By Lyna Mohamad
The Rizqun International Hotel and The Mall shopping centre were officially opened yesterday by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday.
Arriving at the Rizqun International Hotel, His Royal Highness was greeted by Pehin Orang Kaya Ratna Setia Dato Paduka Hj Awg Abd Hapidz POKL Hj Awg Abd Razak, Chairman and Managing Director of Abd Razak Holdings, proprietor of the hotel and shopping mall, as well its board of directors.
Also present were Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Rahim and YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz.
Pehin Dato Paduka Hj Awg Abd Hapidz in his welcoming speech said that the complex concludes the final phase of the economic and business development plan of ARH that began in 1987.
He noted that from 1997 to 1998 when the region encountered the Asian economic crisis, the management continued with the plan even though questions were raised as to why the group took the risk to proceed with the construction project.
ARH started its operations in the construction of shophouses, apartments and two hotels from 1990 to 1995 in the country and expanded to London and Kuala Lumpur. The complex housing the Rizqun International Hotel and The Mall shopping centre is the largest in the portfolio investment of ARH.
Its investment developments have also enabled them to give job opportunities to 378 workers, of whom 277 or 75% are local, while the remaining are a group of expatriate officers.
From the beginning, the ARH design team and Arkitek Rekarya, Hanafi Consultant, Jurutera Tempatan, Jurutera Perunding LCE, TSL Construction and sub-contractors as well as Asgo Versatility have work closely until the completion of the project.
He extended his appreciation to HSBC for providing some of the financing facilities for the project based on ARH's strong internal cash flow as well as its projected self-financing.
Following the welcoming speech, His Royal Highness consented to officially open the Rizqun International Hotel and The Mall shopping complex.
- Borneo Bulletin
(10th July 2006)
