Sunway breaks ground on RM2b Seremban Sentral

• Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook: Seremban Sentral is more than just a physical development project. It represents a new chapter that will strengthen the identity of this city as a modern and sustainable economic centre. With the support of the state government, authorities, technical agencies and our development partners, we are shaping not just the future of Seremban but also integrating its heritage values into progress to ensure the successful realisation of this project.

SEREMBAN (Dec 6): Sunway Group on Saturday broke ground for the RM2 billion Seremban Sentral transit-oriented development. The project is expected to generate up to RM300 million in annual business revenue and create approximately 2,500 new jobs.

In his officiating speech at the ground breaking ceremony on Saturday, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said, “Seremban Sentral is more than just a physical development project. It represents a new chapter that will strengthen the identity of this city as a modern and sustainable economic centre. With the support of the state government, authorities, technical agencies and our development partners, we are shaping not just the future of Seremban but also integrating its heritage values into progress to ensure the successful realisation of this project.”

The 20.8-acre project will be developed over two phases, with the construction of the first phase beginning in 2026, consisting of the 250-bed Sunway Seremban Medical Centre, a 1.2 million sq ft shopping mall and a 300,000 sq ft office tower. The phase is slated for completion by 2030.

Meanwhile, Phase 2 will have a combined 3.2 million sq ft of residential, commercial and community amenities. It will be developed in stages from 2029 through 2039.

Loke remarked that Seremban Sentral is expected to create jobs across the healthcare, retail, logistics, tourism and services sectors, driving Negeri Sembilan’s transformation into a competitive, modern urban hub.

“Seremban is a small city that strives for growth. We need integrated development with such a scale [as Seremban Sentral] to bring more economic activities, and create job opportunities, not just [a project] providing housing. With Sunway bringing their hospital and mall here to Seremban, we hope to activate the medical tourism sector in Seremban,” Loke told the press.

He stressed that medical tourism will bring a multiplier effect to the local economy as spending by foreign patients and companions on treatments, lodging, food, transport and leisure will create significant ripple effects, boosting hospitality, F&B and other sectors.

Loke is also eyeing attracting multinational companies (MNCs) to set up their backend office here in Seremban.

“The office demand here is not very strong here now. But in the years to come, we want to position here as the hotspot for MNCs to set up their backend office for cheaper rent and talents, especially here, Seremban Sentral, with the direct connectivity to the ETS (Electric Train Service),” he noted, adding that the ongoing Seremban Station upgrading works will be completed in 2028.

Meanwhile, Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah said the group aspires to contribute to the future growth of Seremban.

“We aspire to be the strong strategic partner with Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) in this visionary development agenda to drive inclusive, sustainable and equitable economic growth for Negeri Sembilan. This long-term partnership will ensure Seremban Sentral delivers not only economic impact, but also broad social and community benefits,” said Cheah in his opening speech at the ceremony.

RAC is a federal statutory body under the Ministry of Transport. It functions as the caretaker and business planner for preserving and transforming railway assets into valuable properties capable of generating sustainable income for the government. 

“Our ground breaking ceremony for Seremban Sentral today marks the start of a new chapter for the [Seremban] KTM Station, which was built in 1910. It is a shining example of a centre of connectivity that helps rampant rise as an alternate administrative and economic hub,” Cheah said.

In line with Seremban’s historical identity, the developer will conserve and upgrade Seremban Yard, a historical colonial building, while preserving the site’s mature trees as part of the original landscape character. Sunway will also redevelop Heritage Market into a cultural attraction with a more organised and engaging commercial space. 

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