malaysiang
IPOH, Sunway Ipoh Mall is set to become Perak’s largest mall upon its completion in 2027, Sunway Group (Sunway) founder and chairman Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah said today.
He added that the mall, with a total development cost of more than RM1 billion, will feature over one million square feet of net lettable area and house the state’s first ice-skating rink and bowling alley.
‘Having invested RM2 billion in the development of Sunway City Ipoh, we are committing another RM4 billion over the next decade in our expansion plans. This includes a world-class hospital, a new education hub, a brand-new hotel and a state-of-the-art convention centre,’ he said in his opening remarks at the mall’s ground-breaking ceremony here today, adding that it was the latest addition to the 1,350-acre (546.3256-hectare) Sunway City Ipoh development.
The ceremony was officiated by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and attended by Perak State Secretary Datuk Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim, state Tourism, Industry, Investment
and Corridor Development Committee chairman Loh Sze Yee, Hulu Kinta assemblyman Muhamad Arafat Varisai Mahamad, Ipoh mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin and the Perak State Development Corporation (PNKPk) chief executive Datuk Redza Rafiq Abdul Razak.
He also shared that Sunway Medical Centre Ipoh was on track to be fully operational by early next year, with more than 200 beds that will cater to Ipoh’s growing population and the increasing demand for quality healthcare in the surrounding communities.
‘It will also elevate the appeal of Sunway City Ipoh as a medical tourism hub in the northern region of Malaysia. These developments are collectively expected to add thousands of new jobs and generate significant economic and social multiplier effects for the state,’ Cheah said.
On another note, Cheah said the Malaysian Highway Authority estimated that daily traffic on the North-South Highway can reach up to four million vehicles, especially during peak periods and festive holidays.
‘Towards that end, Sunway and the
state government invested close to RM12 million to build an interchange in 2007 which seamlessly connects the highway to Jalan Tambun and two years ago, we worked together again to invest more than RM16 million to expand and upgrade Jalan Tambun, easing traffic congestion coming into the city,’ he added, noting with pride that the public-private partnership was part of a series of collaborations between Sunway and the Perak state government that started in the early 2000s to stimulate the city’s economy.
Meanwhile, Saarani paid tribute to Sunway Group during his officiating speech, describing the company as a partner dedicated to the state’s development for the past three decades.
He cited Sunway City Ipoh as a prime example of how public-private partnerships could turn an area into a sophisticated modern city that would serve as a catalyst for local economic growth.
‘The construction of Sunway Ipoh Mall, for instance, will complete the development of the integrated Sunway City Ipoh, turning it into a more
attractive destination for both locals and tourists.
‘With additional facilities being developed, like Sunway Medical Centre Ipoh, which is expected to begin operations in 2025, Sunway City Ipoh will continue to grow to suit the lifestyle needs of a modern society,’ he said.
Saarani added that Sunway’s new RM4 billion investment was very significant in changing the state’s landscape as it not only would create thousands of jobs, but also spur various new business opportunities.
‘This is in line with our goal to drive the state economic growth and boost the people’s living standards. Large-scale projects like this also add infrastructure facilities and the connective network in Perak,’ he added.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
