Merdeka Textile Museum in KL set to unveil Malaysia’s textile heritage on Oct 1

The Merdeka Textile Museum in Kuala Lumpur will present textile heritage through a contemporary gallery experience, featuring immersive displays, digital technology and interactive elements. Photo: Merdeka Textile Museum

The Merdeka Textile Museum, a key cultural destination within Kuala Lumpur’s brand new Merdeka 118 Precinct, will open to the public on Oct 1.

Through the Puan Azah Aziz Collection, the museum will showcase Malaysia’s rich heritage, craftsmanship and cultural traditions through its diverse textile collection.

At the KL Festival in May, the public got a glimpse of the collection and how it will be presented in a gallery setting through The Making Of Merdeka Textile Museum pop-up exhibition and sharing session, building anticipation for the museum’s opening.

Originally belonging to cultural custodian Azah Aziz (1928–2012), the collection was donated to the museum by her daughter, former Bank Negara governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, and her family.

The Merdeka Textile Museum, featuring eight galleries, is set to open at the Merdeka 118 Precinct in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 1. Photo: Merdeka Textile Museum

The Merdeka Textile Museum (MTM) collection will feature over 400 pieces of Nusantara, textiles, costumes and jewellery, which it received six years ago before building it into the Puan Azah Aziz Collection.

Azah, born Sharifah Azah Mohamed Alsagoff, was a journalist, scholar and cultural historian of Malay textiles and literature.

She was the wife of Royal Professor Ungku Abdul Aziz Ungku Abdul Hamid, while her seminal work Rupa Dan Gaya: Busana Melayu, first published in 2006, underpins the museum’s intellectual approach to dress, identity, social customs and cultural memory.

According to museum director Suryani Senja Alias, MTM’s core objective is to share Azah’s unique heritage legacy with future generations in Malaysia and around the world.

The museum’s permanent collection comprises more than 400 pieces of Nusantara textiles, costumes and jewellery from the Puan Azah Aziz Collection. Photo: Merdeka Textile Museum

“Azah Aziz is a cultural icon, known as a pioneering journalist and author of Rupa Dan Gaya: Busana Melayu,” says Suryani.

“She dedicated much of her career to researching Malay World textiles and classical literature, lending a unique perspective to her collection,” she adds.

An English-language edition of the groundbreaking book, Malay Textiles And Costumes: Form And Style, was released last year.

The museum, featuring digital displays and contemporary interpretations, will comprise eight galleries, a concept store and an education centre with a conservation laboratory, fabric library and textile knowledge centre.

A soft launch is scheduled for Friday (Aug 21). The private event will be followed by appointment-only visits ahead of MTM's official opening in October.