KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 6): PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bha (PMVSB), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), has successfully selected six projects for the Merdeka 118 Community Grants Programme.

In a statement today, PNB said the programme, in collaboration with Think City Sdn Bhd with the objective to foster greater synergies between the community and the Merdeka 118 mixed-used development, received a total of 138 submissions from applicants across the nation along the eight-week period.

“The selection process was conducted by a review panel comprising the PMVSB and Think City team, along with a technical advisory panel represented by industry experts within the sports, arts, community, technology, conservation and entrepreneurship development fields,” it said.

President and group chief executive Ahmad Zulqarnain Onn said the grants programme has provided a stepping-stone for Merdeka 118 to be part of the ongoing revitalisation of Kuala Lumpur.

“We are determined to connect with this neighbourhood and hope to collectively contribute towards its development in becoming a vibrant precinct.

“With this in mind, we believe that the selected projects will have a positive impact towards the wider community by further enhancing the liveability of the precinct and supporting local livelihoods whilst celebrating the area’s historical and cultural heritage,” he said.

PNB said the grants programme focuses on five key locations, namely the Petaling Street Precinct, Jalan Hang Tuah Precinct, the Sports Quadrant 1, Kampung Attap and Pudu Precincts.

It said the successful projects include the Kampung Attap Collective, which aimed to enrich the arts and heritage scene within the precinct through diverse creative programmes.

“This ranges from a music show at Zhongshan Building, a book conservation and repair workshop at Tintabudi and an art exhibition at The Back Room and Pentago House which draws on the history and heritage of the area’s architecture, amongst others.

“Also selected was the Eat, Pray, Love project at Petaling Street. Consisting of guided heritage walks to increase appreciation of the heritage of Kuala Lumpur, this initiative will incorporate Stadium Merdeka to provide both local and international visitors with insights into the rich history of the precinct,” it added.