JOHOR BARU: The iconic Mutiara Johor Baru, the first 4-star hotel in the state capital, initially called the Holiday Inn when it first opened in 1982 will cease operations from June 1.
The hotel management in a statement today said it will remain open to the public until May 23.
The decision to cease operations it said was made "due to the prolonged adverse impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the hotel's financial situation."
"Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the management has made numerous efforts to reduce the hotel's growing losses, including cost containment measures but with limited success," read the statement.
It said that all employees would be given adequate notice in accordance with their contracts and would be paid wages as well as employment termination benefits as per the collective agreement and/or the Employment Act.
Mutiara Johor Baru has carved a niche in the history of this city.
Eight years after the hotel was erected in 1982, it underwent extensive renovations. The completed structure was renamed the Crown Plaza in 1992.
Another name change followed in 2000, this time to Mutiara Hotel.
The renaming was accompanied by the building of a new wing which increased the number of rooms from 180 to 336.
Mutiara is renowned for several Corporate Social Responsibility and F&B projects such as Inn Run, Treasure Hunt, 4 X 4 Charity Challenge to Endau-Rompin, and the first Malaysian Red Crescent Society blood donation to be held in a hotel.
Mutiara was also the first hotel to help raise funds to build a proper kitchen for Persatuan Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Terencat Akal Johor (Differently Abled Children's Association of Johor Baru).
The hotel was the first to bring Oktoberfest to Malaysia which later became a popular event, first among Holiday Inn hotels in East and West Malaysia and in Singapore, and then to other F&B establishments elsewhere.
Mutiara was also the first hotel to bring the WWF to JB to raise funds for endangered animals.
It also led the way in promoting the theatrical arts through collaboration with British Airways which brought crew from the British Playhouse.
Over a 10-year span, Volkswagen enthusiasts will remember the hotel for an iconic event called Bugfest.
In 1996, the hotel held a search for the Heart of Gold which saw it collaborating with the New Straits Times to reward 12 unsung heroes in Johor.
The Heart of Gold Pendants (916) were given away by the late Sultan of Johor Sultan Iskandar Sultan Ismail.
The event was deemed very successful that the state government under the former Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman adopted the project for two more years.