Malaysia is a country teeming with world-class malls and yet new ones continue to pop up. Here are some of the latest editions to the mall scene to send shopaholics into a frenzy!
See also: Top 20 Shopping Malls in Kuala Lumpur
KENANGA WHOLESALE CITY
As Malaysia’s first wholesale shopping mall, Kenanga Wholesale City rivals Bangkok’s Platinum Fashion Mall when it comes to high-quality, affordable purchases. Located on Jalan Kenanga in Kuala Lumpur, the heart of Malaysia’s fashion wholesale hub, this mall boasts more than 800 shoplots with a large variety of fashion merchandise. Kenanga Wholesale City also functions as a shopping mall with full amenities such as food and beverage outlets, event spaces, and banking facilities.
PARADIGM MALL
Billing itself as “the iconic lifestyle mall,” Paradigm Mall is located in Petaling Jaya close to the Kelana Jaya LRT station. Shop ’Til You Drop Home to trendsetting fashion and lifestyle boutiques as well as funky, up-and-coming stores, Paradigm Mall boasts top-of-therange retail brands to cater to all different styles and tastes. Culinary aficionados will also be pleased to know that there are food and beverage outlets located on every level, and the building boasts a great range of services including money changers and banks. Paradigm Mall has also conquered the entertainment sphere with a cinema and a children’s playground, and the breezy boulevard is great for dining outside.
PUBLIKA
Recently launched in the Hartamas Heights area of Kuala Lumpur, Publika is fast becoming synonymous with urban and cool as the lots fill up with the city’s funkiest shops and eateries. From art centres to boutique fashion outlets, quirky cafes and restaurants to artistic structures in the public space, this newest addition to the Kuala Lumpur shopping scene is gaining popularity with the hip, indie crowd due to its taste for “creative retail” that aims to both inspire and engage the public. Besides the usual shopping centre services (free shuttle, valet parking, prayer room, and ATMs), Publika hosts many local events and festivals.
JOHOR PREMIUM OUTLETS
Johor Premium Outlets in Kulai is strategically located on the gateway to Singapore, and follows in the footsteps of its counterparts in the USA, Mexico, Japan, and Korea by carrying a collection of 80 designer and name brand outlet stores with amazing discounts. Expect to make savings of between 25% and 65%. Driving to the outlet is the easiest way to access it, but bus services from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur are available. Opt to come in a large group (more than 15 people) to receive VIP Coupon Books on arrival. If an overnight stay in Kulai is necessary to maximise shopping time, various hotels in the area offer “Shop & Stay” packages.
VIVA HOME
For anyone with a passion for home décor, Viva Home is a mall that should not be missed. This large, “one-stop” centre is located on Jalan Loke Yew and boasts multiple floors of home supplies, from furniture to accessories, televisions to curtains. Shoppers can enjoy a range of food and beverage establishments, and there is a cinema for keeping the kids amused.
Leave the Car at Home!
As every Malaysian knows, Kuala Lumpur is a shopping haven. It is difficult to imagine life in this city without its myriad jaw-dropping, beautiful malls stocked with designer labels and must-visit restaurants and cafes. Of course, in a metro area as vastly spread out as this one, it might be tricky to navigate one’s journey to these retail outlets without a car at your disposal. Luckily, select shopping centres have recognised the need to cater to the car-less and greenfriendly shoppers: free shuttle buses.
PUBLIKA
From 10am-8pm, a bus departs from Mont Kiara every 2 hours for KL Sentral and can accommodate up to 30 passengers each trip. There are six trips a day from Monday to Saturday (excluding public holidays). This service is exclusively for the residents of Sunrise-managed properties in the Mont Kiara and Dutamas area, passengers need to present their resident or “I am Publikan” cards to enjoy the free ride.
BANGSAR SHOPPING CENTRE
Bangsar Shopping Centre is another mall thinking of local residents, and a complimentary shuttle services runs from HELP/UOA, Manulife, Pusat Bandar Damansara, and HELP Residence (in that order) to connect to the mall. These services run daily every half hour from 12pm. There is also a free shuttle that connects Bangsar LRT to the mall entrance running regularly throughout the day.
MID VALLEY MEGAMALL AND THE GARDENS MALL
The mammoth shopping meccas of Mid Valley Megamall and The Gardens Mall (located in Mid Valley City) have both set up extensive shuttle services that make shopping without a car possible. Equipped with air-conditioning and comfortable seating, the Mid Valley Megamall free shuttle bus service operates daily from 8am to 11pm, and there is a direct link between the Bangsar LRT Station and South Court Bus Stop outside the mall. The bus runs every 30 minutes except certain times (e.g., during lunch). The Gardens Mall operates a complimentary shuttle service to and from the suburb of Mont Kiara. Pick up and drop off points include Kiaramas Cendana, Kiaramas Sutera, Jalan Kiara 5, Mont Kiara International School, La Grande Kiara, Kiaraville, Jalan Kiara 2, and MK Palma Condo. The bus runs every 2-3 hours daily. As if that wasn’t enough, The Gardens also operates a shuttle to and from the KL Hilton (located near KL Sentral), with a stop at Suasana Sentral Condominium on the way. This service starts at 9.25am and ends at 4pm.
IPC
Formerly known as Ikano Power Centre, this mall provides a free shuttle bus service to and from the Kelana Jaya LRT Station which operates daily from 9am to 10.30 pm. The drop off point is the main entrance on the Ground Floor of the IPC Shopping Centre, ensuring no time is wasted in putting that credit card to good use.
THE CURVE
Servicing the Mutiara Damansara area, a free coach service from The Curve has pick-up and drop-off points at both the Eastin Hotel and the Royale Bintang Hotel. This shuttle departs from the Western Courtyard of The Curve at 10am, 3pm and 8pm daily.
1UTAMA
The free shuttle service for 1Utama is exclusively for ONECARD holders; yet another reason to sign up for the mall’s rewards programme. Cardholders get a free ride on the ONECARD Express bus between 1Utama and the Kelana Jaya LRT Station, and there are stops at Centrepoint, KBU, 9 Bukit Utama, Bukit Utama Condo, and 1 Tech Park along the way. The service is available from Monday to Friday only.
PARADIGM MALL
This mall may be one of the newest in PJ, but there is already a free shuttle service to bring shoppers from the nearby Kelana Jaya LRT station to the new shopping centre. The bus runs on the hour from Kelana Jaya LRT station from 9am, and on the half hour from Paradigm Mall from 9.30am, with the last buses being the exception, running at 10.45pm and 11pm respectively.
Sponsored Link: Zalora Malaysia is an online shopping portal for shoes and fashion. Sign-up with Zalora and receive a RM 20 voucher.
Source: The Expat October 2012
Read more:
"ExpatGo welcomes and encourages comments, input, and divergent opinions. However, we kindly request that you use suitable language in your comments, and refrain from any sort of personal attack, hate speech, or disparaging rhetoric. Comments not in line with this are subject to removal from the site. "
