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Straits Times
25-04-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Breathing new life into the past: Kuala Lumpur to spend $180m on conservation and green corridors
A worker carefully restores the façade of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building as part of the Warisan KL heritage revival project. ST PHOTO: HAZLIN HASSAN Breathing new life into the past: Kuala Lumpur to spend $180m on conservation and green corridors KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia is pumping at least RM600 million (S$180 million) into efforts to restore its crumbling heritage buildings and build walking corridors in downtown Kuala Lumpur, in a bid to revive the capital city's historic zone . The Warisan KL, or KL Heritage, initiative, is spearheaded by sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional through its subsidiary Think City. It comprises 10 flagship projects within a 20 sq km zone that range from architectural conservation to green corridors. 'A city must be fresh with interesting and attractive physical features that align with technological advancement and change in times,' said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on April 25, as he launched the initiative at Kuala Lumpur City Hall on April 25. 'It must also remain deeply rooted in tradition and culture,' he added. At the heart of this effort is the RM600 million restoration of Carcosa Seri Negara – a storied colonial estate built between 1898 and 1913, later converted into a five-star hotel that often hosted visiting dignitaries – and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, a 128-year-old Moorish-inspired complex that once housed the British colonial administration. The late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip stayed at the Carcosa Seri Negara hotel during the 1989 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Kuala Lumpur. Datuk Seri Anwar recalled that, as the Umno Youth chief (1982-1987), he had joined the push for the British government to return Carcosa Seri Negara to Malaysia – a goal that was achieved in 1987 – which he described as a 'small contribution' on his part. Both sites are shuttered for restoration work, which is in progress. While future plans for the two projects are still up in the air, there have been preliminary discussions about mixed-use development projects incorporating a gallery, museum, shops and hotel. The late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip stayed at the Carcosa Seri Negara hotel during the 1989 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Kuala Lumpur. PHOTOS: CARCOSA SERI NEGARA HOTELS KUALALUMPUR, THINK CITY But the effort is not just about preserving old buildings, said Think City's managing director Hamdan Majeed. 'Heritage is what you inherit,' he told reporters at a briefing on April 15. 'We want to improve the quality of living, enhance the resilience of the city and its attractiveness.' The plan to rejuvenate downtown Kuala Lumpur is also timed for Visit Malaysia 2026, which will draw in more tourists. After nearly six years of closure, the government is planning to reopen Carcosa Seri Negara to host top-ranking Asean delegates later in the year. As chair of the regional group in 2025, Malaysia will be hosting the Asean summits in May and October. 'Hopefully, the restoration of Carcosa Seri Negara will be completed by this July and we can introduce a quaint programme like high-tea to introduce the heritage building to foreign delegations,' said Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories), in a Facebook post in February after inspecting the site. Australian paramedic Paul Francis, who was visiting the Sultan Abdul Samad building on a stopover, was impressed by the facade. The building features a landmark clock tower and once housed the Federal and Appeals court. Think City's managing director Hamdan Majeed showing the view of downtown Kuala Lumpur from his office. ST PHOTO: HAZLIN HASSAN 'It's cool, I think all history is worth preserving so younger generations can see what the past was like,' Mr Francis told The Straits Times, adding that he had been speculating about the architecture and whether it had been built by the British. 'It's got a bit of an Arabic, Islamic look,' he added. Indonesian banker Dewa Nugraha, who was walking nearby in Dataran Merdeka or Independence Square, said: 'It is very eye-catching to me. I think it is a good idea to refurbish old buildings because it can attract more tourists.' Just behind the Sultan Abdul Samad Building is where two major Kuala Lumpur rivers, Sungai Gombak and Sungai Klang, meet. This was where, according to popular legend, the capital city got its name. Kuala Lumpur in Malay means muddy estuary. Indonesian tourists Dewa Nugraha and Nay posing in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. ST PHOTO: AZLIN HASSAN Another highlight of the Warisan KL plan is a proposed green connector network that will link historic sites, parks and civic spaces, enabling people to walk safely through the city. 'My dream is for everyone to walk seamlessly, with no barriers, and then it's nice to walk and to bring your family into the city,' said Kuala Lumpur Mayor Maimunah Mohd Sharif at a media briefing on April 22. Founder of Free Walk Kuala Lumpur Unscripted, Jane Rai, who has conducted walking tours in the capital for over three decades, said: 'I welcome the government's efforts to restore heritage buildings like the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. It's such an iconic landmark. I truly look forward to bringing visitors again once the restoration is complete – especially if the interior is returned to its former glory.' Other flagship projects under the Warisan KL initiative include the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and the Masjid Jamek-Masjid India area in the old quarters of the capital. Jalan Masjid India was the site of an incident in August 2024 in which a tourist fell into a sinkhole and was never found. The historic Sultan Abdul Samad Building is temporarily closed for refurbishment. ST PHOTO: AZLIN HASSAN Datuk Hamdan noted that these improvements are attracting both public and private investment. 'We anticipate overall investment to be in the billions of ringgit over the next few years,' he said at the April 22 briefing , though exact figures remain fluid due to the growing number of stakeholders joining the effort. Datuk Seri Maimunah emphasised that these projects are not merely cosmetic. 'We are... also trying to strengthen the meaning and the identity of our city,' she said . 'Historic Kuala Lumpur is a living city. It is not a city that is an archaic museum piece,' Datuk Hamdan pointed out . Hazlin Hassan is Malaysia correspondent at The Straits Times. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Malay Mail
25-04-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
‘Restoring the city's soul': PM Anwar to launch KL Heritage Project today
KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 — The KL Heritage Project, part of the Malaysia Madani Capital Heritage initiative, aims to revitalise the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The effort focuses not only on physical improvements but also on preserving the city's cultural and historical aspects while reinforcing community values, said Senior Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Tunku Nashrul Abaidah. He said the project to be launched today by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim aims to transform Kuala Lumpur into a creative and culturally rich city. 'The Prime Minister views the KL Heritage Project as a symbol of restoring the city's soul, in line with the Malaysia Madani aspiration that emphasises value-based and civilisational development,' he said. He said this during the Prime Minister's Office Daily Briefing, broadcast live on Anwar Ibrahim's and the PMO Malaysia's official Facebook pages yesterday. He added that since the beginning of his administration, the Prime Minister has consistently emphasised that development should not be measured solely by skyscrapers or mega projects, but by initiatives that impact people's lives. 'KL Heritage is a tangible manifestation of that principle — building the future without neglecting our roots and values. It prioritises strengthening the country's cultural and heritage values for the benefit of the people and to be appreciated by tourists,' he said. He added that the government's efforts to conserve and preserve these sites should not only focus on their historical aspects but also aim to foster a deep sense of love and appreciation for the nation's heritage and that this investment will yield significant returns for both the people and the country. 'The government will never allow or take a lax attitude toward historical landmarks that carry significant meaning in the nation's development,' he said. He added that the project brings together a wide range of strategic partners, including Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Think City, Khazanah, government-linked companies, government-linked investment companies, as well as artists and cultural practitioners, with a shared commitment to making Kuala Lumpur a city for all and a reflection of the nation's identity. — Bernama
Barnama
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
PM To Launch KL Heritage Project Tomorrow
KUALA LUMPUR, April 24 (Bernama) -- The KL Heritage Project, part of the Malaysia MADANI Capital Heritage initiative, aims to revitalise the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The effort focuses not only on physical improvements but also on preserving the city's cultural and historical aspects while reinforcing community values, said Senior Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Tunku Nashrul Abaidah. He said the project to be launched tomorrow by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim aims to transform Kuala Lumpur into a creative and culturally rich city. "The Prime Minister views the KL Heritage Project as a symbol of restoring the city's soul, in line with the Malaysia MADANI aspiration that emphasises value-based and civilisational development," he said. He said this during the Prime Minister's Office Daily Briefing, broadcast live on Anwar Ibrahim's and the PMO Malaysia's official Facebook pages today. He added that since the beginning of his administration, the Prime Minister has consistently emphasised that development should not be measured solely by skyscrapers or mega projects, but by initiatives that impact people's lives. "KL Heritage is a tangible manifestation of that principle—building the future without neglecting our roots and values. It prioritises strengthening the country's cultural and heritage values for the benefit of the people and to be appreciated by tourists," he said. He added that the government's efforts to conserve and preserve these sites should not only focus on their historical aspects but also aim to foster a deep sense of love and appreciation for the nation's heritage and that this investment will yield significant returns for both the people and the country. "The government will never allow or take a lax attitude toward historical landmarks that carry significant meaning in the nation's development," he said.
