Old Lapau | |
Native Name: | Lapau Lama |
Native Name Lang: | ms |
Former Names: | Lapau |
Building Type: | Historic site, museum |
Location: | Pusat Bandar |
Address: | Jalan James Pearce |
Location City: | Bandar Seri Begawan |
Location Country: | Brunei |
Destruction Date: | --> |
Management: | or |
Operator: | or |
Governing Body: | --> |
The Old Lapau (Malay: Lapau Lama), formerly known as the Lapau, is a historical building in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. It was the former Malay: lapau or royal ceremonial hall prior to the existence of the current Lapau building. It was also where the Constitution of Brunei was promulgated in 1959. It now houses a museum pertaining to the Constitution.
The building is located at Jalan James Pearce in Pusat Bandar, the city centre of Bandar Seri Begawan.[1] It is now part of the Brunei History Centre building and adjacent to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The building once served as the Malay: lapau, a Bruneian traditional hall where royal ceremonies were held.[2] It was built during the reign of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei. The building eventually could not accommodate the growing capacity and a new Malay: lapau building was built which effectively replaced the existing building from 1968 until today.
Since September 2018 the building now houses the 1959 Brunei Constitution Gallery (Malay: Galeri Perlembagaan Negeri Brunei 1959), a museum which showcases visual information on the Constitution of Brunei which was promulgated in the very building on 29 September 1959.[3]
The building has been officially designated as a historic site under the Antiquities and Treasure Trove Act of Brunei.[4]