Kuala Lumpur was once known (and still is) for the beautiful and magnificent Petronas Twin Towers. On top of that, it has also been drowning in more skyscrapers and shopping complexes which pop up like mushrooms after rain.
Just this year, The Exchange TRX made its official opening, which created buzz and excitement among Malaysians who immediately made a beeline for it, even damaging the interactive water park in the process.
As a KL native, I often wonder whether another new shopping mall is necessary when there’s more than enough in existence already. However, in order to get a more objective view on this, I asked several Malaysians what they think about this.
Here’s what they had to say:
‘No, we need to retain the uniqueness of Malaysia!’
Interviewee: Undergraduate, 23yo
This person believes there are more than enough shopping malls in KL and opines that the Ministry of Tourism ought to instead invest money and resources into preserving unique and vintage Malaysian architecture.
Furthermore, he believes that building more shopping malls is killing off local culture, gradually turning the capital city into another soulless location.
To prove his point, he cited the Lalaport Bukit Bintang mall as an example:
In order to make way for the mall, the iconic and historic Pudu jail was demolished to the ground. What stands there now is just the gates of the jail which holds decades of history and significance in Malaysian society.
“Is this what KL’s identity has come to? Shopping malls and skyscrapers? There’s nothing that whispers the unique beauty of Kuala Lumpur!” he lamented.
‘Yes, because it creates more job opportunities’
Interviewee: Retiree, 63yo
“Believe it or not but these shopping malls invites more job opportunities for our people.”
This individual emphasised that despite the ample amount of shopping malls all across KL, she thinks that it has created multiple job opportunities for Malaysians.
As long as it benefits the community one way or another, I don’t see the need to stop the constructions of new shopping malls.
“One shopping mall can house up to approximately 100 stores. And these stores are not just retail stores but also entertainment venues and restaurants. This opens up various job positions focusing on diverse industries for jobseekers,” she explained.
‘Yes, it’s a convenient option for family outings & accessible shopping’
Interviewee: Logistics Executive, 27yo
As for this person, she firmly believes that the convenience of shopping complexes is essential in modern society. Moreover, she sees these spaces as not just as shopping hubs but also places to create cherished moments with family and friends.
She further highlighted that malls aren’t just about enjoying a good meal; they also offer a range of activities ranging from bowling alleys to theaters where people can spend quality time together.
Since many shopping complexes are accessible via public transportation, it’s now simpler and more enjoyable to meet friends and family for lunch or a shopping spree.
“Sometimes, even the simple act of window shopping and strolling through the mall is enough to lift my spirits. Furthermore, malls offer respite from the heat with its air-conditioning,” she said.
‘No, the money could’ve been spent in promoting tourism’
Interviewee: Senior marketing executive, 32yo
Personally, I believe these shopping malls are somewhat killing the tourism industry.
This person believes that shopping malls take the beauty of KL away, leaving close to nothing for tourists to enjoy.
Aside from that, he also felt that the oversaturation of shopping malls is causing massive traffic congestion in the capital city, which may further discourage tourists from visiting.
All the cones and barriers, coupled with the massive traffic jams it’s causing, can definitely put off tourists from visiting Malaysia, especially KL.
“Instead, I think the money can be put towards restoring and maintaining tourist spots to invite more tourists into Malaysia. At this point, some(tourists) are even joking (on social media) about there’s nothing else to see after visiting KLCC,” he said.
Amidst the firm ‘No’s’, there’s an equally strong chorus of ‘Yes’s’ advocating for the benefits of these shopping malls. Like with anything, there are always pros and cons, and in this scenario, no single aspect seems to outweigh the other.
What do you think about this? Do share your thoughts in the comments!
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