dailyramblings101

Yesterday, both Hubby and I went to Tugu Negara (National Monument) while waiting for Raimie to finish his classes. I am ashamed to say that this was the first time I’ve been to Tugu Negara even though I’ve been to the nearby Lake Garden countless time.

There were numerous tour buses and tourists there, happily snapping away photos. It was good to see locals, like us there too. Even though the Monument wasn’t lacking visitors, I just wish that there were more information available for visitors about why it was erected available on site other than the one erected (See tomorrow’s photo). Also, I wish that the tourist guides shed light about the sacrifices made by all those soldiers to the tourists instead of just letting them just take souvenir photos.

Some background information on Tugu Negara:

Tugu Negara is a sculpture that commemorates those who died in Malaysia’s struggle for freedom, against Japanese in World War II and the Malayan Emergency (1948 - 1960).

The 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).

However, many don’t know that the first monument was not the one in the form of human figures but was a cenotaph situated in the middle of the roundabout that was then relocated to the current place due to the need to build a flyover on its site.

The British administration set up the first monument, a 10m flat grass-covered ground to commemorate the wars and honour the fallen heroes.

More information tomorrow.

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