National Monument|Interesting Places In Kuala Lumpur|Malaysia

Interesting Places In Malaysia

The National Monument or Tugu Negara is right next to Lake Gardens and is right off Jalan Parlimen. It was built to recognise and honour those who gave up their lives in the cause for peace and freedom, particularly during the nation's struggle against the threat of Communism. Within the National Monument grounds is one of the world's largest free-standing bronze sculptures. It was sculpted in 1966 by Felix de Weldon, who was also the creator of the famous Iwo Jima monument in Washington DC.

The monument stands at 15.54m high, and is made up of a diorama of seven bronze human figures, atop an oblong base. Each figure at the National Monument denotes one of seven qualities:

.courage
.leadership
.sacrifice
.strength
.suffering
.unity
.vigilance

The topmost figure, at the centre, holds aloft the Malaysian flag. He is flanked on the left and right by two other soldiers, both armed; the figure on the left is armed with a machinegun, while the other carries a rifle and a bayonet. Beside the National Monument are the ASEAN Gardens and the Memorial Tun Razak which, houses memorabilia of Malaysia's second Prime Minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein.