Property Hunter Magazine Property Hunter Magazine Issue 55 - June 2014 | Page 48

/// West Malaysia Property News Liew Has 35% in Eco World Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin has emerged as a substantial shareholder of Eco World Development Group Bhd with a 35.05% indirect stake or 88.78 million shares in the company. He was appointed non-independent and non-executive director of the company on May 5. Liew Appointed Eco World Director Former SP Setia’s chief executive officer Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin Property developer extraordinaire Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin has been appointed non-independent and non-executive director in Eco World Development Group Bhd, according to a Bursa Malaysia announcement. The 55-year-old, who built S P Setia Bhd into one of the largest Malaysian property companies by market capitalisation, resigned from his position as president and chief executive officer of S P Setia on April 30, 2014. However, he remains chairman of Battersea Project Holding Co Ltd and managing director of Qinzhou Development (M) Consortium Sdn Bhd. Liew is the father of Liew Tian Xiong, director and substantial shareholder of the company. Eco World is controlled by former executives of S P Setia. 48 www.PropertyHunter.com.my Malaysia Airports to Open Southeast Asia’s Largest Outlet Shopping Mall An artist’s impression of what is being hailed by Malaysia Airports and Mitsui Fudosan as the largest outlet shopping mall in Southeast Asia, Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA Malaysia Airports is partnering Mitsui Fudasan to develop what it hails as the largest outlet shopping mall in Southeast Asia, located 6km from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Scheduled to open by early 2015, Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA will feature 140 factory outlet stores spanning over 25,000sq m of commercial space under Phase 1. Phases 2 and 3, which are slated for completion by 2018 and 2021 respectively, will increase commercial space to 46,300sq m, housing approximately 260 shops. MFMA Development Sdn Bhd, a joint venture company started in August 2013 between Mitsui Fudasan (with 70% ownership) and Malaysia Airports (30%), will undertake the construction, leasing to tenants, promotions as well as the management and operations of the outlet mall. The company will be led by Mitsui Fudosan’s Takehito Fukui as Managing Director. With a concept themed ‘Paradise Village’, Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA will feature four distinctive zones: Sunshine Square, Pier Walk, Tropical Plaza and Beach Walk. A wide variety of luxury and sports brands from Europe, the USA and Asia (including Japan and Malaysia) will be offered at discounted prices, and international cuisine will be offered under a ‘World Food Expo’ concept. Other highlights include a Japanese specialty store showcasing delicacies, traditional arts and crafts and technology; an entertainment, sports and leisure centre; an amusement park; and a creativity development facility for children. “The Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA will certainly further enhance the spectrum of attractions in Malaysia,” said Malaysia’s Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Y.Bhg. Datuk Dr. Ong Hong Peng, who officiated the groundbreaking ceremony last month. He added that the project represents “a massive leap forward” in providing quality and competitive shopping in Malaysia. Malaysia Airports believes that the easy accessibility, high visibility and strategic location of Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA, which is about 60km from the Kuala Lumpur city centre, make it an ideal location for both tenants and customers. There are also plans to provide shuttle bus services from KLIA to the facility and to establish check-in counters and flight information display boards to further facilitate travellers. Additionally, there will be over 2,500 parking lots. The encouraging growth Tourism Has Been the Big Driver of Kota Kinabalu & Penang’s Property Market Sustainability in passenger movements also augurs well for the project, the national airport operator added. In 2013, KLIA registered over 47 million passengers with a +19% increase on-year; the same year saw KLIA being ranked by ACI as the world’s 20th busiest airport based on overall passenger movements and the world’s 11th busiest for international passenger movements. A