UR-MU @ Toffee, Raja Chulan — Attraction in Kuala Lumpur

UR-MU @ Toffee isn’t your average white-walled gallery. Perched on Jalan Raja Chulan, this freshly minted outpost of the Urban Museum threads together over 200 works from two of Malaysia’s most prominent private collections. The focus is contemporary: paintings, sculptures, drawings, mixed media, and the occasional piece that makes you wonder if you’re being mocked or enlightened. Sometimes both.

The layout is split between two floors. Level 5 acts as a gateway drug, with rooms themed around nostalgia and satire, including a “1950s Lounge” that feels equal parts time capsule and parody. On Level 6, things get heavier. “Tubuh,” co-curated from the Pakhruddin and Fatimah Sulaiman collection, takes the human body as metaphor and weapon. More than 100 works confront Malaysia’s 1990s Reformasi era—politics, identity, religion—without apology. It’s not a gentle stroll: some pieces provoke, others disturb, and a few manage to do both while looking great above a sofa.

The building itself deserves mention. Recently renovated, it blends Art Deco whispers with early Malaysian modernist furniture and clean contemporary lines. Corners offer spots to sit, while the rooftop supplies sweeping KL views. The mix of architecture and art isn’t just aesthetic window dressing; it’s part of the experience. Even the scrawled pencil notes on the walls feel like Easter eggs for the observant.

Visitors range from students (RM10 with a card) to tourists who stumbled in by accident and left pretending they meant to. The staff are friendly, the vibe relaxed, and the curation sharp enough to cut. At RM20, it’s cheaper than dinner, and it’ll stick longer. It’s not slick, sanitised art tourism. It’s messy, bold, local, human. A place where Malaysia shows itself without filter: funny, painful,...

UR-MU is definitely right on the top part of the list of museums that I visited and liked. I really enjoyed the contemporary art pieces displayed. Thought-provoking, splendidly interesting in bursts of colours, and some downright funny.

I went to UR-MU @ Toffee at Jalan Raja Chulan, which is the newest of the two UR-MU museums. The masterpieces are displayed on two levels. Seatings are available for you to sit while pondering the inspirations and definitions of the artworks. After you have spent your time enjoying the paintings and sculptures, take the stairs up to the roof where Boombong, a modern rooftop garden, is located. A pretty panoramic vista of KL awaits you. Methinks if a small café is opened up there, it might be a hip place to be.

I also love the fact that this museum is a part of Toffee, a new space for arts and design which utilises a 1950s art deco building. Splashes and snippets of the 1950s designs can be seen in the displays and architecture. I think it's a good example of adaptive reuse that should be emulated across cities and towns in Malaysia.

The other museum is located in Bukit Bintang. I've never been to that one but I'll definitely visit it when the time comes.

if you're an art lover, especially of contemporary art, do make your way to UR-MU. The ticket price for UR-MU @ Toffee is RM20 and walk-in...

It's the perfect time to visit the gallery with three exhibitions happening simultaneously—it feels like a bonus experience! The current MYTH Evolution Art Fashion Exhibition by Dato' Seri Bernard Chandran, IOTAKL at the rooftop, and two levels showcasing the museum's collection along with private collectors' artworks offer so much to explore. I've heard of the renowned DSBC for years, and finally seeing his work in person is incredible. The exploration of materials is fascinating, with each texture evoking different emotions. Pakha Sulaiman's Tubuh collection was especially eye-opening for me. I never realized how deeply art could engage with the socio-political landscape and convey such powerful messages. The entire experience was truly inspiring. It's definitely worth a visit if you're in...