Having assumed the role of family patriarch in 2022, Tee Chew's venture aims to carve out a niche of luxury housing in Bachang (Photo: SooPhye)
Luxury villas surrounded by emerald green paddy fields tinged with salty sea breeze would, more often than not, conjure up images of Bali or perhaps Phuket, where there is no shortage of sprawling estates dotted with elegantly constructed homes.
On the former, the Island of the Gods, the villa market is long established and thriving. Canggu, for example, has always attracted investors with a penchant for hippie-holistic vibes who want to catch the surf after a whole day of working remotely, chased by a pitaya bowl and perhaps a bulletproof coffee. Families, meanwhile, usually opt for the friendly coastal vibes of Sanur and its abundance of cute cafés and chic shops.
To Malaysians, the millionaire’s playground of Phuket is perhaps the most accessible, being just an hour’s flight away. This makes it low-hanging fruit for anyone wanting to diversify their portfolios (or jet off for a weekend break at a moment’s notice).
Historic Melaka, on the other hand, does not quite fit the profile of luxury villa land — yet. All that is fast changing, however, as the Pang family of Mamee-Double Decker Group fame unveils Bachang Villas, which also marks their debut in the property sector.
A perfect segue
To those familiar with the state, residential architecture in Melaka can be divided into two primary categories at best — traditional (think colonial shophouses in heritage zones as well as the rumah panggung, or stilt homes, you would see in old enclaves such as Kampung Morten) and modern (new builds and condominiums set in community neighbourhoods). But as Melaka continues to grow and prosper, boosted primarily by the government’s strong support of both local and foreign businesses and an overall lower cost of living, the Pang family has crucially identified and moved in quickly to fill a third, overlooked category: luxury homes.
“We wanted to create unique homes, something Melaka has yet to have,” says Tan Sri Pang Tee Chew, 73, executive chairman of Mamee-Double Decker and who now adds founder and chairman of Sekitar Sinarmas Sdn Bhd to his list of titles.
Sekitar Sinarmas, whose inaugural project is Bachang Villas, is the Pang family’s boutique property development arm, based in Melaka. “We have dedicated it to crafting high-quality homes in prime locations,” he says. “We want to specifically target the affluent market, as our planning process emphasises innovative design and the use of top-grade materials while ensuring affordability.”
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Although inextricably linked to F&B, particularly for its iconic Mamee Monster dry noodle snack, Mamee instant noodles, Mister Potato range of crisps and Double Decker prawn crackers, this is not the first time the family has dallied with other industries.
In 2015, the family acquired six heritage shophouses just up the road from Melaka’s famous “Harmony Street”, so called for its proximity to three different places of worship — the Cheng Hoon Teng temple, Kampung Kling Mosque and Sri Poyatha Moorthi temple. “We bought them with the idea of developing a hotel,” Tee Chew says. “We certainly had no prior experience [running a hospitality outfit], but we hoped to draw from our shared exposure travelling as a family, using past encounters to gauge what our customers and guests might want.”
Liu Men, which opened in March 2019 and whose name means “six doors” to denote the original six, distinct units, was an instant hit, catering to a discerning group of travellers who prefer boutique over behemoth, charm over chain and a sense of place versus cookie-cutter presence all over the planet. “We offer just 30 keys in five categories of rooms … very low density,” he recalls. “We also made sure what we built would be something different. We definitely knew we didn’t want to compete with the three-star market or even the big global chains with hundreds of rooms. We wanted Liu Men to be special and very Melaka in essence. I believe very strongly that location, just like property, is important for a good hotel.”
Bullish on Bachang
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If you have yet to visit the charming hotel housed in an Art Deco structure dating back to 1939, it might be a good idea to combine a Liu Men staycation with a side visit to Bachang Villas’ show units, just a short drive away.
Tee Chew encourages visitors to walk to the upper level of Bachang Villas’ main club house, where you can still admire the surrounding land, presently bright green from the plantings of young rice shoots. The development occupies parcels of land that used to be cultivated with both rice and tobacco. “You will see that the area is peaceful and quiet,” he says, pointing out how the company’s ovoid logo, which depicts a door and window looking out onto trees, encapsulates the ethos aptly.
Those unaccustomed to seeing Tee Chew beyond the confines of the sprawling F&B manufacturing plant in Melaka’s Ayer Keroh industrial estate or its Subang Jaya outpost should know he has firmly identified property development as the next feasible step in future-proofing the family’s businesses and assets.
“Mamee has 4 Is,” he says. “They are integrity (upholding strong principles, ethics and honesty), intensity (a high level of energy, drive and a commitment to achieve success), involvement (active participation and contribution from both the company and employees in all work-related aspects) and innovation (a focus on creativity and the development of new ideas and products). These values helped Mamee become what it is today and I also borrow from it for whatever new businesses we might venture into.”
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Certainly, innovation is apparent at first sight. Comprising 178 lifestyle villas (choose from terraced and town villas, semi-detached homes or bungalows) set on 22 acres, Bachang Villas embodies modernity and tasteful opulence. Launched early this year in February, it signals a new era of residential development in Melaka — low-density and soothingly luxurious.
Tee Chew’s architectural brief was simple: It had to be a high-quality home he would want to live in himself. Bachang Villas is the first Melakan project to feature a wealth of premium fittings, including Japanese sanitaryware by Toto to tiles crafted by 60-year veteran makers MML, while facilities and amenities include a gated guard house, club house, basketball court, children’s playground, jogging track, kick-about field and even a pickleball court to cater to the sport du jour.
“You have everything but the swimming pool,” laughs Tee Chew. “We decided to omit that because, if you live in Melaka, chances are you would be a member of one of the three main clubs already,” he says, referring to the Ayer Keroh Country Club, Orna Golf and Country Club and Tiara Melaka Golf and Country Club.
Although the Pangs may be considered latecomers to the property development party, the family is confident that Bachang Villas’ ace location and superior design and layout make the final offering irresistible.
Many Malaysians also do not seem to be aware of how proactive the Melakan state government is in keeping house prices under check, making its property market affordable in comparison to other states and attractive for those looking to invest. “Our original plan was to operate on a build-and-sell concept,” he says. “But because of the encouraging response, we now accept bookings. After all, our mission is to develop properties that not only provide and deliver long-lasting value but also offer buyers a safe and comfortable environment in which to live and enjoy life. We focus on features and designs that enhance the property’s value over time, making each purchase a worthwhile investment.”
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Regular visitors to Melaka are also well aware of how good life can be here. The food is diverse, delicious and plentiful, and the state is conveniently located halfway between the Klang Valley and Singapore. And do not let the sleepy surroundings of small villages and paddy fields fool you. Just take a short drive out and, within minutes, you will arrive at AEON Bandaraya Melaka, one of the largest malls in the state.
Melaka’s biggest employers — national oil and gas company Petronas; healthcare provider Pantai Hospital; and semiconductor manufacturers Infineon Technologies and Texas Instruments — are also in the vicinity, making Bachang Villas a perfect base for those who want to work hard and then return home to serenity at the end of each day.
Tee Chew emphasises: “Happiness comes from the buyers’ response. There has been no new development in Bachang for the past 20 years, making ours the most premium offering in the area’s recent history. Just as Liu Men has carved out its niche, we aim to do the same with Bachang Villas.”
Naturally, response to the project has been predictably good. So, those still struggling to come to a decision had better hurry, as “there will be no second phase”, he states firmly.
United, we stand
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But, back to the key reason the Pangs have ventured into property: It all boils down to family.
One marvels at how close-knit the Pangs are. Tee Chew has capably assumed the role of patriarch since 2022, following the passing of his father, the legendary Datuk Pang Chin Hin, who founded the snack food and noodle empire more than 50 years ago.
Together with his brother Datuk Seri Pang Tee Nam, vice-executive chairman of Mamee-Double Decker, they form part of what the family has collectively nicknamed “2G”, denoting second-generation members. “Yes, that’s how we refer to each other. There are now five 2G members, 17 3G and 16-and-counting 4G,” he laughs.
“Every Saturday, the entire family — as complete as can be — gathers to eat,” says his daughter Amanda. “When my grandfather was alive, Saturday night dinners were sacred. Anyway, we are a family that loves to cook, loves to eat and loves to feed everyone around us. After his passing, the primary venue has since shifted to Kuala Lumpur. We don’t always get full quorum, but it is something we all genuinely love to do and look forward to.”
Beyond shared meals, the family also makes it a point to holiday together. Past trips have included ambitious master plans that shepherded up to 40 members to destinations as diverse as Hokkaido, Japan, for skiing and winter sports, nature and adventure immersion in New Zealand and even chasing down the Northern Lights in Iceland. “Japan is a favourite spot, it goes without saying,” says Amanda. “Besides, my father worked in Nagoya from 1970 to 1972, and had to pick up the language quickly. To this day, whenever we holiday there, dad can still order food for all of us in Japanese!”
“Yes, a lot of work goes into the planning and logistics, but the bonding is extra special and strong during such trips,” says Tee Chew, adding that one of his most memorable was a visit to Hainan Island in the 1980s. “It is special for us, as it is where our ancestors came from. My father, whose family can be traced back to Zhong Hai village, not far from the capital of Haikou, had also built schools and roads there. Even now, our family still maintains the care and upkeep of the ancestral home there.”
The family breaks certainly seem to have paid off, as Amanda gleefully shares how the 3G members have already established their own micro-bonding sessions and cousins-only holidays. “We do send pictures to the family group chat but we have expressly stated that unless you are 3G, you are not invited,” she laughs.
Part of the reason Tee Chew is so vigilant with regard to the clan’s unity is that he has witnessed firsthand how many family businesses implode from infighting. “You know, there is a Chinese maxim how wealth does not last beyond three generations,” he says, brows furrowing.
This longstanding belief has been spoken about widely enough to attract the attention of academics, whose research suggests there is some truth to it. Case studies attribute this phenomenon to several factors, including the dilution of wealth through family squabbles, general mismanagement and the lack of financial discipline. Determined not to let this happen to his family, Tee Chew signed up at Harvard Business School in 2004 to ensure he was well versed in not only succession planning but also safeguarding the family’s interests.
And so, returning to the topic of Bachang Villas, Tee Chew says: “We owned the land; so, developing it is a logical and natural move. And as we have experienced with Liu Men, you don’t want to play in an oversaturated field. We are happy to stand out in our own small niche. Also, as the family grows, we likewise need to grow the businesses for the next generation to lead and eventually take over.”
Diligently studying and observing the market, he adds: “Wherever I go or travel, I visit interesting developments as well as watch and learn from those who are already established and thriving. I noticed that the ingredients for success were pretty much the same everywhere: location, infrastructure and security — only after which come the little, but crucial, details such as density, design and landscaping.”
Asked whether there was any possibility of recreating Bachang Villas in another idyllic corner of Malaysia, the proudly Melaka born-and-bred Tee Chew replies without missing a beat: “No, I am still very much invested in Melaka. I am definitely not ready to venture out of my home state yet.”
This article first appeared on Oct 13, 2025 in The Edge Malaysia.
