Photo de stock - Malaysia, Penang, Georgetown, Residence of Ku Din Ku Meh. The Residence of Ku Din Ku Meh dates back to the middle of the 19th century when the wealthy Chinese merchant, Ku Din Ku Meh, decided to build his residence at the corner of Pitt and Lebuh Acheh Street, Georgetown, Penang. It was an ornate two-storied Chinese courtyard house built upon 5.5 acres of land, featuring several pavilions and courtyards. Ku Din Ku Meh's age and wealth had allowed him to make an unrivaled private residence in the city. The house is said to have many hidden doors and secret passageways built throughout the residence. These design features are believed to have been intended to serve as a defense mechanism against intruders and enemies. Legend has it that the original owner had many enemies due to his riches, and he built the residence with enough protective measures to safeguard his life and property. Though Ku Din Ku Meh initially used the residence as his private abode, it was later taken over by the government during World War II and was used as a military headquarters. After the war, it was converted into a hotel and then, by the late 1960s, into a school called the Maktab Melayu.