[NEW UPDATE] "118-Story Warisan Merdeka Tower Won't Impact Heritage Sites"
We heard about the proposal of the 118-story 'Warisan Merdeka' mega tower in 2010, and since then there have been protests, defends, and silence. But now the official notice has been released, the impending construction of the Menara Warisan Merdeka will start soon if no objection is made till July 2nd. What will be the fate of our Kuala Lumpur heritage and skyline?
By Mei Mei Chu — 22 Jun 2013, 12:10 AM — Updated over 10 years ago
Federal Territories Minister says Warisan Merdeka won't hurt heritage landmarks
Warisan Merdeka will enhance the awareness of Merdeka Stadium and Stadium Negara rather than erode the heritage value of these two landmarks, claims Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.
"The 118-storey building will come equipped with shopping facilities, offices and apartments. Once completed, it will be the tallest building in Kuala Lumpur and we will continue reminding tourists that it is situated next to Merdeka Stadium," he said.
"There will be some quarters who will claim that the development would affect this and that and everything. But our intention is to develop an area while also ensuring its retains its aesthetic value as well," Tengku Adnan said.
PNB’s 118-storey tower to impact heritage sites and neighbours
2 Malaysian landmarks, the Merdeka Stadium and Stadium Negara, will be eclipsed by a 118-storey tower that will affect the landscape and lives, a group of activists and politicians said in Kuala Lumpur
The RM5 billion project by Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), which will include other buildings, is to be developed on a piece of land that was gazetted as a People’s Reserved Land.
It has angered people, and not only because Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) gave landowners 200 metres from the site 14 days to voice their complaints.
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The development known as Warisan Merdeka is right beside Stadium Negara and Stadium Merdeka, the latter an iconic landmark where Malaysia’s independence ceremony was held on August 31, 1957.
silobreaker.comFacebook says notice is out for the construction of the Warisan Merdeka Tower, protesters have until July 2nd to voice their objections
1M Malaysians Reject 100-storey Mega Tower posted this image on Facebook, urging Malaysians to protest against the building.
Image via akamaihd.netNever has a project public hearing nor public consultation eversince PM announced this so call ‘Warisan Merdeka' COMMERCIAL PROJECT in 2011, now our mayor silently put up a notice board on the site and small notices on 4 printed papers, announcing that you have 14 days to make objection.
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The 118-story Menara Warisan Merdeka was proposed in 2010 and will cost RM5 billion
The proposal to build it was announced by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak in his Budget 2010 speech. He said the government had allocated RM5 billion for it and expected the construction to be completed by 2015.
It is estimated to cost RM2.5 billion to RM3 billion, according to a recent Business Times report. Two more phases of development would follow over a 10-year development period, and the eventual cost is expected to come to RM5 billion.
The 19-acre development area of the mega project — which includes a condominium and a shopping mall — is sited on the car park and land adjacent to Stadium Negara and Stadium Merdeka.
The Warisan Merdeka tower, set to take over the KL Twin Towers as Malaysia’s tallest building, will be 118-storeys high.
Image via malaysiandigest.comThe Warisan Merdeka tower, set to take over the KL Twin Towers as Malaysia’s tallest building, will be 118-storeys high.
malaysiandigest.comAt 600-metres, the Warisan Merdeka tower will also be the world’s third highest building, beating the Taipei 101 tower (509m) and losing out only to the Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel in Saudi Arabia, which stands at 601 metres.
malaysiandigest.com
The Prime Minister said the project was not government-initiated but was planned and proposed by Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB).
thestar.com.my
Why people are supporting it
The 100-storey building under the Warisan Merdeka mega project will have a multiple effect on the economy and be able to generate business opportunities for all races.
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The 100-storey building under the Warisan Merdeka mega project will have a multiplier effect on the economy and generate business opportunities for all races, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
thestar.com.my
“The area will also be a business centre for both the bumiputra and the non-bumiputra alike. It can be one of Malaysia’s attraction that will generate and bring profit.
thestar.com.my
PNB president and group chief executive Tan Sri Hamad Kama Piah Che Othman says the five-star green building will be the “beacon” to create more excitement and attract more interest to the whole development.
Emphasising that PNB is not looking to compete with anybody when it decided to put up a 100-storey tower as part of the Warisan Merdeka development, he says it will make more economic sense to build the high-rise tower than lower rise buildings.
thestar.com.myHamad stresses that most importantly, by initiating the Warisan Merdeka project, PNB is taking the lead to preserve the historical value of Stadium Merdeka as the site for the country’s declaration of independence back in 1957.
Why are people protesting against it
The Warisan Merdeka project was announced in 2010 by the government, and immediately sparked public outcry over the need for another skyscraper in the city.
“The supply of office space in Kuala Lumpur has exceeded demand without Warisan Tower and Tun Razak Exchange. It’s not reasonable to give new approval for new development of office space,” Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun said.
“Malaysia should not be interested in building tall skyscrapers which have no benefit for its people,” he said. He said Kuala Lumpur already had enough office space and needed neither Menara Warisan Merdeka nor the upcoming Tun Razak Exchange financial district.
Furthermore, he added, the new building would put the city’s heritage status at risk and worsen traffic congestion
Organising chairperson of the night’s events, Tan Ah Chye, added that it is ironic that the Warisan Merdeka tower would dwarf the surrounding landmarks. These include the adjacent Chin Woo Stadium that was built in 1953 and Stadium Merdeka, built in 1957.
malaysiakini.com
Malaysia needs better education, better health care, better public transportation, safer neighbourhood, cleaner water, but not taller building and not another white elephant!
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