Pudu Jail, a 114 year-old jail, built by British during 1895 that used to house criminals including drug offenders and was a location for administering corporal punishment through rotan caning, was demolished on October 2009 by City Hall to make way for a road expansion and tunnel project on Jalan Pudu.
Despite public objection to the city’s historic landmark being destroyed, demolition work continued for the project, aimed at easing traffic congestion in the area. The road expansion project costing about RM83 million will enable motorists to bypass the crossroads next to the old prison. The tunnel will end before the traffic light junction into Puduraya. (Raj, 2009)
Pudu Jail was indubitable for her historical value; nevertheless, the developing era that causes changes of context and necessities of present people have fortuitously isolated Pudu Jail impracticable for its original function. Pudu Jail was initially built to be isolated in a good manner at the site that used to be a jungle, which was suitable for its function. Unfortunately, Pudu Jail is currently being isolated by commercial building which is one of all the reasons that affects its competence of duty.
Therefore, wouldn’t it be a better choice to let it go and replace it with a better formation for remembrance instead of keeping its body without soul? My answer will be “Yes, it will!”
Before going into the points and proves that support my stand, I would briefly begin with the significances of the Past and Present of Pudu Jail as a comparison for the reason to just halt its breathe and die with honor.
2.0 The Value of Pudu Jail in the Past
During British’s colonization, Pudu Jail was not only built as correctional facility as a means of punishing citizens who committed crimes that was uncontrolled in early Kuala Lumpur. It was mainly an architectural tool of British’s empowerment to keep the citizen in fear and oppression at all times. Uprisings occurred