KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 29 -- A new art gallery, Ruang Teduh, has opened at Exchange 106 with the "RASA Merdeka!" exhibition, celebrating Malaysian creativity this season.

Former ambassador to the United States Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz who launched it yesterday called it a vital space to preserve Malaysia's cultural identity.

"Without culture, a country is empty. It is art, dance, food, music and traditions that give us our soul and identity.

"We have so many malls and shopping complexes selling branded goods, but those places have no soul. What we need are spaces like this, to exhibit the culture of our country. That is what makes Malaysia alive," he said.

Nazri cited the band Alleycats, made up of ethnic Indian musicians but famous ...