Merdeka Textile Museum opens at Merdeka 118 Precinct

24 August 2026

Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, at the launch of the Merdeka Textile Museum at Look at 118, in the Merdeka 118 Precinct in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 21. The new cultural landmark at Merdeka 118 brings the rich textile traditions of the Malay World into a contemporary museum experience, connecting craft, identity, memory and the future of Kuala Lumpur.

HER Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, launched the Merdeka Textile Museum (MTM) on Aug 21 at Look at 118, in the Merdeka 118 Precinct compound in Kuala Lumpur, opening a new chapter in the preservation and appreciation of the Malay World’s rich textile heritage.

In a post on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s official Facebook page, Her Majesty expressed hope that the museum would become a place where people could learn, explore and find inspiration.

“I hope the Merdeka Textile Museum will become an important centre for learning and knowledge exploration for everyone, and will serve as an inspiration to Malaysian women today and in future.

“I also hope that the young people will appreciate our country’s heritage and culture so that it will not be lost just like that,” Her Majesty said.

The message goes to the heart of what MTM seeks to achieve. For generations, textiles have carried more than colour and pattern. Woven into sarung, songket, baju kurung and ceremonial garments are stories of identity, craftsmanship, belief, status and place. Now, many of those stories have found a new home at the Merdeka 118 Precinct.

The launch was officiated by Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah Queen of Malaysia. Also in attendance were Tan Sri Dr. Ungku Zeti Ungku Aziz, Founding Chair and Co-Chair of Asia Business School’s Board of Governors; YB Puan Hannah Yeoh, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories); Tan Sri Shamsul Azri, Chief Secretary to the Government and Datuk Seri TPr Fadlun Mak Ujud, Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, together with members of the Board and Management of PNB and PNB Merdeka Ventures.

Located next to historic Stadium Merdeka within the Look at 118 building, the museum is guided by the theme “The Malay World in Threads and Tales”. Its ambition is not simply to display beautiful objects, but to explore the worlds that produced them – the craftsmanship, symbolism, spirituality, literature, politics and everyday traditions woven into their making and wearing.

It is a fitting addition to a precinct where layers of Malaysia’s past and aspirations for its future now meet.
The opening of MTM also adds another layer to Warisan KL’s vision of Kuala Lumpur as a city where heritage is not simply preserved, but actively woven into contemporary urban life. As part of the Merdeka 118 precinct within the Warisan KL initiative, the museum joins a growing network of heritage, cultural and public spaces that connect the city’s past with its present and future – giving historic stories new relevance and creating new ways for people to experience, understand and carry them forward.

More Than a Collection

At the heart of MTM is the personal collection of the late Puan Azah Aziz, the cultural icon whose life’s work helped document, educate and advocate for Malaysia’s textile and artistic heritage.

Generously donated to PNB by her family, the collection comprises 240 garments and 69 pieces of traditional jewellery, including examples of sarung songket, Baju Kurung Limar and Tekat Emas. The museum also draws on her seminal publication, Rupa & Gaya: Busana Melayu, which examines Malay textiles not simply as garments, but as expressions of identity, history, culture and society.

Azah Aziz’s legacy gives the museum a deeply personal starting point. Yet MTM has been conceived to take that legacy forward rather than simply preserve it behind glass. Earlier this year, during the KL Festival, the public was given a preview of the thinking behind the museum through The Making of Merdeka Textile Museum, a sharing session exploring its curatorial approach and multisensory design.

In an earlier interview with WarisanKL.my, Dato' Ir. Ts (Dr) Izwan Ibrahim, CEO of PNB Merdeka Ventures, explained that the museum was conceived as part of a broader vision for the Merdeka 118 Precinct. “The Merdeka 118 precinct has always been envisioned as more than a commercial development – it is a place where heritage, culture and the future of Kuala Lumpur come together,” he said.

MTM is now open, welcoming Malaysians and visitors from around the world to discover the rich stories, artistry and heritage of Malay World textiles. During this initial phase, the museum is catering to scheduled groups only and is not open for walk-in visits.

For more information on operating hours, ticket bookings and ongoing exhibitions, visit merdekatextile.com or follow MTM on social media at @MerdekaTextileMuseum.

Merdeka Textile Museum (MTM)
Address: Merdeka 118 Precinct, Kuala Lumpur.
Operating hours: Tuesdays to Sundays 10am-5pm (Closed on Mondays)

**Special Merdeka Weekend Opening: MTM will be open daily from 10am to 5pm throughout the Merdeka weekend, including Aug 31 (National Day).