Ipoh Emerges from Its Cocoon | Feature Article | The Haven

Ipoh, located in the rich tin-bearing valley of the Kinta River, was once known as the “town of millionaires”. The tin-mining boom saw the capital of Perak prosper and become one of the wealthiest cities in the country—indeed, in all Asia.

With the mines’ closure, and the rest of the country developing, Ipoh’s growth decelerated. This period of “stagnation” lasting many decades, prompted many residents to move out of Ipoh to other parts of Malaysia, particularly Kuala Lumpur.

Leaders and developers declined into a conservative mood. Since then, Ipoh’s image has been that of a sleepy hollow with no great potential. What Ipoh badly needed was an impetus to regain part of its former glory. A catalyst—not money, but an infusion of confidence—to get the city back in the arena.

Present era

The development of The Haven was the timely spark that Ipoh needed. Indeed, early promotions for the city made by The Haven were met with scepticism and disbelief. The city had been rudely called a “pissing station”: where people stop en route from KL to Penang and vice-versa. However, with effective marketing and performance and progress at the site, mindsets began to change.

Like a caterpillar to a butterfly, Ipoh has shed its cocoon to become a new entity with a new image. Its attractiveness as a vacation and retirement location is now beginning to be recognised and many visitors from out-of-state and neighbouring countries, particularly Singapore, have realised this and are coming to Ipoh to enjoy its food, nature, recreation and carefree lifestyle.

Merits of Ipoh

When weighed against the cost of living in other locations, Ipoh scores highly as a vacation and retirement location.

Ipoh has much to offer—medical facilities, shopping centres, education, arts and music, eco-living, sports and nature activities, food, a capable and educated workforce and an idyllic lifestyle. Tourists and investors now view Ipoh as a wholesome holiday and wellness destination, especially for family and nature vacations.

A city with all the conveniences of life and rich heritage, surrounded by untouched limestone forests, presents a kind of nature-city living that is rare.

Ipoh has good infrastructure, be it road, rail or air. The city is almost equidistant to the south—Kuala Lumpur (2 hours), to the north—Penang (1½ hours), to the west—Lumut and Pangkor Island (1 hour), and to the east—Cameron Highlands (1 hour).

Hitherto, Ipoh has been glossed over in favour of other resort destinations such as Penang and Cameran Highlands, but it is fast becoming a favoured resort destination; even preferred over these locations which are only a short drive away. In other words, Ipoh is attractive as a vacation hub which visitors can use as a base to travel to other resort towns.

Changing mindsets about Ipoh

Superboom Projects Sdn Bhd (Superboom)—a fusion of local and foreign talent—came to the forefront a few years ago. Its start was with 576 units in Permai Lakeview in Ipoh—now recognised as a quality low-cost development. Superboom started with performance and contribution in mind—not profits. This is what sets it apart from others. Its credibility is secure.

When Superboom officially launched The Haven Lakeside Residences last year, it highlighted the advantage and beauty of Ipoh as an ideal residence in a resort town, yet right at nature’s doorstep. It promoted the town and its attractiveness—not itself.

The Haven continuously made improvements and boldly made great strides towards becoming a super-luxury development.

Now, with five-star management and a vast array of ever-increasing facilities and services, The Haven has rapidly re-awakened the world to the fact that Ipoh is alive and well—putting it on the map. Its focus is on its purchasers—not itself.

A boost of confidence at a time of lacklustre performance was what Ipoh really needed. The deeds of this developer showed depth and sincerity, and both locals and foreigners began to contemplate and believe. Now growth and activities abound in this city and now nobody looks down on it as a sleepy hollow anymore. The Haven has become a catalyst for the revival of confidence in Ipoh.

Most recently, The Haven has been conferred “Best Condo Development – Malaysia” by South East Asia Property Awards. Together with this award it was also selected as Best Residential Architectural Design (Malaysia). The project was shortlisted with two others from Singapore and one from Bangkok.

These awards are in addition to the numerous others obtained both locally and internationally in the past twelve months.

Through these accolades, the iconic development has brought international attention to Ipoh. The fact that a project in Ipoh can win so many prestigious awards, speaks volumes for Ipoh as a city on the rise.

Focus on desirable areas of growth and development—not growth for growth’s sake, but growth that benefits its populace

Sustaining optimism and growth

It is in my humbled and considered opinion that for the continual sustenance of this new optimism and growth for Ipoh, all traces of unwarranted and harmful negativity need to be extinguished. Positivity must replace negativity. Performance must replace talk and gossip.

The Haven went through much flak before it emerged as a serious contributor to Ipoh and this is something that I do not wish to be experienced by others. The city's teamwork by key players in government, businesses and professionals as well as its residents needs to be knitted tightly.

Individualism and selfishness must be discarded for the common good. Humility has to be encouraged and cherished so that true teamwork can be inspirited.

The entire city needs to focus on desirable areas of growth and development—not growth for growth’s sake, but growth that benefits its populace.

Leaders, be they political, civil servants or business individuals, must have qualities of selflessness, honesty and innovation and creativity, courage and determination to perform. Needless to say, they need to be led by a city leader of stature and impeccable reputation.

These are the same qualities required of the management of The Haven that have helped it defy strong obstacles thus far. These are the qualities that need to be instilled in all to revitalise Ipoh.

We are now seeing the commencement of change and this will produce a great multiplication effect, just like the saying:

Smile a whileand while you smile, another smiles.

Soon there will be miles and miles of smiles.

And life is made worthwhilebecause you smile!

With the unstoppable momentum commenced through government efforts, improved attitudes, new conference centres, better-quality hotels, improved shopping centres, more up-market commercial development and recreational attractions including the Wonderland Theme Park—the city of Ipoh will soon be emerging into a beautiful butterfly.

Like Ipoh, the caterpillar’s potential to be a butterfly is always inside it, but outwardly it goes unnoticed until people see it for what it really is. This is transformation, and it holds true for both The Haven and Ipoh. The best is yet to come.

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## Postscript

Peter Chan is CEO of The Haven. The suggestions made in this article are based on common sense and common knowledge. They are neither original nor creative. The writer is merely organising an article based on personal observation, happenings and experience to generate a thrust that hopefully can contribute to the innovation of Ipoh.