The Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC) is located within a building in Kuala Lumpur, which is both an architectural and historical landmark. Built in 1935, the main building served as the residence of a wealthy mining and rubber estate tycoon, Eu Tong Seng. Its architecture is typically colonial reflecting the era during which it was built.
In 1941, it was used as the headquarters of the British army. Shortly after, when the Japanese invaded Malaya, it was used as the headquarters of the Japanese army until the end of World War II in 1945. When the new Government of the Federation of Malaya took over the building in 1956, a conference hall was built as an addition to the original building. This hall was named Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman in honour of the first Prime Minister, His Excellency Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.
Several historical events were often held here including the first Parliament Session of the Federation of Malaya in 1959 and also the coronation ceremonies of the First, Third, Fourth and Fifth Yang Di-Pertuan Agong. The main building of the Complex was used as the National Art Gallery until it was moved to a new location.
In 1988, several renovation works were carried out including the construction of two new pavilions in addition to the main building. Its name was changed to the Malaysia Tourist Information Complex (MATIC). MATIC opened to the public in mid-August 1989 and is a centre that provides various services and facilities for tourists. Apart from helping them plan their visit to Malaysia, it also gives them the opportunity to see and experience all the attractions of Malaysia through several performances and demonstrations of various aspects of Malaysian culture. On 16 February 2001, the name of this complex was changed to the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC).
This colonial building in which MTC currently resides has had its fair share of history. The original building constructed as a family residence in 1935 by Mr. Eu Tong Sen, a wealthy and renowned mining and rubber estate tycoon in Kuala Lumpur, was relatively smaller and has since undergone many renovations. The building sits on 2.6 hectares of land, which was formerly a rambutan orchard.
It was constructed by skilled builders known as the Master Builders, whose expertise was the result of years of experience. However, as with many other buildings of that era, this too was constructed without the service of an architect. This was largely because during this time, the only trained architects were to be found among the English officers within the local civil service. This being the case, only government buildings had the benefit of trained architects. The British government took over the building and transformed it into their military base at the start of World War Two.
Subsequently, it became the Japanese governments military base after the Japanese army overran Malaya. The British regained possession of the building after sealing their victory over Japan in 1945. It served as the British garrison camp in Kuala Lumpur until 1956. In February 24, 1948, the building again played host to an important historical event when the Federal Council of the Federation of Malaya held its first meeting here. In February 24, 1948, the building again played host to an important historical event when the Federal Council of the Federation of Malaya held its first meeting here.
As the Federation of Malaya was gearing towards Independence, the building was chosen as the Federal Military Office responsible for the setting up of the military army for the newly independent nation. On July 15, 1956, the building was officially unveiled as the Federal Government’s army base by Major General F.H. Brooks, the highest-ranking officer in the Federal Army. Several key meetings, which formulated some of the earliest military policies, were formulated here.
This historical building played a vital role in fulfilling the needs of the new independent country after the Independence of the Federation of Malaya on August 31, 1957. Necessary steps were taken to renovate the existing building to create space for new departments and international meetings.
Part of the initial step taken was to relocate the Military Office to its new premises at Sungai Udang, Malacca in 1958.
Efforts were also taken to build an annexe for national and international conferences as well as official events. The Public Works Department was given the responsibility of carrying out the project while the architects appointed to oversee and provide the plan were Mr. Dinsdale and Mr. Shipley as well as Mr. Jewkes, the Deputy Director. The total cost of construction was RM750,000.00.
The opening ceremony of the hall was officiated by YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, the first Prime Minister of Malaya on February 24, 1958 and was named the Tunku Abdul Rahman Hall in his honour.
The inauguration of Tunku Abdul Rahman Hall on 24 February 1958
Concurrent with the official opening, the first international conference namely the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE) conference was held within the premises.
Since Independence, the building had occasionally housed various government agencies including the National Art Gallery. Officiated by YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman on August 27, 1958, the National Art Gallery was the longest to occupy the building from 1958 to 1984. On May 20, 1984, the National Art Gallery moved to its newly renovated building, the former Majestic Hotel, at Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin.
The National Art Gallery once operated this building from 1958-1984
Formerly known as the Public Records Office, the National Archives also occupied part of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Hall for a period of one year since its inception on December 1, 1957. Apart from that, the building also housed the office for the Keeper of the Royal Seal between 1974 and 1979.
The building has also witnessed several important historical events since playing host to the international conference in 1958. Among them was the inaugural opening of the Federation of Malaya Conference by the first King, His Majesty, The Late Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad on September 12, 1959. The 104 members of the Parliament elected during the elections held on August 19, 1959 were present on that auspicious day. The date marked the official start of the Federal Parliament in the country, symbolising democracy for the nation.
The First Conference of the Federation of Malaya by D.Y.M.M Yang di-Pertuan Agong Pertama Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad
The Hall had also served as the venue for the coronation ceremony of four Malaysian Kings. These ceremonies, which are steeped in tradition, are held in much pomp and pageantry. Among the Kings who were installed within this historical building included Tuanku Syed Putra Ibni Almarhum Syed Hassan Jamalullail who was installed as the third King on January 4, 1961; the late Tuanku Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Zainal Abidin who became Malaysia’s fourth King on April 11, 1966; Tuanku Abdul Halim Muazzam Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badli Shah who became the nation’s fifth King on February 20, 1971 and the late Tuanku Yahya Petra Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ibrahim who was coronated as the sixth King on February 28, 1976.
The Coronation of His Majesty The First Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of the Federation of Malaya, Tuanku Abdul Rahman Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad was held on 2 September 1957
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24 Feb. 1948
The first meeting for the Federal Council of the Federation of Malaya.
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15 Jul. 1956
The launch of the Federal Military Office by Major General F.H. Brooks.
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1957
An annexe was built for use of national and international conferences. This responsibility was given to the Public Works Department and the architects in charge were Mr. Dinsdale, Mr. Shipley and Mr. Jewkes, the Deputy Director. The cost of the building totalled RM 750,000.
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2 Sep. 1957
The installation ceremony for the first King.
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24 Feb. 1958
The opening ceremony of the hall was officiated on February 24,1958 by YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, the first Prime Minister of Malaya. It was then named the Tunku Abdul Rahman Hall in his honour. In conjunction with its official opening, the Economy Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE) conference took place at the premises marking it as the first international level conference ever held there.
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27 Ogo. 1958
The National Arts Gallery was officiated by YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman.
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28 Nov. 1958
National Dinner to celebrate the First Prime Minister of Malaysia.
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12 Sep. 1959
The First Parliamentary Seating of the Malay Federation by the first King, D.Y.M.M. Yang di-Pertuan Agong Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad.
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25 Jan. 1960
The inaugural opening of the Federation of Malaya Conference by His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The Late Tuanku Abdul Rahman Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad.
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31 Jan. 1960
The opening Ceremony of National Language Week by YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
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4 Jan. 1961
The installation ceremony for the third King.
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31 Jan. 1963
The official launch of Television Malaysia by YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
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31 Jan. 1964
The official launch of the International Islamic Congress by YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
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15 Jan. 1965
The launch of SEACOM (Telecom Cabel System).
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11 Apr. 1966
PThe installation ceremony for the fourth King.
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1963-1968
The office for the Keeper of the Royal Seal.
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11 Jul. 1968
The official launch of the International Archive Council, Southeast Asia Branch (SARBICA) by Tun Abdul Razak, the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.
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5 Jan.1970
The official opening of the Fifth International Development Seminar by Tun Abdul Razak, the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.
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20 Feb.1971
The installation ceremony for the fifth King.
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5 Dis. 1974
The official launch of Bank Simpanan Nasional by Tun Abdul Razak, the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
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28 Feb. 1976
The installation ceremony for the sixth King.
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20 Apr. 1981
The official launch ofunit trust scheme called Amanah Saham Nasional (ASN) by Tun Hussein Onn, the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
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8 Jun 1981
The official ceremony for the District Security Committee Chairmen Conference by YAB Dato' Seri Mahathir Mohamad, the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.
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23 Jul. 1983
The official ceremony for the Annual Conference of GERAKAN delegates by YAB Dato' Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Television Malaysia
The official ceremony for the First Parliamentary Seating for the Federation of Malaya by the first King, His Majesty The Late Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Hall, September 12, 1959.
The Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong, His Majesty The Late Almarhum Tuanku Hisamuddiin Alam Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Alaiddin officiating the Budget Meeting at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Hall Kuala Lumpur, November 25, 1959. The Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, presenting the Royal Address to The Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Also seated on the Royal Dais is Her Royal Highness Tengku Ampuan.