The management of eCurve has clarified that the shopping mall in Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya will be temporarily closing to make way for redevelopment and not close permanently.
It shared that the redevelopment is in line with the “urban rejuvenation” plans of the company, reported Free Malaysia Today.
“We would like to state that the redevelopment plan does not involve The Curve, which will continue operating as normal,” the management of eCurve said in a statement.
“We have taken the necessary steps to engage with our tenants at eCurve through both verbal and written communications to ensure this transition is a smooth one for all parties involved.”
eCurve was reported to be permanently closed from 31 March, after tenants received notice of its closure sometime in the middle of February.
Rebecca Chong, a laundrette owner at the mall, said most of tenants have begun packing in preparation of a shift out one or two weeks before the mall closes its doors to the public.
“Some of the shops have chosen to stop operations altogether because they have not been getting customers since the MCO (movement control order) is still in effect,” she told Malay Mail.
“The rest are packing up, like us. We have to reinstate the lot for the mall management before we move out.”
With news of the mall’s closure circulating on social media, some have mixed eCurve with its adjacent strip mall – The Curve.
“It’s eCurve, not The Curve. The management met with us shortly after they served us with the letter, asking us for mutual understanding on ceasing operations of the mall,” said Chong.
“We understand that everyone is suffering due to the pandemic; we just have no choice but to go with it.”
Chong shared that the management of eCurve had waived rental fees for March and April since the pandemic hit the country and sent it into the unprecedented MCO, reported Malay Mail.
“But after that I think they couldn’t afford to waive the rental anymore; to maintain the mall costs a lot,” she said.
“We have not been able to pay rent because businesses have really suffered, especially the cinema and the bowling centre.”
Chong revealed that she is under a three-year contract with the mall and pays a monthly rent of RM4,000.
“It’s sad that the mall has to close; many of my friends were shocked when they heard about this, asking if it’s really true…Well it is, and it is very sad. We’ve been here for seven years,” she said.
“The mall is a nice weekend hangout for families, it’s sad to see it go.”
Formerly known as Cineleisure Damansara, the mall was renamed e@Curve after Boustead Properties Bhd took full ownership from Singapore’s Cathay Organisation Holdings Ltd in 2019. The latter previously held a 50% stake in the mall.
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