The national heritage building was closed six years ago for renovations and refurbishing, Bernama reported.

Zaliha said the restoration was in line with the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2040 and preparations for the Asean-Malaysia 2025.

She hoped a high-tea event could be introduced at the heritage building for foreign delegations (during Asean conferences).

In a Facebook post, she said the project was a collaboration between Kuala Lumpur City Hall and Khazanah Nasional Bhd to conserve Kuala Lumpur’s heritage.

She said the first phase of the project involved efforts to conserve Carcosa Seri Negara as a museum and art gallery, while the second phase will see the development of the Lindungan-Eko Hotel, which combines world-class hospitality with the principles of environmental sustainability.

The colonial-era building was closed on June 1, 2019. The federal government took over the building, which once witnessed the signing of the 1957 Federation of Malaya Agreement.

It was built by the first British Resident General of the Federated Malay States, Sir Frank Swettenham.