Sunway Lagoon. A well-known Malaysian attraction in Petaling Jaya, and a place of fun. Having hosted numerous events, such at their Halloween special Night of Frights, the Pinkfish Countdown, Christmas celebrations and more. They’ve even had stars perform there! This theme park is a place where anyone can go to relax, and just enjoy their day. It’s filled with screams of joy, as visitors embark on thrilling rides, and laughter, as they spend an exciting day with friends and family.
As of 2024, this popular attraction could be considered an adult, reaching 32 years of age. But how exactly did Sunway Lagoon come into existence? Let’s look back into the history of this beloved park, it’s time to learn about Sunway Lagoon’s origin story!
Taking a blast to the past, we can return all the way to the 1960s, when Malaysia was considered one of the largest tin producers in the world. In fact from 1904, when Malaysia was still called Malaya, tin had been one of the resources that put Malaysia on an international stage, being one of our largest exports back then, contributing to a large portion of Malaysia’s profit.
In the midst of this tin mining boom, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah KBE AO, or simply Dr. Cheah, stepped forward. Previously working as an accountant, he left that life behind him to purchase a tin mine in Selangor. This would later become what we now know as Sunway Lagoon. After buying that plot of land, Dr. Cheah’s original plan was to continue mining there. He established a small tin mining company known as “Sungai Way Company”.
Towards the 1970s, tin began to lose its significance in the Malaysian economy, and we began to focus on other exports. Once the mines had been depleted of tin, all that was left in its place were wastelands, plots of land considered hopeless. They were unusable, and as such, what was once a thriving business, left the remains of the mines abandoned, empty of tin and people. Due to the decline in demand for tin, the innovative man decided on a completely different idea, and that’s when Sunway City, or at least its roots, were born.
Once the idea struck him, he actually presented this to the then Minister of Culture, Arts and Tourism, Tan Sri Sabbaruddin Chik in 1980. While discussing the project, they were planning on the very spot where Sunway City Kuala Lumpur would stand in the future. Six years after it was proposed, in 1986, construction for Sunway Lagoon began, marking a significant milestone for this brand.
With the construction’s commencement, Dr. Cheah charted a new path in Malaysia. That’s right. Sunway Lagoon wasn’t just another waterpark. In fact, it was the first-ever waterpark to be built in Malaysia! This made its construction extra impactful, as it was the first and only of its kind at that moment.
Six years later, in 1992, it was finally opened by Tun Dr. Mahatir Mohamad. This marked the beginning of a new era. From there, other projects came to fruition, like Menara Sunway, only a year after Sunway Lagoon. Sunway Pyramid and Monash University were also huge additions to the company, putting together the beloved Sunway City. All in all, the 1990s were fruitful years for Sunway.
Since then, Sunway Lagoon has won numerous awards over the years. Spanning from 2007 – 2021, they were well-decorated each consecutive year, with awards like “Best Outdoor Theme Park” or the “2020 Traveller’s Choice Award – Best Water Parks Asia”.
Today, standing tall, we not only have Sunway Lagoon, but matching resorts, a medical centre, and many others, all belonging to what we know as the complete Sunway City. All thanks to the vision of Dr. Cheah, who pioneered the way. Where others saw a hopeless plot of land, he saw the future, a thriving park. He didn’t just have a vision, he made it come through, carving out an icon in Malaysia today, with Sunway Lagoon, and the subsequent projects under Sunway’s name.
Sources: Malaysia Truly Asia, Economic History Malaysia, Vulcan Post, Sunway Group, TripAdvisor
Janae Lee contributed to this article.
