Pacific Mall in Jalan Storey, Bukit Senyum, Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
THERE are many aspects for the state government to consider before reviving Johor Baru’s abandoned shopping malls into new retail and hotel spaces.
Johor Real Estate Housing Developers Association (Rehda) chairman Wong Boon Lang said while such a plan was good, the state should not play the role of white knight.
He said this was not something new as previous state administrators had announced similar intentions with nothing materialising from it.
“The intention is good but we do not know whether it is actually viable,” Wong said when contacted.
The private sector, he said, should play a role in reviving abandoned malls with the state government and local authorities facilitating the move.
Wong said the success of the project also largely depended on whether the private sector, including investors, were willing to take over abandoned buildings and turn them around.
Prospective investors, he added, should conduct feasibility studies and risk management on the viability of such a project to see whether their decision would bring good returns on investment.
Wong said banks would also have to consider if it would be viable to disburse these loans.
“The loan amount is definitely not small as abandoned buildings which have been around for many years will need a total makeover to rejuvenate and rehabilitate them,” said Wong.
He added that the state government could come up with initiatives and rebates for the private sector if it was committed to reviving abandoned buildings.
“The authorities should give fast approval for the planning including waiving certain charges or fees to companies or investors undertaking these abandoned buildings,” said Wong.
Johor Consumer Movement Association chairman Md Salleh Sadijo said reviving abandoned buildings in Johor Baru was a good move.
“They are eyesores and not good for the city’s image especially if you are visiting from Singapore,” he said.
Md Salleh said once turned into new retail and hotel spaces, the buildings would be able to help boost the local economy.
He recalled how the once-neglected Johor Tourism Information Centre (Jotic) building in Jalan Ayer Molek, next to the Magistrate’s and Sessions Court buildings and Dewan Jubli Intan Johor Baru, had been revived.
“Jotic is popular with lawyers and those attending court matters as they can have their meals at the food court there,” he said.
Md Salleh suggested the Johor government set up a special fund to revive the buildings.
“We have to make Johor Baru vibrant again and bring back life to the downtown area especially after office hours,” he added.
News reports have quoted Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Mohd saying that the state government was deliberating a “win-win” solution to deal with some of the city’s abandoned buildings as part of the Johor Bersih initiative.
He had said that four shopping malls that were left abandoned for decades are Danga City Mall, JB Waterfront City, Pacific Mall and Skudai Parade. Pacific Mall left abandoned in Jalan Storey, Bukit Senyum, Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
