The document provides background information on the Pejabat Agama Islam Klang building in Selangor, Malaysia. It began as a palace for the Sultan of Selangor in 1912 and has since been used for various purposes, including as Japanese military quarters and the Klang Municipal Building. Most recently, it housed the Klang Islamic Religious Office (PAID) but has been abandoned and left in a deteriorating state. A preliminary investigation examines the building's history, spatial configuration and functions over time, and a dilapidation survey outlines the poor internal and external conditions resulting from lack of maintenance.

1. PEJABAT AGAMA ISLAM KLANG, SELANGOR

2. SITE INTRODUCTION
Pejabat Agama Islam Klang
Utilisation history:
1. Palace for the Sultan of Selangor
2. Japanese Soldiers’ Quarters
3. Klang Municipal Building
4. Klang Islamic Religious Office/ Pejabat Agama Islam Daerah
(PAID)
Current building: Klang Islamic Religious Office
Recent status: Abandoned
Building is left to deteriorate in poor state, such as
1. Stolen window grills
2. Eroded walls with the growth of moss
3. Broken and chipped off walls

3. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
Historical Background
_____________________________________________________________________________
PEJABAT AGAMA ISLAM DAERAH KLANG
KLANG ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS OFFICE

4. Historical Background
Selangor
1. Rich in natural resources, the region attracted miners, trader, and
immigrants to reside in the area.
2.Raja Lumu which is one of the descendants of Bugis established
Kuala Selangor and became the first Sultan of Selangor in 1766..
3. There are two capitals in Selangor which is Shah Alam as the state
capital city and Klang as the royal capital city.
Klang
1. The origin of the name Klang is said to come from the Mon- Khmer
word “Klong”.
2. The definition of “Klong” is a warehouse, canal, waterway or storage
place for goods.
Indication of Selangor in Malaysia map
Distribution zoning and
district of Old Klang

5. Klang Civil War (Perang Saudara)
1867 - 1873
1. Started from the conflict between two Selangor Malay dignitaries, Raja Abdullah and
Raja Mahadi to dominate tin resources in Klang River Valley.
2.Raja Abdullah was an “Orang Besar of Klang”, assigned by Sultan Muhammad.
3. Due to the great influence and reputation of Raja Mahadi in Klang, Raja Abdullah was
forced to retreat to Malacca.
4.Raja Abdullah passed away, the demise was replaced by Yap Ah Loy, head of Fei
Chew clan from the Haisan Society.
5.Yap Ah Loy side was assisted by the son of Sultan which is Tengku Kudin, while Raja
Mahadi was assisted by Syed Manshor and the Kah Yang Chew clan from the Ghee Hin
society from Kanching.
6. Through the process, Chinese society and Malays dignities form positive competition
benefits in the economic development in Straits Settlement. Selangor became one of the
main tin producing states in the world.
7.The Klang Civil War ends when British assisted on Tengku Kudin side in the war. Raja
Mahadi was defeated by Tengku Kudin.
Yap Ah Loy
War between two Malat dignitaries

6. British Colonial Era
1873 - 1941
1. British took the opportunity to strengthen their position in Selangor during the conflict in
Klang Civil War and piracy along straits of Selangor.
2. Sir Frank Swettenham successfully convince Sultan Sir Abdul Samad to place the
state under British rule.
3. In December 1874, Tames Guthrie Davidson was appointed as the first British resident
in Selangor, while Sir Frank Swettenham was made assistant resident in Kuala Lumpur.
4. The position of the Malay dignitaries was remained. However, the interruption of British
in politics and economic had limited the power possessed by Sultan. The Sultan had
authority only in terms of Islam and Malay customs.
5. After 1874, British decided to choose Klang instead of Jugra as their administration
center until 1880, when they moved it to Kuala Lumpur due to its rapid development.
Sir Frank Swettenham (right) and Sultan
Suleiman of Selangor (left), 1936

7. Economic Development of Selangor(Klang)
1847 - 1957
1. During this period, the economy of the state of Selangor grew rapidly from tin
mining sector and commercial crops such as rubber and oil palm.
2. Despite the moving administration center to Kuala Lumpur, Klang did not
lose its prominence and remain reputation with the construction of Port
Swettenham (Port Klang)
3. Its position was enhanced in 1886 by the completion of Klang Valley Railway
(to Bukit Kuda). The town’s growth was further provoked by the State,
becoming a leading producer of coffee and rubber.
4. Throughout this period, The British administration had brought a positive
impact on the economic growth of the town in general development.
5. However, the power of Sultan was limited due to the presence of British.
Tin mining area in Klang
Port Swettenham, 1910

8. Japanese Occupation
1941 - 1945
1. The Japanese invaded SEA during WW2. During this period, Malaya was
gradually occupied by the Japanese.
2. The general policy of Japan administration was to make Malaya its territory.
3. Japanese exploited the local economy to fulfill its needs and assist in the war
against the Allies.
4. Tin was exploited to produce ammunition, whereas rubber was harvested to
produce rubber tyres for bicycles of Japanese army.
5. At that time, the Japanese treated the local people cruelly and caused the
people to live in the hardship.
6. The economy of Selangor declined due to economic sanctions.
Japanese soldiers travelling with bicycles

9. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
Site Context, Building Timeline
____________________________________________________________________________
PEJABAT AGAMA ISLAM DAERAH KLANG
KLANG ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS OFFICE

10. Site Context
1. Royal Gallery of Klang (used to be Municipal of Klang and
Administrative Office, during British & Japanese rule)
-Located along Jalan Besar (Istana Street), adjacent to Jalan Dato Hamzah.
2. Klang Station, KTM
-Located along Jalan Raya Timur
-Used to be main street of Klang in 1930’s due to dependency on Klang
Valley KTM Station for goods transportation.
3.Gedung Raja Abdullah
-Built in 1857, oldest surviving building in Klang
-Originally used as warehouse by Raja Abdullah, Malay tin-mining pioneer
-1880’s - 1970’s Police station
-1970’s - 1989 Former Tin Museum
-Current status - Vacant
4. Pre-war Shophouses

11. Brief Timeline of Building Ownership
1912
Building was built as a resting palace for Sultan Allaeddin Sulaiman Shah
1938
Sultan Sir Allaeddin Sulaiman passed away
1941
Japanese invaded Malaysia and took over this building to be used as headquarter (JUNTAI)
1945
Japanese defeated. The building was used as lodging house
1949
Building was used as the Klang Institution Municipal office
1965
A meeting was convened to handover the building to JAIS
1977
JAIS moved to Sultan Sulaiman Building. PAID took over the building
1992
PAID shared building with the Lower Syariah Court
2001
The building was refurbished
2004
PAID occupied the building fully
2012
PAID moved to a new building. PADAT took over the building to conserve its historical values
2015
The building is underused and under maintenance

12. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
Spatial Configuration & Function
____________________________________________________________________________
PEJABAT AGAMA ISLAM DAERAH KLANG
KLANG ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS OFFICE

13. Spatial Configuration and Function
Spatial configuration plays an essential part in the building’s design.
Proper spatial planning ensures that the spaces planned would be
utilized completely while, at the same time, determines the
circulation of the building itself.
As with other buildings, spaces are segregated into three general
spaces, each with separate access restrictions. These spaces
include public, semi-public and private spaces.
Figures 1.1 and 1.2 depict the current spatial configurations of the
buildings.
Figure 1.1
Figure 1.2

14. Spatial configuration and function during its time as a
palace.
Public spaces
1. Porch
An area used by the King, for his disciples to greet.
2. Waiting Room
An area used by those who wish to meet the King. Commoners and/or
palace officials would be served by the palace’s servants while awaiting
the King.
3. Throne room
An area used by the people to meet with the King. This area was also
used to conduct events or ceremonies by the King.

15. Spatial configuration and function during its time as a
palace.
Semi-public space
1. Meeting Room
Located on the ground floor under the Living Room above, it was
speculated that this room was used by the King to discuss official
matters with the palace officials.
2. Living Room
Above the Meeting Room lies the Living Room, an area used by the
King during times of leisure.

16. Spatial configuration and function during its time as a
palace.
Private spaces
1. The King’s Office
This room was presumably used by the King as a workspace.
2. The King’s Bedroom
This space was speculated to be the King’s bedroom due to its
placement next to the King’s office, as well as the shear size of the
room itself.

17. Spatial configuration and function as the Pejabat
Agama Islam
Public spaces
1. Waiting Area
As a palace, the porch was left with open arches for the King’s disciples
to greet. As JAIS took over, however, the arches were sealed off in
order to make more room for interior spaces, namely the waiting area.
2. Mufti Room
The term ‘mufti’ refers to an individual with authority over Islamic
religious matters. The mufti room is allocated to those who wish to take
note of the current Islamic rules.

18. Spatial configuration and function as the Pejabat
Agama Islam
Public spaces
3. Reception
- Used by individuals who wish to meet with officers regarding
matters unrelated to services.
4. Clerk Sitting
- A small office space for clerks to perform their tasks
5. Document Store Room
- Two rooms used to store documents strategically placed near
the clerk desks.

19. Spatial configuration and function as the Pejabat
Agama Islam
Semi-public spaces
1. Boss room
The office assigned to the highest ranking officer.
2. Officer’s office
The inclusion of partitions at the time were used to separate officers’
workspaces.
3. Stationery room
This room was used to store stationeries that can be accessed by the
officers at any given time.

20. Spatial configuration and function as the Pejabat
Agama Islam
Semi-public spaces
4. Electric Room
- Used to house M&E units.
5. Anjung Canteen
- Prior to the construction of a separate canteen, this area was
used as a canteen itself. It was later abandoned after the
construction of another canteen opposite.

21. Spatial configuration and function as the Pejabat
Agama Islam
Semi-public spaces
6. Meeting Room
- Under JAIS, it was used as a courtroom but was later
transformed into a meeting room after PAID took over.
7. Counseling Rooms
- JAIS extended the building, erecting two rooms to educate those
who require counseling on the Islamic studies.

22. Spatial configuration and function as the Pejabat
Agama Islam
Public spaces (First floor)
1. Kadi Room
- A room assigned to the Kadi, the highest ranking officer.
The ‘Kadi’ is a judge with the authority to marry couples.
2. Waiting Area
- This area consisted of counters manned by the officers. It
also included an area for individuals to wait for their
sequence.
3. Storage
- More storage was allocated on the first floor to keep
important documents.

23. Spatial configuration and function as the Pejabat
Agama Islam
Private spaces (First floor)
1. Judge’s Room
The room allocated to the Judge while awaiting court duties.
2. Court
This area was used as a courtroom for those who have
neglected the Islamic regulations set by JAIS.
3. Prayer Room
A room for Islamic individuals to perform their daily prayers.

24. Spatial configuration and function as the Pejabat
Agama Islam
Private spaces (First floor)
4. Waiting Area
- This room is meant to house individuals who would have
been waiting to pay their fines or bail.
5. Detention room
- Two rooms used to detain individuals that have broken
the Islamic rules and regulations.
6. Officer’s Office
- The working quarters of officers in charge of this section
of the building.

25. DILAPIDATION SURVEY
Building Evaluation
____________________________________________________________________________
PEJABAT AGAMA ISLAM DAERAH KLANG
KLANG ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS OFFICE

26. DILAPIDATION SURVEY
As a dilapidation survey, a detailed evaluation for the Pejabat Agama Islam Daerah (PAID) building has been
executed to understand the current condition of the property; including internal and external condition of the
building.
For the duration of the survey, it is discerned that there are great quantities of building defects that have
weakened the entire building; resulting to the current impairment and building damage.
The Pejabat Agama Islam Daerah (PAID) building has been existent for 103 years; hence the building
materials that were utilised long ago may not be adaptive to the present climate and surrounding today; thus
the current building damage. For instance, acid rain may have caused corrosion on the building and the
present cracks may have resulted from the uneven settlement of the building.
The current PAID building is highly deficient in preservation and conservation; as abandoned; consequently
causing the building to be in a poor condition.

27. Dilapidation Survey
Internal condition
1. Stains
Stains have caused the PAID building to appear disorderly and cluttered; hence causing difficulty for removal.
There are two main categories; which are water stain and algae stain. Thus, the building is in need for
repainting and refurbishment; to rectify the current issue.
A. Water stain
The presence of water stain is due to the pipe leakage; hence causing the sipping of water to the walls and
ceilings. The blockage of pipe further causes the collection of water; resulting to an overflow of water thus the
sipping of water through walls and ceilings. Accordingly, the plaster wall and ceiling is dampened, hence
imprinting a stain.

28. Water Stain
A1
A2

30. B. Algae stain
Algae stain is arisen when the water stain is unrectified; as the damped and moist texture of the walls and
ceilings allows the growth of algae; in which has worsened the condition of the building.

32. 2. Holes
A. Ground floor
Hole is present on the ground floor; the missing spiral staircase; as it was stolen during the abandonment of
the PAID building. Consequently, the removal of staircase resulted the area of space to be damaged; such as
the minute remnants and debris of the building materials that have been affected.

33. B. First floor
There is a presence of a large circular hole on the first floor; as when observed from top; the damage of the
ground floor is highly visible in sight.

34. C. Walls
The presence of holes on the brick walls of the building have been impacted by the operation of knocking
down partitions; to form offices; when the building was occupied by JAIS (Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor)
and PAID (Pejabat Agama Islam Daerah).

36. D. Ceiling
The holes in the ceiling are predominantly caused by the ceiling pieces that have collapsed. The occurrence of this
issue is thus caused by the removal of electrical appliances; such as lights and air-conditions. Consequently, the
current situation of the entire building does not comprise of electrical appliances; other than an electrical box,
situated in the electrical room.

39. 3. Cracks
There are several types of cracks visibly seen in the PAID building; on the walls, in particular; as the paint
has been peeled off. There is also a distinct presence of hairline cracks; in which, for a long duration of time,
a critical damage may occur as the cracks would weaken the building; hence the possibility of a collapse.

40. Dilapidation Survey
External condition
NORTH EAST ELEVATION
Cracked and
deteriorated wall
Missing windows,
rusted roof and truss
Chipped paint on
exterior wall
Decaying of door
frame
LEGEND
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

41. Broken concrete
surface on column
Cracked walls causing
concrete surface to break
over time
Deterioration of wall and
paint
Cracked floor tiles on
stairs
NORTH EAST ELEVATION
LEGEND
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

42. Damaged and fallen
off soffit panels
Missing windows Wall dent
due to
piping
installation
Peeled off paint near
cornice
NORTH WEST ELEVATION
LEGEND
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

43. Exposed and broken
brick wall
Damaged damped wall Peeled off paint at the
bottom of facade
Moss growth at the
bottom of facade
LEGEND
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
NORTH WEST ELEVATION

44. Multipurpose Performing Arts Centre
Adaptive reuse of former Klang Islamic Religious Office.

45. Adaptive Reuse Proposal
Introduction
In this proposal, Klang former islamic religious office is proposed to transform into a multipurpose
performing arts center. The current building is situated near a couple of educational institutions
such as: Sekolah Rendah Istimewa, Sekolah Kebangsaan Klang and SMK Convent. Therefore,
there is a high demographic percentage of children and students near the current building, making
it a suitable platform to educate and interact with the students as well as the public demographics
of Klang and allowing the culture of art to spread in Klang.
By turning the former Islamic religious office into a multipurpose performing arts center, it also fulfill
its responsibility to preserve and conserve the history and culture of Klang. The age old building will
remain and refurbished as well as purposed by the public and the youngsters.

46. Precedent Study
KLPAC (The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre)
Architects : Ar. Baldip Singh
Ar. SekSan
Location : Kuala Lumpur
Year : 2005
1800s - KLPAC was a wood crafting workshop and sawmill.
1900s - Then, it was turned into a railway deport and workshop.
WWII
1960 - It was used as a golf club house.
2005 - The building was turned into KLPAC whilst incorporates
the former structures and materials from the past.
KLPAC is transforms an age old building by maintaining and conserving its structures
and materials. However, its interior was repurposed into a performing art centre as
well as public rental space for various of events. The building functions following the
concept as centre of people, fusion of old charm and modernism, and maintaining
rustic features blending with new aged designs.
The building consists of notable spaces such as lobby, cafeteria, theatre 1, theatre 2,
Indicine (multipurpose hall), sound chamber, resting room, rehearsal room.
Ar.Baldip and Ar.Seksan orientates the design of KLPAC according to providing new
structures onto yesterday’s building and ecological rustic materials design
respectively.
Facade
Theatre 1 Theatre 2
Indicine Lobby

47. Programming
Porch
Lobby
Admin
Waiting room
Theatre
Control room
Resource centre
Backstage
Gallery
Washroom
Indicine
The new proposed Multipurpose Performing Art Centre serves to heighten
the creativity of future generations in Klang, as well as incite artistic culture in Klang demographics.

48. Space Planning - Ground Floor
Porch
Lobby
Admin
Waiting room
Theatre
Control room
Resource centre
Backstage
Gallery
Washroom
Indicine
Porch
Lobby
Admin
Waiting room
Theatre
Control room
Resource centre
Backstage
Gallery
Washroom
Indicine
Entering the centre, lobby welcomes the visitors with
warmth and the authentic essence of an age old building,
symbolising the strength of past fusing with the modernity
art.
The centre will consist of a theatre room for regular
performing art shows as well as for event rentals such as
promotions or talks.
Resource centre which is like a mini library stocks
knowledge for educational purposes as well as relaxing
purposes for the public to access.

49. Space Planning - First Floor
Porch
Lobby
Admin
Waiting room
Theatre
Control room
Resource centre
Backstage
Gallery
Washroom
Indicine
Entering the first floor, visitors are welcomed by a gallery
showcasing arts and creative works. Inspiring children
and public in various ways.
The control room in the centre are used to facilitate
theatre events and shows.
Indicine allows rearrangement of furnitures easily and
acts as multipurpose hall of the centre.
Multipurpose:
- Press conference
- Buffet dinner
- Meeting room
- Small theatre
- Rehearsal room

50. Summary
In this proposal, Multipurpose performing arts centre will be a suitable platform to educate and
interact with the students as well as the public demographics of Klang. It is also a collaborative joint
between residents, academia, art troupe and civil groups in Klang.
The centre orientates the design of daring use of colours which produces a vibrant atmosphere in
the building at the same time conserving the striking colours of existing external facade of Klang
Islamic religious office. Variation of colours also conveys the purpose of performing art centre as
well as the culture of art.
Besides a theatre, the centre also features an indicine (multipurpose hall), a backstage, a gallery
and a resource centre.
The final goal of the centre is to create a lively and friendly atmosphere which attracts the
neighbourhood of Klang as well as art lovers from different places. Students will be able to spend
their past time by visitting somewhere more meaningful while conserving and giving Klang Islamic
religious office building a new life and a new meaning/