Dato’ Franky Chua, the managing director and founder of the Franky Group of Companies, wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth. In 1978, he started out as a contractor who worked on various minor contracts to sustain his day-to-day business operations. Over the years, his portfolio has grown to cover infrastructure, construction, mining, quarrying, property development, and hospitality. Today, it is one of Malaysia’s leading civil and building contractors that produces high-quality developments.
Although Chua was born in Klang, he has come to call Pahang his second home, where his company is headquartered. This has become the base for many of his projects, and the company prides itself on protecting the environment and landscapes.
His determination and love for nature are further reflected in the five-star Mangala Estate Boutique Resort, which won the World Gold in the Environmental (Rehabilitation/Conservation) Category at the FIABCI Prix d’Excellence Awards 2018. The property, situated in Gambang, Pahang, is also a true labour of love by Chua that required nearly two decades of work.
Chua not only had to start from scratch to build the resort from the ground up, but also endeavoured to rehabilitate the vast landscape that faced erosion and flooding issues. If you pay a visit, you’ll find that it is a stunning luxury eco-leisure destination, teeming with birds and wildlife, where numerous recreational activities can be enjoyed.
Can you talk about the journey in transforming this tin- and sand-mining site and how you first had the idea of developing the resort?
We first procured the land through a mutual understanding with third parties and, at that time, it was full of gullies, ponds and holes with less than 10 per cent of topsoil because it was a former mining site. As the land spans 400ac, I thought that I would develop around 50 acres during my retirement, and create my own fruit orchard and vegetable farm. I never had any initial plans of turning it into a resort. It took almost 20 years to beautify the whole area and we have since created a balanced ecosystem here. The mined-out areas have since been turned into ponds, and we don’t allow any hunting or fishing there. Because of all these factors, people say they feel a sense of tranquillity when they stay at the resort.
The Franky Group has a very diversified portfolio. What are you most excited about next?
Hospitality is a small but significant part of our portfolio. We have another nice piece of land in Teluk Cempedak, Kuantan, near the beach, which is currently on the drawing board. I would say that it is one of the most beautiful beaches in the country.
The resort is a continuous effort to nurture and preserve the environment. What are some eco-friendly practices you carry out in your daily life?
I’ve always loved nature and I’ve been a vegetarian for more than 25 years. It has nothing to do with religion because, for me, we as humans are taking too much from Mother Nature. I’m also against wastage and recycle whenever I can.
What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learnt in running the Franky Group?
It’s extremely challenging and there are always new things for me to learn. At the end of the day, it’s how you encounter new challenges. It’s important to be flexible because industry trends are constantly evolving.
In your long and successful career so far, what is the best advice you received that changed your life?
My company philosophy is ‘Learn, Master, Improve, and Create’. There are no shortcuts to success. For example, even if you have no compass or GPS, if you are persistent and keep going, you’ll arrive at your destination eventually.
How do you find calm?
I’m a meditator. Instead of my mind controlling me, I try to control my mind. I carry out this practice for at least two hours a day. It makes a lot of difference and I’m more even-tempered.
The name ‘Mangala’ is Sanskrit and you’ve incorporated a lot of Sanskrit names at the resort. What was your inspiration for this?
A lot of names of names for properties are very generic. I’ve read a lot of books on meditation and a lot of Sanskrit words are mentioned there, which inspired me. For instance, did you know that the word ‘Malaya’ is also derived from a Sanskrit word that is used to refer to a range of mountains?
Besides your hospitality properties, where is your favourite place to holiday?
I enjoy visiting nature destinations such as the southern side of New Zealand, the southwestern area of China, and especially Bhutan. Life is so simple there but it’s a beautiful place to visit.
Photography: Law Soo Phye
