1Borneo Hypermall retailers form company to take over mall's management

KOTA KINABALU: Owners of Sabah's biggest mall 1Borneo Hypermall that was hit by near closures as the state utility company threatened to cut electricity, five months ago, has taken over the management with effect from Jan 1.

United I Borneo Hypermall Sdn Bhd, a company incorporated by the retail shop owners of 1Borneo Hypermall, said the move was to safeguard their interests in the mall that has been dubbed as Borneo Island's largest mall.

Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd had cut partial power to the mall after the previous management that was under liquidation failed to pay up some RM9.3mil in utility bills in July 2018.

Newly appointed general manager for the new management company Javed Sani said on Thursday (Jan 3) that the management committee aims to among others, improve and reorganise management services at the hypermall.

"We are unique in terms of size in a strategic and excellent location. The future is good with the owners taking over and running the mall," Javed said.

He said the seven member committee was headed by David Wong, a well-known local businessman.

The 1Borneo complex has a total area of 418,063 sq metres, comprising four hotels, over 900 units of condominiums and with about 111,483 sq metres of retail shops.

1Borneo Hypermall, being the largest mall in East Malaysia, has a bowling alley, cinema, anchor tenants including Giant supermarket, Parkson, F&B outlets and a variety of shops serving customers for last 10 years.

Wong said that 1Borneo has an occupancy rate of 70% and would improve once better services and improvement plans were implemented.

He also said that the strata title exercise for the shops, condominiums and hotels would be carried out this year.