Wisma Bapa Malaysia was designed to be similar to the Malaysian Houses of Parliament in Kuala Lumpur in many aspects.

Since its inception in August 1976, the building is sited on 90 acres (360,000 m2) manicured gardens.

The foundation stone of the Wisma Bapa Malaysia complex was laid by the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, on 30 August 1973 at the satellite township of Petra Jaya.

The building was completed in 1976 and officially opened by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Yahya Petra of Kelantan on 17 August 1976 followed by the Rulers' Conference in the building complex.

Assembly sittings were held in the August House for over a period of 33 years.