Ampang Park Shopping Centre started the trendy and luxurious lifestyle in Malaysia 

SHOPPING mall is a North American term for a large indoor shopping centre anchored by department stores and various other shops selling daily essentials like apparel and food. The term “mall” originally meant a pedestrian promenade with shops along it but in the late 1960s, it began to be used as a generic term for the large enclosed shopping centres that were becoming commonplace at the time. 

In Malaysia, shopping malls — especially in the Klang Valley — have become the go-to place for most Malaysians to meet up and hang out with friends and family members, shop for new apparels or groceries and as a place to look for good food. 

Over the years, the number of malls in the country with better facilities and services has grown significantly to cater to the various lifestyle demand and shopping habits of the Malaysian population. 

On that note, it also demonstrated Malaysia’s vigorous attempt to build a decent spending infrastructure for the people. 

Prior to the mushrooming of shopping malls, one mall paved the way to the trendy and luxurious lifestyle in Malaysia almost five decades ago. 

Ampang Park Shopping Centre — the first mall ever built in Kuala Lumpur (KL) and the country — was the brainchild of the Low Keng Huat Brothers Realty following their successful development of People’s Park, the first shopping centre in Singapore. 

Easy Access 

Located just a stone’s throw from the Ampang Park LRT station, the mall was built in 1972 and opened its door on March 15, 1973. 

In contrast to the tradition of shop lots which are oriented towards the street, the modern architecture faced inwards to an internal street or atrium. It was initially planned to be fully air-conditioned, but as it is being built, the atrium was cooled via natural cross-ventilation.

It features include a carpark for 450 vehicles, a children’s playground, an entertainment deck, an exhibition gallery and a theatrette. 

With a covered walkway connection to the Intermark Shopping Complex and the Doubletree Hotel opposite the mall, the strategic location of the mall with easy access to public transportation (bus hub for Ampang-bound buses and connectivity to the rail system) makes it a popular shopping destination for the locals and international tourists during weekends and festive seasons. 

Apart from that, the mall was also renowned for its slightly nostalgic vibe and ambiance due to its interior which was rather conservative but practical, reminding you of a much simpler times when KL was less chaotic and without too many high-rise commercial buildings. 

But for some city folks, the mall could have a specific significance and distinctiveness, especially for the generation of loyal customers who prefer quieter, non-luxury experiences where they could do their shopping pleasantly. 

Unable to Stand the Test of Time

Most of the shops there have been in operation since the completion of the mall with some being in existence for generational business. 

Unfortunately, after more than 40 years of operation, the country’s first shopping centre was “forced” to shutter its door as the site was slated for demolition to make room for a mass rapid transit (MRT) station and an underground walkway that would connect the commuters to its neighbouring rail system. 

Although the notice of demolition plan was initiated in July 2015, most people including the mall tenants and owners didn’t take it seriously as they thought it was just a rumour considering the plan was put on hold for some time. 

It was when the federal authority reconfirmed the plan and the mall will be closed down permanently to construct the MRT Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya Line, only then the “Save Ampang Park” movement started to save the mall and stop it from being demolished. Some strata owners even filed a legal challenge with the court to halt the demolition plan. 

However, after a long battle, the court ultimately rejected the challenge to the acquisition brought by 39 property owners and tenants thus, allowing the federal authority’s decision for the new development to move through. 

The news was devastating, especially for shopkeepers who had to relocate and move their facilities immediately. Some of whom had to find suitable replacement location was also struggling to restart their business. 

Most of the shops been in operation since the completion of the mall with some being in existence for generational business

Closing Doors Permanently

Before the mall was closed for good, the stores started holding clearance sales in December 2017. 

In 2018, the mall finally closes its doors and the building torn down, leaving a painful memory for the shop owners who had been in the complex since the start and had to leave behind the legacy they inherited. 

Before turning into history, the mall was undoubtedly a hollow presence in KL with its once glorious past and the place brought a sense of progress, development and unity through its retail experience compared to other successful malls around it. 

Some claimed that because it was KL’s first shopping mall, the location was worth savouring and protecting and that, with enough effort, it might be improved to become, for example, a historic landmark, batik hub, or such and advertise is better to attract the visitor to it. 

Reminiscing Ampang Park’s Glorious History 

Prior to the demolition, the mall had a chance to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2013, taking customers down memory lane to revisit its achievements, as well as the story of how the mall started. 

During the celebration, the mall management chairman Datuk Marco Low Peng Kiat regaled guests and patrons with stories of the shopping complex’s glory days in his speech, especially the early development of the city and its surrounding area. 

“Our past has been nothing short of glorious. Besides the development in KL over the years, Ampang Park had been the venue of many historic events. 

“We were the first shopping centre to be built not only in KL, but also in the country. We were also the first to have a cinema and host a car show, as well as a beauty contest in a mall. 

“The mall grew to become an important icon for the city folks. It became more than just a shopping centre. It became a symbol of beginnings, of progress and prosperity,” said Low. 

Today, returning to the location, we can only see a construction site in place of the once imperious shopping complex. 

Soon, a grand station of the MRT will be erected at the site, marking an end to an era of a simpler and more practical time. — pic UTUSAN MALAYSIA

• This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition