Memories of the Old Courthouse, Kuching

 

When I first joined the judiciary back in 1996, my very first posting was to Kuching -- brief, but unforgettable. I was stationed at the historic court complex, a cluster of elegant old buildings right by the Sarawak River. That was where I learned the ropes of being a Magistrate, guided by a mentor who patiently showed me (and a couple of other colleagues) how the world of justice actually worked.

The complex itself carries a long, layered history. Construction began in 1868 during the era of the White Rajahs, and it was Charles Brooke -- Second Rajah of Sarawak -- who officially completed and opened the courthouse in 1874. It served as the administrative heartbeat of the Brooke government, a place where laws were shaped, disputes settled, and proclamations read aloud to the people. Even James Brooke, the first White Rajah, had earlier envisioned this area as the centre of governance, so walking through its courtyards always feels like brushing up against a very old chapter of Bornean history.

A few weeks after settling in and getting used to the rhythm of Kuching, I was transferred to Miri, where I spent almost two years hearing cases and learning the craft properly. But that short stint in Kuching has always remained special. Incredibly, I never took a single photo during my time there -- too young, too busy, and too unaware that places can one day become memories we’d do anything to preserve.

So every time I’m back in Kuching -- most recently in May 2024 -- I make it a point to walk around the old courthouse complex. I take in the architecture, the river breeze, the wooden verandas, and the echoes of a past life. And yes, these days I finally take photos. Plenty.

Pic from 2017

Since 2000, the courts have moved to a new building, and the old courthouse has been transformed into the Sarawak Tourism Complex. Today it houses cafés, bars, event spaces, and galleries. I always smile when I see it -- slightly amused that the same rooms where cases were once argued and criminals were once sentenced now host romantic dinners, iced lattes, and perhaps the occasional wedding proposal.

Pic from 2024

Life moves on. Buildings evolve. But some places never lose their magic.

And for me, this one always will.