Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur

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For the palace with same name in Indonesia, see Istana Negara, Jakarta.

Istana Negara or National Palace is the official residence of His Majesty, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the King of Malaysia. It stands on a 28 acre (110,000 m²) site, located at a commanding position on the slope of a hill of Bukit Petaling overlooking the Klang River.

The Istana was originally a double storey mansion built in 1928 by a local Chinese millionaire, Chan Wing. After the Japanese occupation, it served as a residence of the Sultan of Selangor until 1957, when the Federal Government acquired it for use as the official residence of the King after some major renovation and extension.

The driveway, lined with cypresses and casuarinas, leads to two entrances - an entrance to the West Wing and the other to the East Wing. Balairong Seri is the throne room of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. It is located in the East Wing and only used for official and customary functions. These include ceremonial occasions of taking the royal pledge, installation ceremony of a new elected King and the appointment of a new prime minister and the federal government which included investiture ceremonies and the taking of oaths by the government ministers and state governors. This is also where the presentation and acceptance of foreign diplomatic appointments are held. It sometimes serves as a banquet hall.

The second hall on the first floor is the Dewan Mengadap where the King receives honoured guests such as Head of States and foreign dignitaries. This hall doubles as a resting place of Sultans and Governors during the Conference of Rulers. The other rooms are Bilik Duta, Bilik Permaisuri and Bilik Menteri. Bilik Duta is where the King grants audience to the Prime Minister and also where honoured guests are received. The Queen receives her guests at the Bilik Permaisuri while the Bilik Menteri is the rest room for guests.

The Conference of Rulers is held at the Bilik Mesyuarat Raja-Raja situated in the West Wing.

In the grounds of the palace is a guard house for the body of household troops. There is also a six hole golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool and a lake in the far end of the grounds.

Another royal residence of Yang di-Pertuan Agong is Istana Melawati in Putrajaya.

[edit] New Istana Negara

The new RM 400 million Istana Negara complex will be build near Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur to replace the existing Istana Negara. The construction will commence mid-2007 and expect to be completed by year 2009. ^[1]