Building

Conservation

AAR652 South East Asian

Team members :
Mohammad Hazwan Bin Abd Rahman, Nur ain farhana bt ramli, Siti norsuhaina bt hadi
Nadhirah bt anuwar , Muhammad zulfadli b mohd zabir, Hairil Ridzwan Bin Harmain

*Heritage

Something which is passed

down from one generation to
another (Richard prentice, 1994)
Heritage as cultural property
that includes both visible and
non- visible cultural heritage
(UNESCO, 1972)

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Definition
Source by : Professor Dr. A
Ghafar Ahmad

Conservation :
A guardianship providing for maintenance, preservation or protection from being destroyed or changed in an
inappropriate manner.

Building Conservation :
related to the processes of maintenance, repair and restoration of heritage buildings that aim to prolong a
buildings life and function.

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Other terminology in building

conservation

Preservation

Keeping cultural
property
From being
destroyed

Restoration

Reviving the original

concept and fabric to
its original known state

Rehabilitation

To make old building

reusable

Imitating what
previously existed

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* CONSERVATION OF BUILDING / MONUMENTS AND SITES INITIATIVES

AIM
Conservation is a term used for works carried out on heritage buildings, monuments, and
sites that includes preservation, restoration, repair and rehabilitation, reconstruction and
adaptive reuse or any combination of these

Maintain and strengthen the

heritage value and
historical value of building,
monument or site

Buildings, monuments and sites

may reflects important historical
events. They are tangible evidence
of a historical story to be handed
down to future generations. It is
tangible evidence, which will shape
the face of the Malaysian national
identity.

Protect and ensure that the building,

monument or site is protected and
preserved for many generations for
references and resource for educational
purpose as well as memory for the present
and future generations.
Heritage is a valuable national asset,
whether for education or for economic
returns through the tourism industry, and as
a research and development resource,
raising national prestige in the eyes of the
world. UNESCO World Heritage Listing Of
Malaysias important heritage sites,
presents our heritage to the world

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* National Heritage Act 2005, Malaysia

The National Heritage Act 2005 is an Act to provide for the conservation and
preservation of National Heritage, natural heritage, tangible and intangible
cultural heritage, underwater cultural heritage, treasure trove and for related
matters. Itreceived Royal Assent on 30 December 2005 and was published in the
Gazette on 31 December 2005. The National Heritage Act 2005 came into effect on
1
March 2006.
PARTI

PRELIMINARY
1. Short title and commencement

1.This Act may be cited as the National Heritage Act 2005.

2.This Act comes into operation on a date to be appointed by the Minister by

notification in theGazette;and the Minister may appoint different dates for the
coming into operation of this Act to different parts of Malaysia

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* National Heritage Act 2005,

Malaysia
PARTII
CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION OF HERITAGE
3. Policy in relation to conservation and preservation of heritage

1. Subject to subsection (2), the Minister shall be responsible for providing or

issuing policies, statements or directives in respect of any matter, business,
strategy or conduct on the conservation and preservation of heritage.

2.The Minister shall not provide or issue any policies, statements or directives

under subsection (1) where the matter, business, strategy or conduct on the
conservation and preservation of heritage concerns the power or jurisdiction of a
State unless the relevant State Authority has been consulted.

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* Heritage and Conservation

The concept of heritage is invariably. UNESCOs Convention Concerning the
Protection of the World
Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972) has defined cultural heritage by the following
Monuments: architectural works, works of monumental sculpture and painting, elements or
classifications:
structure of an archeological nature, inscriptions, cave dwellings and combinations of
features, which are outstanding universal value from the point of view of history, art or
science

Groups of buildings: groups of separate or connected buildings which, because of their

architecture, their homogeneity or their place in the landscape, are of outstanding universal
value from the point of view of history, art or science.

In Malaysia context, National Heritage Act 2005[2], defined heritage as any heritage site, heritage
object, underwater cultural heritage or any living person declared as National Heritage (under section
67)[2]. Under section 2, heritage definably into two categories:
Cultural Heritage: includes tangible or intangible form of cultural property, structure or
artifact and may include a heritage matter, object, item, artifact, formation structure,
performance, dance, song, music that is pertinent to the historical or contemporary way of
Malaysians, on or in land or underwater cultural heritage of intangible form but including
natural heritage
Natural Heritage: includes natural feature of any area in Malaysia which may consist of
earthly physical or biological formation or group of such formations, geological or
physiographical features, mountains, river, stream, rock formation, sea shore or any natural

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According to the Act, Cultural Heritage divided into two aspects which is tangible
and intangible form of cultural property. Tangible heritage includes area,
monument and buildings. Intangible heritage includes any form of expression,
languages, performance, dance, and song, music, martial arts, that may have
existed or exist in relation to the heritage of Malaysia.
All potential cultural heritage can be listed and declare as National Heritage
property. Under section
67[2], they are nine (9) criteria for potential heritage buildings can be considered
on declaration of
National
Heritage
property:association with or relationship to Malaysian history
i. The historical
importance,
ii. The good design or aesthetic characteristics
iii. The scientific or technical innovation or achievements
iv. The social or cultural associations
v. The potential to educate, illustrate or provide further scientific investigation in relation to
Malaysian cultural heritage
vi. The importance in exhibiting a richness, diversity or unusual integration of features
vii. The rarity or uniqueness of the natural heritage, tangible or intangible cultural heritage
or underwater cultural heritage
viii. The representative nature of a site or object as part of a class or type of a site or object
ix. Any other matter which is relevant to determination of cultural heritage significance.

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Base on practice in abroad and local, ethical consideration is the best way of
achieving the aims of heritage
conservation. The codes encourage the conservator and practitioners more
respect, understand and
appreciate cultural heritage. The basic principles and standards of conservation
which contain in
international
i. Careful recording
and are:
research before intervention
charters
ii. Minimum alteration of historic fabrics
iii. Minimal risk of significant loss, damage or uncertainty in performance through
intervention
iv. Reversibility of interventions
v. Retention of a minimum of the original structure
vi. Distinctive or distinguishable use of new and additional material
vii. Sympathy in interpretation and sympathy in use
viii. Respect for the quality of place
ix. Preference for original material and workmanship
x. Longevity in the finished work
Malaysia is a member of UNESCOs Convention Concerning the Protection of the
World Cultural and Natural Heritage since 1988. Since that, lot of effort have been
done to make sure our National Heritage been preserved accordingly the
international charters and achieve the standard of World Cultural Heritage. With
the references and guidance of international charters, the aims and goal of all
conservation projects is to achieve the authenticity of cultural heritage.

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Examples of buildings conducted by

the department of national heritage
Malaysia

Masjid Mulong, Kedai

Mulong, Kota Bharu
Kelantan

Balai Adat

Balai Adat (custom

hall), kg Putera,
Jelebu, Negeri
Sembilan

Penghulu
Abdul
The Penghulu Abdul
Ghani
Ghani House,
Merlimau, Melaka

Gedung
Raja
Gedung Raja
Abdullah
Abdullah,
Klang,
Selangor

MASJID MULONG,
KEDAI MULONG,
KOTA BHARU
KELANTAN

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* MASJID MULONG, KEDAI MULONG, KOTA

BHARU KELANTAN

Masjid Mulong was originally built as a Balairong Seri (ceremonial hall), for the Raja
Dewa and used for royal functions. Raja Dewa was the title for Tuan Zainal Abidin one of the princes of Sultan Muhammad III and a relative of Sultan Muhammad IV.

Before conservation workfront view

During conservation workfront view

On completion of the
conservation work-front view

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* MASJID MULONG, KEDAI MULONG, KOTA BHARU

KELANTAN
1900s : out of timber
1958 : bought by the
2007 : the department of heritage
without a single nail,
Masjid Mulong was
originally sited near the
Jahar and Balai Besar,
Kelantan royal palace.

community of Kedai
Mulong and transferred
there and remains as an
active mosque until
today.

DURING CONSERVATION WORK

Installing the papan pemeleh

(barge board) to the gable end
of the roof

took the initiative to carry out

conservation work, which began
late 2008 and complete in early
2009.
The building was raised and its
timber pillars placed on concrete
pads to avoid damaged.

Carved timber pendants,

installed to cover the joint
between two horizontal

Scrapping and cleaning the

timber filigree ventilation
screens

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* MASJID MULONG, KEDAI MULONG, KOTA BHARU

KELANTAN
DURING CONSERVATION WORK

Jacking-up the building

Thai Singgora tiles on the

upper roof, during the
replacement works

Placing the concrete pads below

the timber columns

BALAI ADAT
(CUSTOM
HALL), KG
PUTERA,
JELEBU,
NEGERI
SEMBILAN

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* BALAI ADAT (CUSTOM HALL), KG PUTERA, JELEBU,

NEGERI SEMBILAN

This building were usually built for family meetings, and ceremonies. It was built in
1965 to provide indigenous community of Negeri Sembilan, the Orang Asli village
community. The Balai Adat Kampung Putera is from the timber construction and is
raised above the ground on short stilts. The main hall can be reached up a short
flight of steps which lead to a small covered, open sided platform or lanai, before
the main entrance to the hall.

Before conservation work

After conservation work

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* BALAI ADAT (CUSTOM HALL), KG PUTERA, JELEBU,

NEGERI
1966 : The SEMBILAN
1993 : restoration
2008 : The department of National Heritage,
building was
opened by
Malaysias first
Prime Minister,
the late Tunku
Abdul Rahman
Putra Al-Haj.

work under
Department of
Orang Asli
1994: Ministry of
Education took over
the building, had
been left empty, and
had deteriorated
rapidly

Before work begin

Conservation Division also recognised the

historic importance of the hall and began
restoration work .
2009 : Restoration work complete and amongst
the work undertaken was the repair of the roof
structure and covering, replacing damaged
parts of the wall and floor, conserving the
decorative motifs.

Balai Adat with its new roof

covering

Freshly painted and within a

new landscape setting

THE PENGHULU
ABDUL GHANI
HOUSE,
MERLIMAU,
MELAKA

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* THE PENGHULU ABDUL GHANI HOUSE, MERLIMAU,

MELAKA
The House of Penghulu (headman) Abdul Ghani bin Abdul Majid, Merlimau, Jasin
District, Melaka, is among one of the oldest and most charming Melaka houses
remaining, and one of the most beautiful traditional Malay houses in the country.
Its architecture is uniquely eclectic demonstratinga combination of Malay, Chinese
and European styles.

Before conservation work

During conservation work

After conservation work

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* THE PENGHULU ABDUL GHANI HOUSE, MERLIMAU,

As the house or houses were a remarkable example of Malaysias priceless
MELAKA

heritage, the Department of National Heritage carried out conservation work.

This work included repair and strengthening the brick wall structure and damaged
structural pillars, scraping and repainting plaster and timber work, the removal
and re-fixing of the ceramic tiles, dismantling additional walls, repairing the
structure of the timber framework and decorative carved pillars and cleaning the
roof.
Other related work included the repair of the bridal dais, wall cabinet, cooking
area, kitchen cabinet and bathing area tank.

This sincere
work has helped
to continue the legacy of the Penghulu Abdul Ghani
DURING
CONSERVATION
WORK
for future generations.

Scrapping the paint &

repairing the tall shutters

Repairing the area floor and

water tank

Removing the roof tiles for

cleaning

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* THE PENGHULU ABDUL GHANI HOUSE, MERLIMAU,

MELAKA
UNIQUE BUILDING ELEMENTS
Decorative
carvings
painted in many
colours and
timber shutters
with moveables
louvers, or
Jalousies found
in the verandah

The unusual decoration

of 2 dragons, floral &
bird motif can be
found on the door
between the anjung
and the verandah

Jeriji musang
pagar(fox grill
fence) or
balustrade in
the anjung

Views of Seri
and Pelamin
pilliars, with
Chinese
Peranakan
motifs in the

Anjung
(porch)
pilliar
decorated
with
colourful
tiles

GEDUNG RAJA
ABDULLAH,
KLANG,
SELANGOR

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* GEDUNG RAJA ABDULLAH, KLANG, SELANGOR

1856 : The Raja Abdullah
gedung or godown
(warehouse) was used as a
repository for tin ore on the
ground floor and living
quarters above.

State of the Raja Abdullah

Warehouse before repair
work

1875 : J. G. Davidson became

the first British Resident and
Davidson used the Raja
Abdullah godown as the
District Administrative
Centre. It became the
District Police Station until
1970

State of the Raja Abdullah

Warehouse imbibed with
Anglo-Indian features

2008 : The Selangor Museum

Board later converted it into
the Selangor Tin Museum.
The Department of National
Heritage began conservation
work

After conservation

AFTER CONSERVATION
WORK

DURING CONSERVATION
WORK

* GEDUNG RAJA ABDULLAH, KLANG, SELANGOR

The condition of the plaster on the pillar and the wall on the ground floor and top floor which
experienced porosity. Almost all the walls experienced the same problem

The condition of the columns

after conservation work

The first floor after the timber

floor was repaired and

The walls after conservation

work.

2
2

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* References
http://www.heritage.gov.my/index.php/en/conservation/introduction
http://www.heritage.gov.my/index.php/konservasi/konservasi-bangunan/rumahibadat/balai-adat-kampung-putera-jelebu
http://www.perzim.gov.my/index.php/en/visit-the-museum/the-gallerynetwork/item/19-galeri-demang-abdul-ghani
http://thatsofarah.com/%EF%BB%BFrumah-demang-haji-abdul-ghani/
http://www.heritage.gov.my/index.php/en/conservation/conservationbuilding/residential-houses/raja-abdullah-warehouse
http://www.heritage.gov.my/index.php/konservasi/konservasi-bangunan/rumahibadat/masjid-lama-mulong
http://penangshophouse.blogspot.com/2010/04/heritage-conservationguidelines.html
http://www.hbp.usm.my/conservation/

Thank
You