Viral videos circulating on social media have captured the evacuation of employees from The Exchange 106—Malaysia’s fourth-tallest building. As the power system was abruptly cut, individuals were forced to fumble through the darkness using flashlights, inching down the staircases of the 445-meter tower situated in the heart of Kuala Lumpur's financial district.
The footage quickly garnered a wave of humorous commentary.
“Suddenly, an involuntary weight loss session. If the power came back on just as I reached the ground floor, I would cry,” one user joked.
Another account quipped: “And they still aspire to be a developed nation like this?”
According to the national utility company Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), the incident stemmed from a lightning strike at the Edra Power Plant in Melaka state, causing power interruptions across various locations in the Klang Valley, including Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and surrounding areas.
“We apologize for the inconvenience and thank the public for their patience,” the company announced on Facebook, noting that technical teams were mobilized to restore power in stages. By 5:54 PM on the same day, the entire power system was fully restored.
Beyond The Exchange 106, major shopping centers such as Mid Valley Megamall, Pavilion Damansara Heights, and the TRX complex were also plunged into darkness. Traffic on several routes in Kuala Lumpur was stalled due to non-functional traffic signals, while reports of power outages were also recorded in Kluang, Tampin, Ipoh, Kuantan, and Sendayan.
The Exchange 106 features 106 stories and currently ranks 23rd on the list of the world's tallest buildings, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Developers describe the structure as “a beacon visible from afar, symbolizing a nation on the rise.”
