RESEARCH JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND HYDROBIOLOGY

RESEARCH JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND HYDROBIOLOGY 2016. 11(3): ISSN: 1816-9112 Journal home page: http://www.aensiweb.com/jasa/ Tracing the Cultural Heritage in Kota Bharu, Kelantan Sumarni Ismail Architecture Department of Architecture, Faculty of Design and Architecture, Universiti Putra Malaysia Address For Correspondence: Sumarni Ismail, Architecture Department of Architecture, Faculty of Design and Architecture, Universiti Putra Malaysia. E-mail: sumarni.upm@gmail.com Received 22 January 2016; accepted 2 March 2016; published 10 March 2016 A B S T R A C T One of the fundamental aspect in conservation of architectural heritage through preservation and revival of its traditional culture and monuments. In 1991, Kota Bharu was declared as a cultural city by late Sultan Ismail Petra based on the successful formation and development of the city in general. It was a commitment from the state to ensure that the authenticity and integrity of architectural heritage will be sustained through preservation and revival of its traditional culture and buildings as well monuments. Kota Bharu have retained their cultural heritage in terms of design, workmanship and materials. This paper will discuss the conservation of heritage buildings at cultural zone in Kota Bharu. Key words: Kelantan, cultural properties, conservation, cultural heritage INTRODUCTION Kota Bharu, a town in Malaysia, is the state capital and Royal City of Kelantan situated in the north eastern part of Peninsular Malaysia, and lies near the mouth of Kelantan River [1]. This north eastern Malaysian city is close to the Thai border, and is home to many mosques. Also of interest are various museums and the unique architecture of the old royal palace still occupied by the King and Queen. Kota Bharu is also a symbol of the state and its people. It is very rich architectural and social cultural heritage from the past which is very unique identity of its people. Residents of Kota Bahru are very rich and unique of culture. Thus, on July 25, 1991, the capital of Kelantan has been declared as the city of culture. While on 1st October 2005, the capital of Kelantan has been declared as an Islamic city with the title of Kota Bahru Bandaraya Islam 2.0 The Cultural Zone of Kota Bharu: Kota Bharu is a unique city compared to other cities in Malaysia. Arts and cultures are the main ingredients and elements in developing its image. The cultural aspects make the city to have a sense of place. This factor contributes to promote a distinctive identity and becomes a major tourist attraction to the city. A designated cultural zone of kota Bharu is located around the main palace, which has been identified and gazetted by its Municipal Council for urban conservation. The historical elements that cover the beginning of place Kota Balai Besar and Kota Bharu state capital. This historical area is known as the cultural zone as in Figure 1 [2]. Historical Zone: The main cultural and historical zone of Kota Bharu is situated along Jalan Hilir Kota and Jalan Sultan where many heritage buildings are located. Amongst the heritage buildings found at are: Open Access Journal Published BY AENSI Publication 2016 AENSI Publisher All rights reserved This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ To Cite This Article: Dr. Layla Abd-Al-Sattar Sadiq Laylani., Cytotoxicity activity of Punica granatum L. (Punicaceae) extracts against cancer cell lines. Research Journal Of Fisheries And Hydrobiology, 11(3):, 2016

233 Dr. Layla Abd-Al-Sattar S.L, 2016/ Research Journal Of Fisheries And Hydrobiology 11(3), March, Pages: Fig. 1: Historical area and zoning. Royal Museum (Istana Batu): The Istana Batu (Figure 2) was constructed in 1939 during the reign of Sultan Ismail. The overall design of the palace is inspired by the Sultan Ismail. It houses the Royal Museum and was previously used as the venue for royal weddings and as a guest house for visiting royalty. The Royal Museum now serves as a repository for the history of the Kelantan royal family and displays regalia, pictures, silverware, and furniture and palace items of former Sultans [3]. Fig. 2: Istana Batu (Batu Palace). World War Two Memorial (Bank Kerapu): Originally constructed in 1911. the building was completed and put into use as a bank by "The Mercatile Bank of India Ltd" In 1912,. This building is the first bank opened in Kelantan. Starting in 1992, the building was used as a memorial commemoration of World War II, which began landing troops in Malaya [4]. Bank Kerapu is now a repository for documents, pictures and military paraphernalia of the Japanese Occupation from 1941 to 1945. Other exhibits include pictures of Sultan Ismail Petra as Honorary Colonel of the Royal Regiment of Artillery Malaysia, Kelantan-Thai relations history before the independence of Malaya, and the lives of the people in Kelantan British before and after the war. Bikes used by the Japanese army during the Kota Bharu also exhibited here. Figure 3 and 4 shows the Bank Kerapu before 1912 and after 2011 respectively. Fig. 3: Bank Kerapu (before 1912). The building is also the first building in a building that uses stone Kelantan. Kelantan local communities better identify this building as grouper Bank building as part of the building cemented surface using small bricks that cause an uneven surface and sputters State Mosque ( Masjid Muhammadi): Muhammadi mosque is the state of Kelantan Darul Naim. The mosque was built in 1867 of wood chosen in the reign of Sultan Muhammad II (1830-1886). Renovation mosque of wooden buildings to the new stone

234 Dr. Layla Abd-Al-Sattar S.L, 2016/ Research Journal Of Fisheries And Hydrobiology 11(3), March, Pages: building Western-style design (British) was created in 1922 and was inaugurated by HRH Sultan Ismail on Friday, July 31, 1931 and named Masjid Muhammadi. Figure 5 shows the latest Muhammad Mosque. Fig. 3: Bank Kerapu (after 2011). Fig. 5: Muhammad Mosque in 2011. Renovation and addition to the building of this mosque was conducted several times, for example in 1959, 1968, 1976 and 1987. At present the total area of the mosque building is 10,600 square feet, can accommodate 2,400 worshipers. Early stage (1860s-1960s) This mosque is famous Centre for Islamic Studies [5]. Figure 6 shows how Muhammad Mosque look like in year 1980. Fig. 6: Muhammad Mosque in 1980. This mosque became a center of religious knowledge dissemination famous in the archipelago until Kelantan known as the "Veranda of Mecca". Muhammadi mosque Kota Bharu recorded more than 100 years ago. Then known as the Great Mosque Kota Bharu. The mosque adopts an open design concept with a Colonial architectural style. Figure 7 shows Muhammad Mosque with concrete construction in year 1940 while Figure 8 shows Muhammad Mosque with timber construction in year 1907. Fig. 7: Muhammad Mosque with concrete construction in year 1940.

235 Dr. Layla Abd-Al-Sattar S.L, 2016/ Research Journal Of Fisheries And Hydrobiology 11(3), March, Pages: Fig. 8: Muhammad Mosque with timber construction in year 1907. This yellow-and-brown structure features Moghul-style domes and the liberal use of arches and pillars throughout. Its main prayer hall is adorned with stunning Roman columns embellished with beautiful dark brown carvings around the top. Air vents along the walls provide natural ventilation in the building. Istana Balai Besar: The town of Kota Bharu is definitely inseparable from its Balai Palace. Indeed,both the city and the palace were even built simultaneously in 1844. Kota Bharu (New City) town was built by Sultan Muhammad II as the new capital and administrative centre, replacing Kota Lama (old city) [6]. Built by Sultan Muhammad II in 1840, as a replacement to the Kota Lama Palace the Istana Balai Besar was formerly the residence of past Sultans; starting from Sultan Muhammad II(1839-1889), Sultan Ahmad (1886-1889),Sultan Muhammad III (1890-1891) and Muhammad IV [7]. Balai Besar Palace is also the venue of official and royal ceremonies from 1845 until today. However, it is now used solely as a venue for official state functions. Figure 9 shows the Istana Balai Besar during 1845 whila Figure 10 visualizes the current condition of Istana Balai Besar which undergo massive improvement works. Fig. 9: Istana Balai Besar during 1845. Fig. 10: Present image of Istana Balai Besar. Istana Jahar: Built in 1887 by Sultan Mohamad II for his grandson, Long Kundur, the Istana Jahar has been transformed into a museum featuring Kelantan's cultural heritage. Photographs and a great variety of artefacts bear testimony to the rich Kelantanese cultural legacy. The building itself is laced with intricate wood carvings, serving as an example of the fine craftsmanship of local artisans [8]. Figure 11 shows the Istana Jahar. Jahar palace now used as the Kelantan Royal Museum. The museum showcases the history of the State of the empire early days until the reign of Sultan Kelantan at the moment [9]. Exhibition space available in the museum building is divided into several parts, such as weapons, traditional clothes, and other things related to

236 Dr. Layla Abd-Al-Sattar S.L, 2016/ Research Journal Of Fisheries And Hydrobiology 11(3), March, Pages: the sultanate. Although it has been used as a museum, but the original design of this building have been preserved. Its unique architecture with beautiful carvings graced the palace-turned-museum. Jahar palace close to Istana Balai Besar was among the castles that are of interest around the city of Kota Bharu [10]. The Jahar Palace was constructed during the reign of Sultan Muhammad II (1837-1886) after the opening of the Kota Bharu and construction Istana Balai Besar. Jahar palace which is located on the side of the Great Hall of the Palace in the heart of Kota Bharu is an example of French architectural heritage of beautiful and interesting. If you had the opportunity to come here, Jahar Palace and other palaces in the vicinity visible in the middle of a new and modern building. However, the rapid development of the surrounding area does not affect the heritage building that has a lot of secrecy history [11]. Fig. 11: Istana Jahar. Conclusion: Cultural Zone were designed by State Government as a ground to protect cultural heritage of Kelantaness with the cultures of ethnic groups (languages/dialects, belief system, ritual and lifestyle) in Kelantan. Kelantan has achieved in preserving cultural heritage, though it needs to sell the product through promotion and participation from public and private sectors. Kota Bharu, has successfully capitalised on its cultural diversity and tangible heritage. With a well-structured heritage policy underlining its future development, Kota Bharu is on its way to ensure that it lives up to the image of a Bandar Budaya. While the cultural heritage can be lift-up in a static way via conservation and preservation, it can also be projected in a dynamic way by promoting the people. A concerted effort between the government, private sector and local community is vital to ensure the sustainability Kota Bharu as Bandar Budaya and Bandaraya Islam for its legacy. REFERENCES 1. Ghafar, A., 1998. Urban Tourism in Malaysia: Heritage cities of Georgetown, Malacca and Kota Bharu, Proceedings in International Seminar on European Architecture and Town Planning Outside Europe, 2-5 November, Malacca Antoniou, J. (981). Islamic Cities and Conservation, Switzerland: The UNESCO Press Abdul Aziz Deraman. (1989). Kelantan dalam Perspektif Sosio Budaya, Kota Bharu: Perbadanan Muzium Negeri Kelantan. Fee, C.V.,ed. 2. The Encyclopedia Malaysian Architecture, Kuala Lumpur: Archipilago press Keong, K.J., 2004. 3. Kota Bharu in Heritage Asia, 1(4): 47-51 Abdul Halim Nasir, 1997. 4. Warisan Seni Bina Melayu, 2009. Bangi Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Kota Bharu City Council. 5. Kota Bharu Local Plan Report, unpublished report. Mohammad Tajuddin, M.S., 2000. The Architectural Heritage of the Malay World: The Traditional Mosque, Universiti teknologi Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia. Siti Norlizaiha, H. (1995). 6. http://www.come2kelantan.my/place/istana-jahar-muzium-adat-istiadat-diraja-kelantan 7. Siti Norlizaiha, H., 2005. The Conservation Of Heritage Buildings In Malay Early Towns: Cultural City Of Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.Paper presented at International Seminar on Malay Architecture As Lingua Franca, June 22 & 23, Trisakti University, Jakarta, Indonesia. 8. Othuman Mydin, M.A., S. Jasme, M.N. Mohd Nawi, N. Utaberta, M.Y. Mohd Yunos, 2015. Legal Provision Allied to Conservation of Heritage Buildings in Penang, Appl. Mech. Mater., 747: 198 201. 9. Utaberta, N., N.F. Elina, M. Tajuddin, M. Rasdi, M. Yazid, M. Yunos, N.A. Ismail, S. Ismail, 2015. Identifying the Customs and Rituals in the Malay Culture, Adv. Environ. Biol., 9(95): 461 465. 10. Ismail, S., N. Utaberta, M. Yazid, M. Yunos, A. Ismail, 2015. The Analysis of Socio Culture and Economic Influence towards Malay Community of the Architecture of Masjid Jamek, Adv. Environ. Biol., 9(95): 326 329.

237 Dr. Layla Abd-Al-Sattar S.L, 2016/ Research Journal Of Fisheries And Hydrobiology 11(3), March, Pages: 11. Jalali, N., Utaberta, A. Irfan, J. Seni Bina, F. Kejuruteraan, A. Bina, 2013. The Effect of Architectural and Urban Elements On City Image in Lahijan s Historical Area, Iran, J. Des. + Built.