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Only been to KL twice, tower or no tower it's a very underrated city. The entire country of Malaysia is great, there is islands as pretty as Thailand's and cheaper to boot. Cities that are clean and modern, despite what some think, KL is far better than somewhere like LA.

I live a 1/2 a mile away from the Merdeka. I can see it clearly from my condo from many rooms. I can tell you it doesn't light up every night because it isn't open yet. Now and then they check the lights at night, but it's rare they are on for more than 15 minutes. Being from America, this city's infrastructure is better than more than half of the US's major cities. Could it be better? Sure. But it's a great place to live.

Merdeka 118 is arguably better as a finished project than be left as an unfinished one. It was subject to much controversy even back then, but it was just too late to stop construction by the time Najib was dethroned, so the best the following government could do was give it a different name and allow it to proceed. In Najib’s defense though, he did initiate a lot of public transportation and logistics-related projects in his time. A lot of them were supposed to join in with Merdeka’s project, like HSR's supposed terminal station in TRX, and MRT Circle Line to connect all 3 projects while decentralizing a lot of public transport in the Klang Valley. It is reasonable to argue that these projects were forward-thinking enough at the time, but the next government decided that cars were better than buses and rails and hence axed and reduced the scope of much of the public transportation projects.

As an American, I want to travel and stay there. Not just because of the height, rather I want to ride on their bicycle velodromes. Those kids are wicked fast

1:33 building a crown jewel 3:19 end of sponsorship 6:05 meet merdeka 8:30 the bad and the good

Malaysia learn from spill over impact from KLCC Project...previously the area has nothing...now the area and the property value there worth hundred of billion dollar....so Merdeka is not just a second tallest building in the world but also an investment for Malaysia..afterall literally it was not built and funded by government.

As a Malaysian and also an engineer working in construction and some interest in property, KL has a lot of property overhang (empty buildings) and doesn't lack in office and commercial buildings, lots of foreign companies exited Malaysia during the political uncertainty the past few years, leaving many offices empty. So unless Malaysia gets a lot of foreign investment, lots more buildings remain vacant in the near foreseeable future, so the billions spent could have helped a lot more citizens instead.

FYI, merdeka 118 was not financed by gov funding. It never disrupted building of schools and hospitals. Our medical care is still some of the best in the world if not the best. The owner of merdeka 118 used sukuk Islamic financing to build it. Not from gov pockets.

As a Malaysian, you dove into the history, the building itself and also the opinions of the citizens. Everything is accurate, well done. Small correction, buildings and towers are in different category rankings. Tallest tower in the world would be the Tokyo Skytree.

You should also look at the Tun Razak Exchange in Kuala Lumpur for a video. It is only a 20 minute walk from the city but is a huge mega project to build a city within a city. It has been created as a financial district with the plan to rival Singapore as the financial capital of SE Asia. Some of the area is already open.

Kuala Lumpur & Malaysia are really impressive❤❤❤❤❤❤😊

It's a lesson learned for all. We need to strike a balance between infrastructure development and human development. On one side, we should take advantage of the infrastructure that is already up and going. On the other hand, moving forward, we should think about the welfare of the people first, and improve our livelihood, not just the national GDP. It's good to have something to be proud of, but pride alone doesn't put food on the table.

1:35 - Chapter 1 - Building a crown jewel 2:15 - Mid roll ads 3:20 - Back to the video 6:10 - Chapter 2 - Meet merdeka 8:35 - Chapter 3 - The bad & the good

I remember reading about this years ago in a pop-sci magazine. Alongside the Burj Khalifa no less.

I've been there once, last year, I head to here but sadly I can only stay on ground outside the building cuz the construction is still WIP for future commercial uses. But it's a cool and magnificent tower Ive ever seen, shadowing both KL Tower and Petronas Twin Towers, all in metropolitan KL region. I called Merdeka 118, a 'walkie talkie', based on its structure and appearance. As a Malaysian, I'm proud of this architecture of our country.

The dislike of it reminds me of the Eifel tower when it went up

at the beginning of the construction of the Petronas Twin Towers, many people argued... but look now, it plays a big role in our econamy and tourism... invest boldly is the key.

Always happy to see another upload of yours Simon, I learn so much watching your videos.

Let's be honest Simon, if I haven't heard of it, it's because you haven't done a video on it until now. That's on you.

Merdeka 118 owner is PNB.. no 1 Biggest Funding Investment in Malaysia..Separatly goverment control,but money not from goverment.

I'm pretty sure that if you view the main tower from a certain angle it looks like a giant middle finger.

I didn't recall the name but I did think "that one in Dubai" so close enough haha

I was in Kuala Lumpur recently and I was wondering what that building was

Seen it and heard of it but not the details, thank you, these are videos j enjoy of your channel

Please do video about The Exchange TRX, it is now the second tallest in KL after Merdeka 118. It is a huge hit among people for its massive malls underneath.The Petronas is now just the third tallest.

My Malaysian friends didn't even have the M118 in mind... Sure they knew about it despite barely making any headlines at all but it's just something they put in the back of their minds and forget about it lol

Had heard of it. B1M covered it a year ago while it was still under construction.

I am from Malaysia and the final part of the video is spot on..we already voice out that we don't need another tower but they still build it..on the bright side the former leader that build the tower is in jail right now..

The building is fully completed, only the mall is expected to be completed in 2024 and the entire area around 2025

burj khalifa have spire also but just like it part of useful building. also merdeka 118 having sewarage system not transport by trucks.thats plus. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 like it or not its already finish just appreciate it. now tower m in progress, maybe will exceed this one.crazy

I’m surprised you did a video of this. But you haven’t done one on our SMART Tunnel, since I brought it up a number of times since this channel came up. It’s worth looking into that tunnel, because it’s still one of its kind that doubles a storm drain tunnel and a road tunnel under Kuala Lumpur that helps temporarily store excess flood waters as well as a sort of a channel for the waters to be released out of the city further downstream. But here’s a weird fun fact. From the wrong angle of viewing this tower, it looks like the tower is flipping a bird on those who gazed upon it.

0:19 I knew it, Brain Boy... I just couldn't think of its name when you put me on the spot like that! 🤣

118 also sounds like "rich everyday" in the Cantonese dialect which is widely spoken by the ethnic Chinese Malaysians

@2:04 low food prices is not true. It may be low for foreigners as MYR is declining sharply. Living costs is very high for our local perspective.

Burj Khalifa spire 796 ft (242.5 m) UAE Merdeka 118 spire 520 ft (160 m) MALAYSIA The Clock Towers Spire 495.407 ft (151 m) SAUDI ARABIA One WTC spire 407.9 ft (124.3 m) USA Taipei 101 spire 230.315 ft (70.2 m) TAIWAN Just because you don't see them, doesn't mean they don't have one. If so then the Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in the world.

So far since the completion and the opening of the tower, Merdeka 118 has been met with either "Meh", excitement or no responses which is better than the reception throughout its construction. So, take that as you will.

It's literally a towering motorola dynatac 8000x🙄🤣😂

As a Malaysian living in the southern part of Johor state, our state's taxpayers contribute approximately 11 billion ringgit to the federal government annually. However, we only receive around 1 to 2 billion ringgit each year for the development of our Johor state. Instead, the majority of Malaysian taxpayers' money is focused on the capital city. My sentiment is just like, Are you fucking kidding me right now?

As long as every building can put a spire if they want then let them have there bragging rights.

So, here I thought that Petronas towers was now the second highest. But now I see them in the background from Mederka.

i love when you said kuala Lumpur correctly..

Kingdom tower has resumed construction

not even 2 and a half minutes in and ive already decided i want to live there. that is a really freaking neat building. I love the angular design.

Sadly this is not something that had the effect the Malaysian had hoped. The Petronas Towers were well known and are still an internationally recognised icon. This didn't happen with Merdeka 118.

Your view points are reasonable. I agree. But actually, Msians really dun suffer much at all to have build this building.... eventually, Msians will love it. They can afford it. Btw, in my opinion, twin towers is (/are?) still the nicest building in the world. In KL, my next favourite is TRX building. And then after that this one. The urgency next should be improving the public transport. No more taller building 😂😂😂😅

Does that mean if I put a 2231 ft. antenna on my doghouse it will be rated the tallest building in the world?

PNB still need to diversify their investment more though a , mix used project always a lucarative return in southeast asia especially if it got a shopping mall. They also the biggest investor of battersea project in London almost the same amount of investment .why no noise about that.

3 skyscraper building 🏢🏫🏢 build so near , that so unique

I feel like it looks like a big ol walkie talkie. Haha.

Excellent video, that goes beyond the excitement of just the building itself. Properly addresses the downside of Malaysia’s issues. Well done.

Ngl as a local here in KL,that tower is such an eyesore especially the reflection from the biggest mirror in town affecting thousands of commuters driving towards the city every single day! I prefer the KLCC twin towers than that crap.

I am definitely impressed,

It looks very cool after a rainy day

11:06 this is true to average Malaysian because there are parts of this country where students and teachers had to trail jungle and river for hours on foot just to go to school. Or climb trees to get better internet connection to attend online classes.

9:55 to 10:55 me as Malaysian, so agree with every words you said here

Why some of you jeolous about spires on Malaysian building.It's our pride.

As a someone who studied in Malaysia wish to say, they are really nice and friendly people beautiful country and thaniah to Malaysia for what they have achieved wish you continuous success, love from Egypt.

Magnificent building and city!

Looks pretty cool except for the light show, also the spire looks a bit flimsy considering it's height

As a Malaysian i feel proud to be a citizen of this beautiful land i call home but i must say the political side of Malaysia is a side that even malaysians either love or hate a lot

Malaysia GDP per capita (PPP) is $37,000 in 2023. It is not that far off from countries like Germany, Japan and South Korea. In 10 years, it will be more than $50,000, very likely among the top 5 highest in Asia Pacific.

Merdeka 118: So tall, it tickles clouds! But seriously, this Malaysian marvel is eco-friendly enough to make even Greta Thunberg smile. Rainwater harvesting? Check. Public transport access? Nailed it. Now if it could just dispense teh tarik on demand, we'd be golden. #Malaysia #SustainableGoals #Merdeka118

Wow amazing

🎉🎉🎉 Congratulations to Malaysia

There is a reason why despite Singapore's world class infrastructure and public facilities we never had a skyscraper quite like the Merdeka, yes there is a good reason for that.

Damnnn having 2 Top-10 highest tower in the world in one place, that's savage 💯🔥

Funny how Merdeka 118 is meant to resemble a raised hand....my friends and i just call it "da ge da" (old cellular phone) bcoz it literally looks like one

In 2022, a viral began circulating online when a group of American individuals trespassed towards the top Merdeka 118, prompting criticism of the lack of security measures at the site.

A small nation with a small population with a even small number of people who are middle class and above, we have 175 malls within the klang valley and ridiculous amount of sky scrapers and condominiums. Not to mention a new one coming call Tradewind Square that is going to be 750+m tall.

I had never heard of this building before I saw this video.

its like pulling your hair up and saying the pointy tip is your actual height

when the height of these buildings are measured they should not include any of these projections, spire/tip whatever that project from the main structure. so as a competing building, why not just go and stick another 50m on the projection and be tallest again? the height for these records should only measure to the last piece of the main construction itself.

It's not even attractive. From a distance it looks like a cardboard box crushing down upon itself. I also wonder how it's doing financially?

Without the huge spire on Medeka 118, the Shanghai Tower would still be second tallest in the world.

I've heard of it, but then again I'm Malaysian and I'm living near Kuala Lumpur so... It's kinda hard to miss that tower. Thanks for covering about our country. Sir, if it is okay, please be a bit more formal when covering for our Monarch & it is not accurate to quote him and relate to the disagreements of some Malaysians. The concerns are valid and I would be considered amongst them, but it even the Malaysians that disagrees would take a photo of it and have some pride in it. Our monarch like the tower while it has its critics have become one of the reason for Malaysians to be united regardless.

Hey Simon do one about Shenzhen

4:45 is that Winston Churchill sitting there while Malaysia claims independence?

Huh 🤔 Now we can wonder why very few of us HAVE herd of it?

We visited the site a month ago and was told it was opening 'next week'... I suspect that has been the standard answer for the last 6 months.

yes yes, it's amazing, but i can't help but see a middle finger every time i look at it from my place anyway :'D

"A Pop Qriz!" / " Skryscrapers" ... Forgive me but those are not a words.

As an ordinary Malaysian that follows your channel. Thanks for sharing the good and bad. We can only hope that it'll bring in good economic growth in due time 😅

Merdeka 118 might be taller, but the Petronas Twin Towers will always be higher in our hearts.

It's a cheaty tower if you ask me. Roof heights and even highest occupied floor heights are a much more accurate representation of a tower's height than an a mere architectural detail. Especially when if you took it off the tower would look especially the same... Tis no Empire State Building Spire, English!;-)

It's not about to waste money. Many people won't understand the reason. It's started when PNB wants to gather all it's subsidiaries to be in one area nearby. But it'll require many buildings & square feets plus cost of buying land, travel time/cost, etc. So they've decided to put em all in one building. For other business purposes, they also add some offices for rental (phase 1). But then they got so many companies interested to get in. So they add another offices for rental (phase 2). Later on Hyatt hotel companies interested to join em. So the building is getting higher and reaching 500m ++. Ended up when someone came in said why not we just add up to 600m ++? We're just so close to be world's second tallest building. Finally, there you have it. A beautiful number 678.9m

Vanity project is an understatement. You didnt think to name the bumi agents?

😂😂😂skry scrapers?! ❤10:00

As a Malaysian, I can testify that we ordinary citizens prefer the money be better invested, as Simon said in heathcare, education, etc. Personally, i feel that it is quite an ugly building compared to our Petronas Towers. Even worse, the skyscraper project was tainted w corruption allegations associated with 1 of our former prime ministers, najib razak who is now behind bars but just recently got his jail sentence halved. So, you can understand that seeing this eyesore to my country's skyline leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

It looks like a disposable vape pen.

9:14 Looks like a tall skinny bird. 🐦

I used to work in Thailand and travelled Malaysia extentiavly on my visa runs, it is a beautiful country and KL is a power house on many levels, granted there are infrastructure problems that neds to be addressed, but with the flagging out of Chinese manufacturing to other SE Asia countries, like Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia, this will only underscore Malaysian importance in the region, i have not yet met a Malaysian, that was sour on the project, btw if you have the time on a Holliday, check out KL, it is a beautiful city rich kn culture and food

Why some malaysian upset is because the idea came from Daddy Kleptocat Jibbyfields. For me, after Najibby sentenced to prison, the project progress much faster and smoother, i bet those whom got the job are afraid to do corupption as the big klepto bos already in jail.

Someone should build a 20 storey building and slap a Warsaw Radio Mast on top of it and be like, "There. Our building is taller!" :) Also, I dunno, Merdeka 118 kind of looks like a deformed walkie-talkie with that antenna er spire on top of it.

Buildings with spires shouldn’t have them counting toward their ultimate height, should be roof height

i pass by this thing almost everyday but i didnt know it was already open...

Mereka 118: the Buzz Aldrin of skyscrapers

I’m in Malaysia right now and even I haven’t even heard of this building 😮

That tower shows how much money is wasted on cosmetics instead of helping the Rakyat (People)

Could you do the Swedish gripen next?