This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on February 14, 2022 - February 20, 2022
On a bright Monday morning, the affable Datuk Seri Koe Peng Kang sits down for an interview with this writer in his office in Setia Alam. Koe, who took the helm as S P Setia Bhd’s deputy president and chief operating officer (COO) in October of last year, reveals that he is an art enthusiast.
As we delve into the subject of art, the works of Van Gogh and Gaudi as well as his recent travels, Koe talks about the importance of supporting local artists and the group’s latest endeavour — an art competition called Setia KARYA.
“There are plenty of talented local artists who are struggling to make ends meet, especially during the pandemic,” says Koe. “Through Setia KARYA, we would like to give them an opportunity to showcase their works, and for them to be recognised at the international level.
“We coined the name ‘Setia KARYA’ as it signifies and represents the originality in the creation of art. The word ‘karya’ means artwork. We have been talking about running this contest for quite some time [since last year], and now is a good time to share about it. This is our initiative to appreciate and nurture homegrown talents while providing them with an excellent platform via our hotels.”
Koe is also the International Real Estate Federation (Fiabci) Asia-Pacific vice-president, with more than three decades of experience in the fields of engineering, construction, infrastructure works and property development.
Setia KARYA will have local artists showcasing their works in S P Setia’s upcoming hotels — Amari SPICE Penang in the Subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition Centre (Setia SPICE) in Penang and Amari Kuala Lumpur in KL Eco City, which will be opening their doors in 3Q2022.
Koe’s eyes widen as he scans the artists’ submission documents. “We have received more than 200 submissions, which has been encouraging; we are looking forward to receiving more. In terms of the quality of submissions, they are certainly of an international-level calibre,” he notes.
Running from March 1 to April 30, the art competition will offer attractive cash prizes. For both Amari SPICE Penang and Amari Kuala Lumpur, the first prize will be RM12,000, followed by a second prize of RM9,000, third prize of RM7,000 and consolation prizes of RM3,000 each.
The selected art pieces will be incorporated into and become a permanent, integral part of the upcoming hotels’ interior design. The competition is supported by the Malaysian Institute of Art, Malaysian Association of Hotels, Island Gallery and Penang Art District.
Setia KARYA aims to give equal opportunity to all Malaysian artists from all walks of life, welcoming professionals, amateurs, students and special needs artists to participate in the competition.
“We have received submissions from special needs artists; their works are remarkable. We hope to discover new talents, and perhaps improve their livelihoods with this opportunity. We anticipate many local and foreign visitors to our hotels — the level of exposure the artist will get is immense,” notes Koe.
A creative chapter for S P Setia
Koe hopes to combine art and development projects, and envisions Setia KARYA to be an impetus for artistic initiatives by S P Setia, adding that the group will explore other facets of art such as photography for its upcoming projects.
“Our goal for the long term is to be an active contributor in nurturing and promoting the Malaysian art scene with the
S P Setia brand. Apart from Setia KARYA, we plan to explore more creative platforms and outlets for the group in the future,” he says.
According to Koe, the competition is divided into a few subcategories, which include medium painting and mixed media. “Participating artists are to create artworks based on these categories and according to the themes of the hotel guest rooms, while giving their own interpretations of the themes,” says Koe.
He adds that the artworks will be displayed in the guest rooms. “We hope the artworks will capture the heart and soul, and heritage of the [hotels].”
In its first edition, Setia KARYA intends to connect art with the hospitality industry. “Our goal is for the guests to feel connected to each of the hotel [in its vision and story] through art, with these elements reflected throughout the different hotel rooms.
“For Amari SPICE Penang, our concept is ‘Vibrance of the Orient’, whereby it relates to the culture of Penang, its local landmarks and history.” Meanwhile, for Amari Kuala Lumpur, the theme is ‘Vivarium of the East’.”
Koe adds that the concept also pertains to time-honoured traditions appreciated by modern society. “We hope to see artworks that are Asia-centric, with influences of multiracial Malaysia. For one of the hotel guest rooms in the Amari SPICE Penang, we hope to display artworks that showcase the Penang Strait.”
Amari SPICE Penang and Amari Kuala Lumpur will be opening their doors in 3Q2022 and offer discerning guests a unique experience, giving them an opportunity to engage with the finest artworks in Malaysia’s vibrant art scene.
Amari SPICE Penang is a 453-room 5-star business hotel with facilities such as all-day dining, a sky bar, meeting rooms, a spa and an executive lounge.
“It is located within the Setia SPICE development in Bayan Baru that also includes a convention centre, Setia SPICE Arena, Setia SPICE Aquatic Centre and a retail component,” says Koe. Since the hotel’s interior design theme is Vibrance of the Orient, the focus will be on the contemporary Peranakan influence, which is unique to the state.
Amari Kuala Lumpur is a 252-room 5-star business hotel located in KL Eco City, a mixed-use development that includes offices, a retail component and residences. The hotel’s facilities include all-day dining and meeting rooms. The hotel’s interior design focuses on a modern take of Kuala Lumpur.
S P Setia registered strong sales of RM3.38 billion for the first nine months of FY2021, with a recorded sales target of RM3.8 billion, a revenue of RM2.73 billion and profit before tax of RM354 million.
“We are cautiously optimistic about the market outlook in FY2022. We will be announcing our latest results and targets by the end of the month,” says Koe.
Property Briefs
Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park officially open
Genting Malaysia unit Resorts World Genting (RWG) has announced that the casino and hotel group’s Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park (pictured) in Malaysia officially opened on Feb 8.
Attendees of the pre-opening preview of the long-awaited outdoor theme park, which cost the group some US$800 million (RM3.3 billion), were reported to have been informed that Genting SkyWorlds was scheduled to open to the public this month.
The 26-acre theme park boasts 26 rides and attractions. Following pandemic-imposed standard operating procedures, it can accommodate 20,000 visitors at 50% capacity.
Phase 1 of Dayana 2 fully sold, second phase to be launched in March
Phase 1 of Sime Darby Property Bhd’s Dayana 2 in Nilai Impian, Negeri Sembilan, was fully sold during its sales preview in late January. The launch of the second and final phase of the Dayana series is tentatively scheduled for March.
The company said in a statement that Phase 1 has 93 units with a gross development value of RM41.7 million. The Dayana 2 double-storey link homes are priced from RM517,888 and come with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The built-up area ranges from 1,764 to 1,846 sq ft.
International buyers still keen on Malaysian properties
The Malaysian property market, especially in Kuala Lumpur, Genting Highlands and Sabah, remains attractive to international buyers, says high-end property developer IBN Corp Ltd.
In a statement on Feb 7, IBN Corp director Megat Khalil Izzuddin Shah says Malaysia remains one of the most ideal countries for retirement owing to its excellent weather and living environment.
“The highly accessible public transportation system, affordable medical costs and cheap yet excellent education are also attractive prospects. In addition, investors like the freehold options and price, compared with what they can get back in their home countries such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan,” he adds.
UK retailers raise shop prices by the most since 2012
British shoppers were hit by the biggest increase in prices charged by major retailers in more than nine years in January, according to a survey that added to signs of accelerating inflation momentum.
The British Retail Consortium said on Feb 2 that shop prices rose by 1.5% in January compared with the same month in 2021. “That was the biggest annual increase since December 2012 and was almost double December 2021’s 0.8% rise. Food prices rose by 2.7%, the most since October 2013 and up from 2.4% in December, which reflected poor harvests, labour shortages and rising global food prices.”
However, the bigger impact came from non-food prices, which rose by 0.9% after falling by 0.2% in December, led by furniture and flooring which saw exceptionally high demand. — Compiled by Chung Ying Yi
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