In line with Tourism Selangor’s Domestic Tourism Campaign, ‘Pusing Selangor Dulu’, we’ve identified a list of historical museums in Selangor to commemorate our history.
Malaysia has just celebrated its 63rd Independence Day last month, and it took many years and no small amount of blood, sweat and tears to achieve this historic feat. Lest we take our freedom and peace for granted, it would do well for us to learn and remember our rich, colourful history.
In line with Tourism Selangor’s Domestic Tourism Campaign, ‘Pusing Selangor Dulu’, we’ve identified a list of historical museums in the state that commemorate the local heroes that fought for our land from the colonies of European countries, as well as the figures that have paved the way forward for our economy and urbanisation since.
Here are 6 of the most informative and interactive museums to celebrate Malaysian pride and history with your friends and family.
Kuala Selangor District Historical Museum
Did you know that Kuala Selangor was the first royal capital of Selangor before Klang? You’ll find interesting facts like this at this district museum – home to historical artefacts such as tombstones, weapons, spears, cannons and more which were used during the war from the beginning of the Sultanate of Selangor by Sultan Salehuddin (Raja Lumu) in 1766. Consisting of 7 sections detailing the history of the district in chronological order, the museum covers an extensive period of history spanning the Selangor Civil War, battles fought between the Dutch and the British, and a battle of royal and political power among the Sultans and Rajas of old. There’s also the Altingsburd Lighthouse landmark nearby, which visitors can conveniently drop by before or after diving into history.
Location: No 1, Puncak Bukit Malawati, 45000 Kuala Selangor, Selangor
Opening hours: 9.30am to 5.30pm daily
For more information, log on to padat.gov.my.
Malaysian Chinese Museum
Founded by former Huazong president Tan Sri Datuk Ng Teck Fong, the Malaysian Chinese Museum is the first and only one of its kind in the country. Located in Seri Kembangan, the museum opened in 2018 to showcase the struggles and sacrifices of the Chinese community to be recognised as an integral part of Malaysian society. It took about 7 years of planning, fundraising and construction to come into completion, featuring over a thousand artefacts and documents carefully sourced and curated from across Southeast Asia. There are a total of 15 galleries making up the museum and detailing the history of the Malaysian Chinese community from their first contact with the Malay peoples during the Han Dynasty to the currently active clan societies in the country. What’s more, there are augmented reality (AR) features and Instagram-worthy spots all around!
Location: 1st floor, Wisma Huazong, Lot 15285, Lebuhraya Sungai Besi, Seri Kembangan, Selangor
Opening hours: 9.30am to 5pm, Tuesdays to Sundays (Closed on Mondays, except public holidays)
For more information, visit the website here.
Royal Gallery Sultan Abdul Aziz
This beautiful white Royal Gallery is the brainchild of the eighth Sultan of Selangor and eleventh Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah (as you may have guessed from the name). Located in Klang, the building was formerly used as the Land Office and Administration Office of British Malaya and subsequently, the headquarters during the Japanese Occupation. After Malaysia’s Independence, it was converted into the Klang District Office before reopening as a Memorial Museum in 2007. Today, the museum traces the history and family tree of the Selangor Sultanate – displaying personal artefacts and royal paraphernalia including tableware collections, coins, medals and traditional krises (Malaysian daggers), as well as replicas of Selangor’s crown jewels, uniforms, samurai helmets and gifts from royals and dignitaries around the world.
Location: Jalan Stesen, 41000 Klang, Selangor
Opening hours: 10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays and public holidays)
For more information, please contact 03-33736500.
Kajang Heritage Centre
Thanks largely to tin mining and rubber cultivation opportunities, the town of Kajang was established in 1807. Since then, immigrants from China, India and Sumatra moved into the town to work at tin mines and open forest lands. Occupying the second floor of a 4-storey shoplot in Jalan Mendaling, the Kajang Heritage Centre honours this forgotten history with over 300 artefacts such as typewriters, clothing, furniture, photos and documents rescued from old businesses. Aside from the museum, you can also experience the Kajang Heritage Walk for a guided tour of the heritage sites around the district, including the Century Old Shen Sze She Tar Temple, Masjid Jamek Kajang, Century Old Tin Mine at Bukit Arang and more.
Location: 39A, 1st Floor, Jalan Mendaling, 43000 Kajang, Selangor
Opening hours: 10am – 4pm on Saturdays (Other days upon request)
For more information or enquiries, please contact the centre’s director, Lee Kim Sin, at leekimsin@gmail.com.
Sultan Alam Shah Museum
If you were wondering whether the architecture of this unique museum was inspired by Minangkabau culture, you’re spot on. Opened in 1989 and named after the seventh Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Hisamuddin Alam Shah, it is recognised as the state museum of Selangor. The museum’s exhibitions span across history, geography, culture and natural history, encompassing prehistoric artefacts of early human settlements and drum fragments from the Bronze Age dating back to 600 BC. There are also detailed accounts of the state history from the time of the Portuguese through to the Bugis, Dutch, Melaka and Johor Sultanate until Independence Day.
Location: Persiaran Bandaraya, Seksyen 14, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor
Opening hours: 9.30am to 5.30pm, Tuesdays to Sundays
For more information, please email info@padat.gov.my
Jugra Insitu Museum
Established on the ruins of what was a district police station built by a British officer in 1878, Jugra Insitu Museum was formerly used as the centre of administration of the Selangor Sultanate. It also functioned as a museum to carry out sentences according to the British judicial system, where the upper floor served as the courtroom and the lower floor, a prison. In 2002, the Department of National Heritage gazetted the historical building after restoring it to its former glory. Today, the building is run as a museum with 3 exhibition halls containing displays and dioramas on its history as well as that of nearby heritage buildings such as Istana Bandar Jugra and Makam Sultan Abdul Samad (Royal Mausoleum). Visitors will also find General Motors Canada (GMC) C15TA armoured trucks produced during World War II and used by the Royal Malaysian Police during the emergency period circa 1948-1960.
Location: Bukit Jugra, 42700 Banting, Selangor
Opening hours: 9.30am – 5.30pm (Saturday to Thursday); 9.30am – 12pm, 2.45pm – 5.30pm (Friday)
For more information, log on to heritage.gov.my or email info@heritage.gov.my.