The development of SJK(C) Kuang Yu in Batu Kawan has reached a major milestone, as the school’s new campus officially marked its topping-out ceremony, with construction progress now at 95% and operations targeted to begin in early 2027.

In conjunction with the ceremony held at the new Batu Kawan site on Saturday, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced a RM200,000 contribution to the school’s building fund, describing it as a New Year gift to support the advancement of education in the rapidly growing township.

Chow reflected on the school’s long journey, which began during his early tenure as chief minister with discussions on relocation, followed by the state government’s contribution of land, groundwork, piling and phased construction. With the topping-out completed, he said the project has entered a critical phase, symbolising the first visible outcome of years of collective effort.

He stressed, however, that while the physical structure is nearing completion, the true mission of education is only just beginning. The school still faces a funding shortfall of about RM1 million for construction costs, with a further RM3 million to RM5 million required for interior works, fittings and facilities.

The chief minister commended the school building committee for persevering despite rising construction costs and a challenging fundraising environment, and highlighted a RM1 million donation by Franky Khor Teik Leng, founder of KTL Electrical Engineering, as an exemplary act of corporate social responsibility. He also noted that the state government had previously channelled RM400,000 in institutional grants in 2023 and 2025, in addition to contributing land valued at over RM20 million.

School board chairman and building committee head Dato Goh Kim Heong described the topping-out as a defining chapter in the school’s history, thanking donors for their trust in a project exceeding RM20 million in value.

Located in Batu Kawan—an area experiencing strong industrial and residential growth—the new campus reflects the increasing demand for education infrastructure alongside township development. Chow expressed hope that the project would progress smoothly and invited stakeholders to return in nine years’ time to celebrate the school’s centennial anniversary in 2035.

Malaysia’s property market continues to expand at a steady and sustainable pace, with total transaction value projected to exceed RM250 billion this year, according to Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.

Nga said the market has recorded consistent growth over the past three years, with transaction values rising from RM196.8 billion in 2023 to RM232.3 billion in 2024. He emphasised that the upward trend reflects healthy market fundamentals rather than speculative activity, noting that there are no signs of a property bubble forming.

Data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia shows that Malaysia’s homeownership rate currently stands at 76.5%, surpassing that of several developed nations, including Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany.

To further improve access to homeownership, Nga said the government is focusing on raising income levels instead of implementing direct price controls, which he said are not practical in a free market environment. He added that the government under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is actively attracting foreign direct investment to support economic growth and wage expansion.

Looking ahead, Nga cited projections by the World Bank, which forecast Malaysia becoming a high-income nation by 2028, with gross national income per capita reaching US$14,000 or more. This, he said, would enable more Malaysians to afford homes.

Nga also stressed the importance of balanced price movements, saying property values should appreciate at a healthy pace without excessive spikes that could fuel speculation or depreciation that would hurt buyers.

On financing support, he reiterated the government’s RM40 billion Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme (SJKP), which aims to help first-time homebuyers. To date, the scheme has enabled more than 97,750 Malaysians to purchase their first homes, with calls for broader bank participation to widen its reach.

About Foreshore Residence

A mixed development by Tanjung Villa Development Sdn. Bhd. (a subsidiary of Tah Wah Group) in the heart of George Town. Strategically located along Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu Expressway, adjacent to Sandilands Condominium. It is only about 5 minutes drive to Penang Bridge, with an abundance of essential amenities easily accessible within 10 minutes walking distance.

This development comprises a 50-storey building with 9 levels of car parking podium, offering a mix of affordable homes, serviced apartment and shop offices.

*Photo taken in Jan 2026

Find out more about Foreshore Residence

The Grande Hotel & Suites is a mixed-use development by Enlight Homes Sdn. Bhd., located on an approximately 2-acre site in Butterworth. It is strategically located near Jalan Raja Uda and fronts Jalan Ong Yi How. Nearby amenities include an Econsave hypermarket within walking distance, while the Penang Bridge is accessible by car in about 20 minutes.

The development comprises a 14-storey commercial building arranged into two separate towers with distinct functions. Tower 1 houses 272 serviced residence units, while Tower 2 accommodates a hotel component with 84 rooms. In addition, 22 shop units are located on the lower floors. Car parking podium are provided from the lower ground level up to level 4, supporting both the residential and commercial components of the development.

Project Name: The Grane Hotel & Suites
Location : Raja Uda, Butterworth
Property Type : Hotel, serviced residence & commercial
Total Units: 272 (serviced suite), 22 (shop office)
Built-up Area: (to be confirmed)
Indicative Price: (to be confirmed)
Developer: Enlight Homes Sdn. Bhd.

DISCLAIMER: This article is solely based on research done using publicly available data at the time of publication. This is not an advertisement. Any claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a project or service should be verified with the developer, provider, or party in question.

Founded on a single, unwavering vision – “Always Best City Developer” – and guided by its purpose to “Make Living Better”, SkyWorld Development Berhad (“SkyWorld”) is a forward-thinking urban property developer dedicated to shaping inclusive, well-designed city communities. Since its inception, SkyWorld has built a strong reputation for delivering innovative developments underpinned by quality craftsmanship, thoughtful planning, and a deep understanding of urban lifestyles.

SkyWorld’s core focus lies in the development of high-rise residential, commercial, and affordable housing projects that respond to the evolving needs of modern city dwellers. Its ongoing and planned developments are strategically located within key urban growth corridors in Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Penang, ensuring strong connectivity, accessibility, and long-term value for homeowners and investors alike. Each project is carefully curated to integrate functionality, liveability, and sustainability, reinforcing SkyWorld’s commitment to creating holistic urban environments rather than standalone buildings.

A defining pillar of SkyWorld’s success is its leadership in affordable urban housing, a segment often challenged by rising costs and limited land availability in city centres. SkyWorld has consistently demonstrated that affordability does not have to come at the expense of quality, design, or liveability. This commitment is most notably reflected in its developments in Penang, where SkyWorld is recognised for undertaking the largest affordable housing projects in the state. These developments play a meaningful role in addressing urban housing needs, providing well-designed homes that are accessible to a wider segment of society while contributing positively to the surrounding communities.

International Recognition and Awards

SkyWorld’s commitment to design quality, construction excellence, and community impact has been acknowledged on the global stage through the FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence Awards — widely regarded as the “Oscars of Real Estate.” Organised by the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI), these awards celebrate outstanding real estate developments that exhibit excellence in architecture, innovation, sustainability, and social value.

Over recent years, SkyWorld has garnered multiple world-level FIABCI accolades:

• SkyAwani 2 Residences — Gold Award in the Affordable Housing category at the FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence Awards 2023.
• SkyAwani 3 Residences — Gold Award in the Affordable Housing category at the FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence Awards 2024.
• SkyLuxe On The Park Residences — World Silver Award in the Residential High-Rise category at the FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence Awards 2025, marking SkyWorld’s first global recognition beyond the affordable housing segment.

These consecutive wins illustrate SkyWorld’s ability to deliver developments that excel both in community-oriented housing and in higher-end residential segments, reinforcing its leadership on the international stage.

Quality Benchmarking with QLASSIC

A cornerstone of SkyWorld’s development philosophy is construction quality, measured objectively through QLASSIC (Quality Assessment System in Construction) — Malaysia’s national standard for assessing workmanship quality in completed building projects, administered by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB). QLASSIC evaluates structural works, architectural finishes, mechanical and electrical installations, and external works against industry benchmarks.

SkyWorld has achieved notable QLASSIC performance across several developments, reflecting rigorous quality control and adherence to high construction standards:

• EdgeWood Residences at SkySanctuary, Setapak achieved a high QLASSIC score of 86%, demonstrating superior workmanship and quality execution in line with CIDB standards.
• SkyAwani 5 Residence, part of SkyWorld’s affordable housing series in Sentul, achieved an 84% QLASSIC score, which is recognised as the highest QLASSIC score recorded for an affordable housing development — a significant milestone within this housing segment.

These high scores underscore SkyWorld’s discipline in delivering homes that are not only well designed but also built with craftsmanship and durability that surpass industry averages.

Staying true to its brand promise, “YOU CAN NOW OWN A QUALITY HOME AND LIVING,” SkyWorld continues to advance its mission of making quality housing accessible and meaningful, nurturing communities that thrive in today’s dynamic urban landscape.

For more information, please visit www.skyworld.my.