Fisherman’s son turns campsite into three-star resort

WHAT started as a rented campsite by a fisherman’s son from Pangkor Island over two decades ago in 1992 has now evolved into a thriving three-star resort.

A symbol of local pride, Mohd Zamzuri Suid reflects on his journey but never forgets the struggles he and his siblings endured in growing their business before ultimately acquiring Pangkor Beach Village Resort on the popular holiday island.

"To purchase this land, my siblings and I had to borrow money from close family members, some of whom even pawned their jewellery,” shared the Chief Executive Officer of Pangkor Village Beach Resort when met by Bernama here.

Recalling the resort’s history-the only three-star resort owned by a Pangkor-born resident - the 55-year-old entrepreneur explained that they initially rented the site from the Manjung Municipal Council and operated it as a campsite.

"We worked tirelessly to purchase the lot and finally succeeded in 2012. However, acquiring the land required a premium payment of RM250,000, which exceeded our savings. This forced us to seek financial help from our close relatives,” he said.

However, he said the construction of the resort only began in mid-2017 due to financial constraints.

"We needed RM6 million to build the resort. However, Alhamdulillah, we were fortunate when Perak Corporation Berhad (PCB), a state government-linked company, assisted in facilitating our financing process through a bank.

"We also received significant support from former Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, who encouraged local folks to thrive in various industries rather than relying solely on the seafood trade,” said the fifth of 11 siblings.

The resort’s construction was fully completed about four years later, just as the world and the country were battling the COVID-19 pandemic, which prevented the resort from operating.

Embracing the circumstances, he said they waited for two years before the 75-room resort officially opened in 2023. It later earned a three-star rating from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture on May 31, 2024.

Zamzuri, who also serves as President of the Pangkor Hotel and Resort Development Association, said that in addition to PCB, Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) played a crucial role, particularly in providing financial assistance and staff training to ensure the resort meets established standards.

Sharing his aspirations, he envisions that his and his siblings’ achievements will inspire other Pangkor residents to persevere in the face of challenges.

"I also hope this legacy will continue through future generations, serving as a landmark that proves Pangkor people can stand alongside the country’s top players in the hospitality industry,” he said. - BERNAMA