Malaysia’s much hyped-up vineyard shrivels-up in the sun

The company entrusted with managing the project ceased operations after obtaining a RM4.9 million loan.

PETALING JAYA: Those excited about having a vineyard in the country had best abandon the idea of feasting on a mouth-watering harvest of luscious grapes as the much hyped about Sendayan Valley project in Negeri Sembilan has been abandoned.

Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Mohamad Hasan told FMT the project was abandoned a long while back, and that the state government had nothing to do with it.

“The company which handled the project encountered some problems. It’s a private company, nothing to do with the government.”

When asked the reason for the abandonment, he said, “financial problems probably.”

The project, started back in 2010 in a state-owned plot of land some 70 km from Kuala Lumpur, was touted to be an agro-tourism haven – as the country’s first vineyard and a site to attract local and foreign tourists alike.

It was also supposed to be a breakthrough in the nation’s agriculture industry.

The state government however has no plans yet to start any other project on the abandoned parcel of land.

It also seems there is more than meets the eye to this failed project.

A source, who was once involved in it, said the company entrusted with the project – A-Winn GMS Sdn Bhd, ceased operations after obtaining a RM4.9 million loan.

“Everything was going well. The fruits grew perfectly and at one point, tourists were allowed in for visits and purchases.

“It all went downhill after the company secured the loan. The trees weren’t maintained properly and the management refused to buy fertiliser and other necessities to keep the trees alive,” said the man, who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity.

The source alleged the company bosses had pocketed the loan money to use on other purposes.

Azrul Nazim A Aziz, who was once the managing director of the said company, refused to comment when contacted by FMT.

In a 2010 report in the New Straits Times, Azrul was quoted as saying the farm would be operational by April that year and would be promoted as an agro-tourism site.

“We want to offer visitors a different kind of experience where they can pick their own grapes and enjoy the ambience.

“Perhaps in the future, there would be restaurants and chalets for visitors, but right now, we want to focus solely on the grapes.”

Five years have since passed and looks like for now, Malaysia’s first ever vineyard is nothing more than a sad, white elephant in Sendayan.