In a stark tale of ambition meeting reality, a colossal city built in Malaysia to house hundreds of thousands stands eerily vacant, with only a fraction of its planned population calling it home.
Forest City, a development initiated in 2016 by the Chinese conglomerate Country Garden as part of China's vast Belt and Road Initiative, was originally conceived as a futuristic metropolis for 700,000 residents.
The Grand Vision and Its Stalled Reality
A staggering investment of £80 billion was poured into creating this community, with promises of an eco-friendly and technologically advanced landscape. The project boasts a waterpark, a selection of restaurants and bars, and even a golf course.
However, reports from outlets like The Express reveal a different story. Despite these lavish amenities, only approximately 9,000 people have moved to Forest City since construction began years ago. The development has been severely hampered, with only around 15 per cent completed as of last year.
A 'Ghost Town' Experience
Those who have ventured to live there describe a profoundly unsettling atmosphere. Nazmi Hanafiah, an IT engineer, lived in a one-bedroom flat for six months before leaving abruptly.
He told the BBC, 'I didn't care about my deposit, I didn't care about the money. I just had to get out.' He labelled Forest City a 'ghost town', adding, 'I'm getting goosebumps just being back.'
Another resident, Joanne Kaur, echoed this sentiment, stating, 'This place is eerie. Even during the day, when you step out of your front door the corridor is dark.'
What Went Wrong for Forest City?
A significant turning point came in 2017, just one year after the project's launch, when China's capital controls changed. According to LadBible, this policy shift led to a dramatic drop in investment, creating major issues in completing the work.
Despite the challenges, Country Garden has told the BBC it remains 'optimistic' that the city will eventually be finished. The company's website continues to portray Forest City, which spans four islands across 30km², as a 'smart and green futuristic city' that will create an ideal, technology-driven ecosystem.
