KEPALA BATAS: The public will be allowed to give their feedback on a pilot corporate social responsibility (CSR) landscaping programme initiated by the Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP).

Council president Maimunah Mohd Sharif said while government agencies and corporate companies were invited to sponsor and maintain the programme, public views on its design and suitability would be sought before it is carried out.

“Our CSR landscaping programme, which has more than 20 projects under it, is similar to the one currently practised by the Penang Municipal Council.

“But, we wanted to include the people’s feedback in this public sector-private sector initiative to ensure that the programme is accepted by the people,” she said after chairing a full council meeting at Dewan Milenium here yesterday.

Maimunah said the council had identified 25 strategic locations on the mainland for the projects to help make Seberang Prai more vibrant and beautiful.

She said the public could convey their feedback on the projects’ proposals via municipal councillors or by sending emails to the council’s website at http://www.mpsp.gov.my/.

“The council might also hold exhibitions on the project designs in the different Seberang Prai districts for the public to view them and give their feedback.

“When I was the general manager for George Town World Heritage Incorporated, I sought feedback from several Carnavon Street residents before we conducted the beautification work,” she said.

At present, Maimunah said, private developer MMC-Gamuda JV Sdn Bhd under its CSR initiative, had proposed that a monumental park called Taman Tugu Kota Demokrasi Bagan be constructed in Jalan Permatang Pauh, near Taman Bagan, Butterworth.

She added that Bertam Properties Sdn Bhd had also agreed to fulfil its town planning requirement, by spending nearly RM1mil to create a Vision Park within its development project in Bertam, Kepala Batas.

“All applications to sponsor and maintain the CSR landscaping programme, will be vetted through a special committee in the council and not via department heads,” she said.

Earlier, Maimunah and the councillors observed a moment of silence as a mark of respect to former MPSP president Datuk Md Aris Ariffin who passed away on Wednesday.

He had served as council president from April 2004 to March 2007.

SOURCE: The Star

Elevated above the hustle and bustle, View Court apartments boast a panoramic view of Farlim township and its neighboring communities. These low density apartments with its modern facade and practical layout provide an ideal space for your comfortable living. Live the life you have always desired.

Property Project : View Court Apartment
Location : Farlim, Penang
Property Type : Apartment
Tenure : Leasehold
Indicative Price: RM400,000 onwards
Developer : Farlim Group

Property developer, Mah Sing Group Bhd, will continue to acquire prime land and enter into joint ventures in future, to further boost its expansion strategy.

Managing Director, Tan Sri Leong Hoy Kum said the group is keen on both privately held and government land, that could be developed, as it had the track record, experience, branding and financial capacity to unlock and enhance the value.

"This year should be another good year, particularly for developers, with a knack for creative product development and market strategies, among others.

"The mid to high-end residential segment in well established locations should continue to thrive together with the mass housing market, echoing the government's call to provide affordable housing," he told reporters after Mah Sing's Annual General Meeting here, today.

To date, the group has a total of 34 projects in Greater KL (Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley), Penang and Johor Bharu, which yield a combined remaining gross development value (GDV) and unbilled sales of approximately RM14 billion to last for five to seven years.

Leong also expects the positive sentiment for the property market to continue, riding on the favorable employment conditions and stable economic growth.

"It is a good time to buy properties now, in view of the rising construction cost environment as buyers can lock in current property prices and enjoy borrowing rates, which are still very reasonable.

"Buyers should consider the developer’s track record, in terms of product delivery, quality, service and potential upside of the property," he said, adding, the group will maintain its focus on the local property market for its expansion plan.

For the first quarter ended March 31, 2011, Mah Sing reported a net profit and revenue of RM41.2 million and RM311.8 million respectively.

"We surpassed our shareholders' expectations last year and are working hard on achieving another good year in 2011 with more launches coming up in the second half," Leong said.

Macquarie Equities Research, the latest research firm to have initiated coverage of the group, has forecast Mah Sing' earnings to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 54 per cent over financial years 2011-2013.

In order to provide continuous value enhancement to shareholders, the group is aiming for a RM5 billion market capitalisation within five years, from its present RM2.2 billion. — BERNAMA


SOURCE: Business Times

PROPERTY developer Tambun Indah Land Berhad is anticipating at least 15% revenue growth this year from RM128mil recorded last year.

Its managing director Teh Kiak Seng said the company currently has six ongoing projects with total gross development value (GDV) of RM500mil.

“We will launch three more pro-jects at the end of the year, namely the BM Residence in Bukit Merta-jam, Capri Park in Butterworth and Kelisa Residence in Seberang Jaya with total GDV of RM110mil.

“We will have another project in Jelutong with three blocks of apartments and a block of office podium with GDV of RM200mil. Hopefully it can be launched by early next year,” he said after the company’s annual general meet- ing at Eastin Hotel in Penang last Friday.

The company’s ongoing projects include the Pearl Garden and Pearl Villas, Juru Heights, Carissa Park, Impian Residence, Dahlia Park and Tanjung Heights.

Teh said the company was also planning to develop an area called Pearl City consisting of over 445.15ha in Simpang Ampat.

“It will take a minimum of eight years to develop the place with GDV surpassing RM3bil.

“A business park will be sur-rounded by residential areas there and we are negotiating with hypermarkets, colleges and hospitals now. Hopefully, we can get one of them to come in.” Teh said.

He said more people from Penang island were favouring properties on the mainland.

“Last year we had about 10% purchasers from the island while this year, 35% of our purchasers are from the island.

“Properties over at the mainland are comparatively cheaper with a terrace house selling at about RM300,000,” he said.

SOURCE: The Star

PETALING JAYA: Middle class Malaysians who are aspiring to buy a home will soon be able to do so once a new Government-led initiative to build apartments costing less than RM300,000 in major cities is launched this year, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung said.

The affordable housing scheme, which is an addition to the My First Home Scheme for units costing between RM100,000 and RM220,000, will see stratified units priced between RM220,000 and RM300,000 being built for those with a household income of less than RM6,000 a month and who do not yet own a house.

“The Government will do whatever it can to ensure the lower income group will have a house and the medium income group will have a chance to buy a property of their own,” he said in an interview with The Star.

Chor said the plan was for units to be between 850 sq ft and 1,000 sq ft and each apartment would have a minimum of three rooms.

The ceiling price of RM300,000 will be for units built in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Baru and the price will be lower in other parts of the country.