Sabah Most Wanted

Wisma Merdeka fears the outlook may worsen

Wisma Merdeka fears the outlook may worsen
Published on: Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Wisma Merdeka, one of the oldest shopping malls in Kota Kinabalu, and a notable landmark in the capital city, is not spared of challenges in the current business slowdown, said former Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai, Sunday. He said the operators have met a lot of challenges in their daily business undertakings, and likewise, the consumers have also been facing challenges.
"I am sure with both parties knowing the situation that we have to go through, for example, with respect to GST (Goods & Services Tax) and other aspects, there will be eventually a win-win situation," he said after officiating at the Merdeka Complex Traders Association (MCTA) 19th Annual Dinner cum 10th Executive Committee Installation Night 2015 held at a city hotel, here.
Dr Yee commended the Association members for being very active in their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, saying they have contributed to charity causes.
"Tonight, the Merdeka Complex Traders Association made a donation of RM3,500 to SJK © Pai Wen, which was damaged in the 5.9-magnitude earthquake in Ranau on June 5 this year. Earlier, the association had also donated RM2,180 worth of provisions to St Michael's Church in Donggongon for the relief of the earthquake victims," he noted.
Headmistress of SJK © Pai Wen, Ng Li King @ Goh received the donation on behalf of the school.
"It will be channelled to the school building fund," she said.
Earlier, Dr Yee witnessed the swearing-in of the new MCTA Executive Committee headed by Michael Lee as Chairman. Others are Deputy Chairman Ken Tong, Vice-Chairman Francis Liew, Secretary Lee Wai Yap, Assistant Secretary Shum Yuit Hu, Treasurer Frankie Tan, Assistant Treasurer Jason Tong Kok Wui and Committee Members Tan Kang Hoh, Teoh Yan Kong, Henry Yong and Chong Sang Keong.
Speaking to the Daily Express, Manager of Wisma Merdeka (Phase 2), Michael Yong said currently, for the first time in many years, there is a slew of vacant lots at the shopping complex as a number of businesses have come to a halt. He attributed the prevailing situation to a business decline, resulting from the introduction of GST.
"Such a scenario was never seen since the opening of the complex 30 years ago. I fear the grim outlook may worsen," he lamented.
To counter this unfavourable state of affairs, Yong cited measures such as promotion activities and reducing the rentals to attract prospective tenants.
"Next month, we will be having a joint effort by traders association and management in holding a grand sale. There will be lucky draws and transformer mascots.
"Honestly speaking, we have never done promos like this before. Amid the slower sales situation in Wisma Merdeka, we can't just sit around and watch what will happen next. We are impelled to do something about it," he said.
And before the end of the year, the management is coming up with a bigger event in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia.
Meanwhile, 13 students from a kindergarten, a primary school and secondary schools received scholarship awards given away by the Chairman Michael and his deputy Ken. They were Janice Yong Ni Bin, 5, (Tadika Tzu Yu Bersepadu), Jason Yong Li Sen, 9, (SJK © Shan Tao), Javan Yong Li Wei, 11, (SJK © Shan Tao), Alfred Ngu Yok Fei, 14, (SM Shan Tao), Brandon Yong Kai Jeh, 15, (All Saints' Anglican Academy), Lee Hong Yin, 16, (Sabah Tshung Tsin Secondary School), Jazlyn Yong Kai Ling, 16, (Sabah Tshung Tsin Secondary School), Beatrice Ngu Jin Lou, 17, (SMK St Francis Convent), Lee Chien Shy, 17, (Sabah Tshung Tsin Secondary School), Christopher Yong Kai Lun, 18, (SM Kian Kok), Evelyn Ngu Jin Jin, 18, (KK High School), Tan Tze Ting, 18, (SMK St Francis Convent) and Tan Yin Yee, 20, (KK High School).

RM168 bln tourism receipts by 2020 target ‘achievable’

KOTA KINABALU: Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun said Malaysia Year of Festivals 2015, or MyFEST 2015, would help achieve the tourist arrivals target of 2020 under the Malaysia Tourism Transformation Plan.
“MyFEST 2015 is expected to help Malaysia secure the targeted 29.4 million tourist arrivals and RM89 billion in tourism receipts for 2015. These figures will help achieve the target of 36 million tourist arrivals with RM168 billion in tourism receipts by 2020 under the Malaysia Tourism Transformation Plan,” he said in his speech delivered by Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Pang Nyuk Ming.
On shopping sector which continued to hold the second biggest share of tourist expenditure after the accommodation sector, Masidi said a collaborative effort in organizing Wisma Merdeka 1Malaysia Year-End Sale program was a good initiative in promoting Sabah.
“Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment is fully supportive of the Sabah Tourist Association (STA)’s collaborative effort with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) Sabah and Tourism Malaysia (TM) Sabah in organising Wisma Merdeka 1Malaysia Year-End Sale program.”
“This initiative is a good effort in promoting Sabah as an attractive value for money shopping destination to domestic and international tourists and also help to bring numerous benefits to the local retail sector and boosts tourist expenditure in the country,” he added at the launching of Amazing Quest Wisma Merdeka 2015 held at Wisma Merdeka shopping complex yesterday.
He also said that the quest which had an Amazing Race concept of treasure hunt event was not only a fun-filled event but also put on strong emphasis on the importance of family unit in society with the theme “Family”.
In the event, a team of family consisting of two adults and two children will be working together to solve puzzles and games to get points which will determine the winner of the Amazing Quest.
There were eight traditional games featuring ‘Batu seremban’, ‘Tapak Gajah’, ‘Binsulung’, Blow Pipe and ‘Sumazau’, within three hours competition.
A total of 13 teams participated in the Amazing Quest which was won by a team under the name of Jenner Ronidas comprising 11 people. They brought home RM1,500 cash plus goodie bag worth RM80.
The second runner-up was won by a 13-member team under the name of Nur Ameera Faseeha Ramlee. The received RM1,000 plus goodie bag while the third place prize of RM500 plus goodie bag went to 7-member team of Yeam Shin Yau.
The remaining 10 teams were presented with RM200 cash and goodie bag each.