ASEAN Legacy Tunnel Takes Leaders On A Journey Through History And Regional Progress

By Aisha Hani Nor Azmir

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 (Bernama) — Traversing a virtual waterfall and tunnel, national leaders attending the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) will have the opportunity to see and appreciate the history and development of the bloc since its establishment in 1967.

The ASEAN Legacy Tunnel and River of Progress are displayed on 80 LED panels, covering a total area of 1,200 square metres. The route also features visuals showcasing ASEAN’s progress.

Adding to the uniqueness of the experience, the interactive floor along the route produces a ripple effect with every step, as if the leaders are walking on the surface of calm water.

Upon arrival at the main entrance of KLCC, the heads of state will be welcomed into a dome that is 10 metres high with a 20-metre diameter, adorned with an artificial waterfall, surrounded by flora and fauna, and set against the iconic backdrop of the Petronas Twin Towers.

It doesn’t just give the leaders the impression of being immersed in a natural environment; every image displayed and element featured carries its own message.

Speaking to Bernama, Head of the ASEAN 2025 Main Logistics Secretariat (SILA), Raja Saifful Ridzuwan Raja Kamaruddin, said that the idea and concept of using flora, fauna, and rivers for the dome and pathway structures were initiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said that unlike conventional static displays, this digital exhibition is designed as a fully immersive experience, combining technology, history, and regional identity.

Raja Saifful Ridzuwan further noted that the ASEAN Legacy Tunnel and River of Progress aim to take the leaders on a comprehensive journey through ASEAN’s history and development, from its founding to Malaysia’s chairmanship in 2025.

“Our goal is to take our country’s guests on a journey through ASEAN’s history, from its establishment up to Malaysia’s chairmanship in 2025.”

“…we chose this visual format to pack in more content and save space. We want to highlight ASEAN’s significance and, for Malaysia, show how the bloc has contributed to national development and served as a pillar of its foreign relations,” he said.

Additionally, Raja Saifful Ridzuwan said the overall concept of the exhibition also reflects Malaysia’s commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in line with the ASEAN 2025 aspirations, while showcasing technological sophistication.

He said that most of the energy used to power the LED system and interactive displays is generated from smart energy and solar power, supplied through the existing infrastructure at KLCC.

Explaining about the technology used in the ASEAN Legacy Tunnel, he said, high-tech motion scanners will trigger real-time reflections of water and flora as visitors move through the pathway, creating an immersive experience as if walking on the surface of water.

He added that the concept carries a symbolic message: rivers are the lifeblood and starting point of civilisations and regional relations, while also conveying that these natural resources are not merely geographical features but a source of economic and cultural unity among ASEAN communities.

Malaysia, as the Chair of ASEAN for 2025 with the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, will host the 47th ASEAN Summit from Oct 26 to 28, bringing together leaders from all 10 ASEAN member states as well as key dialogue partners, including the United States, China, Japan, and India.

This summit is expected to be the largest ASEAN gathering since the organisation’s establishment in 1967, reflecting the region’s growing importance and the increasing global interest in ASEAN’s strategic role.

This marks the fifth time Malaysia has assumed the ASEAN chairmanship, after previously holding the role in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015.

-- BERNAMA