FLAT PEKELILING, KUALA LUMPUR

The images you’ve shared of the Pekeliling Flats (also known as Tunku Abdul Rahman Flats) evoke a powerful sense of nostalgia and urban history. For many Malaysians, these buildings were more than just concrete structures; they were a landmark of Kuala Lumpur’s modernization and a bustling community hub.

Built in 1967, they were among the earliest high-rise residential buildings in Malaysia, representing a new era of social housing.

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A Glimpse into the Past

Looking at these photos, we can see the transition of the Pekeliling Flats through different stages:

• The Vibrant Community: In the black-and-white photo (bottom right), we see the ground-level shops and stalls. This was the heart of the area, where residents would gather for meals, groceries, and daily conversation.

• The Architectural Scale: The wide shots show the sheer size of the blocks (Blocks A to G). At its peak, it was a massive "city within a city," located strategically near the Titiwangsa transport hub.

• The Decline and Abandonment: The top-right and bottom-left images capture the flats in their later years—weathered, covered in graffiti, and slowly being reclaimed by nature before their final demolition.

Fast Facts about Pekeliling Flats

Feature	Details
Completed	1967
Location	Jalan Tun Razak / Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur
Structure	7 blocks of flats and 4 blocks of shops
Demolition	Started in 2005; the last block (Block G) was demolished around 2014-2015
Significance	Second high-rise housing project in KL after Razak Mansion

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Why They Are Remembered

For those who lived there or passed by them daily, the Pekeliling Flats were an iconic part of the KL skyline. They stood as a testament to the Brutalist architectural style of the 60s—functional, massive, and raw.

While the physical buildings are gone, they live on in the memories of the thousands of families who started their lives there and in the works of local photographers and filmmakers who captured their haunting beauty before they disappeared.

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9/1/2026: 12.46 a.m

1968 : THOMAS CUP

The image is a historical photo commemorating the 1967 Thomas Cup victory by the Malaysian team, not the 1968 or 1960 event. The Thomas Cup competition is the world championship for men's national badminton teams. The photo shows a celebratory parade in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The 1967 Thomas Cup

• Winners: Malaysia (then Malaya) won the Thomas Cup for the fourth time in 1967.
• Tournament Details: The final round was held in Jakarta, Indonesia. Due to crowd trouble and a volatile situation, the final match against Indonesia was suspended. Indonesia later refused to resume play in New Zealand, leading the International Badminton Federation (IBF) to award the remaining matches and the cup to Malaysia by default.
• Parade: The image captures the triumphant return of the team, who arrived at Subang Airport and were greeted with a parade.
• Key Players: Notable members of the winning team included Ng Boon Bee, Tan Yee Khan, and Tan Aik Huang.

1967 Thomas Cup Winning Players

The players in the 1967 Malaysian Thomas Cup winning team were national heroes, and many sources mention their names. The primary members included: Teh Kew San (Captain)

1. Tan Aik Huang
2. Ng Boon Bee
3. Tan Yee Khan
4. Yew Cheng Hoe
5. Billy Ng Seow Meng
6. Kwan Yoke Meng (mentioned as a 1992 team member in one source, but part of the general 1967 roster)
7. James Selvaraj (also a manager/coach in later years)

The individuals in the open-top vehicle in the photograph are likely some of these players and possibly officials from the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), such as the then-president Tan Sri Khir Johari. 

Malaysia's Thomas Cup History

Malaysia (initially as Malaya) has a rich history in the Thomas Cup, having won the prestigious trophy a total of five times: 

• 1949: Malaya won the inaugural Thomas Cup, defeating Denmark 8-1 in the final.
• 1952: Malaya successfully defended the cup against the USA.
• 1955: The team secured their third consecutive title, again defeating Denmark.
• 1967: The victory celebrated in the photo, won by default after a controversial final against Indonesia was abandoned due to crowd trouble.
• 1992: Malaysia ended a 25-year drought, winning the cup on home soil in Kuala Lumpur.

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8 January 2026: 11.11 p.m

1971 : KUALA LUMPUR FLOOD DISASTER

The 1971 Kuala Lumpur Flood, often referred to as "The Great Flood," remains one of the most significant natural disasters in Malaysian history. Triggered by relentless monsoon rains that began in late December 1970, the flood peaked in early January 1971, paralyzing the capital and leading to a national state of emergency.

Key Facts and Figures

• Duration: Heavy rains started on December 26, 1970, and continued for a week. The flood peaked on January 4–5, 1971.
• Casualties: Reports vary, but generally cite between 32 and 61 deaths nationwide.
• Impacted Population: Over 180,000 people were affected, with approximately 38,000 left homeless.
• Economic Loss: Estimated at RM 85 million at the time (equivalent to over RM 1.2 billion today).
• Submerged Areas: Nearly 60% to 75% of Kuala Lumpur was underwater, with some areas submerged up to 5 or 6 feet deep.

Impact on the Capital

The floodwaters from the Klang, Batu, and Gombak rivers burst their banks, turning the city center into what witnesses described as a "vast ocean."

Paralyzed Infrastructure: Power supplies were cut, telephone lines went dead, and major radio stations were forced off-air.

Critical Locations Hit: * Dataran Merdeka (Merdeka Square): The Secretariat building (Sultan Abdul Samad Building) and the Supreme Court were heavily flooded.

• St. Mary’s Church & The Weld Supermarket: Both suffered significant water damage.
• Chow Kit & Kampung Baru: These areas were among the hardest hit, with many traditional wooden houses submerged up to their roofs.

Transportation: All rail and road links to the North and East Coast were severed, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded.

Aftermath and Legacy

The disaster was a turning point for urban planning and disaster management in Malaysia.

• State of Emergency: Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak declared a national disaster on January 5, 1971, coordinating a massive rescue effort involving the military and police.
• Flood Mitigation: The event led to the creation of the Kuala Lumpur Flood Mitigation Programme. This eventually paved the way for major engineering projects like the SMART Tunnel and the development of the Batu and Klang Gates dams to regulate river levels.
• National Security: It prompted the government to establish more robust early warning systems and permanent flood control committees.

Note: The images you uploaded (1971 - BANJIR DI KL) likely show the iconic scenes of sampans (small boats) navigating Jalan Raja in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, a sight that became the face of this tragedy.

The rescue operations during the 1971 Kuala Lumpur flood were unprecedented in scale, marking the first time the modern Malaysian government had to mobilize almost every branch of its security and civil services for a natural disaster.

Here are the specific details regarding the rescue efforts:

Military and Police Mobilization

• The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF): Helicopters were the heroes of the operation. They were used to airlift families from the rooftops of submerged houses in Kampung Baru and Chow Kit. They also dropped food supplies (mostly bread and canned sardines) to those stranded in high-rise buildings or on hills.
• The Malaysian Army: Soldiers deployed assault boats and "zodiacs" to navigate the narrow, debris-filled streets of the city center. They were responsible for the bulk of the evacuations, moving over 30,000 people to relief centers in the first 48 hours.
• Royal Malaysian Police: Officers were tasked with preventing looting in abandoned commercial areas like Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and managing the massive traffic gridlock caused by abandoned, half-submerged vehicles.

International Aid

Because the disaster was so severe, Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak accepted international help:

• Australia: Provided two 100-foot Bailey bridges (prefabricated steel bridges) to replace those that had collapsed, particularly in areas connecting KL to the East Coast. They also deployed Dakota transport aircraft and helicopters from the Butterworth airbase.
• Singapore: Sent medical teams and supplies to assist with the potential outbreak of waterborne diseases.

Relief Centers and Medical Response

• Evacuation Points: Schools, mosques, and community halls on higher ground (like those in Bangsar and Bukit Tunku) were converted into temporary shelters. The Chinwoo Stadium and Merdeka Stadium also served as major gathering points for displaced families.
• Medical Teams: Mobile clinics were set up to provide vaccinations against cholera and typhoid, as there was a high risk of contamination from the overflowing sewer systems and the Klang River.

Leadership: Tun Abdul Razak's Role

The Prime Minister's personal involvement is often cited as a defining moment of his leadership.

• He famously toured the flooded areas by boat and helicopter, often appearing in photographs wearing a simple raincoat and boots.
• On January 5, 1971, he declared a "National State of Disaster," which bypassed standard bureaucracy to allow funds and military assets to be released immediately.

Further Readings:

1. The Stoly: The 1971 Kuala Lumpur Floor
2. RS Flood Control : The Great Flood that Damaged Kuala Lumpur Greatly.

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8 January 2026: 10.57 p.m

He chaired the Flood Relief and Rehabilitation Committee himself to ensure that recovery began the moment the water receded.

1888: SELANGOR VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE KUALA LUMPUR

This image captures a significant piece of Malaysian history: the Selangor Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1888, stationed at High Street, Kuala Lumpur.

Historic Context

In the late 1800s, Kuala Lumpur was a rapidly growing town built primarily of wood and attap (thatch), making it extremely vulnerable to fire. After a devastating fire in 1881 nearly leveled the town, the British colonial administration prioritized fire safety.

• The Brigade: This unit was the Selangor State Fire and Rescue Volunteers Squad, established in 1883. It was the precursor to the modern Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba).
• The Leadership: The man often credited with leading this early force was H.F. Bellamy, the head of the Selangor Public Works Department.
• The Location: High Street was one of KL's most important early thoroughfares. It was later renamed Jalan Bandar and is known today as Jalan Tun H.S. Lee.

The Buildings in the Photo

• The Fire Station: The brick building with the distinctive gabled roof in the center served as the fire station. Its brick construction was a direct result of new building regulations enacted by Resident Frank Swettenham to prevent the spread of fires.
• The Police Station: To the left is a portion of the High Street Police Station. This site remains a police hub today; the Kuala Lumpur Traffic Police Station still stands on this very stretch of Jalan Tun H.S. Lee.

Evolution of the Street Name

The street has seen three major name changes:

1. High Street: The original colonial name, chosen because it was situated on higher ground to avoid the frequent flooding of the Klang River.
2. Jalan Bandar: Renamed after independence to reflect its role as a "city" street.
3. Jalan Tun H.S. Lee: Renamed in 1988 in honor of Tun Sir Henry Lee Hau Shik, Malaysia’s first Finance Minister and a key figure in the independence movement.

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8 January 2026: 11.05 a.m

AEON ALPHA ANGLE - FROM MINING & ESTATE TO MALL

AEON Alpha Angle, located in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur, has a history deeply intertwined with the transformation of Kuala Lumpur’s northern suburbs from industrial and agricultural lands into a modern residential township.

While the specific footprint of the mall is often associated with the Hawthornden Rubber Estate, the wider Wangsa Maju area (historically part of Setapak) was a major hub for tin mining during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

1. The Pre-Development Era (Mining & Rubber)

Before the 1980s, the land where Wangsa Maju stands today was a mix of tin mines and rubber plantations.

• The Gonggang Mines: In the 1880s, tin mining flourished in the "Gonggang" area (southwest of modern Wangsa Maju). As those mines were worked out, the land was often converted into rubber estates.
• Hawthornden Estate: Much of Seksyen 1 and the surrounding areas (where Alpha Angle is located) were part of the massive Hawthornden Rubber Estate.
• Legacy of the Land: The transition from "tin to rubber to retail" is a common historical pattern in this part of Kuala Lumpur.

2. The Birth of Wangsa Maju (1984)

In February 1984, the Malaysian government launched the Wangsa Maju township project. It was one of the first major joint-venture urban developments between the public sector (DBKL) and the private sector (Peremba Berhad). The goal was to create a "new town" to support the growing population of Kuala Lumpur.

3. Opening of Alpha Angle (1992)

AEON Alpha Angle holds a special place in Malaysian retail history:

• Grand Opening: It officially opened in April 1992.
• Historic Milestone: At the time, it was known as Jaya Jusco (later rebranded to AEON). It was the company's fourth outlet in Malaysia and their first-ever full-scale shopping centre in the country.
• A Landmark: For decades, it served as the primary social and commercial heart for the residents of Wangsa Maju, Setapak, and Ulu Kelang.

4. Modern Transformation (2021–2022)

After nearly 30 years of operation, the mall underwent a massive RM 100 million renovation starting in November 2021.

• Reopening: The "new" AEON Alpha Angle was completed in April 2022.
• Eco-Friendly Focus: As part of a DBKL initiative to make Wangsa Maju a carbon-neutral township, the mall was fitted with solar panels and modernized with the "IDEA" concept (Inclusivity, Digital, and Experiential).

Tracing the mining history of the AEON Alpha Angle site requires looking back at the Gonggang area and the influence of early Kuala Lumpur tycoons. Before the rubber trees of the Hawthornden Estate were planted, this land was part of a sprawling network of tin mines that fueled the growth of the Klang Valley.

1. The Loke Yew Connection

The most significant figure linked to the site’s mining history is Loke Yew, one of the most successful business magnates in British Malaya.

• Land Ownership: The land that eventually became the Hawthornden Rubber Estate (and later Wangsa Maju/Alpha Angle) was originally part of Loke Yew's vast holdings.
• The Transition: In the late 19th century, Loke Yew held massive mining concessions in the Setapak and Gonggang areas. As the tin deposits near the surface were depleted, he—like many other miners—diversified into rubber.
• Legacy: Records from 1926 show that while 1,905 acres were vested as rubber land, another 458 acres were still officially designated as mining land within the Hawthornden holdings, indicating that mining and agriculture co-existed on the site for a period.

2. The Gonggang Mining Area

The specific region encompassing Wangsa Maju and Alpha Angle was historically referred to as Gonggang.

• Mining Methods: Early operations here were likely "Lombong" (open-cast) mines. Chinese laborers used hoes and baskets to excavate the tin-rich soil before European companies introduced steam pumps and, later, massive dredges.
• Early Settlement: The presence of these mines is why the nearby area of Setapak became one of the earliest populated suburbs of Kuala Lumpur. Minangkabau settlers and Chinese miners formed the initial community long before the retail development arrived.

3. The Hawthornden Rubber Estate Ltd (1926)

While tin was the "first wave," the specific corporate entity most associated with the site's history is Hawthornden Rubber Estate Ltd.

• Incorporation: Formed in 1926 to manage the Loke Yew trust lands.
• Strategic Location: The estate was bounded by Bukit Dinding to the east and the mining fields of Setapak to the west.
• The "Alpha Angle" Spot: Old maps from 1929 show that while much of the area had been converted to rubber, the "Gonggang Mining" area was still visible on the periphery, gradually being overtaken by the estate and a nearby rifle range.

Chronological Summary of the Site

Period	Primary Land Use	Key Entity/Person
1860s–1880s	Alluvial Tin Mining	Local Chinese Kongsis / Malay Chiefs
1890s–1920s	Tin Mining & Early Rubber	Loke Yew
1926–1983	Rubber Plantation	Hawthornden Rubber Estate Ltd
1984–1991	Urban Development	DBKL & Peremba Berhad
1992–Present	Retail / Commercial	AEON (formerly Jaya Jusco)

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Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL
7 January 2026: 7.09 a.m

STUBBORN HOUSE, KUALA LUMPUR

"Stubborn house" in Kuala Lumpur usually refers to Rumah Degil (which literally translates to "Stubborn House"). A historic 1920's Malay wooden house that became a symbol of cultural resilience in Kuala Lumpur. 

Located for nearly a century at No. 41 Jalan Chow Kit, it earned its nickname because it was the very last traditional Malay wooden house to remain standing in an area that had become completely overtaken by modern concrete shophouses and skyscrapers.

The History of Rumah Degil

• Origin: Built in 1926 by Haji Jaafar Sutan Sinombar, a descendant of Sutan Puasa (who many historians credit as the actual founder of Kuala Lumpur).
• The Name: It was nicknamed "The Stubborn House" because it survived the Japanese Occupation, the May 13 riots, and decades of intense urban development.
• The "Up" Connection: Many locals compared it to the house from the Disney-Pixar movie Up because it stood defiantly small and wooden, sandwiched between tall, modern buildings.
• The Last Occupant: The house was home to Normah Majawali (Haji Jaafar’s granddaughter), who was born there in 1932. She famously refused million-ringgit offers from developers for years, wanting to preserve her family legacy.

Where is it now?

In 2013, the family could no longer afford the high maintenance costs and was finally forced to sell the land. However, the house itself was saved:

• Dismantling (2015): A group of heritage lovers and architects carefully dismantled the house, piece by piece, labeling every plank of wood.
• Relocation (2018): It was reconstructed on the grounds of the National Art Gallery (Balai Seni Negara) on Jalan Tun Razak.
• Current Status: You can still visit it today at the National Art Gallery, where it serves as a permanent architectural exhibit.

The house gained fame for surviving significant historical events, including the Japanese occupation, the Communist insurgency, and the May 13 riots. Despite intense commercial pressure, its last resident, Norma Manjawali, lived there until 2013 before high maintenance costs forced a sale.

A dedicated team of architects and filmmakers, led by KC Tan and Fatulrahman Ghazali, spearheaded a private initiative to save the structure from demolition, eventually partnering with the National Heritage Department for its relocation.

3 January 2026: 11.53 p.m

1980'S : JB RAILWAY STATION & FLAT LUMBA KUDA

Thank you for sharing these photos. They are a wonderful window into the history of Johor Bahru, especially for those who remember the city before the massive transformations of the early 2000s.

The images you’ve provided capture two landmarks that were once the heart of Johor Bahru's gateway to the north and south.

1. Johor Bahru Railway Station (1981)

The image shows the iconic yellow and blue station. Opened in 1909, this station served as the southernmost terminus of the Malayan railway for decades before the Causeway was completed.

The 1981 Context: a group of Royal Malaysian Navy personnel posing at the station. This was the group on their way to Kuala Lumpur to participate in the Merdeka Day 1981 at Dataran Merdeka. The contigent of the ship crew of KD Raja Jarom, based at Woodlands, Singapore. 

This was the "golden era" of rail travel in Malaysia, long before the KTM ETS electric trains existed.

Today: The station officially closed its doors on October 21, 2010, when operations moved to the modern JB Sentral next door. While there were plans to turn this beautiful building into a KTM Museum, it remains a preserved heritage site that still stands as a silent witness to the city's growth.

2. Flat Lumba Kuda

The image of the Flat Lumba Kuda, a landmark residential complex that once defined the JB skyline near the border.

These flats were built in two phases (Phase 1 in 1964 and Phase 2 in 1971). For many Johoreans, "Lumba Kuda" (which translates to "Horse Race," named after the nearby old racecourse) was a bustling community of families and workers.

To make way for the Gerbang Selatan Bersepadu (Integrated Southern Gateway) project—specifically the massive Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex—the flats were demolished in the early 2000s.

The Transformation: If you stood in that exact spot today, you would see the sprawling CIQ complex and the Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) expressway. The quiet, residential vibe of the 80s has been replaced by one of the busiest border crossings in the world.

These photos are a poignant reminder of how much "old JB" has changed to become the modern metropolis it is today.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL

1 January 2026: 8.45 p.m