Menara Merdeka 118 becomes tallest building with WELL Core Platinum certification

PETALING JAYA (March 2): Menara Merdeka 118 has received Platinum level WELL Core Certification, making it the tallest building in the world to achieve the rating.

PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd (PNBMV), a subsidiary of Permodalan Nasional Bhd, said the certification was awarded under the WELL Building Standard administered by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI).

PNBMV CEO Datuk Ir Ts Izwan Ibrahim said the recognition is ultimately about people, adding that Menara Merdeka 118 aims for tenants and their teams to feel the difference the moment they step in, from the quality of the air they breathe to the comfort of the spaces they work in.

“Being WELL Core Certified at the highest level gives our tenants a strong foundation to build healthy, people-centred workplaces while supporting their wider sustainability and employee well-being goals.

“It also strengthens Menara Merdeka 118’s appeal to leading organisations that prioritise performance, talent experience and responsible business practices,” he said in a statement today.

Izwan said the recognition builds on Merdeka 118 being named Malaysia’s first MD Nexus location and reinforces its ambition to position the precinct as a leading destination for global and regional companies.

“This milestone not only elevates Merdeka 118 but also positions Malaysia at the forefront of healthy and sustainable workplace development.

“It reflects our commitment to building with purpose while remaining grounded in responsibility to the community as we shape Merdeka 118 into a globally recognised precinct that attracts world-class tenants, talent and partnerships,” he said.

Focus on health and building standards

IWBI president and CEO Rachel Hodgdon said that as the world’s tallest WELL Certified building, Merdeka 118 is redefining expectations for iconic developments and demonstrating leadership in healthy buildings.

“This achievement sends a powerful signal to the global real estate industry that the future of landmark buildings is not just about height or ambition, but about prioritising the health and well-being of the people inside,” she said.

Menara Merdeka 118 met requirements across air and water quality, thermal comfort, materials, mental well-being, accessibility, emergency preparedness, and connectivity to public transport.

Key measures include high-performance air filtration and ventilation systems, indoor air quality monitoring, water safety management, the use of low-emitting materials, and consistent thermal conditions.

The building also incorporates features to support mental well-being, universal accessibility, and access to surrounding amenities.

IWBI senior vice president and head of Asia Pacific Jack Noonan said the tower’s influence extends beyond Malaysia and the Asia Pacific region.

“Achieving WELL Core Platinum Certification at this scale shows that health-centred design is not only possible for mega-tall buildings, but essential for a health-first future.

“It reinforces APAC’s growing leadership in shaping world-class, future-ready developments that put people’s health at the heart of progress,” he said.

The certification process was carried out with JLL Sustainability Consulting as the WELL consultant and Airscan Malaysia as the performance testing agent.

PNBMV said it will continue improving health and sustainability standards across its portfolio, with Menara Merdeka 118 positioned as a key asset in that strategy.

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