KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 -- Malaysia is home to a treasure trove of heritage sites that stand as lasting reminders of the country's history, but conserving these centuries-old buildings is not as simple as repairing cracks or repainting ageing walls.

Months of research, careful workmanship and strict adherence to the National Heritage Act take place behind the scenes when restoring historical landmarks to their former glory.

The National Heritage Act, introduced in 2005, legally protects anything gazetted as a national heritage in Malaysia and places them under the federal government's purview.

The law protects both tangible heritage such as physical objects, monuments and sites, including underwater structures, as well as intangible herit...