at the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Penang

Regional Meeting & Workshop of National Trusts
Report available for the inaugural regional meeting and workshop of National Trusts

Events

10.30 a.m., Saturday 14 April 2007
The Foochows of Sitiawan: Talk by Dr Shih Toong Siong

11.00 a.m. Saturday 7 April 2007
Artist Talk: Indian Temple Architecture & Sculptures

Saturday 22 September 2007
Merdeka Legacy Event - 111 Heeren Street: an Historical Investigation This is part of our continuing Merdeka Legacy series as well as a small tribute to one of the founding founders of our country.

Thursday 13 December 2007
24th Annual General Meeting

Saturday 19 January 2008 at 11 a.m.
NEW UPDATE: Merdeka Legacy Series: Visit to Federal Hotel

Friday 14 March 2008
INVITATION to Public Lecture: International Year of Planet Earth H.E. Mr Koichiro Matsuura, Director General of UNESCO will be giving a public lecture on "International Year of Planet Earth".

5.00 p.m., Friday 27 June 2008
An Evening of Appreciation in Memory of Chen Voon Fee Tan Sri Ahmad Sarji, President of Badan Warisan Malaysia, and members of the Council, invite you to an evening of appreciation in memory of Chen Voon Fee.

4.00 p.m. Tuesday 29 July 2008
Launch of Heritage Asia Magazine

22 to 25 September 2008
BAZAAR CHIC - Sale continues! Badan Warisan Malaysia is running a fab, fund-raising bazaar for members and friends. But it’s a bazaar with a difference!

6.30 p.m., Wednesday 19 November 2008
B.M. Iversen: 40 Years of Building in Malaysia

Monday 28 January 2008 at 6.30 p.m.
Talk: Preserving and (Re)Presenting China's Vernacular Landscapes by Ronald G. Knapp

Wednesday 30 January 2008 at 4.30 p.m.
Book Launch - Malaya: 500 Early Postcards

Friday 13 June 2008, 6.30 p.m.
50 Years of Malaysian Development: A Balance Sheet - Talk by Joe Studwell Joe Studwell will discuss the first 50 years of post-independence development in Malaysia in the context of what has occurred in other Asian states, and talk about his new book, Asian Godfathers, which is a bestseller in several parts of the region.

3.00 p.m., Wednesday 10 December 2008
Annual General Meeting 2008

2.30 p.m., Saturday 14 June 2008
"A New Beginning - Photographic Approach" Talk by Arthur Teng

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