SHAH ALAM: In the corporate world, leaders must stand up as moral compasses for their people, says a corporate leader.

“It is very important. It is very essential. Be a moral compass and direct them the right way,’’ said SP Setia Bhd chief operating officer and deputy president Datuk Wong Tuck Wai.

Wong, who was one of the speakers at a forum during the launch of the Setia Leadership Re-Imagined Network yesterday, also said leaders must be empathetic rather than autocratic.

The platform was launched with the goal to inspire the company’s leaders to grow and achieve greater heights, both personally and professionally.

Wong said one of the prerequisites of a leader in an organisation like SP Setia was to be empathetic.

“Empathy is actually the way. Being an autocratic leader is more difficult than an empathetic leader,’’ said Wong.

He added that people would do things willingly for empathetic leaders while it would be done out of fear for autocratic leaders.

“Leaders must be good communicators who are able to relay clear messages to their subordinates.

“At all times, leaders must stay engaged with their staff,’’ he said.

The event was part of the conglomerate’s empathetic leadership exercise for its management staff, who were graduates of the Setia Leadership Series programme.

More than 200 people attended the event, moderated by SP Setia’s chief human resources officer Nadiah Tan Abdullah, both on the ground and virtually.

Other guest speakers were founder and chief executive officer of Naluri Hidup Sdn Bhd Azran Osman Rani and Star Media Group’s youth news and lifestyle platform R.AGE editor Ian Yee.

Earlier, before the speakers were invited to share their opinions, SP Setia president and CEO Datuk Khor Chap Jen said leaders must apply what they learned.

“Otherwise, it will become rusty. Everyone must learn from one another as they are all experts in their own way.

“You must always acknowledge that you are not better than the other person, including subordinates, and must always be humble and learn from them,’’ Khor said.

He also said leaders must not follow the “old sifu” style of teaching where only 90% of knowledge was imparted.

“Do not fear that our positions could be usurped if we parted with our knowledge.

“Leaders must also nip office politics in the bud as it would prevent equitable sharing of knowledge,” he said.

WITH pretty much the entire world reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic, the concept of empathetic leadership has shot straight into the spotlight.

A study by Trinity College showed that countries with female leaders have six times fewer Covid-19 deaths compared to male-led countries, a fact that has been widely attributed to a more empathetic approach by women leaders.

Coincidentally, in Malaysia, the annual #StandTogether National Kindness Week movement had chosen empathy-based education as its focus for 2020, and Tribeless, an innovative young company, will be providing the foundations.

Founded by Wong Gwen Yi, Tribeless has been running empathy skills workshops for groups ranging from schools to corporates – and even the Obama Foundation!

And now, they’ve designed an experiential online empathy programme for #StandTogether and the Education Ministry known as The Kindness Tour, which will be run for over 750 schools in every state in the country via Zoom.

“Back when I was in school, there was a disproportionately heavy emphasis on achievement and academia — sometimes at the expense of our individuality or wellbeing,” said Wong.

“Creating an empathetic approach in schools is simply seeing both students and teachers as human — with their own needs, wants, fears and dreams — and creating spaces for both parties to fully express and explore what they want to do and who they want to be.”

What inspired you to want to teach people to be empathetic?

In 2016, I had a massive mental health breakdown. It caused me to drop out of university, give up on my Silicon Valley dreams, and move home to Malaysia. It was the loneliest, lowest point of my life. I realized how much I craved open, honest, mutually supportive conversations with other people who wouldn’t judge me or give me unsolicited advice.

I started hosting dinner parties for people to gather, with one explicit rule: No Small Talk. The more dinner parties I hosted, the more I noticed a pattern: even though the guests and venues and topics were always different, the safe space remained. People were laughing, crying, and opening up about things they hadn’t even told their friends or family.

What makes a person feel safe enough to share their life story with a group of people they’d just met? The key factor, we discovered, was empathy – the ability to feel and relate to another human being.

Slowly but surely, I began to heal. I gained the courage to start being more vulnerable and authentic with the people around me. It has led to fuller, richer relationships – and a much more meaningful life.

What’s the biggest misconception people have about your work?

That empathy should come naturally to us. We are born with empathetic traits, but it’s like a muscle: we’ve got to use it, or lose it.

In the world we live in today, there are so many factors that conspire to make us less empathetic than we really are: social media filter bubbles, shorter attention spans, instant gratification at our fingertips, an over-abundance of knowledge (so everyone assumes they know everything before getting to know someone else’s perspective), etc. The good news? The more time and effort we invest into “building” our empathy muscle, the stronger it will be.

What are your thoughts about the #StandTogether Kindness campaign?

When I first heard about #StandTogether, it reminded me of an anti-bullying programme I watched on the Oprah Show when I was a teenager.

They brought the whole school together for a day, and taught them how to be open, honest, and kind. It was amazing! I remember wishing something like this would come to Malaysian schools.

The #StandTogether campaign is a very unconventional approach to the topic of bullying. Instead of fighting it head-on, it empowers students to focus on what they can do instead – understanding the types of bullying, developing practical empathy skills, and practicing kindness towards one another.

This creates a culture of compassion and support that will – hopefully – prevent bullying from happening in the first place.

The #StandTogether campaign is organised by R.AGE and SP Setia, with support from Unicef Malaysia and the Ministry of Education. Schools can sign up at www.standtogether.my, or by emailing alltherage@thestar.com.my.

PETALING JAYA: Students and teachers can finally mark the long-awaited #StandTogether National Kindness Week, which kicks off today after a five-month delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The campaign, recognised by the United Nations in a global report, has returned with a series of online-based experiences including the Kindness Challenge, Kindness Workshops, and Kindness Leaders Programme; all available at www.standtogether.my.

“The Kindness Workshop is interesting. Even though it was conducted online, I still had fun and I learned a lot of useful things about bullying, gratitude and empathy, ” said SM Sri KDU student Abdul Halim Mohd Nadziruddin, who joined a trial run of the programme.

Now entering its third year, the #StandTogether campaign was founded in 2017 by Star Media Group’s award-winning R.AGE team and property developer SP Setia, in response to a spate of school violence and bullying cases shared on social media.

The campaign is endorsed by the Education Ministry.

R.AGE deputy executive editor Ian Yee said the theme this year was #EmpathyEmpowers, as it seeks to reimagine an education system that’s founded on empathy and kindness, not just academic achievement.

“The pandemic has given us time to rethink the importance of kindness and empathy in society, and we hope that translates into an education system that’s no longer just based on academics, competition, and punishment, ” he said.

SP Setia Head of Group Branding and Communications Adelene Wong said parents should take the opportunity presented by lockdown rules to “reflect” with their children.

“It has been a great opportunity for families to reflect on their key values, and that’s why we feel it is important that the #StandTogether campaign continues, in order to reinforce positive values like kindness and empathy, ” she said.

Since its inception, many organisations have supported the campaign as partners, including Unicef Malaysia, Study Hub Asia, Childline Foundation, Teach For Malaysia, and Digi.

Unicef Malaysia Chief of Communication and Public Advocacy Marc Vergara said that while nurturing empathy may sound unimportant to some, it can create an impact on society, especially when it starts at school.

“I think we need to focus on the practical implications of empathy, working with the ministry and partners to show that it is possible to have a different kind of education.

“Disciplinary measures have an impact not only on the education of each individual but also on the system as a whole, ” he said.

Digi Head of Sustainability Philip Ling added that the 1,000% increase in calls to Childline Foundation’s helpline demonstrates how the campaign is “more relevant than ever”.

“Kids are going online much more due to Covid-19 and I am sure the experiences or stress that comes with cyberbullying is much higher, ” he said.

Two new organisations have joined the campaign as partners this year – Universiti Malaya’s Community and Sustainability Centre (UMCares), and empathy skills training company Tribeless.

“We think that there’s a lot of opportunity for growth in this area (kindness and empathy education), through the present modules that have been initiated in the campaign, and it will definitely benefit the teachers and students moving forward, ” said UMCares director Dr Amer Saddiq Siddiq Amer Nordin

UMCares, in collaboration with Unicef and R.AGE, will also be looking into research and development on empathy education programmes that will then be recommended to the Education Ministry.

The public can participate in National Kindness Week by joining the Kindness Challenge, an interactive WhatsApp chatbot which sends daily “Kindness Missions” to participants over five days.

Students and teachers, on the other hand, can take part in the Kindness Workshops and Kindness Leadership Programme.

Students who complete the Leadership Programme can then pitch for RM1,000 in grant funding to run kindness projects in their schools.

To sign up, go to www.standtogether.my.

SETIA ALAM, SELANGOR – S P Setia officially launched D’Network, the world’s first solar-powered hybrid F&B hub, in Setia Eco Park, Setia Alam, today.

Stretching across 3.16 acres of land, D’Network is a realisation of S P Setia’s vision to build a green and sustainable hub that effectively runs on solar power. As the world’s first solar-powered hybrid F&B hub, D’Network is powered by 345kWp of hybrid solar energy, complementing the supply from traditional electricity grids. This hub is centred on providing a different class of unique F&B experiences through its offering of dining and retail, and an array of community activities that are all powered by sunlight. A balanced mix of tenants from various backgrounds includes F&B, grocery, spa, fashion, garden resources, delivery point and e-services.

General Manager of Setia Eco Park Desmond Ong addressing the visitors and tenants at the launch of D’Network.

“D’Network is created out of Setia’s vision for more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly developments. To diminish the impact of the environment, we chose to make use of solar energy as it is one of the cleanest and non-polluting renewable energy sources available. Staying true to our development philosophy, we strive to provide our patrons and the whole community sustainable live, learn, work and play experiences,” said Datuk Koe Peng Kang, S P Setia Berhad Senior Executive Vice President.

Setia Eco Park is the pioneer in solar power since 2007, with the capacity is estimated at 2mWp, equivalent to a mini power plant. During the day, photovoltaic cells in the solar panels transform solar power into electricity for usage in the common areas while the excess current will be injected into the national grid. At night, solar energy that was stored and what is generated by the solar power system is used for lightings, ventilators, air-conditioners, irrigation systems, musical fountain, as well as the waste composting machine which produces fertiliser for plants.

D’Network was officially launched by the senior management team of S P Setia, (from left) Executive Vice President Stanley Saw, General Manager of Setia Eco Park Desmond Ong, President and Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Khor Chap Jen, Senior Executive Vice President Datuk Koe Peng Kang, and Divisional General Manager Goh Tzen Sernz.

“Food waste will be turned into bio-compost through a solar-powered microbial compression technology in the near future. The bio-compost will then be used to nourish the beautiful plants you see in our landscapes. We create a Malaysian-themed garden, illustrating the type of beautiful flowers that can grow in the country,” added Datuk Koe.

The eleven tenants who have opened their doors to patrons are Grand Ya Lim Seafood restaurant, The Grange restaurant, Thai Odyssey that offers spa, dining and art, San Francisco Coffee, Garden Grocer supermarket, d’Global Cuisine by award-winning Malaysian culinary maestro and judge Chef Zubir, You & I insurance and shoes boutique, Liana & Dina bakeshop, Kotak Kopi restaurant, Community Garden & Services, and Mail Boxes Etc.

“San Francisco Coffee is proud to serve the thriving community of Setia Eco Park with the opening of our brand new outlet at D’Network. Our brand promise of serving great quality coffee, in a warm and welcoming environment, would blend perfectly with the lifestyle needs of the residents at this eco-haven,” said TH Lim, General Manager of San Francisco Coffee.

There are three cafes and four restaurants among the eleven tenants at D’Network. Patrons may choose from local cuisines at Kotak Kopi, cakes and sweets at Liana & Dina, flavours of the world at d’Global cuisine, a gastronomic experience at The Grange, lobster and seafood at Grand Ya Lim, and a variety of taste at Five Seasons Hotpot.

Another distinctive feature in this F&B hub is the world’s first solar musical fountain. Coined as the Symphony of Sustainability, the centrepiece charges up during the day using solar power to illuminate through the night, mesmerising patrons with its changing lights, water dancing, and melodious tunes. Songs can be chosen by the patrons in advance to give a different dining experience.

A popular French pastime can now be enjoyed at the first international Petanque facility located at the hub. The Petanque lawn set up with international standard lanes and equipped with high-quality boules will be a spot for outdoor fun specially catered for visitors to the hub. Pet owners will also be delighted to know that a pet-friendly park is also offered at D’Network. The park is thoughtfully designed with manicured greenery and propped with waste disposal bins for the enjoyment and convenience of both the residents and their furry companions.

D’Network enjoys the same serene and cool ambience as of most parts of Setia Eco Park where the air is usually 1 – 2°C cooler. As part of the hybrid F&B hub’s top-class experience, patrons can look forward to relishing in breezy dawn and evening walks. This is because Setia Eco Park is situated next to Bukit Cerakah forest reserve.

With just 3.7 units per acre, the award-winning Setia Eco Park is one of the largest high-end enclaves with low-density gated and guarded developments in Klang Valley consisting of semi-detached homes and bungalows. The innovativeness of the township is evident from the top-notch security whereby the entire enclave is protected by AgilFence System, an advanced perimeter intrusion detection system that is used to manage Singapore’s Changi International Airport’s perimeter boundary security.

Setia Eco Park dedicates 25% of its eco-landscape to parks, streams, and lakes while introducing nectar plants and aquatic reeds to recreate a habitat and nesting ground for the resident wildlife like birds, butterflies, and fish.

PUTRAJAYA (15 Sept): The Education Ministry director-general has encouraged teachers and students to participate in the #StandTogether National Kindness Week movement, as it helps students’ holistic development by building important social skills such as empathy.

In an exclusive interview with Star’s R.AGE team, Education DG Datuk Dr Habibah Abdul Rahim explained the challenges of imparting values and skills such as empathy, and how teachers need to be better prepared for it.

“It is most difficult to ensure holistic development, as we are very much focused on academics and making sure that students are prepared for tests, ” said Dr Habibah.

“The #StandTogether movement helps supplement what is not fully emphasised within certain classrooms, but it would also be best to embrace empathy within the classroom.

“For instance, to understand history, being able to internalise what happened in the past will allow you to learn better from historical events, ” she said.

The #StandTogether National Kindness Week will kick off this year on Sept 21, with thousands of students and teachers expected to participate online in various interactive learning activities and programmes, all free of charge.

Participants will also be equipped to become “Kindness Ambassadors” in their various schools and communities, in order to create a kinder Malaysia.

Dr Habibah added that kindness and empathy are already embedded in the Malaysian school curriculum, but she encouraged teachers to use a project-based approach to help students fully develop these values.

“Students will build up social skills and understand relationships when working together, which is beyond understanding just the content, ” added Dr Habibah.

The #StandTogether campaign was founded in 2017 by Star Media Group’s award-winning R.AGE team and property developer SP Setia, in response to the increase in severe bullying cases, especially for students online.

Other key stakeholders like Unicef Malaysia and the Education Ministry quickly came onboard to support the campaign, having acknowledged the desperate need for kindness and empathy-based education.

The movement usually culminates in a nationwide Kindness Week celebration on the first week of April, but this was postponed to September 21–27 and adapted online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kindness Week will start with the nationwide Kindness Challenge, an interactive WhatsApp chatbot which will curate daily “Kindness Missions” for participants throughout the week.

There is also the online Kindness Workshop, a series of online training for students and teachers to experience kindness and empathy skills activities developed by #StandTogether partners Tribeless.

The Kindness Workshop is supported by Unicef Malaysia.

Students can also participate in the Kindness Leaders Programme, a six to eight-week online fellowship to equip a new generation of students (aged below 21) with empathetic leadership skills.

Students who complete the programme can then pitch for RM1,000 in grant funding for kindness projects in their schools.

To sign up for the #StandTogether National Kindness Week campaign, go to www.standtogether.my.

Click here for the full interview with Dr Habibah.

S P Setia’s Setia Alamsari has recently launched its botanical-inspired Edence and Florence 2-storey semi-detached homes under the Verdale collection in Bangi, Selangor over the weekend. Both Edence and Florence are the latest addition to the picturesque Verdale that is furnished with open-space interior designs and inspirational botanical outdoors. These 2-storey semi-detached homes come with a land size of 40’x 80’ and a built-up size of 3,118 sq ft. The spacious homes are ideal for young couples, growing families and multi-generational families as Edence and Florence come with four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and one powder room.

The units are priced from RM1.53 million and will respectively offer 18 units for buyers to choose from in the upcoming launch. As Setia Alamsari is a low-density township, residents get to enjoy complete peace of mind in a development that emphasises on living seamlessly with nature. Residents will receive a complimentary 1-year membership for the entire family at Setia EcoHill Club 360 where they are given exclusive access to a variety of facilities including an Olympic-size swimming pool, kids’ pool, sauna and steam room, gymnasium, futsal court and many more. There is also an abundance of amenities just a stone’s throw away including primary and secondary schools, malls, hospitals, golf clubs, and the UKM KTM Station.

Verdale carries a Gross Development Value (GDV) of approximately RM59 million. This botanical semi-detached collection sits in the self-sustaining Setia Alamsari township that has always been a preferred residential location by upgraders from Seremban, Nilai, Sepang, and Semenyih. Accessibility to Setia Alamsari is a breeze as it is connected to three major expressways, namely KL-Seremban Highway, Kajang–Seremban Highway (LEKAS), and Kajang SILK Highway.

Prospective buyers should take the opportunity to purchase your dream home as there is no booking fee and down payment required. Buyers are welcome to visit Setia’s sales gallery to find out more on Bumiputera discounts, Loan Submission Rebates, early-bird discounts, loyal customer reward, and zero cost for legal fee, stamp duty on Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA), loan, and Memorandum of Transfer (MOT).

For more information about the project, please contact Setia Alamsari Sales Galleria at 03-8736 2255.

SETIA ALAM (Sept 2): S P Setia Bhd won three awards for three different projects at the Malaysia Landscape Architecture Awards (MLAA) 2019. The event was held live on the Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia’s (ILAM) official Facebook and YouTube channels on Aug 29 (Saturday).

Setia EcoHill 2 and Essex Gardens in Setia Eco Templer won the Excellence awards in the Landscape Master Plan Award and Landscape Development Award categories respectively. Vogue Suites 1 in KL Eco City (KLEC) received an Honour in the Landscape Development Award category.

“We have been incorporating green initiatives in our developments, such as rooftop gardens, recreational parks and sanctuaries. These awards are a testament to our company’s aspirations to meet international benchmarks for green architecture and sustainable developments,” said S P Setia president and chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Khor Chap Jen in a press statement.

Together with Setia EcoHill and Setia Mayuri, Setia EcoHill 2 is part of the developer’s 3,000-acre (1,214ha) development in the Kajang-Semenyih corridor. It features eight themed gardens that house over 300 species of flora and fauna.

Essex Gardens is the first phase of Setia Eco Templer, an ecologically-themed township in Rawang. It offers homes with English-inspired design concepts for dwellers in the area.

KLEC is Malaysia’s first green integrated commercial and residential development in Bangsar, and Vogue Suites 1 is the first residential tower in KLEC. Each building in KLEC, including Vogue Suites 1, has received at least one Gold Certification from an international or local Green Building Rating System.

Edited by Wong King Wai

With many parents concerned about the risks of sending their children to school during the Covid-19 pandemic, face mask has become a must when attending classes.

As such, SP Setia Foundation decided to step in and donate 8,500 reusable face mask to three schools in Selangor that were adopted by the foundation under its Setia Caring School Programme.

The three schools which received the face mask under the foundation’s School Hygiene Education Programme were SK Semenyih, SJK (T) Ladang Rinching and SJK (C) Kampung Baru Semenyih.

SK Semenyih headmaster Sahrom Shamsuddin thanked the foundation for their donation, which would go towards ensuring the safety of pupils while at school.

“The foundation had previously donated large quantities of face mask to our school, which allowed us to distribute free mask to all pupils daily, ” he said during the launch of the programme at the school.

He hoped the initiative would put the minds of parents at ease in sending their children to school.

SP Setia Foundation chairman Tan Sri Dr Wan Mohd Zahid Mohd Noordin said the foundation was prompted to come up with a more sustainable solution as it might be a challenge for some families to afford an adequate amount of disposable face mask over an extended period of time.

“This programme was created to emphasise the importance of maintaining good hygiene, especially among children.

“Wearing a face mask is not just to protect us, but it is our responsibility to protect everyone around us in line with the theme of this year’s National Day celebration of being kind to others, ” he said.

He hoped the programme would make frequent hand washing and wearing face mask a positive long-term habit that lasts beyond the pandemic.

Also present were Hulu Langat district education office (PPD) deputy officer of learning sector Zaiazman Mohd Zainud-din, SJK (C) Kampung Baru Semenyih headmistress Lee Dee Huey, SJK (T) Ladang Rinching headmistress Krishnavani Kaniah and various SP Setia Foundation representatives.

PETALING JAYA:  When the retail shops in EcoHill Walk, the first integrated mixed development in Semenyih, open their doors to the public by the end of this year, they will be the focal point for residents in the southern corridor of the Klang Valley, said Setia EcoHill general manager Koh Sooi Meng.

He noted that the newest addition to the 673-acre township located in Semenyih, which is around 12km from the popular Broga Hill, will create new vibrancy to the township and neighbouring communities with its mixed offerings consisting of retail, commercial and residential spaces.

This 17.5-acre freehold development that comprises two blocks of serviced apartments, 243 units of lifestyle retail shops, a neighbourhood mall — EcoHill Walk mall, and a premium entertainment centrepiece attraction, will redefine vibrant modern living here in Semenyih, emphasised Koh.

This integrated mixed development within a 20-minute drive of Setia EcoHill is set to have a positive effect on a ready population of up to 600,000 residents by providing convenience and creating job opportunities.

Developed by Setia EcoHill Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of S P Setia Bhd, the freehold township which carries an estimated GDV of RM4 billion, will be a symbiotic co-existence with recreation, entertainment and convenience all within walkable reach.

Setia EcoHill is located in the Kajang-Semenyih growth corridor. It is easily accessible via the Cheras-Kajang Expressway, the South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE), the Kajang Dispersal Link Expressway (SILK) and the Kajang-Seremban Highway (LEKAS).

Since its inception back in Oct 2013, Setia EcoHill has garnered local residents’ attention as a new place for leisure and recreational activities for family and friends.The holistic township planning has also attracted first-home buyers as well as upgraders.

The lifestyle elements are the main attraction to the buyers. In this soon-to-be-unveiled EcoHill Walk project, there will also be a common lush landscaped pedestrian walkway in a refreshing and welcoming ambience, void of vehicles.

“Link bridges also extend the convenience of reach between serviced apartments, a neighbourhood mall and commercial retail shops, providing a safe and secure environment,” added Koh.

Meanwhile, another new element that is welcomed by local consumers is the opening of the EcoHill Walk mall, which will host Semenyih’s first cinema — MBO Cinemas.

Koh said the mall will have a retail space of 280,000 sq ft. It is now 60% completed and slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2021.

To date, EcoHill Walk mall has a confirmed tenant mix comprising the cinema, F & B outlets, telco, pharmacy, fashion, car wash and money changer. More varieties are to be added in the coming months as potential tenants have been drawn to Setia EcoHill’s rapid development in recent years, said Koh.

He noted that the company intends to bring in reputable brands while making sure that the offerings meet local needs. “These will include reputable and lifestyle brands, mainstream grocer, leisure, sports, and a good variety of services and amenities that provide convenience to the communities at large,” he added.

Upcoming launches

Commenting on the challenges posed by the new normal post Movement Control Order (MCO), Koh said a self-contained development that comprises various facilities and amenities as well as enhanced security and safety features will continue to attract buyers.

In mid-August, Setia EcoHill will unveil Heleena — the final phase of terraced houses in the township. This 70-unit residential project carries a GDV of RM48 million.

With a land size of 20ft by 70ft and built-up of 2,053 sq ft, the freehold homes come in two designs. Each unit is fully extended and has four bedrooms with four en-suite bathrooms. The indicative price for Heleena starts from RM683,000.

Besides Heleena, Koh added that Setia EcoHill 2 which is located around 5km from Setia EcoHill, will also see the new launch of Barrus terraced houses in early September.

“There will be 105 units of 20ft by 70ft freehold terraced houses that come with four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a 24-hour guarded community. Its built-up is 1,784 sq ft with a price tag of RM563,000 and above,” he said.

PETALING JAYA:  When the retail shops in EcoHill Walk, the first integrated mixed development in Semenyih, open their doors to the public by the end of this year, they will be the focal point for residents in the southern corridor of the Klang Valley, said Setia EcoHill general manager Koh Sooi Meng.

He noted that the newest addition to the 673-acre township located in Semenyih, which is around 12km from the popular Broga Hill, will create new vibrancy to the township and neighbouring communities with its mixed offerings consisting of retail, commercial and residential spaces.

This 17.5-acre freehold development that comprises two blocks of serviced apartments, 243 units of lifestyle retail shops, a neighbourhood mall — EcoHill Walk mall, and a premium entertainment centrepiece attraction, will redefine vibrant modern living here in Semenyih, emphasised Koh.

This integrated mixed development within a 20-minute drive of Setia EcoHill is set to have a positive effect on a ready population of up to 600,000 residents by providing convenience and creating job opportunities.

Developed by Setia EcoHill Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of S P Setia Bhd, the freehold township which carries an estimated GDV of RM4 billion, will be a symbiotic co-existence with recreation, entertainment and convenience all within walkable reach.

Setia EcoHill is located in the Kajang-Semenyih growth corridor. It is easily accessible via the Cheras-Kajang Expressway, the South Klang Valley Expressway (SKVE), the Kajang Dispersal Link Expressway (SILK) and the Kajang-Seremban Highway (LEKAS).

Since its inception back in Oct 2013, Setia EcoHill has garnered local residents’ attention as a new place for leisure and recreational activities for family and friends.The holistic township planning has also attracted first-home buyers as well as upgraders.

The lifestyle elements are the main attraction to the buyers. In this soon-to-be-unveiled EcoHill Walk project, there will also be a common lush landscaped pedestrian walkway in a refreshing and welcoming ambience, void of vehicles.

“Link bridges also extend the convenience of reach between serviced apartments, a neighbourhood mall and commercial retail shops, providing a safe and secure environment,” added Koh.

Meanwhile, another new element that is welcomed by local consumers is the opening of the EcoHill Walk mall, which will host Semenyih’s first cinema — MBO Cinemas.

Koh said the mall will have a retail space of 280,000 sq ft. It is now 60% completed and slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2021.

To date, EcoHill Walk mall has a confirmed tenant mix comprising the cinema, F & B outlets, telco, pharmacy, fashion, car wash and money changer. More varieties are to be added in the coming months as potential tenants have been drawn to Setia EcoHill’s rapid development in recent years, said Koh.

He noted that the company intends to bring in reputable brands while making sure that the offerings meet local needs. “These will include reputable and lifestyle brands, mainstream grocer, leisure, sports, and a good variety of services and amenities that provide convenience to the communities at large,” he added.

Upcoming launches

Commenting on the challenges posed by the new normal post Movement Control Order (MCO), Koh said a self-contained development that comprises various facilities and amenities as well as enhanced security and safety features will continue to attract buyers.

In mid-August, Setia EcoHill will unveil Heleena — the final phase of terraced houses in the township. This 70-unit residential project carries a GDV of RM48 million.

With a land size of 20ft by 70ft and built-up of 2,053 sq ft, the freehold homes come in two designs. Each unit is fully extended and has four bedrooms with four en-suite bathrooms. The indicative price for Heleena starts from RM683,000.

Besides Heleena, Koh added that Setia EcoHill 2 which is located around 5km from Setia EcoHill, will also see the new launch of Barrus terraced houses in early September.

“There will be 105 units of 20ft by 70ft freehold terraced houses that come with four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a 24-hour guarded community. Its built-up is 1,784 sq ft with a price tag of RM563,000 and above,” he said.