The island’s long-running marine attraction is to undergo an 18-month redevelopment and refurbishment, with the project awarded to Signature Alliance Group’s wholly owned subsidiary.
Underwater World Langkawi is set for a major redevelopment and refurbishment after its owner and operator, Underwater World Langkawi Sdn Bhd, awarded a RM51.56 million construction contract to Signature Alliance Group Bhd (SAG).
The agreement, signed on November 2, appoints SAG’s wholly owned subsidiary, Zig Zag Builders (M) Sdn Bhd, to undertake the works at the popular attraction in Pantai Cenang. The project is scheduled to begin quite soon – specifically on November 13, 2026 – and will run for 18 months.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, SAG said the contract was part of its ordinary business activities and would not require shareholder or regulatory approval. The group also reported that it did not anticipate any significant risks beyond normal operational considerations, adding that it would monitor the project and implement measures to manage potential issues.
The contract is expected to contribute positively to SAG’s earnings and net assets over the construction period. The company’s announcement also provides for a performance bond of approximately RM2.58 million, equivalent to 5% of the contract value, while the works will carry a 12-month defect-liability period.
Executive director and group chief executive officer Datuk Chang Chung Fei described the award as an important addition to the group’s project portfolio, reflecting its strategy of pursuing higher-value contracts while maintaining discipline in execution and margins.
Chang said the company’s previous experience working in Langkawi would be useful in managing the practical demands of the new assignment, particularly the island’s operating environment and logistics.
A LANGKAWI ATTRACTION SINCE 1995
Opened on August 26, 1995, Underwater World Langkawi has become one of the island’s established visitor attractions and is described by its operator as one of the largest marine and freshwater aquaria in Southeast Asia. Located in Pantai Cenang, it is part of Main Market-listed Eden Inc Bhd.
The aquarium was conceived around three principal environments: tropical rainforest and river ecosystems, temperate and sub-Antarctic habitats, and marine life. Its wider collection of attractions includes freshwater fish, coral reef displays, reptiles, invertebrates, seashells, and a koi pond.
Among its best-known features are the penguin exhibits, which include African and rockhopper penguins, and a walk-through tunnel that allows visitors to observe marine life from below the waterline. A larger tunnel tank houses species including stingrays, giant trevally, groupers, and an Olive Ridley turtle. South American fur seals are another visitor attraction.
The combination of marine exhibits, freshwater displays, and animals from very different climatic environments has helped distinguish the aquarium from a conventional fish-focused attraction. Its stated objectives also extend beyond entertainment to education, research, and raising awareness of aquatic conservation.
The redevelopment represents a substantial investment in an attraction that has been operating for more than three decades. However, neither the contract announcement nor the operator’s publicly available information provides a detailed breakdown of the planned improvements, so the precise changes visitors can expect have yet to be confirmed.
While Langkawi’s tourism industry has made a substantial recovery since the pandemic, visitor arrivals had yet to regain their pre-2020 peak as of 2025. Underwater World itself continues to attract an estimated quarter of a million visitors annually, according to industry research, but the attraction is now approaching its fourth decade of operation. Its RM51.56 million redevelopment therefore represents a significant opportunity to modernize one of Pantai Cenang’s established visitor attractions, refresh its appeal, and strengthen its position as Langkawi competes for a new generation of domestic and international tourists.
The sudden closure at some point in late 2025 or early 2026 of the iconic Zon Duty Free store, immediately adjacent to Underwater World, has left a noticeable gap in this stretch of Pantai Cenang. Although the outlet certainly appears to have completely ceased trading, no official explanation for its closure has emerged. There is, however, reason to hope that this little parcel of the island is entering a period of renewal. The RM51.56 million redevelopment of Underwater World, combined with the substantial Tropicana Cenang development taking shape nearby, could help breathe new life into the area. With serviced residences, a planned five-star hotel, and retail space adding to the mix, the investment has the potential to create a more vibrant destination for visitors and residents alike.
The challenge will be to translate these developments into a broader rejuvenation of the neighborhood, encouraging new businesses and amenities to take root and restoring some of the energy to this important part of Pantai Cenang – and hopefully new tenants will take up some of the vacant shops in the vicinity, including the large space previously occupied by The Zon.
A SIGNIFICANT PROJECT FOR SIGNATURE ALLIANCE
For Signature Alliance, the award adds a sizeable tourism-related project to its construction portfolio. The company said the contract was not included in its previously reported unbilled order book of RM228.6 million as of June 30, 2026.
Zig Zag Builders also brings previous Langkawi experience to the assignment, having completed a project valued at more than RM40 million involving interior fit-out works for two serviced-apartment blocks at a commercial hotel property on the island.
The new contract is therefore a significant addition to the group’s workload, while giving Underwater World Langkawi an opportunity to reinvest in one of its longest-running visitor attractions. With work scheduled to extend into 2028, the project will mark an important new chapter for a facility that has welcomed visitors to Langkawi since the mid-1990s.
Sources: The Star, Bursa Malaysia, Bernama, The Edge Malaysia, and Underwater World Langkawi.
