Keeping KL Grounded as It Grows

ANN MARIE CHANDY | 2 May 2025

KUALA Lumpur isn’t just about skyscrapers like the Petronas Twin Towers. It’s also a city rich with history, culture and a vibrant mix of traditions – and now, there’s a bold new initiative to celebrate and preserve that.

Warisan KL officially launched on April 25, with Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim unveiling an ambitious vision to transform the historic heart of Kuala Lumpur into a vibrant creative and cultural district. The event was a lively gathering, drawing a distinguished crowd that included Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Mayor Dato’ Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Managing Director of Khazanah Nasional Dato’ Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir, alongside corporate leaders, ambassadors, senior government officials, community figures and members of the creative industry.

At the launch, Anwar drew on the spirit of Mark Twain’s observation about Washington D.C. – a city known for its grand buildings but often seen as lacking cultural soul – a reminder that architecture alone cannot define a city’s true vitality.

The Prime Minister spoke about the importance of progress. “Malaysia must embrace new technologies like digital innovation and artificial intelligence,” he said, adding however that “While we reach for the skies in pursuit of progress and new frontiers, we must stay rooted to the ground – to our identity, humanity, faith, culture, values and ethics that keep us whole.”

Anwar also reminded everyone present at the launch held at the Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur Auditorium, that the city’s historical beginnings – from Raja Abdullah to Yap Ah Loy and the many communities who built the city – should be a source of pride for the nation.

Importantly, he emphasised that progress must be inclusive. “We must not forget the heart of the city: the people who fill the warung and hawker stalls. These establishments must be upgraded, kept clean and comply with regulations. As KL moves forward, it must be a city for all, not just for the wealthy or those in fancy skyscrapers.”

Zaliha said that this initiative is part of the broader agenda of the Federal Territories, ensuring that Kuala Lumpur’s development moves in tandem with the preservation of its heritage. “In line with the CHASE vision (which equates to a clean, healthy, advanced, safe and eco-friendly lifestyle), Warisan KL plays a vital role in preserving the dignity and collective memory of the capital while enriching the spaces that sustain the daily lives of its people.”

Maimunah, reinforced the idea that Warisan KL is about making the city a better place for everyone, which means more green spaces, open fields, safe walking and cycling areas, and vibrant public places where people can gather, relax and connect.

“Kuala Lumpur is a city in motion – rooted in history, enriched by diversity, and constantly evolving to meet the needs of its people. As the steward of our capital city, DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall) is implementing Warisan KL, in partnership with Think City, to reimagine the city’s historic core through the lenses of culture, creativity and community.

“This is a pivotal chapter in Kuala Lumpur’s transformation,” she added. “Not only as a capital for all Malaysians, but as a thriving city of the Global South, where history and innovation converge to shape a more inclusive, creative and globally connected urban future.”

Dato’ Hamdan Abdul Majeed, Managing Director of Think City, captured the initiative’s essence: “More than revitalisation, this is an invitation to reclaim our narrative – to see the city not only as a place of progress, but as a shared legacy that reflects the spirit of a nation still becoming.”

Spearheaded and launched by the Prime Minister, Warisan KL is a national endeavour, bringing together federal and state agencies, GLICs, GLCs, private sector partners, and communities across Malaysia to shape Kuala Lumpur as a beacon of heritage, culture, and creativity for the nation. Its success hinges on a wide network of partners and stakeholders – including DBKL, Think City, Khazanah Nasional, MBI Selangor, Jabatan Warisan Negara, PNB Merdeka Ventures, Prasarana, religious and heritage site custodians, transport authorities, local businesses and civic groups – all working together to protect the city’s past while building its future. It covers a 20sqkm area, focusing on some of the city’s most important heritage, civic and commercial zones.

Warisan KL’s placemaking and content strategy is built on years of groundwork – from baseline studies, spatial diagnostics, and public surveys, to Urban Clinics and community engagements.

Its delivery is anchored in a multi-tiered governance structure to ensure alignment, transparency, and sustained impact. A Steering Committee, co-chaired by Finance Minister II, Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Zaliha, oversees the initiative, guiding flagship projects with the support of key ministries.

Warisan KL brings together 10 flagship pilot projects including the revitalisation and reimagination of Dataran Merdeka, Carcosa Seri Negara, Merdeka 118, the Masjid Jamek area and the KL Railway Station. Khazanah Nasional has already allocated RM600mil to kickstart some of the work.

If you’re visiting KL, expect to see a city buzzing with new energy – where dazzling towers stand proudly alongside historic buildings, lively street markets, serene green parks and vibrant cultural festivals.

And for Malaysians, Warisan KL is a powerful reminder that progress and heritage can – and must – go hand in hand.

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