Finally we get to glimpse how the Royal Agung (King) in Malaysia live in the former Istana Negara now that they plan to turn it into a museum. Most of the time we only get to view the gates and the changing of the guards. And if you crane your neck and try to look through the bush you can see the royal palace facade.
Now that the King has relocated to their new residence in the Jalan Duta area, the old Istana Negara could finally be open to the public! It would be great to have a walk through and view the grand interior! However I wonder if the public would be allowed to snap photos. A few of the royal museums that I visited did not allow the public to take pictures, which was such a crying shame.
Anyway, in order to entice the public to come visit the royal palace, here are some photos from the local dailies giving you a rare glimpse on the inside interior of the old former Istana Negara!
Old Istana Negara Royal rooms to be opened to public from Feb 1, 2013
22 January 2013
Elly Fazaniza
The main building of the old Istana Negara which was the
former official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 22, 2013): The main building of the old Istana Negara located along Jalan Syed Putra will be opened to the public on Feb 1.
However, Museums Department director-general Datuk Ibrahim Ismail could not say whether the public will need to pay a fee to see the former official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong.
According to him, further details about the old Istana Negara tour would be made known prior to its opening.
"Several educational activities would be carried out for the visiting public to understand the building's historic significance," he told reporters after hosting a two-hour media tour of the former national palace yesterday.
During the tour, members of the media were ushered into bedrooms and ceremonial rooms which were never opened to the public previously.
Built in 1928, the old palace had been the residence of 13 Yang di-Pertuan Agongs since independence in 1957.
The throne room at the old Istana Negara, which was used by the
former Yang di-Pertuan Agong to receive dignitaries and guests.
The 14th king, Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah's installation ceremony took place at the new Istana Negara located in Jalan Duta, in November last year.
In March last year, Information Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim told Parliament that the main building of the old palace will be preserved as a national heritage and opened to visitors with its original features and furnishings maintained.
He also said the ministry planned to set up a gallery on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as a constitutional monarchy at a building behind the main building. -- The Sun Daily
One of the rooms used by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the old Istana Negara.
The King's office where official business was conducted.
Public's wish to visit palace granted with opening of Royal Museum
By Choong Mek Zhin & Nicola Duncan
Photos by SS Kanesan
Thursday January 24, 2013
TAKE a peek into the inner sanctum of the royal family on Feb 1 when the Royal Museum, located at the old Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur opens its doors to the public for the first time.
Located in Jalan Istana, the museum will be open daily from 9am to 5pm.
Department of Museums director-general Datuk Ibrahim Ismail expressed excitement about the opening.
"The best part about the palace is its overall uniqueness as each room is different. We have also retained all the original fittings," Ibrahim said.
He said many people, both foreign and local, had expressed interest in visiting the historical building.
"Visitors at the Raja Kita (Our King) exhibition, held at the Balairong Seri Utama (Throne Room) of the old palace, expressed their hopes of visiting the palace and now they can," he said, adding that visitors have the option of taking a guided tour or explore the palace on their own.
"For now, we will provide simple information boards but in future, we hope to be able to provide more details. In fact, we are in the midst of seeking out retired palace officials whom we hope can provide guided tours and interesting anecdotes to visitors," he said.
There will also be outdoor performances such as silat, cultural performances and brass bands to liven up the museum. The schedule for this will be announced later.
Royal bedchamber: The room where the King and Queen
slept has four different kinds of lighting to emulate
the four seasons, this one being spring.
Beginning this year, guards dressed in the olden Malay Sultanate era uniforms have been stationed at the gates of the old palace, becoming a new attraction where the popular cavalry guard used to stand.
Ibrahim also said most parts of the palace would be opened to the public but that in certain area, they would merely get to look into the room from the doorway.
The palace was built in 1928 and was originally the residence of a Chinese millionaire called Chan Wing from 1942 to 1945, during the Japanese Occupation, when the building was used as the Japanese officers' mess.
It was later bought by the Selangor government to be used as a palace for the Selangor Sultan before it was acquired by the Federal Government in 1957 to become the official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong until November last year.
The palace has undergone renovations several times, including in 1980 to build the Throne Room extension that was used for the first time during the installation of the seventh king.
Warm shades: The Queen's office, decorated in brown
and pink, was where she received her guests.
Among the rooms that visitors will get to see is the Minister's Room where guests accompanying heads of states and dignitaries and not part of the audience with the King wait, the Royal Clinic, the small Throne Room that is used by the King for small ceremonies and functions, the royal bedchamber and more.
Ibrahim said for now, visitors would only get to visit the main palace building while the rest of the palace grounds may be opened in the future.
He also said they have yet to decide on entrance fees or dress code for visitors.
Rusli Asri, who has worked at the palace for 32 years, said the guided tours would highlight the importance of the King and the palace to the younger generation.
He added that by transforming the King's former residence into a museum, locals and visitors can now get a glimpse into how the royal family lived and learn more about their history. -- The Star Metro
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