Take A Look At Malaysia's Very Own 'Central Park'. It Will Cost Us RM650 Million

Named as Taman Tugu Project, the plan envisions an urban rainforest park that will conserve and transform the existing 66-acre secondary forest located in the area between the National Monument (Tugu Negara) and Istana Selangor.

Malaysians can expect see the true beauty of the Malaysian rainforest right in the middle of an urban setting, as about 1,000 trees have been identified and tagged for preservation while another 5,000 more trees have been identified to be transplanted into the site.

On top of bringing us closer to nature, Taman Tugu is anticipated to be a one-stop centre for outdoor adventures with its camping and forest trail facilities, as well as become a learning and education centre, and a favourite spot for family and community activities.

The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2018.

Additionally, efforts to improve connectivity among various landmarks in the area are underway and targeted for completion by 2019.

Taman Tugu Project's website stated that these are all part of a collective effort to stitch the urban fabric of the city and make Kuala Lumpur more pedestrian-friendly.

"This marks a historic day as we witness a new episode in transforming the Tugu Negara, which is a symbol of Merdeka being achieved through the blood, sweat and tears of our heroes," Najib said during the launch yesterday, as quoted by NST Online.

"We must not only safeguard that, but also preserve nature and provide a tropical forest in the city so that Taman Tugu will be synonymous with Kuala Lumpur like Hyde Park and Central Park are to London and New York City."

It was reported that this is a RM650 million project and a not-for-profit corporate social responsibility project, spearheaded by the government-owned investment organisation Khazanah Nasional. The government first approved the project back in July.

Khazanah Nasional managing director Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar aptly calls this project a "public-private-civil society partnership" as many parties have pledged financial support to ensure that the project will be a success.

According to the state investment arm, Taman Tugu will be placed in a Public Trust upon completion, governed by an independent Board of Trustees and reserved as a public green space for perpetuity.

Meanwhile, Khazanah Nasional is also inviting Malaysians to provide feedback on matters such as the park’s name and activities to be offered within the park via its official website.