National Museum of Malaysia Part 2: Galleries C and D (KL Malaysia)

I wasn't looking forward to visiting the last two galleries (C and D) of Muzium Negeri (National Museum of Malaysia) because I was expecting static exhibits and pictography. What I wasn't expecting was a considerable entry on Manila and the Philippines' claim of Sabah, but I am getting ahead.

Gallery C concentrates on the "Colonial Era", thus there would be considerable mention of the Portuguese settlement in Malacca (Melaka) followed by the British influences.

Gallery D covers contemporary times in "Malaysia Today". There are of course entries on Singapore's break away from the Malay Kingdom, as well as Brunei's refusal to take part in the said Federation of 14 States.

To be quite honest, this was welcome information for me. My Southeast Asian history is close to nil. My collegiate education hasn't made adequate mention of these neighboring countries' history. We were more interested with what went on with America than the southeast Asian countries.

This "muzium" will provide at least a couple of hours' worth of informative roaming if you're into this stuff. There are a few things that one has to look out for, or might miss them in case you're rushing to another itinerary. There's a replica of Melaka's "A Famosa"; a good mention of James Brooke, Raja of Sarawak circa 1847; up until the Malaysian shouts of "Merdeka"! It's noteworthy to look for "The Speaker's Chair", a gift of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom as token of friendship for the country being a new member of the Commonwealth Association. The Philippines' claim on Sabah shall be posted separately to underline its significance.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

During the Portuguese Administration, the administrative epicenter was Melaka head by a captain of the fort who reported to the Viceroy of Goa who, in turn reported to the King of Porrtugal. 

Melaka's "A Famosa"

The Bunga Emas (the Golden Flower) was a gift sent triennial by the Sultans of the Malay states of Kedah, Kelantan, Terangganu, and Patani to the once powerful King of Siam in Bangkok as a symbol of friendship. The sending of the "bunga" began in the 14th century in a very elaborate and colorful ceremony. The King reciprocated sending items of similar value. However, this practice ended at the end of the 19th century. 

James Brooke, Raja of Sarawak of 1847.

Sarawak was in chaos.

Pangkor Treaty

Rubber tapping, the process of rubber gathering.

Sir Henry Nicholas Ridley was pioneer of the rubber plantation in Malaya. He earlier worked as botanist of the Kew Gardens of Singapore. 

The first locomotive used in the country traveling from Taiping to Port Weld in 1885.

Taiping Railway Station in 1885

Railway Station Hotel in 1915

Mail service using motor vehicle. This was taken as the vehicle passes through from Jalan Kuala Kubu to Kuala Lipis in 1910.

The jinriksha was a Japanese invention.

Some people used to ride on elephants as means of transportation.

Deputy Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak at the site of the Singapore riot on July 22, 1964 to observe the situation on the island. He urged the government to be calm and reassured them the restoration of peace and order in Singapore.This was during the 1965 separation of Singapore from Malaysia. 

The Speaker's Chair is a gift from the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, given to the Malaysian government on November 2, 1963 as a token of friendship and as a member of the Commonwealth Association. 

The different communities of Malaysia.

Masyarakat Chitty, the Hindu Peranakan community

Orang Asli, the pribumi or indigenous people.

The Siamese Community are mostly from the north, usually Kedah, Perlis, Perak and some from Terangganu.

The Serani Community denotes people of Asian-European parentage. They usually come from places like Melaka.

The Sikh Community. Men usually wear "turbans" to keep their hair neat because religion disalows them to cut their hair.

Straits-born Chinese, the Baba and Nyonya.

Kuching cats, maybe? They're on display at the souvenir shop.