Kuantan 188

Kuantan 188 (Malay: Menara Kuantan 188) is a 30-storey, 188-meter (616 feet) observation tower situated along the banks of the Kuantan River in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. Officially inaugurated on February 21, 2021, it stands as the second tallest telecommunications tower in Malaysia, after the Kuala Lumpur Tower (421 m) and holds the distinction of being the tallest structure in the East Coast Economic Region (ECER).^[1][2]

Kuantan 188
Menara Kuantan 188
Kuantan 188 in 2023
Former names	Menara Teruntum (planning stage)
General information
Status	Completed
Location	Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
Address	Jalan Mahkota, 25000 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
Groundbreaking	2012
Construction started	2012
Topped-out	2020
Completed	2021
Opened	2021
Cost	RM 40 million
Owner	Pahang Director of Lands and Mines; Pahang State Government Secretary
Height	188 m (617 ft)
Technical details
Floor count	1 observation deck + antenna mast
Design and construction
Architecture firm	RSP Architects Sdn Bhd
Structural engineer	RSP Engineers
Main contractor	IJM Construction Sdn Bhd
Website
Official website

History

The tower (formerly known as Menara Teruntum) was conceived as part of the Kuantan Waterfront redevelopment initiative by the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC). The tower's design was conceptualised by Neoformation Architects Sdn Bhd. The structural engineering was handled by Meinhardt Group. The project was led by ECERDC and Pembinaan Purcon Sdn Bhd as the main contractors, with KLCC Projects Sdn Bhd as project manager.^[3]

Construction officially began in August 2017. The tower received its Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) in November 2020, although construction concluded earlier, on 3 September 2019. it was officially inaugurated on 21 February 2021 by Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Sultan of Pahang.

Design and Architecture

Kuantan 188 Tower exhibits a neo-futurist design with influences from Malay traditional motifs and industrial modernism. Its exposed steel lattice structure serves both aesthetic and functional purposes, evoking the imagery of a spear tip (reflecting Pahang's royal emblem) and the Teruntum mangrove flower (Lumnitzera racemosa), native to the region.^[4]

Facilities and attractions

Observation Deck and Sky Deck

Kuantan 188 offers visitors panoramic views of Kuantan city and the Kuantan River from its Observation Deck, situated at 92 meters above ground, and the Sky Deck at 104 meters.^[5] These decks provide a 360-degree perspective of the surrounding landscapes, including the South China Sea and nearby mangrove forests.^[6]

Noriaku Japanese Restaurant

Located within the tower, Noriaku Japanese Restaurant provides a dining experience with a 360-degree view of the city. The restaurant offers a variety of Japanese cuisine, allowing guests to enjoy meals while overlooking Kuantan's skyline.^[7]

Souvenir shop and public amenities

The tower's lobby houses a souvenir shop. Adjacent to the tower is Laman Kuantan 188, a public space featuring a playground, jogging tracks, and food kiosks, providing recreational options for visitors.^[8]

Significance

As the tallest structure in the East Coast Economic Region (ECER), Kuantan 188 serves as a symbol of the region's development and modernization efforts. The tower is part of the Kuantan Waterfront project, aimed at boosting tourism and socio-economic activities in the area. Since its opening, Kuantan 188 has become a prominent landmark, attracting both local and international tourists.^[9]