Thousands of likes on Instagram have created a big problem for Russian tourists – they can be condemned for a photo on the tallest skyscraper in Southeast Asia, Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur. The owners of the skyscraper and the Malaysian authorities said that tourists had no right to be on the object, let alone climb it.
According to the local press, on Wednesday, December 28, two extreme tourists, “high-altitude climbers”, climbed the skyscraper and took their photos at the height, later posting the photos on their Instagram accounts. The hikers were identified as Russian bloggers Ivan B. and Angela N., known for their risky climbs, with numerous photos of their performances on their accounts. These photos and videos have also become viral, but the consequences of extremes can be serious. Local residents questioned the security measures in the area and began to actively question whether the climbers had received permission from the construction management. And as a result, bloggers are threatened with legal proceedings.
A PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd spokesman said in a statement that legal action would be taken against anyone found involved in the break-in of the skyscraper. “We would like to emphasize that the Merdeka 118 development remains an active construction site and safety remains our priority. Since this is private property, violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” the company said. They also added that they are “fully cooperating” with the authorities in this matter.
Our reference: Merdeka 118 is a supertall skyscraper under construction in Kuala Lumpur. At the end of 2022, it is considered the second tallest building in the world after the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. At the moment, the height of the building is almost 679 meters, while it is still being completed, the end of construction is planned for the beginning of 2023. At the same time, construction began in 2014, although it was interrupted during the pandemic.