Sunday, August 31, 2008

The museum and the railway


Half of the National Museum is undergoing renovation and will open in October. But the new galleries that are open, Colonial Era and Malaysia today feel thin on exhibits.


On one wall, a photo captured a sign that read: "Tell the world we want Malaysia August 31 1963 Sukarno & Macapagal are mad, gready[sic], & big crooks" You thinking what I'm thinking?

Muzima Cafe is not exactly a restaurant fitting such an important museum. It's like a self-service canteen at home, from the melamine plates to the plastic tablecloth, except with spicier food. I had fried tilapia and grass jelly.


There is the temporary Malay World exhibit adjacent that mainly shows that Malays are all over the region and how batik is made. The permanent museum is being built in Putrajaya.



The old KL station is pretty empty today except for the dingy hotel and the buses stopping there. Equally interesting architecturally is the KTM headquarters right opposite it.

KTM headquarters KTM headquarters

Happy 51st Merdeka, Malaysia!

2 comments:

  1. sorry too burge in like this.but if they put a high class 5 star restaurant there.i'm certain you would be rumbling how unfair it is to middle class visitors.
    museums is for all.and most definitely,in malaysia ( unlike uk and france) the rich do not care about their own history.
    such eateries would serve the average visitors well. whom may come from the rural areas around malaysia.

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  2. valid point. a fancy resto isn't necessary. but assuming that the renovations will upgrade the museum facilities, the cafeteria could also use an overhaul to at least be consistent with the quality of the museum.

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