PUTRAJAYA, Oct 15 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has defended Khazanah Nasional Bhd’s (Khazanah) RM600 million investment for the restoration of heritage buildings in Kuala Lumpur, including Carcosa Seri Negara, as they are landmarks that embody the nation’s history and identity.
He said the historic buildings are not just relics of the past but symbols of Malay Rulers’ heritage and the nation’s journey to independence.
“There were questions raised about Carcosa — this is the problem when sometimes the opposition doesn’t read. Carcosa is a heritage site. I take pride in our history… I take pride in Carcosa as part of the legacy of the Malay Rulers.
“Kuala Lumpur should be recognised as a city that is modern in technology and rich in culture. When we begin investing there, it will encourage further investments in the surrounding areas,” he said at the Finance Ministry monthly assembly here today.
Anwar announced the investment during the tabling of Budget 2026 last week.
Carcosa Seri Negara was built in 1896 by Frank Swettenham, the first British resident-general of the Federated Malay States, and served as his official residence from 1904. It witnessed the signing of the Federation of Malaya Agreement in 1957.
Anwar said the conservation of Kuala Lumpur’s historic buildings does not mean surrounding structures or places of worship would be neglected.
“…We will ensure that other buildings, including churches and Hindu temples, are not overlooked and will be developed together,” he said.
On Monday, Khazanah managing director Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir explained that the RM600 million investment not only involves the restoration of Carcosa Seri Negara but also six blocks of buildings within the Sultan Abdul Samad Building Complex.
He said the investment is part of the Warisan KL initiative, which seeks to revitalise the capital’s heritage and redefine its role as a cultural and economic hub.
