Skip to main content

National Monument

 


The Tugu Negara is a national monument that commemorates those who died in Malaysia's struggle for freedom, principally against the Japanese occupation during World War II and the Malayan Emergency, which lasted from 1948 until 1960. It is located in the Federal capital, Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysian Houses of Parliament is situated near the monument.

It is the world's tallest bronze freestanding sculpture grouping. Until 2010, on 31 July on Warriors' Day, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Prime Minister, and the heads of the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Royal Malaysia Police pay their respects to the fallen heroes by laying garlands at the monument. Warriors' Day is now commemorated on Merdeka Square, after ultra-conservative religious bureaucrats declared the sculpture to be idolatrous.

The National Monument was sculpted in 1966 by an American architect, Felix de Weldon. He was also the creator of the famous Iwo Jiwa movement in Washington DC, United States. Each of the seven bronze figures in the National Monument represents a certain quality: courage, sacrifice, leadership, suffering, strength, unity and vigilance. The topmost figure grips the Malaysian flag, flanked by a soldier with a machine gun while the other figure on his right bears a rifle and a bayonet.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Let's know about Jalur Gemilang!

The flag of Malaysia, known as the "Jalur Gemilang" in Malay.  This  flag consists of 14 alternating red and white horizontal stripes, representing the 13 states of Malaysia and the federal territories. The flag has a blue rectangle in the upper left corner, known as the canton, which contains a yellow 14-pointed star and a yellow crescent. The colors and symbols of the Malaysian flag hold significant meaning: Red and White Stripes : The 14 alternating red and white stripes symbolize the unity among Malaysia's states and federal territories. These colors are also commonly associated with the Malay rulers. Blue Canton : The blue rectangle in the upper left corner, known as the canton, represents unity among the country's diverse ethnic groups. The blue color signifies harmony and peace. Yellow 14-Pointed Star : The yellow star, also known as the "Bintang Persekutuan" (Federal Star), has 14 points, corresponding to the 13 states and the federal territories o...

Mangrove Forests

  Malaysia has extensive mangrove forests, which are vital ecosystems that provide protection against coastal erosion and support various marine life. It also serves as an ecotourism since some areas in Malaysia offer ecotourism experiences, such as guided tours through mangrove forests. These tours provide insights into the unique flora and fauna of these ecosystems. These ecosystems are vital to local economies. They support fishing industries, provide wood for construction, and offer opportunities for ecotourism.  There are also conservation efforts in Malaysia that aim to protect and restore mangrove forests. Organizations and government agencies work together to combat illegal logging and unsustainable practices. Although it has its benefits it also has its negative impact such as Malaysian mangrove forests face threats from coastal development, aquaculture, and climate change. Rising sea levels and changing rainfall patterns can negatively impact these sensitive ecosyste...