Penang State Assembly Building, Legislative assembly hall in George Town, Malaysia.
The Penang State Assembly Building is a plenary hall featuring massive white colonnades and a prominent pediment in classical style. The structure displays clear Greek and Palladian architectural elements that define its appearance.
Construction began in the 1820s and initially served as part of George Town's police headquarters. A major transformation occurred in the mid-20th century to adapt the building for its present legislative role.
The building houses Penang's elected lawmakers and forms the heart of state decision-making for the region. Inside, the legislative body gathers to debate and pass laws that shape everyday governance and development.
The hall is located on Light Street, one of the main thoroughfares within George Town's UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can attend public sessions to observe the legislative process firsthand.
Indian convicts were the primary workers who built this structure in Anglo-Indian classical style. Their labor combined local craftsmanship with British architectural traditions, creating an unusual heritage blend.
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