KUALA LUMPUR: A clip showing the interiors and exteriors of a seemingly abandoned building on a university campus has captured attention and evoked a sense of nostalgia among social media users.
The clip, shared by TikTok user Hidayat Nordin, that bears the words "POV: You're in an abandoned university that only certain people know exists." has garnered over 89,000 likes to date.
It features scenes of an empty cafeteria, courtyard, classrooms, and a "Tun Abdul Razak Library" devoid of books or furniture.
Despite being abandoned, the building appears clean and not overly dilapidated.
However, one scene in the video reveals an art studio that is still in use.
In the comment section of the clip, Hidayat clarified that he is among the small number of postgraduate fine arts students still studying UiTM Jalan Othman, established in 1956 as the Rural and Industrial Development Authority (RIDA) Training Centre in Petaling Jaya.
Hidayat added that: "This was one of the places for medical students. Now, only postgraduate fine arts students are still there, around 14 of them."
"My dad was a graduate of Jalan Othman. He was among the earliest batch and is now 86 years old. Recently, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by UiTM for being the oldest alumni," user @Fiona.Lah wrote.
"This was my alma mater at the Health Science Faculty from 2005 and 2008. Studying here didn't feel like being at a university but more like a secondary school," said another user @LovingYou
Roziahabusamah868 wrote: "My old campus, from 1985 to 1988. So many memories, and I still keep in touch with many coursemates."
Meanwhile, another user @Dayana Sulaiman recalled her time at the campus.
"I was there from 2004 until 2010 before moving to UiTM Puncak Alam. Thank you for the video. A trip down memory lane."
Some users also expressed disappointment over what they claimed as apparent neglect of the campus.
"Why are they not utilising the building? It is still good," asked user@sribibliophile.
Zyl echoed this sentiment, commenting, "Why is it left like that? It is so sad."
Offering clarification, user Kesayangan oyen noted, "Only a few spaces are abandoned. The ones still in use are still maintained and fine."
The user added that most faculties had relocated to the UiTM Puncak Alam and Sungai Buloh campuses.
Hidayat also provided an update in the comments, revealing that the campus will officially shut down next semester for renovations.
The Jalan Othman campus was the brainchild of Datuk Onn Jaafar, founder and former president of Umno, after being inspired during his visit to Sri Lanka.
Initially, it offered pre-university courses, skills training, and external professional courses from institutions such as the London Chamber of Commerce and the British Institute of Management.
The Jalan Othman campus continued to serve as UiTM's education hub until 1972, when a new campus was established in Shah Alam to accommodate the growing number of students and programmes.