Royal Malaysian Police Museum

Royal Malaysian Police Museum, Kuala Lumpur

The Royal Malaysian Police Museum contains a fascinating collection of artefacts and exhibits detailing the role and history of the RMP from its inception up to the present day.

Since 1997 the RMP Museum has been housed at No.5 Jalan Perdana (formerly Jalan Venning) in a building which used to be the Senior Police Officers' Mess.

The exhibits are arranged in 3 galleries:

Gallery A

Policing during the colonial era

On entering the museum, the first gallery explains how policing used to be carried out during the days of the early Malay Sultanates, for example where the Temenggung performed the role of police chief and prison superintendent among his many other responsibilities.

Walking through replicas of old Malacca streets you learn about policing during the Portuguese and Dutch colonial eras before arriving at the British era where today's RMP has its origins.

You see examples of police uniforms through the ages together with other artefacts such as a set of ceramic soup tureens used by Straits Settlements police officers in Penang during the 1820s.

Changing police uniforms over the years

Gallery B

The next gallery provides details on how the police forces evolved in the various states during Malaya's history including the Straits Settlements, Federated Malay States, Unfederated Malay States, Sabah and Sarawak.

Everyday items previously used by police in Malaya

The everyday items used by these earlier police forces are of interest such as an ancient typewriter, a pith helmet, notebooks, a drinking water filter, a fire extinguisher, a revolver, buttons and so on.

Models of police vehicles and motorbikes are on display here. There is an impressive armoury room filled with police firearms (revolvers, rifles, automatic weapons, grenades etc.) and weapons used by an earlier generation of bad guys (Communist Terrorists CT's, organized criminals, triads) such as knuckledusters, knives, sticks, swords and more.

Police weapons

Gallery C

The final gallery covers the Malayan Emergency and describes the sacrifices and struggle against the CT's and the success of the police's Special Branch in particular in helping to defeat that determined enemy.

Fighting the Communist Terrorists

There are also some interesting displays on the police's role in fighting organized crime syndicates' drugs and forgery operations and in busting secret societies (triads). One display shows the equipment used in the swearing-in ceremony of Ang Bin Hoay (one such secret society) which involves decapitating a white cockerel.

Fighting Organized Crime

Outdoor Exhibitions

The Royal Malaysian Police Museum's bulkiest exhibits are outside in the grounds.

These include:

1. Armoured Wickham Trolley. An armoured railway car (see photo) used from 1953-1960 to guard the track. It was manned by 5-6 police personnel. It must have been hot!

2. Sankey AT-105 Armoured Car. See photo.

3. GMC Armoured Personnel Carrier. See photo. Stationed in Bahau, Negeri Sembilan, its 7 personnel plus driver used to transport VIPs, escort payroll deliveries and visit outlying estates during the Emergency Period.

4. Ford Lynx Scout Car. See photo. Used in Kelantan from 1952-1960.

Outdoor Exhibits at the Royal Malaysian Police Museum

5. Shorland Armoured Patrol Vehicle.

6. Commando V 100 APC

7. Marine Boat PA-4 2220. Made by MSET, Terengganu in 1965.

8. Oerlikon 20MM II SS. Purchased in 1964 and used for 33 years on a police patrol boat.

9. A Japanese WWII cannon and a British cannon.

The grounds also include a monument listing the names of police officers on a Role of Honour having received various awards and medals.

Verdict

In my opinion this is an excellent museum and well worth spending an hour or two. There is a lot of detailed information and it is well displayed. The police staff manning the reception desk were polite and helpful. It is also free. I suggest combining the visit with the Islamic Arts Museum next door, another excellent museum.

Opening Hours

Open Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 6pm

(On Fridays the museum is closed between 12.30pm - 2.30pm for Friday prayers.)

The museum is closed on Mondays.

Admission Charges

FREE!

Location of Royal Malaysian Police Museum

Muzium Polis Diraja Malaysia

5 Jalan Perdana

50480 Kuala Lumpur.

Phone: (+603) 2272 5689, 2272 5690, 2273 4740

Fax: (+603) 2273 7850

Website: The Royal Malaysian Police Museum official Facebook page

Driving

See the above map.

Free parking is available at the entrance which is behind the Islamic Arts Museum.

By Train

The old Kuala Lumpur station is around 5 minutes walk away.

Walking

You can walk to Royal Malaysian Police Museum as part of my Kuala Lumpur Lake Gardens trail.


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