Malaysia ex-PM Mahathir tours refurbished heritage building in KL on eve of Hari Raya
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Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Siti Hasmah visited the newly refurbished heritage building Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad on March 20.
PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM MAHATHIR MOHAMAD/FACEBOOK
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PETALING JAYA – Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Siti Hasmah took the time to tour the newly refurbished heritage building Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad (BSAS) on the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
In a well-received video posted on Dr Mahathir’s social media pages on March 20, he was seen seated in a multi-purpose vehicle as he received an explanation of the refurbishment works that the BSAS underwent in the past year or so.
Dr Mahathir also inquired about the building’s age, which was revealed to be 129 years old, built in 1897.
The former prime minister and his wife were also seen bantering about the place, with Dr Siti Hasmah saying, “This is where I grew up”.
The couple were accompanied by their son, Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir, who jokingly asked if there were rooms at the building for his mother to stay in.
Dr Mahathir also took the opportunity to deliver a Hari Raya message from the vehicle, wishing all Muslims in Malaysia a peaceful and prosperous celebration.
The former prime minister had spent several weeks in the hospital in January after fracturing his hip from a fall.
Meanwhile, the BSAS underwent extensive restoration under the Warisan KL initiative early in 2025.
It has since reopened its doors to the public on Feb 2.
The BSAS has stood as an iconic landmark in Kuala Lumpur for over a century, becoming the backdrop to many of Malaysia’s historical moments.
It was accorded National Heritage status in 2007. THE STAR/ASIA NEW NETWORK
