Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim has stated that Malaysia does not need more skyscrapers and that it should prioritise initiatives that “serve its people” instead.
Ibrahim has said that expensive tall buildings will no longer be a priority for the Malaysian government, reported by The Malaysian Reserve.
Instead, the prime minister said its ministries will allocate these funds to improving conditions of spaces used and enjoyed by the general public.
“There are already many skyscrapers”
“What is the meaning of a strong ringgit and significant investment coming in if they do not directly benefit the people?” Ibrahim said.
“That’s why, from the beginning, I have emphasised the need to focus on projects that serve and respect the people,” he continued.
“There are already many skyscrapers, if the private sector wants to build them please do. But, the government does not make this a priority anymore. I don’t want to brag because Malaysia or Kuala Lumpur already has tall, great and leading buildings in the world.”
The statement by Ibrahim was made last week during the launch of the Madani Civil Servants Public Housing programme (PPAM) – an initiative that requires every new residential project in the capital to integrate one or two blocks of affordable homes for low-income citizens.
He said that maintaining cleanliness among stalls and small restaurants where many locals like to spend time will now become a key focus of the government, though the private sector will not be stopped from building skyscrapers.
“There are already many skyscrapers, if the private sector wants to build them please do. But, the government does not make this a priority anymore,” explained Ibrahim.
“I want the department with all ministries to focus on maintaining cleanliness at warung, stalls and small restaurants because this is what 80 per cent of the people in the capital enjoy, but, unfortunately, our focus is not commensurate.”
Malaysia home to world’s second tallest skyscraper
During the speech, the prime minister emphasised that the city already has numerous skyscrapers, which include the world’s second tallest – the 678.9-metre-tall Merdeka 118 building in Kuala Lumpur completed by Australian studio Fender Katsalidis.
Other skyscrapers in the city include The Exchange 106 by Mulia Group Architects, which towers 453.6 metres, as well as the Petronas Towers by Cesar Pelli, which both reach 451.9 metres in height.
During the talk, Ibrahim also discussed a reduction in ministers’ wages, alongside a call to them to reduce waste, particularly at government events.
Another national leader to influence the direction of architecture in their country is president Xi Jinping, who once called for an end to the “weird architecture” in China that has resulted from the country’s construction boom.
At the time, Xi attacked projects including the Rem Koolhaas-designed CCTV headquarters in Beijing.
The images are courtesy of Fender Katsalidis.