The company name of Genting is derived directly from Genting Sempah, the mountain where Genting Highlands is located.

The Chinese acronym for Genting, pronounced as Yun Ding carries the literal meaning of on top of the clouds. 

How did Yun Ding evolve?

The original Chinese acronym chosen by Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong was Yin Ding, meaning silver top. The word Yin (silver) was chosen because the idea of developing Genting originated while Tan Sri Lim was in Cameron Highlands. Cameron in Chinese is Jin Ma Lun, the first word Jinmeans gold, hence the choice of Yin (silver). To the Chinese Jin Yin (gold silver) means wealth. 

However, the word Yin (silver) was soon replaced by Yun (clouds) to better reflect the oft-cloudy Genting Highlands, hence the name Yun Ding, until today.

MY DREAM

Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong had a dream in Cameron Highlands in 1964. One year later, the dream took shape - building a road to the top of the 1,800-metre hill in Genting.

As the world ushers in a new millennium with much joy and expectations, Genting Highlands, a world-class resort, also celebrates its 35th anniversary. On this auspicious occasion, I find great joy in taking you down memory lane.

It was 35 years ago that I set out single-mindedly to develop Genting Highlands, a resort that Malaysia can be proud of, from what used to be a virgin jungle.

We cut roads and built hotels, entertainment centres and other amenities.

We went on, project after project, to turn a dream into reality.

In all these, I feel deeply indebted to our past and present Prime Ministers for their encouragement.

Their encouragement has spurred me on to overcome obstacles and hindrances to making what Genting Highlands is today, a hill resort that is self-contained with world-class facilities.

We have come a long way. From a purely tourism project, we have diversified into other businesses with impressive results. But Genting Highlands will always remain my first devotion. I have it always in my mind, thinking constantly about how to enhance its facilities and make it more exciting and attractive to the public.

Thus in 1998, in order to shorten the journey and to make travel safer and more comfortable, I invested a huge sum of money to turn the 10km access road leading up to Gohtong Jaya into a four-lane carriageway, reducing driving time from Kuala Lumpur to Gohtong Jaya to a mere 45 minutes.

From there, it is only a 12-minute ride by cable car to the hilltop. The whole journey from Kuala Lumpur to the hilltop has thus been shortened to just an hour. It is safe and convenient.

The other landmark project that is in progress is the 6,300-room budget hotel in Genting Highlands to meet the increasing needs of tourists. This will be the world’s largest in terms of rooms.

The first 1,000 rooms will be ready by the end of 2000. With its completion, the initial stage of Genting Highlands’ overall development will be completed.

Time flies. As the resort expands and rapidly transforms itself, it dawns on me with suddenness that I am already 83. I cannot help but reflect upon my personal involvement with Genting Highlands over the past 35 years.