My Ampang Park story

While most people celebrate their New Year, I would like to dedicate this blogpost to all the tenants and soon-to-be ex-tenants of Ampang Park Shopping Centre. It is a sentimental place for many and I would like to share my Ampang Park Story.

Shopping malls in Malaysia has evolved into giant malls. Older malls loose out and in this case to make way for development. It's sad to see the very first shopping mall in Malaysia go. Malaysia's first shopping mall, Ampang Park will be demolished to make way for an MRT Station. By 31st Dec 2017, all tenants are supposed to move out.  All utilities will be shut off come 31st Dec 2017 and it's not going to be a very Happy New Year for those who run businesses here. Life is tough and development has taken away their livelihood. Tenants were forced to move out not because they want to, but because they had to.

On June 2, 39 Strata owners and tenants of the mall lost a legal challenge over the acquisition of land for the construction of MRT Ampang Park station. 
Many livelihood will be affected. Businesses who have established here were forced to move. My late uncle and aunt's business was one of them. My late uncle and aunt have set up their hair salon business here in Ampang Park in the early 80's. My aunt was devastated and we, as family felt it too when we first heard the news on the acquisition. Lots of time, energy and money were spent on legal battle which they never won. More than 40,000 people signed a petition to save the building. But in the end, they lost it. Ampang Park is a nostalgic place for many. For me, it was growing up here.


My late Uncle and Aunt's Salon - Sam's Unisex Salon has been operating for many years here. They had their fair share of loyal customers, which they have built over time in their business but when they were forced to move, they also end up loosing some of their customers. In a business like this which is location centric, they cater to customers around the vicinity here. 

As a kid, I remember running along the walkway of Ampang Park shop lots. And I spend most of my childhood here, following my Uncle and Aunt to work and sometimes hanging out from morning till evening until they close. My siblings used to play catching here and to me this was like a maze. A maze of floors and steps that we climb up and down and finding path that connects. There used to be a playland many years ago right at the top floor!

The walkway where I used to run when I was a child.

The Ampang Park Shopping Centre certainly has a place in my heart. 

My favourite makan place has to be Cosy Corner. Located just next to my Aunt's salon it was so convenient for us and for them (and their customers) to just order food and they just deliver it over. They have also moved out since.

A sign board notifying people that they have since moved to Selangor Dreging.

I remember when it's close to Hari Raya, many would come here to shop for Raya clothes. There are tons of small stalls here that sells Malay clothes. Ampang Park was hit among the Malays. This will be a view I remember for life cause this is the view from the top of my Uncle and Aunt's shop that I see all the time.

The front porch of Ampang Park where many small stalls were seen and a stairway that leads you right up from the Ampang Park LRT station.

These shots were taken back in end October where you still see some shops in operation but there were just no shoppers around. By that time, businesses already know their fate and some have prepared to move away.

In the end, all we have are just memories.

Memories of a place that was once close to our hearts. Gone forever.

A place where I grew up, where businesses flourished for some. A place where someone spent their days and their livelihood depending on it. A place some people call their second home.

My aunt's salon business have since moved to Wisma Central, located also along Jalan Ampang with hopes to retain most of their loyal customers.  This is their new place! If you're around the area, do drop by to support her!

Sam's Unisex Salon

Lot 1.41 & 1.42, Ground Floor, 

Wisma Central, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur.

Tel; 03-21617886

Open from Mon - Sat (11am - 7pm)

Spanking new place with a brand new look! All looking bright and clean. The space may not be as huge as Ampang Park, but it will do for now. Let's hope everything goes well for her.

With the fate of Ampang Park being demolished very soon, one must make a change and move ahead. Well, life must go on for those running a business. 

I was just having a casual chat with my dear friend Janet and she shared her story of how her husband, Mr. Lee Kwee Chow designed the Ampang Park logo. What a coincidence! I was just sharing with her that I was preparing to do a story on Ampang Park. 

The link bridge from Ampang Park leading to The Intermark.

Ampang Park building as seen from across The Intermark with the KLCC Twin Towers, which is just a stone's throw away, clearly visible by its side.

The view from above the link bridge looking down at the busy streets of Jalan Ampang.

Goodbye Ampang Park. You will be missed dearly by some.

Heartwarming Nostalgic Video Tribute by BFM

Dated 16 Sept 2018, after 9 months, Free Malaysia Today has documented this piece on the struggles of former Ampang Park tenants 9 months after the ordeal. 

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/09/16/film-documents-former-ampang-park-tenants-struggles-nine-months-on/

Trailer for a 10-minute Short Documentary about Ampang Park by :

Producer - Amyrul Fahmi Sani Director - Joyce Soo Wai-Xin Director of Photography - Joyce Soo Wai-Xin and Aaron Chieng Leong Ching Video Editor - Aaron Chieng Leong Ching Sound Designer - Pang Yong Ming Gaffer - Tan Chieh Vay