Latest news with #Merdeka118
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Wai Ching smashes stair-climb world record
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's Soh Wai Ching smashed a Guinness World Record in a gruelling one-hour stair climb machine challenge at a shopping mall here today. The famed tower runner set a new world mark (1.78km) for the farthest simulated distance climb on a stair machine in one hour. It surpassed the previous record of 1.74km set by Britain's David Mahoney in May. Amid a display of great endurance and mental strength, Wai Ching completed the feat without holding the machine's handrails. "I don't hold the rails. That's my principle. Even though it's allowed, holding the handrails feels like cheating," he said. Wai Ching was also awarded with four Malaysia Book of Records awards for his achievements today. He clocked the fastest time in climbing the equivalent height of the Petronas Twin Towers (451.9m) in 14 minutes and 46 seconds, then "ran across" virtual landmarks including Merdeka 118 (680.5m) in 22 minutes and 18 seconds, and completed a vertical kilometre climb in 33 minutes and 11 seconds. For Wai Ching, the challenge was deeply personal. "After becoming a world champion, I lost my goal. I lost the fire to pursue greatness," he admitted. "I even asked myself — maybe I should retire. But this world record attempt was about challenging human limits. I wanted to see how far I could go." That challenge was tested when a severe cramp struck with eight minutes remaining. "I really shouted many times, I felt like quitting. But I just had to hang on, believe I could do it, and push," he said. Wai Ching's other challenges for the year are the Kuantan 188 Towerton at Menara Kuantan next Saturday and the Merdeka 118 Sky Race, the Asia Oceania Championship in August. "My main goal is to defend our home turf — not let anyone else win because it's in Malaysia," he said. Fellow tower runner Valerie Sarah Ong also entered the Malaysia Book of Records today. Valerie set a new national women's record for the Longest Vertical Climb (1.33km) on a stair climb machine in one hour. "The most difficult part was the mental challenge," said Valerie. "Even though my body could still move, my mind kept asking me to stop. It took a lot of mental grit and self-talk to keep going."
The Star
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Warisan KL grants open for creatives to shape city's cultural future
Kuala Lumpur turned into an augmented reality playground last year as AR Fest brought street murals to life in popular spots like Kwai Chai Hong. Photo: The Star/Art Chen Community groups, art collectives, heritage activists, and creatives in Kuala Lumpur can now apply for funding to revive the city's historic heart. PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary of Permodalan Nasional Berhad) and Think City (a Khazanah Nasional Berhad subsidiary) have launched a new cycle of the Merdeka 118 Community and Kreatif KL Grants Programmes to support this effort. The grants are part of Warisan KL, an ongoing plan to revitalise old neighbourhoods and public spaces in the capital through art, culture and community initiatives. Both grant streams adopt a precinct-based approach, focusing on areas such as Petaling Street, Jalan Hang Tuah, Bukit Bintang, Kampung Attap, and Pudu – locations identified for their cultural significance and potential for catalytic transformation. 'As part of Warisan KL, Merdeka 118 plays an important role in supporting the city's cultural regeneration and heritage tourism,' said Raja Tan Sri Arshad Raja Tun Uda, group chairman of PNB, at the official launch. 'From the beginning, this initiative has been about renewal with the community at its heart. We have seen first-hand how these initiatives create real results,' he added. Past grantee projects show how this support has helped collectives and arts groups bring bold ideas to life. Last year, digital art outfit Filamen's Terang series transformed MaTiC on Jalan Ampang with outdoor projection mapping celebrating cultural futurism. AR Fest added another layer to the city with over 30 interactive augmented reality artworks, while Echoes of the Hornbill's Cry brought Sarawakian stories to the stage through contemporary dance at Panggung Bandaraya. Events like the KL Art Book Fair highlighted the city's vibrant self-publishing and artist-run scenes, while the Human Library of KL encouraged eye-opening conversations with people from all walks of life. Coming up later this month, the International Bachfest Malaysia 2025: Bridging Bach (July 23–27) will offer concerts, talks, and performances that connect classical music with fresh local ideas. Since 2021, PNB has committed nearly RM5mil to support 21 projects under the Merdeka 118 Community Grants Programme, including heritage trails, social enterprise pop-ups, and public realm improvements. Think City's Kreatif KL Grants Programme has supported 67 projects with over RM6mil in funding since 2020, ranging from grassroots cultural activations and placemaking to creative enterprise and public space revitalisation. 'We've partnered with the Merdeka 118 Community Grants Programme since its inception and witnessed how grassroots initiatives can reshape the urban landscape with the right support," said Datuk Hamdan Abdul Majeed, managing director of Think City. "These efforts are building momentum on the ground, reflecting a broader story of change where people reclaim public spaces, revive local identity, and bring the Warisan KL vision to life,' he added. Applications for both grant programmes are open now. The Merdeka 118 Community Grants Programme closes on Aug 10 and invites proposals under the themes of Cultural Heritage Preservation, Community Empowerment, and Content & Activation. The Kreatif KL Grants Programme closes on Aug 24, focusing on Cultural Identity & Heritage, Activation & Engagement, Economic Growth & Innovation, and Environmental Sustainability.
Malay Mail
09-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Lifelong learning for economic justice by building knowledge hubs in low-income areas — Ahmad Ibrahim
JULY 9 — We live in a competitive world. Nations, businesses, and individuals compete. Nations compete to sustain the economy. Businesses compete to sustain profits. Individuals compete to secure the best jobs and live well. In a world driven by knowledge and innovation, those with the most knowledge benefit the most. The only way to acquire knowledge is through learning. That is why education is so strategic. It is not enough being educated only up to the tertiary higher education level. Learning is a life-long affair. This is because knowledge is never static. Old knowledge becomes obsolete fast as new knowledge emerges through research. Keeping up with the latest knowledge can be a struggle. Unless one embraces lifelong learning. A significant contributor to the non-equitable world is the differences in knowledge power. The rich are able to accumulate more knowledge than the poor. This inevitably leads to much economic injustice. The rich poor gap continues to widen. We see such phenomenon in literally all countries, especially those which practise capitalism. Many believe lifelong learning can contribute to economic justice. The Merdeka 118 Tower, also known as Menara 118, is a skyscraper located in Kuala Lumpur. According to the author, lifelong learning is a powerful tool for economic justice, but systemic inequities must be addressed to ensure it benefits everyone, not just the privileged few. — Unsplash pic This refers to the fair access to resources, opportunities, and wealth distribution, enabling individuals to thrive regardless of their socioeconomic background. Lifelong learning, the continuous pursuit of knowledge and skills throughout one's life, plays a crucial role in advancing economic justice. Automation and AI are now seen displacing traditional jobs. Lifelong learning helps workers adapt, ensuring they remain competitive in the evolving labor markets. Digital literacy programmes enable marginalised groups to access remote work, freelancing, and tech-driven industries. Education and training provide pathways for low-income individuals to secure higher-paying jobs. Business training and financial literacy empower people to start their own enterprises, fostering wealth creation. Online courses such as MOOCs, micro-credentials, and community-based programmes make education more affordable and accessible. Validating skills gained through work experience helps non-traditional learners compete fairly. Programmes for formerly incarcerated individuals, refugees, and school dropouts help reintegrate them into the economy. Older workers stay employable longer, reducing age-based discrimination. Governments and corporations investing in free or subsidised training reduce education disparities. Unions and advocacy groups use lifelong learning to prepare workers for green jobs and fair wage negotiations. Despite its benefits, systemic barriers prevent lifelong learning from fully advancing economic justice. Many cannot afford tuition, certification fees, or even internet access for online learning. Low-wage workers may lack time or resources to study while working multiple jobs. Even with new skills, marginalised groups face discrimination in the job markets. Poor-quality schools in disadvantaged areas limit foundational learning. Rural and low-income communities may not have reliable internet or devices for e-learning. AI-driven hiring and upskilling platforms may reinforce biases. Training programmes sometimes do not align with employer demands. Employers may undervalue self-taught or informal skills. Juggling work, family, and education can be overwhelming. Older adults or low-skilled workers may feel discouraged from re-entering education. Need to work to remove such stigma. To maximise lifelong learning's role in economic justice, solutions include subsidised and free learning through government-funded programmes, employer-sponsored upskilling where tax incentives are given for companies investing in worker training, and community learning hubs in the form of local libraries and NGOs offering free courses. We need policy reforms which include stronger labour protections, universal broadband, and anti-discrimination laws. Lifelong learning is a powerful tool for economic justice, but systemic inequities must be addressed to ensure it benefits everyone, not just the privileged few. A combination of policy reforms, corporate responsibility, and grassroots education initiatives can help bridge the gap. When everyone has the chance to continuously learn, it stimulates broader economic participation. This means more people contributing productively to the economy, more diversity in entrepreneurship and innovation, a wider tax base and reduced dependency on welfare systems. This benefits not just individuals, but entire communities and national economies. Parents who engage in lifelong learning tend to value and encourage education in their children, creating a culture of self-improvement and upward mobility. Over time, this reduces poverty traps and enhances social equity. In volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments, continuous learning prepares people to handle crises, whether economic downturns, technological disruptions, or pandemics. Communities that value learning can adapt faster, recover quicker, and innovate new livelihoods. Lifelong learning is not a luxury, it's a social justice tool. By investing in accessible, inclusive, and relevant education for all ages, societies can promote economic justice, enabling fair chances for everyone to prosper in a rapidly changing world. *The author is affiliated with the Tan Sri Omar Centre for STI Policy Studies at UCSI University and is an associate fellow at the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Universiti Malaya. He can be reached at [email protected]. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
Malay Mail
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Minister launches KL Creative and Merdeka 118 grants to boost cultural vibrancy in capital
KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 — Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa yesterday launched the KL Creative and the Merdeka 118 Community Grants programme to support creative and cultural projects in Kuala Lumpur. In a Facebook post, Dr Zaliha said the grants programme represents a policy investment that brings together cultural values, people's creativity, and the city's economic potential. 'It offers an opportunity for anyone, regardless of background, to contribute to shaping a more inclusive and vibrant identity for Kuala Lumpur. 'Through this initiative, we are creating space for the people from all walks of life to help shape the face and soul of Kuala Lumpur. This is the true strength of a city, when its citizens become the drivers of change,' she added. Dr Zaliha said that physical development without culture would leave the city of Kuala Lumpur dry and soulless for its people, echoing a quote often cited by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from Mark Twain (during his visit to Washington, DC): 'Impressive and modern building, but culturally barren.' — Bernama
Skift
08-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
Thailand Withdraws Casino Bill in Further Delay
The Daily Lodging Report – Asia Pacific will be on a very rare vacation from July 14 to 18. During the break, subscribers will receive relevant content from Skift and Skift Research instead. If Reuters, the Associated Press, and Bloomberg are correct, Thailand's cabinet has moved forward with withdrawing the draft bill for casinos and entertainment complexes. There had been reports yesterday that on July 9th, a motion to withdraw the bill would be held, but the current government may have decided the better route was to withdraw the bill on its own, saying there needs to be time for public understanding before voting. It has been over a year since the entertainment complex bill was supposed to pass quickly. Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur is set to open next month on the top floors of Permodalan Nasional Bhd's Merdeka 118, the tallest skyscraper in Asia Pacific. The 252 guest rooms, including 27 suites, will be on levels 100 to 112 of the skyscraper. The standard rooms will measure 570 to 635 square feet, while a corner king room will be 613 to 742 square feet. There will be three restaurants on the 75th floor, while the hotel's unique Cacao Bar, the highest in the city, will be Kuala Lumpur's first chocolate-themed bar. Hyatt will also launch the 450-room Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown on August 26th, its seventh property in the city. Archipelago opened Quest Hotel Midport Port Dickson today, the first Quest hotel in Malaysia. The hotel is located near the Malacca border and features 413 rooms with 10 room categories. The Splash Park at Quest Hotel Midport Port Dickson is an attraction designed especially for children featuring three water slides and a water play area. The hotel's main dining venue is Serambi Rasa, located on the ground floor. Radisson Hotel Group announced the opening of Radisson Hotel Don Mueang Bangkok, a new addition to its portfolio in Thailand. The 89-key hotel is located minutes from Don Mueang International Airport and is described as having serene guest rooms, tailored meeting spaces and elevated leisure facilities, catering to both leisure and business travelers. The Cabin is the hotel's all-day dining venue, while on the second floor is a meeting space that can accommodate up to 129 guests. There is a fully equipped fitness center and a rooftop infinity pool. Radisson Hotel Group has over 1,565 hotels in operation or under development in over 100 countries in EMEA and APAC. Radisson Hotel Group now has seven hotels operating in Bengaluru, India, with the launch of St. Mark's Hotel Bengaluru, now operating under the Radisson Individuals brand. The hotel is located in the heart of the city, located near Vittal Mallya Road, Brigade Road and Cubbon Park. The hotel offers 96 rooms, along with a variety of dining options as well as meeting spaces, a private interview room, a modern gym and a spa. This is the second hotel under the Radisson Individuals brand in Bengaluru. Radisson Hotel Group now has over 200 properties in operation and development across the country, along various hotel brands. Blackstone and Panchshil Group-backed Ventive Hospitality Ltd will add six new hotels to their portfolio in partnership with Marriott International over the next five years. The properties will be in India, based in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh; Mundra, Gujarat; Pune and Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. This will add 1,600 rooms to Marriott's India portfolio. At present, Marriott has 142 hotels in the country and it manages over 25,500 rooms. It also has another 16 properties of ITC Hotels in its portfolio. Marriott has a goal to scale to 50,000 rooms over the next five years. Ventive currently owns all hotel assets of Panchshil and Blackstone across India and the Maldives, which spans 11 hotels. The new hotel pipeline of six properties with Marriott will include two hotels owned by Ventive, a 161-room property in Varanasi and a 200-room hotel in Gujarat. Another four will be built by Panchsil on leased land and will be one JW Marriott and three Moxy-branded hotels in Navi Mumbai and Pune. Ventive said it plans to double the number of hotel rooms it owns to more than 4,000 over the next five years at an estimated investment of around Rs2,500 crore. The company is also planning to buy hotels to add to its inventory. Marriott currently has 18 of its brands in India. Indian Hotels said they will invest nearly Rs 6,000 crore over five years to expand their business. That will include a potential acquisition of a chain of boutique hotels. They currently have a portfolio of 350 hotels, including more than 232 operational properties across multiple brands, and are aiming to have 700 hotels, including 500 operational ones, by the end of FY30. They expect the number of rooms to jump to 70,000 by FY30 from the current 42,500. They are also planning to add new brands to its lineup, hence the acquisition of boutique chains. They likened it to the way they gained control of the Tree of Life brand, forging a strategic alliance last year with Tree of Life Resorts & Hotels, part of Ambuja Neotia Group. For more context, read Skift's IHCL Eyes Boutique Chain Acquisition to Drive Growth to 700 Properties by 2030. Indian Hotels Company announced the signing of a new hotel in Anjun, Goa. The greenfield project will be branded as Vivanta. The 110-key Vivanta Anjuna, Goa will feature an all-day diner, bar, swimming pool, gym and modern conference facilities. With this addition, IHCL will have 18 hotels in Goa, including five under development. Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd launched a new property in Solapur. Regenta Central Shivani, Solapur is in the south-western region of Maharashtra in India, the fourth property launched in Maharashtra by ROHC this year. The new Regenta features 65 rooms, swimming pool, spa and a gym. The hotel also has the largest common area in the city, featuring ROHL's signature all-day dining restaurant with 170 covers, a poolside bar with 40 covers and a lobby café as well as a 1,000 square foot meeting room, 8600 square foot banquet and 25,000 square foot lawn.
