KUALA LUMPUR: Galeria Sri Perdana, the former residence of the prime minister, has re-opened on the same day as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's 100th birthday.
Dr Mahathir, who turned 100 years old on Thursday (July 10), said he had many memorable experiences when he stayed there during his first tenure as prime minister.
"This was a reasonably sized house for a prime minister, as at that time we were not rich.
"And (it) received many leaders from many countries," he told reporters at the launch Thursday.
Sharing an experience, the longest-serving prime minister said he had hosted dinner for a European leader at the residence.
"I told the man, I am going to serve a special fruit during the dinner.
"The moment I said a special fruit, he assumed it was durian and turned down the offer.
"Turns out it was not durian but ciku. At that time, Europeans had some 'fear' for durians," said Dr Mahathir, drawing laughter from the floor.
Galeria Sri Perdana was the official residence of Malaysia’s fourth prime minister and has been transformed into a gallery.
The gallery not only retains significant historical value but also serves as a centre for knowledge and educational tourism, according to the National Archives.
The building was originally known as "Sri Timah", a residence owned by the Malaysia Mining Corporation before it was acquired by the government and became the official residence of Dr Mahathir and his family from 1983 to 1999.
However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the gallery was closed between 2020 and 2021 and later temporarily shut again starting Jan 1, 2023, to make way for the Upgrading and Conservation of Building Exhibits Project.
This project was approved under the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (RMK11) and was fully completed on Dec 17, 2024.
The gallery, which comprises three levels of exhibition spaces and one administrative block, now showcases more than 3,500 items of memorabilia including collections of furniture, vehicles, documents and clothing belonging to Dr Mahathir.
Visitors can explore areas such as the Bedroom, Family Dining Room and Meeting Room once used by Dr Mahathir and his family.
