 Malaysia Tourism Centre, Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia Tourism Centre, or Pusat Pelancongan Malaysia, is a one-stope visitor centre for tourists to get travel information on Malaysia. Its abbreviation MaTiC comes from its former name, Malaysia Tourist Information Complex. The centre is housed at a heritage building along Jalan Ampang in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia Tourism Centre (20 July 2009)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
The main building of MaTiC was built in 1935 by the tin mining and rubber tycoon, Eu Tong Sen, whose father Eu Kong founded the famous medical shop Eu Yan Sang. Eu Tong Seng has properties throughout the peninsula, and even a has Eu Tong Sen Street in Singapore named after him.
The building became the war office of the British Army in 1941 at the on set of the Second World War. During the Japanese Occupation, it was used as the headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Army until the end of the war. After the war, the building became the property of the governmend of the Federation of Malaya. In 1956, an annex was added to house a conference hall, to be named Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman, in honour of the country's first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj. The first sitting of the Malayan Parliament was held there in 1959. The installation of the first, third, fourth and fifth kings of the country also took place in the great hall.
The building was refurbished by the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism in 1988, during which time, two additional wings were added. It was then that the building was renamed the Malaysia Tourist Information Complex, or MATIC. On 16 February 2001, it changed its name again, to Malaysia Tourism Centre, or MaTiC. The centre has a tourist information counter to provide tourists with tips, advice and guidance on the tourist attractions in Malaysia. Visitors enjoy free wireless broadband within the premises. There is also a travel agency at the premises, called Malaysian Travel Business, which provides airline ticketing service and hotel reservations. It also provides a selection of domestic tour packages.
In addition to providing the basic tourist information, the Malaysia Tourism Centre also has a Tourist Police Counter, a Money Changer, ATM machine and a few shop outlets. The tourist police counter is open 24 hours a day to provide visitors with information on the rules and restrictions in Malaysia, as well as to help tourists when need arise. Among the shops include Cocoa Boutique, which sells a variety of Malaysia-made chocolate products, and Karyaneka, selling a variety of traditional handicrafts. Also within the premises is Saloma Theatre Restaurant.
Visitor Information
Malaysia Tourism Centre
Pusat Pelancong Malaysia
109 Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 9235 4800
Information Counter Tel: +603 9235 4848
Operating Hours
Mon-Fri: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Information Counter: 8:00 am - 10:00 pm (daily)
Getting there
The nearest public transit station is the KL Monorail Bukit Nanas station. The nearest RapidKL LRT station is the Dang Wangi Station on the Kelana Jaya Line.
Malaysia Tourism Centre Location Map
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