A king’s home, the people’s club
IT was once an exclusive club for British colonialists. And it was the home of the country’s first Yang di- Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
Today, Seremban’s Royal Sungei Ujong Club ( RSUC) – once known as Istana Hinggap – still exudes charm as it celebrates its 129th year of existence this year.
Standing in all its splendour amidst lush greenery in the posh Jalan Klana Maamor neighbourhood here, the RSUC is a building which has continued to captivate locals, thanks not only to its Tudor- styled facade but also its rich history.
The RSUC, which ranks as the country’s second oldest after the Royal Selangor Club, was founded in 1887 by a group of itinerant European planters and civil servants during the period of the British Raj.
Despite its legacy, not much is known about the early history of the club as the bulk of its past records were destroyed during the Japanese Occupation.
But what is certain is that the club took the name of Sungei Ujong as that is how modern day Seremban was referred to then.
It was here that the homesick English would revel during St George’s Night. The equally wistful Scottish would come in their kilts to celebrate St Andrew’s Day, while their Irish brethren would come attired in their own traditional dress to mark St Patrick’s Day.
Playing bridge and billiards was a favourite pastime for the colonialists – who numbered around 400 – when they met up at the end of the day to mingle and share stories from home.
During its formative years, it was tradition to appoint the British Resident of Sungei Ujong as club president.
The first was W. F. B. Paul, who held the post till 1893. Paul Street, one of the main streets in town which was renamed Jalan Yam Tuan two decades ago, is believed to have been named after him.
It is also said that in its early days, locals abhorred walking past the club for its exclusively British status.
It took more than half a century before locals were admitted. And it happened two years after independence in 1959.
Even then, this was only by invitation and limited to individuals with some social standing.
Tuan Sheikh Ahmad, Lee Fong Yee and Dr J. Samuel, who were prominent members of their communities then, were the first three locals to be invited as honorary members.
History was created in 1966 when cinema owner Lim Ewe Law was elected president.
Club president Nicole Tan said that prior to moving to its current location after Merdeka, the club was located along Bathurst Road ( now known as Jalan Datuk Hamzah).
When it moved, its old premises were turned into the Syariah High Court and the new State Council.
In 2002, the club was bestowed royal status by the then ruler of the state Tuanku Ja’afar, whose son Tuanku Imran was born there. Today, the club has 1,878 members and is affiliated worldwide.
Tan said that despite having to compete with newer and better equipped clubs, the RSUC has continued to maintain its premier position in the state.
The club today has a mixed race membership where all major festivals are celebrated to foster unity.
“We are different from modern- day clubs as we have the old charm and history on our side,” she said, adding that it was also a privilege for members to be able to visit affiliated clubs on a reciprocal basis.
Modern- day clubs, she said, also tended to be run solely for profit and were devoid of cultural and historical significance.
“The RSUC, on the other hand, provides a sense of belonging and identity to its members.”
Among the new amenities provided at the club over the years are a banquet hall, family dining rooms for private functions, a swimming pool complete with a jacuzzi and children’s pool, a banquet hall complete with multimedia facilities, steam baths and karaoke rooms.
All washrooms, the bar and lounges, chalets, squash and tennis courts and equipment in the gymnasium have also been upgraded.
Tan said the management plans to add more facilities at the club such as building a larger- capacity multi purpose hall and upgrading its chalets.
“Why would members pay a premium to stay and dine in other colonial- styled hotels and restaurants and not the club?
“We also want to make the RSUC experience accessible to people from all walks of life or in simpler words, an inclusive exclusive club,” she said.