When Sunway Ipoh Mall is completed in 2027, it will be the largest shopping centre in Ipoh, Perak.
Construction of the RM1bil mall began on a 9.2ha land in Sunway City, Ipoh, in Tambun, and it will also be the first one in the state with an ice-skating rink.
The mall will have four retail floors, with about 500 shops available, a 36-lane bowling centre, a multipurpose sports centre, a gourmet garden and a 10-hall cinema with about 1,500 seats.
Sunway Malls and Theme parks chief executive HC Chan said there was plenty of interest and demand from retailers to take up space at the mall.
“So it’s more of a case of careful evaluation and selection for a mix of tenants to serve the people of Perak,” he said, adding that about 5,000 jobs would be created at the mall.
“There is a need for Ipoh to have a top-notch shopping mall, so the public need not drive two hours to the Klang Valley to enjoy shopping, leisure and entertainment,” he added.
Chan was speaking at a press conference after the groundbreaking ceremony for the project by Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad at Sunway Onsen Suites.
“I can assure you that Sunway Ipoh Mall will be the trendiest mall in Perak,” he said, adding that it was part of Sunway Group’s expansion plan.
“Half of the shopping malls in the country are located in Kuala Lumpur or Selangor, so it’s a very saturated market.
“We are looking at the northern and southern region for growth,” he added.
Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah said he was confident the mall would attract many visitors.
“I am confident that we can expect a lot of people who use the North-South Expressway to stop and shop here.
Saarani Mohamad (centre) and Cheah (third from right) at the launch.— Photos: RONNIE CHIN/The Star
“We have a strong plan, and we can fill up the mall without a problem,” he said.
“Our challenge is to attract good food sellers who own shops in Ipoh, as we want to get them in,” he said.
In response to a recent report that fewer people visited shopping malls due to the current slow economy, Cheah emphasised the importance of effective management.
“We are the country’s largest mall operators. We will have 12 malls by next year, and all the malls we operate are successful,” he said.
Some malls, he said, did not do well because they were not managed properly.
“For example, escalators at some malls are not working properly, and people get fed up.
“We know what it takes and know how to manage a mall well, making it vibrant, and it is also about knowing our partners.
“I’m not saying we are the best, but we know the game and we are doing well,” he added.
In his speech, Saarani stated that the mall would change the landscape in Ipoh and also bring further development to Tambun.
“All layers of the community want to see the country develop, not just in terms of its infrastructure but also in terms of its ability to have a good quality of life.
“The door to the state is wide open to attract investors to spur the economy so that the people can get jobs, while the business community can expand its operations,” he said.
Saarani said the mall would complete the integrated township in Sunway City, Ipoh, making it an interesting destination for locals and tourists.
“And with other developments like the Sunway Medical Centre that is expected to operate in early 2025, the township can fulfil the lifestyle needs of the people,” he added.
