World
War 1
Compiled & Copyright © Martin Edwards 2024
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.
The World War 1 cenotaph sits in
the same area. 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. In 2023 when visited it was
under renovation. The concept of a national monument was mooted by
Malaysia's first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, who was inspired
by the Marine Corps War Memorial during his visit to the United States
in October 1960, before personally meeting Felix de Weldon for a favour
to design the monument. Felix de Weldon contributed in creating Malaysia's
Tugu Negara (National Monument). He also designed the Iwo Jima Memorial
located at Arlington, Washington DC. The Tugu Negara was completed
and officially opened on 8 February 1966, by Ismail Nasiruddin of
Terengganu, then Yang di-Pertuan Agong. It was proclaimed a memorial
park dedicated to the 11,000 people who died during the 12-year Malayan
Emergency (1948–1960). Thereafter, a wreath-laying ceremony
takes place at the monument every 31 July on Warriors Day. De Weldon
was later conferred with the title Tan Sri, the Malaysian equivalent
of a high-ranking knighthood.
There
is a searchable
database of the 1,638 men that died during the emergency.
The English
section of the plaque reads:
NATIONAL
MONUMENT
The idea for the construction of the National Monument was mooted by
the then Prime Minister of Malaysia, YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Alhaj
in 1963 to commemorate the warriors who died defending the sovereignty
of the country. An area measuring 48,562 square metres facing the Lake
Gardens was set aside for its construction. The monument complex encompasses
five main components, the National Monument, fountains, pavilion, a
war memorial and the surrounding gardens.
The
monument embodying seven bronze statues also represents the triumph
of the forces of democracy over the forces of evil. The monument was
designed by an American sculptor, Felix De Weldon and was completed
in early 1966. It was unveiled on 8th February of the same year and
from then on a ceremony to commemorate the passing of the warriors is
held here annually.
Prior to its construction, another monument was erected near the Railway
Station after World War I to commemorate the warriors who died during
the war. A simple ceremony to honour their passing and sacrifices is
held on 11th November every year. The names of warriors who died during
World War II were added on to the monument until it was replaced by
the present National Monument.
