The National Monument or Tugu Negara was built to recognise and honour those who gave up their lives in the cause for peace and freedom, particularly during the nation's struggle against the threat of Communism (the period of Emergency).
The memorial site where the National Monument stands is located within the tranquil Lake Gardens, close by to the Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur, occupying an area of approximately 48,562 sq m.
The memorial site where the National Monument stands is located within the tranquil Lake Gardens, close by to the Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur, occupying an area of approximately 48,562 sq m.
There are five principal components that comprise the memorial site: the monument itself; a long rectangular reflecting pool with fountain; a crescent-shaped pavillion; the cenotaph; and the ancillary gardens. The monument is situated at the centre of the reflecting pool.
The National Monument stands at 15.54m high, and is made up of a diorama of seven bronze human figures, atop an oblong base; each figure denoting one of seven qualities: courage, leadership, sacrifice, strength, suffering, unity and vigilance.
The topmost figure, at the centre, holds aloft the Malaysian flag. This signifies Malaysia has won against communism and achieved its independence. He is flanked on the left and right by two other soldiers, both armed; the figure on the left is armed with a machinegun, while the other carries a rifle and a bayonet. This signifies the bravery of the soldiers who protect the peace of this country.
Kneeling slightly on the rightside of the central figure is a fourth soldier, who is tending to a fifth wounded compatriot. This signifies the sacrifice of the soldiers and the pain they have to go through in order to look after the peacefulness of this country. To the front and below these five figures are two fallen enemies. These signify that communism has fallen in our country; hence the end of the emergency period.
The monument, which represents the triumph of democracy, was designed by the renowned American sculptor Felix de Weldon; and was built at a cost of RM600,000. The memorial site, which was completed in 1966, took over five years to construct.
Monuments to Honour The Dead
CENOTAPH Road is the now Jalan Tugu in Kuala Lumpur but not many know of it.
In the 1960s, Jalan Tugu was Cenotaph Road named after a monument that was located at the intersection of the road and Victory Avenue which is now called Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin.
Landmark: The National Monument which was officially opened on Feb 8, 1966. Jalan Tugu now connects to the roundabout that leads to the KL KTM Station opposite the National Mosque.
Along the road you will find the Ministry of Health, Town and Rural Planning Department and Jalan Cenderasari, which leads to the various parks in Kuala Lumpur like the Bird Park, Lake Gardens and Butterfly Park.
In the 1960s, Jalan Tugu was Cenotaph Road named after a monument that was located at the intersection of the road and Victory Avenue which is now called Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin.
Landmark: The National Monument which was officially opened on Feb 8, 1966. Jalan Tugu now connects to the roundabout that leads to the KL KTM Station opposite the National Mosque.
Along the road you will find the Ministry of Health, Town and Rural Planning Department and Jalan Cenderasari, which leads to the various parks in Kuala Lumpur like the Bird Park, Lake Gardens and Butterfly Park.
Many don't know that the first monument was not the one in the form of human figures but was a tall concrete column that was situated in the middle of the roundabout.
The British administration set up the first monument, a 10m flat grass-covered ground to commemorate the wars and honour the fallen heroes.
No more: The original monument set up by the British administration to commemorate the wars and honour the fallen heroes. It was moved to the present site at the National Monument, when a flyover was constructed in 1964 connecting Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin and the parliament roundabout.
The British administration set up the first monument, a 10m flat grass-covered ground to commemorate the wars and honour the fallen heroes.
No more: The original monument set up by the British administration to commemorate the wars and honour the fallen heroes. It was moved to the present site at the National Monument, when a flyover was constructed in 1964 connecting Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin and the parliament roundabout.
On the monument, it is written “To Our Glorious Dead'' with dates of the First World War (1914-1918), Second World War (1939-1945) and the Emergency (1948-1960).
The monument was later replaced with the Tugu Negara or National Monument, an idea mooted by Malaysia's first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, in 1963.
The huge tall bronze figures of soldiers standing and supporting their fallen comrades, which is opposite Lake Gardens was officially opened on Feb 8, 1966. It was proclaimed a memorial park dedicated to the 11,000 people who died during the 12-year Emergency (1948-1960).
Serene: A picture of Jalan Tugu taken in 1957. The bronze figures are the work of sculptor Felix de Weldon, who also did Washington’s Iwo Jima Monument and it is regarded as the largest bronze monument grouping in the world.
The monument was later replaced with the Tugu Negara or National Monument, an idea mooted by Malaysia's first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, in 1963.
The huge tall bronze figures of soldiers standing and supporting their fallen comrades, which is opposite Lake Gardens was officially opened on Feb 8, 1966. It was proclaimed a memorial park dedicated to the 11,000 people who died during the 12-year Emergency (1948-1960).
Serene: A picture of Jalan Tugu taken in 1957. The bronze figures are the work of sculptor Felix de Weldon, who also did Washington’s Iwo Jima Monument and it is regarded as the largest bronze monument grouping in the world.
In 1975, the RM1.5mil monument was renovated after it was damaged in an explosion believed to have been set off by suspected communist terrorists.
Every year on July 31, Warriors Day, the King, the Prime Minister and heads of military and the police would pay their respects to the fallen heroes by laying garlands at the monument.
The National EmblemThe National Emblem (Coat of Arms) of Malaysia (Jata Negara in Malay) consists of a shield guarded by two tigers. On the top of the shield is a yellow crescent with a 14-pointed star. A banner with the phrase "Unity is Strength" (Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu) written in both romanized Malay and Jawi is located below the shield. The original English words were replaced by Jawi some time after independence.
The yellow colour of the crescent and the star symbolises the country's monarchy. The crescent also represents Islam as the official religion while the star represents the thirteen states and the federal territories of Malaysia. (See also Malaysia's Federal star.) Originally, the fourteen-pointed star represented the original fourteen states of Malaysia, which included Singapore. It was not changed when Singapore left the federation, but it has generally been accepted that the 14th point represents the Federal Territories.
The two tigers supporting the shield are traditional Malay symbols. They are retained from the earlier armorial ensign of the Federation of Malaya, and prior to that of the Federated Malay States, and they symbolize strength and courage.
Five krises are located within the upper red rectangle. The krises represent five former Unfederated Malay States, namely Johore, Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah and Perlis.
Below the kris, there are 4 rectangles coloured in red, black, white and yellow that symbolise the Federated Malay States. The permutations of the colours red, black, white and yellow make up the colors of these states' flags. Red, black and yellow are for Negeri Sembilan; black and white for Pahang; black, white and yellow for Perak; and red and yellow for Selangor.
The rest are insignias of the four remaining states. The palm tree along with the bridge represents Penang while the 'Melaka' tree on the opposite end of the shield identifies Malacca. Center below on the left represents Sabah while the Hornbill 'Kenyalang' stands for Sarawak on the right. Both represent the states' coat of arms.
The hibiscus flower on the center between the coat of arms of Sabah and that of Sarawak is the national flower of Malaysia.
Previously, a similar coat of arms was used. The original version has different tiger heads with different icons representing Penang, Sabah and Sarawak.
source : Wikipedia , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emblem_of_Malaysia
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