ENGINEERING NOSTALGIA
INGENIEUR
NATIONAL MONUMENT
TURNS 50
By Cheo Hong Keyong
Photo of the National
Monument taken in 2016; a
popular tourist destination.
A close up view of the of blocks
of stones laid at the base of the
soldiers feet that were imported
from the small coastal city of
Karishamn in South Eastern
Sweden.
Photo taken in July 29, 1965 showing the fixing of bronze statues
of the National Monument at the Lake Gardens, Kuala Lumpur.
Source: Jabatan Penerangan Malaysia
The National Monument (Tugu
Negara) was officially opened
on February 8, 1966 by the
then Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.
The structure was designed
by Austrian sculptor Felix de
Weldon who created the Marine
Corps War Memorial in Virginia,
USA.
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With a total height of 49 feet,
it is reputed to be the world’s
tallest bronze, free standing
sculpture group. Each bronze
statue is 24 feet high.
The blocks of stones at the
base of the soldiers’ feet were
imported from the small coastal
city of Karishamn in Southeast
Sweden.