Aren't property developers concerned of a retail space glut engulfing the Klang Valley?

Focus Malaysia

14-07-2025

'TOO much of a good thing is never good' goes the adage.
That seems to be the point being made by business journalist Jason Ng (@ByJasonNG) on X, referring to the proliferation of shopping malls in the Klang Valley.
I'm not sure if Klang Valley folks realise this but…
… by the end of 2025, there's going to be a bunch of massive new shopping malls opened.
118 Mall
Sunway Square Mall
Ombak KLCC
KLGCC Mall
Hextar World
Naturally, the question is… HOW MANY MORE MALLS DO WE NEED?
— Jason Ng (@ByJasonNg) July 10, 2025
This came about as the associate editor at financial publication The Edge lists 118 Mall, Sunway Square Mall, Ombak KLCC. KLGCC Mall and Hextar World as among the new retail spaces that will be open for business in by end-2025.
Wondering 'HOW MANY MORE MALLS DO WE NEED', he even used a meme to underline his point that the glut in shopping complexes was driven by property developers themselves.
The former Wall Street Journal staff correspondent went on to use Hextar World @ Empire City to illustrate the massive amount of retail space that will become available as it will have an equivalent rentable floor space (1.8 million sq ft) as the massive Mid Valley Megamall.
The poster also asked if there was really a need for a shopping mall every 5km?
One commenter supported the poster's contention with a chart denoting distance between malls with Kuala Lumpur having a mall within a 5km-radius of the next one.
A few commenters echoed the sentiment that the developers must still see this as profitable for them to keep building.
But this demand was also driven by Malaysian's love of shopping malls. It's the free air conditioning, some claimed.
One observer even tied it to saving on energy bills at home.
Another commenter pointed to Department of Statistics data that revealed shopping malls to be in the top five destinations in every state, save for the Federal Territory of Labuan and Perlis. It was very much a demand and supply situation.
With the apparent glut of retail space, there were bound to be those that ended up as ghost malls. Some commenters proposed novel solutions on how to upcycle such spaces. Turning them into residential spaces was one such idea.
There were also calls for more public parks, hospitals and incredibly, public libraries! This commenter has obviously not visited the very comfy and air-conditioned public libraries available which are mostly deserted.
Compare that to the overflowing traffic at shopping malls and this commenter's suggestion, though well-intentioned, underlines where Malaysians prefer to spend their time.
A few foresaw a dystopian vision of the Klang Valley which was connected via one long mall.
The reality is, as pointed out by various comments, it's driven by demand. Whether it is to enjoy a family day out in an air-conditioned environment or to indulge in some retail therapy, Malaysians love of shopping malls show no sign of abating. – July 14, 2025
Main image credit: KL Foodie/Facebook