Happy New Year 2014

Happy a brand new year 2014 for all of you fellow Malaysian and for the rest of the world. This year is a special year for Malaysia. This is the Visit Malaysia Year 2014. Malaysia is a federation consist of 13 States. We are not a huge country in the world, not even in South East Asia. But Malaysia are ranked among the most diverse nation in the world. We are diverse in our own right, each of the 13 States has their own unique traits and specialty. As this blog is obviously covering Malaysia Royalty, hence, I will promote certain covering for all royal events hunters out there a little scope of our interesting places.

Royal Palaces

The most important places for our royalty is definitely the Istana Negara (National Palace) located in the Federal Capital, Kuala Lumpur. Whether it is the current occupied new Palace, or old Palace located in Jalan Istana, both are open for public to see. In the National Palace, the important event would be 'The changing of the guards' at the Palace's entrance. While in the old Palace, it has been opened to public as a royal museum. Be sure to see both of it.

The National Palace
The Official Residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia

 

The Old National Palace
Currently serves as a royal museum

In the State level meanwhile, there are various interesting Palaces throughout the Federation. Among the most interesting would be the Old Palace of Seri Menanti, which has been dubbed as "The tallest timber palace in the world". It is the previous royal seat of Yamtuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan before it been removed to the new palace. It also has been changed into a museum. It is located in the Royal Capital of Negeri Sembilan, Seri Menanti.

The Istana Lama of Seri Menanti
Birth place of the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaya

From Negeri Sembilan, you can travel south to witness the Grand Palace of Johor Bahru. The royal seat of the Sultan of Johor. It is scheduled that the coronation of the Sultan of Johor would take place in May 5th, 2014. The palace had been undergo massive renovation since 2012 where the blue tile roof also had been changed to its original colour, Red.

Grand Palace of Johor Bahru
The official seat of Sultan of Johor. Also a home for Sultan Abu Bakar Museum

From Johor, you can travel to the north to the State of Terengganu and Kelantan, where both States has been exclusively a core Malay States since the independent of the Federation of Malaya. Both also have exclusively interesting Palaces such as the Syarqiyyah Palace, the new royal seat for the Sultan of Terengganu. Then, you can travel further north to the State of Kelantan, where several timber palaces since the State foundation still standing, such as Istana Jahar.

The Syarqiyyah Palace.
Official Palace of the Sultan of Terengganu

The State of Kelantan historical royal palaces is among the oldest in Malaysia, has been around since 1840. And the palaces is not to far apart.

Istana Balai Besar of Kelantan
Official Palace of Al-Sultan of Kelantan. Still in use for royal events

Istana Batu
Kelantan's royal museum

Istana Jahar
All these three palaces in Kelantan are situated near to each other

And from Kelantan, traveling to the oldest State in Malaysia, Kedah is not a bad idea. Here standing among the grandest wooden palace, the Balai Besar Palace. Kedah as the oldest State in Malaysia also a home to massive historical buildings. Such as also this one. This run-out building were a palace for one of the Sultan consorts, the Sepahchandra Palace.

Istana Balai Besar of Kedah
Its architecture design signified the grandness of the State past history

Istana Sepanchandra
Built by Sultan Abdul Hamid of Kedah to one of his consorts, Lady Sepanchandra

And from Malaya, it is a good thing also to visit the diversity of the Northern part of Borneo, in the State of Sarawak and Sabah. Also is a home to a former European citizen who been installed as the Rajah of Sarawak, the Astana in the past.

The Astana
The official residence of Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sarawak. Previously the home of the Brooke Rajah

That's it from me for now. Have a nice trip to Malaysia if you have made a mind to coming here. This is just a little tip of the iceberg of our interesting places. Happy New Year 2014 to all.