From year 2007 to 2010, LLG Cultural Development Centre through a number of fundraising activities across the country, received strong support from the Chinese community and raised RM4.48 million. Finally, a five-and-a-half-story building located on Maharajalela Road in Kuala Lumpur was purchased in year 2011 at a cost of RM4.65 million. The building is located at the Kuala Lumpur’s traditional Chinese cultural centre, with convenient transportation, which is an ideal location for building a museum. Then, after two more years of fund raising, planning, architectural drawing, and renovation, the Memorial Lim Lian Geok was finally completed at the end of year 2013, and the opening ceremony was held at the end of year 2014.
As stated in the stone tablet title “Completion of the Memorial Lim Lian Geok”, the establishment of this museum has three meanings: (1) Mr. Lim Lian Geok is a representative figure of Chinese culture and history in this country. He was an important spokesperson for the Chinese education and the rights of Chinese community throughout the Independence struggle. He represented the public opinion of the Chinese community and established the political status and cultural structure of millions of Chinese citizens. To commemorate Mr. Lim is to commemorate the situation and struggle history of the Chinese during that era. (2) To affirm Mr. Lim’s firm belief, unyielding, tenacious fighting, brave and indomitable personality. To promote his character and spirit thus set a good example. (3) To carry forward Mr. Lim spirit of striving for equality in diverse ethnic groups and mother tongue education. To deepen the universal values of ‘Abundance in Diversity, Prosperity in Coexistence’.
Mr. Lim Lian Geok is a great educator and a well-known social activist in the Malaysian Chinese community. The establishment of Memorial Lim Lian Geok is to commemorate his patriotism and his spirit of struggle. We hope that younger generation and different ethnic groups can learn more about Lim Lian Geok’s achievements, his comrades and the history of Chinese education through the exhibition hall and display content.
Vision:
To be a place that promoting the spirit of Lim Lian Geok, gathering information about Malaysian Chinese history and culture, and at the same time becoming a centre of community and inter-ethnic civil society activities.
Mission:
Stand fast on the role of LLG Cultural Development Centre as a Civil Society in preserving cultural and educational. Memorial Lim Lian Geok is not only a space for historical exhibition, but also a space for cultural and educational activities.
Development Strategies
Exhibition Hall:
◆ Implement the operation guidelines of heritage museum to develop into a good reputation for Malaysian Chinese figures and educational history exhibition space.
◆ Cooperate with related organizations such as Chinese Assembly Hall, Dong Jiao Zong, Confucian Private Secondary School, Chan She Shu Yuen, Yan Keng Benevolent Dramatic Association, Tan Kah Kee Foundation, Kwong Tong Cemetery, Hokkien Cemetery, etc. To form a historical relic alliance, and create a cultural attraction of ‘Kuala Lumpur Chinese Historic Trail’.
◆ Collaborate with Centre for Malaysian Chinese Studies and other academic institutions to manage historical data, research and publication work, organise exhibitions, lectures and seminars.
◆ Establish ties with relevant regional and overseas institutions, promote cultural exchanges and encourage the globalization of Memorial Lim Lian Geok.
Activities Space:
◆ Strive to interact more with the community, design different activities and projects, and promote the participation of people at different levels.
◆ The memorial centre is not only located in the traditional Chinese cultural bond, but also close to the Malay cultural base, like DBP, GAPENA, PENA, which should be a platform to promote cross-ethnic civil society activities.
Memorial Lim Lian Geok aims to become a platform to promote mother tongue education, multiculturalism, democracy and human rights through a combination of static displays, dynamic activities, community connections and knowledge resources.