It all began way back in 1964 when I was a sub-contractor for part of the Cameron hydro-electric dam project in Cameron Highlands. The main contractor, a renowned West German company, awarded me the job because I had already established myself in the construction industry.

It was there during an evening stroll that I hit upon the idea of developing a hill resort near Kuala Lumpur. On that fateful night, I had dinner with the general manager and chief engineer of the German company. There were nine other people. After several rounds of drinks, I went out of the stuffy room for some cool air.

The night scene at Cameron Highlands was enchanting. As I stood there taking in the view, a sudden gust of cool air refreshed me. The breeze also set me thinking.

It occurred to me that Malaysia is a tropical country and the climate is hot all the year round. People can only enjoy the cool and crisp air in Cameron Highlands once in a while because it is quite a distance from Kuala Lumpur. The road there is winding and narrow and the drive from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands then took at least four to five hours.

Thereupon I had an idea. I decided to develop a retirement retreat on a highland where I could spend my old age. I would also want to offer my friends an opportunity to fulfil their wish of enjoying mild climate all year round in a place that is close by.

Kuala Lumpur, being the capital city, is the hub of political, economic and cultural activities of the nation. I reckoned a resort located in the vicinity of Kuala Lumpur would certainly enjoy many strategic advantages.

My next question was to find a piece of land high on the mountains near Kuala Lumpur. The question kept bugging me. Then I remembered that the only place suitable for development as a resort were the hills around Bentong to the east of Kuala Lumpur. Having crystallised my thoughts, I took a look at the night scene of Cameron Highlands with its myriad of twinkling lights under the night sky and all of a sudden, I could visualise a Shangri-la taking shape in the distant horizon.

That night I could not sleep. I was thinking about and planning my new project. I was so excited with the idea that I wanted to start work right away.