PETALING JAYA (Sept 27): The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah and the Yang Amat Mulia Tengku Arif Bendahara visited Battersea Power Station in Central London, United Kingdom, last Friday (Sept 24).

The Malaysian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, H.E. Zakri Jaafar, also accompanied Their Majesties on the visit. They were welcomed by incoming chairman of Battersea Project Holding Company Datuk Jagan Sabapathy, Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) and Sime Darby Property Bhd (SDP) non-executive director Datin Norazah Mohamed Razali, SDP non-executive director Datuk Seri Ahmad Johan Mohammad Raslan, PNB UK principal officer Mohd Hizami Mohd Iskandar, Employees Provident Fund (EPF) principal officer Ramzi Abdullah, as well as Battersea Power Station Development Company (BPSDC) CEO Simon Murphy.

While they received an update on the wider development, Their Majesties were also given a tour of Grade II listed buildings within Battersea Power Station as well as Malaysia Square, where the King unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit. 

In the UK, the Grade II listed buildings are defined as a UK building or structure that is "of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve it". Upon its completion, these buildings in Battersea Power Station will house more than 100 shops, bars and restaurants. It will also have events and leisure spaces, including the Chimney Lift Experience. It will also be home to Apple’s new London Campus and 254 new residential apartments.

The first completed phase in Battersea Power Station, Circus West Village, has over 1,500 residents and it has a mix of restaurants, cafés, bars, a theatre and cinema.

Battersea Power Station is developed by the consortium consisting of SDP, S P Setia Bhd and EPF, while the management of the development is being undertaken by BPSDC. The entire development is scheduled to be fully completed next year.

Jaafar said: “What has been achieved by this consortium of Malaysian companies, which have combined resources in an international sphere, is truly exemplary. Their Majesties' visit is indeed timely to witness this proud accomplishment by Their Majesties' subjects. This project will be an important point of reference for future Malaysian projects and collaborations.”

Sabapathy noted that this project is a shining example of the synergy between Malaysia and the UK working together to bring a new destination to life.

“I believe it will be a legacy to the Malaysian people’s ambition, expertise and investment. We have achieved what others have only attempted, and it is a great privilege to see the Malaysian flag flying high at the Battersea Power Station,” he said.