PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn. Bhd. (PNBMV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), is continuing its efforts to celebrate Kuala Lumpur’s rich heritage through a series of community-driven initiatives across the Merdeka 118 precinct and within Menara Merdeka 118. As part of the broader Warisan KL initiative, which aims to revitalise Kuala Lumpur’s cultural identity through heritage preservation, arts and community engagement, PNBMV is transforming a curved wall along Jalan Hang Jebat into a vibrant public mural inspired by the city’s history and everyday life.

Entitled “Kaki Lima Stories: Life in the Five Foot Ways of Downtown Kuala Lumpur,” the mural is being created by Dipapansembilan Studio, a recipient of the Merdeka 118 Community Grants Programme Cycle 3, and managed by Think City Sdn. Bhd. The project forms part of the Jalan Hang Jebat Improvement Project under the Merdeka 118 Public Realm Improvement Programme, which seeks to enhance walkability, connectivity and public spaces through art, landscaping, lighting, wayfinding and pedestrian-friendly improvements.

Located beside the B1 parking exit into the Merdeka 118 precinct, the mural draws inspiration from Kuala Lumpur’s traditional five-foot walkways and nostalgic city scenes. Through a series of painted arches, it depicts familiar moments of local life, including coffee shops, barber shops, craftsmen, beca rides, playgrounds and neighbourhood interactions. The mural also serves as a gateway connecting Petaling Street to the Merdeka 118 precinct.

To launch the initiative, 35 volunteers from PNB and PNBMV painted the mural’s base layer, paving the way for wider community participation. Student volunteers from nearby schools are also contributing to the artwork. In conjunction with the KL Festival, members of the public were invited from 16 to 31 May to take part in the mural’s creation. The project is expected to be completed by mid-July 2026.

Artist Fadzlan Rizan Johani of Dipapansembilan Studio described the mural as more than a public artwork, calling it a collaborative effort that connects people, stories and places while creating meaningful spaces shaped by memory, identity and shared experiences. According to Dato’ Hamdan Abdul Majeed, Managing Director of Think City, the collaboration highlights the importance of storytelling, community participation and public space activation in strengthening the connection between Merdeka 118 and its surrounding neighbourhoods. He noted that urban revitalisation is not only about physical improvements, but also about helping communities reconnect with their heritage and local identity. The celebration of Kuala Lumpur’s heritage continues inside Menara Merdeka 118 through “Under the Shadows of Merdeka,” a photography exhibition by Merdeka 118 Community Grants Programme Cycle 2 recipient Azul Adnan and collaborator Grace Ho.

Running from 1 April to 30 June 2026 at the South Lobby of Menara Merdeka 118, the exhibition showcases more than 20 black-and-white photographs documenting neighbourhoods surrounding the precinct, including Petaling Street, Bukit Bintang, Pudu and Kampung Attap. Through their lenses, Azul and Grace capture Kuala Lumpur’s evolving landscapes, historic streets and everyday moments from a unique street-level perspective. Selected framed photographs and a specially curated coffee table book are also available at Riwayat Bookstore on Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, supporting local creative talent beyond the exhibition space.

Commenting on the initiatives, Dato’ Ir. Ts. Izwan Ibrahim, Chief Executive Officer of PNBMV, said Merdeka 118 is located within one of Kuala Lumpur’s most historic neighbourhoods, and its development should continue to honour the people, places and stories that define the city’s identity. He added that both the Jalan Hang Jebat mural and the photography exhibition support the wider goals of Warisan KL by encouraging greater public appreciation of Kuala Lumpur’s heritage while creating meaningful opportunities for communities to engage with and celebrate the city’s living history.

As part of the exhibition programme, guided photowalks led by Azul and collaborators are being held throughout May and June 2026, offering participants the opportunity to explore and photograph the surrounding neighbourhoods. The KL Festival also featured Echoes of Chinatown, a neighbourhood festival organised by Apostrophe Marketing Communications Sdn. Bhd. at Kwai Chai Hong on 23 and 24 May 2026. The event featured curated markets, live performances and storytelling walks that celebrated the cultural richness and creative energy of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown.

In addition, the inaugural Merdeka Textile Museum Pop-Up at Else Kuala Lumpur recently offered visitors an exclusive look into the development of the upcoming museum through a special session titled “The Making of Merdeka Textile Museum.” The public can follow @merdekatextilemuseum on Instagram for future updates and announcements.