PERPETUAL Memorial Park Bhd plans to expand its presence in Johor and the Klang Valley by opening two more memorial parks in future.
Its chief operating officer Tommy Chieng said the company was eyeing south Johor and Selangor for the new memorial parks.
“We are actively looking to expand in these two states as both offer good business prospects and long-term growth for the company,’’ he said at a press conference during the opening of the company’s satellite office in Southkey, Johor Baru.
Also present were chief executive officer Harry Yap and regional deputy general manager (southern) Han Kai Wan.
Chieng said demand for the bereavement services and facilities for non-Muslims in Johor and Selangor were good as both states were among the most developed in the country.
He said while it was getting more challenging to get land for the purpose, the company believed there would always be opportunities waiting at the right time and place.
“Perseverance will keep you going and it is this that holds the key to success,’’ he said.
Chieng said it would take at least two years for the company to start looking for land and negotiating with the landowner before finalising the deal.
He revealed that Perpetual would also look at mergers and acquisitions as part of the company’s objective to further strengthen its position as one of the leading players in the country’s bereavement services segment.
“We are open to any business proposals from those interested to be part of the company and grow together with us,’’ he said.
He added that the company had been established since 1994 and its experience in the market would be attractive to potential partners.
The company’s first Perpetual Memorial Park Kulai, Johor, spanning 40.4ha was opened 28 years ago, while its two other memorial parks – 4ha each – are in Ulu Choh, Pontian in Johor and in Ipoh, Perak.
At the opening ceremony of its satellite office, the company also launched its new urn centre in Kulai named Heng Ding Lou – a landmark for the Kulai park.
“The columbarium at the new urn centre has six levels, unlike the usual 10 levels in the market,” said Chieng.
He said phase one would have 500 compartments and there would be one phase launched every six months consisting of 500 to 600 units each, with a total of 10 phases planned.
He added that the company emphasised on corporate social responsibility (CSR) by donating 20 single urn compartments to the needy on an annual basis.
Perpetual’s satellite office is at D-1-8 & D3-8, Pusat Komersial Bayu Tasek, Persiaran Southkey 1, Kota Southkey, Johor Baru while Perpetual Memorial Park Bhd (Kulai) is at Lot 785, Jalan Kota Tinggi, Kulai.
Source: The Star