This is Istana Sepachendera and shows that even government-listed buildings are not necessarily well protected. Despite this old palace being a ruin, it was still quite magestic. This palace is also known as Istana Kampung Baru - a village which no longer exists. The palace was built in 1882 by the father of Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, and he was called Putra Al-Haj Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah (ruled 1881-1843). The Sultan had it built for his first wife Che Sepachendera when he ascended to the royal throne. In 1992 it was converted to a school for girls, in honour of his wife, but the school moved in 1954 and the building was eventually deserted. Even today you can still see its location in the ex-school grounds. It was really quite sad to see this once elegant building just rotting away.
Istana Kuning is another royal palace located in the heart of the city near the Istana Sepachendera. This is the ‘Yellow Palace’ as yellow is the royal colour among Malay Sultans. It is this palace which was the birthplace of Tunku Abdul Rahman. The building is now used as a royal office.
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