FRIDAY AUGUST 23, 2019 • THEEDGE FINANCIAL DAILY SF 1

A SPECIAL FOCUS BY LIVING BY THE FOREST AT AUGUST 23, 2019 SETIA ECO TEMPLER

he forest, fresh air, waterfalls, and Notably, the design concept of Setia Eco Templer was BROUGHT TO YOU BY everything else one loves about the great drawn from local history — that of the former British outdoors — all at your doorstep. Life High Commissioner Sir Gerald Templer and his journey to at Setia Eco Templer off ers all that and Malaya in 1952. more. Hailing from Essex, a small town in the UK, Sir Ger- For city folks in Kuala Lumpur, living ald Templer arrived through the Melaka Straits via Bali, Tamidst nature is something they could Indonesia. His origin serves as the inspiration for the name of only dream of, but just wait until you step Setia Eco Templer’s fi rst residential phase — Essex Gardens into Setia Eco Templer, S P Setia Bhd’s township development with its English-inspired design concept. Th is was followed located in Templer Park, Rawang, , just 23km away by the Peranakan culture-inspired phase 2A called Peranakan from the Kuala Lumpur (KL) city centre. Straits and the Balinese-themed phase 2B called Amantara. With the majestic hills of Bukit Takun as its backdrop, the “Th is project is based on the story of Sir Gerald Templer’s development lies within a green sanctuary embraced by the journey to Malaya. Th e natural reserves at Templer Park was rainforest at Templer Park and the Kanching Eco-Forest Park. named after him. Even this clubhouse, which was built 30 Th e 194-acre modern township development launched its years ago was named after him. Th is is the real history of this fi rst phase in 2016, off ering English, Peranakan and Balinese- place and we wish to remind people of this through this de- inspired bungalows, semidees, link villas, two- and three- velopment,” says Setia Eco Templer Sdn Bhd general manager storey shop offices and a Rumah Selangorku affordable Dianne Chan at the refurbished colonial-design clubhouse. housing scheme. CONTINUES NEXT PAGE

The freshest mist and fl owing water of the creeks are daily blessings for the residents of Essex Gardens, Setia Eco Templer. SF 2 FRIDAY AUGUST 23, 2019 • THEEDGE FINANCIAL DAILY

The newly-completed Essex Gardens, the first phase of Setia Eco Templer

FROM PREVIOUS PAGE Instead of tearing down the former Templer Club 5km away, retail shops, medical facilities and prima- House as it was known then, S P Setia forked out ry, secondary and international schools. RM15 million to refurbish the 150,000 sq ft clubhouse, GIANT turning it into Setia Eco Templer’s sales gallery and LIMITED UNITS AVAILABLE offi ce cum event space for many usages. It will even- Also launched after Essex Gardens in 2016 was the tually be a clubhouse for future residents. sole commercial component in Setia Eco Templer As a nature lover, Chan’s fi rst experience during a TREES AND called Th e Grove @ Templer. It consists of 40 exclusive visit to scout the site with Datuk Koe Peng Kang, S P 2- and 3-storey shop offi ce units with built-ups from Setia senior executive vice president, took her by sur- 2,996 sq ft to 7,262 sq ft. Th ey off er highly coveted prise when they discovered the rich fl ora and fauna. main road frontage and ample parking bays. “We also encountered a total of nine creeks on the GURGLING Th e shop offi ces at Th e Grove off er versatile layouts, land which fl owed from the forest reserves. Some of high ceilings and sophisticated glass facades making them were mini but they were all-natural. We also them ideal for a diverse range of businesses such as saw many birds which we later found out —through F&B outlets, showrooms, clinics, salons, laundromats, research that we sponsored— that there were a num- BROOKS banks, boutiques and others. ber of rare bird species there. Most of the units have been snapped up with only “So we decided to minimise construction interrup- a limited number of bumiputera units left, priced tions to the natural life there and decided to build hous- from RM1.8 million. es around the natural setting instead of just fl attening S P Setia then launched phase 2A called the land and using every inch of it,” explains Chan. Peranakan Straits in 2017, featuring 168 units of Ma- Th e developer’s decision resulted in the preserva- lay Archipelago and Peranakan era-inspired villas tion of the majestic old trees at Essex Gardens located next to the forest reserve north of the township and the Th e best thing is, residents of the whole of Setia We decided nine creeks that run through the entire development. Eco Templer, and not just those at Essex Gardens, Each creek was preserved and named after existing will get to enjoy living in such a natural environment. to minimise creeks near and around Essex, namely Carson Creek, Th e green and serene environment calms the mind construction Alresford Creek, Bramble Creek, Oakley Creek, Ce- and has attracted many nearby residents to come here dar Creek, Benfl eet Creek, Turtle Creek, Flag Creek for a walk at the lakeside (which will be reserved for interruptions and Lawling Creek. the exclusive use of the township’s residents eventu- to the natural S P Setia also allocated more than half a million ally) daily, especially at the dawn of the day when the ringgit to transplant 380 trees from the former golf place is covered by morning mist and the air is fresh- life there and course land. Aged but healthy trees were left where est, even more so following a heavy downpour of rain. decided to they were while houses were built around them. It is no wonder then that the temperature at Tem- “Th ose giant mature trees alone make the place pler Park is one to two degrees Celsius lower than in build houses iconic. You hardly see full grown trees in a new pro- the KL city centre, which can be easily accessed from around the ject. Yes, we sacrifi ced a number of units because we the township via the toll-free roads of Jalan Rawang natural setting. want to maintain the natural environment. But we are and Jalan Kuching. happy to do so simply because it is a shame to chop Setia Eco Templer is also connected by the North- — Chan these full grown, healthy old trees just to build more South Expressway (NSE), Guthrie Corridor Express- houses,” says Chan. way and Kuala Lumpur- Expressway (LATAR). MIST IN THE MORNINGS Th e recently completed Rawang- bypass Completed and being handed over gradually since end also cuts the journey to Serendah, and KL of June 2019, Essex Gardens comprises 234 homes in- city centre from two hours to about 30 minutes dur- cluding bungalows, semidees and link villas, set amidst ing peak hours. English- themed pocket parks and landscaped gardens. Besides being able to enjoy nature’s bounty, the Take a stroll through Essex Gardens today and you gated-and-guarded Setia Eco Templer also has com- can hear the water bubbling through the creeks, birds mon facilities for its residents such as a clubhouse chirping and the breeze rustling through the leaves with an Olympic-size swimming pool, gymnasium, and branches while the endless green of the forest jogging track, playgrounds, parks and 24-hour security. can be admired in the background. Amenities nearby include Tesco Rawang about FRIDAY AUGUST 23, 2019 • THEEDGE FINANCIAL DAILY SF 3

Top: The English- inspired homes of Essex Gardens are now a reality.

Right: Setia Eco Templer was planned and built around a natural setting such as the natural creeks that fl ow from the forest reserve.

The majestic hills of Bukit Takun is just a stone’s throw away from Setia Eco Templer.

and semidee homes. Th ese units have unique design The Grove @ Templer features such as stained glass windows, high ceilings is the exclusive and large balconies. commercial property Built-up areas of the Peranakan Straits units range in the township. from 2,292 sq ft to 2,797 sq ft and is priced from RM888,000 onwards. Some 80% of the units have been sold so far. Th is phase is 35% completed as at July 2019 and is slated for completion by end-2020. Meanwhile, phase 2B or the Balinese-themed Amantara homes have seen a 50% take-up since an offi cial launch a few months ago. Amantara comprises 155 units of link villas, sem- idees and bungalow homes with built-ups ranging from 2,598 sq ft to 4,516 sq ft and prices starting from RM1.06 million. One of the most eye-catching design features of Amantara homes is the integration of Balinese-style stone carving art on some of the exterior walls. Th e design concept of the homes are in keeping with the township’s rustic environment and it is this wonderful homage to nature that makes Setia Eco Templer an extraordinary place to live. Peranakan-inspired design of the Peranakan Straits homes. SF 4 FRIDAY AUGUST 23, 2019 • THEEDGE FINANCIAL DAILY

ATTRACTIONS that was held in . Part of the RAWANG FOR park has been taken over and is being managed by a private company, but the public can still frequent and camp in certain allocated areas of the park. NATURE LOVERS If you fancy spending a night camping in the woods, the campsites are available for rent at RM10 per day from the park’s management offi ce, the t is no doubt that Rawang is one of the most forest offi ce. The rapidly growing areas in the Valley to- campsite comes with basic toilet and day. The former tin-mining town used to be Rock climbing in Bukit Takun bathroom facilities. made up of a few rows of shophouses, but to- Bukit Takun is an icon of the Templer I Park Country Club, in fact, of the entire Picnic at Kanching waterfalls day Rawang has grown and developed into a vibrant address for homebuyers and businesses alike. Templer Park. Bukit Takun is a beautiful Kanching waterfalls is located in the This is largely due to improvements in amenities 300m high limestone hill which became Kanching Eco-Forest Park. The falls and connectivity, as well as the variety of properties the fi rst rock climbing site in Malaysia off er seven levels and it takes around available there. with routes bolted in since 1985. one hour to reach the top. However, the Rawang is blessed by nature, especially if one stays Climbers often consider it a clean trail could be slippery and challenging in Templer Park, east of Rawang, which is nestled and quiet place off ering magnifi cent views as the trail is next to the waterfall. between the Bukit Recreational Forest and along the way. Nevertheless, it is a popular picnic Sungai Tua Recreational Forest — two major forest spot, especially level 4 where the reserves in the and home to many out- Trekking in Taman Rimba Templer waterfall off ers a spacious natural door recreational and nature spots including Templer Taman Rimba Templer, better known platform and a pool where visitors sit and Park, Kanching Eco-Forest Park and the Common- as Templer Park, off ers beginners or relax with their feet in the cool water. wealth Forest Park. intermediate hikers a trek of an asphalt Templer Park is indeed a unique place to stay, yet path that gradates into concrete, then it is only 23km away from Kuala Lumpur city centre ascending stairs that lead to the jungle via toll-free roads. trail. There are a few halfway points on One could enjoy the morning mist, fresh air and the entire 4.5km loop trek, but be ready waterfalls while engaging in jungle trekking, camp- to cross several streams. This is a good ing and other activities in and around Templer Park. choice if you want a dash of adventure Here are some places to go and things to do there. in the rainforest.

Above: Templer Park or Camping at the Commonwealth Taman Rimba Templer is Forest Park Scenic drive on the known as the green lung The Commonwealth Forest Park was The Rawang Bypass, also known as the of Rawang. established in 1993 to mark the 14th Rawang-Serendah Highway, is a toll-free Commonwealth Forest Conference highway that took 12 years to complete. Left: The waterfalls at It opened at the end of 2017. Kanching Eco-Forest Park About 2.7km of the 10km Rawang is a popular picnic spot. Bypass is an elevated viaduct with its tallest pillar coming in at 58.2 meters, making it the tallest toll-free highway in Malaysia. It off ers unobstructed picturesque views of the Serendah area and the forest reserves of Templer Park. Ravenous in RAWANG

Residents in Templer Park or anywhere Restoran Teratak Nogori Restoran R. Cheng Fei Nesan Curry House Restoran Lan Je else in Rawang, Selangor will never have Restoran Teratak Nogori is a Zhou Yee Wantan Mee Nesan Curry House is no Restoran Lan Je was the one that popular breakfast/lunch place The name of the restaurant ordinary Indian food restaurant. made steamed tilapia famous as to worry about going hungry, as there are for nearby residents as well as sounds quite a mouthful but it It makes and serves fresh puttu it is probably the fi rst restaurant a myriad of food choices there. Foodies in those who are looking to get explains clearly in Chinese its and appam right at the front of off ering this dish as a specialty. the know can tell you about the numerous breakfast before they go off star dish — the steam tilapia the shop. Besides those fresh With more than 10 branches to trek the jungle or visit the fi sh with wantan noodles. snacks, the restaurant also now open in the Klang Valley decades-old local Chinese restaurants in waterfalls as the restaurant is Steamed tilapia fi sh is taken off ers an extensive array of and Ipoh, the restaurant began the Rawang town centre that often attract open as early as 6am. to another level here by being South Indian dishes from banana in Rawang back in 1978, large crowds with long queues forming at The humble place is known paired with the traditional egg leaf rice to chapatti fl at bread. operating from a small shoplot for its nasi lemak kukus while noodle. However, the most well- which has remained a favourite their shop-fronts even before they open other dishes on the menu such The restaurant has a good known dish here is the spicy among customers till today. for business. as nasi lauk have their fans too. spread of other dishes on its dry-fried chicken (Chicken Restoran Lan Je off ers just There are other places worth a try menu but they do not come Varuval) that could be spotted ONE type of signature steamed ADDRESS: 58, Gerai MPS close in popularity to the six star on almost every patron’s table. fi sh, each individually-served beyond the town centre itself that locals Batu 16, Rawang choices — curry, tom yum, classic It is undoubtedly the must-have — the black tilapia with soy haunt. They are still relatively below OPENING HOURS: oiled, deep fried, spicy bean item here. sauce, chopped garlic, ginger the radar of most foodie Malaysians, so Opens daily from 6am to 4.30pm, sauce and golden mushroom and cili padi. The restaurant except on Monday of individually-served steamed ADDRESS: 54 & 59, also serves sides of vegetables, better visit them before they become TEL: (014) 261 1907 fi sh with noodles. Jalan Welman, Rawang chicken and tofu. more popular! OPENING HOURS: Here are four of the best treats ADDRESS: No E-13, Jalan LKS 5, 7am to 11pm ADDRESS: 45, Setia Rawang 1, Kampung Lee Kim Sai, Rawang TEL: (03) 6093 1179 Taman Setia Rawang, Rawang Rawang has to off er. OPENING HOURS: OPENING HOURS: Monday: 8.15am to 5pm / 11.30am to 3pm and Tuesday to Sunday: 8.15am to 7pm 5.30pm to 10pm daily. TEL: (012) 304 5671 Closed on Tuesday. / (016) 983 4888 TEL: (017) 619 1599