Values, creativity and purpose of profession must resonate with group amid shifting career choices: Minister
KUALA LUMPUR: The architectural community has been urged to make its work more relevant to young people, as artificial intelligence and high-paying short-term opportunities increasingly shape career choices.
Speaking at the Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival 2026 yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh stressed the importance of nurturing values and creativity among young Malaysians, while encouraging them to consider careers in architecture.
“If you ask children today what they want to be, many say ‘influencers’ because they can earn RM15,000 in minutes with a single social media post. Why would they spend five to six years studying architecture and designing for months to earn less?
“How do you inspire an eight-year-old girl to become an architect for her generation? How will future buildings look?
“So, our task is to ensure that architects’ skills, values and convictions resonate with this generation, showing them that architecture still matters,” she said.
Yeoh added that while competing with emerging professions is challenging, collaboration among professionals driven by a shared purpose can deliver meaningful outcomes.
She highlighted that transforming Malaysia requires time and courage to move away from conventional approaches, urging the private sector and professional bodies to work with authorities to improve public facilities in Kuala Lumpur.
She also said the government would work closely with the Malaysian Institute of Architects (MIA) and other professionals to revitalise public spaces, pledging RM20,000 to MIA to support the initiatives.
“One of the first priorities is improving public shower facilities. If we want to promote a healthy lifestyle, the infrastructure must support it. This is something we will develop together with stakeholders and explore new ideas.
“With only 24 months, I have a very difficult task of turning Kuala Lumpur around. But I know I cannot do it alone and I want to do more. At my first public event as a Federal Territories minister, I am inviting others to walk alongside me,” she added.
Yeoh also shared her experience transforming the KL Sports City Stadium, including addressing flooding issues, introducing big screen programmes for football fans and children, opening the stadium for school sports days and optimising idle spaces for concerts and public use.
“These efforts increased stadium revenue and fostered community engagement.
“This shows that transforming Malaysia takes time and courage. It requires stepping out of the norm and being willing to fail at first. But with persistence and collaboration, results follow,” she said.
Meanwhile, MIA president Adrianta Aziz acknowledged the growing influence of AI, but stressed that young architects must adapt rather than resist technological change.
“AI is an essential tool, but it cannot replace the human brain and creativity. Just as AutoCAD transformed architecture in our time, AI is a new innovation that can improve results, but human insight remains central,” he said.
Adrianta said architecture was not merely about technical skills or terminology, but about aspiration, inspiration and passion.
“Architecture is not just about teaching terms or following a syllabus. It is about inspiring young minds and helping them understand design, space and urban life.
“At MIA, we have always believed that architecture is ultimately about helping society,” he added.
He also stressed the need for architects to balance sustainability, heritage, resilience and local perspectives, ensuring designs respond to future needs while reflecting the values, memories and identities of communities.
“This festival challenges us to ask how we design responsibly, how we honour the past while shaping the future and how we build inclusive, humane and green cities.
“We seek to involve local residents, students, creatives, businesses and communities, because meaningful architecture responds to real people and real places.
“Future culture moves from memory to action. Architecture has the power to transform cities, impact lives and shape our shared tomorrow.”
