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Seri Negara, a grand colonial-era mansion where the Constitution of Malaya was drafted, is opening to the public for the first time on 20 December
Built in 1913 and formerly known as the "King's House", Seri Negara once served as the residence of the British High Commissioner during the colonial period. It was later used as an official guest house for visiting dignitaries, including Queen Elizabeth II.
Most notably, the mansion played a crucial role in Malaysia's path to independence, as the Constitution of Malaya was drafted within its walls between 1955 and 1957.
In more recent history, the estate gained international attention after being featured in Jon M Chu's 2018 Hollywood film Crazy Rich Asians, where it appeared as the opulent ancestral home of the Young family.
The property was reportedly abandoned due to high maintenance costs.
A screen capture from 'Crazy Rich Asians' featuring Seri Negara.
Image via Mashable SEAThe restoration, which took 10 months to complete, was led by Khazanah Nasional and focused on preserving the mansion's intricate colonial architectural features
According to Malay Mail, a grand wooden staircase was returned to its original position based on archival illustrations after it was relocated when the building operated as a hotel.
Under the Warisan KL initiative, The Star reported that a new pedestrian bridge connecting Seri Negara to the Perdana Botanical Gardens will also be built.
The restored mansion will now house the Seri Negara Gallery, which chronicles Malaysia's journey to independence and educates the public on key periods in the nation's history from 1913 to the present.
A café and restaurant operated by the Serai Group will also open within the premises.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who attended the opening ceremony, said the estate should not be "a place enjoyed only by elites", adding that for the first time in its history, Seri Negara is now accessible to all Malaysians.
Entry is free, but visitors will need to register via the Sahabat Seri Negara website before visiting the gallery.
