# Gurdwara Sahib Police High Street Kuala Lumpur > Historic 1898 Sikh gurdwara in Kuala Lumpur, built by the Federated Malay States Police. A landmark of Sikh heritage, worship, and community service in Malaysia. ![Gurdwara Sahib Police High Street Kualalumpur](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/thumb.php?f=Gurdwara%20Jalan%20Balai%20Polis%201.jpg&w=1200) Historical regional # Gurdwara Sahib Police High Street Kualalumpur Get Directions Share: Entry: Dress Code: Gurdwara Sahib Police High Street Kuala Lumpur is one of the oldest and most historically significant Sikh places of worship in Malaysia, standing as a living testament to the enduring legacy of the Sikh community's contribution to law enforcement in colonial and post-colonial Malaya. Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur near the historic district of Petaling Street, this gurdwara was established in 1898 by the Federated Malay States (FMS) Police, making it the second police gurdwara to be constructed in the Malayan peninsula. The first had been established in 1890 at Jalan Parlimen, also in Kuala Lumpur. The gurdwara's origins are deeply intertwined with the history of Sikh migration to Southeast Asia. Beginning in the 1870s, Captain Tristram Speedy, a British officer and former police superintendent, initiated the recruitment of Punjabi Sikhs to serve in the Malayan police force. These early recruits were initially deployed to assist Ngah Ibrahim, the territorial chief of Larut in Perak, in restoring order amidst conflicts between rival Chinese triads competing for control of tin mining operations. Their discipline, loyalty, and capability proved so valuable that Sikh officers soon became an integral part of the FMS Police, eventually comprising more than half of the force's total personnel at the time of the gurdwara's construction. The gurdwara served not merely as a spiritual refuge but as a multifunctional community hub for Sikh police personnel and their families. Over the decades, it provided temporary accommodation for officers between postings, hosted what is believed to be the first Punjabi-medium school in Malaya during the 1930s, and functioned as a centre for religious ceremonies and social gatherings. Its langar hall — the communal kitchen that is a hallmark of every Sikh gurdwara — has long served free meals to devotees, visitors, and the wider community regardless of faith or background, embodying the Sikh principle of seva. Despite its age and undeniable historical value, the gurdwara has faced challenges in securing formal heritage recognition, which would enable more comprehensive restoration efforts. Termite damage to wooden ceilings and walls, as well as general structural deterioration, has been a concern for community leaders and preservationists. Advocacy for its gazettement as a national heritage site has been ongoing, with supporters citing that the structure has stood for more than 125 years and represents a unique confluence of Sikh, British colonial, and Malaysian institutional history. Today, Gurdwara Sahib Police High Street continues to serve the Sikh community of Kuala Lumpur as an active place of worship, a repository of living history, and a symbol of the Sikh people's deep-rooted connection to Malaysia's cultural and institutional development. ## Significance Gurdwara Sahib Police High Street holds exceptional spiritual and cultural significance within the Sikh community of Malaysia and the broader global Sikh diaspora. It stands as one of the oldest surviving Sikh places of worship in Southeast Asia, embodying over a century of unbroken religious practice and community service. For Sikhs in Malaysia, this gurdwara represents the sacrifices and contributions of their forebears who crossed the oceans from Punjab to serve in an unfamiliar land without abandoning their faith or identity. The gurdwara is regarded as a living monument to the Sikh contribution to public order and governance in colonial and independent Malaysia. It is believed to be among the first institutions in Malaya to offer Punjabi-language education, demonstrating the community's commitment to cultural preservation alongside civic duty. Its langar, which has served free meals to all comers for generations, embodies the Sikh principles of seva (selfless service) and the egalitarian spirit enshrined in Sikh theology. For the Sikh police community specifically, this gurdwara holds a unique devotional status. It was a place where officers sought blessings before duty, performed Ardas (supplications) for the welfare of their colleagues, and gathered to observe Gurpurabs commemorating the Sikh Gurus. Its continued operation as an active place of worship, despite structural challenges, reflects the community's deep emotional and spiritual attachment. Recognition as a formal heritage site would affirm the integral role of the Sikh community in Malaysia's national story. ## Nearby Gurdwaras ### Gurdwara Sahib Police Parliament Kuala Lumpur Malaysia 1.4 km away Sunday mornings 5:00 AM – 8:00 AM (weekl... Gurdwara Sahib Police Parliament Kuala Lumpur, located at No. 3, Jalan Parliament, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is one of the most historically significant Sikh places of worship in Southeast Asia. Established in 1890 during the British colonial era, it holds the distinction of being the first Sikh police gurdwara in Kuala Lumpur and, remarkably, the oldest gurdwara in Malaysia that still retains its original 19th-century structure. This makes it not only a living place of active worship but also an irreplaceable architectural and cultural heritage site. Nestled near the Malaysian Houses of Parliament, the Perdana Botanical Garden (formerly Lake Gardens), and the Masjid Negara, this unassuming yet deeply venerated gurdwara stands as a living monument to the extraordinary contribution of Sikhs to the Federated Malay States Police force. At the height of Sikh service in colonial Malaya, Sikhs constituted more than half of the entire FMS Police strength, and the colonial government recognised their spiritual needs by constructing dedicated places of worship. The Jalan Parliament gurdwara was the first and most enduring of these establishments. Unlike many modern gurdwaras that have been rebuilt or heavily renovated over the decades, Gurdwara Sahib Police Parliament retains its colonial-era character — its simple, whitewashed structure standing in dignified contrast to the busy government district that surrounds it. This architectural continuity is itself a form of heritage preservation, connecting the present community to its 19th-century origins. The gurdwara primarily serves the spiritual needs of Sikh personnel in the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and their families, though all are welcome to attend. Located within a police compound, it maintains an intimate, community-focused character that distinguishes it from larger, more publicly accessible gurdwaras across Malaysia. Worshippers gather every Sunday morning from 5:00 AM to 8:00 AM for Asa Di War Kirtan — the morning hymns — followed by Katha (scriptural discourse) and Ardas (congregational prayer). On the first Friday of each month, the Sikh Naujawan (youth) programme is held at noon, after which Guru ka Langar, the blessed community meal, is served to all present. The congregation is a close-knit community of serving and retired Sikh police officers, their families, and devoted members of the wider Kuala Lumpur Sikh community. Visitors wishing to attend are advised to contact the Gurdwara Sahib Management Committee or arrange entry through the police force, as the gurdwara is situated within a police area. For devotees, historians, and heritage enthusiasts alike, this gurdwara offers a rare and irreplaceable window into over 130 years of Sikh faith, service, and sacrifice in Malaysia. Historical ![Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar Tat Khalsa Dewan](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/thumb.php?f=Gurdwara%20Guru%20Nanak%20Darbar%20Tat%20Khalsa%20Dewan.jpg&w=600) ### Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar Tat Khalsa Dewan Malaysia 2.6 km away Open daily; prayers commence from early ... Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar Tat Khalsa Dewan — formally known as Sri Guru Nanak Darbar Tatt Khalsa Diwan Selangor — stands as the largest Sikh gurdwara in Malaysia and, by land size, in the whole of Southeast Asia. Situated at 24, Jalan Raja Alang in the Chow Kit district of Kuala Lumpur, this magnificent place of worship serves as the spiritual and cultural heartland for Malaysia's approximately 75,000 Sikhs, as well as an open sanctuary for people of all faiths and backgrounds. The gurdwara is set within the bustling urban fabric of Kuala Lumpur's Chow Kit neighborhood, yet it radiates an unmistakable serenity that draws worshippers, pilgrims, and curious visitors alike. Its soaring domes and gleaming facades offer a striking visual counterpoint to the city skyline, and it has long been one of the most photographed religious sites in the Malaysian capital. The main building backs onto Wisma Tatt Khalsa, a multi-storey commercial complex facing Jalan Raja Bot, giving the institution both a religious and community-facing character. At the heart of the gurdwara is the Darbar Sahib on the first floor, where the Guru Granth Sahib Ji — the eternal living Guru and holy scripture of the Sikhs — is enshrined with the utmost reverence. The ground floor houses a generous langar hall and kitchen, where free community meals are prepared and served three times daily to all who come, irrespective of religion, caste, or nationality. A basement car park accommodates the steady stream of visitors and worshippers. The gurdwara is governed by the Tatt Khalsa Diwan Selangor, one of the oldest Sikh religious organizations in the region, which has steered the institution's affairs since its formal establishment in 1919. The institution also administers educational programs, including Gurmukhi and Punjabi language classes, upholding the tradition set by its founders of nurturing both spiritual and intellectual development in the Sikh diaspora. Welcoming all visitors seven days a week, the gurdwara offers a rare experience of inclusive hospitality: its langar is open to everyone, its prayer hall is accessible to those of any faith, and its atmosphere of calm devotion — marked by the continuous recitation of Gurbani — provides solace amidst the energy of Kuala Lumpur. Whether one comes to pray, to eat, to learn, or simply to witness one of Southeast Asia's most significant Sikh institutions, the Guru Nanak Darbar Tatt Khalsa Diwan delivers an experience of rare spiritual and cultural depth. Historical ### Gurdwara Sahib Sentul Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 4.6 km away Gurdwara Sahib Sentul is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is situated in Malaysia, where the Sikh community has deep historical roots dating back to the British colonial period. As with all gurdwaras, Gurdwara Sahib Sentul welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. The gurdwara serves as a place of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of the Sikhs) is kept with great reverence. The community gathers here for daily prayers (Nitnem), Kirtan (devotional singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib), and Katha (religious discourse). The gurdwara operates a Langar (community kitchen) where free vegetarian meals are served to all visitors regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity. This practice, established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and formalized by Guru Angad Dev Ji, embodies the Sikh principles of equality, sharing, and selfless service (Seva). Community ### Gurdwara Sahib Ampang Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya, Malaysia 6.5 km away Gurdwara Sahib Ampang is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in Malaysia. It is situated in Malaysia, where the Sikh community has deep historical roots dating back to the British colonial period. As with all gurdwaras, Gurdwara Sahib Ampang welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. The gurdwara serves as a place of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of the Sikhs) is kept with great reverence. The community gathers here for daily prayers (Nitnem), Kirtan (devotional singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib), and Katha (religious discourse). The gurdwara operates a Langar (community kitchen) where free vegetarian meals are served to all visitors regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity. This practice, established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and formalized by Guru Angad Dev Ji, embodies the Sikh principles of equality, sharing, and selfless service (Seva). Community ## Detailed History The history of Gurdwara Sahib Police High Street is inseparable from the story of Sikh engagement with colonial Malaya. The chain of events that led to its founding began in the early 1870s when the British colonial administration faced mounting challenges in maintaining order in the tin-mining regions of the Malay Peninsula. Captain Tristram Speedy recognised the martial reputation and disciplined ethos of the Sikh community and began recruiting Punjabi Sikhs to serve under the FMS Police Force. These recruits were initially deployed to assist Ngah Ibrahim, the chief of Larut in Perak, in quelling inter-triad conflicts. Their effectiveness led to a rapid expansion of Sikh recruitment across the Federated and Unfederated Malay States, as well as in Sabah and Sarawak. By the late 1890s, Sikhs constituted more than half of the FMS Police's total strength. Recognising the community's need for a dedicated place of worship in central Kuala Lumpur, the Federated Malay States government and the Works Department constructed the Gurdwara Sahib Police High Street in 1898, making it the second police gurdwara in Malaya after the one at Jalan Parlimen, established in 1890. From 1898 to 1910, the gurdwara was managed entirely by serving Sikh police personnel, as no professional Granthi was available. In 1910, Baba Sham Singh, from Gurusar Jelalka village in Nabha, Punjab, was appointed as the first Granthi. He served with remarkable dedication for approximately 56 years, from 1910 to 1966, becoming a revered figure in Kuala Lumpur's Sikh community. A notable chapter in the gurdwara's history is its role as the site of what is believed to be the first Punjabi school in Malaya, established during the 1930s, providing mother-tongue education to children of Sikh police personnel. During the Malayan Emergency (1948–1960), Sikh officers associated with the gurdwara played roles in intelligence operations, leveraging their jungle expertise and local knowledge against Communist insurgents. The building has stood for over 125 years and remains managed by a committee drawn from the Sikh police community and the broader Sikh public of Kuala Lumpur. ## Structures in the Complex ### Darbar Sahib (Main Prayer Hall) Prayer Hall The central hall of the gurdwara where the Guru Granth Sahib is enshrined and daily prayers are conducted. A single-storey brick and timber structure, it is the spiritual heart of the complex. ### Langar Hall (Communal Kitchen and Dining) Community Facility Located at the rear of the compound, the large kitchen and dining area is where free communal meals are prepared and served to all visitors. It has been in continuous operation since the gurdwara's founding. ### Police Personnel Quarters Residential Double-storey residential blocks within the compound originally built to house married Sikh police personnel and their families. These quarters also provided temporary accommodation for officers between postings. ### Granthi's Residence Residential Dedicated quarters for the resident Granthi (scripture reader and officiant), a feature established at least since the appointment of the first Granthi, Baba Sham Singh, in 1910. ### Compound Wall Boundary Structure A seven-foot-high perimeter wall enclosing the entire gurdwara compound, reflecting the colonial police aesthetic of the original construction and providing the complex with a defined and secure boundary. ## Visitor Information ### Dress Code Modest, full-coverage clothing required. Head must be covered at all times inside the premises — scarves or cloth are provided at the entrance. Remove footwear before entering. ### Photography Photography may be permitted in the compound but should not be done inside the main prayer hall without explicit permission from the management. Always be respectful of worshippers. ### Etiquette Cover your head before entering. Remove shoes at the designated area. Avoid consuming tobacco, alcohol, or non-vegetarian food on the premises. Maintain silence and reverence in the main Darbar Sahib hall. Bow before the Guru Granth Sahib upon entry. ## Climate & Best Time to Visit ## Langar (Free Community Kitchen) The langar hall is believed to accommodate approximately 50–100 persons at a sitting, given the 7,000 sq ft built-up area of the compound. Seating Capacity ## Architecture Gurdwara Sahib Police High Street is a single-storey semi-permanent structure representing a colonial-era building tradition that blends British institutional architecture with vernacular Malayan construction methods. Built using brick, concrete, and timber, the main hall encompasses a built-up area of approximately 7,000 square feet and is complemented by ancillary structures including double-storey quarters for married police personnel, a priest's residence, administrative offices, storage facilities, and a large communal kitchen at the rear of the compound. The exterior walls are painted in a distinctive combination of white and blue, a colour scheme believed to have been maintained since the gurdwara's early years and now regarded as an identifying visual feature of the structure. A seven-foot-high perimeter wall encloses the entire compound, reflecting the security-conscious aesthetic typical of police-administered properties of the colonial era. The building shows signs of age, with termite damage affecting wooden ceilings and sections of interior walls. While renovation works have been limited due to the gurdwara's status on government land, community efforts have sustained the essential fabric of the structure. The gurdwara is considered a rare surviving example of early twentieth-century Sikh institutional architecture in Southeast Asia. ## Structures in the Complex ### Darbar Sahib (Main Prayer Hall) Prayer Hall The central hall of the gurdwara where the Guru Granth Sahib is enshrined and daily prayers are conducted. A single-storey brick and timber structure, it is the spiritual heart of the complex. ### Langar Hall (Communal Kitchen and Dining) Community Facility Located at the rear of the compound, the large kitchen and dining area is where free communal meals are prepared and served to all visitors. It has been in continuous operation since the gurdwara's founding. ### Police Personnel Quarters Residential Double-storey residential blocks within the compound originally built to house married Sikh police personnel and their families. These quarters also provided temporary accommodation for officers between postings. ### Granthi's Residence Residential Dedicated quarters for the resident Granthi (scripture reader and officiant), a feature established at least since the appointment of the first Granthi, Baba Sham Singh, in 1910. ### Compound Wall Boundary Structure A seven-foot-high perimeter wall enclosing the entire gurdwara compound, reflecting the colonial police aesthetic of the original construction and providing the complex with a defined and secure boundary. ## Events & Celebrations ### Religious #### Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurab The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder of Sikhism, is celebrated with extended prayers (Akhand Path), kirtan programmes, and community langar served throughout the day. The event typically draws devotees from across Kuala Lumpur and surrounding states. #### Gurpurab of Guru Gobind Singh Ji The birth anniversary of the tenth Sikh Guru is commemorated with kirtan, Ardas, and community meals, reflecting the deep reverence the Sikh police community has historically held for the founder of the Khalsa order. ### Religious/Cultural #### Baisakhi Celebration Baisakhi, marking the Sikh New Year and the founding of the Khalsa in 1699, is observed with special prayers, processions, and an extended langar. It is one of the most significant annual gatherings at the gurdwara. ### Religious/Commemorative #### Shaheedi Purab (Martyrdom Remembrance) Martyrdom anniversaries of the Sikh Gurus, particularly Guru Arjan Dev Ji and Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, are observed with prayers and religious discourses, emphasising sacrifice and devotion. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### History The gurdwara was built in 1898 by the Federated Malay States (FMS) Police and the Works Department, making it one of the oldest Sikh places of worship in Malaysia. At the time of its construction, more than half of the FMS Police Force comprised Sikh officers recruited from Punjab, India. The gurdwara was built to cater to their spiritual and religious needs while serving in Kuala Lumpur. Baba Sham Singh from Gurusar Jelalka village in Nabha, Punjab, was the first Granthi, appointed in 1910. He served with exceptional dedication for approximately 56 years until 1966. Sikh officers were recruited from the 1870s onwards and played a pivotal role in maintaining law and order across the Federated and Unfederated Malay States. They also contributed to intelligence operations during the Malayan Emergency and are remembered as foundational figures in the Royal Malaysia Police's history. ### Visitor Information Yes. Like all Sikh gurdwaras, it welcomes visitors of every faith. Guests are requested to cover their heads, remove footwear, and observe basic etiquette inside the premises. No. The langar is served completely free of charge to everyone, regardless of religion, nationality, or background — in keeping with the Sikh tradition of equality and selfless service. ### Heritage As of available records, the gurdwara has not yet been formally gazetted as a national heritage site, though community leaders and historians have long advocated for this recognition given its age exceeding 125 years. 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