STRENGTHENING engagement with the community and providing opportunities to thrive alongside the vibrant Merdeka 118 precinct, the Merdeka 118 Youth Programme by PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn. Berhad (PMVSB) is aimed at unleashing the talent of young Malaysians. Now in its second year, this initiative focuses on the key pillars of Talent, Education, Arts, Heritage & Culture, and Sports to empower the next generation.
Kicking off in 2023, the pilot programme positively impacted more than 300 youths. A notable success was the Academic Study of Stadium Merdeka and Jalan Hang Jebat pedestrian walkway, conducted in collaboration with students from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and Taylor's University. The project focused on initiatives to enhance the Merdeka 118 precinct and its neighbouring areas. In 2024, a similar Academic Study was conducted whereby students designed a welcoming entrance from Petaling Street and Kampung Attap, with pedestrian-friendly pathways blending seamlessly with the surrounding environment.
PMVSB also partnered with Young People's Lab, inviting students, fresh graduates, and young professionals to pitch sustainable city planning ideas. Six teams presented creative solutions to revitalise key areas around Merdeka 118, including Kampung Attap, Jalan Hang Tuah, and Jalan Kenanga, to improve their resilience.
Chief Executive Officer of PMVSB, Dato' Tengku Ab Aziz Tengku Mahmud, remarked: "We are pleased to see that the Merdeka 118 Youth Programme has been well received by the community, particularly by students from local universities. Building on last year's success, we rolled out a total of 12 activities in 2024 with 5 being academic case studies. This initiative is just one of the many ways PMVSB aims to ensure that the wider communities, particularly our youths, gain a better understanding of this iconic development through their various disciplines, be it architecture, landscaping, the arts or sustainability."
Another standout project was PMVSB's continued partnership with KL Sketch Nation, which evolved from a community of sketching enthusiasts into an art movement. Participants unleashed their creativity by sketching iconic spots like Stadium Merdeka, Stadium Negara, and Masjid Al-Sultan Abdullah, against the spectacular backdrop of the Merdeka 118 Tower. This initiative produced 50 vibrant digital artworks, along with original canvas paintings available for purchase. The sketches were also captured on postcards and in a booklet.
The Merdeka 118 Youth Programme also enhanced its collaboration with students from public and private universities across Malaysia, focusing on fresh academic projects to enrich the Merdeka 118 precinct and surrounding areas. This included the Open Ideas Competition (OIC) 2024, where students participated in an in-depth research project on Stadium Merdeka. Collaborating closely with architects, engineers, and technology experts, the students explored innovative approaches to stadium renovation.
Another partnership was with the Faculty of Business Management & Professional Studies at Management and Science University (MSU), where PMVSB launched the MSU Merchandise Design Challenge. This initiative challenged students to design merchandise inspired by the Merdeka 118 tower and Stadium Merdeka, including items such as notebooks, t-shirts, mugs and tumblers. These creations were showcased at an exhibition where students also demonstrated their entrepreneurial skills by selling their products.
Lastly, PMVSB joined forces with Happy Campers Productions Sdn Bhd to participate in the Small Story Big Impact (SSBI) programme, an initiative under the "Walk the Doc" content summit. This initiative nurtures young filmmakers and content creators, encouraging them to explore and capture the untold stories within their communities. The 2024 programme, themed "KL Old Charm," focused on the Merdeka 118 precinct, with each participant producing micro-documentaries inspired by the area's heritage. Master classes and workshops with budding docu-filmmakers were held at Stadium Merdeka, culminating in short films such as "Stadium Merdeka: A Living Memory" by Fariha Onn.
As part of the mentorship, Emmy Award-winning producer Chris Schueler guided participants in crafting impactful and socially conscious content. This complemented the broader Merdeka 118 Youth Programme, which focuses on nurturing talent through education, arts, culture and heritage. The completed documentaries were premiered at the "Walk the Doc" Festival, where "When the Coliseum Sang" by Hannah Sofia Newman received the prestigious SSBI Outstanding Documentary award, offering global audiences a glimpse into the unique allure and vibrant culture of Kuala Lumpur.
With a wide range of exciting initiatives in 2024, the Merdeka 118 Youth Programme offered something for everyone, from kids to young adults and adults. For more information on how to 0 participate, visit @Merdeka118 and @stadiummerdeka on Instagram.