National Museum (Malaysia)

Selangor Museum was the de facto national museum pre-independence.{{Cite book |last=Abu Talib Ahmad |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/951429389 |title=Museums, history, and culture in Malaysia |publisher=NUS Press |year=2014 |isbn=978-9971-69-819-5 |pages=4 |oclc=951429389}} Selangor Museum was established in 1887 as an amateur affair by colonial civil servants.{{Cite book |last=Tan |first=Kevin Y. L. |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/953692385 |title=Of whales and dinosaurs : the story of Singapore's Natural History Museum |year=2016 |isbn=978-9971-69-855-3 |pages=80–83 |oclc=953692385}} It was taken over by the colonial government, and following the formation of the Federated Malay States in 1896, in 1904 it was administratively merged with the Perak Museum in Taiping as the Federated Malay States Museums under director Leonard Wray Jr.{{Cite book |last=Wells |first=David |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/659739244 |title=The birds of the Thai-Malay Peninsula : covering Burma and Thailand south of the eleventh parallel, Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore. |publisher=Christopher Helm |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-4081-3313-2 |pages=728 |oclc=659739244}} A purpose-built museum building designed by prominent architect Arthur Benison Hubback opened in 1907.{{Cite book |last1=Federated Malay States. |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/62878 |title=Journal of the Federated Malay States Museums |last2=States |first2=Federated Malay |last3=Museum |first3=Perak State |last4=Museum |first4=Selangor State |date=1906 |publisher=the Museums |volume=2 |location=Kuala Lumpur}}File:Selangor Museum.jpgThe Selangor Museum collection grew rapidly under curator, then director, Herbert Christopher Robinson.{{Cite journal |date=2008-05-13 |title=Herbert Christopher Robinson. |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1474-919X.1929.tb08772.x |journal=Ibis |language=en |volume=71 |issue=3 |pages=523–531 |doi=10.1111/j.1474-919X.1929.tb08772.x}} Other notable staff at Selangor Museum included Cecil Boden Kloss and Eibert Carl Henry Seimund.{{Cite web |title=Search Results |url=https://www.nhm.ac.uk/CalmView/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Persons&id=PX2749&pos=1 |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=www.nhm.ac.uk}} The museum also hired hunters and collectors from Sarawak, including Charles Ulok.{{Cite journal |last=Wilson |first=John-James |date=2021 |title=Colonial birding in the Thai-Malay Peninsula: Birds from the Selangor Museum now in World Museum, Liverpool |url=https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/126/article/842109 |journal=Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society |volume=94 |issue=2 |pages=121–139 |doi=10.1353/ras.2021.0029 |issn=2180-4338}}

Much of the museum collectors’ zoological field work focussed on the hills and mountains of the peninsula's central states, Fraser's Hill, Genting Highlands, Cameron Highlands, laying a foundation for the prominence of these hill resorts in Malaysia today.{{Cite journal |last1=Weebers |first1=Robert C. M. |last2=Idris |first2=Hanizah |date=2016-12-29 |title=British Hill Stations in South Asia and Mainland South East Asia: British India, Ceylon, Burma and British Malaya: A Comparative Study |journal=Journal of Southeast Asian Studies |volume=21 |issue=1 |pages=175–190 |doi=10.22452/jati.vol21no1.9 |issn=1823-4127|doi-access=free }} The museum had a major expedition to Gunung Tahan in 1905.{{Cite web |last=Shaughnessy |first=Elaine |date=2020-09-03 |title=The 1905 ascent of Mount Tahan (Malaysia) and fate of the bird collection |url=https://shnh.org.uk/the-1905-ascent-of-mount-tahan-malasia-and-fate-of-the-bird-collection/ |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=Society for the History of Natural History |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Xmpsp |date=2008-05-17 |title=iNfO LiPaTaN SeJaRaH : xmpsp.com: KONSPIRASI GUNUNG TAHAN |url=http://lipatansejarah4xmpsp.blogspot.com/2008/05/konspirasi-gunung-tahan_17.html |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=iNfO LiPaTaN SeJaRaH}} They also collected in Southern Thailand{{Cite web |last=Association |first=Natural Sciences Collections |date=2021-02-18 |title=Time To Figure Out Where Specimens Are Really From |url=https://natsca.blog/2021/02/18/time-to-figure-out-where-specimens-are-really-from/ |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=NatSCA |language=en}} and Indonesia. The expeditions and collections were written about in the Journal of the Federated Malay States Museums.{{Cite book |last1=Federated Malay States. |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/51854 |title=Journal of the Federated Malay States Museums |last2=States |first2=Federated Malay |last3=Museum |first3=Perak State |last4=Museum |first4=Selangor State |date=1905 |publisher=the Museums |location=Kuala Lumpur}} Collected specimens were routinely transferred to the British Museum (Natural History), some were sent to Liverpool Museums in 1914, and the vertebrate collections were fully transferred from Selangor Museum to the Raffles Museum of Singapore in 1926.

File:Maroon-breasted Philentoma, Philentoma velata, (NML-VZ 31.12.14.77b) collected from Gunung Angsi, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia in November 1904, with a Selangor Museum label.jpg|Maroon-breasted Philentoma with old Selangor Museum label.

File:Malayan Whistling-thrush, Myophonus robinsoni, (NML-VZ 31.12.14.143) collected from Bukit Fraser, Pahang, Malaysia on 22 October 1909, with a Selangor Museum label.jpg|Malayan Whistling-thrush with old Selangor Museum label.

File:Grey Nightjar, Caprimulgus jotaka, (NML-VZ 31.12.14.25) collected from Semangko Pass, Pahang, Malaysia in February1908, with a Selangor Museum label.jpg|Grey Nightjar with old Selangor Museum label.

On 10 March 1945, during the end of World War II, the right wing of the museum was bombed and destroyed{{Cite web |last=Alan Teh Leam Seng |date=2017-05-07 |title=Museum that rose from ashes |url=https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/sunday-vibes/2017/05/237116/museum-rose-ashes |website=New Straits Times}} by the US B-29 bombers, from the Allied Forces.{{cite web |url=http://www.welcome-kl.com/muzium-negara-national-museum/ |title=Muzium Negara |publisher=welcome-kl.com |access-date=16 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209183534/http://www.welcome-kl.com/muzium-negara-national-museum/ |archive-date=9 February 2013 |df=dmy-all }} The remaining museum collection was then moved to the Perak Museum in Taiping.{{Cite web |title=Malaysia National Museum , Kuala Lumpur {{!}} Malaysia |url=https://www.malaysian-nomad.asia/2017/06/malaysia-national-museum-kuala-lumpur.html |access-date=2022-12-24 |website=malaysian-nomad.asia |language=en-GB}}

After World War II, the left wing of Selangor Museum was still in use as a historical site. On the brink of 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 the new museum. The new National Museum, Muzium Negara, was established on the site of the former Selangor Museum.

File:Muzium Negara KL67.JPG

File:National Museum KL 2008 interior pano.jpg

Construction of the new National Museum began in 1959 and was completed in 1963. The museum was officially inaugurated on 31 August 1963 by Tuanku Syed Putra Ibni al-Marhum Syed Hassan Jamalullail, the 3rd Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The museum's design was conceived by architect Ho Kok Hoe, drawing inspiration from the architecture of Malay royal palaces and traditional Malay vernacular architecture. The design included provisions for exhibition and activity spaces. The entrance features large mosaic murals depicting the country's history and culture, while the floor of the central section of the main building is adorned with special tiles gifted by the government of Pakistan. UNESCO also facilitated consultancies by museum experts from various international museums.

On 4 April 1996, the building was gazetted under the Antiquities Act 169/1976 as an ancient monument and historical site.

With the support of the Department of National Museums, cultural and history enthusiasts residing in the greater Kuala Lumpur area formed a group of volunteer museum tour guides in 2007 to accommodate the growing number of international tourists. At any time, between 20 and 100 volunteers of many nationalities provide tours in English, Korean, Japanese, and French. A related group was established for Malaysian visitors, operating primarily on weekends.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

MVM also promotes Malaysian cultural and historical heritage in schools and organizing tours for members to places around Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia, such as a visit to Kuala Kangsar and Georgetown, Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary,[http://www.pahangtourism.com.my/tropical/attractions/kgandah.html Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary (Temerloh)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110618103126/http://www.pahangtourism.com.my/tropical/attractions/kgandah.html|date=18 June 2011}}, Tourism Pahang.[http://www.endemicguides.com/Kuala_Gandah.htm Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary], Endemic Guides. Royal Selangor in Setapak and celebrating the Hari Moyang in the Hma' Meri Orang Asli village in Pulau Carey. The group also organizes talks and classes about the cultural and historical heritage of the country.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

In 2009, MVM organized the "Jom Main" Exhibition with the collaboration of National Museum, which revisits traditional games that children in Malaysia used to play.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

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.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

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. The display demonstrates 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.

File:National Museum KL 2008 157 pano.jpg

Other galleries include the National Sports Gallery and the Natural History Gallery.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

In the vicinity of the museum building, there are a number of outdoor displays of transportation in Malaysia, past and present. The Melaka Bullock Cart exhibit closely resembles the early American horse-drawn wagon. Of unparalleled interest are the Steam Locomotive made by Kitson & Co, England, which was put into service in 1921 until it ceased operation in 1969. It covered 1.5 million rail miles; a Tin Dredge which resembles a floating factory, on a natural or artificial lake. Also on display are motorized vehicles, including antiqued civic vehicles and private vehicles, including an early 1.3 liter Proton Saga, the first national car launched on July 9, 1985{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}. In addition, there are two monuments in the grounds: a bronze bust of King Edward VII, and a statue of Sir Frank Swettenham.

National Museum also holds regular thematic exhibitions featuring specific aspects of life and world culture.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

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, and thematic 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.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

Past exhibitions have included 'The Islamic Civilization', 'Our King', 'The World of Flowers', 'Durian King of Fruits', 'Masks from Sarawak', 'World Currency', 'Islamic Frontiers of China', 'American Frontiers', and 'Religious Architecture from the Netherlands'.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

The museum places strong emphasis on the Malay World, and a considerable section is devoted to the founding of the United Malay National Organization, one of the parties of the National Front (Barisan Nasional). There are few if any mentions of the involvement of the Malayan Chinese Association and the Malayan Indian Congress, which three parties worked together to achieve Independence of Malaya on 31 August 1957.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

File:National Museum KL 2008 Istana pano.jpg

Another attraction of the museum is an original-size old Terengganu timber palace known as Istana Satu. It was erected by Sultan Zainal Abidin III, Sultan of Terengganu in 1884 in the compound of Kota Istana Maziah, Kuala Terengganu. This building is of Terengganu Malay traditional architecture, in the form called "Rumah Tiang Dua Belas". The wood used is cengal. Istana Satu was erected in the National Museum compound in April 1974.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

The restored palace is a wooden house designed for the tropics, with stilts that allow air to circulate freely under the building and a steep thatch roof to cool the interior. There are intricate wood carvings on the doors and windows.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

Next to the Istana Satu are two keliriengs or burial poles. A kelirieng is made of a huge hardwood tree trunk, carved from the top to bottom. Niched up to its sides is a space for the bodies of slaves and followers and hollowed at the top to place the jar containing the chief's bones.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}

• 1959–1963: Mubin Sheppard{{cite web|url=http://www.arkib.gov.my/web/guest/tan-sri-dato-haji-mubin-sheppard|title=Profil Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Haji Abdul Mubin Sheppard|publisher=Arkib Negara Malaysia|language=ms}}{{cite web|title=Sejarah - Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Muzium Malaysia|url=http://www.jmm.gov.my/ms/sejarah-ketua-pengarah-jabatan-muzium-malaysia|publisher=Jabatan Muzium Malaysia|access-date=19 January 2017|language=ms}}
• 1963–1967: J.J. Lowry
• 1968–1991: Shahrum bin Yub{{Cite web|url=http://ww1.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2011&dt=0403&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Rencana&pg=re_08.htm|title=Muzium jadi darah daging|last=Noraini Abd. Razak|date=3 April 2011|work=Utusan Malaysia|language=ms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118095317/http://ww1.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2011&dt=0403&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Rencana&pg=re_08.htm|archive-date=18 January 2017|access-date=18 January 2017}}
• 1991–1996: Zulkifli bin Abd. Aziz
• 1996–2002: Kamarul Baharin bin Buyong
• 2002–2007: Dr. Adi bin Taha
• 2007–2008: Paiman bin Keromo
• 2008–2015: Ibrahim bin Ismail
• April 2015 – September 2015: Wan Jamaluddin bin Wan Yusoff
• September 2015 – present: Kamarul Baharin bin A. Kasim

Muzium Negara is situated just behind, and lends its name to, the underground {{KLRT color code|KG|15}} Muzium Negara MRT station. The station (not the museum) is connected to {{KLRT color code|KA|01}}{{KLRT color code|KS|01}}{{KLRT color code|KJ|15}}{{KLRT color code|KE|1}}{{KLRT color code|KT|1}}{{KLRT color code|MR|1}} KL Sentral via a {{convert|200|m|ft|adj=on}} long walkway.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}} Access from the museum to the walkway to KL Sentral requires passing through the ticketed area of the Muzium Negara MRT station and the purchase of a train ticket.

• List of museums in Malaysia

{{Reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book | title=Museums of Southeast Asia| last=Lenzi| first=Iola| year=2004| publisher=Archipelago Press| location=Singapore| isbn=981-4068-96-9| pages=200}}
• {{cite book | title=National Museum, Kuala Lumpur: History and culture of Malaysia| last=Harris| first=Mark| year=1990| publisher=Syarikat S. Abdul Majeed, Pub. Division| location=Kuala Lumpur| isbn=978-983-9629-15-6| page=88 pages}}
• {{cite book | title=Gold jewellery and ornaments: In the collection of Muzium Negara, Malaysia | year=1988| publisher=Persatuan Muzium Malaysia| location=Kuala Lumpur| isbn=978-983-9579-00-0| page=243 pages}}
• {{cite book | title=Masks of Sarawak in the collection of Muzium Negara Malaysia| last=Haji Ali| first=Mohamed Kassim| year=1988| publisher=Museums Association of Malaysia| location=Kuala Lumpur| id=ASIN B0006EHZ58| page=111 pages}}
• {{cite book | title=Chinese Islamic wares in the collection of Muzium Negara (Series on the ceramics collection of Muzium Negara)| last=bin Mohd. Yatim| first=Othman| year=1981| publisher=Muzium Negara| location=Kuala Lumpur| id=ASIN B0006E7THM| page=99 pages}}

{{refend}}

{{commons category-inline|National Museum (Malaysia)}}

• {{official website|http://www.muziumnegara.gov.my/main}} {{in lang|en|ms}}

{{Museums of Malaysia}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Malaysia, National Museum}}

Category:Museums in Kuala Lumpur

Category:Natural history museums

Category:National museums

Category:1963 establishments in Malaya