The iconic Sultan Abdul Samad Building re-opens to public on 2 February 2026

Kuala Lumpur, 31 January 2026 — In a ceremony officiated by Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim, Khazanah Nasional Berhad (“Khazanah”) today marked the opening of Block 1 of the iconic Sultan Abdul Samad Building (“BSAS”) Complex, following the completion of 11 months of conservation and restoration works undertaken under Khazanah’s Dana Warisan, an initiative under Warisan Kuala Lumpur (“Warisan KL”).

This major milestone was also witnessed by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim together with several Cabinet Ministers, senior government officials and private sector leaders.

Warisan KL, launched by the Prime Minister in April 2025, is a national priority that brings together government agencies, GLCs, GLICs, public and private partners aimed at reimagining and revitalising the capital city’s iconic heritage assets and historical identity. It serves as a unifying platform to promote cultural, historical and tourism destinations while supporting long-term economic development and growth, aligned with the principles of Ekonomi MADANI.

Dato’ Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir, Managing Director of Khazanah, said, “We thank the Government of Malaysia for entrusting Khazanah with the restoration of the BSAS Complex, one of the most iconic landmarks in Kuala Lumpur. The project demonstrates the value of strong public-private collaboration and synergy under the Warisan KL banner. Beyond conserving the building, our focus is to activate BSAS as an inclusive and living public space that is accessible to all, and one that contributes to Kuala Lumpur’s vibrancy and long-term growth. The timely re-opening of BSAS supports Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and aims to generate broader spillover effects to the local economy and across tourism, retail and logistics.”

Formerly known as the Secretariat Building that once anchored the nation’s administrative centre, it was later renamed Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad in honour of Almarhum Sultan Abdul Samad ibni Almarhum Raja Abdullah, the Selangor ruler at the time of its construction – cementing its place in both the city’s skyline and the nation’s history.

Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad bore witness to some of the nation’s and Kuala Lumpur’s most defining moments, including the lowering of the Union Jack and subsequent raising of the Federation of Malaya flag for the first time in 1957, on the field which is now known as Dataran Merdeka.

It also witnessed a new chapter following the conferment of Kuala Lumpur’s city status in 1972 and its subsequent designation as a Federal Territory in 1974, following the consent of Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Alhaj to transfer Kuala Lumpur from the sovereignty of Selangor to the Federal Government in the spirit of nationhood.

BSAS Block 1 marks the first completed phase within the wider restoration of the BSAS Complex, with works focused on safeguarding the building’s character as a Category 1: National Heritage site, while enhancing safety, accessibility and visitor experience. Visitors can now enjoy various offerings at BSAS including immersive exhibition spaces and galleries, a one-stop visitor centre, an experiential retail and craft- making spaces, lettable event halls and venues, and F&B offerings including BakeHouse by KLCG, The Café by Royal Selangor, Courthouse Cafe, Kaw Kaw Malaya and Gula Camca.

As part of the Warisan KL initiative, Khazanah has been entrusted to preserve and rejuvenate eight (8) significant Malaysian historic buildings, including Seri Negara and Carcosa at Bukit Carcosa, and the BSAS Complex, comprising the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Pejabat Pos Lama, the former Kuala Lumpur High Court, Panggung Bandaraya, the old FMS Survey Office and the National Textile Museum. A pedestrian bridge linking Seri Negara and Carcosa to the Perdana Botanical Gardens Kuala Lumpur will also be built by the end of this year. RM600 million has been allocated by Khazanah to fund this initiative. The restoration on the remaining buildings by Khazanah will see a phased completion in coming years.

BSAS Block 1 will be open to the public on Feb 2, one year since restoration works on the building commenced in 2025. The galleries will welcome visitors from 9am to 6pm every day. Details on the galleries and ticket prices will be available on the website www.bsas.com.my. To commemorate the opening, admission to the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery will be complimentary for the first month.