0 - 2023 - CITTA Mall

Malaysians Bring Community Together on World Beetle Day

June 23, 2023June 23, 2023 by Admin

Petaling Jaya, 22 June 2023 – Over 60 VW Beetles and Kombis gathered at the open parking lot of CITTA Mall to commemorate World Beetle Day. Helmed by Khoo Teng Sen, the crowd (from greater Kuala Lumpur and neighbouring states) resembled a community of old friends and family, who were more than happy to exchange gear-head notes and share their love for the classic car with mall visitors.

Celebrating World Beetle Day was once just an affair of sticking a sign on car windows and driving around in Malaysia. When Alexander Gromow, Brazilian VW Beetle enthusiast, reached out to Teng Sen, the celebrations took a positive turn. Teng Sen created the June 22 – Drive Your VW to Work Day Facebook group, comprising a vast network of Beetle lovers, who now gather annually in the name of camaraderie, goodwill and good ol’ fun!

John Tam, General Manager of CITTA Mall said, “It’s the first time hosting World Beetle Day for us and we are glad to see the turn out and the enthusiasm for classic cars. The automotive world certainly has a way of bringing people together to share passion and build relationships, and we love being part of this.”

The essence of community was accurately captured during the gathering today through a birthday celebration and moment of silence for an ardent member who recently passed away. Get to know the faces of the community through these Five Stories Behind the Wheel:

“I live to drive, but ‘giving back’ drives me.” – Clifton

His passion for the Volkswagen Beetle goes beyond just getting behind the wheel and driving. Clifton drives to give back to the community – his cross-country group road trips involve raising funds, helping people from impoverished areas as well as bringing smiles to faces. “Sometimes if I see a sad or stressed face on the road, I give a friendly honk and smile at them. When they smile back, I know my job is done. It’s a good feeling.” Clifton’s Beetle has made numerous trips across Asia (including Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and the borders of Myanmar, India, and China). He purposely seeks out the toughest routes to test his mental strength and the car’s endurance; in his recent three-day cross-country drive, he gave some top-tiered branded cars a run for their money. Beetles pack some speed!

“I bought it right before Covid, and finally it’s out from the shop and the road!” – Darren

The 29-year-old endured a three-year long wait to place his hands on the beige steering wheel of his VW Beetle. Darren is a two-day old member of his local VW Beetle group and cheekily marks his car with Woody and Buzz Lightyear toys gripping the bumper for their dear lives! He looks forward to a younger generation of enthusiasts joining him in his passion for the beloved classic.

“I designed it, made it and put it together myself.” – T.C. Khoo

Khoo is an enthusiastic tinkerer, fashioning parts for his Beetle himself (and stamping his name on them too!). Being a Beetle owner for 11 years, he has taught himself to make modifications using original designs and does his best to let people know Malaysians are pretty good with their hands.

“We got married in an earlier model, but this one would have been better – it’s pink!” – Ruby and Kelvin

Ruby first fell in love with the Beetle after seeing it on a calendar while in high school, and Kelvin promised her to get one – a pink one. The happy couple got married in Teng Sen’s Kombi, and Kelvin lived up to his promise, helping Ruby become the proud owner of a 2009 VW Beetle.

“I hope we can pass this passion down to the next generation, and keep it alive, even though we are heading towards electric cars. It’s a community.” – Khoo Teng Sen

Teng Sen, who describes himself as just a VW fan, is a Malaysian World Book of Records holder for owning the largest number of VW miniature toys and memorabilia. The nucleus of multiple VW Beetle fan groups, Teng Sen has been organising 22^nd June gatherings since 2015 and celebrates the beauty of people coming together, sharing their passion despite language barriers and economic status. He strives for a stronger community and familial bonds through the love for VW Beetles.

This gathering is CITTA Mall’s inaugural World Beetle Day gathering, supported by Chizu, A Beauty Secret Studio, Para Thai and Mee Hiris China Muslim.

Photo Gallery:

ARA Malls Celebrate Eco Month Nationwide

March 16, 2023 by Admin

H.O.P.E. makes a return to CITTA Mall

What have you done to care for our planet lately?

Each year in March, ARA Asset Management (ARA) Malls are unwavering in their efforts to inculcate an appreciation for the natural world among its patrons through a series of fun and educational activities under the banner of its eco-conscious campaign, “Helping Our Planet Everyday” (or H.O.P.E.).

Campaign mainstays such as the aluminium pull-tab collection, coffee ground collection, and eco-themed arts & crafts workshops make a return to 1 Mont Kiara and CITTA Mall, while H.O.P.E.’s mascot, Mr. Plasticman, will also be making the rounds at both malls, offering to trade eco-friendly bags for plastic ones with shoppers.

“The collection of aluminium tabs will run for the entire month of March at 1 Mont Kiara and CITTA Mall,” remarked Alan Thoo, Head of Marketing. “The tabs will then be sent to prosthetic limb manufacturers through the Lions Club units that we cooperate with.”

Patrons of 1 Mont Kiara and CITTA Mall are encouraged to drop their pull tabs at the malls’ respective information counters between 12pm and 6pm throughout March.

One of the major highlights for Eco Month would be the popular Eco-Fashionista Costume Contest that has drawn the attention of many designer moms and charismatic children to Ipoh Parade and CITTA Mall, and for the first time ever, Klang Parade. A total of RM850 worth of cash and prizes are up for grabs at each mall, so contestants better come dressed in their upcycled best if they want to impress the judges.

In the past, contestants have consistently astounded a wide-eyed audience with their ingenuity, transforming yesterday’s waste into today’s fashion statement using a wide range of recycled materials such as aluminium cans, discarded cardboard, dated newspapers, and our arch-enemy, plastic. The sheer creativity that spills over the runway have only continued to inspire many others to parade their dresses of tomorrow, proving that sustainable fashion can truly start from the home.

1 Mont Kiara is the only mall to break away from this tradition, opting instead to focus on its successful H.O.P.E. Recycled Art Contest once again this year. A total of 132 art pieces were submitted for the contest by its 8 March deadline, exceeding all expectations yet also affirming the contest’s acceptance by the surrounding community. As a result of the overwhelming response, the Top 70 pieces (instead of the previous Top 50) will now be displayed at the H.O.P.E. Recycled Art Exhibition at the mall’s ground floor from 13 – 19 March.

The various sculptures and artworks paint a vivid picture of what the environment means to our youth, and they reveal our youngest generation’s aspirations for a greener future. For most of the submitted pieces, there is an urgent call-to-action to protect the singularly liveable planet that we often take for granted, while others function more like a time capsule that preserves an untainted innocence.

Further up north in Ipoh Parade is where the city’s inaugural Succulent Fair will take place from 31 March to 2 April. Hosted by Cactus Boy Nursery, who has an established base at CITTA Mall, the Succulent Fair will be the site for many colourful and exotic succulents, which have seen a surge of interest since the lockdown days due to their easy-to-care for nature and jaw-dropping diversity.

“It is a great honour to be able to work with Ipoh Parade and make this fair happen, as I have never done anything of the sort at such a scale before,” commented Koh Kuan Meng aka Cactus Boy. “I am very excited to share some of my unique discoveries with the people of Ipoh and to educate everyone on how to properly care for their succulents.”

On 1 and 2 April, visitors to the fair will be able to join personalised workshops where Koh addresses common issues about caring for succulents. Shoppers who have purchased any five succulents and a pot will also be able to learn how to make an arrangement with their selection over two sessions on both days (3:00pm and 6:00pm on 1 April; 12:00pm and 6:00pm on 2 April).

“We hope these activities help people get involved in their own way and be engaged in preserving our environment. We know this may be just a small step in addressing climate change, but we hope it will be the seed that inspires a way of living in the future,” Thoo added.

For a full breakdown of the events across the malls, please refer to the table below:

1 Mont Kiara celebrates Eco Month from 1st to 31st March

Eco-Fashionista Costume Contest will be held under H.O.P.E campaign on 26 March 2023 at Klang Parade

EVENTS	DATE	TIME
1 Mont Kiara
– Aluminium Pull-Tab Collection (at mall’s concierge)	1 – 31 March	12:00pm – 6:00pm
– H.O.P.E. Recycled Art Exhibition – E-Waste Information & Disposal Corner – Coffee Grounds Collection Corner	13 – 19 March	10:00am – 10:00pm
– Musical Performance by Saint International School	18 March	2:00pm – 3:30pm
– Eco-Themed Arts & Crafts Workshop – Plant-A-Tree Workshop – E-Waste Interactive Games Corner	18 – 19 March	12:00pm – 6:00pm
– Mr. Plasticman Walkabout	18 – 19 March	12:00pm – 9:00pm


CITTA Mall
– Aluminium Pull-Tab Collection (at mall’s info. counter)	1 – 31 March	12:00pm – 6:00pm
– E-Waste Information & Disposal Corner – Coffee Grounds Collection Corner	20 – 26 March	10:00am – 10:00pm
Earth Hour Weekend:
– Eco-Fashionista Costume Contest	25 March	7:00pm
– Eco-Themed Arts & Crafts Workshop – Plant-A-Tree Workshop – E-Waste Interactive Games Corner	25 – 26 March	12:00pm – 6:00pm
– Mr. Plasticman Walkabout	25 – 26 March	12:00pm – 9:00pm


Ipoh Parade
– First Succulent Fair in Ipoh (by Cactus Boy Nursery)	31 March – 2 April	10:00am – 10:00pm
1-on-1 Workshops with Cactus Boy:
– Sharing Session: “What do I do when my succulents are sunburnt?” “What do I do when they become elongated?” – Hands-on Session: Buy any five succulents and learn to pot them together.	1 April 2 April	3:00pm 12:00pm
– Sharing Session: “How do I propagate succulents?” “How do I care for such young succulents?” -Hands-on Session: Buy any five succulents and learn to pot them together.	1 – 2 April	6:00pm
– Eco Arts & Crafts Workshop	1 – 2 April	12:00pm – 6:00pm
– Eco-Fashionista Costume Contest	2 April	2:00pm


Klang Parade
– Eco-Fashionista Costume Contest	26 March	2:00pm

Useful links:

Registration form for CITTA Mall’s H.O.P.E. Eco-Fashionista Costume Contest:
https://forms.gle/FjtgruwDkn6MNmgBA
Registration form for Ipoh Parade’s H.O.P.E. Eco-Fashionista Costume Contest:
https://forms.gle/xXezTGb8kNRAxaQZ6
Registration form for Klang Parade’s H.O.P.E. Eco-Fashionista Costume Contest:
https://forms.gle/Eoz5hkDtMAYvApiH7

Succulents are the new vending machine “snacks” at CITTA Mall

February 23, 2023February 23, 2023 by Admin

Cheerful succulent seller turned a passion project into a thriving business.

Drinks, snacks and now – succulents! The use for vending machines has been revolutionised for more than just dispensing convenient eats. Today, you can find Malaysia’s very first succulent dispensing vending machine at CITTA Mall. In collaboration with Cactus Boy
Nursery, this machine houses up to 108 succulents for sale, through an accessible, cashless, and unmanned retail system.

“CITTA Mall has always prioritised being a ‘green mall’ where we try to add an element of nature to your shopping and leisure
experience. Supporting novel ideas like the Cactus Boy Nursery succulent vending machine is just one of the ways we
encourage entrepreneurship and increasing our green spaces within the community,” commented John Tam, General Manager of
CITTA Mall.

Own new succulents at a press of a button.

The succulent vending machine is a pet project by Owner and Founder of Cactus Boy Nursery, Koh Kuan Meng, to cater to his customers’ demand for the pretty potted plants while he travels for work. “I have always desired for a retail space to sell succulents without me being on-site and having to manage the sales in person. When CITTA Mall agreed to support me in bringing my vending machine idea to life, I jumped on the opportunity immediately.”

Commercial vending machines are not designed to sell live plants; Koh had a hand in customising the design to carefully move the succulents from the display rack to the collection space in the vending machine. “It took several trials and errors, but with a few modifications, the plants can now be transported safely from all display rack levels without toppling over! My next challenge is to dispense bigger pots of plants.”

Koh’s inventive modifications has simplified sale of his succulents

“There are a few plus points to selling plants this way; I can store them at a consistent temperature, install grow lights to ensure sufficient light, automate the watering system, and also maintain the plants’ condition and monitor sales through an app. Now, plant mums and dads can come, purchase, and leave with their new plant babies without me having to be there! That’s a great victory for me,” the 31-year-old added.

Succulent enthusiasts can purchase a single pot from RM15 upwards to two pots for RM50 at the vending machine located at the Ground floor of CITTA Mall, outside Nando’s eatery, by the glass elevator. To watch a tutorial on how to use the machine, click here.
For more information, visit: @CITTAMall on Facebook or @cittamall on Instagram or @cactusboynursery on Facebook or @cactusboy_nursery on Instagram.

CITTA Mall Celebrates Chinese New Year Featuring Mural Art Hand-Painted by 90 Children

February 10, 2023February 1, 2023 by Admin

The children, their caretakers, Leo Club members and sponsors capture a moment by the hand-painted mural

PETALING JAYA, 29 January 2023 – 90 children and their caretakers from Overcomer Care Centre, Salvation Kids Association, Sai Pandian Orphanage Children Home, and Promise Home celebrated the unveiling of their very own 60-foot-long mural during a Chinese New Year event hosted by CITTA Mall.

The mural painting project was led by the Metro Leo Clubs who engaged with the children’s homes (including Victory Home which was unable to attend the event) in January to paint a portion of the mural.

The highlight of the event was surprising the children with the complete mural, featuring caricatures of rabbits (the fourth Chinese zodiac) and multiple shades of auspicious red.

Deemed the “Megazoid” mural, John Tam, General Manager of CITTA Mall noted that, “This celebration is uniquely different from the usual festivities. CITTA Mall is collaboratively demonstrating to the children the power of coming together, through little effort, to create a greater and positive impact. The Megazoid artwork represents more than just a mural, it’s about communicating unity, a sense of ownership and having good fun.”

Director General of CITTA Mall, John Tam, warmly welcomes the attendees

The Megazoid mural will be displayed until the end of the week, 5 February, on the Third Floor by the GSC Cinema for our shoppers’ viewing pleasure. The children were also treated to a Yee Sang toss, ang pao presentation, a scrumptious lunch by Chilli’s, Wrappe and Happy Lemon, and gifts of Designer Pillows from MajuHome.

Children enjoying yee sang toss and grabbing a boomerang for the ‘Gram

“It was wonderful to find our like-minded partners, CITTA Mall and our sponsors, to give these children a chance to celebrate their very own artwork created by their own hands. There is something so joyous in collectively creating a thing of beauty, and I wanted to have as many children as possible experience this through their very own Megazoid artwork,” explained Andrew Teh of Leo Club Sunway Metro, the Organising Chairperson.

“I am extremely appreciative of our CITTA Mall tenants for expressing generosity during this festive season, in partnership with the Metro Leo Club members,” added John Tam, General Manager of CITTA Mall. This event was successfully put together by the Leo Clubs of Sunway Metro, INTI International College Subang Metro, Methodist College KL, SMK Seksyen 4 Bandar Kinrara, and SMK Bandar Utama 3, supported by sponsorship from Chilli’s, Wrappe, Happy Lemon and MajuHome of CITTA Mall.

CNY 2023 Events at CITTA Mall

February 6, 2023January 10, 2023 by Admin

The Rabbit Lunar year is upon us! There were lots of fun and exciting CNY themed workshops and performances that CITTA Mall shoppers enjoyed with their families. Here are some of the fun and exciting activities that went on last weekend: