By NUR SHAZREENA ALI
KUCHING: One of the city’s oldest malls, Wisma Saberkas Shopping Complex, is still going strong despite the entry of newer and more modern ones in recent years.
Apparently, its continued competitive edge lies in its ability to adapt to changing trend and tastes.
Over it 34 years of existence, the mall has been transforming itself several times over to keep relevant, and today it boosts of its unique brand as Kuching’s best ICT destination.
The 22-storey shopping complex allocates seven floors to 40 shops that showcase the latest in ICT products.
Major ICT companies such as PC Image, Compuway and Data Tech Computers have all you need in laptops, desktop computers, printers, MP3 players and games products.
The offer is so complete that many refer to the mall as Kuching’s very-own ‘Low Yatt’, that shopping complex that houses everything you need in the computer world in Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Bintang business district.
The brain behind the management of complex is Tang Sing Eng. She is the person in-charge of Wisma Saberkas Management Corporation building.
In an interview with New Sarawak Tribune, Tang said most of the outlets in the building are owned by individuals.
“The management does not own any shops here. We only manage and facilitate the operations of the facilities, including cleaning and the maintenance issues.
“In this aspect we are different from many of our competitors who exclusively owned and rent out units.
“In fact, 80 per cent of the outlets in this building are occupied by individual owners. Some owners use their space as their stores.”
Businesswise, Eyla, 28, a worker in an OPPO outlet said sales are “very encouraging”.
However, Jong Kian Tien, 44, who sells silver accessories, has quite a tale to tell.
“I have been trading in Wisma Saberkas since 1998, in its heyday, the place was crowded, unlike today when people come here just to buy handphones or laptops”, he said.
He said some days the building feels ghostly for want of people.
Fiza, 45, who works at the clothes shop said the rush only comes when festivals approach.
“I feel most traders look forward to festivals because only then people throng the complex, otherwise it can be too quiet.
“I think what the mall needs most is properly organised activities. The building management need to do more to attract visitors during the off seasons.”
