Ms Pauline Chua (seated left) with her Amari Johor Bahru management team

By V. Sivaji

The Amari Johor Bahru is the first ONYX Hospitality Group’s hotel in Malaysia and has always taken pride in bringing Thai culture and cuisine to local guests. This is in their DNA.

Who better to ensure that this is carried out than their new general manager, Ms Pauline Chua, who had spent the last five years in Bangkok, Thailand.

Her postings at the Thai capital were at the Shama Sukhumvit Bangkok and to oversee the Ekamai Gardens and the Emmaline Hotel Nan.

“Being the first Onyx hospitality group hotel in Johor Bahru, we would like to introduce more of Thailand to the locals here. After all, they are known as “the land of smiles”.

“We would also like to expand the product by bringing in other brands like Shama and other branding under Onyx Hospitality Group too.

“In this way, we can introduce both our countries and also merge culturally, traditionally to bring mutual benefit,” said Pauline when speaking to Penang Hyperlocal in Johor Bahru recently.

Amari Johor Bahru general manager Ms Pauline Chua

The Amari Johor Bahru offers some 242 non-smoking rooms and suites and has a staff headcount of 130 employees.

Pauline added that after such a long time being away from Malaysia, she enjoys working with the local team at the popular city hotel.

“Working in Thailand which is also called the “Land of Smiles”, people always greet each other in Thai, “Sabai Sabai”.

“During the two years of the  pandemic lockdown, has also changed me to look into different perspectives as being alone in Thailand during the Covid-19 pandemic and with limited staffs and we play a role in the overall success of the operating hotel . 

“While in Bangkok, I am always proud to carry our Malaysian flag and to promote tourism,” adds Pauline.

Her focus now is to bring Amari Johor Bahru to be one of the leading hotels in the state. And with the cooperation of all team members, this can be achieved very soon.

Prior to joining the ONYX group, she had also served in exotic countries Fiji, Papua New Guinea and even China.

Work aside, Pauline always likes to chill with family and friends.

“I guess, that is my way of getting over a long and hard day,” quipped Pauline.

Penang Hyperlocal congratulates Ms Pauline Chua on her new appointment and in her initiatives to bring Amari Johor Bahru to greater heights.