Project Title: Reviving and Optimizing Usage of Building Space at UiTM Jalan Othman Petaling Jaya as a Cultural Center
Brief:
This precious word carving was still hung on the wall in the main building.
The word starts with REBUT ILMU DAN AMALKAN meaning to rush or grab knowledge and practice it. Practice here meaning rehearsing a good behavior over and over again. The English definition of DEWAN LATEHAN RIDA is RIDA TRAINING HALL. The R, I, D, and A in RIDA actually stands for RURAL and INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. The date it was inaugurated was February the 14th of 1957. Five months before our Independence Day on 31st August 1957. This is a very historical moment and a historical monument. The noble person's name on the plate Dr. Ismail was later on appointed as 2nd Deputy Prime Minister in 1970. He passed away in 1973 as Tun Dr. Ismail bin Dato' Hj. Abdul Rahman. He was one of the modern Malay legend.
The last word on the plaque was PERSEKUTUAN TANAH MELAYU. Our MALAYSIA name was not even coined or born yet. From RIDA, MAKTAB MARA was born, and from MARA, ITM was born, and later UITM was born. That is how precious and meaningful the plaque was.
The actual fact now the whole building is decaying, almost haunted, and will not last long. This is a very historic building. With all this fact in mind we hope our writing about this building can be a creative proposal on how restoration can be made by looking into all possible aspects.
Key Issues:
Urban communities did not aware of the historical value and the importance of such old buildings particularly UITM Jalan Othman.
The building had a lot of potential but was left without any attempt to generate its potential.
The condition of the building is worsening and action of preserving must be taken right away.
Project Lecturer: Dr. Haszlin Shaharudin
Team Members:
Taufik bin Abdullah (Project Leader)
Muhamad Faisa bin Mohd Saari
Mohd Hariri bin Mohd Yasim
Mohamad Azmi bin Mohd Amran
Mohammad Shafirul Riza bin Ibharim