KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 — Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj today graced the launch of the Royal Selangor Gallery at the historic Sultan Abdul Samad Building on Jalan Raja here.
His Royal Highness, who arrived at 3pm, was welcomed by Tengku Laksamana of Selangor Tengku Sulaiman Shah.
Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh and Royal Selangor managing director Datuk Yong Yoon Li.
In his speech, Yong said the gallery, which spans 743sqm, serves as a narrative of Royal Selangor’s journey since the 1850s and the broader history of the families that contributed to Kuala Lumpur’s prosperity.
“As visitors move through the space, they follow an undulating arc of design exhibits that connect the periods defining our city.
“The journey concludes with a feature walk where history becomes tangible and can be experienced firsthand,” he said in his speech at the launch.
He noted that the gallery’s cafe overlooks the historic Dataran Merdeka, which famously witnessed the lowering of the Union Jack and the raising of the Malaysian flag in 1957.
Yong said the exhibits are silent witnesses to history, reflecting a convergence of European and Asian influences.
“By exploring this space, visitors will see how Royal Selangor’s status as a royal pewterer, conferred in 1979, solidifies the bond of trust and excellence with the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah,” Yong added.
He added that the gallery also featured replicas of iconic nation-building landmarks, reminding visitors that Royal Selangor is deeply intertwined with Malaysia’s economic and social evolution.
The gallery also features a cafe by Royal Selangor, where visitors can enjoy views of the historic Dataran Merdeka while experiencing pewter craftsmanship that reflects Kuala Lumpur’s economic legacy, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit, rooted in the city’s tin-mining heritage.
