State
Secretariat building | 1940
No, this site isn't abandoned, nor forgotten. But a
website like this wouldn't be complete without a trip to this
grand old girl!
I was given official permission to have a nose around this
old building which is still in use, so these are more teaser
pics than anything. More photos will follow later this year
when the current occupying Govt offices move to a new location.
This building is a great example of the effective blending
of Eastern and Western design styles, all nicely mixed into
one building. Designed by the Hong Kong based Palmer and Turner
company, the building was completed in 1940, two years before
the Japanese rode in on their great war machines, the humble
bicycle.
The building was used to house Johor's various government
departments, as well as hold important official ceremonies
for government and royalty.
During the fall of Singapore this building took some direct
artillery hits as well a receiving a good spattering of shrapnel.
The Japanese actually used the tower as an observation post,
directing their troops and artillery up Bukit Timah road in
Singapore. The resulting scars of war have all been rightly
left on the building giving it real character.
The central audience chamber is amazing with its high coffer
ceiling. Unfortunately modern day additions have more than
halved the original size of this space, but the original effect
is still in evidence.
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