When Pacific Mall Becomes A 'Landmark'

32 Lifts Stolen From Mall

JOHOR BARU: The abandoned RM300mil Pacific Mall near Bukit Cagar is not only an eyesore, but also the scene of a bizarre theft where 32 of its escalators were stolen.
Owners who purchased individual lots at the shopping centre are crying foul over the loss as they are still servicing bank loans for the failed project.

Eyesore: The RM300mil Pacific Mall comprising of a five-level retail podium and a 24- storey office tower in Johor Baru.
 

Tan Poh Lai, a pro-tem committee member representing the buyers said the escalator theft increased the building's restoration cost from RM10mil to RM50mil.
She said the mall's construction was stopped eight years ago due to management issues.
The bank that financed the project could not be reached despite much effort, she added.
“To make matters worse, those who purchased the lots are fighting a legal battle with the bank to prevent their lots from being auctioned,” said Tan.
Singaporean Irene Ling, 31, who took over one of the lots from her late father, said the matter caused much frustration to those committed to the project.
Tan said the majority of the buyers faced hardships as their life savings and retirement funds were used to finance their purchases.
Johor Baru MP Datuk Shahrir Samad, who took up the case, said the rights of Pacific Mall's owners should be protected and given priority.

»I will look into the matter and meet local authorities to straighten out the issue immediately« DATUK SHAHRIR SAMAD
 

“I will look into the matter and meet local authorities to straighten out the issue immediately. We should throw light on the situation quickly to prevent repetition of such events,” he said.
Pacific Mall, located between Jalan Storey and Bukit Cagar, comprises a five-level retail podium block and a 24-storey office tower.

Source: The Star - Tuesday, April 29, 2008

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I used to shop there in late 80s or early 90s when the mall operated its business.
But, for just a brief period.

A couple of years ago, on the ground floor, a small corner was opened selling handphone accessories, VCDs and DVDs.

Huge Mess: Ceiling Boards Missing At The Mall.

Stolen: Policemen From The Johor Baru (South) Mobile Patrol Unit Inspecting The Remnants Of An Escalator, Which Was Stripped Of Metal Parts. Photos: The Star

The building, which was 90% complete, was abandoned in 1997.

Now, all kinds of remarks were heard about Pacific Mall in Lorong 1, Jalan Storey, Johor Bahru:

Awesome Mall

With Awesome Big Hall!  

Awesome Interior

With Awesome Escalators! 

The Best Shopping Centre In Town

Is The Most Dangerous Building Around!!

Reason Why There Are Many Abandoned Shopping Spaces Is Caused

By Johoreans Who Do Not Like To Shoppp!!!

Yes.
In Johor Baru, Larkin, Plentong, Permas Jaya and Skudai, there are around 10 abandoned big buildings.

Every time on my way across the Causeway, although an eyesore, I had never fail to look at the almost stripped down Pacific Mall.
Pacific Mall, currently in a dilapidated condition is stripped to almost bare.

The rundown building is barely 500 metres away from police station, yet the property was vandalised.
It pose safety and security concerns for the public
Public safety is compromised since more than ten years ago.
It is very dangerous as the peeled glass piece may fall down anytime.

The eerie feeling whenever I passed by the fenceless, the non-barricaded Pacific Mall can't be helped as it is near Bukit Cagar.



 
And, Bukit Cagar is best remembered with its burst rooftop water tank in 1993.

The problematic building of the shopping arcades and car park, which began in 1995 could not be completed.

It seems the building is left to rot.
The abandoned project is strategically in an extraordinarily quiet location, not nearest to any main road, needs overdue attention.
Its shop lots and office spaces had once attracted buyers from Singapore and Hong Kong.

But last September, the abandoned building had attracted evil hearted being.
Pacific Mall had become a disposal ground of a man whose body was burnt.