The stately, copper-domed Sultan Abdul Samad Building on Merdeka Square is one of Kuala Lumpur’s most famous landmarks. Although tourists flock to take photos from the outside, the interior has been off-limits for years as it serves as a government department.
This year however, the Ministry of Tourism’s Department of National Heritage has been staging an exhibition in one section of the building, allowing the public to take a sneak peek inside.
The exhibition, called Our Heritage is World Heritage comprises displays featuring Malaysia’s four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, namely:
- Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley
- Gunung Mulu National Park
- Kinabalu Park
- Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca
The exhibition runs daily from 9am to 5pm until 31 December 2015 and is free admission.
The exhibition was not very exciting and I was more interested to see what else they have inside this historic building. Security guards did not allow me to wander about but I was able to take a few pictures.
While in the vicinity, I also took a look inside the foyer of the neighbouring City Theatre which is housed in the former City Hall, a building designed by AB Hubback and completed in 1896.
It is good that the Malaysian and KL Governments are finding ways to breathe new life into these old heritage buildings.
The City Theatre-Panggung Bandaraya building is currently houses MUD Kuala Lumpur, a theater musical about the history of KL city. Played at 3:00 & 8:30 PM everyday, MUD Kuala Lumpur is another masterpiece by Enfiniti (the same production that produced Puteri Gunung Ledang the Musical).