| ALOR STAR BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES |
1. Art Center Building (High Court)
" The Art Center (Balai Seni) is the earliest modern building in Alor Star. It was constructed in 1893 by Muhammad Bin
Lebai Tambi, an architect with the state's public works department. The design has both eastern and western
influences.
Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Syah, the 26th Sultan of Kedah who ruled from 1882 to 1943, officiated the opening of the
building which housed the high court. In June to September 1904, the building was taken over and used for holding
feasts attended by VIPs to celebrate the weddings of the Sultan's five children.
The building housed the office of the British Advisor, the office of the Sultan, the treasury, the audit office and other
government departments from 1912 until 1940, when it was taken over by the public works and irrigation and drainage
departments. As a result many departments were relocated to the Wan Muhammad Saman Building.
The Art Center acquired its present role in January 1983 to commemorate the silver jubilee of the reign of Sultan Haji
Abdul Halim Mu'adazam Syah who ascended the throne in 1958." 1
Year Built: 1893
Architect: Muhammad bin Lebai Tambi
Style:
Location:
Lebai Tambi, an architect with the state's public works department. The design has both eastern and western
influences.
Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Syah, the 26th Sultan of Kedah who ruled from 1882 to 1943, officiated the opening of the
building which housed the high court. In June to September 1904, the building was taken over and used for holding
feasts attended by VIPs to celebrate the weddings of the Sultan's five children.
The building housed the office of the British Advisor, the office of the Sultan, the treasury, the audit office and other
government departments from 1912 until 1940, when it was taken over by the public works and irrigation and drainage
departments. As a result many departments were relocated to the Wan Muhammad Saman Building.
The Art Center acquired its present role in January 1983 to commemorate the silver jubilee of the reign of Sultan Haji
Abdul Halim Mu'adazam Syah who ascended the throne in 1958." 1
Year Built: 1893
Architect: Muhammad bin Lebai Tambi
Style:
Location:
2. Balai Nobat
" Nobat Hall (Balai Nobat) contains the instruments of the nobat, a type of Malay band which plays during a
royal ceremony, such as serunai (an instrument that is blown to produce sound and resembles the clarinet),
nafiri ( a type of long trumpet), gendang (a drum consisting of a hollow cylinder with parchment stretched
tightly over the open sides) and gong (gong).
The three-storey structure features an Islamic-style dome at the top. The original building, which was built
during the reign of Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Mukarram Syah, the 25th Sultan of Kedah who ruled from 1854 to
1879, had five floors and was built mainly of stone and metal. It was modified in 1906.
The site was originally occupied by a wooden structure that was among the first few buildings in Alor Star. The
town was founded in 1735 by Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Adilin Muazzam Syah, the 19th Sultan of Kedah who
reigned from 1710 to 1778." 1
Year Built: 1906
Architect:
Style:
Location:
royal ceremony, such as serunai (an instrument that is blown to produce sound and resembles the clarinet),
nafiri ( a type of long trumpet), gendang (a drum consisting of a hollow cylinder with parchment stretched
tightly over the open sides) and gong (gong).
The three-storey structure features an Islamic-style dome at the top. The original building, which was built
during the reign of Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Mukarram Syah, the 25th Sultan of Kedah who ruled from 1854 to
1879, had five floors and was built mainly of stone and metal. It was modified in 1906.
The site was originally occupied by a wooden structure that was among the first few buildings in Alor Star. The
town was founded in 1735 by Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Adilin Muazzam Syah, the 19th Sultan of Kedah who
reigned from 1710 to 1778." 1
Year Built: 1906
Architect:
Style:
Location:
3. Big Clock Building
" The structure known as the Big Clock Building (Bangunan Jam Besar)
in the town centre provides a valuable service. It tells the muezzin in
Masjid Zahir (Zahir Mosque) nearby when to summon Muslims to
prayer. In the past, the clock would ring when its prayer time. This
then prompts the beating of gongs from Nobat Hall and then the call
to prayer by the muezzin in Masjid Zahir.
The Islamic-style was built around the same time as the 80-year old
Masjid Zahir. The walls are ornately carved and on the dome is the half
crescent of Islam." 1
Year Built:
Architect:
Style: Islamic
Location:
in the town centre provides a valuable service. It tells the muezzin in
Masjid Zahir (Zahir Mosque) nearby when to summon Muslims to
prayer. In the past, the clock would ring when its prayer time. This
then prompts the beating of gongs from Nobat Hall and then the call
to prayer by the muezzin in Masjid Zahir.
The Islamic-style was built around the same time as the 80-year old
Masjid Zahir. The walls are ornately carved and on the dome is the half
crescent of Islam." 1
Year Built:
Architect:
Style: Islamic
Location:
4. Grand Post Office
Year Built:
Architect:
Style: Islamic
Location:
Architect:
Style: Islamic
Location:
5. High Court Building
" The High Court Building (Bangunan Mahkamah tinggi) was completed in November 1922. The
design is classical Rome as can be seen from the pillars that are built close to each other. The
walls are ornately carved and the roof bears the emblem of the state of Kedah.
The building is located in Putera Road (Jalan Putera) and is next to Nobat Hall. The High Court
was formerly housed in the building known as the Main Hall. It was known as the main court.
The following people played a prominent role in the construction of the building: Sultan Abdul
Hamid Halim Syah, Tunku Ibrahim (the Regent and next in line to the throne), W Peel (the
British Advisor), Major WR Sanguinetti (the state engineer), FW Wade (the architect) and HW
Folden (the contractor)" 1
Year Built: 1922
Architect: FW Wade
Style: Classical
Location: Jalan Putera
design is classical Rome as can be seen from the pillars that are built close to each other. The
walls are ornately carved and the roof bears the emblem of the state of Kedah.
The building is located in Putera Road (Jalan Putera) and is next to Nobat Hall. The High Court
was formerly housed in the building known as the Main Hall. It was known as the main court.
The following people played a prominent role in the construction of the building: Sultan Abdul
Hamid Halim Syah, Tunku Ibrahim (the Regent and next in line to the throne), W Peel (the
British Advisor), Major WR Sanguinetti (the state engineer), FW Wade (the architect) and HW
Folden (the contractor)" 1
Year Built: 1922
Architect: FW Wade
Style: Classical
Location: Jalan Putera
Year Built:
Architect:
Style: Islamic
Location:
Architect:
Style: Islamic
Location:
7. Main Hall
" The building known as the Main Hall (Balai Besar) was built in 1735 by Sultan Muhammad
Jiwa Zainal Adilin Muazam Syah, the 19th Sultan of Kedah who reigned from 1710 to 1778.
It is part of the palace complex known as Istana Kota Star. The palace stands at the back
of the building. The floors, pillars and roofs of the building are made of wood. It was used
for formal functions and as a reception hall.
The building was damaged during the attacks by the Bugis Armada in 1770 and Siamese
forces in 1821. It was rehabilitated in 1895 by the state's public works department under
the architect Muhammad bin Lebai Tambi. In 1904 the building was used to hold the
wedding receptions of the five children of the 20th Sultan of Kedah. Sultan Abdul Hamid
Halim Syah reigned from 1882 to 1943.
The building was used for weddings, official functions and state council meetings from
1905 to 1973, and for the installation of Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Halim Syah II, the 22nd
Sultan of Kedah who reigned from 1804 to 1845, and Tuanku Haji Abdul Halim Mu'adzam
Syah in February 1959." 1
Year Built: 1735
Architect:
Style: Islamic
Location:
Jiwa Zainal Adilin Muazam Syah, the 19th Sultan of Kedah who reigned from 1710 to 1778.
It is part of the palace complex known as Istana Kota Star. The palace stands at the back
of the building. The floors, pillars and roofs of the building are made of wood. It was used
for formal functions and as a reception hall.
The building was damaged during the attacks by the Bugis Armada in 1770 and Siamese
forces in 1821. It was rehabilitated in 1895 by the state's public works department under
the architect Muhammad bin Lebai Tambi. In 1904 the building was used to hold the
wedding receptions of the five children of the 20th Sultan of Kedah. Sultan Abdul Hamid
Halim Syah reigned from 1882 to 1943.
The building was used for weddings, official functions and state council meetings from
1905 to 1973, and for the installation of Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Halim Syah II, the 22nd
Sultan of Kedah who reigned from 1804 to 1845, and Tuanku Haji Abdul Halim Mu'adzam
Syah in February 1959." 1
Year Built: 1735
Architect:
Style: Islamic
Location:
8.Pelamin Place
The palace was originally part of Kota Star Palace and built of wood by Sultan
Mohammed Jiwa. The current building was built in 1900 during the reign of Sultan
Abdul Hamid and the name derived from the great wedding in 1904 - the marriages of
the Sultan's five children. It was turned into a Royal Museum on Jul 25, 1983.
Year Built: 1900
Architect:
Style: Islamic
Location:
Mohammed Jiwa. The current building was built in 1900 during the reign of Sultan
Abdul Hamid and the name derived from the great wedding in 1904 - the marriages of
the Sultan's five children. It was turned into a Royal Museum on Jul 25, 1983.
Year Built: 1900
Architect:
Style: Islamic
Location:
Year Built:
Architect:
Style: Islamic
Location:
Architect:
Style: Islamic
Location:
9. Police Station
10. Sepachendera Palace
"The Sepachendera Palace was an old palace situated at Jalan Kampung Baru, Alor Star, also known as
'Istana Kampung Baru'. This palace was built by the late Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah in 1882 for his
first wife, Che Sepachendera upon his ascension to the royal throne. The architectural design of the
palace has the influence of Thai architecture.
It was at this palace on 1 July 1884 that saw the birth of His Royal Highness Tuanku Ibrahim (Tuanku
Sulung) . Other princes and princess that were born in this Palace include Tuanku Rokiah, Tuanku
Zamzam and Tunku Kasim (Tuanku Laksamana). This palace remains inhabited even after the passing of
the Che Sepachendera.
At that time, Tuanku Ibrahim who showed great concern towards education in Kedah had converted
the palace to be an English School giving the name 'Sekolah Perempuan Kampung Baru' (Kampung Baru
Girls School) in 1922.
This school was operating until 1954 before it was relocated to Jalan Langgar where the Sultanah Asma
Secondary School was established. Later, the Palace was occupied by the Tunku Abdul Halim Primary
School as well as the branch office of the Kedah State Education Department." 1
Year Built: 1882
Architect:
Style:
Location: Jalan Kampung Baru
'Istana Kampung Baru'. This palace was built by the late Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah in 1882 for his
first wife, Che Sepachendera upon his ascension to the royal throne. The architectural design of the
palace has the influence of Thai architecture.
It was at this palace on 1 July 1884 that saw the birth of His Royal Highness Tuanku Ibrahim (Tuanku
Sulung) . Other princes and princess that were born in this Palace include Tuanku Rokiah, Tuanku
Zamzam and Tunku Kasim (Tuanku Laksamana). This palace remains inhabited even after the passing of
the Che Sepachendera.
At that time, Tuanku Ibrahim who showed great concern towards education in Kedah had converted
the palace to be an English School giving the name 'Sekolah Perempuan Kampung Baru' (Kampung Baru
Girls School) in 1922.
This school was operating until 1954 before it was relocated to Jalan Langgar where the Sultanah Asma
Secondary School was established. Later, the Palace was occupied by the Tunku Abdul Halim Primary
School as well as the branch office of the Kedah State Education Department." 1
Year Built: 1882
Architect:
Style:
Location: Jalan Kampung Baru
11. Syariah Court
Year Built:
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12. Wan Mat Saman Canal
Year Built:
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13. Wat Nikrodharam
Year Built:
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14. Zahir Mosque
" Masjid Zahir (Zahir Mosque) was built in 1912 on the initiative of His Highness Tunku Mahmud Ibni
Almarhum Sultan Ahamad Tajuddin Mukarram Shah. The site of the mosque was previously the resting
place of Kedah's fallen warriors during the course of defending Kedah against Siamese invasions (1821).
The architectural designs of the mosque was taken from Masjid Azizi in Bandar Langkat, Northern
Sumatera. The mosque is decorated with five maon domes representing the 5 Islamic precepts and it
was officially open on Friday, 15th October 1915 by Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah. His Royal
Highness was also the Imam for Friday Prayers on that day after reading the sermon by His Highness
Tengku Mahmud." 1
Year Built: 1912
Architect:
Style: Mogul
Location:
Almarhum Sultan Ahamad Tajuddin Mukarram Shah. The site of the mosque was previously the resting
place of Kedah's fallen warriors during the course of defending Kedah against Siamese invasions (1821).
The architectural designs of the mosque was taken from Masjid Azizi in Bandar Langkat, Northern
Sumatera. The mosque is decorated with five maon domes representing the 5 Islamic precepts and it
was officially open on Friday, 15th October 1915 by Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah. His Royal
Highness was also the Imam for Friday Prayers on that day after reading the sermon by His Highness
Tengku Mahmud." 1
Year Built: 1912
Architect:
Style: Mogul
Location:
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6. Kuning Palace