SULEIMAN COURT : KL'S FIRST HIGH-RISE

The image you shared is a rare historical glimpse of Sulaiman Court (or Suleiman Courts), a landmark that holds a significant place in Malaysian urban history. It wasn't just a building; it represented the birth of modern high-rise living in Kuala Lumpur.

The Legacy of Sulaiman Court

• Malaysia's First High-Rise: Completed in 1958, it was the country’s first-ever high-rise low-cost housing project. It was commissioned by the first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, to provide affordable urban housing as the nation approached independence.

• Design & Structure: It consisted of three blocks (A, B, and C) with a total of 295 units. Block A was the tallest at 11 stories, while Blocks B and C were 4 stories high.

• A New Way of Life: When it first opened, many Malaysians were hesitant to live so high off the ground. To encourage residents, the government offered the first six months of rent for free.

• Modernist Architecture: The building featured a distinct Modernist style, which was a massive departure from the colonial-era shop houses and wooden dwellings that dominated KL at the time.

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Where was it located?

Sulaiman Court was located on Batu Road (now known as Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman). If you were to stand on that exact spot today, you would be standing in front of the SOGO Shopping Complex.

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Why was it demolished?

Despite its historical value and the close-knit community that lived there for nearly three decades, the building was demolished in 1986. The site was considered "prime real estate" in the heart of the city, and the government decided to redevelop the area into the commercial hub it is today.

Many former residents still hold "reunion" gatherings to reminisce about the days spent in those flats, which they remember as a place of great racial harmony and community spirit.

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Fun Fact: The building was named after Suleiman bin Abdul Rahman, who was the Minister of Interior and Justice at the time and played a key role in the Housing Trust.

Today, the site where Sulaiman Court once stood is occupied by the SOGO Shopping Mall (formerly Pernas-SOGO), which opened in 1994.

In 2026, the landscape has changed dramatically:

1. Commercial Hub: The quiet residential atmosphere of the 1950s flats has been replaced by one of Kuala Lumpur's busiest retail districts. The intersection of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Dang Wangi is now a major focal point for shoppers.

2. Modern Infrastructure: The area is now heavily integrated with KL's public transport system. The Bandaraya LRT station and the Bank Negara KTM station are just a short walk away, surrounded by high-rise office towers and modern hotels.

3. Urban Transformation: While Sulaiman Court was only 11 stories tall, the skyline behind SOGO now features massive skyscrapers. The "low-cost housing" concept has moved further out of the city center, leaving this area purely for commerce and tourism.

Looking at your original photo and comparing it to the modern SOGO building, it is hard to imagine that the very first high-rise apartments in Malaysia were once right there!

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Google AI Gemini
10 January 2026: 10.17 a.m

PROJET: MALAYSIA'S FULE NOSTALGIA

The image you provided captures a piece of Malaysian "fuel nostalgia"—the ProJET petrol station in Wangsa Maju (specifically Seksyen 5), located right next to what was then the Carrefour hypermarket (now AEON Big).

ProJET is remembered by many Malaysians for its modern "Superstation" concept and its signature foot-long hotdogs. Here is the history of the brand's brief but impactful stint in Malaysia:

1. The Arrival (1999)

ProJET was established in 1999 as a joint venture between the American oil giant ConocoPhillips and the Malaysian conglomerate Sime Darby Berhad.

• A Historic License: It was the first foreign company in 30 years to be granted a license to operate petrol stations in Malaysia, breaking the long-standing status quo held by Petronas, Shell, Esso, Mobil, and Caltex.

• The "Superstation" Concept: ProJET aimed to revolutionize the fueling experience. Their stations were typically larger, brighter, and featured more pumps than traditional stations at the time.

2. Market Innovations

ProJET introduced several features that are now industry standards in Malaysia but were "cool" and new in the early 2000s:

• Destina Convenience Stores: Their in-house brand, Destina, was famous for its snacks. The "self-prepared" foot-long hotdogs became a cult favorite among locals and car enthusiasts who used the stations as meeting points.

• Credit Card Pioneer: They were among the first to aggressively push for credit card payments at the pump when most other brands still relied heavily on cash or indoor counters.

• Modern Branding: The bright yellow pylons (like the one in your photo) and the distinct "Jet" logo made them stand out on the highway.

3. The Exit (2007)

Despite the popularity of its brand and facilities, ProJET struggled to gain a significant foothold in the highly competitive Malaysian market.

• Market Share: By 2003, it only held about 1% of the local petroleum market.

• The Shell Acquisition: In August 2007, Shell Malaysia received government approval to acquire 100% of Conoco Jet (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

• Rebranding: Shell purchased all 44 ProJET stations (and 14 vacant land sites). Within six months, all ProJET stations were repainted and rebranded as Shell stations.

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Legacy

While ProJET is gone, it forced other players in the Malaysian market to upgrade their convenience stores and service standards. The Wangsa Maju station in your photo is now a Shell station, though many locals still refer to that specific area by its association with the old "ProJET and Carrefour" landmark.

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Google AI Gemini
10 January 2026: 10.12 a.m

KHONG YEN CHONG & PUDU JAIL

The images you’ve shared capture two of the most iconic elements of Malaysian history: the grand entrance of Pudu Jail and the man who literally painted its history, Khong Yen Chong.

The story of Khong Yen Chong and Pudu Jail is a rare intersection of crime, art, and national heritage.

The Artist: Khong Yen Chong

In the second photo, Khong Yen Chong is seen holding the Guinness Stout Effort Award and a pewter goblet. He wasn't just a former inmate; he became a symbol of rehabilitation and artistic dedication.

• The Project: In 1984, while serving his sentence, Khong began painting a massive mural on the prison's exterior walls.
• The Vision: He chose to paint lush tropical landscapes—jungles, waterfalls, and beaches—as a way to soften the "eyesore" of the prison for the people of Kuala Lumpur.
• Dedication: When Khong was released before the mural was finished, he didn't walk away. He chose to return as a volunteer to finish the work he started behind bars, proving his genuine passion for the project.

The Record: The World's Longest Mural

The mural became Pudu Jail's most famous feature, visible to every commuter traveling through the heart of Bukit Bintang.

• Scale: It stretched 394 meters (860 feet) long and was 14 feet high.
• Materials: Khong and a few other inmates used approximately 2,000 liters of paint to complete the masterpiece.
• Guinness World Record: At the time, it was officially recognized as the longest mural in the world, earning Khong international recognition.

Pudu Jail: A Vanished Landmark

The first photo shows the Main Gate, which is the only significant piece of the prison still standing today.

• History: Built by the British between 1891 and 1895 on a former burial ground, it was an "X-shaped" prison designed to hold about 600 inmates (though it often held thousands).
• Demolition: Despite public outcry from heritage conservationists, the prison was demolished in phases starting in 2010 to make way for the Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC) development.
• What's Left: Today, the gate stands as a facade in front of the LaLaport mall, a silent reminder of the high-security prison and the vibrant mural that once wrapped around it.

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Google AI Gemini

10 January 2026: 10.05 a.m