Opening the doors to the Michael Jackson room is akin to breaking open a time capsule.
Usually closed off to visitors and guests alike, we were among the lucky few who were able to catch a glimpse of Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur’s Room 1818, where the King of Pop had resided during his 1996 HIStory World Tour.
As the double doors swung open, we were greeted by high ceilings, plush carpeting and deep oaken furniture, all of which have been preserved since his stay. Spanning across 3,000 square feet, the lavish suite was designed by Bent Severin, a popular Danish architect at the time. A framed portrait of the King of Pop in the middle of an impassioned performance hung facing the entrance, signed in gold with the proclamation, ‘Saya cinta Malaysia!’.
Looking into the MJ suite from the outside, we’re greeted with a beautifully painted portrait of Michael Jackson, autographed by the King of Pop himself.
That was only one of the many, many autographed items that Michael Jackson gave away during his time here. Badrul Hisham, the current Director of Safety & Security in Concorde Hotel KL and then-assigned butler to the superstar, proudly showed us an autographed photo addressed to him with the message ‘Badrul, love knowing you’.
Badrul Hisham, Director of Safety & Security in Concorde Hotel KL, poses for a picture after our interview.
There were many sides to the superstar, Badrul recalled. From the moment he was introduced to the staff, Michael was a polite, soft-spoken man who made time for his fans and visitors. However, as soon as he started wardrobe and make-up preparations for his shows, Michael morphed into the legendary performer whose infectiously energetic songs have caused waves of mania worldwide.
Always generous with his time, the superstar posed for countless photos during his time here.
Malaysian fans were no different. For the King of Pop’s first-ever stop in Malaysia, adoring fans trailed his every move, crowding the airport, outside his hotel, and even when he stopped at One Utama, one of the largest shopping malls in the country at the time, to purchase some toys. The security gates had to be locked shut while he shopped for gifts to be presented to the orphans and underprivileged children for a meet-and-greet session the next day.
Some of the notes that Michael Jackson had left behind contained song lyrics and also doodles of himself.
Since his departure, the MJ suite has been preserved to commemorate his stay at Concorde Hotel KL, with the only additions being framed wall hangings of his records, signed memorabilia, as well as some drawings and clothes that he had left behind. As the doors to the Michael Jackson room closed behind us, it was clear that even though his stay in Malaysia was brief, the memories and music he’d created would continue to inspire generations to come.