KUALA LUMPUR – Angela Nikolau, the extreme climber who made headlines recently after scaling Merdeka 118, could only react in bemusement over police’s claim that videos of her adventure up the world’s second-tallest building could have been fake.
Speaking to The Vibes, the 29-year-old Russian woman said the multiple clips uploaded by her and partner Ivan Beerkus on their social media accounts should have been sufficient evidence of the authenticity of their climb.
She added that looking at her years-long experience in extreme scaling, it would have been odd for her to lie about the matter, jeopardising her long-established credibility.
“I don’t know how to respond to assumptions that the videos posted are fake, because I think there is enough content showing they are true,” she said.
“I think it would take too much time and effort to fake such things! Also, as the first woman rooftopper, I have to keep up the high standard.
“And taking into account my previous experiences and NFTs (non-fungible tokens), it would be strange to post something fake.”
NFTs are digital identifiers recorded and minted on blockchain technology and are used to certify authenticity and ownership.
News of Nikolau and Beerkus scaling the 679-m Merdeka 118 first broke on December 27, after a photo of the daredevil couple atop the high-rise was posted on SkyscraperCity.com.
The pair confirmed their stunt two days later through separate Instagram posts featuring videos and drone footage of them on the peak of the tower’s spire, both describing the structure as the most beautiful skyscraper they have been to.
On Sunday, Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Datuk Yahaya Othman said the authorities were not ruling out the possibility that the viral clips had been digitally manipulated.
He said police were investigating the authenticity of the videos making the rounds on social media after being informed by the tower’s management that the tight security there would have made it extremely difficult for anyone to enter or climb.
The case is being investigated under the Penal Code for trespassing after a police report was lodged.
Nikolau said she would be releasing a new photo taken from the rooftop of Merdeka 118 tomorrow, which will lend further credence to the authenticity of her climb.
Meanwhile, Nikolau confirmed she has not been summoned or questioned by police yet, but kept mum on her current whereabouts for fear of repercussions.
To her followers in Malaysia, Nikolau had this to say: “I loved Malaysia, it is an amazing country! Not sure if I’ll be welcomed there again though.” – The Vibes, January 4, 2023
