Low Yat Plaza Shopping Mall

History

In 2006, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs raided Loy Yat Plaza and Imbi Plaza and confiscated more than 27,000 copies of pirated computer software and movies. Since then, the complex has shaken off its less-than-savoury reputation and transformed into a respectable business location, reclaiming its spot as the city’s pre-eminent IT mall.

Store Structure

The Malaysian equivalent of Singapore’s Sim Lim Square and Funan, the complex is sandwiched between Sungei Wang Plaza and Melia Hotel Kuala Lumpur, just off Jalan Bukit Bintang. Its main competitor is Imbi Plaza, an older IT mall.

Escalators run through the centre of the complex and each floor within the mall is dedicated to stores occupying retail spaces that range from small-time ventures to large-scale shop lots. Toshiba, Nokia, Celcom, Sony, Digi, Microsoft, Dell, Maxis, Fotokem, HTC, Samsung, Nikon, Acer and Lenovo are just a few stores that occupy retail space here.

With so many specialty shops, you’ll find that the merchandise found in the mall, including electronic parts, are competitively-priced and prices are usually negotiable. Some stores even offer computer-related services and friendly staff are more than happy to fix your gadgets while bypassing the technical jargon. These tech experts assemble computer parts, install computer software and fix mobile phones and cameras for a nominal charge.

Food and Entertainment

There are various eateries scattered throughout the gadget-savvy complex – the basement level plays host to a branch of the popular Red Box karaoke bar. Meanwhile, the lower ground floors houses a food court – which serves a variety of local specialties, Korean and Japanese favourites – and audio and video-related stores; there’s also a branch of the popular Old Town kopitiam on this level.

The ground floor of the shopping podium sees the most pedestrian traffic – stores are positioned around a main courtyard and display cases are placed haphazardly outside the front doors of each store. Restaurants such as Sushi King, Big Apple Doughnuts and Hainan Tea – which serves local favourites such as nasi lemak – have set up shop here. There are also camera, laptop and cell phone stores as well as a Guardian pharmacy; meanwhile, the upper ground floor houses games and camera stores as well as a café.

The first floor is where you can purchase cell phone accessories; there are also a variety of clothes boutiques and a bookstore. The mall’s anchor tenant – IT Computes Centre occupies the second, third and fourth floors.

Technical Info

The mall’s range of facilities is adequate – there are large retail podium restrooms and ATM machines (beside the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Café) throughout the complex. Nearby public transportation access is plentiful as the Bukit Bintang and Imbi Monorail stations are merely a short walk away.

Highlights: Red Box Karaoke, TecAsia, Bee Connection, All I.T. Hypermarket, Hewlett-Packard, Sony Centre.
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 – 22:00
Location: Behind Amoda Building, which is across the street from Berjaya Times Square, and right beside Bukit Bintang Plaza/Sungei Wang Plaza.
Address: No. 7 Jalan Bintang, Off Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang Central, 55100 Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia.
Tel: (603) 2148 3651