I
work just right opposite of Dataran Merdeka and for the 1 ½ months prior
to 15 November 2017, I saw people working on Dataran Merdeka. Obviously not
many people knew what was going on and what they were building, having several
domes, a stage and advertisements on Expo Negaraku 2017. I did not even try to
google it as I knew I would find out later.
Expo
Negaraku 2017 is held from 15 November 2017 to 15 December 2017, opens from
10am to 10pm, admission free and it showcases the government’s effort to develop
state of the art infrastructure and technologies and carry out development
projects for the nation.
I
decided to go there and have a look to see what is inside each and every dome. Once
you enter, you will be guided and ushered to the first dome. Everyone was
pretty excited as nobody knew what adventures that they will encounter with
each dome.
Take a look at my tour:-
1.
Dome 1 – “Tuah Dikongsi Bersama”
We were asked to sit down in this dark
dome. Once all were seated, we were shown a video presentation of a teenage
dyslexic girl that was bullied by her friends in school. She did not score well
in her exams. However, she expressed her vision of a developed Malaysia
through pencil drawings on A4 paper and presented her drawings in front of her
classroom. At first, her classmates laughed at her but after seeing her
put the drawings onto the classroom’s blackboard, her friends
saw her vision. One by one her classmates helped her sticking her drawings up and soon they realized how talented she was.
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| Scene from the video clip |
2. Dome
2 – “Kemudahan Infrastruktur”
We went in and saw the mining of stone and later were ushered into an LRT model, where the doors closed and
simulated that we were inside the LRT and it’s moving. There are screens showing the
construction and developments of transportation in Malaysia, i.e. KTM, LRT and
MRT. Then, you walk through exhibits and pictures and also colouring for the
kids. After your kid has coloured, the paper will be scanned and a showcase presented on the
moving screen, just like in Aquaria KLCC.
 |
| Video presentation inside the LRT |
 |
| Kids playing |
3. Dome
3 – “Kehidupan & Kesejahteraan”
As you enter into this dome, you
will find all types of old telephones from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and current
ones. It really brings back memories and you will be asking yourself, where did
all my old telephones go? Also, you will walk past models of
schools and hospitals. Also, there are interactive screens for your kids to
enjoy.
 |
| Still remember all the old telephones? I wonder where my parents kept it |
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| I remember this. I was introduced to this black telephone when I was young |
 |
| Model buildings |
 |
| Model of a hospital |
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| The successful Malaysian citizens |
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| Touch the wall and lights will come on |
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| Touch the wall and lights will come on |
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| Look through the lens |
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| Put a sticker on to where you need the government to emphasise |
4.
Dome 4 – “Gaya Hidup Malaysia”
In this dome, you will find the
rainforest of Malaysia. It was stated that all developments in the country,
they did not destroy mother nature and thereafter a room showed a short
clip on the development of Malaysia.
5.
Dome 5 – “Masa Depan Gemilang”
We saw cushions and chairs when we
entered this dome and were asked to sit down. Once seated, you will be able to
enjoy a 360 degree video up on the ceiling, just like in the Planetarium, on the
future of Malaysia. After the video clip, a teenage girl and our Prime
Minister will appear at the end. The Prime Minister will give a short speech
and thank Malaysians for helping to build the nation.
 |
| This is the dome's ceiling |
 |
| Our Prime Minister Najib and the girl from Dome 1 |
Please take note of the following:-
(a) it’s
very hot at Dataran Merdeka but as you enter each dome, it’s very cold as the
air-cond is super powerful. So please bring your sweater along;
(b) the
place is covered, so don't worry if it rains;
(c) the
tour of 5 domes will take approximately 45 minutes;
(d) there
will be a souvenir store after you exit dome 5.
As
I was there during lunch time, even though there was a stage, there were no
performances showing at that time. I went to the food trucks for some lunch
thereafter and they even provide tables and chairs for you to have your meal. The
place was also covered.
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| Food Trucks |
Is
it worthwhile to visit? Most definitely, considering how much the government
has spent on this Expo and I wouldn't mind going back there if I have the
time.
