Taking a peek into the past

The Star

19-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Usually a quiet place space for reflection, Muzium Negara was bustling with a diverse crowd drawn by free admission for International Museum Day.
Visitors yesterday, including schoolchildren, tourists, and history buffs, explored its extensive collection – some seeking knowledge, others nostalgia and a few simply curious to view artefacts.
'I've never been here before,' said Cynthia, accompanied by her husband Thomas and their son.
'Something about the museum being open to all, no entry fee, just felt welcoming.'
Surprisingly, it wasn't ancient weapons or royal regalia that captivated her, but a centuries-old metal handbag labelled 'Dompet Bertali' or Pillow Purse.
A visitor at Muzium Kota Johor Lama reading up on its history and the museum's role as a significant centre ofMalay rule after the fall of the Melaka Sultanate in 1511.
Its delicate plant engravings and long strap gave it a strikingly modern look.
'It's the kind of handbag I'd actually wear. It's vintage and elegant,' she exclaimed, wishing for replicas in the gift shop.
Muzium Negara, like many museums across the country, opened its doors for free yesterday, part of a wider national initiative involving 19 museums under the Museums Department.
The goal was to get people to reconnect with history, and perhaps see their past in a new light.
Zaliza Mustapha, a local visitor in her 20s, was particularly drawn to a wooden statue of a man – long-haired, round-bellied, barefoot and unbothered.
'Ah, that's the sign of prosperity back then, huh? That's the man women!' her laughter echoed through the gallery, drawing amused glances from other visitors nearby.
'It's things like this that make you realise how far and how little we've changed. Beauty standards, power symbols ... they evolve, but they always reflect the times.'
Nearby, tiny animal figurines made of silver – one resembling a rooster mid-strut, the other an insect with curved legs and a stout body – caught people's attention and surprised them, as these were once used as currency in Selangor.
Shafinaz Syed Malik, 33, taking a wefie with herfamily at Muzium Perak. — Bernama
'I always assumed old currency was just boring coins,' said Muhammad Afif, a mechanical engineer who visited with his family.
'It's like people back then didn't separate function from beauty. Even their money had personality. Imagine that rooster sitting in someone's pocket on the way to the market,' he chuckled.
While the artefacts delighted many, others were drawn to the museum's more recent history.
The original 1976 Asean Concord – signed in Denpasar, Bali, by leaders including Malaysia's Tun Hussein Onn, Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew and the Philippines' Ferdinand Marcos – is displayed alongside a translated declaration affirming the bloc's commitment to peace, law and regional cooperation.
'It's powerful. To see the actual signatures of these leaders ... it reminds you that unity doesn't just happen. Someone has to decide it's worth the effort,' said another visitor, Karim Abdul Rahman, a retired teacher.
Throughout the museum, families took photos, children asked questions and older visitors reminisced.
'In a digital world, there's something grounding about walking through history physically – seeing the weight of time not as pixels, but as metal, wood, cloth and ink,' Karim added.
In another corner, a group of foreign tourists huddled around a striking display of two large, boat-shaped congkak boards, carved into the form of birds.
'We saw a post about International Museum Day on social media,' said Peter, a visitor from the Netherlands.
'We waited specifically to come today. It's such a lovely way to spend the afternoon.'
The vibrant, bird-shaped congkak boards particularly captivated younger visitors, prompting explanations of the traditional Malay game.
By midday, the museum was abuzz with visitors, as hundreds queued to experience the stories, artefacts and quiet grandeur within its halls.
Museum staff moved between groups, offering explanations about the exhibits, while translators were on hand to for foreigners.
Muzium Negara also organised a range of activities for visitors throughout the day.
These included traditional games, STEM activities, DIY workshops and cultural performances like the Magunatip bamboo dance, all of which added a vibrant touch to the celebration.