Asian Pac and KotaSAS to Develop New Shopping Mall and Lifestyle Hub in Kuantan
Asian Pac Holdings Berhad is set to make its East Coast debut with a proposed shopping mall and lifestyle shoplot precinct in KotaSAS, Kuantan, marking a new milestone in the township’s development as a growing commercial and administrative centre.
With an indicative gross development value (GDV) of RM281.3 million, the proposed project aims to create a new destination for shopping, dining, leisure and community activities. Its long-term development potential could reach up to RM2 billion, reflecting the broader growth ambitions for KotaSAS.
KotaSAS to Welcome Its First Shopping Mall
The development will bring KotaSAS its first shopping mall alongside a lifestyle shoplot precinct designed to complement the township’s existing residential and commercial areas.
Asian Pac’s subsidiary, Everest Pioneer Sdn Bhd, has entered into a sale and purchase agreement and a joint development agreement with KotaSAS Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tanah Makmur Berhad, for the proposed development.
Located within KotaSAS’s Central Business District, the precinct will be within walking distance of the KotaSAS East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) station. Its location supports the township’s transit-oriented development (TOD) vision, which focuses on bringing transportation, commercial activities and community spaces closer together.
Planned pedestrian connections will link the shopping mall, lifestyle shoplots and surrounding neighbourhoods, making it more convenient for residents and visitors to move between destinations.
ECRL Connectivity to Support Kuantan’s Growth
The upcoming ECRL is expected to play an important role in strengthening KotaSAS’s position as a connected urban destination.
With commercial operations targeted to begin in December 2026, the railway is expected to improve connections between the East Coast, the Klang Valley and other destinations along its route.
For KotaSAS, better regional connectivity could help attract more visitors, encourage commercial investment and create new opportunities for businesses.
The proposed retail precinct is intended to translate these connectivity improvements into everyday economic activity, positioning the township as a welcoming gateway to Kuantan.
By combining a shopping mall with a lifestyle street, the development aims to offer more than a conventional retail experience. Visitors can look forward to a planned mix of retail, food and beverage, leisure and commercial spaces designed to serve daily needs while providing places to meet, dine and spend time with family and friends.
Asian Pac Brings Retail Experience to the East Coast
For Asian Pac, the project marks its first entry into Malaysia’s East Coast market.
Michael Mah, Executive Director of Asian Pac Holdings Berhad, said the company sees an opportunity to build on KotaSAS’s existing foundations and create a destination that becomes part of everyday life in Kuantan.
Drawing on its experience operating Imago Shopping Mall in Kota Kinabalu for a decade, Asian Pac aims to develop a place that attracts visitors not only for shopping but also for dining, socialising, working and family activities.
The company’s retail experience will support the ambition to establish a destination that brings people together while contributing to the township’s commercial development.
Opportunities for Local Businesses and Employment
Beyond providing new shopping and lifestyle options, the proposed development is expected to create economic opportunities for the local community.
Jobs are anticipated during both the construction and operational phases, while retail tenants, food and beverage operators, service providers and businesses within the supply chain could benefit from the project.
The planned commercial spaces are intended to accommodate different business formats, allowing local entrepreneurs and homegrown businesses to grow alongside regional and national brands.
Dato’ Shahrul Nizam Abdul Aziz, Group Chief Executive Officer of Tanah Makmur Berhad, described the project as a strategic catalyst for KotaSAS’s next stage of growth.
He highlighted the township’s TOD vision, which aims to connect people with opportunities by bringing transport, commerce and community life closer together.
The development is also expected to strengthen KotaSAS’s appeal to investors and businesses as the township continues to expand.
Building on KotaSAS’s Growing Community
Developed across approximately 2,165 acres, KotaSAS is home to more than 21,000 residents and houses Pusat Pentadbiran Sultan Ahmad Shah, Pahang’s state administrative centre.
The proposed shopping mall and lifestyle shoplot precinct will complement these established residential and institutional developments, adding another commercial attraction to the township.
Its planned walkable layout is intended to encourage movement between retail, dining and other destinations, creating a more connected environment for residents, workers and visitors.
As Kuantan continues to develop, the partnership between Asian Pac and KotaSAS represents an effort to combine retail expertise, improved transportation access and local economic opportunities in one destination.
While the project remains proposed, its development vision is clear: to create a place where people can shop, dine, connect and do business while supporting KotaSAS’s continued growth.
With the ECRL expected to improve regional accessibility, the new precinct could become an important part of Kuantan’s evolving urban landscape, bringing connectivity, community and commerce together.
Keywords :
- Asian Pac Holdings Berhad,
- KotaSAS Kuantan,
- KotaSAS shopping mall,
- new shopping mall in Kuantan,
- KotaSAS lifestyle precinct,
- Kuantan property development,
- ECRL Kuantan,
- East Coast Rail Link,
- transit-oriented development Malaysia,
- Tanah Makmur Berhad,
- RM281.3 million development
