KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad expressed feelings of emotion and gratitude as he had the opportunity to personally open the Vision 2020 time capsule, which he buried over 28 years ago, during a special ceremony at the Kuala Lumpur Tower on Sunday.
The capsule, buried on Oct 1, 1996, contained various symbolic items that reflected Malaysia’s aspirations and hopes of becoming a developed nation, as outlined in the Vision 2020 initiative.
"I didn’t expect to be able to see these items again. I thought I wouldn’t be around by then. But Alhamdulillah, I was still given the chance to open it, read, and see the contents myself. It’s something I’m truly grateful for,” he said at a press conference on Sunday.
He added that when the capsule was buried, he never anticipated he would live long enough to witness the momentous occasion.
"When I buried this capsule, I didn’t expect to ever open it. In 2020, I would already be of old age. I thought I wouldn’t live to see it. But now, although it’s been opened later than planned, I was still given the chance,” he said with emotion.
The capsule-opening ceremony was held in conjunction with the ‘Celebrate Raya with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’ programme organised by Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd (MKLSB), featuring the unveiling of various memorabilia including an identity card, photos, a phone, media statements and a poem written by Dr Mahathir himself.
Dr Mahathir also praised the management of the Kuala Lumpur Tower, which he said has been well-administered and remains a symbol of national achievement since its construction.
"I hope this tower continues to symbolise the country’s level of progress. When it was built, there were no skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur. But now, KL is like New York, full of tall buildings.
"God willing, I hope Kuala Lumpur continues to grow as a metropolitan centre for economic, political and social activity and contributes to the world,” he said.