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This article appeared in the April 9, 2026 issue of the monthly print edition. Subscribe now.
When MLDC Bhd acquired the ageing Kempas Residences within Genting View Resort six years ago, the developer quickly realised that cosmetic refurbishment alone would not be enough to revive the 20-year-old asset. Instead of treating the project as a routine upgrade, the group embarked on a longer-term revitalisation programme aimed at rebuilding liveability and repositioning the development as a functioning residential community.
“Our goal is to improve Kempas as a whole through upgrading the existing building, introducing new facilities, enhancing maintenance processes, and strengthening the operating team.
This is to ensure that the ‘build-then-sell’ strategy is effectively executed,” MLDC Bhd’s executive vice president Tong Gui Shuen tells EdgeProp.
Following a tour to Kempas, Tong shares that renovations limited to individual units at Kempas were not sufficient to enhance the overall resident experience.
“Renovating individual units alone was not enough — upgrading common areas, security, and facilities was essential to create a cohesive living experience for residents,” Tong adds.
To address this, the development’s external facade was repainted, a pool complex and central garden were added, and security and common areas were upgraded. Six years on, the measures have proven successful as Kempas has seen increased visits from young families, higher weekend occupancy, effective management without disputes, strong maintenance fee collection, and remains the only five-star residential property in Bentong, Pahang.
As the developer invested in upgrading the development, the improvements contributed to stronger perceived property value and broader market appeal. While short-term, hotel-style stays continue to form a significant part of its occupancy, the profile of owners and residents has become more diverse.
According to EdgeProp EPIQ, on Feb 11, a unit at Kempas Apartment Block A was transacted at a price of RM430,000.
Prior to the renovation, Block A and D’s transaction data between 2015 and 2019 exhibited variations in values over the five-year period.
The average price psf was recorded at RM363.19 in 2015, rising to RM378.85 in 2016 and reaching a peak of RM411.30 in 2017. This was followed by a moderation to RM391.97 psf in 2018 and RM377.43 psf in 2019, reflecting a period of growth that peaked in 2017 before stabilising in the subsequent years.
Revitalisation enhances resident experience
The launch of Kempas Block C, a standalone block, took place on March 7.
Kempas Residences, including Block C, is situated on 8.94 acres of freehold land within Genting View Resort, and comprises 527 apartment units across six blocks. The revitalisation effort began after MLDC acquired Sime Darby Property Bhd’s Genting assets, which included both the units and land within Genting View Resort.
Residential offerings range from studio to larger family-sized apartments and penthouse units. Selected units feature private gardens, or vast-sized balconies. Working in collaboration with the management corporation, a series of infrastructure, operational, and facility enhancements were introduced to rejuvenate the 20-yearold development.
A part of this revitalisation process included enhanced pedestrian walkways, staircases, and a hiking trail measuring approximately 1.2–1.5km were integrated into the landscape, linking different levels of the development. The elevation change across the site is equivalent to approximately 15 storeys, influencing both design decisions and user experience.
The development also incorporates planted decks, vertical green walls, and climbing vegetation supported by metal frameworks designed to guide natural growth over time.
As part of this revitalisation, improvements led by MLDC within Kempas Residences include facilities such as private dining decks, barbecue areas, landscaped seating zones, karaoke rooms, a swimming pool complex, multipurpose hall, movie room, billiards, table tennis, and pickleball court, which is open to the public on a payper-use basis.
Spaces are zoned to separate quieter areas from more active facilities, while lighting levels in corridors and common areas are adjusted to create a more subdued, hotel-style ambience.
Owners’ confidence grows as management improves
Operational improvements were also implemented, including the recovery of outstanding maintenance arrears, and engagement with previously uncontactable owners. Maintenance fees were adjusted from RM0.21 to RM0.23 psf. As part of ongoing modernisation efforts, car plate-recognition technology has been introduced.
With these upgrades in place, residents have expressed confidence in the project’s direction under a new development blueprint.
The next phase will involve repurposing Riverview Apartments — previously a standalone clubhouse — into a multi-storey commercial block, marking the next stage in Genting View Resort’s ongoing transformation.
Tong says MLDC is presently focused on Kempas Residences, while leaving open the possibility of considering other revitalisation projects in the future.
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