After half a year of searching, visiting countless offices for rent and driving around KL, at time almost at random.. we have finally found a suitable location for the KL State Secretariat.
Located in Sungai Besi, it is a newly developed office area by YTL Group called "The Trillium". The site was less than 10 minutes walk from an LRT station and had many big-named food outlets around like KFC, Secret Recipe, Dome, Old Town, Papparich, Tutti Fruity and other nice restaurants (though I'd rather those typical kopitiams instead..).
After months of searching and close calls, we knew good places like this get snapped up very quickly. The rent was also right at budget, with the price of RM1000 a month. We spend no time at all and in less than a week, we decided that this was the place for us, though it did require us to put in a lot of work as it was completely empty as we are its first tenants.
The office site before renovation works when it was completely bare
On 6th April 2012, we made history by renting our own office space, giving ourselves "a first home". However, we only started using the place in mid-June due to renovation works. It was quite an experience for me handling all this myself for the first time. There were quite a number of things that needed doing - understanding the terms of the rent, engaging contractors to handle the partitioning, electricity, air-conditioning. I also had to figure out the utilities, which fortunately only the Internet+phone required registration, whereas the water and electricity is, sort of, already taken care off by the owner of the premise.
We opted to go for a two office space configuration, one conference room, one storeroom and the remaining space at the back served as a dining area. The office already came with two toilets and we created a lounge-ish area at the entrance. We were also blessed with 2nd-hand furniture donations from Mr Cheong Sing Yuen and a contact from one of the church-goers from St. Gabriel's Church in the form of much needed office, chairs, shelves and even sofas, hence a special thanks to them! Most of the furniture in the conference room was bought with our own State fund, though several State Council members made personal donations for chairs after one of the first few meetings.
After roughly 2 weeks of renovations (renovations completed 12th June 2012) and another few days waiting for furniture's to come in, enough to put the office in a reasonable working condition. I can't officially say when we started using the office, but I'd say between 16-18th June 2012. Does going in for three ours on 16th June 2012 inhaling dust count? If yes, then that is the official day. No Internet. That came just a few days later.. praise the Lord!
Renovation works as at 20th May 2012
The main office space as at 20th May 2012
15th June 2012 - finally looking more like an office. Notice that the ceiling, lights, carpeting, air-conditioning and furniture has been added
15th June 2012 - Conference room carpeted and air-conditioned, but was still waiting for furniture's which came on 21st June 2012
Spare office (to rent) as at 15th June 2012
The first meeting held in the office was by the Bowl For Fund 2012 Committee on 21st June 2012
On 9th September 2012, KL State officially commissioned the office with a dedication service conducted by Venerable Eddie Ong from St. Gabriel's Anglican Church. All companies of the KL State were represented and showed their support for this event as we celebrated the moving in to our own "home" for the new foreseeable future. I wanna thank all those present from all the KL companies, Stedfast Association, Girls' Brigade and friends for being there that day.
Mr Tony Chow, KL State Commissioner, giving a speech during the dedication service
Ven. Eddie Ong giving the blessing for the office
Group picture of the attendees of the dedication service
Towards the end of the event, Mr Lawrence suggested for everyone to pray for me as the FTO. I thought that was a nice gesture from everyone. I have committed myself to the Lord the day I decided to take up this ministry. Although I don't think I will be serving in BB full-time forever, I will FOREVER be serving in the BB until the day I die.. unless our Lord calls me to do something else.
Oh, the spare office space is also up for rent! But we are very picky on who our co-tenant will be. We will only charge RM500 a month which includes utilities and the rules of the common areas - conference room, toilets, lounge and dining area (the only thing we won't share is the storeroom, unfortunately.. well, maybe we will).
Those interested can visit us at:
65-2 Jalan Tasik Utama 6
Medan Niaga Tasik Damai
Sungai Besi
57100 Kuala Lumpur
But please call 3-90544722 or 012-2654772 first to make an appointment.
