Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur

Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur (8 February 2006)


Muzium Negara (GPS: 3.13798, 101.6867), or National Museum, was designed by a local architect, Ho Kok Hoe, in 1959, shortly after Malaya gained independence. The museum building reflects the form of a traditional Malay palace, and is decorated with Malay motifs.

Muzium Negara was officiated on Merdeka Day, 31 August, 1963, by the 3rd King of Malaya, Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agung Tuanku Syed Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Tuanku Syed Hassan Jamalullail. The history of museums in Malaysia started with the establishment of the Perak Museum in Taiping. This is followed by the founding of the Sarawak Museum in Kuching by the Rajah of Sarawak, Sir Charles Brooke, in 1888 and the Selangor Museum in 1899.

In 1910, the management of the Perak Museum and Selangor Museum were merged under the Federation of Malay Sate Museums Department. Later on, in 1930, the British decentralized the management into separate entities. The present Muzium Negara sits on the site formerly occupied by the Selangor Museum. Muzium Negara stands on the site occupied previously by the Selangor Museum, which was also designed by the famous British government architect AB Hubback and completed in 1898. Alas, the Selangor Museum was destroyed during the Second World War when it was bombed by US B-29 bomber from the Allied Forces on 10 March, 1945. The bombing destroyed much of the building as well as artefacts, though the left wing was still standing. Artefacts that were salvaged from the destruction were moved to the Perak Museum. To make way for Muzium Negara, the remaining left wing of Selangor Museum was demolished.

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Muzium Negara (9 October, 2004)


The front façade of Muzium Negara (9 October, 2004)


Bust of Frank Swettenham, on the grounds of Muzium Negara (9 October, 2004)


Burial Pole from the Upper Rajang River in Sarawak, at Muzium Negara (9 October, 2004)


Martaban jars in Muzium Negara (9 October, 2004)


The interior of Muzium Negara (9 October, 2004)


Chinatown exhibit at Muzium Negara (9 October, 2004)


Straits Eclectic façade of the Chinatown exhibit (9 October, 2004)


Chinese altar display at Muzium Negara (9 October, 2004)


Sedan chairs display at Muzium Negara (9 October, 2004)


Displays in Muzium Negara (9 October, 2004)

Muzium Negara is on the map of Museums in Kuala Lumpur

Going to Muzium Negara by public transport

The cheapest form of public transport to Muzium Negara is the free GoKL City Bus. Check out the link to see if the route suits you.

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