Martin Looi, however, has no time to admire his surroundings. It’s about 8.30am on Aug 14, and the Melaka-born musician is tuning his violin, getting ready for one of the most exciting performances of his life.
Within the hour, Looi will be launching into a high-altitude rendition of the national anthem atop this iconic landmark. This is his way of celebrating Merdeka Day: by performing the “highest”-ever rendition of “Negaraku”.
“I released an album (his EP “Sugary”) last year and wanted to do something even more special and extraordinary this year,” the 25-year-old told FMT Lifestyle. “I also wanted to find out if I was afraid of heights and push past that boundary.
“So, what better place to test myself than the iconic KL tower with its breathtaking view?”
A prominent Malaysian musician, Looi is known for blending his classical training with contemporary influences. He has performed at many events, and collaborated with bestselling artistes such as Joe Flizzow and Jaclyn Victor.
This attempt was a long time coming, and planning it was not easy. They had aimed to film the performance earlier but encountered delays in getting a drone permit.
“Setting up the mic for the violin at the perfect angle was also a challenge, as the winds up top were strong, and we wanted to prevent the microphone from picking them up,” Looi explained.
Still, he and his team persevered and eventually obtained the necessary permissions. His sister, Lav Looi, rearranged and produced a violin version of the national anthem for him.
“My team and I also had lots of fun designing a double-breasted bespoke suit for me to wear, which features the colours of the Jalur Gemilang to symbolise the peace and harmony of the rakyat,” Looi added.
High achievement
It’s the moment of truth as Looi steps out on the Sky Box platform, 300m in the sky. Cameras roll, and Looi prepares to stream his performance on social media.
Whatever nerves he might have had vanish as he picks up his bow. Accompanied by a backing track, he begins to play, and soon a familiar melody fills the air.
Hearing this musical homage to Malaysia, with the thriving skyscape of Kuala Lumpur all around you, is nothing short of a stirring experience.
Applause comes once Looi has finished, and the musician breathes a sigh of relief. He regales the audience with a few other songs, such as BTS’ “Treasure” and patriotic anthems such as “Setia” and “Keranamu Malaysia”.
Check out the official video of his “Negaraku” performance.
For his efforts, Looi attained the record for the “highest-altitude Facebook live broadcasting performance”, which was presented to him by Malaysia Book of Records representative Edwin Yeoh.
Tired but satisfied, Looi said he hopes his sky-high performance will inspire young musicians to continually improve their talents while fostering a deep love for the country.
“I dedicate this to all my fellow Malaysians, near and far,” he concluded. “I hope we will continue to have peace and success now and in the future. Happy Merdeka!”