The Presentation of Certificates of Appreciation to The Komtar Revitalisation Project Team

Speech by Chief Minister of Penang 
At The Presentation of Certificates of Appreciation to The Komtar Revitalisation Project Team

18 September 2017
The Top, KOMTAR

 

Ladies and gentlemen

Komtar after its completion in the mid-80s suffered a definite decline from the late 90s. I still remember how shocked I was at the condition of Komtar when we first won power in 2008. Then Komtar was so run-down, neglected and abandoned that even beggars did not want to go there.

No wonder the previous government wanted to escape and run away by building a new state administration building in Bayan Mutiara, next to the first Penang bridge. As the new State Government, we decided not to take the coward's way out, but to stay and fight to revitalise and revive Komtar by carrying refurbishment and renewal work. Apart from the State Government's own funds, we decide to invite private sector participation.

In 2012, when Only World Group (OWG) won the Open Tender to revitalise Komtar, I had the feeling that we were witnessing the birth of a new era. The Top is the first in Malaysia, the region and globally, for so many reasons, from the first curved glass bottomed skywalk of that height in the world, the highest open air dining in the region to the largest dinosaur theme park in Malaysia.

With a total investment of RM200 million, The Top continues to push new boundaries in more ways than one. And now the project has achieved the most highly recognised and respected award in Malaysia’s construction industry, namely the prestigious Malaysian Construction Industry Excellence Award (MCIEA) 2017 which has been adjudicated by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).

The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia, selects award winners through a series of detailed evaluations by independent panels of profesional assessors appointed by CIDB. They include the country’s reputable professional bodies in the construction industry such as SIRIM, Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia, Institute Of Engineer Malaysia and others.

This prestigious Malaysian Construction Industry Excellence Award (MCIEA) 2017 Best Project Award under medium category building (for project costing 20mil to 100 mil) has been awarded to Only World Group Bhd as the developer and Alam Langkawi Sdn Bhd as the main contractor for successfully completing the Komtar Revitalisation project, a challenging, complex and extreme engineering construction works.

Unlike conventional building, the construction here required the right construction methodology be adopted with correct work sequences, high-risk lifting and precision installation work. Every step of the construction process was rigorously inspected, monitored, tested and quality assurance examined.

At the same time, out of the box innovative construction ideas and the utilisation of right equipment and tools including compliance to stringent Occupation, Safety and Health regulations was employed in the construction. The fact that you all as a team has come this far shows that all you have high adversity quotient, i.e. able to withstand the test of adversity and extreme pressure. 

This excellent achievement could not have been achieved without the team work and collaboration of companies, contractors and consultants majority of them are from PENANG. I would like to congratulate and express my sincere appreciation to the team members, particularly:

Tan Sri and Puan Sri Richard Koh 
The developer of this project

Engineer Soon Eng Kooi
The main contractor from Alam Langkawi Sdn Bhd

Dato Rosli Jaafar 
PDC as the Project Planner

Dato Ir. Ang Choo Hong
PDC Setia Urus Sdn Bhd as the Building Manager

En. Roslan 
PDC as the project coordinator

Global Built as the Project Manager

ARUP Consultant Engineers as the Structural Engineers

Hanyang Consultant Engineers as the M&E Engineers

Azwan Hussein Arkitek as the Architects

Kuantibina as the Quantity Surveyors

Youngblood as the Interior Designers

For the future, I am told by Tan Sri Dato Sri Richard Koh that there are more exciting attractions coming up. The Penang State Gallery and Central Market at Level 3 of Komtar Phase 2, will be opened before the end of this year. Likewise the Aquarium at level 4 of Komtar Phase 2 will welcome guests before end this year. This will be the first aquarium in Malaysia with real fish as well as virtual fish.

The most exciting attraction will be the world’s tallest rope course at level 65 of Komtar tower. Unlike other adventures on tall buildings or bridges, which offered walking on glass or metal pathways, this tallest rope course in Komtar will offer many forms of adventures for the fearless. We are still awaiting the tallest art mural painting of Komtar, which I am told will begin next year.

Once again, I would like to thank and congratulate Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Dato Sri Richard Koh of Only World Group Bhd, Engineer Soon Eng Kooi of Alam Langkawi Sdn Bhd for their achievements.

Thank you.

Pejabat Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang Tingkat 28, KOMTAR, 10502, George Town, Pulau Pinang