Categories
Tourism Malaysia

7 IDEAS FOR A ROYAL TOUR OF PEKAN, PAHANG

Pahang is the largest state in Peninsular Malaysia, and has vast tourism assets including a national park, the highest mountain in the peninsular (Mount Tahan), beautiful islands, hill-top resorts, and beautiful beaches.

Those familiar with Pahang, also known as the “Abode of Tranquility”, may have already visited its many popular tourist spots such as Genting Highlands, Tioman Island, and the Pahang National Park. However, there is a little known town that sits by the great Pahang River that also deserves special mention (and further explorations).

Photo credite: https://www.facebook.com/lensapekanofficial

Pekan used to be the command centre and capital city of Pahang in the late 19th century. Today, it is known as a royal town and home to the Pahang Sultanate – those who visit will definitely feel its tranquil atmosphere and even get to enjoy some royal “treatments”!

Kick off a royal tour of Pekan with the following suggestions:

Puding DiRaja

There’s nothing better to start your explorations of this royal town than with a royal dessert! Puding DiRaja or Royal Pudding was said to have been created and served to the Pahang royal household. So popular was this treat, that it is now available even in Kuala Lumpur and perhaps other parts of Malaysia, although, the best is still to be had here in Pekan.

Photo credit: Journeys2Pekan.com

So what is it exactly? It is a medley of bananas, prunes, candied cherries, cashew nuts and what’s called jala emas (fine threads of egg yolk prepared in syrup), and served with a milky custard poured all over it. It is a complete dessert that tantalizes all the senses of your tastebuds – there’s the crunch from the nuts, the sweetness from the various fruits, the slight tartness from the prunes, the light texture of the egg yolk threads, and the smooth custardy liquid that slips past your throat.

Of course, Pekan in also known for other mouth-watering delights. If you have a chance – and room left in your tummy – dig into the Murtabak Makassar, which we hear is also a hit with royalty and local politicians alike! In fact, they say you simply can’t leave Pekan without tasting the Murtabak Makassar.

Photo credit: https://www.facebook.com/murtabakmengkasarsdnbhd/

Essentially, it is a type of savoury pancake made of layers of minced beef or chicken filling, unique blend of spices, pastry and eggs. Best eaten dipped in pickled onions! Sounds yummy to us!

Royal Pahang Silk Weaving Centre

If you have a thing for fabrics, then you must acquire the Pahang silk as part of your collection! It is a collector’s item and would make a wonderful heirloom piece to be passed down from one generation to another.

Photo credit: Journeys2Pekan.com

Pekan is home of the “kain tenun” and in fact, some of the finest woven fabrics in this region comes from this great silk weaving centre. So fine is its craftsmanship that it was once appointed the exclusive makers of the Pahang royal garments. A little bit of trivia here: Pahang silk was the fabric of choice for the King and Queen during their coronation ceremony in 2019!

Photo credit: www.facebook.com/lensapekanofficial/

Today, the centre is a great place to learn about the history of Pahang’s woven silk, see a live demonstration of silk weaving and even purchase the fabric for yourself.

Sultan Abdullah Mosque Museum

A trip to Pekan can be quite educational indeed. Just make a visit to the Sultan Abdullah Mosque Museum and you will be thoroughly enlightened!

Photo credit: Journeys2Pekan.com

The Sultan Abdullah Mosque was built in 1929 and was the place locals congregated for their Friday prayers. It remained the key meeting place for religious services until 1976 when a newer mosque was built to serve the community.

Thereafter, the Sultan Abdullah Mosque was abandoned for some time until recently when it underwent a massive three-year reconstruction work to become the first mosque-turned-museum in the country.

Photo credit: https://batikandbubbles.com/

Visitors to the mosque museum will be able to learn about Islamic history and art with unique exhibits of the Islamic world, complemented by state-of-the-art touch screens and interesting narratives of the artefacts on display. The graceful arches, the majestic domes and minarets and all-white architecture make the mosque look quite stunning, almost like a mini Taj Mahal in little Pekan!

Sultan Abu Bakar Museum

If you think museums are stuffy places full of dusty exhibits, then this museum will certainly have you change your mind! With all the wonderful artefacts and the creative presentation of all the exhibits, we didn’t feel like we were in a museum at all. On the contrary, it certainly felt like we were in a well-curated art gallery with great storytelling of our history!

Photo credit: http://www.pahangtourism.org.my/

Pekan’s museum of note, the Sultan Abu Bakar Museum, was, in turns, a British government officer’s residence, before it became an army barrack, a palace, and finally a museum.

The museum complex houses five galleries: The Keris Gallery; History of Pahang and The Malay Sultanate Gallery; The Islamic Art Gallery; The Ceramics Gallery; and The Archaeology Gallery. Depending on your interest, you can admire weapons like the Sundang (a double edge Bugis sword) or the Sikin (keris with short blades), take a closer look at porcelains and ceramics from China and Japan, or dive into the Metal Age by browsing through tools, artefacts, and skeletal remains.

Photo credit: https://www.facebook.com/True-Asia-Media

The entire museum has been curated to provide an immersive experience with a selection of unique artefacts, insightful storytelling, thoughtful layout and touch screen information boards. Even the front yard has been turned into a kind of artistic gallery with sculptures of horses, elephants and other animals on the grass.

Black Water Jewel

The mountains and jungles of Pahang are very popular tourist attractions, however, many may not know that Pahang also has beautiful and biodiverse peat swamp forests that stretch over 160,000 hectares! It is home to 53 species of mammals and more than 200 birds, including eight species of hornbills.

Photo credit: https://www.facebook.com/FTTSTemerluh/

One of the peat swamp forests of note lies in Pekan, where the Bebar River lies. It is protected as a conservation area, but recently, has been promoted as a tourist attraction. It is called the Black Water Jewel due to the dark brown or black waters – a natural colouration which is caused by the high content of organic matter – and the fact that it is the habitat for a diverse array of animals.

Photo credit: https://www.facebook.com/lensapekanofficial/

Birdwatching activities and river cruising on kayaks are recommended here to explore the natural beauty, flora and fauna of the river. A three-hour cruise can be arranged from Runchang to Nenasi in Pekan. Throughout the journey, tourists have the chance to see unique animals, including the fully-protected oriental small-clawed otter and dusky leaf monkeys. A visit to the orang asli village can be arranged as well.

Meow Island

If you are a cat lover, you will enjoy a visit to Pulau Kucing, affectionately called Meow Island by the locals. It is a privately-run sanctuary for cats also known as the Dato’ Shamsiah Cat Shelter Park.

Photo credit: https://www.facebook.com/MeowIslandMalaysia/

There are more than 60 rescued cats, some ducks, geese, goats and dogs, too, who all roam freely and lead comfortable lives, thanks to the care provided by the owners and occasional volunteers. Over the years, volunteers have built quirky and colourful cat shelters here, and helped out tending to the sick animals, feeding them as well as beautifying the landscape – all in the name of providing a safe sanctuary for these felines.

The shelter also receives the support from the Pahang Veterinary Department, who conducts monthly health checkups on the feline residents of the island.

Photo credit: /www.facebook.com/lensapekanofficial/

Here, you can pet and play with the animals, or do some volunteer work such as cleaning, building and repairing the cat shelters, or contribute donations should you feel like it.

Categories
Tourism Malaysia

Things To Do In The Month of Merdeka

In Malaysia, Independence Day is celebrated on 31 August every year. Why is it important to celebrate our Independence Day? For us, it is a day to remember all we as a nation have been through, as well as to demonstrate the significance of freedom and remind us of the sacrifices of our ancestors. By celebrating our Independence Day, we are acknowledging and owning the long and complicated history of our country. The whole month of August is actually dedicated to celebrating Malaysia’s independence.

For tourists to have a better understanding of Malaysia’s history, this is the right month to visit Malaysia.

So, let’s dedicate the whole month of August to learning about the history of Malaysia by doing these activities:

Visit the Proclamation of Independence Memorial

Proclamation of Independence Memorial

It can be said that the Proclamation of Independence Memorial is a building that safeguards many precious secrets in its vaults. The memorial exist as a reflection of a page in history from the struggle for independence to the great moments at Padang Pahlawan in Bandar Hilir, Melaka.

The two-storey building houses and exhibits historic documents ranging from the era of Melaka Malay Sultanate right up to the eve of independence in 1957. The exhibits here include collection of manuscripts, videotapes and other audio and visual collections.

The Memorial building, which was established on the mutual collaboration between the Melaka State Government and the National Archives of Malaysia, is surrounded by historical by historical remnants and structures such as the A’ Famosa Fort, St. Paul’s Hill, Padang Pahlawan Square and the Cultural Museum, which is a replica model of the Melaka Malay Sultanate Palace.

This is the place all Malaysians must go at least once in their lifetime. Admission is free.

Opening Hours: 09:00 am – 17:30 pm (Closed every Monday except on public holidays)

The Proclamation of Independence Memorial
Address:
Jalan Parameswara, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia
Tel: +606 284 1231

Get a Closer Look at the Merdeka Obelisk

Merdeka Obelisk

IT IS one of the most significant monuments of the country’s independence from colonial Britain but sadly, not many people notice it.

The little triangular structure called the Merdeka Obelisk stands forlornly in the shadow of yet another crass commercial development that Malacca is fast gaining notoriety for.

The obelisk marks the spot where H. G. Hammet, the last British resident commissioner of Malacca, handed over the instrument of independence to the state’s first local governor, Leong Yew Koh (later Tun) on Aug 31, 1957.

Then Chief Minister of Malacca Datuk Kurnia Jasa Osman Talib read the Proclamation of Independence after which the flags of the Federation of Malaya and state were raised.

The memorial with the letter “M” (for Merdeka) in the centre of a 11-pointed star, also indicates where Tunku Abdul Rahman first announced the date of Independence on Feb 20, 1956, after returning from his successful talks in London.

Merdeka Obelisk
Address:
Padang Pahlawan (Warrior’s Field),
Bandar Hilir, 75000, Melaka.

Story and Photo are credited to The Star.

Visit the Army Museum, Port Dickson

Military Museum – Negeri Sembilan

Visiting this Army Museum can be a surreal encounter that all Malaysians should experience at least once in our lifetime. It will evoke a sense of patriotism and pride in all of us. Why this museum you asked, well, this Army Museum does a good job to show us key moments of Malaysian history and also the heroism of our warriors.

The Army Museum, known locally as Muzium Tentera Darat, is located next to a military base off the main road at 5th mile, about 7km away from Port Dickson town in Sirusa district. A property of the Malaysian Royal Armed Forces, the museum traces Malaysia’s exploits and achievements through history, trumped up with dramatised aspects and romantic story-telling.

Get to know Lieutenant Adnan Saidi who was a Malayan soldier of the 1st Infantry Brigade which fought the Japanese in Pasir Panjang and Bukit Chandu and regarded by Malaysians and Singaporeans as a national hero. Learn about the modern day heroes who saved the American soldiers during the Battle of Mogadishu, an incident that was later made into a movie called Black Hawk Down. All these stories are proudly displayed at the museum.

MUZIUM TENTERA DARAT – NEGERI SEMBILAN

There are two blocks of buildings housing four galleries each, taking visitors from era to era. The museum use yellow footprints to guide you through the two-storey twin buildings so that chronological order is maintained. One of the galleries is dedicated to the era of the Melaka Sultanate, while another gallery tells the tale of British Malaya, and the various local heroes and freedom fighters. Other galleries are dedicated to the time of the formation of the Malay army, the time of the Japanese occupation and the communist insurgency.

Another interesting feature is a re-created mock-up of a communist underground tunnel. You walk down into the ground and into a darkened tunnel which has a communist sentry, surgery room, mock operations room and ammunition store.

In addition to the museum buildings, the spacious grounds also house decommissioned military vehicles, including planes, tanks and artillery guns, and a memorial fountain dedicated to soldiers who served through Malaysia’s war history. Children will love this museum because they can climb into some of the military vehicles and take pictures too.

Open daily from morning till evening, entry is free for all visitors.

Muzium Tentera Darat
Batu 4, Kem Si Rusa
71050 Port Dickson.
Tel: 06 – 647 1266 samb. 2482

Visit Tugu Negara (National Monument)

Situated overlooking the KL Lake Gardens, the huge bronze monument was built to pay tribute to the valiant soldiers who gave their lives defending the country during the Communist Insurgency in the 1950s. It was designed by Felix de Weldon, the architect of the famous Iwo Jima Memorial

One place with patriotic significance that Malaysians rarely visit is the Tugu Negara or National Monument. Deeply rooted in Malaysia’s history, the National Monument (Tugu Negara) stands tall and proud as a testament of the sacrifices that we as a nation have gone through. Visiting this place can bring back mixed feelings, memories of struggles, moments of triumphs and at the same time sadness as we remember all those who died for the country.

Located in Jalan Tugu, off Jalan Parlimen, Tugu Negara was built for RM1.5mil and was officially unveiled on Feb 8, 1966. Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman, was inspired to build a monument after visiting the Marine Corps War Memorial in Virginia, United States in Oct 1960.

He believed it was essential to commemorate those who had perished defending the country, particularly during WWII and the Malayan Emergency from 1948 to 1960. It was reported that about 11,000 civilians and security forces were killed during that time.

The monument was designed by the late Tan Sri Felix de Weldon, an American sculptor of Austrian origin who had worked on the Marine Corps War Memorial. The construction of Tugu Negara began in 1963.

The bronze sculpture depicts a group of seven soldiers. In the middle stands a soldier in a victorious pose, his right hand holding a Malaysian flag (made from cloth). The height of the monument is 15m, making it the biggest freestanding bronze sculpture in the world.

The soldiers symbolise leadership, suffering, unity, vigilance, strength, courage and sacrifice. The statues are erected on stones imported from the coastal city of Karlshamn, Sweden.

The base of the monument is made from granite and bears the Malayan Coat of Arms, of which both sides are engraved with the inscription: “Dedicated to the heroic fighters in the cause of peace and freedom; May the blessing of Allah be upon them.”

At Tugu Negara, there are two monuments to take note of as you enter the compound. The first is a 10m-high cenotaph (an empty tomb or monument erected to honour the dead) which stands at the upper entrance of the National Monument, on a seven- tiered rectangular base.

The inscription at the bottom, “To Our Glorious Dead (1914–1918), (1939–1945) and the Emergency (1948–1960)”, testifies to Malaysia’s involvement in a number of wars, including both World Wars and and also the Malayan Emergency, a guerilla war between the Commonwealth armed forces and the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party.

Interestingly, the cenotaph was originally placed at Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin (formerly called Victoria Avenue) near the old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. It was later moved to its current site to make way for the construction of a flyover connecting Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin and the Parliament roundabout.

Names of the fallen are engraved on the plaques of the cenotaph as a token of tribute to their sacrifices.

Getting to the National Monument is relatively easy. Hop on the KTM train and get off at the Bank Negara Station. Follow the signage to Jalan Parlimen or Botanical Lake Garden. It will take about 15 minutes by foot or five minutes by taxi.

Another option is to take the Kuala Lumpur Hop-on, Hop-off bus from Jalan Bukit Bintang. One of the stops is the National Monument. You can explore the area for a bit and then take the next bus to continue the city tour of Kuala Lumpur.

The cheapest way is to take the metro to the Old Railway Station. From there it is a 10/15 minute walk to the entrance of the wonderful Lake Gardens, one of the biggest parks in Kuala Lumpur. It will take another 15/25 minutes to walk through the park to the north entrance where it is only a 5/10 minute walk to the National Monument.

Daily opening hours are between 7am and 6pm.

Tugu Negara
Address: Jalan Parlimen, Kuala Lumpur 50480 Malaysia
Tel: +603-2615-8188

Story is credited to The Star.

Stay the Night at Federal Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

Nestled among other modern skyscrapers that dominated the Kuala Lumpur’s famous shopping and entertainment district, Bukit Bintang, the Federal Hotel’s old-fashioned architecture really looks out of place.

However, the building’s unassuming facade betrays a rich historical trail. Back in the day, Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman intended the hotel to be a world-class accommodation for the distinguished guests who would be gracing the historic celebration that marked the handover of Malaya from the British.

Completed three days before the country’s independence in 1957, Federal Hotel’s first registered guest was British government official Nancy Simmons. Affectionately known as Bunny, she chauffeured Tunku during his official visits to negotiate Malaya’s independence in London. One of its famous guest was the former world heavyweight boxing champion, the late Muhammad Ali.

The hotel’s iconic restaurant, the Mandarin Palace was even featured in a Hollywood movie called “The Seventh Dawn” in 1964.

Federal Hotel
Address: 35, Bukit Bintang Street,
Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2148 9166

Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign

NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION – MERDEKA SQUARE, KUALA LUMPUR

In order to nurture the spirit of patriotism in all of us, let’s participate in the Fly the Jalur Gemilang, our national flag campaign. This year, the state of Melaka has been selected as the venue for the launch of the 2019 National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign scheduled for 3 Aug 2019.

In keeping with this year’s theme for National Day, which is “Sayangi Malaysiaku – Malaysia Bersih”, we can safely say that flying the Malaysian flag proudly can be a symbol of our love for the country. Jalur Gemilang should be given the utmost respect and dignity as it symbolises national sovereignty, unity and national pride.

So let’s fly our flag on our vehicles, office cubicles, houses, restaurants, hotels, etc throughout the whole month of August. Some tourists collected flag of the country they visited so this a good opportunity to get a free Jalur Gemilang to add to your flag collection.

Watching the Independence Day Parade

This coming 31 August 2019 marks the 62nd anniversary of Malaysia’s national independence. Known locally as Hari Kemerdekaan, it is the time of the year when Malaysians show their appreciation for yet another year of harmony among the people, and are reminded of their country’s struggle for independence.

This national event helps to educate the public, especially the younger generation, about the importance of racial tolerance, unity and cooperation so that the country can continue to enjoy prosperity, development and harmony.

The annual celebrations will not be complete without the pomp and splendour of the traditional procession. On Independence Day itself, the national day parade will take place at Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya at 7 am in the presence of Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Malaysia. The VIPs gracing the occasion are the Hon. Prime Minister of Malaysia, Malaysian cabinet ministers, foreign ambassadors and other dignitaries. Although Putrajaya is the celebration’s epicenter, expect smaller Hari Kemerdekaan celebrations all over the country to include parades and fireworks.

Among those who participate in this parade are government services such as the military, the police force, naval forces, public and private sectors’ staff and school children.

The day will be filled with a procession, cultural performances, military demonstration, intricate floats, and other interesting diversions. So, don your patriotic gear and grab a flag and start waving it!

The closing of Independence Month 2019 will be held in Kuching, Sarawak on 16 September, as it is the date that the federation of Malaysia was formed in 1963. Everyone can expect another lineup of fun patriotic activities that will pump up his/her patriotism.

Categories
Tourism Malaysia

THING TO DO IN THE MONTH OF MERDEKA

In Malaysia, Independence Day is celebrated on 31 August every year. Why is it important to celebrate our Independence Day?  For us, it is a day to remember all we as a nation have been through, as well as to demonstrate the significance of freedom and remind us of the sacrifices of our ancestors. By celebrating our Independence Day, we are acknowledging and owning the long and complicated history of our country. The whole month of August is actually dedicated to celebrating Malaysia’s independence.

For tourists to have a better understanding of Malaysia’s history, this is the right month to visit Malaysia.

So, let’s dedicate the whole month of August to learning about the history of Malaysia by doing these activities:


Visit the Army Museum, Port Dickson

Visiting this Army Museum can be a surreal encounter that all Malaysians should experience at least once in our lifetime. It will evoke a sense of patriotism and pride in all of us. Why this museum you asked, well, this Army Museum does a good job to show us key moments of Malaysian history and also the heroism of our warriors.

The Army Museum, known locally as Muzium Tentera Darat, is located next to a military base off the main road at 5th mile, about 7km away from Port Dickson town in Sirusa district. A property of the Malaysian Royal Armed Forces, the museum traces Malaysia’s exploits and achievements through history, trumped up with dramatised aspects and romantic story-telling.

Get to know Lieutenant Adnan Saidi who was a Malayan soldier of the 1st Infantry Brigade which fought the Japanese in Pasir Panjang and Bukit Chandu and regarded by Malaysians and Singaporeans as a national hero. Learn about the modern day heroes who saved the American soldiers during the Battle of Mogadishu, an incident that was later made into a movie called Black Hawk Down. All these stories are proudly displayed at the museum.

There are two blocks of buildings housing four galleries each, taking visitors from era to era. The museum use yellow footprints to guide you through the two-storey twin buildings so that chronological order is maintained. One of the galleries is dedicated to the era of the Melaka Sultanate, while another gallery tells the tale of British Malaya, and the various local heroes and freedom fighters. Other galleries are dedicated to the time of the formation of the Malay army, the time of the Japanese occupation and the communist insurgency.

Another interesting feature is a re-created mock-up of a communist underground tunnel. You walk down into the ground and into a darkened tunnel which has a communist sentry, surgery room, mock operations room and ammunition store.

In addition to the museum buildings, the spacious grounds also house decommissioned military vehicles, including planes, tanks and artillery guns, and a memorial fountain dedicated to soldiers who served through Malaysia’s war history. Children will love this museum because they can climb into some of the military vehicles and take pictures too.

Open daily from morning till evening, entry is free for all visitors.

Muzium Tentera Darat 
Batu 4, Kem Si Rusa
71050 Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan
Tel: 06 – 647 1266 samb. 2482


Visit Tugu Negara (National Monument)

One place with patriotic significance that Malaysians rarely visit is the Tugu Negara or National Monument. Deeply rooted in Malaysia’s history, the National Monument (Tugu Negara) stands tall and proud as a testament of the sacrifices that we as a nation have gone through. Visiting this place can bring back mixed feelings, memories of struggles, moments of triumphs and at the same time sadness as we remember all those who died for the country.

Located in Jalan Tugu, off Jalan Parlimen, Tugu Negara was built for RM1.5mil and was officially unveiled on Feb 8, 1966. Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman, was inspired to build a monument after visiting the Marine Corps War Memorial in Virginia, United States in Oct 1960.

He believed it was essential to commemorate those who had perished defending the country, particularly during WWII and the Malayan Emergency from 1948 to 1960. It was reported that about 11,000 civilians and security forces were killed during that time.


The monument was designed by the late Tan Sri Felix de Weldon, an American sculptor of Austrian origin who had worked on the Marine Corps War Memorial. The construction of Tugu Negara began in 1963.

The bronze sculpture depicts a group of seven soldiers. In the middle stands a soldier in a victorious pose, his right hand holding a Malaysian flag (made from cloth). The height of the monument is 15m, making it the biggest freestanding bronze sculpture in the world.

The soldiers symbolise leadership, suffering, unity, vigilance, strength, courage and sacrifice. The statues are erected on stones imported from the coastal city of Karlshamn, Sweden.

The base of the monument is made from granite and bears the Malayan Coat of Arms, of which both sides are engraved with the inscription: “Dedicated to the heroic fighters in the cause of peace and freedom; May the blessing of Allah be upon them.”

At Tugu Negara, there are two monuments to take note of as you enter the compound. The first is a 10m-high cenotaph (an empty tomb or monument erected to honour the dead) which stands at the upper entrance of the National Monument, on a seven- tiered rectangular base.

The inscription at the bottom, “To Our Glorious Dead (1914–1918), (1939–1945) and the Emergency (1948–1960)”, testifies to Malaysia’s involvement in a number of wars, including both World Wars and and also the Malayan Emergency, a guerilla war between the Commonwealth armed forces and the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party.

Interestingly, the cenotaph was originally placed at Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin (formerly called Victoria Avenue) near the old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. It was later moved to its current site to make way for the construction of a flyover connecting Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin and the Parliament roundabout.

Names of the fallen are engraved on the plaques of the cenotaph as a token of tribute to their sacrifices.

Getting to the National Monument is relatively easy. Hop on the KTM train and get off at the Bank Negara Station. Follow the signage to Jalan Parlimen or Botanical Lake Garden. It will take about 15 minutes by foot or five minutes by taxi.

Another option is to take the Kuala Lumpur Hop-on, Hop-off bus from Jalan Bukit Bintang. One of the stops is the National Monument. You can explore the area for a bit and then take the next bus to continue the city tour of Kuala Lumpur.

The cheapest way is to take the metro to the Old Railway Station. From there it is a 10/15 minute walk to the entrance of the wonderful Lake Gardens, one of the biggest parks in Kuala Lumpur. It will take another 15/25 minutes to walk through the park to the north entrance where it is only a 5/10 minute walk to the National Monument.

Daily opening hours are between 7am and 6pm.

Location: Jalan Tamingsabi
Address: Jalan Parlimen, Kuala Lumpur 50480 Malaysia
Tel: +603-2615-8188

Story is credited to The Star.

Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign

In order to nurture the spirit of patriotism in all of us, let’s participate in the Fly the Jalur Gemilang, our national flag campaign. This year, the Penang Esplanade or Padang Kota Lama has been selected as the venue for the launch of the 2018 National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign scheduled for 4 Aug 2018.

In keeping with this year’s theme for National Day, which is Sayangi Malaysiaku (Love Our Malaysia), we can safely say that flying the Malaysian flag proudly can be a symbol of our love for the country. Jalur Gemilang should be given the utmost respect and dignity as it symbolises national sovereignty, unity and national pride.

So let’s fly our flag on our vehicles, office cubicles, houses, restaurants, hotels, etc throughout the whole month of August. Some tourists collected flag of the country they visited so this a good opportunity to get a free Jalur Gemilang to add to your flag collection.


Watching the Independence Day Parade

This coming 31 August 2018 marks the 61st anniversary of Malaysia’s national independence. Known locally as Hari Kemerdekaan, it is the time of the year when Malaysians show their appreciation for yet another year of harmony among the people, and are reminded of their country’s struggle for independence.

This national event helps to educate the public, especially the younger generation, about the importance of racial tolerance, unity and cooperation so that the country can continue to enjoy prosperity, development and harmony.

The annual celebrations will not be complete without the pomp and splendour of the traditional procession. On Independence Day itself, the national day parade will take place at Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya at 7 am in the presence of Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Malaysia. The VIPs gracing the occasion are the Hon. Prime Minister of Malaysia, Malaysian cabinet ministers, foreign ambassadors and other dignitaries. Although Putrajaya is the celebration’s epicenter, expect smaller Hari Kemerdekaan celebrations all over the country to include parades and fireworks.

Among those who participate in this parade are government services such as the military, the police force, naval forces, public and private sectors’ staff and school children.

The day will be filled with a procession, cultural performances, military demonstration, intricate floats, and other interesting diversions. So, don your patriotic gear and grab a flag and start waving it!

The closing of Independence Month 2018 will be held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah on 16 September, as it is the date that the federation of Malaysia was formed in 1963. Everyone can expect another lineup of fun patriotic activities that will pump up his/her patriotism.

Categories
Tourism Malaysia

13 Things You May Or May Not Know About Malaysia’s Independence

Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman in 1957

August 31 is Hari Merdeka or Malaysia’s Independence Day. Here’s a brief look at Merdeka Day celebrations over the last 59 years and other events that have shaped the nation.

1. Malaysia gained her independence from Great Britain in 1957. Over 20,000 people gathered in Merdeka Square to mark the occasion, including the Duke of Gloucester, the King and Queen of Thailand and the Prime Minister of India. The first prime minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman, chanted some of the most iconic words in Malaysian history, “Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka”.

2. From 1957 onwards, Merdeka celebrations have been held every year in all its grandeur. Dignitaries wear traditional uniforms and costumes, fighter jets fly overhead in a blaze of smoke and military personnel and Kadazan tribal people march through the streets.

3. Inaugural celebrations featured dancing formations that depicted the emblem of the ruling party, Barisan Nasional — or the National Front Coalition Party. Barisan Nasional has ruled Malaysia since 1957, making it one of the longest ruling, democratically installed governments in the world.

4. Up until September 16, 1963, Malaysia was still known as the Federation of Malaya. Two years after Singapore left the federation in 1961, the Bornean states of Sabah and Sarawak merged with Peninsula Malaya to form the new Malaysia.

5. Merdeka Day celebrations in 1963 were nothing short of extravagant with traditional dancers from East Malaysia appearing for the first time in full ceremonial regalia, armed with spears and other tribal items.

6. Malaysia Day, not to be confused with Merdeka Day, is held every September 16 to mark the formation of Malaysia.

7. In 1967, Merdeka celebrations saw perhaps the biggest crowd in Malaysian history. An estimated 50,000 people attended the ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of Malaysia’s independence. Thousands of law enforcement and military personnel marched through Merdeka Square.

Merdeka 3Military procession passes dignitaries at inaugural Merdeka celebration in 1957

8. Merdeka Football Festival has run concurrently with Merdeka celebrations from 1957. The festival is the oldest football event in Asia and has seen teams from all over the world compete for the prestigious trophy. Hong Kong were the inaugural winners in 1957.

9. Malacca City hosted the first Merdeka celebration outside of Stadium Merdeka and Dataran Merdeka in 1985. The decision was the brainchild of Malaysia’s “Father of Development” Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad. The Malacca Club was turned into a Merdeka memorial called the Merdeka Declaration Memorial to archive all past and future Merdeka celebrations.

10. In the same year, one of Malaysia’s most iconic acts, the Alleycats, released their chart-topping album Suara Kekasih. Founded in 1978, the Alleycats went on to have a profound impact on Malaysian people and the Malaysian music industry.

AlleycatsMusic icons the Alleycats

11. Following 1963, there was a push for Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines to form a confederation called Maphilindo. However, there were too many controversies and disputes over territory with then Indonesian president Sukarno putting an end to discussions.

12. Shortly after, Indonesia provided Malaysia with the greatest threat to her independence. They declared war on the Kalimantan-East Malaysia border, laying claims to territories north of Kalimantan. Indonesia only came to officially acknowledge the formation of Malaysia three years later in 1966.

13. Malaysia and her states have been ruled by many invaders over the years from Srivijayan Buddhists and Majapahit Hindus to Portuguese, Dutch and British settlers as well as the Japanese in World War II. Many of these cultures are still present in current day Merdeka celebrations.

 

Merdeka 150th anniversary Merdeka celebrations in 2007

So, if you are keen to observe a bit of Malaysian history, be sure to join in the fun this August 31. There will be festivities across the nation with performances, parades and fireworks in most cities. Head to Tourism Malaysia Official Site for more information.

 

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Tourism Malaysia

Konsert Awie & Ella

January 5, 2012 at 2:00 pm

Norzila bt Hj Aminuddin, or better known by her stage name Ella, is a popular rock singer in Malaysia. With a career spanning over 2 decades, Ella still holds the local record for the best-selling female artist for selling over 300,000 copies at the peak of her music career. Dubbed as ‘Ratu Rock’ (Queen of Rock) by her local fans, no other title fits her status as a Malaysian rock star better. Her latest solo album, released in 2007 entitled Rama-Rama became one of the most popular songs in that year.

Born as Ahmad Azhar b Othman, he is better known as Awie, the front man for one of Malaysia’s famous rock band called Wings. He left the band and decided to go solo, producing four albums during his time as a solo singer. In 1992, Awie decided to embark on an acting career, starring in a film known as Pemburu Bayang. He carved a name for himself as an accomplished actor, and enjoyed success with other local films such as Sembilu series, Tragedi Oktober, Baik Punya Cilok and Hantu Kak Limah Balik Rumah.

Come and see Malaysia’s Queen of Rock perform live at Istana Budaya with Awie in Konsert Awie Ella this 12th to 15th January 2012

This coming 12th till 15th January 2012 will see both the King and Queen of Rock performing side by side at Panggung Sari in Istana Budaya. This long-awaited concert is set to thrill both of their respective fans and will be the opening concert of the year 2012. The schedule for this four-day concert is set as below:-

Thursday, 12th January 2012 at 8.30 pm
Friday, 13th January 2012 at 8.30 pm
Saturday, 14th January 2012 at 3.00 pm AND 8.30 pm
Sunday, 15th January 2012 at 3.00 pm AND 8.30 pm

Tickets are priced at RM 40, RM 80, RM 140, RM 210, RM 300, RM 400 and RM 450. Please click here for more information about the concert and ticket purchases, or visit Istana Budaya’s website here.

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