Sir Frank Swettenham was a prominent colonial official in British Malaya who served in various administrative positions, most notably as the first Resident-General of the Federated Malay States (1896-1901) and the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Straits Settlements (1901-1904). He is often credited for his role in the setting up of a federal administrative scheme for the Malay states of Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Pahang. To commemorate his contributions to Malaya, his friends and acquaintances donated funds for a bronze statue to be built in honour of him. The statue was erected in front of the Government Building in Kuala Lumpur and unveiled in an official ceremony in 1921. During the Japanese Occupation, the landmark was removed and a monolith was put in its place. The statue was restored and erected back on its original site after the war. It was again moved in 1964 and is now situated within the grounds of the Muzium Negara (National Museum) in Kuala Lumpur.
