(From right) Think City senior director Izan Satrina Mohd Sallehuddin, Hamdan, Dr Zaliha and Raja Arshad (left) at the launch of the new cycle of grant programmes at the Merdeka Textile Museum. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
New cycle of grants aim to conserve cultural value in KL area
Communities in the Merdeka 118 area are being empowered to preserve their cultural heritage through two programmes.
They are the Merdeka 118 Community Grants Programme and Kreatif KL Grants Programme, which are now open for applications.
Inviting proposals themed Cultural Heritage Preservation, Community Empowerment as well as Content and Activation, the Merdeka 118 grants application deadline is Aug 10.
Those seeking funds under the Kreatif KL Grants Programme have until Aug 24 to send in their applications.
Focus areas for this grant include Cultural Identity and Heritage, Activation and Engagement, Economic Growth and Innovation as well as Environmental Sustainability.
The programme continues to adopt a precinct-based approach prioritising five surrounding areas, namely Petaling Street, Jalan Hang Tuah, Bukit Bintang, Kampung Attap and Pudu.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said these grants represented a policy approach that weaves cultural value with economic and social impact.
“For this year alone (cycle two), 14 projects have already received support totalling RM1.5mil under the Kreatif KL Grants.
“At the same time, an additional 21 projects were selected through the latest round of the Merdeka 118 Community Grants, with a keen focus on what we see as the ‘heartbeat of the city’s heritage’,” she said during the launch of the new cycle of grant programmes at the Merdeka Textile Museum in Jalan Maharajalela, Kuala Lumpur.
According to a ThinkCity report, every ringgit invested through the Kreatif KL Grant fund had attracted external commitments at a 1:7.2 ratio.
“This means even a small public investment can unlock substantial additional funding.
“It can also build confidence in the potential of arts, and culture as a powerful economic catalyst, moving beyond mere idealism,” she said.
Dr Zaliha added that the narrative of Kuala Lumpur’s development should not be limited to a colonial interpretation but instead recognise the contributions of all communities and historical figures.
“This includes acknowledging the role of Yap Ah Loy in developing the city’s infrastructure, the Indian community’s contributions of labour and culture, as well as the role of Raja Abdullah in the city’s early growth,” she said.
The minister added that this perspective was guided by the thinking of the late Prof Datuk Dr Syed Hussein Alatas in his paper titled “Reconstruction of Malaysian history”.
She added that this heritage belonged to everyone, not just one community, and that this awareness should shape future policies.
Dr Zaliha stressed the need to rebalance the narrative that had long dominated the capital so that it truly reflected Malaysia’s multiracial identity.
Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) group chairman Raja Tan Sri Arshad Raja Tun Uda said Merdeka 118 played a vital role in supporting the city’s cultural regeneration and heritage tourism.
“From the start, this initiative has been about renewal with the community at its heart.
“We have seen first-hand how these initiatives create real results.
“Anyone with this aspiration should step forward to beautify our city with our shared heritage,” he added.
Think City managing director Datuk Hamdan Abdul Majeed said it had witnessed how with the right support, grassroots initiatives could reshape the urban landscape.
“These efforts are building momentum on the ground, reflecting a broader story of change where people reclaim public spaces, revive local identity and bring the Warisan Kuala Lumpur vision to life,” he added.
