THE Bayana is set to become Penang’s latest lifestyle hub, with two of its three components slated to begin operations next year.
The Bayana comprises three key elements: the Food Bayana, Bayana Parc, and Bayana Hub.
Food Bayana is poised to be Malaysia’s first semi-automated food court, bringing together a curated selection of renowned hawkers.
Pentamaster Corporation Berhad’s Group executive chairman Datuk Chuah Choon Bin shared that The Bayana project aims to enhance the ecosystem of the Bayan Lepas Industrial Zone.
“The initiative began five years ago, before the Covid-19 pandemic. The Penang Development Corporation (PDC) issued a tender to transform three parcels of land into vibrant food and lifestyle destinations.
“These parcels, measuring 20,000sq ft (Parcel A), 25,000sq ft (Parcel B), and 8,000sq ft (Parcel C) respectively, posed unique challenges that required innovative solutions. These parcels are eventually transformed into Bayana Hub, Food Bayana, and Bayana Parc respectively.
“As a company specialising in automation manufacturing and technology solutions, with over 30 years of experience, Pentamaster has always focused on providing integrated, cutting-edge services in the production of automated and semi-automated machinery and equipment.
“However, we have no prior experience in the food and beverage industry, making this a new and challenging venture for us. But we are committed to taking it on,” he told Buletin Mutiara at Pentamaster Corp Berhad in Bayan Lepas on Aug 20.
Chuah, a self-proclaimed food enthusiast, expressed his passion for the project.
“I believe that many people, like myself, love good food and are willing to go the extra mile for it.
“This conviction is what drives my belief that Food Bayana will succeed, bringing together a diverse array of delicious offerings under one roof.
“It took me a year to gather all the best and most renowned hawkers for Food Bayana.
“The location offers three key advantages – it is in the industrial areas, and close to the Penang International Airport, and the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge.
“The food court’s primary objective is to provide convenience for the engineers, staff, and community members working and living nearby.
“With Food Bayana, they no longer need to travel far to George Town to enjoy mouthwatering hawker fare,” he said.
Food Bayana is a two-storey food court, with food stalls on the ground floor and dining areas above. A fleet of automated robots transports food between floors via an elevator.
Customers place their orders at the counter, and food stall tenants dispatch their meals upstairs using these robots, eliminating the need for diners to carry their trays themselves. The food is then delivered to designated lockers, which notify customers via their smartphones when their orders are ready for pickup.
Chuah expressed his interest in introducing a Sunday market beside Food Bayana, inspired by the popular market at Hin Bus Depot.
“I haven’t yet proposed this idea to the Penang government, but I believe it could be a great addition. Food Bayana already attracts a strong weekend crowd, particularly from Seberang Perai and other parts of the island.
“This contrasts with the weekday crowd, which is primarily made up of industry workers,” he said.
Chuah has also installed several cute ‘hobbit homes’ to bring fairytale magic to the food court.
“Food Bayana can be a place for families to spend quality time together besides having good food,” he said.
Bayana Parc: A Tranquil Oasis for Dining and Community Connection
Directly opposite Food Bayana is a nature-inspired leisure space designed for relaxation and community connection. Scheduled to open on Jan 1 next year, Bayana Parc will provide diners with a unique ‘forest-feel’ dining experience.
“I wanted to create a space where people can unwind and socialise after work. The café’s serene, nature-infused ambience is perfect for those looking to relax after a long day,” he said, adding that he was pursuing the Green Building Index (GBI) Gold rating certification for Food Bayana and Bayana Parc.
Bayana Hub: A Lifestyle-Enhancing Complex with Modern Amenities
Located just a short distance from Food Bayana and Bayana Parc, the Bayana Hub is a five-storey complex framed within a natural landscape.
Designed to enhance the quality of life, the Bayana Hub will feature a drive-thru restaurant, convenience stores, a café or restaurant, a gym, an indoor rock-climbing facility, and co-working spaces.
Chuah highlighted that the drive-thru restaurant is convenient for factory staff seeking quick, on-the-go meals.
“We’ll also provide ample parking at Bayana Hub,” he added.
Chuah expects the Bayana Hub to receive its Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) by April next year.
Major investment in The Bayana
Chuah disclosed that he has invested over RM50 million in The Bayana.
‘For me, this is partly a commitment to corporate social responsibility. The return on investment (ROI) for The Bayana could take up to 50 years.
“However, I embraced the challenge and ventured into uncharted territory – the F&B industry. This journey has taught me a new kind of E&E, which isn’t about electrical and electronics, but rather emotional engineering.
“Emotional engineering is about translating your clients’ feelings and needs into the development or enhancement of your products or services,” he remarked.
Chuah acknowledged that managing tenants is challenging.
“We listen closely to the needs of our tenants and customers, and we are committed to continuous improvement, particularly at Food Bayana,” he added.
Chuah also revealed that he invested approximately RM400,000 to transplant trees at Parcel B before developing Food Bayana.
“Not a single tree was cut down. Instead of opting for the cheaper route of removal, we chose to preserve those trees. They were carefully transplanted to the sides of Food Bayana,” he explained.
Encouraging local business growth in Penang
Chuah expressed his deep gratitude to the Penang government and PDC for their support of local industries.
“The PDC and state government have played a significant role in promoting and encouraging local businesses and investors to flourish in Penang,” he said.
Entrepreneurship as a journey of legacy
Chuah believes that building a lasting legacy is not only a personal achievement but also a significant contribution to the community.
By setting a new standard for Penang’s development, he hopes to inspire future entrepreneurs to think beyond mere profits and focus on creating value that endures.
“I hope that The Bayana project will help in building a robust and sustainable ecosystem at the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone.
“I find immense joy and satisfaction in these endeavours, knowing that my work is helping to shape the future of Penang,” he said.
For Chuah, the journey of entrepreneurship is not just about financial success – it is about leaving a legacy that will continue to benefit the community for generations to come.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat, Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis, Christopher Tan and courtesy of DSquare Sdn Bhd