Malaysian Houses of Parliament

The Malaysian Houses of Parliament (Malay: Bangunan Parlimen Malaysia) is a complex where the Malaysian Parliament assembles. The structure is located at the Perdana Botanical Gardens in Kuala Lumpur, close to the Malaysian National Monument.

Malaysian Houses of Parliament
Malay: Bangunan Parlimen Malaysia
The Malaysian Parliament viewed from the Kuala Lumpur Tower, 2023
Map
General information
TypeFederal government legislative building
Architectural styleModernist
LocationJalan Parlimen, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
GroundbreakingDecember 1959; 64 years ago (1959-12)
Construction startedSeptember 1962; 62 years ago (1962-09)
CompletedSeptember 1963; 61 years ago (1963-09)
Inaugurated21 November 1963; 61 years ago (1963-11-21)
RenovatedFebruary 2004; 20 years ago (2004-02)
Technical details
Floor count12 (tower building)
3 (building)
Design and construction
Architect(s)Sir William Ivor Shipley (Malaysian Public Works Department, JKR)[1]

Description

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The complex comprises two parts, a 3-story main building and a 17-story 77-metre-tall tower.[2] The main building hosts the Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives) and the Dewan Negara (Senate) while representatives' offices are located in the tower.

The complex was constructed during the period when the federal government was based in Kuala Lumpur. While the vast majority of government operations has moved to Putrajaya since the late-1990s, the parliament continues to convene at Kuala Lumpur's Parliament House.

Construction

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Tunku Abdul Rahman, the first Malayan Prime Minister, suggested the construction of the Houses of Parliament in December 1959. The construction of the building cost RM18 million. Designed by Ivor Shipley, a British architect in the Public Works Department, the construction commenced in September 1962, and the opening of the new Parliament building was officiated by Tuanku Syed Putra ibni Almarhum Syed Hassan Jamalullail, the third Yang di-Pertuan Agong, on 21 November 1963.[3][4] Tunku Abdul Rahman's statue was erected near the Parliament Square on 1971. The statue was designed by an American sculptor, Felix de Weldon, who also designed the Malaysian National Monument.

In culture

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The buildings have only represented the Malaysian government to the world, but are symbolic as that in Malaysia. The building has also been prominently featured on reverse of the first series sen coins and the first and second series M$1,000 banknotes.

Transportation and accessibility

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Shuttle van services to Parliament Malaysia

Parliament Malaysia is currently served by the T851 LRT Feeder Bus starts from the departure hall of KL Sentral through Perdana Botanical Gardens. This bus service will only run during Parliament sessions.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Jennifer Choo (3 July 2021). "Architectural Icon: Bangunan Parlimen Malaysia". Tatler Asia. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  2. ^ "Bangunan Parlimen, Kuala Lumpur | 105839". Emporis. Archived from the original on June 5, 2014. Retrieved 2022-05-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ The Straits Times: Architect who has evolved own style over the years, 2 November 1963, page 1; accessed 23 February 2014
  4. ^ The Straits Times: The big step forward, 2 November 1963, page 1; accessed 23 February 2014