Merdeka 118: Malaysia’s Icon and Your Next Must-Visit Destination

CHIN JIAN WEI | 13 November 2025

MERDEKA 118 is unmissable, a gleaming tower rising into the sky and a focal point for anyone admiring the Kuala Lumpur skyline. At 678.9m tall and sporting an impressive 118 floors, it is renowned worldwide as the second-tallest building in the world, surpassed only by Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. Furthermore, it has recently been named the best tall building in the world (300-Metre and Above category), an accolade bestowed by the Council on Vertical Urbanism (CVU) (formerly CTBUH) during the CVU 2025 awards in Canada. It is not just a symbol of Malaysia’s architectural and technological prowess, but also an embodiment of our nation’s heritage.

The name of the building is taken from former prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman’s famous proclamation of “Merdeka”, which translates to "independence" in Malay, as he announced Malaysia’s independence from British rule on Aug 31, 1957. The image of Tunku Abdul Rahman with his hand raised to proclaim Malaysia’s independence is one known to every Malaysian. This iconic pose is the main inspiration for the shape of Merdeka 118; just as the former prime minister raised his right arm with his palm open while shouting “Merdeka”, the shape of the tower’s spire echoes Tunku Abdul Rahman’s raised hand.

In addition, the tower’s diamond-shaped facade reflects Malaysia’s diversity in unity through its intricate geometry, inspired by traditional Malay songket motifs. These patterns are further accentuated by illuminated pathways that bring the façade to life at night.

In the words of Dato’ Tengku Ab. Aziz Tengku Mahmud, the CEO of PNB Merdeka Ventures, owner and builder of the Merdeka 118 development, “Merdeka 118 is a symbol of our national identity, rooted in Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage and the enduring spirit of Merdeka. It stands as a tribute to our history while embracing the future with confidence, reflecting the values, resilience, and aspirations that continue to shape our nation.”

Merdeka 118 was first conceived in the mid-2000s as part of a long-term vision to rejuvenate the precinct. As told by Tengku Ab. Aziz, “Groundbreaking took place in 2014, structural topping-out was completed in late 2021, and the tower was officially inaugurated in January 2024.”

To ensure the skyscraper remained stable, a massive 78m circular, 4m think raft foundation and 137 concrete piles driven 60m deep into the ground was built to support the building’s great weight.

Merdeka 118 forms an integrated triumvirate with two other iconic landmarks: Stadium Merdeka (where our nation’s independence was declared) and Stadium Negara, Malaysia’s first indoor stadium.

Tengku Ab. Aziz says, “Standing adjacent to Stadium Merdeka and Stadium Negara, Merdeka 118 forms a unified cultural precinct anchored in the nation’s history. As the sole custodian of these two heritage stadiums, we are committed to preserving their legacy while re-energising the precinct for a new generation. Merdeka 118 brings together conservation and progress in a way that honours the past and looks to the future.”

Public-facing attractions in the Merdeka 118 precinct, including 118 Mall, Merdeka Textile Museum, The View at 118 observation deck, are all opening in phases next year. The observation deck is planned to be the highest observation deck in South-East Asia, offering an unparalleled view of the city. An “Edge Walk” experience is also planned, allowing visitors to walk along the tower’s perimeter safely secured by a harness. “Additional public realm enhancements and precinct activations are planned to continue bringing new energy and experiences to the area,” Tengku Ab. Aziz adds.

In the meantime, for visitors interested in exploring all that Merdeka 118 has to offer, Tengku Ab. Aziz recommends that visitors start at Stadium Merdeka to appreciate the birthplace of Malaysia’s independence, then stroll along Merdeka Boulevard at 118 to enjoy the landscaped greenery and water features of the park and capture views of the tower. 

He adds: “From there, continue into the precinct and experience the surrounding neighbourhoods, where heritage streets and community spaces meet contemporary urban design, such as Petaling Street and Kampung Attap. Take your time to walk, discover and soak in the blend of history, architecture and the evolving cityscape around Merdeka 118.”

For ease of access, the precinct is seamlessly connected to public transport, including the Merdeka MRT, Maharajalela Monorail, and the Plaza Rakyat LRT, with direct pedestrian access into Basement 3 (B3) of 118 Mall or by car via the Belfield Tunnel, which leads directly into Basement 4 (B4) of Menara Merdeka 118.

Stadium Merdeka is a popular venue for events, and its running track is open to the public. Check out @stadiummerdeka on Instagram for event announcements and other information.

As Merdeka 118 continues to develop into an impressive national landmark, it is steadily becoming more than just a building to admire from afar, but rather a place to experience, explore and make new memories. With its inspired architectural design, it recalls the nation’s rich past and heritage while looking forward to a modern future, one in which Malaysia stands proudly on the global stage.


We’re ending on a high note – check out these fun facts about Merdeka 118!

  1. It is the second tallest tower in the world at 678.9m.
  2. Located at the top of the tower, one of the world’s highest observation decks offers a view like no other. On a clear day, the view from Menara Merdeka 118 extends as far as Port Klang.
  3. A total of 23,253 façade panels were used to build Merdeka 118, spanning 125,320sqm. This is enough to cover 18 FIFA-sized football fields.
  4. A total of 8,800m of LED strip lighting illuminates the façade.
  5. The Merdeka 118 tower features a distinctive design with diamond-shaped facets inspired by the traditional Malay songket, celebrating Malaysia’s cultural diversity and heritage.
  6. The journey to the top of Merdeka 118 requires a climb of 2,845 steps from ground level!
  7. With a height of 169m reaching the clouds, the spire nearly matches the height of the 40-storey PNB building on Jalan Tun Razak.
  8. 84 floors of the tower are dedicated to office space, including the headquarters of PNB and its strategic subsidiaries.
  9. The tower incorporates 36,000 tonnes of structural steel, which is roughly the weight of more than 9,000 Asian elephants.
  10. It took an average of over 1,900 workers, more than 3,800 days, and 69mil LTI (Loss Time Injury) free man-hours to bring this tower to life.

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