A Jailbird called Heritage

Today is Malaysia’s Independence Day. I thought it would be ideal to release a post I started on several weeks ago…

As a ‘yearling’, I remember the bumper to bumper crawls heading into town during the weekends. It was our usual weekend getaway. From the peace of the suburbs to downtown bustling life! My mum, the driver, would be in a foul mood as we progressed inch by inch. The snarl would start before Edinburgh roundabout or what is today a nameless large intersection by the Institute of Language and Literature or Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. On worse days, the car trail would start from the highway exit opposite the King’s Palace. You see my mum belonged to that particular segment of drivers which only knew a single direction to get somewhere. Take a wrong turn and she would be lost. Therefore every weekend we would be subjected to snail pace crawl into the city while there were other less congested roads that could take us in faster. I found them later when i reached illegal driving age. Yes illegal. (It’s that age where you sneak out the family car for joyrides with friends, at 2am. Car pooling then had a different meaning. Friends would take turns ‘sneaking out’ their folk’s cars. It is during those days when KL had the infamous Jalan Tun Razak circuit where the ‘Fast & the Furious’ would proudly display their cars with souped up engines along the stretch then race them on the ‘track’. Party and fights were common then in the dance clubs like 11LA, Visions… well… that’s a different story)

Every weekend we would be subjected to a snail paced crawl into the city..

From opposite side of the King’s Palace, we follow a deep left bend which would pass-by a junction that leads one to Kuen Cheng Primary School, a popular Chinese-medium school. Continuing on, we would pass by a Wisma Mirama opposite the Dewan Bahasa. I think it was famous for  a bowling center. Oh, on the other opposite side of Dewan Bahasa there were some ancient cemeteries hidden behind a terrace of bushes. We would pass by that when it was time to head home in the opposite direction. After the Edinburgh roundabout (I wish it was called Edinburgh intersection today), we would pass by the infamous Loke Yew flats and behind it the San Peng flats where many stories of sex, drugs, love, betrayal and tragedy could give inspiration to any film writers (which makes me wonder why there weren’t any films inspired by the stories here. They could call it SLUMDOG SAN PENG FLATS). Next to the flats, there was the fire station which I only witnessed an emergency call once passing by. Opposite the fire station, stands Victoria Institute (a prestigious century old alma mater) and nearby the National Stadium and Merdeka Stadium where famous football matches played, local and international rock concerts were held, and where our Independence was announced. Even Michael Jackson moonwalked at Merdeka Stadium in 1996. There are many sites of historical soci0-cultural importance.


As our car inched further down the road, past a play-field, Pudu Jail comes to sight. Being a passenger stuck inside the car, the sight of this ominous building signified a close end to our traffic day-mare. The traffic jam reduces significantly past the traffic lights after the prison. I was always happy to see this building every weekend. One day, I (together with the rest of the motorcade) noticed a few painters along the exterior wall. They were prisoners being watched over by wardens painting a mural on the bland exterior walls of the prison. This was in the early 80s, and I do not think anyone would forget the image or forget hearing about prisoners painting images on the walls. Day by day, each wall section became a continuing series of beach and jungle scenery painted in realism, stretching the parameters facing the public. It contrasted the grim life behind the walls.

Inset taken from The Star Newspaper

A newspaper article in the 90s from a reporter, Helen Ang, stated there were 4 prisoners involved with this work of art that stretched over 260m (see red line above) and used over 2,000 liters of paint. Only one of prisoners received recognition from the Guinness World of Records. What are the reasons for single award? I am unclear. Maybe some of you will know.  To me, the mural made a remarkable statement as a thing of beauty for people passing by in their vehicles or on foot, compassion from the authorities who approved the painting, and a sense of hope and freedom for all of the inmates even though not all participated in its creation. Today I wonder why there weren’t any movies or documentaries made on this significant piece of ‘world’ history. Many Malaysians agree that they would proudly show off these walls to a tourist but not our government. They don’t feel Malaysians should be proud of an antique prison and its pretty walls. There is great dissonance between public opinion and government decree that seems to reflect the current local climate.

Loosely Translated as : Death by Hanging – That is the Penalty for Drug Trafficking. This will be a great misfortune for your family!

If I can recall these childhood memories of these walls together with the surrounding attractions so can many other Malaysians and non Malaysians who have lived or still live here. Young and old, rich or poor, and VIPs and street urchins can remember them too. Good or bad, for better or worse, Pudu jail is a heritage for every Malaysian. It reminds us where we do not want to be if we were to commit a serious crime. It is a correctional facility where many received canning or whipping as punishment and a place many turned a new leaf after a period of solitary contemplation. Some were, of course, put to death by the gallows which serves us the grim reminder of not to do terrible things to society. Pudu jail had also been home to prisoners or war during the Japanese occupation. Some of the older generation would recall decapitated heads stuck on poles left outside, to strike fear into the hearts of citizens if they collaborated with the resistance. After the Japanese left, and the British reclaimed their rule, the jail then became home to several freedom fighters during a time when sentiments for a free and independent Malaya (Old Malaysia name) developed amongst the Malayan community. Many of the older generation complain about how the young knows nothing about the struggles of their ancestors yet historical artifacts are quickly being erased from the public’s eye. The young only have Hollywood to spin tales of preservation on American heritage sites while they know little about their own place of birth.

Part of the Pudu Jail exterior has already been demolished since 21 June 2010 for the reasons of road widening and to be eventually replaced by commercial complexes. Aren’t there enough unoccupied buildings, apartments and parking in the city?

Road congestion will never cease unless a perfect public transport system is established, and road works are properly managed and scheduled. My perspective is not unlike the rest of the public. To me, Malaysia has diminished much of its heritage value with the demolition of beautiful old buildings and renaming of street names from colonial times. In recent years, we have lost key historic sites in the city such as the Bok House, Bukit Bintang Girls School and the government quarters in Pudu (which used to have a clay tennis court – the only one I know of in the country!), all apparently for a ‘socially and economically improved Malaysia’ but really it’s just to fill the pockets of a few while the remainder receives meager daily wages.

If developed countries can turn their antiquated correctional facilities into historical relics with great commercial value, why can’t our government do the same?

If developed countries can turn their antiquated correctional facilities into historical relics with great commercial value, why can’t our government do the same?

There are clearly issues why Malaysian government lacks the heritage conservation mindset. Pudu jail was converted into a museum briefly in the mid 90’s but i had the misfortune of not being in Malaysia during that period to visit the place. It’s too late now and too late for the rest of you, even if they keep just a portion of it standing.

Read more here and here.

Tools of punishment. Here.

Some recall their duties.


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1895 .. a figment of the past

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This post was written by Cumi

16 Comments

  • I very much agree with you. Such a shame Malaysia’s government does not see the value in it’s own past.

    Ghana is similar, letting old slave forts crumble. Sad as they were in those times, they are an important part of history.

    UNESCO would never look at something like this prison as being a world heritage site. Which is a shame. Then again UNESCO sites seem to turn into theme parks soon afterwards anyway.

    I don’t know enough about this prison. I do think its a shame that it’s not being preserved though.

    Good post.

  • boo_licious says:

    Hi Cumi, long time no see since u’re busy with yr studies. Ah, such memories. It saddens me whenever I see how KL is being stripped away from its identity while places like Melaka and Penang get to keep their heritage. Don’t they know KL also has an impt part of history to be retained?

  • I remember those walls too, bro. But now just memories. 🙁

  • I agree. It’s sad to see that every little piece of my past being stripped away year after year. 3 places I remember most about KL, Stadium Negara, Petaling Street and Pudu Jail are no longer the same or are gone by now. It’s sad. We could have done so much better to conserve the past yet move on with times. Our neighbour down south is a fine example of being able to juggle between both.

  • Jen Laceda says:

    Every time we turn our heads from history, we rob our children of their heritage.

  • LeslieTravel says:

    Wow- Pudu jail has a rich (and frightening) history. Thanks for sharing this article and educating your non-Malaysian readers– myself included– on Malaysian Independence Day!

  • AdventureRob says:

    Great article! I can understand Malaysia’s desire to move forward and be seen as an innovator worldwide. But behind every great nation is a massive past that should not be forgotten. Most European cities are built on their history and rather destroy it in the name of progress, things are build around it, new land is created, cities are expanded upwards, etc.

    I think Rome is the best example of what’s possible, they tend to get by with VERY old buildings and the older it gets the bigger of a tourist attraction (and hence revenue generator) it becomes. London is currently in transition too and investing heavily in new future infrastructure. They are not however getting rid of anything old to do it, and London is certainly a packed city and could use the space as much as any other capital.

  • unkaleong says:

    I remember sitting in the backseat of the family car and looking at the imates applying the finishing touches on the mural. I am really sad to see it go. Hopefully, they will maintain the main gates to the jail 🙂

  • I guess that (unfortunately) this was the “easy way out” that was chosen without too much though or care – Just knock it all down and build over it. No need to think too much about it.

  • Ming says:

    Great post. Gave me an attack of nostalgia. I remember when Bok House was being demolished too, a sad sad day for people like me who used to go to Le Coq D’Or and marvel over the creepy, old fashioned bathroom upstairs.

    • cumi&ciki says:

      Dave: It is definitely sad to see the increasing ‘desecration’ of historical, social and cultural sites around the world. Its speeding up in Malaysia. China has lost a lot of it with the pace of development.
      We have a few ghost towns in Malaysia with old colonial shop houses and wooden kampung/village homes. I endeavor for philanthropists, architect and ID firms to renovate and retain these ancient buildings as their offices or holiday homes. It would make a great portfolio for them and an economic push for the remaining residents of these towns.

      Boo: KL rose from it’s muddy estuary to become a bustling town but now losing its traditional charm. There are so many ugly bazaars in KL, why couldn’t they shift them into Pudu Jail? The stalls can literally ‘lock- up’ when they close for the day! The place could hold performances, restaurants, museum… what a a great extension from the ‘modern’ parts.

      LFB: After a while that static greenery replaced the missing flora along that stretch. Also sad is the amateur ‘wanna be’ artists who graffiti’d over these walls. Not pro, dude

      Did you know there were a lot of original graffiti inside the cells done by the inmates? Well it’s too late to find out now.

      Monkey: Yes i thought about Chijmes while writing, not to mention how our neighbors converted old shophouses to functioning pretty office buildings.

      Jen: “every time we look at history books now, we find there are missing some pages”

      Leslie: Spread the love!

      Rob: You know, me & you could have created those ‘laser tag’ games in pudu jail.
      As a kid I remember exploring UK underground tunnels on those group tours. It was fun.
      Rome.. Greece… it will be there forever as long as Hollywood & encyclopedias keeps the magic alive!

      Unka: Many passing by were definitely inspired. Maybe there were also less road rages. If someone did a research, they might have found an increase in beach holidays during that period.

      J: I hope they build the tallest, the most sophisticated, the most grandeur of buildings over it… hmm… how would that be different from the rest of the major cities?

      Ming: I recall a terrible lunch at Le Coq D’or but loved the grandeur as you did.

  • KY says:

    nice piece, well written cumi. it’s a great pity that they decide to use the land as yet another commercial complex -__-

  • Lilian says:

    Hmm…this reminded me of Fremantle prison at Western Australia. I can definitely be put to better use instead of being dismantled. We could have day tours, ghost tours, and even a section for something more “high class” like art exhibition maybe to make things more special…. and if all else fails, dinner in a prison? =)

  • Juno says:

    Educational for sure. I looked Malaysia Independence day up, I’ve learned. Thanks for sharing Cumi! Great article.

  • eiling says:

    I can see that you’re using photoscape now. Great post by the way but really long eh! Our govt sadly do not have a long term vision..

  • Leslie says:

    Sad the government didn’t find a way to preserve this historically and culturally significant prison. Wow– in disbelief that severed heads were posted there just a generation or two ago. That’s incredible.

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