Sara-Timur spreads wings to Peninsular M'sia

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 17): Sara-Timur Sdn Bhd, a Sarawakian construction and development firm, aims to establish a strong presence here in Peninsular Malaysia, its managing director John Loi and chairman Datuk Dr Zawawi Ismail conveyed during a media briefing held at its KL corporate office in Solaris Dutamas on Tuesday.

"The market is bigger, the demand is bigger here in Peninsular Malaysia," said Loi, who founded Sara-Timur and started operations in 1995.

Zawawi highlighted his excitement for the company's latest project in Bandar Baru Tunjong, Kelantan called Kota Bharu Sentral@Tunjong. This 41 acre project is a joint-venture project with Tunjong Development Corporation Sdn Bhd and Perbadanan Menteri Besar Kelantan.

Kota Bharu Sentral@Tunjong is part of Bandar Baru Tunjong, which covers over 2,000 acres. The township was conceptualised by the Kelantan State Government, and this new city aims to be a satellite city for the state capital of Kota Bharu.

Sara-Timur's Kota Bharu Sentral@Tunjong project will start its first phase of development on its allotted 41-acres by building a Village Mall that has a Gross Development Value (GDV) of more than RM100 million. Construction is slated to start in June once land acquisition from private owners is completed by the local government. There will be basement parking throughout and above the parking area will be predestrian-only areas.

Additionally, Zawawi emphasised that green technology will be used in the project to create a sustainable environment. Once Kota Bharu Sentral@Tunjong is completed in about five to seven years time, it will have luxury condominium units, mall, hotel, convention centre and commercial buildings.

Some of Sara-Timur's ongoing developments include its RM150 million Jade Residences in Kota Kinabalu. This high-end condo project has units starting from RM700,000, and has a take-up of about 60%. Another project is a hotel, also in Kota Kinabalu, and is currently called Jesselton Point Hotel and Suites. Loi said that the company will also be moving into the hospitality line by developing hotels and later engaging a hotel operator to run it for them. Its first hotel is called Swiss Inn — in Sandakan — and is operated by Swiss Garden.

Not leaving out Sara-Timur's construction arm, it was awarded a contract at the 2,000 acre Mersing Laguna project in Johor worth RM360 million for the construction of an integrated resort development that will consist of a hotel, serviced apartments, and waterfront and garden villas. In addition, it is also awarded a contract worth RM370 million by the same developer to redevelop and revitalise the existing Mersing township.