KUALA LUMPUR: The long wait is over for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who finally opened the Vision 2020 time capsule he planted more than 28 years ago.
The former prime minister said he never expected to live long enough to open up the historic capsule, which has been stored since Oct 1, 1996.
“When I planted this capsule, I never expected to open it because I was already old in 2020. I thought I would not witness it.
“Even though it is being opened much later, I am happy to be given this opportunity. I am grateful to be part of this historic moment,” he said at the event in Menara KL yesterday.
Dr Mahathir symbolically opened the capsule and revealed its contents, which reflected Malaysia’s grand vision and hopes when he launched the Vision 2020 concept nearly three decades ago.
The contents included photographs of Menara KL’s construction, RM2 banknotes, Menara KL posters, photographic film, newspaper advertisements for the tower, VCDs, and several other items.
The time capsule was buried in conjunction with the inauguration of Menara KL and was originally scheduled to be opened in 2020 but was delayed due to various factors, including the Covid-19 pandemic.
The capsule opening ceremony was held in conjunction with the “Raikan Raya Bersama Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad” programme organised by Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd, which saw various souvenirs being released including identity cards, photographs, telephones, media statements, and poems penned by Dr Mahathir.
He also praised the management of Menara Kuala Lumpur, which he said is well-governed and continues to be a symbol of the country’s achievements.
“I hope this tower continues to be a symbol of the country’s level of progress. When this tower was built, there were no skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur. But now, Kuala Lumpur is like New York, full of tall buildings.
“I hope Kuala Lumpur continues to develop as a metropolitan centre that is the location of economic, political, and social activities,” he said.
Menara KL is a six-storey, 421m-tall telecommunications tower which was opened to the public in July 1996.
Also present at the event were Dr M’s wife Tun Dr Hasmah Mohd Ali and former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
