• Penjara Pudu (1895-2010)

“In 1940, the Selangor and Federal Territory Eurasian Association (SAFTEA’s earlier incarnation) was offered a licence to use a piece of land (of about 4 acres) in Maxwell Road. We could not accept the land at the time, as we could not afford to build a clubhouse then. After the war, the association wanted to accept the land, but it was then unavailable, as the military was using it. SEA was informed that the land would be available in 1955; according to records however, the association did not claim the land after this time. … We moved to the clubhouse at 167, Jalan Pudu in 1953, and have been here for 60 years; the area now occupied by SAFTEA is 0.64 acres.” (Selangor & Federal Territory Eurasian Association (SAFTEA), September 2013: |Saftea News, ISSUE 1 / 2013 Jan - Sept, m.s. 1-3).

Pada asalnya, tapak yang telah dicadangkan bagi premis persatuan ini pada 5 Januari 1940 ialah di persimpangan Jalan Ipoh dan Jalan Maxwell, namun prosesnya tertunda akibat Perang Dunia ke-2. Setelah perang tamat, pada tahun 1947 pihak persatuan berusaha mendapatkan tanah tersebut, namun ianya masih diduduki tentera British sehingga 1955. Persatuan terpaksa menumpang di tanah Catholic Mission di Bukit Nanas, sehingga menerima notis untuk berpindah sebelum 31 Mac 1953. Maka pada Januari 1953, mereka memohon pendudukan sementara (T.O.L.) di tanah rizab Penjara Pudu ini: “In June 1934, application was made by this Association for land at the junction of Kia Peng Road and Circular Road. After lengthy correspondence in January 1936 a T.O.L. was granted us over an area of 11 1/2 acres with the condition - “A T.O.L. not only expires at the end of the year but it is also liable to cancellation by the Government at any time without compensation.” As this condition offered no security either permanent or semi-permanent we could not accept the land. Fresh negotiations were started in May, 1936 for another piece of land at the junction of Ipoh Road and Maxwell Road. After further negotiations and correspondence a portion of this land comprising 4,380 acres was given to us on the 5th January, 1940, with the condition that - “No title will be issued and that the Association will be given control of the reserve for a public purpose as the Selangor Club and the Selangor Chinese Recreation Club.” This was suitable to us and immediate action was taken to collect funds, draw up plans etc when the war intervened. In 1947 efforts were made to get back the land but we were told that the Military could not relinquish the land for at least 4 years. This was followed by another letter dated 20th January, 1950, (copy attached) informing us that the Army could not relinquish the land until 1955. The needs of the Community were so pressing at the time that it was impossible for us to wait any longer, so in 1948, we secured sanction from the Catholic Mission to use part of their land in Bukit Nanas temporarily and that same year a Club House was erected. After 4 years, we have now been given notice to shift before the 31st March, 1953, and it is this most difficult position we are placed in which makes us appeal to you for your kind support and help. We understand that there is a piece of State land behind the Gaol in Pudu Road which is zoned as open recreation ground and we were advised to apply to the District Officer (copy attached) to grant us a T.O.L. to erect our Club House on a portion of this land incidental to it being a public recreation ground under the care of the Municipality. We were also informed by the Town Planner that the possibility of ever getting the Ipoh Road/Maxwell Road land is next to impossible even after the Army relinquished it. … It is this that makes us appeal to you for your kind intervention and to grant us the following - a. To grant us the State land in Pudu Road just behind the Gaol on the same conditions as the grounds held by the other Communities; b. We will maintain and use this land, appreciating its position adjoining the Gaol, and where necessary permit its use for sporting purposes by other Organisations on the same lines as other Clubs with grounds. - THE SELANGOR EURASIAN ASSOCIATION, January 1953.” (PEJABAT SETIAUSAHA KERAJAAN NEGERI SELANGOR, 31/01/1953: |"APPLICATION FROM SELANGOR EURASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR STATE LAND IN PUDU, BEHIND THE PUDU GAOL, KUALA LUMPUR").

Peta lokasi sekitar tapak asal yang dicadangkan bagi premis SAFTEA (bersama 2 persatuan lain) di lot 9 sec.48, persimpangan Jalan Ipoh dan Jalan Maxwell pada 5 Januari 1940. Namun prosesnya tertunda akibat Perang Dunia ke-2:-
Kiri: Tapak ini kemudiannya dicadangkan bagi premis P.W.D. pada 1946 tetapi tidak diluluskan dan kekal sebagai rizab persatuan: “Rough sketch of the area required by the Rd. Transport Dept. … I.N.A. Camp: Area required by Road Transport Dept. BMA outlined in green pencil. Offices 1 & 2 required for temporay accoma(o)dation. Store & Barrack room to be retained and converted into vehicle inspection bay. Permanent building to be at red shaded area. … The Chairman submits correspondence from the S.C.A.O.,Selangor, on the subject of the new offices proposed for the Road Transport Department on lot 9 sec.48, at the junction of Maxwell and Ipoh Roads. He points out that the site chosen is at the old I.N.A. Camp at Ipoh Road. On referring the matter to the Town Planning Department, he is informed that this site is zoned for special purposes and was approved by Government late in 1940 as an open space for recreational purposes and allotted to three clubs, namely the Selangor Eurasian Association, The Trade School, and the Java Peranakan Club. A preliminary survey was commenced but left incomplete due to the outbreak of war. Alternative sites suggested by the Town Planning Department are also put before the Board. After discussion, the Board does not agree to the proposal to utilise this site for new offices for the Road Transport Department.” (British Military Administration, 11/02/1946: |"Proposed new offices for Road Transport Department").
Kanan: Peta lokasi tapak tersebut kini, di persimpangan Jalan Sultan Ismail / Tun Razak dan Jalan Ipoh (Sultan Azlan Shah), di sekitar Bangunan PERKIM.

Pada 14 Februari 1953, permohonan Selangor Eurasian Association untuk menduduki tanah rizab sebelah selatan Penjara Pudu itu telah diluluskan oleh Menteri Besar ketika itu, Raja Uda Raja Muhammad: “With reference to the Honourable the former Mentri Besar's minute of the 14th February 1953, it has been found possible to agree to a T.O.L. to be issued to the Club for the area shown outlined in purple on the attached plan. This site is a portion of the area on the approved town plan zoned for a public open space. At present the area is a Prison Reserve. For this reason it would appear not to be possible to alienate this land and therefore occupation will have to be on T.O.L. The Town Planner, the Commissioner of Prisons and the Town Planning and Building Committee of the Municipality agree to a T.O.L. being granted on this site. … - District Officer, Kuala Lumpur.” (PEJABAT SETIAUSAHA KERAJAAN NEGERI SELANGOR, 31/01/1953: |"APPLICATION FROM SELANGOR EURASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR STATE LAND IN PUDU, BEHIND THE PUDU GAOL, KUALA LUMPUR").

LATAR PERISTIWA: Selangor Eurasian Assocation:-

Perihal kaum Eurasian (termasuk Kristang / Serani), serta persatuannya: “Eurasian is a term used for people of mixed race. With a colonial history dating back over 500 years there has been a fair amount of mingling between foreigners and locals. Portuguese, Dutch and British sounding surnames are not uncommon in Malaysia. The size of the population in Malaysia has been estimated at 29,000. One prominent mixed race group is the Kristang community of mixed Portuguese and Malaccan descent who have their own language and customs, though much in decline. The Portuguese Settlement in Melaka is where you can find members of this community. The Selangor Eurasian Association came into being on 14 December 1919 with the aim of looking after the social and economic welfare of the Eurasian community and to provide sports amenities. A good place to find out more is the Eurasian Community Gallery at the People's Museum in Melaka. This is how the museum describes Eurasians: “Usually the Eurasians who spoke Portuguese Creole, popularly known as Kristang, were Christians (most were devoutly Catholic). They inordinately[?] celebrate Christmas and Easter, love music, cherish family ties, appreciate laughter and relish pang susie, curry devil, feng curry, s'more and sugi cake. It was in the sports arena that Eurasians could show their superiority. Very often they outshone their colonial masters. Thus they brought delight and pride to the locals. Eurasians also shone academically and professionally, in politics, music and arts. They were the backbone of the civil administration by producing the best teachers, clerical staff and trusted accountants….. . They formed a small community yet providing the 'salt flavouring' to the whole. Undeniably the Eurasian community survives and grows. Many have migrated to other countries and settled down there.” There is a Christian cemetery in Loke Yew Road, Kuala Lumpur where a number of Eurasian graves can be found.” (David @ Malaysia Traveller: |"Eurasians").