Queen launches Merdeka Textile Museum in Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR - Queen of Malaysia, Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, inaugurated the Merdeka Textile Museum at the Menara Merdeka Maybank complex on today's date. The museum, established by PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Permodalan Nasional Berhad, aims to preserve and highlight the textile heritage of the Malay world through engaging storytelling and interactive cultural experiences.

Queen Sofiah emphasized the importance of appreciating, safeguarding, and transmitting cultural traditions from one generation to another. She believes that these traditions embody the identity and values that mold Malaysian society. In her post on the Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar's Facebook page, the Queen expressed her hope that the Merdeka Textile Museum would serve as a vital center for education, exploration, and inspiration for Malaysians of all ages, particularly women.

The Queen's personal collection, donated by the late Sharifah Azah Syed Mohammed Alsagoff, forms the foundation of the museum's impressive collection of 240 garments and 69 traditional jewelry pieces, such as songket sarongs, Limar Baju Kurung, and Tekat Emas. The museum, comprising eight galleries and a study center with a conservation laboratory, fabric library, and textile knowledge center, was also inaugurated by Hannah Yeoh, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories), Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Chief Secretary to the Government, and PNB group chairman Raja Tan Sri Arshad Raja Tun Uda.