Luxury island plan for Rebak

KUALA LUMPUR: DRB-HICOM Bhd is drafting plans to turn Pulau Rebak in Langkawi into a holiday magnet for the rich and famous.

The group wants to develop a "boutique" luxury holiday concept there to match the likes of The Residences at W Bali, Bvlgari Residences and Banyan Tree Ungasan in Bali, Six Senses Private Residences in Vietnam, The Yamu in Phuket, W Residence in Koh Samui and St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi.

"The time has come for Malaysia to have luxury holiday residences that can woo the rich and the famous globally to pick Pulau Rebak as their preferred holiday destination," DRB-HICOM group managing director Datuk Seri Mohd Khamil Jamil said in a statement yesterday.

Mohd Khamil said Pulau Rebak's strategic location and the government's plan to upgrade the holiday haven to be on par with the world's top holiday islands would serve as a catalyst to its aspirations.

"The launch of the Langkawi Tourism Blueprint by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak recently, entailing an estimated RM5 billion investment over the next five years, was a welcome initiative.

"I'm confident with the blueprint, coupled with the cooperation and participation of all parties, the government's estimate to double tourism revenue to RM3.8 billion via the arrival of three million tourists to Langkawi by 2015 will be realised," Mohd Khamil added.

The absence of an ultra luxury concept property development on a local holiday island has provided an opportunity for DRB-HICOM to explore the prospect, he said.

"We have been discussing the Pulau Rebak development plan since 2009 and the feedback received from international development consultants, residential property owners and world-class holiday companies is very encouraging," Khamil added.

Langkawi tourism boom

Island set to see robust development with launch of RM5b plan by prime minister

LANGKAWI is set to usher in a second wave of tourism investments with the launch of a five-year tourism road map by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday.

The Langkawi Tourism Blueprint, which envisages RM5 billion investments in tourism projects, aims to raise annual tourist arrivals to the island to three million by 2015 from two million currently.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak taking a closer look at the
Pantai Chenang development model after the launch of the Langkawi
 Tourism Blueprint yesterday. With him are Second Finance Minister
 Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah (second from left),
 Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed
 Yakcop and Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.
Pic by Shahrizal Md Noor

This would create an additional 4,200 jobs in the tourism industry and raise tourism receipts to RM3.8 billion from RM1.8 billion.

“Langkawi’s success up until now has been great. But we need to have a strong branding for Langkawi,” Najib said.

“We also need to ensure that while we develop, we take care of the environment.

“For Malaysia to continue being a choice destination for tourists, we need to take in hand certain issues, including the need to develop our tourism products, especially the more interesting and iconic ones, and go for more focused promotions.”

Tourism is one of the 12 National Key Economic Areas under the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP). Last year, the sector contributed RM56.5 billion from 24.6 million tourist arrivals.

The blueprint is the second phase of the development plan for Langkawi, with the first begun by Najib’s predecessor, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“In the 1980s, when (Dr Mahathir) declared Langkawi a duty-free island, Langkawi went through a tremendous growth spurt.”

The blueprint will have 14 initiatives under three themes — product, infrastructure and enablers.

Among the key elements of the blueprint are:Promoting the island’s iconic spots, such as the Langkawi Geopark, Pulau Dayang Bunting and Gunung Machinchang.

Building five five-star hotels to target highnet- worth tourists.

SETTING UP a park ranger team to ensure the conservation of tourist spots;

IMPROVING infrastructure in tourism areas to create a good first impression;

SETTING UP a tourism academy, a collaboration between the Higher Education Ministry and Taylor’s University;

IMPROVING air services and providing incentives for chartered flights to Langkawi, improving land transport services and providing a clean environment; and,

INTENSIFYING promotional efforts to make Langkawi a meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions destination.

Najib said the increase in tourist arrivals would more than double the island’s contribution to the nation’s gross national income, from RM800 million to RM1.9 billion.

He said that out of the RM5 billion, the government had allocated RM420 million under the 2012 Budget to undertake infrastructure development while the balance would come from the private sector.

Najib ordered the Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) to clean up Pantai Chenang Langkawi was recently recognised in National Geographic’s top-10 list of premier beaches in the world.

It was also declared a geopark by Unesco in 2007 Present at the launch of the blueprint were Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen and Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Razak.

Jazz-ing up the Penang hotel scene

GEORGE TOWN Penang is set to see the entry of yet another five-star resort to meet continued tourist demand.

The RM100 million sea-fronting Jazz Hotel Penang will open its doors by 2015, its operators said.

Full-service hotel management company Ri-Yaz Hotels and Resorts Sdn Bhd will manage the 226-room hotel, located at Tanjung Sri Pinang in Tanjung Tokong.

"Our expansion into Penang is timely, given the growth of the northern region's tourism industry and our projected increase in demand for hotel rooms in Penang," Ri-Yaz's managing director Datuk Shaheen Shah said in Penang yesterday, after the company signed an agreement with Sure Commerce Sdn Bhd.

Under the agreement, Sure Commerce will develop the Jazz Hotel Penang, comprising two towers which will be made up of the 30-storey hotel, along with service suites in the adjoining 45-storey tower.

Witnessing the signing of the agreement at the Eastern and Oriental Hotel were Yang diPertua Negeri Tun Hamdan Abdul Abbas and Emkay Group chairman Tan Sri Mustapha Kamal Abu Bakar.

"We purchased a 0.91 ha piece of land close to Tesco from Koperasi Gabungan Negeri Pulau Pinang," Sure Commerce's managing director Todd SB Teoh said in an interview.

He said the Ri-Yaz group was chosen based on its proven record in managing boutique hotels in key tourism markets.

Meanwhile, Shaheen said the group will draw from its experience in managing leisure properties in Malaysia like the Cyberview Resort and Spa in Cyberjaya, Ri-Yaz Heritage Marina Resort and Spa in Terengganu and Belum Rainforest Resort in Perak.

Internationally, Ri-Yaz also manages the Pure Villas in Canggu Bali, Indonesia.

"Over the next three years, we are looking to expand our footprint by investing and managing properties in Tuaran, Sabah, Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur," Shaheen said.

"The Jazz Hotel Penang," he noted, "will be positioned as a trendy chic hotel, where the latest technology will be showcased, and where jazz music and art pieces will enhance the hotel's contemporary design."

Also included in the design for the new hotel, are a sea-fronting roof-top pool, along with a glassed-ballroom.

Yan: Malaysia is a food paradise

KUALA LUMPUR Celebrity chef Martin Yan said the tasty and "explosive" flavours of Malaysian cuisine had inspired him to promote the country as a one-stop food paradise.

"I love Malaysia. I love its people, culture and especially, its food.

Fans jostling for celebrity chef Martin Yan’s (right) autograph
at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
- INTAN NUR ELLIANA ZAKARIA

"The combination of fresh herbs and spices used in preparing Malaysian dishes is very unique," said Yan, who is best known for his award-winning Yan Can Cook television show in the United States.

"That's why I come to Malaysia every now and then to taste all sorts of food at hawker stalls for new recipe ideas.

"I also try to incorporate local ingredients like belacan and santan into my cooking."

Yan said he planned to collaborate with Redzuawan Ismail, better known as Chef Wan, to help promote Malaysia's food, culture and heritage on the international stage.

"We have been friends for a long time and I have always admired his dedication towards showcasing Malaysia's exquisite flavours to the world."

The celebrity chef, who is based in San Francisco, said local dishes like nasi lemak, satay and bak kut teh, were some of the most delicious food he had ever tasted. He also said he visited Malaysian restaurants at least three times a month in the US.

Yan was in Malaysia yesterday for the Fabulous Food 1Malaysia exhibition held at the Putra World Trade Centre, where thousands of people gathered to catch a glimpse of their favourite celebrity chef in action.

Yan was invited by Lee Kum Kee, a sauce manufacturing company, to showcase his culinary skills at the food fair.

By MINDERJEET KAUR

Extreme Equatorial makeover?

Kuala Lumpur: Hotel Equatorial Kuala Lumpur may be torn down under an extreme makeover, reflecting rising competition among hotels as Malaysia's tourism industry grows.

It could also mean that the 38-year-old hotel will be the fourth structure along the busy Jalan Sultan Ismail to be earmarked for rebuilding.

Malaysia wants to triple tourism receipts to RM168 billion in 2020 from last year's figure of RM56.5 billion by attracting 46 per cent more visitors.

Hotel Equatorial will close from April 1 2012.

It is understood that the hotel management had informed its staff a few weeks ago on its plans to temporarily cease operations from March 31 2012.

"We are intending to do a major upgrading exercise that will involve the closure of the hotel," said its general manager Alan Ong.

"The hotel was built and designed for the 1960s and today there is a need to upgrade. (In order) to stay relevant in the business, we have to do the upgrading," Ong said.

Equatorial KL, which opened for business in 1973, was last renovated some eight years ago.

The hotel has a room inventory of 275 and sits on a land covering close to 85,000 sq ft, which according to industry estimates is worth as much as RM250 million.

Hotels have to regularly undergo renovation and refurbishment exercise in order to remain competitive in the market.

Competition is expected to be stiff, with several new hotel openings and extensions announced in the Kuala Lumpur city centre including Grand Hyatt, Impiana KLCC and the Banyan Tree Signatures.

Meanwhile, Ong was unable to say how long the hotel will be closed for upgrading works.

According to sources, it could take up to three years before the hotel will be able to open for business, as there are plans to tear down the building.

Messages left by Business Times at Equatorial KL's corporate office to obtain details on the project were left unreturned.

Nevertheless, a search on the Internet revealed that the owners had submitted and obtained approval as early as last year from Kuala Lumpur City Hall for the proposed makeover.

In February 2011, Business Times quoted Tradewinds Corp Bhd's chairman Tan Sri Megat Najmuddin Megat Khas as saying, "TCB plans to demolish both Komplex Antarabangsa and Crowne Plaza Mutiara Hotel to make way for a new property project".

In September 2011, Kuala Lumpur mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail said TCB had been granted a development order for Hotel Istana, which is located at the corner of Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Raja Chulan.

However, as at press time, it is still unclear when these buildings will be demolished.

Hotel Equatorial's website states it is located in three major Asia Pacific countries with seven properties in the group.

In Malaysia, the Equatorial hotels are in Penang, Cameron Highlands, Bangi and Malacca.

The properties abroad are in Shanghai, China and Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam.

Lumayan Indah to 'plant' RM700m Banyan Tree in KL

KUALA LUMPUR: The Banyan Tree Signatures Pavilion Kuala Lumpur will be developed at an estimated cost of RM700 million by Lumayan Indah Sdn Bhd.

The project, slated for opening by end-2016, will include luxurious hotel-plus-residences. It will have a gross development value of RM1.4 billion.

Lumayan Indah is building the 55-storey building on a 0.59ha land that it owns in Jalan Conlay.

The company is owned by Serantau Optima Sdn Bhd, which in turn is owned by Nightingale Global Ltd.

The chairman of Lumayan Indah, Tan Sri Aziz Ismail, is also the deputy chairman of Urusharta Cemerlang Sdn Bhd, which owns Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

Hotel manager Banyan Tree Holdings Ltd and Lumayan Indah yesterday signed an agreement to collaborate on the project. The "Siganatures" concept will be the first for Banyan Tree.

Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and Banyan Tree both have Qatar Holding LCC as a key investor.

According to Aziz, the project will be the tallest residential development in Kuala Lumpur.

It has a total of 441 units of private residences, 51 units of serviced residences and 50 units of suites. The units will be sold at an average of RM2,000 per sq ft.

Meanwhile, Banyan Tree's executive chairman Ho Kwon Ping said that this may not be the sole Banyan Tree presence in Malaysia as the company is also seeking opportunities in Langkawi and Kota Kinabalu.

He added that Banyan Tree is also looking at the possibility of working on other projects elsewhere with Pavilion as the latter carries a strong brandname and is a reputable company.

Banyan Tree Residences and Banyan Tree Signatures Hotel will be complemented by a world-class spa, a heated pool, comprehensive amenities and a rooftop gourmet restaurant and sky bar.

The hotel will offer couture concierge services which include limousine, yacht and private jet booking facilities.

Banyan Tree and the mall will be connected by a private link bridge.

By Vasantha Ganesan

Eat: Choices in Cyberjaya

From kampung food and Chinese dishes to Bangladeshi and Middle-Eastern fare, the variety of offerings in Cyberjaya is amazing.

Mandy chicken at Restoran Al-Bustan

TO most of us, Cyberjaya is just a township featuring offices of major ICT companies.

But Cyberjaya TV compere Antonia D. Arguelles is showing me where to go for good food. Toni, as she’s better known, is a livewire and such a sport that the whole day spent sampling food around Cyberjaya, is nothing but fun.


Minangkabau-style sambal udang lontek boek
at Bayou Coffee House

We start at Kitchen Village in Prima Avenue Food Haven, Prima 3, famed for Chinese cuisine.
Besides Kitchen Village, there are four other food outlets here. Padi House serves fusion food. The Walk serves grilled chicken, pizza and Japanese bento sets. Wherelse Restaurant serves local delicacies and vegetarian foods. And the all-time-favourite OldTown White Coffee is here too.

At lunchtime on weekdays, Kitchen Village is packed with office workers, but come dinner time and on weekends, the restaurant is not as busy.
Toni, whose father is a Sabahan of Filipino descent and mother, a Malay with Eurasian blood, loves the fish head curry, butter prawn and the unique salted egg chicken at Wherelse Restaurant. The shaven ice with mango or strawberry is recommended too.

Exotic fare
Few Malaysians have tried Bangladeshi cuisine. Now you can, with two former Multimedia University students cooking up some of the best Bangladeshi dishes at Restoran Al-Bustan in Neo Cyber.
Zaihidul Hasan and Atiq Rahamn are dishing out their home delicacies with Middle-Eastern dishes. Must-try items include mandy chicken, Zorabian lamb and kebsa chicken, all served with basmati rice, chilli sauce, garlic sauce and salad.

Bangladeshis love very sweet desserts too. Try laddhu and rosh malai, or go for doi, a yoghurt-like curd.

The year-old Al-Bustan (which means paradise in Arabic) also makes home deliveries and offers catering services.

Just a few blocks away, another year-old restaurant, Pakistani Restoran Khayam E-Basera, draws diners with Arabian and Mughal cuisine. One of its best-sellers is shawaya chicken (roasted chicken with Arabic spices), served with rice.

Toni loves the mandy chicken and Zorabian lamb at Restoran Al-Bustan, and butter chicken and chicken pakora at Restoran Khayam E-Basera.

Home, sweet home
Next, Toni heads for Kelab Komuniti Taman Tasik Cyberjaya, where you can indulge in fun activities such as go-kart, paint ball and beach volley ball or tee off at the golf driving range.

The club is also known for its kampung cuisine. Its Bayou Coffee House, run by a mother-and-son team, has a list of must-try dishes that includes dinding daging masak kacang goreng, fried sliced beef cooked with long beans, ayam masak lemak cili padi and sambal udang lontek boek.

Rodziah Abdul Rahman cooks Negri Sembilan-style ayam masak lemak cili padi while the dinding daging masak kacang goreng and sambal udang lontek boek are Padang dishes.

Be there from 11.30am to 2.30pm if you want to try its international buffet (RM19.90).

No wonder Toni keeps coming back to Cyberjaya to relax and to enjoy the live performance at Prima Avenue. She says: “Like I said, good environment, no traffic jam, peace and tranquillity — stuff I yearn for on weekends! And I find them here in Cyberjaya.”

Where to go
Kitchen Village:
Prima Avenue Food Haven, Prima 3, Block 3503, Jalan Teknokrat 5, Cyberjaya. Tel: 03-8320 2699

Restoran Al-Bustan:
18-G Biz Avenue, Neo Cyber, Lingkaran Cyber Point Barat, Cyberjaya. Tel: 03-8319 1990. Email: al-bustan@live.com.my

Restoran Khayam E-Basera: 29G Neo Cyber, Lingkaran Cyber Point Barat, Cyberjaya. Tel: 017-332 3516

Bayou Coffee House:
Kelab Komuniti Taman Tasik Cyberjaya, Jalan Kelab, Persiaran Semarak Api, Cyberjaya. Tel: 03-8318 0008 ext 150. Email: rozeeflair@yahoo.com. Website: www.bayoucatering.com.my

STEPHEN NG
traveltimes@nstp.com.my

Spa Getaway

Located an hour’s drive from Johor Baru, Pulai Desaru Beach Resort offers a family-oriented vacation amid nature

FOR many vacationers, a weekend escape means travelling great distances. The Pulai Desaru Beach Resort and Spa is proof that holiday-makers need not travel long distances to a leisure retreat because it is less than an hour's drive from Johor Baru, via the new E22 Senai-Pasir Gudang-Desaru Expressway.

The Plaza houses some of the rooms at the resort.

The newly refurbished resort is a family-oriented hotel that offers many attractions surrounded by a natural environment.

Located in the heart of Desaru, the area is considered one of the best beaches on the east coast of peninsular Malaysia.

With a 22km-stretch of uninterrupted beach, the Pulai Desaru Beach Resort and Spa offers captivating panoramic views of the South China Sea with a lush tropical rainforest.

Guests can enjoy the vastness of the sprawling resort and get close and personal with nature.

 A standard superior room

Its spacious standard, deluxe and superior deluxe guest rooms blend contemporary design, comfortable elegance and modern artistic touches.

With its palette of fresh green shades and signature green floral motives, the new look is calm and relaxing, yet has an atmosphere which evokes holiday fun.

The tastefully furnished lobby, with modern floor tiles and furnishings set against the backdrop of the ocean, has a feeling of tranquility.

The Teppan! serves Japanese cuisine.

At the resort, guests get to enjoy fresh, bold dishes, from a mixture of local and Western cuisine at The Palm Brasserie, to Japanese Teppanyaki cooking at The Teppan!

The Lobby bar overlooking the swimming pool is ideal for chilling out, or sip a cocktail by the pool at the Coco Bar. In the evenings, The Pulai Lounge offers nightly live entertainment.

Alternatively, indulge, soothe and revitalise the body, mind and spirit at the Balinese-themed Pulai Spa, offering a complete spa menu with treatment rooms and high-quality spa products.

Children can play and be kept occupied at the Kid's Club. It has a daily itinerary of activities and a games' room with indoor games.

For an adrenaline rush in water sports, try the jet-ski, and banana boat activities, while land sports such as tennis, cycling, beach volleyball and go-karting are also available.

At the resort, there are excursions for nature lovers such as the popular fireflies experience, kampung tour, river cruises, river fishing, and visits to Kota Tinggi town, a fruit farm, ostrich farm and crocodile farm.

The highway connecting the western and eastern parts of Johor promises a smooth, quick and comfortable journey from Johor Baru to Desaru.

For room bookings and reservations, visit www.pulaigroup.com or call 07-822 2222.

Ting plans multi-billion ringgit project for Langkawi

Langkawi: Langkawi's economic fortunes as a tourist destination may be enhanced if Sarawak businessman Tan Sri Ting Pek Khiing has his way.

He is proposing a reclamation of some 80 hectares of land for the region's biggest marina centre, along with residential and commercial properties.

The proposed multi-billion ringgit "Port Langkasuka" project will comprise nine parcels of land containing among others, a golf course, resort and private villas.

"A RM200 million breakwater was built in the mid-1990s as a basis for this proposed development.

"I am hopeful that we can obtain the necessary approvals from the state government to proceed," he told reporters after former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad opened the Four Points by Sheraton Langkawi Resort here yesterday.

The resort, which was previously known as the Langkasuka Beach Resort, underwent a RM30 million refurbishment prior to the rebranding.

The resort is owned by Global Upline Sdn Bhd - which also owns the Four Points by Sheraton property in Kuching, Sarawak.

Ting, who is Global Upline's group adviser, was instrumental in building Langkawi's first five-star resort Sheraton Langkawi Beach Resort 20 years ago and also the Delima Resort Langkawi.

Dr Mahathir, who during his tenure as prime minister worked closely with Ting, is raising the island's profile as a preferred tourism destination, said that the duty-free island still has a lot of potential to be developed.

"There is still a lot of potential for resorts, as we have not used the mountains (to build resorts). Since the weather is cool up there, why not build a mountain resort?

"Perhaps mountain bike racing can be introduced," he noted, and said the five-year 'hiatus' which was taken after his tenure by the authorities in promoting Langkawi, can be addressed by allocating budgets to market the island better.

"Build another port, since there is demand for it and we have many good locations where the port can be built," Dr Mahathir added.

By Marina Emmanuel

RM100m resort town to put Tanjung Leman on the map

Johor Corporation (JCorp) is developing a RM100 million resort town in Tanjung Leman, within the Eastern Coast Economic Region (ECER).


Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Ibrahim presents the prizes to
 the winners of the KFC-Felda Johor Open Sail Boat Championship.
 - Picture by Mohd Fahmi Mohd Yusof

JCorp president and chief executive Kamaruzzaman Abu Kassim said the project site was 142ha large, and would be divided into eight sections. It is aimed at turning the beach on Johor's northeastern coast into a major tourism hub.

"Tanjung Leman has huge potential as a major tourism hub due to its natural beauty, the cleanliness of its beach, the abundance of fish for anglers, and its location as the gateway to nearby islands such as Pulau Sibu and Pulau Tinggi," said Kamaruzzaman after the closing ceremony of the KFC-Felda Johor Open Sail Boat Championship in Tanjung Leman on Oct 30.

The event was launched by Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.

Some 300 fans thronged the beach to watch 16 teams take part in the championship.

Kamaruzzaman said the components of the new resort town included a resort and theme park (19ha), agro-tourism attraction (57ha), marina (10ha), 700 housing units (13ha) and 93 shop lots (2ha).

"Besides these, there will be the National Service training complex, a summer camp complex and a sailboat training club," said he said.

The first phase of development involves the construction of 120 chalets, the theme park, summer camp complex and marina.

These will be built from 2012 to 2014 at a cost of RM50 million.

Kamaruzzaman said overall progress of the development was 20 per cent.

By Mohd Fahmi Mohd Yusof

Johor Premium Outlets grand opening on Dec 11

KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Premium Outlets (JPO), a shopping haven joint-venture project between Genting Bhd and Simon Property Group, is scheduled for a grand opening on December 11.

The project, located in Kulai, Johor, is 95 per cent complete, said Datuk Seri Idris Jala, chief executive officer of Pemandu, the government unit that oversees the implementation of the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).

JPO, a project earmarked under the ETP to boost the economy via tourism, is expected to create more than 3,000 jobs.

"It is currently 95 per cent completed. More than 80 designer and brand names have confirmed their presence," Idris said at a briefing here yesterday that marked one year since the ETP was launched.

It was previously reported that the 330,000 sq ft centre will offer savings of 25 per cent to 65 per cent on brands that include Burberry, Coach, Tumi, DKNY, Giorgio Armani, Gap Outlet and Levi's.

On another matter, Idris said Strand Aerospace Malaysia Sdn Bhd (SAM), an Airbus-approved engineering services company, had sealed contracts with European companies, including Germany's Ferchau Engineering and the UK's Spirit Aerosystems. No details were provided.

Strand Aerospace is spearheading an initiative to develop and position Malaysia as a hub for high value engineering services. It is also a project under the ETP.

In Penang, QAV Technologies Sdn Bhd has completed and started operating a light emitting diode and solid state lighting centre, with an expansion plan in the pipeline, Idris said.

This is the first American National Standards Institute-certified facility outside of the US.

The government's Small Retailer Transformation programme, or TUKAR, has benefited 315 shops across the nation, he said.

The programme, aimed at modernising small-time retailers to increase their level of competitiveness, is targeting 500 shops this year.

By Adeline Paul Raj

KIH investing nearly US$100m on expansion

KUALA LUMPUR: Hong Kong-based Kosmopolito Hotels International Ltd (KHI) is investing close to US$100 million (RM307 million) to expand its hotel portfolio.

The plan includes managing two new properties in Malaysia.

Elsewhere, the company is setting up two hotels each in China and Hong Kong under the Dorsett Regency label, which will open next year, said president Winnie Chiu Wing Kwan.

By 2013, KHI will open a hotel each in Singapore and London, under the same label, she said.

"The whole company is about growth. In the next five years, we aim to increase the rooms to 6,630 from 4,176 currently. We have enough loans to cover our expansion so there is no need to raise funds for now," Chiu told Business Times in an interview recently.

"The strategy for us is really China. We believe in the growth of tourism in China. If you look at statistics, Chinese people are still travelling. As they get more accustomed to our brand, we believe they will continue to stay with us. We plan to have a presence in more cities, albeit cautiously," she said.

Set up in January 2007 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in October 2010, KHI is a fast-growing developer, owner and operator of 17 hotels in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and China.

The company, wholly owned by Far East Consortium International Ltd, was founded by Malaysian tycoon Tan Sri David Chiu.

It operates hotels under four key brands in different market segments. They are the upscale Hotel Kosmopolito, boutique series by Kosmopolito, mid-scale business hotel Dorsett Regency and economy hotel Silka.

For the financial year ended March 31 2011, KHI posted net profit of HK$208 million (RM82 million), 354.9 per cent higher than the previous year, driven by strong growth in revenue (HK$876 million or RM346 million) and net gains from non-recurring items.

Its average room occupancy rate was 79 per cent.

Chiu said plans in the pipeline include KHI buying industrial buildings and converting them into hotels, and taking advantage of cheap properties available under the current market conditions.

"I believe in good corporate governance and transparency and will continue to have quarterly updates on what we do and plan. This is to let our shareholders know where we are heading," she said.

"We are heavily bought by foreign funds from the US, Europe and Singapore. Our next growth area will be Australia and Taiwan," she added.

Kosmopolito to expand in Malaysia

Hong Kong's Kosmopolito Hotels International is optimistic of Malaysia and growth in the three- and four-star hotel category

Kuala Lumpur: Hong Kong's Kosmopolito Hotels International Ltd (KHI) aims to expand its hotel portfolio in Malaysia, either by building properties from scratch or taking over abandoned buildings.

President Winnie Chiu Wing Kwan said the company may also buy hotels that are not performing well, and turn around the properties by strategising on its key brands.

"We like distress properties and are interested in three- and four-star hotels. We believe in turning around. Our group also has the experience to convert industrial and office buildings into hotels, so there are a lot out there for us.

"We are optimistic of Malaysia and growth in the three- and four-star hotel category. Budget airlines like AirAsia and FireFly have revolutionised this place and contri-buted to industry growth," Chiu told Business Times in an interview recently.

Currently, KHI has five hotels in Malaysia - Dorsett Regency Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Grand Dorsett Subang, Grand Dorsett Labuan, Dorsett Johor and Maytower Hotel and Serviced Residences - all opera-ting in the three- and four-star ca-tegories.

Chiu said the company is looking to set up more hotels in the Klang Valley and Sabah.

KHI is also interested in management contracts to boost income, she said.

By the third quarter of next year and in 2013, the company expects to manage two new hotels under Malaysia Land Properties Sdn Bhd (Mayland) in Cheras and at Plaza Damas 3 in Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur.

In Cheras, Mayland had acquired Phoenix Plaza, now called Cheras Central Shopping Mall, in 2009 for some RM80 million.

Mayland is re-modelling the complex for more than RM120 million and the new set-up will include a shopping mall and a four-star hotel, which will operate under the Dorsett Regency brand.

At Plaza Damas 3, MayLand is also building a four-star hotel, which will carry the same brand name.

Kuala Terengganu City Centre expected to double RM2.6bil tourism revenue

TERENGGANU: The upcoming Kuala Terengganu City Centre (KTCC) project is expected to attract more than RM2.6bil worth of tourism revenue into the state’s coffers.

State Tourism, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Rahin Mohd Said said the project would be driven mostly by private sector investments with the state government providing infrastructure support, such as road construction and land reclamation.

“In 2009, the state’s tourism revenue amounted to about RM2.6bil. We expect the amount to at least double when the KTCC is in place in the next few years.

“The number of visitors to the state peaked at 3.5 million in 2008 but dwindled this year due to the global economic crisis,” he said in a statement, adding that he was confident KTCC would draw more tourists when it was completed.

Abdul Rahin said the project, to be launched by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said today, covered a 7km area from the centre of Sungai Terengganu.

“We expect the project to change the look and feel of Kuala Terengganu.

The project was conceptualised in 2004 under the East Coast Economic Region masterplan as a catalyst to rejuvenate economic activities here,” he said.

He also expressed his confidence that the project would benefit many quarters, especially the state’s tourism industry.

“The KTCC is designed to be one of the state’s main tourist attractions and will also provide facilities for domestic and foreign tourists.

“We have about 16,000 hotel rooms in the city and expect the number to increase to about 40,000 upon the KTCC’s completion,” he said, adding that the ultimate aim was to provide 100,000 rooms.

Abdul Rahin said the KTCC development included the construction of shopping malls, five-star hotels, international standard marina, cruise facilities and office buildings.

“We will promote the area as a tourism gateway featuring a royal township, waterfront destinations and a hub for meetings, conventions and exhibitions.

“There will also be a healthcare and wellness industry with world-class medical care and spa resorts,” he said.

By FARIK ZOLKEPLI
farik@thestar.com.my

Luxury hotel to attract more tourists



Convenient location:The Heritage is located in the
center of Malacca’s major tourist attractions.

 MALACCA: Seni Pujaan Sdn Bhd (SPSB) made its debut in the historical city with the development of a new luxury boutique residence — The Heritage — in a joint venture effort with Yayasan DMDI.
The project was launched by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and was also attended by other distinguished guests.

The Heritage is located in the UNESCO designated heritage city, right in the center of most of Malacca’s major tourist attractions.

The Heritage also sports the best of both worlds — a colonial-inspired design fully furnished withmodern amenities.

As a pioneer in offering a luxury boutique residence in Malacca, SPSB plans to spearhead the trend for high-end living in the state.

SPSB is confident that the project will contribute to the development of the tourism industry in the state.

With the availability of this boutique residence, tourists will be encouraged for longer stays and this will further improve Malacca’s tourism and related industries.

The Heritage features 261 units consisting of 68 units of studio apartments, 35 units of studio apartments with kitchenette, 32 units of business suites, 113 units of two-bedroom apartments, two units of three-bedroom apartments and 11 units of double-storey commercial units.

Wooing tourists the Sunway, KLIA way

SUNWAY Medical Centre, San Francisco, USA. People who don't know any better would think that the Sunway Group has actually opened a hospital in the US.

Sunway Medical Centre, San Francisco, is in fact a hospital that appears in the Tamil movie "180", but there is only one Sunway Medical Centre and it is located in Malaysia.

Movies are often used as a tool to lure tourists to our shores. Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan was given the "Datuk" title for his contribution towards Malaysia's tourism, particularly, in Malacca.

Similarly, we were elated that Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones were shooting "Entrapment" in Malaysia.

About a decade ago, Malaysia was marketed aggressively by Tourism Malaysia and along with this we saw a rise in the number of film producers from India coming to Malaysia to shoot their movies. Tourist numbers grew in tandem.

It is always a proud moment to see Malaysia on the big screen with foreign actors. It is also exciting to try and identify the location of certain scenes.

In the movie "Time" there were scenes of The Palace of the Golden Horses and in "Anniyan" scenes of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

Other popular spots regularly used to shoot Indian movies are Sunway Lagoon Resort and Langkawi.

Sometimes, locations are not really what they seem and could startle the audience. When "Entrapment" was released, it carried scenes which depicted Malaysia as a backward country.

In the Tamil movie "Goa", scenes of the beaches were all from Langkawi instead of India's beach resort Goa.

In recent years, KLIA has been appearing as a US airport. In the movie "Anandha Thandavam", KLIA is shown as JFK airport.

We are all aware that US airports have very high security, particularly after September 11, and getting permission to shoot at airports may be a "no-no".

But, to movie fans who now recognise that KLIA is being passed-off as a US airport, we are no longer proud of it but tend to react somewhat like this: "WHAT??!! This is KLIA la."

Coming back to Sunway, marketing its hospital via movies, as in "180", may be a good way to create publicity and bring in the medical tourists.

Nevertheless, for those who live in Malaysia and recognise the name, the first thing that hits them is "Is there a Sunway Medical Centre in the US?"

Scenes of Malaysia or of Malaysian brands in foreign movies is a fabulous idea to leverage on ... But, if you don't want to be fooled, best to read the credits.

Three more reasons to visit Johor

JOHOR BARU: Iskandar Malaysia is set to become a premier leisure and entertainment centre by 2013, when three projects costing more than RM1 billion come on stream in the economic region.

Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios, an indoor theme park and MSC Cyber City will complement two projects taking shape — Johor Premium Outlet (JPO) and Legoland. Together, they will turn the region into a hard-to-resist destination.

Work on the three additional projects is expected to start by early next year and completed in about a year.

The RM350 million studios, which will spread over 32ha, will feature Bollywood-style film studios and facilities. This is a project involving Khazanah Nasional Bhd, a strategic investor in Iskandar Malaysia.

Pinewood has its origins in the United Kingdom in 1936. The first studios in West London have played host to many productions over the years, from blockbuster films, including James Bond movies, to television shows and commercials.

The theme park, which has yet to be named, is expected to occupy 1.6ha and cost some RM400 million. A project by UEM Land Holdings Bhd, the theme park will be built near Puteri Harbour and is scheduled for opening by late next year or early 2013.

The RM312 million MSC Cyber City project will be developed by MSC Cyberport Bhd in several phases over a period of 10 years, with the first phase to be ready by 2013.

The 60ha project will become a major landmark for leisure activities, such as computer games.

State Tourism and Domestic Trade Committee chairman Hoo Seong Chang said the state government was upbeat about the prospect of bigger tourist arrivals with the implementation of the three projects.

“This means we will have five new attractions on top of the present fare.

This will be a breakthrough for the Johor tourism industry,” he told the New Straits Times.

JPO at Kulaijaya is expected to open by year-end while Legoland at Nusajaya is scheduled for opening next September. The former is a luxury shopping destination, offering branded apparel at discounted prices under one roof.

Legoland, the first of its kind in Asia, is a family entertainment centre that will provide interactive rides, shows and attractions.

Malaysia Tourist Guides Council president Jimmy Leong said Johor could expect an influx of tourists when all the new tourist products were ready.

Only day trips allowed to Pulau Bidong

SETIU: Terengganu will ban large tourism projects on Pulau Bidong and its surrounding islands and only allow day trippers, in a bid to to protect the corals and preserve it as a marine heritage island.

State Tourism, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Rahin Mohd Said said the Pulau Bidong group of islands, comprising a main island and five smaller ones, must be protected as they were the last uninhabited islands in Terengganu.

He said the state government did not want the islands to be turned into other resort islands such as Perhentian and Redang to minimise environmental damage to marine life.

"We want to promote the islands of Pulau Bidong in a such a way that will still protect its environment hence the idea of opening it only to day trippers. Visitors can still come and enjoy the beauty of the corals and marine life but they must leave by end of the day.

"We will need to build the amenities for day-trippers, but it will be on a much smaller scale compared with large-scale construction for resorts," he said after taking part in an underwater signing ceremony of a pledge to safeguard the islands' marine heritage yesterday.

Sixty divers took part and it was certified by the Malaysia Book of Records as the first in Malaysia.

The event was organised by the Malaysia Coral Reef Conservation Society (Coral Malaysia) with the cooperation of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) and the Terengganu government.

UMT vice chancellor Prof Datuk Aziz Deraman, who welcomed the move to protect the islands, said the university would make Pulau Bidong its research island.

"Currently, we have a research facility with four laboratories on the island and we will conduct more research on the Pulau Bidong archipelago."

He said research to harness the power of tidal currents, solar and wind would also be conducted on the island, beside marine biology studies.

"We will build a windmill at our research centre on the island to supply electricity and at the same time be a subject of green energy research

"UMT has conducted research into ways to restore dying corals but what is more important is to preserve what we still have."

Coral Malaysia president Jamhariah Jaafar said artificial reefs, known as the Underwater Gallery, around Pulau Bidong had become healthy grounds for coral growth.

"The waters around Pulau Bidong have many fascinating diving sites which can be promoted to create public awareness about our marine heritage."

Book early, rooms in Penang are going fast

Prospects for the year are looking rosy with 2011 expected to close at a 67 per cent occupancy and a record high hotel room rate of RM240.

Penang: Hotels in Penang are projecting a record year in 2011 as more rooms are filled and more money is made each night. And the outlook for 2012 is expected to be even better.

In the first seven months of this year, occupancy hit 65.7 per cent with an average room rate (ARR) of RM231. This compares to the first seven months of 2010 when average occupancy was at 59.3 per cent and an ARR at RM229.

"July 2011 posted the highest ever single month occupancy in the past five years, at 82 per cent," president for the Malaysian Association of Hotel (MAH) Penang Chapter Marco G. Battistotti said.

Accordingly, prospects for the year are looking rosy with 2011 expected to close at a 67 per cent occupancy and a record high room rate of RM240. This is despite additional room inventory this year.

As at end of last year, MAH member hotels had a total of 7,706 rooms, while up to July 2011, the rooms available touched 7,803.

These, Battistotti said, are the best numbers since the association started tabulating the statistics.

While occupancy is in fact similar to that achieved in 2006, ARR at that time was only at RM178.

MAH members in Penang represent 80 per cent of the available hotels in the state.

"This positive trend could continue in 2012," Battistotti told Business Times.

Battistotti, who said hotels on the mainland tend to have better rates as there are fewer players, divides Penang island into two sectors.

Hotels located within Gurney Drive to Bayan Lepas are considered city hotels and those located within the Tanjung Bunga and Burau Bay as beach hotels.

City hotels tend to generally have 65 per cent corporate crowd and 35 per cent leisure, while beach hotels tend to have the opposite composition.

The city hotel enjoying the highest ARR is E&O Hotel at around RM540, while the highest rate garnered by a beach hotel is Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa.

The better performance, especially by city hotels, is attributed to support from multinational corporations and manufacturing facilities located within the Free Industrial Zone. Some 70 companies here provided 100,000 room nights last year.

The Arab market has also improved this year. They provided 89,000 room nights in the first seven months compared with 81,000 last year.

Apart from a strong corporate market and a leisure market, Penang also gets a good number of arrivals for medical tourism.

George Town's status as a Unesco World Heritage City has spurred arrivals as it has helped increase Penang's popularity.

"For the European market, heritage is a strong selling point," Battistotti said.

Indonesians and Singaporeans remain Penang's largest foreign arrivals.

A good mix of leisure, backpackers, corporate and meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition is expected to augur well for the island over the next three to four years, Battistotti said.

TOURISM PROMOTION TO SHOWCASE RAMADAN IN M'SIA

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 3 (Bernama) -- The Tourism Ministry will intensify

promotion to showcase Ramadan in Malaysia in efforts attract more tourists,

especially from West Asia.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the third Ramadan Bazaar in

Kampung Baru jointly hosted with the Jamek Mosque would enable foreign tourists

to experience the atmosphere of Ramadan in the country.

"As of last January, Malaysia received 16,329 tourists from Saudi Arabia,

United Arab Emirates and Iran compared to 15,008 in the corresponding period

last year," she said after launching the Ramadan Bazaar at the Jamek Mosque,

Kampung Baru here today.

Dr Ng said the iconic "bubur lambuk" (porridge) of Kampung Baru would be

popularised in other places such as Raub, Pahang on Aug 16.

She said 66 Ramadan Bazaars catered to the delight of customers and tourists

in the city, including three in Kampung Baru, namely in Jalan Raja Alang, Jalan

Raja Muda Musa and Jalan Raja Uda.

At the ceremony, the Tourism Ministry contributed 100 pots of bubur lambuk

and distributed about 23,000 sachets of the porridge in Kampung Baru, the

Malaysia Tourism Centre in Jalan Ampang, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Bukit

Bintang and the Art Market.

-- BERNAMA

Pekan to get its first tropical four-star resort

PEKAN: The construction of a RM80 million four-star resort here will complement the development of the royal town as an integrated hub for automobile, education and maritime industries, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said.

To be built by UDA Holdings Berhad, the "modern tropical" resort on the river bank of Sungai Pahang which is expected to be ready by 2013.

Najib, who is also the Pekan member of parliament, said the resort was an important component in the transformation plan for the town that had been prepared by the government.

"We have decided that Pekan will be developed as an automotive hub with an international automotive college which had opened last year," he said at the ground-breaking for the seven-storey resort yesterday.

Present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and UDA Holdings chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.

Najib said Pekan was also an education hub where various institutions for higher learning had been built, including Universiti Malaysia Pahang's permanent campus in Kuala Pahang.

At the same time, he said the on-going construction of the RM3 billion Tanjong Agas oil and gas and logistics industrial park near here had also spurred development in the surrounding areas..

He also said the completion of a four-lane dual-carriageway from Kuantan to Pekan had also made it easier for the people to commute between the two main towns.

Under the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) initiative, Najib said various allocations had been approved, including the upgrading of the Sultan Abu Bakar museum and Pekan riverfront landscape beautification project.

All the projects, he said, would draw more visitors to Pekan, also known for its various attractions, including the Tun Razak memorial hall, which is the rebuilt home of the late Tun Abdul Razak.

Nur Jazlan, is his speech, said that the resort, which was the first four-star facility to be built here, would have 133 rooms, five seminar rooms and a main function hall that could accommodate 450 people.

He said the hotel would also act as the main venue for meetings, conferences and exhibitions for Pekan and the surrounding areas.

"Apart from improving the tourism sector and changing its landscape, the resort will also provide job opportunities and other benefits for the people here," he said.

The curious case of Carcosa

COME August, boutique hotel Carcosa, a building that Malaysia had "struggled" to get back from the British, turns 113.

It was returned to Malaysia in 1987 and started operating as a hotel.

In late 2009, plans for its rejuvenation, as well as for neighbour Seri Negara and its surroundings, were announced. The plans were aborted shortly thereafter. Nineteen months have gone by since the announcement, but its future seems to be shrouded in secrecy.

Carcosa was once home to Frank Swettenham, the highest ranked British representative to the Malay States. The first prime minister of Malaya Tunku Abdul Rahman gifted "Carcosa" to the British government as a token of goodwill.

"Inevitably, that such a prominent and resonant property should remain in British hands sparked resentment, and the 'Carcosa issue' was taken up by young radical politicians, in particular one Anwar Ibrahim," according to the British High Commission Kuala Lumpur's website said.

In fact, Malaysia's Department of National Heritage states that Carcosa and Seri Negara are the most prestigious properties in the country's national history as the site where the properties are located was prominent in the struggle to get back Malaysia's assets from the British government.

In 1987, in return for giving up "Carcosa", the British government was given a plot of land near the corner of Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Ampang, where the British High Commission building now sits. Interestingly, the High Commission plans to sell this land and it may fetch close to RM200 million.

While business seems to be as usual at the hotel, it is only at Seri Negara. A drive up to the hotel will reveal that the road leading to Carcosa, and Carcosa itself, have been closed since December 31 2009.

Now, I am no conservation or restoration expert, but somehow it feels that more should be done to maintain the century-old building.

The Property and Land Management Division of the Prime Minister's Department, which made a request for proposal (RFP) and later called it off, has not returned any calls.

Although a new RFP was to come, to date, no new RFP has been heard of. A RFP, which is issued at an early stage in a procurement process, is an invitation for providers of a product or service to bid on the right to supply that product or service to the entity that has issued the RFP.

Peremba Sejagat Sdn Bhd, a unit of Saujana Hotels and Resorts, was told to manage the property for six months until July 2010, pending a decision on the winner of the bid. Calls to the hotel revealed that it is taking bookings for at least another year.

Is it not time for some indication on the status of the redevelopment? After all, some nine bidders had to toil and hurriedly put in a proposal as the tender's closing date was set within two weeks, which fortunately later extended by another two weeks.

Although designated as a heritage site by the Department of National Heritage, there has been no responses to questions posed to the Heritage Commissioner and deputy director-general on the status of Carcosa.

Numerous calls to the secretary general of the Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture Datuk Kamaruddin Siaraf were unanswered.

After all the fights to get back the property, one would think that it would only be right to take care of it.

For a start, it would be good to know what the status of the building is, or at the very least, if someone could say which ministry is actually responsible for the building.

Issues in Islamic tourism

KUALA LUMPUR: The hosting of World Islamic Tourism Forum here this week has evoked questions on the definition of "Islamic Tourism".

Does it relate to gender segregation in the use of facilities? Is it halal food? Is the focus on ornate Islamic architecture or beautiful mosques? When the New Straits Times asked around, many seemed to associate the term with religious visits to Islam's holy places and historical sites and also visits and tours to Muslim-majority countries.

A civil servant, Fatima Zahra, 28, responded to NST's query on Facebook about the topic by asking a reporter if the term meant that the tour would be syariah compliant such as providing halal meals and observing the time for prayers or did it just simply mean visiting historical Islamic places.

While many regard this as symbolic of Islam, there are many other aspects that make up Islamic tourism. This was the subject dwelt upon and discussed at length by participants of the World Islamic Tourism Forum this year for two days at the Seri Pacific Hotel here.

Themed "Enhancing the Spirit of Global Understanding Through Islamic Tourism", the forum also discussed and addressed issues surrounding the misconception of Islam and the Muslim community worldwide due to the negative publicity given by the Western media.

Organised by the Global Islamic Tourism Organisation Malaysia and the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies and also supported by Tourism Malaysia, about 200 people attended the forum where issues ranging from Islamic tourism, the halal industry and Islamic hospitality were discussed.

In his opening address at the forum on Tuesday, former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi acknowledged that Islamic tourism was still in its initial stage.

"Islamic tourism is a new brand in the contemporary world of tourism. It is a brand that will have to deal with the same issues of any conventional tourist agency. However, in the case of Islamic tourism, there are additional requirements that have to be fulfilled in accordance with the teachings of Islam.

"For example, observance of the halal requirement would be a major part of being syariah compliant. Muslims generally can only accept tourism as Islamic if this fundamental requirement is observed. Therefore, non-Muslims who want to participate in Islamic tourism would need to have sufficient understanding of the halal requirement," he said.

It was learnt that many tour operators who operate Muslim tour packages or Islamic tour packages still do not fully comprehend or understand the halal requirement.

On a trip to Singapore recently, 28-year-old technology writer Afiq Hanif was asked by the organisers whether he would mind if the restaurant they were going to had no halal certification by the authorities but did not serve pork or alcohol.

"This is a classic example of how the term halal is not really understood. Halal is not about an establishment just not serving pork or alcohol, it is about how the food is prepared. The meat needs to be slaughtered or prepared in the manner that is prescribed by Islamic law," he said.

In a discussion about the proper definition of the term, Insaniah University College Rector Prof Datuk Dr Jamil Othman said cross-case studies and academic exchanges of views among Islamic and non-Muslim hospitality practitioners were needed to enrich the knowledge base and to set guidelines for Islamic hospitality and travel.

"Terminology like Islamic hospitality, Islamic tourism, Muslim hospitality, syariah compliant hotels, Islamic hotels and halal friendly hotels have created much confusion as to which is to be used.

"Sometimes because of the lack of understanding it scares foreign visitors. This may be one of the factors that explains why major hotels are reluctant to attach the term to their brand".

By Liyana Mokhtar
news@nst.com.my
2011/07/16

Importance of heritage

Importance of heritage

A mega-city taking shape in Malaysia

IT is believed that those who visited Johor Baru five years ago might get lost at the southern gateway if they were to visit it today.

This second biggest city in the peninsula after Kuala Lumpur has undergone a metamorphosis in the past five years. It is probably like Singapore, another red dot city.



Kota Iskandar, the modern administrative centre
of Nusajaya in Johor Baru

 Works on the new Coastal Highway connecting Danga Bay and Nusajaya is under way. Once completed, the highway will enhance accessibility to the southwestern part of Johor.

For city folk, the anticipated Eastern Dispersal Link will help ease travel woes from Pandan to the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine checkpoint at the Sultan Iskandar Building.

An EduCity has been planned in Nusajaya and several institutions of higher learning are poised to set up their campus in Iskandar Malaysia.

The Legoland in Nusajaya is scheduled to open next year, while the first Premium Outlet in Southeast Asia will open its door in Kulaijaya by the last quarter of this year.

The Iskandar Malaysia project, launched in 2006, has sparked off many vibrant changes.

"Next year is important in the calendar of this region's growth as many infrastructure projects are scheduled for completion," said Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman.

Johor Baru member of parliament Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad is confident that more investors, expatriates and Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme participants will move to Johor Baru-Iskandar Malaysia.

The enchanting night scene at Danga Bay, Johor Baru

Skudai assemblyman and Johor DAP chairman Dr Boo Cheng Hau believes there are vast business opportunities for foreigners, too.

Based on the statistics from the Immigration Department, there are 5,289 expatriates living in Johor as of June 15, of whom 4,456 are residing in Johor Baru.

Singaporeans, Japanese, Indians and Filipinos make up the bulk of the expatriates, who are mainly employed in the manufacturing and services sectors.

Most of the MM2H participants favour Johor Baru to Singapore as the cost of living in the southern city is deemed more affordable.

A survey by the London-based ECA International on annual cost of living recently placed Johor Baru as the 37th most expensive city in Asia for expatriates this year, as compared with 41st last year. It is slightly behind Kuala Lumpur, which ranked 33rd, and ahead of George Town, which placed 40th in the ranking.

Johor Baru's immediate neighbour, Singapore, is in sixth position. The republic's ballooning property market and food bills, coupled with inflation and higher currency values, are bitter pills which even the locals find hard to swallow. Some have opted to stay or shop in Johor Baru to cushion the impact.

The Singapore factor has, therefore, raised the competitive edge of Johor Baru. Johoreans know well that the Singapore factor is also the cause of their "suffering", which started when the Singapore dollar started to appreciate in the late 1970s. One had to pay RM1.05 for every S$1.

A bird’s eye view of the Sultan Iskandar Building
in Johor Baru

Most Singaporeans cross the Causeway to spend their money, just like the northerners who like to lavish themselves across the border during the weekends.

On average, about 100,000 people use the Causeway daily, making it the busiest land entry point in the world.

With all the changes taking place, it makes sense that Johor Baru has been re-branded "Iskandar Malaysia". Will there be a name change?

MP Shahrir firmly said: "No way."

Johor Baru was founded in 1855 when the sovereign ruler of Johor, Temenggong Daing Ibrahim, established his administrative headquarters there. It was then known as Tanjung Puteri. His son and successor Temenggong Abu Bakar renamed it Johor Baru in 1866

"History shows that Johor Baru is a royal town and state capital. It is a name that cannot simply be changed or replaced," stressed Shahrir.

"Moreover, Iskandar Malaysia encompasses areas beyond Johor Baru, such as Senai, Pasir Gudang, Nusajaya and parts of Pontian."

Top three theme parks

1.DUBBED the country's biggest multi-level indoor amusement park ever built inside a mall, the Berjaya Times Square theme park offers attractions for both young and old. Enjoy the adrenaline rush when riding the roller coaster at Level 5 of the shopping mall. At Fantasy Garden on Level 7, it’s a world of endless imagination and exploration for the small children. For opening hours and tickets, contact 03-2117 3118 or visit www.timessquarekl.com/themepark

2.SUNWAY Lagoon’s all-in-one park has five different theme parks for just about everyone. Enjoy endless fun at its
Water Park, Scream Park, Extreme Park, Amusement Park
and Wildlife Park. For more information, visit www.sunwaylagoon.com.

3.GENTING Highlands, the entertainment city above the clouds, has everything for all to enjoy — from its renowned hotels to its variety of dining and shopping outlets, spectacular megashows,

business convention facilities, fun-filled amusement parks and endless entertainment, all packed in one place.

Top three char koay teow in Penang

1.THE Anson Road char koay teow is a modest roadside stall with its humble-looking elderly hawker producing one of the best char koay teow in town. The stall operates from 3pm to 8pm daily except on Sundays. A queue is common but the wait is certainly worth it.

2.AH Leng char koay teow is located at the corner of Jalan Dunlop and Jalan Datuk Keramat, just opposite the old Federal Cinema. This stall is famous for its huge prawns and mantis prawns. Patrons usually have to wait about 20 minutes during busy hours. The stall opens from about 8.30am until 2.30pm daily except on Thursdays. Ah Leng also hasopens a stall in Jalan Zoo in Air Itam from 6pm to 10.30pm daily except on Wednesdays.

3.AH Kheng char koay teow stall opens on weekday evenings at Peace and Joy Cafe at Lebuh China. It is common to see a crowd waiting at the cafe just for the char koay teow or fried rice from the same stall. The stall opens for business from 6.30pm to 11pm. It closes on Saturdays and Sundays. — Compiled by Looi Su-Chern

RM50m facelift for Hilton PJ

PETALING JAYA: Hilton Petaling Jaya will undergo its first major renovation in more than a decade, beginning this month.

The makeover, which will involve all its guest rooms, meeting rooms and the ballroom, is expected to involve some RM50 million.

General manager Chris Ehmann said that the renovation will be done in stages and it is expected to be completed in August 2012.

Hilton, which has been managing the property for the past 27 years, has been signed on to manage the hotel until December 31 2025. The hotel is owned by Tradewinds Corp Bhd.

"We will start with six floors on May 9," Ehmann told Business Times in an interview recently.

The hotel has 553 rooms, 17 meeting rooms and a ballroom that can accommodate 600 people.

"The investment will involve all infrastructure such as hot water, new televisions, telephone lines and the back of house," he said.

Ehmann said that its most recent makeover was in 2005/2006 which involved all its food and beverage outlets, main lobby and the public area.

Once completed, Ehmann expects both occupancy and average room rates to increase in line with its new product offerings.

"We pride ourselves on our service and we are excited about the products that will match our service," he said.

When asked about the surrounding competition, he said "It is the people who make the difference."

About 75 per cent of its guests are business guests as the hotel is focused on corporate travellers.

The hotel is essentially divided into three parts: the Main Block (10 storeys), the East Wing and the West Wing, each with 21 storeys.

The hotel, which started as Jaya Puri, came under the Hilton management in 1982. It closed for two years, underwent a RM40 million renovation, added a tower and reopened as Petaling Jaya Hilton.

In 1992, another tower block was added at a cost of RM75 million. Later, the hotel was renamed Hilton Petaling Jaya.

Ehmann said that Petaling Jaya residents will be particularly happy with the refurbished product as it is an iconic building in the area and most people have fond memories of the place. "We are putting Hilton Petaling Jaya back to her glory days," he said.

Tune Hotels may be listed in 2013

Tune Hotels Regional Services Sdn Bhd, the budget hotel chain owned by Tony Fernandes, head of Southeast Asia’s biggest low-cost carrier, may go public in early 2013 to expand its hospitality network, its chief executive officer said.

Tune Hotels, a unit of investment company Tune Group led by Fernandes, aims to have as many as 60 hotels across 10 countries including the U.K. and India by the end of 2012, said Mark Lankester, CEO of the hospitality group. The goal is to operate 100 by 2014, he said.

“We need to raise more capital to invest and continue the brand-growing,” Lankester said in an interview yesterday. “For us to continue growing, the cheapest capital is always going to be public capital. Securing public capital through an IPO makes a lot of sense.”

Fernandes, 46, is aiming to repeat his success with AirAsia Bhd., which was listed in 2004 and overtook national carrier Malaysian Airline System Bhd last year to become the country’s biggest airline by market value. AirAsia’s shares have doubled in the past year, while Malaysian Air has fallen 18 per cent.

AirAsia has said it intends to spin off and list its Thai and Indonesian units this year, while its long-haul associate AirAsia X Sdn Bhd may sell shares in Europe and Asia in 2012.

Tune Group, which Fernandes co-founded with AirAsia’s Deputy CEO Kamarudin Meranun, invested in businesses ranging from hotels, prepaid mobile-phone services to online financial products.

Reinvesting Income

Petaling Jaya-based Tune Hotels, which is profitable, has been reinvesting its income to grow the business, Lankester said, without disclosing its earnings. The company is preparing itself for an initial public offering and has yet to decide which stock exchange it would be listed on.

Tune Hotels has expanded to 12 properties in Malaysia, Indonesia and the U.K. since the opening of its first hotel in downtown Kuala Lumpur four years ago. Development deals are signed to add another 90 assets in Southeast Asia, Australia, London and India, Lankester said.

While the company owns most of the hotels currently under operation, it has accelerated the expansion through partnerships and franchise arrangements, he said. Tune Hotels teamed up with U.K.-based investment company Queensway Group Ltd. last year to develop and run 15 properties across in the London area by 2017, and it’s working with Apodis Hospitality Group to invest in 20 Indian hotels, he said.

Fernandes entered the airline business by mortgaging his home and digging into savings to buy then AirAsia for RM1 (33 US cents) in 2001, assuming its debts and two ageing Boeing Co planes. He now has a net worth of US$470 million, according to Forbes magazine, and is also principal of the Lotus F1 Racing team. -- Bloomberg