Malaysia National Museum , Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia

The National Museum - Muzium Negara is a museum located on Jalan Damansara in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia . The museum is situated in close proximity to the Perdana Lake Gardens and it provides an overview of Malaysian history and culture . The National Museum is a palatial structure built in the style of Rumah Gadang , an aspect of Minangkabau architecture . Its facade comprises elements of traditional Malay and modern features . It was opened on 31 August 1963 , and it serves as a repository of Malaysia’s rich cultural and historical heritage .
The National Museum is a three-story structure of 109.7 meters long and 15.1 meters wide and 37.6 meters at the central point. The museum houses four main galleries allotted to ethnology and natural history. The displays range from free-standing tableaux showing cultural events like weddings, festivals and costumes; to traditional weapons, musical instruments, arts and crafts, ceramics, and flora and fauna .
The National Museum was established on the site of the former Selangor Museum . It was built by the British and Selangor governments in 1898 following the formation of the Federated Malay States in 1896 . On 10 March 1945, during the end of World War II, the right wing of the museum was bombed and destroyed by the US B-29 bomber, from the Allied Forces.[2] The museum's collection was then moved to the Perak Museum in Taiping .

After World War II, the left wing of Selangor Museum was still in use as a historical site . On the brink of the independence of the Federation of Malaya, Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman conceived the idea to build a museum to house national historical and cultural treasures as well as specimens of flora and fauna. The old museum structure was completely demolished to make way for a new museum .
Construction began in 1959 and was complete in 1963 . The National Museum was officially opened on 31 August 1963 by Tuanku Syed Putra Ibni al-Marhum Syed Hassan Jamalullal , the 3rd Yang di-Pertuan Agong . On 4 April 1996 the building was gazetted under the Antiquities Act 169/1976 as an ancient monument and historical site .
The museum's design by architect Ho Kok Hoe was inspired by the architecture of the Malay royal palaces and vernacular Malay architecture. The design incorporated the need for exhibition and activity spaces. The large mosaic murals spanning the entrance depict the history and culture of the country. The floor of the central section of the main building is decorated with special tiles which were gifts from the government of Pakistan. In addition, UNESCO facilitated consultancies by museum experts from other museums around the world .
Displays and exhibits in the museum focus on local history, culture and traditions, arts and crafts, economic activities, local flora and fauna, weapons and currency . The museum houses various galleries, each with its own theme. The ground floor showcases the geographic and natural history of the Malay peninsula starting with the Stone Age, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age, Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms to Muslim sultanate of Malacca .
The ancient Malay Hindu-Buddhist states of Gangga Negara, Srivijaya and Majapahit are referenced. Among the collections are the stone makara statue, the bronze Avalokiteshvara of Bidor, the model of Bujang Valley temple in Kedah, and also displaying region's ancient legacy such as Javan Borobudur and Majapahit vessel. The exhibit continues to the later Muslim Sultanate of Malacca and the various states of Malaysia .
Adorning the floor of the Central Hall are blue geometric-design mosaic tiles from Pakistan, with intricate carved panels on the ceiling of the hall. The Central Hall houses temporary exhibitions. The matic and special exhibitions are held at this hall at intervals to promote an awareness of the country's diverse culture and heritage. Foreign exhibitions are held occasionally.
The display demonstrate the importance of Malaccan sultanate for Malaysian national identity. The second floor is dedicated to the colonial history leading all the way to Independence. There are copies of the royal headgear of Malay rulers .
In the vicinity of the museum building, there are a number of outdoor displays of transportation in Malaysia, past and present . including an early 1.3 litre Proton Saga, the first national car launched on July 9th 1985 .

Types of Visitor
Fees
Adult Malaysian Citizen
RM 2.00
Elderly and Disabled Person
RM 1.00
Children Under 12 years old (Malaysian Citizen)
Free
Secondary School Student wearing Uniform (Malaysian Citizen)
Free
Secondary School Student not wearing Uniform (Malaysian Citizen)
RM 2.00
International Council of Museums (ICOM) Members
Free
Adult Foreigner
RM 5.00
Children aged 6-12 years (Foreigner)
RM 2.00
Children below 6 years old (Foreigner)
Free


National Museum of Malaysia
Address : Jabatan Muzium Malaysia, Jalan Damansara, 
Tasik Perdana, 50566 Kuala Lumpur, 
Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Hours : Daily 9AM - 6PM
contact : +60 3-2267 1111



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