THE day started bright and early; perhaps a little too early for the United Federation of Travel Agents’ Association (UFTAA) congress delegates.
The four-day congress was organised by Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta). More than half of those who ended up joining the Tourism Selangor-hosted familiarisation tour were senior citizens from abroad, who gamely participated in bumpy tractor rides, padi harvesting and boating activities.
It was past midnight by the time they returned to their hotel.
The morning kicked off with a quick photo session, with the Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah serving as backdrop as the visitors headed for the Sultan Abdul Aziz Royal Gallery (Galeri Diraja Sultan Abdul Aziz) in Klang, Selangor.
The state mosque of Selangor, the largest in the country, stands by the Raja Lumu Lake in Shah Alam. It boasts four minarets and its blue and silver dome is the largest religious dome in the world.
As the bus drew to a stop outside the Royal Gallery, the classic colonial building loomed over us. The Sultan Suleiman Building is one building that has many tales to tell.
Built in 1909 by British architect A.B. Hubback, it served as the Brits’ land and administration office during the colonial era. During World War II, the Japanese utilised it as their war headquarters, and after that several local authorities occupied the building until its restoration and transformation into the Royal Gallery.
Bruce Chittock from New Zealand was blown away by what the gallery had to offer.
“I’ve been to Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding areas many times in recent years, (but) why has no one told me about this gallery before? It is absolutely brilliant,” he asked.
Chittock said that the charting of the royal family lineage, its heritage and culture was “tremendously interesting” and added that he particularly liked the rank insignia on display.
First commissioned in 2002, the gallery was officially launched in October 2007 by the present Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
The gallery is dedicated to his late father, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, who ruled from 1960 for four decades.
Most of the exhibits at the gallery revolve around the late Sultan’s childhood, his early years as a crown prince, and his career in military and public offices. Numerous items from his personal collection of artefacts and gifts have been put in the care of the gallery, including replicas of Selangor’s crown jewels.
“Having the gallery in such a historical building is significant and meaningful. What is astonishing to me is that the Sultan is still serving but he is giving up his family’s valuables so that tourists and locals alike can see and learn. I think that is really great,” said Sonam Dorji from Bhutan, who applauded the decision to set up this gallery.