Celebrating retail excellence at MRCA’s 33rd Anniversary Dinner.
The Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) reached a significant milestone this week, hosting its 33rd Anniversary Dinner at the Grand Lagoon Ballroom within the Sunway Resort Hotel. The event served as a major gathering for Malaysia’s business community, drawing over 1,000 guests, including retail pioneers, corporate partners, and industry leaders who have shaped the country’s commercial landscape over the past three decades.
The evening’s proceedings were led by Guest of Honor Dato’ Seri Idris Jala, President and CEO of PEMANDU Associates and Non-Executive Co-Chairman of Sunway Group. In an engaging departure from standard corporate formalities, the program opened with a live session of “The Game of Impossible,” a podcast hosted by Idris Jala and his son, Leon. This was followed by a father-and-son musical performance that set a personal tone for the evening before transitioning into the formal address by MRCA President Datuk Dr. Ken Phua.
In his opening remarks, Datuk Dr. Ken Phua highlighted that the anniversary represents more than just the passage of time; it signifies the collective resilience of the association’s members. He noted that the MRCA remains committed to acting as a unified voice for the industry, with a specific focus on driving digitalization and innovation to ensure Malaysian retailers remain competitive in an evolving global market. Joining him in the celebration were MRCA Founding President Dato’ Eddie Choon and several prominent industry figures, including Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah and Tan Sri Teo Chiang Liang.
The focus then shifted to the history of the association itself through a series of member acknowledgments. The MRCA took the opportunity to honor its “Pioneer Members”—those who have been part of the organization for between 20 and 33 years. Household names such as 7-Eleven Malaysia, Nelson’s, Giant, OSIM, Bonia, and Poh Kong were recognized for their long-term commitment. Similarly, the association celebrated brands with 15 to 19 years of membership, including Focus Point, Secret Recipe, KK Super Mart, and Popular Book Co.
This recognition of history paved the way for the MRCA Retail Excellence Awards 2025, which identified the current leaders driving the industry forward. Across the Retail category, 99 Speed Mart, Focus Point, and Mr D.I.Y. took home top honors, while Empire Sushi, Marrybrown, and Secret Recipe were recognized for their achievements in the Food and Beverage sector. The Franchise category saw wins for City Coin Laundry, Loob Holding, and My US Pizza, while Senheng Electric (KL), Santan Food, and Zuspresso were lauded for their advancements in Digitalization.
The ceremony concluded with a final appreciation for the Silver, Gold, and Platinum sponsors whose support facilitated the large-scale celebration. As the night drew to a close, the atmosphere remained focused on the future, reinforcing the MRCA’s ongoing mission to foster collaboration and growth within the Malaysian retail sector.
For more information visit https://www.mrca.org.my/ .
