Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, rising to 678.9 metres and the tallest building in Southeast Asia, was designed to evoke the stance of Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia's first prime minister (1957–1970), as he proclaimed the nation’s independence on 31 August 1957. The tower’s form reflects his iconic gesture of raising his arm—represented by the spire—while chanting Merdeka, meaning ‘Independence’, seven times.