Royal Palace ~ "Istana Negara", Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ♥

ISTANA NEGARA

Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur,

Malaysia

Istana Negara (Malay for "National Palace"),
 is a popular tourist destination.

This palace is the official residence of the King and Queen of Malaysia.

It is located in a compound at Jalan Istana, Sungai Besi.

It was kinda hard to see from the road because the palace sat on a large vast of land (all of 11 hectares!) on top of a hill overlooking a river (the Klang River), surrounded by a high fence.

But the trip is "worth it", especially when you get the chance to see the ceremonial changing of the guards (it is done everyday at 12 noon)

~ a relic from the time when this land was still under British rule.

The building dates back from the 1920's when it was originally built by a wealthy Chinese businessman as his personal residence.

The mansion has changed hands since then, but remains magnificent as the day it was built. ☺

the  ISTANA NEGRA  in Kuala Lumpur

~ it is surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers, a swimming pool, and an indoor badminton court

Palace Gates

Malaysian coat of arms

as part of the Royal Insignia on the fence of the palace

(a souvenir shot taken with fellow-tourists/newfound acquaintances

~ a charming couple travelling from the Sultanate of Oman) ☺

A little bit of history...

The Federal Government of Malaysia bought this place in 1957, to be converted into the National Palace Kuala Lumpur.

Since then, the National Palace has undergone several renovations and extensions.

But reports say the most extensive upgrading was carried out in 1980, when the palace hosted the installation ceremony of their beloved King, His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Point of interest, friends:

Malaysia's monarchy system is very unique.

9 states in Malaysia have their own Sultan ~ except for Sarawak, Sabah, Melaka and Penang, which have governors instead.

Out of the 9 Sultans, 1 will be appointed as the King of Malaysia for a period of 5 years!

The appointed Sultan will leave his home state, be succeeded by the next-Sultan-in-line and come to live in the National Palace to rule the country.

After 5 years, another Sultan will take his turn to be the King.

It will take maybe another 48 years before the previously appointed Sultan gets chosen to be the King of Malaysia again.

The present King of Malaysia (Yang di-Pertuan Agong) is the 13th Ruler of Malaysia.

He was installed on December 13th, 2006.

(Hmm, history class ~ anyone?!
 As for me, I find history very int'resting!) ☺