PM Najib says Warisan Merdeka not his idea

Datuk Seri Najib Razak denied today that it was his idea to build the controversial 100-storey Warisan Merdeka tower in the heart of the capital, saying instead the project had been proposed by Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB).

Since it was unveiled at last Friday’s Budget 2011 announcement, the RM5 billion “supertall” tower has become a lightning rod for opposition attacks on the prime minister’s big ticket plans to turn Kuala Lumpur into a world-class city.

Upon completion in 2015, the skyscraper sited next to Stadium Negara and Stadium Merdeka will be the tallest tower in Malaysia, surpassing even the Petronas Towers.

“It was planned and proposed to the government by PNB. I did not direct PNB. PNB was the one that proposed [the project],” Najib told reporters today.

“This is something the PNB management, or board, really wants.”

Najib said the rationale for the Warisan Merdeka tower was similar to the one behind the iconic twin Petronas Towers, in that it would serve as a symbol of a modern and developed Malaysia.

He stressed that the project would also have a “multiplier effect” on the economy and help drive it forward, in addition to providing an attractive commercial centre for Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera businesses alike.

“This project is not a waste (of resources) but will bring benefit,” he said.

Najib dismissed out-of-hand Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) criticisms that such expenditure was “irresponsible” by pointing out how well-received predecessor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s megaprojects had been despite opposition attacks.

“When Tun Dr Mahathir built the Penang Bridge, they (the opposition) attacked it too, but now the people of Penang themselves are asking for a second bridge,” he said, adding that the former premier’s decision to build the Petronas Towers had faced similar problems. - Malaysian Insider