Parliament House
Parliament House, the symbol of democracy in Malaysia, is set up on a hill in the scenic Lake Gardens and is flanked by fountains and other ornamental features. Access is via a four-lane highway from the city centre.
The two chambers and their attendant facilities are placed in one rectangular complex, four storeys high, 190m wide and 61m deep. Rising through the centre of this concourse is the sharp triangular outline of the roof of the House of Representatives. In front of this building rises a twenty-level tower block 77m high, containing offices for ministers and members of the Upper and Lower Chambers. Topping the 15 floors of office space in the tower block is an open-sided terrace commanding a magnificent view of the federal capital. This is used for informal receptions.
On the ground floor is a small circular surau or prayer room which can accommodate 100 persons. Dominating the ground floor is the massive banqueting hall which can accommodate 500 people. Other facilities on the ground floor include a library, a press room, lounge and canteen. A striking feature of the entire project is the elaborate water system which circulates specially treated water to the four floors of the main block as well as 730,000 litre pool in the forecourt. The project took three and a half years to complete. It was built at the cost of RM16 millions.
Courtesy of Information Malaysia 1997 Yearbook