MPH Group
Encyclopedia
MPH Group Malaysia Sdn Bhd is a Malaysian group of companies best known for its book retailing
, and is also involved in the printing, publishing and distribution of books and library services in Malaysia and Singapore
. Its bookstore chain, MPH Bookstores Sdn Bhd, headquartered in Petaling Jaya
, Selangor
, is among the largest in Malaysia after Popular
.
is recognized as the founder of MPH. In 1890, he established the Amelia Bishop Press in Singapore
, publishing Christian
literature. The company eventually began publishing secular works as well, changing its name to the American Mission Press in 1893. In the 1900s, Rev. William T. Cherry expanded the organization's activities to printing, publishing, bookselling, and book distribution. He changed the company's name to Methodist Publishing House in 1906, giving rise to the acronym 'MPH', as the company is known today.
MPH underwent further name changes between the 1920s and 1960s but the acronym remained. The company also changed ownership multiple times, being acquired by an Indonesian
consortium in 1966, then a Hong Kong
group in 1972 and finally by Singaporean entrepreneur Simon Cheong in 1999. In 2002, Malaysian businessman Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, through Jalinan Inspirasi Sdn Bhd, acquired the company. This was the first time MPH became a wholly Malaysian-owned company.
, operating in major shopping outlets including Sunway Pyramid
, The Summit, Subang Parade
, Giant
Stadium Shah Alam, Bukit Raja Shopping Centre
, 1 Utama
and The Curve
. For East Malaysia, MPH bookstore is located in The Spring Mall, Kuching. In Singapore, MPH bookstores are located in Raffles City
, CityLink Mall
, Novena Square Shopping Mall
and along Robinson Road
.
Retail
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
, and is also involved in the printing, publishing and distribution of books and library services in Malaysia and Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. Its bookstore chain, MPH Bookstores Sdn Bhd, headquartered in Petaling Jaya
Petaling Jaya
Petaling Jaya is a Malaysian city originally developed as a satellite township for Kuala Lumpur comprising mostly residential and some industrial areas. It is located in the Petaling district of Selangor with an area of approximately 97.2 km². On 20 June 2006, Petaling Jaya was granted a...
, Selangor
Selangor
Selangor also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity") is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south and the Strait of Malacca to the west...
, is among the largest in Malaysia after Popular
Popular Holdings
Popular Holdings , commonly called Popular, is a Singapore-based company that publishes, distributes, and retails books for the local education market. It has subsidiaries in countries such as Canada, the People's Republic of China, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan...
.
History
Captain W.G. ShellabearWilliam Shellabear
William Girdlestone Shellabear was a "pioneer" scholar and missionary in Malaysia. He was known for both his appreciation of Muslim society and also his translation of the Bible into the Malay language...
is recognized as the founder of MPH. In 1890, he established the Amelia Bishop Press in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, publishing Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
literature. The company eventually began publishing secular works as well, changing its name to the American Mission Press in 1893. In the 1900s, Rev. William T. Cherry expanded the organization's activities to printing, publishing, bookselling, and book distribution. He changed the company's name to Methodist Publishing House in 1906, giving rise to the acronym 'MPH', as the company is known today.
MPH underwent further name changes between the 1920s and 1960s but the acronym remained. The company also changed ownership multiple times, being acquired by an Indonesian
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
consortium in 1966, then a Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
group in 1972 and finally by Singaporean entrepreneur Simon Cheong in 1999. In 2002, Malaysian businessman Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, through Jalinan Inspirasi Sdn Bhd, acquired the company. This was the first time MPH became a wholly Malaysian-owned company.
Bookstores
MPH Bookstores currently has 28 outlets in Malaysia and four in Singapore. It has a heavy presence in the Klang ValleyKlang Valley
Klang Valley is an area in Malaysia comprising Kuala Lumpur and its suburbs, and adjoining cities and towns in the state of Selangor. An alternative reference to this would be Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan Area or Greater Kuala Lumpur. It is geographically delineated by Titiwangsa Mountains to the...
, operating in major shopping outlets including Sunway Pyramid
Sunway Pyramid
Sunway Pyramid is a distinctive retail landmark located in the heart of Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya. It was opened in July 1997 as Malaysia's first themed shopping and entertainment mall....
, The Summit, Subang Parade
Subang Parade
Subang Parade is the first shopping centre in Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. It is located near Wisma Consplant and Empire Subang. Its anchor tenant is the Parkson Department store...
, Giant
Giant Hypermarket
Giant Hypermarket is a major supermarket and retailer chain in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and UAE. It is a subsidiary of Dairy Farm International Holdings .-History:...
Stadium Shah Alam, Bukit Raja Shopping Centre
Bukit Raja Shopping Centre
Bukit Raja Shopping Centre is a shopping centre located in North Klang, Malaysia. This shopping centre was opened on October 20, 1995.The mall is owned by Æon, the owner of JUSCO supermarket. Apart from JUSCO, other major tenants include a Popular Bookstore, an 8-screen Tanjong Golden Village...
, 1 Utama
1 Utama
1 Utama is a popular shopping mall in Bandar Utama, a suburb in the northern part of Petaling Jaya, Selangor and is located just opposite Taman Tun Dr Ismail in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia....
and The Curve
The Curve (shopping mall)
The Curve is a shopping mall in Mutiara Damansara, Selangor next to Ikea, Ikano Power Centre, Tesco and e@Curve ....
. For East Malaysia, MPH bookstore is located in The Spring Mall, Kuching. In Singapore, MPH bookstores are located in Raffles City
Raffles City
Raffles City is a large complex located in the Civic District within the Downtown Core of the city-state of Singapore. Occupying an entire city block bounded by Stamford Road, Beach Road, Bras Basah Road and North Bridge Road, it houses two hotels and an office tower over a podium which contains a...
, CityLink Mall
CityLink Mall
CityLink Mall is Singapore's first underground mall, located within the One Raffles Link development at Marina Centre. Opened in 1 July 2000, the 5,600 square metre underground mall connects City Hall MRT Station and Esplanade MRT Station on the Mass Rapid Transit, and to Suntec City Mall,...
, Novena Square Shopping Mall
Novena Square Shopping Mall
Novena Square Shopping Mall is a shopping mall located in Novena, Singapore. It lies directly above Novena MRT Station. It is located at Novena, Singapore...
and along Robinson Road
Robinson Road, Singapore
Robinson Road is a major trunk road in Singapore's central business district. Named after Sir William Cleaver Francis Robinson, then Governor of the Straits Settlements in 1877, it was once a sea-side thoroughfare until land reclamation works in Telok Ayer Basin shifted the shoreline further east...
.