Royal Selangor Visitor centre celebrates 10th anniversary

When tinsmith Yong Koon came to Kuala Lumpur from Shantou in 1885, he started a modest tin business that would one day grow and evolve into a prominent national identity for Malaysia.

In the 1930s, Yong passed on his legacy to one of his sons, who rose through a long history of hardships brought on by war and foreign occupations, and shaped the Royal Selangor pewter business into what it is today.

At the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre in Setapak Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, one can discover the makings of the company, its rich heritage as well as its products.

Chen presenting the limited- edition melon teapots inspired by the Lucky Teapot at the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre in Setapak Jaya, Kuala Lumpur.

“This 4.9ha site was acquired in the 1970s and was set up with great foresight as the company grew from strength to strength at this location.

“It was from here that the brand took to an international platform, making its mark on the global map,” explained Royal Selangor executive director Chen Tien Yue.

In 1992, the company was conferred a royal title by the late Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah. The company subsequently changed its name to Royal Selangor.

It was not until 2004 that the visitor centre opened its doors to the public.

The centre has since garnered multiple tourism awards and accolades, even attracting prominent visitors such as Martha Stewart, Mel Gibson and IMF managing director Christine Lagarde.

Celebrating its 10th birthday this year, the centre received a makeover in its gallery and demo areas to better inform patrons.

Some of the traditional tools and ingots on display at the Museum.

In the gallery, a tour guide will take patrons through the company’s hundred years’ history to learn more about tin mining and pewter as well as its significance in the world.

At one time, Malaya was the world’s largest tin producer, accounting for 55% of the world’s total tin production.

Following a sound experience at the Chamber of Chimes, patrons will come across the Hall of Frames, which houses Royal Selangor’s past and present photo frame collection.

The tour of the gallery ends at the museum, where history speaks through precious artefacts such as traditional tools, a money system and some of the founder’s personal effects.

The next leg of the tour takes patrons to the company’s manufacturing heart, which is the world’s largest pewter factory with some 400 workers manning its operations.

A staff member showing visitors how the hammering is done. Hammering is the original way to create patterns, introduced by Yong Koon. Each design is one of a kind.

Patrons can get a first-hand view of the pewter crafting process, which includes casting, polishing, finishing, hammering, soldering and engraving.

To get a slice of the action, patrons can choose to create their own personal accessory at The Foundry’s workshop and opt to make their very own pewter dish at the School of Hard Knocks.

During the anniversary celebration, the centre is offering discounts for family packages.

In addition, Royal Selangor has also released the limited-edition melon teapots in a black, pink or blue finish to commemorate the centre’s anniversary.

The centre is open from 9am to 5pm daily.