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Men maintain historic clock in Malaysia for generations

freemalaysiatoday.com · 19 September 2026
Men maintain historic clock in Malaysia for generations
Photo: freemalaysiatoday.com

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Muhammad Kamarul Azman, L Kumarasamy, and Roshdihisham Hassan from the survey and mapping department in Malaysia maintain a century-old Gillett & Johnston clock, ensuring it accurately marks time for the city’s residents.

The three men regularly check, clean, wind, and lubricate the clock’s mechanism after their regular work hours. They learned the job through experience and from previous custodians, as no formal handbook exists to guide them.

The team’s work demands careful attention to detail, requiring them to manually operate the clock’s weights and avoid disrupting its pulley system. They sometimes respond to urgent calls, even returning at midnight, to address malfunctions and keep the clock running. The men find particular meaning in their work during Merdeka Day celebrations, when the clock’s chimes accompany the national countdown.

While crowds celebrate outside, Kamarul, Kumarasamy, and Roshdihisham monitor the clock from within the tower, proud that their efforts contribute to the event. Because replacement parts are unavailable, they must have any damaged components specially made to match the original specifications, preserving the clock’s integrity for future generations.

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