BRISDALE HOTEL FOR SALE?

THE Malaysian blogosphere is rife with news that the Selangor-owned Brisdale Hotel in Jalan Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur will be sold. A blogger known only as Bujai has created a buzz with his recent posting that the state government was planning to sell the hotel for RM120mil.

He wrote that “Rumours are rife that (Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim)’s government is considering to sell it off to an interested party for RM120mil. Worse still, to a foreigner.”

Status quo: Hotel owner rubbishes claims of a RM120mil sale but welcomes genuine investors.

He also posted on his blog that it was unwise for the Selangor government to give up on the hotel that was doing brisk business due to its strategic location.

Brisdale Hotel was acquired by Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor Bhd’s subsidiary Cash Bank (M) Bhd on June 19, 2008, which was posted on the company’s website.

Cash Bank had acquired the issued and paid-up share capital of Brisdale International Hotel. The deal also involved a settlement of the hotel’s debt.

When contacted, Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor’s head of public relations and media Amin Abdullah said they would not comment on “outlandish details conjured up by blogs that do not put their name to their stories.”

He pointed out that the RM120mil deal and the hotel’s 100% occupancy rate during weekends and festive holidays were untrue.

Amin, however, said the company was open to selling its assets if the deal was profitable.

“Genuine investors are welcomed to contact the company to discuss business opportunities of mutual benefits,” he added.

Group chief executive officer and managing director Suhaimi Kamaralzaman was also quoted as saying, “As an investment holding company, Perangsang Selangor is continuously looking to strategise our investment with a view to maximise returns.”

Kumpulan Perangsang Selangor also owns Quality Hotel Shah Alam, Quality Hotel City Centre and Perangsang Templer Golf Club.