Central Market
PNB Merdeka Ventures Expands Warisan KL Efforts Through Community Art at Merdeka 118 Precinct
KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 2026 — PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn. Berhad (PNBMV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), continues to bring Kuala Lumpur’s stories to life through community-led initiatives taking place both around the Merdeka 118 precinct and inside Menara Merdeka 118.
As part of the broader Warisan KL initiative to revitalise the soul of Kuala Lumpur through heritage, culture and community participation, PNBMV will transform a curved wall along Jalan Hang Jebat into a colourful tribute to Kuala Lumpur’s old city life.
Titled “Kaki Lima Stories: Life in the Five Foot Ways of Downtown Kuala Lumpur”, the new community mural will be delivered by Dipapansembilan Studio, a recipient of the Merdeka 118 Community Grants Programme Cycle 3, and managed by community partner Think City Sdn. Bhd. It forms part of the Jalan Hang Jebat Improvement Project under Merdeka 118 Public Realm Improvement Programme, which aims to make the area more walkable, welcoming and connected through public art, landscaping, lighting, wayfinding and pedestrian enhancements.
Located adjacent to the B1 parking exit into the Merdeka 118 precinct, the mural is inspired by old world KL charm including reminiscent of our city’s traditional kaki lima walkways and will feature a series of painted arches that open into familiar scenes of everyday KL life, from kopi shops and barber chairs to old signboards, craftsmen, beca, playgrounds and neighbourhood encounters. This wall forms as one of the main gateways from Petaling Street and into the Merdeka 118 precinct.
A total of 35 Merdeka 118 volunteers from PNB and PNBMV came together to lay the foundation of the mural by painting the initial background, setting the canvas for wider community participation. The mural initiative will also involve student volunteers from 1/4 few schools within the surrounding Merdeka 118 precinct. As part of the KL Festival activation, from 16 to 31 May, members of the public are invited to drop in and contribute to the mural and collectively bring the story of Kuala Lumpur to life while fostering greater community participation and connection. The mural is targeted for completion by mid of July 2026.
According to grantee artist Fadzlan Rizan Johani, “The collective efforts and ideas between Dipapansembilan Studio, PNBMV, Think City, and DBKL for the broader Warisan KL national commitment, represent more than just a mural, but a shared journey of community building and dialogue. The project reflects how artists can act as enablers in bridging people, stories, and communities through art, while the owner also becomes an active contributor within the creative process itself. Through these collective expressions, the mural contributes towards creating a ‘genius loci’, a spirit of place where public spaces become meaningful environments shaped by memory, identity, and human connection.”
Dato’ Hamdan Abdul Majeed, Managing Director of Think City, said the collaborationwith PNBMV reflects the role of community participation, storytelling and public realm activation in strengthening the relationship between Merdeka 118 and its surrounding neighbourhoods. He shared, “The heart and soul of Kuala Lumpur have always lived in its everyday spaces, in the five-foot ways, old streets, familiar corners and communities that continue to give the city its character. Working with PNBMV through the Merdeka 118 Community Grants Programme, we have seen how communities can bring new dynamism, creativity and innovation into these spaces, transforming them into platforms for shared memory, expression and participation. This is how urban revitalisation becomes more than physical improvement, it becomes a collective process of reconnecting people to place, strengthening local identity and shaping a city that carries both memory and possibility.”
In line with this month’s KL Festival activation, the story continues inside Menara Merdeka 118 through “Under the Shadows of Merdeka”, a photography exhibition by Merdeka 118 Community Grants Programme Cycle 2 recipient, Azul Adnan, and his partner Grace Ho.
Currently on display at the South Lobby of Menara Merdeka 118 from 1 April to 30 June 2026, the exhibition features more than 20 black-and-white photographs documenting the neighbourhoods surrounding the Merdeka 118 Precinct, including Petaling Street, Bukit Bintang, Pudu and Kampung Attap.
Through the lenses of Azul and Grace, visitors are invited to see the city from ground level, through old streets, changing skylines, quiet corners and everyday lives unfolding around the Merdeka 118 neighbourhood. Selected framed prints and a coffee table book are also available for purchase at Riwayat Bookstore in Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, extending the project beyond the exhibition space and supporting local creative work.
Commenting on the initiatives, Dato’ Ir. Ts. Izwan Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer of PNBMV, said, “Merdeka 118 stands within one of Kuala Lumpur’s most storied neighbourhoods, and we believe the precinct should grow in a way that honours the people, places and everyday stories that give this part of the city its soul.”
Through the Jalan Hang Jebat community mural and Under the Shadows of Merdeka photography exhibition, in line with Warisan Kuala Lumpur’s broader purpose and collaborative efforts, we are deepening public appreciation and stewardship of the city’s heritage by connecting communities with Kuala Lumpur’s history in meaningful and accessible ways. We look forward to expanding more community-driven initiatives around the Merdeka 118 precinct, creating opportunities for people to engage with and take ownership of the city’s cultural legacy, celebrating its stories, identity and living heritage,” he said.
As part of the exhibition, guided photowalks led by Azul and collaborators are being held in May and June 2026, giving participants the opportunity to explore and photograph the surrounding neighbourhoods. Those interested in participating in the guided photowalks may visit @merdeka118 on Instagram or the KL Festival website
for more information.
In conjunction with the KL Festival, Apostrophe Marketing Communications Sdn. Bhd., a recipient of the Merdeka 118 Community Grants (Cycle 3), organised a neighbourhood festival titled Echoes of Chinatown on 23 and 24 May 2026 at Kwai Chai Hong.
Echoes of Chinatown featured curated markets, live performances, and storytelling walks, all designed to showcase the vibrant spirit and rich cultural diversity of the area. Set within the neighbourhood’s iconic streets and public spaces, the festival offered an immersive experience that invited both local and international visitors to rediscover the charm, heritage, and evolving creative energy of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown.
Additionally the inaugural Merdeka Textile Museum (MTM) Pop-Up at Else Kuala Lumpur was also held recently. As part of the event, the MTM team presented a curated and intimate session titled “The Making of Merdeka Textile Museum”, featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the ideas, inspirations and processes that shaped the
museum. Follow the official Instagram page, @merdekatextilemuseum, for updates on upcoming events and the museum’s opening.
As part of the broader Warisan KL initiative to revitalise the soul of Kuala Lumpur through heritage, culture and community participation, PNBMV will transform a curved wall along Jalan Hang Jebat into a colourful tribute to Kuala Lumpur’s old city life.
Titled “Kaki Lima Stories: Life in the Five Foot Ways of Downtown Kuala Lumpur”, the new community mural will be delivered by Dipapansembilan Studio, a recipient of the Merdeka 118 Community Grants Programme Cycle 3, and managed by community partner Think City Sdn. Bhd. It forms part of the Jalan Hang Jebat Improvement Project under Merdeka 118 Public Realm Improvement Programme, which aims to make the area more walkable, welcoming and connected through public art, landscaping, lighting, wayfinding and pedestrian enhancements.
Located adjacent to the B1 parking exit into the Merdeka 118 precinct, the mural is inspired by old world KL charm including reminiscent of our city’s traditional kaki lima walkways and will feature a series of painted arches that open into familiar scenes of everyday KL life, from kopi shops and barber chairs to old signboards, craftsmen, beca, playgrounds and neighbourhood encounters. This wall forms as one of the main gateways from Petaling Street and into the Merdeka 118 precinct.
A total of 35 Merdeka 118 volunteers from PNB and PNBMV came together to lay the foundation of the mural by painting the initial background, setting the canvas for wider community participation. The mural initiative will also involve student volunteers from 1/4 few schools within the surrounding Merdeka 118 precinct. As part of the KL Festival activation, from 16 to 31 May, members of the public are invited to drop in and contribute to the mural and collectively bring the story of Kuala Lumpur to life while fostering greater community participation and connection. The mural is targeted for completion by mid of July 2026.
According to grantee artist Fadzlan Rizan Johani, “The collective efforts and ideas between Dipapansembilan Studio, PNBMV, Think City, and DBKL for the broader Warisan KL national commitment, represent more than just a mural, but a shared journey of community building and dialogue. The project reflects how artists can act as enablers in bridging people, stories, and communities through art, while the owner also becomes an active contributor within the creative process itself. Through these collective expressions, the mural contributes towards creating a ‘genius loci’, a spirit of place where public spaces become meaningful environments shaped by memory, identity, and human connection.”
Dato’ Hamdan Abdul Majeed, Managing Director of Think City, said the collaborationwith PNBMV reflects the role of community participation, storytelling and public realm activation in strengthening the relationship between Merdeka 118 and its surrounding neighbourhoods. He shared, “The heart and soul of Kuala Lumpur have always lived in its everyday spaces, in the five-foot ways, old streets, familiar corners and communities that continue to give the city its character. Working with PNBMV through the Merdeka 118 Community Grants Programme, we have seen how communities can bring new dynamism, creativity and innovation into these spaces, transforming them into platforms for shared memory, expression and participation. This is how urban revitalisation becomes more than physical improvement, it becomes a collective process of reconnecting people to place, strengthening local identity and shaping a city that carries both memory and possibility.”
In line with this month’s KL Festival activation, the story continues inside Menara Merdeka 118 through “Under the Shadows of Merdeka”, a photography exhibition by Merdeka 118 Community Grants Programme Cycle 2 recipient, Azul Adnan, and his partner Grace Ho.
Currently on display at the South Lobby of Menara Merdeka 118 from 1 April to 30 June 2026, the exhibition features more than 20 black-and-white photographs documenting the neighbourhoods surrounding the Merdeka 118 Precinct, including Petaling Street, Bukit Bintang, Pudu and Kampung Attap.
Through the lenses of Azul and Grace, visitors are invited to see the city from ground level, through old streets, changing skylines, quiet corners and everyday lives unfolding around the Merdeka 118 neighbourhood. Selected framed prints and a coffee table book are also available for purchase at Riwayat Bookstore in Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, extending the project beyond the exhibition space and supporting local creative work.
Commenting on the initiatives, Dato’ Ir. Ts. Izwan Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer of PNBMV, said, “Merdeka 118 stands within one of Kuala Lumpur’s most storied neighbourhoods, and we believe the precinct should grow in a way that honours the people, places and everyday stories that give this part of the city its soul.”
Through the Jalan Hang Jebat community mural and Under the Shadows of Merdeka photography exhibition, in line with Warisan Kuala Lumpur’s broader purpose and collaborative efforts, we are deepening public appreciation and stewardship of the city’s heritage by connecting communities with Kuala Lumpur’s history in meaningful and accessible ways. We look forward to expanding more community-driven initiatives around the Merdeka 118 precinct, creating opportunities for people to engage with and take ownership of the city’s cultural legacy, celebrating its stories, identity and living heritage,” he said.
As part of the exhibition, guided photowalks led by Azul and collaborators are being held in May and June 2026, giving participants the opportunity to explore and photograph the surrounding neighbourhoods. Those interested in participating in the guided photowalks may visit @merdeka118 on Instagram or the KL Festival website
for more information.
In conjunction with the KL Festival, Apostrophe Marketing Communications Sdn. Bhd., a recipient of the Merdeka 118 Community Grants (Cycle 3), organised a neighbourhood festival titled Echoes of Chinatown on 23 and 24 May 2026 at Kwai Chai Hong.
Echoes of Chinatown featured curated markets, live performances, and storytelling walks, all designed to showcase the vibrant spirit and rich cultural diversity of the area. Set within the neighbourhood’s iconic streets and public spaces, the festival offered an immersive experience that invited both local and international visitors to rediscover the charm, heritage, and evolving creative energy of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown.
Additionally the inaugural Merdeka Textile Museum (MTM) Pop-Up at Else Kuala Lumpur was also held recently. As part of the event, the MTM team presented a curated and intimate session titled “The Making of Merdeka Textile Museum”, featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the ideas, inspirations and processes that shaped the
museum. Follow the official Instagram page, @merdekatextilemuseum, for updates on upcoming events and the museum’s opening.
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Key Strategies
KLCCD’s Strategic Master Plan outlines seven core strategies to transform downtown KL into a thriving cultural district.
Strengthening the Creative & Cultural Ecosystem
- Developing dedicated arts and performance spaces.
- Supporting creative businesses, galleries, and innovation hubs.
- Hosting cultural festivals, exhibitions, and public art initiatives.
Preserving & Restoring Heritage
- Restoring Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, Central Market, and the Old KL Railway Station
- Adaptive reuse of historic buildings for new cultural and commercial functions
Improving Public Spaces & Connectivity
- Upgrade walkways, parks, and public squares for an inviting atmosphere.
- Enhance public transport links and cycling routes to promote urban mobility.
- Activate laneways and riverfront areas as vibrant community spaces.
Revitalising Key Precincts
- Heritage Triangle Precinct – Restoring and reactivating historic streetscapes.
- Petaling Street & Traditional Shopping Street Precincts – Preserving KL’s Chinatown and its traditional trades.
- Civic Precinct – Enhancing the area around Dataran Merdeka and national landmarks.
Repopulating the City Centre
- Encouraging urban living through mixed-use developments.
- Supporting affordable housing for artists, students, and professionals.
- Introducing community-driven projects to strengthen local engagement.
Environmental & Sustainable Growth
- "Forests in the City" – Expanding green spaces such as Taman Tugu and Bukit Nanas.
- Greener public spaces and eco-friendly urban planning.
- Sustainable conservation practices to protect cultural and natural heritage.
Governance & Long-term Sustainability
- Develop a governance framework to oversee heritage conservation and creative industries.
- Introduce incentives and funding mechanisms to attract private investment.
- Strengthen community participation in decision-making processes.
The new face of Kuala Lumpur
A city shaped by history and growth — explore Kuala Lumpur’s story in our booklet.
Shaping the Future of KL
Warisan KL aims to redefine Kuala Lumpur as one of Asia’s premier creative and cultural destinations – a city where history, creativity, and modernity come together to create a dynamic and inclusive urban experience.
