Sara-Timur in joint venture to build RM600mil project

KOTA BARU: Kuala Lumpur-based Sara-Timur Sdn Bhd will be developing the RM600mil Kota Baru Sentral@Tunjung on 40 acres in a joint venture with Tunjung Development Corp and Perbadanan Mentri Besar Kelantan.

It took Sara-Timur several years of planning to fully exploit the potential of the site so that investors can make the best from the new urban development. — PROFESSOR EMERITUS M ZAWAWI ISMAIL

Sara-Timur chairman Prof Emeritus Datuk M Zawawi Ismail said the project, which would be launched after Hari Raya in August, would incorporate elements of a modern lifestyle urban intelligent city.

The project includes a village shopping mall, convention and function mall, leisure center, cineplex, boutique hotels, service apartments, office suites, a library and housing residences located in Bandar Baru Tunjung.

Zawawi told reporters after witnessing the launch of the Rehda Exhebition here yesterday that the project would incorporate green technologies and attract investors from Kelantan as well as other states. It would be tailored to sustain economic growth.

“It took Sara-Timur several years of careful planning to fully exploit the potential of the site so that investors can make the best from the new urban development,” he said.

Zawawi also said Bandar Baru Tunjung has been selected as a new city to match the pace of Kota Baru town while the area would change over the next five years as environmentally-friendly features were incorporated.

Meanwhile, Sara-Timur founder and managing director John Loi Hieng Yee said in a statement that the company chose to support the new development because of the incredible impact it would make on the lives of families and the community.

He said the project provided attractive investment opportunities with the local government drawing private capital via a new strategy for urban redevelopment.

Sara-Timur was founded in 1995 in Kuching but relocated to Kuala Lumpur. Its projects include Sutera Harbour Resort and Sandakan Habour Square in Sabah, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Sarawak State Stadium.

By The Star

Sara-Timur expands

New borders: Artist’s impression of Mersing Laguna – a multi-billion ringgit integrated resort development on three reclaimed islands – in Johor.

KUCHING-based construction and property development company Sara-Timur Sdn Bhd is building its presence in Peninsular Malaysia with a number of projects in the pipeline.

The company has an order book of RM2bil worth of construction projects and RM1.8bil of development projects.

Sara-Timur has two development projects in the peninsular KB Sentral at Bandar Baru Tunjong in Kota Bahru, Kelantan; and Mersing Laguna in Johor. It is also undertaking construction projects at KL Sentral and Utama Lodge Condo in OUG, Kuala Lumpur; and Teliti Data Centre in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.

Sara-Timur managing director John Loi says with the company's successful venture to Peninsular Malaysia, it has established a platform to grow into a better known industry player.

“There are more opportunities here in Peninsular Malaysia for us and we intend to build up the company's presence here,” he tells StarBizWeek.

KB Sentral project in Kota Bahru which is to kick off around the middle of this year for completion in five years, will have a gross development value of RM1.2bil.

The project is a joint-venture urban development between Perbadanan Menteri Besar Kelantan, Tunjong Development Corporation Sdn Bhd and Sara-Timur Urban Development Sdn Bhd.

The 42 acres of new lifestyle project in Kota Bahru is part of the 2,000 acres of new urban redevelopment project of Bandar Baru Tunjong by the Kelantan state government.

Located about 6km from the Kota Bharu town, the new business hub is to meet the growing needs of the local populace.

Loi says the development is based on the Intelligent City concept of cosmopolitan community living where occupants will get to enjoy high-speed broadband connectivity.

Meanwhile, Mersing Laguna is a multi-billion ringgit integrated resort development on three reclaimed islands totalling over 2,000 acres set in the South China Sea off the town of Mersing in Johor.

The islands are designed as an oasis dotted by premier residential, commercial and tourism-related developments encased in an eco-friendly environment.

The developer of Mersing Laguna, Radiant Starfish Development Bhd, has awarded one of the construction packages, parcel 12 to Radiant Sara-Timur International Sdn Bhd.

Loi says the award is based on a turnkey design and build contract valued at RM360mil for the construction of an integrated resort development comprising a 5-star 216-room hotel, 70 service apartments, and 73 villas.

Radiant Sara-Timur has also been awarded another turnkey design and build package for an estimated sum of RM370mil by the same developer that involves the redevelopment of the existing Mersing township. Also known as the “Mersing Urban Renewal Development Project”, Loi says the company will apply its experience in the urban renewal project of the Sandakan Harbor Front project to help revitalise Mersing.

“The urban renewal program that includes the building of new business class hotels, recreational parks, cultural centres, medical centres, and commercial and business areas, will cater to the growing population by meeting their aspirations and needs. There will also be provision for the recovery of the foreshore around Mersing, allowing for the development of landscaped boulevards and recreational amenities for the local population,” he explains.

Sara-Timur also has two projects in Kota Kinabalu Jade Residence and the Jesselton Point Hotel comprising 140 rooms, 118 hotel suites and 25 business suites.

Projects it has completed to-date include the Sandakan Harbour Square, Sutera Harbour Hotel and Resort, Sarawak State Stadium, and Taman Tiong Ung Siew in Sibu.

Loi: ‘Sara-Timur has the resources to deliver sustainable solutions in both single-use and mixed-use developments and urban redevelopments.’

Loi says Sara-Timur will increase its hotel assets from one in Sandakan currently to other assets in Mersing, Kota Bahru and Kota Kinabalu.

Despite the challenging external front, he says the outlook for the local construction and property sectors looks quite stable.

“In the past three years, the company's turnover has doubled to RM350mil for the financial year (FY) ending May 31. We are confident the performance will get better going forward.”

Loi says the company hopes its revenue from property development will increase to 50% in the next three years from less than 15% in financial year 2011.

Sara-Timur has recently set up its corporate headquarters at Solaris Dutamas in Kuala Lumpur, and is looking to increase its paid-up capital to RM18mil from RM10mil now.

He says the company's forte lies in urban renewal projects to give a new lease of life to old dilapidated townships around the country.

“Sara-Timur has the resources to deliver sustainable solutions in both single-use and mixed-use developments and urban redevelopments. Its capabilities include building and civil engineering contracts comprising project management, turnkey design and construction, and project partnering.

“We choose to support new development and urban redevelopment because of the incredible impact they make on the lives of the families and the communities.

“New developments also provide attractive investment opportunities. They form the main elements of a new strategy by our local governments to see to the implementation of both new development and urban redevelopment plans through the attraction of private capital,” Loi points out.

To finance the company's expansion, Loi does not discount the possibility of Sara-Timur making an initial public offering on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia.

“We are looking at the option and hopefully our listing plans will materialise by this year,” he says.

By The Star

Work on KB Sentral project to take off in June

KOTA BARU: Construction and engineering firm Sara-Timur Sdn Bhd plans to invest up to RM600 million to develop an integrated commercial property project called Kota Baru Sentral@Tunjong in Kelantan.

Chairman emeritus professor Datuk Dr M. Zawawi Ismail said the project, which will feature shopping malls, luxury apartments and condominiums, a convention centre and office blocks, will be developed over three phases on a 16.5ha land in Tunjong.

"We expect to begin construction by June or July as land acquisition procedures and other preliminary engineering works are already completed," he told reporters here.

The project, Zawawi said, will be jointly developed with the Kelantan Menteri Besar Incorporated and Tunjong Development Corporation.

He said the first phase of the project involving a shopping centre called "village mall" is expected to be ready for occupation in two anda half years.

"We expect the entire project to be fully ready in five to seven years from now," Zawawi said.

He said Kelantan traditional architecture and contemporary Islamic designs will be infused into buildings in the project.

By Business Times

A leisure place for Kelantanese

An artist’s impression of QueensPark SportzCity & Boulevard project in Kelantan.

KRISTANA Holdings Sdn Bhd, the property arm of logistics company Metroport Group Bhd, is investing RM30mil to build its maiden property project, the QueensPark SportzCity & Boulevard lifestyle and recreational centre in Kota Baru, Kelantan.

Meeting Kristana group managing director Datuk Dr Stanley Chew, one is tempted to ask the obvious why Kelantan?

The state is no doubt popular for its rich traditional culture and heritage. However, more often than not, it's Kelantan's conservative enforcement rules towards entertainment that's more renowned.

Still, Chew is confident about the prospects of the company's QueensPark SportzCity & Boulevard project, insisting that it would be the first of its kind in Kota Baru.

Our concept is different from the conventional shopping complexes and hypermarts in Kota Baru. Apart from (just) shopping, we will also offer recreational facilities and al fresco dining to potential customers, he tells StarBizWeek. The project is slated for completion next month and will be officially launched in April 2011. The QueensPark SportzCity is a commercial sports and recreational centre that will boast the largest bowling outlet (with 36 lanes), snooker and pool centre, four futsal courts (including one FIFA-sized court) and a musical roller-skating rink (also a first in the state's capital).


Datuk Dr Stanley Chew ... ‘Our concept is different.’

Chew says apart from commercial reasons, having multiple bowling alleys and futsal courts means the centre would also be able to host international sports events some day.

He adds that space within QueensPark SportzCity would only be rented out (rather than sold) as the company wants to maintain control over the activities that are offered at the centre.

We already have interested bowling operators that want to start business at our centre, says Chew.

Getting the tenants

Meanwhile, the QueensPark Boulevard comprises 32 units of two and three storeys of shopping space. These shops will comprise food and beverage outlets, convenient stores, health and beauty, information technology, crafts centres and banking services.

We will start offering the stores to potential tenants this month, says Chew, adding that the shops would be priced at around RM220 psf.

He also says selection of the tenants would be selective, adding that Kristana would also have a say on who the tenants wanted to sub-let their premises to.

We want to have a certain level of control over what we offer at QueensPark Boulevard, says Chew.

He says 70% of the tenant mix would comprise local businesses.

People that come to Kelantan want to enjoy and experience the local culture and food. The remaining 30% of the tenants will offer foreign products. This is to offer variety to our customers.

Chew says the centre was developed on the build-then-sell concept so that potential tenants would have the assurance that the building is already up and ready.

When they purchase the premises, they would be able to rent it out and start earning rental yields immediately. The project is also strategically located within prime land. As there is already a park and crafts centre nearby, there's an available crowd to attract.

Chew says the centre would also be able to leverage on Kelantan's unique weekend' which falls on Friday and Saturday.

Kelantanese observe Saturday and Sunday as their weekend. This means that the state's weekend is actually three days long instead of just two. A longer weekend means more time for the crowds to come in and shop.

The location

The QueensPark SportzCity & Boulevard is strategically located opposite the Taman Perbandaran Tengku Anis recreational park and close to a crafts centre, says Chew.

Because of the location of our centre, we can attract a wide range of customers. Rather than just attract shoppers, the area will pull in crowds that want to enjoy a walk in the park. Those that appreciate cultural arts can go to the crafts centre.

After that, they could shop or enjoy a meal at our centre. Alternatively, they could play a game of futsal, go roller-skating or bowl.

Chew says with the project's strategic location, the aim is to position the centre as a hub for sports, lifestyle and entertainment activities.

According to Chew, the QueensPark name was inspired by the Tengku Anis recreational park (Tengku Anis being the former queen of Kelantan).

He says the development was influenced by international public parks, such as Hyde Park and Central Park in London and New York respectively.

Hyde Park and Central Park are popularly sought-after addresses and we wanted to emulate that by having a complex by a famous park in Kota Baru, says Chew.

Pulling the crowd

Apart from attracting customers from within Kelantan, Chew hopes the centre would also be able to pull in crowds from neighbouring countries, especially Thailand.

A lot of people from the south of Thailand actually come to hypermarts in Malaysia to purchase certain goods because they are cheaper here (in Malaysia).

The QueensPark SportzCity & Boulevard is located about 45 minutes away from the Thai border and we hope to target potential customers from there, he says.

Chew says that many of the existing entertainment outlets in Kelantan were already packed and feels that customers and patrons are eagerly looking for a new place to unwind.

Emulating the trend

One of the reasons Kristana decided to build its project in Kelantan rather than the Klang Valley is because there were already plenty of sports and recreational outlets in Kuala Lumpur or Selangor.

The challenge of building such a centre in the Klang Valley is that there would be too many competitors, says Chew. However, he adds that the company is looking to set up similar centres in other locations.

We are looking for similar type of locations, meaning that we want to set up a lifestyle and recreational centre near an available park. This means that we'd probably develop it at the fringe or outskirts of the city rather than in the heart of the city itself. We're looking at replicating this model within the Klang Valley and perhaps Ipoh, Chew says.

He adds that the long-term goal is to develop a similar project within the South-East Asian region.

If we go regional, than 30% of the tenant mix will comprise Malaysian businesses, Chew says.

By The Star

Facing stiff competition in retail

KOTA Baru, the capital of Kelantan, is home to a few shopping complexes and the addition of Kristana Holdings Sdn Bhd's QueensPark SportzCity & Boulevard could face stiff competition.

According to Kristana group managing director Datuk Dr Stanley Chew, the project will be positioned as a lifestyle and recreational centre, making it different from the conventional shopping mall as it will also offer sports and leisure activities such as futsal (football that is mainly played indoors and on a smaller playing surface), pool and snooker, bowling and roller skating.

But for the average shopaholic or person looking to kill some leisure time, it just means that they are now spoiled for choice.

The malls currently located in Kota Baru are KB Mall, Kota Baru Trade Centre, Pelangi Mall, Kota Seri Mutiara Shopping Centre and Tesco Kota Baru.

One Kota Baru-based real estate agent feels that there were already sufficient shopping centres.

If you also include hypermarkets (and malls), than I feel that there is an oversupply, says Azihan, a realtor from Kelantan-based property consultant firm Rahim & Co.

Every town in Kelantan already has a shopping centre, he adds.

Malaysian Association for Shopping and Highrise Complex Management advisor Richard Chan, who was involved in the planning of the development of KB Mall in Kota Baru, argues that there is plenty of room for growth for shopping complexes in Kelantan.

There's always room for growth. When Tesco came up (in Kota Baru), people were saying that KB Mall would be dead! But KB Mall is still doing well and commanding good rental rates, he says.

According to Chan, rentals on the ground floor of KB Mall was commanding about RM20 psf.

To have a successful shopping mall, you need certain criteria, such as good management, accessibility, location and anchor tenants. You also need good advertising and promotional campaigns that are done properly, says Chan.

Azihan says that for a new shopping centre to be successful in Kota Baru, it needs to be different from the rest, adding that the QueensPark SportzCity & Boulevard looked poised to offer something new to shoppers and customers.

One industry observer says that on average, consumer spending patterns (in Kota Baru) was good.

Apart from locals, there are also a lot of tourists from Southern Thailand coming here to shop. The shopping centres here are often packed especially during school holidays, he says.

According to Azihan, one concern that non-Kelantanese often have about the state is its strict entertainment rules.

But calls are already being made to the state Government to relax its stringent entertainment laws, he says.

Last month, it was reported that the Kelantan government was urged to relax its enforcement of rules under the state entertainment enactment to allow activities of traditional and cultural arts to perform in the state.

Seni Suara Desa Association president Baharuddin Ghani was quoted as saying that it was necessary that the conditions be relaxed to develop and promote the state's culture and arts.

By The Star

Skyscraper in Kota Baru

31-Storey twin towers taking shape

KOTA BARU: The first phase completion of a RM300mil mixed development project in Jalan Raja Dewa here in 36 months will transform the skyline of the state capital.

The Dataran Raja Dewa project was hailed as an iconic real estate boost for Kelantan with the building of a twin towers of 31 storeys, said developer Petraz Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Dr Stanley Chew.

Datuk Dr Stanley Chew (right) exchanging documents with Kelantan State Secretary General Datuk Mohd Aiseri Alias after the signing ceremony. With them is Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yaakob.

Sited on 6.3ha, the project would showcase Islamic architecture, he said after signing a memorandum of understanding between the Kuala Lumpur-based Petraz and the Kelantan government last Wednesday.

Dr Chew said Petraz had 23 years' experience in the property market with its niche in the warehousing industry in Klang, Selangor.

On Petraz’s foray into Kelantan, he said real estate was reaching saturation levels in other states while Kelantan was an emerging market.

“There is potential here so we have come to seek the opportunities while bringing about modern development to the town,” Dr Chew said.

He said the developer was discussing with potential anchor tenants including five-star hotel operators, hypermarket operators and shopping mall operators about the commercial aspect.

The shophouses would likely be leased by state government departments and local merchants, he said, adding that the first phase would be ready in 36 months and the second by 2014.

Besides bringing in new commercial enterprises and investments, the project is set to become a new landmark for Kota Baru.

The project comprises 40 units of three-storey shophouses, four blocks of five-storey office lots, twin 31-floor office lots, an eight-storey building which can house trade exhibitions and a three-storey car park.

There are also two 12-storey service apartments and 126 town houses in the project.

By The Star (by Ian Mcintyre)

Liziz sees brisk sales at Kota Baru Waterfront

KOTA BARU: Liziz Standaco Sdn Bhd, which is developing Kelantan’s biggest property project – the RM2bil Kota Baru Waterfront – is confident of securing impressive sales for its second phase.

The second phase involves the construction of 2,000 shoplots and to date, there has been encouraging response from local buyers.

An artist’s impression of the Kota Baru Waterfront project

Kelantan has a unique regulation where only local-born residents have a right to purchase properties in the state.

Liziz managing director Datuk Guok Nguong Peng said the second phase would take off upon completion of the first phase early next year.

The project is sited on 202ha reclaimed land next to the Sungai Kelantan artery and the Sultan Yahya Petra Bridge.

An international mall, the biggest reputably in the east coast, an international-class hotel and a 4km esplanade, were expected be ready this year, Guok said after the unveiling of the Tesco hypermarket here recently.

Guok said the fact that he was creating the state’s first township above the flood-level, was testament to his firm’s confidence that the project had good long-term viable prospects.

“Buoyed by the commitment from the state government as main landowner and market demand, there is confidence that the project would be a resounding success,” he said.

By The Star (by IAN MCINTYRE)

Mydin proposes to build country’s biggest hypermarket in Kelantan

KOTA BARU: MydinWholesale Emporium Sdn Bhd plans to establish the biggest hypermarket in Malaysia at the New Tunjong Township here.

The proposed RM100mil facility would sit on 7.2ha with a floor space of 650,000 sq ft and generating about 3,000 of direct and indirect employment opportunities.

Earthworks on the latest outlet should begin by July and operations commence within a year, said managing director Datuk Ameer Ali Mydin yesterday after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Mydin and Tunjong Development Corp Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Mentri Besar Inc, for the hypermarket project.

“It is a fast-track project and the construction of a hypermarket is not an arduous feat in terms of building and infrastructure. We are confident of unveiling it next year,” Ameer said.

Since Mydin started and grew in Kelantan, it was only appropriate for the supermarket and hypermarket chain to invest in the east coast state, he added.

The biggest hypermarket in the country currently is also owned by Mydin, which also operates 24 emporiums and another hypermarket.

The Subang Jaya, Selangor, facility has a built-up area of 500,000 sq ft.

Mydin is also embarking on an expansion exercise which would see it operating six more hypermarkets including the one in Tunjong by next year.

At the same event, an MoU was inked between Kelantan Utilities Mubaarakan Holdings Sdn Bhd, Perak-based Kinson Manufacturing Sdn Bhd and Kelantan Handicraft Foundation for the formation of a joint venture company called Masna Pipes Industries Sdn Bhd.

Masna will make and supply asbestos cement water pipes for the east coast market.

Kelantan Utilities is the parent company of state water utility Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd.

By The Star (by Ian Mcintyre)

Nadicorp to expand property ops

KUALA LUMPUR: Nadicorp Holdings Sdn Bhd, owner of the country’s largest express bus operator, wants to expand its fledgling property business as part of the group’s overall growth strategy.

The holding company is known for its involvement in the transportation sector, as parent to Main-board listed Konsortium Transnational Bhd (KTB).

Nadicorp executive chairman Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh told The Edge Financial Daily that the company wanted to carve out a niche for itself in the property segment.

“Property is a growth segment we are looking at,” he said, adding that the holding company was in the final leg of completing its first property development project, which started three years ago and scheduled for completion by year-end.

The 16.6-hectare mixed-development project is located in Pasir Pekan, Kelantan, and will comprise residential and commercial buildings, Nadzmi said. These will comprise semi-detached and terrace houses, bungalows and shop houses.

He added that the gross development value of the project is RM40 million, with 80% of it already sold.

On Nadicorp’s plans in the property arena, Nadzmi said the company was keen on developing its existing landbank in the Klang Valley. “We are looking at potentially developing medium-cost, landed residential property projects.”

The company’s landbank size in the Klang Valley is currently 16.19 hectares. It has a total landbank of 499ha as well as 3,320ha of plantation land.

However, Nadzmi said Nadicorp did not plan to acquire more landbank in the near future as it did not plan to go into property on a large scale as of now. “Transportation will remain the bread and butter of the company,” he said.

Currently, Nadicorp’s transportation arm contributes 78% to overall group revenues. Other key contributors are its plantation business (12%), manufacturing (textile and apparel; automotive engineering which includes tyre retreading and coach building) at 8% and other support services (2%).

He added that KTB was also bidding for airport and bus link projects in Indonesia, with discussions at a preliminary stage.

“For the next two to three years, we will focus on the Malaysian and Indonesian markets and strengthen the revenue base,” he said, referring to Nadicorp’s future plans for KTB.

He added that the company had set an internal management target of some 10% revenue growth for KTB for the coming year.

As at end-September, Nadicorp’s group revenues totalled RM252.2 million of which RM188.5 million was from Nadicorp’s transportation business, Nadzmi said.

By New Straits Times (by Sharmila Ganapathy)

Seal to build eco-industrial park

PENANG: Seal Inc Bhd, which has about RM52mil cash after the completion of its restructuring exercise, will use part of it to develop an eco-industrial park in Kelantan and complete a RM20.5mil commercial project in Permatang Pauh.

It was also identifying new business opportunities and scouting for suitable land for residential and commercial projects, group executive director Fang Siew Hong told StarBiz.

For the eco-industrial park in Kuala Krai, Seal planned next year to develop about 120 light industrial buildings on a 15-acre site.

“The buildings, with an estimated gross sales value of RM50mil, are designed for the bird’s nest cultivation business and other commercial uses,” she added.

About RM2mil would go towards setting up a veneer manufacturing plant in Kelantan, Fang said.

“The plywood produced would be for the export market. The veneer manufacturing business complements our current core business in timber logging in Kelantan and Kedah,” she said.

Fang said the two-year restructuring involved the disposal of land in Seberang Prai and a shopping mall in Selangor under a sale and lease back arrangement.

“The disposal of these properties generated about RM150mil, which was used to settle the group’s borrowings, thus reducing the gearing to less than 4% or RM5mil from 58% or RM80mil previously.

“We are left with RM52mil for working capital and security deposit,” she said.

On Seal’s timber logging business, Fang said it had the concession to log a 10,000-acre site in Kelantan and a 1,000-acre site in Kedah.

“Since January, the group has logged about 7,500 tonnes of timber, with an estimated value of about RM6mil. The timber is sold to plywood factories, sawmills and the furniture industry in the country,” she said.

By The Star (By David Tan)

Shopping haven

By The Star

KB Mall is more than just the largest shopping centre in Kota Baru.

LOCATED in Kota Baru, the capital of Kelantan, KB Mall has become a popular shopping haven that is successful and modern. Locals and tourists from Terengganu, Pahang and even Southern Thailand are drawn to it.

Its aims to be the “one stop shopping mall” so it emphasises on convenience for shoppers.

Wholly owned and managed by Y.S. Tang Holdings Sdn Bhd, KB Mall is a joint venture with Perbadanan Kemajuan Iktisad Negeri Kelantan (PKINK).

KB Mall opened its doors in 2004 and has since enjoyed a high occupancy rate of 98% with an average growth of 7.5% per annum.

The Mall is strategically located at the junction of four main roads: Jalan Hamzah/Sultan Ismail/Sultan Yahya Petra/Kuala Kerai and transportation is easily available. The 24-hour CCTV surveillance ensures maximum security and handicap-friendly facilities are also available with vertical transportation, travelators, escalators, user-friendly toilets and lifts from basements to the upper floors.

KB Mall’s anchor tenant is Pacific Hypermarket and Departmental Store, a 2-in-1 concept where a single premise houses a hypermarket, departmental store and home mart. All together there are over 180 retail shops offering fashion and accessories, jewellery and timepieces, cosmetics and fragrances, souvenir and gifts, home furnishing and decoration, health and personal care. The Pacific Group is also found in Alor Star Mall, Batu Pahat Mall and Taiping Mall – the newest of which will open its doors to shoppers in 2009.

The opening of KB Mall has created 2,000 over new business opportunities for local retailers. The shopping mall has created an immense impact on the local socio-economy – new jobs, training and experience are provided to local entrepreneurs.

KB Mall is just the first phase of an integrated building with further expansion plans in the works. It is the largest shopping mall in Kelantan and is not only a success story to the developer but also to the city of Kota Baru.

Practical patronage

KB Mall, the largest mall in Kota Baru, clinched the Malaysia Property Award 2007 in the Retail Development category. It is a prestigious award much sought after by developers as it brings immediate recognition to the property.

Yiap Toon Cheng, General Manager at Y.S. Tang Holdings Sdn Bhd, says that KB Mall is built with practical patronage in mind of its customers and caters more towards user-friendliness even for the disabled, and is not just about fancy framework. A big brownie point awarded to KB Mall by FIABCI evaluators is the Mall’s unique feature of it being built around existing shops.

This is planned with high foresight by the management – there will be minimum disturbance to other buildings within the vicinity when work commences on subsequent phases of development. With a modern layout that is subtle and suits local traditions and tastes, KB Mall is built with a spacious, linear design with high ceilings and maximum visibility through clear unobstructed views. Plans are afoot to further expand the development into an integrated building, with a new business class hotel, service apartments and shop offices. KB Mall will also have a brand new six-hall cineplex and a gymnasium for shoppers to get their dose of entertainment and workouts when expansion plans are complete.