Pavilion’s Desmond Lim eyes Subang Skypark, say sources

PETALING JAYA (Feb 19): Property magnate Tan Sri Desmond Lim is allegedly planning to buy a 60% stake in Subang Skypark Sdn Bhd from Tan Sri Ravindran Menon and his partner Datuk Aisamar Kadil Mydin Syed Marikiah for an undisclosed sum, with intentions to redevelop the land surrounding Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, where the company has a long sub-lease concession agreement with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to operate its city airport terminal and integrated commercial and business aviation hub, reported The Edge weekly.

While the size of the landbank surrounding the airport is unknown, MAHB’s annual report states it has a 60-year right of occupation that expires in 2066, and the airport rests on 1,122 acres.

Lim is said to be earmarking parcels within the site for low-rise development such as malls, considering that the land will not have a high plot ratio given its proximity to the airport.

It is unclear how the billionaire will proceed with the acquisition — which is said to be imminent, pending approval from the government — as he may either take up the stake privately or via his listed construction and property development group WCT Holdings Bhd, where he holds a 19.57% share, said sources.

WCT’s credentials include the Bukit Tinggi Shopping Centre in Klang, Paradigm Mall Petaling Jaya in Selangor, Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru in Johor, and the MAHB concession for gateway@klia2, which boasts a mall-within-an-airport concept.

Menon and Aisamar hold 30% each in Subang Skypark while the remaining 40% is held by Anggun Intelek Sdn Bhd, a Temasek Padu Sdn Bhd subsidiary.

Meanwhile, Lim’s other property concerns include developer Malton Bhd and Pavilion Real Estate Investment Trust.