We visited Galeri Rumah Lat

We had been eager to visit Galeri Rumah Lat since we heard about it in the news. Finally, on October 11, 2023, we made our way to the gallery. We departed from Sungai Buloh at around 9 AM and ate breakfast at McDonald’s in Bandar Sri Damansara.

There weren’t many cars on the highway since it was a weekday, but construction work was underway here and there. Soon, two lanes merged into one, causing traffic to slow down.

We entered Gopeng almost three hours later, and our stomachs began to growl. We decided not to search for nearby restaurants on Google but to explore the area in a more traditional way.

That’s when we found Nasi Royale Tok Ayah on our left. We stopped there for lunch, and we were glad we did. Nasi Royale is a Nasi Kandar restaurant run and cooked entirely by Malays, and the food was delicious.

After lunch, we continued our journey. It only took us 10 minutes to reach the gallery from Nasi Royale. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t very friendly; it was very hot. Therefore, my wife stayed in the car with our newborn while I went in with my son, Ashraf.

Galeri Rumah Lat consists of two main parts. First, there’s Galeri Lat, which is an exhibition space showcasing Lat’s works, including a collection of his cartoons dating back to 1963 and his biography.

In addition to highlighting the life and journey of the cartoonist, this gallery also commemorates Lat’s many achievements and recognitions.

Second, there’s Rumah Lat, a traditional Malay house with a unique five-tiered roof, also known as Rumah Limas Potongan Perak. This house was built using traditional methods, and inside, you’ll find various pieces of traditional furniture.

The idea to establish Galeri Rumah Lat came from the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah when he held the title of Raja Muda Perak. It took seven years to build.

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture of Malaysia fully financed the construction of Galeri Rumah Lat, with a total cost of RM3.81 million. The gallery was fully completed in January 2022 and was officially opened by Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak on July 8, 2023.

Galeri Rumah Lat is open every Tuesday to Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM and is closed on Mondays. Admission is free until further notice. Here’s the Google Maps link to Galeri Rumah Lat. If you’re planning to visit the gallery anytime soon, be sure to also stop by Nasi Royale Tok Ayah.