Merdeka 118 Achieves LEED Platinum—What EVCC™ Pedas RSA Can Learn from Malaysia’s Triple-Green Skyscraper

Image Credit : The Merdeka 118 Tower

On 19 April 2024, Merdeka 118, Southeast Asia’s tallest building and the world’s second-tallest, secured LEED Platinum certification under the LEED v2009 Core & Shell rating system—making it the first mega-tall building in Malaysia to achieve this globally recognized milestone in green design.

Developed by PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd (PNBMV), Merdeka 118 is now on track to become Malaysia’s first triple-platinum rated sustainable building, targeting further certifications from GreenRE (Green Real Estate Index) and GBI (Green Building Index), as well as the WELL Building Standard for wellness and user-centric design.

As Malaysia moves decisively into the era of sustainable development, Merdeka 118 offers a blueprint that other projects—like EVCC™ Pedas RSA—can adapt to highway-scale infrastructure.

Merdeka 118: A National Symbol of Sustainable Excellence

Standing at 678.9 metres, Merdeka 118 integrates energy efficiency, low-emission materials, rainwater harvesting, and smart building management into one of the world’s most iconic towers. Its certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and oversight by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) reflect global best practices in environmental performance.

According to PNBMV CEO Tengku Datuk Ab. Aziz Tengku Mahmud, this marks “the first milestone in Merdeka 118’s journey to become Malaysia’s first triple-green platinum-rated mega-tall building.”

EVCC™ Pedas RSA: Applying Mega-Tall Lessons to Ground-Level Innovation

While EVCC™ Pedas RSA serves a different purpose, it shares the same values: sustainability, user well-being, and national impact. Positioned at KM241 on the PLUS Expressway, it is Malaysia’s first private-sector developed, EV-first Rest & Service Area (RSA)—designed to align with Platinum-level GreenRE standards.

What EVCC™ Pedas RSA Can Learn from Merdeka 118:

1. Triple-Green Aspirations Enhance Investor Confidence

Merdeka 118 is targeting certification across LEED, GreenRE, and GBI, elevating its long-term value and ESG positioning. For EVCC™ Pedas RSA, the pursuit of GreenRE Platinum certification not only meets regulatory standards but also:

• Strengthens green infrastructure credentials

• Enhances appeal to EV ecosystem partners (e.g., Tesla, Gentari)

• Signals alignment with Malaysia’s low-carbon mobility agenda

2. LEED’s Emphasis on Lifecycle Efficiency

Merdeka 118 was awarded for its excellence in façade design, energy efficiency, and low-carbon construction practices. Similarly, EVCC™ Pedas RSA integrates:

• Rainwater harvesting via RC gutter system with siphonic suction

• Circular building design for natural ventilation and reduced mechanical loads

• Integrated Solar Bi-Facial PV roofing to reduce heat absorption and visual footprint

3. User-Centric Design Beyond Energy Metrics

Merdeka 118’s pursuit of WELL certification underlines that sustainability is not just technical—it’s experiential. This is reflected in EVCC™ Pedas RSA’s approach:

• Large prayer facilities (Surau), clean toilets, and shaded seating are at the centre—not periphery—of the layout

• A curated F&B experience through McDonald’s, Tealive, and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

• Seamless access from both expressway and local roads, improving user reach and accessibility

4. Setting a Replicable National Benchmark

Merdeka 118 proves that sustainability can be iconic. EVCC™ Pedas RSA proves that it can also be replicable and scalable. With plans to extend the EVCC™ model across multiple highway corridors, Pedas RSA becomes a national benchmark for future-ready, ESG-aligned infrastructure.

Merdeka 118 represents the pinnacle of green building at the urban scale. EVCC™ Pedas RSA delivers the same ambition—grounded in every kilometre of Malaysia’s expressways.

A Shared Vision for Sustainable Malaysia

Whether standing 678 metres tall or built at highway level, both Merdeka 118 and EVCC™ Pedas RSA demonstrate Malaysia’s leadership in sustainable infrastructure. Their stories are different in scale, but united in purpose—to create a built environment that is efficient, inclusive, and climate-resilient.

Sustainability isn’t just vertical—it travels every road. EVCC™ Pedas RSA—Where Mobility Meets Environmental Responsibility.

🔗 Learn more: www.evcc.my

Reference: Merdeka 118 achieves LEED Platinum Certification – The Star, April 2024

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