By Lobsang Chenrezig
(Note: MVs were invited on this visit to give feedback on ideas for heritage tours of the Merdeka Precinct.)
On 6 May 2023, a breezy and beautiful Saturday morning, MVs were honoured to be invited to witness the development of a new iconic building for Malaysia – Merdeka 118. We were greeted and given a very warm welcome by the staff of PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd followed by a briefing by their CEO, Y.M. Tengku Dato’ Abd Aziz Tengku Mahmud. Y.M. Tengku Dato’ Abd Aziz Tengku Mahmud started his briefing with the history of how PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd became involved with the development of Merdeka 118, which is part of Stadia Land.
Stadia Land consists of 6 lots :-
Changkat Pavilion site (Lot 354 & Lot 355)
Taman Tuanku Abdul Rahman (Lot 742)
Stadium Negara (Lot 743) – National Heritage
Stadium Merdeka (Lot 744 & 747) – National Heritage
In 1994, the Malaysian Government transferred Stadia Land to Puncak Vista Sdn Bhd (“PVSB”), a subsidiary of UEM Berhad (via Syarikat Tanah dan Harta Negara) as per the terms and conditions of the Agreement for UEM to build the National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil. In 1997, Pengurusan Danaharta National Berhad (“Danaharta”) took over Stadia Land from PVSB due to the 1997 Asian financial crisis. On the suggestion of Tun Ahmad Sarji, the 9th Chief Secretary to the Government from 1990 to 1996, who was also a former President of Badan Warisan, PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd acquired Stadia Land from Danaharta in 2000. The 1997 Asian Financial crisis prevented 2 heritage stadiums from being demolished. Under the PVSB plan, only Lot 747 is to be preserved as a memorial and the rest of the buildings in the other 5 lots are to be demolished.
There were only 100 floors in the original plan. However, as nearly 20 floors were required for machinery, utilities, etc, the number of floors had to be increased. The management decided to stop at 118, pronounced “Yat Yat Fatt” in Chinese meaning daily prosperity! Merdeka 188, standing at 678.9m tall (a very easy number to remember, in the sequence of 6,7,8,9), is the tallest building in South East Asia and the second highest building in the world after Burj Khalifa standing at 828m tall. Its form was inspired by the outstretched hand gesture made by Malaysia’s first Prime Minister in 1957, when he declared the nation’s independence in Stadium Merdeka, which is part of the Merdeka 118 precinct.
Merdeka 118 comprises a Shopping Complex from levels 1-3, offices up to level 96, Hotel at levels 97-98, and observation deck at levels 115-118. Visitors descending from the observation deck will end at Level 3, the “Malaysian Floor” – to experience Malaysian cultural products and food.
After the briefing, all of us were geared up with PPE complete with safety boots. It was not easy to move around in the heavy PPE and every step taken wearing those safety boots felt like foot-weight lifting. We were taken up to floor 116 by the service lift, which could accommodate all 20 MVs and our guides. The journey from the ground to floor 116 only took approximately 65 seconds. Unlike other buildings, lift evacuation in the event of fire is allowed in Merdeka 118.
We were amazed by the spectacular view at level 116. We could see the National Museum, Victoria Institution School, Stadium Merdeka, Royal Museum, National Mosque, Old KL Railway Buildings, Chin Woo Stadium, Daya Bumi Building, Dataran Merdeka, Parliament Building, Bank Negara and the canopy stretching over Petaling Street. With so much to look at and a lovely cooling breeze, it was an out-of-the-world experience and we wished we had more time to enjoy it.
A brief explanation was given about the glass used for the building. There are three layers of glass. These are non-conjoining glass with space in between them. For safety purposes, if there is a slight crack in one layer, all the three pieces of glass will be replaced.
After enjoying the spectacular view and cooling breeze at level 116, we were brought back to the meeting room for lunch. We passed through the temporary office which will be turned into a carpark with a vehicle number plate recognition system. With 8,000 park bays available, visitors can use the vehicle number plate recognition system to locate their cars.
Behind the development of Merdeka 118 lies an incredible noble vision and mission. Merdeka 118 is a proud symbol of Malaysia’s independence with plans for the betterment of the people. Accessibility between the Merdeka 118 precinct and its immediate surroundings will be improved. It aims to build relationships, enhance resilience and incubate new content with the communities surrounding Merdeka 118 through its Merdeka Community Grants Programme. This Programme includes activities such as Heritage Walk & Talk, Vocational Training for Underprivileged Young Women, PESZTA Festival in conjunction with Merdeka Month at Kampung Attap and Economic Empowerment Programme.
And last but not least, the Merdeka 118 project includes the reactivation of Stadium Merdeka, which has hosted countless memorable events in the past. The preservation and restoration work had reversed the stadium back to the original 1957 look. The original floor tiles were found to be still manufactured in India, which enabled the replacement of the damaged floor tiles. The original turnstiles were found and retrieved from Manchester. Unesco has recognized the restoration works and in 2008 it was conferred the Cultural Heritage Conservation Award.
Our visit ended with a scrumptious Raya lunch, receiving souvenirs from Merdeka 118, and presentation of souvenirs from our Honorary President, Puan Afidah Zuliana Abdul Rahim to PNB CEO, Y.M. Tengku Dato’ Abd Aziz Tengku Mahmud. We left Merdeka 118 with a nostalgic feeling of what our country went through on the road to independence for all of us to enjoy a harmonious, prosperous and beautiful Malaysia with its unique diversity … proud to be Malaysian!
Museum Volunteers, JMM 