Tech-centric ultrapolis, i-City Golden Triangle (i-City) is edging closer to its ultimate goal of being the preferred destination for conglomerates, both local and international, staying true to being a local blueprint for the global footprint.

       With its foundation firmly set for technological sustainability, its next goal is to add in the remaining pieces of the puzzle. And with Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank), Malaysia’s largest bank by assets, setting up a permanent alternate office site in i-City.

       Alongside the strategic move, Sumurwang Tower will be rebranded to reflect the presence and elevated services offered by the banking giant. The Grade-A GBI-rated smart corporate tower will be renamed Mercu Maybank.

       Maybank will occupy 14 floors of the smart corporate tower, totalling 162,000 sq ft, as a permanent alternate office location for the group. Some 1,400 employees are expected here by the 1st half of 2022.

       The smart corporate tower is home to Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions and multinational companies.

       On the launch pad is a residential tower called BeCentral, situated next to Mercu Maybank. BeCentral is also connected to DoubleTree by Hilton and Central i-City mall.

       According to the bank, the decision to secure office space in Mercu Maybank is for business continuity management and resiliency planning to ensure Maybank’s operations and service delivery are not disrupted.

       Befitting its new name, the new outfit will serve as an additional permanent alternate office site for the group to accommodate new work arrangements resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, such as hybrid and remote work considerations for the group’s various functions and businesses.

       The location could not be more ideal for global financial institutions as i-City has all the right ingredients for becoming a global financial hub and supporting high-value industries such as information technology (IT) and finance with higher job opportunities and higher income.

       The Covid-19 pandemic has presented new challenges for many companies and organisations to decentralise their offices and workplaces to manage risk by having multiple locations. i-City, located in the capital city of Selangor, presents the most fitting solution as a strategic location, given similar infrastructures (technology, economic and connectivity) already in place, allowing businesses to seamlessly relocate and operate.

       Mercu Maybank, in addition to its premium office design, is equipped with smart features such as face recognition system, smart elevators, robust digital infrastructure and enhanced security features.

       Underpinned by its technological advances and having international brand names such as Central i-City mall by Central Pattana Thailand, DoubleTree by Hilton, Best Western International, the new Grade-A Green Building Index (GBI) corporate tower will lead i-City’s foray into the smart economy.

       In the pipeline will be the iconic 78-storey tower on the eastern plot fronting Federal Highway. It is envisioned as a global centre for technology and innovation, home to high-tech corporations and driving technopreneur development.

       By drawing in more rising stars and large corporations, the wheels of economics will spin smoothly to vitalise the entire ultrapolis. Higher quality and high-income job opportunities are envisaged to benefit knowledge-based workers within this smart city and its surrounding areas. A smart approach to economic activities will improve efficiency, open up new markets, and elevate productivity and economic output.

       It is little wonder that i-City has drawn the attention of many other prominent industry players like Top Glove Corp Bhd, whose founder and executive chairman Tan Sri Dr Lim Wee Chai recently paid a courtesy visit to i-City, and I-Bhd chairman Tan Sri Lim Kim Hong.

       During the site visit, Lim noted that the most appealing aspect of i-City was its comprehensiveness and integration. He also described the development as a good project and well-developed.

       Noorliza (left) and her entourage experiencing snow fall. Technology brings about family entertainment venues like Snowalk, an arctic environment with snow falls and rides.

       i-City also attracted the attention of the government sector. The Mayor of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Datuk Noorliza Awang Alip and her entourage, were equally impressed during their study tour of i-City.

       While Kota Kinabalu is a major tourist destination and a gateway for travellers visiting Sabah and Borneo, Noorliza was exploring ideas to add to its tourism attractions. She was also amazed by how i-City integrates smart technologies into its commercial, residential and leisure components seamlessly.

       The advent of technological trends has allowed property players like i-City to leverage smart building software solutions to help them build, manage and maintain their real estate assets.

       i-City has the DNA of a smart city offering technology-related infrastructures such as Huawei’s 400G-capable connectivity network and enhanced security, the Tier-3 data centre and a host of smart IT features.

       Lim Wee Chai (left), accompanied by Lim Kim Hong, was impressed by the compreheniveness and integration of i-City.