Pemandangan bahagian selatan Bukit Persekutuan, menghadap ke arah barat laut, 2009 (CEphoto, Uwe Aranas @ Wikimedia, 26 November 2009: "File:Kuala Lumpur Malaysia City-view-from-LeMeridien-Sentral-01.jpg").

• Bungsar Estate (1900-an)

“Federal Hill, now known as Bukit Persekutuan, was originally established in 1896 as a residential area with bungalows to house high ranking government officers serving in the FMS administration. Since the early 1900s the road which led to these bungalows was known as Federal Road (now Jalan Persekutuan). In 1952 the government housing scheme was expanded and the whole area was officially named Federal Hill in commemoration of the Federation of Malaya (1948). The streets in this new government estate were named after seven Malayan States – Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Johor, and Perlis as there were already streets in Kuala Lumpur named after the remaining four states at the time. Jalan Pulau Pinang’s name was added on later (Penang Road in town was translated to Jalan Pinang in the 1960s). Bukit Persekutuan or Federal Hill has long been associated with housing quarters built for government bureaucrats, associated with aristocratic localities. The housing area closer to Jalan Travers was the earliest and the houses were referred to as Federal Quarters, in reference to housing units developed by the administration of Selangor and the Federated Malay States. In 2007, a survey of buildings in this area was carried out by Badan Warisan Malaysia. 113 single and double-storey government quarters were identified, the majority still in fair to good condition and some still housing presently serving government officers. There are three properties belonging to the royal households of Kedah, Negeri Sembilan and Perak. The remaining are some private enclaves and a few institutional buildings including the one which today houses Malaysian Nature Society (MNS). …

Historically, this forgotten historical site is synonymous and complements with the nearby historical sites pertaining to the country’s independence like the Tugu Negara, Dataran Merdeka, Parliament Building and Stadium Merdeka. Apart from the historical aspects, Bukit Persekutuan is the last remaining sizeable green lung in the Kuala Lumpur city center which is an important point for conservation. …

It is also very important to appreciate Bukit Persekutuan working in consonance with Taman Botani Perdana and Taman Tugu to reduce the carbon emission in a growing metropolis and ameliorate the effect of heat islands in the highly urbanised situation. The forest cover will help to absorb and reduce the torrential rain water run off and prevent flash floods. As Kuala Lumpur strives to attain the World Class City status and achieve a Low Carbon Society Blueprint by 2030, it is utmost important to ponder and appreciate the role of Bukit Persekutuan in the context of Nation Building and the Malaysian History.”

(Sumber: ICOMOS Malaysia, April 2020: |"The Kuala Lumpur heritage agenda: reviews and recommendations for the Kuala Lumpur draft structure plan 2040 and Kuala Lumpur city plan 2020 by ICOMOS Malaysia", hlm.86-87).

“Resident-General of FMS, Sir Frank Swettenham commanded a new residence that came to be known as Carcosa on top of the hill overlooking Sydney Lake in the Public Gardens; also requested for new housing quarters for Federal officers to be erected. Selangor State Engineer, Charles Edwin Spooner requested areas around Carcosa, the Public Gardens and Residency Hill to be reserved for Federal Quarters. At the same time, a housing development that came to be known as West Folly Hill, to the north east of Carcosa (around today’s Tugu Negara and Parliament Building area) was developed.” (ICOMOS Malaysia, April 2020: |"The Kuala Lumpur heritage agenda: reviews and recommendations for the Kuala Lumpur draft structure plan 2040 and Kuala Lumpur city plan 2020 by ICOMOS Malaysia", hlm.88).

“A large vote was taken to build the Federal Quarters. Selangor Public Works Department, led by Selangor State Engineer, C.E Spooner and sometimes Henry Franklin Bellamy were tasked with the designs. Designs for the quarters varied, depending on whether they were meant to accommodate single or married clerks. Semi-detached quarters were meant for married officers. These buildings were economically designed, portraying the period they were built. Most of the buildings built late 1890s to early 1900s were of timber, with brick stumps or columns on the lower floor, and verandahs. Notes from archival documents mention that the buildings were not necessarily built at the same time, e.g. two were completed at a time as oppose to a group of twelve. The earliest group of housing quarters on Federal Hill and along Damansara Road resemble those in the Lake Gardens area (Taman Botani Perdana).” (ICOMOS Malaysia, April 2020: |"The Kuala Lumpur heritage agenda: reviews and recommendations for the Kuala Lumpur draft structure plan 2040 and Kuala Lumpur city plan 2020 by ICOMOS Malaysia", hlm.88).

“In 1899, a tender for new quarters at Damansara Road was given out. A contractor, Ting Bok who lived at No.29 Java Street bidded for the tender for $5,200 each, completion period about 6 months. These quarters were reserved for clerks. The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) HQ’s construction could be part of this group of buildings, but if not, the construction cost/period would have been similar.” (ICOMOS Malaysia, April 2020: |"The Kuala Lumpur heritage agenda: reviews and recommendations for the Kuala Lumpur draft structure plan 2040 and Kuala Lumpur city plan 2020 by ICOMOS Malaysia", hlm.88).

“MNS HQ, Jalan Kelantan, built in 1890s by FMS Government.”; Gambar: “… Malaysian Nature Society Headquarters at JKR 641, Jalan Kelantan, Federal Hill …” (Wong Ee Lynn @ Green Living Special Interest Group (SIG) of the Malaysian Nature Society, Selangor Branch, 8 Ogos 2014: |"Collaborative Consumption and an introduction to the Green Living Little Free Library").

“The building where MNS is housed today appears to be the only building remaining from the earlier era as a 1921 map of Kuala Lumpur shows the footprint of a bungalow on the same location. It would therefore constitute the oldest building in this area and must be preserved as a demonstration of the historical and architectural continuum of the area.” (ICOMOS Malaysia, April 2020: |"The Kuala Lumpur heritage agenda: reviews and recommendations for the Kuala Lumpur draft structure plan 2040 and Kuala Lumpur city plan 2020 by ICOMOS Malaysia", hlm.86).

“Owners of lot 797, 798, 799 & 800 on Damansara Road eventually accepted compensation from the Government for the resumption of their lands to form a Federal Reserve. This area was later developed when the Federal Housing Scheme was extended in 1950s onwards.” (ICOMOS Malaysia, April 2020: |"The Kuala Lumpur heritage agenda: reviews and recommendations for the Kuala Lumpur draft structure plan 2040 and Kuala Lumpur city plan 2020 by ICOMOS Malaysia", hlm.88).

“The road from Damansara Road to the Federal Quarters was officially named Federal Road. Its name was translated to Malay, post independence. Today it is known as Jalan Persekutuan.” (ICOMOS Malaysia, April 2020: |"The Kuala Lumpur heritage agenda: reviews and recommendations for the Kuala Lumpur draft structure plan 2040 and Kuala Lumpur city plan 2020 by ICOMOS Malaysia", hlm.88).

“Malaria among occupants of the quarters on Federal Hill and in the neighbourhood of Public Gardens. Drainage works improved to prevent malaria. Reference to the area as Federal Hill is made by Dr. Fletcher in his notes. The name ‘Federal Hill’ appears loosely in many documents from this year onwards, especially in the 1920s.” (ICOMOS Malaysia, April 2020: |"The Kuala Lumpur heritage agenda: reviews and recommendations for the Kuala Lumpur draft structure plan 2040 and Kuala Lumpur city plan 2020 by ICOMOS Malaysia", hlm.89).

“1921 Kuala Lumpur Map shows a group of 10 Federal Quarters off Federal Road. Malaysian Nature Society’s HQ was actually part of a group of Federal Quarters built along Damansara Road. Its access was separate from Federal Road. The three buildings opposite are long gone (marked in Map 1935 as No. 41, 43 & 45). Damansara Road has also been widened, positioning the MNS HQ closer to the main road. MNS HQ is the only remaining structure from the early Damansara Road Federal Quarters.” (ICOMOS Malaysia, April 2020: |"The Kuala Lumpur heritage agenda: reviews and recommendations for the Kuala Lumpur draft structure plan 2040 and Kuala Lumpur city plan 2020 by ICOMOS Malaysia", hlm.89).

“Fences that were erected to keep out cattles were taken down to allow grass cutting and upkeep of coolies. The houses in the area had large compounds, with no fence, separated in certain areas by rows of trees or shrubs. This promotes openness and neighbourhoodliness. Mid-2000s onwards, each house compound were fenced up for security reasons.” (ICOMOS Malaysia, April 2020: |"The Kuala Lumpur heritage agenda: reviews and recommendations for the Kuala Lumpur draft structure plan 2040 and Kuala Lumpur city plan 2020 by ICOMOS Malaysia", hlm.89).

Kiri: Peta Bukit Persekutuan, tahun 1929. Bangunan yang ditandakan di dalam bulatan hijau di dalam peta ini kini dijadikan pejabat Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) (Surveyor-General, Federated Malay States (F.M.S.) @ Survey Department, Singapore; 测量局; Singapore. Survey Department, 1929: |"Town of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Federated Malay States 1929" - "SP001429_3 (Part of a set of 6 maps SP001429_1 to SP001429_6)").
Kanan: “This 1935 Kuala Lumpur Map presents the original contextual setting of the Federal Quarters of Federal Hill-Swettenham Road (Carcosa)-Public Gardens. Government quarters along Jalan Damansara have all been demolished except for the building occupied by MNS today, marked as No. 26 in this map (circled in green).” (ICOMOS Malaysia, April 2020: |"The Kuala Lumpur heritage agenda: reviews and recommendations for the Kuala Lumpur draft structure plan 2040 and Kuala Lumpur city plan 2020 by ICOMOS Malaysia", hlm.90).

Kiri: Peta Bukit Persekutuan, 1935. Bangunan yang ditandakan di dalam bulatan hijau di dalam peta ini kini dijadikan pejabat Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) (Surveyor-General, Federated Malay States (F.M.S.) and Straits Settlements (S.S.) @ Survey Department, Singapore; 测量局; Singapore. Survey Department, 1935: |"Kuala Lumpur,1935 (SP003022)"; |"Kuala Lumpur,1935 (SP003023)").
Kanan: Peta Bukit Persekutuan, 1945. Bangunan yang ditandakan di dalam bulatan hijau di dalam peta ini kini dijadikan pejabat Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) (War Office @ British Library, 1945: |"Malaya. Town Plan of Kuala Lumpur").

“Serious shortage of government quarters in Kuala Lumpur. Quarters for Federal Senior Officers planned at Federal Hill. Class V quarters in the area estimated to cost between $35,000 to $40,000.” (ICOMOS Malaysia, April 2020: |"The Kuala Lumpur heritage agenda: reviews and recommendations for the Kuala Lumpur draft structure plan 2040 and Kuala Lumpur city plan 2020 by ICOMOS Malaysia", hlm.89).

“Government Housing Scheme expanded – new quarters built within the Federal Reserve. Whole area officially named Federal Hill in commemoration of the Federation of Malaya (1948). Roads in the area named after states in Malaya on 12 October 1953. State names selected were Selangor, Kedah, Kelantan, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Perlis and Terengganu. Kuala Lumpur already had a Malacca Street, Perak Road, Penang Road and Pahang Road so these State names were excluded. However, Jalan Pulau Pinang’s name was later added on. Jalan Kelantan was constructed, connecting MNS HQ’s to the houses on top of the hill and Federal Road. The new group of housing quarters for Senior Officers were modern homes with an open plan, foldable doors to maximize openings that led to covered verandahs, high ceiling, full width louvered windows and chimneys. These buildings took into account all factors that would improve cross ventilation. Two open bedrooms on the first floor with bath tubs. These buildings are similar to the government quarters built in Jalan Pegawai (Taman U-Thant), also built in the 1950s.”

“Site Plan of Federal Hill dated 1953 showing quarters built in the 1900s (not coloured) and those in the 1950s (coloured).”

Kiri: Peta Bukit Persekutuan (Senior Quarters), 1953 (Peta yang sama di atas, diputarkan)
Kanan: Peta Bukit Persekutuan (Senior Quarters), 2025 (Mapcarta).

“Jalan Selangor government quarters, built circa 1950s.”

(Sumber: ICOMOS Malaysia, April 2020: |"The Kuala Lumpur heritage agenda: reviews and recommendations for the Kuala Lumpur draft structure plan 2040 and Kuala Lumpur city plan 2020 by ICOMOS Malaysia", hlm.89-92).

“While there are some variations in design between the single and double-storey quarters, there are very strong similarities in typology, materials and finishes and most would have been constructed in the 1950s. None of these buildings individually demonstrate high architectural values. However, collectively, their historical, architectural, cultural and social significance lies in their value as an intact example of residential quarters built to house government servants in the period following the Japanese Occupation, the revitalization of the country and the formation of the Federation of Malaya in 1948, leading to Independence. This ensemble of government quarters is probably the largest remaining group of this building typology from this period and it therefore represents a highly significant part of our nation’s architectural history and as such must be retained either as houses, or adapted for new uses if necessary.” (ICOMOS Malaysia, April 2020: |"The Kuala Lumpur heritage agenda: reviews and recommendations for the Kuala Lumpur draft structure plan 2040 and Kuala Lumpur city plan 2020 by ICOMOS Malaysia", hlm.86).

Kiri: Peta Bukit Persekutuan, 1957. Bangunan yang ditandakan di dalam bulatan hijau di dalam peta ini kini dijadikan pejabat Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) (Surveyor General, Malaya @ The Australian National University, 1957: |"Malaysia, Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 1957, 1:380 160").
Kanan: Peta Bukit Persekutuan, 1982. Bangunan yang ditandakan di dalam bulatan hijau di dalam peta ini kini dijadikan pejabat Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) (Jabatanarah Pemetaan Negara @ American Geographical Society Library, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries, 1982: |"Kuala Lumpur / diterbitkan oleh Pengarah Pemetaan Negara").

Peta Bukit Persekutuan, 2025. Kesemua kuarters kerajaan di sepanjang Jalan Damansara kini telah dirobohkan, kecuali bangunan yang dijadikan pejabat Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), ditandakan di dalam bulatan hijau di dalam peta ini (Mapcarta).

“On 27 July 2017, the soft launch of the MNS UCF Bukit Persekutuan Community Centre was officially opened by Dato’ Hj. Nor Akhiruddin bin Mahmud, Director-General of the Forestry Department Peninsula Malaysia, representing the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The Urban Community Forest (UCF) project was in partnership with Think City. The UCF Bukit Persekutuan is an initiative to empower local communities to protect their green spaces in the City. This is a novel endeavour. MNS President Henry Goh said Bukit Persekutuan, with a lush secondary forest and low-density build-up, could serve city dwellers as a place to appreciate nature and for recreation and in so doing improve their well-being. “Nature enriches our lives, and for stressed city people, UCF Bukit Persekutuan can be a place for a quick recharge. Come and enjoy the cooler temperature under the shady trees, plant some seedlings or help replant the forest, or take short hikes along the trails; there’s plenty to see and enjoy,” Goh said. The things to see and enjoy include an impressive range of flora and fauna within such a small area, found during the survey in 2007. They include bats, six species of amphibians, 65 types of birds, 39 types of butterflies and moths, and two types of fireflies. These biodiversity surveys will continue to be carried out in Bukit Persekutuan, alongside the development of the Forest Trees Nursery and scheduled enrichment of the forest, as well as the maintenance of the four nature trails (Heritage-Thunbergia, Cempedak, Pulai, Jungle Fowl trails). Visitors can also enjoy the facilities at the MNS UCF Community Resource Centre, including holding meetings and events at the Auditorium.” (ICOMOS Malaysia, April 2020: |"The Kuala Lumpur heritage agenda: reviews and recommendations for the Kuala Lumpur draft structure plan 2040 and Kuala Lumpur city plan 2020 by ICOMOS Malaysia", hlm.87).

Di sekitar bahagian barat laut Bukit Persekutuan, pernah terdapat suatu kawasan perkampungan yang dinamakan Kampung Bukit Mati:-

“In one of the evergreen valleys of Kuala Lumpur's Lake Gardens is a Malay kampong which has all the beauty of 'Shangrila'. But, paradoxically, its name has for a long time been 'Kampong Bukit Mati' - the village of the hill of the dead. This valley is more than a mile long, with Guillemard Road snaking along the hill on its right and King's House on its left. All that visitors to the gardens see is the bottleneck leading into the valley in which is one of the most beautiful kampongs of Kuala Lumpur. Despite its ominous name, Kampong Bukit Mati is a sanctuary of peace and contentment. And its 400 villagers live in harmony with one another like the members of a very large family. Recently an influx of settlers flowed into the valley and turned it into a hive of activity. These settlers were Malays who had been obliged to quit their 'squatter' homes behind the Lucky World Amusement Park in Batu Road.” (Peter Kum @ The Straits Times, 17 May 1953, Page 10: |"Kampong Bukit "Shangrila' of Kuala Lumpur").

Kiri: Peta sekitar Kampung Bukit Mati, 1967 (Malaysia : Director of National Mapping, 1967: |"Malaysia, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Series: L8010, Sheet 94k, 1967, 1:25 000").
Kanan: Peta sekitar Kampung Bukit Mati, 2025. Kawasan kampungnya dahulu mungkin di sekitar lembah Sungai Bukit Mati di Jalan Jelutong dan Lembah Ledang, di kawasan sebelah timur Damansara Heights kini (secara kasar, ditandakan merah, bersama jaringan sungai yang ditandakan biru, termasuk Sungai Bukit Mati) (Mapcarta).

MAKLUMAT LANJUT: Kampung Bukit Mati (1943-?).

“1939 - Before Kolej Tunku Kurshiah was born, it originally went by a different name - Maktab Perempuan Melayu. It was initially located on a piece of land located at the 2 ½ mile of Jalan Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, known today as Bukit Damansara. At a meeting of the Kings of the Federated Malay States (Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang) DYMM Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Hishamuddin Alam Shah Alhaj Sir Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Sulaiman Shah Alaidin, D.M.N., D.K. (Brunei) K.C.M.G, suggested that an English boarding secondary school for female students, needed to be established, the likes of The Malay College in Kuala Kangsar. This proposal was supported by the DYMM Sultan Perak, Paduka Sri Sultan Sir Abdul Aziz Al Muktassim Billahi - the late Shah Nikmatullah, Ibni Almarhum Raja Muda Musa Al-Muktaram Shah, K.C.M.G., K.B.E. The establishment of Maktab Perempuan Melayu was agreed upon by all members of the meeting. The school was advocated with the purpose of providing education to female children of monarchs who would become the wives to future Kings and dignitaries of the States.

1947 - Though it got the greenlight years before, Maktab Perempuan Melayu never got the chance to see the light of day due to never ending wars which postpones its opening. Finally, with a change in name, the Malay Girls College was officiated by Lady Gent, the wife of Sir Edward Gent, the Governor of Malayan Union on 15th October 1947. Open to 40 students, it was definitely the start of a glorious institution.

1962 – With a total of 150 students, the Malay Girls College migrated to a new college building on a 25 acres (100,000 m²) site at Bukit Merbah, Jalan Tunku Kurshiah, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. Conjointly with its new scenery, it was also renamed to Kolej Tunku Kurshiah in honour of the first Raja Permaisuri Agong of Negeri Sembilan, Tunku Puan Besar Hajah Kurshiah Binti Almarhum Tunku Besar Burhanuddin. It was formalised when the college was declared open by Almarhum Tuanku Munawir Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the then Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan on 24th May 1963.”

(Sumber: Kolej Tunku Kurshiah: |"History").

Kiri: Maktab Perempuan Melayu di Jalan Damansara (Kolej Tunku Kurshiah: |"History").
Kanan: Pengesahan binaan dan lokasi: “That building we called New Wing.The Form 4 n 5 dorms.Underneath was the flat.Cik Gu Adeebah Amin resided there.Infront of the building we used to have our red cross meeting … Now that building has been demolished.” - Nik Rahimah W Hassan; (Malay Girls' College/Tunku Kurshiah College Old Girls' Association @ Facebook, 1 November 2022: "1st November 1947 was a key milestone in our nation's history").

Menurut memoir beberapa orang bekas pelajar dalam suatu penerbitan sempena sambutan 75 tahun sekolah ini, pada ketika itu kawasan sekitarnya masih ladang getah milik Socfin Berhad:-

• “Malay Girls’ College was modelled on a typical English boarding school. Indeed, one can say it was a little English boarding school, transposed into the rubber plantation of Jalan Damansara, Kuala Lumpur. … A ride in our little school bus was something to look forward to - an opportunity to see the outside world, so to speak, apart from gazing at the rubber trees and waving at the occassional cars and minibuses that passed by, meandering along Jalan Damansara taking the rubber tappers to and from work.” - Fauzah Mohd Darus (SC 1957; Tun Fatimah) - hlm.19-20.

• “MGC was perched atop a flattened hillock by the winding Damansara Road, situated next to the bungalow of the General Manager of SOCFIN Rubber Estates Ltd. Surrounded by a sea of rubber trees that seemed to stretch endlessly, it had two blocks of buildings. One was a refurbished concrete building formerly occupied during the Japanese Occupation by the militia. The second was a building newly built by the Public Works Department Selangor. Below the paved steps of the hillock was the netball pitch. Opposite to it was a covered long building located next to the main Damansara Road, housing an area allocated for Physical Education, the garage and the driver’s quarters. Except for those involved with SOCFIN estate, there was little traffic along this part of Damansara Road to disturb the peace and tranquillity of the area. … I remember being frightened by the news of the ambush by the Communist Terrorists (CTs) at Bukit Fraser because we wondered whether we would be safe from CT attacks as rumours had it that CTs could be lurking somewhere deep in the SOCFIN rubber estate. This fear was heightened when, at intervals on some nights, we could hear distant sounds of shots being fired. … I loved the environment of the school which rested amidst the pleasant dense greenery of the rubber trees, the scary, lonely and winding drive from the town to the SOCFIN rubber estate and listening to the eerie stories and sounds of the “other inhabitants” of the forest.” - Raja Fuziah Raja Tun Uda (SC 1955) - hlm.23, 25.

(Sumber: The Malay Girls’ College / Tunku Kurshiah College Old Girls Association, 2021: |"Girls to Leaders: Tunku Kurshiah College - Hallways of Success").

Menurut laman rasmi “The Estate on Federal Hill” (dibina pada tahun 1950, ditandakan di sebelah utara peta 2025 di atas, sebelumnya tanah rizab Carcosa dalam peta 1935), ia diambil alih oleh Syarikat Socfin dan menjadi kediaman pengurus besarnya, kemudian diambil alih semula oleh kerajaan selepas merdeka:-

“The estate, referred to as “The White House” during its era, was constructed in 1950. Situated amidst lush tropical plantations on top of Federal Hills, it enjoys a central location. Due to unknown reasons, “The White Palace” was sold, and The Socfin Group acquired the land for “The Estate.” Since its construction, it has always been the residence of the General Manager. It has housed numerous generations of General Managers of the Socfin Group, bearing witness to a portion of Socfin's history. Therefore, it holds great significance for Socfin. … 1965 - 1980: Handover of The Estate to Malaysian Government - According to incomplete records, the estate was under the provision of the Malaysian government. The estate has been used as a venue for hosting distinguished guests and dignitaries.”

(Sumber: Gart Management Sdn. Bhd. @ The Estate on Federal Hill: |History - About The Heritage).

Kiri: Peta sebelah barat laut Bukit Persekutuan, 1957. “Malay Girls College” ditandakan dalam bulatan merah, manakala “The Estate” ditandakan dalam bulatan hijau (Surveyor General, Malaya @ The Australian National University, 1957: |"Malaysia, Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 1957, 1:380 160").
Kanan: Peta sebelah barat laut Bukit Persekutuan, 2025. “Malay Girls College” ditandakan dalam bulatan merah, manakala “The Estate” ditandakan dalam bulatan hijau (Mapcarta).