THE state government is considering giving Istana Sepachendera, which was abandoned more than 40 years ago, a makeover and extensive upgrade to turn it into a museum.
State Arts, Culture and Heritage committee chairman Aminuddin Omar said the move to turn the heritage building into a museum would preserve its historical value.
Aminuddin said he had discussed the proposal with state Tourism committee chairman Datuk Mohd Rawi Hamid.
To date, the state government has allocated about RM30,000 to clean and maintain the building.
“We will hold more discussions with the relevant parties and take into account the building’s location and condition before making a decision,” he said recently.
A Streets check showed that 80 per cent of the building structure was in poor condition with defaced walls and broken window panels.
It was reported recently that the Kedah Historical Association had proposed to the state government to convert the abandoned building into a museum.
Its chairman Datuk Wan Shamsudin Mohd Yusof said the association, in urging the state government to consider the proposal positively, hoped that historical buildings be preserved for posterity.
“The palace is a treasure trove and it must be well preserved and maintained for its high historical value.
“Besides, we want the younger generation to appreciate the architecture of our historical buildings which can be a tourist attraction once they are given a facelift,” he said.
Istana Sepachendera, also known as Istana Kampung Baru, is located in Jalan Kampung Baru here.
The architecture of the building has a Thai influence.
The building was built by the late Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah in 1882 for his wife, Che Sepachendera, upon his ascension to the royal throne.