Hj. Zulheimy Ma'amor: DOWN MEMORY LANE> PUDU PRISON & AMPANG PARK

Wednesday, 4 June 2025

DOWN MEMORY LANE> PUDU PRISON & AMPANG PARK

BY HAJI ZULHEIMY MAAMOR

From May 21-25, 2006, I stayed at Room 38-04 at Berjaya Times Square Hotel at Jalan Imbi, KL, during the 11th Asian Congress on Fluids Mechanics organised by The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia. It is a magnificent 5 star hotel in Kuala Lumpur towering over the skyline majestically & located in the heart of the city.

Something that caught my attention was Pudu Prison can be clearly seen from my hotel Room at Berjaya Times Square Hotel.

Pudu Prison officially ceased operations in 1996 due to several factors. Built by the British Government between 1891 and 1895, it stood on Jalan Shaw (now Jalan Hang Tuah). It served as a prison until 2007. Pudu Prison was said to be very haunted, as the prisoners that were hung there are still haunting the place and very much active and still living the life's of the prisoner even in the afterlife. **

The Pudu Prison was largely demolished by December 2012 to make way for urban development. It was never declared a National Heritage Site.

In June 2009, the government finally decided to destroy the complex by developing it in phases. When the MP for Bukit Bintang Fong Kui Lun asked why the building is not being retained as part of Malaysia's heritage, the then Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussain replied: "To our opinion, it's not something to be proud of."

And, June 2010, the eastern wall of the Pudu Prison complex was destroyed to make way for a road widening project.

In my opinion, that Deputy Minister should be the one who cannot be proud of being the Deputy Minister.... I have seen KL grow, until today KL houses some of the tallest buildings in the world. The Petronas Twin Towers had been the tallest building in the world from 1998 till 2004, and are still the tallest twin towers in the world.

The PNB 118 is now the second tallest building in the world and so on.....

Pudu Prison is part of a core tourism asset, among those of historical significance of the city....Old buildings are preserved to retain Malaysia's cultural heritage and integrity, there is historical value need to be preserved, even though it is a prison building.

Sadly same happen to Ampang Park Shopping Complex, KL's first shopping mall was demolished to make way for the MRT Ampang Park Station. Ampang Park Shopping complex held great memories for me and many of those who grew up in KL in the 60s, 70s and 80s.... this complex holds a place in the hearts and minds of those who have lived in KL in the 70s and so on...