Tuesday October 3, 2006

Jusco’s largest mall in SE Asia

By ELAN PERUMAL

elan@thestar.com.my

BANDAR Bukit Tinggi, which is fast establishing itself as the catalyst that attracts people from outside to Klang, will be home to the largest Jusco mall in South-East Asia.

The mall. which will be known as AEON Bukit Tinggi Shopping Centre, is taking shape on a 26ha site and is expected to be ready in about a year to meet the needs of the middle class and those who seek an upmarket experience.

Besides those from the southern parts of the Selangor royal town, consumers from other areas such as Port Klang, Banting, Shah Alam and Subang Jaya are expected to patronise the shopping mall which is strategically located on Jalan Langat, about 500 metres from the Klang interchange via the Kesas Highway.

It’s a carnival atmosphere as Abdul Bakir Zin (without coat) officiates at the ground-breaking ceremony.

This shopping complex will be the third largest after two others in Japan. It occupies a total gross area of 2.1 million sq ft and will have a built-up area of 1 million sq ft, said WCT Land Bhd chairman Datuk Chua Soon Poh.

Work on the complex, which started in June, Chua said, was scheduled to be completed in Nov next year, Chua said, adding that the complex would have three levels of retail floor and three levels of elevated parking space.

He said the complex would call on a combination of WCT Construction Sdn Bhd’s experience and expertise in undertaking huge projects, such as the Sepang F1 Circuit and its ongoing RM720mil upgrading of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport in Sabah, and the astute and efficient project management skills of AEON.

“The shopping complex will act as a catalyst to generate more economic and commercial activities resulting to the growth of the economy in the region,

“It will create job opportunities for people in Klang and the neighbouring areas as well,” said Chua in his speech at the ground-breaking ceremony.

Chua said the mall would complement several other commercial developments planned in Bandar Bukit Tinggi, such as BBT One - The Towers, a business hotel.

BBT One, he said, would comprise a 12-storey office block and a four-storey office block with a Boulevard concept.

“We are proud that these projects will completely change the skyline of the royal town. Gone are the days when people knew Klang only for its bak kut teh and seafood.

“The landscape and infrastructure of Klang and the lifestyle of its people have changed rapidly and are comparable to those in Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya,” he said.

Klang Municipal Council president Abdul Bakir Zin, who officiated at the ground-breaking ceremony, observed, “This is not a mega project but one that will make a difference to the people of Klang,”

He commended WCT for its success in carrying out mixed development projects in Bandar Bukit Tinggi 1, 2 and 3.

“BukitTinggi has become a town in itself and attracts a lot interest, not only from Klang but from other places.

“It has a good mix of retail and food outlets, and hypermarkets such as Tesco and Giant, too,” he said.

He added that he was confident the shopping mall would give a new economic impetus to South Klang.

News

Tuesday October 3, 2006

Jusco’s largest mall in SE Asia

By ELAN PERUMAL