Properties from a Feng Shui Perspective

Properties from a Feng Shui Perspective
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Klang Valley and the KLCC

Part 4: Feng shui tour of the Klang Valley

In the previous article, we discussed the four parameters that come into play in feng shui. We first look for “the dragon” or mountain, then the river followed by meridian points and screens or shields.

Peninsular Malaysia has eight mountain ranges descending from the mighty Himalayas. The largest of these is the Titiwangsa range. At Bukit Tinggi, the dragon branches out into two directions: · northwards to Rawang and curving back to Meru in Klang · southwards into Cheras, IOI Mall in Puchong and finally Pulau Indah in Klang

Energy can still travel through the solid ground below the river. Buildings with deep piling can tap into this energy

The valley embraced by these two arms (“the dragon”) and bounded by the Straits of Malacca ("the river") is called the Klang Valley. Among all the embracing arm formations in Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak, the Klang Valley appears to be the biggest. Is it any surprise that the Klang Valley happens to be the most prosperous region in the whole country?

Within this region, there are also meridian points or spots where prosperity is more apparent. They are influenced by the presence of rivers and roads, which reflect, deflect and re-direct the energy emanating from the dragon.

Kuala Lumpur had six rivers in its early days but due to massive development, many rivers were re-directed or converted into monsoon drains. How mighty are the humans for they can reshape the world and redirect rivers! I wonder if anyone realises the long-term impact.

Klang River The Klang River originates from Ulu Klang. It flows through Kuala Lumpur on its way to Klang. As it enters the city, it is joined by Sungai Gisir in Taman Permata and the Ampang River at Kuala Ampang. The conjoined Klang River eventually joins Gombak River at Masjid Jamek, creating the famous muddy confluence that gave the city its name.

The Ampang Elevated Highway is built along the Ampang and Klang Rivers. It was the path of least resistance and lower cost, since land acquisition is minimised. In a sense, it also locks in the shape of the river. Now, let us trace back along the Klang River and see if and how it could have influenced the fortunes of property developments along the way.

Over the next few articles, we will analyse sections of Kuala Lumpur and its surroundings from a feng shui perspective.

We will see if ancient concepts are still applicable in the modern world, where technology and rapid development have transformed the land on which we live.

Bear in mind that a river blocks energy flow in so far as its depth presents a barrier. Energy to a lesser extent can still travel through the solid ground below the river although the underground water table inhibits this. Buildings with deep piling can tap into this energy.

We begin with the segment surrounded by the Ampang Elevated Highway, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Sultan Ismail. The river along this segment curves in an embracing manner to encompass some very high profile and prosperous projects, among which is the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC).

Concave Pools As discussed in an earlier article, the embracing side of a river – the concave side – collects and accumulates a pool of homogenous energy. Thus, properties that face a concave river will benefit from it, much like the protective arms of a parent around a little child. Those with their backs to the river are like the elbow; they deflect earth energy and cannot accumulate and hold it. In fact, it can even “hurt”.

We can see that even in so-called prime locations, certain property developments do better than others. For example, the KLCC sits facing the Klang River and is well suited to tap into this energy. Jalan Yap Kwan Seng runs parallel to the river. Properties located along this road are likely to do well if they are constructed in a similar fashion: with the entrance facing the river.

Alternatively, the entrance should parallel the river facing downstream.

Land Code The National Land Code stipulates that no development can be done on land within 33 feet of river banks. This legacy from colonial times could have been intended to create a safety buffer against floods. This distance also happens to be significant in feng shui – the concentration of energy is high within this range. So there may be a geomantic reason for this, forgotten over time.

Nonetheless, the land code is often disregarded, possibly because the authorities figured they have solved the flooding issue by deepening the river and building higher embankment walls. This is an interesting theory and remains a theory as floods still plague Kuala Lumpur after heavy downpours.

If the land code is adhered to, there would be no buildings found along the riverbanks. Instead, parks could be built for the enjoyment of the public. Roads running parallel to the river could be constructed and all properties along them would face the river and enjoy beneficial energy – and a nice riverside view!

By tapping into this positive energy, the property generates good vibes that attract people to it. It would attract tenants and visitors, and command higher rentals. Alas, many main roads are not built along riverbanks. Therefore, many buildings in KL have their backs to the river.

Humans are typically proud of their building’s frontage. Owners and managers will go to great lengths to beautify the front and keep it clean. On the other hand, they also have a bad habit of throwing rubbish out the back, what more a river to conveniently wash it away!

If buildings were to face the river, there is less likelihood of the occupants polluting the river or clogging it with unsightly and smelly rubbish. The owners would take pains to clean it and keep it clean. If not for feng shui reasons, this environmentally friendly approach makes sense and should be adopted!

From a feng shui perspective, I wonder how much better they would have fared, had such buildings faced the river instead. Perhaps, the property would look more vibrant and attractive. There could be fewer maintenance problems or difficult tenants.

Subtle Confluence Behind Menara Safuan and Wisma Denmark is an obscure stream that joins the Klang River. Small as it may be, it forms a confluence and this is a powerful configuration. Buildings that face a confluence (facing downstream) are also very likely to do well.

Though it is some distance away, the Mandarin Oriental which directly faces this confluence is not doing too badly. This high-end hotel enjoys brisk business and is a popular choice for corporate functions. Was it a mere coincidence that it is aligned that way?

Even further away, there is the PNB Darby Park, which also faces this confluence. However, the effect may not be as noticeable given the distance. It also happens to be a relatively new development so the long-term effects remain to be seen.

Between Jalan Ampang and the Klang River in the vicinity of the Renaissance Hotel, the river forms a very visible concave. This is a very good site for positive energy for any building that faces the river. The Renaissance’s entrance is well positioned to tap into this energy.

Beside the hotel, there is the Cendana Condominium which is currently under construction. It parallels the river and faces downstream. If the entrance is appropriately sited, it is likely to do well, too.

Nonetheless, a big chunk of real estate in this area is still undeveloped. Perhaps its close proximity to the Ampang Muslim cemetery is a deterrent for developers.

Across the road from the Renaissance is the Berjaya Central Park project currently under development. This is a very promising location as its entrance (should it face the main road) faces the concave side of the river.

River-like roads Apart from rivers, roads can also influence the flow of energy, albeit to a lesser extent. The heavy flow of traffic on the road has a similar effect of disrupting and deflecting energy as a flowing river. In the segment under study, the main road is Jalan Ampang, which curves like a river as well.

On the “concave” side of this road, there are Wisma MCA, Menara Citibank and the Nikko Hotel. These properties have a vibrant feel and seem to attract high traffic. Could their success again be attributed to the positive energy collected here?

Busy junctions, like the Jalan Ampang-Jalan Yap Kwan Seng-Jalan P. Ramlee intersection, form a confluence of sorts. Properties with entrances facing this intersection are considered favourable, too. The KLCC enjoys this position as does Menara Public Bank.

Does this mean that properties facing the convex side of the river or road are doomed to fail, just like properties that have the river to their backs? I leave the answer to you.

Take a look at the properties and developments along a major road, or Jalan Ampang, in this case. Why do some buildings, be they office blocks or shopping complex, perform better than their next door neighbours? Why do they attract different clientele and traffic? Why do some command premium rentals and have long-term tenants?

Is it because the property manager does not understand the idea of good tenant mix, or has no idea what he or she is doing? Surely not. If you see someone more successful at doing something, wouldn’t you learn from or at least copy them?

I think they have very little choice. If the property attracts only certain types of clientele, can the owner or manager turn them away?

Property developers may want to consider these factors when they plan new projects on prime land. The location itself does not guarantee the project’s success. Location may play a big part in attracting initial buying interest in a development but its subsequent success – resale, tenancy, maintenance cost, rental income, traffic volume, etc., – may not be guaranteed.

*This series on feng shui and real estate properties appear courtesy of the Malaysia Institute of Geomancy Sciences (MINGS). David Koh is the founder of MINGS and has been a feng shui master and teacher for the past 35 years.