Sebana Cove Marina
The Sultan Ibrahim Building
The following article was on the web http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/JohorBuzz/Tuesday/Stories/20080818101359/Article/
Print Article | Email to Friend
“Sultan Ibrahim Building — up high where it belongs”
TAKE one look at the Sultan Ibrahim Building in Johor Baru and you would never imagine it being the site of much plotting and scheming.
|
|
|
BIRD’S EYE VIEW: The panoramic view from the top of the Sultan Ibrahim Building. |
|
|
|
STRIKING: Archways in the tower of the Sultan Ibrahim Building. |
|
|
|
INTRICATE: Rafters in the main hall of the building. |
|
|
|
DAMAGED: The brass plaque at the Sultan Ibrahim Building which was partly damaged by bomb shrapnel. |
The imposing building, which stands majestically atop Bukit Timbalan, now houses the offices of the Johor government.
In the past, tourists were not allowed to enter the building but could only take photographs from outside.
From now on, they can make their way into the building and reach the highest viewing platform.
This was made possible following an initiative by the State Secretary’s office to open the building to the public as the latest tourism product in Johor.
To reach the platform, all one has to do is to get to the office at Level One. An officer will offer a guided tour by taking a lift until the highest accessible level, to be followed by a short climb.
The platform offers a panoramic view of Johor Baru. The main view comprises the Causeway, the Johor Strait and the city centre.
The square-shaped platform is empty save for a few birds which have built their nests in niches in the ceiling.
Spotlights are switched on in the tower from 7pm to 7am daily, giving the building a slightly eerie glow at night.
The building was used by the Japanese for spying activities.
When the Japanese conquered Malaya in 1942, the Japanese Imperial Army saw the building as an excellent spot to spy on the British in Singapore.
And why not, with its 64m-high tower, the building was the tallest in Malaya back then.
So effective was the tower as an outlook point that the Japanese attacked Singapore less than two weeks after they took over Johor in January 1942.
Within the next few days of their assault, the Japanese army had gained control of the island.
The building continued to be the command centre and fortress for the Japanese until their defeat in 1945.
Such a colourful history was never intended for the Sultan Ibrahim Building which, according to its tourist information centre, was only fully completed in 1942.
The building was constructed under the order of the second Sultan of modern Johor, Sultan Ibrahim, who intended to have all state government offices under one roof.
Made of concrete and reinforced concrete, the building was designed by Messrs Palmer and Turner Architects, and construction work was assigned to United Engineers and Ah Hong & Company.
It was an ambitious project for that time and the Sultan Ibrahim Building was seen as representing the golden era of modern Johor.
Apart from its historical significance, the Sultan Ibrahim Building is also interesting because of its design.
The building exhibits three characteristics: Malay art, Islamic design and colonial architecture.
While the facade depicts colonial characteristics, the intricate carvings on the ceilings and walls have Islamic art features.
Beautifully-designed ceiling rafters in the main hall, on the other hand, reflect the artistic tradition of Malays.
Foundation works began on Nov 7, 1938, when Tengku Mahkota Sultan Ismail officiated the ground-breaking ceremony.
A brass plaque marks the laying of the foundation stone on March 10, 1940, but ironically, part of the date is illegible — the building was bombed during the Japanese occupation and during the bombing, the plaque was cut by a piece of shrapnel.
A lot of the structures and items found within the grounds of the building have remained since its completion, such as the four cannons at the main entrance and the giant flagpole facing the Johor Strait.
Today, the Sultan Ibrahim Building has resumed its original role.
Where army officers used to work and congregate, the building is now home to 46 state government departments and offices, including the menteri besar’s office.
The viewing platform opening hours are from 8am to 4.30pm from Mondays to Saturdays (except the first and third Saturdays).”
Now you know as much about the place as I do since I never made it inside. After I left Randal at Fridays I made my way towards the building though I wasn’t absolutely sure how to get there. Unfortunately I saw a set of stairs leading to the fence that ran around the building’s perimeter.
There are 93 steps and I made the assumption if there were steps there would be a back entrance into the complex. I walked up the steps and got to the gate and it was locked. I could have turned around and walked down and around the block but again guessed that the fence would eventually end if I followed it along.
The stairs ended here at a locked gate.
I decided to follow the fence around the complex.
It got worse and hotter and there were more bugs and the fence never ended. So I had the choice of trying to walk down a steep bank and then jump a good distance into the HSBC parking lot or walk all the way around again, down the stairs and around the block. And so I did. I was hot and thirsty and felt just a little silly for even attempting the “fence walk” but still I was determined to see the Sultan building.
And here I am, smiling though I am pissed off, hot and thirsty. I have on my longest “short pants, and a shirt with sleeves, but apparently that wasn’t good enough. Maybe I needed socks and long pants and a long shirt. I was just told no and waved away and I didn’t argue. They weren’t thrilled with my camera either. I didn’t argue because there was really no one to argue with. The military guard just said no and walked away so that was that. I kind man said he would take my photo on the steps but that perhaps it was the camera…. he seemed reluctant to tell me I was dressed inappropriately for the building. It was the same clothes I had worn to the Mosque in Kota Kinabalu. Well blah!
The funniest part, the only funny part, is that when I started telling my story at dinner, Jerry said he had done the exact same thing. He had found the steps tempting and walked up and then along the fence. Jerry is over 6 feet tall so crouching through the trees along the fence must have been tough. But he didn’t hesitate to go down the bank and jump down into the HSBC parking lot so he didn’t have to retrace his steps which was the really annoying part. And he has been inside even taking his friend Natalie, who was wearing pants! The nice man who took my photo drove me down the hill from the building to the main road. He would have driven me back to the hotel but the hotel was actually just across the way so it was easier to walk than drive.
When I got back to the hotel I told Randal it was his fault for not going with me in the first place. He didn’t buy that story and though I would have liked to have seen the building it was good practice to do something on my own, cockeyed as it was. Since Randal was more in the mood for reading or a nap, after I cooled off and rested a bit I walked over to the mall in search of sneakers and a bathing suit. No luck but I did get my t-shirts. And the view from our room was almost as good as the one from the sultan building.
Randal mapping a plan
Wednesday night we had dinner in the hotel and more dessert; this time creme brule’!
Thursday morning we met Jerry for breakfast again and sat and chatted. Then it was time to return to Sebana Cove. It had been a lovely visit with Jerry and Randal and I both liked the feel of Johor Bahru.
My new rejected t-shirt from J Crew and my new black glasses that I sort of like but are really too heavy for my nose. And Jerry