KUALA LUMPUR (June 19): The RM650 million Taman Tugu project in the federal capital led by Khazanah Nasional Bhd is well under way, according to a status update document on the project released today.
 
The document details the progress achieved in each of the project’s four components: the Taman Tugu Park, connectors, learning and innovation centre (Khazanah ILMU) and national trust fund.
 
The 66-acre Taman Tugu Park has obtained key approvals, including the overall Development Order from Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP), from the Federal Territory Department of Environment (DOE).
 
Meanwhile, tender awards for the various packages of the park will start being issued by this month, while work on the ground is expected to commence soon after. 

Submissions are currently being evaluated and the park is on track for phased construction completion commencing the fourth quarter of 2018, according to the update issued by Khazanah.
 
The second component concerning connectivity is seeing the punch-through locations in the underpass below Jalan Parlimen being finalised, with work expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2017.
 
Meanwhile, the design of the overhead deck connecting KL Sentral to Taman Botani Perdana will be determined by an architectural competition to be launched in the third quarter of 2017, for which a feasibility study is currently being conducted.
 
“(We are) currently in discussions with CIMB, MRCB and MRT Corp on options for landing points on the KL Sentral side,” Khazanah said.
“All connectors are on track for completion by 2019.”
 
Khazanah said the development of Khazanah ILMU is on track for completion in 2020. Current feedback from its discussions with DOE to secure an EIA for this component is that an update to the submission for the park component is said to suffice, with additional controls included in the EMP.
 
Key spaces of Khazanah ILMU include a public library, art gallery, co-working and maker spaces, as well as an adaptive space for public knowledge events.
 
On the establishment of a national public trust, Khazanah said the draft of the trust deed is being finalised for submission to the Legal Affairs Division in the Prime Minister’s Department.
 
A Parliamentary Act is also being developed to specifically incorporate and govern the trust.
 
“(The) envisaged name of the Trust is Amanah Warisan Negara or the National Heritage Trust,” Khazanah said, adding it would evolve over three phases.
 
The first phase spanning 2017 to 2019 is the development and construction period, while the second phase up to 2030 will see operations supplemented with Khazanah’s funding.
 
The third phase from 2030 onwards involves operations post-Khazanah’s funding.
 
“(Our) immediate priority is to finalise the set-up of the Trust and ensure the Taman Tugu park site is transferred in,” Khazanah said.