Many labelled the RM5 billion Warisan Merdeka project as a frivolous and unnecessary part of the Budget, which also failed to specify how developers Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), would be funding the project.
“Does KL need a 100 storey building? Ridiculous,” exclaimed Klang MP Charles Santiago (@mpklang) on his Twitter account, a sentiment shared by many others who “tweeted” on the subject as Datuk Seri Najib Razak unveiled his second Budget since taking office in April 2009.
The landmark tower will eclipse the 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers completed during Tun Dr Mahathir’s administration. At 100-storey tall, the skyscraper is expected to be the tallest structure in Malaysia when completed in 2015.
“If they’re gonna be building this 100-storey mega structure next to Stadium Merdeka... Where exactly is it going to be again??” asked concerned artist Fahmi Fadzil (@fahmi_fadzil).
Besides the two stadiums, the proposed site is also situated near the 117-year-old Victoria Institution (VI), one of the earliest schools in Kuala Lumpur.
A couple of VI alumni have expressed concern whether the development will affect the illustrious school, much like how Bukit Bintang Girls School was bulldozed over for the Pavillion shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle.
Amid a property overhang ripe in Kuala Lumpur, lawyer Chow Pong (@ChowPong) questioned, “I wonder who will occupy the 100 storey building? Even twintower isn’t fully occupied, kan?”
On how to better spend the RM5 billion, Malaysians on Twitter have suggested a number of measures to improve the quality of life.
Many of them, including indie musician Pete Teo (@PeteTeo) thought that the money should have been funnelled to improve schools, human resource and public transport.
“Why not create a Central Park in KL that is bigger than New York?” commented a representative of marketing site Vanity Shack (@vanityshack).
