Building to leave colourful past behind with new name

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 10): Sun Complex at Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur is now officially known as Menara Hai-O. Built in 1978, the 40-year old building of 20-storeys has 220 units of apartments above several floors of office space. It is said to be one of the earliest high-rise developments in the country.

Hai-O Group managing director Tan Keng Kang told the media that the company has been operating at Sun Complex since 1996. The group had spent close to RM4 million for renovation works which lasted about seven months.

“The Hai-O Group headquarters was once in this building prior to the completion of our headquarters in Klang in 1997. We own 80% of the commercial lots here, while the rest are individually owned. So far, our space [the 80% share] is almost fully leased out. We also own the car park. Since we have been here more than 20 years, we thought we better rebrand this building,” Tan told EdgeProp.my after the official launch of Menara Hai-O today. 

The building has been the backdrop of a few stories that made the headlines in the past. In the early days, many often associate Sun Complex with vice and gang-led activities that took place in and around the building. 

Just three years back, a 32-year old Filipina lady plunged to her death from the 15th floor of the building while the police was conducting a raid the area under an “Op Khas Sun Complex”. On the same night, 154 out of 435 foreigners were detained for failure to provide official documents.

Some of you may also recall an incident in 2014 where an explosion caused by a grenade killed  a car jockey and injured 12 others. Based on previous news reports following the incident, it was said that the grenade was aimed at a top gangster in the Imbi area.

With the renovations and refurbishing in recent times, the place can have a fresh start as Menara Hai-O. 

By the way, you may also be interested to know that just a month ago, a driver was believed to have mistakenly pressed on the acceleration pedal causing his car to plunge from the first floor of the building's car park onto three other cars parked 10 metres below. The driver only sustained minor injuries.