Tugu Negara/Malaysian National Monument—Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Figurative Public Sculpture on Waymarking.com

The Malaysian National Monument represents the struggle for peace and freedom, in particular the Japanese occupation of World War Two and the Malaysian Emergency of the 1950s, by the people of Malaysia. The monument is a diorama of seven soldiers in battle, each representing respectively: leadership, suffering, unity, vigilance, strength, courage and sacrifice. The soldiers hold aloft the flag of Malaysia. The monument stands 15.5m high, making it, apparently, the largest bronze statue in the world.

The monument was first mooted in 1963 by the then Malaysian Prime Minister, Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The work was created by the sculptor Felix de Weldon, who also crafted the Washington Iwo Jima Monument. It was dedicated in 1966.

The sculpture has had something of a checkered history. It is the setting place for the annual 'Heroes Day', July 31, when the Malaysian fallen are publicly remembered. The sculpture has been and is also a source of conflict. In 1975 the monument was badly damaged in an explosion caused by communist insurgents, or someone else. At the current time it faces opposition from fundamentalist Muslims, who regard the depiction of the human form as idolatrous.

The monument stands in the Lake Gardens Park, and is associated with a number of other national and cultural symbols.

Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Tugu Negara/Malaysian National Monument Figure Type: Human Artist Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Felix de Weldon Date created or placed or use 'Unknown' if not known: 1966 Materials used: Bronze. Location: Lake Gardens Park

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Date Logged Log User Rating   12/17/2014 siff visited it 01/10/2011 Tomsle visited it 02/08/2010 Riblit visited it

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