Pudu Prison – A Heritage We Won’t Have
The amazing thing how news travel through the internet when the Government announce that the Wall of the Pudu Prison (more fondly known among the locals as the Pudu Jail) will be torn down, and this activity will be followed by the complete destruction of the Prison to make way for residential and commercial buildings has created a ‘feeding frenzy’ of sort as everyone suddenly realized that they have an iconic structure (even though it’s historical for the wrong reason) that they suddenly want to keep.
Well, sad to say, even though Although the Pudu Prison is more than 100 years old, it would not be turned into a heritage site, so say our Deputy Finance Minister, Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin. “The government’s view is that the Pudu Prison is not something to be proud of and it is not suitable to be turned into a heritage site despite its age,” he said “the government would proceed with the development that had been decided on.” But my dear Datuk, shouldn’t the status of the heritage site be decided by the proper authority like the UNESCO instead of a bunch of old people sitting in an air-conditioned office seeing which company would offer them more money for this prime piece of land?
The Pudu Prison, formerly known as Pudu Gaol, is located in Jalan Hang Tuah and was built in stages from 1891 on a 10-hectare site. It was completed in 1895. In it’s ‘glory years’, it was the place where Malaysia’s very own most notorious and most wanted calls home. The Pudu Prison was officially closed in 1996 when the construction of the new prison in Sungai Buloh was completed.
The Pudu Prison wall, stretching about 300 metres, will be demolished at 10pm Monday to enable the widening of the road and the construction of Jalan Pudu underground passage beginning June 20 until 23. UDA Holdings Berhad (UDA), the company that’ll make billions of ringgit out of the site of the former prison will develop and determine how the commercial lots were to be distributed, the development was divided into six plots where construction works would be carried out in stages within a 10-year period. UDA will build a mixed development project which will accommodate a transit centre, service apartments, offices, recreation centres, a hotel and business space.
A quick walk through to give those of you who didn’t get a chance to go into the jail area an idea of what Prisoners and Prison Warden see.
The above picture is the entrance after visitors, prisoners and officers step into past the main gate. For the prisoners, this is the sight they’ll see for the rest of their sentence, for some, even until the time they die.
Costing RM16,000 to build back in 1895, the design of the prison cells was made to maximize the space giving the prisoners a sense that they have no where to escape but to just ‘enjoy’ the rest of their time there.
For the more hardcore prisoners, the two photos above is the very sight they can only see, with not much lights coming in through their windows and the place being enclosed and away from the other prisoners. It must have been a very quiet and slow time in which they sit and reflect on the crime they have committed.
Part of the Prison structures has already been demolished, the very building where all the death row prisoners was housed has long since been demolished, part of block D’s structures was also destroyed as they make way for development.
This wall which faces Jalan Pudu will be the first to go as it’s space will be given to road widening. A shorter wall was build in it’s place a few meters in which will still provide some form of safety to discourage the public from stepping into the prison compound. Below is a short video of what I see when I went into the Prison compound hours before UDA demolish the walls.
I wanted to spend more time in there to capture more images and videos but the officer I went there with was feeling uneasy with the place and want to leave the place as fast as our legs could take us. Nevertheless, it was a good opportunity, one I’ve no regret taking. Hopefully, my kids as they grow up and stumbled upon this site, would understand what it took for our nation’s founders to mold and build our country to the way it currently is. Prison might be a bad thing, but only if you’ve done something wrong. It’s significant as Kuala Lumpur practically grew and was build around this place (among the few other historical sites across the city).
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Beautiful pictures mate, although I have to admit that the very sight of the place still gives me the creeps…
those are some good pictures. I agree that those building are quite a heritage. But I also understand where that ‘Dato’ statement came from. I would like to see my heritage to be full of meaningful events that changed our life to a better place. I wouldn’t want my children to know their country as a prison, a place where bad people resides – or something like that. but on the other hand, a visit to a Jail might give us something to think about the next time we try to break the law.
I am ultimately confusing myself. Good post anyway!
@Teh Tarik: Thanks
@Nana: Well, it’s not about our children growing thinking that we live in a prison, but it’s significant cause it’s history. It’s just like how Alcatraz is still standing when US could just demolish it and build something on top of that place, but they leave the prison there as a memory. To serve as a teaching tool.
Dropping by on ref fr tweets. I shall miss seeing this landmark once I get back to KL….
wow…nice photo man..nice work!
Like this post with the amazing photos.. You’re right. Same goes to Old Melbourne Gaol which located in the city. They keep its as heritage as well offering some activities to let people know more about the history. Additionally,there is programmes for students as one of the teachings.
Hi Michael.
I came across your blog post by accident through FaceBook. When i was studying in University of Malaya in 1995-2000, my classmates did the architectural measured drawings of Pudu Prison…sad to know that it will be demolished. What’s Badan Warisan Malaysia’s stand on the matter, do you know?
I write a blog advocating for Architectural Heritage Conservation in Sabah, trying to create public awareness for the importance of protecting historical buildings…may I use some of your images here of Pudu Prison as an article reference? I’ll leave a link to your website for readers to read the full article, if that’s ok.
Cheers,
Richard
@Biopolymath: Yes, a lot of KLites overseas shares the same sentiments about missing this landmark.
@Mizzura: Thank You
@Minzy: Thanks for agreeing and great reference.
@Richard: go ahead.
Thanks
wow..i never hve visited such this places.
nice shot…
so creepy..
this place is creepy. i wonder when the new developments are done on this ground, will it give people a creepy feeling?
The pictures are great, mate…
I don’t know… This should have been converted to a museum of sorts – teach people about the heritage of the site. Turning it into a commercial area, I’d guess will be very creepy once its built. God knows how many bomoh or Taoist si fu will be needed to “cleanse” the place properly.
At least we still have digital memories of the place.
i think this place is much more valuable as ‘bangunan warisan’ compared to the parliament..
it was a sad day for the nation. I was there on Sunday 20 June, to mourn the jail for it’s last moment.
Which one next? Soon or later, KL will become a “DEAD” city without history, without the root, without the source, without the MOTHER. No tourist will like to come, to see and to visit us any more as we have nothing to attract them anymore.
Anyway, thanks Michael for your good works!
@ajjah: yeah, it is valuable for the lessons we can learn about our past.
@Kiam: They’ll tear down the Parliament next, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building and the KTM building next.
Thanks for the compliment dude. I’m goin a weee bit out of topic. I noticed you took great pictures. are you doing it professionally?
@Nana: I do get paid to take photos but I won’t label myself as a professional cause I still have a long way to go when it comes to photography
It’s amazing how these photos can give us spine chilling sensation. What more to say if you’re the one there taking pictures? I’ve always wanted to go and take photos of it but we’re not allowed to right? sigh btw I have to admit that your photos are really good!
so long Penjara Pudu :S
nice place..those drawing on the walls are nice..i mean the ori one..hahaha..not the conteng one..i walked past there everything i need to go timesquare…
Bravo, well illustrated post. I have never been to Pudu Prison, and i really regret for not being able to appreciate it’s existance until it’s gone. Farewell PUDU
@Hildamilda: TQ for your compliment:D
@Azizan: yah … so long… and in a few years time, the government will regret but they’ll just suck it up and say that it was all part of their long term planning.
@V!vi@n: LOL. The conteng ones some of them is quite interesting also wut.
@MsXeRoZ: Thanks
Can’t they left a small portion of the wall?? Tis idea fullfill space saving, heritage preserve and also as a “lesson” for future children. well, just my suggestion..
Hi Mike, thanks for these photo shots,it’s give an idea and moved to think further and conclude that,’ creating something for good sake it’s always took a long journey and passion but come to destroying for what ever reason
it’s take a minute ‘This powerfull memory for some people will not be left as a lesson and guidance to be learnt by our next generation(children in particular)and I believed for those who had been there before could have been a good person by now and this whole building infact,is the last memory for them to remember,what’s wrong to remember back all those years? No suprised, next building will be Parliament House(existing),KTM Station and many more who knows..
Yes, you are right what are Badan Warisan doing ?See KTM Station in Singapore – Hope someone is doing something,to collect all the necesary details,history and photos for Heritage Record purposes for next generation use.
Remember,do not blame last generation on whatever reason should there be any dispute or conflict arised after demolition of this building.-
regards
frankly speaking,im not really agree when government announced it.it is actually one of the historical building.
@Chenlin: A Portion of the wall? I doubt so, every single piece of land they can salvage from this plot of prime real estate is $$$. A Wall will just get in the way and give less $$$ to whoever that has invested the time and money into getting this place.
@Lanang Putra SGP: Well written, if only the power that be thinks like this.
@Farsya: The thing is, when the government announce it, no one did anything or rather, not enough people did anything to create the kind of impact necessary to stop whatever damage they plan to do.
It’s quite a waste.. Many people are complaining bout it now =/
Nice one before it comes falling down.
although i never came across of the existence of it.Well i hardly go to KL,so cant blame me,
but when i learn about this news,i was kinda sad because this is like a historical building like what we got in malacca.
I cant imagine that they rather sacrifice awesome unique building and substitute it with modern-not-so-artistic building.
this is just my thoughts
What a very nice place to take picture. Notice the building structure and all. sadly they want to destroy it.
Oh well. goverment.
@careen: it’s too late to complain now when this is something that should have been done earlier before any damage was made to the prison.
@thomas: not so nice when you know it’s a piece of history that goes down the drain because of money.
@caihong: yeah, sadly reality is as such that UDA having deep pockets profit from it all at the end.
@KH: yeah, sad but this is all reality. You got money, you can do whatever you want.
Hi Mike,
Afterall …do not cry over the spill milk !!
Hope for the best in future,may all our comments(positive & constructive) fall onto the good listerning ears and would receive fair and grounded consideration from the right party.But nevertheless, to all our good and care citizens,please do not give up with good and positive ideas,comments and constructive suggestion, not to worry if no body tap our shoulder with thanks,but stay tuned and proved that we are the Concern and Caring Citizen.
Cheers,
Lanang Putra SGP
[...] of Pudu Jail are available in the websites of Michael Yip and Rabiatul Adawiyah. Fat Bidin Media uploads a video on the demolition of [...]
waahh.. nice picture u have.. i like it..
hi… i feel so sad for the pudu prison because it had to be demolished… i’m 13 and i really liked the beautiful murals you see on the wall. its not only a source of history, but also the longest mural in the world. and it was even on guiness… nice photos you got there, are you a news photographer or something?
Hi everybody, I was reading the news and happened to drop by to this website attracted by the photos. hehe…
I was shocked to know that our government could made such decision to demolish building with high historical value just because it is blocking the road for shopping spee? I know it’s reflecting noturious past of Malaysia, but it is still part of our history which makes what we are now.
Indeed, every place would have their bad history, but they are still willing to face it and use them as the chance to educate the new generations. Besides, it also open the gate for other nations to understand more about Malaysia and the effort Malaysia has contributed in order to establish a better community. If we can’t face our past, how could we able to gain repectations from other nations?
I guess i just wrote too much. These are just my point of view anyway and I know pretty well how our government ‘react’ to profitable events. sigh…
Anyway, nice work, Michael.
They might as well re-write the history books while they are at it.
Hi Mr.Yip. I’m a newbie in urban exploration. I’m planning to do a short visit to Pudu Prison with my friends, but I’m not sure whether if it’s the right thing to do. You said you’ve gone in with an officer, right. Is he/her a law enforcement officer? What are the important things I should lookout for when it comes to exploring places like this ones? Pls reply ASAP:)THANK YOU.
Hi Mike,
See u again on this topic,fine just wait and see what’s next to be done! between UDA and Badan Warisan,they are two different species
therefore each of them talking on their own language and interest.Just wait for another
surprise, probably after GE sometime next year
Keep finger crossed lah…