The Ingenieur Vol 59 July-Sept 2014 The Ingenieur Vo. 59, July-Sept 2014 | Page 81

Hokkien Association – one of
the clan associations or clubs
where inmates sought mutual
support and comfort under the
segregated environment from
the public.

A 1965 photo showing hospital club members, dedicated staff and
a local politician at a tea party in Kuala Lumpur celebrating a state
award for the hospital advisor.

The community market built
with brick columns and timber
trusses that was typical of
construction then.

A church built with brick column
and timber trusses. A simple
gathering hall that offered a
place for inmates to seek solace
under the stress of confinement
and to help them build stronger
community and comradeship.

An old culvert head wall within
the leper quarters with the
inscription of the year it was
built (1937) is still clearly visible
to visitors.

It is now a thriving centre for the
sale of plants and flowers, many
grown by the old inmates.

Conclusion
It is well past 88 years since
the construction of this once
crowded leprosarium started as
a complete and self-contained
leper settlement. The remaining
buildings of the hospital proper
and most of the leper settlement
area remains intact as a good
source for researchers and
visitors.
The architecture of the
leper quarters is simple but
unique to that era of British

influence. The good condition of
the timber structures are due to
the high quality timber grade that
was abundant those days such
as chengai, balau, resak etc.
However, conservation should
start soon if these historical
buildings at this once crowded
leper settlement with heritage
value are to survive for future
research and as references
for technical and sentimental
reasons.
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