If you’re someone who’s based in Kuala Lumpur, take a look outside the window. What do you see? Countless skyscrapers and buildings as far as your eyes can see. But how many buildings are too many?
On 1 September, Twitter account @SkyscrapersMY made a Twitter thread on Merdeka 118 also known as PNB 118 owned by PNB (Permodalan Nasional Berhad) that, when finished, will be the second tallest tower in the world after Burj Khalifa.
Dekat Kuala Lumpur, mesti korang perasan ada satu bangunan baru dalam pembinaan yang tinggi menjulang! Lagi tinggi dari KLCC, TRX & Menara KL.
Tahukah korang, bangunan tu kalau dah siap, ia akan jadi bangunan KEDUA TERTINGGI DI DUNIA selepas Burj Khalifa!
Ini adalah bebenang: pic.twitter.com/dFHd25Q4Sh
— Skyscrapers MY (@SkyscrapersMY) September 1, 2020
The building is called Merdeka 118 due to its location being between Stadium Merdeka and Stadium Negara while having 118 floors supposedly. Its design is based on the silhouette of Tunku Abdul Rahman as he raised his hand shouting “Merdeka!” on August 31, 1957.
Now this thread was obviously intended as a “flex” to make Malaysians prouder of our achievements as a nation but the plan backfired…tremendously.
Netizens poured in with their comments bashing the building as they felt like it was unnecessary and would be a mere “white elephant” and that the money could’ve been used for something more substantial.
“We don’t have to be so proud of the skyscapers here and there. New Zealand is 4X times richer than Malaysia but they don’t even have a building higher than 400m. Even Australia that’s 5X times richer than us don’t have such skyscrapers. We are just materialistic, tall buildings but the rakyat are still poor.”
“The higher the buildings, the higher the poverty gap. The gap in education and employment opportunities is even higher. Please help.”
Even former CEO of PNB, Jalil Rasheed commented on the issue saying that the building was approved and halfway through completion before he even took charge.
“This is why a decision was made to not get involved in real estate development hereafter. KL has enough skyscrapers. We need more public parks.”
What do you think? Is Merdeka 111 necessary? Let us know in the comments section!
Also read: M’sian Fresh Grad Ridiculed For Asking RM2,000 Salary in 2013, But Has The Situation Improved Now?
