PNB Merdeka Ventures (PNBMV), in collaboration with Think City, has reinforced its support for the country’s creative talents through the Merdeka 118 Community Grants programme at the Kuala Lumpur Art Book Fair (KLABF) 2025.
The vibrant atmosphere of the KLABF 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH), located within the Merdeka 118 precinct in Kampung Attap, continues to serve as a cultural anchor point within this evolving creative neighbourhood.
The event welcomed a strong curation of local and international exhibitors, accompanied by talks, workshops, exhibitions and live demonstrations.
This year’s fair once again brought together Malaysia’s creative community for one of the nation’s most anticipated showcases of art publishing, print culture, and contemporary creative expression.
The Merdeka 118 Community Grants programme supports creative and cultural projects in and around the Merdeka 118 precinct, creating deeper connections between the landmark and the surrounding communities.
As a Merdeka 118 Community Grantee, the KLABF organisers had transformed the space into a bustling creative hub filled with indie publishers, artists, designers, photographers and book lovers from all over.
The collaboration further strengthens PNBMV’s commitment to Warisan KL, an initiative that is revitalising the historic heart of Kuala Lumpur, and nurtures a vibrant ecosystem of creators, makers and cultural practitioners.
PNBMV chief executive officer Dato’ Tengku Ab. Aziz Tengku Mahmud said the vibrancy and evolving creative energy of Kuala Lumpur city was reflected at the Kuala Lumpur Art Book Fair reflects
“At PNBMV, we are proud to support platforms that nurture Malaysia’s cultural ecosystem and provide opportunities for creators to grow, innovate and reach wider audiences.
“KLABF embodies the spirit of community, creativity, and collaboration that defines the Merdeka 118 precinct, and we look forward to continuing our partnership to uplift local talent and strengthen Kuala Lumpur’s cultural landscape,” he said.
Think City managing director Dato’ Hamdan Majeed said KLABF reflected the growing appetite for accessible and community-centred cultural experiences in Kuala Lumpur city.
“At Think City, we believe that a thriving creative economy is essential to building vibrant, liveable urban environments.
“Our collaboration with PNBMV through the Merdeka 118 Community Grants Programme underscores our shared commitment to nurturing local talent, supporting independent creative practitioners, and ensuring that culture remains an integral part of Kuala Lumpur’s urban regeneration journey,” he said.
Loo Chee Keong, recipient of the Merdeka 118 Community Grants Programme said the grant has allowed them to allocate resources to build better content and experiences for visitors.
“This year we were able to set up a dedicated exhibition and do better marketing for the fair, which wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. It’s rewarding to see the fair improve and we hope to elevate it even further in the future.
“We hope to keep growing steadily and attract more general public to the fair, bringing greater awareness to the art and design industry.
“My bigger hope is to build a healthy creative ecology, where creators continue producing meaningful work and visitors stay inspired and engaged.”
Through the Merdeka 118 Community Grants programme, now in its third cycle, PNBMV continues to champion initiatives that empower local talent, enrich community spaces and grow Malaysia’s creative economy.
KLABF is an annual event that brings together artists, designers, publishers, writers and creative practitioners from Malaysia and across the region. The fair continues to play a significant role in fostering creative exchange, collaboration, and discovery within Southeast Asia’s creative landscape.
