Alor Setar
Alor Setar is the capital of Kedah and the state’s second largest city. It is also Tunku’s hometown, where you can find his former residence, Rumah Merdeka (Independence House).
According to the National Archives of Malaysia, the big plot of land upon which this house stands was once owned by the Tunku’s mother, who later gifted it to him. During the Japanese invasion in 1942, Tunku built a wooden house in the area. In 1953, he built another structure nearby and placed the old house on top of the new structure.
(Angkat rumah is an old tradition practised by many Malay villages, usually in the northern states of the peninsula.)
A year later, this now double-storey house was named Rumah Merdeka by Tunku, at the suggestion of his friends like Senu Abdul Rahman, Tan Cheng Lock and Mohd Khir Johari. It is said that Rumah Merdeka was where Tunku and his supporters planned political campaigns and strategies for several elections.
The house was restored in 2003 by the National Archives, maintaining most of its original structure, layout and furnishings. The building stands as a memorial today, showcasing Tunku’s personal belongings, including old photographs, furniture, cameras, walking sticks and golf sets.
Did you know that Alor Setar is also the birthplace of Malaysia’s current prime minister? You can visit Rumah Kelahiran Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the house he was born in on Dec 20, 1925. There are many exhibits and historical facts displayed here, where you can learn more about his early years and education.
There is also the Kedah Paddy Museum in Alor Setar. The building has a unique architecture as it was built to look like bushels of padi stalks and decorated with padi motifs. Exhibits in the museum show the padi cultivation process, as well as the tools and equipment used.
Other places to check out in the city include Kedah Royal Museum, Kedah State Museum, Kedah State Art Gallery, Balai Besar, Balai Nobat (which houses the musical instruments of the royal orchestra), Al-Bukhari Mosque, Zahir Mosque, and Rumah Tok Su, a traditional Malay house.