National Monument

national-monumentThe National Monument is a sculpture in Kuala Lumpur that commemorates those who died in Malaysia’s struggle for freedom, principally against the Japanese occupation during World War II and the Malayan Emergency, which lasted from 1948 until 1960. It is the world’s tallest bronze freestanding sculpture grouping and the Malaysian Houses of Parliament are situated near the monument.

Every year on 31 July on Warriors’ Day, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Prime Minister, heads of military, and the police pay their respects to the fallen heroes by laying garlands at the monument.

The sculpture depicts a group of soldiers, with two slumped at the base and one holding the Malaysian national flag aloft. Each of the bronze figures symbolises leadership, suffering, unity, vigilance, strength, courage and sacrifice. The stones that the soldiers are standing on were imported from the small coastal city of Karlshamn in South Eastern Sweden.

The granite base of the sculpture bears the Malayan Coat of Arms, flanked on either side by inscriptions in English, Latin script, and also in Malay in Jawi script:
Dedicated to the heroic fighters in the cause of peace and freedom,
May the blessing of Allah be upon them