Latest news with #Merdeka118
Time Out
13 hours ago
- General
- Time Out
These Asian cities have more skyscrapers than NYC – here's the full ranking
New York City is undeniably a land of towering skyscrapers, but cities in Asia are quickly taking the lead. Let's just say that megacities in China and Southeast Asia are reaching for the clouds faster than you can say "penthouse views". According to the latest numbers from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, seven out of the top ten cities with the most skyscrapers are right here in Asia. Coming in hot at number one is – surprise, surprise – Hong Kong. This sky-high city boasts more than 550 completed skyscrapers, rising from some pretty challenging and hilly terrain. With limited land and soaring demand for space, Hong Kong has been building upwards for decades, and we daresay the skyline here isn't just iconic, it's unstoppable. In second place is China's tech powerhouse, Shenzhen. It has more than 380 skyscrapers today, a real feat considering it was just a sleepy fishing village in the 1970s. Head to the city's Luohu, Futian, and Nanshan districts to see the highest concentration of skyscrapers in one place. Hong Kong and Shenzhen stand head and shoulders above the rest (even beating out skyscraper haven NYC in third place), but other Asian cities also stand tall. Guangzhou has the fifth-most skyscrapers in the world, followed by Shanghai (home to the world's third-tallest building, the Shanghai Tower), Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur (now with the second-tallest building on the planet, the Merdeka 118), and Wuhan. This ranking only counts buildings over 150 metres – which is around 40 storeys minimum. So no, your condominium probably doesn't count. Either way, if you want to see the future of urban design – stacked, sleek, and sky-bound – Asia's your best bet. Cities with the most skyscrapers in the world: Hong Kong Shenzhen, China New York City, United States Dubai, United Arab Emirates Guangzhou, China Shanghai, China Tokyo, Japan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Chicago, United States Wuhan, China
New Straits Times
19-07-2025
- 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
