Razzle and dazzle at biennial InPenang awards

THE BIENNIAL InPenang awards on Saturday recognised Sunway Carnival Mall on the mainland as the preferred retail outlet in Penang.

It also demonstrated the rise of shopping and retail attractions in Prai in comparison to the island–based outlets in the tourism context.

The other attraction on the mainland is the Design Village outlet mall in Batu Kawan.

Sunway Carnival, which is part of the chain of Sunway shopping malls nationwide, had just undergone a mega upgrading exercise, so the recognition by InPenang – a tourism publication, was seen as a well-deserved recognition.

It also edged out the perennial outlets helmed by the Singapore – based Capital Mall Ltd such as Gurney Plaza and Queensbay Mall, indicating that local managed shopping enterprises can also compete with their regional neighbours.

InPenang publisher Datuk Ch’ng Huck Theng spoke of pride on how the concept to award the best tourism operators came about years earlier.

Ch’ng said that it was difficult to gain public acceptance that tourism isn’t just about luring tourists but also in ensuring that quality service, was among the focal points of strength in the industry, which must showcase warmth and humility.

Former journalist turned fund manager Datuk Seri Cheah Cheng Hye was also a notable recipient of the awards, held at the St Giles Wembley Hotel.

The award winners were: Lifetime achievement award (corporate retailer Datuk Andrew Lim Tatt Keong), outstanding achievers’ winners (Value Partners Group Hong Kong honorary chairman Datuk Seri Cheah Cheng Hye, former Royal Thailand Consul – General Datuk Raschada Jiwalai, Myanmar Airways chief executive officer

Tanes Kumar, Sunway Healthcare Group president Datuk Lau Beng Long, the Smart Investor managing editor Cheah Chay Tiong), national achievers’ award winners (women leadership: Dr Mary Quah, best fertility reproductive health innovator: Genesis IVF and Women Specialist Centre, Top Environment: Shan Poornam Sdn Bhd, Best Property Developer: GSD Land (M) Sdn Bhd, Best Retail Mall: Sunway Carnival Mall, Best Tourism Experience: Wonderfood Museum Penang, Best Heritage Brand: Ghee Hiang Manufacturing Co Sdn Bhd, Top Cultural Fashion Designer: Dr Kenny Loh and InPenang Emerging Entrepreneur: dre Coklat Sdn Bhd, Space Ace Elite Sdn Bhd, Alan Lim and Catherine Lee – fusion) – June 23, 2025